By TED THORNHILL, MAILONLINE TRAVEL EDITOR Published: 09:58 EST, 20 January 2025 | Updated: 10:05 EST, 20 January 2025
Pipestone Area School Board member Tami Taubert take the oath of office. Photos by Kyle Kuphal
Brad Carson was elected chair of the Pipestone Area School Board during the board’s first meeting of 2025. It is his third consecutive year as chair. Photo by Kyle Kuphal
Pipestone Area School (PAS) Board members during their annual organizational meeting on Jan. 6 welcomed newly elected board member Tami Taubert and elected Brad Carson as school board chair.
Taubert ran unopposed and was elected in November to fill the seat left vacant by Lance Oye, who chose not to seek reelection. Taubert previously served on the school board from 2015 to 2018. She told the board she was glad to be back.For Carson, this is his third consecutive year as school board chair.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” Carson said. “It can be stressful, but I have enjoyed my time being chair.”
Carson said he believes the biggest issue facing the school district in 2025 is the budget because of uncertainty regarding future education funding from the state due to a projected state deficit within the next few years. The state provides the majority of funding for school districts.“When you’re totally dependent on that, it makes you nervous,” Carson said.
As far as PAS and what it can control, he said the school district seems to be in a good position as it begins the new year. He said there were a few positions that need to be filled, but the district was mostly staffed and financially sound with a good fund balance.“We’ve done a good job the last few years with our budgets,” Carson said.
He said he expects 2025 to be business as usual at PAS aside from the roof project on the middle and high school, which is expected to begin this year. The school district has bond funds for the first phase of the project and Carson said it has options available to fund the second part, which is expected to take place in 2026. The school board had planned to use the bond funds for other purposes, but shifted to the more urgent need to address the leaking roof.
“It was the fiscally responsible thing to do,” Carson said.
In addition to electing Carson as board chair, school board members also elected Katie Wiese vice chair, Chrissy DeBates clerk and Mark Hiniker treasurer.
Board members decided to continue holding their monthly meetings on the fourth Monday of each month, except in May and December when it will be the third Monday, but they changed the time to 6:30 p.m. The meetings will be held in room 1148 as they have been. The board also voted to add to their regular agendas that in the case of inclement weather school board meetings will be held the next day, which would be Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m.
The school board voted to leave their salaries unchanged at $60 per board meeting, $50 per committee meeting, $100 for out of town meetings and $400 for the chair; and to increase the mileage reimbursement to the federal rate of $.70 per mile.
The board approved the Pipestone County Star and Free Star as the school district’s official newspapers. School board agendas and summaries of minutes are published in the Pipestone County Star, agendas are published in the Free Star, and the agendas and the full minutes are made available on the school district’s website. The board also approved First Bank and Trust, First Farmers and Merchants Bank, First State Bank Southwest, Peoples Bank of Jasper, the Minnesota Liquid Asset Fund and Minnesota Trust as the school district’s official depositories, and adjusted committee assignments for board members.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowAs an expert in Middle Eastern culture for 15+ years, Corina Goetz reckons we’re seeing it transform in real time.She’s keen to share her passion for its cuisine, history and beauty while challenging misconceptions and helping women have the best, most comfortable experience on their travels.Helping Western businesses navigate two distinctly different cultures as a non-Arab speaking Western woman means I’ve travelled frequently to the Gulf. In my experience, it has been very safe, and the hospitality I’ve experienced is second to none. People are incredibly friendly and happy to help, especially the younger generation. Leaving your phone, bag or laptop in a cafe when going to the bathroom is no problem and everything is still there even when you come back after any length of time. As someone who lives in London, I find this hugely refreshing!Corina GoetzBut while I’m keen to promote the Middle East as a beautiful tourist destination, I also want women to enjoy it comfortably and safely. Here are my top tips for getting the most from your visit. 1. Be mindful when dressingWhile major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah have become more cosmopolitan, traditional values still hold strong, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. While head scarves are now optional in many countries such as Egypt and Saudi, dressing modestly is still vitally important. The strict requirement for wearing an abaya (long robe) has also been relaxed for foreign visitors but in more conservative areas, wearing one can help you blend in and avoid unwanted attention. Generally speaking, loose-fitting, conservative clothing that covers shoulders, knees and cleavage is sufficient and respectful. And always wear a head scarf when visiting religious sites.Corina enjoying the stunning landscapes in Saudi2. Be aware of cultural sensitivities Showing respect for cultural norms in addition to the way you dress will be highly appreciated. During greetings, men should not be the one to initiate a handshake so the onus will be on you. If you don’t feel a handshake is appropriate, a verbal greeting or a polite smile and a nod is enough. When it comes to body language, actions that may be considered offensive include wearing shoes in someone’s home, showing the sole of your shoe, and using your left hand for greeting people, making gestures, or handling documents. Take a little time to familiarise yourself with more of these to ensure you travel safely and feel more at ease. As a female solo traveller, you may encounter curious looks or questions from locals, particularly in areas less accustomed to international visitors. These interactions are often borne out of genuine interest rather than hostility, but trust your instincts, avoid travelling alone at night and use the same safety principles as you would in the West. Corina Goetz on a recent trip to Saudi3. Plan your accommodation and transportTransportation can be a challenge for solo female travellers as public transport is less established than in the West. That said, large-scale schemes, which feel safe and are reliable, are on the rise. These include the recently opened and rather luxurious Metro in Riyadh, and the Metro in Dubai, which has a cabin reserved for women and children. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem are widely available in major cities and offer a convenient and safe option. For longer distances, domestic flights are efficient and reasonably priced. Accommodation options have expanded significantly in larger cities, ranging from international hotel chains to boutique guesthouses, but make sure you plan ahead rather than leaving this to chance, especially when travelling further afield. 4. Adapt your communication styleMiddle Eastern cultures are reserved, valuing politeness and avoiding confrontation, so avoid the overly direct or aggressive communication styles which are normal in some Western cultures. These can be seen as disrespectful in the Middle East. This includes swearing, which is always seen as impolite, so avoid using harsh language, even if you’re with people you know.Keep physical space between yourself and men, avoiding overly friendly gestures or excessive eye contact. Again, these are commonplace is Western culture but can easily be misconstrued or cause embarrassment in the Middle East. We live in an increasingly interconnected world yet there are so many misconceptions about other cultures. Saudi Arabia in particular has undergone significant transformation in recent years, particularly around women’s rights and tourism, and the introduction of tourist visas in 2019 opened the country to a broader range of international visitors. This has allowed for more independent exploration of the Kingdom, particularly relevant to female solo travellers. But there are still clear differences in culture. In my experience, accepting that other cultures have different rituals and customs has opened my world up to a beautiful, vivid tapestry of beliefs and traditions that make up our global community. As well as serving me incredibly well from a business perspective, it has been the foundation for some of the most incredible travel experiences of my life.Corina can be found on Instagram as @starcat_corina Continue Reading
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowAs an expert in Middle Eastern culture for 15+ years, Corina Goetz reckons we’re seeing it transform in real time.She’s keen to share her passion for its cuisine, history and beauty while challenging misconceptions and helping women have the best, most comfortable experience on their travels.Helping Western businesses navigate two distinctly different cultures as a non-Arab speaking Western woman means I’ve travelled frequently to the Gulf. In my experience, it has been very safe, and the hospitality I’ve experienced is second to none. People are incredibly friendly and happy to help, especially the younger generation. Leaving your phone, bag or laptop in a cafe when going to the bathroom is no problem and everything is still there even when you come back after any length of time. As someone who lives in London, I find this hugely refreshing!Corina GoetzBut while I’m keen to promote the Middle East as a beautiful tourist destination, I also want women to enjoy it comfortably and safely. Here are my top tips for getting the most from your visit. 1. Be mindful when dressingWhile major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah have become more cosmopolitan, traditional values still hold strong, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. While head scarves are now optional in many countries such as Egypt and Saudi, dressing modestly is still vitally important. The strict requirement for wearing an abaya (long robe) has also been relaxed for foreign visitors but in more conservative areas, wearing one can help you blend in and avoid unwanted attention. Generally speaking, loose-fitting, conservative clothing that covers shoulders, knees and cleavage is sufficient and respectful. And always wear a head scarf when visiting religious sites.Corina enjoying the stunning landscapes in Saudi2. Be aware of cultural sensitivities Showing respect for cultural norms in addition to the way you dress will be highly appreciated. During greetings, men should not be the one to initiate a handshake so the onus will be on you. If you don’t feel a handshake is appropriate, a verbal greeting or a polite smile and a nod is enough. When it comes to body language, actions that may be considered offensive include wearing shoes in someone’s home, showing the sole of your shoe, and using your left hand for greeting people, making gestures, or handling documents. Take a little time to familiarise yourself with more of these to ensure you travel safely and feel more at ease. As a female solo traveller, you may encounter curious looks or questions from locals, particularly in areas less accustomed to international visitors. These interactions are often borne out of genuine interest rather than hostility, but trust your instincts, avoid travelling alone at night and use the same safety principles as you would in the West. Corina Goetz on a recent trip to Saudi3. Plan your accommodation and transportTransportation can be a challenge for solo female travellers as public transport is less established than in the West. That said, large-scale schemes, which feel safe and are reliable, are on the rise. These include the recently opened and rather luxurious Metro in Riyadh, and the Metro in Dubai, which has a cabin reserved for women and children. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem are widely available in major cities and offer a convenient and safe option. For longer distances, domestic flights are efficient and reasonably priced. Accommodation options have expanded significantly in larger cities, ranging from international hotel chains to boutique guesthouses, but make sure you plan ahead rather than leaving this to chance, especially when travelling further afield. 4. Adapt your communication styleMiddle Eastern cultures are reserved, valuing politeness and avoiding confrontation, so avoid the overly direct or aggressive communication styles which are normal in some Western cultures. These can be seen as disrespectful in the Middle East. This includes swearing, which is always seen as impolite, so avoid using harsh language, even if you’re with people you know.Keep physical space between yourself and men, avoiding overly friendly gestures or excessive eye contact. Again, these are commonplace is Western culture but can easily be misconstrued or cause embarrassment in the Middle East. We live in an increasingly interconnected world yet there are so many misconceptions about other cultures. Saudi Arabia in particular has undergone significant transformation in recent years, particularly around women’s rights and tourism, and the introduction of tourist visas in 2019 opened the country to a broader range of international visitors. This has allowed for more independent exploration of the Kingdom, particularly relevant to female solo travellers. But there are still clear differences in culture. In my experience, accepting that other cultures have different rituals and customs has opened my world up to a beautiful, vivid tapestry of beliefs and traditions that make up our global community. As well as serving me incredibly well from a business perspective, it has been the foundation for some of the most incredible travel experiences of my life.Corina can be found on Instagram as @starcat_corina Continue Reading
Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreTech bros Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Tim Cook were seen sitting together at the inaugural church service for President-elect Donald Trump on Monday.The Meta CEO, Amazon founder and Apple CEO, respectively, were seen at the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square across from the White House on Monday. Also in pews were Google CEO Sundar Pichai and the former executive chairman of Fox Corp Rupert Murdoch.Another addition to the Trump church crew was podcaster Joe Rogan.Tech leaders have been trying to get into Trump’s good books ever since he was re-elected in November. Some made the trek to Mar-a-Lago to pay their respects and some have also made changes to their company’s policies to ease the relationship with the incoming commander-in-chief.The entrepreneur closest to Trump, Elon Musk, who has been seen at a number of events related to the inauguration, donated hundreds of millions of dollars to help the president-elect win the 2024 election.Tech leaders Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Tim Cook were seen sitting together at a morning church service ahead of Donald Trump inauguration
Bird flu virus may have turned deadlier in the recent outbreak this year as scientists have discovered a strain in a person in Texas with as many as nine mutations. These changes in the virus can increase its efficiency in causing the disease, replicating in the brain, and increasing its severity as per researchers at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed).This discovery had brought to light a concern that H5N1 strains of bird flu undergo rapid mutations when it infects a new host species.Donald Trump InaugurationWhile the virus is commonly present in wild birds and pose risk to chicken, its spread in a wide range of mammals means multiple mutations that makes it more deadly. For the first time, the virus started infecting dairy cows in the spring of 2024. These findings have been published in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections.H5N1 is known to cause mild illness and eye inflammation in humans, however the first death in US due to the virus (reported in January 2025) following exposure to infected chickens sparked concerns.“The clock is ticking for the virus to evolve to more easily infect and potentially transmit from human to human, which would be a concern,” said Texas Biomed Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Ph.D., whose lab specializes in influenza viruses and has been studying H5N1 since the outbreak began last year. The team has developed specialized tools and animal models to test prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic antivirals.What is concerning in the recent studyThe scientists looked at and compared H5N1 strains isolated from a human patient and from dairy cattle in Texas. They found that there were nine mutations in the human strain that were not present in the bovine strain, which suggested that they occurred after human infection.The researchers in mouse studies discovered that human strain replicated more efficiently causing severe disease, compared to the bovine strain. It was also found to replicate more in the brain tissue. Good newsScientists also tested several FDA-approved antiviral medications to check if they were effective against both virus strains.“Fortunately, the mutations did not affect the susceptibility to FDA-approved antivirals,” said Staff Scientist Ahmed Mostafa Elsayed, Ph.D., first author of the study.Considering humans have no pre-existing immunity against H5N1 and seasonal flu vaccines provide limited protection, antivirals will be a key line of defence in a scenario of a pandemic.What scientists are now studying Texas Biomed is investigating human H5N1 mutations to pinpoint those driving increased virulence. The team aims to understand why H5N1 infects diverse mammals, causes mild disease in cows but is lethal in cats, and why infections from cows are less harmful to humans than those from chickens.“A key priority will be to eradicate bird flu from dairy cows to minimize the risk of mutations and transmission to people and other species,” Dr. Elsayed said. “Steps that can be taken now include thorough decontamination of milking equipment and more stringent quarantine requirements, which will help eliminate the virus more quickly in cows.”
Bird flu virus may have turned deadlier in the recent outbreak this year as scientists have discovered a strain in a person in Texas with as many as nine mutations. These changes in the virus can increase its efficiency in causing the disease, replicating in the brain, and increasing its severity as per researchers at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed).This discovery had brought to light a concern that H5N1 strains of bird flu undergo rapid mutations when it infects a new host species.Donald Trump InaugurationWhile the virus is commonly present in wild birds and pose risk to chicken, its spread in a wide range of mammals means multiple mutations that makes it more deadly. For the first time, the virus started infecting dairy cows in the spring of 2024. These findings have been published in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections.H5N1 is known to cause mild illness and eye inflammation in humans, however the first death in US due to the virus (reported in January 2025) following exposure to infected chickens sparked concerns.“The clock is ticking for the virus to evolve to more easily infect and potentially transmit from human to human, which would be a concern,” said Texas Biomed Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Ph.D., whose lab specializes in influenza viruses and has been studying H5N1 since the outbreak began last year. The team has developed specialized tools and animal models to test prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic antivirals.What is concerning in the recent studyThe scientists looked at and compared H5N1 strains isolated from a human patient and from dairy cattle in Texas. They found that there were nine mutations in the human strain that were not present in the bovine strain, which suggested that they occurred after human infection.The researchers in mouse studies discovered that human strain replicated more efficiently causing severe disease, compared to the bovine strain. It was also found to replicate more in the brain tissue. Good newsScientists also tested several FDA-approved antiviral medications to check if they were effective against both virus strains.“Fortunately, the mutations did not affect the susceptibility to FDA-approved antivirals,” said Staff Scientist Ahmed Mostafa Elsayed, Ph.D., first author of the study.Considering humans have no pre-existing immunity against H5N1 and seasonal flu vaccines provide limited protection, antivirals will be a key line of defence in a scenario of a pandemic.What scientists are now studying Texas Biomed is investigating human H5N1 mutations to pinpoint those driving increased virulence. The team aims to understand why H5N1 infects diverse mammals, causes mild disease in cows but is lethal in cats, and why infections from cows are less harmful to humans than those from chickens.“A key priority will be to eradicate bird flu from dairy cows to minimize the risk of mutations and transmission to people and other species,” Dr. Elsayed said. “Steps that can be taken now include thorough decontamination of milking equipment and more stringent quarantine requirements, which will help eliminate the virus more quickly in cows.”
The local government of San Fernando City, Pampanga, under the leadership of Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag, has moved the deadline for the business permit renewal to February 6.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed Ordinance No. 2025-002 to extend the deadline.
“The extension aims to give business entities enough time to prepare the necessary documents needed for the renewal or registration of their permits,” the City Information Office (CIO) said.
The initial deadline for the business permit renewal was January 20.
Caluag said the measure would provide the business sector with the needed relief.
She vowed to continue to make San Fernando a business-friendly city.
New Delhi: After the success of DigiLocker for citizens, the government on Monday launched ‘Entity Locker’, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to transform the management and verification of business and organisation documents.
National eGovernance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has developed the secure, cloud-based solution that simplifies the storage, sharing, and verification of documents for a wide range of entities, including large organisations, corporations, micro, small, and medium Enterprises (MSMEs), trusts, startups and societies.
Entity Locker is built on a robust technological framework that integrates with multiple government and regulatory systems, offering real-time access and verification of documents through integration with government databases; consent-based mechanisms for secure sharing of sensitive information; Aadhaar-authenticated role-based access management to ensure accountability; 10 GB of encrypted cloud storage for secure document management; legally valid digital signatures for authenticating documents.
The platform is a critical component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), aligning with the vision of the Union Budget 2024-25 for enhanced digital governance and ease of doing business.
By consolidating these features, the platform aims to minimize administrative overhead, reduce processing times, and enhance operational efficiency for businesses, said the ministry.
Entity Locker’s seamless integration with systems such as the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and other regulatory institutions provides businesses instant access to critical documents.
It streamlines document sharing and access with partners and stakeholders, ensures accountability by tracking all document-related activities, consolidates storage and security to reduce administrative overhead and minimises document processing times and operational bottlenecks.
The platform supports various use cases, including vendor verification on the procurement portal; expedited loan applications for MSMEs; FSSAI compliance documentation; vendor verification during registration in GSTN, MCA and tendering process; and streamlined corporate annual filings. (IANS)
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThese appointments by Grant Thornton bring the number of partners appointed in the past year to 23 as the London firm continues its growth trajectoryGlobal business advisory firm Grant Thornton has announced the appointment of 15 new partners across its audit, tax and advisory areas across the island of Ireland, with four of the appointments made at its Belfast office.These appointments bring the number of partners appointed in the past year to 23 as the firm continues its growth trajectory.In Northern Ireland, Áine Logan and Paul Prenter are new advisory partners, with Bronagh Bourke becoming audit partner and Mark Bradley appointed as tax partner.This followed the firm’s announcement of six new partners in January 2024, followed by Robert Fitzgerald, who joined as a financial services tax partner in March 2024, and Emma Broderick, who joined as head of indirect tax in September 2024.Read MoreNorthern Ireland Screen rolls out UK’s first Sustainability Support scheme, kick…These latest appointments follow Grant Thornton’s recent transformational agreement to combine the advisory and tax arms of the business with its counterparts in the US, creating a new multinational platform providing audit, advisory and tax services to a growing international client base.Commenting on the appointments, Steve Tennant, Grant Thornton, said: “Today’s announcement is recognition of the exceptional talent within our firm and the momentum behind our groundbreaking new multinational platform.Grant Thornton has announced the appointment of 15 new partners across its audit, tax and advisory areas across the island of Ireland, with four of the appointments made at its Belfast office. Pictured is Declan Walsh, Sharon Scanlan, Sarah Bradley, Paul Prenter, Janette Maxwell, Mark Bradley, Steve Tennant, Bronagh Bourke, Graham Stirling, Ross Sheridan, Victoria Armitage, Áine Logan, Robert Ryan, Sean Ridley and Úna Ryan”It also highlights the opportunities at Grant Thornton as we cater to a growing international client base as the first fully integrated US-Ireland professional services firm.“Our new partners strengthen our expertise in key industries like financial services, technology, and healthcare. By combining local excellence with global capabilities and advanced technology, we’re setting a new standard in cross-border professional services.”