The American Payroll Association and the Global Payroll Management Institute have officially rebranded under the new PayrollOrg (PAYO) brand. To celebrate, Pegine, a renowned workshop presenter for PayrollOrg, wrote and produced a celebratory parody tune titled 'PAYO.' The song, which was a surprise to the PAYO staff and leadership, has been well-received and highlights the significance of globalization in the payroll industry. Pegine's creativity and leadership skills are praised, and the song aligns with PayrollOrg's tagline, 'The Leader in Payroll Education.'

Ghost Atlas, the alt.rock side-project of ERRA's Jesse Cash, is set to release a new 12-track album titled 'Dust Of The Human Shape' on January 26, 2024, through UNFD. Following the 2019 album 'Sleep Therapy: An Acoustic Performance', the upcoming record is previewed by the single 'Lesser Gods', which features a singular chord progression and a time signature change in the bridge to introduce technicality and tension.

A woman in El Paso, Texas, threw a box of doughnuts at the manager of Dapper Doughnuts, Lauren Keener, after being asked to wear a mask inside the store. The incident, captured on video, occurred when the woman and her husband were not properly wearing their masks. The husband demanded a refund, which was denied, leading him to take a mug as compensation. The altercation highlights the challenges faced by businesses enforcing the city and state-mandated face mask rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with El Paso reporting over 11,000 cases. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's executive order requires masks in counties with 20 or more cases, with fines for non-compliance.

A Black teenage girl, referred to as Grace, was placed in a juvenile detention facility in Oakland County, Michigan, for violating her probation by not completing her online coursework. Grace had been on probation since April after a fight with her mother and a larceny charge. The conditions set by Judge Mary Ellen Brennan included wearing a GPS tether, regular check-ins, and completing schoolwork. Grace's caseworker, Rachel Giroux, filed a violation of probation when Grace fell asleep instead of doing schoolwork. Despite the challenges of transitioning to online learning during the pandemic and testimony from Grace's mother and teacher, Brennan deemed Grace a threat to the community. Terri Gilbert, a juvenile justice committee member, criticized the ruling as too harsh.

Senator Lindsey Graham praised Dr. Anthony Fauci's intelligence and criticized the Trump administration's attempts to discredit him. Despite acknowledging Fauci's past inaccuracies, Graham emphasized the need to focus on a phase four plan addressing unemployment, testing, and hospital aid rather than disputing Fauci's credibility. The White House had circulated a list of Fauci's supposed misjudgments, which former FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg deemed inappropriate. Graham also discussed the importance of following health guidelines for reopening schools and the country.

Helmut Norpoth, a political science professor at Stony Brook University, predicted on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle that President Donald Trump has over a 90 percent chance of winning the 2020 election. Norpoth, who has accurately predicted 25 out of 27 elections, bases his forecast on primary performance, where Trump excelled and Biden struggled. Despite current polls suggesting Biden's lead, Norpoth references historical instances where early leads did not translate to election wins. He also notes that unless Trump's approval rating collapses, the COVID-19 pandemic is unlikely to affect his prediction. Norpoth advises Trump to focus on economic recovery to enhance his reelection chances.

A Black Lives Matter mural in Chicago's Oak Park was defaced, altered to read 'All Lives Matter.' It was restored by the public works department. Similar vandalism occurred in Park City, Utah, and Martinez, California. In Utah, a mural was painted over with gray paint, and in California, two individuals were charged with painting over a mural. Other incidents were reported in Vermont and Orlando, Florida. Cleveland also saw a mural defaced with anti-Black Lives Matter sentiments. Local officials and organizers have expressed their views on the importance of the murals and the negative impact of the vandalism.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded a ban on elective surgeries to Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, and Webb counties to ensure hospital bed availability amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. This amendment to the June 25 executive order, which included Harris, Travis, Dallas, and Bexar counties, aims to prioritize COVID-19 patients. Texas has reported over 153,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 6,000 hospitalizations as of June 29. Local officials are taking measures to increase hospital capacity and have requested additional medical personnel to support the healthcare system.

A recent Gallup Poll indicates that 77% of Americans view immigration as a positive for the country, with higher approval among Democrats, Independents, non-whites, younger individuals, and college graduates. The desire for increased immigration has surpassed the preference for a decrease for the first time since 1965. This comes amidst Republican leaders' strong stance against illegal immigration and President Trump's executive orders against DACA and suspending certain visas. The USCIS has naturalized 64,500 immigrants since June and plans to host naturalization ceremonies around Independence Day.

A Fox News poll surveyed over 1,300 registered voters, revealing that 45 percent strongly approved of President Donald Trump's job performance, while 55 percent strongly disapproved. The poll highlighted low approval ratings among minority voters and declining support on race relations and health care issues. Trump's approval on the economy was higher, with a 49 percent approval rating. The poll was conducted by Beacon Research with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percent.

A Civiqs poll shows President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden in a close race in Iowa, a state Trump won significantly in 2016. Both candidates have 46% support among Iowa voters. The poll indicates gender, age, education, and urban versus rural divides, with Biden leading among women, non-white voters, and those with higher education, while Trump is favored by men, white voters, and those in rural areas. The poll, conducted online with 865 registered Iowa voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percent.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a record number of job losses among nurses and healthcare workers in the U.S., despite a slight decrease in the overall unemployment rate to 13.3 percent in May. The cessation of elective surgeries and routine procedures has caused significant revenue declines for hospitals, resulting in layoffs and furloughs. The CARES Act and Provider Relief Funds have provided financial support, but the impact on healthcare professionals has been severe, with many expressing dismay at being furloughed during a critical time. The American Hospital Association has highlighted the financial challenges faced by hospitals, while individual nurses have shared their personal experiences of job loss.

A Washington State Patrol officer was recorded instructing his officers to use force against protestors in Seattle, saying, 'Don't kill them, but hit them hard.' The video sparked controversy amidst protests that began over the weekend, which included violent incidents. Governor Jay Inslee activated the National Guard following vandalism and looting. The Washington State Patrol apologized for the officer's choice of words, emphasizing their commitment to public safety and peaceful assembly rights. The Seattle Police Department faces over 12,000 complaints regarding their treatment of protestors and is reviewing the use of pepper spray and concussion grenades. Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best have promised to review police tactics, while the department claims protestors attempted to breach a barricade and assaulted officers.

Rev. Gini Gerbasi, a former assistant rector at St. John's Episcopal Church, reported being tear-gassed in Lafayette Park during a peaceful protest so President Donald Trump could have a photo-op outside the church. Trump, along with Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and William Barr, walked to the church after Trump declared himself 'your president of law and order' in a White House speech. The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, criticized Trump for using the Bible and the church as a prop without offering prayer or unity.

Democratic Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Sims accused Republican colleagues of not informing Democrats about GOP Representative Andrew Lewis's positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Lewis, who has recovered, stated he kept the diagnosis private out of respect for his family and those he may have exposed. The incident led to demands for investigations and calls for Republican House Speaker Mike Turzai to resign. The lack of communication was criticized for putting lawmakers and their families at risk, with House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody demanding answers.

Protests in Minneapolis demanding justice for George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody, turned violent for the second night. Riot police used teargas against protesters as businesses were burned and vandalized. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for criminal charges against former Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who was seen kneeling on Floyd's neck in a video. The Department of Justice and FBI are investigating the incident for potential civil rights violations.

The HEROES Act, a $3 trillion stimulus package, passed the House but faces opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate. It includes $1,200 stimulus checks, raises for essential workers, and an expanded employee retention tax credit. The latter has garnered support from various businesses but has been criticized by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Senate is set to consider the bill in the last week of May.

Kingwood, a neighborhood along Lake Houston, Texas, is experiencing a resurgence of feral hogs, which are causing damage to lawns and local vegetation. Houston City Councilman Dave Martin discussed the issue at a town hall meeting, highlighting the destruction caused by the hogs, particularly in the Kings Point area. The Kingwood Service Association has hired a trapper to control the hog population, but the problem persists. Officials from the Friendswood Development Co. and the Kingwood Service Association are considering building a large pen to capture the hogs. Houston Police are also on alert for hogs in the area. Residents may need to hire private trappers for their properties, and are encouraged to report sightings to help locate the hogs. Damion Baker, a wildlife expert, warns against individuals attempting to trap hogs themselves due to the danger they pose. The article also touches on the challenges and costs associated with trapping feral hogs, and Councilman Martin is considering allocating funds to address the issue.

Spring Independent School District has partnered with Prairie View A&M University to offer automatic admission to students who are in the top 25 percent of their class by the end of their junior year. The agreement, signed at Westfield High School, also includes 15 Opportunity Target High School scholarships totaling $75,000 for each of the next three years, distributed among the district's high schools. The program aims to make college more accessible to students who may face financial barriers or doubts about acceptance. Students must meet certain academic and standardized test score criteria to qualify. The initiative is expected to benefit many students, including seniors like Robin Dorow, who has been conditionally awarded a softball scholarship, and juniors like Diego Rojas, who is now considering Prairie View A&M as a potential college due to this opportunity.

The article discusses the recent surge in small business growth in downtown Tomball, Texas, highlighting the success stories of various local businesses such as Vickie B's Boutique, Cisco's Salsa Company, and others. It attributes the town's economic revival to a combination of factors, including the opening of Cisco's Salsa Company in 2011, the hiring of Mike Baxter as the city's first marketing director, and the introduction of local festivals and attractions. The story of Britt and Madison Heald, the mother-daughter duo behind Vickie B's Boutique, is featured to illustrate the entrepreneurial spirit driving Tomball's transformation into a destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.