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Q2 2022 Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue of $34.5 million, an increase of 6% from Q1 2022
Q2 2022 Adjusted EBITDA of $9.2 million, an increase of 2% from Q1 2022
Conference call to be held today, August 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET
PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - 4Front Ventures Corp. (CSE: FFNT) (OTCQX: FFNTF) ("4Front" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 ("Q2 2022"). All financial information is presented in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
- Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue of $34.5 million
- GAAP revenue increased 5% year-over-year to $28.4 million
- Adjusted EBITDA increased 22.7% year-over-year to $9.2 million
- Accretive acquisition of Island Cannabis Co. was completed in April 2022
- Expanded leadership team to include Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, President of California Operations, and Executive Vice President; as well as two additional Board members
Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA are Non-GAAP measures. See "Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures, Reconciliation, and Discussion".
"Throughout the second quarter and now halfway through the third quarter, we are seeing an acceleration of business trends within our growth markets, particularly in Massachusetts and California," said Leo Gontmakher, Chief Executive Officer of 4Front. "Our retail locations platform-wide maintained or gained market share, despite anticipated pricing headwinds as we continue to expand our customer base with new product innovations and quality improvements. We believe we are poised for a significant leg of growth to take place over the next 12 months as we leverage our investments in state-of-the-art automation and scaled manufacturing processes, supplemented by strategic and accretive M&A."
"In California, we believe that our positioning and strategy is building a fly-wheel of growth as we methodically take share in the biggest cannabis market in the world," Mr. Gontmakher continued. "In addition to a steady build in our wholesale revenue, in the second quarter we secured active partnerships with more than five leading retailers, including large, region-leading operators with numerous chain locations; a statewide delivery service; and a multi-state operator. We are now providing production and packaging of gummies, vapes, infused pre-rolls, distillate and diamonds to these customers with scale and at a price-point they would be challenged to achieve on their own. In the distressed and fragmented California market, we are seeing increased interest from companies looking to 4Front as their low-cost producer of choice. Our long-term plans are to deepen and expand these relationships to grow revenue over time and add a retail presence in the state."
"After implementing new techniques and methodologies to our production processes in Massachusetts, we made notable improvements to the yield and quality of our flower across the country during Q2. These new processes have now been incorporated in Massachusetts and Illinois, and we are currently applying them to our facilities in Washington. As the construction of Phase 1 of our Illinois cultivation and production facility nears completion, we are looking to expand our retail footprint in the state over the coming months in preparation for that facility to commence operations in 2023."
"We are proving ourselves as a major piece of the landscape in some of the most exciting cannabis markets in the country, and we look forward to sharing our continued success as we progress. We are excited by the momentum we have seen so far in Q3, and I am convinced that the next twelve months will demonstrate the power of our model at significant scale, paving the way for robust, sustained growth in the long term."
In April 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of Island Global Holdings, Inc. dba Island Cannabis Co. ("Island"), a leading California producer of pre-rolls, flower and concentrate products. The acquisition of Island adds new high-quality products to 4Front's growing brand portfolio, including diverse lines of pre-rolls, flower and infused products with a strong following from local California consumers. In June, Island Founder and CEO Ray Landgraf, and Island COO Brandon Mills, joined 4Front's management team as President of California Operations, and Executive Vice President, respectively.
In Q2, 4Front secured numerous private label partnerships with leading California retailers. The Company's robust private label pipeline in the state includes top retailers with attractive shelf-space within their footprints, as well as larger strategic partners with opportunities for material revenue growth and other synergistic alignments. The Company anticipates a steady expansion of its private label pipeline through the end of this year and into 2023 and continues to explore additional growth opportunities through accretive brand and retail expansions, with new developments expected over the coming months.
Today, the Company announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Bloom Farms and Bloom Farms Wellness (collectively, "Bloom Farms") brands, California cannabis and hemp brands known for bringing safe and enjoyable products to consumers. The Company believes that by integrating Bloom Farms' suite of products onto its platform, it can achieve a reduction in manufacturing costs while simultaneously increasing sales of the successful Bloom Farms brands, which include popular varieties of concentrates, flower, hemp CBD and vape products. The Company looks forward to completing the transaction with Bloom Farms in the coming weeks, and expects to announce similar acquisitions over the next several quarters.
Phase 1 Construction of the Company's cultivation and production facility in Matteson, Illinois is expected to remain on schedule to be delivered in Q4 of this year. As the final stages of construction of Phase 1 come to a close, nominal challenges regarding the timing of electrical supply to the facility have been identified, but the Company has contingency options in place for temporary power and scope phasing, should they be required. These challenges are not expected to influence the on-time completion of Phase 1 construction in the fourth quarter of this year, or the commencement of operations expected in 2023.
Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue for Q2 2022 was $34.5 million, up 6% from Q1 2022 and flat from Q2 2021. GAAP revenue for Q2 2022 was $28.4 million, up 5% from Q2 2021 and up 9% from Q1 2022. This increase is primarily due to increased revenue in the Company's wholesale revenue as it ramps those portions of its business in California, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2022 was $9.2 million, up 23% from Q2 2021, representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 26.7%. Continued growth of Adjusted EBITDA and margins is expected to persist through 2023 as the Company's operations drive increased production and higher sales volumes without material increases to overhead.
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $6.0 million of cash and $49.5 million of related-party long-term debt not due until May 2024. As of today the Company has 636,636,686 subordinate voting shares outstanding.
The Company will host a conference call and webcast today, Monday, August 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. ET to review its operational and financial results and provide an update on current business trends.
For assistance, please contact IR@4FrontVentures.com.
4Front Ventures Corp. ("4Front" or the "Company") (CSE: FFNT) (OTCQX: FFNTF) is a national, vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator who owns or manages operations and facilities in strategic medical and adult-use cannabis markets, including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington. Since its founding in 2011, 4Front has built a strong reputation for its high standards and low-cost cultivation and production methodologies earned through a track record of success in facility design, cultivation, genetics, growing processes, manufacturing, purchasing, distribution, and retail. To date, 4Front has successfully brought to market more than 20 different cannabis brands and over 1800 products, which are strategically distributed through its fully owned and operated Mission dispensaries and retail outlets in its core markets. As the Company continues to drive value for its shareholders, its team is applying its decade of expertise in the sector across the cannabis industry value chain and ecosystem. For more information, visit https://4frontventures.com/.
4FRONT VENTURES CORP.
Formerly 4Front Holdings, LLC
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021
(Amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except for share and per share data)
4FRONT VENTURES CORP.
Formerly 4Front Holdings, LLC
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021
(Amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except for share and per share data)
In this press release, 4Front refers to certain non-GAAP financial measures such as Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. 4Front defines Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue as total revenue plus revenue from entities with which the Company has a consulting contract, or effectively similar relationship (net of any consulting fee or effectively similar revenue) but does not consolidate the financial results of per U.S. GAAP ASC 810. 4Front considers this measure to be an appropriate indicator of the growth and scope of the business.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Company as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization less share-based compensation expense and one-time charges related to acquisition, financing related costs, and other non-recurring expenses. 4Front considers these measures to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business.
($ in 000's)
This news release was prepared by management of 4Front Ventures, which takes full responsibility for its contents. The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States.
Statements in this news release that are forward looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in 4Front Ventures' periodic filings with securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.
Forward looking statements may include, without limitation, statements related to future developments and the business and operations of 4Front Ventures, statements regarding when or if transactions will close or if and when required conditions to closing are attained, the completion of construction projects, the Company's ability to increase revenue and market share, the impact of the transactions on the business of 4Front, and other statements regarding future developments of the business. Although 4Front Ventures has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance, or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended, including but not limited to closing conditions, regulatory and permitting approvals, changes in laws or enforcement of existing laws, limited operating history, reliance on management, requirements for additional financing, competition, limits on market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry, and political change.
There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances, or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. The forward looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. 4Front disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and 4Front does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.
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SOURCE 4Front | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/4front-ventures-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-08-15T20:32:24Z | wbko.com | control | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/4front-ventures-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Whataburger sets tentative opening date for first Murfreesboro store
The newly-constructed Whataburger on Old Fort Parkway in Murfreesboro could open in less than three weeks, a Whataburger official confirmed.
Barring any major setbacks or unforeseen circumstances, Whataburger could open its first Murfreesboro location at 1835 Old Fort Parkway at 11 a.m. on Aug. 29, a Whataburger representative confirmed in a post on Good Eats in the 'Boro (and Beyond) Facebook page.
In mid-July, the popular Texas-based fast-food chain announced there would be a second Murfreesboro Whataburger to open in mid-2023 at 1944 Memorial Blvd., located at the entrance of the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport.
More:Whataburger announces second store location in Murfreesboro
A few days after the Murfreesboro reveal, Whataburger opened its third Nashville-area store July 18 at 630 S. Cumberland St. in Lebanon.
The opening of a Smyrna location is under construction at 360 W. Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna.
And the official hinted at a third location in the works along Medical Center Parkway.
A store is also planned for 400 Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna.
Other confirmed Whataburger store locations include:
- 1715 Gallatin Pike N., Madison — late 2022
- 400 Sam Ridley Parkway, Smyrna — 2022
- 450 TN-109, Lebanon — late 2022
- 621 S. Cumberland St., Lebanon - 2022
- 11190 Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet — early 2023
- 2606 Lebanon Pike, Nashville — 2023
- 4933 Main St., Spring Hill — mid 2023
A petition to urge Whataburger to return to Middle Tennessee was circulating in 2019 and quickly garnered more than 6,600 signatures.
The first Nashville Whataburger opened in the 1950s on Dickerson Pike in Nashville, followed by locations in Rivergate, Charlotte Avenue and Nolensville Road in the Elysian Fields area. You couldn't miss the orange and white motif A-frame roofs on the Whataburger drive-ins. Those locations closed decades ago.
Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok. | https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2022/08/15/whataburger-murfreesboro-old-fort-parkway-opening-date/10328432002/ | 2022-08-15T20:32:47Z | dnj.com | control | https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2022/08/15/whataburger-murfreesboro-old-fort-parkway-opening-date/10328432002/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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New collaboration brings exclusive-to-eBay Funko Products to collectors, beginning with Vinyl GOLD™
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- eBay, a global commerce leader that connects millions of buyers and sellers around the world, announced today the launch of a series of exclusive Funko products as part of a newly formed collaboration with Funko, a leading pop culture and lifestyle brand. Through this collaboration, eBay combines its global reach and unique inventory to continue to bring a seamless experience that allows enthusiasts to access high passion and high value items, including exclusive-to-eBay Funko products.
"With millions of sales of Funko products on our marketplace last year, we recognize that this incredibly engaged community of collectors are already shopping on eBay," said Dawn Block, VP Collectibles, Electronics and Home at eBay. "Our collaboration with Funko to bring exclusive inventory onto our platform allows us to deliver even more of the rare collectibles these enthusiasts are coveting."
Funko's collection on eBay will offer enthusiasts access to rare, sought after Funko products from iconic fandoms – the first of which is available today at https://www.ebay.com/e/_collectibles/funkopop-kawhi?preview=true. Additional drops in the series will launch later this year.
"Creating iconic products that connect fans to their passion is at the core of what we do," said Johanna Gepford, Senior Vice President for the Direct to Commerce business at Funko. "Collaborating with eBay allows us to broaden our reach delighting even more Funko collectors around the world."
The collectibles market has fueled this collaboration between eBay and Funko, as eBay continues to shape the future of collecting through new digital and physical capabilities. eBay recently expanded its Authenticity Guarantee service to trading cards, and also launched the eBay vault, a secure storage facility and digital marketplace for trading cards. These enhancements followed industry-leading tools introduced in 2021, including Price Guide and Collection and Image Scan.
eBay Collectibles by the Numbers
- Collectibles is a top eBay category.
- In 2021, there were over 4M listings and 88M searches for Funko Pop on eBay.
- In 2021, Trading Cards GMV more than doubled pre-pandemic levels, with an average of 2 trading cards purchased every second on eBay.
- In 2021, Sports Ticket Stubs GMV increased 60% YoY, Coins and Bills GMV increased 34% YoY and Comics GMV increased 22% YoY.
About eBay
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2021, eBay enabled over $87 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
About Funko
Headquartered in Everett, Washington, Funko is a leading pop culture lifestyle brand. Funko designs, sources and distributes licensed pop culture products across multiple categories, including vinyl figures, board games, action toys, plush, apparel, housewares and accessories for consumers who seek tangible ways to connect with their favorite pop culture brands and characters. Learn more at https://funko.com/, and follow us on Twitter (@OriginalFunko) and Instagram (@OriginalFunko).
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SOURCE eBay Inc. | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/ebay-launches-first-collection-exclusive-funko-products/ | 2022-08-15T20:33:58Z | wbko.com | control | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/ebay-launches-first-collection-exclusive-funko-products/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inhibrx, Inc. (Nasdaq: INBX), a biotechnology company with four clinical programs in development and a strong emerging pipeline, today announced that the European Commission ("EC"), based on a positive opinion issued by the European Medicines Agency ("EMA"), has granted orphan medicinal product designation to INBRX-109 for the treatment of chondrosarcoma.
"We are highly optimistic about the potential of INBRX-109 in chondrosarcoma to address a high unmet medical need," said Inhibrx Chief Executive Officer, Mark Lappe. "The positive opinion issued by the EMA is excellent news and acknowledges the potential of INBRX-109 as a treatment for patients throughout Europe who suffer from this debilitating, rare condition."
The EC grants orphan designation to drugs and biologics intended for the safe and effective treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of a disease that is life-threatening or chronically debilitating impacting fewer than five in 10,000 patients in the European Union ("EU"). Orphan drug designation in the EU can provide certain benefits, including reduced regulatory fees, clinical protocol assistance and the potential for up to ten years of market exclusivity following regulatory approval.
About Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma is an orphan bone cancer with approximately 2,800 new patients diagnosed annually in the United States and the EU. There are currently no therapeutics approved for the treatment of chondrosarcoma.
About INBRX-109
INBRX-109 is a precision-engineered, tetravalent death receptor 5 (DR5) agonist antibody designed to exploit the tumor-biased cell death induced by DR5 activation.
In 2021, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to INBRX-109 for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic conventional chondrosarcoma and orphan-drug designation to INBRX-109 for chondrosarcoma in the United States.
In June 2021, Inhibrx initiated a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, potential registration-enabling Phase 2 trial of INBRX-109 in conventional chondrosarcoma, which is currently ongoing.
In November 2021, Inhibrx provided updated results from its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of INBRX-109 in patients with conventional chondrosarcoma. Preliminary disease control was observed in 16 of the 18 evaluable patients (89%) measured by RECISTv1.1, with two of the 18 achieving partial responses (11%). Based on preliminary results of the ongoing Phase 1 trial at that time, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.4 months, and the median overall survival had not been reached. Three patients had exceeded 61 weeks on treatment with INBRX-109, with 77 weeks being the longest duration of stable disease observed at that time.
About Inhibrx, Inc.
Inhibrx is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing a broad pipeline of novel biologic therapeutic candidates in oncology and orphan diseases. Inhibrx utilizes diverse methods of protein engineering to address the specific requirements of complex target and disease biology, including its proprietary sdAb platform. Inhibrx has collaborations with 2seventy bio (formerly bluebird bio), Bristol-Myers Squibb and Chiesi. For more information, please visit www.inhibrx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Inhibrx cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Inhibrx's current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Inhibrx's and its investigators' judgments and beliefs regarding the strength of Inhibrx's pipeline, any future potential or observed to date safety and efficacy of its therapeutic candidate, INBRX-109, discussions with and beliefs regarding future action by the FDA or EMA, and statements and beliefs regarding the clinical development of INBRX-109 including statements indicating that the Phase 2 trial is registration-enabling, potential benefits of the orphan drug-designation and any presumption of positive results from Phase 1 clinical trials. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Inhibrx's business, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties regarding: the initiation, timing, progress and results of its preclinical studies and clinical trials, and its research and development programs; its ability to advance therapeutic candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical trials; its interpretation of initial, interim or preliminary data from its clinical trials, including interpretations regarding disease control and disease response; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; the successful commercialization of its therapeutic candidates, if approved; the pricing, coverage and reimbursement of its therapeutic candidates, if approved; its ability to utilize its technology platform to generate and advance additional therapeutic candidates; the implementation of its business model and strategic plans for its business and therapeutic candidates; its ability to successfully manufacture therapeutic candidates for clinical trials and commercial use, if approved; its ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately; the scope of protection it is able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering its therapeutic candidates; its ability to enter into strategic partnerships and the potential benefits of these partnerships; its estimates regarding expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing and financial performance; its expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business; and other risks described from time to time in the "Risk Factors" section of its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including those described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022, as well as its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and supplemented from time to time by its Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Inhibrx undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by Inhibrx. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates.
Investor and Media Contact:
Kelly Deck, CFO
858-795-4260
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New York-based CX company, Horatio is honored as "Company of the Year - Business or Professional Services - Medium-size" in this year's prestigious International Business Awards®
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio, the customer service outsourcing company behind viral e-commerce, fintech, and celebrity-backed brands, has been named one of 2022's silver STEVIE® award winners. The cutting-edge CX firm has been honored as the International Business Award® winner in the "Company of the Year - Business or Professional Services - Medium Size" category.
The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2022 IBAs received entries from organizations in 67 nations and territories. More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including the category, Company of the Year, in which Horatio won.
"It is rewarding to be among such a distinguished group and to be recognized as Company of the Year for this year's International Business Awards®," said Horatio CEO Jose Herrera. "We have always prided ourselves in building the best CX teams for our clients, and we are so proud that every member of Horatio has helped us to get to this point in our journey."
Horatio's Chief Financial Officer, Jared Karson noted "Congratulations to all the fellow winners in this year's STEVIE® Awards. This award is a culmination of the incredible work that our talented staff does to support our clients. We are honored to be included in such an esteemed list and thankful that the International Business Awards® has recognized this exciting time in Customer Experience."
Horatio was founded in 2018 by three former Columbia Business School classmates, CEO Jose Herrera, COO Alex Ross and CFO Jared Karson. Horatio's business has grown fourfold from 2021 to 2022. In 2021, they opened a new office in the Dominican Republic and expanded their offices in New York City Horatio serves next-generation digitally native clients in a variety of sectors including ecommerce, healthtech, technology, hospitality, fintech, and cryptocurrency.
Horatio and the rest of the 2022 International Business Award® winners will be celebrated during a gala banquet at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel, in London, England, on Saturday October 15th, 2022. This will be the first live IBA awards ceremony since 2019.
For more information please visit www.hirehoratio.com or follow @HireHoratio or @HireHoratiord.
About Horatio:
Horatio is the trusted partner for some of the fastest-growing startups and enterprises in the world. Their on-brand customer support teams help them leverage CX as a revenue generator through personalized customer experience support. As seen on INC, Forbes, and Bloomberg, and the recipient of the 2022 Customer Contact Week Next Generation Leaders Award. Horatio is headquartered in New York City with main offshore offices located in Santo Domingo and Santiago, Dominican Republic. For more information please visit www.hirehoratio.com.
Contact
Carly Wienner
carly@wildflowerpr.co
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SOURCE Horatio | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/horatio-honored-silver-stevie-award-winner-2022-international-business-awards/ | 2022-08-15T20:35:08Z | wbko.com | control | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/horatio-honored-silver-stevie-award-winner-2022-international-business-awards/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Philadelphia's iconic snack cake brand is bringing two new treats to stores near you!
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tastykake® brand is pleased to introduce Mini Bundt Cakes to its portfolio of delicious snacking treats. New Tastykake Mini Bundt Cakes come in two flavors – Chocolate Chocolate Chip and Strawberry Flavored – and are available nationwide.
Tastykake Mini Bundt Cakes are sure to delight consumers' tastebuds and elevate everyday snacking occasions. "We're incredibly excited to share these Mini Bundt Cakes with our loving fans," said Ashley Hornsby, Tastykake brand manager. "The unique mini size bundt is perfect for easy traveling and is ideal for little indulgences throughout the day."
Tastykake Mini Bundt Cakes come in a pantry-ready box priced at $5.29 and contain five pouches of four mini bundts – perfect for on-the-go snacking.
Consumers can find Tastykake Mini Bundt Cakes along with other iconic Tastykake items, such as Kandy Kakes®, Krimpets®, Juniors®, as well as pecan swirls, donuts, and pies.
To learn more, please visit www.tastykake.com or follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
About Tastykake:
A snack favorite since 1914, Tastykake® offers a complete line of snack cakes, pies, cookies, and donuts available in supermarkets, mass merchandisers, convenience stores and other retailers. Celebrated for freshness and quality, the Tastykake product portfolio includes such classics as Krimpets, Kandy Kakes and Juniors. One taste of a Tastykake treat and you'll know why this brand has been a favorite of many for more than 100 years. Tastykake is a brand of Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO), one of the largest baking companies in the U.S. For more information on Tastykake or Flowers Foods visit www.tastykake.com or www.flowersfoods.com.
For more information:
The Zimmerman Agency
tastykake@zimmerman.com
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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's deputies arrested a Lake Charles woman Sunday afternoon and booked her with murder in her infant's death.
Deputies say Ivy L. Lee, 22, flagged them down near the intersection of Enterprise Boulevard and Broad Street. She told them that her baby wasn't breathing. Another deputy arrived and they began life-saving measures, and although she was transported to a local hospital, she died.
Lee allegedly told deputies different stories; first saying her child hadn't been in her care. But then she allegedly admitted she drove to work with the baby in the vehicle, and left the baby in the vehicle for about five hours. Deputies searched the vehicle and allegedly found marijuana inside.
Lee was booked with second-degree murder and possession of marijuana. Her bond has been set at $1.2 million.
CPSO Detective Michelle Robinson is the lead investigator on this case. | https://www.katc.com/news/calcasieu-parish/mother-booked-with-murder-in-infants-death | 2022-08-15T20:44:02Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/calcasieu-parish/mother-booked-with-murder-in-infants-death | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
LOWS TONIGHT: MID-70S
HIGHS TUESDAY: LOW-MID 90S
DISCUSSION
A drier flow aloft, coupled with high pressure at the surface, is keeping the pattern relatively quiet here in Acadiana for the start of the week.
Fair skies tonight as lows settle into the mid-70s.
Another hot one Tuesday as highs push the low-mid 90s under fair to partly cloudy skies.,
Heat indices will approach the triple digits during the hottest part of the day.
A stray afternoon shower could develop, but rain chances will only sit at 15%.
Much of the same expected heading into Wednesday.
By the end of the week, the pattern will once again turn unsettled as a frontal trough interacts with increasing low-level moisture at the surface.
Plan on scattered storm chances Thursday thru at least the upcoming weekend.
Have a great week!
TROPICS
No new developments expected in the Atlantic basin at least over the next 5 days.
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Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers | https://www.katc.com/news/heat-stays-on-relatively-quiet-weather-through-mid-week | 2022-08-15T20:44:08Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/heat-stays-on-relatively-quiet-weather-through-mid-week | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A man accused of killing one person and 17 others after driving through a crowd of people in Pennsylvania and then returned home and allegedly beat his mother to death has been charged with two counts of criminal homicide.
Pennsylvania State Police said 24-year-old Adrian Oswaldo Sura Reyes of Nescopeck was arraigned Sunday.
Police said a crowd had gathered for a community benefit event for a family involved in a deadly fire on Aug.5 when a car plowed into them.
According to police, 50-year-old Rebecca Reese was killed and 17 others were injured.
Police said five transported to Geisinger Medical Center remained in critical condition while two were listed in fair condition.
Five patients had been treated at hospitals and released, police said.
The Associated Press reported that Reyes told police that he initially drove past the gathering, but then turned around and headed back to the gathering “to drive through the crowd of people.”
After the crash, Reyes allegedly drove back home and confronted his mother, 56-year-old Rosa Reyes, who died after Sura Reyes reportedly struck her with a vehicle and then beat her in the head with a blunt object multiple times, police said.
Police said the 24-year-old was taken into custody by police once they got to the scene. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/police-man-kills-woman-after-driving-into-fundraiser-crowd-then-kills-mother | 2022-08-15T20:44:45Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/police-man-kills-woman-after-driving-into-fundraiser-crowd-then-kills-mother | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Starbucks on Monday asked the National Labor Relations Board to temporarily suspend all union elections at its U.S. stores, citing allegations from a board employee that regional NLRB officials improperly coordinated with union organizers.
In a letter to the board chairman, Starbucks said the unnamed career NLRB employee informed the company about the activity, which happened in the board's St. Louis office in the spring while it was overseeing a union election at a Starbucks store in Overland Park, Kansas.
The store is one of 314 U.S. Starbucks locations where workers have petitioned the NLRB to hold union elections since late last year. More than 220 of those Starbucks stores have voted to unionize. The company opposes the unionization effort.
The Seattle coffee giant alleges that St. Louis labor board officials made special arrangements for pro-union workers to vote in person at its office when they did not receive mail-in ballots, even though Starbucks and the union had agreed that store elections would be handled by mail-in ballot.
In its letter, Starbucks referred to memos the regional office sent confirming that workers were allowed to come to the office and vote in person after the union told the regional office that some workers had not received ballots in the mail. The memos, citing “board protocol," said the workers voted alone in an empty office, according to Starbucks.
“Because observers were not present, no one can be sure who appeared to vote, whether NLRB personnel had inappropriate communications with the voters, told them how to vote, showed them how to vote or engaged in other undisclosed conduct," Starbucks wrote in its letter.
Starbucks said regional board officials also disclosed confidential information to the union, including which workers' ballots had arrived in the mail to be counted.
Starbucks Workers United, the group seeking to unionize U.S. Starbucks stores, accused the company of trying to “distract attention away from their unprecedented anti-union campaign, including firing over 75 union leaders across the country, while simultaneously trying to halt all union elections.”
“Workers have spoken loud and clear by winning 82 percent of union elections,” the group said in a statement. "Ultimately, this is Starbucks’ latest attempt to manipulate the legal process for their own means and prevent workers from exercising their fundamental right to organize.”
A spokesperson for the NLRB said Monday that the agency doesn't comment on open cases. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/starbucks-asks-labor-board-to-halt-union-votes-temporarily | 2022-08-15T20:44:57Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/starbucks-asks-labor-board-to-halt-union-votes-temporarily | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Local Lafayette app- based meal delivery service, Waitr, changed its name to ASAP after it was sold.
The company started as an idea created by Chris Meaux and will now rebrand as one that will "deliver anything". ASAP will provide more services than just takeout from local restaurants. ASAP will deliver alcohol, sporting goods, luxury apparel, auto and electrical parts, and other various products.
The CEO and board chair Carl Grimstad said,
“The strategies we have implemented have reinforced our ‘anything, anywhere ASAP’ vision, making us the go-to company for a wider range of products and services. And of course, our emphasis on working with businesses to make them more successful will never change.”
CEO and board chair of ASAP Carl Grimstad
The recent changes followed a company posting revealing a second quarter loss of $11.7 million mostly caused by higher gas prices, inflation and competition. | https://www.katc.com/news/waitr-announces-rebranding-lafayette-company-now-named-asap | 2022-08-15T20:45:03Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/waitr-announces-rebranding-lafayette-company-now-named-asap | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SPOKANE, Wash. — The sentencing for the Freeman High School shooter that killed one classmate and wounded three freshman girls started Monday after several delays.
In September 2017, then 15-year-old Caleb Sharpe opened fire on his Freeman High School classmates, killing one student and leaving three freshman girls seriously injured.
Sharpe pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and second-degree assault in January of this year.
His sentencing started last week with opening statements from attorneys and expert testimony. The shooter's defense said a 20-year sentence would be appropriate due to the shooter's age and immaturity at the time of the shooting.
The defense added that these factors should contribute to Sharpe being found less culpable for his criminal conduct.
RELATED: Doctor shares details on Freeman school shooter's upbringing, defense urges shorter prison sentence
Prosecutors are asking for a minimum sentence of 35 years as they argue he still exhibits a lack of remorse and true understanding of what he did.
The victim and expert testimony will continue through this week.
On Thursday, Sharpe's mom and dad were present in court. They sat behind their son and are expected to testify this week. Ami Strahan, the mother of Sam Strahan who died in the shooting, will also speak during the hearing.
The judge is expected to decide on a sentence on Friday, Aug.19.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/spokane-county/sentencing-expected-to-wrap-this-week-for-freeman-high-school-shooter/293-1a744d68-560e-4cf9-b0b8-9290184cd696 | 2022-08-15T20:48:17Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/spokane-county/sentencing-expected-to-wrap-this-week-for-freeman-high-school-shooter/293-1a744d68-560e-4cf9-b0b8-9290184cd696 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MOSES LAKE, Wash. — Two people have died after an early morning fire in a trailer near Moses Lake, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
Fire crews with Fire District No. 5 were called to a fire in the Cougar Campers RV Park in the area of Wheeler east of Moses Lake on Monday morning at around 3:45 a.m. Monday morning.
When firefighters arrived, they found a fifth-wheel travel trailer fully engulfed in flames. After extinguishing the fire, they found the bodies of two people, who are believed to be the occupants living in the trailer.
Grant County officials are investigating the cause of the fire and are working to perform autopsies to verify the identity of the two people.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/washington/moses-lake-trailer-fire/293-806faab3-73b9-498b-8e5e-cbbb0e36d386 | 2022-08-15T20:48:23Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/washington/moses-lake-trailer-fire/293-806faab3-73b9-498b-8e5e-cbbb0e36d386 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON — During a two-week operation in August, the FBI located 84 victims of child sex exploitation and found 37 actively missing children during a nationwide sex trafficking initiative, the Department of Justice said Monday.
The average age of the victims was 15.5 years old and the youngest was 11 years old. In addition to locating and identifying the underage victims, the FBI found 141 trafficked adults.
“The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to combat the insidious crimes of human trafficking that devastate survivors and their families,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in a press release.
The nationwide operation focused on locating victims of sex trafficking and arresting those involved in both child sex and human trafficking crimes. Agents arrested or identified 85 suspects of child sex exploitation and human trafficking offenses, according to the Department of Justice.
The initiative "Operation Cross Country," worked alongside 200 state, local and federal partners as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to conduct 391 operations in August.
"Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray in the press release. “Unfortunately, such crimes—against both adults and children—are far more common than most people realize.”
The FBI worked with victim specialists during the operation to help provide a "bridge" for those who are wary of the system, the Justice Department said. Victim specialists also help provide services based on the needs of the victims such as crisis intervention, emergency food, clothing, shelter and more.
“The success of Operation Cross County reinforces what NCMEC sees every day. Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country by traffickers, gangs and even family members,” said Michelle DeLaune, president and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the press release. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/fbi-latest-initiative-focused-on-sex-trafficking/507-410ba61b-4686-4157-af8c-f407a70575be | 2022-08-15T20:48:29Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/fbi-latest-initiative-focused-on-sex-trafficking/507-410ba61b-4686-4157-af8c-f407a70575be | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON — About 13,099 pounds of frozen Home Run Inn pizza is being recalled because there may be metal in the pizza, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Sunday.
The recall explains the pizzas may be contaminated with "extraneous materials, specifically metal."
The company said it became aware of the issue after consumers reported finding metal in their pizzas.
The recall is only for the 33.5 oz "Home run Inn Chicago's Premium Pizzeria Deluxe Sausage Classic Pizza," with a best by date of Dec. 3, 2022.
The recalled product, which was produced June 6, has an establishment number "EST. 1848-A" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
There have been no confirmed injuries or adverse reactions due to the possible contamination, according to the press release. The recalled pizzas were shipped to a distributor in Illinois and then distributed to retailers.
The USDA food inspectors urge consumers not to eat the frozen pizzas if they have purchased them. The recall was issued as a "Class I," which means it is "a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death," according to the USDA website.
Consumers can contact Home Run Inn Frozen Foods at 630-783-9696 with any questions about the recall.
Home Run Inn has nine Chicago pizzerias and offers frozen pizza in over 35 states. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/home-run-inn-frozen-pizza-recall/507-f35a6432-6e8b-41df-91bf-066f6dd4198b | 2022-08-15T20:48:36Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/home-run-inn-frozen-pizza-recall/507-f35a6432-6e8b-41df-91bf-066f6dd4198b | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
PITTSBURGH — More than two million infant swings and 220,000 infant rockers are being recalled after reports that one baby died and another was hurt after getting tangled in hanging straps.
Pittsburgh-based 4moms is recalling about two million MamaRoo swings and 220,000 RockaRoo rockers in the U.S, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Monday. Another 70,000 of the products are being recalled in Canada.
The recall notice said restraint straps on the swing and rocker can hang down when not in use. Infants crawling under the seat can then get tangled in the straps and potentially be strangled.
4moms received two reports of infants getting caught in the hanging strap under the MamaRoo infant swing. One, a 10-month-old, died from asphyxiation. Another 10-month-old "suffered bruising to his neck before being rescued by a caregiver," the recall stated. No injuries or deaths were reported from the rocker.
According to the recall notice, the swings and rockers were sold at BuyBuy Baby and Target stores nationwide from January 2010 through August 2022 for between $160 and $250. They were also sold online on 4moms.com and Amazon.
Which products are being recalled?
The MamaRoo is a baby swing with different motions, speeds and sounds controlled by buttons on the base.
"This recall includes only MamaRoo models that use a 3-point harness: versions 1.0 and 2.0 (model number 4M-005), version 3.0 (model number 1026), and version 4.0 (model number 1037)," the notice said.
The MamaRoo model with a 5-point harness (Model 1046) isn't being recalled.
Model numbers are located on the bottom of the swings.
The RockaRoo is a baby rocker with "front to back gliding motion" controlled by a knob and power button on the base. The model number, 4M-012, is located on the bottom of the rocker.
What should I do if I have this product?
According to the recall notice, customers with crawling babies should stop using the recalled swings and rockers right away and put them somewhere out of reach.
Customers can contact 4moms "immediately" to get a free strap fastener that the company said will keep straps from hanging.
The recall notice said customers can call 4moms toll-free at 877-870-7390 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday, by email at safetyandrecall@4moms.com or online at https://www.4momsrecall.expertinquiry.com.
The company said it is contacting all known purchasers. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/infant-swing-rocker-recalled/507-87b2bd6b-94d1-4b0e-9de6-58b2a7fb15f2 | 2022-08-15T20:48:42Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/infant-swing-rocker-recalled/507-87b2bd6b-94d1-4b0e-9de6-58b2a7fb15f2 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
D23 Expo 2022 Announces a Disney and Marvel Games Showcase
Next month, Disney will host its first in-person D23 Expo since 2019, which means new Marvel and Star Wars announcements are coming our way. Naturally, fans are expecting Kevin Feige, Kathleen Kennedy, and a few more surprise guests to share big reveals about their respective cinematic universes. But we can also look forward to some video game news as well. And the best part? You don’t even need a ticket to catch this part of the presentation.
On September 9 at 1pm PST, D23 will preview several upcoming video game titles as part of a special livestream event. Viewers can anticipate new looks at Disney Dreamlight Valley and potentially DLC for Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Firaxis and 2K Games will also share new info about Marvel’s Midnight Suns, which recently vacated its previous October release date. But the developers might announce a new release window during the showcase.
However, the highlight of the event will be a sneak peak at Marvel’s new ensemble title from Skydance New Media. Amy Hennig, best known as the creator of Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series, is leading the charge on this game. Hennig and Skydance are also working on a new Star Wars title, but that game isn’t on D23’s schedule.
RELATED: Marvel’s Midnight Suns Gets Hit With Another Delay
You can check out a new promo for the livestream below.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Watch the Disney & Marvel GAMES SHOWCASE on Friday, September 9 – live from #D23Expo 2022! https://t.co/uZcDYdUZKA pic.twitter.com/RJ67ooTR2F
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) August 15, 2022
These aren’t the only Marvel-themed video games on the horizon. Players are also waiting to hear new updates regarding Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Marvel’s Wolverine, both of which were announced by Insomniac last year. But since those games are PlayStation 5 exclusives, Sony probably isn’t screening new footage from either title until an upcoming State of Play livestream.
The Disney and Marvel Games showcase will be available to stream on D23’s official Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube accounts.
Which video game are you most excited learn more about next month? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Spirits of Vengeance: Rise of the Midnight Sons
We are also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. | https://www.superherohype.com/video-games/517873-d23-expo-2022-announces-a-disney-and-marvel-games-showcase | 2022-08-15T20:48:43Z | superherohype.com | control | https://www.superherohype.com/video-games/517873-d23-expo-2022-announces-a-disney-and-marvel-games-showcase | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON — King’s Hawaiian has issued a recall for its pretzel products due to concerns over possible bacteria contamination with an ingredient from one of its suppliers.
The recall covers all King's Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns, Pretzel Hamburger Buns and Pretzel Bites products. According to the company, the move is a precaution after an ingredient used in the pretzel products was recalled by Lyons Magnus for possible contamination.
The recall doesn't impact any other King’s Hawaiian products. The company said it plans to resume producing pretzel products once it has confirmed the safety of all ingredients and made sure all the current product has been thrown out.
A few weeks ago, Lyons Magnus announced it was recalling some of its products, including Oatly oat milk and Premier protein shakes, due to a "potential microbial contamination" with the organisms Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum. Last week, Lyons Magnus announced it was expanding that recall to include additional products.
Cronobacter sakazakii is a bacteria that can be deadly for infants, older people and immunocompromised people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In infants, it can cause sepsis, a severe bloodstream infection, and meningitis as well as even an infection of protective membranes around the brain in infants.
While infection from Cronobacter sakazakii is believed to be rare, doctors and labs are not required to report cases to the state, making case outbreaks difficult to track nationally. The common symptoms include fever, vomiting and urinary tract infection, according to the FDA recall notice.
King’s Hawaiian said that consumers who have any of the recalled pretzel products should dispose of the product immediately.
The company said customers can ask questions or request replacement product by calling 877-695-4227, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
VERIFY contributed to this report. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/kings-hawaiian-recall-pretzel-buns-lyons-magnus/507-0ff99427-6a39-421c-b173-1b59c1e6a332 | 2022-08-15T20:48:48Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/kings-hawaiian-recall-pretzel-buns-lyons-magnus/507-0ff99427-6a39-421c-b173-1b59c1e6a332 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WASHINGTON — Prosecutors in Atlanta on Monday told lawyers for Rudy Giuliani that he’s a target of their criminal investigation into possible illegal attempts by then-President Donald Trump and others to interfere in the 2020 general election in Georgia.
Special prosecutor Nathan Wade alerted Giuliani's local attorney in Atlanta that the former New York City mayor could face criminal charges, another Giuliani attorney, Robert Costello, said. News of the disclosure was first reported by The New York Times.
The revelation that Giuliani, a lawyer for Trump, is a target of the investigation by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis edges the probe closer to the former president. Willis has said she is considering calling Trump himself to testify before the special grand jury, and the former president has hired a criminal defense attorney in Atlanta.
Law enforcement scrutiny of Trump's actions is escalating. Last week, the FBI searched This Florida home as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House to Mar-a-Lago. He is also facing a civil investigation in New York over allegations that hiss company, the Trump Organization, misled banks and tax authorities about the value of his assets. And the Justice Department is investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters and efforts to overturn the election he falsely claimed was stolen.
Giuliani, who spread false claims of election fraud in Atlanta's Fulton County as he led efforts to overturn the state's election results, is to testify Wednesday before a special grand jury that was impaneled at Willis's request.
Also Monday, a federal judge said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham must testify before the special grand jury. Prosecutors have said they want to ask Graham about phone calls they say he made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his staff in the weeks following the election.
Willis’s investigation was spurred by a phone call between Trump and Raffensperger. During that January 2021 conversation, Trump suggested that Raffensperger “find” the votes needed to reverse his narrow loss in the state.
Willis last month filed petitions seeking to compel testimony from seven Trump associates and advisers. Because they don’t live in Georgia, she had to use a process that involves asking a judge in the states where they live to order them to appear.
In a petition seeking Giuliani’s testimony, Willis identified him as both a personal attorney for Trump and a lead attorney for his campaign. She wrote that he and others appeared at a state Senate committee meeting and presented a video that Giuliani said showed election workers producing “suitcases” of unlawful ballots from unknown sources, outside the view of election poll watchers.
Within 24 hours of that Dec. 3, 2020, hearing, Raffensperger’s office had debunked the video. But Giuliani continued to make statements to the public and in subsequent legislative hearings claiming widespread voter fraud using the debunked video, Willis wrote.
Evidence shows that Giuliani’s hearing appearance and testimony were "part of a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere,” her petition says.
Two of the election workers seen in the video, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, said they faced relentless harassment online and in person after it was shown at a Dec. 3 Georgia legislative hearing where Giuliani appeared. At another hearing a week later, Giuliani said the footage showed the women “surreptitiously passing around USB ports as if they are vials of heroin or cocaine.” They actually were passing a piece of candy.
Willis also wrote in a petition seeking the testimony of attorney Kenneth Chesebro that he worked with Giuliani to coordinate and carry out a plan to have Georgia Republicans serve as fake electors. Those 16 people signed a certificate declaring falsely that Trump had won the 2020 presidential election and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors even though Joe Biden had won the state and a slate of Democratic electors was certified.
All 16 of those fake electors have received letters saying they are targets of the investigation, Willis said in a court filing last month.
Attorneys for Graham, R-S.C., have argued that his position as a U.S. senator provides him immunity from having to appear before the investigative panel. But U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May wrote in an order Monday that immunities related to his role as a senator do not protect him from having to testify. Graham's subpoena instructs him to appear before the special grand jury on Aug. 23, but his office said Monday he plans to appeal.
Graham had argued that a provision of the Constitution provides absolute protection against a senator being questioned about legislative acts. But the judge found there are “considerable areas of potential grand jury inquiry” that fall outside that provision’s scope. The judge also rejected Graham’s argument that the principle of “sovereign immunity” protects a senator from being summoned by a state prosecutor.
Graham also argued that Willis, a Democrat, had not demonstrated extraordinary circumstances necessary to compel testimony from a high-ranking official. But the judge disagreed, finding that Willis had shown “extraordinary circumstances and a special need” for Graham’s testimony on issues related to an alleged attempt to influence or disrupt the election in Georgia.
May, the judge, last month rejected a similar attempt by U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., to avoid testifying before the special grand jury.
Graham's office said in a statement Monday that the senator disagrees with the judge's interpretation of the provision of the Constitution he believes protects him from being questioned by a state official. His lawyers have said he was making inquiries that were part of his legislative duties, related to certification of the vote and to a proposal of election-related legislation.
But the judge wrote that that ignores "the fact that individuals on the calls have publicly suggested that Senator Graham was not simply engaged in legislative factfinding but was instead suggesting or implying that Georgia election officials change their processes or otherwise potentially alter the state’s results.”
In calls made shortly after the 2020 general election, Graham “questioned Raffensperger and his staff about reexamining certain absentee ballots cast in Georgia in order to explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump,” Willis wrote in a petition.
Graham also “made reference to allegations of widespread voter fraud in the November 2020 election in Georgia, consistent with public statements made by known affiliates of the Trump Campaign,” she wrote.
Republican and Democratic state election officials across the country, courts and even Trump's attorney general have found there was no evidence of voter fraud sufficient to affect the outcome of his 2020 presidential election loss.
Trump-allied lawmakers were planning to challenge the tallies from several battleground states when Congress convened on Jan. 6, 2021, to certify the results under the Electoral Count Act, but after the Capitol attack that day Georgia’s tally was never contested.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has described his call to Raffensperger as “perfect.” | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/rudy-giuliani-georgia-election-probe/507-84de8b3d-fb94-47f5-83dd-b9820d214151 | 2022-08-15T20:49:01Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/rudy-giuliani-georgia-election-probe/507-84de8b3d-fb94-47f5-83dd-b9820d214151 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEW YORK — Nearly 50 years after Sacheen Littlefeather stood on the Academy Awards stage on behalf of Marlon Brando to speak about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences apologized to her for the abuse she endured.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Monday said that it will host Littlefeather, now 75, for an evening of “conversation, healing and celebration” on Sept. 17.
When Brando won best actor for “The Godfather,” Littlefeather, wearing buckskin dress and moccasins, took the stage, becoming the first Native American woman ever to do so at the Academy Awards. In a 60-second speech, she explained that Brando could not accept the award due to “the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry."
Some in the audience booed her. John Wayne, who was backstage at the time, was reportedly furious. The 1973 Oscars were held during the American Indian Movement's two-month occupation of Wounded Knee in South Dakota. In the years since, Littlefeather has said she's been mocked, discriminated against and personally attacked for her brief Academy Awards appearance.
In making the announcement, the Academy Museum shared a letter sent June 18 to Littlefeather by David Rubin, academy president, about the iconic Oscar moment. Rubin called Littlefeather's speech “a powerful statement that continues to remind us of the necessity of respect and the importance of human dignity.”
“The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified,” wrote Rubin. “The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable. For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration.”
Littlefeather, in a statement, said it is “profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago.”
“Regarding the Academy’s apology to me, we Indians are very patient people — it’s only been 50 years!” said Littlefeather. “We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It’s our method of survival.”
At the Academy Museum event in Los Angeles, Littlefeather will sit for a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the academy's Indigenous Alliance.
In a podcast earlier this year with Jacqueline Stewart, a film scholar and director of the Academy Museum, Littlefeather reflected on what compelled her to speak out in 1973.
“I felt that there should be Native people, Black people, Asian people, Chicano people — I felt there should be an inclusion of everyone," said Littlefeather. "A rainbow of people that should be involved in creating their own image.” | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/sacheen-littlefeather-oscars-apology/507-baa0c913-346d-4c47-bcfe-2d7eeb6d51fc | 2022-08-15T20:49:07Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/sacheen-littlefeather-oscars-apology/507-baa0c913-346d-4c47-bcfe-2d7eeb6d51fc | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SEATTLE — Starbucks on Monday asked the National Labor Relations Board to temporarily suspend all union elections at its U.S. stores, citing allegations from a board employee that regional NLRB officials improperly coordinated with union organizers.
In a letter to the board chairman, Starbucks said the unnamed career NLRB employee informed the company about the activity, which happened in the board's St. Louis office in the spring while it was overseeing a union election at a Starbucks store in Overland Park, Kansas.
The store is one of 314 U.S. Starbucks locations where workers have petitioned the NLRB to hold union elections since late last year. More than 220 of those Starbucks stores have voted to unionize. The company opposes the unionization effort.
The Seattle coffee giant alleges that St. Louis labor board officials made special arrangements for pro-union workers to vote in person at its office when they did not receive mail-in ballots, even though Starbucks and the union had agreed that store elections would be handled by mail-in ballot.
In its letter, Starbucks referred to memos the regional office sent confirming that workers were allowed to come to the office and vote in person after the union told the regional office that some workers had not received ballots in the mail. The memos, citing “board protocol," said the workers voted alone in an empty office, according to Starbucks.
“Because observers were not present, no one can be sure who appeared to vote, whether NLRB personnel had inappropriate communications with the voters, told them how to vote, showed them how to vote or engaged in other undisclosed conduct," Starbucks wrote in its letter.
Starbucks said regional board officials also disclosed confidential information to the union, including which workers' ballots had arrived in the mail to be counted.
Starbucks Workers United, the group seeking to unionize U.S. Starbucks stores, accused the company of trying to “distract attention away from their unprecedented anti-union campaign, including firing over 75 union leaders across the country, while simultaneously trying to halt all union elections.”
“Workers have spoken loud and clear by winning 82 percent of union elections,” the group said in a statement. "Ultimately, this is Starbucks’ latest attempt to manipulate the legal process for their own means and prevent workers from exercising their fundamental right to organize.”
A spokesperson for the NLRB said Monday that the agency doesn't comment on open cases.
Press secretary Kayla Blado said the NLRB will “carefully and objectively” consider any challenges that Starbucks raises through “established channels.” Starbucks can also seek expedited review in the case, Blado said.
Workers at the Overland Park store petitioned the NLRB to hold a vote in February. In April, workers voted 6-1 to unionize, but seven additional ballots were the subject of challenges from Starbucks or the union. A hearing on those challenges is scheduled for Tuesday; Starbucks has asked for that hearing to be delayed.
Starbucks said there is evidence of misconduct in other regions as well. The company wants the NLRB to thoroughly investigate other Starbucks union elections and make public a report on its findings. The company said the board should also implement safeguards to prevent regional officials from coordinating with one party or another.
Starbucks also asked the NLRB to issue an order requiring all pending and future elections to be conducted in person with observers from both sides.
“If the NLRB does not respond by investigating and remedying these types of actions, we do not see how the board can represent itself as a neutral agency," the company said in the letter.
Starbucks has long opposed unionization, dating back to CEO Howard Schultz's acquisition of the company in the late 1980s. The current unionization effort has been riddled with accusations and lawsuits on both sides.
Starbucks Workers United has filed 284 unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against Starbucks or one of its operators, according to the labor board. Starbucks has filed two charges against Workers United.
Earlier this month, the labor board dismissed one of the charges filed by Starbucks, saying the company failed to prove that pro-union workers blocked store entrances or intimidated customers during a spring rally.
In June, the NLRB asked a federal court in western New York to order Starbucks to stop interfering with unionization efforts at its U.S. stores. It also asked the court to order Starbucks to reinstate seven Buffalo employees it says were unlawfully fired for trying to form a union. That case is pending.
But the NLRB's actions against Starbucks haven't always been successful. In June, a federal judge in Phoenix ruled that Starbucks didn't have to rehire three workers who claimed that the company had retaliated against them for organizing a union.
Starbucks isn't the only large company facing a unionization effort that has attacked the voting process.
Amazon has also levied accusations of improper conduct against the NLRB’s regional office in Brooklyn in its attempt to re-do a historic labor win at a warehouse on Staten Island, New York. Among other allegations, Amazon said the agency tainted the voting process by seeking reinstatement of a fired Amazon worker in the weeks leading up to the March election.
Attorneys representing the e-commerce juggernaut argued their case in an agency hearing during the summer. Attorneys for the agency have pushed back. A regional director for an NLRB office in Phoenix is expected to issue a ruling on that case in the coming weeks. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/starbucks-asks-labor-board-to-halt-union-votes/507-95ce5195-e1aa-44e4-834c-6432e08946c3 | 2022-08-15T20:49:13Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-world/starbucks-asks-labor-board-to-halt-union-votes/507-95ce5195-e1aa-44e4-834c-6432e08946c3 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Editors note: The video above is previous reporting on the case
Prosecutors in Atlanta on Monday told lawyers for Rudy Giuliani that he's a target of their criminal investigation into possible illegal attempts by then-President Donald Trump and others to interfere in the 2020 general election in Georgia, one of Giuliani's lawyers said Monday.
Special prosecutor Nathan Wade alerted Giuliani's local attorney in Atlanta that the former New York City mayor could face criminal charges, another Giuliani attorney, Bob Costello said. News of the disclosure was first reported by The New York Times.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened the investigation last year, and a special grand jury was seated in May at her request. County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who's overseeing the special grand jury, has instructed Giuliani to appear before the panel to testify on Wednesday.
Willis's investigation was spurred by a phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. During that January 2021 conversation, Trump suggested that Raffensperger could "find" the votes needed to overturn his narrow loss in the state.
It has also become clear that the district attorney is interested in Georgia legislative committee hearings that were held in December 2020 where Giuliani appeared and spread false claims of election fraud in Atlanta's Fulton County.
Willis last month filed petitions seeking to compel testimony from seven Trump associates and advisers. Because they don't live in Georgia, she had to use a process that involves asking a judge in the states where they live to order them to appear.
In a petition seeking Giuliani's testimony, Willis identified him as both a personal attorney for Trump and a lead attorney for his campaign. She wrote that he and others appeared at a state Senate committee meeting and presented a video that Giuliani said showed election workers producing "suitcases" of unlawful ballots from unknown sources, outside the view of election poll watchers.
Within 24 hours of that Dec. 3, 2020, hearing, Raffensperger's office had debunked the video. But Giuliani continued to make statements to the public and in subsequent legislative hearings claiming widespread voter fraud using the debunked video, Willis wrote.
Evidence shows that Giuliani's hearing appearance and testimony "was part of a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere," the petition says.
Also Monday, a federal judge said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham must testify before a special grand jury in Atlanta that is investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws while trying to overturn his narrow 2020 general election loss in the state.
Attorneys for Graham, R-S.C., had argued that his position as a U.S. senator provided him immunity from having to appear before the investigative panel and asked the judge to quash his subpoena. But U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May wrote in an order Monday that immunities related to his role as a senator do not protect him from having to testify. Graham's subpoena instructs him to appear before the special grand jury on Aug. 23, but his office said Monday he plans to appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prosecutors have indicated they want to ask Graham about phone calls they say he made to Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger and his staff in the weeks following Trump's election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Graham had argued that a provision of the Constitution provides absolute protection against a senator being questioned about legislative acts. But the judge found there are "considerable areas of potential grand jury inquiry" that fall outside that provision's scope. The judge also rejected Graham's argument that the principle of "sovereign immunity" protects a senator from being summoned by a state prosecutor.
Graham also argued that Willis, a Democrat, had not demonstrated extraordinary circumstances necessary to compel testimony from a high-ranking official. But the judge disagreed, finding that Willis had shown "extraordinary circumstances and a special need" for Graham's testimony on issues related to an alleged attempt to influence or disrupt the election in Georgia.
May, the judge, last month rejected a similar attempt by U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., to avoid testifying before the special grand jury. Former New York mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani had argued he couldn't travel to Atlanta to testify because of health issues, but Fulton County Judge McBurney instructed him to appear on Wednesday.
Graham's office said in a statement Monday that the senator disagrees with the judge's interpretation of the provision of the Constitution he believes protects him from being questioned by a state official. His lawyers have said that he was making inquiries that were clearly part of his legislative duties, related to certification of the vote and to the proposal of election-related legislation.
But the judge wrote that that ignores "the fact that individuals on the calls have publicly suggested that Senator Graham was not simply engaged in legislative factfinding but was instead suggesting or implying that Georgia election officials change their processes or otherwise potentially alter the state's results."
In calls made shortly after the 2020 general election, Graham "questioned Raffensperger and his staff about reexamining certain absentee ballots cast in Georgia in order to explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump," Willis wrote in a petition.
Graham also "made reference to allegations of widespread voter fraud in the November 2020 election in Georgia, consistent with public statements made by known affiliates of the Trump Campaign," she wrote.
Republican and Democratic state election officials across the country, courts and even Trump's attorney general found there was no evidence of any voter fraud sufficient to affect the outcome of his 2020 presidential election loss.
Trump-allied lawmakers were planning to challenge the tallies from several battleground states when Congress convened on Jan. 6, 2021, to certify the results under the Electoral Count Act, but after the Capitol attack that day Georgia's tally was never contested.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has described his call to Raffensperger as "perfect."
___
Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C., and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed reporting. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/giulianis-target-ga-election-probe-trump-fulton/85-c1d1cc3e-072f-4f9d-9740-24b2d1c5adba | 2022-08-15T20:49:19Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/giulianis-target-ga-election-probe-trump-fulton/85-c1d1cc3e-072f-4f9d-9740-24b2d1c5adba | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes some tax credits for Americans, is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature.
But how could the legislation impact you when filing your next tax return? Some people on social media are claiming that the Inflation Reduction Act is a “tax increase on the middle class,” while others say middle-class Americans won’t pay more in income taxes.
Several VERIFY readers have also reached out to the team to ask if the Inflation Reduction Act raises individual income taxes.
THE QUESTION
Does the Inflation Reduction Act raise income taxes on the middle class?
THE SOURCES
- Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- Joint statement from former U.S. Treasury Department secretaries
- Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
- Tax Foundation, an independent think tank
THE ANSWER
No, the Inflation Reduction Act doesn’t raise income taxes on the middle class. There are no individual income tax increases included in the legislation at all.
WHAT WE FOUND
Though President Biden has proposed income tax increases in the past, there are no individual income tax increases included in the Inflation Reduction Act at all, Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, told VERIFY.
The full bill text of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 doesn’t mention income tax or any other kind of tax assessed on individuals.
In a joint statement, former U.S. Treasury Department secretaries from Democratic and Republican administrations reiterated that income taxes will not increase for middle-class Americans.
The legislation does impose a 15% minimum tax on corporate book income for corporations with profits over $1 billion, effective for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2022. Congress’ Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that only about 150 corporations annually would be subject to the proposed tax.
That means these large corporations would pay 15% of the income they report to shareholders.
“Because there can be large discrepancies between income reported in financial statements and on tax returns, the minimum book income tax may be larger than the regular income tax,” the Tax Policy Center explains.
The legislation also includes a tax on companies that buy back stock from their shareholders, according to Gleckman.
Though there aren’t any increases to individual income taxes, some critics of the Inflation Reduction Act say the tax on large corporations could negatively impact some middle-class Americans, Gleckman explained.
“Most analysts…when we look at the distribution of tax changes, assume that corporations don’t actually pay the tax, that ultimately the tax is paid by either shareholders or by workers,” he said. “So a company that has less after-tax income has less money to pay its workers. A company that has less after-tax income because its taxes went up, the value of the shares goes down.”
Still, the increased tax on corporations doesn’t mean a person will owe more money on their income tax return.
The former Treasury secretaries defended the extra taxes levied on corporations by saying they “do not reflect increases on the corporate tax rate, but rather the reclaiming of revenue lost to tax avoidance and provisions benefitting the most affluent.”
Along with the corporate tax increase, the Inflation Reduction Act “modifies, extends and creates a variety of tax credits” for Americans, primarily through 2031 or 2033, according to the Tax Foundation.
The legislation also extends a Trump-era law that caps how much in losses business owners can write off on their taxes. The law was set to expire in 2027, but the bill keeps it alive through 2029.
There are about two dozen energy-related tax credits, including those for people who buy electric vehicles, and credits for people who purchase health insurance, Gleckman said. But, again, those credits won’t show up on your tax return, either.
“Even though it’s described as a tax credit, the person who buys insurance – the taxpayer – never sees it. The money actually goes to the insurance company and the insurance company reflects the value of that credit by lowering the premium of the person who buys the insurance policy,” Gleckman said. “So it never shows up. There’s no line on your [Form] 1040 that says ‘premium tax credit.’”
Similarly, if a person buys an electric vehicle, the dealer will knock $7,500 off the price of the car under the legislation – but the credit won’t be reflected on their income tax return, according to Gleckman. | https://www.krem.com/article/news/verify/economy-verify/fact-check-inflation-reduction-act-no-raise-middle-class-income-taxes/536-af938bb4-eece-4d56-ab30-5fe8b92d7e79 | 2022-08-15T20:49:25Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/news/verify/economy-verify/fact-check-inflation-reduction-act-no-raise-middle-class-income-taxes/536-af938bb4-eece-4d56-ab30-5fe8b92d7e79 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NEW YORK — The Grizzlies are in line to be part of the NBA's Christmas Day showcase for the first time. The reported matchups for the slate certainly do not lack fire power.
Ja Morant and the Grizzlies will face Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the rest of the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Dec. 25 in San Francisco, according to a person with knowledge of the league’s scheduling plans. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the league is not planning to release the season's full schedule until later this week.
Given that the league has not announced the final 1,230-game season slate, it is still possible that the Christmas schedule could change — though such a move is unlikely.
The Grizzlies were one of two current NBA franchises yet to have a game on Dec. 25. The Charlotte Hornets are now the only club still waiting for its first Christmas schedule invite.
The rest of the Christmas schedule, the person said, will have Philadelphia facing the New York Knicks, Milwaukee meeting Boston, the Los Angeles Lakers playing against Dallas and Phoenix going up against two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
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If the Lakers’ LeBron James — the all-time Christmas scoring leader, who enters the season 1,325 points behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in NBA history — appears in that Dec. 25 game against the Mavericks, it’ll be his 17th time playing on the holiday. That would break a tie with Lakers great Kobe Bryant for the most ever.
Golden State and Memphis met in the second round of last season’s playoffs, as did Milwaukee and Boston.
This will mark the fifth consecutive year that Christmas — again, barring a late change — does not feature a rematch of the NBA Finals. Golden State topped Boston for this past season’s championship; there hasn’t been a finals rematch on Dec. 25 since the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers played in the 2017-18 season, on their way to a fourth consecutive meeting in the title series.
Noticeably absent from the Christmas schedule: Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets. Durant told the Nets in June that he wants a trade elsewhere, reiterating that request earlier this month.
Dallas will play host to a Christmas game for the second time. The other was in 2011, after the Mavericks topped the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals the previous season. James and the Heat spoiled that season opener for the Mavericks, winning 105-94.
The Lakers will be playing on Christmas for the 24th consecutive year, by far the longest stretch in the league. Golden State will make its 10th consecutive Christmas appearance, Boston its seventh in a row and Milwaukee its fifth straight on Dec. 25.
New York is playing on Christmas for the 55th time, extending its record.
Of the eight teams that made the conference semifinals this past season, seven appear on this year’s Christmas schedule. The exception is Miami, the No. 1 seed in the East last season that fell to Boston in seven games in the Eastern Conference finals.
With Memphis now getting a Dec. 25 game, the longest Christmas droughts besides Charlotte now belong to Sacramento (last Christmas game in 2003), Indiana (2004), Detroit (2005) and Orlando (2011).
The NBA season opens Oct. 18. Training camps open in late September. | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nba/nba-christmas-day-schedule-features-familiar-star-power-per-ap-source-nba-christmas-day-gamr-schedule-lebron-james-luka-doncic-ja-morant-devin-booker/535-355ab7ad-9f5d-4ed0-8c98-e739ab382239 | 2022-08-15T20:49:31Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nba/nba-christmas-day-schedule-features-familiar-star-power-per-ap-source-nba-christmas-day-gamr-schedule-lebron-james-luka-doncic-ja-morant-devin-booker/535-355ab7ad-9f5d-4ed0-8c98-e739ab382239 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With two of the best players in the country leading the way — and a championship game loss as motivation — Alabama is No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason college football poll for the second straight season and ninth time overall.
Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, national defensive player of year Will Anderson Jr. and the Crimson Tide received 54 of 63 first-place votes and 1,566 points in the Top 25 presented by Regions Bank released on Monday.
Ohio State is No. 2 with six first-place votes (1,506 points) from the media panel and defending national champion Georgia is third with three first-place votes (1,455 points). Clemson is No. 4. Notre Dame rounds out the top five, setting up a tantalizing opener at Ohio State on Sept. 3.
The Tide's preseason No. 1 ranking is the seventh in 15 years under coach Nick Saban. Since the preseason rankings started in 1950, only Oklahoma with 10 has been No. 1 in the initial poll more often than Alabama.
The Crimson Tide started last season No. 1 and finished ranked No. 2 after losing the national championship game to the Southeastern Conference rival Bulldogs.
Alabama coach Nick Saban recently called 2021 a rebuilding season for his Tide dynasty, which has won six national titles over the last 13 years. He has a point.
Young was in his first season as a starter last year, playing behind an inexperienced offensive line. He was unfazed, throwing for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns.
Anderson was a force on the other side ball as Alabama broke in a back seven with mostly new starters. The sophomore led the nation in tackles for loss with 33 1/2, 11 1/2 more than No. 2 on the list.
Ohio State brings back a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback in C.J. Stroud while at Georgia, most of the key players from one of the best college defenses of the last 25 years are now in NFL. Still, quarterback Stetson Bennett and All-America tight end Brock Bowers return to a Bulldogs offense that could be even more explosive in 2022.
Texas A&M, which finished last season unranked despite handing Alabama its only regular-season loss, starts this season No. 6.
Defending Pac-12 champion Utah is seventh, the best preseason ranking in school history. Defending Big Ten champion Michigan is No. 8 after making the playoff for the first time last season.
No. 9 Oklahoma is the highest-ranked Big 12 school, one spot ahead of defending league champion Baylor.
FULL POLL
1-Alabama
2-Ohio State
3-Georgia
4-Clemson
5-Notre Dame
6-Texas A&M
7-Utah
8-Michigan
9-Oklahoma
10-Baylor
11-Oregon
12-Oklahoma State
13-NC State
14-USC
15-Michigan St
16-Miami
17-Pittsburgh
18-Wisconsin
19-Arkansas
20-Kentucky
21-Ole Miss
22-Wake Forest
23-Cincinnati
24-Houston
25-BYU
POLL POINTS
Alabama has been in the preseason top five in each of last 14 seasons and in the preseason top three in 13 straight. The Tide’s 31st preseason top-five ranking this year matches Ohio State for the most in poll history.
Turning preseason No. 1 into a national championship has proved tricky throughout history, even for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide has gone on to win the national championship after starting No. 1 just once under Saban and twice overall.
Since the AP preseason began in 1950, there have been 11 preseason No. 1 teams that also finished the season top ranked. Alabama was the last to do it (2017).
RARITIES AND STREAKS
— No. 13 North Carolina State is ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2003. The Wolfpack matched their best preseason ranking. They were also 13th in 1975.
— No. 17 Pitt is in the preseason rankings for the first time since 2010.
— No. 20 Kentucky is making its first preseason poll appearance since 1978.
— No. 22 Wake Forest made the preseason rankings for the first time since 2008.
— Ohio State is ranked in the preseason for the 34th straight season, breaking a tie with Nebraska (1970-2002) and Penn State (1968-2000) for the longest such streak in poll history.
— Texas A&M has the second-best preseason ranking for a team that finished the previous season unranked. Ohio State was No. 3 in the 1972 preseason poll after being unranked at the end of the 1971 season and Notre Dame also started No. 6 in 1983 after finishing unranked in 1982.
How did the seasons work out of those teams? Ohio State went 9-2 and finished the season No. 9. The Irish went 7-5 and unranked again.
NOTABLE LEFTOUTS
— LSU with new coach Brian Kelly will start the season unranked for the first time 2000, Saban's first of five seasons as coach of the Tigers.
— Florida and Florida State are both unranked to start the season, which has not happened since 1974.
NEWBIES
Five schools ranked in the preseason poll have head coaches starting their first full seasons leading their teams: Notre Dame (Marcus Freeman), Oklahoma (Brent Venables), No. 11 Oregon (Dan Lanning), No. 14 USC (Lincoln Riley) and No. 16 Miami (Mario Cristobal).
This is the second time in the last five seasons that five teams with new coaches were ranked in the preseason, according to research done by Sportradar. It also happened in 2018, but before that season that type of representation in the preseason poll for teams with new coaches was a rarity.
You have to go all the way back to 1990 when six schools with coaches entering their first full season appeared in the preseason Top 25, according to Sportradar. That list includes some notable names: Gary Moeller, Michigan; Ken Hatfield, Clemson; Gene Stallings, Alabama; Jack Crowe, Arkansas; Paul Hackett, Pittsburgh; and John Jenkins, Houston.
CONFERENCE CALL
For the fourth straight season, the Southeastern Conference has three teams in the top six.
The Atlantic Coast Conference matched its best showing in the preseason poll with five teams. The ACC has reached that number four previous times.
SEC - 6 (Nos. 1, 3, 6, 19, 20, 21).
ACC - 5 (Nos. 4, 13, 16, 17, 22).
Big Ten - 4 (Nos. 2, 8, 15, 18).
Big 12 - 3 (Nos. 9, 10, 12).
Pac-12 - 3 (Nos. 7, 11, 14).
American - 2 (Nos. 23, 24).
Independents - 2 (Nos. 5, 25). | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/no-1-alabama-tops-preseason-ap-top-25-ohio-st-dawgs-next/535-244d7edc-44a9-4d21-8b67-77b63918e688 | 2022-08-15T20:49:37Z | krem.com | control | https://www.krem.com/article/sports/no-1-alabama-tops-preseason-ap-top-25-ohio-st-dawgs-next/535-244d7edc-44a9-4d21-8b67-77b63918e688 | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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CASPER — Competing ideas about how the U.S. should safeguard its energy resources continue to fuel a largely partisan debate about the value of fossil fuels compared with their low-emissions alter- natives.
“Our world is facing an energy crisis that has been brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Mark Brownstein, senior vice president of energy at Environmental Defense Fund, said at a Thursday panel discussion in Washington.
“We’re struggling to respond to that crisis,” he added, “but make no mistake about why we’re in an energy crisis today: It’s the act of an autocrat.”
Brownstein noted that the European energy shortage brought on by Russia, which the U.S. is trying to help alleviate, has added to the strain on the global economy at the same time that the effects of climate change are causing harm worldwide — including record heat in Europe and historic flooding across the U.S.
The price of oil is set internationally. Though natural gas prices tend to be regional, they’re also influenced by lasting disruptions elsewhere. Anyone who uses those energy sources is therefore vulnerable to the whims of unstable political leaders, argued Ray Mabus, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Barack Obama, during Thursday’s event.
“By continuing our dependence on fossil fuels, we keep autocrats — dictators — like Vladimir Putin armed, arrogant and affluent,” Mabus said.
U.S. production of oil and gas has been slow to rebound from the pandemic. And while drilling decisions in the U.S. are made at the company level, beyond President Joe Biden’s control, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and the remaining 11 member countries of oil cartel OPEC decide together how much oil to produce in order to manipulate its price.
Biden has called repeatedly on U.S. oil companies to increase output, and has tried in recent months to convince other major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, to do the same, in an effort to bring down gasoline prices.
The latter move was criticized sharply by Republican leaders.
Many, including U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., think the solution is to generate so much oil in the U.S. that OPEC loses its ability to influence prices, and export enough natural gas to Europe that the continent no longer depends on imports from Russia, its primary supplier.
Republicans also want the Biden administration to make more public land available for drilling and expedite the permit- ting process for new oil and gas infrastructure.
“America would be better off and more prosperous if we turned to our own energy producers,” Barrasso said in a Wednesday statement. “No cartel will save this administration from its terrible energy policies. It is high time to unleash the resources this administration keeps trapped in the ground. It is time to make America energy dominant again.”
Thursday’s speakers disagreed. They pointed instead to Democrats’ nearly $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act, which was then being finalized and has since cleared the Senate in a par- ty-line vote, and aims to facilitate the growth of renewable and low-carbon electricity sources, electric vehicles and energy-efficient buildings while reducing carbon emissions from oil and gas production.
“It’s the beginning, not the end,” Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said at the panel. “It’s not going to solve our efforts towards address- ing climate change, and create cli- mate rescue. It’s not sufficient. But it’s a huge first step.”
The bill introduces funding for oil and gas companies to reduce how much methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide and the primary component of natural gas, escapes during extraction and transport. It also imposes new fees on the methane that is still lost or released.
According to Barrasso, new constraints are the opposite of what the embattled industry — or the rest of the country — needs. “Instead of pleading with dictators in other countries to increase oil and gas production, we should expand American production,” he said in the Senate ahead of the bill’s passage.
Paul Eaton, a retired Army major general and another panelist Thursday, argued that conserving methane at existing wells would “get the most out of what we’ve already drilled.”
State and federal regulations already cap the release of methane and try to minimize leaks. A handful of companies operating in Wyoming have taken things further. In November, the United Nations commended Jonah Energy’s efforts to measure and report its methane emissions. PureWest announced in May that it would help researchers study novel monitoring technologies.
“We’re not at the point yet where we can say that renewables can serve all needs in all situations,” Brownstein said. “That’s absolutely true. But the trend is clear.” | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/economy_and_labor/parties-differ-on-energy-solutions-blame-for-high-prices/article_aea28112-1cbf-11ed-ac9f-a340248222c6.html | 2022-08-15T20:54:26Z | wyomingnews.com | control | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/economy_and_labor/parties-differ-on-energy-solutions-blame-for-high-prices/article_aea28112-1cbf-11ed-ac9f-a340248222c6.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
TUCSON, Ariz. — In the early 2000s, Digimon squared off against Pokemon for supremacy in the realm of adorable creatures engaging in proxy battles for wide-eyed children.
In 2022, Pokemon is as vibrant and relevant as ever, while Digimon has retreated to the recesses of memory. Now "Digimon Survive" sets out to change all that, injecting relevance into the flagging franchise.
Phil Villarreal: I was a little old to be wrapped up in the Digimon craze, so I harbor little nostalgia for the franchise. I entered the game fresh and eager to recruit Digimon and take them on zany fetch and battle quests.
It took a distressingly long while before I even met a Digimon. The slow-roll tutorial/prologue takes you through a ton of point-and-click dialogue that introduces you to uninteresting characters.
While the battle mechanics and storytelling dynamics are eventually somewhat rewarding, it was a slog to get to a point where the game became interesting. What did you think of the intro, Sean?
Sean Newgent: Digimon has been an interesting franchise, existing on the fringes of my nostalgia while continuing to grow up with me. While Pokemon maintains a universal appeal and doesn't have to change its formula to continue to be the powerhouse IP, it is, in recent years, Digimon has matured with the audience of the original. A series of recent movies showed the Digi-destined in their high school years, and recent video games have been edgier.
"Digimon Survive" definitely has that edge. A visual novel in the tradition of "Danganronpa," where your connections with the characters can mean friendship or horrible death, combined with a strategy RPG, "Digimon Survive" never really hooked me. The introduction offers you a glimpse into all of the characters, all playing into anime stereotypes.
Between long dialogue sections, you get to enjoy the ham-fisted tactical gameplay that becomes almost as much a chore as the tepid and often filler-y dialogue.
What were your impressions of the tactical gameplay Phil?
Phil Villarreal: I enjoyed the battles and thought it was important that the game gives you a taste of the combat style before shipping you off to visual novel jail.
I enjoy visual novels as a genre but found the dialogue and story here a little dull. They struck me as padding that kept me away from the more interesting aspect of the game, which is definitely the combat.
Even though I wasn't a fan of the storytelling, I appreciated the visuals and formatting, which gave me a streamlined "Professor Layton" vibe.
That wasn't enough to carry me through, though. I found myself disinterested in "Digimon Survive" and played out of obligation rather than urgency.
Final thoughts, Sean?
Sen Newgent: As a casual fan, I enjoyed getting to play as some of my favorite Digimon. I appreciate the attempt to make a more mature game and was delighted by the animation and character designs.
The game should take about 40 hours, which is pretty hefty if you can invest yourself in the world and characters.
Maybe for a fan, the $60 price tag is worth it but for me, between the middling story and even more subpar gameplay, "Digimon Survive" is a hard pass.
Past game reviews by Sean and Phil:
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Diablo II Resurrected
NEO: The World Ends with You
Rainbow Six: Extraction
King of Fighters XV
WWE 2K22
Weird West
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
TMNT: Shredder's Revenge
Capcom Fighting Collection
Capcom Arcade: 2nd Stadium
Stray | https://www.wtxl.com/entertainment/jrpg-digimon-survive-attempts-to-revive-faded-franchise | 2022-08-15T20:56:51Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/entertainment/jrpg-digimon-survive-attempts-to-revive-faded-franchise | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Tracks used by the nation's deadliest railroad will see added fencing to keep pedestrians away and safety improvements at crossings under a $25 million federal grant announced Monday.
Brightline and government officials announced the grant as the privately owned passenger line continues to be plagued by deaths along its tracks between Miami and West Palm Beach.
In the past two weeks, Brightline trains have killed three people, and 68 since the service began its first runs five years ago. That’s about one death for every 33,000 miles (53,000 kilometer) its trains travel, and is the worst fatality rate among the nation’s more than 800 railroads, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis of Federal Railroad Administration data.
The grant, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program, will cover safety features, including 33 miles (53 kilometers) of fencing at locations of frequent trespassing along with extensive crossing improvements at all 333 crossings along the corridor, which will eventually stretch from Miami to Orlando, Brightline President Patrick Goddard said.
The company will also install an additional 150 warning signs and 170 more suicide crisis hotline signs “to better reach those who might be struggling with suicide," Goddard said.
None of the deaths involving Brightline have been blamed on the railroad, its equipment or its crews. Law enforcement investigations showed most victims were either suicidal, intoxicated, mentally ill or had gone around barriers at an intersection in an attempt to beat the trains, which travel up to 79 mph (128 kph) through densely populated areas with stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
“We want Brightline to be in the news for all of the right reasons," Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said during a news conference in Fort Lauderdale. “Unfortunately there have been too many incidents, some of which when we are dealing with a sadly determined person who wants to end their life on the tracks."
Officials hope the suicide crisis hotline signs and fencing in areas where multiple pedestrian deaths have occurred will help.
They also addressed the motorists who attempt to cross the tracks ahead of a train.
“When you see these train gates come down, you are not going to beat a train," Broward County Mayor Michael Udine said. “Do not try. Don’t do it. Be safe. Be smart."
To help fill out the private/public partnership, Brightline and the Florida Department of Transportation are each chipping in $10 million, bringing the project to $45 million.
“This is a big day and we’re dealing with a very big deal," said Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, who serves with Wasserman Schultz on the House appropriations committee. “What Brightline is doing and what they’ve done is a national model."
Brightline will install delineators and edge striping, along with painted boxes on the roadway at crossings in an effort to keep motorists out of the danger zones, Goddard said. They will also put plastic poles, similar to those used to separate express lanes on highways, to keep drivers from changing lanes in an effort to go around the crossing bars that warn of oncoming trains.
The tracks are shared by Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway, with the higher speed passenger trains making stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach throughout the day. Stations are currently being added in Aventura, north of Miami, and in Boca Raton. An expansion to Orlando, which would connect Miami to central Florida, is expected in 2023.
_______
AP reporter Terry Spencer contributed to this report from Fort Lauderdale. | https://www.wtxl.com/media/v/content/3b9b16add1ca8a4c52c77d138e2f5b6c | 2022-08-15T20:56:58Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/media/v/content/3b9b16add1ca8a4c52c77d138e2f5b6c | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued renewed warnings to law enforcement after they said a spike in threats have been received in the days after the FBI executed a search warrant at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida last Monday.
The memo's text was seen by multiple U.S. news outlets who reported that it said, “The FBI and DHS have observed an increase in threats to federal law enforcement and to a lesser extent other law enforcement and government officials following the FBI’s recent execution of a search warrant in Palm Beach, Florida."
"These threats are occurring primarily online and across multiple platforms, including social media sites, web forums, video sharing platforms, and image boards. The FBI and DHS would like to ensure that law enforcement, court, and government personnel are aware of the range of threats and criminal and violent incidents," the joint bulletin between FBI and DHS said.
The bulletin was dated Friday, Aug. 12, and is said to have been sent by the two law enforcement agencies out of an abundance of caution. It advised that the threats are coming in online.
On Thursday, a standoff between police and an armed man who attempted to breach a secure FBI office in Cincinnati resulted in law enforcement shooting and killing the suspect after a vehicle pursuit, where officers said they were not able to negotiate with the suspect, WCPO reported.
The suspect had posted about his frustration and anger over the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago on social media and made remarks related to violence about the FBI before the breach, Axios reported. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/officials-warn-of-spike-in-threats-to-law-enforcement-after-search-of-trumps-mar-a-lago-estate | 2022-08-15T20:57:28Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/officials-warn-of-spike-in-threats-to-law-enforcement-after-search-of-trumps-mar-a-lago-estate | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MESA, Ariz. (KNXV) — Actor Troy Kotsur’s vehicle was stolen in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday. The vehicle reportedly had his Oscar trophy inside.
Police say they were notified about the theft and were able to locate the vehicle with two juvenile boys inside.
The boys reportedly admitted to stealing the vehicle and were taken into custody. Police say all of Kotsur's property was returned to him.
Mesa Mayor John Giles honored Kotsur, who is from the city, with a key to the city on Thursday evening.
“It is such a special honor to receive the key to the City of Mesa, the place where I was born and raised, and will always consider home. I’m grateful for the love and support of everyone in the community who have stood by me and supported me through the years,” Kotsur said of the honor. “I’m very proud to be able to share this recognition with my family and friends, right here in my hometown.”
Kotsur, the first deaf man to win an Academy Award after his role in CODA, was celebrated at the Mesa Arts Center.
This story was originally reported on abc15.com | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/oscar-winning-actors-vehicle-stolen-recovered-in-arizona | 2022-08-15T20:57:34Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/oscar-winning-actors-vehicle-stolen-recovered-in-arizona | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Four and a half decades. That's how long it has been since the world lost Elvis Presley. But his life and legacy still influence pop culture today. The most recent biopic about the King of Rock 'n' Roll brought in more than $250 million worldwide.
His time on the throne was cut short — Elvis Presley died at his home, Graceland, on Aug. 16, 1977.
His singing career began in 1954 and was heavily influenced by growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Elvis' career has been both celebrated and criticized. Some say he profited off of Black music. But others, like the legendary B.B. King, defended Elvis, saying he re-interpreted the music he grew up with.
But his legacy doesn't just live and die with his roster of songs.
"The music is great. But if it wasn't his heart and that charisma and what he gave to people in other ways besides songs, he would just be a rock star from the '50s that died," said Brendan Paul, an Elvis impersonator.
Love for Elvis spans decades and generations.
He starred in more than 30 movies and won several awards. But for some fans, the man behind the music is who they fell for.
Elvis' generosity is also of note, like when he gave a Las Vegas hotel employee a car.
"Everything that you hear about Elvis, things that he did, and things that he gave, he really did that," said Alonzo Langstaff, who worked at the Las Vegas International Hotel when Elvis stayed there.
Las Vegas was Elvis' unofficial home away from home, where he spent years of his life on stage at the International Hotel.
"After that first show, I said every time Elvis comes back to town, I'm going to be here, and I managed to do that 15 times," said Susan Lorenz, member of the Elvis Presley Fan Club.
Those were 15 of the more than 830 sold-out shows spanning nearly seven and a half of the final eight years of his life.
Elvis now lives on through his image and likeness, his adoring fans, and his family.
"If there's a heaven and I see Elvis, I would literally say, 'Thank you, truly, for providing a life for my kids … God bless the King of Rock 'n' Roll," said Paul.
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/remembering-elvis-tuesday-marks-45-years-since-his-death | 2022-08-15T20:57:47Z | wtxl.com | control | https://www.wtxl.com/news/national/remembering-elvis-tuesday-marks-45-years-since-his-death | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
• That’s How the Crumbl Cookies Department: Because I am asked about this at least once every week, a sign on the new Crumbl Cookies store in Yakima states they will open on Thursday, Aug. 18. The company, offering fresh-baked cookies in dozens of flavors, has more than 300 locations in 36 states, including the store in the Rainier Square shopping area at 24th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard.
• The city of Yakima issued a building permit last month for a new, multi-tenant commercial building at 402 N. Fifth Ave. A restaurant, beauty salon and retail store are planned.
• Construction has begun at a new medical clinic being built at the southeast corner of First Street and Chestnut Avenue in downtown Yakima. The building permit for 105 S. First St., Suite 100, includes adding patient rooms, a reception area, nurse station and medical room.
• The Caliber Home Loans office at 1415 Lakeside Court in Yakima (near Shari’s Café and Pies off Fruitvale Boulevard) has closed. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/business/yakima-valley-business-tidbits-crumbl-cookies-set-to-open-yakima-oks-new-building/article_0b05d1da-1cba-11ed-bcb7-479a71e3ebb8.html | 2022-08-15T21:06:06Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/business/yakima-valley-business-tidbits-crumbl-cookies-set-to-open-yakima-oks-new-building/article_0b05d1da-1cba-11ed-bcb7-479a71e3ebb8.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Another round of triple-digit high temperatures is in the forecast Wednesday through the weekend in the Yakima Valley, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory.
After a relatively cool weekend with high temperatures in the 80s and lower 90s, the thermometer is ready to rise into the 100s in Yakima, Ellensburg and Sunnyside, according to predictions posted by the weather service’s Pendleton office.
“We’ll see another heat wave lasting through at least the end of the week, and likely extending into the weekend,” said Roger Cloutier, a forecaster with the NWS Pendleton office.
Yakima's high temperatures are expected to reach 100 and 101 on Wednesday and Thursday, and remain at or just below 100 through Sunday, the weather service predicts. Sunnyside is likely to see high temperatures at or slightly above 100 Wednesday through Sunday, while Ellensburg could see triple-digit heat on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with highs of 98 degrees predicted on Friday and Saturday.
The heat advisory was issued Monday morning for the Kittitas and Yakima valleys, along with the eastern Columbia River Gorge area. It takes effect at 11 a.m. Wednesday and lasts through 11 p.m. Friday, although Cloutier said it may be extended into the weekend.
Weather service officials are reminding people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioned areas and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon hours, which see the greatest exposure to extreme heat and sunlight.
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location, and 911 should be called in case of emergencies such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke, the weather service advises.
This latest weather advisory follows an excessive heat warning issued during the final week of July, a streak of triple-digit heat that saw four consecutive days of high-temperature records set at the Yakima Air Terminal weather station.
No precipitation is in the extended weather forecast. The last measurable rainfall in Yakima was the 0.17 inches that fell on July 7, according to weather service data. | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/heat-wave-predicted-through-weekend-in-yakima-valley/article_279938c0-1ccc-11ed-ab73-cbce97451de0.html | 2022-08-15T21:06:12Z | yakimaherald.com | control | https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/heat-wave-predicted-through-weekend-in-yakima-valley/article_279938c0-1ccc-11ed-ab73-cbce97451de0.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
BALTIMORE — Maryland Lottery and Gaming shattered records on all fronts in Fiscal Year 2022, generating an all-time high of $1.511 billion in contributions to support the state’s good causes, officials announced Monday.
The new record for contributions to the state, which includes funds from the lottery, casino gaming, sports wagering and fantasy competitions (daily fantasy sports), beat the prior mark set last year by $120 million. Maryland’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.
The lottery and the casinos each contributed more than ever before to the state, with lottery profits totaling $673.7 million and casino contributions of $832.3 million. The combined figure of $1.506 billion from the lottery and casinos surpassed the $1.391 billion generated in FY21. Meanwhile, the launch of sports wagering and revenue from fantasy competitions added another $5.6 million to that already record-breaking sum.
“We are immensely proud to be a vital source of funding for programs and services that Marylanders depend on every day,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “We’re in the entertainment business, but we never lose sight of the role we play and our place in the community.”
Maryland Lottery and Gaming is Maryland’s fourth-largest source of revenue after income, sales and corporate taxes.
Profits from the sale of lottery tickets go to the Maryland General Fund, which supplies budgets for many state programs, including schools, public health and safety services and environmental programs. Casino gaming revenue supports education; the communities and jurisdictions where the casinos are located; Maryland’s horse racing industry; and small, minority- and women-owned businesses. The casinos also contribute funds that enable the state to offer cost-free problem gambling treatment and services. Sports wagering and fantasy competition contributions are directed to education programs.
“As we continue to generate revenue each year, we remain vigilant about the importance of encouraging people to play responsibly,” Martin said. “While we were setting revenue records and helping to oversee the launch of sports wagering this past year, we also achieved Level 4 responsible gaming certification by the World Lottery Association.”
Only nine other U.S. states have achieved WLA Level 4 certification, the highest level of compliance with a regimen of best practices designed to ensure that lotteries operate responsibly.
Traditional Lottery
The lottery’s $673.7 million FY22 profit to the state surpassed the previous record set last year by $6.3 million. Sales totaled $2.663 billion, an increase of $51.5 million compared to the prior record set in FY21.
Sales of scratch-off tickets have fueled the lottery’s growth in recent years, with FY22 marking an eighth-consecutive record-setting performance. Scratch-off sales topped the $1 billion mark for the first time, finishing at $1.009 billion, an increase of $16.1 million from the previous record set in FY21.
The lottery launched its first new draw game in six years when Pick 5 made its debut in February 2022. Pick 5 sales substantially outpaced those of 5 Card Cash, which was retired to make room for Pick 5 in the Lottery’s daily game lineup.
Annually, more than 60% of the lottery’s sales total is returned to players in prize money. Record sales in FY22 saw a corresponding record in prizes to players, which totaled $1.695 billion, an increase of $37.5 million from the prior record set last year.
Maryland Lottery retailers saw record-setting sales and cashing commissions, which increased to $203 million in FY22, up $5.8 million from the prior record set in FY21.
Maryland Casinos
Maryland’s six casinos set new records for total gaming revenue and contributions to the state, including a record-setting contribution to the Education Trust Fund (ETF).
The $832.3 million contribution to the state reflects an increase of $108.9 million compared to last year’s record-setting total. The ETF contribution was all-time record of $611.6 million, an increase of $68.9 million compared to the previous record set in FY19. Total gaming revenue at the casinos was $2.002 billion, up $242 million from the previous record set in FY19.
Sports Wagering and Fantasy Competitions
Maryland’s first five retail sportsbooks opened in December 2021. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public schools, received a total of $3 million from the $174.8 million in wagers that were placed in FY22. Additional retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks are expected to open during FY23. It is estimated that when the sports wagering program is fully built out, it will contribute roughly $30 million per year to education funding.
Fantasy competition operators (including daily fantasy sports operators), began contributing a portion of their revenues to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund in May 2021. For FY2022, online fantasy competitions contributed $2.6 million to the state. | https://www.wboc.com/md-gambling-revenue-sets-new-record-in-fiscal-year/article_b252c552-1caf-11ed-ba90-c3349bd50bc8.html | 2022-08-15T21:10:27Z | wboc.com | control | https://www.wboc.com/md-gambling-revenue-sets-new-record-in-fiscal-year/article_b252c552-1caf-11ed-ba90-c3349bd50bc8.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DOVER, Del. — The Delaware Public Service Commission has granted the Division of the Public Advocate’s petition to reduce Tidewater Utilities, Inc.’s rates to a just and reasonable level pending further review, it was announced Monday.
“No regulated utility should be allowed to earn above its authorized rate of return. While Tidewater opposed our petition, I’m delighted the commission agreed with our position to reduce rates to a just and reasonable level for Tidewater’s customers. On behalf of Tidewater’s 47,000 customers, I want to thank the commission for its decision,” said Delaware Public Advocate Andrew Slater.
The petition, filed by the Public Advocate on June 22, called for a reduction in rates due to Tidewater earning more than its commission-approved rate of return of 7.92 percent. Tidewater has been overearning since at least 2017, and previous measures to alleviate its overearning were not successful, the Public Advocate's office said.
Tidewater customers will see a temporary reduction in their rates of up to 6 percent amounting to more than $2.2 million. The projected reduction per customer is estimated to be more than $10 per quarter.
Headquartered in Dover, Tidewater Utilities Inc. is the largest private water supplier south of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, serving approximately 47,000 customers in parts of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. | https://www.wboc.com/news/delaware-public-advocate-s-petition-to-reduce-tidewater-s-rates-granted/article_02d6beb2-1cc3-11ed-96ab-93d26f7c5024.html | 2022-08-15T21:10:33Z | wboc.com | control | https://www.wboc.com/news/delaware-public-advocate-s-petition-to-reduce-tidewater-s-rates-granted/article_02d6beb2-1cc3-11ed-96ab-93d26f7c5024.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
GREENVILLE, N.C. - It's game over for the Delmar, Md., girls softball team, which represented the Mid-Atlantic Region in the Little League Softball World Series title game. Delmar lost 5-4 in extra innings on Monday afternoon to Hewitt, Texas, the team that represented the Southwest Region.
The Hewitt team became the 14th team from the Lone Star State to win the LLSWS, and first since Waco won it all in 2017.
Delmar was attempting to become the first team from the Old Line State to win the LLSWS. A big win over the Philippines on Sunday placed Delmar in the title game with a perfect 4-0 until Monday's defeat.
The game was broadcast live on ESPN from Greenville, N.C. | https://www.wboc.com/news/delmar-defeated-5-4-in-little-league-softball-world-series-title-game/article_36f9fa7c-1cca-11ed-8c26-1b0e8e3c8d72.html | 2022-08-15T21:10:39Z | wboc.com | control | https://www.wboc.com/news/delmar-defeated-5-4-in-little-league-softball-world-series-title-game/article_36f9fa7c-1cca-11ed-8c26-1b0e8e3c8d72.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Forecast updated on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 3:45 PM by WBOC Meteorologist Dan Satterfield (AMS-CBM).
DELMARVA FORECAST
Tonight: Partly cloudy and mild. Low 64° inland to 68° near the coast. Wind: NE 3-8 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny and pleasant. Breezy PM. High 80° inland with temps. near 75-76° on the beaches. Wind: NE 9-18 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy with a light breeze. Low 64°. Wind: NE 7-12 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, breezy, and still pleasant. High 81° inland with temps. near 75° on the beaches. Wind: NE 11-18 mph.
Forecast Discussion:
A dry and pleasant airmass covers Delmarva and most of the northeast U.S. tonight with some clouds. An onshore wind flow will continue tonight and Tuesday but the air will stay rather dry and temperatures will be below the average for mid-August. A few spotty showers are possible but most spots will stay dry tonight and Tuesday. Temperatures will dip to the mid 60's tonight and only climb to around 80 degrees Tuesday. The onshore winds will keep the beaches to around 76 degrees Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday looks much the same with sunshine mixed with clouds. The onshore winds will continue with afternoon temps. inland near 81 degrees and it will stay in the mid 70's on the coast. Afternoon temps. may reach 83-84 near the Chesapeake Bay. Winds will be from the NE at 11-17 mph but near the coast the wind speeds will be near 14-20 mph.
In the long-range, Look for afternoon temps. to climb some by Thursday and it will turn more humid by Friday and Saturday. Temps. will reach 83 Thursday and then high temps. will climb to the mid 80's through Sunday. Lows will stay in the mid 60's Thursday and Friday, but climb to the upper 60's by Sunday and Monday. No real hot weather seems likely in the next 10 days but next week will turn rather humid with warm temps.
The average high for today is 86 degrees with an average low of 66 degrees. | https://www.wboc.com/weather/mild-weather-continues/article_cf3a8706-1cd5-11ed-b495-c31e36af1dcb.html | 2022-08-15T21:10:51Z | wboc.com | control | https://www.wboc.com/weather/mild-weather-continues/article_cf3a8706-1cd5-11ed-b495-c31e36af1dcb.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Louisville man indicted on manslaughter charges after deadly hit-and-run in 2020
Published: Aug. 15, 2022 at 5:15 PM EDT|Updated: 6 minutes ago
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A Louisville man was indicted on manslaughter charges after police accused him of being the driver of a deadly hit-and-run that killed a man back in 2020.
Court documents said Daniel Logsdon was hit by a car and killed on Nov. 13, 2020.
Keelin Tay’Shawn Long was charged on June 7, 2022 with manslaughter, failure to render aid, and speeding over 11 miles per hour.
Long was 18 at the time of the incident.
Copyright 2022 WAVE. All rights reserved. | https://www.wave3.com/2022/08/15/louisville-man-indicted-manslaughter-charges-after-deadly-hit-and-run-2020/ | 2022-08-15T21:21:22Z | wave3.com | control | https://www.wave3.com/2022/08/15/louisville-man-indicted-manslaughter-charges-after-deadly-hit-and-run-2020/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Al Jazeera citing an unnamed adviser to the Iranian negotiators,
saying Iran is not far from reaching an agreement on resuming the nuclear agreement the prospects of reaching a nuclear agreement are strong lingering concerns about the return to the nuke accord have been settled This is still not agreed to, bear that in mind. Sounds positive but as I said earlier (today, last week, last month, before that .... yeah, the saga has been ongoing) this is not yet settled. Its not done until its done.
Oil is dribbling down:
Some background:
Oil - Awaiting developments on Iran nuclear deal talks, rumours swirling
eur
EUR
The euro (EUR) is the official currency of the European Union (EU) and 19 of 27 member states at the time of writing. It is the second most-traded currency worldwide in forex markets after the US dollar.The euro was originally introduced back on January 1, 1999, having replaced the European Currency Unit. Banknotes and physical euro coins subsequently entered circulation only in 2002.Upon its adoption, the euro replaced domestic currencies in participating EU member states. The rise in its value since then and importance in the global market has helped solidify its status as one of the most important currencies in the FX market today.Together with the USD, the currency pair is easily among the most important for forex, given its exposure into the two main economic blocs. What Factors Affects the EUR?There are several factors that affect the euro. Like most currencies, monetary policy is the most influential, which in this case refers to the European Central Bank (ECB).The ECB is responsible for regulating the monetary policy, money supply, interest rates, and relative strength of the euro. Forex traders of the euro are routinely tuned into any decision or announcements from the ECB for this reason.With 19 sovereign member states, the euro is particularly vulnerable to political developments. Recent examples include Greece’s debt crisis and Brexit, among others, which can seriously impact the euro.Finally, economic data from the bloc or from key member states such as Germany, France, Spain, and others are also closely eyed. This includes retail sales, jobless claims, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and others.
The euro (EUR) is the official currency of the European Union (EU) and 19 of 27 member states at the time of writing. It is the second most-traded currency worldwide in forex markets after the US dollar.The euro was originally introduced back on January 1, 1999, having replaced the European Currency Unit. Banknotes and physical euro coins subsequently entered circulation only in 2002.Upon its adoption, the euro replaced domestic currencies in participating EU member states. The rise in its value since then and importance in the global market has helped solidify its status as one of the most important currencies in the FX market today.Together with the USD, the currency pair is easily among the most important for forex, given its exposure into the two main economic blocs. What Factors Affects the EUR?There are several factors that affect the euro. Like most currencies, monetary policy is the most influential, which in this case refers to the European Central Bank (ECB).The ECB is responsible for regulating the monetary policy, money supply, interest rates, and relative strength of the euro. Forex traders of the euro are routinely tuned into any decision or announcements from the ECB for this reason.With 19 sovereign member states, the euro is particularly vulnerable to political developments. Recent examples include Greece’s debt crisis and Brexit, among others, which can seriously impact the euro.Finally, economic data from the bloc or from key member states such as Germany, France, Spain, and others are also closely eyed. This includes retail sales, jobless claims, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and others.
Read this Term
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW | https://www.forexlive.com/news/arab-media-report-citing-iranian-source-iran-is-not-far-from-reaching-nuke-agreement-20220815/ | 2022-08-15T21:23:10Z | forexlive.com | control | https://www.forexlive.com/news/arab-media-report-citing-iranian-source-iran-is-not-far-from-reaching-nuke-agreement-20220815/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Sacheen Littlefeather stunned audience members when she got up onstage at the 1973 Academy Awards ceremony on behalf of Marlon Brando.
The now-75-year-old was booed, laughed at and heckled for refusing Brando’s award for Best Actor in “The Godfather.”
Now, almost 50 years later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has offered her a formal apology.
“The abuse you endured because of this statement was unwarranted and unjustified,” wrote academy President David Rubin in the note. “The emotional burden you have lived through and the cost to your own career in our industry are irreparable.
“For too long the courage you showed has been unacknowledged. For this, we offer both our deepest apologies and our sincere admiration,” he continued.
While a letter was sent to Littlefeather in June with a brief apology, an event at the Academy Museum will be held on Sept. 17 for the amends to be read in full.
She will also be a part of a conversation with producer Bird Runningwater, co-chair of the academy’s Indigenous Alliance.
“Regarding the Academy’s apology to me, we Indians are very patient people — it’s only been 50 years! We need to keep our sense of humor about this at all times. It’s our method of survival,” Littlefeather said in a press release on Monday.
“I never thought I’d live to see the day for this program to take place, featuring such wonderful Native performers and Bird Runningwater,” she continued.
Back in 1973 at the 45th Academy Awards, Littlefeather refused to accept Brando’s golden statuette and gave a one-minute speech about Hollywood stereotyping people of Native-American descent. She also touched upon the Wounded Knee protest in South Dakota that was happening at the time.
The address ultimately caused Littlefeather to be boycotted and harassed.
“This is a dream come true. It is profoundly heartening to see how much has changed since I did not accept the Academy Award 50 years ago,” the activist continued in her reflection on Monday. “I am so proud of each and every person who will appear on stage.”
In his statement, Rubin offered a message of hope for Native Americans going forward.
“Today, nearly 50 years later, and with the guidance of the Academy’s Indigenous Alliance, we are firm in our commitment to ensuring indigenous voices — the original storytellers — are visible, respected contributors to the global film community,” he said.
“An Evening With Sacheen Littlefeather” is free to the public; however, guests must register online and reserve their spot.
“We hope you receive this letter in the spirit of reconciliation and as recognition of your essential role in our journey as an organization,” Rubin told Littlefeather in the academy’s statement. “You are forever respectfully engrained in our history.” | https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/sacheen-littlefeather-gets-academy-apology-50-years-after-1973-oscars-abuse/ | 2022-08-15T21:25:26Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/sacheen-littlefeather-gets-academy-apology-50-years-after-1973-oscars-abuse/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
From the right: UK Wakes Up on Teen Transitions
“By the spring of 2023,” note National Review’s editors, “Britain’s state-run transgender youth clinic will shut its doors for good” after “an independent report concluded that it was ‘not a safe or viable long-term option.’” Yet “the United States continues to move full speed ahead with so-called gender-affirming care.” “Assistant secretary of health Rachel (formerly Richard) Levine vows to ‘support and empower’” those seeking such care as “gender clinics are becoming more numerous and brazen in their recklessness” and “clinical activists are doing everything in their power to obscure the truth” and “dismiss . . . the testimony of detransitioners (those who take transition treatments and then later change their minds).” But “the medical and moral consensus insisted on by the activists is revealed as a preposterous sham.”
Conservationist: Clean Energy’s Red-Tape Hurdles
“Environmentalists clamor for trillions of dollars” for clean-energy infrastructure, yet “few are willing to embrace an inconvenient truth: we’ve made it nearly impossible to build in America,” with a “regulatory framework” that goes “far beyond basic protection of the environment,” rails Christopher Barnard at RealClearEnergy. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, just the review process for the average infrastructure project takes 4.5 years and $4.2 million; 42% of all NEPA-backlogged energy projects are clean-energy ones. “Expanding energy production and reducing emissions” is impossible “if we can’t build the infrastructure to do so. Spending hundreds of billions” for clean energy is “pointless if the money is wasted on environmental impact statements, lawyers, and unnecessary bureaucracy.”
From the left: Rushdie Is a Free-Speech Hero
Salman Rushdie “has long defended freedom of artistic expression against all comers; now . . . he is a martyr to it,” thunders Margaret Atwood at The Guardian. “Freedom of expression,” “once a yawn-making liberal platitude,” “has now become a hot-button issue.” So to those “saying, ‘yes, but . . .’ about Rushdie . . . I can only remark that there are no perfect victims,” “no perfect artists” and no “perfect art.” “Anti-censorship folks often find themselves having to defend work they would otherwise review scathingly.” That’s “necessary, unless we are all to have our vocal cords removed.” No, “Rushdie didn’t plan to become a free-speech hero, but he is one now. Writers everywhere — those who are not state hacks or brainwashed robots — owe him a huge vote of thanks.”
White House watch: No Heads Rolled Over A’stan
“Days after Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban in August 2021,” recalls Vox’s Jonathan Guyer, “a senior Biden administration official told me that the entire administration had let the president down.” President Biden’s minions “failed to anticipate how quickly the Taliban would overthrow the Afghan government and the undoing of the little progress made during two decades of America’s war.” Yet a year later, “it’s unclear who, if anyone, has been held accountable” for “bureaucratic” and “strategic failure” when “Biden’s team had eight months in office to plot a responsible drawdown.” Yet: “The internal and independent reviews are only beginning” now, including “an Afghanistan War Commission mandated by Congress to pursue a three-plus-year study of what went wrong.”
Education Beat: New Threat to School Choice
“Teachers unions have a new ally in their fight against school choice: local code enforcers,” worry Suranjan Sen & Daryl James at Reason. For one, a Georgia “fire marshal threatened to punish churches for hosting study groups.” That effort fell through thanks to “a state law that Georgia passed in 2021 to protect learning pods and similar educational cooperatives.” But in Florida, Texas, Maine and elsewhere “school choice advocates . . . must battle the zoning police and other code enforcers.” “Parents understand better than anyone that one size does not fit all in education” and “regulators should not interfere in this process without good reason.” “Teachers unions see” school choice “as a threat, but they don’t need extra help to protect their multibillion-dollar education monopoly.”
— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board | https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/salman-rushdie-is-a-free-speech-hero-and-other-commentary/ | 2022-08-15T21:25:32Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/salman-rushdie-is-a-free-speech-hero-and-other-commentary/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-20 RACE RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
5th CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA CAMARO ZL1
11th WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1
14th KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1
16th AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 HUK PERFORMANCE FISHING CAMARO ZL1
17th TY DILLON, NO. 42 ALLEGIANT CAMARO ZL1
18th ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 MOOSE FRATERNITY CAMARO ZL1
19th DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 COMMSCOPE CAMARO ZL1
20th ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1
TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1st Kevin Harvick (Ford)
2nd Christopher Bell (Toyota)
3rd Chris Buescher (Ford)
4th Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
5th Chase Elliott (Chevy)
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES:
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA CAMARO ZL1 - Finished 5th
"The track was very similar there early and late, if anything, I feel like it got a little faster. It wasn't a huge deal, just needed to be a little more forward there to have a shot. It was really odd, I didn't think it was driving any better, but in comparison to people around us, we were going forward. So, just normal Richmond. Just more confusing I feel like. I have been here and had cars like that where you are not driving good, but you are moving forward. Then you will have days where you feel like your car is driving good and you are not going anywhere or vice versa. This place is really strange and the track had gained a lot of grip there at the end too. There were obviously a lot of different strategies going on, and it was nice to get a top five out of a tough day yesterday."
WHERE DO YOU FEEL THIS TEAM IS AS WE RUMBLE TOWARD THE PLAYOFFS?
"Yeah, obviously we want to be better and Michigan was a big time struggle for us. This weekend was too all the way up until the last few runs. We will go to work and try to finish these last two weeks strong and get ready for Darlington."
AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 HUK PERFORMANCE FISHING CAMARO ZL1 - Finished 16th
"I had fun at Richmond Raceway today and everyone on the No. 3 Huk Performance Fishing Chevrolet team did a great job. We started off the race loose. We came to pit road during the stage break and my crew chief, Justin Alexander, made a good call to get my car tightened up during the second stage. On lap 243 we caught a lucky break by catching a caution, saving us a lap. We struggled most of the day with the handling of our Chevrolet, but towards the end of the race we hit on a setup that really worked well with the track. We were posting solid lap times in Stage 3, even on old tires. I wish we could’ve had that at the beginning of the race. We would’ve been jamming. All-in-all, we’ll take this 16th-place finish and head to Watkins Glen International."
JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1 - Finished 21st
“Our No.31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro had speed all weekend and was a top-10 car in practice. Our qualifying effort didn’t show it, but we knew we had a solid car for the race. The speed carried over to the race, and we had good pit stops throughout the race, which got us some decent track position. Overall, I’m proud of our guys for a solid P21 finish. We are looking forward to Watkins Glen, a road course I really enjoy!”
NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 16 CHEVY ACCESSORIES CAMARO ZL1 - Finished 24th
"We battled all day with our Chevy Accessories Camaro. We could never just get it fine-tuned. The guys worked really hard, and we had great pit stops. We just kind of missed it overall, but I'm still proud of the effort. We will keep working hard and try to be better next time."
ERIK JONES, NO. 43 FOCUSFACTOR CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 35th
"We were just in the wrong spot and got caught in someone else’s mess. We made contact and killed the right front. We struggled all day with our FOCUSfactor Chevy, just couldn’t find the balance we needed to run up front. Not our day. We’ll load up and get ready for Watkins Glen next weekend."
TEAM CHEVY RACE QUICK NOTES
Stage One:
- After starting in second place, Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 1 Moose Fraternity Camaro ZL1, took the lead and never looked back to lead all 70 laps en route to winning the Stage.
Team Chevy Stage One: Top-10
- 1st Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Camaro ZL1
- 3rd Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrickcars.com Camaro ZL1
- 5th William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1
- 8th Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1
Stage Two:
- Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrickcars.com Camaro, finished second in Stage Two while Chastain, Stage One winner, faded on the long green run and finished 12th.
Team Chevy Stage Two: Top-10
- 2nd Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrickcars.com Camaro ZL1
- 8th Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Camaro ZL1
Final Stage / Post-Race Notes:
- Chase Elliott (5th) led Chevrolet to the only top-10 finish of the day at Richmond Raceway.
- With 24 NASCAR Cup Series races in the books, Chevrolet continues to lead in lead the series in wins (13), top-fives (55), top-10s (103), and stage wins (21).
GM PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72070-chevrolet-ncs-at-richmond-post-race-notes-and-quotes-full-package | 2022-08-15T21:27:18Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72070-chevrolet-ncs-at-richmond-post-race-notes-and-quotes-full-package | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
No. 2 Menards/Duracell Ford Mustang – Austin Cindric
Start: 33rd
Race Finish: 12th
Stage 1 Finish: 25th
Stage 2 Finish: 17th
Laps Led: 0
Point Standings: 15th (-326)
Race Rundown: Austin Cindric and the No. 2 Menards/Duracell team netted a 12th-place finish after putting up a resilient fight Sunday at Richmond Raceway. Cindric rolled off the grid 33rd in the lineup but wasted little time on his quest to advance up the leaderboard. By lap 15, the Menards Ford had reached 25th, but settled into that position through the end of Stage 1. Receiving four tires, fuel, and adjustments to kick off Stage 2, Cindric navigated the 160-lap segment to position himself in the 17th position at the end of the second segment. Undergoing various pit stops over the course of the final stage, Cindric continued to gain track position, leading him to a 12th-place finish.
Cindric’s Thoughts: Certainly, it was interesting no doubt starting near the rear of the field. Proud of the hustle from my Menards guys all day to make the car better and move forward. We’re making good progress and look forward to Watkins Glen.”
___________________________________________
No. 12 BODYARMOR Ford Mustang – Ryan Blaney
Start: 10th
Race Finish: 10th
Stage 1 Finish: 6th
Stage 2 Finish: 5th
Laps Led: 1
Point Standings: 2nd (-116)
Race Rundown: Ryan Blaney drove the No. 12 BODYARMOR Ford Mustang to a 10th-place finish on Sunday afternoon at Richmond Raceway. At the drop of the green, Blaney used some calculated moves to drive from his 10th-place starting spot to sixth early on. From there, he would hold court and finish sixth in the first stage. Excellent work by the BODYARMOR team would get him out fourth as the second stage started. Despite falling back a few spots early, Blaney ran solidly in the top-five for all of Stage 2, despite a car that was becoming more and more ill-handling in traffic. A couple of early cautions at the start of the final stage slightly shuffled pit strategy, with Blaney getting off sequence on tires and battling back from 10th. He would settle into ninth while fighting a BODYARMOR Mustang that drastically changed handling characteristics in the second half of the race. Blaney would fall back to 13th but battled back to finish 10th.
Blaney’s Thoughts: “Big thanks to everybody on the BODYARMOR Ford Mustang. I’ve been coming to Richmond a long time and would’ve been excited with 10th but for sure wanted to get a bit more this time. Just proud of everybody on the crew sticking with me all day and look forward to the next two races. I think we’ve got great shots at Watkins Glen and Daytona, and we’ll be prepared for anything.”
______________________________________________
No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang – Joey Logano
Start: 17th
Race Finish: 6th
Stage 1 Finish: 7th
Stage 2 Finish: 1st (Third stage win of 2022)
Laps Led: 222 (Race-high)
Point Standings: 6th (-164)
Race Rundown: Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang team had a dominant car in the middle portions of the race but fell back late and finished sixth at Richmond Raceway on Sunday. Early in the race, Logano used some very aggressive moves in the second lane to drive into the top-eight just 15 laps into the race. Logano would end the first stage in the seventh position. He would have an amazing restart at the beginning of stage 2 from his sixth place restarting position and took the lead on lap 81. Logano would lead through green flag stops during the second stage and only briefly gave up the top spot as the stops cycled out. Keeping a nearly two-second buffer, Logano would take the Stage 2 victory. Logano briefly fell back to second to begin the final stage but retook the lead shortly thereafter and began working to save his tires. Fellow Ford driver Kevin Harvick began to track Logano down, taking the top spot with less than 70 laps to go. Logano quickly brought the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang to pit road for what would be his final stop of the day. However, over the long run to end the race, the Shell-Pennzoil Ford slipped back to sixth at the finish.
Logano’s Thoughts: “Yeah, I think just as the sun went down and the track cooled off and lost some turn on our car. Kevin (Harvick) and some others got a lot better the last couple of runs in the race. When it was hot and slick that was probably our strength with the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang. We had good turn and then once it cooled off, we lost the turn but still weren’t really good on the exits. Then you start playing defense and running too hard. It was a downhill slope from there. I was hoping for a late race caution, that was our only prayer at the end there. Overall, we got a stage win and playoff points and that is something to be proud of. It stinks when you say we led 222 laps but not the right one.”
Penske Racing PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72076-team-penske-nascar-cup-series-race-recap-richmond | 2022-08-15T21:27:50Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72076-team-penske-nascar-cup-series-race-recap-richmond | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inhibrx, Inc. (Nasdaq: INBX), a biotechnology company with four clinical programs in development and a strong emerging pipeline, today announced that the European Commission ("EC"), based on a positive opinion issued by the European Medicines Agency ("EMA"), has granted orphan medicinal product designation to INBRX-109 for the treatment of chondrosarcoma.
"We are highly optimistic about the potential of INBRX-109 in chondrosarcoma to address a high unmet medical need," said Inhibrx Chief Executive Officer, Mark Lappe. "The positive opinion issued by the EMA is excellent news and acknowledges the potential of INBRX-109 as a treatment for patients throughout Europe who suffer from this debilitating, rare condition."
The EC grants orphan designation to drugs and biologics intended for the safe and effective treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of a disease that is life-threatening or chronically debilitating impacting fewer than five in 10,000 patients in the European Union ("EU"). Orphan drug designation in the EU can provide certain benefits, including reduced regulatory fees, clinical protocol assistance and the potential for up to ten years of market exclusivity following regulatory approval.
About Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma is an orphan bone cancer with approximately 2,800 new patients diagnosed annually in the United States and the EU. There are currently no therapeutics approved for the treatment of chondrosarcoma.
About INBRX-109
INBRX-109 is a precision-engineered, tetravalent death receptor 5 (DR5) agonist antibody designed to exploit the tumor-biased cell death induced by DR5 activation.
In 2021, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to INBRX-109 for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic conventional chondrosarcoma and orphan-drug designation to INBRX-109 for chondrosarcoma in the United States.
In June 2021, Inhibrx initiated a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, potential registration-enabling Phase 2 trial of INBRX-109 in conventional chondrosarcoma, which is currently ongoing.
In November 2021, Inhibrx provided updated results from its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of INBRX-109 in patients with conventional chondrosarcoma. Preliminary disease control was observed in 16 of the 18 evaluable patients (89%) measured by RECISTv1.1, with two of the 18 achieving partial responses (11%). Based on preliminary results of the ongoing Phase 1 trial at that time, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.4 months, and the median overall survival had not been reached. Three patients had exceeded 61 weeks on treatment with INBRX-109, with 77 weeks being the longest duration of stable disease observed at that time.
About Inhibrx, Inc.
Inhibrx is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing a broad pipeline of novel biologic therapeutic candidates in oncology and orphan diseases. Inhibrx utilizes diverse methods of protein engineering to address the specific requirements of complex target and disease biology, including its proprietary sdAb platform. Inhibrx has collaborations with 2seventy bio (formerly bluebird bio), Bristol-Myers Squibb and Chiesi. For more information, please visit www.inhibrx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Inhibrx cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Inhibrx's current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Inhibrx's and its investigators' judgments and beliefs regarding the strength of Inhibrx's pipeline, any future potential or observed to date safety and efficacy of its therapeutic candidate, INBRX-109, discussions with and beliefs regarding future action by the FDA or EMA, and statements and beliefs regarding the clinical development of INBRX-109 including statements indicating that the Phase 2 trial is registration-enabling, potential benefits of the orphan drug-designation and any presumption of positive results from Phase 1 clinical trials. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Inhibrx's business, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties regarding: the initiation, timing, progress and results of its preclinical studies and clinical trials, and its research and development programs; its ability to advance therapeutic candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical trials; its interpretation of initial, interim or preliminary data from its clinical trials, including interpretations regarding disease control and disease response; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; the successful commercialization of its therapeutic candidates, if approved; the pricing, coverage and reimbursement of its therapeutic candidates, if approved; its ability to utilize its technology platform to generate and advance additional therapeutic candidates; the implementation of its business model and strategic plans for its business and therapeutic candidates; its ability to successfully manufacture therapeutic candidates for clinical trials and commercial use, if approved; its ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately; the scope of protection it is able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering its therapeutic candidates; its ability to enter into strategic partnerships and the potential benefits of these partnerships; its estimates regarding expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing and financial performance; its expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business; and other risks described from time to time in the "Risk Factors" section of its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including those described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022, as well as its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and supplemented from time to time by its Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Inhibrx undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by Inhibrx. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates.
Investor and Media Contact:
Kelly Deck, CFO
858-795-4260
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SOURCE Inhibrx Inc. | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/european-medicines-agency-grants-orphan-drug-designation-inbrx-109-treatment-chondrosarcoma/ | 2022-08-15T21:27:52Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/european-medicines-agency-grants-orphan-drug-designation-inbrx-109-treatment-chondrosarcoma/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Brad Keselowski put the ROUSHParts.com Ford to the front of the field early Sunday afternoon at Richmond, thanks in part to a solid qualifying effort on Saturday, running inside the top five early before going on to finish 15th.
Keselowski posted a P8 qualifying effort on Saturday – his best to date outside of Daytona – and took advantage of the early track position, which proved to be vital throughout the afternoon. He powered the No. 6 to the fourth spot by the end of stage one earning solid stage points early.
Following service under the stage break, Keselowski lined up ninth, then a series of two green-flag pit stops cycled in the stage as he ultimately finished 11th in the segment. From there, Keselowski still maintained solid track position restarting 11th, and was eighth at the time of the race’s final restart at lap 256, but faded late despite another pair of green-flag stops to finish 15th.
Watkins Glen stands as the No. 6 team’s next opportunity, with race coverage next Sunday set for 3 p.m. ET on USA. Coverage can also be heard on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
RFK PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72077-keselowski-finishes-15th-in-up-and-down-richmond-race | 2022-08-15T21:27:56Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72077-keselowski-finishes-15th-in-up-and-down-richmond-race | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
In what is the beginning of a unique partnership for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of South Florida (EO South Florida) and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), FRM has formed a partnership to allow for eight very special companies to join the NASCAR Cup Series highlighted by supporting Todd Gilliland at the Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on October 23.
Eight premier companies who are members of EO South Florida will collaborate to be the primary partners during the race weekend. The companies include:
ValidiFI – A Specialty Consumer Reporting Agency which provides raw and modeled data that powers fintech credit and risk models.
Direct Colors – The leader in Decorate Concrete, providing the largest selection of premium concrete colors and project guidance to DIYers and contractors worldwide.
Paw.com – Award winning designer and manufacturer of high-quality, innovative pet lifestyle products.
Team Bennett – Unishippers is a people business, who strives to train and develop our teams to grow from sales representatives to executives.
Gold Aviation Services – With a fleet of next generation aircraft, Gold Aviation provides exclusive business class service for chartered flights, management, maintenance, sales, and acquisition.
Streeme.TV is a streaming television service that offers live and on-demand programming from more than 180 networks. Its wide range of programming from the largest networks to uniquely curated content, has led it to become the fastest growing provider of streaming television to college campuses in the US.
CloudHesive – With a fast-growing team of 140 employees, CloudHesive is an Amazon Web Services Premier Consulting partner that delivers cloud computing services including cloud migrations and management, contact center modernization, end-user computing, DevOps consulting, and cybersecurity services.
GAINSWave® – The leader in sexual wellness, provides you with the high-performance fuel injection you need to cross the finish line.
EO South Florida is one of the largest chapters in the global Entrepreneurs’ Organization that allows forward-thinking entrepreneurs to have peer-to-peer networking. The NASCAR program with FRM allows the Chapter and its’ members to collaborate with the team and Gilliland to learn about the business of motorsports and grow their business with others in the sport while connecting with the millions of NASCAR fans.
“We are so proud that the Entrepreneurs’ Organization – South Florida Chapter and Front Row Motorsports, have partnered together for Homestead. This marks a first time in both Organizations’ history for a partnership of this type. Both Organizations are built on the values of hard work, competitiveness, and strong leadership,” says Chapter President Lillian Roberts. “I am thrilled to highlight eight amazing members that we are showcasing at this most prestigious race.”
EO South Florida will host more than 50 members and guests at Homestead and enjoy VIP experiences, meeting the FRM drivers and team members, and learning the business of the team.
“I’ve spent time with EO South Florida earlier this year and it’s easy to see how each member benefits from each other,” said Gilliland. “They are like a family. I compare it to a NASCAR team with everyone working together for a common goal of success. I am looking forward to working more with EO South Florida and thank them for their support of my rookie season.”
The partnership includes social media and promotion of each EO South Florida primary partner on the car. Fans will be able to follow FRM and its’ driver social media channels throughout the remainder of the year to learn more.
Click here for more information about the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and its eight phenomenal member companies.
FRM PR
Entrepreneurs’ Organization of South Florida Partners with Front Row Motorsports
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- Sugarlands to Adorn the Hood of JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 Camaro ZL1 at Watkins Glen International
- Austin Wayne Self to Attempt NASCAR Xfinity Series Debut at Watkins Glen
- Ted Christopher Drive for Safety Initiative to Award Three Joie of Seating Seats to Stafford Drivers
- Kimi Räikkönen Project 91 Watkins Glen NASCAR Race Advance | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72086-entrepreneurs-organization-of-south-florida-partners-with-front-row-motorsports | 2022-08-15T21:28:22Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72086-entrepreneurs-organization-of-south-florida-partners-with-front-row-motorsports | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Notes of Interest ● After enduring a 65-race winless streak, Kevin Harvick is now undefeated in his last two NASCAR Cup Series starts. Harvick earned a breakthrough win Aug. 7 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn and promptly followed it with another victory in the very next race last Sunday at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. It marked the eighth time in Harvick’s 22-year-and-counting Cup Series career that he has scored back-to-back wins. This Sunday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in the Go Bowling! At The Glen, Harvick will attempt to do something he’s only done once before – win three straight Cup Series races. Harvick’s run of consecutive Cup Series wins are as follows… 1. Richmond on Sept. 9, 2006 and New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon on Sept. 17, 2006 2. Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, on March 27, 2011 and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on April 3, 2011 3. Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 9, 2014 and Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16, 2014 (clinched championship) 4. Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 8, 2015 and Phoenix on March 15, 2015 5. Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 25, 2018 and Las Vegas on March 4, 2018 and Phoenix on March 11, 2018 6. Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway on May 6, 2018 and Kansas Speedway in Kansas City on May 12, 2018 7. Michigan on Aug. 8, 2020 and Michigan on Aug. 9, 2020 8. Michigan on Aug. 7, 2022 and Richmond on Aug. 14, 2022 ● The Go Bowling! At The Glen serves as the fifth of six road-course races on the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The series’ first road-course race came March 27 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, where Kevin Harvick finished 11th. The second road-course race was June 12 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and Harvick finished fourth. Next up was Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, on July 3 where Harvick secured a 10th-place result. In the series’ most recent road-course race July 31 on the layout inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an accident relegated Harvick to a 33rd-place finish. The final road-course race after Watkins Glen comes on Oct. 9 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval. ● Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Busch Light Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing, has made a total of 53 NASCAR Cup Series starts on road courses. He has 21 starts at Sonoma, 20 at Watkins Glen, four at the Charlotte Roval and two apiece at COTA, Road America, Indianapolis and the road course at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. He has scored two road-course wins – Watkins Glen in 2006 and Sonoma in 2017 – along with 11 top-fives and 26 top-10s with 195 laps led. ● When Harvick scored his first road-course victory at Watkins Glen in 2006, he had to beat his current team owner to do it. Tony Stewart – the “Stewart” in Stewart-Haas Racing – had won the past two NASCAR Cup Series races at The Glen and was poised to capture a third straight win as he was leading Harvick with four laps to go in the 90-lap race. But Harvick, who had already led once for 24 laps, passed Stewart on lap 87 as the two drag-raced down the frontstretch and into turn one. Harvick held onto the lead despite Stewart in his rearview mirror, earning a margin of victory of .892 of a second. ● Harvick’s second career road-course win also had a connection to Stewart. When Harvick won at Sonoma in 2017, he gave Stewart-Haas Racing its second straight victory at the 1.99-mile, 10-turn road course. The winner in 2016? None other than Stewart. It ended up being his 49th and final NASCAR Cup Series victory as Stewart retired from NASCAR racing at the conclusion of the season. ● Harvick’s last road-course win was his first in a Ford. When Harvick won at Sonoma in 2017, he became the 83rd different driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race behind the wheel of a Ford. Harvick has now won 25 Cup Series races with Ford, which makes him one of only 13 drivers to win 20 or more races with the manufacturer. He stands 10th on Ford’s all-time win list and is now only one win away from tying Brad Keselowski, Junior Johnson and Fred Lorenzen for ninth. Harvick has won more races driving a Mustang (15) than any other driver since the iconic muscle car became Ford’s flagship model in 2019. ● Harvick has four road-course wins outside of the NASCAR Cup Series. Two came in the NASCAR Xfinity Series – Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007 and Watkins Glen in 2007 – and two were in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West – Sonoma in 1998 and Sonoma in 2017. Harvick’s K&N Pro Series win at Sonoma in 1998 was three years before his Cup Series debut on Feb. 26, 2001 at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham. ● Compared to the other road courses on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, Watkins Glen is a power track – less finesse, more get-on-the-gas-and-go. Here’s a turn-by-turn explanation of the 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course that is Watkins Glen. Turn 1: Once drivers take the green flag, they are immediately faced with a downhill trek into the first corner. Carrying a ton of speed down the straightaway, this is a heavy braking zone in order to get the car slowed down enough to make the right-hand turn. This is one of the best opportunities to make a pass, and this turn can get chaotic very quickly, especially on restarts. Turn 2: After making it through the first turn, the drivers hop on a short straight which leads them gradually uphill and into the second right-hand corner. This turn begins the ascent through the “esses” portion of the track. Turn 3: Continuing the uphill climb through the esses, this sweeping left-hander can be treacherous as drivers begin to carry more speed up the slope. Turn 4: This corner is the final portion of the esses. Drivers complete the uphill climb and the corner starts to level off, building up more speed as they enter the backstretch of the circuit. Inner Loop, a.k.a. the “Bus Stop”: The backstretch allows the drivers to gain a ton of momentum, which leads them into another heavy braking zone and into the inner loop, better known as the “bus stop” section of the course. Hot on the brakes upon entry, this is a great place to overtake someone before making a quick series of right- and left-hand turns. Lots of slipping, sliding and spinning happens here. Turn 5, a.k.a. the “Carousel”: This is a long, sweeping right-hander. Banked at 10 degrees, it is the steepest turn of the course, and it allows drivers to build up speed as they make their way onto the straightaway leading into turn six. Turn 6: After gaining speed while traveling down the 2,040-foot chute, drivers are approached with another heavy braking zone at the entrance of this left-hand corner. Competitors use this turn to either make a quick pass or to set themselves up for a pass heading into the final corner. Turn 7: Once they are through turn six, a short chute gives the drivers just enough time to adjust to make a good angle through the final corner. This is another chance to make a quality pass as the right-hand bend trickles drivers onto the frontstretch and down to the start-finish line. Kevin Harvick, Driver of the No. 4 Busch Light Ford Mustang In Formula One, there’s talk of classic venues like Monaco and Silverstone and their respective places on the F1 calendar. Is Watkins Glen one of NASCAR’s classic venues, at least when it comes to road courses? “Watkins Glen is kind of a road-racing treasure in our country, just because of all the history and things that it has between the town and the track. That venue has held some great races throughout the years, and our races up there during the last decade have been full of fans and a lot of fun to see how road racing has progressed through the years. It’s fun to go up there. You get a lot of Canadians that come to that particular race at the end of their summer break and it just turns into a fun event.” What’s a Watkins Glen moment that stands out for you? “Watkins Glen is home to one of my favorite wins because I was able to beat Tony (Stewart). That was a fun day. Tony has always been really good at Watkins Glen and had a lot of success up there. It’s just a fast racetrack with some unique corners that determine the amount of speed that’s in the lap just because of where the car placement is. The thing that I remember about racing Tony that year is just how good he was in the braking zone going into the ‘bus stop’ in the back. He was always a good road racer and, in those years, he was getting in the Grand-Am cars and he wouldn’t even practice. He would just show up at the races and jump in the car and be competitive. That was just what he did, and he could do that in pretty much anything, and Watkins Glen was just another one of those places that stood out for him through the years where he just dominated.” What are your challenges at Watkins Glen? “The big thing for us about Watkins Glen is we’ve been a little weak in the braking zones there over the last couple of years. Hopefully, that comfort level from the road racing we’ve done beforehand carries over to there because that would definitely make up our deficit that we’ve had over the last couple of years.” When it comes to road-course racing, do you feel that more of the race is in your hands? “You do have more in your hands, for sure, especially when it comes to shifting and all the different things that could happen. But strategy and track position are a big part of that element too. It’s just like anything else, you’ve got to have the whole piece of the puzzle to put it all together.” What differentiates Watkins Glen from the other road courses on the NASCAR schedule? “Watkins Glen is just a fast, fast track, and as you look at the speed that you carry at Watkins Glen, as far as corner speed, straightaway speed, I feel like it’s the fastest road course we go to with the grippiest asphalt that we go to. You go to Road America, you get some high straightaway speeds, but the asphalt is worn out and you have these long straightaways that lead to corners where you blow the tires off. There’s just not going to be any corners at Watkins Glen where you blow the back tires off. You’ve just got to get the car turned and keep your momentum up to be good in the braking zones.” The NextGen car seems to have acclimated well to all the tracks, but does it perform best on road courses since the car carries a lot of sports-car DNA? “It’s definitely leaning more toward handling well at the road courses just because that’s kind of the nature of how it was designed. I think for me, our first road course was a lot more comfortable in the car than what we were last year. For the braking and things that come with this particular car, it’s been good for us on the road courses, so far.” How do you approach these road-course weekends? “There’s just a lot more time that goes into a road-race week. You have to spend a lot of time in the simulator. You have to spend a lot of time with your previous notes and make sure you have the shift points and all the things that you remember as far as curbs you need to hit and things you don’t need to hit, where you need to be on the racetrack, tire falloff. You have to have everything memorized before you get there so that the first few laps are valuable because you’re still going to be learning the real-life tolerances of the grip level. And you’re going to have to blend that into also trying to do it in a short amount of time and get something out of those practices to give some feedback about the cars. It’s a different preparation week for the road courses than it is anything else.” TSC PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72087-busch-light-racing-kevin-harvick-watkins-glen-advance | 2022-08-15T21:28:28Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72087-busch-light-racing-kevin-harvick-watkins-glen-advance | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Brady Singer pitched six dominant innings and the Kansas City Royals ended the Dodgers’ 12-game winning streak, blanking Los Angeles 4-0 Sunday.
A day after hitting six home runs in a romp, the Dodgers were held to just two hits.
The Dodgers were trying to match their longest winning streak since moving to Los Angeles, having won 13 straight in both 1962 and 1965. The franchise record is 15 in a row set in 1924 while the team played in Brooklyn — the club moved to West Coast for the 1958 season.
“I mean, we knew we weren’t going to win every game,” star first baseman Freddie Freeman said.
“We don’t like getting shut out as an offense, just plain and simple. We still won the series, so you have to look at it like that sometimes,” he said.
Singer (6-4) pitched one-hit ball against the team with the best record in the majors. He struck out seven and walked three.
“Singer thrives on these opportunities and we do need that stopper to step up and so something special,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “I don’t think you can imagine that Brady was going to execute the way he did today. It was a thing of beauty and couldn’t have been at a better time.”
The 26-year old right-hander felt all his pitches were working.
“It was a good outing, I think I stayed on the attack all day and all three pitches had good life,” Singer said. “The fastball had good life, the changeups that I threw really helped me throughout the whole entire time.”
Royals relievers Amir Garrett and Dylan Coleman kept the Dodgers scoreless and Scott Barlow got four outs for his 19th save.
Vinnie Pasquantino homered among his three hits and drove in two runs. He connected in the eighth inning for his fourth home run and seventh RBI of an 11-game homestand.
“It is just constant adjustments,” Pasquantino said. “I’m not going to say anything clicked this week, but it is one of those things where you just keep going, pushing forward and it worked out today.”
Tyler Anderson (12-2) gave up three runs in six innings.
Chris Taylor singled in the Dodgers fifth and Mookie Betts doubled in the eighth. It was the fewest hits for Los Angeles since April 19 and the first time being shut out since June 27.
UP NEXT
Los Angeles will continue its Midwest stretch with a three-game set with Milwaukee. LHP Julio Urías (12-6, 2.49 ERA) will open the series for the Dodgers.
LHP Kris Bubic (2-6, 5.02 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Kansas City against Minnesota to begin a seven-game road trip.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.wwlp.com/sports/dodgers-12-game-win-streak-ends-singer-royals-blank-la/ | 2022-08-15T21:28:32Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/sports/dodgers-12-game-win-streak-ends-singer-royals-blank-la/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Sugarlands Distilling Company today announced it will partner with JTG Daugherty Racing to adorn the hood of the No. 47 Camaro ZL1 driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. this Sunday at Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at the Glen 90-lap road course event.
This marks the first time Sugarlands Distilling Co. is appearing on a NASCAR Cup Series car, but the company has a long history with motorsports. Since launching in 2014, Sugarlands has integrated itself into the racing world, releasing limited-edition products to commemorate Bristol Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Earlier this year, Sugarlands launched High Rock, a premium, handcrafted vodka, produced in partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Earnhardt.
“We have a deep appreciation for motorsports and are excited to team with JTG Daugherty Racing to showcase Sugarlands this weekend at Watkins Glen,” said Patrick Sullivan, Sugarlands Chief Revenue Officer. "We’re especially grateful to the race team for their collaboration and the opportunity to bring brands together for this special paint scheme.”
“It’s special to have Sugarlands Distilling Co. on our No. 47 Camaro at Watkins Glen because it’s their first time on the hood of a Cup car,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “Good news is that Watkins Glen is one of my better road courses and our chances will be better there. We’ve had a better trend on finishes at road courses overall. We feel good going there and we’re going to try to put together a good race for Sugarlands and all the fans around the racetrack. We really want to have a solid race going into Daytona International Speedway.”
Live coverage of the Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, August 21st starts at 3 PM ET on USA Network, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90).
Sugarland Shines PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72092-sugarlands-to-adorn-the-hood-of-jtg-daugherty-racing-s-no-47-camaro-zl1-at-watkins-glen-international | 2022-08-15T21:28:41Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/72092-sugarlands-to-adorn-the-hood-of-jtg-daugherty-racing-s-no-47-camaro-zl1-at-watkins-glen-international | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
California’s Toni Breidinger comes into the ARCA Menards Series Atlas 100 at the Illinois State Fair seeking to become the first woman to win a major national championship auto race on the Springfield Mile, August 21. Breidinger is currently 5th in the ARCA Menard’s title chase with 4 top 10 finished and is also looking to break a victory drought in the ARCA series.
The 23-year old has a diverse racing background starting in open wheel cars and winning over 15 USAC midget races before transitioning to the bigger USAC Silver crown cars and to stock cars. Breidinger finished 9th in the 2021 Allen Crowe 100 completing all 100 miles and had a creditable run two weeks later at DuQuoin. Of the top 6 in ARCA points she is the only one with any mile dirt track experience.
During the early part of the 20th century women competed on the same race tracks as the men, even before the passage of the Suffrage Act. Ladies such as Elfreda Mais and Ora Holbein competed on the dusty dirt tracks of America including the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Most of the races they competed in were not true contests, but were “hipped” meaning the outcome was predetermined. Women drivers disappeared from the Springfield landscape for nearly 80 years, before a resurgence from the ladies in 2000. Two women competed in the ARCA Atlas-Allen Crowe 100 that year, with Shawna Robinson and Karla Lampe participating and Robinson finishing 12th on the lead lap. In 2020 Hailie Deegan posted the best finish in a major race at Springfield by any female driver, leading one lap and finishing second to eventual winner Ryan Unzicker.
Breidinger has a couple of other aces up her uniform sleeves come August 21. The Venturini team she drives for has won 5 of the last 9 ARCA events at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and crew chief Kevin Reed went to victory lane with Brennan Poole in 2013 and Christian Eckes in 2018.
The event is all part of a huge weekend of racing that begins Friday night, August 19 at Lincoln Speedway featuring MOWA Sprint Cars, Saturday afternoon, August 20 with USAC Silver Crown and Sportsman at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Saturday night at Macon Speedway with POWRi National Midgets, and Sunday afternoon, August 21 with ARCA and Sportsman at the Illinois State Fair.
Advance tickets for the Illinois State Fair races are available by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200, by calling the Illinois State Fair box office at 217-782-1979, or by stopping by the Illinois State Fair box office. Advance sale discounted tickets for the ARCA Menards Series event on Sunday, August 21 can be purchased in Central Illinois area Menards stores for a price of just $20.
Springfield Speedway PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72072-breidinger-looks-to-be-first-woman-to-enter-springfield-mile-victory-lane-this-sunday | 2022-08-15T21:28:47Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72072-breidinger-looks-to-be-first-woman-to-enter-springfield-mile-victory-lane-this-sunday | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, driver of the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare car is looking forward with great anticipation to a new experience as he and the team head to Ohsweken Speedway today. The Dumoulin Competition team will discover a new oval track there, one that is added on the Pinty's Series schedule this year.
The Ohsweken Speedway is surfaced with dirt rather than the more usual asphalt! “I'm really looking forward to driving on the dirt, even though I don't have much experience on that surface,” said Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.
“I did a learning race at Autodrome Granby in a Sportsman Modified car a few weeks ago. The race was run as part of their season championship, and my goal was to gain experience rather than fight and have an impact on a regular competitor's results,” said Dumoulin.
The Ohsweken Oval is located 100 kilometres south-west of Toronto, near Hamilton. The 3/8-mile track provides action-packed entertainment for 25 years now. The prime location on the Six Nations Reserve allows over 8,000 spectators to come out and cheer on their favourite drivers on summer nights.
“We will put on a good show, even if it will not be easy for us drivers,” adds Louis-Philippe Dumoulin. “Dumoulin Competition has worked very hard to set-up the car for racing on the loose surface, a very different one from what we are used to.”
Indeed, because of the differences, the drivers will take part in two scheduled practice sessions on Monday night, the first at 6:30 PM and the second at 9:30 PM. The second session will feature the 'Qwick Wick Hot Lap' Challenge where the five fastest times will be rewarded.
The format of the Pinty's 100 race on Tuesday evening will also be new for Louis-Philippe Dumoulin. The race will be divided into three stages of 25 laps, 25 laps and a final stage of 50 laps. “It's going to be a big learning curve in a short period of time, but we're ready to take on the challenge, I find the format very interesting,” said the driver of the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare car.
The Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières was an intense event, to say the least, with action at all levels. Louis-Philippe Dumoulin could not achieve his goal at the end of that race. He is now looking forward to this event to rectify the situation, and it certainly look positive to him.
“Some drivers have considerable experience on this type of track; we are ready, and we will do well!” The #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare car is currently fourth in the NASCAR Pinty's driver standings. Everything is still possible, which is why the Dumoulin Competition team must run to perfection all day, as well as for the rest of the season.
PPP PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72080-ohsweken-dirt-a-new-challenge-for-louis-philippe-dumoulin | 2022-08-15T21:28:54Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72080-ohsweken-dirt-a-new-challenge-for-louis-philippe-dumoulin | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kevin Lacroix is looking forward to discovering the Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario early this week as the NASCAR Pinty's Series heads to Ontario for the 10th event of the season.
Tuesday night will be the Pinty's 100, a 100-lap event that will be segmented into three parts; the first two of 25 laps, and the final part will include 50 laps.
"This will be my first time competing on a dirt track," said Lacroix. Indeed, Ohsweken Speedway, a ⅜ mile track, is not asphalt but rather dirt. The advantage is that most drivers will be on equal footing as they have never driven on this track.
Once again, Kevin Lacroix will drive the #74 Lacroix Tuning | NAPA Auto Parts | Valvoline machine during the two-day event. The series will allow drivers to practice during two sessions on Monday night. To make things more interesting, NASCAR Pinty's will give a purse to the 5 fastest drivers in the second session.
"I went to try the car on the dirt track at Autodrome Granby. It was really different than on asphalt, but I enjoyed it! I can't wait to see how we will behave on the track during the race because the driving technique and all the car adjustments must change. So we will have to adapt quickly to the new conditions."
With the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix retirement, Lacroix is now in third place in the championship, 16 points behind leader D.J. Kennington.
The qualifying session on Tuesday, August 16, will be at 7:30 pm in a ten-lap heat race format. The green flag will be given at 9:38 pm. The race can be streamed on the TSN app or on FloRacing.
Kevin LeCroix PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72081-kevin-lacroix-is-looking-forward-to-ohsweken | 2022-08-15T21:29:00Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72081-kevin-lacroix-is-looking-forward-to-ohsweken | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
For the first time in its history, the NASCAR Pinty’s Series will race on dirt and rookie Jean-Phillippe Bergeron is looking forward to this new challenge. The driver has explored dirt in a Sportsman car a few times since the beginning of the season. “Sportsman cars are completely different from NASCAR cars. It’s going to be a new experience for me, again,” said the driver who has had several first times since the beginning of the season. “I experienced the feeling of the dirt and I’m sure that will help me for the Ohsweken event,” he added.
The historic race will be held on the three-eighths mile Ohsweken Speedway oval in Ontario. The event will take place over two days. Today, Monday, drivers will have the chance to test their cars on the track as part of the practice. The highlight of the day will be the “Hot Lap Dash,” for which the fastest drivers will receive a cash prize.
The 100-lap race will start late in the evening on Tuesday, August 16. With 23 cars on the track, including experienced drivers such as Christopher Bell and Stewart Friesen, the competition will certainly be fierce. For Bergeron that makes the challenge even more interesting. Accustomed to events that take him out of his comfort zone, Bergeron is confident he will perform well. The No. 1 Mustang he will be driving, prepared by Jacombs Racing, is specially designed for clay.
Currently second in the Rookie Championship, Jean-Philippe Bergeron, driver of the No. 1 Prolon Controls | Rousseau Métal | CTSR | Groupe Olivier | Shelby Canada Ford, hopes to take advantage of this race to get closer to his opponent.
Fans can watch the races live on TSN.ca, the TSN app in Canada and through FloRacing in the United States.
Pinty’s 100 at Ohsweken Speedway (ON)
Tuesday August 16 9:38 p.m. (ET)
Racetrack: 3/8-mile dirt oval Fans can follow Quebecer JP “Bergy” Bergeron on Festidrag.TV at www.facebook.com/festidrag, on YouTube www.youtube.com/c/FestidragTV and on TéléMag. You can also follow JP and the Prolon Racing team on Facebook www.facebook.com/JPBRacing18, on Instagram @JPBergeronRacing and on the website www.prolonracing.com.
JP Bergron PR
Jean-Philippe Bergeron, on the dirt in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series,
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- Kimi Räikkönen Project 91 Watkins Glen NASCAR Race Advance | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72083-jean-philippe-bergeron-on-the-dirt-in-the-nascar-pinty-s-series | 2022-08-15T21:29:07Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/racing-news/72083-jean-philippe-bergeron-on-the-dirt-in-the-nascar-pinty-s-series | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Multi-platinum rock band Better Than Ezra will perform the pre-race concert at Daytona International Speedway prior to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, Aug. 27. The New Orleans-based group will set the stage for a high-stakes evening, as drivers battle it out for their spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs in the final race of the regular season.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to play at a venue as renowned as Daytona International Speedway, let alone at such an exciting event,” said Kevin Griffin, lead singer, guitarist and pianist in the band. “We can’t wait to perform for a crowd as enthusiastic as NASCAR fans, and we plan to put on a great show for everyone.”
Skyrocketing to fame in the early nineties, Better Than Ezra has a long list of chart-topping hits, including “A Lifetime,” “Desperately Wanting,” “King of New Orleans,” and more. Their song “Good” captured the No. 1 spot on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks Chart in 1995 and went multi-platinum.
In 2018, Better Than Ezra was named to Billboard’s “100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time,” as well as earning a spot on Billboard’s “100 Greatest Alternative Songs of All Time” with their hit song “Good.” Their music has been a creative influence within pop-culture, from Taylor Swift covering “Breathless” in 2010, to the Emmy award-winning television series Desperate Housewives featuring “Juicy” in a popular promotional campaign. The band released their latest single “Grateful” in 2018 and are currently working on new music.
“Between the pre-race festivities and the action-packed competition, the upcoming weekend at The World Center of Racing is slated to be a fantastic event,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Now, with the addition of Better Than Ezra as our pre-race concert, it’s going to be even more special. I’m thrilled we’re able to continue the pre-race concert series in 2022 and create such a wonderful experience for all the fans.”
The concert begins at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 27 on pit road and is just one of many pre-race activities available for fans with a UNOH Fanzone/Pre-Race Access admission. Fans can also get access to special driver and VIP appearances, an exclusive look into the NASCAR Cup Series’ garages, up close access to driver introductions and the opportunity to ‘make your mark’ at Daytona International Speedway by signing the start/finish line.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 Reserved Ticket + UNOH Fanzone Package starts at $109. For fans who have already purchased their ticket for Saturday’s race, the UNOH Fanzone/Pre-Race Access add-on is $60. Fanzone access is also available for the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Friday Aug. 26, starting at $25. Kids 12 and under are admitted free both days.
The Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola is always a spirited battle between the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ young guns and seasoned veterans on the 31-degree banking. The highly anticipated Coke Zero Sugar 400, also held under the lights, serves as the intense, “last-chance” race for competitors to make the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and will feature NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car which has produced incredible, exciting racing in 2022.
Friday’s Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, while the Coke Zero Sugar 400 takes the green flag at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Ryan Blaney is the defending Champion of the Coke Zero Sugar 400. While he currently sits second in the championship points battle, he is winless in ’22 and may have to repeat the feat in 2022 if he hopes to make the Cup Series Playoffs.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.
DIS PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/72082-better-than-ezra-multi-platinum-rock-band-to-perform-pre-race-concert-at-the-coke-zero-sugar-400-the-final-race-before-heading-into-the-nascar-cup-series-playoffs | 2022-08-15T21:29:20Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/72082-better-than-ezra-multi-platinum-rock-band-to-perform-pre-race-concert-at-the-coke-zero-sugar-400-the-final-race-before-heading-into-the-nascar-cup-series-playoffs | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
This weekend Grandview Speedway will return to action with two different programs as part of the 60th season anniversary celebration.
On Saturday, August 20, the racing program will feature the T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds and the T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman in another NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series double-header starting at 7:30 pm.
Qualifying events will be run in both divisions leading up to the 30-lap T.P. Trailer Modified main event, and the 25-lap T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman feature race.
Pit gates will open at 4 pm. with grandstand gates opening at 5:30 pm. warm-ups will be starting at 6:30 pm. Adult grandstand admission is $18, while children ages 11 and under are admitted free of charge.
Prior to the racing action on Saturday will be the weekly Low Down and Dirty Meet and Greet. This week’s drivers include Modified drivers Ryan Grim and Joe Funk along with Sportsman driver Jesse Landis. The Meet and Greet is held in the main gate area starting at 5 pm. and is a great time for fans to meet the drivers up close, collect some autographs, take photos, and talk racing one on one.
The weekend action will begin on Friday, August 19 when the Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage cars are in action starting at 7 pm. Grandstand admission will be $10 for this event that was added to the schedule to replace an event that was postponed on August 5.
The 52nd annual Freedom 76 Modified Championship is the next big event on the schedule, coming up on Saturday, September 17. Lap sponsorships at $20 per lap are now available by contacting Tina Rogers, Tommy Kramer or Jeff Ahlum at the track on race night. Lap sponsorships are a great way for fans to wish their favorite drivers good luck in the big race, or for businesses to do some advertising. All lap sponsorships will be read on the public address system each week leading up to and including race night on September 17, as well as a listing in the track program Grandview Groove, and will be posted on social media.
The Freedom 76 weekend begins on Friday, September 16 with the 9th annual Freedom 38 Sportsman Championship race paying $2000 to the winner, along with practice time for Modified drivers wishing to participate in the Freedom 76.
On Friday, pit gates open at 3 pm with grandstand gates opening at 5:30 pm. and racing at 7:30 pm. Adult Grandstand admission is $15, with children ages 6-11 paying $5, while children ages 5 and under admitted for free. Pit admission on Friday is $35 , and no license is required.
For the Freedom 76 on Saturday, September 17 for the Modifieds, Pit gates open at 9 am for inspections, Grandstand ticket windows open at 3 pm. with racing starting at 7 pm. Fans will be able to enter the Grandstand areas between 9 am. and 12 Noon to reserve seats with blankets.
Adult Grandstand tickets on Saturday will be $40, while children ages 6-11 are $10, with children ages 5 and under admitted for free. Pit admission will be $45, and no license is required. There will be no advanced tickets sold for this event, and the rain date is Saturday, September 24.
Those wishing to camp at the Speedway please note: Campers can enter the grounds in the fourth turn area on Saturday, September 10 and remain there until the 18th. However, because there are no hookups, sleeping in the campers can only take place September 16-18.
Craig Von Dohren, a twelve-time track champion, continues to lead the point parade in the T.P. Trailer Modified division after a third place outing in the Forrest Rogers Memorial last Saturday. Brett Kressley currently sits second in points, however he cut the distance between himself and Von Dohren after scoring his second Forrest Rogers Memorial $10,000 win last week. Doug Manmiller remains in third position after a solid fourth in the Rogers Memorial, Jeff Strunk remains fourth in points after a runner-up finish on Saturday, while Duane Howard sits fifth in points after a fifth place feature finish.
The current top ten in T.P. Trailer Modified points are 1. Craig Von Dohren – 3715, 2. Brett Kressley – 3625, 3. Doug Manmiller – 3470, 4. Jeff Strunk – 3283, 5. Duane Howard – 3156, 6. Tim Buckwalter – 2933, 7. Jared Umbenhauer – 2406, 8. Ryan Grim - 2088, 9. Cory Merkel – 2025, 10. Kevin Hirthler – 1871.
Brian Hirthler remains the T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman point leader after a late race rally for a fourth place finish on Saturday. Dylan Hoch cut into Hirthler’s point lead with a second place outing on Saturday to remain second in points, Kyle Smith and Jimmy Leiby sit third and fourth in points after both had non-top ten finishes last Saturday, Mike Schneck Jr. moved into the top five after an eleventh place outing last week.
The current top ten in T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman points are 1. Brian Hirthler – 2912, 2. Dylan Hoch – 2663, 3. Kyle Smith – 2190, 4. Jimmy Leiby – 2173, 5. Mike Schneck Jr. – 1830, 6. Parker Guldin – 1765, 7. Cody Manmiller – 1667, 8. Dakota Kohler – 1640, 9. Ryan Graver – 1470, 10. Cole Stangle – 1456.
Since the 1960’s, Grandview Speedway has been presenting exciting wheel to wheel NASCAR stock car racing every Saturday Night starting in April and running through September, plus special events. Grandview Speedway is located at 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505, just off Route 100, ten miles north of Pottstown, Pa.
Information is always available at www.grandviewspeedway.com or on Facebook, or by telephone at 610.754.7688.
UPCOMING EVENTS –
Friday, August 19 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage – 7 pm
Saturday, August 20 – T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman - 7:30 pm.
Saturday, August 27 – T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage – 7:30 pm.
Friday, September 2 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage – 7 pm
Saturday, September 3 – T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman plus Wingless Super Sportsman – 7:30 pm.
Saturday, September 10 – CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT - T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds, T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman – 7:30 pm.
Grandview Speedway PR | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/72088-grandview-freedom-76-info-released-modified-and-sportsman-double-header-this-weekend | 2022-08-15T21:29:26Z | speedwaydigest.com | control | https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/72088-grandview-freedom-76-info-released-modified-and-sportsman-double-header-this-weekend | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Revenue Increased 76% Year-Over-Year to $5.1 Million as Mobile Services Continues to Scale
Additional Capital Strengthens Balance Sheet and Supports Accelerating Growth
DALLAS, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KonaTel, Inc. (OTCQB: KTEL) (www.konatel.com), a voice/data communications holding company, today announced financial results for the second quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2022.
Second Quarter 2022 Financial Summary and Recent Business Highlights
- Revenues of $5.1 million, up 75.8% compared to the second quarter last year and up 21.2% compared to the first quarter of this year.
- Gross profit of $443,000, down 69.2% compared to the second quarter last year. Gross profit temporarily down due to increased customer acquisition costs (recognized at activation per U.S. accounting guidelines) during this period of intentional rapid growth.
- GAAP net loss of $(1.5) million, or $(0.04) per share, compared to GAAP net income of $341,000, or $0.01 per share, in the second quarter last year.
- Non-GAAP net loss of $(1.2) million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $592,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the second quarter last year.
- Secured $3.2 million in debt financing to accelerate growth of Mobile Services.
D. Sean McEwen, Chairman and CEO of KonaTel stated, "We grew our second quarter revenue by 76% year-over-year and 21% sequentially, which demonstrates accelerating momentum in the scaling of our business. Since the first quarter of this year, we increased our mobile customer base 130% by investing in the acquisition of new customers and additional management and support infrastructure to accommodate a substantial increase in our customer base without a significant future increase to general and administrative costs. We have a highly attractive business model with a diverse revenue base and a high degree of operating leverage. Each new mobile customer brings additional revenue and margin contribution and serves as a lever for future cash flows. The strength of our business is further reinforced by government support and the critical role wireless data and voice services play in our lives. As one of only a limited number of FCC approved national wireless resellers under recently expanded government programs, we are moving aggressively to leverage our first mover advantage and capture new customers at a rapid pace."
McEwen continued, "As we expected and discussed with our first quarter report, second quarter margins were impacted by the significant acceleration of our Mobile Services business as upfront costs to acquire new customers are expensed as incurred under U.S. accounting guidelines. We expect our margins to improve through the remainder of this year and into next year as we begin to recover customer acquisition costs that were incurred at the start of our growth cycle. There is a natural tension in our business between growth, profitability and customer churn, and we are committed to striking a balance that does not sacrifice one for another. We are fortunate to operate a business model that allows us to scale rapidly and with our stepped approach to growth, recover customer acquisition costs quickly and manage our churn rate. New term financing of $3.2 million strengthened our balance sheet and serves as a working capital bridge during this period of exponential growth. The economics of our business are solid, and the investments we are making today are a catalyst for accelerating growth and increasing shareholder value."
Quarterly Financial Summary (Q2 2022 vs. Q2 2021)
Revenue of $5.1 million, an increase of 75.8% compared to $2.9 million. The increase was due to growth in the Mobile Services segment. Mobile Services expansion continued under the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The revenues were derived as a result of delivering high-speed mobile data service to low-income consumers.
Gross profit was $443,000, or 8.6% gross profit margin, compared to $1.4 million, or 49.3% gross profit margin. The decline in gross profit was due to up-front costs incurred by accelerating growth to acquire new customers in the Mobile Services segment. Mobile customer acquisition costs are not amortized over the average life of the customer but are generally recognized at the start of service and typically recovered within 120 days after activation. Mobile customer acquisition costs for the second quarter 2022 was $2.7 million compared to $45,000 for the second quarter of 2021.
Total operating expenses were $1.8 million, up 72.2% compared to $1.1 million. This increase was primarily due to additions in payroll and related expenses resulting from the hiring of operations management and customer support positions in the Apeiron Systems and IM Telecom subsidiaries.
GAAP net loss was $(1.5) million, or $(0.04) per diluted share (based on 41.6 million weighted average shares), compared to net income of $341,000, or $0.01 per diluted share (based on 44.2 million weighted average shares). The loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022, was impacted by an acceleration of growth in the Mobile Services segment that increased customer acquisition costs, which are recorded in full at the time of customer activation.
Non-GAAP net loss was $(1.2) million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, compared to Non-GAAP net income of $592,000, or $0.01 per diluted share.
Year-to-Date Financial Detail (First Six Months of 2022 vs. First Six Months of 2021)
Revenues increased 76.2% to $9.4 million compared to $5.3 million, reflecting a 1.8% increase in Hosted Services revenues and a 159.0% increase in Mobile Services revenues.
Gross profit was $2.1 million, or 22.4% gross profit margin, compared to gross profit of $2.3 million, or 44.3% gross profit margin. The decline in gross profit was due to up-front costs incurred by accelerating growth to acquire new customers in the Mobile Services segment. Mobile customer acquisition costs are not amortized over the average life of the customer but are generally recognized at the start of service and typically recovered within 120 days after activation. Mobile customer acquisition costs for the first six months of 2022 were $3.5 million compared to $123,000 for the first six months of 2021.
Total operating expenses were $3.4 million, up 60.7% compared to $2.1 million. This increase was due primarily to additions in payroll and related expenses resulting from the hiring of operations management and customer support positions in Apeiron Systems and IM Telecom subsidiaries.
GAAP net loss was $(1.5) million, or $(0.04) per diluted share (based on 41.6 million weighted average shares), compared to net income of $108,000, or $0.00 per diluted share (based on 44.2 million weighted average shares).
Non-GAAP net loss was $(1.1) million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $624,000, or $0.01 per diluted share.
About KonaTel
KonaTel provides a variety of retail and wholesale telecommunications services including mobile voice/text/data service supported by national U.S. mobile networks, mobile numbers, SMS/MMS services, IoT mobile data service, and a range of hosted cloud services. KonaTel's subsidiary, Apeiron Systems (www.apeiron.io), is a global cloud communications service provider employing a dynamic "as a service" (CPaaS/UCaaS/CCaaS/PaaS) platform. Apeiron provides voice, messaging, SD-WAN, and platform services using its national cloud network. All Apeiron's services can be accessed through legacy interfaces and rich communications APIs. KonaTel's other subsidiary, Infiniti Mobile (www.infinitimobile.com), is an FCC authorized wireless Lifeline carrier with an FCC approved wireless Lifeline Compliance Plan, authorized to provide government subsidized cellular service to low-income American families. KonaTel is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release. This press release should be considered in light of the disclosures contained in the filings of KonaTel and its "forward-looking statements" in such filings that are contained in the EDGAR Archives of the SEC at www.sec.gov.
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SOURCE KonaTel, Inc. | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/konatel-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-15T21:29:46Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/konatel-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
LINCOLN, Neb., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Midwest Holding Inc. ("Midwest") (NASDAQ: MDWT), today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2022.
Second Quarter 2022 Highlights:
- GAAP net income was $9.3 million compared to a $(5.0) million GAAP net loss incurred in the second quarter of 2021. GAAP earnings were $2.47 per share (diluted) versus the $(1.34) per-share loss in Q1 2021.
- GAAP total revenue was slightly negative at $(122,000) compared to total revenue of $8.9 million in the second quarter of 2021. Total revenue was increased by net investment income of $10.5 million compared to $3.2 million in second quarter of 2021, as invested assets grew to $1.2 billion as of June 30, 2022, compared with $834.5 million as of June 30, 2021. This increase was offset by a decline in the market value of derivatives.
- Annuity direct written premium under statutory accounting principles ("SAP"), a non-GAAP measure, was $156.0 million, up 59% compared to $98.1 million in first quarter of 2022 and up from $125.9 million in 2021's second quarter. The mix of our new business was 45% Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGA) and 55% Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIA).
- Ceded premiums (SAP) were $59.9 million compared with $86.1 million in the year-earlier quarter. The cession rate, or that portion of our written premiums that we reinsured, was 38.4% compared with 68.4%.
- Total expenses benefited from negative interest credited due to the fall in value of the options embedded in our liabilities and the gain on mark-to-market value of the options allowance classified in other operating expenses.
Georgette Nicholas, CEO of Midwest noted, "We are seeing strong results from the actions we took in the first quarter to position the Company for growth relating to distribution, pricing, products, investment management, and reinsurance. We are investing in technology and foundational capabilities to strengthen the business. We saw strong trends in premiums written in the second quarter. We are benefiting from movements in interest rates, as consumers seek stable returns, and from the performance of our investment portfolio. Overall, the second quarter showed very positive trends and positioned us for a strong start to the third quarter."
Ms. Nicholas concluded: "Our opportunities are substantial to build on the value of our platform. The focus of the team continues to be on the key drivers of growth and profitability: Deepening distribution relationships, state expansion to achieve sales growth, reinsurance, investment management, and operational readiness and efficiency. With these five keys to our strategy, we will deliver on our commitment to shareholders to produce strong growth paired with a high return on capital."
Q2 2022 versus Q2 2021 on a GAAP basis
Midwest reported GAAP net income of $9.3 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to a $(5.0) million GAAP net loss incurred in the second quarter of 2021. On a diluted, per-share basis, this year's quarterly net income was 2.47 cents compared with the (1.34)-cent per-share loss reported in the second quarter of 2021.
Investment income in 2022's second quarter was $10.5 million compared with $3.2 million in the prior- year's second quarter. Driving the change was an increase in invested assets as well as performance on those assets, benefiting from core capabilities developed around sourcing assets with a higher yield – generating approximately a 5.5% return on the investment portfolio.
Amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance reached $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared with $588,000 in the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to growth in the deferred gain on co-insurance on our balance sheet, which reflects ceding commissions received on reinsurance of business to third parties.
Service fee revenue was $416,000 versus $672,000 in the prior year second quarter. Service fee revenue consists of fee revenue generated for our asset-management services provided to third-party clients. Assets under management for third parties was $471.1 million on June 30, 2022, compared to $455.4 million on March 31, 2022.
Other revenue finished at $514,000 compared with $358,000 in the prior-year quarter. Other revenue consists primarily of revenue we generate by providing ancillary services, such as policy administration, to third parties and policy surrender charges.
Our total expenses on a GAAP basis were a negative $(1.4) million versus $13.1 million in the prior year second quarter. Total expenses were helped by negative interest credited due to the decrease in value of the options embedded in our liabilities of $2.0 million and an increase in mark-to-market value of our options allowance of $5.3 million. Salaries and benefits were $4.2 million in Q2 2022 compared to $4.5 million in Q2 2021 as we continue to seek operational improvement and work on technology initiatives.
Guidance
We continue to see intense competition in the fixed annuity market around pricing and new competitors. We have taken actions to maintain a competitive position and have seen positive results from these actions and improved sales momentum in the second quarter. With these positive trends and the premium written so far along with the backlog in process, we have had a strong start to the third quarter.
State expansion efforts remain a key priority. We have active applications in process and will provide updates as they progress.
Given these dynamics, we are confident in anticipated premiums written being in the range of $500 million to $600 million (SAP) for the year. We expect the mix in product sales to be 60% towards MYGA this year, given increasing interest rates and market volatility and 40% FIA. We would expect that to move back towards 75% FIA and 25% MYGA in future years.
The goal is to cede, on average, approximately 70-90% of our premium in the year to generate ceded commission fees and manage capital, although currently we are running at approximately 40%. Timing of closing additional reinsurance deals can be delayed due to various factors and will vary quarter to quarter as new agreements are reached. Demand from our existing reinsurance partners is strong and we have capacity in place to cover anticipated written premium through them with the potential to grow along with additional potential reinsurance transactions in the pipeline.
We are making progress towards bringing general and administrative expenses on a management basis, a non-GAAP measure, within approximately $27 to $28 million for the full year 2022.
Q2 2022 Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to GAAP measures, Midwest's management utilizes a series of key performance indicators (KPIs) and non-GAAP measures to, among other things:
1) monitor and evaluate the performance of our business operations and financial performance;
2) facilitate internal comparisons of the historical operating performance of our business operations;
3) review and assess the operating performance of our management team;
4) analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future operations;
5) plan for and prepare future annual operating budgets and determine appropriate levels of operating investments; and
6) facilitate comparison of results between periods and to better understand the underlying historical trends in our business and prospects.
These non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures; however, management believes that when used in conjunction with the GAAP measures, the non-GAAP measures can contribute to investors' understanding of our business. Non-GAAP financial measures used by us may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered along with, but not as alternatives to, our operating performance measures as prescribed by GAAP.
Annuity Premiums (a KPI)
For the second quarter of 2022, annuity direct written premiums were $156.0 million compared with $98.1 million at first quarter of 2022 and up from $125.9 million in the second quarter of 2021. Ceded premiums were $59.9 million in second quarter of 2022 compared to $40.1 million in 2022's first quarter. whereas ceded premiums were $86.1 million in the second quarter of 2021. Of the second quarter 2022 sales, approximately 45% was in the MYGA category and the remaining 55% consisted of sales of FIAs.
Fees Received for Reinsurance (a KPI)
We use this non-GAAP figure to measure our efforts to secure third-party capital to back our reinsurance programs. Fees Received for Reinsurance sums two components: Amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance, which is a line item in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), and deferred coinsurance ceding commission, which is a line item in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
For the second quarter of 2022, fees received for reinsurance totaled $3.2 million compared with $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.
General and Administrative Expenses (a non-GAAP measure)
We monitor this figure to track our overhead. It includes salary and benefits and other operating expenses; however, it excludes non-cash stock-based compensation and the non-cash mark-to-market-adjustment of our option budget allowance.
G&A expense in the second quarter of 2022 was $7.0 million, down from $8.9 million at first quarter 2022 and compared with $5.9 million in the prior year second quarter. We continue to build foundational capabilities to support potential growth in the business and work on technology initiatives.
Management Expenses (a non-GAAP measure)
We use this metric to monitor the expenses of our business on a cash basis. Importantly, we exclude from the calculation of management expenses the index interest credited related to our FIAs because this expense is hedged. Instead, we add back to Management Expenses the period's amortization of options previously purchased to provide this hedge. We view this amortized cost as our true cost of funds. Management Expenses also excludes the mark-to-market adjustment of our option budget allowance.
Management Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation
SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference in this release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "intend," or "continue," the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology used in connection with any discussion of future operating results or financial performance. These statements are only predictions and reflect our management's good faith present expectation of future events and are subject to a number of important factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or projected, forecast, estimated or budgeted in such forward-looking statements include among others, the following possibilities:
- intense competition, including pricing, competitive pressures from established insurers with greater financial resources, the entry of new competitors, and the introduction of new products by new and existing competitors;
- our business plan, particularly including our reinsurance strategy, may not prove to be successful;
- our reliance on third-party insurance marketing organizations to market and sell our annuity insurance products through a network of independent agents;
- adverse changes in our ratings obtained from independent rating agencies;
- failure to maintain adequate reinsurance;
- our inability to expand our insurance operations outside the 22 states and District of Columbia in which we are currently licensed;
- our annuity insurance products may not achieve significant market acceptance;
- we may continue to experience operating losses in the foreseeable future;
- the possible loss or retirement of one or more of our key executive personnel;
- adverse state and federal legislation or regulation, including decreases in rates, limitations on premium levels, increases in minimum capital and reserve requirements, benefit mandates and tax treatment of insurance products;
- fluctuations in interest rates causing a reduction of investment income or increase in interest expense and in the market value of interest-rate sensitive investment;
- failure to obtain new customers, retain existing customers, or reductions in policies in force by existing customers;
- higher service, administrative, or general expense due to the need for additional advertising, marketing, administrative or management information systems expenditures;
- changes in our liquidity due to changes in asset and liability matching;
- possible claims relating to sales practices for insurance products; and
- lawsuits in the ordinary course of business.
Earnings Teleconference information and Details
Midwest Holding has announced plans to host a conference call to discuss financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2022 on August 16, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The Company also posted those results on the investor relations section of its website at https://ir.midwestholding.com after the close of the financial markets on August 15, 2022.
To register for this conference call, please use the following link: https://ige.netroadshow.com/registration/q4inc/11308/midwest-holding-inc-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with dial-in details.
The call may also be accessed via webcast at this link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/619100939
A replay of the webcast will be made available after the call on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at https://ir.midwestholding.com
About Midwest Holding Inc.
Midwest Holding Inc. is a growing, technology-enabled, services-oriented annuity platform. Midwest designs and develops annuity products that are distributed through independent distribution channels, to a large and growing demographic of U.S. retirees. Midwest originates, manages and typically transfers these annuities through reinsurance arrangements to asset managers and other third-party investors. Midwest also provides the operational and regulatory infrastructure and expertise to enable asset managers and third-party investors to form and manage their own reinsurance capital vehicles.
For more information, please visit www.midwestholding.com
Investor contact: ir@midwestholding.com
Media inquiries: press@midwestholding.com
View original content:
SOURCE Midwest Holding Inc. | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/midwest-holding-inc-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-15T21:30:08Z | witn.com | control | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/midwest-holding-inc-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
« The Loss is Particular to this Economic Modeling that is Part…\nAn Interrail ticket, as it were. All your expenses at… »\nHowever You Would Previous Lay Down the Costs "Stranger Things" star Millie Bobby Brown is staying close to Indiana as she announces where she's attending college.
In an interview with Allure magazine, Brown said she would attend Purdue University as an online college student.
The 18-year-old actress said she'll be studying human services, where “you learn about the system and how to help young people," Allure reported.
The program is "designed to provide students with basic knowledge in human development and family studies, skills for working with people in service agencies, and program evaluation skills," the school's website said.
Although the Netflix series takes place in fictional Hawkins, Indiana, it has mentioned Purdue and other Indiana universities, the Indianapolis Star reported.
According to the newspaper, a Purdue shirt that appeared on a season three episode of the show went viral and was sold online.
On the hit show, CNN reported that Brown plays Eleven, a girl with telekinetic abilities. | https://www.fox17online.com/entertainment/stranger-things-actor-millie-bobby-brown-enrolls-at-purdue | 2022-08-15T21:31:49Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/entertainment/stranger-things-actor-millie-bobby-brown-enrolls-at-purdue | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Dedicatio... 54: Methy... 951: Epistrophinotional Aphrodisiam, i. p., ... Pisandros... Sect.... Squirt Paint Thyme of Hermione Frenchi\nGod forb! how uncunny this man d’Andrea looks; his countnence remands me some stuf which he writts of. It is not strange then if thou, who ever GURNEE, Ill. — An amusement park in Illinois was closed early Sunday after three people were injured in a shooting in the parking lot.
According to Six Flags Great America, the victims were injured after shots fired from a single vehicle, which immediately drove away.
"Park security and on-site Gurnee Police Department Substation officers responded immediately and law enforcement is investigating," park officials said.
This evening, three people were injured outside the park when shots were fired from a single vehicle. The vehicle immediately drove away. Park security and on-site Gurnee Police Department Substation officers responded immediately. Law enforcement is investigating.
— Six Flags Great America (@SFGreat_America) August 15, 2022
Gurnee Police said a 17-year-old boy from Aurora, Illinois, suffered a thigh wound and a 19-year-old woman from Appleton, Wisconsin, suffered a leg wound.
The third victim suffered a shoulder injury but declined transport to the hospital, police said.
"Based on the initial investigation, a white sedan entered the Six Flags parking lot and drove toward the front entrance of the theme park," Gurnee Police said in a statement. "The suspects exited the vehicle and began shooting toward another individual in the parking lot. The suspects got back in the white sedan and quickly left the area."
"The shooting this evening was not a random act and appeared to be a targeted incident that occurred outside the park," police said. "This was not an active shooter incident inside the park."
Park officials told the Associated Press that the park was closed early Sunday but reopened as scheduled Monday morning.
The names of the victims and details about the suspects were not immediately released, the news outlet reported. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/3-people-injured-in-shooting-outside-six-flags-amusement-park-near-chicago | 2022-08-15T21:32:13Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/3-people-injured-in-shooting-outside-six-flags-amusement-park-near-chicago | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
People who have been infected with monkeypox are advised to stay away from their pets.
According to CBS News, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance to show that dogs can catch the virus.
The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, published an article about a couple that contracted the virus. It says that 12 days after their symptoms began, their Italian greyhound began showing lesions. The couple said they had allowed the dog to sleep alongside them, which is likely how the virus spread from human to animal.
Guidance from the CDC says pets that have been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox should be kept away from people and other pets for 21 days.
"Do not euthanize pets with suspected monkeypox unless directed by a veterinarian," the CDC states.
It's unknown whether cats can be infected with monkeypox. However, the CDC says they have been known to get other orthopoxviruses, which is in the same family as monkeypox. | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/cdc-warns-dogs-can-catch-monkeypox | 2022-08-15T21:32:16Z | fox17online.com | control | https://www.fox17online.com/news/national/cdc-warns-dogs-can-catch-monkeypox | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto was earlier today, Monday, announced as the winner of the 2022 presidential election in Kenya, after narrowly defeating his closest rival, Raila Odinga to become the fifth president of the republic of Kenya since Independence.
After six days of delay in the announcement of results due to an alleged vote-buying claim by Raila Odinga’s camp, Mr Ruto, who polled 50.49 percent of the total votes cast, was declared as the winner of the election by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Mr Ruto’s victory in the election means he will be taking over from the incumbent President, Uhuru Kenyatta, who has served his two-term limit in office.
Here are some quick facts to know about the new President-elect of Kenya.
- His full name is William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto
- He was born on December 21, 1966 in Sambut village, Kamagut, Kenya to Daniel Cheruiyot and Sarah Cheruiyot.
- He has Bsc in Botany and zoology, MSc in Plant Ecology, and a PhD all from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
- He married his wife, Rachel Chebet Ruto, an educationist in 1991
- He contested and won the presidential election under United Democratic Alliance (UDA), after quitting his previous party, Jubilee Party, in 2021.
- He started his political career in 1992 when he served as the treasurer of “YK’92”, a political campaign group that lobbied for the re-election of the former president, Daniel Arap Moi.
- In 1997, he ran for a seat in the parliament and defeated the incumbent of the seat, Reuben Chesire.
- He served as the acting president of Kenya, from October 5 to October 8, 2014, when President Uhuru Kenyatta was away at the Hague
- He has served as minister for home affairs, minister for Agriculture and Minister for higher education respectively.
- He will succeed Uhuru Kenyatta as the fifth president of Kenya since the country’s Independence.
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- Safety precautions to observe at the airport | https://tribuneonlineng.com/10-quick-facts-about-kenyas-president-elect-william-ruto/ | 2022-08-15T21:40:28Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/10-quick-facts-about-kenyas-president-elect-william-ruto/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) says it has completed all arrangements to boost the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through a capacity-building exercise, which is one of its core mandates, as well as providing access to finance to MSMEs and partial credit guarantee to the participating financial institution on a market conforming basis to enable them to lend to small businesses.
Specifically, the development finance institution said it is committed to building the capacity of the Nigerian MSMEs to enable them to formalise, grow and become more bankable to get easy access to available credit. Commenting on the initiative, the DBN Managing Director/CEO, Dr Tony Okpanachi, said part of DBN’s role is to partner with financial institutions and collaborate with them to provide financing facilities to MSMEs.
In many cases, DBN also offers technical assistance programs to these institutions to augment their capacity to lend to MSMEs.
According to Okpanachi, “In the short term, we plan to strengthen our catalytic role in the Nigerian economy by expanding our reach to more MSMEs in underserved regions such as crisis-impacted areas and enhancing development impact in other key areas such as women- and youth-owned enterprises, startups, and first-time borrowers.
“We will continue to provide capacity building for MSMEs and technical assistance to our participating financial institutions to strengthen their lending capacity to MSMEs. “In the medium term, we plan to complete the digital transformation efforts currently underway within the Bank and expand our channels of disbursement to MSMEs, which speaks to our drive for increased collaboration with other players within the space.
“In the long term, our focus is for DBN to be recognized locally and internationally as the foremost institution driving the growth and sustainability of the Nigerian economy through the provision of financing support to MSMEs.”
Whilst explaining the structured Entrepreneurship Training to the executive members of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) who paid a courtesy visit to the Bank’s Lagos office, the Head, Corporate Services DBN, Idris Salihu said the Bank would be deploying the DBN Learning Management System (LMS)- a free learning portal with carefully curated self-paced courses.
The portal is open to all Nigerian MSMEs who are interested in acquiring the right knowledge needed to succeed in doing business in Nigeria. In addition, Salihu stated, that DBN will be selecting the best 200 businesses to attend face-to-face training in Lagos and Abuja.
This physical session would be an opportunity for businesses to practically apply important principles to their various businesses, discuss; and receive business support in specific areas of need, he stressed. He further explained that all businesses will be eligible to apply for the capacity-building programme.
“All applications must be submitted online through the application portal. Interested businesses must register on the DBN BizAid application and must complete a minimum of 4 mandatory courses on the DBN BizAid Learning Management Platform and obtain an average score of 70 per cent,” Salihu said. The courses that must be completed according to the DBN spokesperson are Accounting & Bookkeeping, Sustainability for MSMEs, Marketing and Sales, Techniques as well as Credit Management/Access to Finance.
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In an earlier statement, DBN noted that all businesses who have completed the 4 courses by September 23rd will receive an email with a link to apply for the face-to-face training. Upon submission of the application form, an email confirming receipt will be sent to the applicant within 24 hours.
Applicants will be screened and shortlisted from the close of the application based on the eligibility criteria. Selection will be carried out using the defined selection criteria from the pool of shortlisted applications and communication with successful applicants shall be by email to the email address provided and a phone call to the phone number provided on the application form.
On eligibility criteria, the Bank specified that the owner of a business must be a citizen or legal resident of Nigeria of 18 years and above.
Also, the business must be based in Nigeria and must be for-profit from any sector, even as applicants must be available to commit to the training schedule once accepted. It further stated that Bankability- Level, and readiness to upscale their businesses are important criteria for selection.
Others are Feasibility and Sustainability of the business model; Scalability or demonstrated potential for growth of the business to create jobs. DBN is a wholly wholesale development finance institution. Its key activity which is providing finance to MSMEs is carried out through financial intermediaries which it refers to as Participating Financial Intermediaries (PFIs).
The PFIs become the face of DBN since the Bank cannot interface directly with the end-borrowers. This, to a great extent, limits the level of knowledge even the end-borrowers have about the institution. However, there is a commitment from the Bank to continue to accelerate its awareness campaign and stakeholder engagements to drive access to finance by the MSMEs and also, to deliver the much-needed developmental impact across sectors.
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DBN set for structured entrepreneurship training, funding of MSMEs
DBN set for structured entrepreneurship training, funding of MSMEs | https://tribuneonlineng.com/dbn-set-for-structured-entrepreneurship-training-funding-of-msmes/ | 2022-08-15T21:40:51Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/dbn-set-for-structured-entrepreneurship-training-funding-of-msmes/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
FCT Minister seeks alternative sources of funding to complete Millennium Tower, Cultural Centre
• As Information Minister says $400m needed to complete projects
A couple of weeks after reopening the Millennium Park for public use, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, paid an inspection visit to Nigerian Cultural Centre, National Square and Millennium Tower.
The minister was accompanied by his Information and Culture counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to inspect, review and seek other sources of funding for the national project.
Malam Bello, said his administration inherited a lot of capital projects in the city, and a lot of resources and time was spent on executing the projects, but the paucity of funds has been stalling the completion of the projects. He said most of the projects are being done in phases in order of priority.
He said: “We are doing that in a phased manner. We started by tackling the road network, then the rail system and now, we are tackling water.
“To be frank with you, we don’t have enough resources now to be able to complete this project. That’s how it is when you complete what you can within available resources.
“So we are here with the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, to see how we can discuss alternative sources of funding it,” he stated.
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Lai Mohammed, while soliciting private-sector collaboration for the execution of the project, disclosed that only $400 million was required for its completion, even as he praised Nigeria’s past leaders for envisioning such a monument for the country.
This “audacious national monument, with the facilities, is going to generate a lot of revenue for whoever has the courage to partner with us,” he assured.
Construction of Millennium Tower began in 2005, along with the Nigerian National Square, Cultural Centre and a connecting Tunnel made up of a single unit of the expensive National Complex.
The Abuja Master Plan, under its urban development strategy for the Central Area, provides for the Three Arms Zone, Ministries Zone, the Cultural Spine, as well as the Central Business District.
The Cultural Spine, which houses the Tower and the Centre, stretches between Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, PTDF building on one side, and Shoprite, running through the National Mosque, National Library, the National Square, National Museum and the National Ecumenical Centre, ending up in a Loop around the NTA, FCTA Secretariat and the Murtala Mohammed Foundation.
The Tower, which is also referred to as “lighthouse tower”, measuring 170 metres high or 560 feet long, dominates the National Square, seemingly springing out of a 1100-capacity underground car park. It literally grows from the ground, like a flower surrounded by transparent wings upon which is fastened a luminous Coat of Arms crowned with white and green rays that are visible at all times.
Just before the top of the tower is installed an observation deck and a revolving restaurant, in which people can enjoy their meals while having a panoramic view of the entire city. The tower itself is made up of three giant cylindrical concrete pillars of different heights around which are wrapped transparent stainless steel wings that gradually open outwards and upward like a funnel.
Other aspects of the project include the construction of a 7-storey edifice which will house the National Museum at various levels, the National Theatre, as well a five-star model hotel.
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FCT Minister seeks alternative sources of funding to complete Millennium Tower, Cultural Centre | https://tribuneonlineng.com/fct-minister-seeks-alternative-sources-of-funding-to-complete-millennium-tower-cultural-centre/ | 2022-08-15T21:40:53Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/fct-minister-seeks-alternative-sources-of-funding-to-complete-millennium-tower-cultural-centre/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Kwara State government has ascribed hesitancy among residents of the state on COVID-19 vaccination to a recorded low COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the state.
Speaking during the flag-off of the SCALES 3.0 COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ilorin on Monday, the executive secretary of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Nusirat Elelu, who described the development as a huge challenge, said that it slowed down the rate at which the agency wanted to cover and break the transmission of the COVID-19 in the state.
Dr Elelu, who said that the state has now achieved 38 per cent coverage in COVID-19 vaccination out of the 70 per cent target, appealed to people to make themselves available for COVID-19 vaccination for the first shot, second shot or booster shot as the case may be during the exercise.
“Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in 2021 launched COVID-19 vaccination exercise upon discovery of highly efficacious covid-19 vaccines. However, one would be surprised that alongside the established efficacy of some of those vaccines, we still have problems of hesitancy. In the first year of COVID-19, we had lots of hesitancy in terms of people hesitating to take the vaccines. It was a huge challenge. It slowed down the rate at which we wanted to cover and break the transmission of the covid-19 in the state.
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“What we did was to launch another campaign strategy which was the scale 2.0 meant to ramp up that coverage. It employed both the mass vaccination campaign mode and fixed post-campaign mode.
“As of January, we’re less than 20 per cent in our coverage of about 70 per cent. But as of today, we’re 38 per cent in terms of our coverage. We’ve consistently been in the top six states in the country. We’re not happy with the way we are still despite that we’re on the first quarter of the country. What we want to achieve is that 70 per cent of people in Kwara state are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“So, what we are now doing is to deploy 592 teams of about 3,000 personnel, out of which 119 of those teams are going to be outreach teams in order to reach every hard-to-reach area in the state, as well as every eligible person in the state. They’ll move from house to house, place to place like that,” she said.
Dr Elelu, who charged the people to accord members of the teams’ necessary support, said that each team would be made up of six members, namely two trained health workers, two health recorders, and town announcers.
Also speaking, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the state, Saliu Abdulahi, said that the SCALES 3.0 Covid-19 vaccination campaign was aimed to improve the vaccination campaign in the 16 local government areas of the state, calling on the people to come out for the exercise.
He said though the state had gained some mileage in the coverage, adding that there is a need for improvement as being done in the current exercise.
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Kwara records sixth position in COVID-19 vaccination campaign | https://tribuneonlineng.com/kwara-records-sixth-position-in-covid-19-vaccination-campaign/ | 2022-08-15T21:41:11Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/kwara-records-sixth-position-in-covid-19-vaccination-campaign/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its subsidiary, the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has opened applications for the 2022 Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) Hackathon.
The IFF Project is supported by the Ford Foundation office for West Africa.
The Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) Hackathon is aimed at developing indigenous solutions to curb illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), check illegal transfer/movement of funds within Nigeria and across international borders, and ensure effective monitoring of procurement processes.
The Hackathon will also provide young Nigerians with the opportunity to contribute their creativity and entrepreneurial skills by leveraging emerging technologies to combat corruption and other unethical practices impacting negatively on the socio-economic fortunes of the nation.
“Therefore, these talented Nigerians will be tasked to come up with clearly-defined ideas and prototype solutions to checkmate IFFS with emphasis on leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud, Big data, blockchain, Quantum computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) among many others,” a statement from NITDA said.
The two-day event scheduled to hold on 1st and 2nd September 2022 will open with a boot camp at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Abuja while a Demo Day will take place at ICPC Auditorium, Abuja on the second day and final day.
“Therefore, ONDI is calling for applications from eligible individuals/groups with an innovative ideas and prototypes that would leverage emerging technologies to help address the menace of IFFs within the nation’s expanding digital economy,” the statement added.
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Despite several laws prohibiting sexual harassment in Nigeria, many victims are forced to quit their dream jobs while others suffer depression as a result of unsolicited sexual advances from colleagues. FAITH ADEOYE reports.
If you want to keep your job and excel in your career, you need to do as I say,” Janet Abegunde’s boss said to her one fateful day. Miss Abegunde, a 24-year-old accountant who had just gotten her first job in one of the new generation banks, said she fell into depression after her boss sexually harassed her. | https://tribuneonlineng.com/nitda-icpc-open-application-for-illicit-financial-flow-hackathon/ | 2022-08-15T21:41:18Z | tribuneonlineng.com | control | https://tribuneonlineng.com/nitda-icpc-open-application-for-illicit-financial-flow-hackathon/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Florida's annual python challenge awards hunters who capture the invasive snakes from the wild. A decade later, it's done little to reduce the impact of the species on the Everglades ecosystem.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Florida's annual python challenge awards hunters who capture the invasive snakes from the wild. A decade later, it's done little to reduce the impact of the species on the Everglades ecosystem.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.klcc.org/2022-08-15/a-python-challenge-hasnt-done-much-to-reduce-impact-of-floridas-invasive-species | 2022-08-15T21:47:43Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/2022-08-15/a-python-challenge-hasnt-done-much-to-reduce-impact-of-floridas-invasive-species | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Medical residents in Indiana are rethinking their decision to practice medicine in the state after an almost total ban on abortion and harassment of an obstetrician.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Medical residents in Indiana are rethinking their decision to practice medicine in the state after an almost total ban on abortion and harassment of an obstetrician.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.klcc.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-08-15/ob-gyn-residents-want-to-quit-in-indiana-after-states-abortion-law-harassment | 2022-08-15T21:48:13Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-08-15/ob-gyn-residents-want-to-quit-in-indiana-after-states-abortion-law-harassment | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
NPR News William Ruto wins in Kenya's presidential election By Eyder Peralta Published August 15, 2022 at 1:38 PM PDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 3:59 Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto wins the country's presidential election in a tightly fought race. Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.klcc.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-08-15/william-ruto-wins-in-kenyas-presidential-election | 2022-08-15T21:48:26Z | klcc.org | control | https://www.klcc.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-08-15/william-ruto-wins-in-kenyas-presidential-election | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A Hollywood restaurant owner turned good Samaritan when he took down an alleged robber who attacked an elderly man.
“Surveillance video shows a person sucker-punch an elderly man, then get tackled by a business owner,” FOX 11 LA reports.
“I took him down and just waited there until the police arrived,” Tim Ratcliff said.
The thief allegedly took the victim’s phone and wallet.
The tackle took place at the intersection of La Brea and Hollywood.
Ratcliff’s girlfriend and another witness helped until the police arrived, which was more than nine minutes later.
“I was not gonna lie, the adrenaline was a lot at that point, and afterward it was exhausting, it felt like I had worked out the next day for quite a bit.”
The caught-on-camera incident happened the same day the LAPD announced it is adding 200 officers to the Hollywood division to address the spike in crime, FOX 11 reported.
“Even one of the officers and I talked about it … they’re tired of it … a lot of people like myself are tired of this type of thing happening … we’re seeing more and more people just not putting up with it and taking it into their own hands … which I’m glad for … and I’d happily do it again,” Ratcliff said. | https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/restaurant-owner-tim-ratcliff-takes-down-robbery-suspect-who-punched-elderly-man/ | 2022-08-15T21:52:12Z | nypost.com | control | https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/restaurant-owner-tim-ratcliff-takes-down-robbery-suspect-who-punched-elderly-man/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
(WXIN) — The FBI, working with state and local partners for two weeks in August, says they located 37 actively missing children and located or identified 84 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses during a nationwide sex trafficking initiative dubbed, “Operation Cross Country.”
“Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “Unfortunately, such crimes—against both adults and children—are far more common than most people realize. As we did in this operation, the FBI and our partners will continue to find and arrest traffickers, identify and help victims, and raise awareness of the exploitation our most vulnerable populations.”
In addition to identifying and locating adolescent victims, the FBI and its partners also located 141 adult victims of human trafficking, according to a Monday news release.
Investigators identified or arrested 85 suspects of child sexual exploitation or human trafficking offenses.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the average age of the victims located in similar operations is approximately 15.5 years old, while the youngest victim found as part of Operation Cross Country was 11 years old.
Hundreds of state, local, and federal partners worked in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as part of Operation Cross Country, which conducted 391 operations over a two-week period.
As part of FBI Atlanta’s operation, nearly 20 missing kids were found, and four suspected traffickers were arrested. FBI agents from the Indianapolis Division tell Nexstar’s WXIN that their involvement resulted in nine juvenile victims being located or identified locally. Three sex offenders were also located or identified as part of local operations between FBI agents and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
“The success of Operation Cross County reinforces what NCMEC sees every day. Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country by traffickers, gangs and even family members,” said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. | https://www.wpri.com/news/fbi-locates-37-missing-children-141-adults-during-nationwide-sex-trafficking-operation/ | 2022-08-15T21:54:36Z | wpri.com | control | https://www.wpri.com/news/fbi-locates-37-missing-children-141-adults-during-nationwide-sex-trafficking-operation/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
DES MOINES, Iowa (WHO) — Iowa’s storied tradition is back for another year, and the great Iowa get-together became a magnet for political activity on Saturday.
Several Iowa politicians, including Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sen. Joni Ernst, roamed the fairgrounds on day three of the Iowa State Fair. Reynolds and Ernst spent the morning grilling pork chops at the Iowa Pork tent and talking to constituents about the issues that bother them.
“It’s all about inflation, inflation, inflation,” Ernst said. “We’ve got a lot of happy people out here at the fair, they’re really enjoying life, but I know when they go back to their homes, all of it will hit them. The cost of food, the cost of fuel…all of it.”
Two high-profile Republican challengers also made the rounds at the State Fair on Saturday. Zach Nunn, who is facing Rep. Cindy Axne for the congressional house seat containing Des Moines, and Brenna Bird, who is going against longtime Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller.
“I think we’re a bellwether for the rest of the country,” Nunn said. “If we flip this seat in Iowa, we can change the entire contour of Washington D.C.”
“The State Fair is important because Iowa is here and we can listen to their concerns and meet them,” Bird added. “I’m asking them personally for their vote.”
Deidre DeJear, the Democrat challenging Reynolds for the Iowa governorship, also appeared at the State Fair Saturday afternoon. | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/iowa-news/politicians-campaign-at-day-three-of-iowa-state-fair/ | 2022-08-15T22:01:18Z | siouxlandproud.com | control | https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/iowa-news/politicians-campaign-at-day-three-of-iowa-state-fair/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
(WXIN) – The FBI, working with state and local partners for two weeks in August, says they located 37 actively missing children and located or identified 84 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses during a nationwide sex trafficking initiative dubbed, “Operation Cross Country.”
“Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes the FBI encounters,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “Unfortunately, such crimes—against both adults and children—are far more common than most people realize. As we did in this operation, the FBI and our partners will continue to find and arrest traffickers, identify and help victims, and raise awareness of the exploitation our most vulnerable populations.”
In addition to identifying and locating adolescent victims, the FBI and its partners also located 141 adult victims of human trafficking, according to a Monday news release.
Investigators identified or arrested 85 suspects of child sexual exploitation or human trafficking offenses.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the average age of the victims located in similar operations is approximately 15.5 years old, while the youngest victim found as part of Operation Cross Country was 11 years old.
Hundreds of state, local, and federal partners worked in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as part of Operation Cross Country, which conducted 391 operations over a two-week period.
As part of FBI Atlanta’s operation, nearly 20 missing kids were found, and four suspected traffickers were arrested. FBI agents from the Indianapolis Division tell Nexstar’s WXIN that their involvement resulted in nine juvenile victims being located or identified locally. Three sex offenders were also located or identified as part of local operations between FBI agents and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
“The success of Operation Cross County reinforces what NCMEC sees every day. Children are being bought and sold for sex in communities across the country by traffickers, gangs and even family members,” said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/fbi-locates-37-missing-children-141-adults-during-nationwide-sex-trafficking-operation/ | 2022-08-15T22:02:16Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/fbi-locates-37-missing-children-141-adults-during-nationwide-sex-trafficking-operation/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..
Tonight
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Students and staff at Central Alabama Community College’s (CACC) Alexander City campus are safe after the campus received a phony bomb threat.
CACC’s Alexander City campus received a bomb threat Monday morning and was quickly investigated by the school’s police department with assistance from the Alexander City Police Department.
“It was determined to be erroneous after protocol was followed by our campus police department and local law enforcement,” CACC spokesperson Brett Pritchard said.
CACC president Jeff Lynn said the school will always take precautions to make sure everyone is safe.
“Safety is the first and foremost responsibility to our students and employees," Lynn said. “We take any threat seriously and we will ensure our facilities are secure.”
Cliff Williams is a staff writer for Tallapoosa Publishers.
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Tonight
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Tomorrow
Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reporting—but good journalism isn’t free.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/bomb-threat-at-cacc-quickly-deemed-uncredible/article_c2e9956e-1cd0-11ed-a79d-835b9b8190b1.html | 2022-08-15T22:02:17Z | alexcityoutlook.com | control | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/bomb-threat-at-cacc-quickly-deemed-uncredible/article_c2e9956e-1cd0-11ed-a79d-835b9b8190b1.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..
Tonight
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Thousands of students in Tallapoosa County will return to classes this week, and schools are preparing for a disaster many hope to never face — an active shooter emergency.
Tallapoosa County Schools will organize safety drills later this month across the school district’s campuses, including for an active shooter scenario.
Superintendent Ray Porter explained that faculty and staff at all four of the district’s schools would participate in the emergency exercises, with a focus on practicing safety procedures.
“We are continuing to have active shooter drills in each school in the county so we can continue to make safety a priority,” Porter said.
The board of education in fact recently approved additional security staff at all four of the school system’s campuses, which will likely be among the staff engaging in the safety exercises.
The school system has had ongoing conversations with both first responders and law enforcement since early summer in preparation for the new school year, with school leaders arranging a police roundtable in June.
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Tallapoosa County Schools is prioritizing school safety going into the upcoming school year …
School facilities were even opened to law enforcement this summer for training exercises, but administrators wish to also incorporate faculty and students into drills now that classes are just days away.
“Now that we have had a roundtable that involved school administration, we're going to break out by individual school and have law enforcement visit each school in the county for a simulated drill,” Porter said.
According to Porter, the active shooter drills will likely occur sometime after classes begin on August 19.
County schools are also on guard for other threats, including bomb threats after 13 Alabama schools received threats two weeks ago.
“We will have active shooter trainings, bomb threat simulations, and security simulations across the county when the teachers come back later this August,” Porter said.
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Tonight
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Tomorrow
Partly cloudy skies. High around 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reporting—but good journalism isn’t free.
Please support our tireless efforts to gather and report your local news by subscribing or making a contribution.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/tallapoosa-county-schools-to-conduct-active-shooter-drills/article_200f10c8-1a80-11ed-a2a5-d365ad4f7fbe.html | 2022-08-15T22:02:23Z | alexcityoutlook.com | control | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/tallapoosa-county-schools-to-conduct-active-shooter-drills/article_200f10c8-1a80-11ed-a2a5-d365ad4f7fbe.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
FEEDING HILLS, Mass. (WWLP) – Senator John C. Velis announced $50,000 in funding for the American Legion Post 185.
Velis revealed the funding in Feeding Hills Monday morning alongside American Legion Post 185 Commander Wayne Keating, Agawam city officials, and members of the Agawam Community. The funding was included in the Massachusetts FY’23 budget that was passed by the Senate, House, and signed into law by Governor Baker.
Louis Russo, Chairman of the Post house committee, told 22News, “Well, one thing we definitely need is a new roof. We’ve needed one for a long time but now it’s gotten to the point where it’s an absolute major issue. The roof leaks so we wanna put a new roof on.”
The budget amendment will go towards making upgrades and improvements to Post 185’s existing building. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/american-legion-post-185-in-agawam-receives-50k-from-state/ | 2022-08-15T22:02:29Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/american-legion-post-185-in-agawam-receives-50k-from-state/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..
Tonight
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Earl Baumgardner near Kowaliga took a photo of a severe weather occurrence nearly 37 years ago this month. The photo shows a hurricane that produced several tornados near Lake Martin on August 16, 1985.
An Outlook staffer depicts the space expedition at the time in which astronaut Neil Armstrong uttered the immortal words that launched U.S. space missions.
As part of The Outlook’s ongoing coverage of Alexander City’s 150th anniversary, we want to reflect on important historical events that have defined our city. In this new series,The Outlook shares photos from the city's past.
1969: Apollo 11 landing
August that year began with a big step in U.S. space exploration asApollo 11 landed on the Moon. The American spaceflight marked the first time humans explored the dwarf planet, with Commander Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin making history on July 20, 1969.
1975: Happy Days
The 1975 school semester began with The Outlook staff reminiscing a bit about their days in the classroom. News Editor Kim Price and and Society Editor Mary Lloyd White decided to visit Jim Pearson Elementary School as part of a trip down memory lane. During the first day of school, the reporters interviewed students to gauge how the new year was going.
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1977: Miss Lake Martin
45 years ago this month, Tallapoosa County crowned Cheryl Clements the 15th Miss Lake Martin. Clements took the title over 21 other contestants with her impressive singing chops. The Auburn-native amazed the pageant's judges with her rendition of a song from the musical “A Chorus Line.”
1985: Hurricane creates tornadoes
A few years later, Lake Martin was also home to a natural severe weather occurrence, with Hurricane Danny spawning several tornadoes near the lake on August 16, 1985. The tornadoes swept through north Alabama, barely missing Tallapoosa County, but Lake Martin residents managed to capture the moment lightning struck the lake.
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Tonight
Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Tomorrow
Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reporting—but good journalism isn’t free.
Please support our tireless efforts to gather and report your local news by subscribing or making a contribution.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/today-in-alexander-city-history-the-time-lake-martin-had-both-a-hurricane-and-tornado/article_6e62b4b6-1cd6-11ed-bdc3-2bba1b2b3626.html | 2022-08-15T22:02:29Z | alexcityoutlook.com | control | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/news/today-in-alexander-city-history-the-time-lake-martin-had-both-a-hurricane-and-tornado/article_6e62b4b6-1cd6-11ed-bdc3-2bba1b2b3626.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The flag of India flies high over Springfield city hall Monday evening-honoring the 75th Anniversary of India breaking free from British Rule.
Tuesday’s flag raising ceremony turned out to be quite an occasion. Mayor Domenic Sarno was joined by the Western Massachusetts Indian-American community celebrating freedom from British rule which occurred on this date back in 1947.
“Thank you so much. We are so fortunate that in Springfield our flag will fly for the first time. It’s our 75 Independence Day.”
Nina Glover of Springfield
Monday’s flag raising is an extension of the celebration that began Sunday at the Marriott Hotel, where some 400 Indian-Americans gathered from throughout New England. Enthusiasm shared on this day by public officials whose families had also found a new home in this land of ours.
“It’s just so exciting to be here today to celebrate the vibrant Indian-American community not only here in the city of Springfield, but across western Massachusetts,” said State Representative Jake Oliveria.
The Indian flag joining a host of others down through the years, calling attention to the melting pot of many cultures that represent western Massachusetts. | https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/city-of-springfield-raises-flag-of-india/ | 2022-08-15T22:02:35Z | wwlp.com | control | https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/city-of-springfield-raises-flag-of-india/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
A legend in Alabama newspaper, educational, and political lore, Jim Oakley of Centreville, turned 87 last month.
Jim is known statewide as the legendary owner, publisher, and editor of the Centreville Press newspaper. However, he has also been intertwined with Alabama politics for over six decades. If you only counted Jim Oakley, Jr.’s service to his city, Centreville, and his county, Bibb, he would be an icon. In addition, when you add his 33 years as an assistant dean and head of placement services at the University of Alabama, it qualifies him in my book and a good many Alabamians minds, as one of our state’s institutional legends.
Jim Oakley grew up in the newspaper business. Around 1915, his grandfather bought two local papers and combined them into the Centreville Press. His father, Jim Oakley, Sr., eventually took over the paper having been groomed for the job. Jim, Jr. always planned to follow his father. He went to the University of Alabama and of course majored in journalism. He met and married his wife, Shirley Ann Naramore of Prattville, at the University and after graduation he came back home to Centreville to run the family newspaper.
Governor Wallace appointed Oakley to the Alabama Commission of Higher Education (ACHE) where he served as chairman for 14 years. It was in this role when Kay Ivey was hired as executive director of ACHE. The person Kay Ivey looked to for help in her first campaign for state Treasurer was Jim Oakley. He has been her go to person for Bibb County for all her campaigns for Treasurer, Lieutenant Governor and Governor, including this last race this year.
Jim sold the Centreville Press in 1985, but continued to write his marvelous column. Less than two months later Joab Thomas, President of the University of Alabama and a longtime friend, called to ask Jim what he was planning on doing. Oakley replied, “I thought I would take up fishing.” Thomas told him he had been thinking that if he could find someone who had worked in the real world and really knew the newspaper business to come and teach students, it would be an asset to the journalism department.
That began a career at the University of Alabama that would last 33 years. He started off teaching journalism, then became the Director of Freshman Orientation of all University of Alabama students and culminated with being Head of Placement Services for the College of Communications. He helped hundreds of Alabama graduates find their first jobs in communications, TV, radio, digital and print media. Many are famous and most point to Jim Oakley as their mentor.
The post where he had the most impact was as Director of Freshman Orientation. He greeted and made to feel at home thousands of freshman students. He welcomed each and every one of them as though he was their grandfather. He amazingly remembered them all by name and where they were from and their parents’ names.
I will never forget the day I first met Jim. I knew who he was. He was legendary. He knew me from the legislature. I was taking my younger daughter to register and move into the famous Tutwiler dormitory. There was Jim waiting in the parking lot greeting every student. He gave me a warm handshake and hugged Allyson and made her feel at home. He looked after her like a grandfather for the next four years. Another young lady from Enterprise named Katie Boyd arrived that same day to move into Tutwiler. Jim took her under his wing the same way; she has just been elected as our next U.S. Senator. The first person she sought in Bibb County, when she began her race, was Jim Oakley. There are a thousand more stories like those of Katie and Allyson. Jim loved and cared for each of them like they were his own.
He has three children of his own, Mike, Bill and Melanie Kay. His oldest son, Mike Oakley, is the Mayor of Centreville as was his grandfather Jim Oakley, Sr.
For over 60 years now, all candidates for major statewide offices have come to Bibb County to kiss the ring of Jim Oakley and cultivate his friendship and support. Oakley has been friends and confidantes to every governor, including George Wallace and Kay Ivey. He has been close friends with many of our U.S. Senators, especially Jim Allen and Richard Shelby. He has mentored and helped almost every state representative and state senator, who have represented Bibb County over the years. His current Bibb County Senator, April Weaver, is one of his favorites.
Jim Oakley has a lot of friends in Alabama.
See you next week. | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/opinion/jim-oakley-an-alabama-legend/article_bf42a918-1a5b-11ed-bf5c-a71abd8b0697.html | 2022-08-15T22:02:35Z | alexcityoutlook.com | control | https://www.alexcityoutlook.com/opinion/jim-oakley-an-alabama-legend/article_bf42a918-1a5b-11ed-bf5c-a71abd8b0697.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Feds oppose unsealing affidavit for Mar-a-Lago warrant
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Monday rebuffed efforts to make public the affidavit supporting the search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s estate in Florida, saying the investigation “implicates highly classified material” and the document contains sensitive information about witnesses.
The government’s opposition came in response to court filings by several news organizations, including The Associated Press, seeking to unseal the underlying affidavit the Justice Department submitted when it asked for the warrant to search Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month.
The court filing — from Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the U.S. attorney in Miami, and Jay Bratt, a top Justice Department national security official — argues that making the affidavit public would “cause significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation.”
The document, the prosecutors say, details “highly sensitive information about witnesses,” including people who have been interviewed by the government, and contains confidential grand jury information.
The government told a federal magistrate judge that prosecutors believe some additional records, including the cover sheet for the warrant and the government’s request to seal the documents, should now be made public.
A property receipt unsealed Friday showed the FBI seized 11 sets of classified documents, with some not only marked top secret but also “sensitive compartmented information,” a special category meant to protect the nation’s most important secrets that if revealed publicly could cause “exceptionally grave” damage to U.S. interests. The court records did not provide specific details about information the documents might contain.
The Justice Department acknowledged Monday that its ongoing criminal investigation “implicates highly classified material.”
The search warrant, also unsealed Friday, said federal agents were investigating potential violations of three different federal laws, including one that governs gathering, transmitting or losing defense information under the Espionage Act. The other statutes address the concealment, mutilation or removal of records and the destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations.
The Mar-a-Lago search warrant, carried out last Monday, was part of an ongoing Justice Department investigation into the discovery of classified White House records recovered from Trump’s home earlier this year. The National Archives had asked the department to investigate after saying 15 boxes of records it retrieved from the estate included classified records.
It remains unclear whether the Justice Department moved forward with the warrant simply as a means to retrieve the records or as part of a wider criminal investigation or an attempt to prosecute the former president. Multiple federal laws govern the handling of classified information, with both criminal and civil penalties, as well as presidential records.
But the Justice Department, in its filing Monday, argued that its investigation is active and ongoing and that releasing additional information could not only compromise the probe but also subject witnesses to threats or deter others from coming forward to cooperate with prosecutors.
“If disclosed, the affidavit would serve as a roadmap to the government’s ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps,” the government wrote in the court filing.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbko.com/2022/08/15/feds-oppose-unsealing-affidavit-mar-a-lago-warrant/ | 2022-08-15T22:03:19Z | wbko.com | control | https://www.wbko.com/2022/08/15/feds-oppose-unsealing-affidavit-mar-a-lago-warrant/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
MOUNT KISCO, N.Y., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Edenbrook Capital, LLC (together with its affiliates, "Edenbrook"), one of the largest public shareholders of Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HMTV) ("Hemisphere" or "the Company"), with ownership of approximately 14.94% of the publicly traded A shares and 7.65% of the total company, including the privately held, super-voting B shares, today announced that it has delivered the following letter to the Members of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Hemisphere.
Sonia Dulá
Rick Neuman
John Engelman
The Members of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors
Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.
Dear Sonia, Rick and John:
Our firm, Edenbrook Capital, LLC, is writing this letter as a follow-up to the one we sent to Chairman Peter Kern on May 16, 2022 ("May 16 letter") and to one we sent to you, the Special Committee, on June 8, 2022 ("June 8 letter"). We are once again addressing this letter to you, the independent members of the Board of Directors who sat on the Special Committee that blessed the proposed transaction for Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. ("the Company" or "Hemisphere") to be taken private by insiders (the "Insider Takeover"). In our previous letters we highlighted how the proposed Insider Takeover by Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P.1 ("Searchlight") dramatically undervalues the Company. In this letter we aim to demonstrate multiple troubling examples of how Searchlight appears to have abused its position as insider owners of Hemisphere and, by extension, how we believe the Special Committee abrogated its fiduciary duty to public shareholders by allowing Searchlight to run roughshod over the process in a way that favored Searchlight at the expense of public shareholders.
The Theft of Pantaya
In our previous letters, we discussed how, in conjunction with the Insider Takeover, Hemisphere intends to sell Pantaya, its streaming platform, to TelevisaUnivision at a price below what Hemisphere itself paid for this business in 2021, and how this deal is conflicted because Searchlight is both the controlling shareholder in Hemisphere and part of the ownership group of TelevisaUnivision. Specifically, on a Form 8-K, dated May 9, and filed May 10 ("the May 8-K"), the Company notes that it will be receiving $115 million in cash for selling Pantaya plus a promissory note for $10 million (as well as some radio stations in Puerto Rico). However, in the Preliminary Proxy Statement filed on Schedule 14A on June 27, 2022, the Company notes that on April 22, 2022, Company A "delivered to Hemisphere a…proposal to acquire Pantaya for $200 million in cash, subject to completion of financial and legal due diligence." Did the Company jump on this opportunity to sell Pantaya at a gain2 rather than sell it to insiders at a loss? To the contrary, per the June 27 Proxy, on May 1 the Special Committee met with its bankers from Moelis & Company LLC ("Moelis"); upon being told by Moelis that "Company A reported that they had not seen any significant issues in their due diligence to date," the Special Committee tasked Moelis with asking Company A to "submit an updated proposal in the next week." On May 4, Company A told Moelis that it would need "at least another month to complete their due diligence and finalize transaction documents." Not only was Company A not afforded this extra month, but on May 5, Searchlight told Moelis that "Searchlight understood that Univision was not willing to agree to a go-shop with respect to Pantaya." Again, Searchlight is the controlling shareholder in Hemisphere and part of the ownership group of TelevisaUnivision. So Searchlight is saying that Searchlight wouldn't agree to a go-shop with respect to Pantaya, precluding a higher bid from Company A or others coming in after a deal was announced.
What was the rush? Why could more time not be granted to a serious bidder at a higher price? If timing was of the essence to announce the sale of Pantaya to TelevisaUnivision, why not then allow a go-shop? The decisions to forego and neglect these options were, from our perspective, most certainly not in the best interests of public shareholders, however there was one party that clearly benefited from each, Searchlight. It's now three-plus months since the Insider Takeover was announced and valuations for technology and streaming companies have improved since May. Could the Company really not afford to give Company A the extra month to deliver more value to shareholders?
But it's even worse than that. By agreeing to an inside deal for Pantaya with Searchlight that is contingent upon Searchlight also being able to consummate the Insider Takeover for the rest of the Company at $7.00 per share, per terms outlined in the May 8-K, Searchlight is, in our view, stacking the deck in its favor and effectively saying: 1) only Searchlight, via TelevisaUnivision, can bid for Pantaya, and will do so at a sweetheart price; and, 2) Searchlight will only do so if also given the right to buy the rest of the Company at a song.
Had the Company sold Pantaya for $200 million in an independent transaction, what would be left is a highly cash-generative company with approximately $70 million in EBITDA and $63 million of free cash flow and basically a debt-free balance sheet after using the proceeds from Pantaya to pay down debt. According to FactSet, the average current trading multiple for comparable companies is 7x for Enterprise Value to EBITDA and 12x for Price to Free Cash Flow. That suggests that the stub trading value of Hemisphere would be $490-756 million, or $12.13-$18.71 per share, using approximately 40.4 million issued and outstanding public and private shares. A transaction multiple would be well in excess of this, and again, similar to the prior letters, we have not ascribed any value to other assets, including the $130 million ($3.22 per share) that the Company invested in Colombia broadcast company Canal Uno. In short, had the Company sold Pantaya to a willing bidder for $200 million, we believe public shareholders would have a remaining public company valued as an ongoing tradeable company at prices 73-167% above the $7.00 per share transaction price proposed by the Insider Takeover.
Are Other Buyers Getting Fair Looks?
In the June 27 Proxy, the Company disclosed that on June 3, 2022, the Special Committee received an Acquisition Proposal from Company E for $9.00 per share in cash, 29% above the proposed Insider Takeover of $7.00 per share. Also, per the June 27 Proxy, on June 5, 2022, the Special Committee received an Acquisition Proposal from Company F for $8.00 per share in cash. Despite two higher prospective cash bids, the Company still recommended the lower $7.00 per share bid from insiders when it filed the June 27 Proxy.
In an amended Proxy Statement filed on Schedule 14A on July 22, 2022, the Company disclosed that "during the months of June 2022 and July 2022, representatives of Company E continued to conduct due diligence on Hemisphere and to show an interest in pursuing a potential transaction with Hemisphere.
On July 20, 2022, Hemisphere and Company E entered into a confidentiality agreement for the sharing of Company E's confidential information." Despite further demonstrated interest from Company E in a higher cash offer, the Company still recommended the lower $7.00 per share bid from insiders in the July 22 Proxy.
In an additional amended Proxy Statement filed on Schedule 14A on August 10, 2022, the Company disclosed that "the Special Committee received a modified Acquisition Proposal from a representative of Company E to acquire all of the Hemisphere Common Stock for $8.00 per share in cash and $1.00 in the form of registered, freely-tradable shares of common stock of a public entity." Despite continued interest from Company E in a higher priced bid in cash, plus additional value in stock, the Company still recommended the lower $7.00 per share bid from insiders in the August 10 Proxy.
More troubling, in the August 10 Proxy, the Company disclosed that "Moelis and Davis Polk [legal advisor to the Special Committee] have not held initial substantive negotiations with the representatives of Company E and Company F." Two companies offered higher cash prices, and neither the bankers nor the attorneys representing the Special Committee have had initial substantive negotiations in the two months that have passed since receiving those bids. We wonder, how can you be properly exercising your fiduciary duty if you have not had initial negotiations with these parties who are offering higher cash prices? How can you continue to recommend a lower-priced cash offer when paths exist for higher cash bids?
It is particularly troubling that these other higher bids aren't being pursued with vigor when you allowed Searchlight to lower its own bid price from $8.00 to $7.75 to $7.00, per the June 27 Proxy, without receiving any valuable consideration in exchange. Further, the lowball bid from Searchlight, which you have recommended, has anchored other prospective buyers into thinking they can offer modest bumps in their introductory bids, rather than trying to get fair value, as we have demonstrated in our multiple letters. The Company has now, effective as of the August 10 Proxy, set a voting date of September 8 for the Insider Takeover, despite better options being available for Pantaya and the Company as a whole.
In closing, we believe that you have allowed, and continue to allow, Searchlight to escape with a lower price for Pantaya and for the Company as a whole, when public shareholders would be better off selling Pantaya to an unconflicted outside buyer and maintaining ownership in the remaining valuable, cash-generative assets. Why not just start over and pursue selling Pantaya along with the entire Company to an unconflicted outside buyer? In any case, your continued recommendation that public shareholders support a $7.00 bid from a conflicted insider that dramatically undervalues the company is, in our view, an outrageous dereliction of your fiduciary duties to all shareholders.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Brolin
Founder and Managing Partner
About Edenbrook Capital
Edenbrook Capital, based in Mount Kisco, NY, takes a private equity approach to public markets, principally through concentrated, long-term investments in small and mid-cap companies.
Disclaimer
This material does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in any state to any person. In addition, the discussions and opinions in this letter and the material contained herein are for general information only, and are not intended to provide investment advice. All statements contained in this letter that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are "forward-looking statements," which are not guarantees of future performance or results, and the words "will," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "potential," "could," "opportunity," "estimate," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. The projected results and statements contained in this letter and the material contained herein that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, speak only as of the date of this letter and involve risks that may cause the actual results to be materially different. Certain information included in this material is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable. No representation is made with respect to the accuracy or completeness of such data, and any analyses provided to assist the recipient of this material in evaluating the matters described herein may be based on subjective assessments and assumptions and may use one among alternative methodologies that produce different results. Accordingly, any analyses should also not be viewed as factual and also should not be relied upon as an accurate prediction of future results. All figures are unaudited estimates and subject to revision without notice. Edenbrook disclaims any obligation to update the information herein and reserves the right to change any of its opinions expressed herein at any time as it deems appropriate.
Contact: Mike Goodwin, Mgoodwin@stantonprm.com, 646-502-3595
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SOURCE Edenbrook Capital, LLC | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/edenbrook-capital-sends-letter-hemisphere-media-group-special-committee/ | 2022-08-15T22:04:51Z | wbko.com | control | https://www.wbko.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/edenbrook-capital-sends-letter-hemisphere-media-group-special-committee/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Flash flood warning for Glen Haven, Drake area closes U.S. Highway 34
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for an area around Glen Haven and Drake in the Big Thompson Canyon, where rainfall rates of 2.5 inches an hour are being reported.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office had closed U.S. Highway 34 from Larimer County Road 29 in the Loveland area to Mall Road in Estes Park due to the dangerous flooding conditions, but the Colorado State Patrol told a Coloradoan reporter about 3:50 p.m. that the portion from Estes Park to Drake had been reopened.
The Colorado Department of Transportation reported that a rock slide was blocking the highway about two miles east of Drake.
Crews were working to clear the roadway, according to emergency radio channels.
Those in the warning area should leave the area or move to higher ground because flooding is ongoing and some roads will become impassible, the warning read. The warning lasts until 5:30 p.m.
A storm cell over the area has produced periodic surges of water in and around Glen Haven, including The Retreat and Storm Mountain areas as well as U.S. Highway 34.
Dangerous flooding was reported at 3 p.m. Monday by the Estes Park Emergency Communications Center, which urged people in the area to "immediately reach higher ground by any means necessary."
The weather service had earlier issued a flood watch for a large section of the Front Range, from the Wyoming state line to Colorado Springs, including the Cameron Peak and Calwood burn scars and northeastern portions ofthe East Troublesome burn scar, until midnight Monday. | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/08/15/flash-flood-warning-issued-for-glen-haven-drake-area-on-monday/65404756007/ | 2022-08-15T22:05:06Z | coloradoan.com | control | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/08/15/flash-flood-warning-issued-for-glen-haven-drake-area-on-monday/65404756007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Fort Collins police arrest suspect in 7-Eleven robbery
Fort Collins police have arrested a suspect in an armed robbery that occurred at a gas station Aug. 6.
Police say a man robbed the 7-Eleven near West Horsetooth Road and South Shields Street about 1:15 p.m. Aug. 6. The man entered the store with a bag and a semiautomatic rifle and yelled at store patrons to leave while two clerks stayed inside, police said in a news release. Police said the man waved the firearm at the clerks while demanding money from the registers.
No one was injured during the incident.
The man allegedly fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash, and police continued searching for the suspect.
On Tuesday, police arrested the man they believe robbed the 7-Eleven, 18-year-old Ephraim Debisa, according to a news release. He is listed as an inmate in the Larimer County Jail as of Monday afternoon, detained on a warrant for suspicion of felony aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and menacing.
During his first appearance in court Wednesday afternoon, Magistrate Cara Boxberger said she would not change the man's $75,000 cash bond previously set in this case by Judge Daniel McDonald, citing the seriousness of this case and Debisa's "extensive" juvenile criminal history.
He is scheduled to next appear in court Aug. 16.
Fort Collins police ask that anyone with information who has not already spoken to investigators call Detective Brian Werder at 970-416-2387.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime. | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/08/15/fort-collins-7-eleven-armed-robbery-suspect-arrested/65398713007/ | 2022-08-15T22:05:12Z | coloradoan.com | control | https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/08/15/fort-collins-7-eleven-armed-robbery-suspect-arrested/65398713007/ | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Disney facing activist pressure, pushed to consider ESPN spinoff
Disney is facing renewed pressure to focus its future more narrowly around its streaming business.
Driving the news: Activist investor Dan Loeb said Monday that his fund, Third Point, "repurchased a significant stake" in Disney. In a letter to CEO Bob Chapek, Loeb recommended the company take full control of Hulu sooner than targeted, spin off ESPN, cut costs, suspend dividends and change up its board.
Why it matters: Disney's streaming business has taken off, and investors like Loeb are eager to see the company ride the momentum.
Details: Loeb likened Disney's evolution — "from 'analog' theatrical releases towards digital distribution" — to Microsoft’s transition from "selling software in plastic wrap boxes to a SaaS model."
- Shares of Disney rose 2.2%.
Be smart: Loeb has history with Disney — having asked for a similar push for a streaming expansion in late 2020.
The big picture: The benefits (global distribution) and costs (technology build and large quantities of content to produce) of streaming present challenges for media companies with legacy distribution businesses.
- For example, spinning off ESPN would, according to Loeb, free Disney from being "haunted by the specter of cord cutting."
- And the sports network's strong cash flow would allow it to take on some of Disney's debt load in a spinoff.
Meanwhile, he also argued that ESPN would likely benefit from pursuing business opportunities currently complicated by its Disney ownership, such as sports betting.
What Disney is saying: "We welcome the views of all our investors," the company said in a statement.
What to watch: Disney isn't alone in facing calls for change amid industry-changing formats and changing consumer behaviors.
- The New York Times has been talking to activist investor ValueAct about offering more subscription bundles.
- Media measurement giant Nielsen in March agreed to a private equity takeover as it continues to shift its measurement from linear to digital media. | https://www.axios.com/2022/08/15/disney-facing-activist-pressure-pushed-to-consider-espn-spinoff | 2022-08-15T22:05:32Z | axios.com | control | https://www.axios.com/2022/08/15/disney-facing-activist-pressure-pushed-to-consider-espn-spinoff | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Walmart inks streaming deal with Paramount+
Walmart has signed a deal with Paramount to offer subscribers of Walmart+, its subscription membership program, access to the ad-supported tier of Paramount's subscription streaming service, Paramount+, for free.
Why it matters: As streaming becomes more competitive, entertainment giants are looking for ways to bundle their services to attract more users — a tactic long championed by cable companies.
- Paramount+ has 43.3 million paid subscribers globally. Its parent company, Paramount Global, has 63.7 million subscribers globally across all of its streaming services, which also include Showtime, BET+ and Noggin.
- Rival services like Netflix and Disney each have more than 220 million subscribers globally across all of their streaming tiers and services.
Details: The deal gives Walmart+ subscribers access to Paramount+'s $4.99 ad-supported tier, so long as they subscribe to Walmart+.
- Beginning this September, Walmart+ subscribers will get access to the ad-supported tier of Paramount+, which costs $4.99 monthly, at no additional charge. Walmart+ will continue to cost subscribers $12.95 a month.
- “With the addition of Paramount+, we are demonstrating our unique ability to help members save even more and live better by delivering entertainment for less, too," said Chris Cracchiolo, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart+, in a statement.
- News of the partnership was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The New York Times reported last week that Walmart was in talks with several streamers about potential distribution deals.
Be smart: Paramount and Walmart have long had a commercial relationship.
- Merchandise for Paramount's family-friendly titles like Paw Patrol and SpongeBob Squarepants is available in Walmart stores.
- Paramount has a team of 13 based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart's headquarters, that was established over a decade ago to bolster the relationship between the two companies across licensing and business intelligence, per a spokesperson.
The big picture: Ever since Walmart acquired e-commerce company Jet.com in 2016, it has done everything it can to compete with Amazon, including creating its own third-party marketplace for digital sellers, launching a membership program and investing in media services to attract new subscribers.
- Analysts estimate Walmart+ has anywhere between 11.5 million and 32 million subscribers, according to various analyst estimates — a far cry from the more than 200 million Amazon Prime subscribers globally.
- Media partnerships have long been part of Walmart's efforts to attract more people to its digital offerings. It currently offers six free months of Spotify Premium with a Walmart+ subscription. The company formed a joint venture with the video company Eko in 2018.
What they're saying: “The thing that impresses me about Walmart is that they were not content to just stay Walmart,” said Howard Meitiner, a managing director at restructuring advisory firm Carl Marks Advisors.
- “They realized that if they were to fall into the trap department stores fell into, and remained the same, they would fall into decline,” he said.
Yes, but: Walmart has not been successful incubating its own media properties, which is why partnering with third-party entertainment companies makes sense for the retail giant.
- The company sold its ad-supported video service called Vudu to Fandango, the digital movie ticketing company owned mostly by NBCUniversal, in 2020.
Bottom line: The streaming era was supposed to give consumers more choice, but increasingly, streaming bundles are resembling the bloated cable bundles that they sought to replace.
What to watch: Analysts predict there will be more streaming collaborations and partnerships across the retail landscape in the coming months. | https://www.axios.com/2022/08/15/walmart-paramount-streaming-deal | 2022-08-15T22:06:03Z | axios.com | control | https://www.axios.com/2022/08/15/walmart-paramount-streaming-deal | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Chicago police warning: Man disguised himself at city worker, demanded money from Mag Mile businesses
CHICAGO - Chicago police are warning business owners about a man disguising himself as a city worker in order to get paid for fraudulent services.
In each incident, police say the man entered a business along Michigan Avenue and identified himself as an inspector checking carbon monoxide meters.
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After spending several minutes pretending to check several rooms inside the two businesses, police say the man would demand money from the owners for services rendered.
The crimes took place at the following times and locations.
- 300 block of S. Michigan Ave on August 10, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.
- 100 block of N. Michigan Ave on August 12, 2022 at 1:45 p.m.
The offender was described to police as a Black male, 50 to 60 years old, standing 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-2, and weighing 175 to 200 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area 3 Detectives at 312-744-8263. | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-police-warning-man-disguised-himself-at-city-worker-demanded-money-from-mag-mile-businesses | 2022-08-15T22:12:44Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-police-warning-man-disguised-himself-at-city-worker-demanded-money-from-mag-mile-businesses | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Highland Park considering assault weapons ban resolution
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - Leaders in Highland Park will consider a resolution Monday night calling for a state and federal assault weapons ban.
The Highland Park City Council is set to meet at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. where they will take a vote on that resolution.
The resolution calls for a state and federal ban on the manufacture, purchase, sale, and ownership of all semi-automatic weapons — high-capacity ammunition — and body armor, except as needed by the military and law enforcement agencies.
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Before council members consider the resolution, Mayor Nancy Rotering will address the impact that last month's Fourth of July parade shooting has had on the community.
Local activists who have been speaking out and visiting Washington D.C. since the mass shooting that took seven lives say they will also be in attendance at the meeting to speak out.
"I want a strong vote yes on passing this resolution. So many of us have been advocating for an assault weapons ban at the state level and the federal level and a yes vote tonight will show that our city is in support of these efforts and we can bring those votes with us as we go on to advocate in Springfield and DC for an assault weapons ban," said community member Rachel Jacoby.
The meeting is open to the public and will also be streamed over Zoom. | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/highland-park-considering-assault-weapons-ban-resolution | 2022-08-15T22:12:56Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/highland-park-considering-assault-weapons-ban-resolution | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Naperville officer 'justified' in fatal shooting of hatchet-wielding man
NAPERVILLE, Ill. - A Naperville police officer will not face criminal charges for using deadly force during a June traffic stop in the western suburb.
The DuPage County Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team and the DuPage County state's attorney's office conducted an independent investigation into the June 3 incident and found Officer Frank Tonkovich's actions were justified.
Tonkovich had pulled a vehicle over near the intersection of Bond Street and McDowell Road when another car pulled up alongside, Naperville police said.
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A man, identified as 28-year-old Edward Samaan, got out of that car and "charged" at Tonkovich with a hatchet in hand, police said.
Body-camera video showed Tonkovich standing by the car he pulled over for driving through a stop sign. He spoke to the driver for about 11 minutes when a silver-colored vehicle traveling in the opposite direction pulled up and stopped next to him.
Samaan then jumped out of the vehicle and rushed toward the officer, appearing to hold a hatchet in his right hand, according to the video. Tonkovich fired several shots and Samaan fell to the ground.
Samaan was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Tonokovich's actions were "not only reasonable, but necessary in order to prevent great bodily harm or death to himself or the motorist he had stopped."
"After a thorough and extensive investigation surrounding the shooting of twenty-eight-year-old Edward Samaan, which occurred on June 3, 2022, in the late morning hours at the intersection of Bond and McDowell Street, Naperville, by an on-duty Naperville Police Officer, it is my determination that the officer’s actions were justified and no criminal charges will be filed against the Officer," Berlin said in a statement.
Tonkovich, a 22-year veteran of the department, was not injured in the incident. | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/naperville-officer-justified-in-fatal-shooting-of-hatchet-wielding-man | 2022-08-15T22:13:02Z | fox32chicago.com | control | https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/naperville-officer-justified-in-fatal-shooting-of-hatchet-wielding-man | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
HONOLULU (KITV4) -- The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) on Monday released its 2021 State of Hawaii Data Book.
The annual release is the most comprehensive statistical analysis of the State of Hawaii in a single compilation, DBEDT said. The book is separated into 24 sections with 850 data tables.
Date included in the book covers a vast range of topics, from population totals, health, education, recreation, construction and housing, and much more.
“The Data Book provides detailed information on all aspects of our state. Along with historical trends, readers can find how COVID-19 impacted our lives and the economy in the past two years and the progress of the recovery,” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney.
Some highlights from this year’s data book include:
• There were 18,493 marriages performed in 2021. About 60% of marriages were people who came to Hawai‘i to get married.
• In 2021, local home buyers bought the most homes at 19,696, mainland buyers accounted for 5,806 homes, and foreign buyers the least at 468. Foreign home buyers paid the most on average at $1,241,943, mainland buyers followed at $1,199,098, and local buyers paid the least at $737,197
• The annual "Worldwide Cost of Living Survey" conducted in March 2022 by Mercer LLC ranked Honolulu 20th most expensive among more than 400 cities worldwide. In 2021, Honolulu was ranked 43rd. | https://www.kitv.com/news/business/cost-of-living-homes-bought-marriages-performed-and-more-2021-state-of-hawaii-data-book/article_8d7a03f0-1cdf-11ed-a8c9-175870083c96.html | 2022-08-15T22:18:14Z | kitv.com | control | https://www.kitv.com/news/business/cost-of-living-homes-bought-marriages-performed-and-more-2021-state-of-hawaii-data-book/article_8d7a03f0-1cdf-11ed-a8c9-175870083c96.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The Disney Fantasy cruise ship is seen here in Port Canaveral, Florida, on January 2. Disney Cruise Line said on August 15 that it's dropping its vaccination requirement for children younger than 12.
Disney Cruise Line said on Monday it's dropping its vaccination requirement for children younger than 12.
Starting on September 2, a requirement to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer apply to guests ages 5 to 11 for sailings leaving US and Canadian ports.
The cruise line's previous rule, which still extends to sailings departing through September 1, required guests 5 and older to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
While the US Food and Drug Administration has authorized Covid vaccines for children as young as 6 months, the cruise line had not extended its requirement to the youngest children.
With the change, a vaccination requirement will still apply for all guests 12 and older. The cruise line notes that vaccinations are recommended for younger travelers.
"In consideration of CDC guidance, Disney Cruise Line highly recommends that Guests ages 11 and younger be fully vaccinated before sailing," Disney Cruise Line's website reads.
Covid-19 testing is required for all guests, with different requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
Fully vaccinated guests who provide a negative Covid-19 test result taken one to two days before setting sail are exempt from testing at the cruise terminal. Fully vaccinated guests who do not provide the required negative test results are required to take a test at the cruise terminal and will be charged for those tests.
Guests who aren't fully vaccinated must provide a negative test result before travel and take a second test at the terminal before embarkation that is paid for by Disney.
CNN Travel has reached out to Disney Cruise Line for comment on the revised policy.
More cruise lines easing Covid rules
Disney isn't the only cruise line loosening Covid-19 rules, and several cruise lines are going farther in easing protocols.
As of September 5, Royal Caribbean will allow all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, to sail from several US ports as well as European homeports.
Celebrity Cruises has also announced plans to ease vaccination requirements on voyages from some ports starting on September 5. And Carnival Cruise Line has plans to allow unvaccinated guests to sail on most cruises starting on September 6.
The moves come after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped its program monitoring cruise ships in mid-July.
The agency said it would continue to provide testing recommendations to cruise lines and that ships would still report Covid cases to the CDC.
The CDC said cruise lines have the tools and guidance to manage their own Covid mitigation.
"Additionally, cruise travelers have access to recommendations that allow them to make informed decisions about cruise ship travel," the CDC said. | https://www.kitv.com/news/business/disney-cruise-line-dropping-vaccination-requirement-for-kids-ages-5-to-11/article_88c66387-21af-5d43-9395-1a919f694bee.html | 2022-08-15T22:18:20Z | kitv.com | control | https://www.kitv.com/news/business/disney-cruise-line-dropping-vaccination-requirement-for-kids-ages-5-to-11/article_88c66387-21af-5d43-9395-1a919f694bee.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Country
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The Justice Department is opposing the release of details in an affidavit that lays out the argument that investigators made to a federal magistrate judge explaining the probable cause it had to search former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate last week.
In their new filing arguing for some continued secrecy, the Justice Department made clear the seriousness of the ongoing criminal investigation, saying it "implicates highly classified materials."
"Disclosure of the government's affidavit at this stage would also likely chill future cooperation by witnesses whose assistance may be sought as this investigation progresses, as well as in other high-profile investigations," the Justice Department wrote. "The fact that this investigation implicates highly classified materials further underscores the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and exacerbates the potential harm if information is disclosed to the public prematurely or improperly."
Media organizations including CNN had asked for the affidavit to be unsealed after the search last week at Trump's Palm Beach, Florida, club and residence.
The Justice Department said in its filing that disclosing the affidavit details "at this juncture" would "cause significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation."
"The redactions necessary to mitigate harms to the integrity of the investigation would be so extensive as to render the remaining unsealed text devoid of meaningful content, and the release of such a redacted version would not serve any public interest," the Justice Department stated.
CNN, joined by The Washington Post, NBC News and Scripps, asked the judge last week to unseal all documents -- including any probable cause affidavits -- connected to the FBI search.
"Not since the Nixon Administration has a President been the subject of such a dramatic and public criminal process," the outlets said in the filing, adding that the outlets are "attempting to shed light on the federal government's unprecedented actions and motivations."
"Here, there could not be a more 'historically significant event' than an FBI raid of a former President's home for the alleged removal of national security records after leaving office," the outlets said.
The New York Times, CBS, the Palm Beach Post, the Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press and ABC also requested the judge unseal affidavits.
A magistrate judge unsealed the Mar-a-Lago search warrant and property receipt on Friday, after the Justice Department lawyers for the former President agreed they should be released. Other parts of the search warrant, including the probable cause affidavit, were not addressed at the time.
The search warrant identifies violations of the Espionage Act, obstruction of justice and criminal handling of government records as reasons for the search.
The receipt list, which shows what items agents recovered from Mar-a-Lago, shows that agents removed 11 sets of classified documents — including some marked with the highest levels of classification -- from Trump's home.
Republican politicians have continued to demand that the Justice Department explain their reasoning for taking the dramatic step to search Mar-a-Lago.
After the judge unsealed the search warrant and receipt for Trump's property last week, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a series of tweets that "We still need to see the affidavit," and that "Attorney General (Merrick) Garland must release the information as to why a warrant was necessary, not what was taken."
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that "releasing the affidavit would help, at least that would confirm that there was justification for this raid."
Prosecutors need to "show that this was not just a fishing expedition, that they had due cause to go in and to do this, that they did exhaust all other means," Rounds said, emphasizing that waiting would hurt the integrity of the department. "And if they can't do that, then we've got a serious problem on our hands."
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and the panel's top Republican, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, sent letter on Sunday to Garland and top intelligence officials requesting a classified briefing on the documents seized at Mar-a-Lago.
Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, who is the ranking Republican member of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed that request on Sunday, telling CNN's Brianna Keilar that "Congress is saying show us the goods."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.kitv.com/news/national/doj-opposes-making-public-details-in-mar-a-lago-search-warrants-probable-cause-affidavit/article_5db99bdd-1452-55b5-8fac-536e7c697901.html | 2022-08-15T22:18:39Z | kitv.com | control | https://www.kitv.com/news/national/doj-opposes-making-public-details-in-mar-a-lago-search-warrants-probable-cause-affidavit/article_5db99bdd-1452-55b5-8fac-536e7c697901.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Rudy Giuliani, pictured here in Michigan in December of 2020, has been told by prosecutors that he is a target in the Georgia 2020 presidential election probe.
Rudy Giuliani has been told by prosecutors in Georgia that he is a target of the special purpose grand jury investigating whether former President Donald Trump and his allies violated the law in their efforts to flip the 2020 election results in Georgia.
A prosecutor from the Fulton County District Attorney's office called Giuliani's Georgia counsel on Monday to inform him that Giuliani is now considered a target of their investigation, said Bob Costello, another attorney for Giuliani.
"This comes on the heels of us asking him probably six or seven times" whether Giuliani was a target, Costello said. He said the district attorney's office previously declined to answer that question.
The development for Giuliani marks the first time a close adviser to Trump has been notified he is a target in a criminal investigation into the then-President's inner circle around the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Both the Georgia grand jury and the Justice Department are investigating the post-election efforts to help Trump retain his office.
Giuliani's status became public on Monday alongside other developments in the Georgia investigation -- with a court ruling that Sen. Lindsey Graham must testify -- as well as in several other criminal probes touching upon the ex-President and his advisers.
Those include the investigation into the handling of classified records at Mar-a-Lago after Trump's presidency and the federal grand jury that is investigating January 6.
The January 6 federal grand jury subpoenaed Eric Herschmann, a former Trump White House lawyer and senior adviser, CNN and other outlets reported Monday.
Giuliani being told by prosecutors that he is the target of the investigation was first reported by The New York Times. The district attorney's office declined to comment to CNN for this story.
Costello said Giuliani will still appear Wednesday before the special grand jury but declined to say whether his client would invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Giuliani, who served as an attorney for Trump during the 2020 election, was ordered by an Atlanta-area judge to appear in person in front of the special grand jury this week.
Giuliani was subpoenaed in July, and a New York judge ordered the former mayor to testify as a witness before the special grand jury in Georgia after he failed to appear at a hearing in New York about blocking the subpoena. The former New York mayor also unsuccessfully tried to delay his appearance, saying he shouldn't fly after he underwent heart stent surgery last month.
Giuliani met with Georgia state legislators three times in December 2020 in the aftermath of the presidential election -- twice in person and once remotely. During the meetings, Giuliani spread conspiracy theories about widespread irregularities and fraud in the state. Among his many false claims, Giuliani accused two Atlanta election workers of smuggling fraudulent ballots for Joe Biden in suitcases.
Democratic state legislators previously recounted to CNN grand jury testimony they were asked to give in the district attorney's probe that covered Giuliani's conduct. They said they testified about Giuliani's appearance at a December 3, 2020, Georgia Senate subcommittee hearing, during which Giuliani pushed false claims of mass election fraud.
Numerous state and federal officials have debunked Giuliani's claims of fraud in Georgia, a state that Biden won by nearly 12,000 votes. Byung "Bjay" Pak, the former top federal prosecutor for the Northern District of Georgia, was among those who testified before the US House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection that Giuliani's claims of election fraud in Fulton County had been investigated by federal authorities and found to be untrue.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat, has detailed the far-reaching scope of the investigation, saying that it includes potential "solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local governmental bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the election's administration."
This story has been updated with additional developments Monday. | https://www.kitv.com/news/national/rudy-giuliani-told-by-prosecutors-he-is-a-target-in-georgia-2020-presidential-election-probe/article_807e19d8-653c-5e7a-8bf5-6ee073f3e8d9.html | 2022-08-15T22:18:45Z | kitv.com | control | https://www.kitv.com/news/national/rudy-giuliani-told-by-prosecutors-he-is-a-target-in-georgia-2020-presidential-election-probe/article_807e19d8-653c-5e7a-8bf5-6ee073f3e8d9.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
Weta Workshop is Developing a New Lord of the Rings Game
The award-winning visual effects house, Weta Workshop, which crafted Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, is now tackling its own video game adventure set in Middle-earth. A press release from Private Division has announced that the two studios are working on a new Lord of the Rings title, which is currently in the early stages of development.
Private Division (a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive) is publishing the game after previously working on other titles like The Outer Worlds and Rollerdrome. Plot details are still under wraps. But apparently, Weta has “the broadest creative license to interpret the underlying lore of [J.R.R. Tolkien’s] books.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Weta Workshop to publish a game set in such an extraordinary and celebrated universe,” said Michael Worosz, Take-Two’s Chief Strategy Officer. “The Lord of the Rings IP is home to so many remarkable stories, and no entity is better equipped than the team at Weta Workshop to create a distinctive, new Middle-earth gaming experience.”
RELATED: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Pushes Back Its Release Date
“It’s a privilege to create a new game set in Middle-earth, especially one that’s so different from what fans have played previously,” added Amie Wolken, Weta’s Head of Interactive. “As fans ourselves, we’re excited for gamers to explore Middle-earth in a way they never have before, and introduce new fans to the magic of The Lord of the Rings.”
Weta’s game joins several additional Middle-earth titles in the works. Daedalic Entertainment’s The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was recently moved from its earlier September release date. Other upcoming games include The Lord of the Rings: Return To Moria and EA’s Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth.
Private Division and Weta Workshop and haven’t announced a release date for their Lord of the Rings game. However, it’s expected to launch sometime during Take-Two’s 2024 fiscal year.
Are you excited to see what Weta is working on? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: The Hobbit (Graphic Novel)
We are also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Also. However. Regardless. Additionally. Also. However. Regardless. Additionally. Also. However. Regardless. Additionally. | https://www.superherohype.com/video-games/517881-weta-workshop-is-developing-a-new-lord-of-the-rings-game | 2022-08-15T22:19:59Z | superherohype.com | control | https://www.superherohype.com/video-games/517881-weta-workshop-is-developing-a-new-lord-of-the-rings-game | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
An Eldora woman was arrested for criminal mischief in the early morning hours in Iowa Falls on Sunday for allegedly punching and breaking a TV at a private residence earlier in the evening.
According to court documents, 27-year-old Kaitlyn Jan Minteer broke the TV at 319 School St. just after midnight. An Iowa Falls officer located Minteer around 1 a.m. at the 503 Bar. Minteer was arrested after admitting to breaking the TV, valued at around $150. She was then charged with criminal mischief - fifth degree and taken to the Hardin County Jail.
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A Gowrie man is facing up to 7 years in prison after allegedly being found with a firearm and fleeing police custody on Thursday, Aug. 11.
According to court records, 20-year-old Lanndon Darryl Gast has been charged with control of a firearm by a domestic abuse offender, a class D felony, fourth-degree theft and interference with official acts, both serious misdemeanors.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | http://www.timescitizen.com/news/gowrie-man-facing-7-years/article_3a7af910-1ccc-11ed-9bac-1f0055d001fe.html | 2022-08-15T22:22:55Z | timescitizen.com | control | http://www.timescitizen.com/news/gowrie-man-facing-7-years/article_3a7af910-1ccc-11ed-9bac-1f0055d001fe.html | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
ACADIA PARISH- Mire-Branch Water Corporation issued a local boil advisory Monday, August 15th for customers located on Meche Rd. in Rayne from addresses 1002 to 1275.
Mire- Branch had to shut off the water for the area to perform a line repair.
As a precaution the Louisiana Department of Health recommends a localized boil advisory until samples are cleared after the repair.
Customers should bring water to a rolling boil for one minute before using for drinking or cooking. | https://www.katc.com/news/acadia-parish/mire-branch-water-corporation-issues-boil-advisory | 2022-08-15T22:24:22Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/acadia-parish/mire-branch-water-corporation-issues-boil-advisory | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it opposes an effort by multiple U.S. media organizations to unseal an affidavit related to the FBI's execution of a search warrant on former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Aug. 8.
In the Monday court document, the DOJ indicated that it would not oppose unsealing, with redactions, other documents related to the search that would not harm an ongoing investigation.
The DOJ said if a court deems it necessary to release the FBI search affidavit in a partial unsealing, the department will not oppose it as long as the DOJ has an opportunity to redact parts of the document.
In a footnote on page 1 of the U.S. Southern District of Florida court filing, it says, "The government has carefully considered whether the affidavit can be released subject to redactions. For the reasons discussed below, the redactions necessary to mitigate harms to the integrity of the investigation would be so extensive as to render the remaining unsealed text devoid of meaningful content, and the release of such a redacted version would not serve any public interest. Nevertheless, should the Court order partial unsealing of the affidavit, the government respectfully requests an opportunity to provide the Court with proposed redactions."
Prosecutors noted in the document that the affidavit should stay sealed, in their opinion, because it "would serve as a roadmap to the government’s ongoing investigation, providing specific details about its direction and likely course, in a manner that is highly likely to compromise future investigative steps."
ABC News, one of the organizations that requested more documents be unsealed, reported that the DOJ would like to have an opportunity to provide minor redactions to documents contained within any potential unsealing to protect government personnel.
RELATED: Officials warn of spike in threats to law enforcement after search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued renewed warnings to law enforcement after they said a spike in threats had been received in the days after the FBI executed a search warrant at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The memo's text was seen by multiple U.S. news outlets who reported that it said, “The FBI and DHS have observed an increase in threats to federal law enforcement and to a lesser extent other law enforcement and government officials following the FBI’s recent execution of a search warrant in Palm Beach, Florida."
RELATED: National Archives says Obama did not keep classified documents, rejecting Trump's claims | https://www.katc.com/news/national/doj-opposes-unsealing-trump-search-affidavit-does-not-object-to-unsealing-other-materials-connected-to-search | 2022-08-15T22:24:40Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/doj-opposes-unsealing-trump-search-affidavit-does-not-object-to-unsealing-other-materials-connected-to-search | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
WYATT, Mo. — Authorities in Missouri said one person died and nine others, including an infant, were injured after a house exploded Monday morning.
The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement they were called to a residence in Wyatt around 7 a.m.
According to the statement, 10 victims, who range from 6 months to mid-twenties, had serious to life-threatening injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities.
The sheriff's office said one of the victims, a 20-year-old man, later died of his injuries at a local hospital.
Authorities said the cause of death would be determined sometime this week after an autopsy is conducted.
Investigators said a gas leak in the home might have caused the explosion, but they have not determined where the leak came from.
"The Missouri State Fire Marshal Service, Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gas Commission investigation unit are looking into the exact cause of the explosion," the sheriff's department said. | https://www.katc.com/news/national/sheriff-1-dead-9-others-including-infant-injured-after-home-explodes-in-missouri | 2022-08-15T22:24:46Z | katc.com | control | https://www.katc.com/news/national/sheriff-1-dead-9-others-including-infant-injured-after-home-explodes-in-missouri | 1 | 1 | green-iguana-35 | null |
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