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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The palm trees lining the desert roads leading out of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport were wet with rain drops when Cristiano Ronaldo arrived this week in Saudi Arabia’s capital city.
The surprising weather greeted the soccer great’s shocking move to the Middle East, where the gray skies in Riyadh were more akin to the often overcast conditions of Manchester — his previous home.
It’s a surreal start for Ronaldo as he takes the next step of his storied career in a league few know much about.
The wet and chilly weather has been so severe that his new team, Al Nassr, was forced to postpone its Saudi league match against Al Ta’ee on Thursday because rain had impacted the electric system at Mrsool Park, the club’s home stadium.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward had said at his presentation on Tuesday that he was ready to play immediately. However, the Portuguese player is supposed to serve a two-match suspension imposed by the English Football Association in November for slapping a mobile phone out of a fan’s hand following a game against Everton last April.
He may have left the Premier League, but the sanction applies to club soccer around the world. However, as the match against Al Ta’ee approached, Al Nassr would not confirm if it intended to honor the ban.
Where Ronaldo goes, drama seems to follow — and the will-he-won’t-he saga extended to Friday, when Al Nassr finally left him out of the squad for the rescheduled match.
The excitement generated by his arrival in Saudi Arabia is undeniable — even if the idea of him leaving elite European soccer behind will take some getting used to. Thousands of fans braved the conditions and lined up for a first sight of their superstar signing on Tuesday.
“It’s very, very exciting because Ronaldo is the best player in the world,” Al Nassr fan Nawaf Alshmry told The Associated Press.
Earlier that day, an optimistic supporter of reigning Saudi champion Al Hilal had spoken of his belief that his club would respond by signing another icon, someone like Brazil international Neymar.
The Ronaldo-effect, it seems, is already taking hold, and the realms of what is possible feel broadened by his very presence — never mind that he is past his peak and has so far this season been dropped by both Manchester United and Portugal because of his lack of form.
His star appeal still resonates — on the day of his presentation traffic backed up along the streets surrounding the 25,000-capacity Mrsool Park. Al Nassr prepared for his entrance by projecting his image on the stadium’s exterior, with strobe lights, fireworks and smoke machines deployed to enhance the atmosphere.
His face beamed out from electronic billboards around the city.
The 37-year-old Portugal forward, who is coming off a disappointing performance at the World Cup in Qatar, eventually turned up in a white Range Rover with blacked out windows and stepped out to flashing cameras.
It was a very stage-managed production for a club that is going to have to quickly get used to the global fame that comes with signing one of the greatest soccer players of all time and the world’s most followed individual on social media platform Instagram.
Al Nassr has had to enlist an outside public relations company to handle the sudden overload of media interest, but has yet to produce an English language version of its website. Instead, its social media accounts have become a go-to destination for Ronaldo’s fanbase, desperate to learn about his movements in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr, it appears, is learning as it goes along.
The signing was designed to make a statement and grow the profile of the club and Saudi soccer in general. It is also the latest bold sporting venture from a country that is undergoing a rapid cultural transformation and has faced accusations of “sportswashing” to improve its reputation around the world in light of its human rights record.
It has already staged two heavyweight title fights involving Anthony Joshua. Its Public Investment Fund backed the takeover of Premier League club Newcastle and the launch of the contentious LIV Golf tour.
Saudi Arabia also hosts Formula One racing, the Italian and Spanish Super Cups and high profile tennis tournaments. There is a drive to promote women’s soccer and speculation that the country is planning a bid to host the 2030 men’s World Cup.
But nothing so far compares to convincing Ronaldo to make the country his home after signing a 2 1/2-year contract reportedly worth up to $200 million a year.
His slip of the tongue when declaring he had “come to South Africa” at a news conference on Tuesday was unfortunate, but he spoke passionately about his decision to make the move.
“I want to give a different vision of this club and country,” Ronaldo said.
Amnesty International responded by urging him to use his position to draw attention to human rights issues in Saudi Arabia.
Soccer is already a big deal in the country, with a television audience of more than 215 million watching the Saudi league last season, according to official statistics. More than 1.25 million attended matches during that campaign and the expectation will be that both of those numbers increase significantly as a result of Ronaldo’s presence.
“He is the best player across history and also having Ronaldo in the Saudi league is something unique and great for us,” Al Nassr president Musalli Almuammar said. “This is the result of our great efforts to bring him here to play in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have been working hard for many years to bring him to develop Saudi football.”
Al Nassr’s Instagram following is growing significantly — up to 10.4 million and rising from 1.2 million when the deal was first announced.
In a matter of only a few rainy days in the desert, the club has already had a taste of life with Ronaldo.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
___
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson | 2023-01-06T23:14:14+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-cristiano-ronaldo-experiences-surreal-start-in-saudi-arabia/ |
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Three men were indicted by a grand jury in East Texas following accusations of transporting two African elephant ivory tusks from an Oklahoma residence to Texas for sale.
According to the federal indictment, David Bartlett, 46 of Dill City, Oklahoma, called an undercover United States Fish and Wildlife special agent on Feb. 11, 2021, to “negotiate the sale of an African elephant ivory tusk.”
The same day, a man identified as Dusty Caudill allegedly posed with the African elephant tusks in Ardmore, Oklahoma, for photo and video recordings to promote the sale of the tusks. Bartlett then sent three photos and two videos to the undercover agent to negotiate the sale of the tusks, according to court documents.
The tusks were valued at over $350.
A few days later, documents say Bartlett called the undercover agent again to further negotiate the sale of the tusks, and it was agreed the tusks would be transported to Tyler, Texas, to complete the transaction.
A third man, identified as Darryl Garcia, then moved the tusks with Bartlett “from a residence into the truck of a vehicle to transport them to Tyler,” according to court documents.
The three have been charged with conspiracy to transport wildlife in interstate commerce, and Bartlett and Garcia were additionally charged with transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce and violating the Endangered Species Act.
If convicted, the possible penalty for conspiracy to transport wildlife and transportation of wildlife is a fine of $250,000 and five years in federal prison. The penalty range for violating the Endangered Species Act is a fine of $100,000 and one year in federal prison.
“Behind every piece of ivory, whether it be a full tusk or carved trinket, is a dead elephant,” the World Wildlife Fund said in a previous statement on elephants. “Poachers kill about 20,000 elephants every single year for their tusks, which are then traded illegally in the international market to eventually end up as ivory trinkets. This trade is mostly driven by demand for ivory in parts of Asia.”
According to court records, Garcia appeared in a Tyler court on June 23 and his bond was set at $50,000. Caudill appeared in court on Aug. 23 and was released without bail. Their trials are both scheduled for December unless a plea agreement is reached beforehand.
Bartlett was transported to Smith County on Wednesday from an Oklahoma jail and, according to a letter sent to the Eastern District of East Texas in July, Bartlett asked the clerk of court to “put off” his case while he underwent drug and alcohol treatment.
Bartlett had initially missed his court date in the case due to “being held on misdemeanor drug charges,” according to the letter.
“P.S. Sorry for missing my court date. I was incarcerated,” Bartlett said at the end of his letter. “But my apologies to the court.”
A court date has not yet been set for arraignment in this case. | 2022-10-21T17:40:16+00:00 | wdtn.com | https://www.wdtn.com/nexstar-media-wire/3-men-accused-of-trying-to-sell-elephant-tusks-face-massive-possible-fines/ |
NEW YORK, June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CLEAR (NYSE: YOU), the secure identity company, announced today that Shawn Henry, Chief Security Officer of CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD), has been elected to CLEAR's Board of Directors.
"Security is our top priority at CLEAR, and it has been fundamental to our business since we launched in 2010," said Caryn Seidman Becker, CEO and Chairman of CLEAR. "Shawn has decades of experience in security and technology and a proven track record of leadership and strategic management skills. We are thrilled to welcome Shawn to CLEAR's Board of Directors – his expertise will be an invaluable asset."
"I have been a fan of CLEAR for many years, and the company's visionary public sector-private sector partnerships have been a game-changer for secure air travel," said Shawn Henry. "I am honored to be elected to CLEAR's Board, and look forward to supporting the company's mission to build faster, more secure and friction-free experiences."
Mr. Henry serves as the chief security officer of CrowdStrike, one of the world's preeminent cybersecurity technology companies, and is among the market leader's longest tenured executive leaders, having joined in 2012. Prior to CrowdStrike, Mr. Henry served for 24 years as an FBI special agent, rising through the executive ranks. As Executive Assistant Director, he oversaw half of the FBI's investigative operations, including all FBI criminal and cyber investigations worldwide, international operations, and the FBI's critical incident response to major investigations and disasters, from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Henry also managed computer crime investigations spanning the globe, established the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force, and received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive for his leadership in enhancing the FBI's cyber capabilities. Mr. Henry has served as a director of ShoulderUp Technology Acquisition Corp. since 2019, where he currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and on the audit committee. He holds a B.B.A. from Hofstra University, an M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is a graduate of the Homeland Security Executive Leadership Program of the Naval Postgraduate School.
About CLEAR
CLEAR's mission is to create frictionless experiences. With more than 16 million members and a growing network of partners across the world, CLEAR's identity platform is transforming the way people live, work, and travel. Whether you are traveling, at the stadium, or on your phone, CLEAR connects you to the things that make you, you – making everyday experiences easier, more secure, and friction-free. CLEAR is committed to privacy done right. Members are always in control of their own information, and we never sell member data. For more information, visit clearme.com.
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SOURCE CLEAR | 2023-06-15T11:50:39+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/06/15/crowdstrike-chief-security-officer-shawn-henry-elected-clears-board-directors/ |
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday afternoon's drawing of the Iowa Lottery's "Pick 4 Midday" game were:
6-4-3-0
(six, four, three, zero)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday afternoon's drawing of the Iowa Lottery's "Pick 4 Midday" game were:
6-4-3-0
(six, four, three, zero) | 2022-06-20T19:25:40+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-4-Midday-game-17253615.php |
BRISTOL, Va. – A new week brought another new record for fuel prices across the region, both states and the nation as every state but three now reports unleaded gasoline priced above $4 per gallon.
The national average was trending at $4.48 on Monday – up 40 cents from a month ago -- Virginia’s statewide average was $4.31 and Tennessee remained lower, at $4.20 for regular unleaded. Locally, prices around the region typically fell between the two state averages, according to AAA.
Three states—Georgia, Kansas, and Oklahoma—are still holdouts for crossing the $4 per gallon mark. The national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.48. The increase is primarily due to the high cost of crude oil, which is hovering near $110 a barrel, according to a statement from AAA.
“The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers,” Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson, said. “Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no effect this year.”
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Virginia's average of $4.31 on Monday broke the old record of $4.30 set Sunday. Monday’s average is up nine cents in the past week, up 38 cents in the past month and $1.37 more expensive than this day a year ago, according to AAA.
Providers are now switching to the more expensive summer blend gasoline, which typically adds seven to 10 cents per gallon. This switchover should be completed nationwide by early June. This summer blend switch is an annual event. It is unrelated to the Biden Administration’s recent announcement to allow the higher ethanol E15 gas blend to remain on sale throughout the summer.
The average price in Bristol and Kingsport was $4.23 on Monday with Johnson City slightly higher at $4.25 – all new single-day records, AAA reported.
In the greater Bristol area, the price range remained tight, extending from a low of $4.14 to a high of $4.45, according to GasBuddy.com. The overwhelming majority of locations reported prices between $4.19 and $4.39.
The average price for diesel in the Twin City was $5.39 on Monday, up 11 cents from last week. The Tennessee state average was $5.34 while the average in Virginia was higher at $5.59.
GasBuddy.com reported the Bristol area’s range for diesel prices was from $5.19 to $5.69.
Southwest Virginia prices ranged around $4.30 for unleaded gasoline, up three cents from Sunday and 18 cents per gallon higher than last Monday. Diesel was selling for a new record $5.46, on average.
Wythe County continued reporting some of this region’s lowest unleaded gas prices but highest prices for diesel fuel. The county average for unleaded regular was $4.18 per gallon, according to AAA. However diesel there ranged from $5.49 per gallon up to $5.85 per gallon on Monday.
Ten states saw average prices increase from 19 cents to 29 cents during the past week, led by Florida, New York, Illinois, Kentucky and New Hampshire, AAA reported.
The average price for unleaded is over $5 per gallon in four states California, Hawaii, Nevada and Washington, with Oregon at $4.99.
Gasoline stock and demand decreased last week but crude oil prices remain volatile, according to new data from the Energy Information Administration.
Pump prices will likely face upward pressure as oil prices stay above $105 per barrel, according to AAA.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | 276-645-2532 | Twitter: @DMcGeeBHC | Facebook.com/david.mcgee.127 | 2022-05-17T00:16:50+00:00 | heraldcourier.com | https://heraldcourier.com/news/new-day-new-record-as-area-gas-prices-continue-to-climb/article_2b765c1a-d565-11ec-96c2-bf78bb353615.html |
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement by Jen Judson President of the National Press Club and Gil Klein, President of the National Press Club Journalism Institute on the LIV golf tournament taking place this weekend in Bedminster, N.J.
"We are revolted by the way the Saudi-funded LIV enterprise has followed the fist bump in the desert by shoving themselves onto golf courses and television screens. We call on all Americans to see this unsavory attempt to minimize the grisly bone-saw attack on Washington Post opinion writer Jamal Khashoggi for what it is – an attempt to sweep under the rug a brutal state-sponsored murder. We call on people of conscience to reject this tournament. Do not attend. Do not watch it on television. Let it fail.
"That the tournament is being held at a course owned by former President Trump is, if possible, even more revolting. It reminds us that the former President bragged of distracting Congress from the murder, delaying the release of the final U.S. government report that concluded MBS, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (and recipient of the fist-bump from President Biden) was most likely involved in planning and approving Jamal's murder. And the tournament on the Trump course reminds us how Saudi Arabia finds ways to personally enrich Trump and his family – including $2 billion to his son in law.
"We note that at one of LIV's first news conferences their officials shouted down a question from an AP reporter and escorted him from the room saying that he was being rude. That is how the LIV episode started. They silenced the press. Again.
"Finally, we note that LIV is currently seeking representation by a public relations firm to make the slaughter of a journalist more acceptable to the American public through golf. We call on public relations firms, many of whom employ former journalists, to reject this blood money. We understand that clients need representation, but it seems reasonable to draw the line at clients that use a bone saw on a journalist. We hope the prospective PR firm thinks very carefully before agreeing to work for LIV. Their association with LIV will define who they are and damage their carefully developed reputation. This will not be good for their other clients or their business. We suggest they stay on the fairway."
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement.
Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club
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SOURCE National Press Club | 2022-07-26T20:23:46+00:00 | wymt.com | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/statement-by-national-press-club-liv-golf-event-trump-course/ |
ST. LOUIS (AP) — President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive student loan debt for millions of borrowers lost another battle in court on Monday when a federal appeals court panel agreed to a preliminary injunction halting the program while an appeal plays out.
The ruling by the three-judge panel from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis came days after a federal judge in Texas blocked the program, saying it usurped Congress’ power to make laws. The Texas case was appealed and the administration is likely to appeal the 8th Circuit ruling as well.
The plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, would get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.
The cancellation applies to federal student loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school, along with Parent Plus loans.
A federal judge on Oct. 20 allowed the program to proceed, but the 8th Circuit the next day temporarily put the forgiveness plan while it considered an effort by the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and South Carolina to block the program.
The new ruling from the panel made up of three Republican appointees — one was appointed by President George W. Bush and two were appointed by President Donald Trump — extends the hold until the issue is resolved in court.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said that so far, 26 million people had applied for debt relief, and 16 million people had already had their relief approved. The Department of Education would “quickly process their relief once we prevail in court,” she said after the ruling Thursday in Texas.
In that ruling, U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman — an appointee of Trump based in Fort Worth — was critical of the way the program moved ahead without Congressional approval.
“In this country, we are not ruled by an all-powerful executive with a pen and a phone. Instead, we are ruled by a Constitution that provides for three distinct and independent branches of government,” Pittman wrote.
The legal challenges have created confusion about whether borrowers who expected to have debt canceled will have to resume making payments come Jan. 1, when a pause prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic is set to expire.
Economists worry that many people have yet to rebound financially from the pandemic, saying that if borrowers who were expecting debt cancellation are asked to make payments instead, many could fall behind on the bills and default. | 2022-11-14T19:27:47+00:00 | keloland.com | https://www.keloland.com/news/national-world-news/ap-appeals-court-ruling-keeps-biden-student-debt-plan-on-hold/ |
Darcey is ready to find love again but her ex-fiancé, Georgi, is looming in the background. In this first look at season 4 of Darcey & Stacey, Darcey appears to be enjoying the single life, but Georgi makes a surprise appearance that leaves her in a meltdown.
During this season of the hit TLC 90 Day Fiancé spinoff, twins Darcey and Stacey are taking on Miami. Darcey is single and ready to mingle after her split from Georgi and she's shown going on a a few fun dates after enlisting the help of a matchmaker.
"I'm looking forward to meeting these amazing men," she says. "Different types, different ages. But at the same time it's a little scary because this is my heart that I'm putting on the line. But I have to face my fears and get back on my horse and freaking ride it."
However, things quickly sour when she's confronted with Georgi -- who's sporting a new look -- whom her brother-in-law, Florian, invited to Miami. A tense confrontation is shown between Darcey and Georgi, whom she yells at in front of Stacey and Florian. For the first time, the twins also are at odds with one another.
"This is the worst fight Darcey and I have ever had, and I'm not sure what it's going to take to move past this," Stacey notes at one point.
Darcey & Stacey season 4 premieres on Monday, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.
RELATED CONTENT: | 2023-01-06T07:09:23+00:00 | 9news.com | https://www.9news.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/darcey-stacey-season-4-first-look-darcey-jumps-back-into-dating-but-ex-georgi-surprises-her/603-fff974ac-3bde-46d4-8120-7e3662e0a283 |
FLAGSTAFF, AZ — *This story contains graphic details and may not be suitable for all readers*
Two Flagstaff police officers went undercover to massage parlors, took their pants off, and allowed themselves to be fondled eight different times.
Experts tell ABC15 that state law clearly outlines that as illegal. The operation, though, was approved by federal agents, Coconino County prosecutors and Flagstaff’s command staff.
Federal agents called it “Operation High Country Hydra.”
In 2019, a tip was called in about Flagstaff massage parlors accepting money for sex acts.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Flagstaff PD launched a joint months-long investigation to try and stop the suspected “human trafficking, sex trafficking and prostitution.”
When the investigation was complete, not a single trafficking victim had been identified.
Police arrested 13 people though, after two officers went undercover and got completely naked.
“I didn't know where to stop it.”
Officer Dustin Eberhardt remembers the 'confusion' from his first undercover massage.
“I was like, ‘Well, do you want me to take them off?’ And so she was like, ‘Well, your comfort – if you want them off or you don't want oil on them.’ There was kind of some confusion on that, so I ended up taking them off because that's what I felt like the suggestion was from her,” recalled Eberhardt in a video deposition.
The Flagstaff officer went on to explain that he tried to minimize the amount of time the massage parlor employee was fondling his exposed genitals.
“As soon as I got aroused, that's when I immediately started asking about the money and how much. And like I said, I've never done one of these, so I was fairly nervous and I didn't know where to stop it. So I was trying to stop it quickly.”
Police reports reveal Officer Eberhardt allowed different women to touch him seven more times over the next 48 hours.
Roughly three months later, another Flagstaff police employee, Officer Hutchinson, went back into five of the same massage parlors and did the same thing. The reason for the second round of sexual contact was to see if the businesses would accept debit cards.
Both men documented every instance of sexual contact with a recording device, and in detailed reports.
Also, Officer Eberhardt’s initial ‘confusion’ about ‘where to stop’ may come as a surprise - since the operation had been in the works for months, and the ‘fondling’ was discussed and approved ahead of time by prosecutors, police department leaders and federal agents.
“You cannot exchange money for sex acts while on duty. It is a crime.”
Defense attorneys, trafficking experts and even other law enforcement tell ABC15 there are a litany of issues with how this operation was conducted.
For starters, state law clearly outlines that what the officers detailed in their reports is illegal.
Second, experts say the fondling was not necessary for police and prosecutors to pursue prostitution charges.
Third, investigators repeatedly said they were looking into ‘sex trafficking’ and then proceeded to pay for sex acts from potential victims.
“So the officer[s] in this case could be charged with trafficking and they are not,” said Brad Rideout, an Arizona defense attorney and former prosecutor, who has handled hundreds of prostitution cases in his career.
Rideout is not involved in any way with this case. He did represent a woman charged in a similar, 2018 HSI operation in neighboring Mohave County.
Agents called that investigation ‘Operation Asian Touch'.
The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ASU’s Cronkite School reported how those cases were dismissed by the county attorney, because HSI did not cooperate with the prosecution.
“In Arizona, you cannot exchange money for sex acts while on duty. It is a crime,” said Rideout.
He is referring to state statute 13-1412:
“A peace officer commits unlawful sexual conduct by knowingly engaging in sexual contact…with any person who is in the officer's custody or…the subject of an investigation.”
Flagstaff Police Chief Dan Musselman told ABC15 his employee did not violate state law because the officer did not sexually touch the masseuse.
State law does not differentiate the touching. It just states ‘engaging in sexual contact’ is illegal.
“...Making him the victim…”
In an emailed response to questions, Chief Musselman also went a step further in the defense of his officer’s actions.
“Quite the opposite happened, the subject fondled Officer Eberhardt thereby making him the victim of Sexual Abuse under 13-1404.”
The statute the chief references stipulates abuse only occurs ‘without consent.’
The officer, who the chief says is the victim, staked out the eight parlors, walked into each one with a recording device, paid cash, rolled over and took off his boxers.
Officer Eberhardt also said he helped initiate the process.
“So I had just put my hand on the back of her calf and then held it there and then she laughed about it. And then shortly after that, we did the rest of the stuff and then she had me roll over,” said Eberhardt in the deposition.
In his reports, Eberhardt repeatedly mentioned how when he “placed [his] hand on the back of the female’s calf…[it] appeared to let them know I was okay to solicit sexual favors.”
On July 15-16, 2019, Flagstaff PD and HSI sent Eberhardt into eight massage parlors. The evidence gathered led the Coconino County Attorney’s Office to indict 13 people. Prosecutors indicated to the grand jury that they focused on the owners or operators of the massage businesses. There was almost no mention of any lower-level employees who may have been ‘trafficked’ inside the parlors.
Defendants are charged with a mix of ‘conspiracy, money laundering, and operating a house of prostitution.’
“They should have known better.”
“I don't know how you can continue to prosecute a case in which you know that there's a strong possibility that this officer has committed some sort of crime,” said Jack Litwak.
Litwak is a Phoenix defense attorney representing one of the female defendants.
Like many lawyers involved in these cases, he was shocked Flagstaff PD and HSI used an investigative technique he says has been widely condemned.
“They do not need to do that…And frankly, they should have known better,” said Litwak. “There's a statute that specifically prohibits it. You are not allowed to re-victimize potential victims.”
Other attorneys agree the alleged criminal conduct could have been gathered without the officers engaging in sexual touching.
“There are cases where undercover officers will go to the point of getting there with contact, but stopping,” said Michael Wozniak, a Flagstaff defense attorney not involved in this case.
Like Rideout, Wozniak briefly represented a defendant arrested in HSI’s Mohave County sting.
“I frankly think these cases can be made without going through the acts,” said Wozniak.
Many Valley departments have brought charges against illicit massage parlor employees and owners without any nudity or touching occurring.
In his response to written questions though, Chief Musselman said, “It was necessary for there to be direct fondling before to have proof sufficient to determine where sex acts were being officered [sic] for money.”
In Arizona, prostitution is defined as “...engaging in or agreeing or offering to engage in sexual conduct under a fee arrangement…”
ABC15 asked Chief Musselman: “Why was the negotiation (re: prices and services) not done before the officer rolled over, took off his boxers, and allowed himself to be sexually touched?”
He replied via email:
“When conducting undercover investigations it is vital to ensure that any offers to participate in prostitution originate from the person who is under investigation and not from the undercover officer. Therefore officers entered the establishments under the auspices to obtain a legitimate legal massage and waited to see if the individuals in this establishment would offer to participate in sex acts for money. There was an additional concern of potential language barriers that could prevent the officers from just asking for the sex acts for money without the fondling taking place.”
“A far overstep into abuse of power…”
Trafficking experts and victim advocates have expressed dismay and outrage when hearing about the operation.
“The sex act doesn't have to happen. So for me, this is a far overstep into abuse of power, and raises some really disturbing ethical issues,” said Jenna Panas, CEO of Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.
Panas, who has done extensive work with trafficked women, said law enforcement has an obligation to ensure people are not forced to continue performing sexual acts against their will.
“You don't ask victims to give you sexual pleasure. That is not appropriate,” said Panas. “These are folks who don't have power and control over their own lives, and do not have the ability to give consent…and our police solicited sex acts.”
Chief Musselman said when his officers are gathering evidence they “are in a position to engage in what would otherwise be considered illegal activity.”
He mentioned two examples of officers violating “speed limits to catch drivers who are possibly under the influence of drugs” and taking illegal drugs into their possession, which he said is “technically in violation of the law (Possession of Drugs).”
Panas and Rideout say that is the wrong viewpoint for law enforcement to take in these investigations.
“Women who work in massage parlors are not a commodity, there are people,” said Rideout. “They need to be treated like domestic violence victims, not drugs.”
“For the police department to go in expecting to see sex trafficking and pursuing in this way is surprising,” said Panas. “Because this operation looks like they’re just looking for a way to prosecute, as opposed to a way to help the victims.”
In documents, officers and agents repeatedly mention ‘human and sex trafficking’ as a primary focus of the investigation.
Law enforcement even contracted with victim advocates before they made the arrests.
In a report, one officer wrote that they knew “there would be a good likelihood that we would encounter someone who was at the parlor against their will.”
But in their reports, that concern for possible victims only appears after Officers Eberhardt and Hutchinson take off their clothes.
Investigators never determined ahead of time – are the women we are about to pay to touch city employees potentially trafficking victims?
“If you're engaging eight separate times and to try and have sex with victims, you are engaged in trafficking,” said Rideout. “So the officer[s] in this case could be charged with trafficking and they are not.”
Prosecutors and Federal Agents
ABC15 also sent detailed questions to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, asking about their role in the investigation. The county attorney and four of his top prosecutors, involved in these cases, never responded.
Public court databases show at least two cases have already been dismissed.
On Thursday, July 7 attorneys representing three more defendants told ABC15 their cases were ‘dismissed with prejudice.’
At last check, online court records show three defendants are still being prosecuted.
Of the other 13 people initially indicted, it appears some of the women were never located or arrested, so there is no active prosecution.
ABC15 sent Homeland Security Investigations, a division of ICE, five specific questions regarding their involvement in this operation. They only sent the following statement:
“Every day, HSI special agents around the globe work to uncover, dismantle and disrupt human trafficking. HSI employs a victim-centered approach, where the greatest value is placed on the identification and stabilization of victims, as we pursue the investigation and prosecution of traffickers. Across the country, HSI stands proudly next to our local law enforcement partners to not only identify and assist victims, but to prosecute offenders and prevent additional trafficking.
Across the state, HSI stands proudly next to our local law enforcement partners to not only identify and assist victims, but to prosecute offenders and prevent additional trafficking. Throughout Arizona, HSI has conducted hundreds of trainings and outreach presentations to educate the public, businesses and other law enforcement agencies in identifying human trafficking indicators and will continue to focus and prioritize the potential victims as we conduct human trafficking investigations in Arizona.
Due to operational security and officer considerations, the agency does not discuss investigative techniques or comment on internal deliberations related to cases.”
What’s Next
ABC15 is going to continue to report on this operation.
In the coming weeks we will have more stories:
- Why experts believe there were trafficked women in these parlors
- The history of Arizona massage investigations going awry
- How other Arizona police departments have completely changed their approach to investigating illicit massage parlors
- The lack of transparency from Homeland Security, despite being involved in multiple massage stings in our state, where law enforcement nudity took place.
For resources regarding Human and Sex Trafficking visit: https://goyff.az.gov/humantrafficking/resources
Or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 | 2022-07-09T06:19:48+00:00 | abc15.com | https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/flagstaff-pd-officers-fully-naked-fondled-during-massage-investigation |
Mike Stipe brings 30 years' experience to managed service provider
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Logicalis US, an international IT solution and managed services provider, today announced the appointment of Mike Stipe as Vice President of its Microsoft practice. Stipe will be responsible for strengthening Logicalis US's Microsoft portfolio and aligning the practice with the company's business goals.
"Mike brings a deep knowledge of Microsoft solutions as well as a strong business acumen and ability to grow companies that make him a vital component of our team," said CEO Jon Groves. "We are excited to welcome Mike as an Architect of Change™ and look forward to how his contributions will help us continue guiding customers through their ongoing digital transformation efforts."
A 30-year veteran of the technology industry, Stipe joins Logicalis US with a strong knowledge of the Microsoft portfolio and services. In his most recent role, he leveraged the Microsoft portfolio and services to help clients with their digital transformation strategies, resulting in a 50% revenue growth for his organization. He has served in leadership positions at a variety of technology companies including Arynga, Teleca, Motorola and Wind River.
Aligned with its global strategy, Logicalis US holds a joint commitment with Microsoft to foster a strategic alliance to bring teams together and innovate with industry-leading solutions and services. Earlier this year, the leading MSP launched its Logicalis Collaboration suite, built on solutions from Microsoft and Cisco, as part of its Digital Workplace Center of Excellence.
"I am incredibly impressed by the partnership Logicalis has built with Microsoft, and I am excited to join the team," said Stipe. "I look forward to working with Microsoft to drive innovation and digital transformation for our customers across all verticals and industries."
Award-winning Logicalis US works alongside our customers to recommend, plan, and implement a digital transformation strategy that aligns with their business goals. Through our consulting and managed services and with our longtime strategic partners, we then deliver custom security, network, collaboration, cloud, and data center solutions.
Logicalis employs over 6,400 people worldwide, including highly trained service specialists who design, deploy and manage complex IT infrastructures to meet the needs of over 10,000 corporate and public sector customers. To achieve this, Logicalis maintains strong partnerships with technology leaders such as Cisco, HPE, IBM, EMC, NetApp, Microsoft, VMware and ServiceNow on an international basis. It has specialized solutions for enterprise and medium-sized companies in vertical markets covering financial services, TMT (telecommunications, media and technology), education, healthcare, retail, government, manufacturing and professional services, helping customers benefit from cutting-edge technologies in a cost-effective way.
The Logicalis Group has annualized revenues of over $1.5 billion from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific and is one of the leading IT and communications solution integrators specializing in the areas of advanced technologies and services.
The Logicalis Group is a division of Datatec Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with revenues of over $4.1 billion.
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SOURCE Logicalis | 2022-07-28T15:50:39+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/logicalis-us-adds-vp-microsoft-practice/ |
New guidance: Use drugs, surgery early for obesity in kids
(AP) - Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, including with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13, according to new guidelines released Monday.
The longstanding practice of “watchful waiting,” or delaying treatment to see whether children and teens outgrow or overcome obesity on their own only worsens the problem that affects more than 14.4 million young people in the U.S. Left untreated, obesity can lead to lifelong health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
“Waiting doesn’t work,” said Dr. Ihuoma Eneli, co-author of the first guidance on childhood obesity in 15 years from the American Academy of Pediatrics. “What we see is a continuation of weight gain and the likelihood that they’ll have (obesity) in adulthood.”
For the first time, the group’s guidance sets ages at which kids and teens should be offered medical treatments such as drugs and surgery -- in addition to intensive diet, exercise and other behavior and lifestyle interventions, said Eneli, director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
In general, doctors should offer adolescents 12 and older who have obesity access to appropriate drugs and teens 13 and older with severe obesity referrals for weight-loss surgery, though situations may vary.
The guidelines aim to reset the inaccurate view of obesity as “a personal problem, maybe a failure of the person’s diligence,” said Dr. Sandra Hassink, medical director for the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood weight, and a co-author of the guidelines.
“This is not different than you have asthma and now we have an inhaler for you,” Hassink said.
Young people who have a body mass index that meets or exceeds the 95th percentile for kids of the same age and gender are considered obese. Kids who reach or exceed the 120th percentile are considered to have severe obesity. BMI is a measure of body size based on a calculation of height and weight.
Obesity affects nearly 20% of kids and teens in the U.S. and about 42% of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The group’s guidance takes into consideration that obesity is a biological problem and that the condition is a complex, chronic disease, said Aaron Kelly, co-director of the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota.
“Obesity is not a lifestyle problem. It is not a lifestyle disease,” he said. “It predominately emerges from biological factors.”
The guidelines come as new drug treatments for obesity in kids have emerged, including approval late last month of Wegovy, a weekly injection, for use in children ages 12 and older. Different doses of the drug, called semaglutide, are also used under different names to treat diabetes. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk, helped teens reduce their BMI by about 16% on average, better than the results in adults.
Within days of the Dec. 23 authorization, pediatrician Dr. Claudia Fox had prescribed the drug for one of her patients, a 12-year-old girl.
“What it offers patients is the possibility of even having an almost normal body mass index,” said Fox, also a weight management specialist at the University of Minnesota. “It’s like a whole different level of improvement.”
The drug affects how the pathways between the brain and the gut regulate energy, said Dr. Justin Ryder, an obesity researcher at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
“It works on how your brain and stomach communicate with one another and helps you feel more full than you would be,” he said.
Still, specific doses of semaglutide and other anti-obesity drugs have been hard to get because of recent shortages caused by manufacturing problems and high demand, spurred in part by celebrities on TikTok and other social media platforms boasting about enhanced weight loss.
In addition, many insurers won’t pay for the medication, which costs about $1,300 a month.
“I sent the prescription yesterday,” Fox said. “I’m not holding my breath that insurance will cover it.”
One expert in pediatric obesity cautioned that while kids with obesity must be treated early and intensively, he worries that some doctors may turn too quickly to drugs or surgery.
“It’s not that I’m against the medications,” said Dr. Robert Lustig, a longtime specialist in pediatric endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco. “I’m against the willy-nilly use of those medications without addressing the cause of the problem.”
Lustig said children must be evaluated individually to understand all of the factors that contribute to obesity. He has long blamed too much sugar for the rise in obesity. He urges a sharp focus on diet, particularly ultraprocessed foods that are high in sugar and low in fiber.
Dr. Stephanie Byrne, a pediatrician at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said she’d like more research about the drug’s efficacy in a more diverse group of children and about potential long-term effects before she begins prescribing it regularly.
“I would want to see it be used on a little more consistent basis,” she said. “And I would have to have that patient come in pretty frequently to be monitored.”
At the same time, she welcomed the group’s new emphasis on prompt, intensive treatment for obesity in kids.
“I definitely think this is a realization that diet and exercise is not going to do it for a number of teens who are struggling with this – maybe the majority,” she said.
—
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-09T11:33:58+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/2023/01/09/new-guidance-use-drugs-surgery-early-obesity-kids/ |
HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese search giant Baidu unveiled its artificial intelligence chatbot Ernie Bot, presenting its rival to the Microsoft-backed ChatGPT in a pre-recorded video presentation Thursday that appeared to disappoint investors.
Baidu CEO Robin Li said Ernie Bot was still not perfected, but the company went ahead with presenting it due to high demand. Shares plunged 10% after Li showed a prerecorded demonstration of the Ernie bot instead of the real-time live demonstration of its capabilities that many had expected. They closed down 6.4%.
During the demonstration, Ernie Bot was asked questions about a Chinese science-fiction novel, “The Three-Body Problem,” and was asked to make an image based on prompts.
The Ernie in Ernie Bot stands for “Enhanced Representation of Knowledge Integration.”
“Baidu has for over a decade persisted in investing in artificial intelligence … Ernie Bot is the result of many years of hard work,” said Li. He said the first version of Ernie Bot was developed in 2019.
Li said 650 companies had signed up to use Ernie Bot, which can be implemented in a variety of applications such as searches, AI cloud, autonomous driving and in smart devices.
The Ernie Bot launch comes months after OpenAI’s ChatGPT was first released, demonstrating the AI-chatbot’s ability in answering questions and even writing essays. Baidu is among several Chinese firms working on similar chatbots.
In February, Baidu first mentioned that the internal testing of its Ernie Bot was almost complete. The company, known in China for its search engine, has shifted its focus in recent years to artificial intelligence, including working on autonomous driving technology and other AI applications.
In its 2022 fiscal year, the company says it spent 23.3 billion yuan ($3.4 billion) on research and development, equivalent to about a fifth of its revenue. | 2023-03-16T10:49:55+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/tech-news/ap-technology/baidu-unveils-chatgpt-rival-ernie-bot-650-companies-sign-up/ |
Lawsuit alleged flaws with Titanic submersible now missing
Posted/updated on: June 21, 2023 at 5:34 am(NEW YORK) -- A former employee of OceanGate alleged in a 2018 counterclaim lawsuit that he was fired for raising concerns about quality control and testing of potential flaws in the same experimental submersible that went missing this week with its crew and passengers on an underwater tourist venture to see the wreck of the Titanic.
David Lochridge, an engineer and submarine pilot, claimed in his counterclaim against OceanGate that he was hired in 2015 by the Everett, Washington, company to ensure the safety of all crew and clients during the submersible and surface operations of the vessel called Titan. But when he expressed concerns about the design and testing of the minisub's hull, he said he was terminated by the company.
OceanGate had initially sued Lochridge alleging, among other things, breach of contract, fraud and misappropriation of trade secrets -- all claims he denied.
In its lawsuit, OceanGate accused Lochridge of breaching his contract by discussing the company's confidential information with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration "when he filed a false report claiming that he was discharged in retaliation for being a whistleblower."
Lochridge and OceanGate settled the dispute out of court in November 2018.
It remains unclear what caused the submersible to go missing or if any of the concerns that Lochridge raised were a factor.
Neither Lochridge nor OceanGate officials could be reached by ABC News for comment.
In the lawsuit, Lochridge, originally from Scotland, claimed that when he joined OceanGate, the company's chief executive officer, Stockton Rich, tasked him to conduct a quality control inspection to "ensure the safety of all crew and clients during the submersible and surface operations" of the experimental vessel.
But Lochridge, according to the suit, raised concerns about the design of the submersible's hull, particularly that it was made of carbon fiber instead of a metallic composition.
Lockridge, according to the suit, objected to OceanGate's and its CEO's "deviation from an original plan to conduct non-destructive testing and unmanned pressure testing" on the Titan.
"Lockridge disagreed with OceanGate's position to dive the submersible without any non-destructive testing to prove its integrity and to subject passengers to extreme danger in an experimental submersible," the suit said.
OceanGate, according to the lawsuit, intended for the Titan to carry passengers to extreme underwater depths of 4,000 meters, "a depth never before reached by an OceanGate manned submersible composed of carbon fiber."
During one company meeting, issues of quality control with the submersible were raised "as there were evident flaws throughout the build process," according to the lawsuit.
Lochridge alleged that he requested paperwork from the company's engineering director "regarding the viewport test result of the viewport for the Titan," according to the lawsuit.
"Lochridge was met with hostility and denied access to the necessary documentation that should have been freely available as a part of his inspection process," the lawsuit said.
Because his "verbal communications were ignored," Lochridge claims he wrote a report, saying, "Now is the time to properly address items that pose a safety risk to personnel."
He claimed that since his verbal concerns over key items were dismissed, he wrote his inspection report "so there is an official record," according to the lawsuit.
"In the Inspection Report, Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns, and offered corrective action and recommendations for each," the lawsuit stated. "Lochridge primarily expressed concern regarding the lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan."
Lochridge, according to the lawsuit, was repeatedly told that no scan of the hull or Bond Line could be done to check for delaminations, porosity and voids of sufficient adhesion of the glue being used due to the thickness of the hull.
"Lockridge was told that no form of equipment existed to perform such test," according to the lawsuit.
According to the suit, on Jan. 19, 2018, a day after he filed his report, Lochridge was called to the meeting with company executives.
"At the meeting, Lochridge discovered why he had been denied access to the viewport information from the Engineering department -- the viewport at the forward of the submersible was only built to a certified pressure of 1,300 meters, although OceanGate intended to take passengers down to depths of 4,000 meters," the lawsuit said. "The paying passengers would not be aware, and would not be informed, of this experimental design, the lack of non-destructive testing of the hull, or that hazardous flammable materials were being used within the submersible."
Lochridge claimed he again expressed his concerns at the meeting.
"Rather than address his concerns or undergo corrective action to rectify and ensure the safety of the experimental Titan, or utilize a standard classification agency to inspect the Titan, OceanGate did the exact opposite -- they immediately fired Lochridge," the suit said.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-21T10:45:35+00:00 | ktbb.com | https://ktbb.com/post/?p=1237047 |
ATLANTA — It took 40 years for the Georgia Bulldogs to take home the 2022 trophy in last year's nail-biting National Championship. Now, fans are getting ready to be at the edge of their seats as the team attempts to pull a back-to-back win Monday night.
The Dawgs will fight against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs for another ring in Inglewood.
Before tensions run high as Georgia tries to take yet another championship title, earning the seat at the throne at the SoFi Stadium, a patriotic tribute to the country's must-ring-in-song.
Who is singing the national anthem?
The national anthem singer for this year's College Football Playoff Championship is three-time Grammy award-winning vocal group Pentatonix.
The harmonious voices of the quintet will be joined by a presentation of the nation's colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard.
The country first met the five vocalists on NBC's hit series "The Sing-Off" in 2011. The group then took off, selling 10 million albums worldwide with billions of streams, according to RCA Records.
Their most recent album, "Holidays Around the World," included some melodious holiday spirit for everyone. It was released last October and marked the group's ninth Top-10 entry on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums Chart. The group just finished their largest Christmas tour to date, selling out venues and arenas across the country.
It was recently announced that the vocal group will receive its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
College Football Playoff officials have also announced that the performance will include a video feed from U.S. troops who are tuning into the game from overseas.
The CFP National Championship game between Georgia and TCU kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. From Athens to Los Angeles, 11Alive is bringing you complete coverage in the Dawgs' quest to repeat as champions. Visit 11alive.com/bulldogs for more. | 2023-01-10T01:56:30+00:00 | 11alive.com | https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/college/georgia-bulldogs/pentatonix-national-anthem-uga-college-football-playoff-championship-game/85-ea60116c-7e33-47c5-b0d4-8b4815f5bc92 |
The bags presented at the finish line are the world's first plant-based, recyclable and biodegradable bags, designed to tackle ocean plastic pollution.
CHICAGO, Oct. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The race to stop ocean plastic pollution is on! This year, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has partnered with British innovator Polymateria, to debut their Lyfecycle self-destructing plastic technology in the US. Lyfecycle is a one-of-a-kind technology designed to stop plastic on land before it has the chance to reach the ocean.
The 40,000 recovery bags, for post-race snacks and refreshments, are designed to be recycled, but if they escaped into the environment, will safely return to nature within two years, leaving no microplastics or toxins behind. The recovery bags pay homage to its time-set biodegradation feature with the headline "this bag is running out of time," in addition to instructions to "recycle this bag before it self-destructs" directly on the bag (see picture).
"We're excited to partner with Lyfecycle for the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon," said Bank of America Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "Since 2010 our team has worked to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible practices into the production of our events, with the goal of limiting our impact on the communities we run through. Lyfecycle is helping us advance this mission at this year's race by providing recyclable and biodegradable bags at our finish line."
"As an aspiring runner myself, I know what it takes for racers to push boundaries and overcome hurdles," says Lyfecycle Head of Activation Liepa Olsauskaite. "It is in this spirit that we are constantly pushing ourselves to test the limits of what our technology can do. Five years ago it would have seemed impossible to produce a self-destructing plastic bag, and now, the bags that we are debuting at the marathon are not only recyclable and biodegradable, they are also made from renewable plant-derived materials, making it the most sustainable solution on the market."
To raise awareness about plastic pollution and ways to tackle it, Lyfecycle is announcing the launch of #Yrun, a campaign to inspire racers and spectators to share their motivation with others. The campaign Y-run live mural will be located at the 27th Mile Post Race Party, and is an open call for participants to share their stories and what inspires and motivates them to race in 2022.
Lyfecycle is constantly seeking new ways to push the boundaries of what its self-destructing plastic technology can do to support the circular economy. The recovery bags feature the latest advancement, sourcing renewable sugarcane to replace fossil fuels in the manufacturing process. Unlike oil and natural gas, sugarcane is renewable and captures CO2 as it grows, reducing the overall impact the packaging industry has on climate change.
Sourcing and implementing this renewable plant-based material in tandem with Lyfecycle's self-destructing plastic technology marks a significant breakthrough and the first of its kind.
"Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the first running event in the US to launch our unique technology and is part of a larger goal to showcase what this solution can do at scale," added Olsauskaite. "With each event we participate in, we're getting one step closer to stopping 450 million tons of plastic from reaching our oceans by 2040."
Lyfecycle is a new solution from British Innovators Polymateria to tackle the global plastic pandemic. The unique Lyfecycle technology allows every chance for recycling to happen and offers a "Plan B" for the 32% of plastic that escapes the circular economy and winds up in the natural environment. Through time-set biodegradation, Lyfecycle products return to nature within two years leaving no toxins and microplastics behind.
Lyfecycle packaging solutions give individuals a more easily achievable way to take small actions toward responsible disposal that will have an immediate and global positive impact on the environment. Through collaborative partnerships, awareness building, and scientific innovation, Lyfecycle's goal is to ignite action and cause a ripple effect that will solve ocean pollution, and leave the planet in a better place for generations to come.
Follow @lyfecycle and learn more at lyfecycle.com.
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SOURCE Lyfecycle | 2022-10-04T15:53:42+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/10/04/lyfecycle-debuts-cutting-edge-self-destructing-plastic-technology-official-recovery-bag-sponsor-bank-america-chicago-marathon/ |
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom left Monday night's start against the Kansas City Royals after four hitless innings because of a sore right wrist.
The team said deGrom was removed as a precaution. He struck out five and walked one, throwing 39 of his 58 pitches for strikes.
Beset by injuries the past two seasons with the New York Mets, the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner signed a $185 million, five-year contract with Texas as a free agent in December.
The right-hander entered 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts for the Rangers.
The last time deGrom started more than 15 games in a season was 2019 with the Mets.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-04-18T02:55:38+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/rangers-ace-jacob-degrom-leaves-start-with-sore-17902902.php |
Over one-third of women report feeling financially secure, concern over retirement savings remains top
of mind in 2023
NEW YORK, March 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst the ongoing reinvention of the workplace and work culture in the U.S., women continue to face significant financial barriers and career hurdles. According to a new survey released today by Laurel Road, a digital banking platform of KeyBank with specialized offerings for healthcare and business professionals, 84% of women feel apprehensive about staying on track with their financial goals due to the current economic environment.
The sixth-annual survey from Laurel Road, which explores financial security and employment trends among 2,006 U.S. adults, found that 2 in 3 women overall report that they feel behind schedule regarding personal financial security, with 35% of all women identifying retirement savings as a key area they are behind in—while BIPOC women feeling generally behind on all financial goals. Findings also indicated not having enough money (60%) and too many other responsibilities (41%) are key hurdles in making headway toward their goals.
Women Continue to Feel Undervalued at Work
While economic uncertainty is top of mind, 64% of college-educated women feel that their current salary does not match their value, a slight decrease from the 69% of college-educated women who reported feeling undervalued last year. In comparison, only 39% of college-educated men feel they are undervalued.
For the Right Salary, Women are Open to New Opportunities
Unsurprisingly, with only 37% of women receiving a salary they feel correlates with their value, 61% of women surveyed shared that a higher salary would encourage them to leave their current role. This was followed by remote work opportunities (28%), better work-life balance (32%), and stronger benefit packages (31%) as other top motivators for women to leave their current roles. This sentiment echoes last year's survey findings, in which women reported higher pay (68%), remote work (34%), better work-life balance (34%) and better management (21%) as the top reasons to leave their current roles.
"Our annual study is one small addition to the many voices of women who are bringing these issues to light, especially during Women's History Month. As we continue to field this study year after year, our goal is to bring transparency to the issues women face in the workplace every day which can impact their quality of life, both emotionally and financially," shared Alyssa Schaefer, General Manager & Chief Experience Officer at Laurel Road. "We often set up forums and panels to openly discuss such issues and our hope is that this research helps spark similar conversations and initiatives across the country. Ultimately, we want to encourage change by fostering open dialogue about these reoccurring trends."
Companies Miss the Mark on Narrowing the Pay Gap
Over half (52%) of the women surveyed reported feeling their employers are not doing all they can to lessen the gender pay gap, with 59% of BIPOC women agreeing that their company hasn't been successful in improving pay disparity. This is an increase from the 44% and 48% of women and BIPOC women, respectively, who felt their companies missed the mark last year.
Women Feeling More Financially Secure
While there is still room for improvement, especially with regards to the wage gap, overall, more women (34%) reported feeling financially secure this year than last (25%).
This finding is encouraging, as it demonstrates an increase in women taking charge of their finances and planning for the future. Despite a need for larger systematic changes, on an individual level, women are becoming more empowered to seek and create a secure financial future for themselves.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. from February 21-23 among 2,006 U.S. adults by HarrisX. The sampling margin of error of this poll is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. The results reflect a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Results were weighted for age by gender, region, race/ethnicity, income, and education where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population.
About Laurel Road
Laurel Road is a digital banking platform and brand of KeyBank that provides tailored offerings to support the financial wellbeing of healthcare and business professionals. Laurel Road's banking and lending solutions, including Loyalty Checking and High Yield Savings accounts, Student Loan Cashback Credit Card, Student Loan Refinancing, Mortgages, Personal Loans and more, provide our members with a simplified, personalized experience that helps them better navigate their financial journey and achieve life's goals. Additionally, Laurel Road has reimagined banking and financial management for physicians and dentists through Laurel Road for Doctors, a tailored digital experience made up of banking, insights, and exclusive benefits to provide the financial help and peace of mind they need through each career stage. In spring of 2022, Laurel Road launched Loyalty Checking, the first checking account designed with nurses in mind, furthering the company's commitment to healthcare professionals.
CONTACT: KWT Global for Laurel Road, 646-989-8147, laurelroad@kwtglobal.com
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SOURCE Laurel Road | 2023-03-08T15:19:17+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2023/03/08/new-study-finds-women-continue-feel-pay-gap-impact-report-improved-financial-security/ |
Panthers vs. Hurricanes Prediction & Picks: Line, Spread, Over/Under - Stanley Cup Semifinals Game 3
The Florida Panthers hit the ice in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes at BB&T Center on Monday, May 22, starting at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The Panthers lead the series 2-0. The Hurricanes have -105 odds on the moneyline against the favored Panthers (-115).
Catch over 1,000 out of market NHL games, plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle. Click here to sign up!
Get ready for this Stanley Cup Semifinals matchup with a look at who we predict will emerge with the victory.
Panthers vs. Hurricanes Predictions for Monday
Our computer model for this matchup expects a final score of Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Panthers (-115)
- Computer Predicted Total: 6.3
- Computer Predicted Spread: Panthers (-0.5)
Check out the latest odds for this game and place your bets with DraftKings.
Panthers vs Hurricanes Additional Info
Panthers Splits and Trends
- The Panthers are 42-32-8 overall and 12-8-20 in overtime matchups.
- In the 32 games Florida has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 19-6-7 record (good for 45 points).
- In the 10 games this season the Panthers registered only one goal, they went 1-8-1 (three points).
- Florida has finished 3-14-1 in the 18 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering seven points).
- The Panthers are 48-13-6 in the 67 games when they have scored more than two goals (to record 102 points).
- In the 40 games when Florida has capitalized on a single power-play goal, it has a 24-12-4 record (52 points).
- When it has outshot its opponent, Florida is 29-24-3 (61 points).
- The Panthers have been outshot by opponents 36 times, and went 22-11-3 (47 points).
Hurricanes Splits and Trends
- The Hurricanes have earned a record of 16-11-27 in overtime games as part of an overall mark of 52-21-9.
- In the 40 games Carolina has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 58 points.
- In eight games this season when the Hurricanes finished a game with only one goal, they earned a total of six points (2-4-2).
- When Carolina has scored exactly two goals this season, they've earned 16 points (6-8-4 record).
- The Hurricanes have scored more than two goals in 63 games, earning 109 points from those contests.
- Carolina has scored a single power-play goal in 25 games this season and has recorded 44 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Carolina is 50-19-6 (106 points).
- The Hurricanes have been outshot by opponents in 15 games, going 7-5-3 to register 17 points.
Put your picks to the test and bet with DraftKings.
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- TV Channel: TNT
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-05-22T20:43:49+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/05/22/panthers-hurricanes-nhl-stanley-cup-semifinals-game-3-picks-predictions/ |
LE PECQ, France — The attacker slashed at the 24-year-old man with the knife that he used to savagely stab one young child after another. But rather than run, Henri held his ground — using a weighty backpack he was carrying to swing at the assailant and fend off his blade.
French media hailed Henri as “the hero with a backpack” Friday after he was shown in a video grappling with the assailant and charging after him during the knife attack that critically wounded four children between the ages of 22 months and 3 years old, and also injured two adults.
Henri also got personal words of gratitude Friday from President Emmanuel Macron, who toured hospitals to meet victims and their families. In the Alpine town of Annecy, the French leader thanked medical workers, police, firefighters, civilians — including Henri — and others whose first aid and swift interventions helped save lives during the attack in the town's lakeside park on Thursday.
“You experienced very hard moments, traumatizing," Macron said. “I am very proud of you.”
Henri had a heavy backpack on his back and was holding another in his hand when the attacker slashed at him. But despite the blade and the attacker's chilling aggression, Henri still continued to harass him, pursuing the man inside a playground — where he repeatedly stabbed a child in a stroller — and then out of the park again, carrying his backpacks all the while. Henri appeared to hurl one of the backpacks at the assailant at one point and then pick it up again to take another swing.
Henri's father, François, said he believed that his son's dogged pursuit helped dissuade the attacker from stabbing more victims before police wrestled him to the ground.
“He took a lot of risks – when he wasn’t armed, with just his backpacks,” the father told The Associated Press. “He didn’t stop running after him for many minutes, to stop him from coming back and massacring the kids even more. I think he prevented carnage by scaring him off. Really very courageous.”
François asked that their last name not be published, expressing concerns about their family being thrust suddenly and inadvertently into the public eye at a time of shock and outrage in France provoked by the viciousness of Thursday's attack and the helplessness of its young victims.
The profile of the suspected attacker, a 31-year-old Syrian refugee, also fueled renewed political debate about French migration policies. Critics on the right and far-right of French politics quickly dusted off their arguments that French migration controls are too lax.
For his part, Henri shied away from the “hero” label. He said he “tried to act as all French people should act, or would act.”
“In that moment, you unplug your brain and react a bit like an animal by instinct," he told broadcaster BFMTV. "It was impossible for me to witness that without reacting.”
“I am far from alone in having reacted. Many other people around started, like me, to run after him to try to scare him, push him away. And other people immediately went over to the children to take care of the injured.”
“I remember there was also a municipal worker who arrived from the right with a large plastic shovel to try to hit him,” Henri said.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said Friday morning that all four children underwent surgery for their life-threatening knife wounds and “are under constant medical surveillance.”
“Their situation is stable,” she said.
Government spokesman Olivier Veran, a medical doctor by training, said that two of the children remain in critical condition.
Motives for the attack in and around a children's lakeside playground in the Alpine town of Annecy remained unexplained. The suspect, who has refugee status in Sweden, remains in custody. Psychiatrists are evaluating him, Veran said.
Henri's father said that in phone conversation after the attack, his son “told me that the Syrian was incoherent, saying lots of strange things in different languages, invoking his father, his mother, all the Gods."
“In short, he was possessed by who knows what, but possessed by folly, that’s certain,” the father told the AP.
He said he didn't show the disturbing video of the attack to his other children and his wife, and added that he and his wife had trouble sleeping even after learning that Henri was safe.
“We thanked providence and his guardian angels.,” he said.
Most of the children were rushed to a hospital in the French Alpine city of Grenoble — the first stop for Macron and his wife on Friday morning. They didn't speak to reporters as they went inside.
The fourth wounded child was being treated in Geneva, in neighboring Switzerland.
Two of the four children are French and the other two were tourists — one British, the other Dutch.
Two adults also suffered knife wounds — life-threatening for one them, authorities said. One of the adults was injured both with a knife and by a shot fired by police as they were detaining the suspected attacker.
Portugal’s foreign ministry said that a Portuguese citizen was one of the two adults wounded.
“In the course of the tragic event, a Portuguese citizen, while trying to stop the attacker from fleeing from the police, was seriously injured and is now out of danger. For this act of courage and bravery, we thank him profoundly,” the ministry said.
French authorities said the suspect had recently been refused asylum in France, because Sweden had already granted him permanent residency and refugee status a decade ago.
Lead prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis said the man’s motives were unknown, but didn't appear to be terrorism-related. He was armed with a folding knife, she said.
___
Jennifer O'Mahony in Madrid, and Armando Franca in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this report. | 2023-06-09T18:21:16+00:00 | ktvb.com | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/nation-world/france-hails-hero-who-intervened-in-knife-attack/507-ce6f5d65-84ba-41da-b589-510d3be3e623 |
Calculator: See how Walz tax credits, rebates, and tax increases would impact you
(FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is proposing rebate checks and an expansion of two tax credits for families with young children that he considers the biggest tax cut in state history. Use this calculator to see how much you'd receive. Then, read below for more details about the other ways that Walz's budget plan could impact your personal budget if lawmakers pass it.
Rebate checks: Individuals making less than $75,000 a year would receive $1,000. Married couples earning less than $150,000 would get $2,000 from the state. Parents would receive an additional payment of $200 per dependent child, up to $600. Walz estimated that 2.5 million households will get a check, and the rebates will cost $4 billion. Walz slashed the income limits roughly in half since he first proposed rebate checks last year, cutting an estimated 200,000 households from the program.
Child tax credit: Walz's budget would expand the state's child tax credit, so that families get $1,000 per child under age 18, with a $3,000 maximum. The credit would phase out between $50,000 and $60,000 in household income, and between $33,300 and $43,300 for single filers.
Child and dependent care credit: Families would get $4,000 per child under age 5, with a maximum of $10,500, for child care expenses. Older children would qualify for a $1,500 credit, with a maximum of $3,000. The credit is equal to 50% of qualifying child care expenses. The benefit phases out between $200,000 and $240,000 in household income for both married couples filing jointly and individuals.
Social Security exclusion: Walz's budget would increase Minnesota's subtraction that shields some Social Security benefits from state income tax. The change will save 43% of recipients an average of $278 per year, the governor said. Fifty-five percent of Social Security recipients already pay no tax. But the governor's proposal is far smaller than the full exemption of Social Security income that Republicans and several DFL senators favor.
Transit tax: People in the seven-county Twin Cities Metro would pay an additional one-eighth cent sales tax starting in October. The tax would eventually raise $93 million a year to plug gaps in Metro Transit's budget, which could ultimately help the agency pay for the behind-schedule Southwest Light Rail project. On $1,000 in purchases, a person would pay an additional $1.25 in tax.
Vehicle tab fee: Many drivers would pay more to register their vehicles. Minnesota's tab fees have three components: a $10 base fee, the manufacturer's suggested retail price, and the age of the vehicle. Under Walz's plan, the tab fee for a brand-new car would be based on 160% of the MSRP, up from 100% under current law. For a $30,000 vehicle, the fee would increase to $626 from $395. The fee increase would get smaller as a vehicle ages. And for vehicles at least 10 years old, the registration fee would change to $30, which is $5 less than current law.
Capital gains surcharge: Several thousand people would see a new tax on their capital gains and dividends. Walz would impose a 1.5% surcharge on gains and dividends higher than $500,000 a year, and a 4% surcharge on stock market earnings above $1 million a year, on top of the state's income tax. The new tax would affect 8,200 people, state officials estimate.
Payroll tax: Minnesota would join several other states in offering a paid family and medical leave benefit to all workers, who would be eligible for up to 24 total weeks of leave. Walz is calling for a 0.7% payroll tax to sustain the government-run system. The tax would likely be split between employers and employers. For a worker making $50,000 a year, the tax would be $175 for that worker and his or her employer. | 2023-01-27T02:22:02+00:00 | fox9.com | https://www.fox9.com/news/calculator-see-how-walz-tax-credits-rebates-and-tax-increases-would-impact-you |
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Rookie Seth Jarvis scored twice and Antti Raanta finished with 34 saves to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Boston Bruins 5-1 on Tuesday night for a 3-2 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Tony DeAngelo scored first-period goals for the Hurricanes, and Vincent Trocheck added an empty-netter.
The series has yet to see a team secure a road win. It wasn’t close to happening in this one, either, with the Hurricanes playing from in front and carrying the action in a much cleaner performance than their mistake-filled showings in Boston.
With the Game 5 win, the Hurricanes have two chances to close out the Bruins. Game 6 is Thursday in Boston, and Game 7, if needed, on home ice Saturday.
Raanta was sharp all night, highlighted by stopping a left-alone Brad Marchand at the top of the crease by going down and getting his left wrist on the puck in the first period. He carried a shutout until midway through the third period when Connor Clifton scored on a rush to make it 4-1.
Then there was Jarvis, who had a tough Game 4 when he took a puck to the groin on a slap shot by teammate Brendan Smith. He laughed it off earlier Tuesday, even while saying he was still in pain from it.
No matter, Jarvis was willing to tussle at the crease to set up both of his goals. The first came when he was knocked to the ice on the left side by Brandon Carlo, but whipped his stick around to hit the puck — which hit the right skate of Boston’s Jake DeBrusk and fluttered over Jeremy Swayman to reach the net for a 3-0 lead at 15:52 of the second.
He came through with another early in the third, reaching around Swayman to corral a puck that had slipped underneath the netminder and tapping it in at 3:31 of the third.
Carolina ran out to a 2-0 series lead with two strong home performances. But the Bruins regrouped on home ice, capitalizing on 14 Carolina penalties along with the Hurricanes appearing to lose composure by Game 4, leveling the series.
This time, the Hurricanes stayed out of the box (three penalties) to keep the game largely at their preferred even strength in a game with far fewer scuffles and post-whistle antics by both teams.
Swayman finished with 33 saves, including numerous big stops for the Bruins, and keeping them close early as Carolina asserted control.
MCAVOY IN
Boston had a surprise addition with defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
McAvoy was a late scratch for Sunday’s Game 4 due to COVID-19 protocols and coach Bruce Cassidy said earlier Tuesday he’d miss Game 5 as well. But McAvoy traveled down in the afternoon and was spotted entering PNC Arena, then joined his team for warmups as the Bruins tweeted McAvoy had cleared the protocol.
McAvoy saw 25:14 of ice time.
LINDHOLM OUT
Boston defenseman Hampus Lindholm missed his third straight game. He hasn’t played since being leveled on a jarring shoulder-to-chest hit from Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov in the Game 2 loss. Cassidy said Lindholm didn’t travel to North Carolina for Game 5.
THREE-POINT NIGHTS
DeAngelo, who had three assists in Game 2, had another three-point game with two assists. Trocheck also had two assists, while Teuvo Teravainen had three assists.
___
Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aaronbeardap
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-05-11T12:52:44+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/sports/jarvis-raanta-help-carolina-top-bruins-for-3-2-series-lead/ |
Tennessee governor signs transgender athlete penalty bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee will soon add harsh penalties against public schools that allow transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports, under legislation recently signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee.
Lee quietly signed the proposal last Friday without comment. The governor had previously signed a measure last year mandating that student athletes must prove their sex matches that listed on the student’s “original” birth certificate. If a birth certificate was unavailable, then the parents must provide another form of evidence “indicating the student’s sex at the time of birth.”
This year, the GOP-controlled Legislature decided to add penalties to that ban — which is in effect even as a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality makes it way through court. A trial has been tentatively set for March 2023.
According to the bill, Tennessee’s Department of Education would withhold a portion of state funds from local school districts that fail to determine a student’s gender for participation in middle or high school sports. The measure does not specify exactly how much money should be withheld by the state.
The bill will go into effect July 1.
“Telling transgender students that they can’t participate as who they really are amounts to excluding them from sports entirely – depriving them of opportunities available to their peers and sending the message that they are not worthy of a full life,” said Henry Seaton, ACLU of Tennessee’s transgender justice advocate, in a statement.
Tennessee lawmakers are also advancing a separate bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in female college sports. Republicans have also pushed to let teachers and school districts use the pronoun that a transgender student does not prefer, exempting teachers from facing employment punishment and protecting schools from civil liability. Both proposals are expected to clear the General Assembly.
Last year, no other state enacted more laws targeting transgender people than Tennessee. That included banning transgender athletes from playing girls public high or middle school sports.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-04-25T15:41:42+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/2022/04/25/tennessee-governor-signs-transgender-athlete-penalty-bill/ |
CA Las Vegas NV Zone Forecast for Tuesday, July 26, 2022
_____
607 FPUS55 KVEF 270911
ZFPVEF
Zone Forecast Product for Nevada
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
This is an automatically generated product that provides average
values for large geographical areas and may not be representative
of the exact location that you are interested in. For a more site
specific forecast...please visit weather.gov/lasvegas and either
(1) Select a location from the dropdown menu above the map or
(2) Click a location on the map. You can refine your selection by
clicking on the map displayed on the resulting page.
CAZ519-272300-
Eastern Sierra Slopes-
Including Aspendell and Whitney Portal
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
.TODAY...Sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with chance of
rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Highs 70 to 80. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the east
in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
.TONIGHT...Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the evening. Lows 56 to 66. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 73 to 83. North winds 5 to 10 mph
shifting to the east in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly clear. Lows 57 to 67. West winds 5 to
15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 74 to 84. North winds 5 to 10 mph
shifting to the east in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY...Partly cloudy. Warmer. Lows 69 to
74. Highs 87 to 92.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows around 71.
.SUNDAY...Mostly sunny. Chance of rain showers in the afternoon.
Highs around 87. Chance of showers 40 percent.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers in the
evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows around 69.
Chance of showers 30 percent.
.MONDAY...Mostly sunny. A 50 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon. Highs around 85.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers in the
evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows around 68.
Chance of showers 30 percent.
.TUESDAY...Sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with chance of
rain showers in the afternoon. Highs around 84. Chance of showers
40 percent.
$$
CAZ521-272300-
White Mountains of Inyo County-
Including Westgard Pass and Bristlecone Pine
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. A 50 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon. Highs 76 to 86. North winds 5 to 10 mph shifting
to the east in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the evening. Lows 60 to 70. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting
to the northwest after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 79 to 89. North winds up to
10 mph shifting to the east in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows 62 to 72. West winds 5 to
15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 80 to 90. North winds 5 to 10 mph
shifting to the southeast in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 69 to 74. Highs
89 to 94.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows around 71.
.SUNDAY...Mostly sunny. Chance of rain showers in the afternoon.
Highs around 89. Chance of showers 40 percent.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers in the
evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows around 70.
Chance of showers 30 percent.
.MONDAY...Mostly sunny. A 40 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon. Highs around 87.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Chance of rain
showers. Lows 66 to 71. Highs 83 to 88. Chance of showers
40 percent.
$$
CAZ520-272300-
Owens Valley-
Including Bishop, Independence, Lone Pine,
and Olancha
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon. Highs 95 to 98. Northwest winds up to 5 mph
shifting to the south 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
.TONIGHT...Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the evening. Lows 73 to 76. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph with
gusts to around 30 mph shifting to the north after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs around 100. North winds 5 to 10 mph
shifting to the southeast in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly clear. Lows 73 to 76. Southwest winds
5 to 15 mph shifting to the west after midnight.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs around 100. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph
shifting to the southeast in the afternoon.
.FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows 76 to
79. Highs 100 to 103.
.MONDAY...Mostly sunny. Chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs
around 98. Chance of showers 40 percent.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 74 to 77. Highs
96 to 99.
$$
CAZ522-272300-
Death Valley National Park-
Including Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells,
and Shoshone
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
.TODAY...Sunny. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in the
afternoon. Highs around 90 in the mountains...115 to 118 at
Furnace Creek. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the evening. Lows 71 to 74 in the mountains...94 to 97 at Furnace
Creek. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 91 to 94 in the mountains...around
120 at Furnace Creek. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly clear. Lows 72 to 75 in the mountains...
94 to 97 at Furnace Creek. South winds 5 to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 91 to 94 in the mountains...around 120 at
Furnace Creek. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows around 76 in the mountains...
around 96 at Furnace Creek.
.SATURDAY...Sunny. Highs around 96 in the mountains...around
118 at Furnace Creek.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows 74 to
77 in the mountains...95 to 98 at Furnace Creek. Highs 93 to
96 in the mountains...115 to 118 at Furnace Creek.
.MONDAY...Mostly sunny. Chance of rain showers in the afternoon.
Highs around 93 in the mountains...around 116 at Furnace Creek.
Chance of showers 40 percent.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 73 to 76 in the
mountains...93 to 96 at Furnace Creek. Highs 91 to 94 in the
mountains...113 to 116 at Furnace Creek.
$$
CAZ523-272300-
Western Mojave Desert-
Including Barstow, Daggett, and Fort Irwin
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
.TODAY...Sunny. Highs 100 to 103. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
.TONIGHT...Mostly clear. Lows around 80. Southwest winds 5 to
15 mph shifting to the south after midnight. Gusts up to 35 mph.
.THURSDAY...Sunny. Highs 101 to 104. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly clear. Lows around 80. Southwest winds
5 to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY...Sunny. Highs 101 to 104. South winds 5 to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows around 82.
.SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT...Mostly clear. Highs 103 to 106.
Lows 81 to 84.
.SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Highs 102 to 105.
Lows 80 to 83.
.TUESDAY...Sunny. Highs around 103.
$$
CAZ524-272300-
Eastern Mojave Desert-
Including Baker, Mountain Pass,
and Mitchell Caverns
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon. Highs 95 to 98. South winds 5 to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the evening. Lows around 80. South winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts
to around 50 mph shifting to the east with gusts to around 35 mph
after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 96 to 99. South winds up to
10 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows around 80. South winds up
to 10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs around 100. South winds 5 to
15 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 83 to 86.
Highs 101 to 104.
.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Chance of showers. Lows
83 to 86. Highs 101 to 104. Chance of showers 40 percent.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 83 to 86. Highs
101 to 104.
$$
CAZ525-526-272300-
Morongo Basin-Cadiz Basin-
Including Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley,
Twentynine Palms, and Vidal Junction
211 AM PDT Wed Jul 27 2022
.TODAY...Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in
the afternoon. Highs 100 to 103 in Twentynine Palms and near
Joshua Tree...96 to 99 around Yucca Valley. Southeast winds 5 to
15 mph.
.TONIGHT...Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of
thunderstorms. Lows 83 to 86 in Twentynine Palms...76 to
79 around Yucca Valley and near Joshua Tree. South winds 5 to
15 mph shifting to the east after midnight.
.THURSDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 100 to 103 in Twentynine Palms
and near Joshua Tree...95 to 98 around Yucca Valley. Southeast
winds 5 to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows 83 to 86 in Twentynine
Palms...76 to 79 around Yucca Valley and near Joshua Tree. South
winds 5 to 10 mph.
.FRIDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs 100 to 103 in Twentynine Palms and
near Joshua Tree...95 to 98 around Yucca Valley. Southeast winds
5 to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 84 to 87 in
Twentynine Palms...around 80 around Yucca Valley and near Joshua
Tree. Highs 103 to 106 in Twentynine Palms...around 100 around
Yucca Valley and near Joshua Tree.
$$
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-07-27T10:35:03+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/weather/article/CA-Las-Vegas-NV-Zone-Forecast-17331608.php |
Second Quarter Financial Highlights
- Net sales of $1.8 Billion, an increase of 9.8% from prior year; organic sales growth of 18.2% compared to prior year
- Net Income and Diluted EPS of $91.1 Million and $6.12, respectively
- Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of $136.3 Million and 7.5%, respectively
- Net Leverage Ratio of 0.7x
ATLANTA, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: VRTV), a full-service provider of business-to-business products, services and solutions, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
"Double-digit organic sales growth and continued operational excellence contributed to the best performance for any quarter in company history for net income, EPS, Adjusted EBITDA dollars and Adjusted EBITDA margin," said Sal Abbate, Chief Executive Officer. "The combination of continued sales growth and our cost and price management discipline resulted in record net income of $91 million which was more than three times higher than the second quarter of 2021, while diluted earnings per share increased to a record $6.12."
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021:
- Net sales were $1.8 billion, an increase of 9.8% from the prior year; organic sales increased 18.2%.
- Net income was $91.1 million, compared to $26.4 million in the prior year. Net restructuring charges were $1.4 million, compared to $5.2 million in the prior year.
- Basic and diluted earnings per share were $6.24 and $6.12, respectively, compared to $1.69 and $1.62, respectively, in the prior year.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $136.3 million, an increase of 85.4% from the prior year.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin was 7.5%, an increase of 310 basis points from the prior year.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021:
- Net sales were $3.7 billion, an increase of 14.3% from the prior year; organic sales increased 19.2%.
- Net income was $169.6 million, compared to $47.7 million in the prior year. Net restructuring charges were $4.1 million, compared to $9.5 million in the prior year.
- Basic and diluted earnings per share were $11.55 and $11.23, respectively, compared to $3.03 and $2.89, respectively, in the prior year.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $255.8 million, an increase of 92.3% from the prior year.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin was 7.0%, an increase of 290 basis points from the prior year.
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was $68.2 million and free cash flow was $66.0 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was $62.3 million and free cash flow was $50.7 million.
"During the second quarter, while repurchasing $94.4 million worth of shares under our $200 million Share Repurchase Program, our strong earnings performance drove a record low net leverage ratio of 0.7x," said Steve Smith, Chief Financial Officer. "Our record low net leverage ratio and strong free cash flow generation provides us with significant optionality to enhance our growth."
Revised 2022 Guidance
Given the strong financial performance so far this year and favorable outlook for the remainder of the year, despite the divestiture of our Canada business, the Company now expects full year 2022 net income to be in the range of $285 to $315 million. Diluted earnings per share is estimated to be in the range of $19.50 to $21.50, based on approximately 14.7 million fully diluted shares outstanding. Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of $475 to $505 million. Net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow are still expected to be approximately $280 million and $250 million, respectively. Capital expenditures are still estimated to be approximately $30 million.
1Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.
-----
Veritiv Corporation will host a conference call and webcast today, August 9, 2022, at 9 a.m. (ET) to discuss its second quarter financial results and full year 2022 guidance. To participate, callers within the United States (U.S.) and Canada can dial (888) 330-2469, and international callers can use the following link for international access numbers, https://events.evolveirportal.com/custom/access/2324, both using conference ID number 3047006. Interested parties can also listen online at ir.veritivcorp.com. A replay of the call and webcast will be available online for a limited period of time at ir.veritivcorp.com shortly after the webcast is completed.
Important information regarding U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and related reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures can be found in the schedules to this press release, which should be thoroughly reviewed.
About Veritiv
Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: VRTV), headquartered in Atlanta and a Fortune 500® company, is a full-service provider of packaging, JanSan and hygiene products, services and solutions. Additionally, Veritiv provides print and publishing products, and logistics and supply chain management solutions. Serving customers in a wide range of industries both in North America and globally, Veritiv has distribution centers throughout the U.S. and Mexico, and team members around the world helping shape the success of its customers. For more information about Veritiv and its business segments visit www.veritivcorp.com.
Safe Harbor Provision
Certain statements contained in this press release regarding Veritiv Corporation's (the "Company") future operating results, performance, strategy, business plans, prospects and guidance, statements related to the impact of COVID-19 and any other statements not constituting historical fact are "forward-looking statements" subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Where possible, the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "continue," "intend," "should," "will," "would," "planned," "estimated," "potential," "goal," "outlook," "may," "predicts," "could," or the negative of such terms, or other comparable expressions, have been used to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect only the Company's current beliefs and assumptions with respect to future operating results, performance, business plans, prospects, guidance and other matters, and are based on information currently available to the Company. Accordingly, the statements are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies, which could cause the Company's actual operating results, performance, business plans, prospects or guidance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include the risks and other factors described under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's other publicly available reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Such risks and other factors, which in some instances are beyond the Company's control, include: adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; the industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products; increased competition from existing and non-traditional sources; procurement and other risks in obtaining packaging, facility products and paper from our suppliers for resale to our customers; changes in prices for raw materials; changes in trade policies and regulations; increases in the cost of fuel and third-party freight and the availability of third-party freight providers; the loss of any of our significant customers; inability to realize expected benefits of restructuring plans; adverse developments in general business and economic conditions that could impair our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets; our ability to adequately protect our material intellectual property and other proprietary rights, or to defend successfully against intellectual property infringement claims by third parties; our ability to attract, train and retain highly qualified employees; our pension and health care costs and participation in multi-employer pension, health and welfare plans; the effects of work stoppages, union negotiations and labor disputes; our ability to generate sufficient cash to service our debt; increasing interest rates; our ability to refinance or restructure our debt on reasonable terms and conditions as might be necessary from time to time; our ability to comply with the covenants contained in our debt agreements; costs to comply with laws, rules and regulations, including environmental, health and safety laws, and to satisfy any liability or obligation imposed under such laws; changes in tax laws; adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations or audits, or tax-related proceedings or audits; regulatory changes and judicial rulings impacting our business; the impact of adverse developments in general business and economic conditions as well as conditions in the global capital and credit markets on demand for our products and services, our business including our international operations, and our customers; foreign currency fluctuations; inclement weather, widespread outbreak of an illness, anti-terrorism measures and other disruptions to our supply chain, distribution system and operations; our dependence on a variety of information technology and telecommunications systems and the Internet; our reliance on third-party vendors for various services; cybersecurity risks; and other events of which we are presently unaware or that we currently deem immaterial that may result in unexpected adverse operating results.
The Company is not responsible for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet service providers. This press release is being furnished to the SEC through a Form 8-K. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 to be filed with the SEC may contain updates to the information included in this release.
Financial Statements
Non-GAAP Measures
We supplement our financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP with certain non-GAAP measures including organic sales (net sales on an average daily sales basis excluding revenue from sold businesses in the prior year period for which there is no comparable revenue in the current year period, and revenue from acquired businesses for a period of 12 months after we complete the acquisition), Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges, net, integration and acquisition expenses and other similar charges including any severance costs, costs associated with warehouse and office openings or closings, consolidation, and relocation and other business optimization expenses, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the LIFO reserve, non-restructuring asset impairment charges, non-restructuring severance charges, non-restructuring pension charges (benefits), fair value adjustments related to contingent liabilities assumed in mergers and acquisitions and certain other adjustments), free cash flow and other non-GAAP measures such as the Net Leverage Ratio (calculated as Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA). We believe investors commonly use Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and these other non-GAAP measures as key financial metrics for valuing companies; we also present organic sales to help investors better compare period-over-period results. In addition, the credit agreement governing our Asset-Based Lending Facility (the "ABL Facility") permits us to exclude the foregoing and other charges in calculating "Consolidated EBITDA", as defined in the ABL Facility.
Organic sales, Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and these other non-GAAP measures are not alternative measures of financial performance or liquidity under U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP measures do not have definitions under U.S. GAAP and may be defined differently by, and not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, we consider and evaluate non-GAAP measures in connection with a review of the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures and to consider them with the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. Organic sales, Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and these other non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Please see the following tables for reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
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SOURCE Veritiv Corporation | 2022-08-09T12:59:47+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/veritiv-announces-record-second-quarter-2022-net-income-eps-adjusted-ebitda-adjusted-ebitda-margin-raises-earnings-guidance/ |
Couple uses Milwaukee Brewers 50/50 raffle win for fertility treatments, welcomes baby
MILWAUKEE (WISN) – A raffle at a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game has changed the lives of one couple trying to conceive.
Erin and Cassie Murphy had spent more than a year going through fertility treatments, and they were running out of resources.
“We had kind of spent about $20,000 – well, over $20,000 – trying to get pregnant, unsuccessfully,” Cassie Murphy said.
Then, in April 2022, the couple went to a Brewers game, where they bought a 50/50 raffle ticket.
They ended up winning that raffle, walking away with more than $18,000 – and they knew exactly what to do with it.
Cassie Murphy said the amount of money they won was almost the exact amount they needed to move forward with more fertility treatments.
“It was almost to the dollar like what we needed to keep going,” Cassie Murphy said.
After one more round of IVF, Erin Murphy was pregnant by June 2022.
Then in February, they welcomed their baby Foster Murphy into the world – just in time for the Brewers opening day.
“I don’t think we thought that baseball would be such a part of our fertility pregnancy journey, but it’s been a really welcomed community,” Erin Murphy said.
The couple returned to the ballpark Monday for opening day, this time, with a baby in tow.
“I think we will have an eternal connection to the Brewers, that’s for sure,” Cassie Murphy said.
Copyright 2023 WISN via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-04T17:35:27+00:00 | wfsb.com | https://www.wfsb.com/2023/04/04/couple-uses-milwaukee-brewers-5050-raffle-win-fertility-treatments-welcomes-baby/ |
Adam Devine's Character From Acclaimed Fan Favorite Pitch Perfect Musical Comedy Film Series Goes Viral In Germany, Also Heads Up 16-Song Digital Soundtrack Accompanying Six-Episode
Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin Streaming Series Available Now Features Original Lead Single "Know My Name," Penned By Ryan Tedder
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, UMe releases Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Music From The Peacock Original Series) digitally. Its 16 tracks serve as the perfect digital audio companion to Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, the new original six-episode Peacock series starring Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland, Flula Borg, Jameela Jamil, and executive-produced by Elizabeth Banks, which premieres on the Peacock streaming service today. The digital-only album is available now in superior Dolby Atmos/Spatial Audio. Click HERE to listen to or order Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Music From The Peacock Original Series).
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed musical comedy film series Pitch Perfect, Bumper in Berlin follows the revived career trajectory of Bumper Allen (Adam Devine), who moves to Germany to capitalize on the explosive popularity of his epic TikTok mashup of a pair of indelible hits from the Eighties, "99 Luftballoons x Take On Me." Listen to Bumper's unique a cappella take on this pair of classics from Nena and a-ha HERE . Watch a special performance of "99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Thanksgiving Day Parade Version)" by Bumper In Berlin cast members when they perform on the Peacock float in this year's Thanksgiving Day Parade, airing on Thursday, November 24, 2022, starting at 9am on NBC and streaming live on Peacock.
The declarative, chart-seeking ballad "Know My Name (Bumper Version)," an original Bumper in Berlin single and focus track, was written by Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and produced by Andrew DeRoberts. Other notable Bumper in Berlin cuts include 21st-century interpretations of The Police's "Message In A Bottle" by Adam Devine; Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child Of Mine" by Devine and Flula Borg; Aqua's "Barbie Girl" from Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland, and Lera Abova; and an epic a cappella "Riff-Off Medley" with Devine, Jameela Jamil, and Flura Borg & The Giselads squaring off together on "Rock You Like A Hurricane" (The Scorpions), "Milkshake" (Kelis), "Du Hast" (Rammstein), "My Prerogative," (Bobby Brown), "Major Tom" (Peter Schilling), and "As Long As You Love Me" (Justin Bieber).
PITCH PERFECT: BUMPER IN BERLIN (MUSIC FROM THE PEACOCK ORIGINAL SERIES) [digital only]
- Kings And Queens – Adam Devine & The Tonehangers
- It Wasn't Me – Adam Devine & Sarah Hyland
- Know My Name (Bumper Version)* – Adam Devine
- It Must Have Been Love – Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland, Lera Abova, Katharina Thalback
- 99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Bumper Version) – Adam Devine
- Sing When I Want You To* – Jameela Jamil
- Sweet Child Of Mine – Adam Devine & Flula Borg
- Riff-Off Medley: Rock You Like A Hurricane / Milkshake / Du Hast / My Prerogative /
Major Tom / As Long As You Love Me – Adam Devine, Jameela Jamil, Flula Borg,
& The Giselads - Where You Are* – Adam Devine
- Barbie Girl – Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland, Lera Abova
- Know My Name (Piano Version)* – Sarah Hyland & Adam Devine
- Valerie – Adam Devine
- 99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Gisela Version) – Jameela Jamil
- Message In A Bottle – Adam Devine
- Know My Name x Where You Are Mashup* – Adam Devine, Flula Borg, Sarah Hyland
- 99 Luftballoons x Take On Me (Thanksgiving Day Parade Version)*
*Denotes original song
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SOURCE UMe | 2022-11-23T14:36:39+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2022/11/23/bumper-allen-international-superstar-leads-all-star-vocal-cast-pitch-perfect-bumper-berlin-music-peacock-original-series/ |
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden's governing party backs joining NATO, moving the country closer to applying amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
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MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At the beginning of August, Retro Stage, a trendy brand dedicated solely to vintage fashion, released exclusive new designer products to help modern women feel the charm of classic styles and lead the way in revitalizing retro aesthetics. These new arrivals feature unique retro-inspired elements, combine cutting-edge and vintage design ideas, and display fine cuts and silhouettes, giving the public more possibilities for distinctive styles. Find out more about the online new product release press conference.
Although everything changes so quickly in today's age, retro fashion will always make a comeback. That's the beauty of the classics: they never go out of style. "Thanks to our talented designers, they take inspiration from the fashionable clothing of the 20th century and bring the classic elements of that clothing to modern women instead of just the women in movies and magazines," the Retro Stage team said.
Butterfly elements have always been favored by retro designers, and designers at Retro Stage do the same. Inspired by dancing butterflies in nature, Retro Stage offers a wide variety of butterfly skirts, from butterfly prints to butterfly embroidery, from monochrome to colorful, and from pencil skirts to swing skirts. According to customers' positive feedback, designers keep bringing forth new ideas with butterflies. In this design activity, they combine butterfly embroidery with delicate mesh tulle to create elegant and romantic dresses, making it easy for people to show off their pure beauty. Meanwhile, this classic element is also applied to rompers and jumpsuits, bringing more options to the public for different places—work events, social gatherings, and even date nights. The best part is that Retro Stage will invite customers with original design ideas to participate in the Design Month activity and present the same butterfly fabric to the customers in a new way to make their design dreams come true.
Flowers are an essential part of life. At Retro Stage, all kinds of flower-themed clothing can be found; bright roses, warm sunflowers, and romantic lavender. In the new arrivals, people can also see the possibility of fresh daisies on the skirt. For example, this White Daisy Dreamer Vintage Dress, fully decorated with lovely daisies in different shapes, can give the wearer an endless sense of wonder as well as a real feeling of nature. Those delicate and lifelike daisy prints are full of vitality, making it seem as if the wearer is surrounded by the fragrance and elegance of flowers.
Polka dots, a classic element at Retro Stage, have been applied to various types of clothing in multiple ways. From black and white to colored dots, from small polka dots to big polka dots, from pencil skirts to fishtail skirts, from swing dresses to jumpsuits, and even swimwear. Retro Stage's designers believe that polka dots always signify youthful and lively attitudes in fashion. Their delightful visual appeal shows off the wearer's positive and enterprising spirit. This time, designers skillfully capture the inspiration of unpredictable polka dot art and mesh, and then apply it to delicate, artistic skirts.
Retro Stage also launches special seasonal red velvet and pumpkin clothing this time. The delicate velvet dress was once a symbol of nobility that stood out at various social gatherings, balls, and court banquets. Nowadays, as seen in the Wine Red Velvet Bodycon Vintage Dress, the red velvet, evoking the ancient trends of the Middle Ages, is a declaration of classicism and aristocracy, a beautiful interpretation of modernity blended with majesty. Full, rich pumpkin color is always warm and sophisticated—especially in autumn when it mimics the harvest sunrise and sunset. Just like the Ruffle Lace-up Fishtail Dress and the Halter Pencil Dress, their pumpkin color evokes a retro flavor and a sense of chic and luxury.
In addition, Retro Stage also introduces leopard-print garments as their innovative design. As seen on the Off-Shoulder Leopard Pencil Dress and Leopard V-Neck Jumpsuit, this spiritual pattern, paired with exquisite cuts and silhouettes, always represents a seamless fusion of retro and modern trends, highlighting the independence and confidence of women.
Retro Stage has always been dedicated to innovation, experimenting with numerous retro-inspired looks, and consistently adding new categories so that the public can find additional fashion inspiration. By using design, they want to express the attitude of appreciating life rather than adhering to traditional fashion trends and bringing interest to clothing through originality and creativity.
"It is the greatest privilege for Retro Stage to work with these talented designers. They keep innovating and seeking inspiration; pick out the most satisfying designs from a number of concepts; then give new definitions to retro style," the Retro Stage team said, "Classics never go out of style, as they are the gifts of history. We will keep retro styles alive and design more surprising vintage-style clothing for our customers to help them pursue elegant and liberating lifestyles."
About Retro Stage
Retro Stage is a popular vintage fashion brand featuring classic clothing and accessories from the 1920s, 1950s, and 1960s. As a vintage style pioneer, Retro Stage is more than a brand; it's also a way of life that helps every customer step into the history of fashion with chic and glamorous retro style. "Beauty never fades," the Retro Stage team said. "All we have to do is encourage women to seek out a better life and confidently embrace their natural beauty."
Instagram: @retrostage_official
Facebook: @RetroStageOfficial
TikTok: @retrostage_us
Twitter: @RetroStagecom
YouTube: Retro Stage
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SOURCE Retro Stage | 2022-08-15T16:42:41+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/retro-stage-launches-exclusive-new-designer-products-classics-never-go-out-style/ |
Taiwan reports Chinese balloon found on northern island
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says a Chinese weather balloon landed on one of its outlying islands, amid U.S. accusations that such craft have been dispatched worldwide to spy on Washington and its allies.
The ministry’s statement on Thursday said the balloon carried equipment registered to a state-owned electronics company in the northern city of Taiyuan.
The islet where it was found, Tungyin, is part of the Matsu island ground lying just off the coast of China’s Fujian province.
Taiwan maintained control of the islands after the sides split in 1949 amid civil war and they are considered a first line of defense should China make good on its threats to bring Taiwan under its control by force if necessary.
Calls and messages sent to the company identified in the report, Taiyuan Wireless (Radio) First Factory Ltd., went unanswered. Information on the equipment was written in the simplified Chinese characters used on the mainland rather than the traditional on Taiwan, the ministry said.
China regularly sends military aircraft and warships into Taiwan air identification zone and across the middle line of the Taiwan Strait. That has prompted Taiwan to boost military purchases from the U.S., expand domestic production of local planes, submarines and fighting ships, and extend compulsory military service for all males.
Washington is Taiwan’s closest military and diplomatic ally, despite a lack of formal ties, which were cut in 1979. Beijing protests strongly over all contacts between the island and the U.S., but its aggressive diplomacy has helped build strong bipartisan support for Taipei on Capitol Hill.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden said the U.S. is developing “sharper rules” to track, monitor and potentially shoot down unknown aerial objects, following three weeks of high-stakes drama sparked by the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting much of the country.
Biden has directed national security adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an “interagency team” to review U.S. procedures after the U.S. shot down the Chinese balloon, as well as three other objects that Biden said the U.S. now believes were most likely “benign” objects launched by private companies or research institutions.
While not expressing regret for downing the three still-unidentified objects, Biden said he hoped the new rules would help “distinguish between those that are likely to pose safety and security risks that necessitate action and those that do not.”
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-17T06:41:49+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/2023/02/17/taiwan-reports-chinese-balloon-found-northern-island/ |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare trip Monday to Moscow’s ally Belarus as his forces pursued their campaign to bombard Ukraine from the air amid a broad battlefield stalemate almost 10 months into the war.
Putin’s visit to Minsk came hours after Russia’s latest drone attack on Ukraine. Moscow has been targeting Ukraine’s power grid since October as part of a strategy to deprive the country of heat and power during winter.
His brief trip could herald more military support for the Kremlin war effort, after Belarus provided Russia with a launching pad for the invasion of Ukraine last February.
Putin said he and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko discussed forming “a single defense space” in the region but rejected claims that Moscow was poised to swallow its neighbor.
“Russia isn’t interested in any kind of merger, it’s not feasible,” Putin said.
Putin said that he supported Lukashenko’s proposal to train the crews of Belarusian warplanes that already have been modified for using special warheads — a reference to nuclear weapons.
Earlier this year, Russia and Belarus have announced a plan to modernize Belarusian aircraft to make them nuclear-capable. Lukashenko said Belarusian crews have been training with Russia to operate those planes modified to carry nuclear weapons.
Lukashenko thanked Putin for providing his military with Iskander short range missiles and S-400 air defense systems. He also said the countries agreed to continue hold joint military exercises.
Belarus is believed to have Soviet-era weapons stockpiles that could be useful for Moscow. Lukashenko, meanwhile, needs help with his country’s ailing economy. It was a rare trip to Minsk by Putin, who usually receives Lukashenko in Russia.
Moscow has kept up its war effort despite Western sanctions and the supply of Western air defense systems to Ukrainian forces.
Sitting beside Lukashenko, Putin emphasized their close military-technical ties. He said they include not only mutual supplies of equipment but also joint work in high-tech military industries.
Analysts say the Kremlin might be seeking some kind of Belarusian military support for its Ukraine operations. But the winter weather and Russia’s depleted resources mean any big Russian attack probably won’t come soon, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a think tank in Washington.
“The capacity of the Russian military, even reinforced by elements of the Belarusian armed forces, to prepare and conduct effective large-scale mechanized offensive operations in the next few months remains questionable,” it said in an assessment published Sunday.
It concluded that “it is unlikely that Lukashenko will commit the Belarusian military (which would also have to be re-equipped) to the invasion of Ukraine.”
In Ukraine, multiple explosive drones attacked the capital before dawn. The attack came three days after what Ukrainian officials described as one of Russia’s biggest assaults on Kyiv since the war started.
Russia launched 23 self-exploding drones over Kyiv while the city slept, but Ukrainian forces shot down 18 of them, the Kyiv city administration said on Telegram. No major casualties were reported from the attack, although the Ukrainian president’s office said the war killed at least three civilians and wounded 11 elsewhere in the country between Sunday and Monday.
The drone barrage caused emergency power outages in 11 central and eastern regions, including the capital region, authorities said.
Monday was St. Nicholas Day, which marks the start of the Christmas holidays in Ukraine and is when children typically receive their first gifts hidden under pillows.
“This is how Russians congratulated our children on the holiday,” Serhii Kruk, the head of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, wrote on Telegram, attaching photos of firefighters at a stricken infrastructure facility.
“In the night when everyone is waiting for a miracle, the terrorist country continues to terrorize the peaceful Ukrainian people,” said Ukraine’s human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded for Western countries to send sophisticated air defense systems as winter tightens its grip.
“A 100% air defense shield for Ukraine will be one of the most successful steps against Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy said by video link at a northern European regional threat conference in Latvia. “This step is needed right now.”
Wreckage from the downed drones damaged a road in the Solomianskyi district and broke windows in a multistory building in the Shevchenkyvskyi district of Kyiv, city officials said.
One drone hit the home of Olha and Ivan Kobzarenko, ages 84 and 83, in the outskirts of the capital. Ivan sustained a head injury.
Their garage was destroyed and their dog, Malysh, was killed. Olha, speaking in her bedroom where shattered glass and blood covered the floor, said the blast flung the front gate into the house.
“I know that I am not alone,” she said. “Everyone is suffering. Everyone.”
Nina Sobol, a 59-year-old clerk at one of Kyiv’s power companies, was going to work when the strikes happened. Like many of her colleagues, she waited outside while emergency services inspected damage.
“I feel really anxious,” she said. “Anxious because you never know at which moment there will be an incoming missile.”
Ukraine’s air force said on Telegram that its personnel were able to destroy 30 of at least 35 self-exploding drones that Russia launched across the country from the eastern side of the Azov Sea on Ukraine’s southeast coast. Russia is on the other side of the sea.
The Ukrainian military has reported increasing success in shooting down incoming Russian missiles and drones, but Zelenskyy said Moscow had received a fresh batch of drones from Iran.
Meanwhile, warships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet set off Monday for joint naval drills with China. The exercise follows a series of joint maneuvers that have highlighted growing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing as they both face tensions with the United States.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the U.S. was treading on dangerous ground by getting involved in the war in Ukraine.
“This dangerous and shortsighted policy has put the U.S. and Russia on the brink of a direct confrontation,” Zakharova said in a statement Monday. “Moscow is calling on Joe Biden’s administration to soberly assess the situation and refrain from dangerous escalation.”
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he sees no prospect of talks to end the war in the immediate future.
“I strongly hope that in 2023, we’ll be able to reach peace in Ukraine,” Guterres said.
___
Renata Brito in Kyiv and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | 2022-12-20T03:33:02+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-authorities-kyiv-targeted-in-early-morning-drone-attack/ |
SINGAPORE, Jan. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2020, CoinBase reportedly made $1.3 billion in revenue and had a net income of $322 million while 2021 was even higher at $1.8 billion in revenue and an annual net income of $3624 million. As appetizing as those profits might sound, creating a cryptocurrency exchange can be a costly and complex endeavor, and development costs are one of the main financial barriers to entry that can make it difficult for ordinary entrepreneurs to start their own exchange.
The costs of operating a cryptocurrency exchange can be mainly divided into 3 categories:
- Development Costs of the Complete Trading System
Cryptocurrency exchanges require specialized software to handle the buying and selling of digital assets. This software can be complex and costly to develop, especially for smaller exchanges and doesn't include the costs for security systems.
- Long-term Fixed Expenses such as Wallet, Liquidity, and Server Operation Maintenance
Liquidity costs refer to the ability of an exchange to have enough funds so buyers and sellers can be quickly and easily matched. Other related costs include server and wallet maintenance, which both are to ensure trades can safely occur without issues.
- Human Resources Cost for R&D, Operational, and Technical Support
Hiring staff and keeping highly professional employees trained in both web3 and experienced in technical exchange support becomes more expensive due to the high demands of such individuals.
All these costs together can be extremely high and possibly price out an ordinary entrepreneur from creating their own exchange, making it almost impossible to enter the market and own a portion of the industry. These 3 costs can be greatly reduced by using label services. Enter TraderX.
TraderX, Your Turnkey Solution to Building A Cryptocurrency Exchange
Headquartered in Singapore, TraderX, a global blockchain and fintech company, offers a solution to the financial barriers to entry for creating a cryptocurrency exchange for ordinary entrepreneurs. The company provides turnkey solutions, which means that it provides entrepreneurs with all the necessary software and infrastructure for running a successful cryptocurrency exchange. This eliminates the need for entrepreneurs to develop their own technology and security systems, reducing development costs.
Additionally, TraderX provides liquidity solutions, which help ensure that the exchange has adequate trading volume and can attract customers. This eliminates the need for entrepreneurs to invest in expensive liquidity provision strategies. The platform also includes marketing and advertising tools that help entrepreneurs promote their exchange and attract customers, reducing the need for large marketing and advertising expenses.
The all-inclusive turnkey solution contains their comprehensive SAAS service and shared liquidity while the customizable packages are ideal for those who already have their own market making and liquidity for their trading pairs. The support services don't stop there as marketing packages for new exchanges are also readily available, making TraderX undeniably useful for entities who aren't interested in building a team from scratch for the various operations required of a centralized cryptocurrency exchange.
Having prominent and existing exchanges invested in TraderX and years of business experience within the field, the company offers its services at more reasonable rates compared to fellow competitors, making them one of the few options to thoroughly consider when looking for technical back-end solutions for new centralized exchanges. Enterprises can focus on the operations, sales, and marketing part of their exchange business without needing to onboard web3 technical staff for back-end development and network maintenance.
Deployment & Transaction Speeds Beyond the Industry Average
Applying for a banking or exchange license in applicable countries might take years but setting your cryptocurrency exchange shouldn't. Based on cutting-edge technology and an innovative backend management system, TraderX seeks to revolutionize how exchanges should be and the minimal amount of time required to deploy an MVP and even shorter for the fully functioning version. With a minimal outlay of 1 month, all back-end work for perpetual futures, delivery futures, and other prediction markets can be up and running with assistance for both software and liquidity.
Speed isn't just involving your ability to join the market. Competing services mostly provide an average API capacity of 100 transactions per second. This can drastically limit the scalability of an exchange's business down the road. TraderX provides 10,000 TPS to avoid any bottlenecks at the API front and ensures clients can focus on running their exchange business regardless of how big they scale their business.
Goodbye to Absurd Fees
No longer are the days when integrating a new chain or trading pair on a weekly basis would be too costly to imagine. Clients who also wish to deploy their tokens on a variety of exchanges would also enjoy the added benefit and guidance from TraderX without the absurd time required for contract deployment or ridiculous fees. TraderX's SAAS structure includes all back-end functionalities required for a functional working product. This also includes support for server hosting, supporting new chains for wallet management, and liquidity management for trading depth without clients needing to pay for each add-on.
24hr Technical Support, on the House
For anyone who might already have experienced using exchanges, you'd know if something could go wrong, they sooner or later will. 24/7 customer support is paramount for any black swan events that occur in the web3 industry. TraderX believes such emergency support for all who run exchange businesses should be the norm.
TraderX dedicates a team of professionals to provide prompt resolutions during duress. This is achieved by relying on the company's in-house team of technical staff and customer support staff working as one during potential times of emergencies. Supported languages for emergency customer support are as follows: English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, and Spanish.
TraderX & Security
Security is paramount for any centralized exchange to thrive. Almost half of the top hacks involving the most liquidity lost happened to exchanges for their poor security protocols and policies. All of these issues can be properly addressed with data encryption, hardware wallet management, and frequent security audits to test the robustness of the exchange's security practices. TraderX ensures such practices are regularly taken, helping clients to avoid making similar mistakes that failed exchanges have in the past.
TraderX provides a comprehensive, cost-effective solution that eliminates the need for entrepreneurs to invest in expensive technology, security, liquidity, and marketing and advertising. This makes it possible for ordinary entrepreneurs to enter the cryptocurrency exchange market and start their own exchange, putting the future of finance within reach of your fingertips.
For more information, visit their website or email TraderX directly to speak with one of their representatives. Emails can be in any language and the right representative will respond promptly. The next bull cycle and mass crypto adoption by enterprises and governments. Are you ready to own a piece of the newly evolving exchange industry?
Website: https://www.traderx.vip/en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealTraderX
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089129889725
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/traderx-official/about/
Email: support@traderx.vip
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SOURCE TraderX | 2023-01-30T09:38:30+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2023/01/30/traderx-launching-innovative-white-label-solutions-cryptocurrency-exchanges/ |
As an ode to the pop culture star and nostalgic hair trends reemerging, SexyHair is releasing exclusive hair tutorials for 'Xtina's' famous hair looks
CULVER CITY, Calif., June 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of the 25th anniversary of SexyHair, the iconic haircare brand is collaborating with Christina Aguilera for a campaign that will showcase both '90s icons. The partnership will include exclusive tutorials from SexyHair stylist ambassadors on how to recreate 'Xtina's' most memorable looks with SexyHair products. This campaign will launch in Ulta in July and is now available in Cosmoprof and SalonCentric with in-store product displays and ecommerce landing pages, as well as sexyhair.com and social channels.
SexyHair and Christina Aguilera have been rewriting the rules of beauty since 1998. While Xtina was breaking boundaries setting timeless trends, SexyHair was changing the haircare industry. Throughout the past 25 years, both SexyHair and Xtina have inspired self-expression to their respective audiences across generations by ditching social norms and embracing sexy. Recently, '90s-00s hair trends have risen in popularity, and as people are revisiting iconic styles inspired by Xtina's debut studio album in 1999 and music video "Genie in a Bottle", SexyHair aims to empower its loyal audience to achieve these looks at home with the help of their products.
"I am so honored to work with SexyHair. As someone who has pushed the boundaries of sexuality, empowerment, feminism, and more, to send an inclusive and powerful message to my fans throughout my career, I am thrilled to partner with a brand who has had done the same over the past 25 years," said Christina Aguilera. "We are all sexy, beautiful, and worthy, and I am so happy to continue to spread this message alongside SexyHair."
In 1998, SexyHair launched with their bold, red packaging alongside the debut of Christina Aguilera's first US song release. Over the course of the past 25 years, both Xtina and SexyHair have been trail blazers and set new records within their industries. Today, the pop culture icon is one of the most renowned singer, songwriter, actresses of all time, and SexyHair is famous for their "big red can," with one can sold every six seconds.* SexyHair continues to grow, with a year over year organic sales growth of 13% vs calendar year 2021.
"We are thrilled to partner with Christina Aguilera, a true 90s icon and symbol of exactly the kind of self-expression SexyHair wants to inspire in everyone," said Stephanie Grady, Vice President of Marketing at SexyHair. "We've been loving all the nostalgic hair trends going viral recently that were popular during the era the brand was established and Christina's musical career was kicking off. There couldn't be a more perfect partner or time to celebrate our 25th year of SexyHair."
SexyHair founder and international award-winning hairdresser, Michael O' Rourke, launched the brand in 1998 after being inspired by the diversity of Los Angeles and the many hairstyles that he believed defined what the word sexy embodied. He saw sexy as more than a look, but rather a self-expression. He captured that self-expression and packaged it to inspire hairdressers and consumers alike to create their own sexy. Today, SexyHair strives to empower individuals to find their own sexy.
*On average based on total unit sales of the SexyHair hairspray portfolio during the 2022 calendar year.
About Henkel in North America
Henkel's portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes Schwarzkopf® hair care, Dial® soaps, Persil®, Purex®, and all® laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners as well as Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2022, North America accounts for 27 percent of the company's global sales. Henkel employs over 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com, and on Twitter @Henkel_NA.
Contact:
Madison Shihadeh
781-279-3200
mshihadeh@gearcommunications.com
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SOURCE SexyHair | 2023-06-07T11:34:37+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/prnewswire/2023/06/07/sexyhair-partners-with-christina-aguilera-celebration-25th-anniversary/ |
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PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro is preparing to hold a presidential election this weekend, a vote taking place amid a political stalemate that has stalled the small NATO member's bid to join the European Union and questions about whether the Balkan country will align more closely with Serbia and Russia.
Analysts predict Sunday's election will not produce a clear winner and that pro-Western incumbent Milo Djukanovic, 61, will face one of several challengers in a runoff two weeks later.
Djukanovic and his Democratic Party of Socialists led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006, and defied Russia to join NATO in 2017. An alliance dominated by parties seeking closer ties with Serbia and Russia ousted DPS from power in 2020.
The presidency is largely ceremonial in Montenegro but the election result holds political weight because of the country's political turmoil and the war in Ukraine. It is also crucial for the political future of Djukanovic, the longest-serving politician in the Balkans.
Djukanovic dissolved parliament on Thursday, three months after the government fell in a no-confidence vote. The party whose candidate eventually wins the presidency could receive a significant boost in the early parliamentary election ahead of the early parliamentary election that the president is expected to schedule Friday.
Djukanovic's opponents on Sunday include a leader of the staunchly pro-Serbia and pro-Russia Popular Front party, Andrija Mandic, economist Jakov Milatovic of the newly-formed Europe Now group and former parliament speaker Aleksa Becic.
Observers say Milatovic, who served in the government formed after the 2020 parliamentary vote but later split from the ruling coalition, may stand the best chance of making it into the runoff against Djukanovic.
Who wins could signal Montenegro's future direction, said Ana Nenezic, executive director of the Center for Monitoring and Research, a think tank. “That is, whether further foreign policy priorities will be focused on unblocking the process of European integration, strengthening cooperation with EU countries and membership in NATO.”
“The success of the clerical-populist parties, or in this case, the candidates, could lead to strengthening of ties with the Eastern powers and a move away from the European perspective,” she said.
Djukanovic, who has served as Montenegro's president or prime minister since 1991, saw his popularity plummet after DPS narrowly lost the 2020 parliamentary election. But with the current government in disarray, Djukanovic hopes to regain voter support.
“We decide at the presidential election whether Montenegro will continue to develop as a free, modern, civic European state or, contrary to its centuries-old tradition, will accept to serve the interests of others,” Djukanovic said during campaigning.
The political chaos and stalled reforms in a country long seen as the next in line for European Union membership has alarmed U.S. and EU officials, who fear Russia could try to stir trouble in the Balkans to divert attention from the war in Ukraine.
Montenegro's 620,000 citizens remain deeply divided among supporters of Djukanovic's policies and those who view themselves as Serbs and want Montenegro to ally itself with Serbia and fellow-Slavic Russia.
The Popular Front party's Mandic, who was accused of being part of a 2016 coup attempt, has sought to present himself as a conciliatory figure during the campaign, saying his main goal as president would be to bridge the Montenegrin divide.
Milatovic, the economist, has accused Djukanovic and his DPS party of corruption, saying the president's final removal from power is necessary for Montenegro to move forward.
Montenegro has some 540,000 eligible voters. The country is known for its stunning natural beauty consisting of wild mountains and a popular Adriatic Sea coastline. | 2023-03-17T09:00:43+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/politics/article/montenegro-presidential-vote-seen-as-test-of-17844814.php |
After co-creating and starring on Schitt's Creek for six seasons, Eugene Levy is returning to TV for the first time since the series ended in 2020. The Emmy-winning actor -- and not so adventurous type -- will host The Reluctant Traveler, a new Apple TV+ original that will take him on a globe-trotting tour as he explores various places and cultures around the world.
While not normally one for adventures that take him to various corners of the planet, the 75-year-old is taking advantage of the opportunity to broaden his horizons, and "hopes his experiences might lead to a whole new chapter in life." Set to premiere on Feb. 24, 2023, the eight-part unscripted series will follow Levy as he travels to Costa Rica, Finland, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Portugal, South Africa and the U.S.
The series, meanwhile, is the latest project that has brought the beloved cast of Schitt's Creek back to our screens. Catherine O'Hara recently reunited with the Canadian sketch comedy group, Kids in the Hall, as they revived the series for a sixth season that aired in 2022. Annie Murphy followed Schitt's Creek with two seasons of Kevin Can F**k Himself as well as a recurring role in Russian Doll season 2. And Dan Levy, who will appear in Sex Education season 4 and the upcoming HBO series The Idol, can currently be seen hosting the culinary competition The Big Brunch.
Now, if they could all get together on the same show so we can get a proper Schitt's Creek reunion. Until then, it will be good to have the elder Levy back on our screens once again.
RELATED CONTENT: | 2022-12-13T23:55:52+00:00 | 9news.com | https://www.9news.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/eugene-levy-returns-to-tv-as-globe-trotting-host-of-the-reluctant-traveler/603-7996e05d-27d6-45a1-83d6-217316fc6528 |
FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leopard Imaging Inc. (Leopard Imaging), a global leader in intelligent embedded camera design and manufacturing, is exhibiting its new state-of-the-art embedded vision systems with the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI platform, including the support of the latest Jetson Orin NX module, at the world's most influential technology event — CES 2023.
Leopard Imaging will showcase several embedded vision system demos running on the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI platform. Earlier this year, the two companies developed Hawk 3D camera stereo cameras that provide real-time and accurate depth perception, giving developers the high-quality results needed to build and deploy edge AI and robotics applications.
Founded in 2008, Leopard Imaging has supported thousands of well-known companies in advanced imaging solutions with its experienced engineering teams, high-quality manufacturing capabilities in both "Made in U.S.A" and offshore, and quality management certifications such as IATF16949 for the automotive industry and AS9100D for the aerospace industry.
As an Elite member in the NVIDIA Partner Network, Leopard Imaging works closely with NVIDIA to develop embedded vision systems to address increasing demand in robotics, edge AI, industrial machine vision, and autonomous machines applications.
"We are very excited to showcase our depth cameras supported with the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI platform," said Bill Pu, president and co-founder of Leopard Imaging. "We are looking forward to meeting our partners and more high technology companies who are seeking advanced image solutions at CES 2023."
At CES 2023, Leopard Imaging will also showcase driver monitoring system (DMS) cameras and occupant monitoring system (OMS) cameras based on Omnivision OAX4000 application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).
As a long-term partner of the most well-known connectivity providers, Leopard Imaging will also display Leopard Imaging cameras with GMSL 3 interface supported by Analog Devices, with FPD-Link 4 SerDes by Texas Instruments, and with MIPI A-PHY by Valens Semiconductor.
Leopard Imaging will be showcasing their imaging solutions at CES 2022 Booth 10076, Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall, January 5th - 8th. To set up a meeting with Leopard Imaging at CES, please email marketing@leopardimaging.com.
Leopard Imaging is a global leader providing high-definition embedded cameras and AI-based imaging solutions—focusing on core technologies that improve image processing in automotive vehicles, aerospace vehicles, drones, IoT, and robotics. An elite member of the NVIDIA Partner Network and a member of the AWS Partner Network, Leopard Imaging works closely with the most established sensor companies in producing advanced camera solutions for global customers. With original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and original design manufacturer (ODM) services, Leopard Imaging provides camera solutions for the most established organizations. Company Mission: Intelligent Vision for a Better World. Company Vision: To Be the World Leader in Intelligent Vision.
Press Contact
Cathy Zhao
marketing@leopardimaging.com
+1 408-263-0988
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SOURCE Leopard Imaging Inc. | 2022-12-08T19:13:22+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/12/08/leopard-imaging-showcase-advanced-embedded-vision-systems-with-latest-nvidia-jetson-edge-ai-platform-ces-2023/ |
BOGOTA, Colombia — The four Indigenous children who survived 40 days in the Amazon jungle after their plane crashed were recovering Sunday in a military hospital in Colombia, as new details of their harrowing story emerged in a country still mesmerized by their saga.
The kids, aged 13, 9 and 4 years and 11 months, are expected to remain for at least two weeks in a hospital receiving treatment after their rescue Friday, but some are already speaking and wanting to do more more than lying on a bed, according to family members.
Manuel Ranoque, father of the two youngest children, told reporters outside the hospital Sunday that the oldest of the four surviving children — 13-year-old Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy — told him their mother was alive for about four days after the plane crashed on May 1 in the Colombian jungle.
Ranoque said before she died, the mother likely would have told them: "go away," apparently asking them to leave the wreckage site to survive. He provided no more details.
Fidencio Valencia, a child's uncle, told media outlet Noticias Caracol the children were starting to talk and one of them said they hid in tree trunks to protect themselves in a jungle area filled with snakes, animals and mosquitoes. He said they were exhausted.
"They at least are already eating, a little, but they are eating," he said after visiting them at the military hospital in Bogota, Colombia. A day earlier, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez had said the children were being rehydrated and couldn't eat food yet.
The children were traveling with their mother from the Amazonian village of Araracuara to San Jose del Guaviare when the plane went down.
The Cessna single-engine propeller plane was carrying three adults and the four children when the pilot declared an emergency due to engine failure. The small aircraft fell off the radar a short time later and a search for survivors began.
Dairo Juvenal Mucutuy, another uncle, told local media that one of kids said he wanted to start walking.
"Uncle, I want shoes, I want to walk, but my feet hurt," Mucutuy said the child told him.
"The only thing that I told the kid (was), 'when you recover, we will play soccer,' " he said.
The children survived on cassava flour and seeds
Authorities and family members have said the children survived eating cassava flour and seeds, and that some familiarity with the rainforest's fruits were also key to their survival. The kids are members of the Huitoto Indigenous group.
After being rescued on Friday, the children were transported in a helicopter to Bogota and then to the military hospital, where President Gustavo Petro, government and military officials, as well as family members met with the children on Saturday.
An air force video released Friday showed a helicopter using lines to pull the youngsters up because it couldn't land in the dense rainforest where they were found. The military on Friday tweeted pictures showing a group of soldiers and volunteers posing with the children, who were wrapped in thermal blankets. One of the soldiers held a bottle to the smallest child's lips.
Gen. Pedro Sanchez, who was in charge of the rescue efforts, said that the children were found 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the crash site in a small forest clearing. He said rescue teams had passed within 20 to 50 meters (66 to 164 feet) of where the children were found on a couple of occasions but had missed them.
Two weeks after the crash, on May 16, a search team found the plane in a thick patch of the rainforest and recovered the bodies of the three adults on board, but the small children were nowhere to be found.
Soldiers on helicopters dropped boxes of food into the jungle, hoping that it would help sustain the children. Planes flying over the area fired flares to help search crews on the ground at night, and rescuers used speakers that blasted a message recorded by the siblings' grandmother telling them to stay in one place.
Colombia's army sent 150 soldiers with dogs into the area, where mist and thick foliage greatly limited visibility. Dozens of volunteers from Indigenous tribes also joined the search.
Ranoque, the father of the youngest children, said the rescue shows how as an "Indigenous population, we are trained to search" in the middle of the jungle.
"We proved the world that we found the plane... we found the children," he added.
The Colombian government, which is trying to end internal conflicts in the country, has highlighted the joint work of the military and Indigenous communities to find the children.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-06-11T18:48:51+00:00 | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | https://www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org/npr-news/2023-06-11/4-children-who-survived-for-40-days-in-the-colombian-jungle-recover-as-details-emerge |
Top UN court rejects Iranian bid to free assets frozen by US
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations’ top court has rejected Tehran’s legal bid to free up some $2 billion in Iranian central bank assets frozen by U.S. authorities to be paid in compensation to victims of a 1983 bombing in Lebanon and other attacks linked to Iran.
In a 10-5 majority ruling, the International Court of Justice said Thursday it did not have jurisdiction to rule on the Iranian claim linked to the central Markazi Bank.
In a complex, 67-page judgment, the world court found that some other U.S. moves to seize assets of Iran and Iranians in the United States breached a 1955 treaty between the countries and said they should negotiate compensation. If they fail to reach a number, they will have to return to the Hague-based court for a ruling.
But the largest part of the case focused on Bank Markazi, and its frozen assets of $1.75 billion in bonds, plus accumulated interest, that are held in a Citibank account in New York. The court said that it did not have jurisdiction based on the 1955 Treaty of Amity.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations’ highest court is set to rule Thursday in a case filed by Iran against the United States over frozen Iranian assets worth some $2 billion that the U.S. Supreme Court awarded to victims of a 1983 bombing in Lebanon and other attacks linked to Tehran.
At hearings last year, lawyers representing the U.S. urged the International Court of Justice to reject the claim. Iran cast the asset freeze as an attempt to destabilize the Tehran government and a violation of international law.
Iran took its claim to the world court in 2016 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that money belonging to Iran’s central bank could be used as compensation for the 241 American troops who died in the 1983 bombing, which was believed to be linked to Tehran.
At stake are $1.75 billion in bonds, plus accumulated interest, belonging to the Iranian state but held in a Citibank account in New York.
After the bombing of the a U.S. military base in Lebanon, a second blast nearby killed 58 French soldiers. Iran has denied involvement, but a U.S. District Court judge found Tehran responsible in 2003. The judge’s ruling said Iran’s ambassador to Syria at the time called “a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and instructed him to instigate the Marine barracks bombing.”
At last year’s hearings, U.S. legal team leader Richard Visek told judges they should invoke, for the first time, a legal principle known as “unclean hands,” under which a nation can’t bring a case because of its own criminal actions linked to the case.
“The essence of this threshold defense is that Iran’s own egregious conduct, its sponsorship of terrorist acts directed against the United States and U.S. nationals, lies at the very core of its claims,” Visek told the court.
In the case it took to the Hague-based International Court of Justice, Iran argued the asset freeze was a breach of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, which promised friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The U.S. and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since militant students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.
Visek argued the frozen assets were state holdings not covered by the treaty, which Washington terminated in 2018 in response to an order by the International Court of Justice in a separate case to lift some sanctions against Iran.
The court’s judgments are final and legally binding.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-30T15:27:28+00:00 | kmvt.com | https://www.kmvt.com/2023/03/30/top-un-court-rejects-iranian-bid-free-assets-frozen-by-us/ |
Which drugstore hair mask is best?
There is a wide selection of drugstore hair masks available that can benefit every hair type. Some buyers prefer to shop for hair masks at drugstores to find good deals. These products can be very inexpensive while providing benefits to the hair, while other cheap hair masks contain harmful ingredients that adversely affect the hair. When distinguishing the best products, it is essential to consider the product’s ingredients, the mission behind the brand and the best formula for your hair type.
What to consider before buying a drugstore hair mask
Hair type
Those with damaged hair should look for masks that provide added hydration and work to repair individual hair strands. The products that you purchase should be described as color-safe or used for chemically processed hair. These products will not strip the hair of nutrients and will rebuild breakage for a healthy shine.
What to look for in a quality drugstore hair mask
Brand
Before purchasing, make sure the brand sustainably sources its ingredients and pledges not to use harmful products on animals to achieve a final product.
These products will contain more natural ingredients than products that do not sustainably source their ingredients and test harmful chemicals on animals. Just because a brand name is popular does not mean it is the best for your hair type. When looking for a hair mask, consider all brands. Just because you are buying a cheap drugstore product does not mean it cannot be sustainable. Sometimes the more inexpensive brands use better ingredients for your hair than the most expensive brands and vice versa.
Formula
When purchasing a drugstore hair mask, avoid products that have parabens, sulfates and alcohol. These will not only dry out the hair but create other health complications over time. Hair grows from a healthy scalp. Since these ingredients do not benefit the scalp, they will make it harder for the hair to grow. Many drugstore hair masks contain these harmful chemicals due to being cheaply sourced. Check the product description and ingredient list before purchasing a product to ensure that it is safe for use.
Parabens: Parabens can disrupt hormones in the body, harm reproductive organs and increase cancer risk. When used abundantly, products that contain parabens can cause skin irritation.
Sulfates: Similarly to parabens, sulfates can irritate your eyes, skin, mouth and lungs. For people with sensitive skin, sulfates can clog pores and cause acne.
Alcohol: Alcohol can irritate and dry out the hair and cause split ends and hair loss over time. If you are looking for a hair mask that repairs dry hair and the product states that it contains alcohol, it may end up doing more harm than good.
Cruelty-free and sustainable
Most brands have moved toward a more natural, eco-friendly manufacturing process, which includes less animal testing. Products that adhere to these animal-friendly standards will consist of a “cruelty-free” symbol on the packaging. However, different labels apply to varying levels of animal use in manufacturing and testing. To tell if a product is cruelty-free, look for the branding on the package that declares products as vegan. Hair masks that are vegan and cruelty-free will contain natural ingredients to repair hair and take added measures to avoid parabens, sulfates and alcohol.
Tips for buying a drugstore hair mask
For best results, apply the mask when your hair is damp. While you can use hair masks on dry hair, they are usually most effective on damp hair. Apply right after showering.
Wash your hair after you’re finished. This won’t negate the benefits of the hair mask, and it will help remove any unwanted residue from your hair.
Consider buying many individual packs vs. one large container. The more that you try, the sooner you will find the perfect product for your hair.
How much you can expect to spend on a drugstore hair mask
Shoppers will find drugstore hair masks between $3-$10. Anything above $10 is not considered a drugstore product. Premium drugstore masks will be anywhere from $8-$10 and contain more ounces, while hair masks from $3-$7 will likely be in small packs and have fewer ounces and hair benefits.
Drugstore hair mask FAQ
How do I apply a hair mask?
A. When using a hair mask, users should first dampen their hair and spread the hair mask formula evenly throughout the hair slowly, starting with the scalp. Once applied, the product should be massaged from root to tip carefully without pulling out any strands. The process is completed by gently combing the hair and wrapping it in a towel or a T-shirt. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes or whatever time the manufacturer recommends for the best results.
Does the hair mask have to be the same brand as my shampoo?
A. No, the brand of hair mask does not have to be the same as the shampoo that you use. However, some brands formulate specific products to be matched with each other to provide added benefits. For example, a few shampoo bottles may tell you to follow the shampoo up with the brand’s conditioner and hair mask. This is mainly advertising but can also provide benefits when used together. It will not hurt your hair to use a different brand of hair mask than your shampoo and conditioner.
Which drugstore hair mask is best?
Hask Manoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Deep Conditioning Packet
This hair mask is safe on color-treated and chemically processed hair and works to restore the lipid balance that gives hair strength. It will prevent breakage over time and revive dull strands. It can be too heavy for those with oily hair.
Sold by Ulta Beauty
Hask Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Deep Conditioning Treatment Packets
This hair mask’s main objective is to hydrate the hair. It penetrates each strand for the greatest benefit and smells pleasant. Due to its oil base, this mask may not be the best for people with thick hair but is recommended by the brand for all hair types.
Sold by Amazon
Best drugstore hair masks for thin hair
Those with thin hair should look for drugstore hair masks that promise a cream-based formula that is not too heavy. The job of these types of masks is to hydrate the hair without weighing it down. When choosing drugstore hair masks for thin hair, choose masks you have to leave on for the shortest amount of time that still provide significant benefits.
Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioning Treatment Packet
This hair mask is specifically formulated with keratin to coat each strand of your hair, leaving it tangle-free, soft and manageable to style. It is too heavy to use on thick hair, but when used on thin hair, it provides the perfect amount of bounce and shines without looking hair looking greasy.
Sold by Ulta Beauty
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Treatment Masque
This hair mask conditions the hair deeply without silicone, aluminum or petrolatum. It replenishes moisture by supporting elasticity and reducing the look of breakage and split ends.
Sold by Ulta Beauty
Best drugstore hair masks for thick hair
Persons with thick hair will want to look for drugstore face masks that are lightweight and target the ends of the hair. When applying these products, avoid the roots as much as you can. This will make the hair bouncier and look less oily when styling.
SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
This product is a perfect hydrator for those with thick curly hair. The formula is lightweight while still absorbing deep into the hair follicle to bring added nutrients and reduce frizz. It leaves thick hair looking shiny and bouncy. This product is not for use on straight hair.
Sold by Amazon and Ulta Beauty
Hempz Triple Moisture Rich Herbal Whipped Creme Conditioner
This product is a nutrient-dense conditioner that doubles as a hair mask. It contains a unique smell designed with essential oils that may not be the best for users with dry hair. It restores softness and shines while the fatty acids and antioxidants work to make the hair more manageable.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-08T12:28:10+00:00 | cbs42.com | https://www.cbs42.com/reviews/br/beauty-personal-care-br/hair-products-br/best-drugstore-hair-mask/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — A professional butcher whose bloody, wild-eyed face became one of the most memorable images of the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced Thursday to more than seven years in prison for hurling a bow like a spear at police and attacking several other officers.
Kyle Fitzsimons, 39, of Maine, was wearing a white butcher’s coat embroidered with his first name when he separately assaulted at least five officers near a tunnel as police desperately tried to protect an entrance to the Capitol from the angry mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters, prosecutors said.
The federal judge who sentenced Fitzsimons also convicted him of 11 charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras heard testimony without a jury at a bench trial for Fitzsimons last September.
The judge said Fitzsimons attacked police in a “burst of frenzied fury” and unleashed an “orgy of assaultive rage” that lasted a few minutes.
“He was part of the most violent clashes that day,” Contreras said.
Fitzsimons apologized to the officers he attacked, the court, his family and “anyone else I’ve disappointed by my conduct.” He said he initially resisted the idea that he posed a “danger to the republic.”
“But now I know it to be true,” he told the judge before learning his sentence.
Fitzsimons, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He has been in custody since February 2021, and will get credit for the two years and five months he already has served in jail.
Fitzsimons is among more than 1,000 people who have been charged with federal crimes in the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured and delayed the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory over Trump. More than 560 people have been sentenced for Jan. 6-related crimes, with over half receiving terms of imprisonment.
An 18-year prison term for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes is the longest sentence handed down so far in the Jan. 6 attack, though prosecutors indicated Wednesday that they are appealing the sentences for Rhodes and other Oath Keepers after they were given lighter punishments than prosecutors had sought.
Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 15 years and eight months for Fitzsimons, calling him one of the most violent and aggressive participants in the riot. They said he caused a “career-ending and life-altering” shoulder injury to Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell.
Fitzsimons traveled to Washington, D.C., from his home in Lebanon, Maine, a day before the riot erupted. After attending Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, he returned to his car and changed clothes, donning his butcher’s coat. He also wore a fur pelt around his neck and carried an unstrung wooden archery bow.
Fitzsimons joined the mob’s attack on police at the Lower West Terrace tunnel entrance, according to prosecutors. He threw his bow like a spear, hitting a Metropolitan Police Department officer’s head. He repeatedly swiped at a police detective’s face, trying to dislodge his gas mask. And he wrenched Gonell’s shoulder, permanently damaging it.
Gonell said he feared for his life, believing Fitzsimons was trying to drag him in the angry crowd of rioters.
“He is lucky I made a choice not to use lethal force on him, but I came very close to,” Gonell wrote in a victim impact statement.
As he retreated, Fitzsimons had blood on his face from a blow to his head. Turning his back to the tunnel, he stared “proudly, ferally, and wild-eyed at the angry mob,” prosecutors said in a court filing.
“Finally, after walking away from the ‘medieval battle’ at the tunnel, Fitzsimons proudly celebrated his actions and urged other rioters to ‘get in there’ and fight the police like he had,” prosecutors wrote.
Prosecutors sought a $26,892 fine from Fitzsimons, accusing him of trying to profit from his notoriety. They also said he has shown no remorse and given interviews from jail in which he insinuated that he is “an innocent victim of a biased prosecution.” But the judge declined to impose a fine against Fitzsimons.
On December 26, 2020, Fitzsimons called and left two menacing voicemails at the Washington office of Rep. Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, prosecutors said.
“I will be in D.C. on the 6th. I don’t think I’ll see you there. But maybe I will. Maybe I will,” he said during the first call.
In a separate case Wednesday, a member of the Proud Boys extremist group who goes by the nickname “Milkshake” was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to felony charges — including assault — in the riot.
Prosecutors say that days before the riot, Daniel Lyons Scott, 29, declared during a Florida rally that if a U.S. senator didn’t vote against the certification of Biden’s victory, they should “give him the rope!” Before Trump even began speaking near the White House on Jan. 6, Scott yelled to a group of Proud Boys, “Let’s take the (expletive) Capitol!” according to court papers.
Scott, of Englewood, Florida, pushed two officers up stairs of the Capitol’s West Terrace as police were trying to keep the crowd at bay, and then pulled one of the officers down into the crowd. When the police line broke, Proud Boys and other rioters managed to surge up the stairs. Those rioters, “unleashed by Scott’s assaults,” later became the first group to the enter the Capitol, prosecutors said in court papers.
Scott’s lawyer said in court documents that his client’s talk before the riot “was more the blowing off of steam than part of an effort to actually stop the certification of the electoral votes, much less to reverse the results of the election and reinstall Trump as president.”
Defense attorney Nathan Silver wrote that Scott attributes his pushing into the police line to “almost ‘snapping’ from frustration” from what he described as police’s “aggressive crowd control effort.” An email seeking a comment on the sentence was sent to Scott’s lawyer.
A slew of Proud Boys leaders, members and associates have been charged with federal crimes in the riot. Former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio and three other leaders were convicted in May of seditious conspiracy for what authorities said was a plot to halt the transfer of power from Trump to Biden.
___
Associated Press reporter Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed. | 2023-07-14T15:15:57+00:00 | nwahomepage.com | https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/politics/ap-rioter-who-hurled-bow-like-a-spear-at-police-during-jan-6-attack-gets-more-than-7-years-in-prison/ |
In partnership with The Dad Gang, this Father's Day, Dove Men+Care continues its commitment to changing how the world sees Black men and fatherhood
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Black fathers are present in caring for their families but too often, media and culture do not convey this truth. According to a new research study commissioned by Dove Men+Care, less than half of Black fathers believe social media, mainstream media, and popular culture portray Black fatherhood accurately1.
As a brand committed to fighting against the stereotypes that negatively impact men, this Father's Day, Dove Men+Care is launching #CelebrateBlackDads, a social media initiative that will amplify the pages and content of Black fathers, encouraging people nationwide to add these fathers to their feeds and find inspiration in the care they show. This is an evolution of the brand's ongoing Commit to C.A.R.E. (Care About Racial Equity) Now initiative that first launched in 2020.
Through these efforts, we are partnering with leading voices like GRAMMY Award nominated, multi-platinum country musician star Jimmie Allen, longtime Dove Men+Care partner and influencer Beleaf in Fatherhood (Glen Henry), and Black fatherhood network The Dad Gang to launch this initiative. Dove Men+Care is highlighting the content of various dads and content creators so their love, care, and presence for their families can be seen by the world.
"All caring fathers deserve to be seen, respected, and celebrated," said Carlos Gil, Global Brand Vice President of Dove Men+Care. "We know how important a dad's care is, and the transformational effect that care has on everyone around them. But too often, the care that Black fathers have for their kids and family is not seen or celebrated. It felt incredibly important to help break down the barriers that limit who is seeing the true stories of these fathers. As part of our ongoing mission to Commit to C.A.R.E. Now, we are dedicated to changing the way the world sees Black fatherhood."
We encourage everyone to join us in these efforts. Visit DoveMenCare.com/CelebrateBlackDads to learn more about our work and who you can add to your feed to learn more and share your own content by tagging #CelebrateBlackDads on social.
About Dove Men+Care
Dove Men+Care is the first range of products from Dove developed specially for men. Manufactured by Unilever, the line includes the #1 dermatologist recommended body wash. Launched in 2010, Dove Men+Care is the fastest growing men's grooming brand in the world and the portfolio includes bars, body washes, face care, anti-perspirant/deodorants, and hair care, which are available nationwide in food, drug, and mass outlet stores.
Since launching, Dove Men+Care has also been dedicated to debunking the stereotypes of how men around the world care for themselves and others. The brand is on a mission to inspire every man to experience the transformative effects of care and has focused on making that a reality through cultural initiatives, legislative action and community engagement. Learn more at DoveMenCare.com.
About The Dad Gang
The Dad Gang is an organization committed to building community amongst Black fathers globally. They have worked to create a safe space for Black men to find camaraderie, support, and turn up a few times a year. They are dedicated to defying stereotypes, shattering myths and celebrating Black fatherhood every day. Through their work, social content and community events, they encourage, teach, support and share tips that can help all fathers become better dads. Though marred by a racially driven and media amplified stigma that has led the world to perceive Black fathers as widely missing in action, inactive or simply unfit parents, the Dad Gang is committed to highlighting how the community thrives.
About Unilever North America
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 148,000 employees and generated sales of €52.4 billion in 2021. Over half of our footprint is in developing and emerging markets. We have around 400 brands found in homes all over the world – including iconic brands like Dove, Knorr, Hellmann's, Magnum, Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Degree, Seventh Generation, St. Ives, Suave, TRESemmé, and Vaseline.
Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose-led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. It goes back to the days of our founder William Lever, who launched the world's first purposeful brand, Sunlight Soap, more than 100 years ago, and it's at the heart of how we run our company today.
The Unilever Compass, our sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while:
- improving the health of the planet;
- improving people's health, confidence and wellbeing; and
- contributing to a fairer and more socially inclusive world.
While there is still more to do, in the past year we're proud to have achieved sector leadership in S&P's Dow Jones Sustainability Index, 'Triple A' status in CDP's Climate, Water and Forest benchmarks, and to be named as the top ranked company in the GlobeScan/SustainAbility Sustainability Leaders survey for the eleventh consecutive year.
For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com
For more information on Unilever Canada and its brands visit: www.unilever.ca
About the survey
This survey was conducted by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI), a global research, analytics, and data consultancy, on behalf of Dove Men+Care. The survey is based on the response of 2,000 US adults aged 18 and over, nationally representative of the US online population in terms of age, gender, region and race & ethnicity, as well as an oversample of 500 Black fathers. Fieldwork was conducted online, in English, between May 20 – May 30. The margin of error is +/-2.2% at the 95% confidence level for the sample of US adults, and +/-4.4% at the 95% confidence level for the oversample of Black fathers.
CONTACT: Jessica Ostrau, Jessica.Ostrau@Edelman.com, 914-261-8766
- This survey of 2,000 US adults and 500 Black Fathers was conducted by Edelman DXI, on behalf of Dove Men+Care, between May 20-30, 2022
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SOURCE Dove Men+Care | 2022-06-17T19:22:00+00:00 | live5news.com | https://www.live5news.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/dove-mencare-launches-celebrateblackdads-amplify-voices-black-fathers-social-media/ |
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israel launched targeted airstrikes in densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing three senior commanders of the Islamic Jihad militant group in their homes and at least 10 civilians, Palestinian health officials said. Two of the commanders' wives, several of their children and civilian neighbors — including a hospital director, his wife and son — were among the dead.
The attacks set the stage for what is likely to be a new round of fighting a week after an exchange of fire between Israel and Islamic Jihad. Tuesday's airstrikes targeted an apartment and house in Gaza City and a third house in the southern town of Rafah. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 20 people were wounded.
Israel also targeted Islamic Jihad training sites before the airstrikes halted at daybreak. After an hourslong lull, the military said it struck a vehicle carrying anti-tank guided missiles to a launchpad in enclave's southern city of Khan Younis. Two people were killed in that attack, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, without providing their identities. No militant group immediately claimed the two as members.
At midday, tens of thousands of people rushed into the streets for two giant funerals, with at least 10 bodies carried on stretchers in a mass procession in Gaza City. Children's coffins were carried next to those of their parents.
Such targeted killings are rare, and in the past, Palestinian militant groups have retaliated with intense barrages of rocket fire.
In a prime-time televised address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country would need to be patient in the coming days and that he had instructed the army "to prepare for every possible scenario of escalation," including the likelihood that this could be on multiple fronts. "Tonight I say to our enemies, every escalation by you will be answered with an overwhelming response," he said.
In anticipation of rocket fire, the Israeli military advised residents of communities within 25 miles (40 kilometers) of Gaza to stay close to designated bomb shelters. Israel's Home Front command ordered the closure of schools, beaches and highways in cities and towns in southern Israel, and limited public gatherings. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the call-up of reserves.
The Israeli military alleged that the three militants it targeted had been responsible for recent rocket fire toward Israel. It identified them as Khalil Bahtini, the Islamic Jihad commander for northern Gaza Strip; Tareq Izzeldeen, the group's intermediary between its Gaza and West Bank members; and Jehad Ghanam, the secretary of the Islamic Jihad's military council.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel's chief military spokesman, described the three militants as "a source of instability." He alleged that Izzeldeen, for instance, had been trying to establish a rocket-manufacturing operation in the West Bank.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said the 13 killed in the predawn strikes included four women and four children. That included Bahtini's wife and 4-year-old daughter and Izzeldeen's two young children. In the southern city of Rafah, Ghanam and his 62-year-old wife were killed in their home, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza.
Other uninvolved civilians who happened to live nearby were also killed. The strike on Izzeldeen's home killed three members of a family living upstairs — Jamal Khaswan, a prominent local dentist and chairman of Al-Wafaa Hospital, his wife and his 19-year-old son, Yousef, who was studying to be a dentist like his father, the rights group reported. Russian diplomats in the West Bank said Khaswan had Russian citizenship. A widely shared video showed their distraught young daughter, Miral, arriving alone at Gaza's main hospital and crying out for her father.
A simultaneous airstrike on Bahtini's home in eastern Gaza City killed two teenage sisters living in the apartment next door, the rights group said.
"Dania's blood was on her desk and bed. Eman was covered in debris," said their cousin, Ihab Adas. She said the sisters had gone to sleep shortly after Dania's fiancée left the apartment. "The girls' room was destroyed," she added.
Hagari expressed regret over the civilian casualties, but said they were impossible to avoid because Islamic Jihad operates inside residential areas.
From Israel's perspective, Hagari added, the operation was over. But he said it would react to further attacks by Islamic Jihad or any other militant group. "We have achieved our goals," he said. "Now the ball is on the other side."
The Israeli airstrikes drew condemnation from the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Egypt, which often mediates between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza. The Arab League denounced the airstrikes as "atrocious." The European Union said it was "gravely concerned." France issued a stronger statement, saying it "condemns all attacks that target civilians, and specifically those ... in which several Palestinian civilians were killed."
Palestinian militants in Gaza vowed revenge. Dawood Shahab, an Islamic Jihad official, said there would be a "unified Palestinian response" to the strikes at a time and place of the group's choosing.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that Israel will "pay the price" for the killings. "Assassinating the leaders with a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but rather more resistance," said Haniyeh.
Islamic Jihad and Hamas are both Iranian-backed groups that oppose Israel's existence and possess large arsenals of rockets and other weapons. Over the past year, the larger and more powerful Hamas has stayed mostly on the sidelines, while allowing Islamic Jihad to carry out attacks.
Islamic Jihad bombarded Israel with over 100 rockets last week after one of its senior members in the West Bank died from an 87-day hunger strike while in Israeli custody. The Israeli military responded with airstrikes and the exchange of fire ended with a fragile cease-fire.
Hagari said Israel had been planning the operation for the past week following Islamic Jihad's rocket fire but waited until Tuesday for what he said were the right conditions.
If Hamas joins the fighting, it would likely trigger an even heavier Israeli response. Two years ago, Israel and Hamas fought a brief war that killed over 250 Palestinians and 13 people in Israel.
The sudden airstrikes come at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Palestinians, particularly in the occupied West Bank, where Israel has been conducting near-daily raids for months to detain suspected Palestinian militants, including many from Islamic Jihad. Israel says the raids in the West Bank are meant to dismantle militant networks and thwart future attacks.
The Palestinians see the attacks as further entrenchment of Israel's 56-year, open-ended occupation of lands they seek for a future state. So far, 105 Palestinians, about half of them affiliated with militant groups, have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and east Jerusalem since the start of 2023, according to an Associated Press tally. At least 20 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks in Israel.
Tuesday's airstrikes recalled Israel's similar targeted attacks that killed Islamic Jihad commanders in Gaza in the summer of 2022. The surprise strikes set off a three-day blitz that led to the deaths of the militant group's two top commanders and other militants. Some two dozen Palestinian civilians — who have paid a high price over the years in Israeli attacks on Gaza — were also killed.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-05-10T04:04:13+00:00 | wboi.org | https://www.wboi.org/npr-news/2023-05-09/israeli-strikes-in-gaza-kill-15-including-3-senior-commanders-of-the-islamic-jihad |
Lithia & Driveway (LAD) Increases Revenue 11% and Reports Diluted EPS of $9.00
Published: Feb. 15, 2023 at 4:00 AM CST|Updated: 3 hours ago
Announces Dividend of $0.42 per Share for Fourth Quarter
MEDFORD, Ore., Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) today reported the highest fourth quarter revenue in company history.
Fourth quarter 2022 revenue increased 11% to $7.0 billion from $6.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Fourth quarter 2022 net income attributable to LAD per diluted share was $9.00, a 6% decrease from $9.57 per diluted share reported in the fourth quarter of 2021. Adjusted fourth quarter 2022 net income attributable to LAD per diluted share was $9.05, a 21% decrease compared to $11.39 per diluted share in the same period of 2021. Unrealized foreign currency gains positively impacted earnings per share by $0.13.
Fourth quarter 2022 net income was $250 million, a 15% decrease compared to net income of $293 million in the same period of 2021. Adjusted fourth quarter 2022 net income was $251 million, a 28% decrease compared to adjusted net income of $348 million for the same period of 2021.
As shown in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables, the 2022 fourth quarter adjusted results exclude a $0.05 per diluted share impact resulting from non-core charges, specifically non-cash unrealized investment loss, insurance reserves, and acquisition expenses, partially offset by a net gain on the sale of stores. The 2021 fourth quarter adjusted results were $1.82 per diluted share, net of non-core charges related to a non-cash unrealized investment loss, acquisition expenses, and insurance reserves, partially offset by a net gain on sale of stores.
Fourth Quarter-Over-Quarter Comparisons and 2022 Performance Highlights:
Revenues increased 11%
New and used unit growth was 5% and 9%, respectively
Total vehicle gross profit per unit of $5,691, down $1,191
Driveway averaged more than 2 million monthly unique visitors in Q4
Driveway Finance penetration rate rose to over 13% in Q4, originated over $600 million
Service, body, and parts revenues increased 18%
Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit was 62.8%
Total outstanding share count was reduced by 10%
"The Lithia & Driveway team had another great year with a solid finish in the final quarter of 2022 across all our businesses. Operational excellence is critical across our core in-store operations, growing omnichannel offerings and captive finance arm. We are nimbly adjusting to the environment and focused on achieving our 2025 Plan. Our balance sheet is well capitalized and we're executing on the growth initiatives across our segments. With the significant capital engine we have built, we are well positioned for further consolidation in our sector," said Bryan DeBoer, Lithia & Driveway, President and CEO.
Full year 2022 revenue increased 24% to a record $28.2 billion from $22.8 billion in 2021.
Full year 2022 net income attributable to LAD per diluted share increased 21% to $44.17 from $36.54 for 2021. Adjusted net income attributable to LAD per diluted share increased 11% to $44.42 from $40.03 for 2021. Unrealized foreign currency losses negatively impacted earnings per share by $0.54. Full year 2022 net income attributable to LAD increased 19% to $1.3 billion from $1.1 billion for 2021. Adjusted net income attributable to LAD increased 9% to $1.3 billion for 2022 from $1.2 billion for 2021.
As shown in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables, the 2022 adjusted results exclude a $0.25 per diluted share net non-core charge related to a non-cash unrealized investment loss, acquisition expenses, and insurance reserves, partially offset by a net gain on sale of stores. The 2021 adjusted results exclude a $3.49 per diluted share net non-core charge related to a non-cash unrealized investment loss, acquisition expenses, loss on redemption of senior notes, insurance reserves, and asset impairment.
Full Year-over-Year Operating Highlights:
Record full year revenues of $28.2 billion
Used vehicle retail sales increased 29.9%
F&I per unit increased 12.3% to $2,203
Total vehicle gross profit per unit increased 7.6% to $6,300
Driveway transactions increased by 272% to nearly 38,000
Driveway Finance scaled portfolio to over $2 billion
Corporate Development During the fourth quarter, LAD acquired a total of nine stores. These stores are expected to generate more than $560 million in annualized revenues. Notably in the quarter, we entered into two new states with Glenn's Freedom, our first store in Kentucky and expanded our footprint to Colorado, acquiring Ferrari of Denver. Finally, we added to our network in Texas, acquiring Meador Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram (CDJR), the second largest CDJR store in Dallas/Fort Worth. In the same period, we divested a total of four stores, for a combined $160 million in annualized revenues. In 2022, Lithia acquired thirty-one stores, for a total of $3.5 billion in acquired revenues, offset by thirteen sales, totaling $663 million in revenues. In 2023, Lithia acquired one store in February expected to add $50 million in annual revenues. Since announcing the 2025 Plan in July 2020, we have acquired a total of $13.9 billion in annualized revenues.
Balance Sheet Update LAD ended the fourth quarter with approximately $1.6 billion in cash and availability on our revolving lines of credit. In addition, unfinanced real estate could provide additional liquidity of approximately $0.5 billion.
Dividend Payment and Share Repurchases The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.42 per share related to fourth quarter 2022 financial results. The dividend is expected to be paid on March 24, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2023.
During Q4, we repurchased just over 174,000 shares at a weighted average price of $198. In 2022, LAD repurchased approximately 2.4 million shares at a weighted average price of approximately $276. Under the current share repurchase authorization, approximately $501 million remains available.
Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Updated Presentation The fourth quarter 2022 conference call may be accessed at 10:00 a.m. ET today by telephone at 877-407-8029. An updated presentation highlighting the fourth quarter 2022 results has been added to our investor relations website. To listen live on our website or for replay, visit investors.lithiadriveway.com and click on quarterly earnings.
About Lithia & Driveway (LAD) Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) is the premier automotive retailer in North America, offers a wide selection of vehicles across global manufacturers and provides a full suite of financing, leasing, repair, and maintenance options. Purchasing and owning a vehicle is easy and hassle-free with convenient solutions offered through our comprehensive network of locations, e-commerce platforms, and captive finance division. We deliver profitable growth through consolidating the largest retail sector in North America as we modernize the retail experience wherever, whenever and however consumers desire.
Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this presentation, and at times made by our officers and representatives, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor"provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "project," "outlook," "target," "may," "will," "would," "should," "seek," "expect," "plan," "intend," "forecast," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "likely," "goal," "strategy," "future," "maintain," and "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. Examples of forward-looking statements in this presentation include, among others, statements regarding:
Future market conditions, including anticipated car and other sales levels and the supply of inventory
Our business strategy and plans, including our 2025 Plan and related targets
The growth, expansion, make-up and success of our network, including finding accretive acquisitions and acquiring additional stores
Annualized revenues from acquired stores
The growth and performance of our Driveway e-commerce home solution and Driveway Finance Corporation ("DFC"), their synergies and other impacts on our business and our ability to meet Driveway and DFC-related targets
The impact of sustainable vehicles and other market and regulatory changes on our business
Our capital allocations and uses and levels of capital expenditures in the future
Expected operating results, such as improved store performance, continued improvement of selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of gross profit and any projections
Our anticipated financial condition and liquidity, including from our cash and the future availability of our credit facilities, unfinanced real estate and other financing sources
Our continuing to purchase shares under our share repurchase program
Our compliance with financial and restrictive covenants in our credit facilities and other debt agreements
Our programs and initiatives for employee recruitment, training, and retention
Our strategies for customer retention, growth, market position, financial results and risk management
Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements in this presentation. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimated or projected results include, without limitation:
Future national and local economic and financial conditions, including as a result of regional or global public health issues, inflation and governmental programs, and spending
The market for dealerships, including the availability of stores to us for an acceptable price
Changes in customer demand, our relationship with, and the financial and operational stability of, OEMs and other suppliers
Changes in the competitive landscape, including through technology and our ability to deliver new products, services and customer experiences and a portfolio of in-demand and available vehicles
Risks associated with our indebtedness, including available borrowing capacity, interest rates, compliance with financial covenants and ability to refinance or repay indebtedness on favorable terms
The adequacy of our cash flows and other conditions which may affect our ability to fund capital expenditures, obtain favorable financing and pay our quarterly dividend at planned levels
Disruptions to our technology network including computer systems, as well as natural events such as severe weather or man-made or other disruptions of our operating systems, facilities or equipment
Government regulations and legislation
The risks set forth throughout "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and in "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and from time to time in our other filings with the SEC.
Any forward-looking statement made by us in this presentation is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures This presentation contains non-GAAP financial measures such as adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share, adjusted SG&A as a percentage of revenue and gross profit, adjusted operating margin, adjusted operating profit as a percentage of revenue and gross profit, adjusted pre-tax margin and net profit margin, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, leveraged EBITDA and adjusted total debt. Non-GAAP measures do not have definitions under GAAP and may be defined differently by and not comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, we review any non-GAAP financial measures in connection with a review of the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. We caution you not to place undue reliance on such non-GAAP measures, but also to consider them with the most directly comparable GAAP measures. We present cash flows from operations in the attached tables, adjusted to include the change in non-trade floor plan debt to improve the visibility of cash flows related to vehicle financing. As required by SEC rules, we have reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the attachments to this release. We believe the non-GAAP financial measures we present improve the transparency of our disclosures; provide a meaningful presentation of our results from core business operations, because they exclude items not related to core business operations and other non-cash items; and improve the period-to-period comparability of our results from core business operations. These presentations should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measures.
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. | 2023-02-15T12:51:28+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2023/02/15/lithia-amp-driveway-lad-increases-revenue-11-reports-diluted-eps-900/ |
WASHINGTON — There are numerous political scandals happening in Washington right now. President Joe Biden is facing a special counsel investigation into whether he improperly stored classified documents. Former President Donald Trump is facing a similar accusation, along with former Vice President Mike Pence.
Members of Congress are also facing scandals, including Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y. He's accused of lying about his resume.
While there is a lot of scandal happening, real policy changes impacting your family appear to be few and far between for the moment.
That is, somewhat, expected because Republicans control the House of Representatives and Democrats control the Senate and the White House.
ONE-PARTY RULE
Just because Congress is poised for gridlock, that doesn't mean all legislative bodies are stuck. That’s because more and more states are experiencing one-party rule.
This term is known as a "government trifecta," when one political party controls the governor's office, the state Senate and the state House.
Right now, there are 22 states where Republicans have a trifecta. Democrats have a trifecta in 17 states.
In fact, there are only 11 states where a divided state government still exists.
More trifectas exist now than at any time in the last 30 years, according to the nonpartisan website Ballotpedia.
When one party controls a state government, more laws will likely pass.
Take, for instance, gun control. If your state is a Democratic trifecta, it's more likely that new restrictions could become law. In a Republican trifecta, that's more unlikely to happen.
Regarding abortion restrictions, in a Republican trifecta, more restrictions could take place. In a Democratic trifecta, that's unlikely.
“What’s driving this is the increasing polarization of the country,” professor Colin Moore at the University of Hawaii explains.
Moore studies trifectas and has seen firsthand the benefits – as well as the downsides – of one-party rule.
While a trifecta may mean more laws get passed in more states, Moore says it can also lead to voter apathy over time and corruption. He says Hawaii has dealt with that firsthand.
Right now, there are only eight Republicans in the Hawaii legislature compared to 68 Democrats.
“Democrats have pretty much run Hawaii since statehood,” Moore said. “What we have had here is quite a bit of corruption,” Moore said.
“We have one of the lowest voter turnouts in the nation," Moore said.
So with state legislatures across the U.S. just beginning to get their 2023 work underway, remember gridlock may not happen there— even if Washington is divided. | 2023-01-30T12:05:49+00:00 | wrtv.com | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national-politics/washington-may-be-divided-but-one-party-rule-is-common-in-most-states |
Marcus Semien Player Prop Bets: Rangers vs. Cardinals - June 7
Published: Jun. 7, 2023 at 8:25 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Marcus Semien -- with a slugging percentage of .568 in his past 10 games, including one home run -- will be in action for the Texas Rangers versus the St. Louis Cardinals, with Jack Flaherty on the mound, on June 7 at 8:05 PM ET.
In his previous game he had a one-hit showing (1-for-5) against the Cardinals.
Marcus Semien Game Info & Props vs. the Cardinals
- Game Day: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
- Game Time: 8:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Globe Life Field
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo!
- Cardinals Starter: Jack Flaherty
- TV Channel: BSSW
- Hits Prop: Over/under 0.5 hits (Over odds: -250)
- Home Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +450)
- RBI Prop: Over/under 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +170)
- Runs Prop: Over/under 0.5 runs (Over odds: -115)
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Read More About This Game
Marcus Semien At The Plate
- Semien has an OPS of .876, fueled by an OBP of .372 to go with a slugging percentage of .504. All three of those stats lead Texas hitters this season.
- Among qualifying hitters in MLB action, he ranks 13th in batting average, 20th in on-base percentage, and 23rd in slugging.
- Semien will look to extend his 25-game hitting streak. He's batting .391 with one homer over the course of his last outings.
- In 83.3% of his 60 games this season, Semien has picked up at least one hit. He's also had 21 multi-hit games.
- He has homered in 15.0% of his games in 2023 (nine of 60), and 3.2% of his trips to the dish.
- In 32 games this year (53.3%), Semien has picked up an RBI, and in 12 of those games (20.0%) he had two or more. He has also driven in three or more of his team's runs in five contests.
- He has scored in 39 games this year (65.0%), including multiple runs in 11 games.
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Marcus Semien Home/Away Batting Splits
Cardinals Pitching Rankings
- The Cardinals pitching staff is 16th in MLB with a collective 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
- The Cardinals have the 16th-ranked team ERA among all MLB pitching staffs (4.26).
- Cardinals pitchers combine to allow the ninth-fewest home runs in baseball (63 total, one per game).
- The Cardinals will send Flaherty (3-4) out for his 13th start of the season. He is 3-4 with a 4.55 ERA and 64 strikeouts through 63 1/3 innings pitched.
- The righty last pitched on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run while giving up six hits.
- The 27-year-old ranks 58th in ERA (4.55), 66th in WHIP (1.516), and 32nd in K/9 (9.1) among qualifying pitchers in MLB action this season.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-07T14:47:14+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/sports/betting/2023/06/07/marcus-semien-mlb-player-prop-bets/ |
Nikiesha Barnett had knee surgery in 2006 and took unpaid leave from her job as a Georgia hospital coordinator while she was recovering. When Barnett wasn’t able to keep up with the payments for the surgery, she ended up owing about $4,500.
That debt lingered for almost 14 years until one day in 2020, she received a letter from a nonprofit telling her the debt had been relieved. RIP Medical Debt, a national nonprofit, had bought her debt and forgiven it.
Barrett says when she was in debt, she felt too guilty about what she owed to go to the doctor. Now that concern has been wiped away.
Barnett is one of the millions of Americans who’ve had medical debt paid by nonprofits that receive increased support from a wide variety of grantmakers and donors, including MacKenzie Scott. Scott gave RIP Medical Debt $30 million in November after awarding the organization $50 million in 2020.
That support has fueled RIP Medical Debt’s far-reaching debt relief. The nonprofit has cleared more than $7 billion of debt since it was founded in 2014 and helped more than 4 million families.
As nonprofits have expanded their efforts, they’re taking a dual approach — paying off debt and pushing for legislative change to prevent or alleviate that debt, such as by expanding Medicaid eligibility.
More than half of adults in the United States have gone into debt because of medical or dental bills in the past five years, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Black and Hispanic adults are disproportionately burdened by medical debt. States in the South also see higher rates of medical debt.
RIP Medical Debt has gained support from other sources beyond Scott. Individual donors, corporations, and grantmakers provided $17.3 million last year, about 8% more than its previous best fundraising year.
Dollar For, a national nonprofit that helps patients get financial assistance from hospitals, increased its budget from $350,000 last year to more than $1 million this year. One big grant came from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, which is giving the nonprofit $300,000 total over three years.
Nonprofits that help with medical debt at the local and state levels also have received a boost in giving. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation gave $2.4 million to Community Catalyst, a health policy nonprofit that gives aid to small groups that work with hospitals on their financial policies and advocate for new policies.
Also, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has made grants to groups addressing medical debt such as the Tennessee Justice Center over the past five years. It contributed about $1.7 million to organizations dealing with debt in 2019. At least $356,200 of that was directed to medical debt.
More foundations and people are giving for various reasons. Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, says the COVID-19 pandemic helped more people become aware of the urgency of the issue and inspired donors to give more.
Allison Sesso, executive director of RIP Medical Debt, adds that some of the increase in funding is because donors want to see immediate help for those with debt.
“There’s a lot of frustration with our elected officials in terms of them moving and solving issues, and we give an opportunity for people to have relief right now,” Sesso says.
Two former debt collection executives, Jerry Ashton and Craig Antico, founded RIP Medical Debt in 2014. The organization buys the medical debt of low income people in bulk from hospitals and debt collectors at a reduced cost.
RIP Medical Debt used the initial grant from Scott to bolster cybersecurity to protect the health and financial data it collects and improve software that combs through hospital data to identify groups of people eligible for debt relief. It has also used the funding to pay local organizations to help RIP Medical Debt connect with new hospitals to build new partnerships and purchase their debt.
There are limitations to RIP Medical Debt’s original approach, as it helps people after they have gone into debt. The nonprofit has increasingly backed efforts to change policy as well. It recently supported a ballot proposal in Arizona to limit interest rates charged for medical debt and actions against debtors, which voters approved in November.
But Sesso says the systemic solutions that would prevent debt aren’t coming soon enough to negate the nonprofit’s debt relief work.
Meanwhile, Dollar For, which started in 2012, has helped relieve more than $20 million of debt. It does so by helping people access charity care, which nonprofit hospitals are required to provide to low-income patients. In some cases, charity care pays all of a patient’s expenses; in others, it covers a portion. Many eligible patients aren’t aware they can access charity care, and nonprofit hospitals have been criticized for seeking payments from low income people who qualify for financial assistance.
An increase in individual donors and grants since 2021 brought the nonprofit’s budget to more than $1 million in 2022. That increase allowed Walker, the organization’s sole employee, to bring on six additional staff members.
For the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Dollar For has a promising approach to give immediate help to people facing medical debt. While debt forgiveness and advocacy are important, the foundation’s CEO Jim Bildner and managing director Oliver Rothschild say that those approaches have drawbacks. The former comes after people have suffered from medical debt, and the latter can take years to result in change.
“The organizations we see making the greatest difference in the lives of others are those that have identified existing legislation that should be helping folks in real time, and in this case, with their medical debt,” Bildner says.
While groups combating medical debt have seen an influx of funding, most national philanthropies haven’t put an emphasis on the issue, says June Glover, a senior program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“This issue of medical debt will start to come to the forefront again as more states broaden coverage and more Americans are covered, because that’s like the upstream intervention,” she says.
In addition, across the South, the Annie E. Casey Foundation leads the Southern Partnership to Reduce Debt initiative, which funds organizations that reduce different types of debt. One of its grantees, the Tennessee Justice Center, helped eliminate $420,488 in medical debt for eight people in 2021. The center also trains health care providers and other nonprofits as they work to increase the number of people enrolled in Medicaid.
Other local nonprofits are helping reduce the consequences of medical debt by pressing for policy changes. Economic Action Maryland, formerly known as the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, also advocated for several new state laws in the past two years.
The Maryland nonprofit is also raising money to replenish its Medical Debt Freedom Fund, which pays off up to $1,000 in medical debt for people in the state. Since 2020, the fund has distributed about $15,000.
But even if it raises more to distribute, that won’t help enough people, says Marceline White, the nonprofit’s executive director. However, she says, “if you pass laws, you’re able to help hundreds of thousands of people across the state.”
_____
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Kay Dervishi is a staff writer at the Chronicle. Email: kay.dervishi@philanthropy.com The AP and the Chronicle receive support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. The AP and the Chronicle are solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. | 2022-12-22T21:03:02+00:00 | fox44news.com | https://www.fox44news.com/news/business-news/ap-how-nonprofits-help-millions-tackle-their-medical-debt/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – As of Saturday morning, Arlene is struggling to maintain organization as it fights dry air and wind shear. As of 5 a.m., Arlene has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The storm is moving south-southeast at 9 mph.
It is expected to dissipate completely as it moves toward Cuba and the Florida Straits through the weekend.
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While Central Florida won’t be directly impacted, it is supplying the peninsula with tropical moisture to aid in thunderstorm development.
There is no additional tropical development expected in the Atlantic basin over the next seven days.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | 2023-06-03T12:02:23+00:00 | clickorlando.com | https://www.clickorlando.com/weather/2023/06/03/arlene-expected-to-weaken-as-it-moves-into-florida-straights/ |
Despite a massive marketing campaign, Pew research found just 16% of Americans have invested in or used cryptocurrency. Leila Fadel asks Blockchain Foundation's Cleve Mesidor why?
Copyright 2022 NPR
Despite a massive marketing campaign, Pew research found just 16% of Americans have invested in or used cryptocurrency. Leila Fadel asks Blockchain Foundation's Cleve Mesidor why?
Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-08-30T10:15:19+00:00 | delawarepublic.org | https://www.delawarepublic.org/2022-08-30/why-americans-havent-been-convinced-on-cryptocurrency |
The Yale Bulldogs head to Boulder, Colo., unranked, so that could be a problem for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Colorado (3-3) has shined against ranked opponents, beating Texas A&M and Tennessee — who beat No. 3 Kansas on Friday — but has lost to Grambling, Boise State and UMass.
The Buffaloes will try to reverse that trend when they host Yale (6-0) on Sunday afternoon.
Colorado is coming off a 68-55 loss to Boise State in the fifth-place game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational on Nov. 20. The Buffaloes were without J’Vonne Hadley for the second straight game and Tristan da Silva didn’t play in the second half due to a migraine.
“When he’s out and J’Vonne Hadley is out, we’re pretty exposed in that front line,” Colorado head coach Tad Boyle said.
The Buffaloes have played just one home game so getting back to a familiar court might help their consistency.
“We keep going back and forth — win loss, win loss,” Nique Clifford said. “We’ve just got to get back to the drawing board when we get back. Practice hard and just figure out what we’re doing wrong. We’ve got to play harder as a team.”
The Bulldogs have rolled through their early schedule, winning the Outrigger Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, which included a 62-59 overtime win over Hawaii.
They’ve won every other game by double digits, the latest a 73-44 victory over Vermont on Tuesday. Yale trailed at halftime, which was just the second time it had all season.
“I have a really good staff, and everyone made great suggestions to the team (at halftime) on what we needed to do to be better,” coach James Jones said.
The Bulldogs will see a familiar face Sunday. Jalen Gabbidon, who played for Yale the past three seasons, transferred to Colorado for his final year of eligibility. Gabbidon is averaging 8.8 points this season.
–Field Level Media | 2022-11-27T04:45:41+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/scoreboard/up-and-down-colorado-tries-to-hand-yale-first-loss/ |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge says Tennessee's first-in-the-nation law designed to place strict limits on drag shows is unconstitutional.
In a 70-page ruling handed down late Friday night, U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker wrote that the law was both “unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad." He also added that the statute encouraged “discriminatory enforcement.”
“There is no question that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment. But there is a difference between material that is ‘obscene’ in the vernacular, and material that is ‘obscene’ under the law,” stated Parker, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump. “Simply put, no majority of the Supreme Court has held that sexually explicit — but not obscene — speech receives less protection than political, artistic, or scientific speech.”
The Memphis-based Friends of George's filed the complaint in March, saying the law would negatively impact them because they produce "drag-centric performances, comedy sketches, and plays" with no age restrictions.
Initially, the complaint listed Republican Gov. Bill Lee, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Shelby County District Attorney General Steven Mulroy as defendants, but the plaintiffs later agreed to dismiss the governor and top legal chief — though Skrmetti continued to represent Mulroy for this case.
A spokesperson for both Skrmetti and Mulroy did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Parker’s ruling.
Tennessee's Republican-dominated Legislature advanced the anti-drag law earlier this year, with several GOP members pointing to drag performances in their hometowns as reasons why it was necessary to restrict such performances from taking place in public or where children could view them.
Yet the actual word “drag” doesn't appear in the statute. Instead lawmakers changed the definition of adult cabaret in Tennessee to mean “adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors.” Furthermore, “male or female impersonators” were classified as a form of adult cabaret, akin to strippers and topless, go-go and exotic dancers.
The law would have banned adult cabaret performances from public property or anywhere minors might be present. Performers who broke the law risked being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony for a repeat offense.
Lee quickly signed off on the statute and it was set to take effect April 1. However, to date, the law has never been enforced because Parker sided with the group that filed the lawsuit challenging the statute in March and temporarily blocked the law.
“The word ‘drag’ never appears in the text of the (law). But the Court cannot escape that ‘drag’ was the one common thread in all three specific examples of conduct that was considered ‘harmful to minors,’ in the legislative transcript,” Parker wrote.
Parker used an example of a female performer who wore an Elvis Presley costume and mimicked iconic musician could be at risk of punishment under the drag law because they would be considered a “male impersonator."
According to the complaint, Republican state Rep. Chris Todd and Republican state Sen. Ed Jackson helped lead an effort last year to block a drag show at a park in Jackson, west of Nashville, as part of a Pride festival. Todd later confirmed that he had not seen the performance, but nevertheless pursued legal action to stop the show. Organizers eventually reached a settlement to hold the event indoors with an age restriction.
That incident, along with other Republican lawmakers citing their objections to drag shows in their hometowns, were used as examples by Parker as reasons that the anti-drag law was “geared towards placing prospective blocks on drag shows—regardless of their potential harm to minors.”
“Whether some of us may like it or not, the Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment as protecting speech that is indecent but not obscene,” the judge wrote.
The Tennessee drag law marks the second major proposal targeting LGBTQ+ people passed by state lawmakers this year. Lee signed into law GOP-backed legislation banning most gender-affirming care, which is being challenged in court.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP | 2023-06-03T14:42:14+00:00 | springfieldnewssun.com | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/trump-appointed-federal-judge-rejects-tennessees-anti-drag-law-as-too-broad-too-vague/JW4IW5GFG5BDFCVD3GY65J4YUE/ |
What UNC basketball’s Hubert Davis said about Tar Heels’ highs and lows
CHAPEL HILL — Entering his third season as the head coach of North Carolina basketball, Hubert Davis has seen the Tar Heels thrive and take a dive.
Following a run to the 2022 national championship game, UNC started last season as the top-ranked team in the nation before missing the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Plagued by poor outside shooting, stagnant ball movement and an inability to consistently win close games, the Tar Heels finished 20-13 with their season coming to close in a loss to Virginia at the ACC Tournament.
“We were disappointed. Going into last year, we had hopes and expectations and dreams of what we could become. At the end of the day, for a number of reasons, we just didn’t reach our full potential,” Davis said Thursday in a summer press conference at the Dean E. Smith Center.
WHO WILL START FOR UNC?:Predicting UNC basketball’s starting lineup for 2023-24 season opener
HUBERT'S TAKE:What UNC basketball’s Hubert Davis said about Tar Heels’ 4 transfers, incoming freshman
“From that standpoint, that was disappointing. But also – you talk about learning – my time here (as a player and assistant coach) at Carolina … there were rainy and windy days. There were some hard times and the feeling that I have about this place is not just about the sunny days, it’s also about the perseverance through the rainy and windy days.
“It’s a great opportunity to grow, it’s a great opportunity to learn. I feel like we’re all in a great position to get better from last year, to improve upon that, and have the type of season that we want and hope for.”
Following that season-ending loss at Greensboro Coliseum, the Tar Heels hit the reset button as five players entered the transfer portal and four others from the portal picked UNC.
Harrison Ingram (Stanford), Cormac Ryan (Notre Dame), Jae’Lyn Withers (Louisville) and Paxson Wojcik (Brown) arrived in Chapel Hill as transfers. West Virginia’s James Okonkwo has committed to the Tar Heels but has yet to sign and officially join the team.
Zayden High and Elliot Cadeau are UNC’s incoming freshmen. So far, Davis is pleased with what he’s seen from the retooled roster, led by veterans RJ Davis and Armando Bacot.
“Being here the latter part of July, it’s exactly where I wanted to be,” he said. “Personally, for me, I’m just in a great spot. For the team, we’re in a great spot. I like the makeup of this team and I’m happy where we are right now.”
Now that the Tar Heels have shared some time on the floor with each other in the summer, Davis feels this group is capable of improving on the shortcomings that hindered last season’s squad.
“There’s a number of things that we needed to address and get better from last year. I thought last year, we weren’t a very good outside shooting team. There’s 15 teams in the ACC and we were 15th in 3-point shooting percentage,” Davis said.
“I think the team that we have now, I think we’re a better shooting team. I didn’t think last year we were very good in terms of ball movement and sharing the basketball. Out of 15 teams in the ACC, we were 14th in team assists.
"I feel like we have multiple playmakers now that can not only make plays for themselves, but can also make plays for their teammates. I really like the mix and the combinations of this team. I know it’s really early, but there’s a lot of versatility. That’s something that I’m really excited about.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter. | 2023-07-20T21:06:33+00:00 | fayobserver.com | https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/acc/2023/07/20/unc-basketball-hubert-davis-tar-heels/70414363007/ |
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Biden administration declared the northern long-eared bat endangered on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to save a species driven to the brink of extinction by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease.
“White-nose syndrome is decimating cave-dwelling bat species like the northern long-eared bat at unprecedented rates,” said Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The agency is “deeply committed to working with partners on a balanced approach that reduces the impacts of disease and protects the survivors to recover northern long-eared bat populations,” she said.
First documented in the U.S. in 2006, the disease has infected 12 types of bats and killed millions. The northern long-eared bat is among the hardest hit, with estimated declines of 97% or higher in affected populations. The bat is found in 37 eastern and north-central states, plus Washington, D.C., and much of Canada.
Named for white, fuzzy spots that appear on infected bats, white-nose syndrome attacks bats’ wings, muzzles and ears when they hibernate in caves and abandoned mines.
It causes them to wake early from hibernation and to sometimes fly outside. They can burn up their winter fat stores and eventually starve.
The disease has spread across nearly 80% of the geographical range where northern long-eared bats live and is expected to cover it all by 2025.
Another species ravaged by the fungus is the tricolored bat, which the government proposed to classify as endangered in September. A third, the little brown bat, is being evaluated for a potential listing.
Bats are believed to give U.S. agriculture an annual boost of $3 billion by gobbling pests and pollinating some plants.
The Fish and Wildlife Service designated the northern long-eared bat as threatened in 2015. With its situation increasingly dire, the agency proposed an endangered listing in March and considered public comments before deciding to proceed. The reclassification takes effect Jan. 30, 2023.
“This species is in dire straits but we never want to give up hope,” said Winifred Frick, chief scientist with Bat Conservation International, a nonprofit group. “We can do amazing things when we work hard and have legal protections in place to protect these small colonies that are left.”
In many cases, the service identifies “critical habitat” areas considered particularly important for the survival of an endangered species. Officials decided against doing so for the northern long-eared bat because habitat loss isn’t the primary reason for its decline, spokeswoman Georgia Parham said. Calling attention to their winter hibernation spots could make things worse, she added.
Recovery efforts will focus on wooded areas where the bats roost in summer — usually alone or in small groups, nestling beneath bark or in tree cavities and crevices. Emerging at dusk, they feed on moths, beetles and other insects.
Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies are required to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to be sure projects that they fund or authorize — such as timber harvests, prescribed fires and highway construction — will not jeopardize a listed species’ existence.
For nonfederal landowners, actions that could result in unintentional kills could be allowed but will require permits.
The Fish and Wildlife Service said that it will also work with wind energy companies to reduce the likelihood that bats will strike turbines. These collisions are currently a threat in roughly half of the northern long-eared bat’s range, an area likely to grow as wind energy development expands.
The service has approved nearly two dozen plans allowing wind energy and forestry projects to proceed after steps were taken to make them more bat-friendly, said Karen Herrington, Midwest regional coordinator for threatened and endangered species.
Operators can limit the danger by curtailing blade rotation during bats’ migration season and when winds are low.
Research continues for methods to fight white-nose syndrome, including development of a vaccine. The service has distributed more than $46 million for the campaign, which involves around 150 agencies, private organizations and Native American tribes.
“We have to find a cure for white-nose syndrome that is killing our bats and we have to protect the forests where they live,” said Ryan Shannon, senior attorney with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity. “This endangered listing will help on both counts.” | 2022-11-29T22:50:27+00:00 | keloland.com | https://www.keloland.com/news/national-world-news/us-bat-species-devastated-by-fungus-now-listed-as-endangered/ |
A former police detective in Louisville, Ky., pleaded guilty to federal charges Tuesday in connection with the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor in March 2020.
Copyright 2022 NPR
A former police detective in Louisville, Ky., pleaded guilty to federal charges Tuesday in connection with the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor in March 2020.
Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-08-23T22:00:46+00:00 | mainepublic.org | https://www.mainepublic.org/2022-08-23/ex-cop-pleads-guilty-to-falsifying-warrant-in-deadly-raid-on-breonna-taylors-home |
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Sierra Vista Police Department is asking the public to help it identify a woman killed in a recent car crash.
Public Information Officer Tim Wachtel confirms a collision on Sunday near the intersection of Highway 92 and East Snyder Boulevard left a person dead.
He says police learned the victim was "walking southbound on the multi-use path along Highway 92" toward Snyder Boulevard when two cars hit her.
However, investigators are struggling to identify the woman. They describe her as:
- 5'7" tall
- Blue eyes
- Gray and light brown hair
- Wearing green pocket t-shirt
- Levi Strauss blue jeans
- No shoes or jewelry
- No teeth or dentures
These Elle brand glasses are the only other clue they have to identify her.
Anyone with information about the woman's identity should contact Detective John Andela at (520) 452-7500.
——-
Caleb Fernández is a digital content producer for KGUN 9. After earning his bachelor's degree from Penn State in Advertising/Public Relations, Caleb went to New York where he learned production assistance, photography and art direction. Share your story ideas and important issues with Caleb by emailing caleb.fernandez@kgun9.com or by connecting on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. | 2022-10-26T20:10:46+00:00 | kgun9.com | https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/sierra-vista-police-need-publics-help-identifying-woman-killed-in-car-crash |
Net Income was $86.2 million, Earnings per Diluted Share was $1.65
ERIE, Pa., April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) today announced financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2023. Net income was $86.2 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $68.6 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2022.
Operating income before taxes increased $26.2 million, or 31.1 percent, in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022.
- Management fee revenue - policy issuance and renewal services increased $70.1 million, or 14.4 percent, in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022.
- Management fee revenue - administrative services increased $0.9 million, or 6.1 percent, in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022.
- Cost of operations - policy issuance and renewal services
Loss from investments before taxes totaled $4.7 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to income from investments before taxes of $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2022. Net investment income was $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $10.5 million in the same period of 2022. Included in net investment income is $10.8 million of limited partnership losses in the first quarter of 2023 compared to earnings of $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2022. Net realized and unrealized losses on investments were $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2023 compared to $7.3 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Webcast Information
Indemnity has scheduled a pre-recorded audio broadcast on the Web for 10:00 AM ET on April 28, 2023. Investors may access the pre-recorded audio broadcast by logging on to www.erieinsurance.com.
Erie Insurance Group
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia.
News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ, perhaps materially, from those discussed herein. Forward-looking statements relate to future trends, events or results and include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources. Examples of forward-looking statements are discussions relating to premium and investment income, expenses, operating results, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties, in addition to those set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results and future events to differ from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements include the following:
- dependence upon our relationship with the Erie Insurance Exchange ("Exchange") and the management fee under the agreement with the subscribers at the Exchange;
- dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the growth of the Exchange, including:
- dependence upon our relationship with the Exchange and the financial condition of the Exchange, including:
- costs of providing policy issuance and renewal services to the Exchange under the subscriber's agreement;
- ability to attract and retain talented management and employees;
- ability to ensure system availability and effectively manage technology initiatives;
- difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyber attacks;
- ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations;
- outcome of pending and potential litigation;
- factors affecting the quality and liquidity of our investment portfolio; and
- our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital.
A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects our analysis only as of that date. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.
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SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company | 2023-04-27T20:28:05+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2023/04/27/erie-indemnity-reports-first-quarter-2023-results/ |
Adams Fork Energy plant to be the largest clean ammonia facility in U.S and an anchor project in ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub application
MINGO COUNTY, W.Va., April 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A multi-billion-dollar clean ammonia production facility is advancing in Mingo County, WV, with anticipated construction beginning in 2024, Adams Fork Energy, LLC, CNX Resources Corp. (NYSE: CNX), and other partners announced today.
The Adams Fork Energy clean ammonia project, jointly developed by Adams Fork Energy, LLC and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, is expected to have initial annual ammonia production capacity of 2,160,000 metric tons, with optional additional production capacity. Project developers have entered into a strategic partnership with CNX, one of the lowest carbon intensive natural gas producers in the lowest emissions basin in the United States, to provide fuel and carbon sequestration services.
The project is expected to support 2,000 well-paying construction jobs, including pipefitters and electrical workers, as well as generate significant tax revenues and capital investment for underserved Mingo County in Southern West Virginia. The planned facility is also located on a reclaimed coal mining site near Gilbert Creek, WV, further aligning the project with the White House's Justice40 Initiative.
Adams Fork is an anchor project in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub's (ARCH2) application to the U.S. Department of Energy. ARCH2 is a regional hub bringing together private industry, state and local government, academic and technology institutions, NGOs, and community organizations across the Northern Appalachian region including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. The region is the ideal location for a clean hydrogen hub due to its unique access to ample low-cost natural gas feedstock, end-user demand, workforce and technology capability, and carbon sequestration potential.
"The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to deliver for West Virginia. Today's announcement of plans for a clean ammonia production facility in Mingo County will help ensure the Mountain State continues to be a leader in American energy innovation and support good paying, West Virginia energy jobs. This project, planned for a reclaimed coal mining site near Gilbert Creek, honors our legacy as America's energy powerhouse while keeping an eye on the future as we work to bring an Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub to West Virginia. I applaud the cooperation it took to bring this project to Mingo County and look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to the community, economy, and our energy security," said Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV).
"Since I've been Governor, it has been my top priority to ensure Southern West Virginia has the resources to grow economically, and that is why this announcement brings me so much joy," West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said. "I'm incredibly proud that the Adams Fork Energy plant will become the largest clean ammonia facility in the country. I'm confident they will be a champion in this emerging field and help our Southern West Virginia communities flourish for decades to come. It's a testament to the great things that can be accomplished when we all work together to build a brighter future for all West Virginians, while never forgetting our hard-working coal miners and the hard work they do every day."
Adams Fork has received significant federal, state, and local bipartisan support, and is expected to displace more than 2.7 million metric tons per year of CO2 equivalent or more than 580,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven annually.
"Adams Fork Energy is a transformational manufacturing investment for Southern West Virginia," said Francis Sacr, Special Advisor to the President of Adams Fork Energy. "Thanks to leadership in Washington through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we're excited to advance our clean ammonia production facility that will create family-sustaining local jobs while boosting available supply of clean ammonia, a critical component to sustainable food production and achieving a lower-carbon energy future."
By sourcing local low carbon intensity Appalachian natural gas as feedstock and installing carbon capture technology, Adams Fork Energy will have an ultra-low carbon intensity profile.
CNX President and CEO Nick Deiuliis said, "This project is accelerating America's lower carbon energy and manufacturing future in the heart of Appalachia. Similar to our other regional projects, CNX's unique combination of assets, innovative technologies, and proven operational expertise make us the premier energy and tech company driving the Basin's lower emission future. We're excited to work alongside these like-minded partners to advance shared goals of improving lives in local communities, generating clean, Appalachian-sourced energy, all while forging a stronger, more sustainable Appalachian region for all its citizens."
Ammonia has been identified as one of the most efficient hydrogen carriers and also results in zero carbon emissions when combusted. It is primarily used in agriculture as a fertilizer, but other applications include heating and power generation, refrigerant, water purification, and in manufacturing plastics, textiles, and pesticides.
President Anthony Reider of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe stated, "The advancement of this project benefits the tribe economically, and the use of innovative technology presents a viable source of domestic energy independence for the United States. The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe is excited about this project and is confident that it will be a huge component of the clean energy economy. Our participation will present unique opportunities for federal funding for the project and the Tribe will benefit from educational opportunities afforded by the project's sponsors to our Tribal members."
With a business model covering the full value chain, progressing toward solutions to support decarbonization efforts, Haldor Topsoe will furnish clean ammonia production technology for the state-of-the-art Adams Fork facility.
Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, the Americas, for Haldor Topsoe Inc. said, "We are excited that TransGas has selected Topsoe's industry leading SynCOR™ clean ammonia technology for this mega scale blue ammonia plant in West Virginia. This project will be an important part of the energy transition with a CO2 capture of more than 99%. The plant will produce 6,000 Metric tons per day of decarbonized clean ammonia in the first phase."
About Adams Fork Energy
Adams Fork Energy, LLC was founded in 2010 to convert stranded American fossil fuels into useable chemicals. To that end, in 2010, Adams Fork Energy received a Minor Source Permit from the State of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for the conversion of 7500 tons of coal into 18,000 barrels per day of sulfur free, high-octane gasoline. Shortly thereafter, two similar permits were obtained from the State of Kentucky's Department of Environmental Protection. In 2022, Adams Fork Energy partnered with the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe to develop these projects. The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe has been a leader of all Native American Tribes in helping to ensure American energy security as well as keeping our air and water clean and pristine.
About Haldor Topsoe
Haldor Topsoe, founded in 1940 and based in Lyngby, Denmark, is the world's leading licensor of Ammonia, Hydrogen, and renewable fuels technologies.
About CNX Resources
CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX) is unique. We are a premier, ultra-low carbon intensive natural gas development, production, midstream, and technology company centered in Appalachia, one of the most energy abundant regions in the world. With the benefit of a 159-year regional legacy, substantial asset base, leading core operational competencies, technology development and innovation, and astute capital allocation methodologies, we responsibly develop our resources and deploy free cash flow to create long-term per share value for our shareholders, employees, and the communities where we operate.
As of December 31, 2022, CNX had 9.81 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor's Midcap 400 Index. Additional information is available at www.cnx.com.
Cautionary Statements
We are including the following cautionary statement in this press release to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any other protections afforded under applicable federal securities laws for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of us.
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements (as defined in 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. These forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income, and capital spending. When we use the words "believe," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "estimate," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," or their negatives, or other similar expressions, the statements which include those words are usually forward-looking statements. When we describe a strategy that involves risks or uncertainties, we are making forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Specific factors that could cause future actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements are described in detail under the captions "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Those risk factors discuss, among other matters, pricing volatility or pricing decline for natural gas and natural gas liquids; local, regional and national economic conditions and the impact those conditions may have on our customers; the impact of events beyond our control, including a global or domestic health crisis; dependence on gathering, processing and transportation facilities and other midstream facilities owned by others; conditions in the oil and gas industry; our current long-term debt obligations and the terms of the agreements that govern that debt; strategic determinations, including the allocation of capital and other resources to strategic opportunities; cyber-incidents targeting our systems, oil and natural gas industry systems and infrastructure, or the systems of our third-party service providers; and changes in safety, health, environmental and other regulations.
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SOURCE CNX Resources Corporation; Adams Fork Energy, LLC; Haldor Topsoe | 2023-04-03T11:21:44+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/prnewswire/2023/04/03/multi-billion-dollar-clean-ammonia-manufacturing-investment-advancing-southern-wv/ |
'Horrific' explosion injures at least 8 at Chicago apartment
CHICAGO - At least eight people were injured during an explosion at an apartment Tuesday morning in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side.
Ten ambulances were sent to the building, located at Washington Boulevard and West End Avenue, around 9 a.m., fire officials said.
All of the victims were assumed to be adults, according to fire department spokesman Larry Langford.
- Two men were taken to Loyola University Medical Center, one serious to critical and the other fair to serious, fire officials said.
- A man was taken in serious to critical condition to Mount Sinai Medical Center. A man and a woman were also taken there, both fair to serious.
- A woman was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in fair to serious condition.
- Two men were later transported to Stroger Hospital, one in fair to serious condition and the other in serious to critical condition.
Firefighters are still searching for additional people who may be trapped inside the structure.
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The cause of the explosion is currently unknown, per CFD.
"No one knows what the heck caused it," Langford told the Sun-Times.
David Schwartz, a spokesman with Peoples Gas, said their crews are at the scene but that they don't believe gas was the cause of the explosion.
"The cause of the incident is unknown, but there is no reason at this point to believe the cause is related to gas or any of our equipment. There is no smell of gas in the air or anything like that – our crews on the ground and CFD confirmed that," Schwartz said.
However, nearby resident Ashunda Harris said she could smell natural gas after the explosion.
The force of the explosion blew her door open and shook her building. Harris said the first thing she thought of was potential fatalities.
"God, let there be survivors," Harris said. "Let them be at work. Let the children be at school. [Let] no one be home. When I walked up it was nothing but clouds, what was going on with the foundation collapsing. So my mind just went to please let no one be home right now."
Images and video shared by the Chicago Fire Department showed debris on top of cars and part of the top floor of an apartment complex blown away.
"I've heard trains collide. I've heard trucks hit the viaduct, so I know sounds and I've been here 20-plus years, so I knew it was something horrific happening," Harris said.
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the CPD bomb unit are assisting with the investigation at the scene.
The apartment building has failed 17 inspections since 2005, according to city records.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report. | 2022-09-20T18:30:03+00:00 | fox6now.com | https://www.fox6now.com/news/chicago-building-explosion-injuries |
HOUSTON, March 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SEG Solar (SEG) announced that it has closed on the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, USA, capable of producing more than 2GW of photovoltaic (PV) modules annually.
The plant consists of approximately 145,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space and 16,000 square feet of office space. The facility will be equipped with three state-of-the-art production lines that will allow SEG to produce both TOPCON and high-efficiency N type PV modules with 182mm or 210mm solar cells. SEG intends to source some components for the modules produced at the factory from local suppliers. Production at the facility is expected to begin in Q1 2024.
SEG's aggregate total investment in the facility is expected to reach over 60 million US dollars including equipment and facility improvements. SEG will begin to move its global headquarters and administrative support functions to the facility before the end of 2023. The plant is expected to create as many as 500 new jobs in the local Houston area.
"SEG is excited to establish a manufacturing base in Texas and is looking forward to serving the US market with more domestic production," said SEG's Vice President and CLO Michael Eden. "This facility will help to sustain low carbon, eco centric energy independence in the US for future generations. "
Founded in 2016, SEG is committed to providing cost-effective and reliable solar energy solutions in the US market. By the end of 2024, SEG is expected to ship more than 2GW of PV modules annually.
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SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road | 2023-03-20T03:10:52+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2023/03/20/xinhua-silk-road-seg-solar-completes-acquisition-2gw-pv-module-manufacturing-facility-houston-texas/ |
NEW YORK, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
If you own shares in any of the companies listed above and would like to discuss our investigations or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
Weiss Law
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 682-3025
(888) 593-4771
stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIVO)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIVO), in connection with the proposed acquisition of VIVO by SD Biosensor, Inc. ("SDB") and SJL Partners LLC ("SJL"). Under the merger agreement, VIVO shareholders will receive $34.00 in cash for each share of VIVO stock owned, leaving SDB owning approximately 60% and SJL owning approximately 40% of Meridian. If you own VIVO shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/vivo
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX)
Weiss Law, a national shareholders' rights law firm, is investigating possible false and misleading statements, accounting and reporting practices and breaches of fiduciary duty and violations of the federal securities laws by the Board of Directors and certain Company officers of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) concerning NFLX growth and customer retention, leading to a significant stock price drop after NFLX revealed in April that it had lost more than 200,000 subscribers. If you own NFLX shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/nflx
VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), in connection with the proposed acquisition of VMW by Broadcom Inc. ("Broadcom"). Under the terms of the merger agreement, VMW shareholders will receive $142.50 in cash or 0.2520 shares of Broadcom common stock for each VMW share owned, representing implied per-share merger consideration of approximately $129.30 based upon Broadcom's July 25, 2022 closing price of $513.11. If you own VMW shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/vmw
CareMax, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMAX)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of CareMax, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMAX), in connection with the proposed transaction with Steward Health Care System ("Steward"). Upon completion of the transaction, CMAX will pay $25 million in cash and issue 23.5 million shares of CMAX's Class A common stock to the equity holders of Steward. If you own CMAX shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/cmax
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SOURCE Weiss Law | 2022-07-26T22:01:55+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/shareholder-alert-weiss-law-reminds-vivo-nflx-vmw-cmax-shareholders-about-its-ongoing-investigations/ |
EST/THOMPSON, C.
Published 7:18 pm Sunday, April 16, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF MOWER
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
Estate of Cheryl S. Thompson, Decedent
Court File No. 50-PR-23-619
NOTICE AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR DESCENT OF PROPERTY
A Petition for Determination of Decent has been filed with this Court. The Petition represents that the Decedent died more than three years ago, leaving property in Minnesota and requests the probate of Decedent’s last Will (if any), and the descent of such property be determined and assigned by this Court to the persons entitled to the property.
Any objections to the Petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper, and no objections are filed or raised, the Petition may be granted.
IT IS ORDERED and Notice is further given, that the Petition will be heard, via zoom on July 7, 2023, at 2:30 PM, by this Court at Mower County Justice Center, Austin, Minnesota. See notice of remote hearing.
1. Notice shall be given to all interested persons (MINN. STAT. § 524.1-401) and persons who have filed a demand for notice pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-204.
2. Notice shall be given by publishing this Notice and Order as provided by law and by: Mailing a copy of ths Notice and Order at least 14 days prior to the hearing date.
BY THE COURT
/s/Kevin Siefken
Judge of District Court
/s/Kristine M. Bartness
Court Administrator
Attorney for Petitioner
Marty G. Helle
Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLP
807 West Oakland Avenue
Austin, MN, 55912
Attorney License No: 0307476
Phone: (507)433-3483
FAX: (507)433-7889
mhelle@hoverstenlaw.com
Austin Daily Herald:
Apr. 8 and 15, 2023
EST/THOMPSON, C. | 2023-04-17T06:31:57+00:00 | austindailyherald.com | https://www.austindailyherald.com/2023/04/est-thompson-c-4/ |
(NEXSTAR) – A chain of lights has been streaking through the skies of multiple states, including Utah, Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio, and Wisconsin since at least last week. While an interesting site to see, they aren’t, in fact, aliens.
Instead, those strings of lights moving across the night sky are Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX.
Starlink satellites, first launched in 2019, are used to provide broadband internet to customers around the globe. Since then, SpaceX has launched more than 3,000 Starlink satellites into orbit. The company plans to launch even more: Late last year, the Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX’s request to deploy 7,500 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, Space.com reports.
It’s the launch that’s most responsible for creating the train of lights so many have seen flying across the sky lately. After the satellites have been launched into orbit, they continue to travel in a line. While they remain at just the right elevation with the correct orientation, the sun will glint off the satellites, making them visible from the ground.
The satellites won’t, however, remain visible for long. You may see a Starlink chain glisten across the sky multiple times in one night because of how fast they move, but the satellites will eventually find their own orbits (unless they’re hit by a geomagnetic storm, which caused as many as 40 satellites to fall from orbit shortly after being launched last year).
While the satellites remain visible, there are a handful of online sites that can help you find some near you.
Find Starlink, available online and as an app, allows you to track nearby satellite chains in three different ways: by city, by your coordinates, or by using the “Live Map” tab. If you use either of the first two options, you’ll be able to view a results page with information on when you may see another Starlink parade overhead. According to the developer, Find Starlink tracks only the first satellite in every chain, otherwise “the results page will be very cluttered.”
Also available online and via the App Store, satellitemap.space relies on tracking data available through space-track.org to show Starlink locations. This site uses a Google Earth-like globe to display where Starlink satellites and chains are in orbit. You can click on each satellite to see its recent path, when it was launched, its altitude, and more. If you add a home location on the map, the site will calculate if and when a specific satellite will pass over you.
There is also this website, created by James Darpinian, a graphics and computer vision engineer with Google. On Darpinian’s site, you can allow the browser to access your location. By doing so, you’ll see a pin drop on a map near the left of your screen. On the right, you’ll see a video showing the sky at your location.
Within the video (which appears to be Google Maps’s Streetview option, but pointed skyward), you can view the constellations currently visible and the path of the nearest Starlink satellites. You can also toggle between different viewing times and schedule a reminder for yourselves to go outside and look for the Starlink satellites.
None of these sites claim to be affiliated with SpaceX, Starlink or Elon Musk. They also don’t claim to be completely accurate. They all agree, though, that millions of people across the country have the chance to see a train of Starlink satellites in the sky over the next few days. | 2023-02-15T00:07:21+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/national/see-a-string-of-lights-in-the-sky-what-it-is-and-when-you-could-see-them-again/ |
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Associated Press
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Broken Arrow Crochet Group Makes 100 Winter Hats For People In Need
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A crocheting group made 100 winter hats for the Broken Arrow Police Department to give to people in need.
Man Arrested, Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 10-Year-Old
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Rogers County deputies arrested and tased a man accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old.
View More Stories | 2022-09-04T08:16:40+00:00 | news9.com | https://www.news9.com/story/631279158c90200729228b61/news-9-4-pm-newscast-sept-2 |
SUMMERLAND Key, Fla. (AP) — A shark in the Florida Keys bit the foot of a fisherman who had reeled it in, sending the man to the hospital, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday.
The 35-year-old man was fishing off a dock in Summerland Key when he caught the shark Friday night. While it was on the dock, it bit him in the foot, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
The angler was flown by a trauma helicopter to a hospital in Miami. His condition not known on Saturday, the statement said.
No further details were provided. | 2023-05-21T10:13:09+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/news/ap-us-news/ap-shark-in-florida-keys-bites-angler-who-reeled-it-in-sending-man-to-hospital/ |
Rick Singer, college scam mastermind, set to be sentenced
BOSTON (AP) — The mastermind of the nationwide college admissions bribery scandal is set to be sentenced on Wednesday after helping authorities secure the convictions of a slew of wealthy parents involved in his scheme to rig the selection process at top-tier schools.
Federal prosecutors are asking for six years behind bars for Rick Singer, who for more than a decade helped deep-pocketed parents get their often undeserving kids into some of the nation’s most selective schools with bogus test scores and athletic credentials.
The scandal embarrassed elite universities across the country, put a spotlight on the secretive admissions system already seen as rigged in favor of the rich and laid bare the measures some parents will take to get their kids into the school of their choice.
Singer, 62, began secretly cooperating with investigators and worked with the FBI to record hundreds of phone calls and meetings before the arrest of dozens of parents and athletic coaches in March 2019. More than 50 people — including popular TV actresses and prominent businessmen — were ultimately convicted in the case authorities dubbed Operation Varsity Blues.
In the nearly four years since the scandal exploded into newspaper headlines, Singer remained out of jail and kept largely silent publicly. He was never called as a witness by prosecutors in the cases that went to trial, but will get a chance to address the court before the judge hands down his sentence in Boston federal court.
In a letter to the judge, Singer blamed his actions on his “winning at all costs” attitude, which he said was caused in part by suppressed childhood trauma. His lawyer is requesting three years of probation, or if the judge deems prison time necessary, six months behind bars.
“By ignoring what was morally, ethically, and legally right in favor of winning what I perceived was the college admissions ‘game,’ I have lost everything,” Singer wrote.
Singer pleaded guilty in 2019 — on the same day the massive case became public — to charges including racketeering conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Dozens of others ultimately pleaded guilty to charges, while two parents were convicted at trial.
Authorities in Boston began investigating the scheme after an executive under scrutiny for an unrelated securities fraud scheme told investigators that a Yale soccer coach had offered to help his daughter get into the school in exchange for cash. The Yale coach led authorities to Singer, whose cooperation unraveled the sprawling scandal.
For years, Singer paid off entrance exam administrators or proctors to inflate students’ test scores and bribed coaches to designate applicants as recruits for sports they sometimes didn’t even play, seeking to boost their chances of getting into the school. Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients, paid bribes totaling more than $7 million, and used more than $15 million of his clients’ money for his own benefit, according to prosecutors.
“He was the architect and mastermind of a criminal enterprise that massively corrupted the integrity of the college admissions process — which already favors those with wealth and privilege — to a degree never before seen in this country,” prosecutors wrote in court documents.
If the judge agrees with prosecutors, it would be by far the longest sentence handed down in the case. So far, the toughest punishment has gone to former Georgetown University tennis coach Gordon Ernst, who got 2 1/2 years in prison for pocketing more than $3 million in bribes.
Others ensnared in the scandal included “Full House” actor Lori Loughlin, her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli, and “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman. Punishments for the parents have ranged from probation to 15 months behind bars, although the parent who received that prison sentence remains free while he appeals his conviction.
One parent, who wasn’t accused of working with Singer, was acquitted on all counts stemming from accusations that he bribed Ernst to get his daughter into the school. And a judge ordered a new trial for former University of Southern California water polo Jovan Vavic, who was convicted of accepting bribes.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-04T15:46:46+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/2023/01/04/rick-singer-college-scam-mastermind-set-be-sentenced/ |
Request unsuccessful. Incapsula incident ID: 262000921296352652-2706018611281401610 | 2023-01-09T11:48:46+00:00 | bizjournals.com | https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2023/01/09/amc-theatre-floor-and-decor-maple-grove-sale.html |
FRESNO, Calif., Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Fresno City Council will join with health and safety advocates from Alcohol Justice and the Friday Night Live Partnership at a Fresno City Hall press event to oppose California SB 930. The "gut & amend" bill, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), and Assembly Member Mark Haney (D-San Francisco), is the 5th attempt since 2013 to disrupt the protections of California's statewide uniform last call.
SB 930 would allow closing times for on-sale retailers to be extended from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. as part of a dangerous "pilot program." The experiment would take place in 6 cities: San Francisco, Oakland, West Hollywood, Cathedral City, Coachella, and Palm Springs. Fresno was originally the 7th city in the pilot program but requested to be removed from the bill due to opposition among Fresno city leaders who will be voting on an opposition resolution later this week.
What: Press Conference
When: Tuesday August 9, 2022 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fresno City Hall 2600 Fresno Street, Media Room 2120 2nd floor.
Who:
- Councilmember Garry Bredefeld (District 6)
- Councilmember Tyler Maxwell (District 4)
- Councilmember Miguel Arias (District 3)
- Cruz Avila, Executive Director, Alcohol Justice
- Carson Benowitz-Fredericks, MSPH, CHES, Research Director, Alcohol Justice
- Lynne Goodwin, Administrator, Friday Night Live Partnership
Why:
One of the main points of opposition is that there is no "local control" when it comes to alcohol because the danger, harms and costs will not stay in the "Pilot Project Cities" where the drinking and economic benefits occur. If the bill becomes law, all surrounding communities of pilot project cities will be threatened by late night drinkers traveling drunk and fatigued in the early morning commute hours.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), California currently suffers more annual alcohol-related harm than any other state: 11,000 alcohol-related deaths, $35 billion in total costs, $18.5 billion in state costs. The CDC also identifies maintaining existing last call times as one of the 10 key policies for reducing the harms from reckless drinking and from alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths.
Fresno is following actions by the Los Angeles City Council which passed a resolution of opposition last week, and the powerful Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) that came out against SB 930 in a letter made public last week.
SB 930:
- Is a poorly conceived and inadequately funded pilot project
- Strips away uniform protections of statewide 2 a.m. last call
- Costs the state at least $3-4 million per year to administer, mitigate the harm, and clean the blood off the highway; costs cities and towns in "Splash Zones" millions more
- Disregards 40 years of peer-reviewed, public health research on the dangers of extending last call
- Ignores the existing annual catastrophe of alcohol-related harm in California
- Uses the false narrative of COVID economic recovery to subsidize and reward late-night alcohol-sellers at government and tax-payer expense
Alcohol Justice encourages the public to TAKE ACTION to STOP SB 930: Text JUSTICE to 313131 or visit: https://alcoholjustice.org/take-action/stop-sb-930-no-late-last-calls-in-ca-not-now-not-ever
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Alcohol Justice | 2022-08-08T20:16:55+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/fresno-city-council-members-join-health-safety-advocates-oppose-sb-930-4-am-bar-bill/ |
Tom Goldman is NPR's sports correspondent. His reports can be heard throughout NPR's news programming, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and on NPR.org.
As NPR's Southern Bureau chief, Russell Lewis covers issues and people of the Southeast for NPR — from Florida to Virginia to Texas, including West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. His work brings context and dimension to issues ranging from immigration, transportation, and oil and gas drilling for NPR listeners across the nation and around the world. | 2022-10-19T21:53:38+00:00 | wlrn.org | https://www.wlrn.org/2022-10-19/the-nba-season-tips-off-and-the-mlb-postseason-is-in-full-swing |
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Activate your digital account | 2022-05-13T02:54:35+00:00 | fayobserver.com | https://www.fayobserver.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fayobserver.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2022%2F05%2F13%2Ffayetteville-man-faces-murder-charge-woman-shooting-death-domestic-violence%2F9733194002%2F |
(WWLP) – Home prices have been on a downward trend lately as demand wanes and supply builds. With these factors, home prices are quickly dropping.
Rising mortgage rates and inflation have caused housing demand to drop this past month. According to experts, this is the quickest drop in price gains on record, falling by 2%. The price drop will not affect the average homeowner as much.
Those who have purchased a home in the last year will see the biggest change. Price drops could cause borrowers to edge lower in their equity position. | 2022-08-02T00:55:52+00:00 | wwlp.com | https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/home-prices-on-downward-trend-as-supply-and-demand-shift/ |
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills head to New England looking for their first division win of the season.
Week 13 is loaded with several playoff-type matchups, starting with the Bills (8-3) visiting the Patriots (6-5) on Thursday night. Five other games on Sunday also feature winning teams playing against each other.
The Bills already lost to Miami and the New York Jets and will face all three of their division rivals over the next three weeks as the jumbled AFC East has a chance to send four teams to the playoffs.
Buffalo has won two straight on the road against the Patriots. Extending that streak won’t be easy. The Bills are dealing with illness that has forced several players to miss practice and won’t have edge rusher Von Miller because of a knee injury.
“It’s a really good football team,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “They do pretty much everything well. Good on offense, good on defense, good on special teams.”
Both teams are coming off games on Thanksgiving. Buffalo earned a last-second win in Detroit while the Patriots lost a tight game in Minnesota. Mac Jones threw for 382 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-26 loss to the Vikings.
The Patriots are 4-point home underdogs, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Pro Picks expects a close one.
BILLS, 23-20
Kansas City (minus 2 1/2) at Cincinnati
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (9-2) aim to avenge their loss to the Bengals (7-4) in the AFC championship game.
BEST BET: CHIEFS, 30-23
Washington (minus 1 1/2) at New York Giants
The Giants (7-4) try to snap a two-game losing streak and prevent Taylor Heinicke from buying another pair of Air Jordans.
UPSET SPECIAL: GIANTS, 20-17
Cleveland (minus 7) at Houston
Deshaun Watson’s return to the NFL should feature plenty of handoffs to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
BROWNS, 26-16
Pittsburgh (minus 1 1/2) at Atlanta
Somehow the Falcons (5-7) are just a half-game behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South.
FALCONS, 20-16
Denver (plus 8 1/2) at Baltimore
Russell Wilson has been a disaster in Denver. The Ravens (7-4) can’t hold big leads.
RAVENS, 23-16
Green Bay (minus 2 1/2) at Chicago
Two losing teams with banged-up QBs takes the sizzle out of this rivalry.
PACKERS, 24-17
Jacksonville (minus 1 1/2) at Detroit
Trevor Lawrence played his best NFL game in an impressive comeback win for the Jaguars over the Ravens. The Lions are much improved since a 1-6 start.
LIONS, 23-22
New York Jets (plus 3) at Minnesota
If Mike White beats the Vikings (9-2) on the road, he should get a statue at a rest stop on the New Jersey turnpike.
VIKINGS, 26-20
Tennessee (plus 5 1/2) at Philadelphia
The Eagles (10-1) had 363 yards rushing vs. Green Bay. They need to figure out how to stop Derrick Henry.
EAGLES, 23-20
Seattle (minus 7 1/2) at Los Angeles Rams
Geno Smith has to get the Seahawks (6-5) back on track after consecutive losses. The Rams (3-8) are one of the worst defending Super Bowl champions in NFL history.
SEAHAWKS, 24-16
Miami (plus 3 1/2) at San Francisco
Tua Tagovailoa faces his toughest challenge against the 49ers defense. San Francisco may have to rely on Jimmy Garoppolo a little more because of injuries at running back.
49ERS, 23-22
Los Angeles Chargers (minus 1 1/2) at Las Vegas
Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams have led the Raiders to consecutive overtime wins. The Chargers barely escaped a third straight loss when Justin Herbert connected with Gerald Everett on a 2-point conversion in Arizona.
RAIDERS, 24-23
Indianapolis (plus 10 1/2) at Dallas
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys (8-3) will be well-rested after a Thanksgiving win while the Colts are coming off a short week.
COWBOYS, 27-13
New Orleans (plus 3 1/2) at Tampa Bay
Tom Brady is struggling to overcome Todd Bowles’ conservative coaching.
BUCCANEERS, 20-17
2022 RECORD
Last Week: Straight up: 10-6. Against spread: 5-11.
Season: Straight up: 106-74. Against spread: 90-86-4.
Thursday: Straight up: 9-5. Against spread: 6-8.
Monday: Straight up: 6-7. Against spread: 5-8.
Best Bet: Straight up: 7-5. Against spread: 7-5.
Upset Special: Straight up: 4-8. Against spread: 5-6-1.
___
Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | 2022-12-01T17:07:13+00:00 | pix11.com | https://pix11.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-bills-patriots-kick-off-week-filled-with-playoff-type-games/ |
ChatGPT has made waves in recent months for its innovative capabilities and controversies, and has revolutionized the way we think about the future of artificial intelligence. Now, it can be accessed right from the palm of your hand.
OpenAI, the renowned artificial intelligence research firm, has launched its ChatGPT app, bringing its conversational AI capabilities to Apple iOS users. The app became available on iPhone and iPad devices in the U.S. on Thursday and — unlike the desktop version — allows users to give voice commands.
"The ChatGPT app is free to use and syncs your history across devices," OpenAI said in a blog post. "It also integrates Whisper, our open-source speech-recognition system, enabling voice input."
The company also said subscribers of ChatGPT Plus will gain exclusive access to the company's latest language model technology, GPT-4, which surpasses its predecessor in both size and capability with its "human-level performance."
SEE MORE: OpenAI unveils GPT-4, its most advanced AI language model
"We're starting our rollout in the US and will expand to additional countries in the coming weeks. We’re eager to see how you use the app," OpenAI said. "As we gather user feedback, we’re committed to continuous feature and safety improvements for ChatGPT."
After launching more than five months ago to the public, ChatGPT has sparked excitement and confusion over its capabilities, even prompting hearings on Capitol Hill to discuss the technology's potentially harmful uses. However, the San Francisco startup claims to be fully committed to working with the government to prevent AI from getting out of hand.
"I think if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong. And we want to be vocal about that," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told lawmakers this week. "We want to work with the government to prevent that from happening. But we tried to be very clear eyed about what the downside case is and the work that we have to do to mitigate that."
Interestingly, one day after allowing ChatGPT on its app store, Apple reportedly restricted employees from using the program — and other artificial intelligence tools — over concerns workers could leak confidential data. Apple is currently working to develop its own related technology.
OpenAI's delay in getting ChatGPT onto phones has fueled a number of clones on the app store that are trying to profit off similar technology. The company hopes its official app will encourage users to migrate away from those.
While the ChatGPT app is currently only available on Apple devices, the company said it plans to unveil a version for Android users soon.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | 2023-05-19T19:09:15+00:00 | ktvq.com | https://www.ktvq.com/openai-unveils-chatgpt-app-for-iphones |
Ex-Proud Boys leader Tarrio guilty of Jan. 6 sedition plot
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and three other members of the far-right extremist group were convicted Thursday of a plot to attack the U.S. Capitol in a desperate bid to keep Donald Trump in power after the Republican lost the 2020 presidential election.
A jury in Washington, D.C., found Tarrio guilty of seditious conspiracy after hearing from dozens of witnesses over more than three months in one of the most serious cases brought in the stunning attack that unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021, as the world watched on live TV.
It’s a significant milestone for the Justice Department, which has now secured seditious conspiracy convictions against the leaders of two major extremist groups prosecutors say were intent on keeping Democrat Joe Biden out of the White House at all costs. The charge carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Tarrio was a top target of what has become the largest Justice Department investigation in American history. He led the neo-fascist group — known for street fights with left-wing activists — when Trump infamously told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” during his first debate with Biden.
Tarrio wasn’t in Washington on Jan. 6, because he had been arrested two days earlier in a separate case and ordered out of the capital city. But prosecutors said he organized and directed the attack by Proud Boys who stormed the Capitol that day.
In addition to Tarrio, a Miami resident, three other Proud Boys were convicted of seditious conspiracy: Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl.
Jurors have not yet reached a unanimous verdict on the sedition charge for fifth defendant: Dominic Pezzola. The judge told them to keep deliberating.
Nordean, of Auburn, Washington, was a Proud Boys chapter leader. Rehl led a group chapter in Philadelphia. Biggs, of Ormond Beach, Florida, was a self-described Proud Boys organizer. Pezzola was a group member from Rochester, New York.
Prosecutors told jurors the group viewed itself as “Trump’s army” and was prepared for “all-out war” to stop Biden from becoming president.
The Proud Boys were “lined up behind Donald Trump and willing to commit violence on his behalf,” prosecutor Conor Mulroe said in his closing argument.
The backbone of the government’s case was hundreds of messages exchanged by Proud Boys in the days leading up to Jan. 6 that show the far-right extremist group peddling Trump’s false claims of a stolen election and trading fears over what would happen when Biden took office.
As Proud Boys swarmed the Capitol, Tarrio cheered them on from afar, writing on social media: “Do what must be done.” In a Proud Boys encrypted group chat later that day someone asked what they should do next. Tarrio responded: “Do it again.”
“Make no mistake,” Tarrio wrote in another message. “We did this.”
Defense lawyers denied there was any plot to attack the Capitol or stop Congress’ certification of Biden’s win. A lawyer for Tarrio sought to push the blame onto Trump, arguing the former president incited the pro-Trump mob’s attack when he urged the crowd near the White House to “fight like hell.”
“It was Donald Trump’s words. It was his motivation. It was his anger that caused what occurred on January 6th in your beautiful and amazing city,” attorney Nayib Hassan said in his final appeal to jurors. “It was not Enrique Tarrio. They want to use Enrique Tarrio as a scapegoat for Donald J. Trump and those in power.”
The Justice Department hadn’t tried a seditious conspiracy case in a decade before a jury convicted another extremist group leader, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, of the Civil War-era charge last year.
Over the course of two Oath Keepers trials, Rhodes and five other members were convicted of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors said was a separate plot to forcibly halt the transfer of presidential power from Trump to Biden. Three defendants were acquitted of the sedition charge, but convicted of obstructing Congress’ certification of Biden’s electoral victory.
The Justice Department has yet to disclose how much prison time it will seek when the Oath Keepers are sentenced next month. | 2023-05-04T19:50:31+00:00 | wlip.com | https://www.wlip.com/ex-proud-boys-leader-tarrio-guilty-of-jan-6-sedition-plot/ |
One of four people who escaped from a Colorado jail was on the loose Tuesday, after two of them were recaptured and a third was found dead, the Bent County Sheriff’s Office said.
Four people in all escaped from the Bent County Jail, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. Authorities were still looking for Mark Fox 46, the office said. Two of them were recaptured earlier Tuesday.
A third, Benjamin Valdez, 34, was found dead in Pueblo, Colorado, the Bent County Emergency Management Agency said. The sheriff's office said his death is considered a possible drug overdose.
The inmates pushed through a drywall ceiling to escape, and used bundles of clothing on their beds to make it seem like they were in the cell for the count, Bent County Sheriff Jake Six told NBC affiliate KOAA of Pueblo.
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Fox was described as a white man, bald, 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds.
Read the full story at NBCNews.com | 2023-07-26T08:08:52+00:00 | nbcmiami.com | https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/national-international/search-underway-for-prisoner-who-escaped-colorado-jail-with-3-others/3078881/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel issued subpoenas Thursday to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and four other GOP lawmakers in its probe into the violent Jan. 6 insurrection, an extraordinary step that has little precedent and is certain to further inflame partisan tensions over the 2021 attack.
The panel is investigating McCarthy’s conversations with then-President Donald Trump the day of the attack and meetings the four other lawmakers had with the White House beforehand as Trump and his aides worked to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The former president’s supporters violently pushed past police that day, broke through windows and doors of the Capitol and interrupted the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.
The decision to issue subpoenas to McCarthy, R-Calif., and Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Mo Brooks of Alabama is a dramatic show of force by the panel, which has already interviewed nearly 1,000 witnesses and collected more than 100,000 documents as it investigates the worst attack on the Capitol in two centuries.
The move is not without risk, as Republicans are favored to capture back the House majority in this fall’s midterm elections and have promised retribution for Democrats if they take control.
After the announcement, McCarthy, who aspires to be House speaker, told reporters “I have not seen a subpoena” and said his view on the Jan. 6 committee has not changed since the nine-lawmaker panel asked for his voluntary cooperation earlier this year.
“They’re not conducting a legitimate investigation,” McCarthy said. “Seems as though they just want to go after their political opponents.”
Similarly, Perry told reporters the investigation is a “charade” and said the subpoena is “all about headlines.”
Neither man said whether he would comply.
The panel, made up of seven Democrats and two Republicans, had previously asked for voluntary cooperation from the five lawmakers, along with a handful of other GOP members, but all of them refused to speak with the panel, which debated for months whether to issue the subpoenas.
“Before we hold our hearings next month, we wished to provide members the opportunity to discuss these matters with the committee voluntarily,” said Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democratic chairman of the panel. “Regrettably, the individuals receiving subpoenas today have refused and we’re forced to take this step to help ensure the committee uncovers facts concerning January 6th.”
Rep. Liz Cheney, the panel’s Republican vice chair, said the step wasn’t taken lightly. The unwillingness of the lawmakers to provide relevant information about the attack, she said, is “a very serious and grave situation.”
Congressional subpoenas for sitting members of Congress, especially for a party leader, have little precedent in recent decades, and it is unclear what the consequences would be if any or all of the five men decline to comply. The House has voted to hold two other noncompliant witnesses, former Trump aides Steve Bannon and Mark Meadows, in contempt, referring their cases to the Justice Department.
In announcing the subpoenas, the Jan. 6 panel said there is historical precedent for the move and noted that the House Ethics Committee has “issued a number of subpoenas to Members of Congress for testimony or documents,” though such actions are generally done secretly.
“We recognize this is fairly unprecedented,” said Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the other GOP member of the panel, after the committee announced the subpoenas. “But the Jan. 6 attack was very unprecedented.”
Kinzinger said it is “important for us to get every piece of information we possibly can.”
McCarthy has acknowledged he spoke with Trump on Jan. 6 as Trump’s supporters were beating police outside the Capitol and forcing their way into the building. But he has not shared many details. The committee requested information about his conversations with Trump “before, during and after” the riot.
McCarthy took to the House floor after the rioters were cleared and said in a forceful speech that Trump “bears responsibility” for the attack and that it was the “saddest day I have ever had” in Congress — even as he went on to join 138 other House Republicans in voting to reject the election results.
Another member of the GOP caucus, Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, said after the attack that McCarthy had recounted that he told Trump to publicly “call off the riot” and said the violent mob was made up of Trump supporters, not far-left antifa members, as Trump had claimed.
“That’s when, according to McCarthy, the president said, ’Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are,” Herrera Beutler said in a statement last year.
The GOP leader soon made up with Trump, though, visiting him in Florida and rallying House Republicans to vote against investigations of the attack.
The other four men were in touch with the White House for several weeks ahead of the insurrection, talking to Trump and his legal advisers about ways to stop the congressional electoral count on Jan. 6 to certify Joe Biden’s victory.
“These members include those who participated in meetings at the White House, those who had direct conversations with President Trump leading up to and during the attack on the Capitol, and those who were involved in the planning and coordination of certain activities on and before January 6th,” the committee said in a release.
Brooks, who has since been critical of Trump, spoke alongside the former president at the massive rally in front of the White House the morning of Jan. 6, telling supporters to “start taking down names and kicking ass” before hundreds of them broke into the Capitol.
Perry spoke to the White House about replacing acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen with an official who was more sympathetic to Trump’s false claims of voter fraud, and Biggs was involved in plans to bring protesters to Washington and pressuring state officials to overturn the legitimate election results, according to the panel. Jordan, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, spoke to Trump on Jan. 6 and was also involved in strategizing how to overturn the election.
Several of their efforts were detailed in texts released to the panel by Meadows, who was Trump’s chief of staff at the time.
“11 days to 1/6 and 25 days to inauguration,” Perry texted Meadows on Dec. 26, 2020. “We gotta get going!”
___
Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pa., contributed to this report. | 2022-05-13T12:45:28+00:00 | ksn.com | https://www.ksn.com/news/politics/jan-6-panel-subpoenas-mccarthy-four-other-gop-lawmakers/ |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The railroad industry has sued to block a new minimum crew-size requirement that Ohio imposed after a fiery train derailment in East Palestine in February.
The new rule was part of a $13.5 billion state transportation budget that Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed in March. It mandated a two-person crew for freight trains and required that the wayside detectors used to help spot problems be installed in shorter intervals of 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 kilometers) apart, with oversight from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, among other provisions.
The railroad industry said one-person crews “have been used safely for decades,” as well as that Ohio lacks the authority to impose a two-person minimum. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on June 29, a day before the rule was set to take effect, the Association of American Railroads argued that federal law broadly gives federal agencies exclusive jurisdiction to regulate rail transportation.
“The Crew Size Law is expressly preempted” by federal law, the industry told the court.
Its legal challenge comes as busy freight states — affected by costly and often dangerous derailments and frustrated by federal inaction — increasingly have moved to pass safety improvements of their own, despite the likelihood of industry resistance.
The Feb. 3 derailment along the Ohio-Pennsylvania border of a train carrying toxic chemicals prompted Ohio’s new legislation. The lasting impacts of the wreck continue to affect life, work and health in the region months after it took place.
Foremost among events surrounding the crash was the decision by officials and investigators to release toxic vinyl chloride from five tank cars. In order to avoid an explosion, the substance was burned, sending a towering plume of black smoke over the town and prompting the evacuation of about half of its 5,000 residents. | 2023-07-07T02:27:29+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/news/business-beat/ap-business/ap-railroad-industry-sues-to-block-limit-on-crew-sizes-that-ohio-imposed-after-e-palestine-derailment/ |
Barry Richards to lead UK arm of intelligent process automation company TCG Process
BAAR, Switzerland and LONDON, April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- International intelligent process automation organization TCG Process is pleased to announce that it is increasing its global footprint with an expansion into the United Kingdom. Barry Richards will lead sales, marketing, professional services and customer support operations.
Based near Bath in the South of England, Richards brings a wealth of experience that will help TCG Process establish a footprint and growth into the U.K. market. His career spans more than 30 years in the capture and process automation industry where he has held successful senior management and account executive roles for major international organizations in the sector.
With subsidiaries in the U.S., Australia & New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Chile, Brazil and Canada, the TCG Process parent company out of Baar, Switzerland, is forming its newest entity to build upon the success of its process automation platform, DocProStar, and accelerate an organic growth business model into new regions.
"With our expansion into the U.K. market, we look forward to serving more customers and building new relationships by leveraging Barry's extensive experience in intelligent document processing and business process automation," said Arnold von Büren, founder and CEO of TCG Process globally. "We're excited to have Barry on board and part of our executive management team."
"I am excited to join TCG Process and relish the challenge ahead. My decision to join the team was not only based on the superb process automation solution DocProStar but also on the vast experience and cooperation of the employees at all levels in the company. Taking a fresh, flexible approach, plus a 'can do' attitude with customers, has allowed TCG Process to establish itself as a solution provider to many large multi-national organizations across the globe and I am sure these attributes will not only bring success to TCG Process U.K., but also partners and customers alike."
About TCG Process
TCG Process, with headquarters in Switzerland, is an international organization that develops and integrates input management and intelligent process automation software. Its solutions are used in industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare, government and public administration to digitize and automate document-driven processes. TCG Process sells both direct to customers and via partners globally.
For more information: www.tcgprocess.com
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SOURCE TCG Process | 2023-04-04T14:05:59+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/04/04/tcg-process-expands-global-footprint-with-uk-subsidiary/ |
(AP) — A prosecutor says Proud Boys leaders charged with plotting to use violence to keep Donald Trump in power saw the far-right extremist group as the former president’s “army.”
A jury on Monday began hearing closing arguments for the trial of former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio and four lieutenants. Prosecutor Conor Mulroe said the Proud Boys were “lined up behind Donald Trump and willing to commit violence on his behalf.”
Tarrio is among the top targets of the Justice Department’s investigation of the deadly Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Defense attorneys have said there is no evidence or a conspiracy or a plan for Proud Boys to attack the Capitol. | 2023-04-24T23:05:57+00:00 | kurv.com | https://www.kurv.com/prosecutor-proud-boys-viewed-themselves-as-trumps-army/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=prosecutor-proud-boys-viewed-themselves-as-trumps-army |
(The Hill) — Former President Donald Trump in an interview Sunday called the attack on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) husband in their San Fransisco home a “terrible thing” as he railed against crime in Democrat-led cities.
“With Paul Pelosi, that’s a terrible thing, with all of them it’s a terrible thing,” Trump said in an interview with Americano Media, a conservative Spanish language outlet. “Look at what’s happened to San Francisco generally. Look at what’s happening in Chicago. It was far worse than Afghanistan.”
Paul Pelosi, 82, was attacked early Friday morning in his home by an intruder, police said. Authorities arrived at the home and found the two men tussling over a hammer. The suspect then gained control of the hammer and used it to attack Pelosi.
Pelosi underwent surgery for a skull fracture and is expected to recover.
Before the assault occurred, the man confronted Paul Pelosi and shouted, “Where is Nancy? Where is Nancy?” according to a source briefed on the attack. | 2022-10-31T18:48:18+00:00 | keloland.com | https://www.keloland.com/news/national-world-news/trump-attack-on-paul-pelosi-a-terrible-thing/ |
Sales of new US homes fell in July for the sixth time this year to the slowest pace since early 2016, extending a months-long deterioration in the housing market fueled by high borrowing costs and a pullback in demand.
Purchases of new single-family homes decreased 12.6% to a 511,000 annualized pace from a revised 585,000 in June, government data showed Tuesday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a 575,000 rate.
The July sales slump is the latest example of how the housing market is buckling under the weight of high prices and elevated borrowing costs. Construction has slowed, home purchase applications are falling, and more buyers are backing away from deals.
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Inventory is burgeoning amid the slide in demand, which will likely put downward pressure on home prices in the months ahead. There were 464,000 new homes for sale at the end of the month, the most since 2008. However, 90% of those were either still under construction or not yet started.
Read more: US Housing Cools Further With Fewer Starts, More Canceled Deals
Data out last week showed residential starts fell in July to the slowest pace since early 2021, and existing-home sales -- which make up most of the market -- tumbled for a sixth straight month to the lowest level in more than two years.
The new-home sales report, produced by the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, showed the median sales price of a new home was up 8.2% from a year earlier to $439,400, the slowest pace of price appreciation since late 2020.
The number of homes sold in July and awaiting the start of construction -- a measure of backlogs -- jumped to 165,000, a five-month high.
At the current sales pace it would take 10.9 months to exhaust the supply of new homes, the most since 2009 and nearly double the figure at the start of this year.
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Sales were down in three of four regions, led by a more than 20% drop in the Midwest. Purchases rose in the Northeast.
New-home purchases account for about 10% of the market and are calculated when contracts are signed. They are considered a timelier barometer than purchases of previously-owned homes, which are calculated when contracts close.
The new-home sales are volatile; the report showed 90% confidence that the change in sales ranged from a 29.5% decline to a 4.3% increase.
(Adds graphic)
©2022 Bloomberg L.P. | 2022-08-23T15:22:10+00:00 | bostonglobe.com | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/23/business/us-new-home-sales-plummet-slowest-pace-since-early-2016/ |
CHICAGO (AP) _ Hyatt Hotels Corp. (H) on Tuesday reported second-quarter net income of $206 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier.
On a per-share basis, the Chicago-based company said it had net income of $1.85. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, were 46 cents per share.
The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 1 cent per share.
The hotel operator posted revenue of $1.48 billion in the period, which also topped Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.36 billion.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on H at https://www.zacks.com/ap/H | 2022-08-09T13:05:09+00:00 | sfgate.com | https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Hyatt-Hotels-Q2-Earnings-Snapshot-17361172.php |
As monkeypox cases continue to mount – topping 31,000 cases globally – governments of wealthy nations have been scrambling to buy vaccines. But what's available for the rest of the world?
NPR spoke with two people in a position to know: Matt Linley is with Airfinity, an independent, London-based analytics company that has been tracking production and deliveries of monkeypox vaccine. Dr. Phiona Atuhebwe coordinates the introduction of new vaccines in Africa for the World Health Organization. Here are eight takeaways.
1) Vaccine options are limited
In theory there are at least three existing vaccines that could be used to protect people from monkeypox. But one is not recommended for widespread use. It's a vaccine against smallpox called ACAM2000 that the United States' Food and Drug Administration has now made available for use against monkeypox under what's called an "investigational" protocol; in rare cases it may cause dangerous side effects such as swelling of the heart.
Another option, developed in Japan, "has had significant production issues," says Airfinity's Linley. "So they've been unable to scale up any significant amount of production to use it outside of Japan."
As a result, in practice, notes Linley, countries are currently turning to only one vaccine: the Imvanex vaccine often referred to as JYNNEOS and approved by the U.S. FDA specifically for monkeypox in addition to smallpox. The catch is that only one company makes it – Denmark-based Bavarian Nordic.
2) Supply is also limited
In an email, a spokesperson for Bavarian Nordic told NPR that the company has the capacity to produce 30 to 40 million doses of JYNNEOS annually. With the recommended two-dose regimen, this would be enough to cover 15 to 20 million people. (The number of individuals covered could presumably be expanded even further to 100 million people if other countries follow the lead of U.S. officials – who, in an effort to stretch the current U.S. supply, this month approved a plan to cut each dose by a fifth by using a different method for injecting the vaccine.)
But Linley is skeptical that Bavarian Nordic's production capacity is as high as the company claims. "At least from what's known about Bavarian Nordic's deliveries [to date], they are significantly lower than we would expect" if the company really were able to produce 40 million annually, he says. As to what Bavarian Nordic's true capacity is, Linley thinks it might be more like 20 million annually. But he adds "with the initial complications that they've had and the lack of data that we have [from them], it's hard to come up with a proper estimate."
3) There is a best case scenario where supply meets need
How does this admittedly fuzzy picture of the likely JYNNEOS supply match up against the likely worldwide need?
To get a sense, Linley first considered the population among whom monkeypox is currently spreading in the current outbreak. Right now that is overwhelmingly men who have sex with men, most particularly with multiple partners. There is no known figure of how many people in the world are in this category, says Linley. So to come up with an estimate, Linley turned to statistics that can serve as proxies for it – and that match up with the eligibility criteria that several countries are using to ensure their vaccine is given to those most at risk: Specifically men who are HIV positive and men who are taking PrEP, a medication that can reduce a person's chances of contracting HIV. Linley cautions, however, that this is a very imperfect proxy, because many men who are taking PrEP or who are HIV positive are not men who have sex with men or who have sex with multiple partners.
That said, Linley estimates that this target population encompasses 18 million people worldwide. It's possible that just a fraction of them would need to be vaccinated in order to halt the outbreak, says Linley. And in that case, at least within a few months, Bavarian Nordic should be able to produce sufficient quantities of JYNNEOS to accomplish that.
4) But many other scenarios are worrisome
The trouble is that this best case scenario falls apart quickly if other potential developments are factored in. For instance, what if all 18 million people in the initial target population need to be vaccinated rather than just a fraction? Linley estimates that even at Bavarian Nordic's stated capacity it would take until November to produce enough vaccine for just the first dose. And what if the outbreak becomes sufficiently large that it becomes necessary to vaccinate all health-care workers? That would bring the total who need the vaccine to more than 62 million, says Linley.
Less likely – but even more dire – is what Linley has dubbed the "extreme" scenario in which monkeypox starts spreading among children, who are at higher risk of developing severe complications from the disease. That would bring the number of people requiring vaccination to 1.5 billion.
5) Even the U.S. is struggling to get doses
Although Bavarian Nordic has ramped up production, at the moment the available supply is so limited even wealthy countries are struggling to obtain doses.
Take the U.S., which with nearly 10,000 cases has world's highest count and which appears to have the largest contract with Bavarian Nordic. The U.S. had virtually no doses at the start of the outbreak in May. Since then, only about 1.1 million doses have actually been delivered. U.S. officials say another 150,000 doses should arrive in September and another roughly 150,000 before the end of the year, bringing the expected U.S. supply to just 1.4 million doses.
The U.S. also has an additional contract with Bavarian Nordic to get 5.5 million more doses this year and next using material that the U.S. had purchased from the company years ago. But it's unclear how soon those doses will reach the U.S., because first the material needs to be put into vials — or "filled."
Asked about the timeline, a spokesman for Bavarian Nordic told NPR that the company is "partnering with a U.S.-based contract manufacturer to expedite filling."
In the meantime, to stretch the current supply, U.S. officials are supplementing the one-fifth dose strategy with yet another plan: They've instructed Bavarian Nordic to test about 1 million expired JYNNEOS doses in the U.S. reserve to see if they are still usable.
6) Other wealthy countries are worse off than the U.S.
It's difficult to know precisely how many JYNNEOS doses each country in the world has contracted with Bavarian Nordic to obtain because both pharmaceutical companies and nations tend to keep much of this information confidential. But based on available reports, Linley says that almost all the contracts to date appear to be with wealthy countries. (Bavarian Nordic declined NPR's request to comment on Linley's statistics.) For instance Canada has contracted to get 750,000 doses; Australia as many as 450,000 doses; France 250,000; Germany 240,000; the United Kingdom 154,000; Israel 10,000 doses. There's also an undisclosed European Union country that has a contract for 1.5 million doses, and the European Union as a whole has a contract for an additional 164,000 doses.
But so far, like the U.S., most of these countries have seen only a fraction of these doses delivered – if at all. Germany and the EU have received 50,000 each, the U.K. 54,000 and Israel 5,600. That's a total number of deliveries of under 160,000 doses.
7) The rest of the world is being left out
Last week Brazil – which currently ranks sixth in confirmed monkeypox cases with more 2,000 infections – announced that through the auspices of the Pan American Health Organization it too had reached a deal with Bavarian Nordic: More than 20,000 doses will be shipped to Brazil in September and another 30,000 in October.
Beyond that it appears that the vast majority of the dozens of middle-income and low-income countries with current outbreaks have not secured any JYNNEOS vaccine.
8) Per usual Africa is coming in last
The inequity is particularly stark in Africa, where monkeypox had been endemic in several countries for years before the current outbreak. For now, at least, official case numbers remain relatively low in African countries. Still that could always change – or the official counts could be missing cases – notes WHO Africa's Dr. Phiona Atuhebwe. So the lack of availability of monkeypox vaccine is galling.
"It's just the same as how we were with COVID," she says. "It is just history repeating itself. Africa always gets [vaccines] last."
Indeed, largely for this reason, adds Atuhebwe, WHO is not stressing vaccination as the main strategy for combating the monkeypox outbreak, focusing instead on surveillance and contact tracing.
"We've learned to deal with reality, " says Atuhebwe with a sigh. "We push for more access to better tools to ensure that the African population is protected. But we've learned to work within reality."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-08-16T19:45:02+00:00 | kcbx.org | https://www.kcbx.org/npr-top-news/npr-top-news/2022-08-16/is-there-enough-monkeypox-vaccine-to-go-around-maybe-yes-more-likely-no |
The bird temporarily stopped service and sent workers on a wild goose chase. A video shows maintenance workers and officers in hard hats using everything from brooms to a jacket to try to catch it.
Copyright 2023 NPR
The bird temporarily stopped service and sent workers on a wild goose chase. A video shows maintenance workers and officers in hard hats using everything from brooms to a jacket to try to catch it.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-05-17T10:43:20+00:00 | lakeshorepublicmedia.org | https://www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org/2023-05-17/workers-chase-a-chicken-that-recently-got-loose-on-a-mexico-city-subway-line |
BOCA RATON, Fla., June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Atlantic University has received the 2022 Innovation Award from Encoura Eduventures of Research. The Innovation Awards program was created to recognize and showcase the achievements of individuals and organizations that share Encoura's vision for innovating to improve outcomes that support critical areas of an institution.
"We believe thoughtful innovation can change the world and that is why we created this awards program, showcasing the best of higher education," said Cara Quackenbush, Eduventures senior vice president of research, Encoura. "For the sixth year, our winners have sought to address the unprecedented challenges facing our sector by creating new, actionable, and innovative initiatives that support a more equitable and inclusive opportunity for all students. We congratulate all of our 2022 winners."
Now in its sixth year, the Eduventures Innovation Awards program honors organizations and teams that are shaping the future of Higher Education. Entries are submitted in three categories and are designed to identify higher education institutions that have demonstrated significant innovations when developing and deploying programs that impact these areas of an institution:
- Enrollment: A new enrollment management strategy in a fast-changing environment
- Student Experience: A new approach to teaching and learning or student support
- Outcomes: A new effort to define and report student outcomes
FAU was awarded for its novel approach of using "team-based analytics" to break down organizational barriers so that students can progress toward timely completion of their degree programs. The initiative established cross-functional teams that launch and assess interventions to boost student outcomes, and the university created dashboards to visualize trends and leveraged predictive analytics. Using enhanced analytical tools, FAU streamlined cumbersome academic policies, launched more flexible curricula, and provided targeted financial assistance. By ensuring that actionable data made it directly into the hands of those who could make a difference for students, FAU overcame the obstacle of silos forming in terms of competing unit priorities and goals, as well as decentralized data centers.
"It is a great honor for Florida Atlantic to be nationally recognized for our innovative approach to delivering success for all students - regardless of background," said FAU Interim Provost Michele Hawkins. "We are proactive and use evidence to keep a record number of students on track for timely graduation, so that they can drive our regional and state workforce."
Judges select winners from written applications and, if needed, follow-up interviews. Entries are scored on value to the institution, innovation, and relevance to the mission of the school and are announced in conjunction with Eduventures Annual Summit.
About Florida Atlantic University: Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
Encoura, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ACT, is an educational data science and research organization serving over 2,000 member institutions comprised of public and private colleges and universities across the nation. Since 1972, Encoura has been a leading provider of data science, technology, and programs serving students, high school educators, colleges, and universities from its offices in Austin, TX and Boston, MA. These solutions represent the link between students making important life decisions and those providing the resources and information they need to succeed in their post-secondary educations and careers. For more information, visit https://encoura.org.
Issue on behalf of Newswise, online resource for knowledge-based news at www.newswise.com
Media Contact: Lisa Metcalf
Senior Media Relations Director, University News
lmetcalf@fau.edu
Phone: 561-297-2676
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SOURCE Florida Atlantic University | 2022-06-20T13:31:02+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/fau-receives-2022-innovation-award-encoura-eduventures-research/ |
Agreement will give TAU significant ownership, board representation
NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New York- and Hong Kong-based TAU Investment Management, LLC, today announced agreements for two simultaneous investments in highly sustainable, waterless textile dyeing. A special purpose vehicle formed and managed by TAU will acquire significant interests in both DyeCoo Textile Systems, B.V., and CleanDye Holding, B.V., as part of TAU's strategy to invest in the sustainable, transparent and responsible supply chains of the future.
TAU joins other investors such as Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, together with Nike and Otto Group, along with customers including Decathlon, bonprix, Adidas and others.
Today, the dyeing and treatment of textiles is responsible for fully 20 percent of industrial water pollution globally. DyeCoo's patented DyeOx technology allows for waterless and chemical-free textile dyeing, making it a valued partner to some of the world's largest retailers and leading global manufacturers who are also committed to DyeCoo's sustainable technology.
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, CleanDye operates the world's first textile dyeing facility purpose built in Vietnam exclusively to use DyeCoo's waterless and chemical-free DyeOx technology. CleanDye's dedicated use of DyeOx technology allows it to offer its customers fabrics dyed with no water, no process chemicals and no wastewater discharge produced in a hazard-free environment — all while realizing 50 percent energy savings and unmatched geographical freedom from water sources.
"This is a unique opportunity to support two organizations bringing a new facet of sustainability to the garment industry," said TAU CEO Oliver Niedermaier. "We look forward to further application opportunities for the technology in other sectors, such as automotive and beverages."
Ken Katz, TAU head of Asia investment, said, "In addition to the geographic flexibility and cost savings this technology provides, we're significantly reducing the environmental footprint through this proprietary dyeing technology." He also noted that the DyeOx technology is faster and results in better color density than traditional water dyeing methods.
"This technology saves money, reduces environmental impacts, allows for more geographical flexibility and results in better quality products," Katz said. "That is a tremendous advantage."
"We look forward to having Tau join as an investor, given the industry expertise, broad network and deep understanding of sustainable supply chains it brings," said Christian Ehrenborg, Senior Investment Manager, Ingka Investments. "Tau's unique industry insights will provide a valuable perspective."
Rien Jansen, bonprix Group Managing Director, said, "With Tau's vision and commitment to sustainability, this new partnership demonstrates bonprix/Otto Group's own commitment to help facilitate the transformation of the apparel industry to be more environmentally responsible and sustainable. We see scaling this type of sustainable manufacturing technology as critical to our organization's mission and for the industry as a whole."
As part of the agreement, TAU will join the boards of directors of both DyeCoo and CleanDye and will play an active role in contributing its responsible supply chain technology expertise and industry network. Terms of the investments were not disclosed.
TAU is a New York- and Hong Kong-based investment and advisory firm that enables leaders to make critical decisions at every connection point in the global apparel supply chain. In investment management, TAU originates, executes and manages proprietary private equity investments. The firm is a fund manager, participates in single deal vehicles and co-investments, and offers separately managed accounts. In advisory services, TAU provides actionable advice so that businesses can seize opportunities and stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment. Areas of expertise include organic growth strategy, M&A advisory, responsible technology for textile and garment manufacturing, joint ventures, sustainability strategy and implementation, market entry and expansion, and worker safety protocols.
With IKEA retail operations in over 32 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents about 90% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on Ingka.com
As an internationally successful fashion retailer, bonprix reaches customers in 30 countries. The company, which is part of the Otto Group and based in Hamburg, was established in 1986 and now employs around 3,700 people worldwide. In fiscal year 2021/22 (February 28, 2022), the bonprix Group generated sales of EUR 1.94 billion, making it one of the best-performing businesses within the Otto Group. At bonprix, customers can enjoy fashion and shopping on all channels – online, via catalogue or in the bonprix store in Hamburg. E-commerce accounts for the lion's share of sales with around 90 percent. In Germany, www.bonprix.de is one of the twelve highest-grossing online shops and the number three in the fashion sector.* Selling its own brands bpc, bpc selection, BODYFLIRT, RAINBOW and John Baner, bonprix offers customers fashion with an excellent price-performance ratio. The range includes fashion for women, men and children, accessories as well as home and living products.
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SOURCE TAU | 2022-08-24T19:50:41+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/tau-announces-two-investments-innovative-eco-friendly-textile-dyeing-technology/ |
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We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. | 2022-06-13T17:03:52+00:00 | tj.news | https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/101896108 |
Billie Eilish tackled her critics head-on this Halloween. The 20-year-old singer went Instagram official with her 31-year-old boyfriend, Jesse Rutherford, on Monday, posing in a couples costume seemingly meant to poke fun at their 11-year age gap.
Eilish dressed as a baby, with ringlet hair and a bonnet cap, while Rutherford went as an old man in a bald cap and suspenders.
"Life is craaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy🤡 happy halloween🎃🥰," Eilish captioned the Instagram post. She posted the costume shot at the end of a carousel of photos and videos featuring several concerts and recording sessions, a few different costumes, a dog on the couch, and an x-ray of a broken bone.
The post raised eyebrows in the comments section and beyond as Eilish and Rutherford's age gap has been called out by some fans from the very beginning.
"Can’t believe billie eilish and jesse rutherford didn’t dress up for halloween," one user tweeted.
Eilish first sparked romance rumors with The Neighborhood singer when fans saw the two of them at a restaurant for dinner and later at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. Days after those sightings, Eilish and Rutherford were spotted sharing a kiss outside a Los Angeles restaurant. Eilish's Halloween post is the first time either one of them has referenced their relationship themselves.
RELATED CONTENT: | 2022-11-02T18:16:10+00:00 | wgrz.com | https://www.wgrz.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/billie-eilish-and-jesse-rutherfords-halloween-costumes-seemingly-address-their-11-year-age-gap/603-12b3df66-c512-4efd-8715-6de33b55fa05 |
Willie Nelson performs duet with Snoop Dogg at 90th birthday celebration
Published: Apr. 30, 2023 at 6:29 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
(CNN) – Willie Nelson is marking a major milestone. He turned 90 years old Saturday.
The legendary musician celebrated the event with some friends at the Hollywood Bowl.
The star-studded list included Snoop Dogg, Neil young, Dave Matthews, Beck, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, and The Chicks, just to name a few.
Nelson also performed on stage, including a duet with Snoop Dogg.
Copyright 2023 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-30T23:50:11+00:00 | wnem.com | https://www.wnem.com/2023/04/30/willie-nelson-performs-duet-with-snoop-dogg-90th-birthday-celebration/ |
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday evening's drawing of the Washington Lottery's "Match 4" game were:
08-11-18-21
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(eight, eleven, eighteen, twenty-one)
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Tuesday evening's drawing of the Washington Lottery's "Match 4" game were:
08-11-18-21
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(eight, eleven, eighteen, twenty-one)
By The Associated Press | 2022-11-09T05:46:51+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Match-4-game-17569986.php |
Check out the lists below to see the Group 2 stat leaders in the state in seven statistical categories: points, goals, assists, saves, ground balls, forced turnovers and draw controls won.
Some mobile apps, including the Twitter app, may not show the tables below. To open in your mobile device click this link, or copy it and paste into your mobile web browser. | 2023-05-05T21:26:19+00:00 | nj.com | https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2023/05/girls-lacrosse-season-group-2-stat-leaders-for-may-5.html |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it won’t take up two cases that involved challenges to a ban enacted during the Trump administration on bump stocks, the gun attachments that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns.
The justices’ decision not to hear the cases comes on the heels of a decision in June in which the justices by a 6-3 vote expanded gun-possession rights, weakening states’ ability to limit the carrying of guns in public.
The cases the justices declined to hear were an appeal from a Utah gun rights advocate and another brought by the gun rights group Gun Owners of America and others. As is typical the justices made no comments in declining to hear the cases and they were among many the court rejected Monday, the first day of the court’s new term.
The Trump administration’s ban on bump stocks took effect in 2019 and came about as a result of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. The gunman, a 64-year-old retired postal service worker and high stakes gambler, used assault-style rifles to fire more than 1,000 rounds in 11 minutes into the crowd of 22,000 music fans. Most of the rifles were fitted with bump stock devices and high-capacity magazines. A total of 58 people were killed in the shooting and two died later. More than 850 people were injured.
The Trump administration’s move was an about-face for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In 2010, under the Obama administration, the agency found that bump stocks should not be classified as a “machinegun” and therefore should not be banned under federal law. Under the Trump administration, officials revisited that determination and found it incorrect.
The high court previously declined a different opportunity to take a case involving the ban.
The cases the court rejected Monday are W. Clark Aposhian v. Merrick B. Garland, 21-159, and Gun Owners of America v. Merrick B. Garland, 21-1215. | 2022-10-03T15:10:00+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/supreme-court-rejects-bump-stock-ban-cases/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all |
Drunk woman arrested after driving golf cart on Florida highway, troopers say
TITUSVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A woman with an open bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey in a bag was arrested for driving a golf cart on Florida’s busiest interstate while drunk, according to an arrest report.
The 58-year-old woman was arrested Saturday night on the shoulder of Interstate 95. She is now facing misdemeanor charges of disorderly intoxication in a public place and resisting an officer without violence.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, a semi-truck driver spotted the woman driving in the golf cart in the center lane of Interstate 95 in Brevard County, which is the heart of Florida’s Space Coast. The truck driver “advised she observed the driver of the golf cart passing out while driving,” the report said.
The truck driver used her semi to steer the golf cart to the shoulder of the interstate, troopers said.
Once on the shoulder, the truck driver grabbed the keys to the golf cart as the woman tried to drive away. Once troopers arrived at the scene, the woman started arguing with them and insisted she needed her bag. Inside the bag, troopers found an open bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire Whiskey, authorities said.
Interstate 95, which stretches up and down the East Coast, is Florida’s busiest interstate highway, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-04T01:10:35+00:00 | wnem.com | https://www.wnem.com/2022/08/04/drunk-woman-arrested-after-driving-golf-cart-florida-highway-troopers-say/ |
CADILLAC — A select group of kids from around the area were the given the chance on Wednesday to make their family’s Christmas a little bit more merry.
During the Shop with A Hero program, 100 children received a $100 gift card to shop for family members at the Walmart store in Haring Township.
A local “hero” accompanied the children while they shopped. Among the heroes were members of the Cadillac Police Department, Cadillac Fire Department, doctors, Cadillac Mayor Carla Filkins, volunteers from the Cadillac Area Community Foundation, Cadillac Area Woman’s and Men’s Giving Circle, Habitat for Humanity, Cadillac Leadership Class and business leaders from the community.
The children who participated in Shop with a Hero are 10 to 11 years of age and were identified and chosen by school counselors. Each child had a wish list to help shop for their family.
Each child also received from Walmart a turkey and all the fixings for their holiday dinner. Schools participating were Manton, Lake City, McBain, Mesick and Cadillac.
According to a press release from the Cadillac Area Community Foundation, this program helps children who may be having a rough spell and need a positive experience with a real hero. This is Walmart’s way of giving back to the community and doing some Christmas cheer outreach.
Doreen Lanc, executive director of the Cadillac Area Community Foundation, commented, “Shop with a Hero Program is an opportunity to collaborate with local non-profits and Walmart, while building a positive experience for our most vulnerable children.”
Shop with a Hero was made possible through $10,000 in grants from the Missaukee Area Community Foundation, Cadillac Youth Advisory Committee, grants written to Walmart from the Cadillac Area Community Foundation, and the Salvation Army, United Way of Wexford Missaukee Counties, and a Shop with a Hero Golf Outing held at Caberfae Peaks. | 2022-12-15T09:12:21+00:00 | cadillacnews.com | https://www.cadillacnews.com/news/100-local-kids-get-to-shop-with-a-hero-wednesday/article_c4b1765c-7bdd-11ed-8bcd-93d77d7e63d9.html |
COLUMBIA (AP) — More than 14% of registered voters in South Carolina have already cast ballots for the 2022 general election after the state opened up no excuse early voting to all for the first time.
More than 438,000 early votes and 51,500 absentee votes were in as of the end of Thursday, which was the 10th day of early voting, according to statistics from the South Carolina Election Commission.
Turnout has been steadily increasing about each day. More than 50,000 votes were cast Thursday, the most of any day so far.
If turnout in 2022 is similar to turnout in the last midterm elections in 2018, that means about 25% of votes in South Carolina would be in before Election Day on Tuesday.
South Carolina has nearly 3.4 million registered voters, adding about 240,000 people to the rolls since the 2018 midterm elections, when turnout was about 55%.
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Early voting came to South Carolina this year thanks to a new law that received nearly unanimous support in the General Assembly. Voters get 12 days to cast ballots ending the Saturday before the election.
Over the past several elections, South Carolina has allowed people to cast absentee ballots in person, but they had to include an excuse for why they could not be at the polls on Election Day. The law passed this year has South Carolina returning to mail-in absentee ballots. | 2022-11-05T01:11:42+00:00 | thetandd.com | https://thetandd.com/news/local/state-and-regional/14-in-s-c-have-already-cast-ballots-with-new-early-voting/article_b2ae620a-cc0f-50b9-9ac9-76f929a75927.html |
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced Thursday he is suing the Department of Education over its accreditation process for colleges and universities, saying it is unfair to schools in his state.
Florida is accusing the Biden administration of unlawfully interfering with a recent state law that requires universities to switch their accreditor every few years, arguing the department is unjustly burdening the state’s schools’ ability to comply.
Universities are required to go through an accreditation process to receive federal funds. While accreditation companies are private, the department reviews these firms to see if they are following proper standards to let them keep their status as arbitrators of the funding.
DeSantis says that after Florida created a law to require universities to switch accreditors every so often, the Department of Education issued three “guidance documents” making it virtually impossible for schools to follow the state’s directive.
“I will not allow Joe Biden’s Department of Education to defund America’s #1 higher education system all because we refuse to bow to unaccountable accreditors who think they should run Florida’s public universities,” said the governor, who is also a 2024 presidential candidate, in a statement.
In the complaint, the state of Florida lays out ways the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS), the accreditor that works with all Florida schools, has allegedly abused its power.
The most recent incident listed in the lawsuit was in 2021, when SACS said Florida State University was in danger of losing federal aid because it was considering the Florida commissioner of education to be its president.
“In 2022, the Florida Legislature, prompted by the Department’s actions and incensed by SACS’s abuses, passed SB 7044, which requires public colleges and universities to switch accreditors,” the lawsuit reads.
In response, the department released documents to the accreditors detailing that schools needed a “reasonable cause” to be able to switch accreditation agencies. Another document said the agencies need to remember the voluntary nature of the relationship between the private companies and schools and to investigate if they feel a requested switch is against the wish of a university.
The last document, according to the lawsuit, updated guidance that says universities must get approval from the department before they begin the process to switch accreditors.
While some Florida universities have formally requested permission to change accreditors from the department, the lawsuit says the administration has responded by saying they need to know if the school is only switching because of Florida’s new law to determine if they have a “reasonable cause” to change accreditors.
“As it stands, state law requires over half of Florida’s public colleges and universities to change accreditors in the next two years. Their ability to do so is substantially burdened, if not entirely prevented, by federal laws that violate the Constitution and federal policies that violate the APA,” the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit asserts the federal government is violating the private nondelegation doctrine, the 10th Amendment and Spending Clause, the Appointments Clause and the Administration Procedure Act.
“The Biden administration’s attempts to block these reforms is an abuse of federal power, and with this lawsuit, we will ensure that Florida’s pursuit of educational excellence will continue,” DeSantis said.
The Hill has reached out to the Department of Education for comment.
The lawsuit is the latest move in DeSantis’s crusade on education, which he has made a top pillar in his time as Florida governor and in his presidential campaign. He has in particular stirred up the higher education space by signing laws that make it more difficult for faculty to retain tenure, restricting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and replacing the board of a small liberal arts college with conservative members. | 2023-06-22T18:15:35+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/hill-politics/desantis-sues-education-department-over-higher-ed-accreditation-process/ |
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors and South Korea’s Samsung SDI plan to invest more than $3 billion in a new electric vehicle battery cell plant in the United States, the companies said Tuesday.
They did not announce the intended location of the new factory, which is expected to begin operations in 2026, GM and Samsung SDI said in a statement. GM and Samsung SDI plan to jointly operate the factory, which is expected to make nickel-rich prismatic and cylindrical cells. The companies said it was expected to create thousands of jobs.
The project is GM's fourth joint venture battery cell factory. It has announced three others with South Korea's LG Energy Solution. A 900-worker factory near Warren, Ohio, is starting to build cells, while plants in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and Lansing, Michigan, are in the works.
The announcement coincides with a visit to the United States by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The two countries are marking the 70th anniversary of their alliance with a summit that was also feature announcements on new nuclear deterence efforts, cyber security and other areas of cooperation.
Samsung was picked as the partner for the fourth plant after some Chevrolet Bolt batteries made by LG caught fire, forcing GM to recall about 142,000 vehicles due to a battery manufacturing problem. The recall cost GM about $1.9 billion, and the automaker said it was reimbursed for the cost by LG.
“We will do our best to provide the products featuring the highest level of safety and quality produced with our unrivaled technologies to help GM strengthen its leadership in the EV market,” Samsung SDI President and CEO Yoon-ho Choi said in a statement.
The new factory will have more than 30 gigawatt hours of capacity and will increase GM’s total U.S. battery cell capacity to about 160 gigawatt hours when it is at full production, the companies said.
GM has pledged to sell only electric vehicles by 2035. It has said that because of its huge investment in battery plants and a North American EV supply chain, six of its current or upcoming electric vehicles are to be eligible for the full $7,500 U.S. federal EV tax credit. They are the Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt SUV, the Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup, the Cadillac Lyriq SUV and the upcoming Chevy Blazer and Equinox electric SUVs.
Under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, EVs must be assembled in North America, and a certain percentage of their battery parts and minerals have to come from North America or a U.S. free trade partner to qualify for the full tax credit.
Workers at the Ohio battery plant have voted to join the United Auto Workers union, which is pushing to organize the other factories and get top wages for the workers. Union officials have said they must organize the battery plants so that workers making engines and transmissions have a place to go when jobs making internal combustion vehicles are phased out.
Electric vehicles have 30% to 40% fewer moving parts and require about 30% fewer labor hours to build them.
In final paragraph, corrects sentence to say that electric vehicles have 30% to 40% fewer moving parts than gasoline vehicles. Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul contributed.
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After the initial selected subscription period your subscription rate will auto renew at $12.00 per month. | 2023-04-25T12:42:50+00:00 | timesdaily.com | https://www.timesdaily.com/business/gm-samsung-plan-new-ev-battery-cell-factory-in-us/article_ed638d50-28a0-59de-8335-4fc800363ec6.html |
The Rivian R1T electric pickup truck has earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, the insurance-industry funded safety group announced on Friday. Widely considered to be the most rigorous independent safety rating in the U.S., the TSP+ award applies to both 2022 and 2023 models from the startup electric vehicle maker.
The only other pickup truck to earn the TSP+ distinction was the 2022 Toyota Tundra, but Toyota’s full-size truck has been beset by four recalls since it launched earlier this year, including for an axle shaft that can separate. Recalls are common for the first year or two of a new model, and the Tundra hadn’t been redesigned since 2007. It was the first Toyota to sport two new powertrains that have since cascaded down to other Toyota/Lexus vehicles.
The 2022 Rivian R1T has been recalled three times.
To earn a TSP+, a vehicle must earn top “Good” ratings in all six crash tests, it has to have standard headlights that earn at least an “Acceptable” rating, and it has to have an available automatic emergency braking system that earns at least an “Advanced” rating.
The R1T crew cab has standard LED projector headlights rated “Good” and a standard automatic emergency braking system that earned “Superior” ratings in avoiding crashes with other vehicles and pedestrians at speeds of up to 25 mph. That’s a good thing, because the truck and its 135-kwh battery pack weigh 7,148 pounds.
The NHTSA still hasn’t crash-tested the Rivian R1T or the related Rivian R1S three-row SUV. Neither the IIHS or the NHTSA has tested the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup.
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- IIHS: Most small crossovers fail to protect rear passengers | 2022-12-17T03:34:58+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/automotive/internet-brands/2023-rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-truck-earns-top-safety-pick/ |
Apollo and Centre partner to support and promote up-and-coming urban fashion designers using the latest blockchain technology to ensure transparent, decentralized voting and crypto-based funding to turn passion into a career
DALLAS, Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Centre co-founder, Nick Sunderman, today announced a partnership with Apollo Crypto, a revolutionary platform that is changing the way creators are discovered and funded. Centre will utilize Apollo's blockchain-based contest system, which is sustainably funded by cryptocurrency, to find and fund undiscovered fashion talent through a design contest that kicks off on September 12, 2022. The winning designer's work will be on display at Centre's Dallas location.
"We're really excited to partner with Apollo because they support creators and their dreams through community support and a crypto-based funding system," said Sunderman. "Apollo helps undiscovered creative talent breakthrough by giving them a community to share their talent with. As a company that supports creators in the urban apparel space, this partnership is a natural fit to help us expand those efforts."
Apollo is a next-generation, competition-based funding platform that uses blockchain technology to provide ultimate transparency in the voting process. Creators enter a weekly contest to compete for funding opportunities provided by the tokenomics of Apollo's Ethereum-based cryptocurrency ($APOLLO) and its Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) ecosystem. Apollo hosts a series of contests during a "season" followed by a champion's playoff contest. In its first season, Apollo distributed over $153,000 to 12 winning creators prior to the championship playoff contest.
Leveraging Apollo's contest platform, Centre is sponsoring a special series of three contests beginning next month focused exclusively on shoe design artists. Artists interested in competing will submit a profile for Centre to review. Accepted artists will be provided a pair of all-white Nike Air Force 1 shoes to design. Members of the Apollo contest community will vote on each design via Apollo's blockchain-based voting system. Winners receive funding for their creative projects and a shot to win the finals where they will receive the grand funding prize as well as a contract with Centre to showcase and sell the winning designer's work.
"Web 3.0 technologies are the future of the creator economy," said Matt Johnson, the founding developer of the Apollo protocol. "The beauty of the Apollo process is that it is sustainable, transparent, and community-governed. Token holders decide what content they want to reward, and this puts a spotlight on creators who are resonating with a wide audience. By funding these individuals using Apollo's tokenomics, we make a positive difference in their lives by giving them more artistic reach and stability to make careers out of their passions."
Online contest coverage and contestant interviews will be hosted by Henok Crypto's $100M Challenge on YouTube. As a prominent figure in the crypto space, Henok is using his platform to spotlight contestants, giving them a broader reach and exposure to more audiences. He connects with contestants each week to give them an opportunity to share their stories with the world. He has worked to produce valuable content for creators that they can use not only in this contest but in their own promotional growth moving forward.
"Apollo not only awards creators with the financial support they need; it also provides a community that celebrates the many unique talents that are essential to a thriving, vibrant culture," said Daniel Henok Weldegebriel, founder of Henok Crypto. "My mission is to help people break through and turn their passion into a career through storytelling. Partnering with Centre and Apollo on this contest was a natural extension of our purpose and brand."
For more information on the Centre contest, please visit www.apollocrypto.org/centre. You can learn more about the Apollo creator movement on the Apollo website.
Established in 2007, Centre is a Dallas-born clothing brand and premium athletic and lifestyle footwear boutique. Centre is committed to being a leader in new retail by manufacturing responsibly, investing in the community, uplifting customers through unique experiences, and giving back.
Website: https://www.centretx.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centretx/
Apollo is a next-generation, competition-based funding platform that uses blockchain technology to provide a transparent voting process and its own Ethereum-based cryptocurrency as a sustainable source for prize funding. Apollo's mission is to build communities that help aspiring artists and content creators get the resources they need to get their big break. The cornerstone of Apollo is its Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), a community that holds 1% of every purchase, sale, or transfer of $APOLLO in a Creator Prize Fund. Each week, creators enter contests and have an opportunity to win money to help turn their passions into careers. To find out more about how to enter a contest or to join the Apollo community, please visit https://www.apollocrypto.org.
Press Inquiries: contact@apollocrypto.org
Website: https://www.apollocrypto.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ApolloCryptoDAO
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ApolloCryptoDAO/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apollocryptodao
Discord: https://discord.gg/apollocryptodao
Telegram: https://www.apollocrypto.org/telegram
Henok is a crypto consultant, motivational speaker, and social media influencer. As a prominent figure in the crypto space, Henok is leading the 100 million-dollar challenge where he is publicly documenting the journey from 1 million to 100 million in crypto. He subscribes to the mindset of "you can 100x anything in life" and is known for his ability to inspire and motivate others. Additionally, he is the host of the Apollo Spotlight Show where he features artists competing in the Apollo Crypto creator contest to win funding for their creative projects.
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@henokcrypto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henokcrypto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/henokcrypto
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HenokCrypto
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SOURCE Apollo Crypto DAO | 2022-08-24T16:10:17+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/athletic-retailer-centre-launches-sneaker-design-contest-collaboration-with-apollo-crypto-find-fund-budding-artists/ |
Gov. Kristi Noem tried to avoid ethics hearing, seal records
By STEPHEN GROVES
Associated Press
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem asked a state ethics board to dismiss a complaint against her without a public hearing and to seal off certain records, documents released Friday by the state’s Government Accountability Board show.
The Republican governor, who is widely seen as eyeing a 2024 White House bid, argued in an April motion that the state’s attorney general, a fellow Republican who filed the complaint, was out for political retribution and should be removed from the complaint. Noem had pushed former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg to resign and later for his impeachment over his involvement in a fatal car crash.
The attorney general’s complaint was sparked by a report from The Associated Press last year that Noem had taken a hands-on role in a state agency. Shortly after the agency moved to deny her daughter, Kassidy Peters, a real estate appraiser license in July of 2020, Noem held a meeting with Peters and key decision-makers in her licensure. Days after the meeting, Peters signed an agreement that gave her another opportunity to meet the licensing requirements.
The South Dakota Legislature’s audit committee, controlled by Republicans, unanimously approved a report in May that found Noem’s daughter got preferential treatment.
The records released Friday provided some new insight into an inquiry that the Government Accountability Board has conducted mostly in secret for nearly a year. The three retired judges who evaluated the ethics complaint unanimously found last month that there was enough evidence for them to believe that Noem “engaged in misconduct” by committing malfeasance and a conflict of interest.
The board has said “appropriate action” would be taken against Noem, though it didn’t specify the action. It’s also not clear whether Noem will request a contested case hearing before the board to publicly defend herself against the allegations.
Neither her office nor her campaign said Friday whether she will proceed to a public hearing. She has continued to publicly insist that she did nothing wrong.
The records show that Noem, in a 29-page motion to the board, launched a range of arguments for dismissing the complaint. Her attorney, Lisa Postrollo, mocked Ravnsborg’s allegations as “nonsensical,” a “political attack” and based on “far-fetched conspiracy theories.”
The motion argues Noem’s daughter joined the July 2020 meeting to provide her perspective as an applicant and attempts to defend how that was appropriate while she was facing a denial of her license. Government ethics experts have said the timing and circumstances of the meeting created a clear conflict of interest for the governor.
Noem’s attorney argued that the Government Accountability Board did not have the constitutional power to act against the governor or evaluate the complaint against her. And the attorney suggested that Ravnsborg, who had been forced from office, be removed from the complaint and replaced with the deputy attorney general who was overseeing the office at the time.
The board in August denied Noem’s motion. However, it did appear to later pay some heed to Noem’s requests. It dismissed two of Ravnsborg’s allegations that she misused public funds, and sealed off certain records from being released.
Ravnbsorg suggested that the board launch a full investigation into the episode by hiring a Minneapolis law firm. However, the board appears ready to settle the matter. It closed the complaint and has so far kept it a secret what “action” it may take against the governor, though it has suggested the complaint could be reopened later.
The secrecy of the board’s potential action against the governor has prompted some criticism from government ethics experts who say the board should be transparent.
“I would hope that they would make public their plan of action as soon as possible,” Karen Soli, a former Democratic state lawmaker who helped create the board, told the AP last month.
Noem also made a motion to strike certain records from the record, but it is not clear what those records were because the board did not release that motion. The board’s attorney, Mark Haigh, said the motion was not released because it contained the list of redacted records.
The board previously voted to redact records that “contain privileged information” related to a state fund for paying litigation. The agency’s former director, Sherry Bren received a $200,000 payment from the fund to settle an age discrimination complaint she filed after Labor Secretary Marcia Hultman pressured her to retire in December of 2020.
Meanwhile, the board has sent a separate complaint to Mark Vargo, the attorney general who Noem appointed to replace Ravnsborg, to investigate her use of state airplanes. Ravnsborg alleged that her use of the state-owned plane to fly to political events and escort family members around the state violated a state law that only allows the aircraft to be used for state business.
Vargo has not indicated whether he will recuse himself from investigating the complaint. | 2022-09-09T18:27:27+00:00 | krdo.com | https://krdo.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/09/09/gov-kristi-noem-tried-to-avoid-ethics-hearing-seal-records/ |
Michigan State president: Post-game melee ‘unacceptable’
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State President Samuel Stanley called actions by Spartans football players involved in a postgame melee with members of rivalry Michigan’s team “unacceptable” and said Sunday those involved would be held responsible by coach Mel Tucker.
“I’m extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program,” Stanley said in a statement. “On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student athletes who were injured.
“There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent.”
The scuffle broke out in the Michigan Stadium tunnel out after fourth-ranked Wolverines beat the Spartans 29-7 Saturday night. Social media posts showed at least three Michigan State players pushing, punching and kicking Michigan’s Ja’Den McBurrows in and near a hallway that does not lead to either locker room.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said Saturday that a second player, who he did not identify, was also attacked and that one player was injured and might have a broken nose.
“Two of our players were assaulted,” Harbaugh said. “I saw on the one video. 10 on one. It was pretty bad. It needs to be investigated.”
Tucker said in a tweet Sunday that his program will cooperate with law enforcement and the Big Ten in any investigation.
“As Spartans, our program has a responsibility to uphold the highest level of sportsmanship. While emotions were very high at the conclusion of our rivalry game at Michigan Stadium, there is no excuse for behavior that puts our team or our opponents at risk,” Tucker said. “In complete cooperation with law enforcement, the Big Ten Conference and MSU and UM leadership, we will evaluate the events in Ann Arbor and take swift and appropriate action.”
University of Michigan Deputy Police Chief Melissa Overton said an investigation is underway in partnership with Michigan State police, and Michigan’s athletic department and football program.
“Coach Tucker will be holding the players involved responsible, and our football team and university will be cooperating with all related investigations by law enforcement and the Big Ten Conference,” Stanley said.
___
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Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-30T15:28:49+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/2022/10/30/michigan-state-president-post-game-melee-unacceptable/ |
Carjacking suspect not competent to face charges in state court, judge says
Updated September 30, 2022 - 12:34 pm
A Las Vegas judge on Friday found a carjacking suspect not competent to face charges in connection with a 47-mile police chase that ended in a shootout with officers.
Justin Venegas, 40, has been charged with six counts of attempted murder and charges of battery, robbery, attempted robbery, disobeying a police officer, discharging a gun into an occupied structure and destruction of property. During a court hearing on Friday, District Judge Christy Craig said Venegas is not competent to face the charges in state court, according to a mental health evaluation.
Craig said she would have ordered Venegas to be hospitalized at a psychiatric facility, but he is currently in federal custody. He did not appear in court on Friday.
A federal grand jury indicted Venegas last week on two counts of carjacking and several weapons charges.
It is unclear if Venegas will undergo a mental health evaluation for federal court. Raquel Lazo, his federal public defender, did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Venegas has been accused of carjacking two people on Aug. 11, according to the federal indictment. He’s also alleged to have shot and injured one of the victims, using a handgun with an obliterated serial number.
The defendant also is accused of firing at two officers in a patrol car during the chase before slamming a vehicle he had carjacked into a police car at 67 mph.
Venegas is scheduled to appear in federal court again on Nov. 8.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter. | 2022-09-30T20:21:21+00:00 | reviewjournal.com | https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/carjacking-suspect-not-competent-to-face-charges-in-state-court-judge-says-2649033/ |
RICHMOND, Va., June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group today announced that it has appointed Aida Sukys as Chief Financial Officer. In this position, Sukys will serve on the senior executive team and lead the financial initiatives of the company.
Reporting directly to Hilb Group Chief Executive Officer Ricky Spiro, Sukys will play a key role, with oversight for the Finance and Accounting functions, including leading the strategy and implementation for investment, budget, financial regulatory, and related activities.
"I am excited to join a company with such a strong record of growth, as well as the potential for even greater successes ahead," Sukys said. "I look forward not only to building on the business and operational results, but also to continuing the culture of innovation for the future."
"Aida represents a terrific addition to our senior leadership team," stated Spiro. "Her deep industry knowledge and insight will be invaluable to our financial operations as well as our overall vision, as we continue our strategic focus on sustainable growth, maximum value, and optimal service and offerings for those who depend upon us."
"We are pleased to welcome Aida to Hilb Group," Chief Operating Officer Jason Angus said. "Her experience in the financial arena and her entrepreneurial background will be critical as we continue to drive growth and innovation."
Prior to joining Hilb Group, Sukys spent more than 25 years in senior financial roles with Willis Towers Watson as Global Head of Financial Operations and Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Risk and Broking, as well as Chief Financial Officer of the North America Region. Most recently, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Washington, D.C.-based Interos, an Artificial Intelligence technology company focused on supply chain solutions. She earned her bachelor's degree in Finance from Northeastern University and her Master of Business Administration from George Washington University.
About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 150 acquisitions with over 125 offices in 27 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com.
Media Contact:
Peter Lobred
804.548.4629
plobred@hilbgroup.com
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SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC | 2023-06-15T13:43:46+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2023/06/15/hilb-group-names-aida-sukys-chief-financial-officer/ |
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