Category Archives: Progress

featured newsFebruary 19, 2022 at 2:33 pmZara Flett in action for Orkney today. (Orkney Photographic)

Orkneys senior inter-county netball side beat Shetland this afternoon to progress in the Scottish Cup.

The reds beat the blues 45-30 as two new-look sides went toe-to-toe at The Pickaquoy Centre.

Orkney, led by the attacking trio of Inga Kemp, Bev Flett and Zara Flett, flew out of the traps, ending the first quarter on top at 14-6.

Shetland, missing several familiar faces, hit back in the second quarter, making Orkney pay for a series of missed scoring opportunities to cut the deficit to 19-15 at half-time.

The third quarter was fairly even as Orkney got back in their groove, finishing 33-25, and into the final quarter, Orkney held on comfortably to close the game out at 45-30.

Orkney will now play Lossiemouth in the next round.

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Orkney beat Shetland to progress in Scottish Cup - The Orcadian

Top Stanford administrators shared recent updates to the Universitys Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access in a Learning Community (IDEAL) initiative and highlighted existing challenges to racial equity during the latest installment of Campus Conversations on Wednesday.

Launched in 2018, the IDEAL initiative is a cross-campus effort to make progress toward an inclusive, accessible, diverse and equitable University community, especially for those from traditionally marginalized identity groups. Since its inception, the initiative has launched efforts to hire a more diverse cohort of faculty and diversify both graduate and undergraduate admissions; facilitated identity/race data collection across campus; and initiated plans for campus-wide diversity, equity and inclusion training. Despite the growth of the program over the past four years, Stanford community members have questioned the initiatives commitment to making tangible, lasting progress.

According to Provost Persis Drell, current leadership is painfully aware of the criticism of past efforts in the area as one-offs that faded and is committed to making sure IDEAL is about institutional change. Still, Drell said, there is significant work needed before Stanford can become the type of community that the University envisioned when it launched the initiative.

Vice Provost for Institutional Equity, Access and Community Patrick Dunkley emphasized that changes may appear slower than originally expected, but that it is on leadership to give advocates in Stanfords marginalized communities a reason to believe in the efforts.

IDEAL recently published the findings of a campus climate diversity, equity and inclusion survey that showed the widespread and disproportionate impact of discrimination on marginalized communities at Stanford. Dunkley said the results and statistics were not shocking and that the committee planned on following up with a community-centered goal-setting process where every community center would partake in making goals to address survey areas.

Despite the results of the survey, Dunkley said the IDEAL initiative team was encouraged by the tremendous interest in data by allied groups representing non-marginalized communities who asked him about ways to effect change.

Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Diversity and Engagement Matt Snipp also emphasized the Universitys excitement about the new faculty director for the Martin Luther King Research and Education Institute, Lerone Martin, who began his post in January.

Snipp said that he hopes Martin will be able to empower the King Institute to reach its potential. The King Institute should be a global destination and a leader for the study and public understanding of the works of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and their relevance to contemporary global society, Snipp said.

Snipp also said a second cohort of IDEAL postdoctoral fellows would be invited to Stanford soon.

Senior Advisor to the Provost on Equity and Inclusion Shirley Everett shared recent progress in the Universitys efforts to prioritize diversity in recruiting. IDEAL is currently developing what it calls its learning journey,a staff training on equity and diversity intended to help foster more inclusive recruiting practices.

My hope is that IDEAL becomes the foundation on which we build an equitable ecosystem so all staff can bring their full authentic self to work, Everett said.

While administrators highlighted the value of including and appreciating the perspectives of stakeholders in issues of equity on campus, those in attendance raised concerns about the initiatives willingness to serve the Stanford community. One community memberhighlighted the use of intimidation tactics by managing supervisors in higher education, pointing out how reports of wrongdoing have often been overlooked at universities across the country.

Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne said that intimidation tactics are unacceptable, adding that it is important to elevate such reports even beyond human resources in some situations.

Its distressing to me to hear that the questioner feels that the issues they have experienced and have raised are not being addressed, Tessier-Lavigne said. That is certainly not the Stanford we want to be.

For IDEAL administrators and leaders throughout the University to make a positive change to the campus community, they must look inward and face the problems they identify head-on, Tessier-Lavigne said.

The willingness to engage in dialogue is the foundation for communicating and listening across differences he said, adding that it is an essential condition for the success of everything were trying to do.

This article has been corrected to reflect the learning journey is not mandatory. The Daily regrets this error.

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University leaders share progress on IDEAL, highlight persisting institutional weaknesses - The Stanford Daily

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The good news is the games industry has been making progress on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). However, that progress has been slow, and particularly so for Black professionals.

As noted by a recent Washington Post article, the IGDA's 2021 Developer survey report said that the group has doubled in 16 years to account for 4% of the industry.

That survey is open to developers globally but it leans heavily North American. For comparison, the 2019 US Census reports that Black people make up 13% of the country's population. In Canada, the 2016 Census found 3.5% of the population identified themselves as Black.

The industry by and large acknowledged the systemic issues present within it like many others in 2020. This was in direct response to the nationwide protests calling for equality that followed the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man who was killed while in police custody in May of 2020.

Many companies came forward to express support for Black Lives Matter support and promised to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive of Black professionals.

With the two-year anniversary of those promises coming up in a few months, GamesIndustry.Biz reached out to DEI professionals and researchers to ask them about the progress the industry has made and their predictions looking ahead.

"Overall progress is being made when conversations are taking place when BIPOC folk are speaking out about their experiences, and setting boundaries"

Rejess Marshall

"Overall progress is being made when conversations are taking place when BIPOC folk are speaking out about their experiences, and setting boundaries," said Rejess Marshall, head of diversity and inclusion at Iron Galaxy.

Marshall adds that progress has been visible in some specific areas.

"Content creators are speaking out, gaining more visibility, and finding spaces that celebrate their unique perspectives. Within game development, companies are hiring more DEI professionals to help lead these efforts and there are more efforts being made to show diverse representation in the games."

When speaking about the headway that has been made, Cinzia Musio, diversity and inclusion advisor at Splash Damage, notes that the media's broader coverage of company problems and allegations has shifted.

"While progress is always slow, it is clear to see that the games industry is moving in the right direction. It was encouraging to see that late last year, with new allegations of abuse and harassment in the industry, there was a real drive across the board to create accountability," Musio explained.

"From games media refusing to publish any articles without mentioning history of abuse and harassment, to major platform holders calling out the behaviour. The next few years will be key to see whether that accountability continues, and whether it turns into real action across large studios."

Stephanie Ijoma, DEI consultant and founder of gaming outfit Nnesaga, agrees that the industry has quite a way to go in terms of addressing diversity and inclusion.

"Quite frankly, the industry only decided to wake up when the Black Lives Matter movement became popular and [the industry] panicked"

Stephanie Ijoma

"Quite frankly, the industry only decided to wake up when the Black Lives Matter movement became popular and [the industry] panicked," Ijoma said.

"They tried to outsource DEI consultants to internally fix a system that has been purposely designed to not embrace and include diversity, representation and inclusion when this should have been a priority before things hit the fan," Ijoma adds.

"We constantly still fight tooth and nail to ensure that active changes are put in good faith till this day."

Dr. Kishonna Gray, author of "Intersectional Tech: Black Users in Digital Gaming" and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, questions if companies are working on efforts that are both front facing to the public and internally.

"So diversity can be those outward-facing kinds of things, and equity and inclusion really looks more internal to a company/organization. So, is there equitable hiring? Are folks getting promoted and being hired at the top ranks of a company? Are there inclusive practices addressing all of the harassment claims?"

"So diversity can be those outward-facing kinds of things, and equity and inclusion really looks more internal to a company/organization"

Kishonna Gray

Gray continues, "But we can point to specific things from companies and point out what they're not doing that well. Conversations related to unionization, harassment, hiring, etc."

"We have to ask more questions to understand what a company needs to be doing right now. And it's different across companies. So Twitch DEI might be different than Discord and of course, Microsoft has completely shifted the conversation with its recent acquisition."

Gray further expounds that the efforts for the industry at large need to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive isn't a one size fits all concept.

"I don't think we can really answer that in a general way, but broadly 'Is the industry making progress?'" she says.

"It depends on how you define progress and DEI," she says. "Visibility and representation of diversity might be enough for some, but not for all."

When addressing the promises companies made to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive in 2020, Ijoma is rather candid in her response.

"Out of 100%, the industry has only improved by 20-25% if I am being completely honest," she explains.

"Words do not mean anything without action. Permanent action."

Stephanie Ijoma

"Having worked with a lot of companies from 2020 and now, while there have been companies that have actively made changes, there have been many that have fallen short and returned to their old ways. Words do not mean anything without action. Permanent action."

Saba Ghebreyesus, 2K Games diversity and inclusion manager, agrees that changes have been slow.

"In many respects, it feels like we've all agreed to attend the dance, but many are still staring at one another from across the room and not out on the dance floor just yet," Ghebreyesus says.

They go on to note the publisher's ongoing commitment to staff in becoming more inclusive and diverse.

""We promised employees that 2K would hire diversity and inclusion team members, provide further education, create safe spaces for employees, and much more -- and further -- that we were all going on this journey together," Ghebreyesus explains.

2K director of diversity and inclusion Toni Ligons says the company has already seen a shift in the data as a result of its DEI efforts, which have included rolling out unconscious bias training for staff and other learning initiatives, as well as partnerships with not-for-profit organizations and historically Black colleges and universities.

When assessing the efforts following the summer of 2020, Gray questions the results made thus far.

"They affirmed their beliefs and values that Black Lives Matter," she explains. "They affirmed their commitment to addressing the violence against Asian communities."

"So they said some really amazing rhetorical and discursive kinds of things that sound really nice and look really good on their website but to answer the question have they followed through on what their statements outlined? I'm not so sure."

"When we think about the larger companies, I don't know if we can see the tangible results of their commitments. And I think that's a problem"

Dr. Kishonna Gray

She goes on to acknowledge the work done with large investments to overlooked communities, increased visible representation, and better hiring practices.

She names Niantic's efforts as an example of a company doing a lot of work in that regard. However, she believes that when improvements can't be seen, that may be a matter for concern.

"When we think about the larger companies, I don't know if we can see the tangible results of their commitments. And I think that's a problem," Gray states.

When assessing where the games industry is lacking, Marshall says it's the lack of outreach to unserved and overlooked youth.

"I think we're falling short in reaching out to underrepresented minority youth to provide them with access to resources and knowledge about potential career opportunities in gaming," she explains.

"That's one of the reasons why Iron Galaxy Studios has endowed two scholarships for underrepresented students in our markets."

Although there have been advancements for DEI over the years, missteps continue.

When considering the industry-at-large's deficiencies, Musio notes an ongoing problem with intersectionality regarding gender and marginalized people. She also mentions a tendency to focus on a particular kind of diversity.

"We often focus on the experience of women in the games industry, without considering the vast gender diversity present..."

Cinzia Musio

"We often focus on the experience of women in the games industry, without considering the vast gender diversity present, especially in an industry that has a much larger portion of LGBTQ+ people than other industries," she explains.

In terms of moving forward, Gray cautions that increased visible representation reveals a problem seen among other industries grappling with DEI.

"But there is a fine line of this becoming tokenism as well," she explains. "There are some companies accused of 'discovering' their workforce of diverse folks."

"So people who have been at the company for a while are finally getting recognition. This is a positive thing," she adds.

"But it's sad how it had to come about. So many people were feeling neglected inside their companies and many suggest that external hires are getting the attention and praise to the detriment of existing employees who have been there."

Looking ahead, Ijoma says DEI headway will be reliant on the efforts of leadership and their dedication.

"The biggest improvements will have to be made from the very top of the hierarchy. Where the executives and decision makers sit," she explains.

"If we have more diverse perspectives and voices, the influence will carry down and across in what you see: campaigns, launches, HR and communities."

She adds, "The industry won't move unless they consciously make an effort to implement change. This will enable us as consultants to work cohesively and not let our work be in vain."

"Through continued learning, connection and conversation, action, and accountability, we can and will initiate the change we continue to need internally..."

Saba Ghebreyesus

Ghebreyesus echoes the importance of working continuously to improve as well as using employee resource groups.

"Through continued learning, connection and conversation, action, and accountability, we can and will initiate the change we continue to need internally and across our industry," they say.

"We're also really proud of the work our ERGs have done to date and are scheduled to take on in 2022. We encourage any fellow developers and publishers out there who don't have ERGs to explore investing in them for their employees."

Musio herself hopes to see that diversity continues to improve; she notes she's waiting to see the UKIE Games Industry census report for 2022. Additionally, she would like to see leadership that is more representative of the world.

"My hope is to see that diversity has improved at the more senior layers of studios, where we are likely to see long-term changes which will positively impact the industry," she explains.

"With the games industry being more competitive than ever for candidates, it will be interesting to see the shift in employee wellbeing that studios are likely going to need to make, in order to make their companies be the most attractive on the market."

Musio adds that it will be interesting to see changes alongside the shifts in studio work cultures.

"We have started seeing a big shift to four-day weeks from studios of all sizes," she explains.

"As these efforts do tend to attract and benefit marginalised people in more impactful ways, we are likely to see Diversity & Inclusion at the forefront of it in the coming months/years."

"I hope that it means having a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion role at studios will become a staple across the industry."

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How much progress has the industry made on diversity, equity, and inclusion? - GamesIndustry.biz

Congressional negotiators are making headway in government spending talks, with top lawmakers confirming on Tuesday that all of the Senate Appropriations subcommittees have received their top-line spending numbers for fiscal 2022.

Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahySenate passes bill to avert government shutdown Senate seeks offramp as funding deadline nears On The Money GOP senators block Biden's Fed picks MORE (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that all 12 of the chambers appropriations subcommittees have received allocation figuresfor their portionsof the fiscal 2022 budget.

Sen. Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyBritt in new ad tells 'boys in Washington' to 'man up' Trump meets with Alabama GOP Senate candidate Katie Boyd Britt Senate seeks offramp as funding deadline nears MORE (Ala.), top-ranking Republican on the panel, also confirmed the development on Tuesday afternoon.

The news comes days after Shelby said negotiators struck an agreement on the framework for an omnibus spending package, which he added would be key to helping leaderssecure top-line numbers for defense and nondefense discretionary spending.

The announcement, which Shelby described as a breakthrough at the time, follows a months-long stalemate between both sides of the aisle over a range of disagreements, including parity between defense and nondefense spending, as well as legislative riders.

In remarks to reporters on Monday night, Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterWhite House chief of staff tries to pump up worried Senate Democrats Democrats try to regroup heading into rough November On The Money GOP senators block Biden's Fed picks MORE, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, wouldnt say what his panel was allocated, but said it's better than [he] expected.

Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyHillicon Valley Senators introduce online kids' safety bill Senate Democrats press YouTube on removing 'ghost gun' videos Senate seeks offramp as funding deadline nears MORE (D-Conn.), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, said appropriators workedthrough the weekendto hash out allocations.

The progress arrives as negotiators are running up on a Feb. 18 deadline to pass legislation to avert a government shutdown.

The House has already passed a stopgap measure to allow the government to remain funded under the previous fiscal years spending levels through March 11, in hopes to buy appropriators more time to tie up negotiations. The Senate is expected to take up the legislation later this week.

If passed, the act would mark the third such time Congress has had to approve a third continuing resolution to prevent a shutdown since spending negotiations began for the current fiscal year, which started in October.

Murphy told reporters he is confident appropriators can get their work done by the March deadline if lawmakers continue to make progress in talks.

I think we can get it done by March 8 if we can get our allocations locked down. We're ready to go, Murphy said late Monday.

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Negotiators make progress in fiscal 2022 spending talks | TheHill - The Hill

Egan Bernal is "making great progress" in his recovery from serious injuries, but it is too soon to provide a timeline on his return to cycling, his Ineos Grenadiers team have said.

Bernal reportedly suffered 20 different fractures in a life-threatening collision with a parked bus in his native Colombia while training in January.

The 25-year-old underwent multiple surgeries and significant medical treatment after the incident, and was discharged from hospital last week.

Cycling

'My first steps!' - Bernal walking unaided in latest recovery update

10/02/2022 AT 22:18

He has been continuing his recovery at home, and the Grenadiers are pleased with the progress he is making.

"Egan is making great progress at home and working with a local rehab clinic where his recovery is going well," the team said in a medical update.

"At present our medical staff have not set a definitive timeline for when we should expect to see him back on his bike.

"For the time being he will remain in Colombia until his progression has reached a satisfactory level for him to return to his European base."

The Colombian, a two-time Grand Tour winner, shared a video this week of him riding a static bike.

Underneath, he wrote: "Never let anyone tell you that you cant do something.

The 25-year-old secured the maglia rosa at last year's Giro d'Italia to add a second Grand Tour triumph to his 2019 Tour de France win.

Bernal was hampered by a back injury at the 2020 edition of the race as Pogacar stunned Roglic in the penultimate stage time-trial to take his first Grand Tour crown.

If the Colombian is ruled out of Tour de France contention, as seems likely after such significant injuries, fellow former winner Geraint Thomas could take on a greater role.

Highlights: Glory for Ineos as Bernal wins Giro, Ganna takes final stage

The Welshman confirmed that he is sculpting his season in a bid to peak across the three weeks in France.

In the lead-up to that, Im just going to race every race and look to try to get what I can out of it and look to enjoy the racing.

"In the past, it was maybe a bit more controlled and every race was more for the General Classification. Now I think its a bit more that sometimes Ill go GC if Im up there, and other times Ill go for stages or help with lead-outs and all that kind of jazz.

"Its like I keep on saying, just enjoying the race.

- - -

Cycling

'Like being born again' - Bernal says he has second chance after leaving hospital

07/02/2022 AT 19:57

Cycling

Bernal leaves intensive care as recovery from horrific crash continues

05/02/2022 AT 12:25

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'His recovery is going well' - Egan Bernal making 'great progress' but Ineos Grenadiers unsure of training return date - Eurosport.com

The NFL Scouting Combine is approaching, and the new league year along with free agency begins shortly after that. With that in mind, writers Matt Barrows and David Lombardi ofThe Athleticareteaming up for an eight-part series leading to the combine that looks at every aspect of the49ers roster. Next up: offensive line.

Season in review

Whether its been Chilo Rachal or Marcus Martin or Joshua Garnett, recent 49ers teams have tended to have one highly drafted but underperforming interior offensive lineman on the roster.

Aaron Banks will spend the run-up to the 2022 season trying to make sure his name isnt etched in that list.

The 49ers not only chose Banks in the second round (No. 48), but he was the second pure guard taken in the draft after the Jets selected Alijah Vera-Tucker with the 14th pick. Despite a clear need at right guard, Banks played five offensive snaps as a rookie, all of which came at the end of a blowout win in Jacksonville.

The only other 2021 second-round pick with fewer offensive or defensive snaps than Banks was quarterback Kyle Trask, who was the last player taken in the round and third on the Buccaneers depth chart behind Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert.

It wasnt as if there was no room for Banks.

Excerpt from:

State of the 49ers' offensive line: Progress in pass protection, but more strides are needed - The Athletic

PHOENIX The community continues to rally together in support of Phoenix Suns superfan, Mr. ORNG. It's been more than three months since his father was badly hurt in a red light crash.

Suns superfan Mr. ORNG spreads high energy at every game but, he's also facing a personal hardship.

His father remains hospitalized after a crash back in mid-October.

ABC15 has been following his recovery ever since.

"He's getting better. He is still in ICU but we're hoping this week, if everything continues to trend in the right direction, he'll be able to be moved out of ICU to a regular room. Then, hopefully from there - rehab," says Patrick Battillo, Mr. ORNG.

Patrick Battillo, known as Mr. ORNG, has been spending as much time as possible by his father's side the past 117 days, including on Super Bowl Sunday.

"He's acknowledging who I am, being able to respond back to commands, says 'I love you' back, asking him his name and he knows it. For us as a family, those are major wins, when we were told he would be brain dead," says Battillo.

Peoria police continues to investigate the crash that happened at 99th Avenue and Northern, which was caused by a red-light runner.

"Unfortunately, you know - for us, it happened to my father. His life, and our life, are forever changed but, I just pray that people become more aware and conscious," says Battillo.

Patrick tells ABC15 he thinks of his father in everything he does, which has translated into his work. He's even changed how he coaches his basketball players at Peoria High School.

"Yes, we want to win games, but life is bigger than that. So, when they may get frustrated that they are not shooting well or, they made a mistake or, something in their classroom frustrated them helping them come back to the reality of the situation. As extreme as it is with my dad, you know, things can be way worse," says Battillo.

That is strengthening the team's bond and has resulted in an incredible season. The Peoria Panthers were just named: 2022 4A West Valley Region Champs. The team is now heading into playoffs this week.

Patrick is grateful for the community support.

"Everyone at the games are coming up and asking how my father is doing; they're praying for him. It just means a ton and, the Suns have been beyond supportive," says Battillo.

The community has helped the family with expenses.

Continued here:

Father of Mr. ORNG showing progress in car crash recovery - ABC15 Arizona

The year 2021 was a year of progress in Swanton and that progress will continue in 2022, according to Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle.

One example of progress in 2021 was the completion of the Safe Routes to School Project, which was made possible through funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

This project included sidewalks along Crestwood Drive and portions of Church Street, Harding Drive, and Elton Parkway, said Hoelzle. This will allow for safer means for those heading to school but also for the general public.

Additionally, the village saw the completion of the Master Plan for the Water Resource Recovery Facility. This plant, which treats wastewater, is vital to the public, Hoelzle said.

There are many upgrades needed, especially in areas original to the plant which is over 50 years old, she added. The Master Plan allows for coordinated efforts to tackle these projects over the next 25 years.

A new position was also added in the village. The community development assistant will focus on both code enforcement, such as nuisances and also in areas to continue progress being made in the village.

The village looks to 2022 with excitement. There are commercial development projects in the works such as a proposed AutoZone and event venue, Hoelzle said.

The AutoZone is slated to be located next to Marcos Pizza on Airport Highway, and the event venue is proposed for a site just east of the county line off of Airport Highway.

An interest in new home construction also continues in 2022, according to the administrator. She said it is especially prevalent in the Silverbuck subdivision, which is located off of Brindley Road.

Permits taken out for new homes in the village increased from 3 in 2020 to 10 in 2021.

This interest will continue the upward swing with the population in the Village, as can be seen with the 2020 Census numbers, said Hoelzle. Swantons population increased to 3,874 in 2020 from 3,690 in 2010.

Capital improvements within the village are also planned for 2022, including a membrane softening project at the water treatement plant.

This project will transition the current treatment project to one involving reverse osmosis through membrane softening, the administrator said. This will also make processes safer for village employees and be more cost-effective in the long run.

The current sewer separation in the W. Garfield Avenue area will also wrap up this year. It will also have road improvements, including the addition of sidewalks and curbs on W. Garfield Avenue, which Hoelzle said is another way the village is working to make the community more accessible.

When that project wraps up, the village will move to the next sewer separation, which focuses on the area around St. Richards Court and Maple, Hickory, Oak, Birch streets, and a portion of Brookside Drive.

Hoelzle also highlighted that the village is fiscally sound with decisions regarding investments and forecasting laying a foundation for continued progress.

Previous council and finance director have worked on a plan for debt repayment as well as the Capital Improvement Plan which is a large undertaking, said Hoelzle. We all look forward to the new council learning more about these topics and continuing the sound fiscal decisions over the last few years.

She added that revenue is steady and a focus on delinquent taxpayers may contribute to a slight increase in revenue.

2022 has already shown there are many changes coming to the Village of Swanton, Hoelzle said. New council members, a new solicitor, and new finance director will bring innovative and fresh eyes. We look forward to the continued progress made over the past year and hope the community members do as well.

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Hoelzle: Swanton will continue progress in 2022 - Fcnews.org

Some good news is on the horizon for the auto industry as local dealerships are finally seeing some relief from the microchip shortage.

Two years into the microchip shortage, local dealerships say they are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

Were dealing with it the best we can, said Serra Traverse City General Sales Manager Mike McFarlan. The good news is we have cars, were getting cars, people are ordering cars, even though they dont see the cars maybe out on the lots per say.

At the start of the shortage, it was hard to get the parts needed.

When you shut down the entire world economy, we discovered that the need was still there for chips, so chips went to other manufacturers the technology industry, cell phones, washers, dryers, said Fox Grand Traverse General Manager Tom Gordon. When the auto industry shut down, the manufacturers of chips just moved their allocation to other sources. When we fired back up, we find out were at the back of the line.

And there was more to just the microchip shortage that made inventory so bad.

Inventory levels have obviously been affected, not just with microchips, but supply chain interruptions, the Covid shutdowns throughout Asia, theres a number of different contributing factors, but its coming around, said Gordon.

McFarlan said with their dealerships seven brands, each brand dealt with the shortage differently.

Each brand has been affected in some way shape or form, just maybe some a little bit more than others, but collectively theyve all been affected, he said.

Both dealerships said theyre now able to order cars for their customers, which could deliver anywhere from six weeks to 12 weeks.

Some of it depends on the brand, and some of it depends on if theyre ordering a car, their own order, how they want it, said McFarlan. Some of our customers are reserving cars that are inbound, in what we call the pipeline and are in their way in, but again, a little bit depends on the brand.

Gordon says thats still better than what they were going through six months ago

Were still getting vehicles built, were still selling and delivering vehicles, people are coming in and ordering the vehicle they want, he said. The last six months have been dramatically improved over the previous six months.

But it still could be almost another year before things return to normal.

It depends on who you ask, a lot of it, said McFarlan. But as a consensus, if you will, it probably wont get back to what we call normal supplies of the chips, probably well into next year.

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Microchip Shortage Sees Progress, Still Could Be Another Year Before Supply Returns to Normal - 9 & 10 News - 9&10 News

Following initial testing during the Android 12 Beta period last May, Google Play will now show the progress of new app installs right on your homescreen. This behavior mimics iOS and was previously limited to restoring from a backup on Android.

After tapping the green Install button in the Play Store, youll notice that a black-and-white version of that requested app will appear on your next open homescreen with a progress ring and Downloading unsurprisingly truncated label. This only works for new app installs and not updates.

At any time, you can press to open the Google Play listing directly and cancel. Once that phase is complete, it switches to Installing and the full icon will appear.

As usual, the Play Store can only download one app at a time, but Pending apps are quickly added to your homescreen, though not the main app list. One nice touch lets you immediately rearrange icons the moment they appear.

This is especially useful for large downloads and/or slow internet connections. Users with a lot of alerts are more likely to notice this homescreen indicator versus the regular notification.

Play Store install progress looks to be fully rolled out on Android 11+ devices (both Pixel and non-Google phones) we checked today (h/t Artem Russakovskii on Twitter). There were some reports of more users starting to see the capability a month or so ago, but wide availability only occurred in recent days.

Thanks Sir Henry!

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Google Play Store now shows new app install progress directly on the homescreen - 9to5Google