Construction
Brookside Construction Finished, Businesses Anticipate a Business Boom
2024-12-03
Construction on Brookside in Tulsa has finally come to an end after a year-long project. This significant milestone has brought both relief and anticipation for the local business community. One business owner in the area, Sean Welborn of the Slo Ride Tavern, shares his experience and hopes for the future.

From Construction Chaos to Business Booming

Impact on Business

Sean Welborn's Slo Ride Tavern faced numerous challenges during the construction. The constant blocking of the entrance, which occurred at least four times, put a big strain on his business. "If you didn't know the alternate routes through the neighborhood, you'd simply drive by. It was a real challenge," Welborn explained. The construction also affected traffic from all directions, making it difficult for customers to reach the tavern. "Whether you were on the North, South, West, or East side of the road, getting here was always a hassle," he added.However, now that the construction is complete and the area has a facelift, Welborn is hopeful that business will start booming. "People are out and about having a good time during the holiday season. With two lanes and four lanes open, it's going to be amazing," he said.

City's Improvements

The City of Tulsa took on the project with the aim of improving drainage and fixing the road. Crews worked diligently to ensure these tasks were completed. Welborn acknowledged the hard work of the city crews, stating that it was a challenging process but necessary for the long-term benefit of the area.

Community's Perspective

Tulsa residents also had their say about the construction. Emily Cammas, a resident, shared her experience. "When it took longer and longer, I was getting impatient. The backups due to construction made it hard to get out of Walmart. People didn't even leave a gap for others," she said. But now that the project is finished, she hopes for a smoother commute.The city has moved on to a new project on Harvard Avenue between 41st Street and 51st Street for a waterline replacement and street rehabilitation project. The work is expected to continue through February, and the entire project is anticipated to wrap up by late August, weather permitting.
The Relevance of Late-Night TV in the Streaming Era
2024-12-03
As our global landscape increasingly leans on technology, streaming services and on-demand media present a convenience that is truly irresistible. However, late-night television and its segments seem to persist as a cornerstone in the cultural fabric of society.

Keywords and Phrases:

Streaming ServicesLate-Night TelevisionEntertainment AlternativesCultural MakeupTrending Topics

Streaming Services vs. Late-Night Television

In today's world, where technology plays a pivotal role, streaming services have emerged as a dominant force. They offer the convenience of accessing a vast library of content at our fingertips. On the other hand, late-night television continues to hold a special place. With its consistent, reliable entertainment four times a week, it provides an alternative that cannot be ignored. For instance, platforms like Netflix follow the ever-present split-season trend, leaving long gaps between seasons. Late-night television, in contrast, offers a steady stream of content.

Variety of Late-Night Shows

Late-night television comes in various forms. Traditional talk shows like NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host celebrities and social figures nightly. Sketch comedy franchises like "Saturday Night Live" feature a new celebrity guest host once a week. These shows give viewers at home the chance to enjoy new content frequently. Compared to the lengthy production process of other shows, late-night television's quick turnaround allows for more timely and relevant content.

Instant Gratification of Late-Night

While fictional storylines in television differ from late-night's comedy and commentary, there is much to be said about the instant gratification it offers. Due to their constant production, late-night shows can create segments and punchlines that align with trending topics. Take "SNL" and their cold-opens, for example. Actors like Dana Carvey and James Austin Johnson play President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, respectively, adding comedic elements to the political climate.

Comedic Takes in Late-Night Shows

"The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" is successful with the "Thank You Notes" segment. Here, Fallon addresses current news and trending events with his comedic twist. His nonchalant delivery allows the audience to better appreciate the weight of the joke. On "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Kimmel's casual conversations with viewers and the live studio audience, especially regarding current events, are filled with comedic insights. All these shows open up the floor for conversation and sometimes lead to viral phenomena.

Unpredictability and Engagement

The element of unpredictability in late-night television makes it highly entertaining. With a combination of curated dialogue and improv, viewers can connect with the material in creative ways. Take "SNL" and its "Bridesmaid Speech" sketch. By using Billboard's 2024 Top Global Song of the Summer, "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter, they created a catchy parody that got 13 million views on YouTube. Parodies of the featured character "Domingo" have also risen on social media platforms like TikTok, creating a new trend.

Engagement with Trending Content

With the traditional streaming format of television shows, it is difficult to achieve the same level of engagement as quickly as late-night shows. Late-night television benefits from hosting different celebrities each show, allowing for extensive audience and fanbase engagement. Ariana Grande's off-key singing in "SNL"'s "Bridesmaid Speech" sketch added to the comedy. During her press tour for "Wicked", the attention brought to the episode was crucial. "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" also smartly hosted TikTok stars and received high views.

Relevance and Uniqueness of Late-Night

In conclusion, late-night television offers a connection to fast-paced entertainment and current events that streaming services take a long time to achieve. Despite the competition, late-night's ingenuity, due to being live and unedited, gives it a unique opportunity to handle material authentically and quickly. It remains relevant, proving that an "outdated" format can still hold its own.
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XRP Futures Open Interest Jumps to $3.91B with Market Growth
2024-12-02
XRP has achieved a remarkable milestone as its futures open interest witnessed a significant 17% increase, reaching a staggering $3.91 billion. According to the comprehensive data from CoinGlass, Binance takes the lead in the XRP futures market, holding $1.3 billion worth of contracts, which constitutes 32.04% of the total open interest. This substantial market share showcases Binance's prominent role in the XRP futures arena.Bybit and Bitget also play a crucial part in driving market activity. Their contributions add to the overall vibrancy of the XRP futures market. Additionally, XRP's futures trading volume has escalated by an astonishing 289%, surging to $60 billion. Simultaneously, the options open interest has risen by 16.2% to $992.33K, indicating a heightened level of market participation.Ripple's continuous efforts to expand XRP's role in cross-border payments have been a significant driving force. The Ripple's On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, which enables seamless money transfers across borders while leveraging XRP for enhanced cost and time efficiency, has received a positive reception from financial institutions. This service is proving to be a game-changer in the cross-border payment space.Furthermore, the upcoming launch of the RLUSD stablecoin by Ripple in the next 2 days is set to add some momentum. This new product offers simple and fast global transactions, providing an additional avenue for users. There are ongoing tests, and there is speculation about its integration with the DeFi networks of multiple blockchains. These integrations have the potential to open up new possibilities and further enhance the utility of XRP.Despite facing challenges such as the ongoing battle with the SEC, where the SEC ruled that XRP isn't a security on public exchanges, XRP continues to show resilience. Analysts, including @odrabraa on X, predict that XRP could reach $3 in the near future, with some even forecasting a potential of $5.34 by 2025.At the moment, the crypto is trading at $2.72, experiencing a remarkable 39% surge in a single day and a massive 428.23% increase in trading volume to $55 billion, as per CoinMarketCap. These figures highlight the significant impact and potential of XRP in the current crypto market.Also Read: WisdomTree Files for Spot XRP ETF in the U.S.

XRP's Market Ascent and Future Prospects

Binance's Dominance in XRP Futures

Binance's leadership in the XRP futures market is evident from its substantial $1.3 billion contracts, accounting for 32.04% of the total open interest. This dominance not only showcases Binance's confidence in XRP but also highlights its ability to drive market trends. The company's extensive trading platform and user base contribute to the liquidity and stability of the XRP futures market.

With such a significant market share, Binance plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of XRP futures. Its actions and strategies have a direct impact on the overall market sentiment and trading volumes. Binance's continuous efforts to enhance its trading services and offerings further solidify its position as a key player in the XRP futures space.

Bybit and Bitget's Contribution to Market Activity

Bybit and Bitget play a vital role in adding to the market activity of XRP futures. Their substantial trading volumes and active participation contribute to the overall liquidity and vibrancy of the market. These exchanges offer traders a diverse range of trading options and strategies, attracting a wide range of investors.

Their presence in the XRP futures market provides additional liquidity and depth, making it easier for traders to enter and exit positions. Bybit and Bitget's focus on providing innovative trading features and tools also helps to attract new traders and enhance market participation. Their contributions are essential for the continued growth and development of the XRP futures market.

Ripple's ODL Service and Its Impact

Ripple's On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service has been well-received by financial institutions. This service enables seamless cross-border payments by utilizing XRP, offering significant cost and time efficiency. The integration of ODL with existing financial systems has the potential to revolutionize the way cross-border payments are conducted.

Financial institutions are increasingly recognizing the benefits of using XRP through ODL. The service provides a reliable and efficient solution for transferring funds across borders, reducing transaction times and costs. Ripple's continuous efforts to expand the reach and adoption of ODL further strengthen its position in the cross-border payment space.

The Launch of RLUSD Stablecoin and Its Potential

The upcoming launch of the RLUSD stablecoin by Ripple in the next 2 days is generating significant excitement. This new product offers simple and fast global transactions, providing an alternative to traditional payment methods. The stablecoin's stability and ease of use make it attractive for both individual and institutional users.

The integration of RLUSD with DeFi networks of multiple blockchains opens up new possibilities for cross-chain transactions and expanded liquidity. It has the potential to enhance the utility and adoption of XRP across different blockchain ecosystems. The launch of RLUSD is expected to further boost XRP's market presence and attract more users.

Challenges and Future Predictions

XRP is currently facing challenges, such as the ongoing battle with the SEC. However, despite these challenges, analysts remain optimistic about XRP's future. @odrabraa on X predicts that XRP could reach $3 in the near future, with some even forecasting a potential of $5.34 by 2025.

The significant surge in trading volume and the positive market sentiment indicate the potential for XRP to continue its upward trajectory. While there are uncertainties and challenges ahead, XRP's underlying technology and use cases continue to attract attention and support from the crypto community.

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