HARRISBURG, PA, January 10, 2024 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered the following statement in support of America’s dairy industry, in advance of National Milk Day, which will be celebrated on Thursday, January 11. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today visited the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pa., which is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural event.
January 2024
Why Kevin Durant’s frustration – real or not – is justified | Good Word with Goodwill
Yahoo Sports NBA writer Vincent Goodwill discuss the recent comments by the Phoenix Suns superstar, his frustration around media coverage and the team’s struggles this season. Hear the full conversation on “Good Word with Goodwill”, and subscribe to Ball Don’t Lie on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.
Nick Saban to retire from coaching after 17 seasons, 6 titles at Alabama
Saban, 72, spent nearly two decades leading the Crimson Tide and built one of the best programs in college football history in Tuscaloosa. He also won a national title at LSU.
Kerr takes responsibility for ‘five or six’ recent Warriors losses
Steve Kerr shouldered some of the blame for the Warriors’ recent slump.
Seven Common Household Items You’re Better Off Not Washing With Soap
While there’s no shortage of cleaning products available in any grocery, hardware, or big-box store, much of the time, a solution of warm water and a squirt or two of mild dish detergent is all you need to clean many common household objects. There are, of course, some clear exceptions to this—electronics being the most obvious. But beyond that, there are also certain utensils, pieces of furniture, and other goods that you can technically wash or spot-treat with soap, though it’s not recommended. Here are a few examples of household items you’re better off not washing with soap, and what you should use instead.
Though it’s possible to wash the items below (or at least parts of them) with dish soap, there are better, more effective ways to get them clean:
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Carpets and rugs. Although dish soap will usually get stains and dirt out of a carpet or rug, it may also soak into the fibers, making that spot somewhat sticky—even if you rinse it. From that point on, that patch of carpet will be a magnet for dust, dirt, dander, and other debris. Use a dedicated carpet cleaning product or white distilled vinegar (without baking soda) instead.
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Clothing (other than pretreating food stains). Ignore TikTok laundry “hacks” that involve using dish soap in your washing machine to brighten clothing. Not only can it damage the appliance—which wasn’t designed to handle soaps producing a high volume of suds—but it can also shorten the lifespan of your clothing, and leave them covered in a film and feeling stiff. There is one exception to this: Dish soap’s ability to cut through grease makes it great for pretreating food stains on clothing. But after that, put it away and use actual laundry detergent.
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Leather furniture and other goods. Dish soap or other all-purpose detergent-based cleaners can cause leather furniture, coats, bags, and other goods to dry out. Use saddle soap or a dedicated leather cleaner instead.
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Mirrors, glass shower doors, and windows. You use dish soap to wash drinking glasses in the sink, so why not use it on other glass and reflective surfaces inside your home? In short: Because they’re much harder to rinse off completely. This often results in a layer of soapy film that remains on the window, shower door, or mirror—attracting dirt and dust, and leaving behind streaks. Following extensive testing on multiple store-bought products and DIY solutions, Consumer Reports cleaning experts recommend using an ammonia-based window cleaner diluted with water.
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Treated water-repellant fabrics. Don’t wash water-repellant items like jackets and camping gear with dish soap or traditional laundry detergent, as they can strip away their weatherproof coating. Invest in detergent specifically formulated for water-repellant materials from brands like Gear Aid and Nikwax in order to prolong the life of your outdoor garments and gear.
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Wooden kitchen utensils. Wooden kitchen utensils should be hand-washed, as boiling them or running them through the dishwasher can cause them to split or crack. While using a little dish soap to remove stuck-on food isn’t going to do any major damage, you’re better off rinsing them with water immediately, then using a solution of one-part water and one-part distilled white vinegar to tackle any stains or dried food. And don’t forget to treat them using mineral, walnut, tung, or linseed oil.
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Wood floors and furniture. Using dish soap to clean solid wood floors or furniture (i.e., not vinyl or veneer) can strip their natural oils and protective finishes, leaving them more vulnerable to wear and tear. Fortunately, there are a variety of items you may have in your pantry right now—including mayonnaise and toothpaste—that you can use instead.
NOLA no-fall? How the New Orleans Pelicans have rebounded from their IST embarrassment
The Pelicans enter Wednesday’s matchup with the Warriors as one of the NBA’s hottest teams — winners of 10 of 14 since the IST debacle and outscoring opponents by 14.5 points per 100 possessions.
These Are the Best Bluetooth Speakers to Buy in 2024
There are objectively good and bad speakers, but the lines get a little blurrier when you enter Bluetooth territory. In my experience, the Bluetooth variety tend to be much more specialized, designed for specific activities, or made with a relatively narrow audience in mind. The good news is that no matter when and where you plan on listening, there’s sure to be an option that’s near-perfect for you.
The best Bluetooth speaker for most people
It’s not often that Bluetooth speakers dominate their space for multiple years, but that’s what the Bose SoundLink Flex speaker has managed to do since its 2021 release. This portable speaker set the tone for Bluetooth speakers in its size and price point and made most competitors redundant. You can take the SoundLink with you almost anywhere, thanks to its small size and light weight. It’s also water and dustproof, can be used as a speakerphone, and has an impressive sound for its size.
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Bose SoundLink Flex ($149).
The best Bluetooth speaker under $100
Bluetooth speakers can get expensive fairly quickly. If you’re looking for a budget option but still want good sound, consider the Soundcore Motion 300, which is packed with features at a low price. It has a very user-friendly app, great EQ options, and can pair with another Bluetooth speaker for playback in multiple spaces. It’s also fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating.
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Soundcore Motion 300 ($79.99).
The best Bluetooth speaker for hosting a big event
I’ve been hosting Street FC soccer games at my local park for three months using the Soundboks 4, and some players tell me they come just for the music. The Soundboks 4 is a one-speaker show with its powerful 126db sound that might make your neighbors call in a noise disturbance. It has a 40-hour battery, customizable EQ for specific events, and can be wirelessly linked with up to five of its kind to terrorize the neighborhood. It’s also dust and waterproof.
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Soundboks 4 ($999).
The best clip-on Bluetooth speaker
If you’re looking for a great clip-on Bluetooth speaker to clip to yourself while you’re out and about, consider the JBL Clip 4. It has an IP67 water-resistance and dust-proof rating, meaning it can be submerged under shallow water and be taken on a hike or to the beach. It has some of the most impressive sound for the size that I’ve found.
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JBL Clip 4 ($49)
Browns WR Amari Cooper set for wild-card matchup vs. Texans after missing two games with heel injury
Amari Cooper racked up 265 yards and had two touchdowns the last time the Browns played the Texans.
Kerr believes Dray knows career is ‘on the line’ in suspension return
Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes Draymond Green truly will make a change this time around — because he has no choice.
Fantasy Football QB Exit Interview: Josh Allen reigns supreme in 2023 marred by injuries to the position
Fantasy football analyst Scott Pianowski kicks off his exit interview series with the quarterbacks, a position that ended a lot like it did in 2022.