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Tag: Insider

  • Epic Universe guest dies after being on Stardust Racers ride

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — A guest has died after riding the Stardust Racers ride at Epic Universe in Orlando, according to officials.

    What You Need To Know

    • The rider became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

    • No other specific information about the guest was released


    According to a statement from Universal Studios, an adult male guest visiting the park on Wednesday night became unresponsive “after” riding the Stardust Racer ride that is located inside Epic Universe’s Celestial Park.

    The person was taken to an area hospital, where officials say that person later died.

    “Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night.  The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died,” Universal stated in a statement that was sent through the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.

    No other specific information about the guest was released.

    The Stardust Racers is considered a thrill ride, according to the Universal website, and it is one that stretches up to about 133 feet with 5,000 feet of track.

    The shooting star-themed ride also offers an inverted crisscross.

    The attraction has been closed down.

    Universal stated that it is “devastated” over what happened.

    “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guests’ loved ones,” park officials stated.

    Epic Universe is just days away from marking four months since its grand opening back on May 22.

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    Jaclyn Harold

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  • Epic Universe guest dies after being on Stardust Racers ride

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — A guest has died after riding the Stardust Racers ride at Epic Universe in Orlando, according to officials.

    What You Need To Know

    • The rider became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

    • No other specific information about the guest was released


    According to a statement from Universal Studios, an adult male guest visiting the park on Wednesday night became unresponsive “after” riding the Stardust Racer ride that is located inside Epic Universe’s Celestial Park.

    The person was taken to an area hospital, where officials say that person later died.

    “Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night.  The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died,” Universal stated in a statement that was sent through the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.

    No other specific information about the guest was released.

    The Stardust Racers is considered a thrill ride, according to the Universal website, and it is one that stretches up to about 133 feet with 5,000 feet of track.

    The shooting star-themed ride also offers an inverted crisscross.

    The attraction has been closed down.

    Universal stated that it is “devastated” over what happened.

    “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guests’ loved ones,” park officials stated.

    Epic Universe is just days away from marking four months since its grand opening back on May 22.

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    Jaclyn Harold

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  • 🥵Got sunburn? Here’s how to treat, prevent it

    🥵Got sunburn? Here’s how to treat, prevent it

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    Fun in the sun can come to a screeching or scorching halt with a nasty sunburn. If you’ve ever gotten one, you’ll know how unpleasant it is. Consumer Reports explains that cooling the burn correctly will help alleviate sunburn pain.

    Getting a sunburn is never fun—your skin feels like it’s on fire, and anything that touches you hurts, not to mention the potential long-term health effects. Every time you get a sunburn, it ages your skin and increases your risk for skin cancer.

    Consumer Reports’ says prevention should be a priority: Wear the right sunscreen and cover- up. A top-performing sunscreen in Consumer Reports tests that’s also a Consumer Reports Smart Buy: Coppertone Water Babies Lotion SPF 50. If you’re using a lotion, you’ll need about a teaspoon per body part or area not covered with clothing.

    Click HERE for a list of Consumer Reports’ top tested sunscreens for 2024.

    But when you forget sunscreen or don’t correctly reapply it, there are ways to relieve the discomfort. Start by taking frequent cool baths or showers. When you’re done bathing, pat yourself dry – don’t rub the towel against your skin. You want to leave your skin damp and then apply a moisturizer. Look for moisturizers that contain aloe vera or soy.

    Since sunburns inflame the skin, taking an anti-inflammatory like aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Also, be sure to stay hydrated by drinking more water than usual.

    If your skin blisters, don’t pop or peel them. Allow them to heal. But if your burn is severe, see a doctor, especially if you feel unwell, have chills, a fever, or nausea.

    And if you do go outside, cover up by wearing loose-fitting clothes that cover the burn, and stay in the shade as much as possible.

    Consumer Reports editors liked this Tommy Bahama umbrella, which has easy-grip handles for setup and is designed to withstand the breeziest beach days.

    Click HERE for a list of Consumer Reports’ top-rated beach towels, chairs and shade coverings.

    The L.L. Bean Sunbuster Folding Shelter was well-liked for its simple setup, higher-quality materials, and roominess.

    If squeezing under an umbrella or in a tent isn’t your thing, level up with a beach canopy. Consumer Reports editors liked the CoolCabanas CoolCobana 5 Beach Canopy for its sturdiness and ability to withstand light to moderate winds and strong wind gusts.

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    Consumer Reports

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  • 🏖️Best beach towels, chairs and umbrellas per consumer experts

    🏖️Best beach towels, chairs and umbrellas per consumer experts

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    If you’re gearing up for some fun in the sun this summer but you’re overwhelmed by all the options for chairs, towels, and umbrellas. Consumer Reports has you covered with some of the best beach, pool, and lake gear you can buy.

    Consumer Reports liked the Turkish cotton towel from Ephesus. It’s compact, repels sand and water, and dries quickly—and some styles are under 10 dollars! Click HERE for a list of Consumer Reports’ recommended beach towels.

    CR best beach and pool gear (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    For chairs, CR chose the Cooler Quad Chair from Coleman for its comfort and versatility. But if your idea of fun in the sun includes reclining, Consumer Reports also likes the Tommy Bahama Wavy Marlin Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair — which has plenty of storage, including an insulated cooler pouch. Click here for a list of Consumer Reports’ recommended beach chairs.

    CR best beach and pool gear (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)
    CR best beach and pool gear (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    To help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays, many of the umbrellas, canopies, and tents Consumer Reports looked at are made with at least UPF 50 fabric. The Tommy Bahama umbrella has easy grip handles for setup and is designed to withstand the breeziest beach days. But the same couldn’t be said for the Caribbean Joe umbrella—which lost its battle with the wind.

    CR beach gear top picks (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)
    CR best beach and pool gear (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    This tent from L.L.Bean is made with quality materials, had the most features and was the easiest to set up and take down among the tents CR looked at! Click here for lists of Consumer Reports’ recommended beach tents and canopies.

    CR beach gear top picks (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    And you’ve got to protect your skin if you’re headed to the beach which means, sunscreen. Consumer Reports tested dozens of sprays and lotions and reveals the top picks for best protection against harmful sunrays. Click HERE to see which sunscreens passed Consumer Reports’ tests.

    Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

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  • 😴If you snore, have Sleep Apnea, CPAP is not your only option

    😴If you snore, have Sleep Apnea, CPAP is not your only option

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    Now, to a frequent argument in the bedroom: Be honest: Do you snore? Does your partner say you snore? Snoring is disruptive and, in some severe cases, even life-threatening. Consumer Reports looks at the sleep treatments that can give you and yours some long-awaited, uninterrupted Zzz’s.

    An overnight sleep test can detect whether you have obstructive sleep apnea, which is when your breathing pauses during sleep because something blocks your airway, like your tongue or relaxed throat muscles.

    Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can cause daytime sleepiness. It can also strain the heart and increase the risk of anxiety, diabetes, hypertension, and even stroke.

    The primary treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure machine or CPAP. Users are fitted with a mask connected to a pump that pushes air into the airway, holding it open while sleeping. CPAP can significantly reduce the number of breathing interruptions during the night, but patients often have complaints. Click here for Consumer Reports CPAP guide to help you choose the best CPAP machine for you.

    It’s hard to deal with the CPAP. There’s the mask and the hose, and there’s definitely some adjustment.

    If a full-face mask isn’t for you, you might want to consider a nasal pillow or mask. Click here for Consumer Report’s best CPAP alternatives.

    Another alternative is custom-made dental devices. They’re designed to move the jaw and shift the tongue toward the front of the mouth to keep the airway open. This can be used with CPAP.

    Then, devices like Inspire are surgically implanted in the upper chest, like a pacemaker. They stabilize your throat during sleep to prevent obstruction of the airway.

    With no hose or mask to worry about, Inspire can seem much more convenient, but it’s not an easy fix.

    Remember that sleep issues can be serious, but a restful night begins with a good conversation with your doctor.

    Skipping alcohol can reduce symptoms, as can sleeping on your side or stomach.

    Weight loss can also help because obesity is a primary factor for sleep apnea.

    Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

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    Consumer Reports

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  • 👴 Here’s how many people in Orange County are grandparents caring for grandchildren

    👴 Here’s how many people in Orange County are grandparents caring for grandchildren

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    ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – In some parts of the U.S., a family structure where grandparents take on guardian responsibilities for their young grandchildren is fairly common.

    These families are referred to as “grandfamilies,” or “kinship families.” Kinship families can also refer to a family where someone other than a grandparent is stepping in to provide care.Grandfamilies often begin when a child might otherwise go without regular care, and a grandparent is willing to step into the role of parent for them.

    This might occur when parents are unable to care for their own children for many reasons including substance use disorders, deportation, death, military deployment, disabilities, or incarceration.

    Sometimes these kinds of family arrangements can keep children in a more traditional household with relatives when they might otherwise end up in foster care.Stacker analyzed Census data to illustrate how prevalent grandfamilies are in Orange County, Florida.

    The data describes households where at least one grandparent reported being responsible for a grandchild they live with under 18. Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, this analysis does not include all kinship families.More than 2.2 million people in the U.S. identify as grandparents caring for grandchildren under 18 years old, according to Stacker’s analysis of Census data.

    Grandfamily arrangements are more common in counties with smaller populations. Children in these nontraditional arrangements also tend to live in households with lower incomes and depend more heavily on assistance programs for food and other resources.

    About 3% of children were being raised in either grandfamily or kinship care settings in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center.

    According to a report published this year in collaboration with the foundation, grandfamilies and kinship care arrangements are becoming more prevalent.The report found that states are making strides in creating new policies to support these families, but that more can be done to increase federal funding and more rapidly implement standards that make placing foster children with relatives as caregivers less of a hassle.

    These kinds of family structures have proven advantages for children—especially those in the foster care system. Studies have shown that they go through fewer school changes, which can be disruptive.

    They also maintain stronger cultural identities and have better mental health outcomes than those in foster care with guardians who aren’t relatives, according to the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network, an advocacy and aid organization for grandfamilies.

    But grandfamilies are also a family structure that comes with unique challenges for both guardians and the children involved. Grandfamily guardians tend to be older and aren’t always prepared to take on all that raising a child requires, and compassion fatigue can become something they struggle with.

    What’s more, aside from navigating stigmas around atypical family lives, U.S. law doesn’t always accommodate these arrangements in a convenient way.That can make accessing certain kinds of assistance difficult, if not impossible, because of the way legal guardianship is not automatically assigned the same as it is for birth parents, according to the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network.

    Read on to see what grandfamilies look like in Orange County, Florida.

    Grandfamilies in Orange County, Florida by the numbers:

    – 1 in 188 people in Orange County, Florida are grandparents caring for grandchildren

    – There was a 9% decrease in grandparents caring for children in 2022

    – The total population in Orange County is 1,451,761 people

    – The typical person in Orange County earns $106,047 annually

    Top counties for grandfamilies in Florida

    – 1. Holmes County: 1 in 46 are grandparents caring for grandchildren

    – 2. Baker County: 1 in 47

    – 3. Putnam County: 1 in 60

    This story features data reporting and writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 3,033 counties.

    Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

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    Stacker.com

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  • ‘Community, diversity’ ingredients for neighborly population in this Central Florida area

    ‘Community, diversity’ ingredients for neighborly population in this Central Florida area

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    ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – WKMG Hits The Road. It’s all part of a new initiative where WKMG highlights different communities within Central Florida.

    The initiative kicked off in the 32825 zip code. News 6 anchor and Insider Guide Crystal Moyer wasn’t too familiar with east Orange County as she drove around and spoke with residents about what makes the area special.

    State Road 417 and State Road 408 cut through the 32825 zip code. Right off the highway stables with horses can be seen, so Crystal pulled up to AAA Equestrian, built and run by head horse trainer Adalyn Garcia and her family. AAA named after mom, Anna and her two daughters, Adalyn and Adrianna.

    “All of our staff are women and I love that it shows strength,” Adalyn said.

    AAA Equestrian offers lessons, pony parties, boarding, trail rides and more.

    “This area, it’s extremely different from the beach or the amusement parks, which we’re known for, so it is really calming to be able to help my clients relax and escape for an hour or two,” Adalyn said.

    Adalyn’s family is Cuban and she said the diversity makes the 32825 area special.

    “We became so diverse that now this neighborhood has become a melting pot which is awesome,” Adalyn said.

    “The 32825 isn’t all rural, this is just a rural part of the zip code. It’s very residential. A lot of people come here and say ‘I never knew this was back here, it’s so beautiful.’ It’s a slice of heaven away from the rest of the city,” Adalyn said.

    Crystal then drove to one of the plazas in east Orange County to speak with residents about what they like about the area.

    Crystal met Marzean Hatcher, a 50-year resident of the area. She says it’s grown a lot.

    “It used to be 32817 zip code, but they changed it as it grew,” Marzean said. “This [plaza] didn’t used to be here when I moved here. We didn’t have a grocery store nearby. We had to go down State Road 436 to get to a grocery store.”

    Marzean said the area is quiet and that’s why she likes to live there.

    Keep in mind, the 32825 area is in close proximity to the Orlando International Airport so it’s common to see — and hear — planes flying overhead.

    Another neighbor, Sabrina described the area as “neighborly.”

    Josue Gimbernard grew up in the area and described it as “beautiful, accessible and fun.”

    So where do neighbors hang out in the 32825? Many recommended Don Julio.

    It’s a Mexican restaurant in a plaza off Chickasaw Trail. That’s where Crystal met Alberto Echeverri, who brought his family and friends for lunch.

    “The music, the ambiance. You can see everyone get up and start dancing,” Alberto said.

    Alberto also said it’s the diversity that makes the 32825 so special.

    “It’s one of the few areas that’s predominately Hispanic. It’s very welcoming. The neighbors are friendly and you’ll spot people outside walking and hanging out and they’ll talk to you. It’s not like other neighborhoods where people don’t know each other and no one hangs out outside,” Alberto said.

    East Orange County is also home to Valencia College East Campus serving 21,000 students each year.

    47-acre Downey Park off Flowers Avenue offers a variety of recreational activities and a popular dog park.

    And we can’t forget the historic Rio Pinar Golf Course & Country Club that has hosted champions and is now aimed at attracting families across the community in east Orange County.

    As part of WKMG Hits The Road, News 6 will be broadcasting live from Rio Pinar on Wednesday, March 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is welcome to visit and meet News 6 anchors and investigative reporters during the event.

    You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below:

    Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

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    Crystal Moyer

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  • 📰 Here’s how unemployment in Flagler County, Florida compares

    📰 Here’s how unemployment in Flagler County, Florida compares

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    FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County’s unemployment rate in December was 3.7% — ranked No. 14 highest out of 67 in the state.

    Nationally, unemployment has leveled with pre-COVID rates, measuring between 3.5% and 4% for most of the past two years.

    Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed a 3.7% unemployment rate in January. Previously, unemployment skyrocketed to 14.7% at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, and those rates remained elevated through late 2021.

    Though national unemployment has mostly normalized, local economies vary widely.

    [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]

    Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to analyze unemployment in Flagler County over time, and how it stacks up within Florida and across the nation.The unemployment rate in Flagler County is equal to the national level, and 0.7 percentage points above the state level.

    It ranks No. 14 among counties in Florida — ranked first by the preliminary December 2023 unemployment rate, then breaking ties by the number of unemployed people.

    It trails behind Marion County, which also has an unemployment rate of 3.7%, but surpasses Levy County (3.6%).

    In real terms, it means an estimated 1,958 of Flagler County’s approximately 52,459 working residents are out of a job at the moment.

    That’s 12 fewer than last month and 531 more than a year ago.

    Some economists fret another recession may be on the horizon, which would drive unemployment up with business closures and layoffs.

    This story was produced using automation across 3,100 counties, boroughs, and parishes, based on writing and data reporting by Paxtyn Merten.

    Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:

    Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

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    Stacker.com

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  • Sumsub's Ilya Brovin on Preventing Gambling Fraud in 2024

    Sumsub's Ilya Brovin on Preventing Gambling Fraud in 2024

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    Online gambling continues to grow with an expected growth rate of 7.76% each year, with a projected revenue of $138.1 billion in 2028. Much as the gambling industry sees rapid growth, so do the cases of fraud, leaving gaming operators overwhelmed.

    Bonus abuse and affiliate fraud are two of the more common types of fraud in the gambling space with bonus abuse accounting for over 50% of all fraud cases in the space. While these have existed for some time, deepfakes have also been a rising concern, with the number of deepfakes globally increasing by 10x in 2023 compared to 2022. iGaming specifically saw the third most deepfake cases, following crypto and fintech.

    When an organization is scammed, it negatively impacts financial stability and reputation, affecting how players view the company – and damage to a reputation is not short-term, this will remain with the company for some time. The digitized nature of the industry, the potential for significant financial gain, and ongoing regulatory challenges create a plethora of vulnerabilities operators are not prepared to handle alone.

    Preventing Fraud From the Start

    Regulators are taking a closer look at compliance and imposing heavy fines for violations of anti-money laundering and responsible gaming requirements, stressing the importance of secure player onboarding. Know Your Customer (KYC) verifies the identity of new customers, or in this case players, to prevent fraud, money laundering, and more. It has increasingly become required by local and federal governments to maintain compliance.

    In iGaming – across 90% of jurisdictions – KYC checks are carried out once funds are withdrawn. However, the majority of gaming fraud such as bonus abuse, multiple accounting and affiliate fraud occurs before the KYC stage, making fraud prevention mission critical.

    Though the majority of fraud occurs in the early stages, verification must continue past onboarding to further ensure fraud prevention while remaining compliant. Rather than gaming platforms attempting to develop necessary solutions in-house or using a solution initially created to help other industries, they can work with solutions created exclusively with the gaming industry in mind.

    Such offerings enable users to establish sets of rules fully customizable based on the industry, location of players, and user profiles. Such rules can be set up to prevent suspicious users from making deceitful action, flag unusual behavioral patterns, and even detect potential addictions to best stay compliant with responsible gaming requirements. Automation of rules also allows platforms to reduce the cost and time of manual work, while avoiding risks of human error.

    Gaming operators benefit from a fast onboarding process and high pass rates by getting more, valid players online and participating quickly, while players want to be able to play and withdraw money now, they do not want to wait. A complicated KYC process creates friction and reduces satisfaction for all involved.

    Getting Ahead of Regulations

    The regulatory gaming frameworks continue to play catchup. And while these are essential for the wellbeing and safety of individuals, it also means gaming operators are left to play catchup, too, each time new regulations are enforced. To prevent the likely scramble, operators should proactively seek opportunities to remain compliant and secure.

    One group encouraging these efforts is the American Gaming Association, a global community of gaming platforms and websites obligated to promote responsible gaming and protect players, otherwise facing significant fines or license revocation. Responsible gaming protects vulnerable players, ensures regulation compliance, mitigates legal risks, and preserves a platform’s reputation. It helps operators implement measures to prevent harmful gaming behavior by offering self-exclusion options, setting deposit limits, and more.

    iGaming platforms experiencing high fraud levels and numerous chargeback disputes earn unreliable reputations with banks and processors resulting in not just penalties, fees, and denial of services, but also loss of customers. To uphold reputability within the industry and players, gaming operators should consider technological advancements to help them remain compliant in the face of changing regulations.

    A comprehensive solution or one developed internally to ensure secure online gaming is no longer enough. Operators and platforms alike are calling for customized products all from a single vendor to remain compliant while reducing integration or data transfer issues they experienced previously, especially as they expand globally and need to work with multiple regions.

    They need to know they are protected at all steps of the user journey to maximize revenue, remain compliant, and reduce fraud, all while cutting costs. Can 2024 be the year we see a reduction in fraud for the industry?

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    Fiona Simmons

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  • Insider Reaches Deal To End Longest Strike In Digital Media History

    Insider Reaches Deal To End Longest Strike In Digital Media History

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    The Insider Union has reached a tentative agreement with management at the news site Insider, ending the longest strike in digital media history, the union’s bargaining unit announced Wednesday.

    “Our strike is over ― we’re going back to work tomorrow!” read a tweet from the account of the unit, which consists of about 250 people.

    Staff at Insider, organized through the NewsGuild, have been on strike for 13 days. Negotiations with the site’s management had fallen apart after more than two years of bargaining over increased health care costs, salary minimums and various other workplace conditions.

    The three-year deal they reached Wednesday includes a $65,000 salary minimum, immediate raises for most unit members, a layoff moratorium through the end of 2023, a “just cause” requirement for disciplining employees, and a commitment from management to reimburse more than $400,000 in health care costs over the course of the agreement. The tentative contract now goes to the full unit for a vote on ratification.

    “The deal we won today shows the power of solidarity,” Dorian Barranco, a member of the Insider Union bargaining committee, said in a statement. “We came together and refused to settle for anything less than what we were worth, and our collective power won a contract that will resonate in newsrooms across the country. It’s never an easy decision to go on strike, but today’s victory proves it was well worth it. We’re excited to get back to work with our new wins in hand.”

    Increased health care costs were a major point of tension during bargaining. Last November, the NewsGuild filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Insider with the National Labor Relations Board, which found merit with the complaint in May. The complaint alleged that management had unlawfully changed workers’ health care coverage, resulting in increased costs for unit members.

    Up until now, striking staffers have encouraged readers not to cross the digital picket line by visiting Insider or clicking on any of the site’s stories. The non-unionized staffers who remained at work, meanwhile, recycled old stories and published unfinished content.

    At one point, Insider’s editor-in-chief, Nicholas Carlson, was captured on film biking around Brooklyn, New York, and ripping down pro-union fliers that called him out with the headline “Have You Seen This Millionaire?”

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