AOK Concepts Unlimited

06/19/2026

Lowe’s CEO Lowe’s Marvin Ellison announced a major investment plan aimed at closing the skills gap in the trades industry. Over 10 years, the company committed $250 million to train 250,000 workers in fields such as electrical work, plumbing, and carpentry.

Ellison pointed to rising demand for skilled labor and said AI could not replace hands-on trade work. He noted that while AI handled tasks like writing emails, it could not match real-world expertise needed for work like roof repairs or electrical systems.

Marvin Ellison framed the initiative as a response to long-term workforce needs. He said the effort supported both industry demand and practical job readiness in communities across the country.

As automation expanded across many sectors, the trades remained steady in demand. Lowe’s investment focused on preparing a new generation of workers with job-ready skills that technology could not replace.

06/19/2026

🙏🏾✊🏾🩷

06/03/2026

George Santos reported to prosecutors over suspicious Kalshi trades, AP source says

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ
Updated 9:19 PM EDT
June 2, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — A prediction market reported U.S. Rep. George Santos to federal prosecutors after he boasted he’d be going to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, then bet against his own attendance, according to a person familiar with the investigation.

Kalshi, the online prediction marketplace, referred Santos to the Department of Justice after detecting suspicious trades made by the former congressman ahead of Trump’s Feb. 24 speech, the person said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Kalshi also reported the trades to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a federal regulatory body that has vowed to crack down on insider trading in prediction marketplaces.

The Justice Department and the CFTC didn’t immediately responded to inquiries from the AP.

Santos also did not respond to text messages or phone calls.

The referral was first reported by NPR. Santos told NPR that he wasn’t aware of the investigation. He declined to say whether he had a Kalshi account.

“I’m not saying yes, I’m not saying no,” Santos told NPR.

Prediction markets under pressure to crack down on rogue bettors and stop insider trading
fowave
Arizona hits Kalshi with criminal charges, escalating fight between states and prediction markets
The convicted ex-congressman had repeatedly discussed his intention to attend the State of the Union, which came just four months after he was granted clemency by Trump in a fraud case that led to his expulsion from the U.S. House.

On the eve of Trump’s speech, Kalshi put the odds of Santos attending at close to 75%.

Then, minutes into the speech, Santos posted on X that he had been waylaid at the airport. Immediately, several social media users accused him of running another scheme.

“Santos talking to his accountant and telling him to open his Kalshi account and bet all his money on No,” one user wrote, alongside a meme of Al Pacino counting money in the movie Scarface.

In March, Santos addressed the complaints on his podcast.

“I guess people lost money,” he said. “Some people made unexpected money. That’s to show you how fragile these markets are.”

Santos, who won office as a Republican after inventing a bogus persona as a Wall Street dealmaker, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft in 2024.

After serving just 84 days, he was ordered released by Trump, who called Santos a “rogue” but said he didn’t deserve a harsh sentence and should get credit for voting Republican.

Prediction markets, including Kalshi and its chief rival Polymarket, have drawn scrutiny as their businesses have expanded — with some lawmakers urging the platforms to do more to guard against insider trading.

Both companies have said they are reporting suspicious trades to federal regulators. Some investigations have led to criminal charges. In April a soldier involved in the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was charged with using classified information to win more than $400,000 predicting the date of his capture on Polymarket.

In April, the Senate approved a bipartisan resolution to prevent its own members from using prediction markets.

A prediction market reported U.S. Rep. George Santos to federal prosecutors after he boasted he’d be going to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, then bet against his own attendance.

06/02/2026

Application due June 5th!









AskingForAFriend.org

Youth Leadership Fellow
JOB LOCATION - UNITED STATES - REMOTE

ABOUT YLABS

YLabs is a leading global design and research organization designing technologies that amplify youth power, agency, and opportunity. Founded in 2014 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, YLabs partners with young people to co-create inclusive digital products and services that improve their lives. Our design process opens spaces where young people’s ideas can become a reality – where they are the architects of the solutions to their most pressing challenges.

YLabs multidisciplinary team delivers youth-driven innovation and impact at scale. Our team combines expertise in youth-driven design with adolescent health, climate, livelihoods, digital product design, behavioral science, and epidemiology.

Based in Rwanda and the USA, we’ve worked in 18 countries to date on projects spanning three focus areas: optimum health and wellness, improved economic opportunity, and increased climate resilience.

Find out more about our projects here:
https://www.ylabsglobal.org/work

JOB SUMMARY

YLabs is seeking a highly motivated Youth Leadership Fellow to support in driving the national expansion of AskingforaFriend.org, a digital platform designed with and for young people ages 12-19 years, of diverse and historically marginalized identities in the US, to support learning about, finding, and utilizing stigmatized adolescent wellness resources, especially s*xual, mental, identity-affirming, and GBV support.

We initially created this platform through co-design with 300+ young people in California, but now we are ready to rapidly expand it across the US to meet the urgent needs of youth outside California.

We want a young person who is as passionate as OR MORE about this to drive this expansion alongside our team of experts and international Youth Leader Fellows.

This position requires a minimum commitment of ASAP, from June to October, between 50-100% time, with the possibility of extension.

DO YOU HAVE:

A passion for supporting young people in gaining agency and support on their journeys to finding the answers and care they need around their most stressful and unsupported health journeys.

Experience playing some sort of role in this journey for young people, whether that is having advocated for any of these issues, studying these topics, practicing health education, or researching public health as it pertains to their issues.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas to a wide range of audiences, especially adolescents.

Personal lived experience that aligns with the core demographic for whom this platform has been designed, with and for. When you think about Askingforafriend.org, does it speak to you or your community's needs?

Passionate about leading and working on youth and digital health projects, as well as national marketing to young people.

Ability to form and maintain positive relationships with collaborators, peers, and organizations that are values-aligned.

You don't need the world's fanciest resume or an extensive list of credentials for this position. Having a non-traditional background is ok, or maybe even great for this role! We want to hear from you about why you think you can play a strong role in leading the expansion of Asking for a Friend and why it matters to you.

KEY ACTIVITIES

We have a team of experts that will be at your disposal, but ideally, you are someone who is excited about some or all of these activities:

Create and write new decision support tools, health quizzes, and FAQ content responses that respond to what 400+ young people have sent in submissions for (we have experts who will happily review as well).

Support in partnership building, which involves seeking and engaging organizations and individuals we could partner with to improve our ability to reach young people with what they most need.

Support the creation of the national marketing campaign we will launch this fall, when the platform is ready to move from the California pilot to a US-wide resource, including support for creating paid and organic content.

Support in advocating for Asking for a Friend by speaking at webinars, supporting leadership in pitching at conferences, and helping build AskingforaFriend.org into a longer-term resource that can reach as many young people as we need it to!

PAY RATE

The monthly full-time rate for this position is pinned to a US-based entry-level fellowship rate of $5,000 USD per month, commensurate with experience.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must submit applications by June 5, 2026.

Want to learn more about AFAF or the position before you apply> Attend our session on Friday, May 29th, at 11 am PST to learn more about the position or how else you can get involved. You can register here: REGISTRATION LINK.

As part of the application, candidates are required to upload:

A resume

A short video (2-5 minutes) with clear audio and visuals.

The video should briefly answer these prompts:

Introduce who you are and why you care about Asking for a Friend (AFAF)

Share why you want to be the Youth Leadership Fellow for AFAF

State what makes you the best person to grow this work

If you were to create a new quiz/decision support tool, or FAQ that you think AFAF is missing, what would it be? Check them out here: LINK

How to Submit Your Video

Upload your video to Google Drive or YouTube

Ensure the video is accessible (set to "Anyone with the link can view" or "Public")

Paste the video link in the application form

Please make sure the link works before submitting, as we will not be able to review the videos with restricted access.

Note: Both the resume and video are required for the application to be considered. No advanced editing required; please focus on sharing your thoughts clearly and in an organized way. We are interested in hearing from you, not production or editing quality.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

YLabs recognizes the effort that goes into submitting an application; all applications received during the posting period will be reviewed, and only qualified candidates will be notified of their application status once the hiring process begins. All YLabs offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory background checks and criminal record clearances. All your information will be kept confidential in accordance with EEO guidelines.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

YLabs is committed to building teams and policies that promote equity, justice, and belonging at work. We strongly encourage people from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, socio-economic classes, s*xual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, marital status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

LOCATIONS

San Francisco, United States

Kigali, Rwanda

CONTACT

[email protected]

YLabs is seeking a highly motivated Youth Leadership Fellow to support in driving the national expansion of Asking for a Friend, a digital platform designed with and for young people ages 12-19 years, of diverse and historically marginalized identities in the US, to support learning about, finding,

05/29/2026

https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/05/28/ylabs-youth-leadership-fellow-2026-remote-fellowship-opportunity-for-young-changemakers-in-digital-health-and-youth-advocacy/

YLabs is now accepting applications for the Youth Leadership Fellow position under its innovative digital youth wellness initiative, AskingforaFriend.org

05/28/2026

Jobs
Manager- Corporate Social Responsibility

Published on
2026-05-21

Employment type
Full Time

Contract type
Permanent Job

Country/Region/City
New York, New York, United States

About the job

Louis Vuitton Americas is dedicated to upholding the Maison's commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable practices.

We are seeking a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager to lead and manage the development and ex*****on of Louis Vuitton Americas' sustainability and DEI strategies. This leader will be responsible for overseeing CSR initiatives, leading complex projects, and driving continuous process improvements. This role requires a deep understanding of CSR and DEI practices, with a strong emphases on fostering a culture of environment, social, and equitable responsibility throughout the organization.

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategy Development & Implementation: You will lead the development and effective implementation of the global and regional Corporate Social Responsibility strategy across Louis Vuitton Americas, with a strong focus on sustainability.
Project Leadership & Management: You will independently lead and manage complex CSR projects from conception through to ex*****on, ensuring timely delivery and successful outcomes. This includes defining project scope, setting objectives, managing resources, and mitigating risks.

DEI & CSR Trainings: You will be responsible for co-building training decks and co-facilitating training sessions and learning activations related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Data Analysis & Strategic Reporting: You will oversee the collection, in-depth analysis, and strategic reporting on key CSR metrics and data, utilizing insights to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous improvement.
Internal Engagement & Communication

Leadership:
You will lead and champion internal communications and engagement efforts, developing innovative strategies to raise awareness and promote CSR and DEI best practices among employees at all levels.
You will develop and elaborate, compelling communication materials, presentations, and content for various internal platforms, effectively conveying CSR and DEI messages and initiatives to employees and stakeholders, in collaboration with the Internal Communications Team.

You will lead and energize our network of DEI Ambassadors, empowering them to be catalysts for change, fostering an inclusive culture, and driving impactful initiatives across all levels of the organization.

Benevity Platform Strategic Management:

You will strategically manage the Benevity platform for employee giving, volunteering, and engagement initiatives, ensuring maximum impact and alignment with Louis Vuitton Americas' CSR and DEI goals.

Research, Benchmarking & Innovation:

You will proactively conduct advanced research on emerging CSR, particularly sustainability, and DEI trends, regulations, and best practices, translating these insights into actionable recommendations to enhance Louis Vuitton Americas' approach and drive innovation.
Process Optimization & Innovation: You will independently identify, develop, and implement opportunities for significant process improvements and innovative solutions within CSR and DEI initiatives.

Compliance & Risk Management:

You will ensure and oversee full compliance with relevant environmental, social, and equity regulations and internal policies, proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks.

Profile

The ideal candidate will possess:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, or a related field, preferably within a corporate environment.

Demonstrated experience in leading projects is essential.

Experience with employee engagement platforms (e.g., Benevity) is a plus.

Skills:
In-depth understanding and proven expertise in Corporate Social Responsibility principles, environmental issues, social responsibility, and DEI concepts.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate with diverse stakeholders, and to develop highly engaging and impactful content.

Proven ability to independently manage complex projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and achieve strategic objectives.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and PowerBI.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and develop innovative solutions to intricate problems.

Highly proactive, self-motivated, and results-oriented with a passion for driving continuous improvement and innovation in the CSR and DEI fields.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as a leader within a team environment.

Deep passion for luxury retail and a commitment to sustainable and equitable practices.

The appointed candidate will be offered a salary within USD $110,000 - $125,000 annually, comprehensive benefits package including: medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, various paid time off programs, employee discounts/perks and two retirement plans both with employer contributions.

Please note that restrictions may apply to part-time employees

This position requires 4 days per week on site in the Louis Vuitton Corporate Office, located in the heart of Midtown, Manhattan.

Additional information

Louis Vuitton is a company that respects the uniqueness of each employee and offers everyone the means to find their place and prosper. We promote initiatives aimed at supporting professional equality for everyone. We strive to go above and beyond purely symbolic measures by building a culture passionate about meaningful strategies aimed at crafting an inclusive workforce.

In addition to a generous benefits package, unparalleled career development opportunities, both locally & globally, as an employee at Louis Vuitton, you can expect to be provided with industry leading training which will offer you an in-depth insight into the luxury and retail environment.

Reference LVM32731
Diversity and Inclusion
Louis Vuitton respects and promotes equal opportunity. We celebrate and welcome the uniqueness of each employee and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment.

Want to join the Louis Vuitton teams? The Manager- Corporate Social Responsibility job may be for you! Find all the details in the job description.

05/25/2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially opened applications for the highly impactful Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus Academy

05/22/2026

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declares state of emergency after a very unusual freeze last month caused major crop damage
An initial assessment by the state Department of Agriculture finds at least $300 million in crop losses reported by farmers.

By David Matthau
May 20, 2026

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency after a mid-April cold snap caused at least $300 million in crop losses.

Sherrill said she sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation. If granted, it will unlock critical federal relief for New Jersey growers facing devastating losses from the unprecedented freeze event.

The declaration follows a preliminary assessment by the state Department of Agriculture in coordination with the state’s Farm Service Agency County Committees.

In the middle of last month, a prolonged warm spell pushed temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas of the Garden State, causing fruit trees and crops to flower earlier than normal. The above-average warm weather was immediately followed by temperatures plunging into the 20s between April 19 and April 22. According to the governor’s office, the timing of the unusual weather was particularly destructive because crops were at a critical stage of development when the freeze hit.

The damage was widespread across New Jersey, affecting peaches, cherries, pears, grapes, plums, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples and other crops. Some farmers reported losses approaching or exceeding 90%. In several regions, the losses may prove season-ending for key fruit crops.

The governor said in a statement, “New Jersey’s agricultural sector is a vital engine of our economy; it is the very reason we bear the name the Garden State. The April freeze caused serious damage to our growers, and those losses demand decisive action. This executive order mobilizes a whole-of-government recovery effort out of Trenton, cutting through bureaucracy and accelerating results for impacted farmers and families. Our farming families are hurting, and I won’t stand by and let it happen.”

“Governor Sherrill’s declaration of a State of Emergency sends a clear message that New Jersey stands behind its farming community in the wake of the April freeze,” said Ed Wengryn, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture, in a statement. “This executive order cuts through bureaucracy and opens the door to immediate assistance for our tree fruit and berry growers, while laying the groundwork for broader relief ahead. As our farmers work to recover, we encourage New Jerseyans to continue supporting them by buying local. When the state and federal government move together, our farmers are stronger for it.”

State Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez, chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, said the spring freeze hit farmers hard as they are already facing growing financial strain due to inflation, fuel and rising operating costs. “This Secretarial Disaster Designation would provide desperately needed relief to the Garden State farming community, helping these essential businesses recover their losses and continue the vital operations on which we all depend,” Cruz-Perez said in a statement.

An initial assessment by the state Department of Agriculture finds at least $300 million in crop losses reported by farmers.

05/19/2026

N.Y.C. Hotel Housekeepers Will Earn Over $100,000 Under New Contract

A deal between a powerful union and an industry group substantially boosts annual pay for workers coping with New York City’s high cost of living.

By Patrick McGeehan
Published May 18, 2026
Updated May 19, 2026, 12:26 p.m. ET

The average pay of housekeepers in New York City hotels will increase to more than $100,000 a year as part of a contract settlement between an industry trade group and a powerful union. The deal, which the group ratified on Monday, averts a threatened strike this summer that could have disrupted the influx of tourists expected for the World Cup and America 250 festivities.

The owners of nearly 250 hotels in the city reached an agreement with the union, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, on an eight-year contract that would increase wages by more than 50 percent for workers, union officials said. The hotel owners will continue to pay the full cost of providing health-care benefits for 27,000 union members and their families.

The unusually generous terms were ratified by the board of the Hotel Association of New York City, which represents the hotel owners, and is scheduled for a vote Thursday by the members of the hotel workers’ union, who have a history of moving in lock step with their leaders. The hotel workers’ union said that its new contract would raise the pay of housekeepers from slightly below $40 an hour to more than $61 an hour by 2034.

“Wage increases were our primary focus in this contract cycle because the cost of living for our members has been increasing so dramatically,” said Rich Maroko, the union’s president.

Labor unions in New York City have been notably restive this year, with failed negotiations having led to strikes by the main nurses union, faculty members at New York University and, this past weekend, by engineers and other employees of the Long Island Rail Road. Last month, a strike by the city’s doormen and other workers in unionized apartment buildings was avoided with an agreement that would raise average wages by $4.50 an hour over four years.

“We are proud the New York hotel industry will continue to provide the best pay and benefits in the country,” said Vijay Dandapani, the hotel association’s president. But he added that the association’s members are facing “tremendous economic headwinds” and exceptionally high taxes, along with the loss of 20,000 hotel rooms since the coronavirus pandemic and demand for rooms that still has not fully recovered since Covid devastated tourism in the city.

Steadily rising labor expenses are likely to translate into higher costs for visitors to the city, said Didio Pequeno, a director of hospitality market analytics for CoStar Group, a research firm. “They’re going to try to offset that by raising rates,” he said.

But how successful they would be is unclear, given that New York City already has the highest average room rates of any big city in the United States, at about $335 a night, Mr. Pequeno said. In the past year, New York hotels have also had the nation’s highest occupancy rate, at about 84 percent, he said.

The agreement between the hotel workers and the industry comes about six weeks before the expiration of the current 14-year contract. For more than a year, union officials had been preparing for a strike in early July, just before the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States and the final of FIFA’s World Cup tournament at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Their salvos included creating a website, fifahotelstrike.org, that warned of a “distinct possibility that there will be strikes, pickets and lockouts” during the World Cup. Union leaders also successfully pushed for an increase in the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in New York State to $869 a week, from $504, which would make a strike less costly for their members.

In the past few years, hotel workers had gone on strike in several cities, including Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. But there had not been a citywide strike by hotel workers in New York since a 1985 walkout that lasted nearly a month.

Several elected officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, had expressed support for the nurses and doormen amid their contract negotiations. Mr. Mamdani said he was “proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our hotel workers” through their campaign for higher pay and better benefits.

“This contract is a win for our hospitality industry, our economy and for a city that works best when the people who keep it running can afford to live here too,” Mr. Mamdani said in a statement.

The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council had endorsed Andrew M. Cuomo, the former governor, in his campaign for mayor last year. But after Mr. Cuomo lost in the Democratic primary, union leaders endorsed Mr. Mamdani.

The expiration of union contracts in New York is coinciding with a sharp rise in the cost of living in the metropolitan region, spurring unions to seek raises that will exceed the rate of inflation. In the past year, consumer prices in the region rose 4.6 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was significantly higher than the national inflation rate of 3.8 percent, the bureau reported.

By the sixth year of the hotel workers’ contract, they would earn more than $100,000 annually, the union said. That would amount to an increase of about 52 percent, or a compounded growth rate of more than 5 percent annually.

By the end of the proposed contract, in 2034, union housekeepers could be earning about $110,000 a year.

Mr. Maroko said that the deal included the largest wage increases and benefits in the union’s history, which spans nearly 100 years.

“This contract will deliver life-changing financial stability to the 30,000 hotel workers who are the backbone of the hospitality industry,” he said.

The proposed contract is longer and offers better financial terms than the union’s last contract, which started in 2012 as a seven-year deal that included annual pay raises of 3.5 to 4 percent. Although that contract was already substantially longer than most labor pacts, the union and the hotel association extended it a few years later for an additional seven years.

New York’s hotel industry has been complaining about being squeezed by inflation, taxes, “unnecessary construction and operation regulations.” In April, it launched a $500,000 ad campaign titled “Save NYC Hotels.”

A correction was made on May 18, 2026: An earlier version of this article misstated how much wages for hotel workers will increase under the new contract. Their wages will increase by more than 50 percent, not double.
When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at [email protected]

Patrick McGeehan is a Times reporter who covers the economy of New York City and its airports and other transportation hubs.

A deal between a powerful union and an industry group substantially boosts annual pay for workers coping with New York City’s high cost of living.