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White House rejects New York Times report suggesting Trump's iPhone was tapped by Chinese spies

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Trump on phone

  • The White House flatly denied that President Donald Trump's cellphone was compromised after a New York Times report suggested Chinese spies were listening to his phone calls.
  • White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement that The Times' report was based on "inaccurate information."
  • Gidley added that Trump's iPhone "follows industry best practices and is closely managed under government supervision in conjunction with recommendations from industry partners."

The White House on Thursday flatly denied that President Donald Trump's cellphone was compromised after a New York Times report suggested Chinese spies were listening to his phone calls.

"The article written by the New York Times presented inaccurate information about the President's cell phone and its usage," White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

Current and former US officials warned that Trump's personal Apple iPhone was monitored by Chinese spies, according to The Times' report published Wednesday. Trump reportedly used two iPhones that were programmed by the National Security Agency for official use, but also kept a third, personal phone that was unaltered — much like the normal iPhones on the consumer market.

Trump was said to use the unaltered personal iPhone because of its ability to store contacts, the officials said in the report. One of the two official phones was designated for making calls, and the other one was for Twitter.

Gidley rejected The Times' reporting on the number of Trump's iPhones and also downplayed the threat they may have posed.

"The President does not have three cellular phones," Gidley said in the statement. "He has one official government iPhone. This phone security follows industry best practices and is closely managed under government supervision in conjunction with recommendations from industry partners."

"The phone is rotated on a regular basis and is constantly monitored for any security vulnerabilities and attacks, in accordance with recommendations from the intelligence community," Gidley added.

Trump also played down the reported threat by brushing it off on Twitter.

"The so-called experts on Trump over at the New York Times wrote a long and boring article on my cellphone usage that is so incorrect I do not have time here to correct it," Trump said in a tweet on Thursday morning. "I only use Government Phones, and have only one seldom used government cell phone. Story is soooo wrong!"

According to the sources cited by The Times, the information Chinese spies have collected included who Trump regularly speaks to and was part of a wider lobbying effort to influence his friends and business associates. US intelligence agencies discovered the espionage campaign from sources in foreign governments and intercepted communications from foreign officials.

SEE ALSO: Trump's iPhone reportedly being tapped by Chinese spies and is being used to influence his business associates

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A man who received a stem-cell transplant for multiple sclerosis can walk and dance again after suffering from the disease for a decade

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Stem Cell clinics

  • A man in England with multiple sclerosis can walk and dance for the first time in 10 years after receiving a stem cell transplant for the disease.
  • Roy Palmer spent the last decade in a wheelchair without any feeling in his legs.
  • He decided to undergo a procedure known as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after seeing the results from a television program.
  • Two days after receiving treatment, Palmer regained feelings in his legs.
  • HSCT is still considered to be experimental and can result in side-effects, such as infections and infertility, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A man from Gloucester, England, can walk and dance for the first time in 10 years after receiving a revolutionary stem cell transplant for his multiple sclerosis, CBS News reported Wednesday.

Roy Palmer, a 49-year old man who relied on a wheelchair, opted to undergo the treatment known as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), after watching a BBC program that showed the results of the treatment.

Palmer reportedly regained feeling in his legs, two days after receiving the treatment.

HSCT treatment, which uses stem cells to "reboot" the immune system, is still considered to be risky by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The treatment, which is reportedly still in its experimental stages and has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, may result in long term side-effects, such as infections and infertility.

Multiple sclerosis is a disorder where the bodily systems that are supposed to keep people healthy mistakenly attack the protective covering of nerves. This results in damage to the communication between the spinal cord and brain, according to Healthline.com. In severe cases like Palmer's, the disease can result in paralysis, vision loss, and lessened brain functions.

"They take the stem cells out of your body," Palmer said to the BBC. "They give you chemotherapy to kill the rest of your immune system."

There are around 2.3 million people living with multiple sclerosis around the world, Healthline reported. Researchers have yet to identify the cause of the disease.

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Megyn Kelly is reportedly out at NBC after backlash over blackface comments

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Megyn Kelly

  • Megyn Kelly is departing NBC after defending blackface during a Halloween segment on "Megyn Kelly Today," multiple sources confirmed to the Daily Mail and Page Six.
  • Kelly's comments on Tuesday, for which she later apologized, attracted widespread criticism throughout the week.

Megyn Kelly is departing NBC after defending blackface during a Halloween segment on "Megyn Kelly Today" earlier this week, multiple sources confirmed to the Daily Mail.

"Megyn Kelly is done. She is not ever coming back," an NBC executive familiar with the situation told the Daily Mail. "We are just working out timing of the announcement but mark my word — she is gone and will never be seen on NBC live again."

A source familiar with the matter also confirmed to the New York Post's Page Six that Kelly was out at NBC.

The "Today" show on Friday morning reported Kelly was in talks with the network about her "imminent departure."

Kelly defended blackface during a segment on Tuesday.

"But what is racist?" she asked a panel on her show. "You truly do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface at Halloween or a black person who puts on whiteface for Halloween. That was OK when I was a kid, as long as you were dressing like a character."

Read more: The rise and fall of Megyn Kelly, who lost her job as NBC's daytime talk-show host after defending blackface

Kelly went on to apologize for the comments, but she continued to face a slew of criticism.

"I realize now that such behavior is indeed wrong, and I am sorry,"Kelly wrote in an email to colleagues. "The history of blackface in our culture is abhorrent; the wounds too deep."

In an emotional monologue to open her show Wednesday, Kelly gave an extended apology, saying "I was wrong and I am sorry." She added:

"I have never been a PC kind of person, but I do understand the value in being sensitive to our history, particularly on race and ethnicity. This past year has been so painful for many people of color. The country feels so divided. And I have no wish to add to that pain and offense. I believe this is a time for more understanding, more love, more sensitivity, and honor. And I want to be part of that. Thank you for listening and for helping me listen, too."

NBC's chairman, Andy Lack, decried Kelly during a town-hall meeting on Wednesday.

"There is no other way to put this, but I condemn those remarks," Lack said, according to a transcript obtained by The Daily Beast. "There is no place on our air or in this workplace for them. Very unfortunate."

Read more:Megyn Kelly is reportedly out at NBC — here's how her $69 million contract stacked up against other top TV hosts'

Kelly's NBC colleague Al Roker expressed similar sentiments on Wednesday, saying: "While she apologized to the staff, she owes a bigger apology to folks of color around the country because this is a history going back to the 1830s. Minstrel shows to demean and denigrate a race wasn't right."

Kelly, one of the most recognizable faces in media, has made racially charged comments in the past. In 2013, she insisted both Santa Claus and Jesus Christ were white.

"Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable doesn't mean it has to change," she said on Fox News at the time.

NBC reportedly agreed to pay Kelly $69 million over three years to help lure her from Fox News. It's unclear how much of that contract she now stands to lose.

NBC didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

SEE ALSO: Megyn Kelly apologizes for defending wearing blackface for Halloween and saying it's OK if you're 'dressing up like a character'

DON'T MISS: How Megyn Kelly rose from small-town cheerleader, to Fox News' star anchor, to losing her job as NBC's daytime talk show host

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NOW WATCH: Megyn Kelly in 2017: 'I regret a lot' of the controversial stuff I've said on live television

The 14 least reliable car brands of 2018 (GM)

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Tesla Model X

  • On Wednesday, Consumer Reports released its annual list ranking auto brands by reliability.
  • Volvo ranked last with an average reliability score of 22 out of a possible 100, and Cadillac ranked second-to-last with a reliability score of 32.
  • American brands accounted for nine of the 10 least reliable brands.

 

On Wednesday, Consumer Reports released its annual list ranking auto brands by reliability. The publication created the list by analyzing survey responses on over 500,000 vehicles, and this year's list included 29 brands.

Volvo and Cadillac found themselves at the bottom of the list. Volvo ranked last with an average reliability score of 22 out of a possible 100, and Cadillac ranked second-to-last with a reliability score of 32. Last year, Volvo finished 23rd and Cadillac was 27th.

Consumer Reports said multiple Volvo vehicles, like the X60 SUV, XC90 SUV, and S90 sedan were reported to have issues with their display screens and infotainment systems, including freezes and a failure to display. The publication said the X60 also had reported issues with its climate system and rattles inside its cabin, while the S90 also experienced reported problems relating to engine knocking or pinging. Of the three Volvo models it analyzed, Consumer Reports rated the X60 as Volvo's most reliable vehicle and the S90 as the brand's least reliable vehicle.

"The infotainment systems on most models are not very intuitive," the publication said. "Reliability remains a concern."

Consumer Reports said that, of the six Cadillac models it analyzed, only one — the XTS sedan — received an above-average rating. The other five earned below-average ratings. The publication said the CT6 sedan and Escalade SUV were reported to have rough shifting, while respondents noted issues with the in-vehicle electronics in other models.

"GM's luxury brand remains troubled," the publication said.

Buick experienced the largest decrease from last year to this year, falling 11 spots to a 19th-place ranking.

American brands accounted for nine of the 10 least reliable brands. The highest-rated American brand was Ford, which ranked 18th.

These are the 14 least reliable car brands and their average reliability scores.

SEE ALSO: The 15 most reliable car brands of 2018

14. Volkswagen — 47

Least reliable model: Atlas 



13. Mercedes-Benz — 47

Least reliable model: E-Class



12. Ford — 45

Least reliable model: Mustang



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Damian Lillard scored 34 points in one half just to shut up a heckler

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Damian Lillard

  • Damian Lillard went off on Thursday night with 34 points in the second half of the Portland Trail Blazers 128-114 win over the Orlando Magic.
  • After the game, Lillard explained that his second-half performance was inspired by a heckler that refused to shut his mouth.
  • In the process, Lillard set a franchise record for points in a half.


A note to potential future hecklers: Damian Lillard is listening, and will make you eat your words.

Lillard led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 128-114 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, setting a franchise record with 34 points in the second half to put the Magic away.

While Lillard is capable of such a complete takeover of a game most nights that he's on the court, he had a particular motivation to go off on Thursday — an unruly fan that apparently got a little carried away with his heckles.

Trail Blazers photographer Bruce Ely caught Lillard in an exchange with the fan sitting behind the Magic's bench, who had apparently spent the majority of the first half with his attention focused on the Trail Blazers All-Star guard.

In the second half, Lillard would make him pay — after managing just seven points in the first half, Lillard added 34 more after the break to set a franchise record for points scored in a half, helping Portland cruise to victory.

Lillard made it clear in his on-court interview that the Orlando Magic and their heckling fan brought his wrath upon themselves.


He continued his explanation while speaking with reporters after the game.

"He just kept hollering my name," Lillard said after the game. "'Oh, he don’t want to play tonight. He ain't that good.' The whole first half, he just wouldn't shut up. And I got tired of it. I told him at the end of the second quarter, 'We're going to see.' And he kept on talking. And we saw."

Let this game serve as a warning to future basketball fans — if you plan on heckling Damian Lillard, don't.

SEE ALSO: Joel Embiid pulls off another masterful flop to get Andre Drummond ejected

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'The Walking Dead' star Andrew Lincoln wrote a heartfelt letter ahead of leaving the show

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  • "The Walking Dead" star Andrew Lincoln is leaving the show after nine seasons.
  • In a heartfelt letter to press, Lincoln outlined his journey on the show over more than 100 episodes. 
  • Lincoln estimates killing over 400 zombies during his time on the show and apologizes for the time he "bit a man's throat out" on season five, though it tasted like chicken.
  • INSIDER was among the outlets to receive a copy and thought fans of the show would enjoy reading Lincoln's words. You can view the full letter below. 

Andrew Lincoln is saying goodbye to "The Walking Dead." Before his final two episodes as Sheriff Rick Grimes air on AMC, the network sent out a farewell package to press marking Lincoln's departure from the series. 

INSIDER was among the outlets to receive a copy of the cover sheet to Lincoln's final episode of "The Walking Dead,""What Comes After," which will air Sunday, November 4. The episode is directed by executive producer and visual effects makeup supervisor, Greg Nicotero, and is written by former showrunner Scott M. Gimple and longtime show writer Matthew Negrete. 

The kit came along with a photo of Lincoln. On the back, is a long, one-page letter from the actor outlining nine years on the zombie drama. In honor of Lincoln's departure, it only felt right to share the letter with his fans as well.

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"It's been the most exciting, challenging and satisfying role of my career — and for the best part of a decade, the greatest adventure of my professional life," wrote Lincoln. "This season feels like the show I fell in love with all those years ago, and the world we were always heading toward when we wrapped the pilot episode."

In the letter, Lincoln estimates having killed over 400 zombies (his rough count) and needing his iconic cowboy boots resoled a dozen times from normal wear and tear. He also makes light of some larger moments on the show, noting he "lost a girl... that didn't go well," most likely in reference to the disappearance of Carol's daughter in season two. 

He also references his co-star Norman Reedus' "extraordinarily luscious hair." The two stars were known for having quite the prank war on set over the years.

Lincoln ended his letter with a nod to one of several weapons Rick uses on the show. 

"Until our paths cross again. Keep Calm and Carry a Red Machete," Lincoln wrote.

He memorably uses it on season five to take down cannibal leader, Gareth.

You can read Lincoln's letter in full below.

"Thank you...

For coming with us on this journey.

For the nine years of fear, heartache, anger and, let's face it, guts you've shown by making it through these 115 episodes and counting. And for services to journalism that go way beyond any civilised levels of human endurance. 

For understanding that despite the high volume of undead, this is actually an ongoing story about what it is to be alive. A story of hope, family and friendship. People with nothing in common discovering that they have everything in common. United in their search for humanity and a place to call home. A story that has perhaps even more relevance now than it did when we began. 

It's been the most exciting, challenging and satisfying role of my career—and for the best part of a decade, the greatest adventure of my professional life. This season feels like the show I fell in love with all those years ago, and the world we were always heading toward when we wrapped the pilot episode. 

By my own rough count, I've killed over 400 zombies during the apocalypse. Lost a horse, found a horse. Lose a girl... that didn't go well. Ate a dog once. Wore a meat poncho twice. Escaped from a bunch of hipster cannibals. Not to mention I've been shot twice, baseball batted, stabbed three times, bit a man's throat out (I'm sorry—that was weird—that was weird—and tasted like chicken), and had my cowboy boots resoled... 12 times. 

We began as an indie movie, and years later became a three-letter acronym (wtf?). And along the way, we've had the unique pleasure of meeting zombie enthusiasts all over our beautiful blue planet. From Tokyo to Trinidad, people have been united by their love of this story of survival... and Norman Reedus' extraordinarily luscious hair. 

It's been a wild ride, shaped by the relationship the show and the fans of the show, and in no small part you good people of the press. 

I look forward to following your coverage of the show and my friends in Atlanta for seasons to come—what they have planned is quite incredible. 

So thank you.

For all of it.

For the good, the bad... and of course, we wouldn't be a free press... without the ugly.

Until our paths cross again. 

Keep Calm and Carry a Red Machete...

Andrew Lincoln"

"What Comes After" will air on AMC Sunday, November 4 at 9 p.m. The synopsis for the episode reads, "Rick is forced to face the past as he struggles to maintain the safety of the communities and protect the future he and Carl envisioned."

You can follow along with our "Walking Dead" coverage here

Join the conversation about this story »

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Sears will not be printing its iconic holiday Wish Book one year after bringing it back from the dead. Take a look at the catalogs through the years. (SHLD)

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  • Sears won't be printing its iconic holiday Wish Book this year.
  • It printed the catalog from 1933 to 2011, and once again in 2017. This year, it will only be available online, the Chicago Tribune reported. 
  • Take a look at the Wish Books through the years. 

Sears won't be printing its iconic holiday Wish Book this year, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 15, and it will close 142 stores before the end of the year. Eddie Lampert has stepped down as CEO, though he is staying on as chairman. 

Sears has been closing stores and selling off assets following years of crippling sales declines.

In 2017, Sears brought back the Wish Book in print and digital. But this year, it's already ditching it. While the catalog will be available online starting in early November, Sears will not be publishing a print version this time around.

Sears launched the first Wish Book in 1933, selling products like dolls, a battery-powered toy car, a Mickey Mouse watch, fruitcakes, electric train sets, chocolates, and even live singing canaries. By the 1960s, the Wish Book had over 600 pages of gift ideas. The books sold Barbie dolls, toy cars, wine-making kits, washing machines, and everything in between. And in 1998, Sears launched a website for the book. 

By the early 2000s, electronics like portable CD players and stereo systems were added in. 

Though the books are known for their hundreds of pages of toys and games, they also had pages upon pages of deals on tools, appliances, clothing, and other products Sears carries. 

Take a look at what the holiday Wish Books have looked like throughout the years:

SEE ALSO: Kmart is closing dozens of stores as parent company Sears weathers Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Here's how the discount chain fell from grace.

The Sears Wish Book Christmas catalog debuted in 1933. In its first few years, the catalogs were pretty short, usually with under 100 pages.

Source: Chicago Tribune



The 1934 catalog sold products like $17.45 overcoats and made-to-order clothes.



The 1934 catalog also sold guitars, banjos, and ukuleles for between $1 and $12.



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12 times celebrities were criticized for wearing blackface

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Megyn Kelly recently sparked controversy when she defended wearing blackface on Halloween, claiming it was "OK when I was a kid, as long as you were dressing like a character."

While many public figures were quick to condemn her comments, including her own NBC News colleagues, the truth is that many celebrities have been known to downplay or even participate in the racist practice. 

Read more: Megyn Kelly defended blackface on the 'Today' show, but here's the racist history behind it

Here are 12 celebrities who faced public backlash for wearing blackface, on Halloween and in everyday life.

Julianne Hough wore blackface to portray "Crazy Eyes" from "Orange is the New Black"

For a 2013 Halloween party, Julianne Hough went as a popular "Orange Is the New Black" character, who is portrayed by black actress Uzo Aduba. But in addition to the classic orange jumpsuit, she clearly wore blackface as part of the costume.

"It certainly was never my intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone in any way," the "Dancing with the Stars" champion said, shortly after she was photographed leaving the party. "I realize my costume hurt and offended people and I truly apologize."

Isla Fisher allegedly intervened when she saw Hough's outfit, though Fisher's rep denied this, according to Us Weekly.



Jason Aldean wore blackface and fake dreadlocks to dress up as rapper Lil Wayne

An apparent photo of Jason Aldean in blackface at a Halloween party went viral in 2015. A rep for the country singer quickly confirmed his identity in the photo, and said he was dressed as Lil Wayne.

Aldean even defended his decision in an interview with Billboard, claiming he had "zero malicious intent."

"In this day and age people are so sensitive that no matter what you do, somebody is going to make a big deal out of it," he said. "I get that race is a touchy subject, but not everybody is that way. Media tends to make a big deal out of things."



Colton Haynes painted his face for a Kanye West costume

The "American Horror Story" actor wore blackface to dress up as Kanye West in 2011. The following year, he darkened his skin again for a Gandhi costume.

Haynes issued a video apology for his past Halloween choices in 2013 — and went on to don various intricate, yet vaguely creepy, costumes in the years to come.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A Harvard hospital explains why its best startup yet is one that sends you texts about your poop

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  • Large hospitals are starting to embrace technology in their operations. 
  • Adam Landman, CIO of Brigham Health, which is affiliated with Harvard, spoke about the health system's work with early-stage startups. 
  • One of the most successful projects they've had is a texting-based colonoscopy prep guide developed by early-stage company Medumo.

Preparing for a colonoscopy isn't pleasant.

In a colonoscopy, a doctor uses a scope to take a look at the inside of the colon, often to check for growths that could indicate cancer. So that the doctor can get a good look, you have to start eating a low fiber diet several days before the procedure, and then transition to a clear liquid diet the day before and take lots of laxatives —a regimen known as bowel prep.

Sometimes, though, patients don't follow the instructions, and the doctor can't get a good look, leading to wasted time and money. Or they don't show up to their appointments at all.

The Harvard-affiliated hospitals called Brigham Health and Massachusetts General Hospital have been experimenting with a startup that says it can help solve both problems. And the initial results exceeded expectations.  

"Both saw decreases in no show rates of over 30%. That's a very significant ROI right then and there," said Adam Landman, the chief information officer of Brigham Health.

The startup is called Medumo, and the experiment is part of a strategic collaboration between PULSE@MassChallenge and the Brigham Innovation Hub, which the health system started in 2013 with the mission of testing new ideas in clinical settings. Brigham Health has tested out some early stage pilots and studies to see what parts of new technology does and doesn't work.

The innovation hub also serves as a connection point between clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists. 

"What we're trying to do is create a learning environment. We want to work with startups that have great ideas and great people. Because we don't have all the answers either," Landman said at the Financial Times Digital Health Summit in New York.

From doing this, Landman said they hope to find 5 or 6 different programs that can be implemented. Moving forward, different elements from the different programs may be patched together into one seamless experience for the patient.

"I think right now we're in the fertile field of innovation where lots of solutions are popping up, and pretty soon, I think we're going to see some consolidations, particularly focusing on the patient experience side, where we're seeing incredible solutions coming up," Landman said. 

Success in poop texts

Here's how the Medumo system works. It sends appointment reminders to patients as text messages, and gives them information on the bowel prep regimen. That can be pretty detailed. It tells them what their stools should look like, color and consistency-wise, and provides daily reminders and a list of tasks.

It also provides patients with a phone number they can call to reach the endoscopy clinic for help if their stools don't look like what the texts say they should look like after trying a few things suggested by the program.

On the morning of the procedure, the app sends directions from the patient's front door to the exact endoscopy clinic inside the hospital. After the procedure, the app sends a patients a survey about their experience. When the results are available, the app can tell patients how to view it in the patient portal, or send a sign-up link.

The program has made a big difference for colonoscopy patients, according to the health system. The proportion of patients whose insides weren't prepared for the procedure dropped from 11.5% to 3.8%, while the number who didn't show up for their appointments fell to about 4% from 6%.

"We have some very encouraging results and we've started to spread to other procedural areas and other use cases," said Landman.

By keeping the form of delivery to something as simple as texting, Landman said they've been able to observe good results and high engagement.

"Over time, as our population ages, I think this will be second nature to many. And I think there's services and opportunities to think about, as digital becomes more important, such as how do you support that in the home," said Landman.

A possible solution, he mentions, is to have a 'Genius Bar' at the hospital, like the one created by the Ochsner Clinic in Louisiana to help patients and families troubleshoot technology problems. 

One of the challenges for health systems is choosing between competing priorities, said Landman. That includes making a decision between building a billion-dollar patient tower with inpatient rooms, or investing money in digital technologies, telehealth and virtual health.

And that's the crux of some of the key discussions coming up in the health system, according to Landman.

"It's a very difficult decision, but I think we are going to be disrupted by Amazon and Apple and many of the companies here in this room if we don't change," he said. 

SEE ALSO: Mount Sinai teamed up with the designers who created projects for Nike and Beyonce to build a futuristic, new clinic — and it's reimagining how healthcare is delivered

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11-year-old Instagram star Lil Tay has gone silent for months, and now there's a secret battle brewing to control her future

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  • Lil Tay — a controversial 11-year-old influencer with 2.5 million Instagram followers — is caught in a struggle between her family members, manager, and music promoter to control her brand.
  • She disappeared from the internet in June after a video surfaced of her brother apparently feeding her lines.
  • Behind the scenes, her father, manager, and music promoter want her to focus on her music career.
  • But they don't see eye-to-eye with her mother and brother, who currently have her in their care.
  • The private battle recently appeared to get dirtier when the person controlling her Instagram made lurid allegations — posts that were deleted the same day.
  • The Instagram star's future remains uncertain.

A pre-teen Instagram star with more than 2.5 million followers has been all but silent since June.

Eleven-year-old social media phenom Lil Tay garnered attention for her brash on-screen persona and outsized braggadocio. Tay was simultaneously celebrated and reviled for her swear-laden monologues, controversial collaborations, and beefs with other Instagrammers. But she disappeared from the internet earlier this year after a video leaked of her brother feeding her lines for her viral videos. And now, it seems, there's a private battle over the future of her career. 

In one corner is her manager Harry Tsang, her father Christopher Hope, and Chris Jones "The Promoter," who works with Lil Tay on her music career. The three want to streamline the operation around her brand and focus on music, branching out to platforms like TikTok.

In the other are Lil Tay's mother and brother, Angela and Jason Tian, who have been instrumental in cultivating the Lil Tay persona. They currently live with Tay in Vancouver.

There is a plan, say those close to her, to relaunch and pivot her career. 

But it won't work unless the two sides come to an agreement. And their feud appeared to erupt again Monday, when a series of now-deleted posts on Lil Tay's own Instagram account made lurid accusations about the pre-teen's father. 

According to Tsang, Tay's older brother, Jason Tian, a teenager, currently controls her account.

"Jason is saying he's the one who created Lil Tay. If he's the one who created Lil Tay, he can destroy Lil Tay," Tsang told INSIDER. "Lil Tay belongs with him. That's how he thinks."

Lil Tay is a polarizing Instagram presence — but she's incredibly popular

Tay, who first became known in 2015, made waves with her in-your-face, potty-mouthed persona. Billed as a brash 7-year old (Tay, whose real name is Claire Hope, was actually 9 at the time) — she boasted about the mansions, cars, and bundles of cash she said belonged to her.

lil tay ferrari

In her videos, she dubbed herself "the youngest flexer of the century"— an instagram influencer's version of a showoff — and rapidly gained a following for her bravado, aggressive swearing, and feuds and partnerships with other young influencers. She rocketed to fame and shook up the influencer scene, landing her collaborations with major names like Jake Paul.

Tay grew her account to more than 2.5 million followers, but her success had consequences for her family: Her mother reportedly left her real estate firm after it discovered she used her boss's car and the company's rental homes in Tay's videos without permission. 

At the time, reporters also raised questions about her care. Who was looking after her? Was she going to school? Why haven't the adults around her been more forthcoming? Her representatives didn't address those questions at the time, but Tsang told INSIDER that she's currently  home-schooled by a tutor.

In June, a leaked video put her career in turmoil

In the video, Tay's brother Jason, also known as Jingxian Sun, feeds her several bombastic lines. Tay can be seen struggling to imitate the cadences and phrases of a bonafide "flexer." The video supported the impression that Tay's internet persona was manufactured, and that older people around her manipulated her to profit off her influencer career.

After the video spread, Lil Tay's Instagram page was wiped. Diomi Cordero, Lil Tay's manager at the time, told reporters she would be rebranding her image but didn't offer additional details.

Later in June, Lil Tay's Instagram account published a post memorializing XXXTentacion, a 20-year-old rapper shot and killed in Miami, whom she called a "father figure." Before he was murdered, the rapper was awaiting trial on charges of beating and strangling his pregnant girlfriend. Lil Tay and XXXTentacion were planning a charity event together, according to the post.

lil tay xxtentacion

In July, Tay's Instagram account posted a cryptic message that said "Help Me," contributing to a narrative that Tay was in danger.

But days later, Lil Tay reemerged, starring in a web docuseries about her life and career on The Zeus Network, a streaming platform for influencers. It was an attempt to rebrand — she apologized for using racist slurs in past videos, and expressed interest in music and dance.  

On Monday, a person controlling Lil Tay's account posted lurid allegations about her father

There was little news about Lil Tay for months — until this week.

On Monday, her Instagram account uploaded several making accusations about Christopher Hope — who previously wasn't substantially involved in the influencer's career.  The posts were promoted with the hashtag #FREELILTAY.

lil tay mother

Also on Monday, Christopher Hope reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to Instagram asking the platform to remove the posts, a copy of the letter obtained by The Blast shows. The letter called the posts "patently and provably false." 

The Instagram posts were deleted later that day.

Hope didn't respond to multiple requests for comment. A representative for the Vancouver-based law firm, Lindsay LLP — where Hope works — declined INSIDER's requests for comment. A representative for Instagram declined to comment. INSIDER was unable to reach either Angela or Jason Tian.

Lil Tay's manager says it was all a lie

Two people close to Lil Tay — her manager Harry Tsang, and music producer and promoter Chris Jones — told INSIDER that the claims made in the Instagram posts are false. They say the posts were a lurid invention meant to wrest away control over the narrative of Lil Tay's career. And they maintain that Lil Tay's brother still controls her Instagram account.

In his own Instagram videos, Tsang, the manager, expressed his feelings that Angela and Jason Tian irresponsibly handled Lil Tay's career and exploited her for profit. He said the two were "unstable."

"They are standing in the way of Lil Tay's career," he said in a video. "Chris has also never asked for money. And all we want for Lil Tay is to be successful and live a happy life."

Tsang told INSIDER that he hopes to form a legal agreement with Lil Tay's parents to create a formal structure over the influencer's career. He wants to put 25% of her gross income into a trust that she can access when she turns 19, in accordance with Canada's Protecting Child Performers Act. And he said he wants Angela and Jason Tian to stop making videos where Lil Tay swears and acts irresponsibly.

"As Lil Tay's manager, I cannot stand by to witness Jason and Angela to ruin Tay's career as well as her well-being," he said in a video. "I also cannot stand by as they destroy Chris Hope's career because they have differences."

lil tay brother jason tian

When INSIDER reached out to Angela and Jason Tian through their shared email account, the person responding to emails claimed that Tsang was lying about being Tay's manager. "There is currently no manager in place, just a small group of people in her circle trying to help guide her in the right direction," they wrote. 

The person offered to set up a phone call to "clarify all these claims being made online," but then stopped replying to INSIDER's emails.

Lil Tay's manager and music producer have a plan to put her career back on track

Despite the messy state of Lil Tay's influencer career, Tsang and Jones see a path for a comeback.

In her docuseries, Tay expressed interest in making rap music and Jones and Tsang want to push her in that direction. Jones said he's already recorded a few tracks with her and is working on a larger body of work.

life with lil tay music recording

"She's recording music right now," Jones told INSIDER. "My only thing is to make sure Lil Tay's music career is on a positive note, aiming for longevity. That is my goal."

Tsang wants to put Lil Tay on music-focused social media platforms like TikTok, which has successfully launched the careers of other young online personalities. He says he already has several collaborative projects with other influencers in the work, including people who have a major presence on TikTok.

"I already organized a lot of collaborations between Tay and other influencers," he told INSIDER. "Lil Tay is going to come back really soon... Things will be getting better from here."

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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7 great movies you can watch on Netflix this weekend

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Picking a movie to watch on Netflix shouldn't be a hard decision — but sometimes it is. So we're here to make it easier for you.

Every week, we look through what's available on the streaming service and recommend seven movies you can watch over the weekend. Some of our selections recently came to Netflix and some have been available for a while. You just might have missed them because Netflix's algorithm didn't know you as well as it thought it did.

From the horror film "It Follows" to "The Sixth Sense," here are seven awesome movies on Netflix you can watch this weekend (along with their scores from Rotten Tomatoes).

Note: Not all of these films are available in countries outside the United States. Sorry!

"It Follows" (2015)

Netflix description: After a sexual tryst, Jay learns that her date has passed on a lethal curse that can only be shed by sleeping with another unsuspecting partner. 

Critic score: 97%

Audience score: 66%

The premise may sound silly, but this is a genuinely terrifying horror movie. It will leave you spooked, but also make you think. It's one of those rare horror films that has something to say beyond the (many) jump scares. 



"The Land Before Time" (1988)

Netflix description: When an earth-shattering quake kills both of his parents, a young brontosaurus named Littlefoot teams up with other orphaned dinosaurs to survive. 

Critic score: 70%

Audience score: 78%

This is an adorable movie about dinosaurs. If that can't get you to watch, I don't know what will. It leaves Netflix in November, so watch it soon!



"Revolutionary Road" (2008)

Netflix description: April and Frank's marriage unravels when a plan to change their "perfect" lives becomes their last hope to escape lives engulfed in empitness. 

Critic score: 67%

Audience score: 71%

This is certainly not a feel-good film, but it's a great display of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's chemistry on screen. They deliver heat-breaking performances, but its some of their best work to date. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Trump blames 'bomb stuff' for slowing GOP momentum in midterms

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  • President Donald Trump suggested a slew of attempted attacks on top Democrats and other public figures have distracted the media from "talking politics" ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. 
  • "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics," Trump said in a tweet. 
  • At least 12 suspicious packages have been intercepted over the course of the week.
  • All were addressed to prominent Democrats or public figures Trump has vocally attacked and who've been critical of the president in turn.

President Donald Trump on Friday suggested a slew of attempted attacks on top Democrats and other public figures have distracted the media from "talking politics" ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, saying it has slowed Republican momentum.

"Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!"

At least 12 suspicious packages have been intercepted over the course of the week. All were addressed to prominent Democrats or public figures Trump has vocally attacked and who've been critical of the president in turn.

So far, package have been sent or addressed to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Attorney General Eric Holder, Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, former Vice President Joe Biden, actor Robert De Niro, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and billionaire George Soros. 

Suspicious package Oct 26 update

SEE ALSO: Here's what we know about the suspicious packages sent to top Democratic figures and CNN

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The 7 most popular TV shows of the year, according to Nielsen ratings

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Big Bang theory

Even as "The Big Bang Theory" enters its 12th and final season, it is still one of the biggest shows of the year.

But not even Sheldon (or "Young Sheldon") could dethrone "Roseanne," which reigns supreme as the most-watched show of the year so far, according to Nielsen ratings, despite the controversy the show and its star, Roseanne Barr, suffered earlier this year.

The "Roseanne" reboot was quickly canceled and has been replaced by a spin-off, "The Conners," which is currently airing. It debuted last week far lower than the "Roseanne" premiere with 10.5 million viewers, but was still a hit for ABC.

As the end of the year looms, we've gotten an update from Nielsen on the biggest shows of the year as of September 30. Aside from "Big Bang Theory" and "Roseanne," they include hits like "NCIS" and "This Is Us."

The seven most-watched shows of the year so far, according to Nielsen ratings, are below:

SEE ALSO: Megyn Kelly's NBC show has been a ratings nightmare, and was at risk even before she defended blackface

7. "Bull" (CBS)

Average viewers: 14.6 million 

Michael Weatherly stars as Jason Bull, the founder of a trial consulting firm that analyzes juries and witnesses for its clients. "Bull" is currently airing its third season.



6. "The Good Doctor" (ABC)

Average viewers: 15.7 million 

Freddie Highmore plays an autistic and talented young surgeon in this CBS drama now in its second season.



5. "Young Sheldon" (CBS)

Average viewers: 16.3 million 

This "Big Bang Theory" prequel follows Sheldon Cooper as a brilliant child.



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A 7-step plan to building an emergency fund, even if you're starting from scratch

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saving money emergency fund

  • Saving money in an emergency fund is crucial, whether it’s to pay for unexpected car repairs or health care costs.
  • However, according to a Bankrate.com survey, 23% of Americans have no emergency savings.
  • Below, a certified financial planner explains how to build an emergency fund— even if you’re currently at $0.

You may know that you should have an emergency fund, but the question is: Do you? If you don't, you're not alone. According to a Bankrate.com survey of 1,000 adults conducted in June, 55 million people — about 23% of Americans — have nothing in an emergency fund, CNBC reported.

However, when it comes to those who do have an emergency fund, only 29% have at least six months’ worth of expenses saved, according to the survey. Just 18% have three to five months saved, and 22% have less than three months saved. Overall, that’s not a lot of people with money for emergencies at hand.

"There's no telling when you’ll need to fix a leaky roof or cover an unexpected expense," Bankratesenior reporter Amanda Dixon told Business Insider in an email. "That’s why having a rainy day fund is critical."

She recommended having enough emergency savings to cover six months’ worth of expenses — and suggests cutting back on financial vices to meet that goal.

Here, a certified financial planner (CFP) takes you step-by-step to help you build an emergency fund, no matter how much — or how little — is in it now, even if it's currently at $0.

SEE ALSO: 5 reasons your credit could be terrible, even if you think it's not

1. Consider your monthly expenses

Before you can plan how much money to put into your emergency fund, you need to assess your finances. "Good personal finance revolves around a key practice — preparation,"Andrew Westlin, CFP at Betterment, told Business Insider. "In general, it is a good idea to have a minimum of three to six months of monthly expenses covered in your safety net fund."

He said to have an estimate for the smallest amount of money that you'd be able to live off of, month-to-month — including your total bills and expenses for essentials, such as housing, utilities, loan payments, food, clothing, transportation, and health insurance.

Read more: 3 simple budgeting strategies used by the super rich

"Adding those expenses up will give you a good baseline for how much you need to start with in an emergency fund," Westlin said.



2. Estimate your "reemployment period"

Losing your job could be one reason you may need to live off your emergency fund.

"In case you lose your primary source(s) of income, you need an idea of how long you might be without that income," Westlin said. "One way to estimate how much you might need is to multiply your monthly minimum expenses by your reemployment period — the number of months it might take you to find a new job."



3. Set up a monthly goal

It's essential to set career goals and to get in a routine of saving. "Once you have a sense of your expenses, consider what you need to do to save (at least) that much each month," Westlin said. "This will get you into the habit of saving regularly, making the task less overwhelming."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Tech stocks are getting slammed as Amazon, Google, and Snap plunge

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  • Stocks fell Friday as a technology sell-off rattled global markets.
  • Wall Street had wiped out its gains for the year earlier this week, before beginning to recover Thursday.
  • Follow the US indices in real time here.

US stocks tumbled Friday as a technology rout rattled global markets, with concerns about rising rates and the prospect of slowing economic growth around the world wiping out Wall Street's 2o18 gains for the second time this week. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped about 2%, or more than 500 points. The Nasdaq Composite plunged 3.4%. The S&P 500 shed 2.5%, pulling it into correction territory. 

High-flying technology companies were taking the biggest hits after posting disappointing earnings. Amazon's revenue fell short of expectations and its fourth-quarter guidance disappointed, sending shares into a bear market, down more than 20% from their peak. Google parent company Alphabet beat on the bottom line, but also missed on revenue. Snap hit an all-time low after the company said it lost 2 million daily users.

"While a lot of the recent sell-off (and headlines) have been dominated by tech, the sell-off has been very broad-based in nature," Scott Buchta, head of fixed income strategy at Brean Capital, wrote in an email.

"Although this morning’s GDP report may help bring some near-term calm to the markets, we expect to see intraday volatility remain elevated due to the technical nature of the markets (driven largely by algos)."

Before the open, the Commerce Department said the US economy grew in July through September at a slightly slower pace than a blockbuster expansion earlier in the year, marking the best back-to-back quarters since 2014. With strong consumer spending offsetting weaker investment and exports, gross domestic product rose at a seasonally adjusted 3.5% in the third-quarter.

“In one line: Strong GDP growth hides soft capex and massive trade deterioration,” said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

Investors moved to the relative safety of US government bonds, which move inversely to yields, with the 10-year falling 4.7 basis points to 3.089%, its lowest in three weeks. Prices of gold, another safehaven, also jumped to their highest level since July at around $1,242 per ounce. 

Meanwhile, the dollar climbed to its highest levels since 2017 against a basket of peers. The Chinese yuan fell to 6.9641 against the greenback, flirting with its weakest point in nearly a decade.

SEE ALSO: US economy grows at fastest back-to-back pace in 4 years, boosted by solid consumer spending

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Trump's trade war took a stunning bite out of the US economy, and it's the strongest evidence yet that he's shooting himself in the foot

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  • The US economy grew by 3.5% in the third quarter, according to Friday's GDP report.
  • Ther GDP report also showed major distortions because of President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods and metals.
  • Trade took a major bite out of growth, dragging down GDP by 1.78 points, the worst number in 33 years.
  • Companies also built up inventories in a rush to import goods before they were subject to tariffs.

There's mounting anecdotal evidence that President Donald Trump's trade war is causing trouble for the US economy and businesses. But Friday's third quarter GDP report may be the best hard evidence yet that the tariffs are causing major disruptions in the economy.

Headline third quarter GDP came in at 3.5%. But the contribution of net exports of goods and services to GDP — the measure of how much trade added or subtracted to GDP growth — was a dismal minus-1.78 percentage points:

  • The drag on GDP was the largest negative contribution to GDP growth for trade in 33 years — trade subtracted 1.91 points from GDP in the second quarter of 1985.
  • In other words, if trade was a net neutral, neither adding nor subtracting from GDP, third quarter GDP would have been a dynamite 5.3%.
  • If trade matched its average contribution since 2015, a 0.33 point drag, GDP would have come in at 5%.

Uncertainty over trade policy may have also contributed to muted growth in capital expenditures by businesses. Nonresidential fixed investment — spending on large-ticket items like equipment — added only 0.12 points to GDP, the lowest in seven quarters, while overall fixed investment was a 0.04-point drag, the worst in 10 quarters.

Companies have said trade policy uncertainty and the possibility of tariffs will push up costs elsewhere will curb capex spending.

But the tariffs may have also helped prevent the GDP report from coming in softer than expected. Similar to the second quarter's sudden surge in exports (mostly soybeans), inventories surged in the third quarter and added 2.2 percentage points to GDP.

Michael Feroli, an economist at JPMorgan, surmised that many businesses imported goods before they were hit by tariffs which helped boost the inventories number.

"This may have reflected front-loading of imports (which increased at a 9.1% rate) ahead of scheduled tariff increases — imports which then end up temporarily in stockpiles," Feroli said.

That could mean companies rushed to import goods from China that were about to get hit by tariffs, stockpiling those items before they got more expensive.

But the sudden inventory build is unlikely to last. Ian Shepherdson, chief economist an Pantheon Macroeconomics, said the huge drag from trade may lessen slightly going forward, but the counterbalancing inventory build is even more likely to reverse.

"Trade likely will be a drag in Q4, though much less than Q3," Shepherdson tweeted Friday. "But there's zero chance inventories will repeat their Q3 add, so jointly they'll be a drag on growth."

The GDP report follows a series of surveys and anecdotal evidence from companies that suggest the tariffs are causing trouble.

The Federal Reserve's Beige Book, a collection of interviews with business executives from each of the Fed's 12 districts, was chock full of concern about possibly costs from the tariffs. And many major corporations — from Tesla to 3M — have warned that the tariffs will added tens of millions of dollars to their costs going forward.

SEE ALSO: Trump's trade war with China is starting to get nasty for US companies

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The future of Alaska's $65 billion fund that pays every citizen around $2,000 a year is a major issue in the governor's race

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mark begich mike dunleavy alaska governors race 2018

  • The Alaska Permanent Fund is a $65 billion fund managed by a state-owned corporation and fueled by oil and gas revenues.
  • The fund was created in 1976 and began giving an annual dividend to every Alaskan — ranging from roughly $1,000 to $2,000 — in 1982.
  • Current governor Bill Walker lost popularity for his decision to cut the dividend, and his soon-to-be-decided successor will determine the fate of the program.
  • This article is part of Business Insider's ongoing series on Better Capitalism.

For the last 36 years, the majority of Alaskans have received an annual check of about $1,000 to $2,000 as part of the state's ambitious and unique permanent fund. And when they choose their next governor on Nov. 6, they'll be deciding the $65 billion fund's fate.

While an annual, no-strings attached check from the government sounds like it would come from the left, it was actually developed by a Republican governor, Jay Hammond. Since then, it's had overwhelming bipartisan support.

Current governor and independent Bill Walker's cuts to the dividend were highly unpopular — this year's dividend was $1,600 per person, but the Associated Press reported the original payout was going to be $2,980 (that's $6,400 versus $11,920 for a family of four). Walker backed out of his bid for re-election in October, giving his support to Democratic candidate former US senator Mark Begich, when all polls showed neither had a chance against the Republican on the ballot: former state senator Mike Dunleavy. The latest polls have Dunleavy leading, but not by much.

Begich and Dunleavy are trying to win Alaskans' trust during a recession that saw the loss of thousands of oil and construction jobs and brought the state's unemployment rate to the highest in the nation. An issue both candidates agree is crucial to winning back trust in the state is how to strengthen the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend and ensure its long-term value.

Oil money

For some background on this unusual situation: The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, but did not adopt it as a state until 1959. Part of being admitted as a state was the ability to be self-reliant, and that was first accomplished by having the highest personal income tax in the country — self-reliance became significantly easier when the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was completed in 1977 and soon brought in billions of dollars in revenue from those who pumped and shipped the state's freshly tapped oil reserves.

Ahead of the pipeline's completion, Gov. Hammond decided to put the incoming money into a fund that would strengthen the long-term success of the young state and reduce the tax burden on its citizens. This led to the creation of the state-owned but otherwise independent Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation a few years later.

The APFC would manage the fund money as a single body, but make it accessible to the state in a corpus that could only be touched with the voted consent of Alaskans, and the earnings reserve, which could be adjusted as necessary with popular support from the legislature. The state then decided in 1982 that a portion of the reserve would be paid out each year to eligible Alaskans, tied to the performance of the fund. Eligibility requires registration, but there is no age limit or income restraint. That means in a year with a $2,000 payment, a family of four receives $8,000.

It became essential to Alaskans in all walks of life, and it may be correlated to the state's leading the country in lack of income inequality. So when Gov. Walker decided that cutting the dividend to allocate more of the fund's earnings reserve to the government would help during the state's current recession, citizens were not happy.

The two candidates looking to take his place both believe Walker made a mistake. Begich wants to cement the dividend's legacy in the constitution, and Dunleavy wants to take a more hands-off approach. Both are promising to put more money in the pockets of Alaskans, but they disagree on how to maintain the longterm viability of the fund and its dividend. Here are their basic positions:

Democratic candidate Mark Begich

  • Pass an amendment to the state constitution that protects the dividend
  • Move $14 billion from the earnings reserve into the corpus, where it can't be touched by the legislature
  • Instate a point of market value formula for the earnings reserve, and use half of that money for the dividend
  • The remaining money will be dedicated to public education, pre-K through high school

"I believe my plan is the only plan that guarantees a sustainable PFD while also protecting the fund and its future from politicians down the line," Begich said on his website.

Republican candidate Mike Dunleavy

  • Walker's cuts hurt Alaskan families and will be reversed
  • The dividend money is better spent by Alaskans than by the government
  • The state budget is bloated and will not be fixed by taking more money from the permanent fund
  • Any changes proposed to the fund or the dividend will be put to voters

Dunleavy thinks his more hands-off approach is the more sustainable one. "We should leave it alone and not attempt to 'fix it,'" he said in a statement to Business Insider.  

Are you an Alaska resident who has received dividend payments from the Alaska Permanent Fund? Reach out to this reporter at rfeloni@businessinsider.com.

SEE ALSO: Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes wants to give low-income Americans $500 a month, no strings attached — and he's convinced it will boost the economy

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13 surprising facts about 'Dancing with the Stars'

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Since "Dancing with the Stars" burst onto the scene in 2005, the beloved reality show has become a favorite.

Whether the show is creating romances or getting fans wiled up with an upset win, there's no denying the show knows how to keep its viewers hooked.

Here are a few surprising facts for those who just can’t get enough of the ballroom blitz.

The show almost took a presidential turn.

The show’s casting director, Deena Katz, has a wish list of guests she would love to see in the ballroom. One person high up on that list? Former US president Bill Clinton. Katz revealed the dream pick to ABC News. Clinton confirmed the show had indeed reached out, during an appearance on "The Rachel Ray Show".

"This is interesting — actually they contacted me once about this," he laughed before adding "And I told them I didn’t have the time to train for it. You know you actually go out there and train — you really work at it."



The first ladies were given an invite too.

Former first lady and previous presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former first lady Michelle Obama were also asked to show their dance skills on the popular show but both declined, according to Us Weekly.



Sundays are for spray tans.

You may have noticed that the dancers and celebs all have the bronzed beachy glow of a tourist returning from an island vacay. Emmy-winning head makeup artist Zena Shteysel spilled the glittery deets with InStyle magazine.

"We have what we call spray tan Sundays, where everyone comes in on Sunday to get tanned," she said. "We have two body makeup artists who take care of the whole cast, and we also use the South Seas Island Glow Body Bronzer to give shimmer at the base and make everything look flawless."



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One of the most terrifying and rewarding games I've ever played is only $20 right now

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bloodborne

I spent almost a full year playing "Bloodborne." After hundreds of hours and literally thousands of deaths, I can definitively say "Bloodborne" is one of the best action adventure horror games ever made. And it's only $20 right now, if you buy it digitally or as a physical disc. I can't recommend it enough.

I had never played a game like "Bloodborne" before, but after my brother gifted it to me in 2015, I wasn't able to put it down. I spent hours each day slowly carving through the old city of Yharnam, exploring gorgeous Gothic architecture while hunting monstrous beasts and earning increasingly better weapons and gear along the way.

"Bloodborne" is made by a Japanese game company called From Software, which has made some of the most punishing video games of all time, including the beloved "Dark Souls" franchise. "Bloodborne" is similar to the "Dark Souls" games, but its mechanics reward a more aggressive playstyle, and thus, the game is a bit more approachable. Still, as I've learned, you will die a lot in this game — but this makes every victory that much sweeter.

If you've never heard of this game — or if you already own the game and can't stop thinking about it — this is what "Bloodborne" is all about. (Warning: Nightmare fuel ahead.)

SEE ALSO: This looks like the most beautiful game to come out in 2016

This is Yharnam, the Gothic city you'll be exploring in "Bloodborne."



And this is you. You are a hunter.



As a hunter, it's your job to clean the streets of Yharnham from an endemic plague that's taken over the town and transformed most of its citizens into beasts.



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The best value plays in your DraftKings lineup for Week 8 of the NFL season

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Sammy Watkins

Halfway through the 2018 NFL season, and some traditional fantasy players may already be out of the running in their leagues.

Thankfully, with daily fantasy games, every week is a new chance to find value and make some money.

Take a look below for our picks at every position that looks set to outplay their pricing this week in DraftKings. They'll come in handy for when you've constructed the perfect lineup only to find that you don't have quite as much money left for your flex as you expected.

QB: Matthew Stafford, $5,600

Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense has been on a solid run, averaging 29 points per game over their past three outings. Against the Seahawks defense that is still figuring itself out in a post-Legion of Boom world, Stafford has an opportunity for another big day and is available as one of the cheapest quarterbacks on the board.



RB: Phillip Lindsay, $5,200

Facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos are going to want to slow things down and control the pace of the game as much as possible. That should translate to a good amount of touches for Phillip Lindsay, who can take advantage of the shaky Chiefs defense.



RB: Chris Carson, $4,300

The Seahawks rushing attack has been a mixed bag this season, with players trading off the leading role sometimes seemingly at random. But Chris Carson has taken the lion's share of the carries, and should be fresh and ready to role for the Seahawks coming off of a bye week against a Lions defense that's one of the bottom 10 in the league against the rush.



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