TCW to Buy Engine No. 1’s ETF Unit in First Deal for CEO Katie Koch
TCW Group, the asset manager with a long history of managing bond funds, is expanding into exchange-traded funds
1970-01-01 08:00
Declan Rice recalls first meeting with Mikel Arteta & memories of Bukayo Saka
Declan Rice reveals memories of his first meeting with Mikel Arteta & watching Bukayo Saka as a youngster.
1970-01-01 08:00
Wildfires, heat and giant hail as Italy grapples with extreme weather
Italy is facing multiple kinds of extreme weather at once, with some parts of the country scorched by blistering heat, while others are battered by deadly storms.
1970-01-01 08:00
Breastfeeding mother left ‘upset and appalled’ after water park told her to stop nursing son in lazy river
A mother says she was left humiliated after water park staff told her she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed her nursing son in the lazy river. Tiffany Francis, a mother of two, from Georgia, took to Facebook on 14 July to detail the incident that allegedly occurred at Rigby’s Water World in Warner Robins, Georgia. Her Facebook post has since gone viral, with more than 1,000 likes and comments. “I have never in my years of being a breastfeeding mother had one single negative comment made to me about breastfeeding while out in public. I’ve had supportive comments from random people, but today was a different day,” she began her post. The mother then explained that she’d brought her 11-month-old son to the water park’s lazy river so she could nurse him before his nap. “He likes motion to sleep, he sleeps well in the car or swing, so he will also sleep in the lazy river,” she wrote. After her son was latched, Francis recalled that a lifeguard informed her that she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed in the lazy river. At first, she laughed off the lifeguard’s request because she thought it was a joke. Then, his boss came over to Franics and reiterated the lazy river’s rules against breastfeeding. “I asked her if it was posted somewhere and she told me that it was posted in the rules out front,” Francis said. “So I got out of the lazy river, and I went to read the rules.” The mother of two soon discovered that there was no rule against breastfeeding posted outside the lazy river attraction, and asked to speak to the water park’s manager. However, the manager instead claimed it was a “courtesy to other people” that she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed and cited the park’s rules against food or drink in the lazy river. According to the woman, she then asked for her family’s season passes to be refunded. “I can’t go there if I can’t get my son to nap while I’m there,” Francis said, noting that the water park staff wouldn’t refund her season pass. “Imagine all the bodily fluids being excreted into the water, but they’re worried about breastmilk when the baby was latched, my breast was out of the water, and the milk was only going into [the] baby’s mouth,” she continued. “I left crying, because I was told I couldn’t feed my child, which by the way it is against the law to tell a mother they can’t breastfeed their child. But sure, let’s worry about offending people by feeding a child.” Francis also pointed out how she witnessed several children sleeping in their mothers’ laps in the lazy river, and other children with their heads resting on their moms’ chests. “My situation looked just like theirs, my breast wasn’t exposed. My son’s face was covering everything,” she said. “Without looking extra hard, you’d think he was just asleep on my chest. But somehow I made people uncomfortable by doing the most natural thing I could do for my child, while just trying to let him nap.” Francis continued: “I’m just so upset and appalled and wanted to give a heads up to all the other moms out there that this is how breastfeeding moms are treated at Rigby’s Water World. You’re also not allowed to bring snacks in for the baby, so I was told today. I guess they’d rather babies just go hungry.” According to Georgia state law, which states that the “breastfeeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture,” a mother is allowed to “breastfeed her baby in any location where the mother and baby are otherwise authorised to be”. Speaking to People, Tiffany Francis described the incident as “humiliating” and noted that other breastfeeding mothers have since come forward sharing similar explanations about being shamed in public. "I just really didn’t think anybody would care. You’re at a water park. People are already pretty naked there, right? I don’t think it was the most offensive thing to happen that day," she told the outlet. “As a mom, it’s just crazy that people think it’s not okay to feed your own child. If it’s a bottle, it’s fine. Feeding them table foods, sure. But feeding them from the breast just grosses people out for some reason,” she added. “It’s been sexualised to the point where it’s not a natural thing, and that’s just gross.” In one comment, a fellow mother wrote: “Girl! Call me any day I’m off and we will go. I saw a mom nursing the other day and kept an eye on her just in case anyone approached. Wish I was still nursing because I would nurse right next to you!!” “What?! Sounds like a good old nursing mama sit-in needs to happen,” another commented. “How is that even still a ‘thing’ in 2023.” Meanwhile, one dad said: “Wow, as a father this is unbelievably wrong. Anyone should be able to feed their kid anywhere without a problem.” A member of the Rigby family, the owners of Rigby’s Water World, responded to the Facebook post in the comments section: “I know that breastfeeding is allowed in the park and I can understand the safety issues that come in hand with feeding in moving water. As for the courtesy of other guests, I agree that a mom should be able to breastfeed at any time, however an exposed breast in a water feature without a covering could be seen as indecent (we wouldn’t let another guest do the same).” She noted that the water park does have shaded seating, family rooms, and an “admin building” designated for breastfeeding. According to Today, Rigby’s Water World revised its breastfeeding policy within hours of the incident and apologised to Francis for the “misguided” policy. “We had a policy in place that didn’t allow breastfeeding in the river that was in line with the health department’s standard on no eating or drinking in the pools,” said Steve Brown, vice president of operations at Rigby’s Water World. “When I was made aware of the law that mothers can breastfeed anywhere they’re allowed to be, we reviewed our policy, reaching out to other experts who operate aquatic facilities,” he says. “From there, we decided to allow our guests to breastfeed in the pools, should they choose.” Georgia’s Department of Public Health rules and regulations for public swimming pools, spas, and recreational water parks states that “bathers shall not be allowed to eat or drink while in or partially in the water”. “We were under the impression it was a health code violation,” Brown told the outlet. “It was a misunderstanding…it was my mistake to misinterpret the law…there are different opinions on this issue but we want to comply with the law.” Brown added that Rigby’s did not issue Francis a refund for her season pass, and maintained that she was not asked to leave the park. The Independent has contacted Tiffany Francis and Rigby’s Water World for comment. Read More Researchers warn after 25 types of toxic flame retardant found in human breast milk: ‘Disturbing’ Keke Palmer’s boyfriend isn’t the only one who needs to stop telling women how to dress Woman sparks debate with claim she’s discovered the best month to get pregnant Woman claims restaurant ‘hack’ for toddlers solves family dinners out Mother calls out ‘double standard’ after husband is praised for doing ‘bare minimum’ Husband exposed for reaction to learning his wife is pregnant again
1970-01-01 08:00
Bryan Kohberger's attorneys suggest they'll present evidence that he was elsewhere during the killings of 4 Idaho students
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students last fall, was not at the location where the crimes took place, his defense attorneys suggested Tuesday, though they have yet to provide evidence or details about his whereabouts.
1970-01-01 08:00
Fabinho's proposed Saudi Pro League switch in doubt
Fabinho's transfer to Al Ittihad is in doubt as Liverpool struggle to agree the finer details of the proposed £40m fee. There's a willingness from both sides to complete the transfer so the Brazilian may yet move to the Saudi Pro League.
1970-01-01 08:00
UPS, Teamsters Reach Tentative Labor Deal Avoiding Strike
United Parcel Service Inc. reached a tentative agreement to renew a five-year labor contract with the Teamsters ahead
1970-01-01 08:00
Lower production in Europe hits global steel output
LONDON Global crude steel production fell 1.1% year on year to 943.9 million metric tons in the first
1970-01-01 08:00
Grammy winning Tori Kelly being treated in hospital for blood clots
The two-time Grammy winner is being treated for blood clots near her vital organs, US media report.
1970-01-01 08:00
6 of the worst ever rebrands as Elon Musk changes Twitter logo to X
People aren't best pleased with Elon Musk after he changed the Twitter logo to 'X'. On Sunday, the billionaire said he was looking to change Twitter's logo, tweeting: "And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds." In doing so, he unleashed a wave of criticism, with marketing professor Jean-Pierre Dube telling the BBC he thought it was a joke, asking why anyone would "throw away" such a recognised brand as Twitter's. Musk is extending the rebrand though, with plans to change the office sign. If the rebrand flops, Musk won't be the first to make a mistake. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Indeed, here are some other rebrands that failed to capture the public. 1. Royal Mail In 2001, UK postal operator Royal Mail decided to change its name to Consignia to stop it being associated solely with sending and receiving parcels. The introduction of the new name alone cost £1.5 million but it went down very badly. After around a year, the company reverted to its original name. The re-rebranding to Royal Mail reportedly cost the company a further £1 million. 2. Mastercard In 2016 Mastercard changed its logo and people weren't keen. So much so that Mastercard later decided to only use this new logo on corporate worldwide communications, and opted to keep their existing brand image. 3. Gap In 2010, the American clothing retailer Gap changed its logo, causing an immediate social media backlash. This backlash was so intense that Gap reverted to its original logo within just one week. 4. Weight Watchers In 2019 Weight Watchers renamed itself Wellness and Wellbeing to be more body positive. The new rebrand didn’t go well, drastically impacting the company’s bottom line, with a stock market earnings of less than half. Following the change, they reported a loss of 600,000 members. 5. Hershey's In 2009, the sweet chocolate confections company Hershey’s decided to rebrand. Sadly, their new logo looked like a smoking poo so make of that what you will. 6. Leeds United In 2018 Leeds United changed its logo and it was so unpopular over 77,000 people signed a petition to boycott the rebrand, causing a PR nightmare. Call us conservative, but maybe there is a case for keeping things as they are after all... Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
NBA-Celtics and Brown agree to richest deal in NBA history, reports
Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year $304 million supermax contract extension with the Boston Celtics that will
1970-01-01 08:00
Liverpool see first offer for relegated Southampton star rejected
Liverpool have seen an opening bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia rejected, while Fabinho's move to Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad is in jeopardy.
1970-01-01 08:00
