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LAUSD high school sports would halt if unions strike on Tuesday
Three unions set to strike in Los Angeles Unified School District beginning Tuesday if settlement not reached in contract dispute.
New Virginia economic laws: Gov. Spanberger signs legislation addressing cost of living, health care
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed another batch of legislation into Virginia law, the most recent bills addressing cost of living and health care, according to a news release from her office.
UT Senior Named Among Nation’s Best Business Majors
UT Senior Tyler Porter has received national recognition as one of Poets&Quants 100 Best and Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors of 2026.
Want to win big in sports? Follow Normal West grad Glenn Kinley, TV’s good-luck charm
A 2017 Normal West High School graduate, Kinley has been around a lot of winning in his young career as a television sports director. While at KSNT in Topeka, Kansas, he covered a Kansas men’s basketball national championship and two Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl wins. Now this: Illinois’ run to the men’s basketball Final Four as sports director at WCIA in Champaign.
Map of LACMA's David Geffen Galleries: the cafe, wine bar, Koons art
A colorful map to help guide visitors around LACMA's new David Geffen Galleries, including the best way to the wine bar and how to get a great view of Jeff Koons' 'Split-Rocker' topiary sculpture.
‘One of the most dysfunctional places’: One lawmaker on Lansing’s challenges
Calling the state capitol “one of the most dysfunctional places” in America, Democratic State Rep. Alabas Farhat joins the pod for a candid conversation about the challenges facing Lansing
Why art is important for your health, just like exercise
Regular participation in the arts improves cognition, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress, according to "Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives."
Texas talk of swallowing eastern New Mexico is an old impulse
A legislative directive to study a merger with eastern New Mexico is the latest example of secessionist sentiments around the country. The breakaway notions are fanciful but the discontent is real.
Watch the trailer for ‘No Place to be Single,’ a new rom-com coming to Prime Video May 8
Kirk Cousins will now wear the "best jersey in pro sports"
Kirk Cousins had multiple reasons to sign with the Raiders.
Black maternal health is the focus of a walk-a-thon Saturday
The Healthy Baby Network will kick off Black Maternal Health week on April 11th with a walk-a-thon.
Your sarcasm is showing — and its history is surprisingly violent
Some people use sarcasm jokingly. But funnily enough, we tend not to find it witty when we're on the receiving end.
Political newcomer from western Mass. ‘would love to be governor ... in 20 years’
In part one of NEPM's series on local candidates giving politics a try, Yakov Kronrod leans on his family's refugee history and his own past activism.
Artemis II astronauts have a message for Earth. Will political leaders listen?
The Artemis II astronauts have shared messages of unity and beauty from their vantage point in space. The Dakota Political Junkies consider what this moment might mean for political discourse.
High school baseball and softball: Tuesday's scores
CIF City Section and Southern Section high school baseball and softball scores for Tuesday's games.
UND ready to turn to business in Las Vegas
The Fighting Hawks traveled to Vegas on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the NCAA Frozen Four.
L.A. election shadow hearing: Democrats, experts defend voting systems
House Democrats gathered in Los Angeles on Tuesday for a "shadow hearing" on midterm election security, where experts echoed their arguments that state-run elections are safe and secure.
Swalwell campaign denies online claims that congressman behaved inappropriately with staffers
A spokesman for Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate, on Tuesday denounced online claims that the congressman had inappropriate relationships with young congressional staffers.
NASCIO’s 2026 Plan Dubs State CIO a ‘Strategic Business Leader’
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers has unveiled its 2026-2028 strategic plan. It underlines the role of the state CIO as a trusted adviser who can shape public policy.
Bright ideas: Culver's Business Model Competition showcases student entrepreneurship
UWO student Josh Lee, who is majoring in information systems, won first place in the Culver's Business Model Competition April 2 for his pitch, "Titan Academic Advisor" that simplifies and modernizes the academic planning experience within universities.
Report on entertainment district plans in downtown Phoenix to be heard by council subcommittee
The report makes a series of recommendations that the city could implement in the short and long term to enhance Downtown Phoenix and attract more visitors.
Sony Pictures Entertainment to cut hundreds of film and TV jobs
Under the new leadership of CEO Ravi Ahuja, Sony Pictures Entertainment will emphasize franchises and next-gen content. With these changes, the company plans to lay off a few hundred employees across its film, TV and corporate divisions.
Local thrift, pawn shops say rising costs are driving more business
Boston area thrift stores and pawn shops see an uptick in customers looking for quick cash or inexpensive items as they struggle with high inflation and rising costs.
Asia Minute: U.S. regional partners pursue new paths in the politics of energy
President Trump has made it clear he's not happy with several U.S. partners in the Asia Pacific, naming South Korea, Australia and Japan. But when it comes to the politics of energy, regional partners are making their own plans. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.
Western NC communities now eligible for business district rebuilding grants
Local governments and nonprofits in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin counties can now apply for a share of $40 million to help rebuild business districts damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Western NC communities now eligible for business district rebuilding grants
Local governments and nonprofits in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin counties can now apply for a share of $40 million to help rebuild business districts damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The Boundless Deep: Young Tennyson, Science, and the Crisis of Belief by Richard Holmes
Pantheon Review by Walter Cummins The image of Alfred Tennyson I’ve carried for decades goes back to the childhood card game of Authors that depicts him with a stately continence sharpened by a jutting black beard. He’s formidable, his aura superior. Holmes opens his biography of the youthful Tennyson by describing the similar formality of the imposing Tennyson statue at Trinty College Cambridge, sharing the honor with other Trinity greats, including Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, and Thomas Babington Macaulay. Holmes doesn’t want to chip away at that statue but rather reveal its inner youthful core of the man—tall, handsome, and talented but unformed, emerging from a disturbed family of addicted or insane male siblings and four unusual sisters struggling under a violent alcoholic clergyman father. Alfred was certainly statuesque, but would he end up a block of unformed stone like his equally promising brothers? He was youngest of three equally regarded Tennyson brothers at Cambridge, all bright, handsome, and talented, in fact Alfred regarded by some as less promising than his elders who also wrote poetry. Yet Alfred wrote one of his major poems, “The Kraken,” at twenty, revealing both his talent, his interest in geological forces, and the haunting creature that embodied his anxieties. While Holmes focuses on Tennyson of the 1830s and 1840s, he can’t tell his story without exploring his involvement with the Victorian intellectual upheaval. Tennyson was fascinated by new scientific perspectives, following the latest findings as soon as books and articles were published. He was especially taken with Charles Lyell’s deep studies of geology and the discovery of fossils and a timeline of the planet’s development that did much to question fundamental religious assumptions. The impact of these discoveries is reflected in Tennyson’s poetry and led to the crisis in belief he shared with so many contemporaries. He was especially taken by the cycles of destruction and renewal that informed the struggles he confronted in In Memoriam, Maud, and Idylls of the King. Tennyson was only one of the eventual major figures at Cambridge at the same time, young men just beginning to realize their potential. Charles Darwin was at Christ College, although there is no evidence that he and Tennyson even met as students or later in life. Yet evolution became significant in Tennyson’s thinking and the issues of his poetry. One of Tennyson’s best and most important Cambridge friends was Edward FitzGerald, who became the translator of The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám and in their on and off relationship served as Tennyson’s harshest critic. FitzGerald was also a friend of the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray, the two of them partying in Paris as undergraduates. That connection led to a friendship between Thackeray and Tennyson. Others who came to play significant roles in Tennyson’s life were Thomas Carlyle, the Brownings, and the Pre-Raphaelites. Tennyson’s deepest friend at college was Arthur Hallam, who at twenty wrote a glowing review of Tennyson’s first poetry collection, travelled on European adventures with him, and fell in love with his sister Emily. Hallam was also regarded as one more very promising Cambridge student. His sudden death at twenty-two in Vienna from a stroke while travelling with his father devastated many friends, but perhaps Tennyson most of all. He did not write immediate poems of grief but took years to compile those collected in In Memoriam A.H.H., published in 1850, almost twenty years after Hallam’s death For all of Tennyson’s early poetic successes and successes, Holmes reveals him as an often troubled young man suffering periods of depression, fearing planetary upheaval, concerned about supporting himself, disappointed in romances, and worried that he would inherit the family’s mental illness tendencies. Yet despite his seeming withdrawals, he was always writing poetry that he kept private and would not let go, constantly revising. 1850 became a transformative year for Tennyson. He finally consented to publishing In Memoriam with a last-minute prologue that acknowledged God and perhaps convinced the religious Emily Sellwood to marry him after years of pursuit.. He opened up to Emily, revealing his struggles with fears of depression and “weird seizures.” The devastating event of that time was the stillborn death of his unnamed first son. It shook him, but Emily’s faith brought them closer and convinced him to believe in an afterlife. Two later sons survived. With the death of William Wordworth in April of 1950, Tennyson was named poet laureate at age forty-one, reluctantly accepting. It’s as if Tennyson’s life split in half in that year. He lived another forty years, now a recognized success, with the prestige of being an official poet writing patriotic verse, wealthy and revered, no longer the insecure young man seeking an outlet for his immense talent. He earned a place in the Authors deck, now dignified and in 1884 elevated to the peerage as Arthur, Lord Tennyson. Richard Holmes is the author of twenty previous books on the Romantics and Victorians, several of which received awards. The Boundless Deep was shortlisted for the 2025 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. He captures the complex vicissitudes of Tennyson’s youth, illustrated by frequent excerpts from the poetry, placing that life in the full context of the shattering discoveries that led to an upheaval of thought in the Victorian age.
Trump's message to Iran on deadline day: 'A whole civilization will die tonight'
The extraordinary threat signaled Trump's willingness to authorize U.S. military strikes on Iranian infrastructure if no ceasefire deal is reached by 5 p.m. PDT Tuesday.
High school softball top 20 rankings for the Southland
A look at the top 20 high school softball teams in the Southland as ranked by CalHiSports.com for The Times.
AI in the mental health care workforce is met with fear, pushback
Artificial intelligence tools that help mental health therapists take notes and keep records are quickly entering the marketplace. But some question the safety of AI in mental health care delivery.
ASU research looks to help Valley small businesses adapt to AI
While businesses are struggling to keep up with large companies in the Artificial Intelligence boom, local researchers are working to give them an edge.
New studies of old dogs help scientists understand where they came from
Scientists are tracing back the history of dogs using the oldest genes from the species ever studied
Lil Nas X gets mental health diversion in police battery case
Lil Nas X, who was arrested last August, reportedly will enter a two-year mental health diversion program in the latest step to potentially resolve a felony battery case.
Rochester business leaders back Hochul in state budget negotiations
They say that the state is at a "inflection point" for families and small businesses due to rising costs.
Science conference focused on Western Alaska comes to Bethel
The Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference, also called WAISC will run April 7-9 at Bethel’s cultural center.
Trump holds fast to Tuesday deadline, threatening Iran's bridges and power plants
Trump said he was optimistic about the prospects of working with a newly installed Iranian government. But Tehran dismissed the diplomatic overtures as “unrealistic."
THE WEEK OF APRIL 6, 2026
- Trump budget repeats call for science cuts - NIH and NSF issue fewer grants - Jefferson Lab contract winner announced
IRS extends Business Tax Accounts to partnerships, nonprofits and government entities
The Internal Revenue Service expanded its Business Tax Accounts to partnerships, tax-exempt organizations, and federal, state, local and tribal governments.
UCLA, CSUs receive $110-million donation for mental health
UCLA, Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills have received $110 million from the Ballmer Group to train more students for mental health careers in California.
Healey emphasizes efforts to drive down state's energy costs to business group
The governor’s comments come after signing a recent executive order calling on state agencies to increase power.
Tariffs still challenge Brookside business one year later
Last week marked one year since President Trump's "Liberation Day" - the launch of his sweeping tariff policy. The tariffs have impacted many people across the KC metro, particularly local businesses.
SC observes National Public Health Week, April 6-12
Each April, National Public Health Week is observed to recognize public health contributions and address key health issues.
Melissa Blotter: Advancing the Science of Seizure Intervention
Melissa Blotter is pioneering a bold new approach to treating life-threatening seizures by using ketone bodies to stop them in real time.
CNN will televise California gubernatorial primary debate in May
Elex Michaelson and Kaitlan Collins will moderate the event to be held in Los Angeles and airing across CNN's cable channels and streaming platform.
Column: Trump's cries of cheating on mail-in ballots defy logic
President Trump and MAGA Republicans are hallucinating or outright lying about widespread election fraud.
AI Giant Anthropic Leans Into Life Sciences With $400M Coefficient Bio Catch
Anthropic in October last year iterated its Claude AI model to better cater to biopharma purposes. Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, AbbVie and others already use Claude in their operations.
Why are popcorn buckets popular? Inside the collectibles rage
Struggling movie theaters have turned to selling increasingly elaborate novelty popcorn buckets to increase fans' concessions spending.
Billionaire candidate for California governor catching heat for past business interests, wealth
Hedge fund founder Tom Steyer, among the top Democrats running for governor who has spent more than $100 million of his money on his campaign, faces questions about how he made his wealth.
Shingles can hit younger than you think. The vaccine can prevent excruciating pain
A reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, the illness can be miserable. Here's what to know about early warning signs, long-term symptoms and some surprising news about the vaccine.
West Ham analysis: Opportunity missed after dramatic fightback
With West Ham sitting 18th in the Premier League, in the relegation zone and in danger of dropping to the Championship, this was a glorious chance for the players to give the supporters a day out at Wembley. Bowen had a shot saved following a bright run by Adama Traore, but it was no surprise when Leeds went ahead. Fernandes followed up after Bowen hit the post and then Disasi steered in Traore's cross.
Protein is personal. Here's how to calculate your optimal intake
Protein is having a moment. Coffee chains are adding it into lattes. Many snack companies are labeling their products as high-protein. But how much protein do you really need? Host Marielle Segarra talks with NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey about the different factors to consider when planning your protein intake.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit
A Look At BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) Valuation After Strong Revenue Growth And Upgraded EBITDA Guidance
BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) is drawing attention after reporting a quarter with 16.3% year on year revenue growth and full year EBITDA guidance that exceeded analyst expectations. See our latest analysis for BrightSpring Health Services. The latest $43.10 share price comes after a 2.6% 1 day share price return and a 9.8% 90 day share price return. The 1 year total shareholder return of about 1.5x reflects how investors have reacted to the strong results and recent leadership...
UF Dance Marathon raises over $1.1 million for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital
Behind the lights and energy of the University of Florida’s Dance Marathon, stories like that of Amelia Early and her daughter, Dani-Lynn, took center stage.
Bruising Bruins dominate South Carolina, win an NCAA national title
UCLA coach Clori Close built on lessons learned from John Wooden and steered the Bruins to a lopsided win over South Carolina to clinch a national title.
Denver fans celebrate sports-filled Saturday at Stoney's with pair of thrilling victories
Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets fans packed Stoney's Bar and Grill on Lincoln to celebrate a pair of thrilling victories on Saturday.
Mulligan's restaurant in Jensen Beach is closing after 23 years in business due to high rent costs
Mulligan's in Jensen Beach is closing on Easter Sunday after 23 years. The owner cited exorbitant rent costs as the reason for the closure.
State treasurers says tariffs continue to create chaos in Colorado
Colorado businesses paid $1.1 billion in tariffs in 2025, according to state treasurer Dave Young.
Republicans who want to opt out of Colorado’s primaries get major boost from federal judge’s ruling
The judge ruled the requirement that 75% of the Colorado GOP or the Colorado Democratic Party must support opting out of the primaries before it can happen “constitutes a severe burden on the major parties’ right to association and is therefore unconstitutional."
Prep talk: Youth golfers to compete in Drive, Chip and Putt finals
Four golfers from Southern California to compete at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday in the Drive, Chip and Putt championships.
Trump loses across courts in bruising week of immigration and legal setbacks
Trump suffered an onslaught of court losses this last week on immigration, Jan. 6 liability and the White House ballroom.
A nonpartisan California news site draws worldwide audience
Jack Kavanagh's website, Rough & Tumble, has a worldwide audience despite — or perhaps because of — its lack of flash, commentary and snark. It's a well-respected compendium of politics and policy.
Sports Illustrated is attempting a rebound after layoffs
One of the most respected brand names in journalism is now generating revenue through streaming TV, branded events, ticket services, and international editions.
Microplastics have been found everywhere. That's a problem for research
Microplastics scientists are finding the tiny particles everywhere, even in their own research laboratories. So how do they know if what they're finding is in the sample or contamination from plastic fibers floating in the air?
Inside the Pentagon, fears of a disrupted war effort after Army chief’s ouster
The forced departure of Randy George in the middle of a war created yet another blow to morale inside the Pentagon, where officials expressed dismay over the state of the department's leadership.
Union Station will host a World Cup marketplace for Kansas City's small businesses
Businesses and brand sponsors can apply now to take part in the activation, a short walk from where the FIFA Fan Festival is planned. “The marketplace will transform Union Station into a high-energy retail and cultural destination," organizers said.
Move More, Live Healthier Lives: Special Olympics Health Messengers and Coaches Inspiring Their Communities to Get Moving
On World Day for Physical Activity, we’re highlighting Athlete Leaders and a coach who have taken on a variety of leadership roles to empower athletes to stay active year-round. Get to know them!
Natural disasters and political instability hampered U.S. museum attendance in 2025
The Art Newspaper's latest annual study of "the world's 100 most visited art museums" also reveals signs of modest growth.
Blue-green algae sparks public health advisory at three Kansas Lakes
There is a public health advisory in place for harmful algal blooms (HABs) at three lakes in Kansas.
Letters to Sports: Dodgers off to a roller-coaster start
Readers of the Los Angeles Times Sports section give their thoughts on the Dodgers, MVP candidates, UCLA basketball and more.
Booming business: Miami’s secret side hustlers
Junior primary education major Georgia Palko worked at Bagel and Deli, but was looking for some extra cash. After calling her dad with a bright idea, she moved forward with her plan to sell sweet treats on Valentine's Day. With around $50 worth of strawberries, a college house kitchen and a side hustler mindset, she sold 300 strawberries to mothers and lovers.
Bucs to talk with Tampa Sports Authority about Raymond James Stadium renovations
Discussions about needs and costs come as the NFL team nears a 2027 decision on extending its lease, and the Rays are seeking about $1.15 billion in public money for a new ballpark across the street.
BWC: N.Y. officers save person suffering mental health crisis from frigid river
Auburn Police Officers Edward Pickard and Lucas Drancsak spotted the person, climbed down a 10-foot wall and ran to shoreline; Pickard entered the water and helped the person to safety
Cleveland High baseball team surging with nine-game winning streak
Joshua Pearlstein has been leading the way for the Cavaliers with his hitting and pitching.
Entertainment schedule taking shape for NFL Draft
Pittsburgh’s turn in the spotlight is getting a little brighter this month thanks to even more festivities announced this week in conjunction with the NFL Draft.
Cluster Munitions and the Politics of Enforcement
The Use of Cluster Munitions Doesn’t Draw the Same Scrutiny When Israel or Israeli Civilians Are the Victims of Attacks
House Democrats to hold California 'shadow hearings' on midterm election security
House Democrats will hold informal hearings in California on midterm election security, following multiple threats of intervention in state-run voting by the Trump administration.
When legal sports betting surges, so do Americans' financial problems
As online betting has grown in popularity, a new report from the New York Federal Reserve builds on the troubling link between legal sports wagering and financial health.
Column: The future is now
In the sci-fi of 2026, the future isn’t bright, necessarily. But there is a tiny light of optimism burning in the darkness. We’re still here, against all odds. And if
Congress gave money for global HIV work. The Trump administration isn't spending it
U.S. work combatting HIV/AIDS has saved millions of lives globally. Under the Trump administration, funding has been slow in coming and unpredictable, wreaking havoc on people trying to do the work.
In Alaska's U.S. Senate race, Peltola takes aim at 'crooked' political elites
If you follow Mary Peltola on social media, maybe you’ve noticed that the former Alaska congresswoman is talking about more than fish, family and freedom as she runs for U.S. Senate.
KU trade expert says 70% of regional businesses feel impact of higher tariffs, local flower shop is among them
A year after President Donald Trump's Liberation Day, which imposed tariffs on countries around the world, Kansas City flower shop Fiddly Fig is still navigating changing tariff rates.
Trump pushing to stabilize college sports and limit transfers
President Trump signs an executive order aimed at fixing college sports that would give federal agencies authority to cut funding at schools that don't comply.
Bears’ Caleb Williams: ‘Iceman’ trademark application is to protect my business interests
He applied for a trademark last month.
Northeast Kansas City residents push back against state-run mental health facility planned at Belvedere Park
Kansas City, Missouri, has announced plans to open a state-run mental health facility at Belvedere Park, and community members are saying it is not exactly the dream they were sold.
Small Business Cybersecurity Training Program Scales Nationwide
The national Small Business Development Center is taking a program that was started in Delaware and offering it through its full 1,200-center network across the country.
Trump's budget singles out L.A. homelessness agency as he proposes housing cuts
Trump’s proposed budget attacks L.A.'s homelessness agency in push to eliminate a federal program that funds housing and services for homeless Americans.
'Everybody Loses': Reporter says he was shocked by sports betting's grip on leagues, media
Reporter Danny Funt says even with the increase in the availability of legal sports betting, and noted increases in people doing it, it’s even more prevalent in our society than we think it is.
100 Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors Of 2026
Our annual celebration of the world's most promising business majors to graduate in 2026, featuring 100 truly exceptional students
2026 Best & Brightest Business Major: Ty Keough, USC (Marshall)
Ty Keough, a 2026 graduate of USC Marshall, has been named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2026
2026 Best & Brightest Business Major: Viveca Henry, University of Michigan (Ross)
Viveca Henry, a 2026 graduate of the University of Michigan, has been named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2026
Math Needs Its 'Science of Reading' Moment (Opinion)
A psychologist explains how discovery-first math falls short.
2026 Best & Brightest Business Major: Stephanie Ramos, University of Iowa (Tippie)
Stephanie Ramos, a 2026 graduate of the University of Iowa, has been named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2026
2026 Best & Brightest Business Major: Nolan Watson, University of Texas (McCombs)
Nolan Watson, a 2026 graduate of the University of Texas, has been named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2026
Trump calls for a major increase in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic spending
Trump calls for a major increase in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic spending
A look inside the digital backbone of business
AI and data systems are transforming the modern Midwestern workplace
March job gains outshine forecasts amid inflation pressures
U.S. employers added 178,000 jobs in March, topping forecasts, as unemployment held at 4.3% and wages rose despite inflation pressures.
2026 Best & Brightest Business Major: Sofia Iguaran, Hult International Business School
Sofia Iguaran, a 2026 graduate of Hult International Business School, has been named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2026
2026 Best & Brightest Business Major: Gabriella Davis, University of Florida (Warrington)
Gabriella Davis, a 2026 graduate of the University of Florida, has been named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2026
Prep talk: LA84 Foundation continues to be champion for youth sports
LA84 Foundation hosts Play Equity Summit while trying to increase access to youth sports in the Southland.
Palumbo family business secrets revealed in settlement agreement with IDOT
It turns out there were more connections than previously known between Sebastian "Sam" Palumbo, his construction firms and a road-building group overseen by relatives known as Builders Companies. But the firms insist those ties didn't violate Palumbo's agreement not to participate in state or federal contracts following a 1999 guilty plea in a racketeering case.