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Ventana to Also Provide Demos and Presentations Throughout Event
CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ventana Micro Systems Inc. today announced its Founder, President, CEO and Chairman Balaji Baktha is providing a keynote speech at the RISC-V Summit in San Jose beginning Dec. 12.
In addition to the keynote address, Ventana will be engaging with attendees through panels, demos and presentations.
Tue., Dec. 13
10:15am — KEYNOTE: Balaji Baktha
12:05pm — FIRESIDE CHAT: RISC-V Readiness for Data Center Deployments - Balaji Baktha and Mark Himelstein, RISC-V International
1:15pm — DEMO: SmartNIC with OvS-DPDK on RISC-V - Kumar Sankaran, Ventana Micro Systems
3:55pm — PANEL: Building a Scalable RISC-V Software Ecosystem - John Hengeveld, Intel, with panelist Kumar Sankaran, Ventana Micro Systems
Wed., Dec. 14
11:05am — DEMO: Storage Acceleration with SPDK on RISC-V - Kumar Sankaran, Ventana Micro Systems
12:05pm — PRESENTATION: RISC-V Power and Performance Management - Andrew Jones & Sunil V L, Ventana Micro Systems Inc.
1:50pm — PRESENTATION: RISC-V Perf-Model: An Open Source Cycle Accurate Performance Model for Community-wide use - Knute Lingaard, SiFive & Arup Chakraborty, Ventana Microsystems
4:20pm — PRESENTATION: RISC-V Nested Virtualization - Anup Patel, Ventana Micro Systems Inc
Thu., Dec. 15
10:00am — TUTORIAL: Performance Tools - Knute Lingaard, SiFive & Arup Chakraborty, Ventana Microsystems
Headquartered in Cupertino, Ventana Micro Systems Inc. was founded in 2018 to revolutionize the processor market by offering high-performance, extensible and secure compute chiplets based on RISC-V's open architecture. Ventana is a Premier Member of RISC-V International and part of its Technical Steering Committee. To learn more about Ventana visit the Web, Twitter and LinkedIn.
All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.
Media Contact:
Gary Bird
FortyThree, Inc.
831.621.5661
ventana@43pr.com
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SOURCE Ventana Micro | 2022-12-08T17:48:54+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/prnewswire/2022/12/08/ventana-ceo-deliver-keynote-risc-v-summit/ |
The frigid conditions that have enveloped New Jersey for days are gradually coming to an end as high temperatures will climb each day through at least New Year’s Day when parts of the state could reach 60 degrees.
Highs on Tuesday will be a bit milder than Monday as most parts of the state will reach the mid to upper 30s by afternoon — about 6 to 7 degrees below normal — and nearly all of the state will climb above the freezing mark, forecasters say.
Skies will be mainly sunny except in northwest counties, which will see some clouds. As of 7:15 a.m., temperatures were mainly in the mid 20s across the state.
Overnight lows Tuesday into Wednesday will range from the upper teens to mid 20s, according to the National Weather Service.
Late December temperatures typically range from the upper 20s to low 40s.
Temps continue to trend upward the rest of the week and will feature sunny skies during the day with dry conditions sticking around at night.
On Wednesday, highs will be in the mid 40s before we reach the upper 40s on Thursday. Highs will reach the low 50s on Saturday — New Year’s Eve — when there’s a chance of showers. Rain is also likely at night when we usher in 2023.
By Sunday, highs in much of the state will flirt with the 60-degree mark, though there’s a chance of showers on New Year’s Day. Above average temps are expected to stick around into early next week.
AccuWeather.com and the weather service note that temperatures on New Year’s Day are likely to be 30 degrees or so warmer than on Christmas Day.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. | 2022-12-27T13:27:53+00:00 | nj.com | https://www.nj.com/weather/2022/12/nj-weather-it-could-hit-60-degrees-on-new-years-day-as-temps-continue-to-rise.html |
Amytrx Therapeutics announces today it has closed on its final tranche of its Series A capital raise, totaling $18 million to expand on its clinical research investigating a new cell penetrating immune system modulating peptide therapeutic for topical skin applications, specifically in atopic dermatitis and other dermatologic indications.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amytrx Therapeutics, a mission-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transformative and cutting-edge immune-modulating therapeutics that safely alter the course of chronic inflammatory disorders, announces today it has concluded its $18M in Series A financing with participation from both existing and new investors. This funding is dedicated to continuing clinical research on the use of their next-generation anti-inflammatory therapeutic peptide platform, AMTX-100, across several skin inflammatory disorders in adults and adolescents.
"We are counting on success in our Phase 2 in atopic dermatitis clinical trial as we move forward and begin a seamless transition toward our future goals in other immune mediated disorders," said Amytrx Chief Business Officer Randall Riggs. "We also see the promise of a new localized treatment for adolescents with a therapeutic that doesn't suppress the immune system like many topical steroids on the market. Instead, we use a normal cellular process to modulate and bring about resolution to symptoms using molecules containing amino acid sequences already present and easily metabolized by our bodies."
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects nearly 17 million adults in America [1]. Nearly 85% of disease cases typically start in infancy or childhood, with the remainder developing during adulthood [2]. Although researchers are still elucidating the pathophysiology of this disease, current efforts have determined a significant relationship between chronic and systemic inflammation with symptoms [3]. Determining safe, effective therapeutics is paramount to improving the quality of life and socioeconomic burden of patients with AD [4].
Traditional pharmacological agents, such as monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, or steroids that halt or inhibit the immune system can systematically put individuals at risk for opportunistic pathogens or disease, including long term use toxicity [5]. Amytrx's innovative peptide is a breakthrough in therapeutic technology using an anti-inflammatory developed entirely from human protein sequences capable of targeting and penetrating specific leukocytes to modulate an over-active immune response.
In its development, AMTX-100 has proven to have potential in preclinical and clinical studies addressing AD, and other inflammatory and metabolic diseases with attractive out-licensing and collaborative opportunities in additional inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, rosacea, lupus, acne, shingles, and herpes.
About Amytrx Therapeutics
Amytrx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the first anti-inflammatory human peptide platform (AMTX-100) yielding the potential for vastly optimized, cutting-edge therapies that safely alter the course of chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction to prevent and treat some of the world's most debilitating diseases. For further information please visit www.amytrx.com.
1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30389491/
2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25925336/
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448071/
4 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41573-021-00266-6
5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31301006/
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SOURCE Amytrx Therapeutics | 2022-05-25T14:37:57+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/amytrx-therapeutics-raises-18m-new-therapeutic-interventions-atopic-dermatitis/ |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Cardinals’ season appeared to be falling apart shortly after it began. One week after getting blown out by Kansas City, they took a 20-0 deficit into the locker room at halftime in Vegas.
But the afternoon ended with Byron Murphy Jr. scooping up a fumble and scoring in overtime for a wild 29-23 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, his Arizona teammates all sprinting behind him in a frenzy.
The Cardinals got off the brink and into the win column thanks to Kyler Murray, who made one spectacular play after another to show exactly why this team gladly gave him another $230.5 million.
“I had to take over,” Murray said. “Do whatever it took to win.”
Murphy returned Hunter Renfrow’s fumble 59 yards for a touchdown with 3:51 left in overtime, and the Cardinals rallied from that 20-point deficit in the second half before running away with the win Sunday.
Arizona (1-1) trailed 23-7 with less than nine minutes left in regulation, but Murray led two TD drives and two 2-point conversions. He passed for 277 yards, rushed for 28 more and flummoxed the Vegas defense with his elusiveness, particularly on a frantic scramble for a remarkable 2-point conversion with 8:13 to play.
Murray then scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown on the final snap of regulation before hitting A.J. Green for the tying 2-point conversion.
“That’s what he can do that nobody else can,” defensive end J.J. Watt said. “He gave us opportunities, and we made the most of it.”
The Raiders stopped Murray on downs on Arizona’s opening drive of overtime, but Renfrow then made a catch and fumbled for the second consecutive play. Isaiah Simmons knocked it loose, and Murphy snagged the ball and sprinted down the Cardinals’ sideline.
Murphy nearly ruined his own heroics when he released the ball from his hand right at the goal line, but video review determined he barely scored.
Murray grimaced and winced at the memory of watching Murphy lose the ball an instant after it would have cost the Cardinals dearly.
“I told him, you’ve got to take the ball home with you,” Murray said. “That would have hurt.”
Davante Adams and Darren Waller caught early touchdown passes from Derek Carr for the Raiders (0-2), who had the ball for less than 10 minutes in the second half while Murray worked his magic. Carr passed for 252 yards — just 42 after halftime —- as Las Vegas lost a home opener for the first time since relocating to Nevada.
“That’s what happens when you play against a dynamic quarterback who can not only work with his arm, but can run outside the pocket and make plays like a running back,” Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs said. “It just makes it really tough to defend.”
The game showcased both the heights and depths of Murray’s incredible talent in his first victory since his five-year contract extension was finalized.
Murray threw an interception and committed a costly intentional-grounding penalty while passing for just 53 yards in the first half, but then racked up 188 yard through the air and made several unbelievable plays with his unique combination of athleticism and football smarts.
Murray hit Greg Dortch for a TD in the third quarter, and Darrel Williams rushed for a score with 8:13 left before Murray made a jaw-dropping improvisational run for a 2-point conversion, running horizontally across the field during roughly 20 seconds with the ball. He ran 84.9 yards on the play, according to Next Gen Stats.
“They had two people rushing, (so I) knew they weren’t going to be able to tackle me,” Murray said. “It was just about backyard football at that point. Try to find somebody. Move, get open, make a play.”
Murray then led Arizona on a 73-yard TD drive in the final 4:43 of regulation, capping it with his cool TD scramble on fourth down as time expired after three incompletions.
Moments earlier, Murray threw an incompletion on fourth down from the Raiders 6, but Roderic Teamer’s defensive holding penalty — Vegas’ 10th flag of the day — kept the drive alive with 16 seconds left.
Murray took a delay of game penalty before attempting the conversion from the Vegas 7, but he still hit Green with a pinpoint pass in the back of the end zone to force overtime.
Arizona won the OT coin toss, but the Raiders got the ball back when backup Vegas safety Duron Harmon knocked the ball out of Marquise Brown’s hands for an incompletion on fourth down.
HE’S OK
The Cardinals got to the Las Vegas 7 before turning the ball over on downs with 12:31 to play, and a stadium security guard also got knocked down roughly by Zach Ertz while the Cardinals tight end dived to make a catch on fourth down. The guard, who had his back to the field and never saw it coming, eventually got up and walked off the field.
GOOD REASON
Raiders owner Mark Davis missed the game because he was in Connecticut with his Las Vegas Aces while they won their first WNBA championship. The result was announced late in the third quarter to applause at Allegiant Stadium.
INJURIES
Cardinals: RB James Conner was slowed by an ankle injury after his first carry of the second half.
Raiders: Renfrow was evaluated for a concussion afterward. … DL Bilal Nichols injured his shoulder in the second half and didn’t return.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: Host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Raiders: At the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | 2022-09-19T19:18:56+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/sports/ap-murphys-59-yard-ot-fumble-return-ends-cards-win-over-vegas/ |
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lawmakers advanced a measure to limit where people can get abortions in Utah, banning abortion clinics and effectively requiring they only be provided in hospitals. After passing through the state Senate on a party-line vote Thursday, it will return to the state House of Representatives for voting on minor amendments and then head to the desk of Gov. Spencer Cox, an anti-abortion Republican who expressed support last month.
“When we passed the trigger ban a couple years ago, I did not anticipate we would be here so soon,” Republican state Sen. Dan McCay said.
The measure is one of several that members of Utah’s Republican-supermajority statehouse has passed this year while abortion restrictions approved in years past are on hold due to a state court injunction. It has faced fierce opposition from business, civil liberties and abortion rights groups including Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, which operates three of the four abortion clinics in the state.
“It has one goal,” Karrie Galloway, the group’s president and CEO, said in a statement after the measure passed. “Put abortion out of reach for as many Utahns as possible no matter what their faith, family and trust medical providers decide is best for their safety and health.”
Republican lawmakers’ push to shutter abortion clinics comes as red states throughout the country work to implement restrictions less than a year after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that enshrined a constitutional right to abortion for nearly 50 years. After the court gave states the power to regulate abortion, many attempted to implement “trigger laws” designed to take effect upon a Supreme Court ruling, while others took action to reinstitute pre-Roe bans on the books.
In Utah, the ruling triggered two previously passed laws — a 2019 ban on abortion after 18 weeks and a 2020 ban on abortions regardless of trimester, with several exceptions including for instances of risk to maternal health as well as rape or incest reported to the police. The state Planned Parenthood affiliate sued over the 2020 ban, and in July, a state court delayed implementing it until legal challenges could be resolved. The 18-week ban has since been de facto law.
The clinic-centered push in Utah is unique among states with trigger laws, where many abortion clinics closed after last year’s Supreme Court decision. Clinics were shuttered in states such as West Virginia and Mississippi in the aftermath, yet they remain open in Utah while courts deliberate. The measure mirrors a raft of proposals passed in red states in the decade before Roe was overturned when anti-abortion lawmakers passed measuresregulating clinics, including the size of procedure rooms and distances from hospitals.
In Utah, the proposal from Rep. Karianne Lisonbee would require all abortions — via medication or surgery — be provided in hospitals by not allowing new clinics to be licensed after May 2 and not allowing any to operate once their licenses expire. It would affect the operations of the four clinics that provide abortions in Utah — three run by Planned Parenthood and the other by Wasatch Women’s Center, an independent clinic in Salt Lake City. The measure would also clarify the definition of abortion to address legal liability concerns providers voiced about the way exceptions are worded in state law — a provision Republicans called a compromise.
Because the 2020 ban would effectively put abortion clinics out of business, abortion opponents argue that it makes sense to remove them from state statute, Mary Taylor, president of Pro-Life Utah, said. She said the exceptional circumstances in which abortion will still be legal — rape, incest and health of the mother — are better suited to hospital care.
“We have in statute provisions to license an abortion clinic when abortion is not legal. There’s an incongruency there,” Taylor said. “This just clarifies the statute.”
McCay, the measure’s Senate sponsor, said limiting abortions to emergency or exceptional circumstances and requiring they be provided in hospitals would protect both “the innocent and the health of the mother.”
In Utah last year, clinics provided most abortions. Of the total 2,818 administered, 61% were with medications like mifepristone rather than via surgery. Abortion access proponents argued abortions were no different than other kinds of specialty care that have increasingly moved to clinic settings where providers are more accustomed to recurring patient concerns and confronting complications that may arise.
Jasmin Charles, a Salt Lake City physician’s assistant, said closing clinics would limit access to anyone seeking an abortion but would make things especially difficult for people who may not have extra cash or easy access to transportation. She anticipated difficult conversations lied ahead with her patients, including those struggling with substance abuse, as she works to advise them on how to access a rapidly diminishing number of reproductive health care options.
“I can tell my patients that hospitals are OK,” Charles said. “But I know I work with individuals who cannot access the care through the hospital when every time they walk through the hospital door — including for an abortion — they think ‘It’ll cost me $10,000 to $20,000.’”
__
This story has been updated to correct that the measure must return to the Utah House of Representatives for voting on minor amendments before heading to Gov. Spencer Cox for approval, not head straight to the governor. | 2023-03-03T15:29:37+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/news/health/ap-health/ap-utah-measure-to-ban-abortion-clinics-goes-to-governors-desk/ |
PARIS (AP) — Lionel Messi's next stop could mark his return to Barcelona. Or he could make a hugely profitable move to Saudi Arabia. Staying at Paris Saint-Germain is the most unlikely of outcomes.
Increasingly fevered speculation continued to build Tuesday into where the World Cup winner from Argentina will play next season. Inter Miami in Major League Soccer is also chasing the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.
French media have reported that Messi has a verbal deal with an unnamed Saudi club, a move that would put him back into the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo. But one soccer transfer gossip specialist, Fabrizio Romano, was quick to update his 14.6 million followers on Twitter that there will be no decision until after the season.
Both Barcelona and Al Hilal clearly want Messi, who turns 36 next month and also wants to keep playing for Argentina. South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup starts in September, with Argentina at home against Ecuador.
Messi's trip last week to Saudi Arabia — and subsequent suspension by PSG for the unauthorized absence — has re-ignited talk he will play in the Middle Eastern country if he leaves the French capital as expected. One French media report claimed Messi has agreed to a massive deal with an unnamed Saudi club worth at least 500 million euros ($548 million).
PSG declined to comment when asked by The Associated Press if there is an agreement in place for Messi to leave the club.
Messi was linked with a move to Riyadh-based Saudi club Al Hilal last month, the same city where Ronaldo's team, Al Nassr, is located.
Messi played against Ronaldo in January in an exhibition game in Riyadh, with the Qatari-owned PSG facing a combined team from Al Nassr and Al Hilal. Ronaldo's arrival has already boosted Saudi Arabia's soccer profile in the Middle East in a regional rivalry fueled by Qatar hosting last year's World Cup.
Having Messi playing against Ronaldo would do even more for the country as Saudi Arabia prepares to stage the Club World Cup for the first time in December.
Messi returned to training with PSG this week after the club lifted his suspension following the promotional trip to Saudi Arabia. He missed practice last Monday, the day after PSG's 3-1 loss to Lorient. The club announced his suspension last Tuesday.
Messi subsequently apologized to the club and his teammates for traveling without PSG's permission.
Messi joined PSG on a two-year deal after tearfully leaving financially stricken Barcelona against his will in 2021, with an option for an extra year if both parties agreed. His contract runs until the end of June, but talks about extending reportedly broke down, making Messi’s exit seem inevitable.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, who is poised to lead his team to the Spanish league title this season, has openly said he wants his former teammate to come back.
Barcelona is the club closest to the heart of Messi and his family. They moved to Spain in 2001 and Messi scored 672 goals — including an extraordinary 50-goal league season in 2012 — and won four Champions League trophies with Barcelona among a glittering array of silverware.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is also eager to bring Messi back, but must overcome the club's severe debts and restrictions imposed by the Spanish league.
Barcelona's return to the Champions League could also be affected by an ongoing UEFA investigation into payments of millions of dollars over more than a decade to a company linked to a Spanish refereeing official. No evidence of suspected match-fixing has yet emerged.
Playing in Saudi Arabia would lessen the wear and tear on Messi’s body while also offering lower-quality games ahead of World Cup qualifying and the 2024 Copa America in the United States, with Argentina the defending champion.
___
Dunbar reported from Geneva.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Credit: AP | 2023-05-09T13:58:33+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/nation-world/lionel-messis-next-move-fuels-frenzy-of-speculation/GZ5UPDKKCZHOFJAOG4X2ZC457I/ |
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut police officer who was wounded in an apparent ambush that killed two of his fellow officers fired the shot that killed the attacker, police said.
In a Facebook post Saturday, police in Bristol said Alec Iurato was hit by gunfire and returned fire on Wednesday, killing Nicholas Brutcher. The state medical examiner’s office said Brutcher, 35, died from a gunshot wound to the neck with spinal cord injuries.
Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy were gunned down outside a home where they had responded to a 911 call about possible domestic violence that authorities said appeared to be a deliberate act to lure police there.
Witnesses said they heard about 30 gunshots during the confrontation.
Iurato was released from the hospital on Thursday. Brutcher’s brother, Nathan Brutcher, was wounded in the shootout. Nathan Brutcher hasn’t been accused of playing any role in the attack.
The bodies of both officers were brought to funeral homes in separate processions Friday, as hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Bristol police station. In New York, the New York Yankees held a moment of silence in the officers’ honor before Game 2 of their American League Division Series game against Cleveland at Yankee Stadium.
Police officials said all three officers were respected and had received commendations.
Demonte, 35, was a 10-year veteran officer and co-recipient of his department’s 2019 Officer of the Year award. His wife is expecting their third child.
Hamzy, 34, worked eight years for his hometown police force. Like Demonte, he was an adviser to a police cadet program.
Iurato, 26, joined the Bristol department in 2018 and has a bachelor’s degree in government, law and national security.
Nicholas Brutcher was a divorced father of two and a gun, hunting and fishing enthusiast, according to his social media pages.
In a photo posted on both brothers’ Facebook pages in 2016, Nicholas Brutcher is pointing a handgun at the camera while others, including Nathan Brutcher, are holding rifles.
Other photos show Nicholas Brutcher with a 10-point deer he shot and with fish he caught. | 2022-10-15T16:33:13+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/wounded-officer-shot-killed-suspect-who-killed-2-colleagues/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
RALEIGH. N.C. (WGHP) – The confrontation about abortion rights that is scheduled to be set ablaze in a federal courtroom in Greensboro on Wednesday morning perhaps has a little moisture on its fuse.
The North Carolina Senate on Monday night passed on third reading three amendments to an unrelated bill that are designed to forestall some of the technical elements and contradictions of Senate Bill 20, the state’s new 12-week window for elective abortion, that a federal lawsuit identifies.
The final vote was 45-2, with only Sen. Rachel Hunt (D-Mecklenburg), a candidate for lieutenant governor, and Triad Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Caswell) voting against it.
But on Wednesday SB 20 will be in front of a new review in a suit filed by a consortium of abortion rights advocates in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. District Judge Catherine Eagles has scheduled an emergency hearing for 9:30 a.m. to consider a temporary injunction.
The “Care for Women Children and Families Act,” tightens to 12 weeks the window for an elective abortion but retains for longer periods the access to abortions based on exceptions for rape, incest, the health of the mother and fetal abnormalities. The bill also stipulates by whom, when and where an abortion may be performed and adds funding for a variety of related initiatives.
Critics had complained that the 46-page bill was pushed through the General Assembly within 48 hours of first being revealed. The Senate had spent about six hours debating the bill. Both chambers voted along party lines, with some absences, as was the case with the overrides of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto.
This latest round of debate began after a surprising move on Thursday afternoon, when Republicans in the Senate offered amendments to a semi-related bill, House Bill 190, that appeared to ensure that the abortion law could go into effect as scheduled on Saturday. Democrats complained they received only 15 minutes to review that first amendment.
But HB 190 picked up two more amendments on Monday, offered by Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) in conjunction with Democrats, before 12 more amendments were tabled in motions by Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Alleghany) along party-line votes of 29-18 (there were three absentees).
The bill with those changes would have to be approved in concurrence by the House – which could happen as soon as Tuesday, when the House convenes at 10:45 a.m. – and then go back with the primary bill for the signature of Cooper, who could consider his veto for up to 10 days.
Krawiec began this new round of intense debate and ire in some cases when on Thursday moved to add “technical changes” to SB 20 in an amendment to House Bill 190, the so-called “Department of Health and Human Services Revisions,” that had crossed over. Senators adopted the amendment and then the bill on party-line votes, and only a loud objection by Sen. Mike Woodard (D-Durham) delayed a third and final reading until Monday, pushing the bill changes closer to the federal hearing than Republicans might have preferred.
That original amendment addresses changes in substance and language that appear to address some of the complaints in the lawsuit, such as confirming that medical abortion is legal up to 12 weeks in all cases, that there would be only one 72-hour waiting period and that the reporting period for the Department of Health & Human Services would be 30 days rather than three.
14 more amendments considered
Krawiec added two more amendments on Monday night – which she thanked the Democrats for suggesting – one that dealt with the definition of a hospital admitting a doctor and the doctor accepting a women’s health insurance (written by Democrats) and a second that included a variety of definition, punctuation and the ability of a qualified medical examiner to consult as long as a physician is present. Both passed unanimously.
But then a series of amendments – all by Democrats – became detailed and were pitched based on questions evoked by the U.S. Supreme Court, senators’ personal experiences, issues that have emerged in other states and impassioned pleas mostly by women about health care. A dozen were offered, and a dozen were tabled. No Republican supported for any of them.
They dealt with (in general) codifying abortion rights previously in place under Roe v. Wade; cementing right to privacy; guaranteeing a woman’s ability to travel out of state for treatment without penalty; protecting data privacy about searches and travel; creating criminal and civil penalties for those who would harass, injure or seek to intimate someone seeking an abortion or the people transporting that person to a medical appointment; and holding government-subsidized crisis pregnancy clinics to the same standards as pregnancy centers and requiring them to provide accurate information and to advise patients of all options.
‘Deserved more consideration’
After those offers were exhausted, Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake), the Senate minority leader, said that senators “heard from many members who had ideas about how we ought to treat women and the abortion issue. They were not able to proffer those ideas earlier.
“But there are 5.3 million reasons to have voted for those amendments, every woman and girl in North Carolina. Thirteen ideas were presented that deserved more consideration than they received,” he said.
“If we are pro-family and pro-women, we ought to realize that these amendments were pro-women and pro-family. These were valid concerns and well-made points and things that should have been in the legislation that already passed.”
Amendment to address SB. 20 by Steven Doyle on Scribd
About the lawsuit
Filed NC Complaint by Steven Doyle on Scribd
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, who also is a Democratic candidate for governor, announced on his Twitter feed late Thursday that he would not be participating in the suit filed last Friday by Dr. Beverly A. Gray, the ACLU of North Carolina and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. Stein is the named defendant.
“I support women’s reproductive freedoms,” Stein wrote. “After a thorough review of the case in Planned Parenthood v. Stein, I have concluded that many of the provisions in North Carolina’s anti-abortion law are unconstitutional. My office will not defend those parts of the law.”
Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) asked the court to allow them to intervene and defend the bill, which was granted this past weekend.
The suit asks the court specifically to clarify:
- A provision that appears to prevent providers from providing medication abortion after 10 weeks of pregnancy rather than the 12 weeks specified.
- The mandate that victims of sexual assault obtain abortions in a hospital after 12 weeks of pregnancy under exceptions for rape or incest.
- A provision requiring a 72-hour waiting period before the abortion with no exception for medical emergencies despite other sections of SB 20 that grant an exception to that delay.
- A prohibition on advising how a person can access an abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, could violate the First Amendment.
The plaintiffs also had asked for an emergency injunction on the implementation date and had asked for the court to modify a permanent injunction in a previous case to clarify the type of medical professional who can provide patients seeking care with the mandated information. | 2023-06-27T01:33:03+00:00 | myfox8.com | https://myfox8.com/news/politics/north-carolina-senate-sends-abortion-law-amendments-to-house/ |
WASHINGTON — Gas prices have been on a rollercoaster ride around the United States this year.
After record-high prices over the summer, this fall, we have seen prices decline in most countries.
However, economists are bracing for another hike soon following a decision by Saudi Arabia and other countries to reduce how much oil they produce each day.
CHANGING TRENDS
To understand the current price at the pump, it helps to look back a few months.
According to the Energy Information Administration, in January, the price was $3.32/gallon.
In April, it was $4.11/gallon.
July was rough at $4.56/gallon.
However, then some relief came.
Last month, it averaged $3.70 nationwide.
Prices have fallen in most places across the United States throughout October as well.
OPEC MEETING
Then the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries—OPEC —decided to meet.
OPEC and OPEC plus represent over 20 oil-exporting countries around the world.
The U.S. is not a member.
Collectively, though, they control about 50% of all oil production around the globe.
In a significant blow to Americans who want lower prices, OPEC+ voted earlier this month to cut oil production by 2 million barrels daily.
That matters because the world consumes around 100 million barrels every 24 hours.
Taking 2 million out is expected to push prices up since oil prices are based on the global market.
CAN D.C. DO ANYTHING?
"The choices made by other countries are affecting the price of gas here at home," President Biden said last week from the White House.
OPEC's decision is one reason President Biden announced last week he is releasing around 15 million barrels from our country's emergency petroleum reserve.
While that is a lot, it only makes up about two weeks' worth of production that is expected to be lost.
That's why some in Washington are asking if anything can be done to penalize Saudi Arabia, a prominent leader within OPEC that voted to cut production, to change its mind.
After all, one reason President Biden went to Saudi Arabia earlier this year was to prevent decisions like this.
However, any penalty or action against Saudi Arabia is tricky.
There is growing bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for a bill known as NOPEC, allowing the Justice Department to sue Saudi Arabia and other countries for unfair energy practices.
A vote could happen after the midterms.
Other lawmakers want the U.S. to block weapons and military sales to Saudi Arabia immediately.
Some meetings in the Gulf between the United States and Saudi Arabia have already been canceled.
However, that move is more controversial, with Republican Senator Jodi Ernst of Iowa writing to the White House recently that cutting such ties "aids our adversaries" such as Iran.
While Saudi Arabia may be going against the White House on energy issues right now, they are often aligned regarding keeping peace in the Middle East.
Is it worth it to completely ostracize Saudi Arabia from the United States?
One thing is clear expect something soon.
President Biden himself has promised "consequences" for Saudi Arabia's actions.
It's just not clear, at this point, if anything will change an expected spike in the coming weeks. | 2022-10-24T09:08:34+00:00 | fox17online.com | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national-politics/gas-prices-have-lowered-but-actions-overseas-could-soon-change-that |
MIAMI – The Miami Heat want to keep Tyler Herro around for a while.
The Heat and Herro have agreed to a new, four-year contract extension worth $130 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Herro’s current contract expires at the end of this season, which means Herro will be under contract with Miami through 2026-27.
Last season Herro, 22, was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. He averaged 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 32.6 minutes per game.
Miami originally selected Herro with the thirteenth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. | 2022-10-03T08:05:18+00:00 | local10.com | https://www.local10.com/sports/2022/10/02/heat-sign-tyler-herro-to-4-year-extension-worth-130-million-per-report/ |
HUDSON, Ohio, Aug 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaf Home™, a leading technology-enabled direct-to-consumer provider of home solutions, has ranked number two on Qualified Remodeler's 44th annual TOP 500 remodelers of 2022.
Since 1978, the QR TOP 500 has tracked the industry's largest and fastest growing companies. In 2022, the TOP 500 represented $10 billion in remodeling sales volume on over one million jobs. The Qualified Remodeler editorial staff chose Leaf Home for meeting a set of criteria, including installed remodeling dollar volume, total years in business, industry association membership, industry certification, industry awards, and community service.
"We're honored to claim the number two spot on the TOP 500 for the second year in a row," said Chris Counahan, Chief Sales Officer at Leaf Home and President at LeafFilter Gutter Protection. "Our strong revenue growth and successful installations in thousands of customers' homes across North America are tied to our team's continued hard work and dedication. This win belongs to them."
The company, which earned over $1.4 billion in revenue in 2021 and completed over 330,000 jobs, currently operates more than 190 locations across North America through its brands; LeafFilter® Gutter Protection, Leaf Home Safety Solutions™, Leaf Home Water Solutions™, and Leaf Home Enhancements™. This is the eleventh year the company has been featured on the list.
"Based on Qualified Remodeler's analysis, the Top 500 firms tend to share several common attributes, including strong revenues, a commitment to customer service, insightful sales techniques, and strong customer loyalty," said Qualified Remodeler owner and editorial director Patrick O'Toole. "These attributes helped put the firms on this list and contribute to their success."
Additional information on the Top 500 can be found in the July/August issue of Qualified Remodeler and at www.qualifiedremodeler.com. To learn more about Leaf Home and its brands, visit www.leafhome.com.
Leaf Home™ is a leading technology-enabled direct-to-consumer provider of branded, innovative home solutions in North America. The company is on a mission to enhance the safety, enjoyment, and comfort of homeowners and their families by delivering seamless, transformative home solutions including gutter protection, home safety, water purification, and other home enhancement products. With its corporate headquarters in Hudson, Ohio, and locations across the U.S. and Canada, Leaf Home has become a trusted partner to over 1.1 million homeowners. Live Comfortable. Live Safe. Live Happy. For more information, visit www.leafhome.com.
Contact: media@leafhome.com.
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SOURCE Leaf Home | 2022-08-18T14:18:26+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/leaf-home-named-2-qualified-remodeler-top-500-list-2022/ |
Airbnb said Tuesday that it earned $379 million in the second quarter on record bookings and rising rates, and the short-term rental giant announced a plan to spend up to $2 billion to buy its own stock.
Despite the share-buyback promise, Airbnb’s stock fell 9% in extended trading.
The financial results showed a reversal from losses in the second quarter of both last year and 2019.
Airbnb has benefitted from the increase in travel and the exodus of workers from offices, which frees them to work from just about anywhere they can get internet access.
Bookings in the second quarter were about one-fourth higher than last year and 2019. The San Francisco-based company said customers were making more international bookings. Listings away from major cities rose to nearly 50% compared with the second quarter of 2019, although Airbnb said urban listings grew compared with the previous three months.
Revenue was $2.10 billion, up 58% from a year earlier and 73% from the second quarter of 2019.
Analysts expected revenue of $2.11 billion, according to a FactSet survey. | 2022-08-02T21:09:12+00:00 | kfor.com | https://kfor.com/business/ap-business/airbnb-posts-2q-profit-of-379-million-on-record-bookings/ |
CHICAGO — Holed up at home during the pandemic lockdown three years ago, 13-year-old Shreya Nallamothu was scrolling through social media when she noticed a pattern: Children even younger than her were the stars — dancing, cracking one-liners and being generally adorable.
"It seemed innocuous to me at first," Nallamothu said.
But as she watched more and more posts of kids pushing products or their mishaps going viral, she started to wonder: Who is looking out for them?
"I realized that there's a lot of exploitation that can happen within the world of 'kidfluencing,'" said Nallamothu, referring to the monetization of social media content featuring children. "And I realized that there was absolutely zero legislation in place to protect them."
Illinois lawmakers aim to change that by making their state what they say will be the first in the country to create protections for child social media influencers. Nallamothu, now 15, raised her concerns to Illinois state Sen. David Koehler of Peoria, who then set the legislation in motion.
The Illinois bill would entitle child influencers under the age of 16 to a percentage of earnings based on how often they appear on video blogs or online content that generates at least 10 cents per view. To qualify, the content must be created in Illinois, and kids would have to be featured in at least 30% of the content in a 30-day-period.
Video bloggers — or vloggers — would be responsible for maintaining records of kids' appearances and must set aside gross earnings for the child in a trust account for when they turn 18, otherwise the child can sue.
The bill passed the state Senate unanimously in March, and is scheduled to be considered by the House this week. If it wins approval, the bill will go back to the Senate for a final vote before it makes its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he intends to sign it in the coming months.
Family-style vlogs can feature children as early as birth and recount milestones and family events — the wholesome clips that Nallamothu had been initially scrolling through.
But experts say the commercialized " sharenthood " industry, which can earn content creators tens of thousands of dollars per brand deal, is underregulated and can even cause harm.
"As we see influencers and content creators becoming more and more of a viable career path for young people, we have to remember that this is a place where the law has not caught up to practice," said Jessica Maddox, a University of Alabama professor who studies social media platforms.
She added that child influencers "are in desperate need of the same protections that have been afforded to other child workers and entertainers."
The Illinois bill is modeled largely after California's 1939 Jackie Coogan law, named for the silent film-era child actor who sued his parents for squandering his earnings. Coogan laws now exist in several states and require parents to set aside a portion of child entertainers' earnings for when they reach adulthood.
Other states have tried to pass laws to regulate against potential child exploitation on social media without success. A 2018 California child labor bill included a social media advertising provision that was removed by the time it was passed, and Washington's 2023 bill stalled in committee.
Across the Atlantic, France passed a law in 2020 that entitles child influencers under 16 to a portion of their revenue, as well as "the right to forget," which means video platforms must withdraw the images of the child at the minor's request. Parental consent is not needed.
Illinois' own bill underwent several changes during the legislative session that watered down its reach, including stripping out a provision allowing child influencers to request deletion of content once they reached the age of 18, and requiring family vloggers to register their channels.
Still, Chicago-based Tyler Diers, the Midwest executive director of technology trade association Technet, which opposed the bill before the changes but is now neutral, said that when one state legislature takes up an issue, others tend to follow, "and oftentimes perfect what the first state did."
Nallamothu emphasized that the Illinois bill isn't aimed at "parents posting their kids on Facebook for their close family and friends," or even a funny clip that went viral.
"This is for families who make their income off of child vlogging and family vlogging," she said.
Many social media platforms — including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok — don't allow children to have accounts until they're at least 13 years old. But that hasn't stopped them from appearing on social media. And the internet is littered with examples of children being showcased for financial gain — and the harm it has caused as a consequence.
In 2019, an Arizona mother was accused of torturing her seven adopted children for subpar performances in their popular YouTube series, Fantastic Adventures; a Maryland couple who posted "prank" videos of themselves screaming at their children and breaking their toys lost custody and were sentenced to five years of probation for child neglect.
Another YouTube couple filmed every step of their family's process of adopting a young child from China with autism, only to eventually place him in a new home.
Chris McCarty, an 18-year-old college student who founded Quit Clicking Kids, an advocacy organization focused on protecting minors being monetized online, and who was the force behind the bill in Washington, noted that "this issue is not going away."
"Once these kids start growing up, the true extent of the damage inflicted by monetized family channels will be realized," McCarty said at a hearing for the Washington bill in February.
TikToker Bobbi Althoff is the mother of two little girls she lovingly refers to as "Richard" and "Concrete" to her 3.7 million followers. Althoff used to share her older daughter's face and real name online, but stopped after people made rude comments about her.
"I kept thinking about my daughter growing up to read these things, and it really upset me because I hate reading things like that about myself," she said.
When she shared her decision on Instagram, she lost thousands of followers and received backlash.
"A lot of people were supportive, but there were definitely a lot of people that were very strange about it," Althoff said, describing how some viewers seemed to feel like "they had a relationship with my daughter... and wanted to keep seeing her grow."
Although TikTok-famous tots are not quite old enough to reflect on their experiences, child reality TV stars of the last decade can offer comparable insight on how it feels to be on the other side of the camera.
Ohio-based Jason Welage enjoyed his time as a preteen on TruTV's 2015 reality show Kart Life, which followed families in the world of go-kart racing. Now 20, Welage says some of the less pleasant aspects have followed him into adulthood.
"When you Google the show, the first clip that comes up on YouTube is me coming off the track and crying," he said. "I still hear about it to this day."
His parents funneled the $10,000 he earned on the show back into his racing, which can cost families up to $150,000 a year, according to his mother, Meghan, who, like her son, supports the child influencer legislation in Illinois and hopes similar laws will be implemented in other states or even federally.
For children appearing on social media or TV, "it's definitely work for them," she said. Her son "wanted to go play, but instead he had to go sit on a stool in our motorhome and do interviews."
"There should be something to compensate the child for what they are going through or what they have to do," she said. | 2023-05-14T14:58:53+00:00 | wrtv.com | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/child-social-media-stars-have-few-protections-illinois-aims-to-fix-that |
San Jose St. postpones game following death of running back
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — San Jose State has postponed its football game this weekend after a freshman running back was killed when he was hit by a school bus while riding a scooter near campus. Athletic director Jeff Konya said Saturday’s game against New Mexico State will be played later this season after the Spartans mourn the death of Camdan McWright. The California Highway Patrol says the San Jose Unified School District bus had the green light when the 18-year-old McWright entered the crosswalk directly in the vehicle’s path. McWright died at the scene. | 2022-10-22T01:51:53+00:00 | localnews8.com | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/10/21/san-jose-st-postpones-game-following-death-of-running-back/ |
China's global building spree – the Belt and Road Initiative – allows Beijing to build infrastructure across the world and exert its political influence. But things don't always go well on the ground.
Copyright 2023 NPR
China's global building spree – the Belt and Road Initiative – allows Beijing to build infrastructure across the world and exert its political influence. But things don't always go well on the ground.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-07-25T13:22:03+00:00 | nepm.org | https://www.nepm.org/national-world-news/national-world-news/2023-07-25/debt-and-lawsuits-are-piling-up-around-chinas-railway-project-in-malaysia |
FREMONT, Calif., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amprius Technologies, Inc. ("Amprius"), the leader in lithium-ion batteries with its Si Nanowire Anode Platform, today announced that management will be presenting at the following investor conferences in the third quarter 2022.
Oppenheimer Technology, Internet & Communications Conference
Presenting virtually on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 9:25 a.m. Pacific time
Baird Newly Public Company Virtual Access Day
Presenting virtually on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time
Cowen Annual Global Transportation & Sustainable Mobility Conference
Presenting virtually on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 12:40 p.m. Pacific time
To schedule a one-on-one meeting, request a conference invitation or receive additional information, please contact your conference representative or Amprius' investor relations team at (949) 574-3860 or IR@amprius.com.
Amprius announced earlier this year that it would become a public company via a merger with special purpose acquisition company Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. IV ("Kensington") (NYSE: KCAC.U). The proposed transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022.
About Amprius Technologies, Inc.
Amprius Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries producing the industry's highest energy density cells. The company's corporate headquarters is in Fremont, California where it maintains an R&D lab and a pilot manufacturing facility for the fabrication of silicon nanowire anodes and cells.
For additional information, please visit amprius.com.
About Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. IV
Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. IV (NYSE: KCAC.U) is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, stock purchase or similar business combination with a business in the automotive and automotive-related sector. Kensington's management team of Justin Mirro, Dieter Zetsche, Bob Remenar, Simon Boag and Dan Huber is supported by a board of independent directors including Tom LaSorda, Nicole Nason, Anders Pettersson, Mitch Quain, Don Runkle, and Matt Simoncini.
Kensington's units, subunits and warrants are currently trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "KCAC.U," "KCA.U," and "KCAC.WS," respectively. Each "KCAC.U" unit contains one subunit and 1 warrant. Each "KCA.U" subunit contains one share of Kensington common stock and 1 warrant. A holder of the subunit will only be able to retain the 1 warrant underlying the subunit if the holder elects not to redeem the subunit in connection with the Business Combination. The subunits will not separate into shares of common stock and warrants until the consummation of the Business Combination.
For additional information, please visit autospac.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, each as amended, including Kensington's or Amprius' or their management teams' expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed business combination between Amprius and Kensington (the "Proposed Business Combination") and the expansion of Amprius' manufacturing capabilities. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Amprius' and Kensington's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied upon by any investors as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Amprius and Kensington. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the Proposed Business Combination, including the risk that any regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Proposed Business Combination or that the approval of the equity holders of Amprius or Kensington is not obtained; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination; risks related to the rollout of Amprius' business and the timing of expected business milestones; the effects of competition on Amprius' business; supply shortages in the materials necessary for the production of Amprius' products; the termination of government clean energy and electric vehicle incentives or the reduction in government spending on vehicles powered by battery technology; delays in construction and operation of production facilities; the amount of redemption requests made by Kensington's public equity holders; and the ability of Kensington or the combined company to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the Proposed Business Combination or in the future. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in Kensington's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Kensington's final prospectus for its initial public offering filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022 and the Registration Statement (as defined below) filed in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither Amprius or Kensington presently know or that Amprius and Kensington currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Amprius' and Kensington's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Amprius and Kensington anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause Amprius' and Kensington's assessments to change. However, while Amprius and Kensington may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Amprius and Kensington specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Amprius' or Kensington's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Neither Amprius, Kensington, nor any of their respective affiliates have any obligation to update this press release other than as required by law.
Important Information and Where to Find It
This communication is being made in respect of the proposed transaction involving Kensington and Amprius. A full description of the terms of the transaction is provided in the registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-265740) (as amended, the "Registration Statement"), filed with the SEC by Kensington. The Registration Statement includes a prospectus with respect to the combined company's securities to be issued in connection with the Proposed Business Combination and a preliminary proxy statement with respect to the shareholder meeting of Kensington to vote on the Proposed Business Combination. Kensington also plans to file other documents and relevant materials with the SEC regarding the Proposed Business Combination. After the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be mailed to the shareholders of Kensington as of the record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination. SECURITY HOLDERS OF AMPRIUS AND KENSINGTON ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS AND RELEVANT MATERIALS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THER ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION. Shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about Amprius and Kensington once such documents are filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.
Participants in the Solicitation
Kensington and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Kensington in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. Amprius and its officers and directors may also be deemed participants in such solicitation. Security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of Kensington's executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Kensington's final prospectus filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, which will become available after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination when they become available. Information concerning the interests of Kensington's participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different from those of Kensington's shareholders generally, is set forth in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus included in the Registration Statement.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Kensington, Amprius or the combined company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act.
Contacts:
Investors
Cody Slach and Sophie Pearson
Gateway
949-574-3860
IR@amprius.com
Media
Renée Maler
Philosophy PR
510-499-9746
renee@philosophypr.com
For Kensington
Dan Huber
Chief Financial Officer
dan@kensington-cap.com
703-674-6514
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SOURCE Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. IV | 2022-08-02T21:06:55+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/amprius-technologies-sets-its-third-quarter-2022-investor-conference-schedule/ |
Baby strollers recalled due to potential injury to children's fingers
(Gray News) – A brand that makes baby gear is recalling one of its strollers due to potential injury from the stroller’s disc brakes.
UPPAbaby is recalling the All-Terrain Ridge Jogging Strollers because of the possibility for a child to injure their fingers by putting them in the openings in the disc brakes while the stroller is in use.
The strollers were sold at BuyBuyBaby, NordStrom, Neiman Marcus, Pottery Barn Kids and other specialty and children’s stores nationwide. They were also sold online at Amazon.com for about $600 from October 2021 through August 2022.
The strollers have an extended canopy with a mesh window and zipper pocket, a disc handbrake system, and an adjustable handlebar with a wrist strap. The brand UPPAbaby is on the front of the stroller, with RIDGE written on the side of the stroller’s frame.
They also have a black frame and a fabric color scheme that is white, charcoal, or slate blue, and have black tires.
The serial number of the strollers appear on the right side of the frame above the rear wheel and begin with “1401RDGUS.” The model number is printed on the left side of the stroller frame above the rear wheel and reads “1401-RDG-US.”
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says there has been one report of a child injuring a finger, resulting in the amputation of the child’s fingertip. The child was also outside of the stroller when the injury occurred.
If you own one of the strollers, you are urged to stop using the stroller immediately and contact UPPAbaby for the free replacement of the brake discs for both wheels.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-04T23:20:54+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/2022/09/04/baby-strollers-recalled-due-potential-injury-childrens-fingers/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hall of Fame football player Shannon Sharpe had a heated courtside conversation with Memphis Grizzlies players Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks and Morant's father at the end of the first half Friday night in a nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Fox Sports personality exchanged words with Brooks throughout the first half and then yelled at Morant on the final possession of the second quarter. After the halftime buzzer sounded, Brooks yelled at Sharpe and Sharpe motioned toward Brooks.
Morant walked toward Sharpe at his courtside seat before center Steven Adams stepped in front of him.
Tee Morant, Ja Morant's father, also got involved in the conversation before security at Crypto.com arena separated everyone.
Sharpe, 54, yelled “I bet you won’t!” at Tee Morant as security guards tried to break things up.
Sharpe and Tee Morant talked to security in the tunnels at the arena before returning to their seats when the second half started. They hugged at the end of the third quarter.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Credit: Ashley Landis
Credit: Ashley Landis | 2023-01-21T05:17:06+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/nation-world/shannon-sharpe-gets-in-heated-argument-with-morant-at-half/7S5NA4EMNZBLVBUUMY7BD3JGLY/ |
Request unsuccessful. Incapsula incident ID: 262000940157704317-451924267152840581 | 2023-02-03T18:46:47+00:00 | bizjournals.com | https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2023/02/03/asu-developments-enhance-valley-communities.html |
BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi court Sunday postponed the trial of two European tourists charged with antiquities smuggling after their lawyers argued more information was needed about the ancient shards found in their possession.
The defense team for German national Volker Waldman filed a motion in court saying there was insufficient information about the value of the pieces Iraqi officials found on him. He was charged alongside Jim Fitton, 66, a retired British geologist.
Baghdad's felony court postponed the case until June 6.
Furat Kubba, defense lawyer for Waldman, said he launched the motion partly to seek more information about the historical significance of the pieces found in his client's possession.
A government technical team concluded the items — 10 pieces found in Fitton's possession and two in Waldman's — could be classified as archaeological pieces because they dated back more than 200 years. The shards, some as small as a fingernail, were collected at Eridu, an ancient Mesopotamian city in southern Iraq.
Waldman's defense team has said the German tourist had been carrying the pieces for Fitton but that he did not pick them up from the site. Both men are charged with smuggling based on the country's antiquities laws, and could potentially face the death penalty. However, officials have said that was only a remote possibility.
Kubba said they would seek to have Waldman and Fitton tried separately. Both men said they were unaware of the Iraqi antiquities smuggling law or that there would be penalties for picking up or attempting to leave the country with the items.
Fitton and Waldman were arrested on March 20 at Baghdad International Airport when airport security discovered the items in their luggage. They had been part of a tourism expedition across the country's ancient sites. Their case has received international attention at a time when Iraq hopes to boost its nascent tourism sector.
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban
Credit: Hadi Mizban | 2022-05-22T12:39:15+00:00 | springfieldnewssun.com | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/iraqi-court-postpones-smuggling-case-against-briton-german/EJ6F4S3OX5DBXL2BJ75NSKEPZQ/ |
KTTC and Christmas Anonymous to hold Drive-by Toy Drive
Published: Nov. 29, 2022 at 10:16 AM CST|Updated: 1 hour ago
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The KTTC and Christmas Anonymous Drive-by Toy Drive will take place Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Volunteers from the station and local nonprofit Christmas Anonymous will help fill a huge truck full of toys for Christmas.
Toys can be dropped off at the KTTC station located at 6301 Bandel Road NW in Rochester.
Christmas Anonymous has been in existence for over 50 years and is 100% supported by donations from the community.
Learn more about Christmas Anonymous here.
Copyright 2022 KTTC. All rights reserved. | 2022-11-29T17:19:01+00:00 | kttc.com | https://www.kttc.com/2022/11/29/kttc-christmas-anonymous-hold-drive-by-toy-drive/ |
Decades ago, during my service as a law clerk at the U.S. Supreme Court, a friend who was also a reporter called me at my desk, rushed through a question about a rumor flying around the city, and then added breathlessly, “Of course I’ll protect you as my source.”
I do not, as a rule, like leakers. Leakers are liars.
Among such lying leakers I include whoever provided Politico with what is apparently a draft of a majority opinion by Justice Samuel Alito overturning the court’s almost half-century old precedent in Roe v. Wade. Whatever our views of Roe, or of the sphere of choice generally, none of us should be celebrating the leak.
Don’t get me wrong. A lie in a good cause can be excused, but a culture of leaking (as Washington has become) is no better than a culture of lying.
Why are leaks so bad?
Let’s consider how a leak occurs. The leaker, to have something to leak, must have a job in which secrets are entrusted to employees. Thus, whether or not the leaker has actually signed an NDA, the leaker is in a relationship of mutual trust and confidence with both supervisors and fellow employees.
The leaker surely assumes that the costs of the leak, whatever they are, will be outweighed by the benefits. But as the legal scholar Mark Fenster points out in his book “The Transparency Fix,” even years later, the balance can be difficult to judge.
What makes the leaker a liar is that the leaker intends to bear none of the costs. They might fall on the institution the leaker works for, they might fall on the person the leak implicates, but the leaker expects to remain trusted.
Thus the leaker is engaging in a classic lie of omission, concealing the leaker’s own conduct. The leaker is also committing a lie of commission, presenting a false front to coworkers. A leaking law clerk or other staffer in effect wants to continue to enjoy both the prestige of the post and the trust of the justices and of other court employees. The only way to gain this end is to continue presenting in the workplace the image of one who would never dream of leaking.
Is there news so vital to the nation that not leaking would count as irresponsible? Of course. Witnessing a justice take a bribe, for example. The draft of a possibly forthcoming opinion just doesn’t measure up.
Let’s imagine two scenarios.
First, the law clerk leaks the draft because the clerk is a careless braggart, whose already sky-high senses of self-importance and self-importance are puffed even further by the ability to share an inside truth. In this case, the law clerk is a person who should not be trusted with a single confidence.
Second, and more charitably, the law clerk is a person of great discretion who ordinarily keeps every confidence, but who is so upset by the knowledge of what is about to occur that the leak seems like the only way to try to stop it. In this case, the law clerk centrally misunderstands why there’s a Supreme Court at all. If we believe that the justices ought to be swayed not by each other’s arguments but by an angry public, much of the work the left so admires might never have happened.
I include in this judicial work Roe v. Wade itself. Many historians see the abortion decision as the straw that broke the back of a dissenting Christian right that had previously preached a strong separation of church and state – including the many congregations that believed one shouldn’t vote – and led to the election of Ronald Reagan. Had the opinion been leaked in advance, the public firestorm that followed would instead have arisen before the decision was announced. Yet had such a firestorm changed a single vote, all who believe in the Supreme Court’s work would surely have been mortified.
The Politico leak is far from the first ever to trickle down from Mount Justuvius. The best remembered occurred in 2012, three days after the court upheld most of the Affordable Care Act, when CBS News reported that the Chief Justice had switched sides. Less recalled is 1919, when a law clerk to a senior justice leaked the result of a pending railroad case to a group of friends, who traded ahead of the news and made a tidy little profit. (They were indicted.)
So, no, I don’t think the sky is going to fall. I’m quite sure, however, that none of the clerks it was my privilege to know so long ago at the Supreme Court would have dreamed of committing such an offense. To do so would have been contemptible. Breaking our implied promise to keep the justices’ confidences would damage the trust necessary to the operation of the institution we served.
More from Bloomberg Opinion:
• A Defining Moment for the Roberts Court: Michael R. Bloomberg
• Abortion Case Leak Shows the Supreme Court Is Broken: Noah Feldman
• Paid Maternity Leave Saves Lives: Joia Crear-Perry
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.
Stephen L. Carter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of law at Yale University and was a clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. His novels include “The Emperor of Ocean Park,” and his latest nonfiction book is “Invisible: The Forgotten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down America’s Most Powerful Mobster.”
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
©2022 Bloomberg L.P. | 2022-05-03T12:18:58+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-supreme-court-leaker-should-come-forward/2022/05/03/7c6ec2ce-cad4-11ec-b7ee-74f09d827ca6_story.html |
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s long-running power struggle between rival Shiite camps devolved into bloody street violence this week – the culmination of months of simmering tensions and a political vacuum.
For 24 hours, loyalists of powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr transformed the country’s government Green Zone into a front line, trading fire with security forces and rival militias, and bringing the capital to a standstill. Just as quickly, with a single word — “withdraw” — from the cleric in a speech Tuesday, the fighting came to a stop.
His supporters put down their weapons and left.
It was a powerful message to al-Sadr’s Iran-backed rivals and the political elite of the cleric’s enduring power over his hundreds of thousands of followers and an equally dangerous example of the damage they are capable of doing to the embattled country.
Following his calls for withdrawal, Iraqi leaders, including the caretaker premier, expressed their thanks to al-Sadr and praised his restraint.
Al-Sadr has long derived his political influence from his ability to to both command his mass following to destabilize the street, and just as quickly bring them into line. His announcement Monday that he would exit politics showed Iraqis what could happen when that voice of restraint is taken away: chaos, devastation and death.
The protests and heavy clashes that have so far left 30 killed and over 400 wounded may have come to a close, but the political impasse that brought on this chapter of unrest is far from over.
So, what does al-Sadr want and is there an end to Iraq’s crisis?
WHO IS MUQTADA AL-SADR?
Al-Sadr is a populist cleric who emerged as a symbol of resistance against the U.S. occupation of Iraq after the 2003 invasion. He formed a militia, the Mahdi Army, that eventually disbanded and renamed it Saraya Salam — the Peace Brigades.
He has presented himself as an opponent of both the U.S. and Iran and has fashioned himself a nationalist with an anti-reform agenda. In reality, he is an establishment figure with deep influence in Iraq’s state institutions through the appointments of key civil servants.
Al-Sadr derives much of his appeal through his family legacy. He is the son of Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr, who was assassinated in 1999 for his critical stance against Saddam Hussein. Many of his followers say they are devoted to him because they were once devotees of his father.
Al-Sadr eventually entered politics and garnered a reputation for being unpredictable and theatrical by frequently calling on his followers to gain political leverage over his rivals. His powerful rhetoric infused with religion and calls for revolution resonated deeply with his disenfranchised following.
Through these strategies he has become a powerful player with a fiercely devoted grassroots following concentrated in Iraq’s most impoverished quarters. Most of his loyalists who stormed the Green Zone were unemployed and blamed the Iraqi political elite.
In 2021, al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October parliamentary elections but not enough to secure a majority in government. His refusal to negotiate with his Iran-backed Shiite rivals on forming a government plunged Iraq into an unprecedented political vacuum now in its tenth month.
WHAT DO AL-SADR’S FOLLOWERS WANT?
The political crisis escalated in July when al-Sadr’s supporters broke into parliament to deter his rivals in the Coordination Framework, an alliance of mostly Iran-backed Shiite parties, from forming a government.
Hundreds staged an ongoing sit-in outside the building for over four weeks. Frustrated when he was not able to corral enough lawmakers to form a government that excluded his rivals, al-Sadr also ordered his bloc to resign their parliamentary seats and called for early elections and the dissolution of parliament.
That call was embraced and reiterated by his following, many of whom have long felt marginalized by the ruling elite.
In Sadr City, the Baghdad suburb where al-Sadr’s followers are highly concentrated, most complain of inadequate basic services, including electricity in the scorching summer heat. The majority have roots in the rural communities of southern Iraq and have little education. Most face enormous challenges finding work.
Most of those who stormed parliament in July and the government palace on Monday were young men for whom it was their first glimpse inside Iraq’s halls of power, where they seldom feel welcome.
Angered by deep class divides and a history of dispossession, al-Sadr’s followers say they believe the cleric will revolutionize a political system they believe has forgotten about them. But in reality, in Iraq’s power-sharing political system, al-Sadr holds significant power and sway.
WHY ARE THE CLASHES SO DANGEROUS?
Monday’s clashes brought Iraq on the precipice of street warfare and was the product of months of political tensions and power struggles between al-Sadr and the Iran-backed Shiite camp over the formation of the next government.
Al-Sadr’s rivals in the Coordination Framework have shown signs they would not be against early elections but both camps disagree over the mechanism. The judiciary has rejected al-Sadr’s call to dissolve parliament as unconstitutional.
With the roots of the political impasse still unresolved, conflict can flare up again. The greatest threat to Iraq’s stability is protracted armed fighting between the paramilitary forces of the rival Shiite camps.
This occurred outside of the capital as the clashes wore on in the Green Zone on Monday night. Militiamen loyal to al-Sadr stormed the headquarters of Iran-backed militia groups in the southern provinces, a move that could have escalated into tit-for-tat attacks as has happened in the past.
It’s a scenario that neighboring Iran, which wields much influence in Iraq, dreaded most. Iranian officials, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali-Khamenei, have repeatedly called for Shiite unity and attempted to broker dialogue with al-Sadr. But the cleric has refused, firm in his resolve to form a government without Iran-backed groups.
Members of Iraq’s majority Shiite Muslim population were oppressed when Saddam Hussein ruled the country for decades. The 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam, a Sunni, reversed the political order. Just under two-thirds of Iraq is Shiite, with a third Sunni.
Now, the Shiites are fighting among themselves, with those backed by Iran and those who consider themselves Iraqi nationalists jockeying for power, influence and state resources. | 2022-08-30T18:47:37+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-explainer-what-spurred-the-bloody-armed-clashes-in-baghdad/ |
DENVER (KDVR) — If you’re upset about housing costs, you can chalk half of it up to remote workers, according to one study.
Directly or indirectly, COVID pandemic policies ushered in the worst U.S. inflation in 40 years, particularly regarding housing.
Housing costs have never been higher or more burdensome for both renters and owners. Over 40% of renter households in the U.S. are paying more than the recommended 30% of their net income for housing making them officially fit the description of “cost-burdened.”
Meanwhile, homeownership costs have grown to their highest-ever levels. The median sales price for a home in the U.S. was $467,700 in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. This is not only the highest homes have ever cost, but buyers are now paying up to thousands more in interest than they would have prior to 2021 thanks to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s tightening interest rates.
Researchers at the National Bureau of Economic Research compared national rent and ownership trends to isolate what caused already-rising housing prices to spike since late 2019. The report, authored in May 2022, is decisive about the cause.
“We show that the shift to remote work explains over one-half of the 23.8% national house price increase over this period,” the report reads. “Using variation in remote work exposure across U.S. metropolitan areas, we estimate that an additional percentage point of remote work causes a 0.93% increase in house prices after controlling for negative spillovers from migration.”
The national number of remote workers – who are twice as likely to earn more than the median income – tripled from 2019 to 2021, according to the U.S. Census. In short, they need more space and have the bankroll to pay for it, raising prices across the nation in the process of shuffling to less dense areas in the last three years.
This housing inflation affected both mortgages and rents, the report said. It concludes that other factors such as low-interest rates or high savings played as important of a role in the recent homebuying frenzy as recently believed. It also said remote work will likely plot the future of the nation’s housing.
“If remote work reverses, then there may be a general reversal in housing demand and potentially house prices. If remote work persists, we may expect important repercussions as increased housing costs feed into inflation and so affect the response of monetary policy,” the report said. | 2023-03-20T22:38:55+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/national/yes-it-is-remote-workers-who-spiked-housing-rent-costs-study/ |
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students are reacting to the supreme court’s decision to reject the Biden administration’s student relief plan.
The move denies relief to roughly 40 million Americans who could’ve had up to 20-thousand dollars in debt erased.
Ana Galindo, a student at the university believes the help could have helped.
“I work, and am trying to pay school, working trying to pay for school, having to get loans and stuff it just makes it a lot harder, and it would’ve been very helpful if we got that forgiveness,” Galindo said.
Alexis Gallegos is another student struggling to continue pursuing her degree.
“All of that could have really benefitted me, especially right now because I am really struggling financially”, Gallegos said.
Alexis says she has a single father who is supporting her family through these difficult times. | 2023-07-01T03:47:42+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/student-loan-block-affects-utrgv-students/ |
EAST HANOVER, N.J., Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FGI Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: FGI) ("FGI" or the "Company"), a leading global supplier of kitchen and bath products, today announced results for the second quarter of 2022.
SECOND QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
(As compared to the Second Quarter of 2021)
- Total Revenues of $47.8 million, +12.5% y/y
- Operating Income of $1.7 million, (47.9%) y/y
- Net Income of $1.2 million, (53.3%) y/y
- Adjusted Operating Income of $1.8 million, (47.2%) y/y
- Adjusted Net Income of $1.2 million, (52.6%) y/y
- Reaffirmed full-year 2022 financial guidance
Total revenue increased by 13% on a year-over-year basis in the second quarter of 2022, driven primarily by continued strength in the Sanitaryware and Other categories (including shower systems and custom kitchen cabinetry), while partially offset by a decline in Bath Furniture. Second quarter revenue trends remained strong in Canada, while the United States and Europe increased modestly.
The Company reported operating income of $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2022, a decline of $1.6 million versus the prior-year period, primarily driven by supply chain disruptions, investments in organic growth initiatives, and incremental public company costs, partially offset by strong revenue growth. Excluding non-recurring IPO-related compensation expense of $0.02 million, adjusted operating income was $1.8 million during the second quarter of 2022, as compared to $3.3 million for the prior-year period.
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company reported GAAP net income of $1.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, versus net income of $2.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021. Excluding non-recurring items and the related tax impact, the Company reported second quarter 2022 adjusted net income of $1.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share.
MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY
"Demand trends remained strong across our key product categories during the second quarter, with total revenue increasing by 13% on a year-over-year basis, driven by strong demand in both the wholesale and retail channels for sanitaryware and continued growth in our newer product categories," stated David Bruce, President and Chief Executive Officer of FGI. "As we had expected coming into the year, we have seen some moderation in the broader R&R market growth owing to the ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, with our Bath Furniture segment seeing the biggest impact within our product portfolio; however, overall demand for our products has remained more resilient. We remain encouraged by the organic growth outlook for our business as we enter the second half of the year, as our portfolio of innovative, high-quality products continues to be received favorably by consumers. We continue to see the strong order momentum from the first half continuing into second half of 2022."
"I am extremely pleased by our solid execution in the quarter, as we made additional progress on our margin recovery initiatives, with pricing actions and other measures to offset the supply chain challenges driving roughly 200 basis points of sequential improvement in operating margin during the second quarter," continued Bruce. "A less favorable business mix masked some of the progress we made during the quarter, but we continue to successfully implement strategic pricing actions that will benefit second half results and as a result we expect to see additional sequential margin improvement in the back half of the year."
"The supply chain headwinds have resulted in a period of elevated working capital usage in recent quarters, but these issues are beginning to normalize, and we expect strong cash flow conversion in the back half of the year as balance sheet metrics return to historical levels," stated Perry Lin, Chief Financial Officer of FGI. "We exited the second quarter of 2022 in a strong financial position with cash of $3.1 million and we have ample liquidity with which to support our organic growth initiatives and any potential strategic M&A."
"We were able to post another quarter of solid financial performance despite the challenging business environment, which is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our highly motivated team members across the organization," continued Bruce. "We continue to pursue a number of programs that have the potential to drive strong incremental organic growth over the long-term, including investments in manufacturing capacity to support potentially meaningful growth in our Covered Bridge custom kitchen cabinetry brand in the coming quarters and years. We are excited by the strong growth potential for FGI and remain encouraged by our ability to drive improving profitability despite the ongoing supply chain challenges. Based on these factors, we remain confident in our financial outlook for the year and are reiterating our full-year 2022 financial guidance."
STRATEGIC UPDATE
Consistent with its long-term strategic plan, FGI intends to drive value creation for its shareholders through a focus on product innovation, execution of its Brands, Products and Channels ("BPC") strategy to drive organic growth, margin expansion, and efficient capital deployment. Notable progress against these initiatives achieved during the second quarter were as follows:
- FGI has expanded its relationship with Hajoca Corporation, the nation's largest privately held wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, and industrial supplies in the United States. Hajoca is now offering almost the entire portfolio of FGI's products to its customers
- FGI continues to grow its custom kitchen cabinetry business, generating strong growth in its dealer network which totaled 119 at June 30, 2022, up from 71 at the start of the year. FGI is also in active discussions with large national customers for even greater growth potential in the years ahead. As a result, the Company is investing in manufacturing capacity to support the growth trajectory of its custom kitchen cabinetry business.
- FGI generated roughly 200 basis points of sequential operating margin improvement during the second quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2022 owing to price increases and other efficiency measures. Based on continued strategic price actions and declining freight costs, FGI expects to generate continued margin improvement in the back half of 2022.
- FGI continues to focus its capital deployment efforts on organic growth strategies in the near-term (as illustrated by its investment in manufacturing capacity for its custom kitchen cabinetry business) and continues to focus on attractive organic growth initiatives that could contribute significant growth in the coming years. In addition, the Company is actively screening potential M&A opportunities to supplement its organic growth strategy.
SECOND QUARTER 2022 RESULTS
Revenue totaled $47.8 million during the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 12.5% compared to the prior-year period, driven by strong volume growth and continued pricing gains, partially offset by negative product mix. Revenue benefitted from volume and pricing growth in Sanitaryware, as well as contribution from new products such as shower wall systems and kitchen cabinetry. However, supply chain challenges continue to result in order delays that negatively impacted Bath Furniture revenues, causing revenue to decline in the quarter.
- Sanitaryware revenue was $32.2 million during the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 55.5% compared to the prior-year period, primarily driven by continued volume strength in the pro channel as well as solid demand in the retail channel. Order momentum for the Sanitaryware business remains on track with no indications of a slowdown visible at this point.
- Bath Furniture revenue was $7.7 million during the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 52% compared to the prior-year period. The Company continued to experience order delays due to supply chain issues and elevated levels of channel inventory. This is largely a timing issue, as end consumer demand has moderated slightly but remains solid. The Company expects these issues to begin normalizing in the second half of 2022 as orders are expected to be placed and shipped in the coming quarters.
- Other revenue was $7.9 million during the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 35.5% compared to the prior-year period, primarily driven by volume growth resulting from continued strength in sales of the Jetcoat Shower wall systems, shower doors, and Covered Bridge custom-kitchen cabinetry.
Gross profit was $8.4 million during the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 8.4% compared to the prior-year period, as strong revenue growth was offset by ongoing supply chain disruptions. As a result of these factors, gross profit margin was 17.6% during the second quarter of 2022, down from 21.6% in the prior-year period. The reduction in the Company's gross margin percentage is primarily attributable to the impact of higher ocean freight charges associated with recent global supply chain issues and a less favorable product mix given the revenue decline in Bath Furniture. The Company will benefit from additional price increases that have recently been implemented, declines in ocean freight costs, and an expected rebound in the Bath Furniture segment, which should drive continued sequential gross margin improvement in the second half of 2022.
Operating income was $1.7 million during the second quarter of 2022, down from $3.3 million in the prior-year period. The decrease in operating income was primarily driven by gross margin pressure, investments in organic growth initiatives, and public company costs, partially offset by solid revenue growth. As a result, operating margin was 3.6% during the second quarter, down from 7.8% in the same period last year. Excluding non-recurring IPO-related compensation expense of $0.02 million, adjusted income from operations was $1.8 million during the second quarter of 2022, compared to adjusted income from operations of $3.3 million in the prior-year period.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $3.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, total debt of $14.7 million and $3.3 million of availability under its credit facility, net of letters of credit. Combined with cash and cash equivalents, total liquidity was $6.4 million at June 30, 2022.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
The outlook for FGI's business and the long-term trends in the repair and remodel markets remains strong. The Company reiterates its fiscal 2022 guidance as follows:
- Total Revenue of between $182 million and $189 million
- Total Operating Income of between $6.5 million and $7.5 million
- Total Net Income of $5.0 million to $6.0 million
SECOND QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL
FGI will conduct a conference call on Thursday, August 11 at 8:00 am Eastern Time to discuss the quarterly results.
A webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's corporate website at https://investor.fgi-industries.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register and download and install any necessary audio software.
To participate in the live teleconference:
To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through August 25, 2022:
ABOUT FGI INDUSTRIES
FGI Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: FGI) is a leading global supplier of kitchen and bath products. For over 30 years, we have built an industry-wide reputation for product innovation, quality, and excellent customer service. We are currently focused on the following product categories: sanitaryware (primarily toilets, sinks, pedestals and toilet seats), bath furniture (vanities, mirrors and cabinets), shower systems, customer kitchen cabinetry and other accessory items. These products are sold primarily for repair and remodel activity and, to a lesser extent, new home or commercial construction. We sell our products through numerous partners, including mass retail centers, wholesale and commercial distributors, online retailers and specialty stores.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "could," "may," "intend," "plan", "see" and "believe," among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding FGI's guidance, the Company's growth strategies, outlook and potential acquisition activity, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated impact on the national and global economy, the effect of supply chain disruptions and freight costs. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial, economic and other information, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual future results or events to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this release. For a full description of the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, please refer to FGI's periodic filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission including those described as "Risk Factors" in FGI's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed thereafter. FGI does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In addition to the measures presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we use the following non-GAAP measures to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business and assist us in making strategic decisions. Our non-GAAP measures are: Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP. They are supplemental financial measures of our performance only, and should not be considered substitutes for net income, income from operations or any other measure derived in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other entities.
We define Adjusted Income from Operations as GAAP income from operations excluding the impact of certain non-recurring expenses, including IPO-related compensation and stock-based compensation expense and expenses related to COVID-19 protocols. We define Adjusted Net Income as GAAP net income excluding the tax-effected impact of certain non-recurring expenses and income, such as IPO-related compensation and stock-based compensation expense, expenses related to COVID-19 protocols and the impact of our PPP loan. We define Adjusted Net Income Per Share as GAAP net income per share excluding one-time expenses and income, including IPO-related compensation and stock-based compensation expense, expenses related to COVID-19 protocols and the impact of our PPP loan.
We use these non-GAAP measures, along with U.S. GAAP measures, to evaluate our business, measure our financial performance and profitability and our ability to manage expenses, after adjusting for certain one-time expenses, identify trends affecting our business and assist us in making strategic decisions. We believe these non-GAAP measures, when reviewed in conjunction with U.S. GAAP financial measures, and not in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results of operations under U.S. GAAP, are useful to investors as they are widely used measures of performance, and the adjustments we make to these non-GAAP measures provide investors further insight into our profitability and additional perspectives in comparing our performance over time on a consistent basis.
The following table reconciles Income from Operations to Adjusted Income from Operations, as well as net income to Adjusted Net Income and net income per share to Adjusted Net Income Per Share for the periods presented.
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SOURCE FGI Industries Ltd. | 2022-08-10T20:54:47+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/fgi-industries-announces-second-quarter-2022-results/ |
PHOENIX – Legislation to restrict the ability of individuals to videotape police is all but officially dead.
Attorney General Kris Mayes this week filed paperwork in federal court here agreeing with challengers that the law is unconstitutional. And Republican legislative leaders who were involved in getting the statute passed in 2022 have refused to defend it.
All that remains is for U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi to sign the order permanently enjoining the state from enforcing it.
That order will come as no surprise.
Sen. John Kavanagh, who sponsored the law, acknowledged that even Mark Brnovich, Mayes’ Republican predecessor, did not show up in court last year when media outlets and the American Civil Liberties Union successfully asked Tuchi to issue a preliminary injunction. And the Fountain Hills senator acknowledged to Capitol Media Services that his efforts to have someone – anyone – defend the law have come up short.
“They just shipped a half-rotting corpse to Mayes,’’ he said of what is left of his 2022 legislation.
Still, the former police officer said he believes there is some merit in what he wants enacted. And he had hoped a full-blown trial would provide some guidance into what limits a federal judge believes are acceptable in curtailing the activities of others around active police situations.
Now, that won’t happen.
More to the point, the settlement language agreed to by the Attorney General’s Office pretty much shuts the door on any future efforts to limit taking videos of police activity.
Kavanagh has been trying since at least 2016 to enact some restrictions.
His original measure would have barred shooting video within 20 feet of any “law enforcement activity’’ unless the officer first gave permission. That didn’t fly even though Kavanagh said none of that would have affected anyone outside that limit.
The 2022 version that was approved cut the restricted zone down to just 8 feet.
Kavanagh insisted he wasn’t trying to shield police activity from public scrutiny. But he said there have to be limits.
“I have a hard time believing that there’s a total right of people, when cops are in the middle of dealing with a suicidal person or a criminal who’s going to resist arrest, that people have a right to stand one foot behind the cop, videotaping or not,’’ he said. “That’s insane.’’
And that, said Kavanagh, is just part of the problem.
“It’s not safe for the person standing there,’’ he said. “And it’s certainly not safe for the cop who doesn’t know who this person is.’’
But challengers said there are several problems with all that.
One of the biggest is that the legislation affected only situations where someone was using a cellphone or video camera to record events. That bothered Tuchi when he enjoined enforcement in September.
“HB 2319 prohibits only video recording and does not address audio recordings or photographs taken from the same distance or device,’’ the judge pointed out. “Nor does it address persons who may be using their mobile phones for other purposes, such as texting.’’
What that shows, Tuchi said, is that “the law’s purpose is not to prevent interference with law enforcement, but to prevent recording.’’
The settlement filed in federal court this week – the one awaiting Tuchi’s signature – goes even farther in pointing up the legal problems with pretty much anything Kavanagh could now craft to limit the activities of those with cameras and cell phones.
It starts by acknowledging that there is a “clearly established right to record law enforcement officer engaged in the exercise of their official duties.’’ Then there’s the fact it is “content-based restriction,’’ governing only the taping of activities of police but no one else.
And Mayes, in agreeing to the permanent injunction, said the law also fails to meet constitutional requirements because it is neither narrowly tailored nor necessary to prevent interference with police officers given other existing Arizona laws.
Kavanagh took particular issue with that finding, saying that laws prohibiting obstruction of police officers generally have been interpreted to apply only when someone is physically precluding an officer from doing his or her duty.
But given the unwillingness of Republican legislative leaders to defend the law and Kavanagh’s inability to find someone else to intercede, his objections are legally irrelevant to settling the case.
The issue of ordinary people making video recordings has been at the forefront of public reaction to several high-profile interactions where the people being arrested ended up dead.
There was the 2014 incident where police in New York City were attempting to arrest Eric Garner for illegally selling loose cigarettes. That incident, captured on video, shows an officer grabbing the 350-pound man from behind, putting him in a choke hold, pull him to the ground and roll him onto his stomach.
He can be heard saying, “I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!’’ repeatedly. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
More recently was the 2020 death of George Floyd, arrested by Minneapolis police on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill. The four officers involved were fired the following day after videos taken by witnesses showed Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
And the video played a key role in convicting officers of both state and federal charges.
The legal fight is going to cost taxpayers a bit of cash.
In agreeing to settle, Mayes has agreed her office will pay out $46,000 in legal fees to the law firm representing the media outlets and another $23,000 to the ACLU of Arizona. | 2023-07-16T07:49:59+00:00 | yumasun.com | https://www.yumasun.com/news/arizona-law-restricting-ones-ability-to-film-police-appears-to-be-dead/article_7c338192-2284-11ee-8b6d-47fe38342a93.html |
SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky high school football player who suffered a head injury during a scrimmage last week has died.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association said Monday in a statement on Facebook that it joined family, friends and teammates in mourning the loss of Pulaski County High School varsity football player Andrew Dodson.
“No words can explain, justify or rationalize tragedies such as these,” the association wrote.
Alan Dodson told the Lexington Herald-Leader that his son was running the ball during his team’s spring game when he was tackled by a teammate.
“It was not a violent hit or helmet-to-helmet. It was a simple, clean tackle,” Alan Dodson said. “His head hit the turf, and Andrew suffered blunt-force trauma to the brain.”
Andrew Dodson played tight end and defensive end for the Maroons during his junior season, WKYT reported. | 2023-04-04T23:39:31+00:00 | pahomepage.com | https://www.pahomepage.com/uncategorized/kentucky-high-school-football-player-dies-after-head-injury/ |
It all started with "skolstrejk för klimatet" – the "school strike for climate," also known as Fridays for Future. At 15 years old, Greta Thunberg began spending her Fridays striking in front of the Swedish Parliament to demand action against climate change.
In less than five years, millions have joined Fridays for Future. Thunberg spoke in front of the United Nations. She became Time magazine's youngest ever person of the year. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace prize four years in a row. By 20 years old, she has become a household name around the world... all while finishing high school.
Thunberg has just published The Climate Book. It's a collection of more than 100 essays from herself, scientists, historians, economists, and journalists diving into various topics sharing the data, realities, and proposed solutions to the ongoing climate crisis.
NPR's Ailsa Chang spoke to Thunberg about her new book, her future, and why she thinks change will come from outside the political world.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Interview highlights
On why she put together this collection of essays
I think what mainly motivated me was that it was so difficult to find a source where you could actually read and go in depth on these issues. Because people often ask me, like, "Where can I read? What can I read? What can I watch? I want to get more engaged with the climate crisis. I want to become an activist. I want to learn. But I don't know where to start." So this is a very good place to start. I think it covers a lot of issues concerning the climate crisis. So it's not just a one-sided story.
On if the United States has stepped up in the way that it needs to
I wouldn't say in the way that it needs to. We might see some improvements in some areas, but still, the U.S. is expanding fossil fuel infrastructure. And to do that at a time right now where countless people are losing their lives and livelihoods in a climate emergency that is just continuing to escalate every day. I think that's very, very irresponsible and it's completely absurd.
On how to overcome the political realities of a divided government
That's exactly the reason why the politicians and the people in power need to start speaking up. Because as it is now, they might not have the votes, they might not have the public support from voters to actually take these measures. And of course, how can we expect that? How can we expect people to demand drastic change in order to safeguard our present and future living conditions if they don't know the reason why those changes are needed.
Right now it's like, saving the climate is seen as an act of tree hugging. It's not being seen as a way to protect our civilization as we know it and to save countless human lives. That is being put against jobs and workers, when it's actually the opposite.
The fight for social justice is the fight for climate justice. We can't have one without the other. We can't put them against each other. And unless people know that – unless people know how bad the situation actually is — they're not going to demand change because they're going to want to keep things the way they are.
I believe that the changes will come from the outside, people demanding this, because we see that when there have been successful campaigns. People are raising these issues in a way [that's] been working then that has also had effects on the policies that are being made and the decisions that are being made.
And then, of course, I think that I'm not the one to tell the U.S. how they should do things when it comes to things like Congress and so on. I think that's more up to the experts and the people there.
On whether she will pursue a career in politics
I really hope not. [laughs] I mean, politics as it is now is very, very toxic. And it doesn't seem like the kind of world I would want to spend my life in. I think that I can do more as a campaigner on the outside.
On her experience as an international celebrity
Of course, I don't think it's what anyone expected or could ever expect. So I guess I just have to use the advantage that that gives me. It gives me a platform [where] I can speak up about things that can impact things, people, etc. But of course, it sends a weird message that we are focusing sometimes on specific individuals rather than the actual problem itself and rather than the people actually suffering the consequences of that problem.
On finishing high school and managing a busy schedule
I don't know, [laughs] to be honest. I don't have an answer to that.
On if it's overwhelming
Maybe yes, overwhelming. But I think what's more is the feeling of doing something that matters. Doing something that has an impact. Something that in the future, I will be able to look back at and say, "I did what I could during this existential crisis when most people were just either looking away or were too busy with their own lives."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-02-14T18:57:37+00:00 | knkx.org | https://www.knkx.org/environment/2023-02-14/where-greta-thunberg-does-and-doesnt-expect-to-see-action-on-climate-change |
NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. (WKBW) — There's a special program in Niagara County, New York, that's designed to help people living with memory loss and dementia. The Office for the Aging has weighted baby dolls and animatronic animals that help calm and center the people they're given to.
Darlene DiCarlo is the Director of the Niagara County Office for the Aging. She says over the past two years, her office has given about 200 babies or animals to seniors. The program is funded by the New York State Office for the Aging, and there is no cost to the people who get them. The seniors or their families can decide if they'd prefer to have a baby or an animal.
Some of the animals are very interactive. The cats meow and move as if they are pets, and the dogs bark and move their heads.
"It's like a real pet to them," explained DiCarlo. "And when they go into a nursing home, obviously, they can't take their pet, so it makes them feel like they're still home."
The babies are very popular with people who were parents, and often help calm them.
"The comfort of holding the baby. They talk to it, they want to cover it up they want to feed it," explained DiCarlo.
Cathy Hummel from the Office for the Aging delivers the babies or animals wherever they're needed
"Sometimes I think people think of these as stuffed animals and not real babies," she explained. "And they don't realize the impact they could possibly have on somebody with dementia."
Many of the people who get the babies will then start talking about their families and children, and a lot of them will name their babies.
The program is very popular in the Memory Care Unit at Elderwood at Wheatfield. Not only do the babies and animals offer comfort to patients, but they give them something to talk about with their loved ones, and something to focus on that they can control in a world that can seem confusing.
"I can't tell you how important it is for somebody who has dementia because they don't have filters. They don't sleep well. Their brain is always on," explained Elizabeth Laci, who is the Memory Care Coordinator. "So if they have that ability to center on something and provide comfort, it gives them that ability to shut down their brain."
Often, the patients who hold the babies or pet the animals are able to relax enough to fall asleep.
"I hope they get the comfort and the unconditional feeling of love," Hummel said. "A relationship with a baby or animal is pretty much unconditional love. So I hope that's what they get."
This story was originally reported on wkbw.com. | 2022-11-04T19:13:32+00:00 | krtv.com | https://www.krtv.com/news/national/how-baby-dolls-and-animals-are-helping-people-with-memory-loss |
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government watchdog says decisions by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan were the key factors in the collapse of that nation's military.
The new report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, mirrors assertions made by senior Pentagon and military leaders in the aftermath of the U.S. troop withdrawal that ended last August in the chaotic evacuation of Americans and other civilians from the embattled country. Military leaders have made it clear that their recommendation was to leave about 2,500 U.S. troops in the country, but that plan was not approved.
In February 2020, the Trump administration signed an agreement with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, in which the U.S. promised to fully withdraw its troops by May 2021. The Taliban committed to several conditions, including stopping attacks on American and coalition forces. The stated objective was to promote a peace negotiation between the Taliban and the Afghan government, but that diplomatic effort never gained traction before Biden took office in January 2022.
Just a few months later, Biden announced he would complete the U.S. military withdrawal. The announcement fueled the Taliban's campaign to retake the country, aided by the Afghans' widespread distrust of their government and entrenched corruption that led to low pay, lack of food and poor living conditions among the Afghan troops.
“Many Afghans thought the U.S.-Taliban agreement was an act of bad faith and a signal that the U.S. was handing over Afghanistan to the enemy as it rushed to exit the country,” the interim report said. “Its immediate effect was a dramatic loss in (Afghan troops’) morale.”
U.S. officials have said they were surprised by the quick collapse of the military and the government, prompting sharp congressional criticism of the intelligence community for failing to foresee it.
At a congressional hearing last week, senators questioned whether there is a need to reform how intelligence agencies assess a foreign military's will to fight. Lawmakers pointed to two key examples: U.S. intelligence believed that the Kabul government would hold on for months against the Taliban, and more recently believed that Ukraine's forces would quickly fall to Russia's invasion. Both were wrong.
Military and defense leaders have said that the Afghanistan collapse was built on years of missteps, as the U.S. struggled to find a successful way to train and equip Afghan forces.
In a blunt assessment of the war, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress last fall that the result was years in the making.
“Outcomes in a war like this, an outcome that is a strategic failure — the enemy is in charge in Kabul, there’s no way else to describe that — that is a cumulative effect of 20 years,” Milley said, adding that lessons need to be learned, including whether the U.S. military made the Afghans overly dependent on American technology in a mistaken effort to make the Afghan army look like the American army.
Indeed, in the end, the new report said that the Afghans were still heavily dependent on U.S. air support for strikes and emergency evacuations, and also on U.S. contractors to maintain and repair aircraft and other systems.
But all agree that the Doha agreement was a lynchpin in the collapse.
“The signing of the Doha agreement had a really pernicious effect on the government of Afghanistan and on its military — psychological more than anything else, but we set a date-certain for when we were going to leave and when they could expect all assistance to end,” Gen. Frank McKenzie told Congress last year.
McKenzie, who was then the top U.S. general in the Middle East and has since retired, argued to keep 2,500 U.S. troops there, as did Milley.
The Doha agreement, said the SIGAR report, led the Afghan population and its military to feel abandoned. And the Trump administration's decision to limit U.S. airstrikes against the Taliban stopped any progress the Afghans were making, and left them unable and eventually unwilling to hold territory, it said.
According to the report, a former U.S. commander in Afghanistan said the U.S. built the Afghan army to rely on contractor support. “Without it, it can’t function. Game over,” the commander told SIGAR. "When the contractors pulled out, it was like we pulled all the sticks out of the Jenga pile and expected it to stay up.”
More broadly, the SIGAR report said that both the U.S. and Afghan governments “lacked the political will to dedicate the time and resources necessary to reconstruct an entire security sector in a war-torn and impoverished country.”
Neither side, it said, “appeared to have the political commitment to doing what it would take to address the challenges.” As a result, it said, the Afghan military couldn't operate independently and never really became a cohesive force. | 2022-05-18T05:44:55+00:00 | hjnews.com | https://www.hjnews.com/world/watchdog-us-troop-pullout-was-key-factor-in-afghan-collapse/article_71cf643b-51e9-5fbc-b0e6-343841dd9015.html |
Ukraine's defense minister says he's optimistic Western allies will supply his country with advanced fighter jets, even as Ukrainian forces are poised to start training on tanks they've been promised.
Copyright 2023 NPR
Ukraine's defense minister says he's optimistic Western allies will supply his country with advanced fighter jets, even as Ukrainian forces are poised to start training on tanks they've been promised.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-01-31T00:35:52+00:00 | mainepublic.org | https://www.mainepublic.org/2023-01-30/ukraines-defense-minister-hopes-allies-will-supply-his-country-with-fighter-jets |
State-of-the-art health center inaugurated in Pueblo's underserved East Side
Health equity took a step forward in Pueblo last week when a state-of-the-art clinic offering an array of physical and mental health care and services was formally inaugurated on the east side of the city.
The three-story, 64,000-square-foot Pueblo Community Health Center clinic was designed and built on-time, on-budget, and, "most importantly, with the intent of being a welcoming health center for years to come," Don Ortega, president of the PCHC board of directors, said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.
The new clinic on East Seventh Street is one of several facilities around the city of Pueblo where PCHC has offered health services for 39 years.
"PCHC is integrated into the heart of our community," said Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar. "It delivers primary medical, behavioral, oral health care, along with pharmacy, laboratory and case management services to its patients in these state-of-the-art facilities.
"This ribbon-cutting is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people, people who recognize that the health of a community depends on the health of all individuals who are part of that community," he said.
Six of the PCHC board's members receive health care through PCHC, Gradisar said.
He praised their "courageous decision" to launch the $32 million project to build a new clinic on the East Side just a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Ground was broken in October 2020, and the center opened in January of this year.
"As a result of proceeding when they did, it's estimated that the board saved $5 million on construction costs and was able to save more people, sooner," Gradisar said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.
NEWS:City, community leaders address homicide spike in Pueblo
Clinic stands on site of shuttered East Side Safeway
The new clinic stands where "a failed grocery store" was located until 2016, Pueblo County Commissioner Garrison Ortiz noted. Safeway shuttered its East Side store in November 2016 after 40 years in business, and PCHC purchased the building in 2019.
"We took a negative outcome in our community and turned it into an incredible facility," Ortiz said.
The new clinic is a net-zero energy facility, the first in Colorado and one of only 10 in the United States, said PCHC chief executive officer Donald Moore, acknowledging Corey Chinn, the engineer based in Colorado Springs who "enabled us to put the net-zero design together."
On the far side of a school football field and the clinic's parking lot, where about a dozen people who had been fired by PCHC for refusing to be inoculated against COVID-19 were carrying protest placards and shouting slogans, Moore pointed out the Park Hill Clinic where PCHC started serving Pueblo's East Side in 2002.
"It was old, it was cramped, it wasn't up to the standard of practice and care we wanted to provide, not only to patients but to our employees," Moore said.
The new facility not only took a large step toward offering quality health care in a part of Pueblo that is sorely lacking in services, but also represented PCHC's commitment to maintaining the community's trust "and continuing to build it, for many decades to come," Moore said.
PCHC's East Side clinic opened its doors to patients in January, months before the ribbon cutting. With the new facility, PCHC expects to care for an additional 5,000 patients over the next 10 years. Last year, more than 22,000 patients received care at a PCHC facility.
Contact Karin Zeitvogel via email at kzeitvogel@chieftain.com. | 2022-05-23T14:47:03+00:00 | chieftain.com | https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2022/05/23/state-art-health-center-inaugurated-pueblos-east-side/9863459002/ |
Fox Sports host Skip Bayless apologized for hosting his FS1 show "Undisputed" Tuesday morning following a controversial tweet about a football player who suffered a medical emergency during a game.
His co-host, former NFL player Shannon Sharpe, did not appear.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed mid-game during Monday night's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals and is currently in critical condition in an area hospital after suffering cardiac arrest.
During the incident, Bayless tweeted: "no doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game - but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome ... which suddenly seems so irrelevant."
That sparked outrage on Twitter from a number of current and former athletes. Former NFL player Jacob Hester told Bayless to "read the room, and have a heart." Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson, former NFL player Darelle Revis and NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, among many others, also criticized Bayless.
Bayless later followed up with a tweet apologizing for what he said was a misunderstanding.
"Nothing is more important than that young man's health. That was the point of my last tweet. I'm sorry if that was misunderstood but his health is all that matters," Bayless tweeted.
Bayless didn't acknowledge the tweet at the beginning of Tuesday's "Undisputed," but appeared emotional about the incident.
"I apologize for what for what we're going to set out to do here today, if it offends anyone because we're going to try to do the show pretty much as usual we do the show," he said. "I'll admit up front that I'm still shook up what happened last night to Damar Hamlin. In fact, I'm still wrecked. In fact, I'm not sure I'm capable of doing this show today."
He added that after "barely sleeping on it," he decided to carry on with the talk show. "We wrestled through much of the night whether to even do a show today because it felt like in our minds, we almost can't win with this because the last thing we want to do is come off as insensitive to what this young man is going through in a life or death situation."
It was unclear why Sharpe was not on the program, though Bayless has clashed repeatedly with Sharpe, a former NFL tight end and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in recent weeks.
The NFL postponed Monday's game after coaches from both teams refused to continue the game, saying details on next steps would come at an "appropriate time."
Bayless said Sharpe would return to the show Wednesday. | 2023-01-03T18:02:45+00:00 | albanyherald.com | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/business/skip-bayless-apologizes-for-tweet-after-damar-hamlins-collapse/article_140e7e92-19cf-5e87-9bf3-fffab5dff27f.html |
Funnel Cloud Spotted in Saginaw County Thursday Afternoon
July 6, 2023 4:34PM EDT
Authorities in Saginaw County issued alerts of possible tornado activity in Saginaw County Thursday afternoon after a funnel cloud was spotted north of Frankenmuth.
Around 2:20 p.m. Saginaw County 911 issued a warning that the funnel cloud was seen near the intersection of M46 and Gera Road travelling east.
No official Tornado Warning was issued by the National Weather Service, though a special weather statement issued around 3:00 warned of storms moving through the area, bringing heavy winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour.
Authorities with the City of Frankenmuth reported around the same time that the storm had moved off and tornado sirens were no longer active in the area. | 2023-07-06T22:51:30+00:00 | wsgw.com | https://www.wsgw.com/funnel-cloud-spotted-in-saginaw-county-thursday-afternoon/ |
(The Hill) — People who were eligible for a monkeypox vaccine but did not receive one were about 14 times more likely to become infected than those who were vaccinated, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While extremely limited, the figures offer an initial look at the effectiveness of the Jynneos vaccine in the real world.
“These new data provide us with a level of cautious optimism that the vaccine is working as intended,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters.
But the numbers are based on data collected from just 32 states, and there’s no way to distinguish how much of a reduction in cases is due to the vaccine alone, and how much is due to behavioral changes among the most at-risk populations.
The data is also based on people who received just a single dose of the vaccine. According to the CDC, relatively few individuals in the current outbreak have completed the recommended two-dose series.
Infections continue to decline week over week, but there are currently more than 25,000 cases of monkeypox identified across all 50 states.
Health officials have seen protection from monkeypox for those vaccinated with Jynneos as early as two weeks after the first dose, Walensky said. Still, she said laboratory studies show that immune protection is highest two weeks after the second dose of vaccine, so they are continuing to strongly recommend people get two doses of Jynneos spaced out 28 days apart.
“What we have right now is data on how well our vaccine is working after a single dose. What we don’t yet have is what happens after a second dose and how durable that protection is,” Walensky said.
In addition to initial numbers, health officials on Wednesday said they are expanding eligibility for the Jynneos vaccine by moving to a pre-exposure prophylaxis strategy.
The new strategy “encourages vaccine providers to minimize the risk assessments of people seeking the vaccine. Fear of disclosing sexuality and gender identity must not be a barrier to vaccination,” said White House monkeypox adviser Demetre Daskalakis.
Daskalakis said people who might be at present or future risk are now eligible, including gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men; transgender or gender diverse people who have had more than one sex partner in the last six months; had sex in a place associated with higher monkeypox risk, or have had a sexually transmitted infection diagnosed in the past six months.
The strategy also extends vaccines to sexual partners of people at risk and commercial sex workers, Daskalakis said. | 2022-09-28T19:18:22+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/news/national/cdc-early-figures-show-unvaccinated-at-much-higher-risk-for-monkeypox/ |
The virtual product placement company is a technology breakthrough that promises to transform the future of the global media landscape
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryff, the tech startup leading the charge in virtual product placement (VPP), today announced that it has been named to Fast Company's second annual Next Big Things in Tech list, honoring technology breakthroughs that promise to shape the future of industries—from agriculture and environment to productivity and artificial intelligence.
This year, 83 technologies developed by established companies, startups or research teams are highlighted for their cutting-edge advancements and potential to impact consumers, businesses and society overall. While not all of the technological developments are available in the market yet, each one is reaching key milestones in order to have a proven impact in the next five years. Fast Company also recognized 41 honorable mentions.
Founded in 2018, Ryff has reimagined what brand integration looks like through its proprietary AI technologies. With ad avoidance at an all time high, Ryff allows seamless integration of products into content without physical logistics or even post-production. That provides content producers with new, flexible revenue streams and advertisers ways to be seen at a wider scale and lower cost.
"We are beyond ecstatic that Ryff has been included on such a notable list as the next big innovation!" says Roy Taylor, Founder and CEO. "The team has spent the last four years diligently working with networks, brands, distributors, and content owners to disrupt the status quo of what brand integration looks like and showcase a future that can provide limitless opportunities to the new age of advertising needs. We've wholeheartedly believed in this product from day one and are honored that others are taking notice."
"Technology breakthroughs and cutting-edge advancements promise to be the solution to some of the world's most pressing issues. Fast Company is excited to highlight some of the organizations, of all sizes and industry backgrounds, whose technology advancements today will lead to a better tomorrow," says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company.
Click here to see the final list.
The Winter 2022/2023 issue of Fast Company is available online now and will hit newsstands on December 6.
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. The editor-in-chief is Brendan Vaughan. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication, Inc., and can be found online at fastcompany.com.
Founded in 2018, Ryff is rewriting traditional product placement rules in the advertising industry by leveraging proprietary AI technology to create virtual product placement opportunities. As a more affordable, effective, and flexible solution, Ryff is at the forefront of entertainment and advertising, leading the fray of a new breed of Hollywood players ushering in the future of brand integration.
Contact:
Nathalie Mensah
nathalie@sweatandco.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Ryff | 2022-11-18T19:53:05+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/prnewswire/2022/11/18/ryff-wins-fast-companys-prestigious-next-big-things-tech-award/ |
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WRIC) — Hours after a shelter-in-place order was lifted at the University of Virginia (UVA), students gathered at a silent vigil to support one another and honor the lives of three students who were shot and killed.
Before UVA football student, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., was taken into custody in Henrico County on Monday morning, the Charlottesville campus was on lockdown. For over 12 hours, UVA students were told to stay put as the manhunt continued.
A senior at the university, Matthew Natalie, told 8News that this was an experience that was overwhelming and scary for him and his peers.
“It was just a lot to take in at once, we didn’t know anything for sure so you couldn’t even really comprehend what was happening until kind of like today when a little more information came out and there was a little bit more to go off of,” Natalie said.
Although the shooting and the initiation of the lockdown were on Sunday night, it wasn’t until Monday that students realized exactly what had happened while they were on lockdown.
Once they received word that Lavel Davis, Jr., D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler had been killed as a result of the shooting, students began to take action. Some were seen creating banners that included the names and numbers of the student-athletes who lost their lives. Other banners simply read, “Virginia strong.”
On Monday night, the campus held a silent vigil where hundreds of students gathered to pay their respects and honor the lives of their fellow students.
Another senior 8News spoke with, Tate Snyder, was one of the many students in the crowd who came together to show support for one another.
“Kind of like makes you feel like you are part of this close-knit community of UVA,” Snyder said. | 2022-11-15T03:46:42+00:00 | wric.com | https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/it-was-just-a-lot-to-take-in-at-once-uva-students-gather-for-vigil-in-wake-of-deadly-shooting-lockdown-on-campus/ |
The final day to vote in Washington’s 2022 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. On the ballot will be races for state lawmakers and members of the U.S. House and Senate. Here’s what voters in Washington and specifically the Puget Sound area need to know before casting their votes.
Below, you will find race-by-race summaries of contests on your ballot this year.
Jump to:
- 1st Congressional District
- 3rd Congressional District
- 4th Congressional District
- 7th Congressional District
- 8th Congressional District
- 9th Congressional District
Seattle-area legislative races
Voting in Washington state
Here’s more information to get you started:
- In Washington, the election is mail-only, though counties provide accessible voting centers for people who need assistance completing their ballots.
- Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 8, or put in a drop box or returned in person to your county elections office by 8 p.m. that day. Be sure to sign the ballot envelope.
- Ballots have prepaid postage. You don’t need a stamp to mail it to your county elections office.
- Oct. 31 is the last day to register to vote or update your information online or by mail. King County Elections will have vote centers open for those who need assistance or have missed deadlines, but ask that those who are able to utilize online tools do so. You can register to vote in person during business hours and any time before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Where to find your local ballot drop box: King County, Snohomish County, Kitsap County, Pierce County.
- More information: King County Elections, Snohomish County Elections, Kitsap County Elections, Pierce County Elections.
U.S. Senate
This seat: Each state elects two U.S. senators, who are responsible for representing the entire state.
Term: Six years
About this race: Pasco veterans advocate Tiffany Smiley, a first-time candidate, will face U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, the Senate’s third-ranking Democrat, who is seeking a sixth term this year.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for Washington’s U.S. Senate race.
U.S. House
1st Congressional District
This seat: Congressional District 1 represents the eastern third of King County, and almost all of Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.
Term: Two years
About this race: U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, a Democrat, takes on Republican challenger Vincent J Cavaleri, a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputy and Mill Creek Council member.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for the 1st Congressional District.
3rd Congressional District
This seat: Congressional District 3 represents the southwestern corner of the state, including a sliver of Thurston County as well as Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties.
Term: Two years
About this race: Republican Joe Kent defeated U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump. Kent will face Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who owns an auto shop and lives in rural Skamania County.
4th Congressional District
This seat: Congressional District 4 represents much of central Washington, including Douglas, Okanogan, Grant, Yakima, Franklin, Benton and Adams counties, as a well as western Walla Walla County.
Term: Two years
About this race: U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last year. His opponent is Yakima businessman Doug White, a Democrat.
7th Congressional District
This seat: Congressional District 7 represents most of Burien and Seattle. It represents all of Edmonds, Lake Forest Park, Normandy Park, Shoreline and Vashon Island.
Term: Two years
About this race: Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat who’s become a leader of the party’s progressive wing, seeks a fourth term and faces Republican Cliff Moon, an oceanographer.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for the 7th Congressional District.
8th Congressional District
This seat: Congressional District 8 represents the southeastern and eastern portion of King County, including Sammamish, Issaquah and Auburn, and eastern Pierce County. It also represents Chelan and Kittitas counties. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives make and pass federal laws.
Term: Two years
About this race: Matt Larkin, an attorney and co-owner of his family’s manufacturing business, will try to unseat U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, a Democrat who flipped the seat four years ago, helping Democrats win a House majority.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for the 8th Congressional District.
9th Congressional District
This seat: This district covers parts of South Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton and Federal Way. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives make and pass federal laws.
Term: Two years
About this race: Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat, is seeking a 14th term. He faces Republican Doug Basler, a multitime candidate.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for the 9th Congressional District.
Secretary of state
This seat: The Washington secretary of state supervises elections and oversees initiatives and referendums, as well as corporation and charity filings. This position is the supervisor of the state archives and is second in the line of succession to the governor.
Term: Four years
About this race: Appointed incumbent Democrat Steve Hobbs is up against Julie Anderson, a nonpartisan candidate from Pierce County.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for State Secretary of State.
King County prosecuting attorney
This seat: This is a nonpartisan elected official in charge of prosecuting all felonies within King County, as well as misdemeanors in unincorporated areas. This position manages more than 200 deputy prosecuting attorneys and nearly 200 administrative staffers.
The term: Four years
About this race: Leesa Manion, retiring County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg’s current chief of staff, has the endorsement of King County Executive Dow Constantine. She’ll face Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, who served as a prosecutor for 15 years before being elected mayor in 2013. Ferrell has received the endorsement of the Seattle Police Officers Guild.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for King County Prosecuting Attorney. Further reading from the Opinion section: “History looms large in the race for King County Prosecutor.”
Seattle-area state legislative races
31st Legislative District
This seat: This district represents Enumclaw, Bonney Lake to Carbonado.
Senate seat
Term: Four years.
About this race: In the 31st Legislative Senate District, former state GOP Chairman Chris Vance is running as a nonpartisan candidate against state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn.
See: The Seattle Times editorial board endorsement for District 31.
36th Legislative District
This seat: This district represents Ballard, Magnolia, Greenwood and Queen Anne. Both a state senator and house seat are up for election in this district in 2022.
Senate seat
Term: Four years
About this race: State Rep. Noel Frame and Kate Martin, an activist and multitime candidate for Seattle mayor and City Council, are running for this seat, which is open after the retirement of state Sen. Reuven Carlyle.
House seat
Term: Two years
About this race: Julia Reed, a consultant, is running against Jeff Manson, a state administrative law judge. | 2022-10-19T13:27:55+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/election-2022-voter-guide-what-to-know-before-casting-your-ballot/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state school board in Oklahoma voted Monday to approve what would be the first publicly funded religious school in the nation, despite a warning from the state’s attorney general that the decision was unconstitutional.
The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 to approve the application by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma to establish the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School. The online public charter school would be open to students across the state in kindergarten through grade 12.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond had warned the board that such a decision clearly violated the Oklahoma Constitution.
“The approval of any publicly funded religious school is contrary to Oklahoma law and not in the best interest of taxpayers,” Drummond said in a statement shortly after the board’s vote. “It’s extremely disappointing that board members violated their oath in order to fund religious schools with our tax dollars. In doing so, these members have exposed themselves and the state to potential legal action that could be costly.”
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma said in the “vision and purpose of the organization” section of its application that: “The Catholic school participates in the evangelizing mission of the Church and is the privileged environment in which Christian education is carried out.”
Brett Farley, the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, said: “We are elated that the board agreed with our argument and application for the nation’s first religious charter school.”
Americans United for Separation of Church and State denounced the board’s approval.
“It’s hard to think of a clearer violation of the religious freedom of Oklahoma taxpayers and public-school families than the state establishing the nation’s first religious public charter school,” the group’s president and CEO Rachel Laser said in a statement. “This is a sea change for American democracy. Americans United will work with our Oklahoma and national partners to take all possible legal action to fight this decision and defend the separation of church and state that’s promised in both the Oklahoma and U.S. Constitutions.”
Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who earlier this year signed a bill that would give parents in the state a tax incentive to send their children to private schools, including religious schools, praised the board’s vote.
“This is a win for religious liberty and education freedom in our great state, and I am encouraged by these efforts to give parents more options when it comes to their child’s education,” Stitt said in a statement.
___
This story has been corrected to show the name of the virtual charter is St. Isidore of Seville, not St. Isodore. | 2023-06-05T23:18:41+00:00 | wric.com | https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/oklahoma-school-board-approves-what-would-be-the-1st-taxpayer-funded-religious-school-in-us/ |
KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. — A missing hiker was found dead near Lake Lillian by search and rescue crews Wednesday morning after he was reported missing by friends and family on Monday.
Nicolas Gomiero, 24, from Seattle, was reported missing on Monday afternoon after he didn't return from a hike in the Lake Lillian area near Snoqualmie Pass in Kittitas County.
The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office launched a search and rescue operation on Monday and searched into the night. The search resumed on Tuesday when Kittitas County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams along with SAR teams from other counties looked for Gomiero in the rugged, mountainous terrain.
At around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a team on the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office's helicopter spotted Gomiero at the foot of some cliffs near Lake Lillian, according to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. He was deceased when rescue crews found him from an apparent fall.
The SAR flight crew returned to their base and retrieved a larger aircraft, which they used to lower teams down to retrieve Gomiero's body.
Gomiero was transferred to the Kittitas County Coroner's Office, which will examine the cause of his death.
Fourteen different rescue organizations participated in the search for Gomiero.
Kittitas County Sheriff Clay Myers said, “We grieve with Mr. Gomiero’s family and loved ones for his sudden, unexpected passing, and we thank all those who dedicated their time and energy to answering the painful questions of his loved ones.” | 2022-08-18T05:01:57+00:00 | king5.com | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-hiker-found-dead-kittitas-county/281-341fec1a-6ba1-486b-8e5e-977aa2b25ed7 |
ABINGDON, Va., Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In its mission to become its clients' most valuable resource, Concord Wealth Partners (CWP), an Independent Registered Investment Advisory firm, has officially launched its new website www.concordwealthpartners.com
Concord's new website aims to bridge the client and advisor connection gap with a new and improved user experience showcasing its holistic suite of financial services within a sleek, easy-to-navigate digital platform.
Some of the website's new features are:
- Insights Page: A robust financial education and market analysis library authored by Concord's advisors.
- Client Portal & Mobile App: Where clients can access their investments and portfolio activity live, all in one place.
- 15-minute Free Consultation Booking Portal: Visitors can schedule a one-on-one phone call with a real advisor (not a robot) with only two clicks.
- Teams Page: More than just a bio page, each advisor at Concord has their own micro-site displaying their team's expertise, mission, meeting booking platform, original blogs, and social media wall.
- Advisor Page: Where client-centered advisors looking to join the firm can learn more about the benefits of partnering with Concord.
The digital transformation is part of Concord's three-phase expansion plan led by Edge Partners™, an RIA growth strategy firm. Concord launched its growth plan in 2019, starting with rebranding, service and territory expansion, infrastructure optimization, and strategic M&As.
So far, the expansion plan has included partnering with CPA firms, establishing an in-house asset management division, developing robust marketing campaigns, and forming partnerships with like-minded financial advisors in different geographical markets across the U.S., such as Rockville, MD, Charlottesville, VA, and most recently, the Greater Boston area. Since its growth strategy began, Concord has expanded its AUM from $350M in December 2019 to over $800M as of August 2022.
Concord's primary focus is to improve its client's overall experience and financial outcomes through an integrated and institutional quality one-stop financial services powerhouse.
Concord Wealth Partners is a Virginia-based RIA founded in 2002, expanding rapidly throughout the U.S. The family-owned and operated financial advisory firm has six offices. It represents over 800 individuals and small businesses in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Northeast Tennessee, and Greater Boston.
Partnership Contact:
Matt Heitman
203-769-7237
Media Contact:
Silvia Roa-Madan
203-769-7237 Ext. 107
Advisory services are offered through Concord Wealth Partners, LLC ("CWP") and Concord Asset Management, LLC ("CAM"). CWP and CAM are affiliated investment advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Concord Wealth Partners | 2022-08-31T14:34:16+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/concord-wealth-partners-reveals-new-improved-comprehensive-financial-planning-website/ |
Smart back-to-school shopping strategies
With inflation still rising, it is vital to have a shopping strategy mapped out to purchase back-to-school supplies this year. Especially for your high schooler, because they need more items. And those items tend to carry a higher price tag.
Buying school supplies, however, is a little different than shopping for other items. In most cases, you will have several lists created by each of your student’s teachers. Some items may be very specific, such as the exact model of a TI calculator, while others may be generic, such as a three-ring binder.
Getting the correct supplies at the best price requires time and planning. This guide will help you make smart purchasing decisions. It covers basic back-to-school shopping strategies and lists 12 products that will help prepare your kid for high school.
Shop this article: Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle, JanSport Cool Student Backpack and Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
What school supplies does a high school student need?
While it is essential that you first consider the lists that your student’s teachers provide, there are a few general categories for you to consider.
Essentials
These are the items that your student will use every day. You will find most of these on your student’s supply lists that they get from their teachers. They will include pens, pencils, erasers, markers, notebook paper, binders, composition books and more.
Organizational supplies
Organizational supplies are anything your student uses to organize, hold or transport the items they use every day. These products may include a pencil case, a backpack, an assignment book, a calendar or binder dividers.
Tech and tools
This category includes anything your student requires to complete their assignments or to solve a problem they might run into during the day, such as a torn notebook sheet. It can be a specific calculator, a tablet, a compass, a ruler, a protractor, hole reinforcements, tape or even white out.
Study supplies
If your child wants to spend a little extra time learning, you’ll need items to help them study. These could be post-it notes, page markers, index cards and highlighters.
Clothing
High school students are still growing. What fit last year might not fit this year. You may need comfortable shoes, casual clothing, clothing that displays school spirit, athletic wear for PE, sneakers, jackets, coats, specific gear for co-curricular activities and more.
Accessories
One category that students and parents may forget is the accessories that are essential to getting through each day. These will vary from student to student but may include a water bottle, a lunch bag, a case for glasses, contacts, combination locks for lockers, charging devices, towels, shower supplies for after PE, medications, an EpiPen and more.
Tips for back-to-school shopping
Strategy is the key when it comes time for back-to-school shopping. These tips can help you get everything you need for that first day.
Shop early
Even if the country wasn’t being plagued with supply chain issues, back-to-school products typically become unavailable by the end of summer. Do your shopping early so that your student has everything they need to start the school year off right.
Use school lists
Teachers make classroom lists for a reason: these are the items your student will need to succeed in the subject. The teacher’s supplies list is your starting point. Get those essentials first.
Don’t forget items that aren’t on the list
Classroom lists don’t always include products that will make your student’s life easier. After you check off all the items from their teachers’ lists, ensure you get the personal items they need daily.
Consider what you already have
If you have more than one student, the older child may already have what your younger child needs. Before buying a new item, check the items you already have at home.
Spend less on clothing
Clothing is important, but so is that expensive calculator. If it comes down to getting a $200 pair of sneaks or a $100 calculator, remember that the calculator will last longer.
Purchase quality items
School supplies need to be rugged. Notebooks are used daily, tossed in a backpack, thrown in a locker and mistreated. If you have a choice between getting a cheap budget item from a dollar store and paying a little more for a quality name-brand item, it is usually worth spending a little more on an item that will last the entire school year or longer.
Pay attention to sales
Back-to-school sales are a great way to get people to spend money on a specific retailer. Many stores will have deep discounts on a couple of key items that get you to their site. Take advantage of these sales, but consider if the other items that the retailer has on sale are worth it. If not, wait till the next sale or purchase from a different retailer to get the best deal.
It is also a good idea to download and install retailer apps, so you can track specific items and know when the best time to buy is.
Consider environmentally kind products
While this might not help you save money, it will help you save the earth. Always consider products that have been or can be recycled and purchased from companies with environmentally friendly manufacturing and business practices.
Budget-friendly products for your high schooler
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle
Hydration is essential to learning. It helps your student focus and feel revitalized. Sending your high schooler off for the day with 32 ounces of water in this vacuum-insulated option will help them stay hydrated throughout the day. Hydro Flask water bottles have a leakproof lid and a lifetime guarantee.
Sold by Amazon
JanSport Cool Student Backpack
Your high schooler needs to bring many items to and from school each day. A well-constructed backpack is the ideal tool to carry all of these. JanSport’s Cool Student Backpack is durable, washable and has many color options. It is designed with ergonomic shoulder straps and zippered compartments for organization and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Sold by Amazon
Five Star Reinforced College Ruled Filler Paper
Reinforced notebook paper is a game-changer in the life of a student. This pack of 100 sheets of notebook paper is reinforced around the holes to resist tearing. It will prevent lost schoolwork and help keep all of your student’s pages organized.
Sold by Amazon
Gildan Heavy Blend Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt
A hoodie is essential school wear. This affordable offering from Gildan is made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester. It features a zipper closure and anti-pilling air jet yarn. The ribbed cuffs and waistband have spandex to help provide a more secure fit.
Sold by Amazon
Adidas Squad Insulated Lunch Bag
Teenagers need to refuel throughout the long day. Bringing lunch from home lets your student choose what they want to eat while saving you money. This durable lunch bag can keep their food at the perfect temperature and prevent it from getting broken or squished in transit.
Sold by Amazon
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
Graphing calculators are required by high school science and math teachers. Texas Instruments make a quality product that can accompany your teenager throughout their entire high school career, and possibly into college. This popular model has a 10-digit LCD display and 12 software applications. The graphic functions can handle polar, sequence, cobweb plot, zoom, parametric plot, histogram, scatter plot, and more.
Sold by Amazon
Belkin Boost Charge Wireless Charging Pad
Between classes, activities and part-time jobs, your high schooler may have a longer workday than you. To get through that day, they need a fully charged phone. Belkin is a trusted name in charging technology. This portable wireless charging pad is compatible with newer Android smartphones and iPhones.
Sold by Amazon
Oxford Color Coded Ruled Index Cards
Flash cards are a classic tool used for studying and improving memory. These cards are lined to allow for neatness, while the color-coded bar at the top lets the student organize the cards by subject or category.
Sold by Amazon
Prismacolor Premier Col-Erase Colored Pencils
A student can still use colored pencils at the high school level. Not only are they great for art class and doodling, but a student can use them for marking maps in history class, creating diagrams in science class and more.
Sold by Amazon
This set contains 10 essential tools often needed for geometry and drawing classes. Besides the typical items, such as a ruler and a protractor, you get a lettering guide, a pencil sharpener and more. The compass and divider have a short point for safety, and the set comes with a sturdy tin for organization.
Sold by Amazon
Avery Flexi-View 1-Inch 3-Ring View Binder
Avery’s flex binder has a clear window in the front, which is a handy place to store a class syllabus. It can hold 175 sheets of paper and has a flexible spine. The durable polypropylene cover means that you can use this binder over multiple school years.
Sold by Amazon
C-Line Top-Load Sheet Protector
Sheet protectors keep your student’s reference material unwrinkled and stain-free. The 50 standard-thickness polypropylene protectors are sealed on three sides. They are designed so students can add and remove materials while the protector remains secured in the binder.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-07-31T20:46:48+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/reviews/br/education-br/homeschooling-br/back-to-school-on-a-budget-these-12-products-will-have-your-kid-ready-for-high-school/ |
As the autumn progresses in Hurricane, the sights of the seasonal colors in the hardwoods continue to change as a deep-freeze on Monday morning took a toll on the golden hickory trees that are now a dull brown. As I have been preparing for the holiday next week, my thoughts turned to the first Thanksgiving meal that was recorded by the colonist Governor William Bradford in “Of Plymouth Plantation” in the state that is known as Massachusetts today. As they were in a strange land, the settlers were not familiar with the local foods that the Native Americans were offering as the following: beans, squashes, and corn or better known as the “Three Sisters” to the First Americans that they added to their daily diets of venison, wild turkey, ducks and geese plus shellfish. Nuts and wild fruits could also be added to the menu on that day as well. By the way, I have a primitive grinding stone with its sister flat rock that I always display for the younger ‘grandarlins’ and let them see how difficult that it would be to pulverize dried corn into meal for a pan of cornbread. I am definitely grateful that I am shopping at a modern grocery chain as it would not be as clean a food source as the even the later mill stones were that the early Americans used to make the meal by a water source or by animal power at a mill. Then the thought of the phrase “true grit” came to mind as I have decided that these early settlers did indeed have this attribute as our gleanings were thicker than modern-day cornmeal plus the rock left its own debris during the grinds. So too much nostalgia for the good old days of grinding corn or wheat by hand could really turn into a workday to prepare bread for a Thanksgiving feast!
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Special Sections
© Copyright 2022 Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 1242 S Green St Tupelo, MS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Powered by BLOX Content Management System from TownNews.com. | 2022-11-16T17:16:34+00:00 | djournal.com | https://www.djournal.com/new-albany/hurricane-news/article_95249a61-376a-5cb9-a6b7-afbedfe32e62.html |
Food manufacturers who deliberately add sesame to products and include the ingredient on labels are not violating a new federal food allergy law, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food safety advocacy group, had petitioned the FDA to halt an unintended consequence of the January law — more companies adding sesame to foods that didn’t have it before. But the agency denied the advocacy group’s request.
More than 1.6 million people in the U.S. are allergic to sesame, food allergy experts say. Food allergies can lead to serious, even deadly reactions.
Sesame can be found in obvious places, like sesame seeds on hamburger buns, but it is also a major ingredient in everything from protein bars to ice cream and is added to sauces and spice mixes.
Restaurant chains like Olive Garden, Chick-Fil-A and Wendy’s — as well as bread makers whose products are in grocery stores and schools — are adding sesame to their products. Producers say the new federal regulations to prevent cross-contamination are so stringent, that it’s easier to add sesame and note it on the label than to try to keep the ingredient out of other foods and away from equipment.
But food safety advocates say the practice endangers people with sesame allergies.
“It limits our choice and it puts our community at greater risk,” said Robert Earl, vice president of regulatory affairs for the nonprofit group Food Allergy Research & Education.
Since the law took effect, Earl said he has received reports of people having allergic reactions after eating formerly “safe” restaurant foods to which sesame was added.
Dr. Ruchi Gupta, a pediatrician and director of the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research at Northwestern University, called the FDA’s decision “disappointing.”
“It doesn’t violate the law; people can do what they want,” she said. “But in order to support these adults and children with sesame allergy, I would have hoped they would have come out in a way to prevent or discourage this.”
The new law, which took effect Jan. 1, requires all foods made and sold in the U.S. to be labeled if they contain sesame, designated by Congress as the nation’s ninth major allergen. Food industry experts and manufacturers alike said it was difficult, expensive and impractical to expect producers to eliminate cross-contamination risks.
Advocates have lobbied for years to have sesame added to the list of major allergens, which include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nut, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
The FDA acknowledged the potential impact that added sesame could have on consumers.
“We recognize that this practice could make it more difficult for sesame allergic consumers to find foods that are safe for them to consume, an outcome that FDA does not support,” the agency wrote in its response.
The FDA also clarified that companies can’t add sesame to the ingredient list or say a product “may contain” sesame if it’s not actually added.
Dr. Peter Lurie, executive director of CSPI, said he hoped that would send a message to food manufacturers.
“If FDA is not going to force them, it’s on the companies to act responsibly,” he said.
Representatives for Wendy’s and Olive Garden did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | 2023-07-27T00:46:27+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/health/ap-sesame-is-being-newly-added-to-some-foods-the-fda-says-it-doesnt-violate-a-allergy-law/ |
Good morning, Central Coast! Happy Thursday!
Cloud cover has been the name of the game when forecasting for the past few days and today is no different. Winds are still pushing marine air in from the North West and keeping conditions cool and cloudy. Some higher elevations and interior valleys will see some visibility concerns to start off the morning but for most the closest we will get to fog is just some low lying clouds.
The dense cloud deck once again brings the potential for isolated areas of drizzle this morning. Pretty similar to Monday morning in potential accumulations, in the hundredths and while not particularly impactful will still help in lowering fire danger slightly. Every little bit counts though, the extreme rainy season this winter has brought us very tall grasses and combined with the hot and dry streak that we saw recently means that we have a lot of fuel should any spark catch.
Temps today will stay on the cool side but they are beginning to trend back up. Interior valleys will reach the low 70s (about 5 degrees warmer than Wednesday) while coastal valleys will stay in the 60s, beaches in the 50s.
The low pressure driving our marine forecast will begin to weaken and shift wast to close out the week. This will help to warm temps into the weekend with many coastal valleys reaching towards 70 and some interiors making a play for 90. This moderate warm up will not be long lived though, more marine air will once again cool things down slightly for Memorial Day and for early next week as well.
Have a great day! | 2023-05-25T12:53:55+00:00 | ksby.com | https://www.ksby.com/weather/a-break-in-the-cold-weather-is-on-the-way-but-it-wont-last-until-memorial-day |
A federal appeals court on Thursday denied a request by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to be shielded from testifying in an investigation into former President Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 election in Georgia.
The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit comes after the senator earlier this month urged the court to find that constitutional protections for lawmakers bar his testimony before a Fulton County, Ga., special grand jury.
Developing | 2022-10-20T22:17:21+00:00 | everythinglubbock.com | https://www.everythinglubbock.com/hill-politics/appeals-court-denies-graham-bid-to-block-testimony-in-georgia-election-probe/ |
UN calls for probe into Iranian woman’s death amid protests
By The Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A top United Nations official has demanded an independent investigation into the death of an Iranian woman held by the country’s morality police. The woman’s death has ignited demonstrations across the country, including the capital, Tehran, where demonstrators chanted against the government and clashed with police. Authorities on Tuesday acknowledged making arrests at the protests. The U.N. Human Rights Office said Iran’s morality police have expanded their patrols in recent months, targeting women for not properly wearing the Islamic headscarf. It says women have been slapped in the face, struck with batons and thrown into police vans. A similar patrol detained 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last Tuesday. The police say she died of a heart attack. | 2022-09-20T13:29:50+00:00 | keyt.com | https://keyt.com/news/2022/09/20/un-calls-for-probe-into-iranian-womans-death-amid-protests/ |
Commvault announces winners of inaugural Customer Innovation Awards: Penn State Health, RWTH Aachen University, Tata Consultancy Services
TINTON FALLS, N.J., Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Commvault, a global enterprise leader in data management across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS environments, celebrated the winners of its inaugural Commvault Customer Innovation Awards during the company's flagship global event – Connections: 'Innovate with Confidence.'
"Whatever challenge arises, IT professionals are ready to innovate and keep pace as their business pursues new opportunities," said Sanjay Mirchandani, Commvault's President and CEO. "They have never been more critical than they are today, which is why I'm pleased to recognize our inaugural Customer Innovation Award winners, who deliver value for their organizations every single day."
In recognition of this and the incredible learnings Commvault has taken from these organizations, the winners were selected for their outstanding innovation in the implementation of Commvault data solutions across three categories:
- Digital Transformation – Penn State Health
- Automation of Data – RWTH Aachen University
- Governance & Compliance – Tata Consultancy Services
Outside of the awards, Commvault also welcomed leaders from American Pacific Mortgage, Oral Roberts University, CHS Inc. and Swinerton Inc. who participated in panel sessions and shared perspectives at the show.
Michele Buschman, Chief Information Officer at American Pacific Mortgage, discussed the critical value of Metallic within Commvault's Intelligent Data Services provision, across all infrastructure within her organization, stating:
"At American Pacific Mortgage, our mission is to deliver the dream of home ownership. Since our industry is so cyclical, we need technology that gives us confidence that our vast stores of data are safe and easily accessible. We migrated to Metallic so our data management can move as fast as our business. We went from taking two days to restore data files to less than five minutes. Metallic has met the moment allowing us to make critical decisions to help our homeowners achieve their goals."
Innovation Awards Winners Celebrated:
Penn State Health is a 17,500-employee hospital network utilizing Commvault not only to ensure life-saving operations continue, but also to maintain compliance, records management, patient confidentiality and data privacy that support the healthcare provider's business operations.
"The whole team was incredible over the entire course of the project. Solution, technology and professional support during implementation really made this the fantastic success it was," said Cory Heikel – SE Lead, Penn State Health.
RWTH Aachen University IT center manages all IT operations for the university and a wider group of Commvault user academic institutions across the local area in Germany. With significant investments being made in cutting-edge technology for the benefit of the students and researchers, this increases the necessity to ensure robust data protection and recovery for critical research projects.
"With Commvault, we found a product that matches all of our requirements, and we found a company that understands the specific needs of our environment and how to fulfill these," said Thomas Eifert, CTO, RWTH Aachen University.
With operations in 55 countries and more than 50 subsidiaries around the world, Tata Consultancy Services is critically involved in the IT and business transformation of its customers. Legislation around the management and usage of personal data is constantly evolving and becoming more critical than ever. Innovation is intrinsic to Tata to ensure the delivery of strategic business continuance for its customers.
"Commvault's deep and broad offerings truly enable us to help our global customers in their digital transformation, from massive and seamless migration of legacy data centers to the modern multi-cloud environment, to critical daily end-user points protections and mail archival operations," said Deepak Pawar, Head – Data Center and Cloud Platform Services, Infrastructure Services, Internal IT, Tata Consultancy Services.
These three winners were selected after reviewing nominations of our customers from across the world. We'd like to congratulate our other six finalists – each representing a different country – who have all embraced cutting-edge approaches to cloud data management to modernize their businesses with Commvault.
Commvault (NASDAQ: CVLT) is a global leader in data management. Our Intelligent Data Services help your organization do amazing things with your data by transforming how you protect, store, and use it. We provide a simple and unified Data Management Platform that spans all your data – regardless of where it lives (on-premises, hybrid, or multi-cloud) from legacy to modern workloads. Commvault solutions are available through any combination of software subscriptions, integrated appliances, partner-managed, or Software-as-a-Service via our Metallic portfolio. For over 25 years, more than 100,000 organizations have relied on Commvault to keep their data secure, assessable, and ready to drive business growth. Learn more at www.Commvault.com or follow us @Commvault.
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SOURCE Commvault | 2022-11-03T13:17:35+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2022/11/03/commvault-celebrates-global-customer-innovation/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — Performing in a fairy tale musical with songs by the Princess of Pop can be both magical and daunting. That’s the way Justin Guarini and Briga Heelan, who star in “Once Upon a One More Time,” see their roles in the jukebox musical that features songs by Britney Spears.
The musical debuted at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., in 2021 and now it’s on Broadway with Heelan and Guarini reprising their roles as Cinderella and Prince Charming.
On a recent two-show day, fans of all ages were wearing Britney-themed attire waiting to be seated and both actors are well aware that Spears’ dedicated fan base has high expectations.
Guarini, the runner-up to Kelly Clarkson on the first season of “American Idol,” said Spears’ music reminds him of the “iconic moments of growing up.” So honoring the Princess of Pop was “a huge honor” for him, the chance to share “in the joy and so much of the fun that she has created for millions of people across the world.”
As a veteran of the Broadway stage with seven shows under his belt, Guarini still finds the line between performer and fan a bit more challenging on this one. And so does his co-star.
Heelan, who starred in the sitcom, “Great News” is making her Broadway debut. A self-proclaimed hard-core Britney fan, she says her mission for each performance is to “do justice to her spirit.”
“You want to make sure that it infiltrates every nook and cranny of what you’re doing. And we’ve all worked very hard to hopefully make that true,” Heelan said.
She hopes that Spears comes to the show, but also admits she would be nervous. “I can’t let myself go there because it’s too deeply exciting,” Heelan said.
Heelan recalls it wasn’t that long ago that she would blast “Oops… I Did It Again” on her CD player. Now, that’s something that carries on to her daughter.
“I am a mom of a 6-year-old and we’re listening to Kidz Bop sing, ‘Oops… I Did It Again’ on the way to drop her off after kindergarten. And I’ll just be driving like, ‘I can’t believe this is reality. I can’t believe this moment,’” she said.
And that excitement translates to the stage in a show that Guarini calls a nonstop party that’s unlike anything he’s ever done before.
He says he sees the audience “moving in their seats and grooving, having a good time” and hears “gasps of enjoyment and recognition when they hear a song that they love set in a way that they didn’t expect it to be set.”
In a twist, “Once Upon a One More Time” isn’t the only Broadway show with Spears’ songs. The Tony Award-nominated “& Juliet” also has a few, including “Baby One More Time” and “‘Oops… I Did It Again.”
Before getting ready for a matinee performance, Guarini passes a framed jacket in his dressing room from the Jackson Five’s Victory Tour. He explains how his parents took him to the show at Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium when he was 6.
“I remember being there and seeing the lights and the smoke and the costumes and the dancing and all the things that we love about the Jackson Five, pointing to the stage and saying to myself, ‘I want to do that,’” Guarini said.
Not long after that concert, Guarini outgrew the jacket, as 6-year-old’s often do, and it was relegated to the closet until taking on his role of Prince Charming.
“I had to frame it and put it up on the wall because it is just a part of what we’re doing here,” Guarini said. | 2023-06-16T16:18:56+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/entertainment-news/justin-guarini-briga-heelan-honor-music-of-britney-spears-in-once-upon-a-one-more-time/ |
Copyright © 2022 Albuquerque Journal
A day of playing in the backyard resulted into severe eye trauma for a New Mexico boy.
In Bloomfield, nine-year-old Gage Mangum fell on a stick that went directly across his eye and hit the center of his cornea.
Gage went to his parents saying he couldn’t see and after a trip to Mercy Medical Center in Durango, Colorado, it was decided that he needed specialty care.
Gage was flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora and then Gage had his first surgery performed by Dr. Lucy Mudie.
Mudie completed an open globe laceration to save his eye. Gage’s care was then transferred to Dr. Emily McCourt, chief of pediatric ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
In January, Gage had to have another surgery to remove a traumatic cataract and remove the stitches that were originally placed in October. Although it’s very rare to have an open globe, it’s even more rare to come out of it with 20/25 vision like Gage did.
“I performed just a second surgery, which was when we took the cataract out of his eye, and took out the stitches in his eye,” McCourt said. “The stick went through the clear layer in front of his eyes, called the cornea, and then it went into the lens of his eye.”
When the lens got cloudy, Gage was diagnosed with a cataract.
“We think of cataracts mostly as an older person’s disease but they can happen in children for multiple reasons, and most commonly in my practice is due to trauma,” McCourt said. “So his first surgery was done by one of my partners and Dr. Subramanian and so that went really well”.
Thankfully, McCourt was able to help Gage progress back to normal.
“He had an eight millimeter corneal laceration, which is very large, because your corneal diameter is about 10 to 12 millimeters,” McCourt said. “Then I went back into his eyes, to take the cataract out and the stitches from his initial surgery, and allow him to see out of it.”
Though Gage’s physical trauma was obvious, accidents like this can be overwhelming for nine-year-olds.
“Big traumas can happen to good kids and good parents and I remind families of that when I meet them,” McCourt said. “Because there’s the physical trauma, there’s also emotional trauma involved in any accident like this and I think that my patients who address that with their families tend to have an easier time with the physical healing as well.”
For Gage, getting healthy meant getting back to sports.
“I know the cow catcher, and one big thing my dad taught me was do not go down on your back,” said Gage.
The doctors knew Gage’s biggest concern was playing ball again.
“While talking to him it was important to discuss his emotional healing as part of his recovery, and then also understanding his goals,” McCourt said. “He was very clear that he wanted to go back to wrestling, so we spent a lot of time talking about what steps would be needed and what kind of vision I wanted to have before I would OK him going back to wrestling.”
These conversations helped smoothen the process.
“So at least it’s my opinion that understanding the goals of the patient and the family, helps engage them in the process of healing and trying to attain the quality of life back that they aspire to,” McCourt said.
When Gage is not on the mat, you could also catch him on the field.
“I played baseball last year but I got injured in the middle of football season,” Gage said.
Though Gage’s eye will not fully go back to normal, he is able to play again.
“No, he will never be 100% but he’s pretty stinking close, as he sees 20/25 and needs a hard contact lens,” McCourt said. “Yeah, he’s 20/25, which is a beautiful result after the injury that he had.”
Gage also has great vision in his other eye.
“His other eye is 20/15, which is excellent vision,” McCourt said. “I’d say when I talked to parents and families on the night of or the day of the original injury, I often tell them that the first surgery is really just to save the eyeball because it is such a high risk of losing vision and losing your eye from having this type of injury.”
While Gage’s injury was rare, that part of his life is over.
“Open globe injury is exceedingly rare though it feels quite common around here,” McCourt said. “We repair one to two of these injuries every month. I can’t give you like a frequency in the community but considering how many states have children that we take care of. It’s pretty rare to have an open globe injury.”
For McCourt, Gage’s parents were instrumental towards a successful recovery.
“A lot of that is a testament to how wonderful Gage and his family were about doing every single thing I asked him to do the entire time,” McCourt said. “And also probably a little good luck in there too.”
Next fall, Gage can return to the mat.
“My biggest wrestling hint is do not stop, do not stop moving,” Gage said.
Just like in real life, Gage will not stop. | 2022-06-28T20:07:13+00:00 | abqjournal.com | https://www.abqjournal.com/2512146/never-stopping.html |
Buick has revived its Electra nameplate for a family of electric vehicles, the first member of which is the Electra E5 compact crossover destined for sale in China later this year.
Buick revealed the exterior design of the Electra E5 last December, and on Tuesday it provided a first look at the crossover’s interior. While the Electra E5 isn’t likely to reach the U.S., both its exterior and interior designs may preview what’s to come for electric Buicks sold on these shores.
The cabin design isn’t exactly groundbreaking, though the space looks like a comfortable place to be. The highlight is a 30-inch curved screen incorporating a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment screen. A head-up display will be available.
Other technologies include wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless charging for smartphones, 5G connectivity, support for over-the-air updates, and Bose audio.
The Electra E5 measures 192.6 inches in length and has a wheelbase of 116.3 inches, making it roughly the same size as the U.S.-bound 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV. According to Buick, it will be one of the roomiest vehicles in its class.
The Electra E5 is known to use General Motors’ Ultium EV platform and battery technology, but Buick is saving specific powertrain details until closer to the market launch.
As for Buick’s U.S.-bound EVs, there will be at least two in showrooms by the end of 2024, both of them SUVs. One will have conventional proportions, while the other will sport a more coupe-like profile.
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- Updated Volkswagen ID.3 boasts new styling, tech | 2023-03-02T18:18:21+00:00 | ksn.com | https://www.ksn.com/automotive/internet-brands/buick-reveals-interior-of-electra-e5-crossover/ |
Netflix plans $900M facility at former New Jersey Army base
Netflix said Wednesday it plans to build a state-of-the-art production facility at a former Army base at the Jersey Shore that will cost more than $900 million, and create thousands of jobs
The subscription video streaming company will pay $55 million for a 292-acre site on the former Fort Monmouth military base in Eatontown and Oceanport.
The California-based company plans an additional $848 million worth of investments in 12 sound stages and for other uses related to the film industry.
“We’re thrilled to continue and expand our significant investment in New Jersey and North America,” said Ted Sarandos, the company's co-CEO and chief content officer. “We believe a Netflix studio can boost the local and state economy with thousands of new jobs and billions in economic output, while sparking a vibrant production ecosystem in New Jersey.”
The announcement was made Wednesday evening, following a vote by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority to accept Netflix's bid over three competing offers.
“This transformative investment will serve as a cornerstone in our efforts to create a thriving industry from whole cloth,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. “As a result of nearly a billion dollars in film production spending, New Jersey will further solidify its status as an emerging national leader in the television and film industries."
He also said the project will create new housing, hotel and film-related businesses in the area, which has suffered economically since the Army closed the base in 2011.
The project is due to be completed in two phases over the course of several years.
The first will include the construction of a dozen sound stages, each ranging in size from 15,000 to 40,000 square feet (around 1,400 to 3,700 square meters).
Additional work may include office space, production services buildings and related studio space with the potential for consumer-focused components including retail uses.
"We are thrilled by the promise this Netflix project will deliver," said Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. “Jobs and innovation are at the heart of this Netflix-New Jersey partnership, just as they were throughout Fort Monmouth’s rich history.”
The plan still needs numerous levels of approvals from local and state officials.
Another TV and film production studio is set to be built in New Jersey on the site of a now-demolished public housing complex in Newark. The $125 million, 12-acres studio will be anchored by global entertainment provider Lionsgate, officials announced in May. | 2022-12-22T22:51:45+00:00 | detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2022/12/22/netflix-plans-900m-facility-at-former-new-jersey-army-base/69749431007/ |
This weekend’s USFL games: Regular season concludes in Week 10 with playoff-bound teams in action
WASHINGTON - The USFL regular season concludes this weekend as teams heading to the postseason look to finish strong in Week 10. FOX will have a huge matchup featuring the playoff-bound Birmingham Stallions (8-1) versus the Tampa Bay Bandits (4-5) at 4 p.m. ET Saturday.
Birmingham has been one of the top teams all season but suffered their first loss against the Houston Gamblers last week. The Stallions won the South Division and want to bounce back this weekend with a win against Tampa Bay.
A key matchup will be the play of Stallions quarterback J'Mar Smith and Bandits QB Jordan Ta'amu. Smith has played well all season to get the Stallions into the postseason and Ta'amu, who leads the league in touchdown passes (12), will attempt to put pressure on Birmingham's defense.
The USFL regular season concludes in Week 10 with playoff-bound teams in action. (FOX Sports)
USFL 2022 Week 10 Schedule
Birmingham Stallions (8-1) vs. Tampa Bay Bandits (4-5) - 4 p.m. ET, June 18, FOX.
Philadelphia Stars (6-3) vs. New Jersey Generals (8-1) -12 p.m. ET, June 18, USA.
Michigan Panthers (1-8) vs. Pittsburgh Maulers (1-8)- 12 p.m. ET, June 19, USA.
New Orleans Breakers (6-3) vs. Houston Gamblers (2-7)- 8:30 p.m. ET, June 11, FS1.
USFL Team Standings heading into Week 10
North Division-W-L
- New Jersey Generals (8-1)
- Philadelphia Stars (6-3)
- Michigan Panthers (1-8)
- Pittsburgh Maulers (1-8)
South Division-W-L
- Birmingham Stallions (8-1)
- New Orleans Breakers (6-3)
- Tampa Bay Bandits (4-5)
- Houston Gamblers (2-7)
The USFL is a new, independent American football league controlled by FOX Sports through NSFL HoldCo, LLC, a new business entity.
This story was reported from Washington, D.C. | 2022-06-16T21:02:32+00:00 | fox29.com | https://www.fox29.com/sports/this-weekends-usfl-games-regular-season-concludes-week-10 |
LONDON (AP) — BP said its earnings from April to June almost tripled from a year earlier, increasing pressure on governments to intervene as energy companies profit from high oil and natural gas prices that are fueling inflation and squeezing consumers.
Net income jumped to $9.26 billion in the second quarter from $3.12 billion in the same period a year ago, London-based BP said Tuesday. It said it expects oil and gas prices to remain high due to disruptions in supply caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
BP’s earnings come as energy companies worldwide scoop up record profits. British rival Shell last week posted an unprecedented $18 billion quarterly profit. Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil reported net income of $17.85 billion, and San Ramon, California-based Chevron earned $11.62 billion.
Nick Butler, a visiting professor at Kings College London and a former BP vice president, said the figures are likely to make BP and other oil companies uncomfortable given the pain high energy prices are causing for consumers.
“I think BP’s very sensitive to the reputational problems of making money at this level,” Butler told the BBC. “I think there’s a real case here, which I think people in the companies would be very open to, for the government calling together the industry to find a plan to get us through the winter without putting these very high prices onto ordinary consumers.”
British regulators have increased the annual energy price cap for household gas and electricity bills by 73%, to 1,971 pounds ($2,408), since Oct. 1. Cornwall Insights, an energy and utility consultant, on Tuesday estimated that the cap would jump a further 70%, to 3,359 pounds, this fall as regulators try to keep pace with wholesale gas prices.
In the United Kingdom, where inflation reached a 40-year high of 9.4% in June, the government has announced a 25% windfall profits tax on the earnings of oil and gas companies that come from British operations.
BP said Tuesday that the windfall profits tax would increase the headline tax rate on its North Sea operations to 65% from 40%. The company said it plans to set aside $800 million to cover the bump.
The opposition Labour Party said the government should do more to help consumers.
“People are worried sick about energy prices rising again in the autumn, but yet again we see eye-watering profits for oil and gas producers,” Rachel Reeves, the party’s spokeswoman on treasury issues, said in a statement. “Labour argued for months for a windfall tax on these companies to help bring bills down, but when the Tories finally U-turned they decided to hand billions of pounds back to producers in tax breaks.”
Brent crude, a benchmark for international oil prices, averaged $113.83 a barrel in the second quarter, up 65% from a year earlier, according to BP. Natural gas prices more than doubled over the same period, rising as Russia’s war in Ukraine worsened an energy crunch and as Moscow has reduced or cut off natural gas supplies to a dozen European Union countries.
The high prices pushed BP’s underlying replacement cost earnings, an industry standard profit measure that excludes one-time items and the value of inventories, to $8.45 billion in the second quarter from $2.80 billion in the same period last year.
The soaring earnings allowed BP to return billions of dollars to shareholders, with the company boosting its dividend by 10% and announcing plans to buy back $3.5 billion in shares. BP said it expects to increase dividends by about 4% annually through 2025.
BP shares rose 4.3%, to 409.8 pence, in afternoon trading on the London Stock Exchange, outpacing the 0.2% gain in the benchmark FTSE 100 Index.
The company also said it was investing in plans to increase the production of renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels as the company seeks to cut net carbon emissions to zero by 2050. The company said it increased its pipeline of renewable energy projects by 10% in the first half of the year, primarily through an option to develop offshore wind farms off the east coast of Scotland and a global solar energy initiative.
“Our people have continued to work hard throughout the quarter helping to solve the energy trilemma — secure, affordable and lower carbon energy,” Chief Executive Bernard Looney said. “We do this by providing the oil and gas the world needs today — while at the same time investing to accelerate the energy transition.”
Environmental groups criticized the company for moving too slowly.
“While households are being plunged into poverty with knock-on impacts for the whole economy, fossil fuel companies are laughing all the way to the bank,” said Doug Parr, chief scientist for Greenpeace UK. “The government is failing the U.K. and the climate in its hour of need.” | 2022-08-02T22:51:06+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/news/business/bp-earnings-triple-as-energy-firm-profits-from-rising-prices/ |
US warns about foreign efforts to sway American voters
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials are warning ahead of the November midterms that Russia is working to amplify doubts about the integrity of U.S. elections while China is interested in undermining American politicians it sees as threats to Beijing’s interests.
An unclassified intelligence advisory, newly obtained by The Associated Press, says China is probably seeking to influence select races to “hinder candidates perceived to be particularly adversarial to Beijing.” In the advisory, sent to state and local officials in mid-September, intelligence officials said they believe Beijing sees a lower risk in meddling in the midterms versus a presidential election.
While officials said they’ve not identified any credible threats to election infrastructure in the U.S., the latest intelligence warning comes amid the peak of a midterm campaign in which a rising number of candidates and voters openly express a lack of confidence in the nation’s democratic processes.
Foreign countries have long sought to sway public opinion in America, perhaps most notably in a covert Russian campaign that used social media to sow discord on hot-button social issues ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The U.S. government has been on high alert since, warning about efforts by Russia, China and Iran to meddle in American politics and shape how voters think.
The U.S. faces foreign influence campaigns while still dealing with growing threats to election workers domestically and the systematic spread of falsehoods and disinformation about voter fraud. Former President Donald Trump and many of his supporters — including candidates running to oversee elections in several states — continue to lie about the 2020 presidential election even as no evidence has emerged of significant voter fraud.
“The current environment is pretty complex, arguably much more complex than it was in 2020,” Jen Easterly, director of DHS’ cybersecurity arm, told reporters Monday.
Russia is amplifying divisive topics already circulating on the Internet — including doubts about the integrity of American elections — but not creating its own content, said a senior FBI official who briefed reporters Monday on the condition of anonymity under terms set by the bureau.
Overall, the official said, China’s efforts are focused more on shaping policy perspectives, including at the state and local level, rather than on electoral outcomes.
Still, China appears to have focused its attention on a “subset of candidates” in the U.S. it sees as opposed to its policy interests, the official explained. In one high-profile case, the Justice Department in March charged Chinese operatives in a plot to undermine the candidacy of a Chinese dissident and student leader of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 who was running for a congressional seat in New York.
The briefing Monday came weeks after the Department of Homeland Security distributed an advisory that described China’s approach during this midterm as different from the 2020 election, when the intelligence community assessed that China considered but did not deploy efforts to influence the presidential election.
There were publicly revealed examples during the last presidential election of influence campaigns originating in China. Facebook in September 2020 took down pages that posted what it said was a “small amount of content” on the election; that effort focused primarily on the South China Sea.
The DHS advisory doesn’t list specific races or states where it thinks China-linked actors might operate, but cites the March indictment alleging efforts to undermine the New York congressional candidate. It also suggests China’s interest in politics extends beyond the U.S., saying Australian intelligence since 2017 has scrutinized Chinese government attempts to support legislators or candidates, including those who have amplified Beijing’s stances on select issues.
A DHS spokesperson said the department regularly shares threat information with federal, state and local officials.
Chinese and Russian officials and state media have historically rejected U.S. allegations of election meddling and pointed in turn to American influence efforts in other countries.
State and local governments are limited in what they can do against influence campaigns, given that “their job isn’t to police political conversation,” said Larry Norden, an election security expert with the Brennan Center for Justice.
“I do think there is a lot voters should be doing,” he added. “If they are seeing messages about candidates presented in an alarmist or emotionally charged way, their radar should be going up. They should be checking the accuracy of claims, and if they are seeing false claims, they should be letting the social media companies know.”
Scott Bates, the deputy secretary of state in Connecticut, noted that election officials in the state had responded to warnings about foreign influence dating back to 2016.
“Our best defense is to have an educated populace,” he said.
He drew a distinction between misinformation about election processes and misinformation about a candidate or campaign.
“The election process, we can protect that,” he said. “If you’re talking about talking trash about a candidate, we’re not in the business of patrolling that.”
Some signs of influence operations from Russia and China are already public.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said in late September that it disabled a sprawling disinformation network coming from Russia involving sham news websites and hundreds of fake social media accounts. Researchers also exposed a much smaller network originating in China that was intended to spread divisive political content in the U.S., but reached only a tiny audience.
Officials at the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said Monday they were not aware of any credible threat to election infrastructure. A senior FBI official said that though officials were not tracking any specific effort by a foreign government to hack election equipment, they were nonetheless concerned that an adversary could spread exaggerated or false claims of compromise to undermine confidence in the elections.
Besides concerns about cybersecurity and foreign influence campaigns, the FBI is increasingly focused on physical threats to election workers.
Between June 2020 and June of last year, the FBI received more than 1,000 reports of harassing communication directed at election personnel. Most of the harassment came from email, phone calls and social media, and the majority primarily originated in states where there were ongoing audits of election results.
Of those tips, about 11% met the threshold of a potential federal crime. A specialized Justice Department task force focused on the issue has made four arrests, the FBI said. Officials cited constitutional barriers in bringing more cases because of the First Amendment’s strong protection of an individual’s political speech.
___
Associated Press journalist Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-03T21:51:11+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/2022/10/03/us-warns-about-foreign-efforts-sway-american-voters/ |
Further insights: 65 percent of consumers intend to shop via mobile apps; inflation isn't stunting holiday spending; 44% of both Millennials and Gen X report excitement about BFCM.
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tapcart, a leading mobile commerce platform that enables Shopify-powered brands to launch mobile apps, today announced the release of its first-ever Black Friday Cyber Monday Peak Szn Trend Report.
The report is a product of a survey Tapcart conducted with 1,155 mobile shoppers. The report provides an accurate picture of the state of mobile commerce during Black Friday / Cyber Monday (known as BFCM) this year, accompanied by data-backed recommendations for merchants. The methodology of the survey involved recruiting shoppers of all generations, ethnicities, incomes, gender identities, relationship statuses, and education.
"There was a lot of speculation that last year's holiday shopping season was only as successful as it was because of stimulus checks. Tapcart's BFCM trend report eliminates those hypotheses with data-backed evidence revealing shoppers expect their budget to be the same if not higher than in 2021," says Gabrielle Wooden, Senior Content Marketing Manager at Tapcart. "The goal of this trend report was to alleviate the guesswork and misconceptions around this year's holiday shopping season. We wanted to offer merchants tangible evidence so they can go into 2022's holiday season fully prepared," Wooden adds.
Tapcart found that BFCM has the highest mobile app adoption rate of the year. With shoppers being more willing to download mobile apps during peak season, merchants have an opportunity to enhance their omnichannel marketing strategy. Survey results indicate that 65 percent of respondents plan to shop on mobile devices this holiday season, so merchants are well advised to invest in a mobile app and build an owned-marketing channel that targets high-interest customers.
The 2022 Peak Szn Trend Report details 8 trends around consumer BFCM shopping habits:
- Peak season transactions will flourish on mobile.
- Despite inflation, shoppers are ready to spend this holiday season.
- Shoppers are already planning their holiday purchases.
- There is a lot of stress and excitement about BFCM among shoppers.
- Shoppers admit to impulse buying.
- Gift-giving is the love language of shoppers.
- Shoppers are pretty ambivalent toward ads these days.
- Shoppers don't have the patience for a slow or poorly designed mobile web experience.
For more information on the research methodology, additional insights, and to download the full report, visit www.tapcart.com/report/peak-szn-2022
In April 2017, Tapcart was launched by mobile veterans Eric Netsch and Sina Mobasser to solve mobile commerce for all. The goal was to bring mobile apps to the masses and create a platform that enabled a brand to design, launch and manage an app with no coding or development work required. To learn more, visit www.tapcart.com.
Press Contact:
Tribe Builder Media
Kymberlee Bolden
929-367-8993
press@tribebuildermedia.com
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SOURCE Tapcart | 2022-09-21T12:02:58+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/09/21/tapcart-releases-2022-bfcm-peak-season-trend-report-demonstrating-data-backed-evidence-mobile-commerce-shopping-trends/ |
Southern Illinois Salukis (3-1) vs. UNLV Rebels (4-0)
Southern Illinois finished 16-15 overall with a 7-6 record against non-conference opponents in the 2021-22 season. The Salukis gave up 61.4 points per game while committing 15.3 fouls last season.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. | 2022-11-22T09:10:58+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/unlv-faces-southern-illinois-in-san-juan-capistrano-california/2022/11/22/0707abee-6a3a-11ed-8619-0b92f0565592_story.html |
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunic, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMUX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of selective oral immunology therapies focused on treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, today announced that the company has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for patent application 16/646130, entitled, "Compound Having Cyclic Structure." The patent covers composition-of-matter of IMU-856 and related pharmaceutical compositions and is expected to provide protection into at least 2038, without accounting for potential Patent Term Extension (PTE).
The patent application was originally filed by Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (Daiichi Sankyo), which discovered IMU-856. In 2018, Immunic and Daiichi Sankyo entered into a global option and license agreement, granting Immunic the exclusive right to license IMU-856, which was subsequently exercised by Immunic in 2020. The license included exclusivity on the composition-of-matter patent.
"Allowance of this composition-of-matter patent significantly strengthens our intellectual property estate and is key to the clinical development of IMU-856, which we believe to be a highly potent small molecule oral epigenetic regulator. In particular, IMU-856 appears to influence the tightly regulated network of genes and proteins associated with intestinal epithelial cell interaction and adhesion which could present an entirely new and innovative approach to the treatment of a significant number of gastrointestinal diseases," stated Daniel Vitt, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Immunic. "In May 2022, we reached an important milestone with the initiation of part C of our phase 1 clinical trial of IMU-856 in patients with celiac disease, to confirm the drug's ability to restore intestinal barrier function without affecting the immune system. We also look forward to reporting unblinded safety data from the single and multiple ascending dose parts of the phase 1 clinical trial in healthy human subjects in the third quarter of this year."
IMU-856, which Immunic believes to be novel, is an orally available small molecule modulator that targets a protein which serves as a transcriptional regulator of intestinal barrier function and regeneration of bowel epithelium. Based on preclinical data, the compound may represent a new treatment approach, as the mechanism of action targets the restoration of the intestinal barrier function and bowel wall architecture in patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and other intestinal barrier function associated diseases. Immunic believes that, because IMU-856 has been shown in preclinical investigations to avoid suppression of immune cells, it may therefore maintain immune surveillance for patients during therapy, an important advantage versus chronic treatment with potentially immunosuppressive medications. IMU-856 is an investigational drug product that has not been approved in any jurisdiction.
IMU-856 was discovered by Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (Daiichi Sankyo). In November 2018, Immunic and Daiichi Sankyo entered into a global option and license agreement, granting Immunic the exclusive right to license IMU-856. The license also includes exclusivity on a patent application filed by Daiichi Sankyo, covering IMU-856's composition of matter. Immunic exercised the option in January 2020.
Immunic, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMUX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of selective oral immunology therapies focused on treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The company is developing three small molecule products: its lead development program, vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838), a selective immune modulator that inhibits the intracellular metabolism of activated immune cells by blocking the enzyme DHODH and exhibits a host-based antiviral effect, is currently being developed as a treatment option for multiple sclerosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. IMU-935, a selective inverse agonist of the transcription factor RORγ/RORγt, is targeted for development in psoriasis, and castration-resistant prostate cancer. IMU-856, which targets the restoration of the intestinal barrier function, is targeted for development in diseases involving bowel barrier dysfunction. For further information, please visit: www.imux.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected expenses, sufficiency of cash, expected timing and results of clinical trials, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Immunic's three development programs and the targeted diseases; the potential for IMU-856 to safely and effectively target diseases; preclinical and clinical data for IMU-856; the timing of current and future clinical trials and anticipated clinical milestones; the nature, strategy and focus of the company and further updates with respect thereto; and the development and commercial potential of any product candidates of the company. Immunic may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, without limitation, the COVID-19 pandemic, impacts of the Ukraine – Russia conflict on planned and ongoing clinical trials, risks and uncertainties associated with the ability to project future cash utilization and reserves needed for contingent future liabilities and business operations, the availability of sufficient financial and other resources to meet business objectives and operational requirements, the fact that the results of earlier preclinical studies and clinical trials may not be predictive of future clinical trial results, the protection and market exclusivity provided by Immunic's intellectual property, risks related to the drug development and the regulatory approval process and the impact of competitive products and technological changes. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in the section captioned "Risk Factors," in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2022, and in the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov or ir.imux.com/sec-filings. Any forward-looking statement made in this release speaks only as of the date of this release. Immunic disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Immunic expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this press release.
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Immunic, Inc.
Jessica Breu
Head of Investor Relations and Communications
+49 89 2080 477 09
jessica.breu@imux.com
US IR Contact
Rx Communications Group
Paula Schwartz
+1 917 633 7790
immunic@rxir.com
US Media Contact
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Edna Kaplan
+1 617 974 8659
kaplan@kogspr.com
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SOURCE Immunic, Inc. | 2022-08-16T10:50:35+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/immunic-receives-notice-allowance-composition-of-matter-patent-united-states-imu-856-small-molecule-modulator-targeting-restoration-intestinal-barrier-function-regeneration-bowel-epithelium/ |
BINCHE – On a sunny winter morning heralding a radiant Mardi Gras, Beatrice and Karl Kersten don’t have a minute to spare.
In their warm workshop decorated with ancestral photos, the couple bend over their sewing machines. They are busy putting the finishing touches to the delicate lace details adorning the carnival costumes that will send a whole town into rapture once paraded through the cobbled streets of Binche.
“It’s a total rush, we are late,” said Karl, a fourth-generation tailor.
But to the Kerstens and their son Quentin, now in charge of the family business in the medieval western Belgian town, this year the pressure feels really good.
After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic that brutally brought one of Europe’s oldest Mardi Gras celebrations to a halt — and the Kerstens to the verge of bankruptcy — celebrations are back with a vengeance this winter.
“There is a real excitement and enthusiasm,” said Quentin. ”People came much earlier to reserve their costumes than in other years.”
The earliest records of the Binche Mardi Gras, which draws thousands of revelers, date to the 14th century. Many Belgian towns hold ebullient carnival processions before Lent. But what makes Binche unique are the “Gilles” — local men deemed fit to wear the Mardi Gras costumes.
Under rules established by the local folklore defense association, only men from Binche families or resident there for at least five years can wear the Gille costume. Other characters — the Peasant, the Sailor, the Harlequin, the Pierrot or the Gille’s Wife — also play a role in the carnival.
The UNESCO-listed event starts three days before Lent and reaches its climax on Mardi Gras, when the Gilles — in wax masks sporting green spectacles and thin moustaches — dance in their wooden clogs to the sound of brass instruments and clarinets until the early morning hours. Women can join in, but only men wear the Gille outfit.
“The carnival is really the soul of the city of Binche, so we have been really sad over the past two years” said Patrick Haumont, a town hall staffer who often takes part in the celebrations, dressed in the red, yellow and black attire.
Over the past three weeks, rehearsals for the main parade have attracted more participants than usual. And at weekends, excitement in the bars filling the town’s main square hits unprecedented levels.
“Instead of the one beer you would normally drink, it’s now five,” Haumont said.
After the economic struggles of the pandemic years, and amid pain from energy bills that went through the roof after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the people of Binche want to make this year’s carnival one for the ages.
Although taking part requires a big financial commitment — renting a Gille costume and a lavish ostrich-feather hat costs around 300 euros ($327) — some 1,000 Gilles are expected to parade through the narrow streets of brick row houses to the beat of the drum and the tinkling bells of their outfits.
“People have rented more costumes, more hats. Everybody wants to do it again. We can see that there is a need,” Haumont said.
For Christian Mostade, an 88-year-old member of the biggest Gilles company, it will be his 38th carnival as a Gille.
“In normal times, we would be around 140 or 145," he said. “This year we'll be 158. There are old-timers who have not participated for a long time who have returned, and also many new ones."
Charly Rombaux is among the newcomers. The 35-year-old delivery driver does not want to wear the daunting traditional hat that weighs nearly 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) for his grand debut as a Gille.
The experienced Mostade had the solution pat.
“The solution is to find three men in your company with the same head size, so you can alternate with the hat on," Mostade said as the two met for the first time this week and quickly engaged in a passionate conversation.
That need to get together again in a city where the Carnival creates a unique sense of belonging is a relief for the “louageurs" — the craftsmen making the costumes and renting them to the Gilles.
At some point during the pandemic, as he struggled to make ends meet, Quentin Kersten thought about calling it quits and starting anew as an electrician. His parents had to dip into their savings, forgetting about the trips they envisaged for their retirement days to salvage their business instead.
“It was a catastrophe," Karl Kersten summed up.
But that dark chapter is now closed. Haumont marks his words: “For a regular carnival, there is effervescence. But this year, it is just going to be madness." | 2023-02-03T10:03:32+00:00 | local10.com | https://www.local10.com/entertainment/2023/02/03/leaving-covid-behind-belgian-carnival-town-goes-mad-again/ |
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A third railroad union has rejected its agreement with the nation’s freight railroads, increasing the chances that Congress may be called upon to settle the dispute and block a strike.
The small International Brotherhood of Boilermakers union on Monday voted down the contract even though it includes the biggest raises workers have seen in more than four decades. The union represents just a few hundred of the roughly 115,000 rail workers involved in the contract dispute with Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, CSX and other railroads.
All 12 rail unions must approve their deals to prevent a strike, although no strike is imminent because all the unions have agreed to keep negotiating even if their members vote no, until a deadline early next month.
Seven other unions have ratified the five-year deals that include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. The focus now is on the three unions that have voted down their agreements and the remaining two that haven’t finished voting.
Workers’ quality-of-life concerns about demanding schedules and the lack of paid sick time in the industry have threatened to derail the agreements even with the sizeable raises railroads are offering.
Contract talks with the two unions that rejected their deals last month remain deadlocked over the issue of paid sick time. So it is looking increasingly likely that Congress will have to step in to settle this dispute
“If we can’t improve the agreement by getting some sort of sick leave, I think Congress is going to have to intervene because I think the railroads are just too stubborn to give us what we want unless we are able to strike,” Tony Cardwell, president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union, said Monday.
The railroads have said they want these contracts to closely follow the recommendations made this summer by a special board of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed. Offering sick leave on top of the raises and bonuses that are already in the deal would require the railroads to spend more.
Congress is expected to block a rail strike and impose contract terms on both sides if they can’t come to an agreement before next month’s deadline. That’s because the stakes are so high for the economy with so many businesses relying on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products.
When they’re not at the negotiating table, the railroads and unions will be lobbying Congress over the next few weeks about what should be included if lawmakers do decide to impose contract terms on the freight railroads.
If the two biggest unions that represent conductors and engineers also reject their deals when they release the results of their votes next Monday, that would put additional pressure on the railroads. But Cardwell said he doesn’t think even that would be enough to get the railroads to budge on sick time.
The railroads declined to comment Monday on the status of the talks with the BMWED and Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen unions, but they have been adamant about not offering paid sick time. They say they believe the unions agreed to forego paid sick time over the years in favor of higher wages and strong short-term disability benefits.
One reason the unions object to the railroads’ refusal to offer sick time is because federal contractors are required by an executive order to give that to their employees. The railroads insisted they were federal contractors last year when they required employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine but now they say the sick time requirement doesn’t apply to them.
Hundreds of business groups have written letters to Biden and members of Congress urging them to be prepared to intervene in the contract dispute, if necessary. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh has said he is in daily contact with the railroads and unions urging them to work out a deal. | 2022-11-14T23:14:46+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/another-union-rejects-deal-with-nations-freight-railroads/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Three Indianapolis men have been convicted of murder and other charges in the fatal shooting of three young men and a young woman found slain in a ransacked Indianapolis apartment, a prosecutor said Friday.
Cameron Banks, Desmond Banks, and Lasean Watkins were convicted of four counts each of murder, felony murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury following a five-day trial, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said.
The charges stemmed from the February 2020 shooting deaths of Braxton Ford, Kimari Hunt, Jalen Roberts and Marcel Wills.
A fourth suspect, Rodrience Anderson, pleaded guilty last October to four counts of robbery resulting in serious bodily injury and, under a plea agreement, agreed to cooperate with the prosecution.
Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the arrests of the four at a news conference where he praised the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and “the cooperation and collaboration of community members" for their efforts leading to the arrests.
"While nothing can bring back the four young people whose lives were cut much too short by senseless violence, these charges serve as a meaningful step toward delivering justice to the impacted families," Hogsett said.
A witness who noticed that an apartment’s patio door had been shattered and possibly shot out called the police late on Feb. 5. The caller said “subjects” were seen fleeing the scene.
Inside, officers found the four victims and the apartment ransacked, with drawers pulled from dressers and an empty safe with a key still inside it in a closet, according to the affidavit. Two guns were also missing, it states.
A witness told detectives that he had been at the apartment the night of the killings and had seen three people show up there in hoodies, according to the affidavit. That person told detectives that “everyone at the apartment was shooting dice and one of the males kept coming and going from the residence while another of the males kept coming and going to the restroom as if he was trying to look around the house,” the affidavit states.
The witness provided a vehicle description and investigators identified the vehicle on surveillance video, the affidavit says. | 2023-03-04T03:43:19+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/3-indiana-men-guilty-in-fatal-shooting-of-3-men-17819279.php |
Groom recovering after bride killed in suspected drunk driving crash
Almost two weeks after a newly-married couple were struck by an alleged drunk driver following their wedding in South Carolina — which left the bride dead and the groom severely injured — the groom’s family said he is now at home recovering.
Aric Hutchinson sustained multiple injuries, including brain bleeding and two broken legs, in the April 28 crash near Charleston, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his family.
Hutchinson, his bride Samantha Miller, and two others were in a golf cart celebrating after the wedding reception when they were struck. The golf cart rolled several times and was thrown over 100 yards. Miller, 34, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died in the wreck, according to the Charleston County Coroner’s Office.
Annette Hutchinson, Aric’s mother, wrote in an update GoFundMe post that her son “is physically recovering at home while trying to come to terms with the loss of his beautiful wife.”
She said Aric also had to have broken bones in his face surgically repaired.
Data retrieved from the rental car of the suspected drunk driver, identified as 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, indicated she was driving 65 mph and only briefly hit the brakes before she collided into the golf cart on Folly Beach, investigators said. The speed limit on the island near Charleston is 25 mph.
Annette Hutchinson says Aric is mourning the death of Miller and doing the “unimaginable,” planning her funeral along with her family.
“She could light up a room with her presence and had an ease about her. They shared many hopes and dreams for their future including children and building a house,” Annette Hutchinson wrote.
She said the fundraiser, which has raised almost $700,000, will help pay for Miller’s funeral and medical costs for Aric and his family.
Komoroski, meanwhile, is charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing death. According to a police affidavit obtained by CBS News, Komoroski told an officer on the scene that she had consumed one beer and a drink containing tequila about one hour before the crash. | 2023-05-10T03:31:35+00:00 | wsgw.com | https://www.wsgw.com/groom-recovering-after-bride-killed-in-suspected-drunk-driving-crash/ |
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Is winter weather stressing your strands? Cold air contains less moisture, which leads to everything from dry sinuses, to dry skin and dry hair.
Experts say that the cold weather outside coupled with the dry air inside can strip your hair of moisture and leave your locks with little to no luster.
“More often than not, the exposure to the harsh cold elements and constant transition to heated indoors can sap our hair of its moisture, leading to dull hair that’s more susceptible to damage,” dermatologist Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi tells Vogue. “Not only are your strands at risk of breakage due to the dry, cold winter air, but scalp dryness, dandruff, can rear its ugly head during these drier months.”
Luckily, there are several things you can do to reverse winter damage to your hair.
Use The Best Hair Moisturizer You Can Find
Hair moisturizer provides a protective barrier of moisture that will not only keep your hair smooth and soft, but it will also help to prevent breakage and future damage. While you can use oils, serums or leave-in conditioners to lock in moisture, hair moisturizers are generally thicker and more concentrated, and provide more bang for your buck. If you’re in the market for new products to try, be sure to check out some of our favorite hair moisturizers.
Wear Satin-Lined Caps In Winter
Part of the reason why our hair can suffer so much in the winter isn’t just the cold itself, but the measures we go to in order to manage the cold. Wooly winter hats can keep our heads warm, but they are also rough on our hair follicles. Wool absorbs moisture, meaning our hair can lose much-needed moisture every time we put on our winter gear.
That is why satin-lined winter caps are invaluable for your locks. Satin-lined hats (like this beanie on Amazon that is currently over 40% off) can prevent frizz, dryness and breakage.
You may also want to consider using soft satin or silk scarves to help prevent hair damage. And don’t forget satin pillowcases!
Don’t Take Super Hot Showers
We know: Hot showers during the winter time feel like a must. But using hot water to wash your hair can actually be quite damaging. Hot water robs your hair of moisture because it strips away natural oils from your scalp. This can also lead to an itchy scalp and dandruff in the long run.
Instead, use lukewarm water, and finish with a cold water rinse to seal the hair shaft. It doesn’t have to be ice-cold, but simply as cold as you can stand.
“Without a doubt, cold water is far better for your hair than hot,” celebrity hairstylist Florian Hurel said to Vogue. “Washing your hair with cold water helps with closing your cuticle after the wash.”
Do A Biweekly Hair Mask
While conditioner can go a long way in moisturizing your strands, it’s not always enough to undo all the effects winter has on your hair. That’s where hair masks come in.
“The ingredients in hair masks are a lot more potent than ingredients in regular conditioners, and their benefits definitely last a lot longer,” hairstylist Devin Toth tells Glamour.
Treating your hair with a mask once or twice a week can help you restore your hair’s health. Olaplex 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask is a current celebrity favorite, and it’s also on our list of top-rated hair masks for 2023.
Get A Humidifier
We know, this doesn’t exactly sound like a beauty tip, but it really is. Humidifiers are essential for supple skin and soft hair, especially during the winter when central heating can make indoor air extra-dry.
“Sleeping with a humidifier helps balance out the humidity in your home, keeping it at an ideal level for maintaining your hair’s moisture and health without causing frizz,” NYC dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, tells Well + Good. It also helps keep your hair looking and feeling soft, shiny, and strong.”
Shop our favorite top-rated humidifiers here.
This story originally appeared on Don't Waste Your Money. Checkout Don't Waste Your Money for product reviews and other great ideas to save and make money. | 2023-02-17T17:28:57+00:00 | wrtv.com | https://www.wrtv.com/how-to-fix-extremely-dry-hair |
Louis the XIV ruled France for 72 years. He invaded the Spanish Netherlands, battled the Hapsburgs, extended the French dominion to eastern Canada, imposed national authority, built the French navy and engineered the extraordinary gardens at Versailles.
So how did the roi soleil, or Sun King, have time for all of this when he was in the bedroom so much?
Lady Antonia Fraser writes tantalizingly around this question in her latest book, Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King. Fraser explores the king's relationships with his mother, lovers and other women in the court. Fraser's last book, Marie Antoinette: The Journey, was the basis of Sofia Coppola's recent film on the French queen.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-08-28T21:59:13+00:00 | mtpr.org | https://www.mtpr.org/2006-11-11/antonia-fraser-peers-into-the-heart-of-louis-xiv |
PRAGUE (AP) — The Predators’ new additions made a quick impact in the NHL’s first regular-season game.
Nino Niederreiter scored his debut goal for Nashville, which beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 in the Czech capital on Friday night.
Kiefer Sherwood, another newcomer, became the first player to score this season, putting Nashville on top 1:01 into the game. Eeli Tolvanen also scored and Matt Duchene finished it off with an empty-netter.
“All of the new guys to our team obviously contributed a lot,” coach John Hynes said. “The style, the game they played really fits the identity we want to play.”
The teams will play again on Saturday at Prague’s O2 Arena as part of the league’s return to Europe for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tomas Hertl scored for San Jose in the first period, delighting the roaring crowd of 16,648 in his hometown. Tolvanen’s goal at 1:24 of the second put the Predators ahead to stay.
The Predators outshot the Sharks 32-31 while Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 30 shots.
Niederreiter and defenseman Ryan McDonagh were key offseason additions for the Predators, who are hoping to continue a run of eight straight playoff berths. That’s tied with Washington for the second-longest active streak in the league.
Niederreiter made it 3-1 late in the second period with his a one-timer off a feed from Dante Fabbro.
“To be honest, this trip has been very easy for all the new guys,” Niederreiter said. “We glued together very well. I mean they’re very welcoming, so I think it’s a big reason why we clicked on the ice.”
Sherwood scored on a rebound past goaltender James Reimer, who finished with 28 saves.
The 28-year-old Hertl, who recently signed a $65.1 million, eight-year contract to remain with San Jose, picked up a feed from Timo Meier and found the roof of the net just 6 seconds after a Sharks power play ended.
“It was a pretty special moment, obviously,” new San Jose coach David Quinn said. “We were a little bit inspired by that and we played better after that.”
Quinn was hired after the Sharks missed the NHL playoffs for a third straight season.
“I like some of the things we were doing but once they made it 3 to 1, I really thought there was a huge disparity in the way they played compared to the way we played,” Quinn said.
The Sharks converted on just 19% of power plays last season, and they struggled again on Friday, going 0 for 4 with the man advantage. Nashville also came up empty on four power plays.
ACROSS THE POND HOCKEY
This is the ninth season the NHL has played games in Europe, where it hopes to connect with fans in hockey-mad countries including the Czech Republic, Sweden and Finland.
Nashville played in Europe for the first time. The Predators were set to open the 2020-21 season in Prague against the Boston Bruins before the pandemic scrapped those plans.
The Sharks have contested four previous games outside North America. They faced the Columbus Blue Jackets twice in Stockholm and played two games against the Calgary Flames in Tokyo in 1998.
Friday’s opener was the first NHL game in Europe since the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres faced off in Stockholm on Nov. 9, 2019.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 4, 2019 were the last NHL teams to play in Prague.
The league’s 2022 Global Series will conclude in Tampere, Finland, where the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche will face the Blue Jackets on Nov. 4-5.
NOTES
Friday’s matchup was the 29th regular-season game played in Europe and the sixth in Prague. … Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Friday the schedule for next year’s games in Europe will be announced in “a relatively near future.”
UP NEXT
The teams complete the series on Saturday night.
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-10-08T16:29:44+00:00 | wwlp.com | https://www.wwlp.com/sports/ap-niederreiter-scores-in-debut-predators-top-sharks-in-prague/ |
Jackson police respond to report of shots fired
JACKSON, Tenn. – Jackson police responded to a report of shots fired Tuesday night.
The department says its officers were dispatched to corner of Hillcrest Circle Drive and East Chester Street. Police on the scene say no one was injured, that there was no damage, and that the shots fire may have been accidental.
WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News crew on the scenes says the entrance to East Chester and Hillcrest are blocked by law enforcement.
The report came in around 9:30 p.m., according to Jackson police.
Stay with WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News online and on the air for updates.
Find more local news here. | 2022-06-29T08:13:32+00:00 | wbbjtv.com | https://www.wbbjtv.com/2022/06/28/jackson-police-respond-to-report-of-shots-fired/ |
LOCAL NEWS
Bothell man arrested for sex-related crime; second-time in four months
Feb 20, 2023, 12:24 PM
(KIRO 7 News)
A Bothell man was arrested Wednesday after officers served a search warrant related to a sexual assault investigation, according to the Bothell Police Department.
The 25-year-old man was booked into the King County Jail on charges of domestic violence rape in the second degree.
According to Bothell police, this is the second time in four months he had been arrested by Bothell police for sex-related crimes.
If you or someone you know are a victim of domestic violence, call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. | 2023-02-21T00:45:11+00:00 | mynorthwest.com | https://mynorthwest.com/3833412/bothell-man-arrested-for-sex-related-crime-second-time-in-four-months/ |
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BOSTON (AP) — The little bottles of booze at Huntington Wine and Liquor are displayed prominently at the front counter of the Boston store, some stacked neatly in display cases, others tossed haphazardly in trays.
Steven Rubin, whose family has owned the store since 1970, estimates that they account for up to 15% of his sales.
“They are a major part of our business, and have a high profit margin,” he said.
But he might be on the verge of losing those sales.
Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo has proposed banning city liquor stores from selling the bottles that hold from 50 to 100 milliliters (1.7 to 3.4 fluid ounces), which he says would address both alcohol abuse and excessive litter.
“The fact that this handled even one of these two issues would have been enough for me,” Arroyo said at city hall hearing on the issue on Monday. “The fact that it plays in both of these issues I think is an overwhelming reason to move forward with something like this.”
The little bottles are favored by people who want to drink in their vehicles because they are easy to hide from police and the empties can just be tossed out the window, Arroyo said.
Parents have told him that they are also preferred by underage drinkers because they’re easy to hide.
The ultimate decision on a ban on minis rests with the city’s Licensing Board, which regulates the city's roughly 280 liquor stores. Board Chair Kathleen Joyce said Monday that applicants for new licenses or license transfers are already asked to voluntarily agree not to sell the little bottles.
Other Massachusetts communities that have banned the sale of the tiny bottles have seen benefits, Arroyo said.
Chelsea, the city just to the north of Boston in 2018 became the first municipality in the state to ban liquor stores from selling the bottles that cost as little as 99 cents.
The city's ambulance service responded to 742 calls for alcohol-related issues in 2017 — and then 556 in 2018, when the ban was in place for about half the year, Arroyo said in his proposal.
The number of people taken into protective custody dropped by 20% the first two years of the ban and alcohol-related hospitalizations plummeted, Chelsea police Chief Keith Houghton said in a recent interview.
“It wasn't just the aesthetic problems, with bottles everywhere, we were dealing with public intoxication, we were taking people into protective custody and transporting them to the hospital,” he said.
A ban would also benefit the environment, Arroyo said.
The discarded bottles, found clustered by the side of the road, in parks, and in waterways, are not biodegradable or recyclable. In the Hyde Park neighborhood that Arroyo represents, a community volunteer cleanup crew collected 10,000 of the bottles in two months, he said.
Banning the sale of miniature bottles had a measurable effect on reducing litter in Falmouth, Alan Robinson, chair of the Falmouth Solid Waste Advisory Committee, said in a recent telephone interview.
Before the Cape Cod community banned their sale in 2021, 32% of the items picked up during roadside community trash collections were the small bottles, he said. Since then, roughly 6% of the litter items are minis.
“It has made such a difference,” said Robinson, adding that “everyone he speaks with” reports fewer of these tiny bottles.
Liquor stores are pushing back.
When the bottles are banned, locally owned businesses suffer financially, and the underlying problems of litter and alcohol abuse aren't adequately addressed, Robert Mellion, the executive director of the Massachusetts Package Store Association, said in a recent telephone interview.
When Chelsea banned the sale of the bottles, the local stores saw a collective $6 million loss in business in several months, while stores in neighboring communities like East Boston and Everett experienced higher sales.
“So people were still buying them, they just moved over the next community,” he said.
Or, Rubin said, they simply buy a larger bottle of alcohol.
“If you eliminate the 50 milliliter and 100 milliliter bottles, all you do is create a market for the larger bottles, and how does that address alcoholism?" he said. “People just buy the next size up and drink more.”
Rubin and Mellion acknowledge that the little bottles are a trash problem, but a sales ban is not the answer.
The 800-member Massachusetts Package Store Association supports an expanded bottle bill that would include a deposit on the miniature bottles, Mellion said.
“I think there we have a statewide solution to the trash problem,” he said
Jim Rossi, a Huntington Wine and Liquor customer who stopped in the store on a recent afternoon for some beer and tiny bottles of cinnamon whisky, agreed.
“If they’re worried about the litter, why don't they put a deposit on them?" he said. “People would be snapping them up from the streets for the deposit just like they do with the discarded cans.” | 2023-04-06T14:17:07+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/living/article/bottle-battle-boston-talks-of-banning-tiny-17882012.php |
After months of hinting at a likely bid, President Biden officially announced on Tuesday that he will seek a second term as president of the United States in the 2024 election.
"When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are. The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer," Biden said in a 3-minute video announcing his run.
The video links images from the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol with protests over the Supreme Court decision overturning abortion rights.
At 80, Biden is the oldest person to serve as president, a point that has given Democrats pause, questioning, at times, whether he gives them the best chance at winning. But the former vice president and longtime Delaware senator is unlikely to face a serious challenge for the nomination.
Rank-and-file Democratic voters began to coalesce around the president, as his intention to run became evident.
Half of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said in a February NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll that they had a better chance with Biden than someone else. That was a reversal from shortly before the 2022 midterms when a majority said they though they would have a better shot with someone else.
That alternative, however, never emerged. Vice President Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, for example, have had consistently worse favorability ratings.
Biden's entry now sets up a potential rematch with former President Donald Trump, who announced in November that he would also make another run for office. Trump is expected to face a vigorous primary race, though he remains the candidate to beat.
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement that Biden is "out of touch" and blamed him for inflation, crime rates and fentanyl trafficking.
A vulnerable incumbent
The announcement comes four years to the day from the launch of Biden's 2020 campaign — which he also declared via video. But unlike 2020, when there were 19 other candidates already in the crowded race, Biden is not expected to face any serious Democratic contenders this time around.
Biden's win in 2020 was largely a reflection of antipathy toward Trump from a significant portion of the country, and anger over the Trump administration's mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the pandemic is largely in the political rearview mirror, and the uncertain economy dominates as Americans' top concern. The economy is an area of vulnerability for Biden. A March NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found just 38% approved of his handling of the economy, including just 28% of independents.
Overall, Biden's approval rating, like Trump's before him, has lagged in the low-40s. It nose-dived several months into his first year in office after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In recent months, views of Biden have stabilized, but he remains in a tenuous position in this hyper-partisan era.
'Soul of our nation' vs. 'Finish the job'
Biden has long credited his family for encouraging him to run in 2020, when he defeated Trump — a win that Trump refused to accept, citing false claims of voter fraud.
Biden's 2024 video features an image of Trump with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a onetime ally and now likely challenger in the Republican race — along with an image of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. — as Biden describes what he calls "MAGA extremists" who he said are "dictating what health care decisions women can make, banning books, and telling people who they can love. All while making it more difficult for you to be able to vote."
Biden ran his first campaign on a platform of fighting for "the soul of our nation," arguing that Trump had stirred up racist and antidemocratic sentiment that was hurting the country.
That year, Biden was able to secure the presidency by flipping Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona — states that in 2016 had gone to Trump.
Biden ended Tuesday's campaign announcement with the phrase "let's finish the job," a line he first tested out in his State of the Union address this year.
Biden repeated the phrase 12 times during that speech in February, referring to rebuilding the middle class, capping the cost of insulin, expanding Medicaid, acting on climate change, increasing taxes on billionaires, strengthening antitrust enforcement, getting more affordable housing, funding universal pre-K, increasing vocational job opportunities, pushing for police reform and banning assault-style weapons.
Biden's prospects
On Tuesday, Biden also announced some key members of his campaign team: campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez, who has been the White House point person with governors and mayors during Biden's first term in office, and principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks, who ran the campaign of Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., in 2022.
Biden has been saying he intended to run for a second term since his earliest days in office. But even Democratic voters have been lukewarm on him. Biden's popularity plunged last year, pressured by concerned over the withdrawal from Afghanistan, then by soaring consumer prices.
But Biden's prospects improved after the midterms. Democrats performed better than anticipated, largely because of activism around abortion rights following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade — and because of the toxicity of many Trump-backed candidates in competitive states and districts.
Biden's policies have largely been popular, including climate and health care measures in the Inflation Reduction Act, and bipartisan spending bills on infrastructure and semiconductors plans. That's helped him to make a strong case for himself for 2024, said Democratic strategist Lis Smith, an adviser to Pete Buttigieg in his 2020 bid.
"Joe Biden has had one of the most successful first two years of any president in recent history," Smith said. "He has been dismissed and discounted at every turn, and still overperformed expectations. I think that he will be a really formidable nominee in 2024 and that Democrats will fully rally behind him."
That is likely to be particularly true if Trump is the Republican nominee, said Jim Messina, who was the campaign manager for former President Barack Obama's reelection campaign in 2012.
"We've already had this race," Messina said of a potential Biden-Trump rematch. "And Trump is now significantly weaker."
The audio story was produced by Lexie Schapitl.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-04-25T14:29:50+00:00 | delawarepublic.org | https://www.delawarepublic.org/npr-headlines/npr-headlines/2023-04-25/biden-warns-of-rights-under-threat-from-trump-and-maga-extremists-in-reelect-launch |
CHICAGO, May 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution, payable May 10, 2022 to shareholders of record April 29, 2022, together with the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year-to-date (YTD) from the following sources. The fiscal year is November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022. All amounts are expressed per share of common stock based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which may differ from federal income tax regulations.
The Fund will issue a separate 19(a) notice at the time of each monthly distribution using the most current financial information available. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund or your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
* Simple arithmetic average of each of the past five annual returns.
DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: DNP) is a closed-end diversified investment management company. The Fund's primary investment objectives are current income and long-term growth of income. The Fund seeks to achieve these objectives by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities of companies in the public utilities industry. For more information, visit the Fund's website at www.dpimc.com/dnp or call the Fund at (800) 864-0629.
Source: DNP Select Income Fund Inc.
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SOURCE DNP Select Income Fund Inc. | 2022-05-10T02:01:09+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/09/dnp-select-income-fund-inc-section-19a-notice/ |
- DTx Pharma's Fatty Acid Ligand Conjugated Oligonucleotide (FALCON™) platform facilitates extra-hepatic delivery of siRNA therapeutics
- Acquisition includes DTx-1252 with the potential to deliver a transformative medicine to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A (CMT1A) patients
- Acquisition also includes additional early-stage programs in neuromuscular and CNS indications
- Novartis will make an upfront payment of $500M and additional payments of up to $500M upon completion of pre-specified milestones
SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DTx Pharma, a preclinical stage biotechnology company addressing the delivery challenges of oligonucleotide therapeutics with its Fatty Acid Ligand Conjugated OligoNucleotide (FALCON™) platform, announced today that it has been acquired by Novartis. The FALCON platform enables the delivery and activity of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics to tissues beyond the liver, enhancing biodistribution and cellular uptake. DTx Pharma's lead program is currently in preclinical development, with FDA Orphan Drug Designation, for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A (CMT1A). CMT1A is a progressive, neuromuscular, autosomal-dominant disease that can lead to life-long loss of muscle function and disability.
Currently, there are no approved therapeutics addressing PMP22, the underlying genetic cause of CMT1A, for the estimated 150,000 patients living with the debilitating disease in the United States and Europe. DTx Pharma's lead asset, DTx-1252, is a novel, potential first-in-class, FALCON siRNA candidate targeting PMP22. The asset boasts a robust preclinical package, demonstrating the reversal of disease in preclinical rodent models and translation to higher species with IND-enabling studies progressing well.
"I am thrilled that Novartis will be moving forward with our CMT1A therapeutic program and the FALCON platform. With its resources and capabilities in neuromuscular diseases, Novartis is well positioned to accelerate the development of DTx-1252 and provide hope to patients, who are desperately in need of therapy," said Artie Suckow, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of DTx Pharma. "I am also extremely proud of the commitment and passion of our team, which has established DTx Pharma as a leader in extra-hepatic delivery of siRNA, as demonstrated by our work to advance the first investigational FALCON siRNA designed to be delivered to the peripheral nervous system to treat the genetic cause of CMT1A."
In addition to the CMT1A program, Novartis has acquired full rights to the FALCON platform and two other early-stage programs in neuromuscular and central nervous system (CNS) indications.
"This acquisition underscores the Novartis commitment to bringing life-changing medicines forward for patients with neuromuscular diseases and other disorders of the nervous system," said Robert Baloh, Global Head of Neuroscience for the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. "We are excited to drive forward these promising preclinical programs and explore the potential of the FALCON platform."
"The Novartis team's deep knowledge of CMT1A biology and strong understanding of the patient burden were evident from our first interactions, and we are excited by their support to advance the development of DTx-1252," said Peter Condon, DTx Pharma's CBO. "This agreement is also a strong validation of our FALCON platform and its potential to break open new therapeutic areas by delivering siRNA beyond the liver."
Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will make an upfront payment of $500M and additional payments of up to $500M upon completion of pre-specified milestones.
Evercore served as financial advisor to DTx Pharma, while Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati served as legal counsel.
About CMT1A
CMT1A is the most common inherited neuromuscular disease, affecting approximately 150,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe. Currently, there are no approved therapies directly addressing the underlying cause of the disease for patients. CMT1A is driven by overexpression of the PMP22 gene in Schwann cells, which prevents myelination of peripheral nerves and causes progressive muscle wasting, neuropathic pain, difficulty walking and, eventually for many, an inability to live independently, leading to a significant and debilitating impact on patient lives.
About DTx-1252
DTx-1252 is a potential first-in-class FALCON™ siRNA therapeutic for the treatment of CMT1A. By repressing PMP22, DTx-1252 reverses CMT1A in a mouse model that faithfully recapitulates the genetic and clinical manifestations of the disease. DTx-1252 treatment induces remyelination of axons to normal levels, improves relevant electrophysiological measurements and increases muscle mass, grip strength, coordination and agility in preclinical studies.
About DTx Pharma
DTx Pharma, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company, addressing the challenges associated with delivering RNA-based therapeutics beyond the liver with the company's proprietary Fatty Acid Ligand Conjugated OligoNucleotide (FALCON™) technology platform. The FALCON platform leverages fatty acids for enhanced biodistribution and cellular uptake to tissues and cell types throughout the body. In preclinical studies, FALCON siRNAs have demonstrated potent and durable repression of target genes in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), skeletal muscle, heart, skin and CNS. FALCON siRNAs can be delivered by intravenous, subcutaneous and intrathecal routes of administration and can be manufactured at relatively low cost. The company has a pipeline focused on PNS, CNS and neuromuscular diseases. DTx Pharma has raised more than $115M in combined investment from several of the world's leading healthcare investors including RA Capital Management, Access Biotechnology, Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company), Eli Lilly and Company, Friedman Bioventure, Viva Biotech Holdings, as well as support from research foundations including the CMT Research Foundation (CMTRF) and the National Institutes of Health.
To learn more about DTx Pharma, please visit www.dtxpharma.com and follow DTx on LinkedIn and Twitter @DTxPharma.
Company Contact
Christina Trout
DTx Pharma
ctrout@dtxpharma.com
Media Contact
Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D.
Russo Partners
646-942-5604
ignacio.guerrero-ros@russopartnersllc.com
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SOURCE DTx Pharma | 2023-07-17T12:23:52+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/17/dtx-pharma-announces-acquisition-by-novartis/ |
Alpha Announces First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Published: May. 8, 2023 at 7:30 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Reports first quarter net income of $270.8 million, or $17.01 per diluted share
Posts Adjusted EBITDA of $354.4 million for the quarter
Continues executing on robust buyback program by returning approximately $200 million to shareholders year-to-date as of May 4, 2023, with roughly $485 million in board authorization remaining
Increases quarterly dividend to $0.50 from $0.44 per share
BRISTOL, Tenn., May 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (NYSE: AMR), a leading U.S. supplier of metallurgical products for the steel industry, today reported financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2023.
"Coming off an exceptional and record-setting year in 2022, we set high expectations for Alpha in 2023, and our first quarter performance is a solid foundation on which we can continue building throughout the rest of the year," said Andy Eidson, Alpha's chief executive officer. "In addition to strong operational performance across the portfolio, we are progressing well on our capital investment projects. We also continue to execute on our share repurchase program, working through the current authorization in place; with approximately $200 million spent on buybacks year to date, we have now cumulatively spent approximately $715 million on repurchases, with another roughly $485 million in remaining authorization available to spend."
The company's annual meeting of stockholders was held on May 3, 2023. Shareholders re-elected all members of Alpha's board of directors who stood for re-election. The complete voting results from our annual meeting will be filed on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Financial Performance
Alpha reported net income of $270.8 million, or $17.01 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the company had net income of $220.7 million, or $13.37 per diluted share.
For the first quarter, total Adjusted EBITDA was $354.4 million, compared to $247.9 million in the fourth quarter 2022.
Coal Revenues
Coal Sales Realization(1)
First quarter net realized pricing for the Met segment was $208.93 per ton and net realization in the All Other category was $109.36.
The table below provides a breakdown of our Met segment coal sold in the first quarter by pricing mechanism.
Cost of Coal Sales
Alpha's Met segment cost of coal sales improved to an average of $110.56 per ton in the first quarter, compared to $112.97 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2022. Cost of coal sales for the All Other category decreased to $74.69 per ton in the first quarter, down from a cost of $80.76 per ton in the fourth quarter 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter decreased to $177.4 million as compared to $185.0 million in the fourth quarter 2022. The first quarter operating cash flows were negatively impacted by an increase of $133.8 million of working capital. The primary drivers were higher accounts receivable and inventory balances with a partially offsetting reduction in short-term deposits. Capital expenditures for the first quarter 2023 were $74.2 million compared to $61.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022.
As of March 31, 2023, the company had total liquidity of $315.6 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $222.5 million and $93.1 million of unused availability under the ABL. The future available capacity under the ABL is subject to inventory and accounts receivable collateral requirements and the maintenance of certain financial ratios. As of March 31, 2023, the company had no borrowings and $61.9 million in letters of credit outstanding under the ABL. Total long-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt as of March 31, 2023, was $11.9 million and consists primarily of equipment financing obligations.
Dividend Program
On May 3, 2023, Alpha's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.50 per share, increased from the prior quarter's dividend of $0.44 per share, which will become payable on July 5, 2023 for holders of record as of June 15, 2023.
Any decision to pay future cash dividends will be made by the board and depend on Alpha's future earnings and financial condition and other relevant factors.
Share Repurchase Program
As previously announced, Alpha's board of directors authorized a share repurchase program allowing for the expenditure of up to $1.2 billion for the repurchase of the company's common stock. As of May 4, 2023, the company has acquired approximately 4.8 million shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $715 million. The number of common stock shares outstanding as of May 4, 2023 was 14,452,474, not including the potentially dilutive effect of unexercised warrant shares or unvested equity awards.
The timing and amount of share repurchases will continue to be determined by the company's management based on its evaluation of market conditions, the trading price of the stock, applicable legal requirements, compliance with the provisions of the company's debt agreements, and other factors.
2023 Guidance Adjustment and Performance Update
Alpha is reducing tax rate guidance for the full year 2023. The new tax rate guidance range for the year is 12% to 17%, down from the prior range of 15% to 20%.
As of April 27, 2023, Alpha has committed and priced approximately 51% of its metallurgical coal within the Met segment at an average price of $203.86 per ton and 75% of thermal coal in the Met segment at an average expected price of $108.77 per ton. In the All Other category the company is 100% committed and priced at an average price of $88.74 per ton.
Conference Call
The company plans to hold a conference call regarding its first quarter 2023 results on May 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. The conference call will be available live on the investor section of the company's website at https://alphametresources.com/investors. Analysts who would like to participate in the conference call should dial 877-407-0832 (domestic toll-free) or 201-689-8433 (international) approximately 15 minutes prior to start time.
About Alpha Metallurgical Resources
Alpha Metallurgical Resources (NYSE: AMR) is a Tennessee-based mining company with operations across Virginia and West Virginia. With customers across the globe, high-quality reserves and significant port capacity, Alpha reliably supplies metallurgical products to the steel industry. For more information, visit www.AlphaMetResources.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Alpha's expectations and beliefs concerning future events and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors are difficult to predict accurately and may be beyond Alpha's control. Forward-looking statements in this news release or elsewhere speak only as of the date made. New uncertainties and risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for Alpha to predict these events or how they may affect Alpha. Except as required by law, Alpha has no duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this news release or elsewhere after the date this release is issued. In light of these risks and uncertainties, investors should keep in mind that results, events or developments discussed in any forward-looking statement made in this news release may not occur.
The discussion below contains "non-GAAP financial measures." These are financial measures that either exclude or include amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP" or "GAAP"). Specifically, we make use of the non-GAAP financial measures "Adjusted EBITDA," "non-GAAP coal revenues," "non-GAAP cost of coal sales," "non-GAAP coal margin," and "Adjusted cost of produced coal sold." We use Adjusted EBITDA to measure the operating performance of our segments and allocate resources to the segments. Adjusted EBITDA does not purport to be an alternative to net income (loss) as a measure of operating performance or any other measure of operating results or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. We use non-GAAP coal revenues to present coal revenues generated, excluding freight and handling fulfillment revenues. Non-GAAP coal sales realization per ton for our operations is calculated as non-GAAP coal revenues divided by tons sold. We use non-GAAP cost of coal sales to adjust cost of coal sales to remove freight and handling costs, depreciation, depletion and amortization - production (excluding the depreciation, depletion and amortization related to selling, general and administrative functions), accretion on asset retirement obligations, amortization of acquired intangibles, net, and idled and closed mine costs. Non-GAAP cost of coal sales per ton for our operations is calculated as non-GAAP cost of coal sales divided by tons sold. Non-GAAP coal margin per ton for our coal operations is calculated as non-GAAP coal sales realization per ton for our coal operations less non-GAAP cost of coal sales per ton for our coal operations. We also use Adjusted cost of produced coal sold to distinguish the cost of captive produced coal from the effects of purchased coal. The presentation of these measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.
Management uses non-GAAP financial measures to supplement GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than GAAP results alone. The definition of these non-GAAP measures may be changed periodically by management to adjust for significant items important to an understanding of operating trends and to adjust for items that may not reflect the trend of future results by excluding transactions that are not indicative of our core operating performance. Furthermore, analogous measures are used by industry analysts to evaluate the Company's operating performance. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentations of these measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and can differ significantly from company to company depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate, and capital investments.
Included below are reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | 2023-05-08T12:45:02+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2023/05/08/alpha-announces-first-quarter-2023-financial-results/ |
Construction worker dies after trench collapse in Arkansas
Published: Dec. 13, 2022 at 9:19 AM CST|Updated: 1 hour ago
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT/Gray News) – A construction site worker in Arkansas died Monday afternoon after being buried in a trench collapse.
According to the Jonesboro Police Department, crews were building a trench when a wall collapsed onto two workers, trapping them underneath.
Crews were able to rescue one of the workers who was taken to the hospital.
They were also eventually able to recover the body of another worker who had died.
It’s unclear what caused the collapse at this time.
Copyright 2022 KAIT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-12-13T16:32:52+00:00 | newschannel6now.com | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2022/12/13/construction-worker-dies-after-trench-collapse-arkansas/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden commended Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for his country’s collaboration with the United States and Canada to establish migration hubs in Latin America where asylum seekers fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries can apply for protection.
The two leaders sat down at the White House on Friday for wide-ranging talks on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, climate change and other issues. But efforts by the U.S. and Spain to cooperate on asylum processing loomed large over the discussion as the Biden administration rolls out new immigration measures now that COVID-19 immigration restrictions have ended.
The new efforts are designed to crack down on illegal border crossings while opening legal pathways to give migrants incentives to apply for asylum online where they are, instead of making the dangerous journey to the border.
Migrants caught illegally crossing the southern U.S. border cannot return for five years, and they face criminal prosecution if they do. And migrants will be barred from seeking asylum at the border if they do not first ask for protection in a country they traveled through or apply online.
A major piece of the expanded legal pathway is the creation of processing centers in Colombia and Guatemala and up to 100 others in the Western Hemisphere where migrants can go to apply to enter the U.S., Spain or Canada.
“We’re both facing the challenges of migration in the Western Hemisphere,” Biden told Sanchez at the start of the Oval Office meeting.
It was a huge step for the White House to get Spain and Canada to agree to take in asylum seekers from Latin America. And it helps reinforce the Biden administration’s argument that the current migration quandary facing the Americas is a global problem that needs a global solution — much like the refugee crises that have impacted Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine in recent years.
The State Department on Thursday announced a website where asylum seekers can now find information on the process and will eventually be able to request appointments.
The U.S. has increasingly seen migrants arrive at its southern border who are from China, Ukraine, Haiti, Russia and other nations far from Latin America and who are increasingly family groups and children traveling alone. Thirty years ago, by contrast, illegal crossings were almost always single adults from Mexico who were easily returned over the border.
Spain, though it has high overall unemployment, needs workers for agriculture and other hard-to-fill fields, and it will be able to accept migrants who want to go there and have needed skills.
The Spanish ministry has said the pathway will only apply to those who have already received international protection status. That means the migrants it accepts will need to be considered refugees and will be treated in much the same way that Syrian asylum seekers, traveling via Turkey, have been treated by Spain.
“Spain and the U.S., we have common interests about democracy, prosperity and safe, regular and orderly migration patterns,” Sanchez said.
Plans for the processing centers to be established in Guatemala and Colombia were announced last month, but the centers have yet to begin operating. Once up and running, they are expected to process thousands of applicants a month. United Nations organizations will operate the centers, but U.S. officials will be present as well to help with processing of applications.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the White House expects that the processing centers will open in the “relatively near future.”
While Biden predicted this week that the situation at the border could be “chaotic for a while,” his administration is looking to discourage migrants from paying smuggling operations to help them journey to the U.S., particularly through the Darien Gap. Officials hope that by cracking down at the border and opening up other ways to the U.S., they will be able to bring a measure of order.
The coronavirus restrictions, known as Title 42, were a Trump administration endeavor that went into effect in March 2020 amid the global pandemic. Title 42 allowed border officials to turn away migrants to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But there were concerns the policies were put into place merely to keep people out.
While Title 42 was used to deny asylum more than 2.8 million times, it carried no legal consequences, which encouraged repeat attempts by migrants to enter the U.S. The public health emergency officially ended on Thursday night, and with it the restrictions.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was also high on the agenda for Biden and Sánchez, two NATO allies.
Sánchez told reporters following the meeting that he and Biden discussed their countries’ continuing efforts to support Ukraine as Russia’s invasion grinds on. Sánchez recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, both of whom have put forward ideas to end the conflict.
White House officials have dismissed China’s 12-point peace plan, and called on Beijing to use its influence to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
Sánchez said that Spain, which will assume the rotating presidency of the European Council in July, is committed to a “lasting and just peace” to resolve the Ukraine crisis. He made clear that he sides with Biden and other Western allies in condemning Russian aggression.
“Make no mistake, in this war there is an aggressor and victim,” Sánchez said. “And in this war the aggressor is President Putin.”
On another subject, Spain has called on the U.S. to conduct further cleanup of contaminated soil left after a nuclear accident in 1966. A midair collision dumped four U.S. hydrogen bombs near a southern Spanish village. None of the bombs exploded.
Kirby said the White House anticipates negotiations between the two countries on the matter will begin soon.
___
Associated Press writers Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain, and Ciarán Giles and Jennifer O’Mahony in Madrid contributed to this report. | 2023-05-13T00:05:22+00:00 | wdtn.com | https://www.wdtn.com/news/politics/ap-politics/us-spain-collaboration-on-migration-looms-large-as-biden-sanchez-hold-talks-at-white-house/ |
VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. ("Metalla" or the "Company") (NYSE American: MTA) (TSXV: MTA) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated November 28, 2022, it has closed (the "Closing") the acquisition of a portfolio of eight royalties in Mexico (the "Royalties") from First Majestic Silver (NYSE: AG) (TSX: FR) for 4,168,056 of common shares of Metalla at a price of US$4.7984 (representing the 25-day VWAP on the NYSE American at signing).
Metalla is a precious metals royalty and streaming company. Metalla provides shareholders with leveraged precious metal exposure through a diversified and growing portfolio of royalties and streams. Our strong foundation of current and future cash-generating asset base, combined with an experienced team, gives Metalla a path to become one of the leading gold and silver companies for the next commodities cycle.
For further information, please visit our website at www.metallaroyalty.com.
ON BEHALF OF METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD.
(signed) "Brett Heath"
Website: www.metallaroyalty.com
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of United States and Canadian regulations. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information in this release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future value of the Company's stock; future cash generation; and the Company's potential to become a leading gold and silver company. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Metalla to control or predict, that may cause Metalla's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the risk that the milestones may not be satisfied; risks associated with the impact of general business and economic conditions; the absence of control over mining operations from which Metalla will purchase precious metals or from which it will receive stream or royalty payments and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine development, construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans are refined; problems related to the ability to market precious metals or other metals; industry conditions, including commodity price fluctuations, interest and exchange rate fluctuations; interpretation by government entities of tax laws or the implementation of new tax laws; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Metalla holds a royalty or stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; risks related to global pandemics, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic, and the spread of other viruses or pathogens; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Metalla; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the volatility of the stock market; competition; future sales or issuances of debt or equity securities; use of proceeds; dividend policy and future payment of dividends; liquidity; market for securities; enforcement of civil judgments; and risks relating to Metalla potentially being a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of U.S. federal tax laws; and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent annual information form, annual report on Form 40-F and other documents filed with or submitted to the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. Although Metalla has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Metalla undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
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SOURCE Metalla Royalty and Streaming Ltd. | 2022-12-22T09:55:49+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/12/22/metalla-completes-acquisition-strategic-silver-focused-royalty-portfolio-first-majestic-silver/ |
- Non-core moves result in $9 million loss (GAAP) while core banking operations earned $22 million (Non-GAAP) in first quarter
- Sold $500 million in held to maturity securities to reposition balance sheet for future growth
- Reduction in wholesale funding enhanced already strong liquidity position
- Expect meaningful improvement in net interest income and net interest margin from balance sheet repositioning
- Tangible common equity increased to 7.21%
- Core deposits remain stable
GREEN BAY, Wis., April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NYSE: NIC) ("Nicolet") announced first quarter 2023 net loss of $9 million and loss per diluted common share of $0.61, compared to net income of $28 million and earnings per diluted common share of $1.83 for fourth quarter 2022, and net income of $24 million and earnings per diluted common share of $1.70 for first quarter 2022.
Core banking operations (or adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)) earned $22 million on growth in loans and wealth management fee revenue. Asset quality continued to be very good as nonperforming assets were 0.50% of total assets. Net income reflected non-core items and the related tax effect of each, including U.S. Treasury securities sale loss, expected loss (provision expense) on the Signature Bank sub debt investment (acquired in an acquisition), merger-related expenses, Day 2 credit provision expense required under the CECL model, as well as gains / (losses) on other assets and investments. These non-core items negatively impacted earnings per diluted common share $2.06 for first quarter 2023 and $0.01 for fourth quarter 2022, and positively impacted earnings per diluted common share $0.06 for first quarter 2022.
On March 7, Nicolet executed the sale of $500 million (par value) U.S. Treasury held to maturity securities for a pre-tax loss of $38 million or an after-tax loss of $28 million. The $500 million portfolio yielded approximately 88 bps with scheduled maturities in 2024 and 2025 (or average duration of 2 years). Proceeds from the sale were used to reduce existing FHLB borrowings with the remainder held in investable cash. At the time of sale, the borrowings had an all-in cost of 456 bps, and the investable cash earned 465 bps, leading to an expected increase in annual net interest income of approximately $17 million before tax. Nicolet estimates the loss from the balance sheet repositioning will be earned back in approximately two years.
As a result of the sale of securities previously classified as held to maturity, the remaining unsold portfolio of held to maturity securities, with a book value of $177 million, was reclassified to available for sale with a carrying value of approximately $157 million. The unrealized loss on this portfolio of $20 million increased the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCI) $15 million, net of the deferred tax effect, and is subject to future market changes.
"We made several moves during the first quarter that were consistent with our mindset toward long-term thinking. Our goal with these moves was to make Nicolet a stronger and more nimble organization going forward," said Mike Daniels, President and CEO of Nicolet. "The $500 million in U.S. Treasuries that were going to remain on our balance sheet for another two years were depressing our net interest margin, which had a negative effect on our earnings. In early March, after weighing the decision and prior to the banking turmoil, management and the Board felt it was in the best long-term interest of shareholders to sell the securities, as it better positions Nicolet for immediate and, more importantly, future success in the form of higher earnings. Based on this move, and as we began to see during March, we expect our net interest margin to increase for at least the next few quarters. Additionally, a benefit of this decision provides for better financial transparency as the recent public macro market has cast a cloud over the banking sector, in particular held to maturity securities. The non-core moves we made in the first quarter position Nicolet to remain a highly focused community bank that is funded by local core deposits. We expect to quickly get back to our position of producing top quartile shareholder profitability metrics."
"Despite the volatility the banking industry has witnessed in the past 45 days, Nicolet remains extremely well-positioned to take advantage of any future disruption. We have ample liquidity to fund growth. Credit quality remains healthy, and we have little exposure to higher risk areas like office commercial real estate. Inclusive of first quarter results, our tangible common equity ratio improved, leaving us in the enviable position of deciding how best to utilize our capital going forward. And most importantly, the past two months have demonstrated just how talented and relationship-focused our employees are when it comes to taking care of our customers," Daniels added.
Nicolet's financial performance and certain balance sheet line items were impacted by the timing and size of Nicolet's acquisition of Charter Bankshares, Inc. ("Charter") on August 26, 2022. Certain income statement results, average balances, and related ratios for 2022 include contributions from Charter from the acquisition date. At acquisition, Charter added assets of $1.1 billion, loans of $827 million, and deposits of $869 million.
Balance Sheet Review
At March 31, 2023, period end assets were $8.2 billion, a decrease of $572 million (7%) from December 31, 2022, mostly investment securities due to the balance sheet repositioning. Total loans increased $43 million (3% annualized) from December 31, 2022. Total deposits of $6.9 billion at March 31, 2023, decreased $250 million (3%) from December 31, 2022, while total borrowings decreased $295 million from December 31, 2022 in FHLB advances. Total capital was $962 million at March 31, 2023, a decrease of $11 million since December 31, 2022, mostly from the balance sheet repositioning.
Asset Quality
Nonperforming assets were $41 million and represented 0.50% of total assets at March 31, 2023, compared to $40 million or 0.46% at December 31, 2022, and $49 million or 0.68% at March 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses-loans was $62 million and represented 1.00% of total loans at March 31, 2023, compared to $62 million (or 1.00% of total loans) at December 31, 2022, and $50 million (or 1.07% of total loans) at March 31, 2022. Asset quality trends have been solid and loan net charge-offs were negligible.
Income Statement Review - Quarter
Net loss for first quarter 2023 was $9 million, compared to net income of $28 million for fourth quarter 2022.
Net interest income was $57 million for first quarter 2023, down $11 million from fourth quarter 2022, the net of $2 million higher interest income and $13 million higher interest expense. The higher interest income was largely attributable to organic loan growth and the repricing of new and renewed loans in a rising interest rate environment, partly offset by lower interest income on investment securities from the balance sheet repositioning. The increase in interest expense was mostly due to higher average rates, reflecting the rising interest rate environment as well as the migration of customer deposits to higher rate deposit products. The net interest margin for first quarter 2023 was 2.91%, down 48 bps from 3.39% for fourth quarter 2022. The yield on interest-earning assets increased 22 bps (to 4.49%) mostly due to the rising interest rate environment, while the cost of funds increased 97 bps (to 2.30%) for first quarter 2023, attributable mainly to the repricing of deposits and funding in the higher interest rate environment.
Noninterest income was a negative $22 million for first quarter 2023, a $37 million unfavorable change compared to fourth quarter 2023. Excluding net asset gains (losses), noninterest income for first quarter 2023 was $17 million, a $2 million increase over fourth quarter 2023. The sequential quarter increase included higher wealth revenue, a favorable change in the fair value of nonqualified deferred compensation plan assets, and higher net LSR income from slowing prepayment speeds, partly offset by a decrease in other noninterest income (mostly crop insurance sales and broker fees).
Noninterest expense of $45 million increased $1 million (2%) from fourth quarter 2023. Personnel expense was minimally changed at $24 million, with higher salaries from annual merit increases and an increase in the fair value of nonqualified deferred compensation plan liabilities substantially offset by lower incentive compensation given the current period net loss. Non-personnel expenses increased 1% between the sequential quarters including higher occupancy, equipment, and office expense (mostly snowplowing and technology solutions) and higher data processing (mostly volume-based core system processing), substantially offset by lower business development and merger-related expenses.
About Nicolet Bankshares, Inc.
Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. is the bank holding company of Nicolet National Bank, a growing, full-service, community bank providing services ranging from commercial, agricultural and consumer banking to wealth management and retirement plan services. Founded in Green Bay in 2000, Nicolet National Bank operates branches in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. More information can be found at www.nicoletbank.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This communication contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as non-GAAP adjusted net income or core banking operations, non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted common share, tangible book value per common share, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible common equity to tangible assets. Management believes such measures to be helpful to management, investors and others in understanding Nicolet's results of operations or financial position. When non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the GAAP financial measures, are provided. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)" below. The non-GAAP net income measure and related reconciliation provide information useful to investors in understanding the operating performance and trends of Nicolet and also aid investors in comparing Nicolet's financial performance to the financial performance of peer banks. Management considers non-GAAP financial ratios to be critical metrics with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strengths. While non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a corporation, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP.
Forward Looking Statements "Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained in this communication, which are not statements of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words or phrases such as, without limitation, "anticipate," "believe," "aim," "can," "conclude," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "foresee," "goal," "intend," "may," "might," "outlook," "possible," "plan," "predict," "project," "potential," "seek," "should," "target," "will," "will likely," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions, and in this press release include our statements about the anticipated time to earn back the loss from the sale of U. S. Treasuries, anticipated increases in our net income margin and our expectations of returning to the top quartiles in shareholder profit metrics.
Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management's beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management's control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, including, but not limited to: (i) deterioration in the financial condition of Nicolet's borrowers, including as a result of the negative impact of inflationary pressures on our customers and their businesses, resulting in significant increases in loan losses and provisions for those losses; (ii) fluctuations or differences in interest rates on loans or deposits from those that Nicolet is modeling or anticipating, including as a result of Nicolet's inability to better match deposit rates with the changes in the short-term rate environment, or that affect the yield curve; (iii) adverse conditions in the national or local economies including in Nicolet's operating markets; (iv) the inability of Nicolet, or entities in which it has significant investments, to maintain the long-term historical growth rate of its loan portfolio; (v) the ability to grow and retain low-cost core deposits and retain large, uninsured deposits, including during times when Nicolet is seeking to limit the rates it pays on deposits; (vi) changes in loan underwriting, credit review or loss reserve policies associated with economic conditions, examination conclusions, or regulatory developments; (vii) effectiveness of Nicolet's asset management activities in improving, resolving or liquidating lower-quality assets; (viii) the impact of competition with other financial institutions, including pricing pressures and the resulting impact on Nicolet's results, including as a result of the negative impact to net interest margin from rising deposit and other funding costs; (ix) the results of regulatory examinations; (x) Nicolet's ability to identify potential candidates for, consummate, and achieve synergies from, potential future acquisitions; (xi) difficulties and delays in integrating acquired businesses or fully realizing costs savings and other benefits from acquisitions; (xii) risks of expansion into new geographic or product markets; (xiiii) any matter that would cause Nicolet to conclude that there was impairment of any asset, including goodwill or other intangible assets; (xiv) reduced ability to attract additional financial advisors (or failure of such advisors to cause their clients to switch to Nicolet), to retain financial advisors (including as a result of the competitive environment for associates) or otherwise to attract customers from other financial institutions; (xv) deterioration in the valuation of other real estate owned and increased expenses associated therewith; (xvi) inability to comply with regulatory capital requirements, including those resulting from changes to capital calculation methodologies, required capital maintenance levels or regulatory requests or directives; (xvii) the vulnerability of Nicolet's network and online banking portals, and the systems of parties with whom Nicolet contracts, to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss and other security breaches; (xviii) the possibility of increased compliance and operational costs as a result of increased regulatory oversight, and the development of additional banking products for Nicolet's corporate and consumer clients; (xix) changes in state and federal legislation, regulations or policies applicable to banks and other financial service providers; (xx) fluctuations in the valuations of Nicolet's equity investments and the ultimate success of such investments; (xxi) the availability of and access to capital; (xxii) adverse results (including costs, fines, reputational harm, inability to obtain necessary approvals and/or other negative effects) from current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other legal and/or regulatory actions, including as a result of Nicolet's participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (xxiii) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions. Additional factors which could affect the forward looking statements can be found in Nicolet's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well subsequent filings with the SEC and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to management at that time. Except as required by law, Nicolet disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made.
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SOURCE Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. | 2023-04-18T20:41:27+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/04/18/nicolet-bankshares-inc-announces-first-quarter-2023-results-completes-balance-sheet-repositioning-future-growth/ |
Apple’s foray into live sports took a big step forward Tuesday.
Apple and Major League Soccer have announced a 10-year partnership on a streaming service that will allow fans to watch every game without local blackouts or restrictions. The service will be available exclusively through the Apple TV app beginning next year.
The deal is Apple’s second venture into streaming professional sports. In April, it began airing “Friday Night Baseball,” an exclusive weekly doubleheader of Major League Baseball games.
“The opportunity to partner with a sports league, and truly build the product together with them is very, very unique,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services. “We can bring the things that we do really well with the things that they do really well and really make the product, which I think will be significantly better for the fans. We want to create a great experience for fans to be able to watch and experience MLS like they’ve never had before.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Apple is not paying a rights fee but rather a minimum guarantee against revenues that will be generated with both selling subscriptions.
“It’s part of what we both wanted. We’re in business together,” Garber said.
People with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that the minimum guarantee is worth $250 million per year. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t at liberty to publicly discuss financial matters.
Sports Business Journal was the first to report about the minimum guarantee.
The details of the streaming service will be announced in the coming months. The package will be included for fans who have full-season ticket packages for their club.
Some MLS and Leagues Cup matches will be available at no additional cost to Apple TV+ subscribers, with a limited number of matches also available for free.
“We really couldn’t have found a better partner to embark on this new journey together to capitalize on the momentum that exists in MLS today,” Garber said. “We can use this deal as rocket fuel as we build towards the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026 and thinking about what the sport of soccer, what Major League Soccer could look like, in the years beyond.”
Currently, most MLS out-of-market games are streamed on ESPN+, but there are blackout restrictions due to some local rights agreements. The league’s deals with Fox Sports and ESPN expire at the end of the year. ESPN has carried games since the league began in 1996 and Fox since 2014. Garber is hoping the league can reach a deal with a broadcast partner.
Even with the Apple deal, MLS does have the opportunity to simulcast some games nationally.
Streaming is already built into soccer fans’ DNA. The league said it has found in various studies that 83% of MLS fans watch sports on streaming devices or recorded TV in a typical week, much higher than the general average of 52% for all TV viewers.
What also makes the deal intriguing for Apple is that MLS has the youngest and most diverse audience compared to the other four major professional North American sports leagues.
Besides all regular-season and postseason matches, the package includes all Leagues Cup matches — the competition between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX — as well as select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches.
Apple will also partner with MLS on presentation of the matches as the league takes over production. This is another step forward for the league, but is similar to the way European soccer leagues do business. All matches will be called in English and Spanish while those involving Canadian clubs will also be available in French.
All matches will also be available in Full HD (1080p) for the first time. Previously, matches were broadcast in 1080i or 720p.
Garber said the league will have a more streamlined schedule beginning next season, with most matches being played on Saturdays at 7 p.m. local time and some on Wednesdays. The only time that might change is for a national broadcast or stadium conflict. The league will expand to 29 teams in 2023 with the debut of St. Louis CITY SC.
The deal comes as Apple is also exploring opportunities with other sports. The company has been pursuing streaming NFL games when the league’s “Sunday Ticket” expires at the end of the upcoming season.
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More AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-06-15T01:19:42+00:00 | cenlanow.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/sports/apple-mls-announce-10-year-streaming-partnership/ |
Home sellers in hot markets are dropping prices as demand wanes
TAMPA, Fla. - Price drops are "becoming increasingly common" in some of the most popular housing markets across the United States.
According to new Redfin data, more than 20% of home sellers dropped their price in seven of the 10 most popular migration destinations last month: Cape Coral, Florida; Sacramento, California; North Port, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; San Antonio, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona.
Although the price drops are becoming more common, they are the result of rising mortgage rates, which is pricing out buyers and driving down demand.
"When mortgage rates were at or below 3%, both local and out-of-town homebuyers were more willing and able to tolerate high prices, but at 5%, many are now priced out," Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather said in a statement. "A home’s price is driven by the balance of supply and demand, and when demand drops off and supply increases like it is now, rapid price increases evaporate quickly."
Areas that saw a huge surge in migration and sharp increases in home prices over the past two years are now seeing "an abrupt drop-off in demand," which is forcing sellers to "drop their prices with increasing frequency," Fairweather said.
RELATED: House for sale goes viral thanks to bedroom sign
In April, 41% of home sellers in Boise, Idaho, dropped their price, which is up 10% compared to a year ago and the largest share of home sellers in Redfin’s analysis.
Over the past two years, home prices in the area were up 62%, according to Redfin.
Cape Coral, Florida, was not far behind, with 33% of sellers dropping the price of their homes, according to Redfin. In New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 32% and 31% of home sellers, respectively, decreased the price of their home.
RELATED: Goldman Sachs-backed firm buys Florida community of single-family homes for $45 million
The data also shows that 30% of home sellers in Sacramento decided to drop their price.
"For home sellers in these markets, the sharp increase in mortgage rates has knocked some of the wind out of a housing market that had been super-charged by surging migration," according to Redfin.
In fact, those aforementioned sellers are "driving the national rate of price drops to its highest level since October 2019," according to Redfin.
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Get updates at FOXBusiness.com | 2022-05-31T18:44:41+00:00 | fox35orlando.com | https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/home-sellers-in-hot-markets-are-dropping-prices-as-demand-wanes |
GoFundMe created for family of bicyclist killed in hit-and-run
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - A GoFundMe has been created to help the family of a bicyclist who was killed in a hit-and-run crash Monday morning in Wichita Falls.
Wichita Falls Police Department officials have identified the victim as 64-year-old Jose Guadalupe Medina Martinez, of Wichita Falls.
If you would like to make a donation, the GoFundMe can be found by clicking here.
Officers responded to the area of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Flood Street around 5:15 a.m. to investigate a bicyclist down on the street. Officers found Martinez, who appeared to have been struck by an unknown type vehicle. He was taken to United Regional where he was later pronounced deceased.
Police said there is little information on the suspect vehicle.
If you have any information on this crime, you can report any tips to Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers at (940) 322-9888. Long-distance callers should dial 1-800-322-9888. You can also use the P3 Tips app on your mobile device or visit their website here.
As always with Crime Stoppers, you never have to leave your name, and you could earn a cash reward if your tip leads to an arrest and board approval.
Copyright 2022 KAUZ. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-26T22:45:07+00:00 | newschannel6now.com | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2022/10/26/gofundme-created-family-bicyclist-killed-hit-and-run/ |
Cropped cardigans are a cute style, perfect for when you need a light layer. These sweaters fall between the base of the ribs and waistline and pair well with high-waisted pants or skirts. The short length is also ideal for throwing over a dress. Some styles are dressier than others, and cropped cardigans can be worn casually or with evening wear.
Because of the short hemline, cropped cardigans accentuate the waist and flatter the curves. And you don’t have to just wear them in chilly months. Short-sleeved and lightweight cardigans can be worn in the spring and summer or in air conditioning.
In this article: Urban CoCo Women’s Button-Down Crewneck Cropped Cardigan, Romwe Women’s Plus-Size Waffle Knit Cropped Cardigan and Floria Women’s Solid Button-Down Three-Quarters Sleeve Cropped Cardigan.
Material
Affordable cardigans are made from a variety of knit materials, many of which mimic the look and feel of wool:
- Cotton: A natural fiber, cotton is lightweight and breathable. Cotton cardigans are perfect for spring and summer. Be aware that cotton can shrink in the wash so be sure to follow the care instructions. You may want to air-dry your cotton or cotton-blend sweaters.
- Acrylic: A synthetic fabric, acrylic knit can feel like wool without the itchiness. It’s also durable and easier to care for than wool, though not as warm. Acrylic sweaters are often machine-washable.
- Polyester: Polyester cardigans are soft and durable but not as breathable as natural fibers, such as cotton or wool. Many polyester cardigans are machine-washable on a gentle setting.
- Synthetic blends: There are many affordable cardigan options that are made from a blend of synthetic materials, including nylon, rayon, viscose, polyester and acrylic. Blends that contain a small percentage of spandex or elastane offer stretch and added comfort.
- Wool: Wool is the traditional material for cardigan sweaters and is warm, breathable and long-lasting. However, there aren’t many options of wool cardis for under $100. Cashmere is an expensive type of wool known for its softness. You can find some wool blends that are affordable.
Closures
Traditionally, cardigans have button-up fronts. Some may have zippers or toggle closures. Open-front cardigans have become popular in recent history and have no fasteners, leaving the front open in a casual, easy-breezy style. Open-front cardigans are also called boleros or shrugs. This style is great for showcasing a dress, top or jewelry.
Sleeves
While most cropped cardigans have long sleeves, you can find ones with three-quarters sleeves or short sleeves. These are better for warmer weather. Puff sleeves and balloon sleeves are an on-trend style that you can find on select cardigans.
Size
Cropped cardigans come in women’s sizes, typically XX-small to 3X-large. Not all brands offer an inclusive range of sizes. You can also find plus-size cardigans up to 5X.
Texture
Cardigans may have a chunky texture, such as cable-knit, while others offer a smooth, less bulky texture. Waffle knit is a good in-between knit. Choosing the texture of a cardigan is up to personal preference and style.
Best affordable cropped cardigans
Urban CoCo Women’s Button-Down Crewneck Cropped Cardigan
This solid-colored cardigan is a wardrobe staple. The viscose-polyester blend is soft and doesn’t shrink when you hand-wash it. Just don’t toss it in the washing machine. You’ll be tempted to buy it in more than one color because the basic style is so versatile.
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Romwe Women’s Plus-Size Waffle-Knit Cropped Cardigan
For a waffle-knit cardi, this cropped style is cute and flattering for curvy figures. It’s soft and lightweight but still manages to feel cozy. It comes in plus sizes large to 4X-large.
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Floria Women’s Solid Button-Down Three-Quarters Sleeve Cropped Cardigan
This short cardigan fits nicely and the acrylic blend offers some stretch. Lightweight, it’s perfect for work environments or spring/summer weather. You may want to size up in this snug style, and it comes in plus sizes.
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Floerns Women’s Tie-Front Ribbed-Knit Cardigan
This ribbed cardigan ties in the front and can be worn with or without a top underneath. The acrylic fabric is soft and doesn’t feel cheap. The style is cute and flirty.
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Love Tree Women’s Color-Block Cropped Cardigan
For sweater weather, this soft cardigan offers the coziness of cashmere without the high price. It comes in solid colors and two color-block options. The cut is oversized but still cropped, and overall drapes nicely.
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Urban CoCo Women’s Cropped V-Neck Button-Down Cardigan
This solid V-neck cardigan completes any outfit. The cropped length is perfect and isn’t too short. The viscose-polyester blend is machine-washable and doesn’t shrink. It also comes in open-front options.
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Ssoulm Women’s Three-Quarters Sleeve Open-Front Cardigan
This cute bolero offers a formal fit and a lightweight coverup for dressy events. The cut keeps your shoulders warm in spring or summer weather. It’s popular for layering with a sleeveless dress or tank top.
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Grace Karin Women’s Cropped Cardigan
This simple, V-neck style cardigan is a closet staple. The button-down style is classic and it comes in long and short sleeves and inclusive sizes. It’s lightweight viscose-acrylic material is suitable for layering in any weather.
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Belle Poque Women’s Three-Quarters Sleeve Open-Front Cropped Cardigan
This soft, open-front cardigan is the comfortable choice for a coverup. The bolero cut can be worn with evening wear or with more casual dresses. The stretchy fabric is breathable and lightweight, perfect for spring.
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Auslook Women’s Plus-Size Three-Quarters Sleeve Cropped Cardigan
For a plus-size cropped cardigan, Auslook offers this cute shrug in sizes 1X-5X. The polyester blend features good stretch and feels silky on the skin. It fits well is comfortable. Plus, it comes in a wide array of colors.
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-21T16:46:55+00:00 | pahomepage.com | https://www.pahomepage.com/reviews/br/apparel-br/outerwear-br/10-cute-and-affordable-cropped-cardigans/ |
Blue Jays vs. Orioles Probable Starting Pitchers Today - May 19
The Toronto Blue Jays (25-19) and Baltimore Orioles (28-16) clash in the first of a three-game series on Friday at Rogers Centre, at 7:07 PM ET. The Blue Jays are coming off a series defeat to the Yankees, and the Orioles a series split with the Angels.
The Blue Jays will call on Yusei Kikuchi (5-0) versus the Orioles and Kyle Gibson (4-3).
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Blue Jays vs. Orioles Pitcher Matchup Info
- Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
- Time: 7:07 PM ET
- TV: Apple TV+
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Venue: Rogers Centre
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Probable Pitchers: Kikuchi - TOR (5-0, 3.89 ERA) vs Gibson - BAL (4-3, 4.67 ERA)
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Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitcher Tonight: Yusei Kikuchi
- Kikuchi (5-0) will take the mound for the Blue Jays, his ninth start of the season.
- The left-hander gave up four earned runs and allowed nine hits in four innings pitched against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
- The 31-year-old has an ERA of 3.89 and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings, with a batting average against of .277 in eight games this season.
- He has earned a quality start three times in eight starts this season.
- Kikuchi has five starts of five or more innings this season in eight chances. He averages 5.2 innings per outing.
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Orioles Probable Starting Pitcher Tonight: Kyle Gibson
- Gibson (4-3) gets the starting nod for the Orioles in his 10th start of the season. He's put together a 4.67 ERA in 52 2/3 innings pitched, with 36 strikeouts.
- In his most recent outing on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the righty went five innings, giving up four earned runs while surrendering seven hits.
- The 35-year-old has an ERA of 4.67, with 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings in nine games this season. Opponents are batting .284 against him.
- Gibson is trying to record his fifth quality start of the season in this game.
- Gibson is aiming for his fourth straight outing lasting five or more innings. He averages 5.8 frames per start.
- Among qualifying pitchers in MLB action this season, the 35-year-old's 4.67 ERA ranks 57th, 1.404 WHIP ranks 56th, and 6.2 K/9 ranks 67th.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-05-19T17:40:14+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/05/19/blue-jays-vs-orioles-mlb-probable-starting-pitchers/ |
Talk show host Jon Stewart grilled California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on his plans to reform the state’s most notorious prison into a rehabilitation center in a new interview released on Friday.
Newsom announced his plans last week to transform San Quentin State Prison into the “most innovative rehabilitation facility” in the country, drawing inspiration from countries like Norway that have low recidivism rates.
However, Stewart pushed the California governor on the inherent problems that exist, and will likely remain, in the criminal justice system.
He pointed to the issue of parole, noting that in one case, a nonviolent offender was denied parole for stealing some fabric thread and borrowing a hair straightener, while in another, an offender was released on parole and killed a police officer.
“We have a system that cannot tell the difference, and we have a public that demands certainty,” Stewart said in a sit-down interview with Newsom at San Quentin State Prison for the latest episode of “The Problem with Jon Stewart.”
Newsom acknowledged that the prison system treats two such offenders similarly.
“We still have the same dungeonous rooms for those two perpetrators you just described — one that’s benign, not particularly violent nor particularly problematic, and others that have every reason to be considered a concern,” he said.
“We haven’t evolved. There’s no innovation,” Newsom continued. “We talk about reform. We don’t talk about innovation in the criminal justice system.”
Stewart also questioned the California governor on whether his talk of reform is giving prisoners “false hope,” given the roadblocks they will likely face when they leave incarceration.
“The stigma is real, but I think … the internal shame and the internal stigma is even more pronounced,” Newsom said, pointing to the way in which prison programs can boost inmates’ confidence.
“But as a society, you’re right, we have to actually believe in the core tenets of what we practice in our faith, and that’s second damn chances and redemption and the ability to turn your life around,” he added. | 2023-03-24T22:16:59+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/hill-politics/jon-stewart-grills-gavin-newsom-on-california-prison-reform-we-have-a-public-that-demands-certainty/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sophia Smith and the Portland Thorns overcame challenges off the field this season with a championship on it.
Smith, the season’s Most Valuable Player, scored early and the Thorns won their third National Women’s Soccer League title Saturday night with a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Current.
The Thorns also won NWSL championships in 2013, the league’s inaugural season, and again in 2017. The three titles are the most for any team in the league.
A recent report that revealed misconduct across the league impacted the Thorns directly, but the players said it brought them together.
“We’ve put in so much work this whole season. We’ve gone through a lot of stuff that isn’t in the job description,” Smith said. “So it just felt really rewarding. I felt so proud of our team because we’ve just gone through so much — and to be able to bring this back to our fans who have stuck with us through everything this year, it means so much to us.”
The Current had a costly turnover before Smith went down the field, maneuvered around goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and deftly scored in the fourth minute.
Smith nearly had another goal in the 27th minute, but her shot went just wide. Smith is the second MVP recipient to score in the championship game, joining Lynn Williams for North Carolina in 2016. At 22, she’s also the youngest player to score in a league final.
Smith was honored as MVP earlier this week after scoring a club-record 14 goals during the regular season. She was also chosen the championship game MVP.
An own goal off Kansas City’s Addisyn Merrick doubled Portland’s lead in the 56th minute. Moments later, Morgan Weaver had a shot from distance but Franch got a hand on it before it hit the crossbar and caromed away.
“This one hurts,” Current coach Matt Potter said. “It’s just a moment, to put it into the bigger picture. Then obviously, we have a lot of reasons to celebrate right now and this year that we can all look back on, maybe tomorrow or the next day, and be very proud of it. I think we’ve talked all along that our best days are ahead of us, not behind us.”
Audi Field was nearly sold out for the game, which was broadcast in primetime on network television for the first time.
The NWSL was rocked this month by an investigation that showed systemic abuse and misconduct, spanning multiple teams, coaches and victims.
The investigation led by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates was launched last year after two former players came forward with allegations of harassment and sexual coercion dating back a decade against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley.
Riley, who was fired, denied the allegations. He was one of five coaches in the league who were dismissed or stepped down last year amid claims of misconduct.
The Yates report detailed how the Thorns mishandled complaints about Riley when he coached the team in 2014-15. In the wake of the report, the Thorns fired two team executives. But some fans have called on owner Merritt Paulson to sell both the Thorns and the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.
Some fans at Audi Field held a sign that read: “Support The Players.”
“We are a very close team off the field and we knew that these things would potentially derail us, so a lot of conversations were to stay process-based,” Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby said. “We know that some days are going to be hard for some people, so when we can just come together and bear that burden with them, we’re able to balance it out.”
The Thorns advanced to the championship game with a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Wave last Sunday. Crystal Dunn scored in stoppage time for the win.
The Current earned their berth with a 2-0 victory over the top-seeded OL Reign, surprising the winners of this season’s Supporters Shield.
The Current began play in 2021 as an expansion team, with many of its players coming over from the defunct Utah Royals. Last season they finished in last place in the league.
The Washington Spirit won last year’s NWSL championship.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-10-30T11:57:18+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/sports/ap-mvp-smith-scores-and-thorns-beat-current-2-0-for-nwsl-title/ |
NOORIABAD, Pakistan (AP) — At least 18 Pakistani flood survivors, including eight children and nine women, were killed when the bus they were traveling in caught fire, police said Thursday.
Police officer Hashim Brohi said the bus was taking the extended family from the southern port city of Karachi to their hometown of Khairpur Nathan Shah after they heard flood waters had receded there. They were among the thousands who moved to Karachi because of the country’s deadly flooding.
Brohi said the incident took place late Wednesday near Nooriabad hills hike, which is not far from the local police station and fire service station.
“The proximity saved the lives of many bus passengers as both the police and fire engine reached the scene in minutes,” Brohi said.
The bus caught fire after the air conditioning unit short-circuited.
He said rescue services moved the injured passengers to the main hospitals in Jamshoro and Nooriabad. The bodies, charred beyond recognition, will be handed over to relatives after legal formalities.
Bus fires are common in Pakistan, where safety standards are compromised and traffic rules are disregarded. | 2022-10-14T03:55:38+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/world/ap-international/ap-pakistan-bus-fire-kills-at-least-18-flood-survivors/ |
Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder’s future is on the agenda for discussion at upcoming committee meetings in Florida ahead of the annual NFL meeting in Arizona in late March, according to a person familiar with the docket.
The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the person wasn’t authorized to release details, said voting to oust Snyder if he chooses not to sell the team remains a possibility.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, at a league meeting in October, said there’s “merit to remove” Snyder. That would take an unprecedented vote of 24 of the other 31 team owners to happen.
Two weeks after Irsay’s comments, and with multiple investigations ongoing into the team’s workplace culture, finances and Snyder himself, he and wife Tanya hired a firm to “consider possible transactions.” Asked at the time if the Snyders were considering selling part or all of the team, a spokesperson said, “We are exploring all options.”
The sales process has since included the likes of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta getting involved to various degrees. The New York Post reported that Snyder was blocking Bezos from putting in for a bid, despite him hiring a firm to explore that possibility.
The Commanders are taking issue with the contents of a newspaper report about the sale process and demands being made by Snyder. The team, in a statement late Monday, said a story published hours earlier by The Washington Post is “simply untrue.”
Citing anonymous sources, the Post reported that Snyder and his attorneys have demanded that NFL owners and the league indemnify him against future legal liability and costs if he sells the team and threatened to sue if not. The Post said Snyder also wants the findings of a league investigation into him kept private and that his demands angered owners and renewed discussion about possibly taking a vote to remove him.
An NFL spokesperson declined to comment Tuesday on the Post report.
In the aftermath of The Washington Post story about Snyder seeking indemnification, ESPN on Tuesday reported that a federal grand jury has issued subpoenas related to team finances after prosecutors launched an inquiry into a $55 million loan he took out without the knowledge and approval of his then-minority owners. ESPN said the criminal inquiry is being led by a team of FBI and IRS agents.
Snyder bought out minority owners Fred Smith, Dwight Schar and Bob Rothman in spring 2021 after they sued him the previous November seeking an injunction to allow them to sell their shares of the team. That transaction was approved by league owners.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement sent to The Associated Press that Snyder and his previous minority owners “had a series of disputes” before going through mediation with an arbitrator and Commissioner Roger Goodell and coming away with an agreement. McCarthy added, “The agreement included full releases of all claims that were or could have been asserted by any party in the arbitration proceeding.”
Commanders counsel John Brownlee said in a statement that the team has been fully cooperating with the Eastern District of Virginia since it received a request for records last year.
“The requested records only relate to customer security deposits and the team’s ticket sales and revenue,” Brownlee said. “The team will continue to cooperate with this investigation.”
A team spokesperson added that the Commanders are “completely transparent in sharing all financials with the league for their review and oversight.”
Snyder and the team are still under investigation by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, who was retained by the league to look into various aspects of the organization stemming from a congressional probe into workplace misconduct that also included a referral to the Federal Trade Commission for potential business improprieties, which the Commanders denied.
The Attorney General for the District of Columbia filed two suits in civil court against the Commanders late last year: one for a scheme to cheat fans out of ticket money and another naming Snyder, Goodell and the league, saying they colluded to deceive fans about an investigation into the team’s workplace culture that ended with a $10 million fine and no written report. The Commanders settled with the state of Maryland, agreeing to return security deposits to former season ticket holders and pay a $250,000 penalty.
An investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, launched in October 2021 and including testimony from Snyder, Goodell and many others, said the team fostered a toxic workplace culture. A final report by Democrats overseeing the investigation said the team had a pattern of “ignoring and downplaying sexual misconduct” and what female former employees described as hundreds of instances of sexual harassment by men at the top levels of the organization.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | 2023-03-01T12:40:53+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/sports/ap-ap-source-nfl-owners-to-discuss-snyder-at-upcoming-meeting/ |
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DETROIT (AP) — Ezequiel Duran hit a three-run triple with two out in the ninth inning to give the Texas Rangers a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.
Tigers closer Gregory Soto loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batter before Duran hit a ball just inside first base and into the right-field corner. All three runners scored, giving Soto his second blown save of the season.
Dennis Santana (3-2) picked up the win with a scoreless eighth inning, and Joe Barlow pitched the ninth for his 12th save.
Soto's collapse, which led to Detroit's fifth straight loss, wasted seven scoreless innings by Detroit starter Beau Brieske.
Texas starter Martin Perez extended his unbeaten streak to 11 games. He allowed one run on eight hits in seven innings.
The Tigers had the first good scoring chance, as Miguel Cabrera singled in the third with two out and Eric Haase at second. Haase tried to score, but was easily thrown out by right-fielder Adolis Garcia.
Jonah Heim bunted against the shift for a single to start the fifth. Nathaniel Lowe followed with a hit, but Duran lined to shortstop Javy Baez, who doubled Heim off second.
Brieske walked two batters in the sixth, but picked Marcus Semien off first and got out of the inning thanks to Spencer Torkelson reaching deep into the Rangers' dugout to grab Garcia's foul pop.
Baez's ground-rule double gave the Tigers runners on second and third in the bottom of the sixth, and Grossman ended Detroit's 22-inning scoreless streak with a sacrifice fly to right.
ROSTER MOVES
The Rangers activated RHP Jose Leclerc from the 60-day injured list and LHP Brett Martin from the COVID-19 list, with RHP Tyson Miller and LHP Koby Allard headed to Triple-A Round Rock.
UP NEXT
The teams continue their four-game series on Friday, with Detroit ace Tarik Skubal (5-3, 2.71) facing Jon Gray (1-3, 4.85).
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-06-17T02:43:03+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Duran-hits-bases-clearing-triple-in-9th-Texas-17247688.php |
CLAY COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — Lurch from the Clay County Animal Shelter is looking for a forever home.
An employee from the Clay County Animal Shelter brought 6-month-old Lurch to our studio on Tuesday, March 7.
Carney Porter: Well, we have a precious baby sitting right here with us. This is Lurch. He’s from the Clay County Animal Shelter. So thank you so much for being here today. Tell us a little bit about Lurch.
Shelter Representative: He’s about six months old. We believe he’s Great Dane and Lab, so it’s great because he’s only about six months old now.
Carney Porter: Are you sit or go sit? No, we just I’m a sucker. You can have it. It’s okay. He’s six months, though. He is a puppy. He’s a baby. He’s the sweetest boy. Now he seems to be, like you know, he’d be friendly with everyone.
Shelter Representative: Oh, yeah, he is. He’s good with dogs, cats and probably kids, too. We haven’t had him around kids yet, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t be. He loves everything else.
Carney Porter: He seems like he’ll play with you outside one minute and then he’ll come snuggle up with you and cuddle on the couch the next minute.
Shelter Representative: Yeah. He’s a good boy.
Carney Porter: He’s a sweet guy. Now, is there any other- do you see the treat? Oh, I know. You see the treat. Do you see that treat? Okay, you can have the treat. He’s so sweet. Now, is there any other underlying medical conditions that people need to be weary of or any specific diet? I mean, not obviously, I’m shoving treats to him, so you might not have too many dietary restrictions.
Shelter Representative: Nope. He’s a good, healthy boy. He just got neutered last week. He’s got all his shots, he’s chipped. He’s ready to go.
Carney Porter: And you’ve had him for three months?
Shelter Representative: Yeah, about three months. He was- he was young when we got him.
Carney Porter: Oh, goodness. That’s a little too long. That’s just too, too long. Now, what kind of family would be best for him? You know, I see he’s a puppy, and he’ll be a bigger dog.
Shelter Representative: Yeah, probably an active family, one with a big yard. He’s gonna be big. He’s gonna be a big dog. Probably too big for apartment, but a house and a yard would be perfect for him.
Carney Porter: Somewhere where he can run around and get all the treats. Are you gonna say hi to the camera? Are you gonna say hi. Oh, my goodness. Now making sure he wants all the- he probably needs more of an outdoorsy family, for sure. The kid size doesn’t matter. Have you had him around other animals besides dogs?
Shelter Representative: Yeah, he’s been in the cattery, and he does good with the cats. He don’t mind them at all.
Carney Porter: Probably curious more than anything.
Shelter Representative: Just curious.
Carney Porter: Well, how can people, if they’re interested in Lurch, in this sweet baby, get in touch with y’all to adopt them.
Shelter Representative: They can call us at (940) 538-6757. Come by and see him. We are there from 9 to 1 every day. Our address is 503 North Carroll Street in Henrietta.
Carney Porter: Oh my goodness. Well, thank you so much for being here. I could have had y’all here all day. We appreciate it. Y’all don’t go anywhere. We’ll be right back. Say bye bye, sweet boy. Say bye bye. | 2023-03-07T21:11:01+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/interviews/clay-county-animal-shelter-meet-lurch/ |
For the first time, the Troubadour Festival will be “coming home” Sept. 10 to downtown Tyler.
“It's definitely gotten here fast, but we're excited,” said Chase Colston, co-founder and promoter for the Troubadour Festival and Double Tap Entertainment. “It's been a long time coming to be able to do an event in downtown Tyler again, and we're just excited to be coming home.”
The Troubadour Festival will feature headliner Gary Allan along with other artists Flatland Cavalry, Mike Ryan, The Steel Woods, Chris Colston, Joint Custody and Holly Beth. Forty-one barbecue vendors also are set to attend.
Colston said it has been more than three years since he was part of a downtown Tyler festival. The last was the Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival in 2019.
Red Dirt, put on by the Tyler-Longview Townsquare Media, originated from an idea Colston had when working for the company.
When Colston left Townsquare during the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to sign an agreement preventing him from bringing the Troubadour Festival to the area until this year.
While he has been a part of bringing barbecue and music to downtown Tyler before, the Troubadour Festival is “just so much more than anything that I believe downtown has seen when it comes to barbecue festivals," Colston said. "It's gonna be a really, really interesting sight to see and a really cool experience hopefully.”
Colston, along with his business partner and best friend Cody Johnson, held the first Troubadour Festival in Celina in 2021. This year, Tyler and Georgetown were added to the festival's locations.
Since the creation of the festival, Colston previously said it was always intended to travel around Texas, reflecting the name.
A troubadour is an early century songwriter who traveled through western Europe. The concept of the traveling performer fit the idea of a traveling festival, Colston said.
“Barbecue and music are two things that Texans really love the most, so (Johnson and I) said, ‘Let’s not only hopefully one day come home and do this, but let’s take it to other parts of the state,’ ” Colston said.
While Colston said he is looking forward to the barbecue vendors, he is especially exited about seeing friends, family and other supporters. To have all of these people come together to see the Troubadour Festival in Tyler is special, he said.
“At this point, it's crossing T's and dotting I’s, putting out fires, answering phones and things like that,” Colston said. “It’s just a really exciting time for all of us, and we're expecting a fun, good crowd and can't wait.
“We’re happy to be coming home.”
Colston said ticket sales are going well, and available tickets range from $60 to $225 and can be purchased at www.troubadourfestival.com . | 2022-08-31T12:45:15+00:00 | tylerpaper.com | https://tylerpaper.com/news/local/inaugural-troubadour-festival-coming-home-to-downtown-tyler/article_32058d10-28a5-11ed-8d28-9bc401ff2909.html |
LONGMONT, Colo. (AP) — Two small airplanes collided in mid-air Saturday near Denver, killing three people, authorities said.
The two occupants of one of the airplanes were both found dead in the wreckage and the occupant of the second plane was also found dead in wreckage at a separate location, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The collision happened just before 9 a.m. Saturday. The identities of the victims have not been released.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement posted on Twitter that it was investigating a collision between a Cessna 172 and a Sonex Xenos aircraft near Longmont, Colorado.
Longmont is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Denver.
The Sonex Xenos is a light, aluminum, low-wing homebuilt aircraft that seats two. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a popular single-engine aircraft that seats four. | 2022-09-17T19:37:00+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Sheriff-2-small-planes-collide-mid-air-near-17448797.php |
Man suspected of shooting and injuring Dallas-area doctor was then shot and injured by police
CEDAR HILL, Texas (AP) — A man suspected of shooting and injuring a doctor at a Dallas-area medical building was shot and injured Tuesday by police officers after his vehicle was involved in a crash with another vehicle and officers could see he had a long gun, police said.
Police in Cedar Hill, located just southwest of Dallas, said that officers were dispatched at 12:17 p.m. to Methodist Family Health Center after getting a call about a person with a gun in the building. A minute later, the dispatcher heard a gunshot.
The first officer arrived at 12:21 p.m. and saw a doctor on the ground in front of the building with a gunshot wound, police said. Police said that another officer saw a man with a long gun leaving the scene, police said. Police said that the officer then relayed the suspect’s vehicle information to other officers. At 12:22 p.m., the suspect’s vehicle was involved in a crash just down the road.
Police said that after the crash, the suspect still had the long gun and five officers fired their weapons toward him.
The doctor who was injured was in stable condition at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, while the suspect was in critical condition, police said. The driver of the car the suspect’s vehicle was in a collision with was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Last fall, a man fatally shot a nurse and a social worker Methodist Dallas Medical Center after accusing his girlfriend, who had just given birth, of infidelity. Also last fall, a visitor was killed in a hospital shooting in Little Rock, Arkansas.
In June 2022, a gunman killed his surgeon and three other people at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before killing himself.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-07-26T16:14:04+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/2023/07/26/man-suspected-shooting-injuring-dallas-area-doctor-was-then-shot-injured-by-police/ |
LANDOVER, Md.— The Cleveland Browns kicked off 2023 as an undefeated team after topping the Washington Commanders, 24-10, at FedEx Field on Sunday. It had Myles Garrett singing on the bench.
Cleveland came out sluggish in the first half, only putting three points on the board before heading to the locker room. Not what a photographer hopes for in a game. But the Browns found their rhythm in the second half, as Deshaun Watson connected with Amari Cooper twice and Donovan Peoples-Jones once for touchdowns. Nick Chubb added 104 yards of rushing for the ground game.
Add in an impressive performance by the defense and I finally had some decent images from the game.
Here’s a look at my favorite photos from the Browns’ New Year’s Day victory over the Commanders.
Cooper, who’s still nursing a core muscle injury, showed up in the second half with two touchdowns. I was running to the field, having just finished uploading photos from halftime, when Cooper scored his first TD. But thankfully he scored a second one, giving me a nice frame of him leaping into the end zone, just getting the ball over the pylon.
There were several plays where I thought Watson was going to get sacked, but then managed to wiggle his way free. I liked this frame of him stiff arming Montez Sweat as he scrambled to the sideline.
There were several nice frames of this touchdown, as DPJ twisted his body in the air to get over the goal line for a touchdown. I liked this one where he seems suspended in the air before falling into the end zone for a touchdown.
The entire Browns defense did a solid job of holding QB Carson Wentz and the Commanders to just one touchdown. I can’t imagine being a quarterback and seeing this dynamic duo of Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney coming at you from both sides.
A nice little reaction after Garrett’s sack.
The one touchdown the Commanders did score made for a nice photo, as Wentz went up and over to get the ball across the goal line for the touchdown.
I liked this moment after Denzel Ward intercepted a pass against the Commanders. I couldn’t see the interception from my position, but was able to get the celebration afterward.
I love the look in David Njoku’s eyes as he drives forward with a defender on his back trying to get those yards.
Chubb had a solid day and it felt like at any moment he could break a tackle and run for a huge play. He strung together several great runs and finished with 104 yards. I like this frame of him finding a hole, framing him nicely among the other players. | 2023-01-02T18:24:22+00:00 | cleveland.com | https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2023/01/clevelandcom-photographer-joshua-gunters-favorite-photos-from-browns-win-over-commanders.html |
Man wins $1.2 million from $20 scratch-off bought at work, lottery officials say
Published: Jun. 20, 2023 at 2:16 PM MDT|Updated: 16 minutes ago
HIGH POINT, N.C. (Gray News) – A man in North Carolina hit a $2 million jackpot after risking just $20 on a scratch-off ticket, according to lottery officials.
The North Carolina Lottery said Hyeon Jung bought his lucky 100X The Cash ticket from Green Street Grocery in High Point where he works as an employee.
When Jung returned to the store Friday to collect his prize, he had the option of taking it as an annuity of $100,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $1.2 million.
Ung chose the lump-sum $1.2 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $855,006.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-20T20:35:09+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/2023/06/20/man-wins-12-million-20-scratch-off-bought-work-lottery-officials-say/ |
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — A man accused of attacking New York GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin during a recent campaign rally told investigators he’d been drinking that day and didn’t know who the congressman was, authorities said as the man was arrested on a federal assault charge Saturday.
David Jakubonis, 43, made an initial court appearance Saturday before a federal magistrate judge on a single count of assaulting a member of Congress with a dangerous weapon. The charge carries a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
He was ordered held until a bail hearing in federal court Wednesday. Prosecutors said he should remain detained as a risk of flight and dangerous, according to a court filing.
Jakubonis was arraigned Friday on a separate state charge of attempted assault in the second degree and was released by a local judge. That prompted criticism from Zeldin and other Republicans who held it up as an example of the need to reform New York’s bail laws, something Zeldin has called on Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to toughen.
A 2019 bail reform law in New York eliminated pretrial incarceration for people accused of most nonviolent offenses. The law gives judges the option to set bail in nearly all cases involving violent felonies, but it has exceptions for certain attempted felonies like attempted assault.
The federal criminal complaint filed Saturday alleged Jakubonis, an Iraq War veteran, told investigators he was drinking whiskey on Thursday before he went onstage as Zeldin addressed a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in the town of Perinton to ask the speaker if he was disrespecting veterans.
Jakubonis “did not know who the speaker was or that the speaker was a political person,” according to the complaint, which was filed in Rochester federal court. The complaint added that when Jakubonis watched video of Thursday evening’s incident he told investigators he “must have checked out” and that what was depicted in the video was disgusting.
According to video of the attack, Jakubonis raised his arm toward Zeldin as he held a keychain with two sharp points. The congressman from Long Island then grabbed Jakubonis’ wrist and the two tussled to the ground as others jumped in to help. Zeldin, who also served in the military, suffered a minor scrape.
A message was left Saturday with the assistant federal public defender representing him.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2022-07-24T00:32:49+00:00 | wtmj.com | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/07/23/investigators-attacker-did-not-know-who-zeldin-was-2/ |
WHL
All Times Local
Western Conference
B.C. Division
U.S. Division
Eastern Conference
East Division
Central Division
Note: Two points for a team winning in overtime or shootout; the team losing in overtime or shootout receives one which is registered in the OTL or SOL columns.
Wednesday's results
Winnipeg 6 Prince Albert 2
Thursday's results
Regina 4 Edmonton 3 (OT)
Friday's results
Winnipeg 5 Swift Current 0
Moose Jaw 4 Prince Albert 3
Lethbridge 5 Medicine Hat 4
Prince George 6 Kelowna 3
Everett 4 Tri-City 2
Vancouver 4 Victoria 1
Saturday's results
Moose Jaw at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Swift Current at Saskatoon, 7 p.m.
Regina at Red Deer, 7 p.m.
Kelowna at Prince George, 6 p.m.
Edmonton at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.
Tri-City at Portland, 6 p.m.
Winnipeg at Medicine Hat, 7 p.m.
Vancouver at Seattle, 6:05 p.m.
Kamloops at Spokane, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday's games
Regina at Calgary, 2 p.m.
Victoria at Everett, 4:05 p.m.
Tuesday's games
Lethbridge at Saskatoon, 7 p.m.
Wednesday's games
Regina at Brandon, 7 p.m.
Lethbridge at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.
Saskatoon at Moose Jaw, 7 p.m.
Victoria at Kelowna, 7:05 p.m. | 2022-10-02T02:46:53+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/HKO-WHL-Standings-17480870.php |
Jeff Leber of Umapine, Oregon, stands in the baking sun. He listens to the hiss of his grain getting sucked up into the bins, at the Northwest Grain Growers co-op.
Today, Leber is getting a bit more money for his fall-planted, soft, white wheat than even days ago. Still, he’s spent more on this crop – his fuel, seed and fertilizer have been set at the highest prices he’s ever seen.
“There’s not much I can do, except for taking care of the farm the best I can,” Leber said. “Then, our government and everyone else takes care of the pricing. We get what we get.”
This week, Russia bombed key Ukrainian ports – crippling major wheat exports. It also pulled out of a key agreement that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain. That’s spiking U.S. wheat futures prices on soft red winter wheat – they were up 20 cents Tuesday and up 55 cents most of Wednesday. On Thursday, early trading was both up and down, showing signs of high volatility. The local wheat price has ticked up too – just as the Northwest starts to harvest.
Down-yield
Many Northwest farmers are harvesting a down-yield this year, and harvest is about 6% complete in Washington, 15%in Oregon and 5%in Idaho, as of July 16, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This year’s hot spring, that brought little, if any, rain has left the wheat heads light in grain, with few or weazened/shriveled kernels. Some Northwest wheat is stressed – and may have too much protein to meet market demand. Most of the Northwest’s wheat is ultimately sold to Asian bakers – who like low-protein, and low-gluten wheat for cakes, cookies, noodles and crackers.
War money
The war-fueled jump in price could help offset higher-priced fuel, seed and fertilizer in the Northwest. But higher prices could also disrupt the world wheat market.
Cory Christensen is a grain merchant for Northwest Grain Growers. He said some say there isn’t enough grain in the world to feed everyone.
“Typically, there is actually enough grain in the world. It’s just in places that are too hard to get out of or it’s just too expensive to go to the places that truly need it,” Christensen said.
Christensen said Northwest farmers may get a bit higher price because of the war in Ukraine. But they will still have to account for the local demand, and the cost to get it to market from some remote areas.
Across the Northwest, grain is piling up in bins and in giant, golden pyramids near barging points. Much of the growing, and market, is out of farmers’ hands with this worldwide commodity.
Back outside of the massive steely bins in Walla Walla, farmer Jeff Leber said he doesn’t have a lot of time to worry. He already has fall planting in mind – after harvest, he’ll need some serious rain.
Copyright 2023 Northwest News Network. To see more, visit Northwest News Network. | 2023-07-23T12:27:51+00:00 | knkx.org | https://www.knkx.org/agriculture/2023-07-23/us-wheat-prices-to-jump-just-as-the-northwest-is-in-harvest |
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — A U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet who was expelled for becoming a father will get his degree as part of a legal settlement, his attorneys said Thursday.
Isaak Olson sued the academy in December after years of endeavoring to be reinstated as a cadet. He was two months from graduating, with a degree in mechanical engineering and a commission as an officer, when he disclosed in 2014 that his fiancee had given birth to their first child, according the lawsuit.
“No one should ever have to choose between the honor of being a Coast Guard cadet and the honor of being a parent," Olson said Thursday in a statement released by his lawyers. He said he was "thankful the academy has reached a settlement that recognizes my right to both.”
People are also reading…
A message was left with the Coast Guard Academy seeking comment.
At least at the time the suit was filed, an academy regulation barred cadets from having “any maternal or paternal obligation or responsibility," according to the lawsuit. Olson's lawyers said the policy still stands.
Olson learned of his fiancee’s pregnancy in April of his junior year, and the baby was born in August 2013, according to the lawsuit. It said he was never asked about dependents until he got a duty screening application in March 2014 and disclosed the child's birth.
The couple had Olson’s parental rights terminated in hopes of enabling him to graduate, and he later went through a long administrative process to try to get his status restored, to no avail, according to his lawyers at the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Connecticut, and Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic.
Along the way, Olson enlisted in the Coast Guard, and the couple married and had another child, the attorneys said.
The lawsuit sought his commission and back pay, since he makes less than he would as an officer. It's not immediately clear whether the settlement addressed either of those issues; an inquiry was sent to his attorneys.
“Becoming a parent shouldn’t be seen as a hardship,” Olson said in his statement. “I look forward to the day that cadets are given the same rights as the rest of the service.”
The federal law that funded and authorized the Defense Department for the 2022 fiscal year gives the military until the end of December to craft “regulations that include the option to preserve parental guardianship rights” for cadets or midshipmen who become pregnant or father children while at one of the department's service academies.
The law applies to the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy — but not to the Coast Guard Academy, which is run by the Department of Homeland Security. | 2022-10-06T21:12:27+00:00 | wcfcourier.com | https://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/coast-guard-academy-settles-suit-over-cadets-with-kids-ban/article_e268033f-0381-5514-b167-0cef214e1751.html |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A grocery store featuring thousands of faux food items made entirely from discarded plastic bags opens Tuesday to the public, an artist’s non-edible creation calling attention to the dangers of plastic waste.
The Plastic Bag Store is a custom-built public art installation and film experience designed to encourage visitors to think more about the enduring impact of single-use plastics.
The store in Ann Arbor, Michigan, features shelves stocked with items such as meat, eggs and cakes, all made from single-use plastics taken from streets and garbage dumps.
The store at times during the day will be transformed into a stage for a series of short films in which puppetry and handmade sets are used to tell a story of the dangers of plastic waste and the consequences for future generations.
As the show’s tagline puts it: “Part installation. Part film. All bags.”
Plastic bags are created by fossil fuels and often end up as waste in landfills and oceans.
Americans toss out 100 billion plastic bags per year, according to Worldwatch Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental research organization.
Theater and film director Robin Frohardt is the driving creative force behind the Plastic Bag Store.
“I got the idea many years ago after watching someone bag and double-bag and triple-bag my groceries,” Frohardt said Tuesday. “I just was sort of struck by how ridiculous how much packaging is involved in our everyday lives.
“And it just seemed so absurd. I just thought, ‘Maybe I could make a project that’s even more absurd.’ ”
The store’s shelves are lined with items whose names are intended to mimic real-life products such as “Yucky Shards” (Lucky Charms), “Bitz of Plastic Crap” (Ritz Crackers), “Bagemite” (Vegemite) and “Filthydelphia roll” (Philadelphia roll).
One product Frohardt didn’t have to alter was baguettes, “because it was already in the name,” she said with a laugh.
The Plastic Bag Store, which runs through Feb. 5, is presented via a partnership between the University of Michigan Museum of Art, University Musical Society, University of Michigan Arts Initiative and Graham Sustainability Institute.
Tickets are $30 for general admission. Student tickets cost $12.
The show premiered in Times Square in 2020. It since has made stops in Los Angeles; Chicago; Austin, Texas; and Adelaide, Australia.
“I hope that we can continue to tour this project and bring it to different communities,” said Frohardt, who is based in New York. “My dream would be that this project becomes irrelevant.
“But it probably won’t be.” | 2023-01-18T04:01:27+00:00 | nwahomepage.com | https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/entertainment-news/ap-grocery-store-with-items-made-from-plastic-opening-to-public/ |
ASTON, Pa., July 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun East is proud to announce that Deborah "Deb" Cook has been awarded the distinction as a 2022 Philadelphia Business Journal CFO of the Year Honoree. Ms. Cook is one of a small group of outstanding leaders in their field within the Philadelphia market, recognized for their contributions to their company's growth and/or profitability, success in overcoming business challenges, and their influence within the community. Sun East President and CEO, Mike Kaczenski stated, "Deb personifies Sun East's "people helping people" philosophy through her tireless dedication to the financial well-being of Sun East members, communities, and teammates. This honor is well deserved!"
We recently sat down with Ms. Cook and asked a few questions about her experiences with Sun East and how she feels she's made a positive impact.
What has been your proudest accomplishment as CFO at Sun East thus far?
So far, I think it's the opportunity to oversee and lead several diverse areas within the Sun East organization. What I love is how each group has risen to the challenge of improving efficiencies and growing the credit union by delivering solutions which help our members achieve their financial goals.
How would you describe your guiding philosophy as CFO?
I have always been a strategic thinker and I try to lead with integrity, decisiveness, and empathy. I also strongly encourage collaboration between the teams at Sun East to take advantage of different perspectives, expertise, and depth of knowledge to make sure our decisions are sound.
What advice would you give those entering the financial field – and those considering working at Sun East?
You know, I think the amount of continuing education one pursues is a differentiator now. It's important to advance your degree and certifications first, so you have the knowledge needed to enter the workforce. As for working at Sun East, I have found the culture to be grounded in helping one another, and I've witnessed countless instances of our teams coming together to really help our members. I love the people I work with and consider them part of my extended family.
Deb Cook, along with the other twenty-three honorees, will be recognized in an awards ceremony on July 19th in Philadelphia, PA.
Sun East Federal Credit Union, founded in 1949, is a full-service, not-for-profit purpose driven financial institution serving the savings, borrowing, and virtual banking needs of 50,000+ members, 1,250 employers, and multiple other organizations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey. Sun East has over $820 million in assets with branches throughout the Quad-State area, nationwide ATM access, and online and mobile banking. For more information, call 877- 5-SUNEAST or visit www.suneast.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sharee L. Coleman 610-485-2960 ext. 268
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Sun East Federal Credit Union | 2022-07-08T19:46:54+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/07/08/sun-east-svp-amp-cfo-deborah-deb-cook-recognized-2022-chief-financial-officer-year-honoree-by-philadelphia-business-journal/ |
LA PAZ, Bolivia — The Vatican has sent to Bolivia the diary of the late Alfonso Pedrajas, a Jesuit priest who allegedly confessed to abusing dozens of minors in Bolivia dating back to the 1970s, the latest development in a pedophilia scandal that has shaken the Andean country.
The Society of Jesus, as the Jesuits are known, said it will request a copy of the diary written by Pedrajas, who died in 2009, in order to know its full contents, since only a few excerpts were released in April by Spanish newspaper El País, which first reported on it. In the diary, Pedrajas allegedly confesses to having abused 85 minors, mostly in boarding schools in Cochabamba between the 1970s and 1990s.
The diary arrived in Bolivia less than one week after Pope Francis sent a letter to President Luis Arce, expressing concern and saying he was “dismayed” by the allegations of sexual abuse committed by priests and pledging the Church’s cooperation in the investigation carried out by the Bolivian justice system.
A few days after the Pedrajas case came to light light, Francis sent one of his top sex crimes investigators to Bolivia. Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu had previously led the investigations into abuses committed by priests in Chile and Paraguay.
Bertomeu was in Bolivia for two days and did not make statements to the press. The Bolivian Church clarified that the visit was not linked to the pedophilia scandal but had been planned in advance.
New cases of sexual abuse have been uncovered as a result of this probe and one priest was sent to pre-trial detention for three months last month.
So far, there are at least 12 judicial investigations against clergy members in Bolivia, including one which already resulted in a 10-year prison sentence for a priest charged with rape, the Bolivian Episcopal Conference said.
In several of the cases, those who have been accused of abuse have already died. | 2023-06-22T18:13:56+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/22/bolivia-priests-catholic-church-abuse-minors-vatican/77e695ec-1123-11ee-8d22-5f65b2e2f6ad_story.html |
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