Northeast
Johns Hopkins DEI boss won’t face discipline for comments condemned by school brass
Dr. Sherita H. Golden, chief diversity officer at Johns Hopkins Medicine, does not appear to be facing discipline over her definition of “privilege” that was published in the school’s newsletter, despite intense backlash that forced the institution’s leaders to “repudiate” the language.
When Fox News Digital asked the school on Sunday whether Golden would face disciplinary action, a spokesperson doubled down on Golden’s apology, saying in an emailed statement that Golden has “sincerely acknowledged” the mistake.
“The January edition of the monthly newsletter from the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity used language that contradicts the values of Johns Hopkins as an institution,” a Johns Hopkins Medicine spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Dr. Sherita Golden, Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Chief Diversity Officer, has sincerely acknowledged this mistake and retracted the language used in the message.”
The original newsletter claimed that “males,” “White people,” “middle-aged people” and “able-bodied people,” among other groups, benefit from “privilege,” which was the “Diversity Word of the Month” for the January 2024 issue of its Monthly Diversity Digest.
TOP HOSPITAL TRIGGERS BACKLASH WITH DIVERSITY OFFICER’S ‘PRIVILEGE’ LIST: ‘PISSES ME OFF’
Johns Hopkins faced a backlash over a diversity newsletter that offered a definition of “privilege.” (iStock)
“Privilege is an unearned benefit given to people who are in a specific social group. Privilege operates on personal, interpersonal, cultural and institutional levels, and it provides advantages and favors to members of dominant groups at the expense of members of other groups,” the newsletter read.
UK POLITICIAN SAYS ‘WHITE PRIVILEGE’ DIVISIVE, UNHELPFUL TERM: REPORT
On Thursday, Golden apologized and said she “deeply” regretted the “overly simplistic and poorly worded” newsletter, which she said “had the opposite effect of being exclusionary and hurtful to members of our community.”
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Leaders at the institution wrote in a letter to the community last week that they fully supported Golden’s apology and her decision to retract the definition, adding that they also “repudiate this language.”
Fox News’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
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Rhode Island Energy is currently installing advanced smart meters for all electricity customers. Clean energy and environmental advocates have championed advanced metering for decades because the systems enable incentives for conservation, solar integration and energy storage. The primary vehicle for realizing these benefits is Time-Varying Rates (TVR).
Unlike legacy meters, advanced meters track when electricity is used, not just how much is used. TVR encourages customers to shift heavy usage, like running a clothes dryer or charging an electric vehicle, to off-peak overnight hours when wholesale power is cheap and cleaner. This flattens the grid’s peak demand, brings down wholesale energy costs for everyone and reduces our reliance on polluting “peaker” power plants.
The Rhode Island Public Utility Commission (PUC) is charged with balancing the interests of utility customers with value to utility shareholders. It sets the formulas by which the utility is compensated.
The primary means the utility is compensated is based on a Return on Equity invested (ROE) that is predetermined by the PUC and currently set at 9.275%. Rhode Island Energy’s capital investments are funded through roughly 51% equity (shareholder capital) and 49% debt. For every $100 million the utility spends on infrastructure, about $51 million is financed via equity, allowing shareholders to collect an annual pre-tax profit of 9.275% on that portion, or roughly $4.73 million. The more the utility spends, the more their shareholders earn.
At a cost of over $188 million for the new meters, Rhode Island Energy shareholders will collect nearly $9 million a year in profit for 20 years from the equity portion of that investment alone, while also saving money on labor by eliminating the need for truck based drive-by meter readers.
But advanced metering was supposed to benefit ratepayers as well as the utility. Though the meter expenditures were approved by the PUC in 2023 and the meters installations are expected to be completed by the end of this year, it is expected to take until at least 18 months after the meter rollout is completed to implement the billing system infrastructure needed to enable Time-Varying Rates.
The upgrades that deliver more profit to the utility bottom line was fast tracked, while the investment needed to implement the primary benefits to ratepayers is being slow walked. Why weren’t the software upgrades and hardware deployment run in parallel?
Right now, the PUC is weighing a huge general rate case (Docket No. 25-45-GE). Rhode Island Energy has proposed aggressively hiking its profit margin, seeking to raise its ROE from 9.275% to 10.75% and expand its equity share from 51% to 57%.
In their 2022 advanced metering filing, Rhode Island Energy suggested the new infrastructure would yield $729 million in benefits over 20 years. So far, the utility is seeing plenty of that benefit on its bottom line, while ratepayers have mostly seen higher costs. The PUC should reject the utility’s requested rate increases, preserve the current rate structure, and insist that Time-Varying Rates be fully operational before any further rate changes are considered.
Fred Unger is a retired energy project developer and clean energy advocate based in Providence.
Beach day tips and tricks to have fun in the sun
Make a day in the sun more easy with these beach hacks.
Problem Solved
Vermont has some of the most relaxing beaches in New England.
While other states may be known for their island beaches or their saltwater getaways on the shores of the mainland, Vermont has plenty of freshwater beaches that make it a real treat to visit those parts of the Green Mountain state.
Yankee Magazine, one of the most notable lifestyle publications covering New England, said that four of Vermont’s beaches are among the best in New England.
“From wide sandy stretches and dramatic ocean bluffs to hidden coves and family-friendly shores, New England beaches offer something for every kind of beachgoer,” Yankee Magazine said.
Out of 34 New England beaches, here are the four beaches in Vermont that made it, ranked in their proximity to Burlington.
Sand Bar State Park, Milton — ‘finest stretch of Lake Champlain beachfront’
Yankee Magazine chose Sand Bar State Park in Milton, Vermont, as one of the best beaches in New England because how perfect it is for families with children, because of its shallow waters and play areas.
“Vermont’s most popular day-use state park is home to its finest stretch of Lake Champlain beachfront, a 2,000-foot strand with a dropoff so gradual that it seems you could wade from the mainland to the Champlain Islands,” Yankee said.
There are also a number of cooking grills and picnic areas at the Milton beach for those who like to have burgers by the beach after a nice swim, according to Vermont State Parks.
Only around 16 miles away from Burlington, it takes less than 30 minutes to drive to Sand Bar in Milton, making it great for families and friends who don’t want a long drive to the beach.
Alburgh Dunes State Park, Alburgh — ‘One of Vermont’s newest state parks’
Forty-one miles from Burlington, Alburgh Dunes State Park might seem like long haul for a beach, but worth it.
“One of Vermont’s newest state parks was established to preserve an incongruous feature of northern Lake Champlain, a duneland left behind by retreating glaciers,” Yankee said.
The Vermont State Parks website said the foundation of this beach began thousands of years ago, when glaciers deposited soil on bluffs close by, and slowly the forces of nature carried that soil to Lake Champlain, creating Alburgh Dunes.
“Before the park was established, people altered the dunes. Some sand was removed to replenish the beach, trees were cut for firewood, and visitors walking on the dunes wore paths through the grasses,” the state parks website said. “These actions increased erosion.”
Now, fencing has been erected to prevent further ecological damage of the beach.
Boulder Beach State Park, Groton — ‘sandy shoreline along Lake Groton’
Yankee rated Boulder Beach State Park, which is almost 70 miles away from Burlington, highly not only because of the magnificent glacier-formed boulders after which the park is named, but because of the conveniences that come with it.
“There’s a definite wilderness feel to the terrain in this southern threshold of the Northeast Kingdom, but the park is well equipped with changing facilities, boat rentals, a concession stand, and a broad lawn dotted with picnic sites behind the beach,” the magazine said.
Safe to swim in as well, Boulder Beach State Park is in walking distance of the other six state parks in Groton State Forest.
Crystal Lake State Park, Barton — ‘glacially carved jewels of northern Vermont’s lake country’
Crystal Lake State Park in Barton, Vermont, might be the farthest away from Burlington, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth traveling to.
“One of the glacially carved jewels of northern Vermont’s lake country lies just outside the town of Barton and features a sandy swimming beach with a spectacular view,” Yankee Magazine said.
Crystal Lake spans three miles long and is around one mile wide, Vermont State Parks’ website said. Be careful swimming there as parts of it are over 100 feet deep.
“A large historic granite bathhouse provides restrooms, changing areas, and a concession stand,” the parks website said. “The park offers about 40 free-standing charcoal grills, nearly 80 picnic tables, rental boats and canoes, and ample parking.”
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatoday.com.
Editor’s note: Follow live World Cup standings updates and analysis for the round of 32
Paraguay fans can breathe a sigh of relief, their team is headed to the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
Paraguay rebounded nicely after a tough first match against the United States, defeating Turkey and drawing Australia, finishing the group stage in third place and officially qualifying for the knockout rounds when Uruguay lost to Spain on Friday night.
However, it does not get easier from here, as Paraguay will take on Germany in the round of 32.
SHOP: Paraguay vs. Germany World Cup tickets
The match will take place outside of Boston at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. and is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to buy tickets for Paraguay vs. Germany’s in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
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Germany vs. Paraguay round of 32 World Cup ticket price
With its Group E win, Germany will play its Round of 32 match at Gillette Stadium on Monday, June 29. As of publication, the cheapest available tickets for Germany’s game in Boston start at $1,044.
Germany World Cup Round of 32 game information
- Where: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
- What time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Tickets: Starting at $826
- When: Monday, June 29
Shop Germany vs. Paraguay World Cup tickets
More: Here’s how to buy 2026 World Cup Final tickets in New York
When is Paraguay vs. Germany World Cup game?
Germany clinched the top spot in Group E on Saturday, its Round of 32 match will take place on Monday, June 29.
Where is Paraguay vs. Germany World Cup game?
Germany and Paraguay will play their round of 32 game outside of Boston. This will be the team’s first game in Foxborough, Mass. for the tournament.
Shop Germany vs. Paraguay World Cup tickets
Germany World Cup schedule
- Sunday, June 14: Germany def. Curaçao WIN 7-1
- Saturday, June 20: Germany vs. Ivory Coast WIN 2-1
- Thursday, June 25: Germany vs. Ecuador LOSS 2-1
- Monday, June 29: Germany vs Paraguay in Boston (round of 32) – Shop tickets
Shop Germany vs. Paraguay World Cup tickets
World Cup Group E standings
Paraguay World Cup schedule
- Paraguay vs. United States – LOSS 4-1
- Paraguay vs. Turkey – WIN 1-0
- Paraguay vs. Australia – DRAW 0-0
- Monday, June 29 – Paraguay vs. Germany in Boston (round of 32) – Shop tickets
World Cup Group D Standings
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