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Lisa Jarvis: Brain-to-text technology is about more than Musk

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

Two new studies published simultaneously in the journal Nature document a leap forward in the race to teach computers to translate brain signals into text. It’s an exciting development in a field that is attracting millions in investment, including to Elon Musk’s brain-implant company, Neuralink Corp.But to turn these discoveries into viable commercial products, investors and entrepreneurs should focus less on Musk’s musings about a world where able-bodied people merge with computers to enhance their intelligence. They should instead focus on the monumental benefits of helping people who have lost their ability to communicate or move.Advances in technology are bringing researchers tantalizingly close to restoring the ability to speak to those who have lost it, whether because of stroke, paralysis or a disease like ALS. Crucially, that work holds lessons that could accelerate broader efforts to connect our brains to computers, including those intended to help paraly...

New State Fair CEO oversees her first Great Minnesota Get-Together

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

Renee Alexander has been to the Minnesota State Fair more times than she can remember as a visitor and employee, but last Thursday’s opening day marked her first as general manager. She is also the first woman in the top job.But truth be told: The State Fair didn’t want her, at first.Renee Alexander (Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair)In 1989, when she was heading into her senior year at the University of Wisconsin in River Falls, Alexander applied for a position in the fair’s sales department.“One of my friends from college, it was her mom’s cousin (who) was working here. And she worked in the sales department. Sales handles all the food and beverage, they handle all the exhibitors, the Midway. So, I initially interviewed with them, and they did not hire me.”This was for an internship, mind you. She was majoring in business communications at the time.But Alexander’s resume landed next on the desk of Karen Leach, who ran free entertainment at the fair. She hired Alexan...

Nicholas Kristof: On their high horse, too many liberals disdain Oliver Anthony

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

What’s wrong here?A self-described high school dropout living in a camper with a tarp on the roof sings a plaintive cri de coeur about blue-collar workers being shafted by the wealthy, and it is right-wing Republicans who rush to embrace him, while Democrats wag their fingers and scold him for insensitivity.Huh? Have Democrats retreated so far from their workingman roots that their knee-jerk impulse is to dump on a blue-collar guy who highlights “folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat”?If you’ve been on Mars for the last couple of weeks, I’m talking of course about Oliver Anthony, a country singer who a month ago was unknown and now has had his song, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” soar from nowhere to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the last two weeks.“I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day,” Anthony laments. He blames the travails of workers on “rich men north of Richmond” — a swipe at Washington and elites generally. Some of his lines aren’t so different from ...

Minnesota PUC votes to proceed with environmental review of disputed carbon capture pipeline

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

Minnesota regulators voted Thursday to proceed with an environmental review for part of a proposed but disputed pipeline network that would carry planet-warming carbon dioxide from Midwest ethanol plants to a permanent underground storage site.Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions wants to build a $5.5 billion, 2,000-mile pipeline network across five states so that carbon dioxide from more than 30 ethanol plants could be permanently locked underground in central North Dakota instead of being released into the atmosphere as it is now.But the project has run into resistance.North Dakota regulators on Aug. 5 denied Summit’s application for key permits. Landowners in South Dakota concerned about the risks of a pipeline rupture and property rights have objected to the company’s use of eminent domain along the route. Iowa regulators recently opened a several-week hearing, while South Dakota regulators will open a hearing next month. The network would also cross parts of Nebraska, where count...

Police investigating fatal shooting in north St. Louis City

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Crews were called in response to a man found dead early Friday morning. Our Nissan Rogue Runner reporter, Nic Lopez, was at the scene, located on the 3800 block of Kennerly near North Vandeventer Avenue, in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood, where medical examiners are still investigating. Police: DWI, hit-and-run suspect caught by his own Tesla cameras Officers got the call around 3:45 a.m. Upon arrival, the victim was found with a gunshot wound to the head. The cause of the shooting is still unknown and the man has yet to be identified. The family of the victim is also at the scene. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

New law aims to reduce expired temp tags in Missouri

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The state of Missouri is hoping to reduce the number of expired temporary license tags with a new state law.It seems to be a problem in all parts of the state: expired or fake temporary license tags. Some cities are taking unique approaches to deal with the issue. The focus of the new law is to crack down on the issue, but it will be years before it's implemented.It's not just a St. Louis or Kansas City problem; it's the entire state."I think we all temp tags have, needless to say, been forged, been used, been doctored, been everything that possibly could happen," Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday.Temporary tags are given to drivers when they purchase a vehicle, but the consumer must make a trip to the DMV office within 30 days to pay the sales tax."This should end about 90% of the temp tag abuse that we are seeing across the state," Rep. Michael O'Donnell, R-St. Louis County, said. "It's really become a problem." Police: DWI, hit-and-run suspect caught by his o...

Tivoli Theater in Delmar Loop movie showings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Tivoli Theater in the Delmar Loop will start playing movies again.They stopped after it was sold to 'One Family Church.' However, the church says they will open it back up to show recent popular films - just don't expect any R-rated movies. Police: DWI, hit-and-run suspect caught by his own Tesla cameras Friday night's showing is Top Gun: Maverick. They'll show Lord of The Rings: Fellowship of The Ring on October 6. Black Panther is on November 3, and Home Alone is on December 1.Each show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 to $10.

Butterfly House celebrating 25th anniversary with three events this month

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The Butterfly House in Chesterfield is celebrating its 25th anniversary with three events this month.Friday night, they'll be playing Pixar's 'A Bug's Life,' which is also turning 25 years old. It'll be at the Faust Park Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. It's $6 for non-members, $4 for members, and free for infants 2 years old or younger. Police: DWI, hit-and-run suspect caught by his own Tesla cameras There will also be live music, food trucks, and fun crafts and games starting at 5:30 p.m.On Tuesday, September 19, the Butterfly House will give out free admission, and they'll have their Silver Anniversary Party on Friday, September 29. That'll cost $125 for members and $150 for non-members.

26th 'Paint Louis' event taking place this weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - This weekend is the 26th 'Paint Louis' event.More than 500 graffiti artists from all over the world will be creating art on the flood wall downtown Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Jennings mayor warns councilman to resign or quit day job 'Sk8 Liborious' will also set up a mini skate park and there will be live music and vendors.

Bommarito Auto Gateway Cup kicks off Labor Day weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:40:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Bommarito Auto Gateway Cup starts this Labor Day weekend.Four days of cycling and racing through four St. Louis neighborhoods. Jennings mayor warns councilman to resign or quit day job Each day, there are races for amateurs, adults, kids, and pros. It begins Friday with the Tour De Lafayette in St. Louis First Historic District. It starts at 1:30 p.m.Saturday is the Tour De Francis Park. Sunday is the 'Giro Della Montagna' Race, and Monday is the Benton Park Classic.