Things To Do In SW Florida

OneBlood, a prominent nonprofit blood collection and distribution business that serves South and Central Florida, is the latest large business to fall victim to cyber insecurity as it came under an attack from an unidentified ransomware actor that stole its information.

The company, which serves more than 350 hospitals in 31 Florida counties including the tri-county region, as well as in Alabama, Georgia and North and South Carolina, announced Wednesday that its data system had been invaded, effectively slowing the nonprofit’s blood collection and distribution system in the Southeast.

Susan Forbes, who heads corporate communications, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel the intrusion was discovered on Monday and OneBlood immediately contacted the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration, which is its primary regulatory agency. Those agencies are among a large group of state and local organizations that are helping to troubleshoot the intrusion and help the organization recover.

“OneBlood takes the security of our network extremely seriously,” Forbes said in a statement. “Our team reacted quickly to assess our systems and began an investigation to confirm the full nature and scope of the event.  Our comprehensive response efforts are ongoing and we are working diligently to restore full functionality to our systems as expeditiously as possible,” read more

Q: I bought a house in 2002 with an enclosed patio. More recently, I was approved for a grant from my city to repair my home. A city inspector came out to assess the house for the repairs required through the grant, but I was denied the grant because the enclosed patio was an “unpermitted structure.” I followed up, but the city does not have records going back more than 10 years. Now, I must fix or remove the patio or face fines! Please shed some light on this. — Lyn

A: Homeowners are responsible for meeting the appropriate building code requirements for their property.

The building code is a set of rules published by your municipality that outline the minimum requirements to satisfy basic health and safety concerns. They concern the structure, electrical, and other systems in your home.

Depending on what is being built or renovated, the property owner must get the city’s permission, known as a “permit,” before the work is started. Your city will also inspect the work upon completion to ensure it meets the minimum requirements. read more

By SARAH PARVINI and KAITLYN HUAMANI

LOS ANGELES (AP) — More than 300 video game performers and Hollywood actors picketed in front of the Warner Bros. Studios building on Thursday to protest against what they call an unwillingness from top gaming companies to protect union voice actors and motion capture workers equally against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence.

Standing before the crowd, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, said that AI has become the most challenging issue in many of the union’s negotiations.

“We’ve made deals with the studios and streamers. We’ve made deals without a strike with the major record labels and with countless other employers, which provide for informed consent and fair compensation for our members,” he told The Associated Press. “And yet, for some reason, the video game companies refuse to do that and that’s what’s going to be their undoing.” read more

By Elizabeth Ayoola | NerdWallet

Summer breaks can feel like a pressure cooker for parents — it certainly feels like one for me. I’m tasked with working full time, keeping my pantry fully stocked, entertaining my energetic 6-year-old son and engaging him in learning activities.

But as summer ends, the pressure surrounding back-to-school shopping builds. I’m sure many parents can relate, especially with the recent increases in the cost of living, even though inflation is cooling.

According to NerdWallet’s 2024 back-to-school shopping report, those who are parents of K-12 or college students and who plan to do back-to-school shopping this year will spend $541, on average, on school supplies and clothing for their kids’ upcoming school year.

Four moms — including myself — with children of various ages share tips on how to shop for clothes and supplies on a budget. Even if you’ve already gotten a head start on shopping, these gems may still come in handy for next year.

Separate needs from wants if you have a larger family

Back-to-school supply lists can seem endless. When you do finally get to the end of the list, you may find that you’ve broken your budget. Kimyatta Williams, a day care owner from Atlanta, has a vibrant family with six children and has mastered staying within her budget by separating needs from wants. Williams’ oldest child is 23 and her youngest is 9, so she’s well-versed in back-to-school shopping. read more

By TOM KRISHER

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto safety regulators say they stand by a conclusion that more than 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous and should not be in use, taking another step toward a massive recall.

The decision Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration involves inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc. in Tennessee and another parts manufacturer. It comes despite opposition from automakers.

The inflators in about 49 million vehicles from 13 manufacturers can explode and hurl shrapnel into drivers and passengers.

The agency has said the inflators are responsible for at least seven injuries and two deaths in the United States and Canada since 2009.

NHTSA said seven of the inflators have blown apart in the field in the U.S., each showing evidence of insufficient welds or too much pressure in a canister designed to contain the explosion and fill the air bags in a crash.

In addition, the agency said 23 of the inflators have ruptured in testing with causes common to the inflators that blew apart in the field. Also, four inflators have ruptured outside the U.S., killing at least one person, the agency said. read more