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The first and possibly last major match of the year: 2020 Superstition…
Joshua Fry Recreation & LeisureI've been a competitive shooter for almost eight years now and have participated in a wide variety of major and minor matches around the country across multiple shooting disciplines and organizations. I have shot through rain, snow, mud, blistering heat, and gale-force winds that batted long-range shots around like BBs. None of those compared to the unseen threat the coronavirus had on one of the largest and longest-running major matches in the country: the Superstition Mountain Mystery Match (SMM3G) in Phoenix, Arizona.
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How technology can help prevent workplace injuries
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementA few months ago, we reported on workplace fatalities being at their highest levels since 2008, although workplace injuries are trending down. And now, the National Security Council recently released its first Work to Zero research report, "Safety Technology 2020: Mapping Technology Solutions for Reducing Serious Injuries and Fatalities in the Workplace." The report identifies the most relevant workplace hazards, along with technologies that can help to mitigate the risks.
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How shrouds cause chimney fires
Derek Lidstrom Construction & Building MaterialsChimney fires are one of the most dangerous events that a house will typically endure. If the house is still standing when the smoke clears, the investigation that follows is usually worthy of a Sherlock Holmes adventure. Many factors come into play on most chimney fires, and it is the responsibility of the chimney professional to play lead detective and ferret out any and all factors, create a hypothesis and prove his theory to the satisfaction of the fire department, the homeowner and possibly an insurance company. This requires good, clean info. That is what I wish to share here.
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Are combat-accurate groups good enough? Probably not
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThere's a continual debate among shooters about whether it's important to be able to shoot precisely with a pistol. I get messages from well-meaning people saying it's silly to shoot tight groups. There are three things that are vital to understand about the importance of being able to shoot tight groups with your defensive weapons.
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Reform paves path for emergency mass prisoner release
Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityBecause of U.S. prison conditions before the pandemic, federal, state and county prison and jail facilities were considering or enacting various early and mass release, or facility shutdown, plans. These pre-pandemic release plans are the very COVID-19 infection and death mitigation plans required now, but not enough officials are enacting emergency protocols to release inmates from this contagion danger. A recent article in The Intercept describes Rikers Island's jail infection rate as eight times higher than New York City's rate per 1,000 people.
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The hidden social impact of crime-stopping AI
Brian Wallace Science & TechnologyOne major way that artificial intelligence is purported to help society is with its crime-fighting capabilities. For example, crime prediction software can adapt existing AI models to historical crime data. However, this type of AI’s data feedback loop can lead to problems with bias, self-fulfilling predictions, and may ignore crimes that go unreported. Learn more about this tech and its possible problems with this infographic.
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How law enforcement agencies are dealing with shelter-in-place orders
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityMore than 40 states have issued stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, and some cities are facing more severe lockdown orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus. About 90% of the country's population falls under the purview of some sort of stay-at-home order. In most cases, law enforcement agencies are reaching out to their communities and urging residents to cooperate so that they beat this virus together. It is only in extreme situations that they are using fines or jail time.
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How Twister and a 99-cent app can help you ‘overtrain’ beyond…
Mike Ox Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityMost training today is what is known as "training to a standard." It may be passing a test, shooting a certain size and speed group, or checking a box on the amount of time and reps done. The problem is, that type of training doesn’t carry over to the real world. Going to the range, standing flat-footed, and staying in your lane just doesn't cut it. It may be fun. It may be therapeutic. But it only builds a fraction of the skills we need for real-world, lifesaving shooting situations.
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Surviving coronavirus: Bravery, health, and strength
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentBe Brave. Good Health. Stay Strong. These three (albeit optimistic) convictions grace childlike artwork pinned to an overturned wooden cable spool in an Albuquerque neighborhood near the University of New Mexico. As coronavirus spreads, a yard full of art reminds us to keep our convictions.
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President Trump calls on the National Guard to help fight COVID-19
Rebecca Walker Donaldson Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityA few days ago, President Trump activated the National Guard in California, Washington, and New York, the three states that have the most documented cases of the virus. They are the states that are the most overwhelmed in dealing with this pandemic and in need of help. These states have insufficient supplies and equipment. They do not have enough hospital beds or adequate numbers of medical personnel. Some people have expressed fear that calling out the Guard means martial law is coming. That is not what is happening.
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