Choze Powell

Apple Races Against Time To Salvage $17 Billion Smartwatch Business Facing U.S. Ban

As a U.S. ban looms just days away, Apple Inc. is undertaking an urgent rescue mission for its $17 billion smartwatch business. The impending ban, slated to hit on Christmas, stems from a dispute with Masimo Corp. over alleged patent infringement related to the smartwatch’s blood oxygen level measurement feature according to Time.com. 

Apple engineers are intensively reworking algorithms to address the contested technology, modifying how it calculates oxygen saturation and presents data to users. This high-stakes engineering effort, unprecedented for Apple, could severely impact one of its major revenue streams domestically. 

Unless the White House intervenes before December 25th, an International Trade Commission ban will take effect. While settlement with Masimo is an option, Apple is presently focused on technological modifications and seeking regulatory approval.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Breakthrough Arrest Made In 40-Year-Old Cold Case Murder Of St. Clair County Woman

In a significant development, authorities announced Monday morning that an arrest has been made in the decades-old cold case homicide of 21-year-old Karen Umphrey in St. Clair County. 

Douglas Laming, 70, from Fort Gratiot Township, is currently in custody taken by St. Clair County Sheriff’s detectives. Umphrey’s life was tragically cut short in 1980, when her body was discovered in the State Game Area in Beards Hills.

Collaborating with the Michigan State Police and forensic genetic genealogy experts at Othram, investigators unearthed crucial information previously deemed unattainable. Detective work spanning four decades included interviews with individuals connected to both victim and suspect. Laming now faces charges of felony murder, he awaits a court appearance for a probable cause conference on December 26th at the St. Clair County Detention and Intervention Center.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Last-Minute Christmas Ideas For Kids, Teens, And Adults

As the Christmas holiday looms ever closer, here are a few last minute gift ideas for people of all ages to enjoy. 

Adults

Keep the festive beats alive with a stylish portable Bluetooth speaker. Perfect for home, backyard, or on-the-go entertainment. The Roku Streaming Stick is a perfect present for those embracing the streaming era.

Teens

While it may seem impersonal, let your teens indulge in their desires. Gift cards provide the freedom to choose, ensuring a smile on their faces Christmas morning.

Children

Elevate indoor fun with a Hover SoccerBall. It’s a safe way for kids to be active while staying out of the cold. For a more creative experience, Crazy Forts add a new twist to the blanket fort, turning family time into creative building adventures.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Catapult Student Tech Pitch Competition Calls On Region 6 Eastern Michigan Students To Innovate And Win Big

Aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts in Eastern Michigan’s Region 6 are invited to showcase their creativity in the Catapult Student Tech Pitch Competition. 

Organized by The Underground and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the event encourages university and college students to present STEM-based solutions to real-world challenges using science, technology, engineering, math, or AI. 

The competition, accepting pitch applications from December 18th, to January 10th, 2024, offers a total prize pool of $12,000. With live rounds in Flint and Port Huron, the initiative aims to foster a new wave of technology-based businesses, providing a platform for students to transform innovative ideas into tangible solutions. 

Eligible participants can learn more and apply at: startunderground.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Quaker Oats Issues Nationwide Recall Of Granola Bars And Cereals Amid Salmonella Concerns

In a precautionary move, The Quaker Oats Company has initiated a recall of specific batches of its popular Granola Bars and Granola Cereals distributed across the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan. 

The company cites potential Salmonella contamination as the reason behind the recall, urging consumers to check their products for affected lot numbers. As of now, Quaker Oats reports no confirmed cases of illness linked to the recalled items. 

Consumers experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or fever are advised to report them promptly. The swift reporting of symptoms aids in early outbreak detection and prevention. Those with persistent symptoms are urged to seek medical attention. 

For more information, visit: fda.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blue Water Area Rescue Mission Set To Reopen Doors To Homeless Men On Christmas Eve

After a two-year hiatus, the Blue Water Area Rescue Mission (BWARM), located at 1920 24th Street in Port Huron, is gearing up to welcome back St. Clair County’s homeless men on December 24th. Timed perfectly for the holiday season, BWARM invites the community to a special open house on December 22nd, from 5 – 7 p.m., celebrating the mission’s revival. 

Attendees can explore the renovated facility, learn about the Mission’s vital work, and meet the new team. The Mission, under the leadership of Executive Director Renee Pettinger, plans to resume services from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., maintaining the previous capacity of 30 beds. 

Dinner and breakfast will be provided with the help of volunteers. For more information on how you can help support, visit: bwarm.net or call (810) 824-3244.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell