News
Supreme Court Declines Review of North Carolina’s Decision on Confederate Flag License Plates
Supreme Court declines review of NC’s decision on Confederate flag license plates. #FreeSpeech #StateRegulations


In a recent development, the Supreme Court has announced its decision not to review North Carolina’s choice to discontinue issuing specialty license plates featuring the Confederate flag. This decision, which challenged the state’s action, marks another instance where the court declined to hear a case. Similar to a 2015 case originating in Texas, where the court ruled that license plates are considered state property, this dispute raises important questions regarding free speech and state regulations.
The controversy stems from North Carolina’s 2021 decision to cease issuing specialty license plates adorned with the insignia of the North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The organization filed a lawsuit, arguing that the state’s decision violated both state and federal laws. However, the case was dismissed by a lower court, and a federal appeals court upheld this decision.
North Carolina provides a wide array of license plates, including three standard options and over 200 specialty plates. Civic clubs, such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans, were able to create specialty plates by fulfilling certain requirements. However, in 2021, the state Department of Transportation informed the organization that plates featuring the Confederate battle flag or its variations would no longer be issued or renewed. This decision was made to prevent potential offense to individuals who might find these plates objectionable.
Legal Arguments:
The Sons of Confederate Veterans argued that North Carolina’s decision violated their free speech rights as protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution and state laws concerning specialty license plates. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling in a previous case involving the Texas chapter of the organization determined that states possess the authority to regulate the content of license plates because they are considered state property.
With the Supreme Court’s decision not to review North Carolina’s case, the state’s discontinuation of specialty license plates featuring the Confederate flag remains in effect. While some argue that this decision infringes upon free speech rights, the court has previously established that license plates are subject to state regulation. As controversies surrounding symbols and historical context continue to arise, it is crucial to strike a balance between free expression and the potential for offense. This ruling highlights the ongoing debates and challenges associated with the intersection of public symbols, personal beliefs, and government authority.
Credit to @AP for the story on Supreme Court declining to review North Carolina’s Confederate license plate decision. Read more: [Link]
https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/
News
Texas Sees Unprecedented Growth in Pickleball, Requires $80 Million Investment to Keep Up with Demand
Texas pickleball sees unprecedented growth, requiring $80M investment for 2500 courts.
Subtitle: The State of Pickleball in Texas: A Call for Investment
The sport of pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in the state of Texas. According to the latest report by Pickleheads and The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the demand for this sport is growing exponentially, and there is a need for infrastructure investment to meet the rising demand. Exciting opportunities await both public and private enterprises in Texas.
According to the 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report, Texas is leading the pickleball revolution. The report states that the state needs to build 2,527 new pickleball courts in the next 5-7 years to keep up with the increasing demand. The estimated cost of constructing these courts will be around $88.5 million. These numbers indicate the importance of investing in pickleball infrastructure to cater to the growing number of pickleball enthusiasts across Texas.
The Current State of Affairs:
Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular, but Texas is lagging behind in terms of dedicated pickleball courts. With only 0.55 dedicated pickleball courts per 10,000 people, the state falls 55% below the national average. Additionally, Texas ranks 44th in the country in terms of court coverage per capita. These statistics highlight the pressing need for immediate action to close the gap and provide adequate pickleball infrastructure for the growing community.
The Vision for the Future:
Brandon Mackie, the Co-founder and COO of Pickleheads, emphasizes the exciting challenge that lies ahead for both public and private entities in Texas. He states, “Pickleball continues to grow at an unprecedented rate in Texas. Our estimates show the state will need to invest $88.5 million in courts over the next 5-7 years. This represents an exciting challenge for both public and private enterprises in Texas.”
Seizing Opportunities:
The report’s findings paint a compelling picture for potential investors and entrepreneurs interested in capitalizing on the pickleball frenzy in Texas. With the demand for courts far outpacing the current supply, there is a vast opportunity to contribute to the growth of the sport while reaping the benefits of a burgeoning market. By investing in pickleball infrastructure, stakeholders can tap into the passion and enthusiasm of pickleball players across the state.
As pickleball continues its upward trajectory in Texas, the need for investment in new pickleball courts has become undeniable. The 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report serves as a clarion call for action, urging public and private enterprises to recognize the immense potential of this sport and seize the opportunity to meet the growing demand. Let us come together to build a thriving pickleball community that can enjoy this exciting game for years to come.
For those interested in delving deeper into the data, the 2023 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report is available for purchase on pickleheads.com.
About Pickleheads:
Pickleheads is the leading online platform for pickleball enthusiasts. With a comprehensive database of pickleball courts across the United States, Pickleheads allows players to find courts, organize games, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Their dedication to providing accurate and up-to-date information has made them an invaluable resource for pickleball players nationwide. https://www.pickleheads.com/
Let’s pickle, Texas!
SOURCE Pickleheads


pickleball and sports exclusive
Pickleball Kingdom Coming to Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball Kingdom is proud to announce an exciting multi-unit franchise agreement in Nashville, Tennessee, with local entrepreneurs Maggie and Dennis Pearson at the helm. Maggie and Dennis, passionate pickleball players, are set to open the first of multiple locations in response to the surging demand for the sport that has captivated the nation.




“Pickleball Kingdom’s expansion into Nashville is a testament to the city’s dynamic spirit and the sport’s growing popularity,” said Rob Streett, Chief Operating Officer of Pickleball Kingdom. “We are thrilled to offer a space where the community can come together to enjoy pickleball, fostering connections and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.”
The explosive growth of pickleball has created a nationwide movement, with Nashville’s vibrant community at its heart. The Pearsons, known for their community involvement and love for the game, are bringing their dream to life by providing a premier venue for both seasoned players and newcomers to enjoy the sport.
Ace Rodrigues, CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, expressed excitement about the national enthusiasm for pickleball. “The demand for pickleball has reached an all-time high across the country. Our vision is to meet this demand by creating a Kingdom for pickleball lovers, and Nashville is the perfect place to continue this journey,” said Rodrigues.
The Nashville locations will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including indoor and outdoor courts, a pro-shop, and a community space for events and tournaments. By offering clinics, leagues, and open play, Pickleball Kingdom aims to cater to all levels of interest and expertise.
About Pickleball Kingdom: Pickleball Kingdom is the premier pickleball facility provider, offering state-of-the-art courts and amenities to players of all ages and skill levels. With a commitment to fostering community and promoting a healthy lifestyle, Pickleball Kingdom is at the forefront of the sport’s growing popularity.
For Franchise Inquires, Contact:
Rob Streett
[email protected]
(888)788-0999
About Maggie and Dennis Pearson:
Maggie Pearson is a highly versatile professional with a unique blend of expertise across multiple industries. Drawing on her first degree in Corporate Communications, specializing in advertising, Maggie successfully secured numerous lucrative contracts while serving as a partner in a prominent motion picture catering company.
Dr. Dennis Pearson is a distinguished economist, holding a Ph.D. in Economics from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Currently serving as an Associate Professor of Economics and Statistics at Austin Peay State University, he thrives on integrating contemporary business trends, federal and state policies, and their broader impacts on industries and society. His mission is to broaden students’ perspectives and equip them with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of economics and everyday life.
Maggie and Dennis both enjoy an array of personal interests including reading, kayaking, and skiing. However, nothing ignites their competitive spirit more than pickleball. As avid players, their enthusiasm for the sport and the multitude of opportunities it offers, continues to reach new heights.
SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom
Artificial Intelligence
McDonald’s and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Connect Latest Cloud Technology and Apply Generative AI Solutions Across its Restaurants Worldwide
CHICAGO and SUNNYVALE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — McDonald’s Corporation and Google today announced plans for a new multi-year, global partnership to connect Google Cloud technology across thousands of its restaurants worldwide. This partnership is a significant step for McDonald’s in advancing its restaurant technology platform to become the most sophisticated and productive in the industry. McDonald’s plans to leverage a wide range of Google Cloud’s hardware, data, and AI technologies to implement innovation faster and create even better experiences for its customers, restaurant teams, and employees.
“We see tremendous opportunity for growth in our digital business and our partnership with Google Cloud allows us to capitalize on this by leveraging our size and scale to build capabilities and implement solutions at unmatched speeds,” said Brian Rice, McDonald’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer. “Connecting our restaurants worldwide to millions of datapoints across our digital ecosystem means tools get sharper, models get smarter, restaurants become easier to operate, and most importantly, the overall experience for our customers and crew gets even better.”
As part of this partnership, McDonald’s will roll out significant advancements to its restaurant and customer platforms – from its popular mobile app that serves as the gateway for its 150 million member-strong and quickly expanding loyalty program, to its thousands of self-service kiosks in restaurants worldwide. With a consistent approach, McDonald’s expects to deploy innovations with much greater speed and agility. McDonald’s will use edge computing from Google Cloud to power these new platforms, bringing information storage and high powered computing into individual restaurants.
Google Distributed Cloud, a combined hardware and software offering, is planned to be deployed to thousands of McDonald’s restaurants so they can leverage both cloud-based software applications and their own software and AI solutions locally on-site, as needed. With Google Cloud edge computing capabilities, McDonald’s will be able to draw new insights into how equipment is performing, enact solutions that reduce business disruptions, and diminish complexity for crew so restaurant teams can focus on delivering amazing hospitality to customers. McDonald’s will be the largest global foodservice retailer to use Google Distributed Cloud’s new capabilities, with plans for thousands of restaurants to begin receiving their hardware and software upgrades next year.
Through this new partnership, a dedicated Google Cloud team in Chicago will work in close proximity to McDonald’s global innovation center, known as Speedee Labs. Together, they’ll focus on applying generative AI across a number of key business priorities to power exciting new experiences for crew and customers, with McDonald’s unmatched convenience and value.
“Through this wide-ranging partnership, Google Cloud will help McDonald’s seize on new opportunities to transform its business and customer experiences, empowering restaurants worldwide with the latest technologies for near-term impact,” said Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud’s Chief Executive Officer. “Pairing the iconic brand, size and scale of McDonald’s with Google Cloud’s deep history in AI and technology innovation will redefine how this industry works and what people expect when they dine out.”
About Google Cloud
Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.
About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.
SOURCE Google Cloud
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