Australia Travel Guide: Best Times to Visit for Beaches, Outback, and more

Travel

Australia boasts landscapes from beaches to the rugged Outback region, providing a unique travel adventure for visitors. The country is famous for its wildlife and plant life, as well as its lively urban centers and stunning marvels, making it a popular destination throughout the year.

However, the ideal time to visit Australia can greatly differ based on the areas and excursions you wish to take. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach getaway, an exciting Outback experience, or an immersion in culture and atmosphere, this guide will assist you in finding the right time to plan your journey.

Best Times to Visit Australia’s Beaches

Australia is home to some of the world’s iconic beaches with pristine waters and sandy shorelines, perfect for various water sports and relaxation activities when it comes to making the most of these gems in Australia, navigating the time to visit largely hinges upon whether you’re venturing towards the northern or southern regions of the country.

Northern Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Queensland)

The northern section of Australia is where you’ll find the Great Barrier Reef and beautiful beaches, such as Whitehaven Beach and Noosa. The ideal time to explore these beaches for activities like swimming and snorkeling is from April to October when the weather is dry and pleasant, with warm, sunny days and calm waters.

During this time of the year, marine animals, like humpback whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures, migrate here, which makes it a great time for wildlife spotting enthusiasts to enjoy nature’s beauty. The weather stays quite mild, with temperatures hovering between 20°C and 30°C (68°F to 86°F), making it perfect for adventures without feeling too hot or uncomfortable.

Southern Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth)

The prime time to explore Australia’s cities, like Sydney and Melbourne, for beach getaways is the summer season, from December to February. The climate is warm and sunny, ideal for relishing popular spots such as Bondi Beach in Sydney or St. Kilda in Melbourne.

During the summer months, the temperatures typically range from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F), offering a setting for enjoying events like festivals and water activities while immersing oneself in the lively beach scene.

In contrast to the positives of summer weather and activities are the downsides of increased costs and more people flocking to known tourist spots during this season. One way to tackle these issues is by organizing your trip ahead of time and securing your bookings online. Alternatively, you could opt for less popular beaches found along the southern shorelines to escape the crowds.

Best Time to Visit the Australian Outback

The Australian Outback is necessary for those seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and vast wilderness of the country’s interior regions. Known for their red sandy deserts and secluded terrains with iconic sites, such as Uluru, providing a striking contrast to Australia’s coastal regions, it is vital to plan an Outback journey thoughtfully considering timing factors.

Central Australia (Uluru, Alice Springs)

The ideal time to explore Australia and its famed Outback near Uluru and Alice Springs is from May to September when the weather is milder and easier to handle. In these months of winter in the region, temperatures typically range between 16°C to 26°C (60°F to 79°F), which is perfect for activities like hiking and camping while soaking in the landscapes of the Outback.

Winter is a season for stargazing in the Outback because the clear and cool skies offer conditions for viewing the Milky Way in all its glory. Tourists can join guided excursions to discover the terrain and delve into the area’s Indigenous heritage and culture.

Avoiding the Summer Heat

During the summer months (December to February), it’s advisable to avoid visiting the Outback as the scorching heat can reach temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). This extreme heat not only makes outdoor activities unpleasant but poses a potential risk of heatstroke. Due to the high temperatures in the region during the period, many tourist services may operate on reduced hours, further limiting options for travelers.

Exploring Other Iconic Regions

In Australia, there is more to explore than its shores and arid landscapes. It boasts a variety of ecosystems that provide distinctive adventures throughout the year, such as lush rainforests teeming with life and national parks waiting to be explored in different seasons, along with picturesque wine regions, each with their own ideal times to visit.

Rainforests of Northern Queensland

The Daintree Rainforest in Northern Queensland is renowned as one of the oldest rainforests with a rich biodiversity to explore and appreciate year-round. The ideal time to venture into Australia’s rainforests is during the months from June to August when the dry season prevails in the northern region. This period offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in the green landscapes teeming with waterfalls and exotic wildlife that includes unique creatures, such as the cassowary and tree kangaroo.

During the dry season, the rainforest is an ideal time to explore since there are fewer road closures caused by rain or floods. This time is perfect for activities like hiking and guided eco-tours on the river.

Southern Vineyards and National Parks

If you’re keen on discovering Australia’s wine regions or national parks, the months of autumn from March to May provide the best weather conditions. This time of year signifies the grape harvest in wine areas, such as the Barossa Valley and Margaret River, allowing tourists to partake in wine tour tastings and vineyard festivals.

Autumn also offers weather that’s ideal for exploring national parks, such as the Blue Mountains or Grampians, without the summer crowds. The decrease in temperature also reduces the chances of bushfires, which are common in the summer months.

Best Time to Visit for Festivals and Events

Australia holds an array of festivals all year round that cater to interests like music, cuisine, art, and culture. Planning your trip to align with these events can significantly enrich your experience.

Summer Festivals (December to February): During the summer season in Australia, you’ll find a variety of happenings, such as the Sydney Mardi Gras celebration and the Australian Open tennis tournament, along with outdoor music concerts and film festivals.

Winter Festivals (June to August): During the winter months, you can enjoy events like the mesmerizing Vivid Sydney light show and the delightful Noosa Eat & Drink Festival in addition to the Henley-on-Todd Regatta held in the Northern Territory region.

Festivals offer a chance to experience culture firsthand as both locals and visitors come together to celebrate in the bustling streets and scenic waterfront areas in major cities.

Shoulder Seasons: The Perfect Time for Budget Travelers

Travelers looking for a blend of good weather and fewer crowds often find March to May and September to November to be the time to explore Australia comfortably and affordably with fewer tourists around. The shoulder seasons present an opportunity to visit spots such as Sydney and Melbourne or take in the breathtaking scenery along the Great Ocean Road minus the peak summer crowds.

During these times, the weather creates an atmosphere for exploring sights in cities and towns where you can experience open-air markets and food fests while taking leisurely strolls.

Conclusion

Australia is a destination that can be enjoyed no matter when you visit. However, the optimal time to tour Australia varies depending on your desired activities. Be it relaxing on the shores,

Tripura Government Prioritizes Tourism Development: CM Dr Manik Saha Inaugurates New Facilities at Sulma Dongu Tuisoi Waterfall Tourist Center

Travel

Agartala, September 19, 2024: In a significant move to boost the Tripura’s tourism industry, Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha emphasized the government’s commitment to the sector during the inauguration of new facilities at the Sulma Dongu Tuisoi Waterfall Tourist Center on Thursday. The event took place in the scenic Sanaiya Reang Para of Kamalpur sub-division under Dhalai district, marks the state’s renewed focus on promoting tourism, which has seen a substantial rise in the number of visitors in recent years.Addressing the gathering, Dr. Saha highlighted the efforts of the present government to attract both domestic and international tourists. “The number of tourists visiting our state has significantly increased in the last few years, thanks to our focus on developing tourism infrastructure,” he said. Dr. Saha contrasted this progress with the neglect the sector faced under the previous administration. “The former government paid no attention to tourism development, which left many of our state’s natural wonders and cultural heritage underutilized,” he remarked.The new tourist facilities at Sulma Dongu Tuisoi Waterfall are expected to further enhance Tripura’s appeal to travelers. “If you had not come here, you would not have realized what a beautiful fountain we have,” said the Chief Minister, referring to the breathtaking waterfall. “When tourists come here in the future, they will not only enjoy the beauty of the waterfall but also experience our rich cultural heritage,” he added, praising the traditional bamboo dance performance by local girls at the event.The Chief Minister also mentioned the importance of promoting Tripura’s tourism potential through modern channels. “We have appointed former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly as the brand ambassador for Tripura tourism. He has visited and filmed several locations across the state, and these efforts are being promoted on television and social media,” Dr. Saha stated.Dr. Saha underscored the role of tourism in Tripura’s broader socio-economic development, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India. “Prime Minister Modi always speaks of a self-reliant India, and here in Tripura, we too have the potential to create income opportunities through tourism. The beauty and culture of our state are unmatched, and it is time we let the world know about it,” the Chief Minister said.He encouraged the public to utilize social media to showcase Tripura’s hidden gems. “Mobile phones are in everyone’s hands. Let’s use them to tell the world about our beautiful destinations. Many visitors are surprised by how much Tripura has to offer, but still, not enough people know about it,” he urged.Dr. Saha criticized the previous government’s inaction on tourism, stressing that the current administration has made it a priority. “Why don’t more people come to Tripura?” he asked. “Those who governed the state in the past did not think about developing tourism. They would only complain that the Center wasn’t providing enough support. But under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government, we have placed special emphasis on tourism development.”He added that tourism can be a driver of socio-economic growth. “The Prime Minister consistently encourages us to make the most of what we have. By promoting tourism, we can uplift the local economy and improve livelihoods,” he said.The Chief Minister also announced the launch of the ‘Tripura Tourism Policy’, which aims to attract both domestic and foreign investment into the state’s tourism sector. “Investors are showing interest, even from abroad,” Dr. Saha said. He cited the Swadesh Darshan project, under which infrastructure at popular tourist destinations like Sepahijala, Udaipur, and Unakoti is being upgraded.“Around 41 eco-friendly log huts have already been built, with 10 more in the works. In addition, a light-and-sound show has been introduced at Ujjayanta Palace, depicting the rich history of the Tripura dynasty,” he said. He stressed the importance of providing quality services and ensuring the safety of tourists to maintain a positive reputation for the state.Dr. Saha also touched on the development work at the Mata Tripura Sundari temple under the Prasad project. “The project is nearing completion, and once done, it will attract even more visitors,” he said.The Chief Minister further noted the rise in tourist numbers, stating that in the financial year 2023-24, over 4.7 lakh domestic tourists and more than 75,000 foreign tourists visited Tripura. “These numbers are encouraging, and we are confident that they will continue to grow as we develop more infrastructure and attractions,” he added.Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, along with MLAs Manoj Kanti Deb and Swapna Das Pal was present at the inauguration. Other notable attendees included Dhalai Zilla Parishad Sabhadipati Sushmita Das, Salema Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Bina Das, Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat Chairperson Prashanta Sinha, and various district officials including Tourism Department Director Prashant Badal Negi and Dhalai District Magistrate Saju Vaheed A.The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the future of tourism in Tripura, calling on citizens and officials alike to work together to promote the state’s natural and cultural riches. “If we treat our tourists well, they will leave with fond memories and spread the word about Tripura. That is how we will truly unlock the potential of this beautiful state,” he said.

“Wolfs” – Howling all the way [MOVIE REVIEWS]

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Make no mistake, “Wolfs” is not going to make anyone’s “Best of” list for 2024 but that doesn’t mean it’s not a lot of fun, because it is. A starring vehicle for two of the biggest movie stars on the planet, Brad Pitt and George Clooney, the script is a tad too light to sustain that kind of star power, but rest assured, they make the best of this Jon Watts film. Any prerelease criticism was aimed at the salaries of the two actors and not at the film itself.
Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.
A VIP, Amy Ryan in a very small but pivotal role, has gotten herself in a massive amount of trouble in the penthouse suite of New York’s most luxurious new hotel. It’s career-ending trouble and she doesn’t know where to turn. At one point, she was given the number of a mysterious person who could eliminate world-shattering problems on a one-time basis. She wasn’t sure what that meant until this very moment with a dead kid lying on the floor of her suite. She calls; he comes. More than a proverbial “cleaner,” he assesses the situation and begins to plot her escape from the situation. We’ll call him George because that’s easier than Mystery Man Number One. Suddenly, there is a knock at the door; a pause; the door opens. Enter Mystery Man Number Two (who we’ll call Brad, for the same reasons). He has been sent on exactly the same mission, but by the owner of the hotel who has seen everything on a camera hidden in the room.
And so it begins. George is enormously annoyed; Brad is smugly more amused than annoyed by the obvious overlap. Both are professionals and bicker over supremacy and techniques, methods that each guards carefully. They dispatch the VIP and begin their work. 
Not exactly working together, the cat and mouse game continues as they try to rid the room of all traces of the “accident,” loading the body imaginatively on a luggage cart and plotting their next moves. Complicating everything is the hidden backpack they find loaded with bricks of pure heroin.
What follows is a series of coincidences, chases, failed gambits and awareness; awareness that the situation is more complicated than they thought combined with what they thought of as the originality of their positions that may not be so unique after all.
Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.
At a rapid fire pace, George and Brad and the erstwhile “corpse” are put into untenable situations that test their mettle and force them to work together, as horrible as that seems to them. Something is going on beyond this job but they’re having a hard time fitting the clues together and pulling back the blackout curtain. The more they succeed, the more they fall back into quicksand of someone else’s making.
Giving away any of the actions that follow the “routine” business of cleaning a crime scene so that it no longer looks like a crime scene would be unfair to you and to the film. Just know that the movie, traveling at the speed of sound, demands that you suspend belief and get on board this runaway train. The chemistry and interplay between George and Brad is thoroughly enjoyable and one of the reasons, well maybe the only reason, to see this thriller. But make no mistake, it’s still a very good reason. If “Wolfs” were a souffle it would have cratered with such heavy duty actors and the expectations that would have accompanied them. But it’s not a souffle; it’s a mystery/thriller chase flick with lots of moving parts that keeps the pace going a hundred miles an hour so that you don’t notice that the substance is lacking. It doesn’t matter. “Wolfs” is a good time even when the gambits go beyond any semblance of reality or it sinks into exposition when the visuals are not enough to explain some of the actions.
Watts’ film isn’t high art and has more holes than swiss cheese but the dialogue is crisp and the two stars keep it afloat until the end when it no longer matters. So my advice is, sit back, relax, enjoy the chemistry and highly unlikely plot developments. It’s not a bad way to spend a couple of hours whether at the theater or on Apple TV+.
Opening September 20 at the Alamo Drafthouse in Downtown LA and Cinemark Playa Vista, among others. Streaming on Apple TV+ on September 27.

Ukraine’s military tech ingenuity sparks US defense debate in Congress

Technology

Ukraine, which faces an existential threat, is innovating in military technology and concepts at a rate far faster than the US government, according to participants in a congressional hearing.
As the United States faces evolving global threats and a rapidly changing technological landscape, the agility and innovation demonstrated by Ukraine offer critical lessons for US defense. The US military’s slow adoption of new technologies could put it at a disadvantage against more nimble adversaries. The stark contrast between Ukraine’s rapid battlefield innovations and the Pentagon’s bureaucratic processes underscores an urgent need for reform in US defense procurement, research, and development.
As reported by the Voice of America, chairman of the National Defense Strategy Commission Jane Harman noted the need to stimulate innovation and new technologies that would take less time and resources to implement than they currently do. She also noted the speed with which new technologies are being implemented on the battlefield in Ukraine.
“We need to stimulate change. Ukraine and Russia are innovating on the battlefield and it takes weeks, not years,” Harman said.

”I was in Kyiv last week, and before that in April, and I saw it with my own eyes. If the Ministry of Defense cannot move at the same speed and scale, it will lose. This committee should help the head of the Defense Ministry and his deputy to solve this problem,” Harman urged.

The report with recommendations states that the National Defense Strategy Commission considers some practices in procurement research and development, as well as an excessive risk-avoidance culture, outdated for the modern strategic environment.
Examples of rapid change and industrial involvement, such as in the case of the Space Force, the Defense Innovation Unit, and the Strategic Capital Management Office, remain the exception rather than the rule, the report says.

“We can’t continue to fund things that have been shown to be of no value as new software. We just have to ask what Ukraine can teach us. Ukraine can teach us this, in particular, because you can build a drone for $350. My comment on this is that you can’t buy a cup of coffee in the Pentagon for $350, and we are talking about our future,” says the head of the National Defense Strategy Commission.

Harman emphasizes that some of the Pentagon’s current programs, which are focused purely on equipment, should be replaced with others that make greater use of modern technology and software.
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Nick Laird, Anne Michaels and Tomasz Różycki to judge 2025 Griffin Poetry Prize The award is the world’s largest international prize for an English single book of poetry. Books |19 minutes ago

Arts & Culture, Books

Canadian author and poet Anne Michaels and international writers Nick Laird and Tomasz Różycki have been announced as the judges for the 2025 Griffin Poetry Prize.Founded in 2000 by Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Scott Griffin, the Griffin Poetry Prize is the world’s largest international prize for a single book of poetry written in, or translated into English. The winner will receive $130,000. Michaels is a Toronto writer of poetry and fiction whose books have been translated into more than 45 languages and whose work has been adapted for the screen and the theatre. She is the winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Guardian Fiction Prize, the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, the Trillium Book Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship.She has been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Griffin Poetry Prize and the Scotiabank Giller Prize.Most recently, Michaels was announced as a finalist for the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel Held, which weaves together historical figures and events in a mysterious narrative that spans generations.LISTEN | Anne Michaels on Q: 30:51Anne Michaels: Held, how she knows she’s finished writing a book, and the unexpected reason she’s so privateAnne Michaels is an award-winning Canadian poet and novelist who just published her long-awaited third novel, “Held.” The story spans 115 years and deals in themes familiar to her work: history, grief and the power of love. Anne tells Tom why it took nearly 15 years to write the novel, why she’s so interested in writing about war, and why she chooses to live an intensely private life.Laird is a poet, novelist, screenwriter and former lawyer born in Dungannon in Northern Ireland. He has been awarded the Betty Trask Prize, the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize, a Forward Prize, the Somerset Maugham Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is a poetry professor at Queen’s University in Belfast. Różycki is a Polish poet, translator and essayist best known for his book-length poem Twelve Stations and his poetry collection Colonies. His work, both in its original Polish and in translation, has won the Kościelski Prize, the Wisława Szymborska Award, Le Grand Continent Prize, the Samuel Bogumił Prize, the Vaclav Burian Prize, the Joseph Brodsky Award and the Northern California Book Award.Różycki was awarded a fellowship by the DAAD Artist-in-Berlin Program in 2018 and a Senate of Berlin Fellowship in 2020.Mexican poet Homer Aridjis and Vancouver translator George McWhirter won the 2024 prize for the collection Self-Portrait in the Zone of Silence.Past Canadian winners of the prize include Tolu Oloruntoba for The Junta of Happenstance, Canisia Lubrin for The Dyzgraphxst and Kaie Kellough for Magnetic Equator. In 2022, the Griffin Poetry Prize announced that they would be combining their international and Canadian prizes into one major award, which previously amounted to $65,000 each.A $10,000 prize is also awarded for a Canadian First Book of poetry for a first book written in English by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The winner will complete a six-week residency in Italy in partnership with the Civitella Ranieri Foundation. The longlist for the prize will be announced in mid-March, while the shortlist will be released mid-April. The winner of the 2024 Griffin Poetry Prize will be revealed in June. 

How to maintain a stable internet connection for online gaming while traveling

Travel

Gaming doesn’t have to stop because you’re on a road trip or commuting via train. You can always play your game on the go without disturbances — except maybe internet connection issues.
Even though internet connections can be unreliable while traveling, there are ways to fix the challenge and enjoy your game with high-speed connections. Here are some quick fixes for you.
Invest in Travel Routers
You can buy a travel router with strong bandwidth if you’re not traveling on your laptop or prefer gaming on your mobile device. This can help you connect your tablets, phones and other gaming gadgets to the internet without compromising the speed.

Travel routers can even boost the signal from your existing WiFi network and give your devices the necessary speed you need to enjoy your online games. Ensure you invest in a light and portable option to reduce the stress of packing it when you move.
Switch to Wired
Wireless connections are fast in an ideal environment, but wired connections are sometimes much faster in certain areas. For example, wireless connections tend to be slower in urban areas where you compete for the available bandwidth.
This can work for both intensive gaming and might be just the right hack to play your favorite casino game on 7Slots casino 7slots-cazino.com. If there’s an ethernet port in your traveling space or wherever you’re lodged, you can plug your laptop in directly to increase the speed and improve your gaming.
Find Public WiF
If you’re able to, you can find a quiet public area with a fast network, too. For example, trains usually have high-speed internet, especially when fewer people are on board. Although it’s not always a surefire way to get a high-speed connection, sometimes it just works.
Turn off Background Apps
Many of those handy apps you’ve got on your device sap data in the background. They might take a large chunk of the network on your phone and leave you battling with a slow connection. Go to the app settings and restrict their access to your internet connection in the background. You should notice a boost in your network when done. Examples of the apps to turn off include:

iCloud
BitTorrent
Google Photos
Unused Browsers
OneDrive
Dropbox

Find the Right Spot
Although it might sound silly, moving around to find the right spot sometimes does the trick, even if it’s just to log in to basic casino sites like 7 Slots. The network speed tends to differ across various areas of the same space.
Microwaves, cordless telephones, etc., can sometimes interfere with the wireless signal. So, moving your device around a bit might be a good idea to find the best corner of your traveling space with the fastest internet connection.

Scientists searching for the origins of COVID-19 have zeroed in on a short list of animals that possibly helped spread it to people.

Science and Health

LONDON (AP) — Scientists searching for the origins of COVID-19 have zeroed in on a short list of animals that possibly helped spread it to people, an effort they hope could allow them to trace the outbreak back to its source. Researchers analyzed genetic material gathered from the Chinese market where the first outbreak was detected and found that the most likely animals were racoon dogs, civet cats and bamboo rats. The scientists suspect infected animals were first brought to the Wuhan market in late November 2019, which then triggered the pandemic.Michael Worobey, one of the new study’s authors, said they found which sub-populations of animals might have transmitted the coronavirus to humans. That may help researchers pinpoint where the virus commonly circulates in animals, known as its natural reservoir.“For example, with the racoon dogs, we can show that the racoon dogs that were (at the market) … were from a sub-species that circulates more in southern parts of China,” said Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona. Knowing that might help researchers understand where those animals came from and where they were sold. Scientists might then start sampling bats in the area, which are known to be the natural reservoirs of related coronaviruses like SARS.

While the research bolsters the case that COVID-19 emerged from animals, it does not resolve the polarized and political debate over whether the virus instead emerged from a research lab in China.

Mark Woolhouse, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh, said the new genetic analysis suggested that the pandemic “had its evolutionary roots in the market” and that it was very unlikely COVID-19 was infecting people before it was identified at the Huanan market.

“It’s a significant finding and this does shift the dial more in favor of an animal origin,” Woolhouse, who was not connected to the research, said. “But it is not conclusive.”

An expert group led by the World Health Organization concluded in 2021 that the virus probably spread to humans from animals and that a lab leak was “extremely unlikely.” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus later said it was “premature” to rule out a lab leak.An AP investigation in April found the search for the COVID origins in China has gone dark after political infighting and missed opportunities by local and global health officials to narrow the possibilities.Scientists say they may never know for sure where exactly the virus came from. In the new study, published Thursday in the journal Cell, scientists from Europe, the U.S. and Australia analyzed data previously released by experts at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It included 800 samples of genetic material Chinese workers collected on Jan. 1, 2020 from the Huanan seafood market, the day after Wuhan municipal authorities first raised the alarm about an unknown respiratory virus.Chinese scientists published the genetic sequences they found last year, but did not identify any of the animals possibly infected with the coronavirus. In the new analysis, researchers used a technique that can identify specific organisms from any mixture of genetic material collected in the environment.

Worobey said the information provides “a snapshot of what was (at the market) before the pandemic began” and that genetic analyses like theirs “helps to fill in the blanks of how the virus might have first started spreading.”Woolhouse said the new study, while significant, left some critical issues unanswered.“There is no question COVID was circulating at that market, which was full of animals,” he said. “The question that still remains is how it got there in the first place.”___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Nicole Merritt: A Maestro of media and business

Business News

In the dazzling world of public relations and media strategy, few names shine as brightly as Nicole Merritt. A multilayered Public Relations Consultant and New Media Strategist, Merritt is the epitome of success, seamlessly orchestrating the symphony of media strategy and business development for established organizations. Her mission is clear: to help organizations and corporations achieve their goals through compelling marketing campaigns, attention-grabbing advertising, and fine-tuned promotional efforts.Merritt’s journey is as impressive as it is inspiring. A Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University [FAMU] alum with a BS degree in Political Science, and holding an MA degree in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University, she brings over two decades of experience to the table. Merritt’s career began in the political arena, serving in the Florida State Legislature and the Georgia General Assembly, where she honed her skills in event production, writing, and analysis. As a Campaign Manager, a Commissioner appointed by the Mayor, and President of various community organizations, Merritt has proven time and again that she is a powerhouse in the world of communications and public relations.One of Merritt’s earliest hallmark achievements was establishing the Florida Film and Entertainment Office. This role allowed her to rub elbows with public figures, celebrities, and corporate bigwigs, giving her invaluable insights into the entertainment industry and forging strong relationships with key media players. This wealth of experience has since translated into her work as a trusted advisor to both elected officials and top-tier corporations, managing their reputations with precision and grace.
But Wait – There’s More…. 
As a female multi-business owner, she has diversified her portfolio with ventures in entertainment and investment. Since 2001, she has been wowing clients with her superior customer service and savvy business acumen. From Indigo Soul Promotions to Big Deal Records, Merritt’s entrepreneurial spirit knows no bounds. Merritt’s latest achievement? Producing “Ignite! A Fire Gifting Lounge” in Santa Monica, CA, where she once again demonstrated her expertise in event production.Currently, Merritt is at the helm of strategy consulting for television programming and feature films, having been appointed as the Director of Acquisitions for Porter Craig Film and Media Distribution in Beverly Hills, California. Despite her busy schedule, she always makes time for philanthropy, championing mental health programs for veterans through the Military Heroes, Meet Heroes Foundation, where she serves as President. Additionally, Merritt shares her expertise serving in an executive leadership role as a coveted charter member of Tall Girls United, LLC and Director of Programs for the Tall Girls United Fund [501c-3].And now, in esteemed partnership with David Craig and Keith L. Craig [CMA], Merritt basks in the joyous and triumphant aftermath of her 26th Hollywood production – her first with Craig and Ash, Surge: An Electrifying Gifting Lounge Experience, that graced the Primetime Emmy Awards week and was attended by 156 distinguished guests. Her enduring legacy of crafting unparalleled opportunities for minority and small business owners continues to ascend.Merritt is not just a media powerhouse—she’s a trailblazer, a leader, and an unstoppable force in the world of multi-media and beyond. Insight News is honored to spotlight this remarkable woman as she continues to shape the future of media, business, and philanthropy. Merritt’s story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She is, without a doubt, a visionary force in media, entertainment, and public relations.Nicole Merritt — a name synonymous with innovation, leadership, and relentless passion.

JBS USA initiates RNG projects at processing plants

Technology

GREELEY, COLO. — JBS USA is partnering with GreenGasUSA to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) at several of its beef and poultry production sites across the United States.Looking to lead sustainable transformation, JBS adopted a strategy of addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through circular economy technology that repurposes waste into renewable energy.“At JBS and Pilgrim’s, we’re committed to reducing the impact of food production by partnering with stakeholders to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Wesley Batista Filho, chief executive officer of JBS Foods USA. “This collaboration with GreenGasUSA is a perfect example of these efforts. This innovative approach takes what was once an unused byproduct of food production and transforms it to offset a significant amount of fossil fuels. This process can be a model for the rest of the industry to follow.”By installing GreenGasUSA’s on-site gas upgrading systems, biogas collected from the wastewater streams of JBS facilities will be purified into pipeline-quality RNG, allowing end users to displace fossil fuel usage. JBS said the RNG will displace emissions equivalent to 60 million miles driven by a car, or 26 million lbs of coal burned, annually.Installation will start at JBS facilities in Grand Island, Neb., and Hyrum, Utah, as well as the Pilgrim’s Sumter, SC, facility. The Sumter project is scheduled to be completed in early 2025, while the Grand Island and Hyrum projects are slated for completion by the end of 2025. In addition to reducing GHG emissions at these facilities, the partnership with GreenGasUSA will improve wastewater operations and local air and water quality.JBS noted that it has initiated over 25 projects since 2019 to capture or eliminate methane emissions from waste lagoons at its facilities. Globally, the projects have destroyed and/or recovered methane from its anaerobic waste treatment systems resulting in the reduction of over 600,000 tonnes per year of GHG, the company said.