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NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Safehold Inc. ("Safehold" or the "Company") (NYSE: SAFE) in connection with the proposed merger of the Company with iStar Inc. ("iStar") (NYSE: STAR). Prior to the closing of the transaction, iStar will undergo a reverse stock split to reduce the number of iStar shares outstanding to be equal to the number of Safehold shares owned by iStar prior to the merger. Upon closing, the shares of Safehold owned by iStar will be retired and each share of Safehold not owned by iStar will be exchanged for one share of common stock of the newly combined company, New Safehold. Safehold shareholders are expected to own only approximately 34% of New Safehold while iStar shareholders are expected to own approximately 37% of New Safehold directly, and 14% indirectly as a result of the spin-off transaction.
If you own Safehold shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website:
https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/safe
Or please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
Weiss Law
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 682-3025(888) 593-4771
stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
Weiss Law is investigating whether (i) Safehold's board of directors acted in the best interests of Company shareholders in agreeing to the proposed transaction, (ii) the merger consideration adequately compensates Safehold's shareholders, and (iii) all information regarding the sales process and valuation of the transaction will be fully and fairly disclosed.
Weiss Law has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
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SOURCE Weiss Law | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/shareholder-alert-weiss-law-investigates-safehold-inc/ | 2022-08-15T22:17:53Z | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/shareholder-alert-weiss-law-investigates-safehold-inc/ | false |
The Right Stuff, a dating app for conservatives, launches this fall
These days, there’s a dating app for everyone, from farmers to parents to goths. Another one being thrown in the mix hopes to help you find your Mr. or Mrs. "Right" — a conservative, right-leaning partner, that is.
The Right Stuff is a new dating app for conservatives only, co-founded by John McEntee, Daniel Huff and Isaac Stalzer, three former Trump administration officials. The app is backed by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel.
Image: The Right Stuff
The site will launch in September and is free to join, but will be invite-only à la Clubhouse style (if you remember the social audio app’s craze mid-pandemic). This means you can’t join unless you know someone who’s already a member and they send you an invite. The invite list is limitless, though.
"Other dating apps have gone woke," a tagline on the website reads, later specifically mentioning that this is a way to view profiles "without pronouns." "Connect with people who aren’t offended by everything," the site continues to promise.
Image: The Right Stuff
Women who join are eligible for a free premium subscription after they invite two friends, Ryann McEnany, the sister of former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany who’s serving as the app’s spokesperson, revealed in an introductory video posted to the site.
Otherwise, the premium subscription will be available for $9.99 a month. A premium account gives you the ability to like more profiles and access exclusive events.
Image: The Right Stuff
"The Right Stuff is all about getting into the right dating pool, with people who share the same values and beliefs as you," McEnany said in the site’s promotional video.
The site also introduces a "date" feature, where you can post a date idea and see if anyone is interested, a feature that could come in handy, say, if you have an extra ticket for a concert or sporting event. Right now the feature is unique to The Right Stuff.
"We came up with the concept while trying to think of the best way to get people out," as a way to incentivize "doing" over "talking," McEntee explained in an email to FOX Television Stations.
Image: The Right Stuff
Right now, you can sign up for early access at joinrightstuff.com.
"We are thrilled by the initial response, and we look forward to seeing everyone on the app next month!" McEntee said.
This story was reported from Detroit | https://www.fox5ny.com/news/right-stuff-dating-app-conservatives-launching-september-2022 | 2022-08-15T22:19:15Z | https://www.fox5ny.com/news/right-stuff-dating-app-conservatives-launching-september-2022 | true |
Shares of Expedia Group Inc.
EXPE,
-0.30%
shed 0.30% to $113.17 Monday, on what proved to be an all-around great trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index
SPX,
+0.40%
rising 0.40% to 4,297.14 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA,
+0.45%
rising 0.45% to 33,912.44. The stock's fall snapped a three-day winning streak. Expedia Group Inc. closed $104.55 short of its 52-week high ($217.72), which the company achieved on February 16th.
The stock demonstrated a mixed performance when compared to some of its competitors Monday, as TripAdvisor Inc.
TRIP,
-0.29%
fell 0.29% to $27.26, MakeMyTrip Ltd.
MMYT,
-3.34%
fell 3.34% to $32.96, and Travelzoo
TZOO,
-3.04%
fell 3.04% to $6.06. Trading volume (3.0 M) remained 64,532 below its 50-day average volume of 3.0 M.
Editor's Note: This story was auto-generated by Automated Insights, an automation technology provider, using data from Dow Jones and FactSet. See our market data terms of use. | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/expedia-group-inc-stock-underperforms-monday-when-compared-to-competitors-01660596762-7af9d8ff6c80 | 2022-08-15T22:20:45Z | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/expedia-group-inc-stock-underperforms-monday-when-compared-to-competitors-01660596762-7af9d8ff6c80 | false |
IRVING, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) ("Darling" or the "Company") today announced the pricing of its private offering of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6% unsecured senior notes due 2030 (the "add-on notes"). The add-on notes will be issued as additional notes under the same indenture (the "indenture") as Darling's 6% senior notes due 2030, $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of which were issued on June 9, 2022 (the "initial notes"). The add-on notes will have the same terms as the initial notes (other than issue date and issue price) and will, together with the initial notes, constitute a single class of securities under the indenture. The initial offering price to investors will be 102.0% of the principal amount thereof. The offering is expected to close on or about August 17, 2022, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Darling intends to use the proceeds from the offering of the add-on notes (i) for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness and (ii) to pay the costs, commissions, fees, and expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the add-on notes (including the initial purchasers' discount). Darling may temporarily apply proceeds to reduce revolving credit indebtedness or invest in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments pending application of the proceeds.
The add-on notes and related guarantees will be offered in the United States to persons reasonably believed to be "qualified institutional buyers" in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and outside the United States to non‑U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The add-on notes and related guarantees will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the add-on notes and related guarantees, nor shall there be any offer to sell, solicitation of an offer to buy or sale of the add-on notes and related guarantees, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.
About Darling
Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) is the largest publicly traded company turning food waste into sustainable products and a leading producer of renewable energy. Recognized as a sustainability leader, the company operates 250 plants in 17 countries and repurposes nearly 15% of the world's meat industry waste streams into value-added products, such as green energy, renewable diesel, collagen, fertilizer, animal proteins and meals and pet food ingredients.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Statements that are not statements of historical facts are "forward-looking" statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "estimate," "project," "planned," "contemplate," "potential," "possible," "proposed," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "may," "will," "would," "should," "could" and similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking" statements. "Forward-looking" statements are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and other future conditions. The Company cautions readers that any such "forward-looking" statements it makes are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from anticipated results or expectations expressed in its "forward-looking" statements as a result of a variety of factors, including many that are beyond the Company's control. These factors include, among others, existing and unknown future limitations on the ability of the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries to make their cash flow available to the Company for payments on the Company's indebtedness or other purposes; global demands for bio-fuels and grain and oilseed commodities, which have exhibited volatility, and can impact the cost of feed for cattle, hogs and poultry, thus affecting available rendering feedstock and selling prices for the Company's products; reductions in raw material volumes available to the Company due to weak margins in the meat production industry as a result of higher feed costs, reduced consumer demand or other factors, reduced volume from food service establishments or otherwise; reduced demand for animal feed; reduced finished product prices, including a decline in fat and used cooking oil finished product prices; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect programs like the U.S. government's renewable fuel standard, low carbon fuel standards and tax credits for biofuels both in the United States and abroad; possible product recall resulting from developments relating to the discovery of unauthorized adulterations to food or food additives; the occurrence of 2009 H1N1 flu (initially known as "Swine Flu"), highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza (collectively known as "Bird Flu"), severe acute respiratory syndrome ("SARS"), bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("BSE"), porcine epidemic diarrhea ("PED") or other diseases associated with animal origin in the United States or elsewhere, such as the outbreak of African Swine Fever ("ASF") in China and elsewhere; the occurrence of pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks, such as the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak; unanticipated costs and/or reductions in raw material volumes related to the Company's compliance with the existing or unforeseen new U.S. or foreign (including, without limitation, China) regulations (including new or modified animal feed, Bird Flu, SARS, PED, BSE, ASF or similar or unanticipated regulations) affecting the industries in which we operate or our value added products; risks associated with the DGD Joint Venture, including possible unanticipated operating disruptions and issues relating to the announced expansion project; risks and uncertainties relating to international sales and operations, including imposition of tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other trade protections imposed by foreign countries; difficulties or a significant disruption in the Company's information systems or failure to implement new systems and software successfully, risks relating to possible third party claims of intellectual property infringement; increased contributions to the Company's pension and benefit plans, including multiemployer and employer-sponsored defined benefit pension plans as required by legislation, regulation or other applicable U.S. or foreign law or resulting from a U.S. mass withdrawal event; bad debt write-offs; loss of or failure to obtain necessary permits and registrations; continued or escalated conflict in the Middle East, North Korea, Ukraine or elsewhere; uncertainty regarding the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; and/or unfavorable export or import markets. These factors, coupled with volatile prices for natural gas and diesel fuel, climate conditions, currency exchange fluctuations, general performance of the United States and global economies, disturbances in world financial, credit, commodities and stock markets, and any decline in consumer confidence and discretionary spending, including the inability of consumers and companies to obtain credit due to lack of liquidity in the financial markets, among others, could cause actual results to vary materially from the "forward-looking" statements in this press release or negatively impact the Company's results of operations. Among other things, future profitability may be affected by the Company's ability to grow its business, which faces competition from companies that may have substantially greater resources than the Company. Other risks and uncertainties regarding the Company, its business and the industries in which it operates are referenced from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update its "forward-looking" statements whether as a result of change of circumstances, new events or otherwise.
For More Information, contact:
Suann Guthrie, Vice President, Investor Relations, Sustainability and Global Communications
Suann.Guthrie@darlingii.com
(1) 469-214-8202
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SOURCE Darling Ingredients Inc. | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/darling-ingredients-inc-announces-pricing-private-offering-2500-million-unsecured-senior-notes-due-2030/ | 2022-08-15T22:24:07Z | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/darling-ingredients-inc-announces-pricing-private-offering-2500-million-unsecured-senior-notes-due-2030/ | true |
It looks interesting atm to try it for new features. Also, the irc server list can also be found directly with moodnet from #tango232 if required...! Happy playing and i don't use or develop that version as far but have read on. Please enjoy and have another drink if i got the details straight or should there more people? Happy X MAS & may god have a happy new-you ;07! Tango is here!!! W Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Visits Frankenmuth
Congressman Kildee and Senator Stabenow welcomed Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to the MSU Saginaw Valley Research and Outreach Center in Frankenmuth Tuesday to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act.
Vilsack announced $40 billion in funding made available by the Inflation Reduction Act for the USDA’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, stating, “Agriculture has long been at the forefront of our fight against climate change. From climate-smart agriculture, to supporting healthy forests and conservation, to tax credits, to biofuels, to infrastructure and beyond. The Inflation Reduction Act provides the USDA with significant additional resources to lead the charge.”
$19.5 billion will go to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for improving nutrient management across the country. An estimated 28% of US cropland is over-fertilized, and the USDA estimates that implementation of nutrient management plans on those acres would save farmers $2.6 billion. Additionally, approximately $20 billion will go to conservation programs that are oversubscribed, giving more producers access to conservation assistance. | https://www.wsgw.com/secretary-of-agriculture-tom-vilsack-visits-frankenmuth/ | 2022-08-15T22:24:39Z | https://www.wsgw.com/secretary-of-agriculture-tom-vilsack-visits-frankenmuth/ | false |
To Help Business Owners Understand the Value of Local SEO, Online Advantages Recently Posted an In-Depth Guide about this Important Topic
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Maglodi, founder of the full service internet marketing company Online Advantages, is pleased to announce that local search engine optimization is a major focus for his company in 2022.
To read more about the importance of local search engine optimization, please check out https://onlineadvantages.net/local-search-engine-optimization-by-online-advantages/.
As Maglodi noted, in addition to making local search engine optimization a key focus of Online Advantages in 2022, he also feels strongly about the importance of helping to teach both current and potential clients about why SEO is so crucial.
This inspired him to create and post the new guide, which is the latest in his company's SEO education academy series.
"At Online Advantages, we believe the concepts of SEO shouldn't be complicated or confusing. That's why we're working to give you the definitive guide to local SEO, breaking down the jargon and terminology so you can understand what all this 'stuff' is and why it matters to your business," the educational guide noted, adding that a great place to start is by learning about organic versus local SEO.
While organic SEO positions and ranks a company's online content against everyone else in their niche by using signals and keywords, these results may also pull data from across the country or around the globe. This means that a local business listing may end up being unseen by the ideal audience.
As the guide noted, local search engine optimization is different, although it works on similar principles as organic SEO.
"Localized content, location services, and a regularly updated Google My Business listing optimized for business SEO help nearby customers looking for your products and services contact you more easily and efficiently."
Additional topics in the new Online Advantages guide include a basic overview of local SEO, how it can be used for a boosted reach, presence and ROI, and the importance of being consistent with SEO efforts.
Online Advantages is a unique full service internet marketing company. Founder Matt Maglodi specializes in all aspects of online marketing from video marketing, to pay per click advertising, organic search and social media. For more information, please visit https://onlineadvantages.net/.
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SOURCE Online Advantages | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/local-search-engine-optimization-by-online-advantages-is-major-focus-2022/ | 2022-08-15T22:25:48Z | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/local-search-engine-optimization-by-online-advantages-is-major-focus-2022/ | true |
Do you believe in so-called conspiracy theories?
I don’t, but apparently way too many people do. You might be among them, although I hope not.
They aren’t new, of course. Remember when, in the mid-1980s, somebody started a rumor that Procter & Gamble -- the company whose brands include Tide, Pampers and Crest -- was an agent of Satan?
You may think that’s outlandish, but throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the company received thousands of phone calls and letters from angry people who’d heard that its logo, which featured the man in the moon and 13 stars, was really a symbol of devil worship. And who would want to buy from a company that was in league with the Prince of Darkness?
P&G spent millions of dollars on lawyers and media consultants to tamp down the rumors, which are mostly dormant now. Imagine, though, if that conspiracy theory had arisen in the age of the internet, which has turned every person who has a computer into a publisher.
Technology has brought about many wonderful things, but it is also making truth a rarity. Platforms -- those computer and cell phone apps that allow you to post pictures, videos and text to a worldwide audience -- are changing the nature of information and misinformation in a fundamental way.
Some of this stuff is produced by lone “conspiracy theorists” hunkered over their computers in their basements. A lot of it, however, is carefully curated and placed by governments and others who understand the power of knowledge and the greater power of attractive falsehoods.
There ought to be a law -- and back when I was a college student, there was one. We learned in journalism school that spreading lies was not only wrong but also could get the pants sued off you, your newspaper and even the pressmen who put the ink to paper. It was a tool with which to hit the publisher of false information in the pocketbook.
That’s still true for news organizations, as the company that owns Fox News is learning. It has been sued by a vote-counting company who that got sick of hearing false statements on Fox about who it was and what it did.
But what about other purveyors of news? Are Facebook, Twitter and TikTok liable for their posts? Can they be sued the same way a newspaper can be held accountable?
In a word, no. Section 203 of the Communications Decency Act (I have to chuckle at the very name) sets out that internet providers are much more akin to the old-fashioned telephone company than they are to a news-gathering organization. The same way “Ma Bell” couldn’t be sued because you spoke defamatory words over your candlestick telephone, social media platforms can’t be sued over the lies spread by them.
There are limits to the immunity that the law provides them, and so you’ll sometimes see them decry false information and take it down from their sites -- but only after it has been published to millions with no consequence to the provider.
TikTok, according to a recent story published in the New York Times, is a hotbed of targeted lies, ranging from posts aimed at influencing elections in Africa to posts seeking to create support for Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
There’s one place that TikTok can’t go spreading lies and half-truths. Ironically, that place is TikTok’s home country -- China, where internet access is tightly controlled.
Organized and individual lies, which zip around the world at the literal speed of light, have not only changed how people receive information. They’ve affected the nature of truth itself.
So, are the folks who own TikTok sitting around smoking cigarettes and speaking Mandarin Chinese as they plot to overthrow the world? I don’t know, but I do know this: Critical thinking and the ability to recognize a lie when you see it are more important now than they ever have been.
Unfortunately, this is all happening at a time when real education -- education that teaches people to think critically -- is a rare commodity. Television personality Mike Rowe tells us that a four-year education is a waste of time and money when you could go to a community college and learn a trade. Meanwhile, home-schooling is increasing in popularity even though at least some of its proponents don’t have any business teaching anybody’s kids, including their own.
But here’s the bottom line: The only people who can keep other countries, conspiracy theorists and anybody else from destroying us are we, the people of a United States of America.
A lot of damage has already been done to the truth. But we must buck this trend. Our survival depends on it.
And that’s no theory.
Frances Coleman is a former editorial page editor of the Mobile Press-Register. Email her at fcoleman1953@gmail.com and “like” her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prfrances. | https://www.al.com/opinion/2022/08/with-truth-under-siege-its-up-to-we-the-people-to-protect-it.html | 2022-08-15T22:26:04Z | https://www.al.com/opinion/2022/08/with-truth-under-siege-its-up-to-we-the-people-to-protect-it.html | false |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/articles/40410290 | 2022-08-15T22:27:35Z | https://sportspyder.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/articles/40410290 | true |
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By John Gruber
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A wise man once said, “I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what’s next.”
★ Saturday, 13 August 2022 | https://daringfireball.net/linked/2022/08/13/20 | 2022-08-15T22:29:16Z | https://daringfireball.net/linked/2022/08/13/20 | true |
TAMPA, Fla. — When USF kicks off its football season, it will feature a bit of familiarity for Baylor fans.
Monday, South Florida announced former Baylor QB Gerry Bohanon as its starting quarterback for the 2022 college football season.
Bohanon threw for 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games as the starter for Baylor in 2021, including a season high 336 against West Virginia.
Bohanon was in a QB battle with Blake Shapen, before reports surfaced after the Spring Game that the Bears were turning to Shapen as QB1 in 2022. Bohanon soon entered the transfer portal.
At Big 12 Media Days, Aranda described the decision as "extremely tough" and said he has pictures in his home of his kids posing with Bohanon.
Bohanon also ran for 323 yards and 9 TDs in the 2021 season, including a season-high 107 in the Bears' Nov. 13th win over Oklahoma.
He now takes over for a USF team which went 2-10 last season, scoring just over 23 points per game. The Bulls open the season at home against BYU on Sept. 3rd.
Kickoff at Raymond James Stadium is set for 3 p.m. central time.
Bohanon's former team will then head to Provo to face BYU at 9:15 p.m. central time Sept. 10th. | https://www.kcentv.com/article/sports/former-baylor-qb-bohanon-named-starter-south-florida/500-ebee6444-70a7-4463-9b7f-48991ec18ed1 | 2022-08-15T22:31:13Z | https://www.kcentv.com/article/sports/former-baylor-qb-bohanon-named-starter-south-florida/500-ebee6444-70a7-4463-9b7f-48991ec18ed1 | false |
Biden's approval ratings haven't recovered since the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan
Biden's approval ratings haven't recovered since the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan
The bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan was a turning point for Biden's presidency, marking the end of his popularity and the start of a difficult political year. | https://www.npr.org/2022/08/15/1117607509/bidens-approval-ratings-havent-recovered-since-the-u-s-withdrawal-in-afghanistan?ft=nprml&f= | 2022-08-15T22:32:02Z | https://www.npr.org/2022/08/15/1117607509/bidens-approval-ratings-havent-recovered-since-the-u-s-withdrawal-in-afghanistan?ft=nprml&f= | false |
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
429 PM CDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Maverick
County through 515 PM CDT...
At 428 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Rosita to 12 miles west of Chupadera Ranch
Airport. Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Brief tornadoes possible.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to trees, outbuildings, and vehicles possible.
Locations impacted include...
Eagle Pass, El Indio, Chula Vista, Rosita, Eidson Road, Farias Lake
and Las Quintas Fronterizas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 2823 10022 2824 10026 2828 10029 2831 10028
2840 10035 2845 10034 2848 10037 2850 10033
2851 10038 2854 10041 2858 10040 2861 10045
2864 10045 2866 10050 2871 10051 2893 10011
2820 10011 2820 10021
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 224DEG 28KT 2861 10045 2824 10027
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.ncadvertiser.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17375321.php | 2022-08-15T22:32:50Z | https://www.ncadvertiser.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-AUSTIN-SAN-ANTONIO-Warnings-Watches-and-17375321.php | false |
Photo courtey Bleh/Instagram
Bleh Zine Fest happens in October
Orlando is getting another zine fest in October, courtesy of the creative minds behind the local
No, Nothing. anthology zine.
B.L.E.H. — Bleh. Lousy expo, huh? — is an event dedicated to show off the best the region has to offer in small press, comics and zines. For those who dabble in the printed arts, there's still time
to register to table.
B.L.E.H. happens on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. at Stardust Video & Coffee. The event is free, but bring pocket money for inky goodness.
–
Stay on top of Central Florida news and views with our weekly newsletters, and consider supporting this free publication. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you Central Florida news, and every little bit helps. | https://www.orlandoweekly.com/arts/orlando-gets-a-new-zine-and-self-publishers-fest-with-the-bleh-expo-set-to-happen-in-october-32207261 | 2022-08-15T22:36:52Z | https://www.orlandoweekly.com/arts/orlando-gets-a-new-zine-and-self-publishers-fest-with-the-bleh-expo-set-to-happen-in-october-32207261 | false |
The Notes have an Effective All-In Rate of 3.76% Inclusive of Prior Hedging Activity
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) (the "Company") today announced that its operating partnership, Agree Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership"), priced a public offering of $300 million of 4.800% senior unsecured notes due 2032 (the "Notes"). The public offering price for the Notes was 99.171% of the principal amount for an effective yield to maturity of 4.904%. The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Operating Partnership, guaranteed by the Company and certain of their subsidiaries. This offering is expected to close on August 22, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The Company expects to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including to reduce amounts outstanding under its senior unsecured revolving credit facility and to fund property acquisitions and development activity.
"This offering further demonstrates our ability to efficiently access the public bond market while increasing our liquidity, fortifying our balance sheet and positioning the Company for continued growth," said Peter Coughenour, Chief Financial Officer. "Taking into account the termination of our forward starting swaps, the Notes have an effective all-in interest rate of approximately 3.76% and extend our weighted-average debt maturity to approximately 8 years, excluding the unsecured revolving credit facility."
Citigroup, Wells Fargo Securities and PNC Capital Markets LLC acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan, Stifel, Capital One Securities, Citizens Capital Markets, Mizuho Securities, Morgan Stanley, Raymond James, Regions Securities LLC and US Bancorp served as co-managers for the offering.
A registration statement relating to the securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and became automatically effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, upon filing with the SEC. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov, or by contacting: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, at 800-831-9146 or email: prospectus@citi.com; or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: WFS Customer Service, 608 2nd Avenue South, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at 800-645-3751 or email: wfscustomerservice@wellsfargo.com; or PNC Capital Markets LLC, Attention Debt Capital Markets, Fixed Income Transaction Execution, 300 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, at 855-881-0697.
The offering of the securities was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, which are on file with the SEC. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Agree Realty Corporation is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that is RETHINKING RETAIL through the acquisition and development of properties net leased to industry-leading, omni-channel retail tenants. As of June 30, 2022, the Company owned and operated a portfolio of 1,607 properties, located in all 48 continental states and containing approximately 33.8 million square feet of gross leasable area. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ADC".
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements about the terms and size of the offering and the intended use of proceeds from the offering that represent the Company's expectations and projections for the future. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Although these forward-looking statements are based on good faith beliefs, reasonable assumptions and the Company's best judgment reflecting current information, you should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect the Company's results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance or future achievements or events. Currently, one of the most significant factors, however, is the potential adverse effect of the current pandemic of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance of the Company and its tenants, the real estate market and the global economy and financial markets. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company and its tenants will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others. Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified in the risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other SEC filings, as well as the risks set forth below, as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of COVID-19. Additional important factors, among others, that may cause the Company's actual results to vary include the general deterioration in national economic conditions, weakening of real estate markets, decreases in the availability of credit, increases in interest rates, adverse changes in the retail industry, the Company's continuing ability to qualify as a REIT and other factors discussed in the Company's reports filed with the SEC. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
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SOURCE Agree Realty Corporation | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/agree-realty-announces-pricing-300-million-4800-senior-unsecured-notes-due-2032/ | 2022-08-15T22:36:58Z | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/agree-realty-announces-pricing-300-million-4800-senior-unsecured-notes-due-2032/ | true |
WFO BROWNSVILLE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY
Flood Advisory
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
426 PM CDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...A portion of Deep South Texas, including the following
county, Jim Hogg.
* WHEN...Until 730 PM CDT.
* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 426 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly in the advisory area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain
have fallen.
- Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected
over the area. This additional rain will result in minor
flooding.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Hebbronville, South Fork Estates, Gruy Stadium, Hebbronville
High School, Las Lomitas, Jim Hogg County Airport and
Hebbronville Border Patrol Station.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.expressnews.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375306.php | 2022-08-15T22:44:45Z | https://www.expressnews.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375306.php | false |
'It's tough': Tigers' losing skid hits 8 as Guardians take Game 1 of doubleheader
Cleveland — As a manager, you can push the right buttons and the pull the right strings and still get punched in the mouth.
It happened to the Tigers and AJ Hinch as the Guardians broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning to take Game 1 of the doubleheader 4-1 at Progressive Field Monday.
Hinch had left-hander Andrew Chafin warm and ready for the pocket of hitters he'd planned to use him against. Namely switch-hitter Jose Ramirez, less dangerous hitting right-handed, and left-handed hitting Andres Gimenez.
BOX SCORE: Guardians 4, Tigers 1
With runners at first and third and one out, Chafin struck out Ramirez. But he threw a first-pitch slider that was up and out of the strike zone inside to Gimenez, who turned on it and blasted it into the right field seats — three-run home run.
Incredible. Chafin allowed just one home run in his first 42 appearances this season, covering 154 batters. He's allowed one in each of his last two -- a home run Saturday night to AJ Pollock of the White Sox (four-seam fastball) and this one to Gimenez.
Before that swing by Gimenez hitters were 3 for 53 against Chafin's slider.
It was the Tigers' eighth straight loss.
"It's tough," said Tigers' starter Drew Hutchison, the only player the Tigers made available to the media between games. "Everybody is battling. Everybody is doing what they can do. We have another game here and we're going to continue to battle."
Few battled harder than Hutchison.
He doesn’t have one pitch that would be considered elite at the big-league level. Every start, it seems, is a test of his survival skills. And he just keeps surviving.
Changing speeds, nibbling on the edges of all four quadrants of the plate, in turns floating pitches away from hitters and then busting them in, he ends up making it as much a grind for the hitters as it may seem to be for him.
"I made some pitches when I had to," he said. "I needed to make one more good pitch. But it's a loss and losing sucks. There's not anything more to say."
Hutchison allowed only a run over 5.1 innings — survive and advance.
First and second, nobody out in the second inning, Hutchison got a double-play grounder from Owen Miller and got out of trouble.
Bases loaded, one out in the fourth inning, he struck out left-handed hitting Nolan Jones with a slider and got Austin Hedges to ground out to first.
In the fifth, he and the Tigers faced a dilemma. With two outs and speedy Myles Straw at second after stealing his second base of the day, Hutchison had a choice — pitch around or intentionally walk the ever-dangerous Ramirez and face Gimenez, who had already hit him hard twice (double and single).
Or take his chances with Ramirez.
Rock and a hard place.
He went with the latter and Ramirez lined an RBI single to tie the game.
Hutchison ended up working into the sixth inning and was over 100 pitches (101) with one out and a runner at second. He was startled to see Hinch walking to the mound, but it was the first time he’d thrown that many pitches in a game since 2015.
Reliever Will Vest came in and got the last two outs of the inning and preserved the 1-1 tie.
The Guardians were 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position against Hutchison. Clutchison.
"I was able to bear down when I had to," Hutchison said.
The offensive story remained the same. A lot of swing-and-miss, a lot of strikeouts. Just three hits.
Right-hander Aaron Civale is 7-0 with a 2.11 ERA against the Tigers. And even though he has scuffled most of the season (ERA over 6.00), he continued his mastery, striking out a career-high 10 and allowing only a first-inning run in six innings.
The Tigers just got out of two series where they were beaten up by fastballs. They struck out 39 times in three games against the Guardians in Comerica Park and then 39 times in three games against the White Sox in Chicago.
Civale flipped the script. He threw 33 curveballs. The Tigers swung at 16, whiffed on 11 of them and took 12 called strikes. They only put one in play.
Javier Báez’s doubled and scored Riley Greene from first base in the first inning. The Tigers didn’t put another runner into scoring position.
The Tigers, who struck out 13 times in Game 1, have struck out 100 times during this eight-game losing streak. In the last 10 games against division opponents, they've struck out 132 times.
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @cmccosky | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/08/15/detroit-tigers-losing-skid-cleveland-guardians-doubleheader/10327549002/ | 2022-08-15T22:46:05Z | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/08/15/detroit-tigers-losing-skid-cleveland-guardians-doubleheader/10327549002/ | false |
NICE, France (AP) — The last French army unit left Mali on Monday, according to a statement from the French military, nine years after Paris sent troops to the West African country to help drive Islamic extremists from power.
France’s armed forces completed their withdrawal from Mali six months after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to pull out of the country following tensions with the ruling junta.
Tensions have also grown over the past year between Mali, its African neighbors and the European Union after Mali’s transitional government allowed Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group to deploy on its territory.
The last contingent of French soldiers of the so-called Barkhane force present on Malian territory crossed into neighboring Niger on Monday afternoon, the French military said. They were based in Gao in northern Mali, a region plagued with jihadi violence.
France had about 4,300 troops in the Sahel region, including 2,400 in Mali, in February when Macron announced the withdrawal. With French army units out of Mali, “the Barkhane force has been reorganized outside the country,” the French army statement said Monday, adding that the “major logistic challenge has been met in an orderly and safe way, in coordination with all its partners.”
Macron has previously said that the “heart” of the French operation will be moved to Niger, especially in the region bordering Burkina Faso. The so-called Barkhane force is also involved in Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauretania.
French forces have been active in Mali since 2013, when they intervened to oust Islamic extremists from power. But the insurgents regrouped in the desert and began attacking the Malian army and its allies. An August 2020 coup led by Col. Assimi Goita grabbed power in Mali. Goita carried out a second coup by dismissing the civilian leaders in Mali’s transitional government and putting himself in charge last year.
Following Macron’s military withdrawal announcement in February, European leaders also said that an EU-led military task force known as Takuba is also pulling out of Mali. They criticized the Malian junta for hiring the Wagner Group, which the EU accuses of fomenting violence and committing human rights abuses in Africa.
Macron and other European leaders have repeatedly said the military withdrawals from Mali will not result in abandonment of the people in the Sahel region in their fight against Islamic extremists.
After leaving Mali, “the French armed forces continue to fight terrorism in the Sahel, in close coordination with our African and international partners,” the French army’s statement said. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/international/french-military-last-group-of-soldiers-has-left-mali/ | 2022-08-15T22:48:09Z | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/international/french-military-last-group-of-soldiers-has-left-mali/ | true |
You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/articles/40410710 | 2022-08-15T22:49:03Z | https://sportspyder.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/articles/40410710 | false |
Back-to-school season at Quebec colleges marked by shortage of teachers, support staff
With one week to go before the start of the new school year, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) says it is concerned that some CEGEPs will be unable to offer certain services and even some courses due to a lack of staff.
The CSQ and its affiliated unions in the college network are asking Quebec to improve the working conditions of CEGEP staff to deal with a staff shortage that is beginning to affect the institutions.
The leaders of the central union and its three federations representing teachers, professionals and support staff in the college sector met with the media in Montreal on Monday to share their concerns.
The attractiveness of both the private and public sectors is causing a shortage of teachers, particularly in computer technology, industrial electronics technology, nursing and pharmacy technology.
In some colleges, several course loads have still not been distributed to teachers because there are no teachers to take them on.
In addition, union leaders point out that students coming out of the two-year pandemic with distance, hybrid or other alternative teaching methods are ill-prepared to take on what they call "the student job" and require upgrades that are an additional burden on staff.
Also, the lack of professionals, such as educational advisors or psychologists -- already glaring before the pandemic -- has worsened.
These concerns are being raised as both parties prepare to negotiate the renewal of collective agreements.
The CSQ and its federations are demanding that the government improve their members' working conditions and salaries to create real attractiveness and retention of personnel.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 15, 2022.
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The top executive at Pfizer, a leading producer of COVID-19 vaccines, has tested positive for the virus and says he is experiencing very mild symptoms. | https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/back-to-school-season-at-quebec-colleges-marked-by-shortage-of-teachers-support-staff-1.6027680 | 2022-08-15T22:49:07Z | https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/back-to-school-season-at-quebec-colleges-marked-by-shortage-of-teachers-support-staff-1.6027680 | false |
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Polish president and other officials marked their nation’s Armed Forces Day holiday Monday alongside the U.S. army commander in Europe and regular American troops, a symbolic show of support for NATO members on the eastern front as Russia wages war nearby in Ukraine.
Gen. Darryl Williams, the new commanding general of United States Army Europe and Africa, attended the ceremony in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in downtown Warsaw.
Nearby Polish children climbed on top of a U.S. and other other NATO tanks, helped by smiling American, British and Romanian soldiers.
Despite the festive atmosphere, Williams told The Associated Press that the U.S. presence was meant to deliver a message of “strength and resilience”
“It is about deterrence, about being strong, NATO is strong, the Polish people are strong, and we are standing shoulder to shoulder with them,” he said.
The holiday commemorates Poland’s victory in 1920 over Soviet Russia in the Battle of Warsaw, which stopped the Bolshevik army’s westward advance.
President Andrzej Duda in a speech recalled how Soviet commanders at the time were sure of victory, drawing a obvious parallel to Russian assumptions when it launched it full-scale war on Ukraine on Feb. 24.
“For 74 years of its existence, Soviet Russia lost only one official war, and it was that war 102 years ago,” he said.
Duda accused Russia breaking a taboo in force since World War II which held that nations do not attack sovereign nations seeking to deprive them of their territory or independence.
Among those attending the ceremonies was 94-year-old Zbigniew Kruszewski, a veteran of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising against Nazi German occupiers. At that time Soviet forces, stood by as the Germans slaughtered Poles.
“We didn’t get help, we were abandoned,” Kruszewski, who now lives in Texas, told the AP, saying he hopes the presence of U.S. troops means Poland would not be abandoned again.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak ahead of the ceremony told reporters: “Years pass, but one thing is constant — when Russia tries to rebuild its empire, it is always an evil empire. It always commits war crimes.”
Polish troops from the different branches of the armed forces paraded down a street lined with fluttering white-and-red national Polish flags, and Duda promoted new generals.
The military held picnics seeking to recruit volunteers into the armed forces amid a new sense of threat fueled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
American troops have taken part before in the Aug. 15 celebration before but it is the first one since President Joe Biden announced at a NATO summit in late June that Washington was establishing its first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland — something Poland has long sought.
The newly named Camp Kosciuszko in Poznan, western Poland, is a shared Polish-U.S. base that becomes the permanent headquarters in Poland for the U.S. Army’s V Corps, and the easternmost U.S. Army base in Europe. Many of the American troops there, however, still serve on a rotational basis.
The base is named after Gen. Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a hero of the American Revolution who strengthened the fortifications of West Point, and who later returned to Poland to fight imperial Russian forces.
Maj. Kevin Andersen, a U.S. Army public affairs officer, said that troops are having trouble saying the name Kosciuszko (roughly pronounced koh-SHOOSH’-koh) and many have been calling it “Camp K” instead.
He said the army has created a video helping the soldiers to learn to say it as a gesture of respect to Poland as it welcomes the Americans.
“For now it’s a lot of Camp K., but we’re really trying to convince the soldiers to pronounce the full Camp Kosciuszko,” he said. | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/international/with-war-nearby-us-shows-support-for-poland-on-army-holiday/ | 2022-08-15T22:50:16Z | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/international/with-war-nearby-us-shows-support-for-poland-on-army-holiday/ | true |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A California man jailed in Las Vegas on suspicion of causing a loud noise that sparked panic and travel delays Sunday at Harry Reid International Airport had been arrested at the airport less than 24 hours earlier for allegedly causing a disturbance near a ticket counter, a police official said Monday.
The sharp sound of a door closing or a trash can toppling — apparently mistaken for gunfire — caused passengers to abandon security lines about 4:30 a.m. Sunday. More loud noises reverberated through the airport’s busy Terminal 1 as metal posts were knocked over in the chaos, Las Vegas police Officer Larry Hadfield said.
Stefan Mathias Hutchison's alleged role causing the sound was not immediately described.
“The initial sound was a door or trash can falling,” Hadfield said. “That triggered patrons to leave lines, which caused stanchions to fall, causing a succession of loud sounds.”
No serious injuries were reported by airport officials, but social media posts showed people running and, later, crowded in concourses of the terminal that serves most domestic flights.
Dozens of commercial flights in and out of Las Vegas were canceled or delayed throughout the day, and thousands of people were affected. Passengers who had been screened by Transportation Security Administration were required to re-screen at security checkpoints before boarding their flights.
Hutchison, 33, of Carmichael, California, was taken into custody at the airport on a felony burglary charge and held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas pending a court appearance, records showed. Hutchison was not armed, Hadfield said.
On Saturday, Hutchison had been arrested about 8:30 a.m. on misdemeanor misconduct and resisting an officer charges, and freed from jail without bail later that day. The initial police call in that case was about a possible airport security breach, Hadfield said.
On Monday, Hutchison refused to be taken from the jail to appear before a judge. Court records showed he was rescheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning. A deputy public defender who was appointed temporarily to represent him did not immediately respond to messages.
Airport spokesman Joe Rajchel said Monday he had no information about people injured in the chaos. He said operations had returned to normal. Reid airport is one of the 10 busiest airports in the world, according to the trade group Airports Council International.
“While Sunday’s incident was a false alarm, the response to any given situation is unique and will be informed by the confirmed details available in real time,” the airport said in a statement. | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/California-man-jailed-after-sharp-sound-Vegas-17375443.php | 2022-08-15T22:50:51Z | https://www.mrt.com/news/article/California-man-jailed-after-sharp-sound-Vegas-17375443.php | true |
(The Hill) – The Justice Department on Monday told a federal judge that releasing the law enforcement affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for former President Trump’s home would jeopardize an ongoing investigation.
Federal prosecutors submitted a court filing opposing any efforts to unseal the document laying out probable cause for the search. The filing came just days after they agreed to release a copy of the warrant itself as well as a receipt listing the materials that were seized during the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
“The affidavit supporting the search warrant presents a very different set of considerations,” the filing reads. “There remain compelling reasons, including to protect the integrity of an ongoing law enforcement investigation that implicates national security, that support keeping the affidavit sealed.”
Prosecutors typically submit affidavits from law enforcement officials when seeking a judge’s authorization for a search warrant. These documents are meant to provide an overview of evidence collected during an investigation that would support the probable cause needed to obtain a warrant under the Fourth Amendment.
The court filing submitted Monday — which was signed by Jay Bratt, the head of the DOJ’s counterintelligence office, and Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida — argued that disclosing the affidavit used to secure the Mar-a-Lago warrant would cause “significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation.”
“As the Court is aware from its review of the affidavit, it contains, among other critically important and detailed investigative facts: highly sensitive information about witnesses, including witnesses interviewed by the government; specific investigative techniques; and information required by law to be kept under seal pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e),” the DOJ officials wrote, citing a rule governing grand jury secrecy.
They argued that revealing sensitive information about the investigation could also affect law enforcement’s ability to secure cooperation from potential witnesses and risk revealing identifying details about any witnesses who are already working with investigators.
“This is not merely a hypothetical concern, given the widely reported threats made against law enforcement personnel in the wake of the August 8 search,” reads a footnote in the filing.
Several news organizations had submitted motions in court to unseal material used in the warrant application, most of which were filed prior to the warrant’s release on Friday. The Justice Department on Monday asked that a federal magistrate judge decide the matter without convening a hearing. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/doj-says-unsealing-trump-warrant-affidavit-would-jeopardize-investigation/ | 2022-08-15T22:51:48Z | https://www.wowktv.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/doj-says-unsealing-trump-warrant-affidavit-would-jeopardize-investigation/ | true |
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A woman who bought a home valued at $594,481 got more than she bargained for when the sale included about $50 million in additional lots — no charge.
When county officials went over the documents for the sale in Washoe County, Nevada, they found what appeared to be a copy-and-paste error that added 84 additional lots and two common spaces to the transaction.
The error was first reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal. The newspaper did not name the woman, but said it reached out to a Sparks resident with the same name as the buyer and received a “no comment” response with a smiley face emoji.
The home in Sparks, Nevada, was sold in July to a woman who had no idea she was getting the extra property. The home she purchased and all the extra lots are in a Toll Brothers subdivision called Stonebrook.
County officials told the Gazette-Journal on Monday that Westminster Title’s Las Vegas office appeared to be the source of the error.
Westminster Title branch manager Tammy Barnes didn’t have much to say about the mistake. She said, “It’s been resolved.” She said her office doesn’t copy and paste information, adding that the error was on a “base document,” but offered no further comment.
To sort out the mess, the homebuyer will have to transfer the title back to Toll Brothers so they can be recorded and sold again properly, according to the Washoe County Assessor’s Office. Some of the properties had previously been built on and sold, the newspaper reported. | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/woman-buys-594k-nevada-home-mistake-adds-84-lots-to-deal/ | 2022-08-15T22:51:49Z | https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/woman-buys-594k-nevada-home-mistake-adds-84-lots-to-deal/ | true |
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi businessman has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for misusing over $6 million in business loans through a coronavirus pandemic relief program.
Christopher Paul Lick of Starkville received the 78-month sentence Friday from U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson. The sentencing took place in Oxford nearly two months after Lick pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
Rather than use the money for his businesses, Lick admitted using it for personal investments in the stock market and to buy a home valued at more than $1 million, according to a news release Monday from Clay Joyner, the U.S. attorney for northern Mississippi.
“The sentence imposed in this case was well deserved," Joyner said. "For more than two years, the defendant was living lavishly on taxpayer dollars while millions of Americans were struggling during the pandemic."
Lick filed fraudulent loan applications to banks that were providing loans as part of the Paycheck Protection Program, according to court records. The records show Lick owned and managed four companies, including Aspen River Candle Co., based in Columbus, Mississippi. Joyner said Lick admitted overstating the number of employees and payroll expenses to receive money.
Rather than use the Paycheck Protection Program money for his businesses, Lick admitted he bought a home valued at more than $1 million and used some of the money for personal investments in the stock market, the news release said.
Paycheck Protection Program loans were guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
Jermicha Fomby, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Jackson, said in the news release that Lick “took very proactive steps to defraud the U. S. Government and the citizens of this nation.” | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Mississippi-businessman-sentenced-in-pandemic-17375412.php | 2022-08-15T22:52:30Z | https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Mississippi-businessman-sentenced-in-pandemic-17375412.php | true |
Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Monday said Americans might be ready “to turn the page” on former President Trump as he decides whether to run for president a third time.
“People conflate Trump with people’s overall sense of happiness in the country. Donald Trump’s been a friend of mine for 25 years, and I’m always very open about this on my show. But, you know we’ll see whether that’s what the country wants,” Ingraham said during an appearance on Lisa Boothe’s podcast. “The country I think is so exhausted. They’re exhausted by the battle, the constant battle, that they may believe that, well, maybe it’s time to turn the page if we can get someone who has all Trump’s policies, who’s not Trump.”
Trump has unleashed a streak of populism in the Republican Party that might not appeal to voters writ large in 2024, Ingraham theorized.
“The other problem is that it’s really not about Trump, right, this is about the views that Trump now brought to the floor for the Republican Party,” Ingraham said. “They don’t like his views, they don’t like the fact that he called out the military for their failures, that he wanted us to pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan. That he wanted to treat China and our trade relationship with China in a much — it was smarter, but much different way than the globalists preferred. And they certainly didn’t like the fact that he sent all those illegal immigrants back to Mexico with that Remain in Mexico.”
Ingraham has been among Trump’s longest and most loyal supporters in the conservative media ecosystem, just last week attacking the Justice Department and FBI following the search warrant executed at the former president’s Florida home in connection with an investigation into classified documents reportedly taken from the White House.
“When we get power back, it’s time to hold everyone accountable. The military leadership, the civilian leadership, the civil service, those in Congress who have abused their power, all of them have to held accountable,” Ingraham said on her prime-time show, hours after news of the search broke.
The Fox News host is one of several who the Jan. 6 House select committee found was texting with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, imploring him to get Trump to do something to stop the rioting at the Capitol that day.
The relationship between top talent at Fox and Trump is closely watched by media watchdogs and political analysts as the former president flirts with another White House bid.
On Monday morning, “Fox and Friends” host Steve Doocy called on the former president to “tamp down the rhetoric” against the Justice Department and FBI following the Mar-a-Lago search and implore his supporters not to threaten members of federal law enforcement.
“Whatever we can do to help — because the temperature has to be brought down in the country,” Trump told a Fox News hours after Doocy’s remarks. “If it isn’t, terrible things are going to happen.” | https://www.wjhl.com/hill-politics/laura-ingraham-voters-might-say-its-time-to-turn-the-page-on-trump/ | 2022-08-15T22:53:21Z | https://www.wjhl.com/hill-politics/laura-ingraham-voters-might-say-its-time-to-turn-the-page-on-trump/ | true |
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler will have season-ending surgery for the elbow injury that has prevented him from pitching for the last two months.
The Dodgers announced Monday before the start of their four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers that that Buehler's surgery is scheduled for Aug. 23
Buehler, a two-time All-Star, is 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA in 12 appearances this season. He last pitched June 10 and left that game after four innings when his elbow began bothering him.
The Dodgers announced afterward that Buehler wouldn't throw for six to eight weeks because of a flexor strain. Now he's out for the rest of the season.
Even with Buehler sidelined, Los Angeles entered Monday with the best record in the majors at 79-34.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/Dodgers-Buehler-to-have-elbow-surgery-out-for-17375400.php | 2022-08-15T22:53:31Z | https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/Dodgers-Buehler-to-have-elbow-surgery-out-for-17375400.php | false |
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Remark Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARK), a diversified global technology company with leading artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions and digital media properties today announced its financial results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2022. For complete details of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, please see Remark's filings with the SEC (www.sec.gov).
Management Commentary
"The company's second quarter was highlighted by additional partnerships and the joining of industry experts to expand its sales channels significantly," noted Kai-Shing Tao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Remark Holdings. "Our unique value proposition and the innovation inherent in our AI solutions continued to satisfy the different needs of our customers. Looking ahead, we are building a pipeline of opportunities across the U.S. with our SSP-based products with a new streaming fee model and are continuing to advance our deployment activities in China. Taken together, we believe these activities lay the groundwork for continued momentum across our businesses as we seek to deliver first-class AI solutions to our customers."
Second Quarter 2022 Business Highlights
- During the second quarter, Remark continued to build its data intelligence business using its Smart Safety Platform ("SSP") and related Smart Sentry units that work with the SSP. Based on initial trial success, the company is building a stream of business opportunities with government agencies, public transportation operators, railways, and sports arenas in the US and UK while continuing to grow its business in Asia.
- China Mobile continued to implement Remark's KanKan AI Platform and Smart Queueing System throughout their retail locations, although the pace of implementation has been significantly slowed due to ongoing lockdowns and measures taken by the Chinese government to achieve a zero-COVID status. Most stores are still closed nationwide and the project will resume once the strict lockdowns are lifted.
- During the second quarter, Smart Campus solutions were deployed across more than 60 campuses bringing total installations to more than 460 campuses. New functions of the Smart Campus solutions provided a leading management platform for student development, providing a rich set of scenario-based software and AIoT tools for school administrators and families to assemble comprehensive student profiles targeting individual growth. This new product has been installed in more than 100 schools and is helping over 100,000 students daily.
- Remark's Smart Construction solutions contributed $1.1 million of revenue as the company completed installations at 14 construction sites, bringing total installations to 67 sites and, thereby, not only completing the initial contract but also securing and partially fulfilling additional contracts on more construction sites. There are an additional 30+ construction sites targeted to be finished in the third quarter of 2022.
Fiscal Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results
- Revenue for the fiscal second quarter of 2022 totaled $2.6 million, down from $4.0 million during the fiscal second quarter of 2021.
- Gross profit decreased $1.1 million quarter over quarter to $0.7 million during the second quarter of 2022. The overall gross profit margin for the second quarter of 2022 was 27.8%, compared to 43.9% in the same period in 2021.
- The company incurred an operating loss of $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to an operating loss of $2.5 million in the comparable quarter of 2021.
- Net loss totaled $12.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to a net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share in the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.
- On June 30, 2022, the cash balance totaled $1.1 million, compared to a cash balance of $14.2 million on December 31, 2021. Net cash used in operating activities was $11.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022.
Conference Call Information
Management will hold a conference call this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss the Company's financial results and provide an update on recent business developments. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation.
The live conference may be accessed via telephone or online webcast.
Toll-Free Number: 800.289.0720
International Number: 323.701.0160
Conference ID: 7189339
Online Webcast: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1562633&tp_key=7bdfa0774e
Participants are advised to log in for the live webcast 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the call will be available after 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through August 20, 2022.
Toll-Free Replay Number: 844.512.2921
International Replay Number: 412.317.6671
Replay ID: 7189339
About Remark Holdings, Inc.
Remark Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARK) delivers an integrated suite of AI solutions that enable businesses and organizations to solve problems, reduce risk and deliver positive outcomes. The company's easy-to-install AI products are being rolled out in various retail, public safety, and workplace applications. The company also owns and operates an e-commerce digital media property focused on a luxury beach lifestyle. The company's corporate headquarters and U.S. operations are based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it also maintains operations in London, England, and Shanghai, China. The operations of the variable interest entities that the company consolidates are headquartered in Chengdu, China, with additional offices in Hangzhou. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.remarkholdings.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, and regulations. Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," and "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in Remark Holdings' Annual Report on Form 10-K and Remark Holdings' other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements reflect Remark Holdings' current views concerning future events, are based on assumptions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given such uncertainties, you should not rely on any forward-looking statements, which represent Remark Holdings' estimates and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, Remark Holdings undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Company Contacts
Fay Tian
Vice President of Investor Relations
F.Tian@remarkholdings.com
(+1) 626-623-2000
(+86) 13702108000
(+65) 8715-8007
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WFO PHOENIX Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Riverside County in southern California...
San Bernardino County in southern California...
* Until 700 PM PDT.
* At 300 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of
rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches
are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or
expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Lost Horse-Keys Village.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.mrt.com/weather/article/CA-WFO-PHOENIX-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17375390.php | 2022-08-15T22:54:52Z | https://www.mrt.com/weather/article/CA-WFO-PHOENIX-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17375390.php | true |
(The Hill) – The Justice Department on Monday told a federal judge that releasing the law enforcement affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for former President Trump’s home would jeopardize an ongoing investigation.
Federal prosecutors submitted a court filing opposing any efforts to unseal the document laying out probable cause for the search. The filing came just days after they agreed to release a copy of the warrant itself as well as a receipt listing the materials that were seized during the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
“The affidavit supporting the search warrant presents a very different set of considerations,” the filing reads. “There remain compelling reasons, including to protect the integrity of an ongoing law enforcement investigation that implicates national security, that support keeping the affidavit sealed.”
Prosecutors typically submit affidavits from law enforcement officials when seeking a judge’s authorization for a search warrant. These documents are meant to provide an overview of evidence collected during an investigation that would support the probable cause needed to obtain a warrant under the Fourth Amendment.
The court filing submitted Monday — which was signed by Jay Bratt, the head of the DOJ’s counterintelligence office, and Juan Antonio Gonzalez, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida — argued that disclosing the affidavit used to secure the Mar-a-Lago warrant would cause “significant and irreparable damage to this ongoing criminal investigation.”
“As the Court is aware from its review of the affidavit, it contains, among other critically important and detailed investigative facts: highly sensitive information about witnesses, including witnesses interviewed by the government; specific investigative techniques; and information required by law to be kept under seal pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e),” the DOJ officials wrote, citing a rule governing grand jury secrecy.
They argued that revealing sensitive information about the investigation could also affect law enforcement’s ability to secure cooperation from potential witnesses and risk revealing identifying details about any witnesses who are already working with investigators.
“This is not merely a hypothetical concern, given the widely reported threats made against law enforcement personnel in the wake of the August 8 search,” reads a footnote in the filing.
Several news organizations had submitted motions in court to unseal material used in the warrant application, most of which were filed prior to the warrant’s release on Friday. The Justice Department on Monday asked that a federal magistrate judge decide the matter without convening a hearing. | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/doj-says-unsealing-trump-warrant-affidavit-would-jeopardize-investigation/ | 2022-08-15T22:55:40Z | https://www.krqe.com/news/national/doj-says-unsealing-trump-warrant-affidavit-would-jeopardize-investigation/ | false |
Northern Spirit is Known for their Luxury RVs that are Loaded with Amenities
LEXINGTON, N.C., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The founders of Country Roads RV Center are proud to announce that they have been an authorized dealer for the Coachmen Northern Spirit line of RVs for 4 years.
To learn more about Country Roads RV Center, please visit https://www.crrvc.com/about-us/.
As a company spokesperson noted, since Country Roads RV Center opened its doors in 2008 the company has strived to offer only the highest quality, 5th wheels, travel trailers, and toy haulers.
Now, as one of the largest dealers in the state, Country Roads RV Center has grown to offer a full service and parts department. The family-owned and operated dealership strives to give their customers the most enjoyable experience possible.
"Our mission is to provide high-quality new and used RVs to our customers. At the same time, we understand that travel trailers, 5th wheels, and motorhomes are not created equally. Because of this, we do a thorough analysis of new product lines we carry prior to making the decision to place them in our inventory," the spokesperson noted, adding that after reviewing the Northern
Spirit makes and models, it was an easy decision to add these outstanding RVs to their lineup of products.
The Northern Spirit XTR 2549BHX is a roomy bunk plan with the "Max Bed Storage" under the master bed. Pack all the kid's stuff in one place. A plan that the entire family will love.
The Northern Spirit 1943RB remains an extremely popular couples plan with a deep slideout and theater seating for evening relaxation.
As one of the largest dealers in the state, Country Roads RV Center carries many different lines of 5th Wheels, Travel-Trailers, and Toy Haulers, as well as a full service and parts department. Family-owned and operated, they strive to give their customers the most enjoyable experience possible. For more information, please visit https://www.crrvc.com.
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SOURCE Country Roads RV Center, Inc | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/country-roads-rv-center-celebrates-4-years-an-authorized-dealer-coachmen-northern-spirit/ | 2022-08-15T22:59:45Z | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/country-roads-rv-center-celebrates-4-years-an-authorized-dealer-coachmen-northern-spirit/ | false |
As a New Blog on the Online Advantages Website Notes, Well-Developed Plumbing SEO Strategies Can Definitely Give Plumbing Companies an Edge
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Maglodi, founder of the full service internet marketing company Online Advantages, recently heard from the owner of a plumbing company who was wondering if SEO would really help the business in a tangible way.
As Maglodi knows firsthand, high quality SEO services can definitely help virtually any type of company to succeed. This inspired him to write a new blog that takes an in-depth look at how SEO can assist plumbing companies.
To read the new blog, which is titled "How Can SEO Help My Plumbing Marketing" in its entirety, please visit https://onlineadvantages.net/how-can-seo-help-my-plumbing-marketing/.
As the blog notes, marketing has definitely evolved over the years. While plumbing companies used to get by in the mid-90s with a great looking website, today it is imperative to branch out to an even stronger online presence.
"Well-developed plumbing SEO strategies can give you an edge by increasing your rankings in local search engine results, so potential customers can find you when they need you," the blog notes, adding that this approach gives plumbing companies a greater ROI versus traditional advertising, helps the company save money on costly print, TV, and radio ads, and offers instant, two-way contact and communication between the company and their target market.
To help plumbing companies get started on improving their SEO strategies, the blog also includes five helpful tips that are simple, actionable things the owners can do on their own.
For instance, plumbing companies should check their business listings to make sure their business citations, such as hours, locations, services, and client testimonials are up-to-date, accurate, and true. This way, plumbing companies can rest assured that their business shows up in Google Maps properly and reflects the customer experience the clientele can expect. Checking Google Analytics and the website design and how it looks to visitors to the site are also quick DIY SEO tasks.
Online Advantages is a unique full service internet marketing company. Founder Matt Maglodi specializes in all aspects of online marketing from video marketing, to pay per click advertising, organic search and social media. For more information, please visit https://onlineadvantages.net/.
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SOURCE Online Advantages | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/can-seo-really-help-your-plumbing-company-latest-blog-online-advantages-takes-deep-dive/ | 2022-08-15T23:00:12Z | https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/can-seo-really-help-your-plumbing-company-latest-blog-online-advantages-takes-deep-dive/ | true |
Cost of living: Demand for free school uniforms rockets, says charity
- Published
Demand for free school uniforms has rocketed as the cost of living crisis continues to bite, a charity has revealed.
A Better Fit said second-hand clothes they're given are leaving their warehouse as soon as they arrive.
Kathryn Wakeham, who set up the organisation in Cardiff four years ago, said the rise was "over tenfold".
The Welsh government said grants were available for those eligible for free uniforms.
Children's Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, said she wants the Welsh government to come up with a child poverty action plan.
Ms Wakeham, whose organisation covers Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, said: "Most parents say they are able to source basics like the school trousers and polo shirts.
"But the cost of blazers and PE kits is astronomically high, and you need more than one.
"And often there is a complete school uniform change when children move years, so you have to buy new, regardless of the size of the child.
"It is really difficult for parents to keep up with the sheer amount of cost to kit a child out for school."
The Children's Society, which has been campaigning for affordable school uniforms, estimates that the average uniform for secondary schools was £337, in 2020.
Parents it surveyed believed a more reasonable cost would be a third of that.
Rebecca Sharp needs a complete new uniform for her son.
'Really adds up'
He is leaving primary school for high school in September.
"It is just so expensive to go out and buy everything brand new," the nurse said.
"If you buy all the branded jumpers, PE kit, football boots, socks and the tie and everything you need you are talking about hundreds.
"The only thing you can buy from the supermarket is white shirt, black trousers, black shoes."
For everything else specialist shops are required.
Ms Sharp said: "It really adds up, because you are not just buying one of everything.
"Other parents are telling me they are facing the same problems. I have donated a lot of my children's uniforms and I have now exchanged them for new."
The Welsh government said: "Learners who are currently eligible for free school meals can apply for a grant towards school uniform, school trips, and kit.
"The grant this year is for £225 per learner, or £300 for those going into year seven to recognise the increased costs associated with starting secondary school.
"For this year only, the grants are an extra £100."
Ms Wakeham said this was not enough.
She said: "You could probably kit a child out for £150 in a primary school, but in high school it is so much more, and the money does not stretch far enough and it is means tested.
"We're seeing working parents finding things really difficult now, not just parents who aren't on such a secure income."
Charity trustee and volunteer, Christine Nomee, said their work had ballooned into a huge operation.
She said: "Some items are more difficult to get hold of, especially the more expensive items of clothing such as school blazers with the badge on them.
"Many school blazers aren't generic, they often have a trim and a badge on the pocket, so you can't just go out and buy a generic blazer and put a school badge on."
Ms Nomee called for more flexibility from schools.
Families will be drowning in costs even with this help
"As long as people have the right colour for the uniforms, you can then put a badge on it," she said.
Children's Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, said there were 190,000 children living in poverty and the cost of living crisis was "biting hard."
Uniforms, she feared, presented another bill for already stretched families.
She encouraged the Welsh government to make grants as accessible as possible.
She said: "Families will be drowning in costs even with this help.
"That's why I want the Welsh government to publish a clear outcome-focused child poverty action plan, showing how they will target help at children and families to help them during the worst cost of living crisis in living memory."
She insisted it was "vital" school governors to follow statutory guidance on keeping down uniform costs.
- 19 November 2021 | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-62549900?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA | 2022-08-15T23:05:16Z | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-62549900?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA | false |
Three weeks into training camp, much of the practice slate has become routine, consistent from one day to the next. But the running backs’ individual drills are never predictable.
“When I’m watching tape and I see my player doing something that I don’t have a drill for, [if it’s a situation] that surprises them, I go back to the lab,” Jordan said earlier in camp.
Some clips of RBs coach Randy Jordan and his inventive approach to practice drills, from @carolinepineda_ and me. pic.twitter.com/4ee9iKTVZW
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 15, 2022
On Monday, after lead back Antonio Gibson fumbled against Carolina, it was ball security. The backs rolled over a yoga ball, high-stepped over training bags and held the ball high and tight while assistant running backs coach Jennifer King, wearing a boxing glove, tried to punch it out.
The preference for variety is something Jordan adopted from Bill Callahan, for whom Jordan played and coached with for years at Nebraska and in Oakland with the Raiders. They worked together in Washington from 2015 to 2019, and Callahan used to tell Jordan: “There is not a drill that you should ever do that doesn’t show up on tape.”
Jordan’s intention is that players will not be able to anticipate his drills before they begin, prompting a concerted effort to keep them on their toes, both literally and metaphorically.
One drill, dubbed the “Shake ‘N’ Bake,” involves moving laterally before reacting to King’s signal to cut left or right. Another, called a “starburst,” is designed to help players use their off hands to avoid going to the ground when getting tackled.
To explain why he sends them through two reps of the drills — one on each side — Jordan returns to another food analogy.
“I say, ‘You go to a buffet, right?” he said. “You don’t want to be able to eat just on one side of the buffet.’”
Injury report
The tight end room is still dealing with several injuries. Neither John Bates (calf) nor Sammis Reyes (hamstring) participated in practice, and Coach Ron Rivera said it was the “slight pull” that limited Reyes to just two snaps against Carolina. Rivera said Cole Turner (hamstring) is a week or two from returning.
“I feel I'm good to go, but they want to take it slow and be cautious,” Turner said. “I'm all for that.”
Swing tackle Cornelius Lucas passed his physical and was activated off the non-football illness list. He filled in at left tackle for Charles Leno Jr., who along with left guard Andrew Norwell had a vet day.
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel (conditioning) was a full participant in practice, and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring), who sat out Saturday, was a full participant as well.
Weather report
Monday was Washington’s first rainy practice of camp — and Rivera ended it early. After the rain got heavier and a few players slipped — including reserve offensive lineman Aaron Monteiro, was once slow to get up — the coach called it with 3:44 left in the ninth period. The team usually has between 10 and 12 periods per practice.
Rivera harps on details for young players
Re-watching film from the preseason opener against Carolina, Rivera said he got to “zero in” on certain positions, such as the linebackers, the lines and the young defensive backs, who he thought had disappointing eye discipline: “They missed so many things that they weren’t missing out here.”
One thing that stood out to him was the young receivers’ inconsistency in the depth of their routes.
In the second quarter, second-year wideout Dyami Brown ran a roughly 15-yard, in-breaking “dig” route, and a Panthers safety clobbered him, forcing an incompletion. Next time, Rivera said, Brown should cut and run in at a 90-degree angle rather than floating deeper into the field.
“If he comes and cuts that off sharp and even works back a little bit toward the line of scrimmage, he doesn’t give that safety enough time to get there to make the play,” Rivera said. “Those are little detailed things that we as coaches can point out.”
Ron Rivera said the preseason game helped coaches see little details to point out to players, like WR Dyami Brown’s rounded cut on this play.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 15, 2022
“If he comes and cuts that off sharp … he doesn’t give that safety enough time to get there to make the play.” pic.twitter.com/4iYGf4qM49
Charles tries to capitalize on opportunities
Because of injuries and vet days, reserve offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles has taken a fair number of first-team reps at right or left guard. Charles served as a backup guard and tackle last year, and when he’s been healthy this camp he’s had a chance to show coaches he’s capable of a larger role.
Recently, Charles said he heard a story about a player who watched his old highlights to gain confidence and play better, so he did the same and tweeted a video of a block from last season.
In it, Charles, the left guard, flattened Philadelphia defensive end Cameron Malveaux to create a running lane for a touchdown.
My favorite block from year 2 , excited for year 3! pic.twitter.com/mgLMkT8GRP
— Saahdiq Charles (@saahdiq) July 31, 2022
What did he like most about the play?
“Pancake touchdown,” Charles said.
But anything specific?
“Pancake touchdown,” he repeated, laughing. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/15/commanders-running-backs/ | 2022-08-15T23:07:27Z | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/15/commanders-running-backs/ | true |
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
6-9-8
(six, nine, eight)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Monday afternoon's drawing of the Missouri Lottery's "Pick 3 Midday" game were:
6-9-8
(six, nine, eight) | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17375471.php | 2022-08-15T23:08:40Z | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Pick-3-Midday-game-17375471.php | false |
MILWAUKEE – Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler will have season-ending elbow surgery, a setback for the team with the majors' best record.
The Dodgers announced Monday before the start of their four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers that Dr. Neal ElAttrache would perform the surgery on Aug. 23.
“It’s certainly a blow,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We’re better with Walker on our ballclub, but there’s nothing we can do about it. I still believe we have enough guys to prevent runs to get through October, but yeah, we wanted him to be a part of this.
Buehler hadn’t pitched for the last two months due to his injury. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in mid-June to remove bone spurs from his elbow.
“Then as he went through his progression, the pain wouldn’t subside,” Roberts said. “Dr. ElAttrache thought the best course of action was to go back in and get surgery to really figure out what the problem is and fix it. As a result, he’s obviously done for the rest of 2022. And until the surgery happens, we have no timeline for his return.”
Los Angeles also has three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw on the injured list with lower back pain, though he’s expected to return this season.
The Dodgers have hardly suffered in the two stars' absence. With Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Anderson and Julio Urías anchoring the rotation, LA is 19-4 since the All-Star break — including a 12-game winning streak that was snapped Sunday.
The Dodgers got some good news about their pitching staff Monday. Dustin May, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, is expected to make his season debut Saturday against Miami.
May hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 1, 2021, when he hurt his elbow during an appearance at Milwaukee. He is 6-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 31 career appearances, including 19 starts.
“All the numbers and everything are normal,” May said. “I feel normal. I’m in a good spot right now. That’s all I could ask for.”
Buehler, a two-time All-Star, is 6-3 with a 4.02 ERA in 12 appearances this season. He last pitched June 10 and left that game after four innings when his elbow began bothering him.
“We took a chance to try to take time off, start a progression to get him back this year, but as he started his progression, he just couldn’t get over the hump,” Roberts said. “We took a shot at it, but now we have to go in.”
The Dodgers entered Monday at 79-34, 16 games ahead of San Diego in the NL West. But they’ll have a tough time replacing Buehler as they prepare for a near-certain postseason appearance.
Buehler, 28 has a 46-16 career record with a 3.02 ERA. He went 16-4 with a 2.47 ERA last season and finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
“I talked to Dustin today,” Roberts said. “He’s not a savior. I just want him to come out and pitch well. He’s just got to do his job. When Clayton gets back, he’s got to do his job. I don’t look at it as pressure. It’s just more of we don’t have a guy that we hoped would be with us, who’s been a big part of things we’ve done, but there’s nothing we can do about it. Guys have just got to do their jobs.”
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.clickorlando.com/sports/2022/08/15/dodgers-buehler-to-have-elbow-surgery-out-for-season/ | 2022-08-15T23:12:01Z | https://www.clickorlando.com/sports/2022/08/15/dodgers-buehler-to-have-elbow-surgery-out-for-season/ | true |
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Robin Wright, a Middle East foreign affairs expert, about the impact and legacy of Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses.
Copyright 2022 NPR
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Robin Wright, a Middle East foreign affairs expert, about the impact and legacy of Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2022-08-15/how-salman-rushdies-novel-sparked-controversy-in-the-muslim-world-for-over-30-years | 2022-08-15T23:15:24Z | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2022-08-15/how-salman-rushdies-novel-sparked-controversy-in-the-muslim-world-for-over-30-years | true |
Congratulations to Courtney Jenson, director of the Master in Public Administration Program, and Jim Headley, chair of the department of Department of Political Science & Public Policy, and their team for their hard work to earn the MPA program reaccreditation through Aug. 31, 2029.
The COPRA board that reviews and decides NASPAA accreditation met and reviewed the site visit reports, determining that Eastern’s MPA program was in “substantial conformity with NASPAA standards.” | https://inside.ewu.edu/news/announcements/ewus-master-in-public-administration-reaccredited-by-naspaa/ | 2022-08-15T23:15:38Z | https://inside.ewu.edu/news/announcements/ewus-master-in-public-administration-reaccredited-by-naspaa/ | true |
Greens Prairie Road construction may affect traffic ahead of school year
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Construction on Greens Prairie Road may affect traffic near Forest Ridge Elementary on Wednesday, August 17, the first day of school in College Station ISD.
Access to the parent drop-off driveway will be allowed from each direction, however traffic out of the school will be right turn only. Motorists are advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes if not dropping off or picking up at the school.
The road construction is part of the Greens Prairie Reconstruction Project that starts at Arrington Road and goes down to Dalton Road. The once two lane road is being reconstructed as a four lane minor arterial with multi use paths on both sides along with a traffic light at the Castlegate intersection according to Susan Monnat, Project Manager for the City of College Station Capital Improvements Projects Department.
“For this summer we had the contractor do the work directly in front of the school in order to lessen the impact of school traffic throughout the year,” Monnat said. “There will be switches in traffic control and traffic patterns therefore there will be work on the medians on the other side of the road and in the other sections along with the rest of the work further down.”
Monnat said traffic patterns are usually confusing at the start of the school year and suggested alternative routes such as Highway 40 or Wellborn Road.
“For parents who have to come to the school just pay attention to the signage, go slow and just watch your surroundings,” Monnat advised. “We’ve been working with the principal to make sure we can get everybody in and out as safely as possible. Just please follow the signs, watch for kids.”
Construction on the project is expected to last until next summer.
Copyright 2022 KBTX. All rights reserved. | https://www.kbtx.com/2022/08/15/greens-prairie-road-construction-may-affect-traffic-ahead-school-year/ | 2022-08-15T23:15:43Z | https://www.kbtx.com/2022/08/15/greens-prairie-road-construction-may-affect-traffic-ahead-school-year/ | false |
Updated August 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM ET
Despite chaos and a physical attack on Kenya's top elections official, the country's elections commission has announced that Deputy President William Ruto will be the East African nation's fifth president.
In an election marked by high drama and shifting alliances, Ruto triumphed over Raila Odinga, Kenya's longtime opposition leader who had forged an alliance with outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta that his supporters thought guaranteed him the presidency.
But after six days of counting and just as the electoral commission was ready to announce a final tally on Monday, four out of the seven electoral commissioners walked out of the main tallying center in Nairobi, saying they could not support the final result because of the "opaque nature" of the vote count.
The commission's chairman, Wafula Chebukati, went on stage anyway and chaos ensued. He was attacked by a senator. Others jumped on the stage, ripped banners, tipped over the lectern and attacked the remaining electoral commissioners.
Two of them were injured, but Chebukati returned to the stage once more and declared that Ruto had won narrowly with 50.49% of the vote to Odinga's 48.85%.
"We have a constitutional duty to perform," he said. "That is why I stand before you today despite the intimidation and harassment. I took an oath of office to serve this country and I have done my duty in accordance with the constitution and the laws of the land."
Kenya is a model of democracy in East Africa, a region where authoritarianism has been ascendant. These elections had been hailed as step forward for Kenyan democracy because the campaign was marked by political maturity. Politicians focused on economic issues, instead of the tribal mobilization that have been a feature of every Kenyan election since independence.
And these elections also began as the most transparent in the country's history. Just hours after voting finished, the electoral commission began publishing raw voting data from more than 46,000 polling stations. That meant anyone could tally the votes and check the electoral commission's math.
In his first speech as president-elect, Ruto spoke of reconciliation. He said he would not seek revenge against his political adversaries and called on Kenyans to work together.
"I want to promise the people of Kenya that I will run a democratic government and I will work with the opposition to the extent that they oversight the government," Ruto said.
But across the capital city, scenes of celebration mixed with anger. In the city's two biggest slums — Mathare and Kibera — protests turned violent. In Mathare, a woman was killed after a crowd threw stones at her car and it flipped over.
In Kibera, protesters set fires in the middle of the streets and mobs destroyed roadside stores.
"We are angry," Jared Ochieng, 55, said as he watched the flames from afar. "This is not what we expected. Now, what can help Kenya is to go for another election."
Odinga, the opposition leader, did not appear in public, but his running mate, Martha Karua, tweeted, "It is not over till it is over."
Odinga now has seven days to lodge an appeal before the country's constitutional court.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/news-from-npr/2022-08-15/william-ruto-is-declared-the-winner-of-kenyas-presidential-election | 2022-08-15T23:15:50Z | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/news-from-npr/2022-08-15/william-ruto-is-declared-the-winner-of-kenyas-presidential-election | false |
Groundbreaking Digital Technology Firm Providing Photorealistic 3D Digital Representations Hires Leading PR Firm
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BeyondView, a data-driven technology offering providing accurate, interactive, and digital commercial real estate solutions, today announced the retention of Rubenstein Public Relations (RPR) as its agency of record.
BeyondView's groundbreaking digital technology is transforming the way commercial real estate professionals manage and market their property portfolios. The firm's groundbreaking technology is a visualization of useable data that provides photorealistic, 3D digital representations of commercial spaces. BeyondView's digital twins offer 360 panoramic pictures, videos, and interactive virtual tours combined with an embedded communications platform to help commercial real estate professionals accelerate the leasing process at a fraction of current costs. The technology's informational collection can be used for resource planning and the management of the supply chain.
BeyondView will leverage RPR's long-standing media relations and expertise in the real estate and technology industries, as well as over three decades of experience crafting corporate messaging and creating brand positioning development designed to generate sustained top tier media results.
"As technology and quick access to operational data continue to play more significant roles in real estate, BeyondView's digital twins not only offer customers stunning 3D representations of spaces but also present useable data for commercial real estate professionals. We are confident that RPR's expertise will help BeyondView create industry-wide relationships and highlight its technological capabilities in the media," said Kul Wadhwa, CEO and Founder of BeyondView.
"BeyondView's visual representations and useable data management has the ability to revolutionize commercial real estate property management and leasing processes," said RPR President Richard Rubenstein. "Leveraging the creative genius behind some of the most prominent tech and graphic companies in the United States, BeyondView's digital twins and easy-to-use communication platform offers CRE professionals an enhanced customer experience at their fingertips."
Melding groundbreaking digital technology with big-screen artistic ability, BeyondView is revolutionizing the way commercial properties are marketed and managed. The team leverages decades of experience in some of the digital world's most notable companies including, Marvel Entertainment, Disney and Pixar, Samsung, and Wikipedia, to create photorealistic 3D visualizations to deliver an identical, interactive digital twin. Integrating useable data and a user-friendly communication platform, BeyondView offers a consolidated customer experience that works from already prepared materials to digitally white box, redesign, and reimagine properties. BeyondView's innovative and unique offerings simplify portfolio scenario and resource planning as well supply chain management. For more information, please visit beyondview.com.
About Rubenstein Public Relations Rubenstein Public Relations (RPR) is an independent, New York-based communications agency headed by veteran publicist and respected brand architect, Richard Rubenstein. For more than three decades, RPR's intensive media relations approach and dedicated team of senior practitioners have helped clients build brand equity and reach their target audiences. The firm specializes in brand messaging development, media relations, crisis communications, and thought leadership positioning. RPR has a proven track record in executing successful public relations campaigns for leading corporate, real estate, technology, healthcare, social impact, luxury consumer, entertainment, and hospitality brands across the globe.
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SOURCE Rubenstein Public Relations | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/beyondview-retains-rubenstein-public-relations-agency-record/ | 2022-08-15T23:16:09Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/beyondview-retains-rubenstein-public-relations-agency-record/ | true |
State Rep. Rick Becker To Run As Independent For U.S. Senate in N.D.
BISMARCK, N.D. — State Representative Rick Becker of Bismarck is running for the U.S. Senate as an independent.
The Republican challenged Senator John Hoeven at the state convention, narrowly losing the nomination.
North Dakota GOP Chairman Perrie Schafer issued a statement saying that it is unfortunate that Becker has decided to leave the Republican Party.
He also said Becker said he “would respect the decision of Republican delegates and voters and now he is doing the exact opposite.”
Becker will need 1,000 valid signatures to get his name on the November ballot against Hoeven and Democrat Katrina Christianson.
Former Miss America Cara Mund, also of Bismarck, is also making an independent bid for the U.S. House in North Dakota. | https://www.kvrr.com/2022/08/15/state-rep-rick-becker-to-run-as-independent-for-u-s-senate-in-n-d/ | 2022-08-15T23:16:41Z | https://www.kvrr.com/2022/08/15/state-rep-rick-becker-to-run-as-independent-for-u-s-senate-in-n-d/ | true |
A year after the fall of Kabul, the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan looks better as a pragmatic decision to end a costly war. But haunting images remain from an unnecessarily chaotic exit that reflected a chain of policy misjudgments.
What’s still agonizing, though, is the decision-making process, in which different parts of the administration pursued what amounted to contradictory policies. The Pentagon wanted to get out as fast as possible once President Biden decided in April 2021 to withdraw. But the State Department sought to maintain its embassy and diplomatic presence in Kabul, even as the country was crumbling.
The Pentagon and State timetables didn’t match, and nobody ever forced a reconciliation. As a result, State pressed ahead with a diplomatic mission for which it didn’t have adequate time or resources. The military, which had opposed Biden’s withdrawal decision, opted to protect its troops. “Speed is safety” was the Pentagon mantra, while at State it was something closer to “stay the course.”
“They wanted an elegant solution while we were withdrawing, and sometimes those things don’t go together,” says retired Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., who as commander of the U.S. Central Command was in charge of U.S. forces during the withdrawal.
The war in Afghanistan from the beginning was a story of overly optimistic assumptions about our Afghan partners’ ability to contain the Taliban, and that continued to the end. Nobody predicted that a panicked President Ashraf Ghani would flee the country and that the Afghan army would suddenly collapse — and perhaps nobody could have. But the Biden administration could have hedged better against the possibility of such “black swan” disasters — and, indeed, some officials tried, unsuccessfully, to do just that.
U.S. officials began developing plans for an emergency evacuation in March 2021, knowing that Biden, long a critic of the war, might want a rapid departure. All the senior Pentagon leaders argued against complete withdrawal, proposing instead to keep 2,500 troops in Kabul as a “term insurance policy” against a terrorist resurgence, as retired Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. put it in a recent interview.
When Biden decided in April that he wanted to withdraw U.S. troops by the end of August, despite Pentagon objections, the generals grudgingly saluted. Commanders wouldn’t ask troops to die for a mission that the president had decided wasn’t worthwhile. But State resisted open discussion of U.S. evacuation. “That would have been a profound sign of lack of confidence in the Kabul government,” a senior State Department official told me.
The Pentagon completed its speedy removal of troops and equipment in July, leaving only a small force of 650 U.S. troops to protect the Kabul embassy and airport. By then, the Taliban was rapidly seizing provincial capitals. National security adviser Jake Sullivan called a meeting in early July to ask whether the United States should try to retain control of Bagram airbase, long the center of American power about 40 miles north of the capital, as an alternative escape route.
Pentagon officials argued that maintaining Bagram after withdrawal of the main 2,500 U.S. troops wasn’t realistic. The Afghan military was no longer capable of providing perimeter security there, the generals explained, and the United States would have to send 3,000 troops back to Afghanistan to keep the base open, McKenzie recalls. Kabul airport would be a better exit point, the administration decided.
Looking back, the failure to plan earlier and better for possible civilian evacuation was a critical mistake. As the situation deteriorated over the summer, administration officials should have tried to “extend the timetable for withdrawal” or called a temporary “timeout,” argued Carter Malkasian, a former State Department official, in a recent interview. Malkasian served extensively in Afghanistan and wrote a superb history of the war, published last year.
The Taliban surge accelerated in late July and early August. But still, officials resisted issuing a “NEO,” the term for a “noncombatant evacuation operation.” The National Security Council held deputies and principals meetings on Aug. 8 and 9 to urge consideration of the NEO, and the consensus at those meetings was against issuing the order — and that the Afghan army could hold Kabul, according to one participant. Days later, senior leadership of multiple agencies came around to believing the NEO was necessary.
The pyramid of illusions crumbled on Aug. 15. Ghani fled the presidential palace at midday, as Taliban fighters streamed into the capital unopposed. The unthinkable had happened. The State Department had quit the embassy two days before and regrouped at the airport. An emergency evacuation was finally inescapable.
McKenzie traveled to Doha, Qatar, that day to meet Abdul Ghani Baradar, the most senior Taliban official in contact with America. McKenzie carried a map that showed a 30-kilometer circle around Kabul. He planned to ask the Taliban to withdraw to that line until the evacuation was complete. But on his way to Baradar’s suite on the 23rd floor of the Ritz-Carlton in Doha, McKenzie was told that Ashraf Ghani was gone and the Taliban was in downtown Kabul.
McKenzie altered his pitch. If Taliban fighters let the evacuation proceed safely, then U.S. military forces gathered at the airport wouldn’t attack them. Baradar threw a wild card: “Why don’t you secure the city?” McKenzie, knowing that retaking Kabul might require tens of thousands of U.S. troops, demurred. His mission was to secure the evacuation.
The Taliban agreed, and the chaotic final airlift began, with U.S. forces eventually evacuating more than 80,000 civilians — at a cost of 13 American troops killed in a terrorist attack by an Islamic State bomber.
Writing an epitaph for a failed 20-year war — and its chaotic last months — is difficult. But McKenzie, the last commander of American troops in this too-long conflict, offers this: “We wanted out. We got out. We subordinated everything to the desire to leave.”
And a year later, for all the mistaken judgements that were part of leaving, it’s good that America’s longest war is over. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/08/15/afghanistan-kabul-us-withdrawal-anniversary-lessons/ | 2022-08-15T23:17:10Z | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/08/15/afghanistan-kabul-us-withdrawal-anniversary-lessons/ | true |
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Illinois Company, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), announced today the pricing of a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.85% first mortgage bonds due 2032 at 99.827% of their principal amount. The transaction is expected to close on Aug. 29, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Ameren Illinois intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to repay at maturity $400 million principal amount of its 2.70% senior secured notes due Sept. 1, 2022, and to repay a portion of its short-term debt.
BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.
The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement related to the offering will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, when available, for the offering may be obtained on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, or by contacting Mizuho Americas LLC, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Debt Capital Markets, phone: 1-866-271-7403. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the first mortgage bonds and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. Our mission is to power the quality of life. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com, find us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois.
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SOURCE Ameren Corporation | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/ameren-illinois-announces-pricing-first-mortgage-bonds-due-2032/ | 2022-08-15T23:20:38Z | https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/ameren-illinois-announces-pricing-first-mortgage-bonds-due-2032/ | true |
On his birthday, Nipsey Hussle gets a true L.A. honor: a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
On Monday morning, a plane circled above Hollywood Boulevard trailing a banner that wished a happy birthday to Nipsey Hussle.
Below, a huge crowd of fans, artists and family members took over the fabled Los Angeles street to celebrate the late rapper receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on what would have been his 37th birthday.
Tributes to Hussle, who died in 2019, were scattered across Hollywood Boulevard, from custom blue Lakers jerseys sporting the number 60 and “Hussle” to larger-than-life paintings available for sale. Even the refreshments were reflective of Hussle’s brand and motto, as a man weaved his way through the crowd selling “Marathon waters” — a.k.a. your standard bottles of Aquafina.
“Nip would have been honored by this moment,” his longtime partner Lauren London said during the star ceremony. “I think he would want everyone to remember that you can’t get to what’s possible unless you commit to moving forward. That doesn’t mean forgetting where you come from, but it requires acknowledging the reality you were born into and the power you have to change that reality for the better.
“So whenever you’re in the City of Angels and you see this star, I hope it encourages you to break away from whatever might be holding you back, and for you to run your marathon until God says that it’s finished,” London added.
Local leaders dedicated the Hyde Park Station on the K Line to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle and the Crenshaw community.
Near the end of the ceremony, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson proclaimed Aug. 15 to be Nipsey Hussle Day in Los Angeles. Harris-Dawson handed the framed proclamation to Hussle’s grandmother, Margaret Boutte, who posed with it alongside Hussle’s sister, Samantha Smith, and his father, Dawit Asghedom.
“Nipsey was the love of my life,” Boutte said. “Always very respectful. I miss him, but I look at his picture and remember all the wonderful times we had together. I thank my daughter for blessing me with Nipsey.”
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which presents the Walk of Fame ceremonies, had initially announced that Monday’s event would take place at 11:30 a.m., but the time was quietly changed to 10 a.m. to keep the crowd from growing too large. James Davis was one of the people who didn’t catch the update, arriving after the five speakers had left the stage.
Davis, who said he had come to the event to honor Hussle’s birthday, still stuck around to take in the celebratory scene. About six months ago, he bought a T-shirt emblazoned with a painting of Hussle’s face but hadn’t worn it until Monday, thinking it was finally the perfect occasion.
“I was trying to find the appropriate reason to wear it, and here we are,” he said. “This is the first day. I don’t know if I’ll wear it again, but I finally popped the tag on this one.”
The Walk of Fame honor is the latest posthumous achievement for Hussle, who was shot and killed in 2019. (His killer, Eric Holder Jr., was convicted in July and will be sentenced on Sept. 15.) Last week, the new Hyde Park Station on the K Line in South Los Angeles was dedicated in his honor. The station is at the Crenshaw and Slauson intersection, where the rapper first sold his early mixtapes and T-shirts and later established the Marathon Clothing store.
“After [Nipsey] caught the vision and he understood what the train would mean to this community and his neighborhood and businesses like his, he got very involved in making sure that this train worked on behalf of our people and helped us express and live out our possibilities and our hopes and our dreams,” Harris-Dawson said at last week’s station ceremony.
The Crenshaw and Slauson intersection was renamed Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom Square in 2019. Since then, his flagship store, the Marathon Clothing, announced plans for a second location on Melrose Avenue. The Marathon Collective, the brand’s first cannabis dispensary, opened in June.
Born Aug. 15, 1985, Hussle became one of the most important rappers in Los Angeles — not only because of how beloved his music was, but because he showed the blueprint to make it out of South Los Angeles with his integrity and independence intact. From an early age, it was clear he didn’t just want to rap, he also wanted to have his hands on everything associated with the process — building his first computer at age 12, later teaching himself to record on it.
Hussle founded his All Money In record label in 2010 after an unsatisfying stint with Epic Records. Assembling a roster that included J. Stone, Pacman da Gunman and Cobby Supreme, Hussle set out to take over L.A. without major-label backing, creating innovative ways to sell his music (he sold 1,000 mixtapes for $100 each in less than 24 hours during the Proud 2 Pay campaign for his Crenshaw mixtape).
In 2018, his long-awaited debut album, “Victory Lap,” finally arrived, validating the lengthy buildup with his most polished project to date. In a partnership with Atlantic Records, the album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 (later peaking at No. 2) and was certified platinum in January 2020.
“This is the best runway I’ve ever put one of my products on,” he told The Times in 2018. “Resource-wise, we were able to get better producers, clearer samples, bigger studios. It’s just been a lot less taxing on me as a businessperson, and I’ve been able to get into my artist bag a lot more, so I’m really happy with how things are going so far.”
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You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. | https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-08-15/nipsey-hussle-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star-ceremony | 2022-08-15T23:22:54Z | https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-08-15/nipsey-hussle-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star-ceremony | true |
The Thatched House Golf Society raised approximately £30,000 for Trinity Hospice and Brian House at its annual golf tournament at the Breck Road club on Saturday.
Now in its third year, the event saw 44 teams of golfers dressed to the nines as various musical legends, from Michael Jackson to Madonna, Prince, The Beatles, and The Village People straight from the YMCA.
Organiser Megan Valentine-Lynden said: “It was a crazy day. Obviously the weather was a big help this year; so many people turned out. We had 44 teams in total, everyone came in fancy dress – some people in leather, which you can imagine in the heat, but everybody stuck it out.
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“Me and my dad plan and organise it every year, and it's always quite a challenge and takes a lot of effort getting business on board, but in the end it’s always worth it.
“We had the village people, we had Michael Jackson, Prince, the Beach Boys, The Beatles, Madonna. My dad's team were the Bay City Rollers.
"Everybody knows somebody who has needed to use Trinity Hospice and Brian House. They need to raise so much money, and so everybody is generous. The day before the event, someone donated £5,000. We had a lot of big donors.”
Her dad and co-organiser Sean Lynden said: “I think it was absolutely superb. we had the weather on our side, everyone made an effort dressing up. live bands and music. and most important we raised over £29,000
“We're gobsmacked. Its the most we’ve ever raised.
"The first year we raised £16,000, last year we raised £25,000. We raised £10,000 at a Christmas Ball, so in three years we’ve raised £80,000, which we are very proud of.
"Without the sponsors and the companies who put teams in to back us, it wouldn’t happen. We owe a lot to the people who showed up on the day and put money in the buckets.” | https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/how-michael-jackson-madonna-prince-the-beatles-and-the-village-people-raised-ps30k-for-trinity-hospice-and-brian-house-at-poulton-golf-club-3806010 | 2022-08-15T23:22:56Z | https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/how-michael-jackson-madonna-prince-the-beatles-and-the-village-people-raised-ps30k-for-trinity-hospice-and-brian-house-at-poulton-golf-club-3806010 | false |
YUMA, Ariz. — Arizona has begun building a barrier of shipping containers along the border in Yuma, citing a lack of action from the Biden administration on resuming the construction of the wall along the border.
Gov. Doug Ducey announced that construction began on Friday and is separate from the action promised by President Biden in late July.
Ducey said Friday that the state is working on its own to add 1,000 feet of cargo containers lined with barbed wire, saying the state can no longer wait for the Biden administration to take action.
Tim Roemer, the Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, told ABC15, "We hope and we really believe that this will make a significant and immediate impact in operational control of our southern border, protecting our state and our nation."
In late July, the Biden administration authorized the completion of the wall in the area, which has become one of the busiest corridors for illegal crossings, but it hasn't begun yet.
A timetable for border wall construction to resume by the federal government has not been released.
Jonathan Lines, the Yuma County Supervisor and chairman of Yuma County Food Bank, said the shipping containers will act as a "funnel or choke point" that will help law enforcement "while the federal government determines what to do."
Lines said the impact of border crossings had been a stressor to the local community.
"We want this to be a detriment," Lines said. "This is such a risky proposition to come across the border." | https://www.wtvr.com/news/national/arizona-using-shipping-containers-to-close-gaps-in-border-wall | 2022-08-15T23:23:08Z | https://www.wtvr.com/news/national/arizona-using-shipping-containers-to-close-gaps-in-border-wall | true |
Legends Julius Erving and George Gervin to serve as coaches
First All-Star game part of the BIG3's biggest weekend ever with Monster Energy Celebrity Game and 2022 BIG3 Championship Game all hosted in Atlanta at State Farm Arena this Sunday
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The BIG3 today announced the players and coaches selected for the league's inaugural All-Star Game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta this Sunday, August 21. Coverage of the game begins at 3:30 pm ET on CBS and Paramount+ followed by the 2022 BIG3 Championship Game. It is a part of a massive weekend that also includes guest musical performances, the BIG3's first-ever Monster Energy Celebrity Game, and the 2022 Championship Game.
The teams are as follows:
"We're proud to feature the amazing talents in the BIG3 with our first-ever All-Star game - the game gets better every year," said BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube. "We can't wait to show out in Atlanta - with the All-Star Game, Celebrity Game, and Championship Game it is the best ticket in town."
Trilogy's Isaiah Briscoe and Earl Clark, and Power's Glen Rice Jr. were awarded All-Star game honors, but will not be playing due to their teams making it to the Championship game. Leandro Barbosa was also selected but will not play due to an injury. Donte Green will take Franklin Session's place to represent the Killer 3s as Franklin is unavailable for personal reasons.
Tickets for Championship weekend can be purchased here. The All-Star and Championship games will air on CBS and Paramount+ with coverage starting at 3:30 pm ET. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to BIG3.com and follow @thebig3 on twitter and instagram.
BIG3 (BIG3.com) is who we are, FIREBALL3 is what we play. It's not your grandfather's 3-on-3. The premier global BIG3 league features many of the greatest, most popular and skilled professional athletes of all time. Founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the BIG3 combines highly competitive, physical, fast game experiences and incredible fan experiences.
Contact:
BIG3: Hannah Palacios, hpalacios@hstrategies.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE BIG3 | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | 2022-08-15T23:23:13Z | https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | false |
WFO LAS VEGAS Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
358 PM PDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM PDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN INYO, SAN BERNARDINO, SOUTHERN NYE AND
WEST CENTRAL CLARK COUNTIES...
At 358 PM PDT, Heavy rainfall of between a half an inch and 1 inch
has been detected near Tecopa road and Charleston View. Flash
Flooding continues.
HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water crossings,
creeks, normally dry washes and roads.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Pahrump, Sandy Valley and Tecopa.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southeastern San Diego County in southwestern California...
* Until 700 PM PDT.
* At 358 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Additional rainfall amounts of
0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding
is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
I-8 Between Pine Valley And Boulevard, Mount Laguna, Cuyamaca
Rancho State Park, I-8 Between Boulevard And Imperial County Line,
Pine Valley, Lake Morena, Campo, Boulevard, Hwy S1 Between Lake
Cuyamaca And Mount Laguna and Descanso.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM PDT THIS
EVENING FOR SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY...
At 359 PM PDT, Heavy rainfall of up to 1 inch occured earlier this
afternoon near Joshua Tree National Park. Runoff from heavy rainfall
remains possible along highway 62 between Joshua Tree and Yucca
Valley.
Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/CA-WFO-LAS-VEGAS-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17375503.php | 2022-08-15T23:26:53Z | https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/CA-WFO-LAS-VEGAS-Warnings-Watches-and-Advisories-17375503.php | true |
Legends Julius Erving and George Gervin to serve as coaches
First All-Star game part of the BIG3's biggest weekend ever with Monster Energy Celebrity Game and 2022 BIG3 Championship Game all hosted in Atlanta at State Farm Arena this Sunday
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The BIG3 today announced the players and coaches selected for the league's inaugural All-Star Game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta this Sunday, August 21. Coverage of the game begins at 3:30 pm ET on CBS and Paramount+ followed by the 2022 BIG3 Championship Game. It is a part of a massive weekend that also includes guest musical performances, the BIG3's first-ever Monster Energy Celebrity Game, and the 2022 Championship Game.
The teams are as follows:
"We're proud to feature the amazing talents in the BIG3 with our first-ever All-Star game - the game gets better every year," said BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube. "We can't wait to show out in Atlanta - with the All-Star Game, Celebrity Game, and Championship Game it is the best ticket in town."
Trilogy's Isaiah Briscoe and Earl Clark, and Power's Glen Rice Jr. were awarded All-Star game honors, but will not be playing due to their teams making it to the Championship game. Leandro Barbosa was also selected but will not play due to an injury. Donte Green will take Franklin Session's place to represent the Killer 3s as Franklin is unavailable for personal reasons.
Tickets for Championship weekend can be purchased here. The All-Star and Championship games will air on CBS and Paramount+ with coverage starting at 3:30 pm ET. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to BIG3.com and follow @thebig3 on twitter and instagram.
BIG3 (BIG3.com) is who we are, FIREBALL3 is what we play. It's not your grandfather's 3-on-3. The premier global BIG3 league features many of the greatest, most popular and skilled professional athletes of all time. Founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the BIG3 combines highly competitive, physical, fast game experiences and incredible fan experiences.
Contact:
BIG3: Hannah Palacios, hpalacios@hstrategies.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE BIG3 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | 2022-08-15T23:27:07Z | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | true |
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ken Blanchard Companies®, a global leader in management training, consulting, and coaching, was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award for Best New Product of the Year in the 19th Annual International Business Awards® today.
The Conversational Capacity® course won Best New Product of the Year in the Business-to-Business category. The course teaches people how to engage in constructive, learning-focused dialogue when challenging topics or conflicts arise so they can make informed decisions and find the best solutions, even under high pressure. That's where difficult exchanges turn into learning opportunities and unfocused meetings become innovation incubators.
"We spent almost two years working with Craig Weber designing engaging learning experiences to bring his Conversational Capacity model to our clients," said Jay Campbell, Chief Product Officer with The Ken Blanchard Companies. "While there are other conversation skills programs out there, nothing is as simple and powerful as Conversational Capacity. The twin forces of candor and curiosity are helping Blanchard clients across seniority levels and industries. We're so proud to win this Silver Stevie® Award for Best New Product of the Year."
Craig Weber, author of the book Conversational Capacity and course design team member, adds, "I am thrilled to see The Ken Blanchard Companies' Conversational Capacity course win this award. The course is designed to help people perform more effectively under pressure and build healthier organizations, teams, and work relationships. It's wonderful to see it recognized in this way."
As one judge stated, the course "…addresses a #1 ongoing business challenge. The world needs more of what this offers."
The Ken Blanchard Companies is a global leader in management training, consulting, and coaching. For more than 40 years, Blanchard has been helping organizations develop inspired leaders at all levels and create cultures of connection that unleash talent and deliver extraordinary results. Blanchard's SLII® powers inspired leaders and is the leadership model of choice for more than 10,000 organizations worldwide. Blanchard also offers a suite of other award-winning leadership development solutions through flexible delivery modalities to meet the specific needs of its clients. Learn more at www.kenblanchard.com
Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE The Ken Blanchard Companies | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/ken-blanchard-companies-wins-silver-stevie-award-2022-international-business-awards/ | 2022-08-15T23:28:12Z | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/ken-blanchard-companies-wins-silver-stevie-award-2022-international-business-awards/ | true |
MORGAN CITY, La., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Conrad Industries, Inc. (OTC Pink: CNRD) announced today its second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2022 financial results and backlog at June 30, 2022.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2022, Conrad had net loss of $3.4 million and loss per diluted share of $0.67 compared to net income of $8.6 million and income per diluted share of $1.71 during the second quarter of 2021. The Company had net loss of $3.5 million and loss per diluted share of $0.69 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to net income of $9.3 million and earnings per diluted share of $1.85 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Net income in the second quarter and first six months of 2021 included the Paycheck Protection Program loan being forgiven in the second quarter of 2021 and our qualification for the Employee Retention Credit for the first two quarters of 2021. The Company's financial reports are available at www.otcmarkets.com.
During the first six months of 2022, Conrad added $198.8 million of backlog to its new construction segment compared to $60.8 million added to backlog during the first six months of 2021. Conrad's backlog was $245.1 million at June 30, 2022, the second-highest backlog in our company's history, $148.5 million at December 31, 2021 and $170.9 million at June 30, 2021. Since the end of the second quarter the Company has signed an additional $34.9 million in contracts.
Conrad Industries, Inc., established in 1948 and headquartered in Morgan City, Louisiana, designs, builds and overhauls tugboats, ferries, liftboats, dredges, barges, offshore supply vessels and other steel products for both the commercial and government markets. The company provides both repair and new construction services at its five shipyards located in southern Louisiana and Texas.
For Information Contact:
Cecil Hernandez (985) 702-0195
CAHernandez@ConradIndustries.com
View original content:
SOURCE Conrad Industries, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/conrad-industries-announces-second-quarter-2022-results-backlog/ | 2022-08-15T23:33:11Z | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/conrad-industries-announces-second-quarter-2022-results-backlog/ | true |
Legends Julius Erving and George Gervin to serve as coaches
First All-Star game part of the BIG3's biggest weekend ever with Monster Energy Celebrity Game and 2022 BIG3 Championship Game all hosted in Atlanta at State Farm Arena this Sunday
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The BIG3 today announced the players and coaches selected for the league's inaugural All-Star Game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta this Sunday, August 21. Coverage of the game begins at 3:30 pm ET on CBS and Paramount+ followed by the 2022 BIG3 Championship Game. It is a part of a massive weekend that also includes guest musical performances, the BIG3's first-ever Monster Energy Celebrity Game, and the 2022 Championship Game.
The teams are as follows:
"We're proud to feature the amazing talents in the BIG3 with our first-ever All-Star game - the game gets better every year," said BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube. "We can't wait to show out in Atlanta - with the All-Star Game, Celebrity Game, and Championship Game it is the best ticket in town."
Trilogy's Isaiah Briscoe and Earl Clark, and Power's Glen Rice Jr. were awarded All-Star game honors, but will not be playing due to their teams making it to the Championship game. Leandro Barbosa was also selected but will not play due to an injury. Donte Green will take Franklin Session's place to represent the Killer 3s as Franklin is unavailable for personal reasons.
Tickets for Championship weekend can be purchased here. The All-Star and Championship games will air on CBS and Paramount+ with coverage starting at 3:30 pm ET. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to BIG3.com and follow @thebig3 on twitter and instagram.
BIG3 (BIG3.com) is who we are, FIREBALL3 is what we play. It's not your grandfather's 3-on-3. The premier global BIG3 league features many of the greatest, most popular and skilled professional athletes of all time. Founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the BIG3 combines highly competitive, physical, fast game experiences and incredible fan experiences.
Contact:
BIG3: Hannah Palacios, hpalacios@hstrategies.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE BIG3 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | 2022-08-15T23:34:58Z | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | true |
As a New Blog on the Online Advantages Website Notes, Well-Developed Plumbing SEO Strategies Can Definitely Give Plumbing Companies an Edge
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Maglodi, founder of the full service internet marketing company Online Advantages, recently heard from the owner of a plumbing company who was wondering if SEO would really help the business in a tangible way.
As Maglodi knows firsthand, high quality SEO services can definitely help virtually any type of company to succeed. This inspired him to write a new blog that takes an in-depth look at how SEO can assist plumbing companies.
To read the new blog, which is titled "How Can SEO Help My Plumbing Marketing" in its entirety, please visit https://onlineadvantages.net/how-can-seo-help-my-plumbing-marketing/.
As the blog notes, marketing has definitely evolved over the years. While plumbing companies used to get by in the mid-90s with a great looking website, today it is imperative to branch out to an even stronger online presence.
"Well-developed plumbing SEO strategies can give you an edge by increasing your rankings in local search engine results, so potential customers can find you when they need you," the blog notes, adding that this approach gives plumbing companies a greater ROI versus traditional advertising, helps the company save money on costly print, TV, and radio ads, and offers instant, two-way contact and communication between the company and their target market.
To help plumbing companies get started on improving their SEO strategies, the blog also includes five helpful tips that are simple, actionable things the owners can do on their own.
For instance, plumbing companies should check their business listings to make sure their business citations, such as hours, locations, services, and client testimonials are up-to-date, accurate, and true. This way, plumbing companies can rest assured that their business shows up in Google Maps properly and reflects the customer experience the clientele can expect. Checking Google Analytics and the website design and how it looks to visitors to the site are also quick DIY SEO tasks.
Online Advantages is a unique full service internet marketing company. Founder Matt Maglodi specializes in all aspects of online marketing from video marketing, to pay per click advertising, organic search and social media. For more information, please visit https://onlineadvantages.net/.
View original content:
SOURCE Online Advantages | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/can-seo-really-help-your-plumbing-company-latest-blog-online-advantages-takes-deep-dive/ | 2022-08-15T23:35:04Z | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/can-seo-really-help-your-plumbing-company-latest-blog-online-advantages-takes-deep-dive/ | false |
The 2022 NFL season draws closer with each passing day. With just a little over three weeks left till kickoff, fans are gearing up for what should be another enthralling season of football.
While blockbuster trades dominated headlines early on in the offseason, off-the-field controversies have hogged most of the limelight over the past few weeks.
With players now looking to impress in preseason games, rosters are starting to take shape. On that note, we bring you some of the most gripping storylines from around the NFL on August 15, 2022.
Odell Beckham Jr. looks to put feud to rest with Baker Mayfield
Odell Beckham Jr. and Baker Mayfield were once teammates in Cleveland. The duo were pictured to the be the future for the Browns franchise.
Beckham, however, became frustrated with the lack of targets and eventually pushed for an exit from the Dawg Pound. This came at the cost of a rather public spat between OBJ's father and Mayfield.
While Beckham went on to sign with the Los Angeles Rams to claim Super Bowl 2022, his former quarterback, Mayfield, was traded to the Carolina Panthers after the Browns acquired controversial superstar Deshaun Watson.
The two, though, now seem to have quelled their beef after Beckham posted a rather encouraging message for Mayfield ahead of his pre-season game with the Panthers.
Beckham commented on a post by the NFL featuring Mayfield, saying:
"Go shine!!!!!!"
Mayfield is currently in a quarterback battle in Carolina with Sam Darnold for the starting job.
Former NFL star Aqib Talib's brother surrenders to cops over murder charges
Yaqub Talib, the brother of retired NFL cornerback Aqib Talib turned himself in after being identified by police as a suspect in the murder of a youth football coach in Texas.
As per a report by WFAA, coaches with the youth team DEA Dragons identified the man killed as Mike Hickmon. Dragons president Mike Freeman said the altercation took place when Hickmon went to pick up a football and someone kicked it away.
Yaqub's attorney, Clark Birdsall, had this to say regarding his client's actions:
"(Yaqub) regrets the tragic loss of life but self surrendered this morning so that he may have the chance to say his side of the story."
Saints star Alvin Kamara likely to skip lengthy suspension over felony battery charges
New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara looks likely to escape punishment for his arrest following last season's Pro Bowl. NFL insiders have speculated that the running back was looking at a six-game suspension.
However, according to Adam Schefter, that is now unlikely to be the case. NFL journalist Dov Kleiman posted a tweet that referenced Schefter's feedback in regards to the Kamara situation, saying:
"It looks "more and more unlikely" that #Saints RB Alvin Kamara will be disciplined this season, according to @AdamSchefter."
Kamara was arrested immediately after last year's Pro Bowl on suspicion of felony battery. The NFL was aware of his alleged crimes prior, but still allowed the backfield star to take part in the game. | https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-roundup-odell-beckham-jr-message-for-baker-mayfield-former-super-bowl-winner-brother-arrested-15-august-2022 | 2022-08-15T23:36:29Z | https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-roundup-odell-beckham-jr-message-for-baker-mayfield-former-super-bowl-winner-brother-arrested-15-august-2022 | true |
KWCH & KSCW Win National Edward R. Murrow Award
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – KWCH and KSCW Eyewitness News continue their tradition of excellence by winning the 2022 National Edward R. Murrow Award, from the Radio Television Digital News Association, for investigative reporting. KWCH’s Fact Finder 12 investigative team spent more than a year looking into allegations of time theft by the Salina Fire Department.
“Great journalism like this is done every day in newsrooms across the country,” KWCH News Director Kim Wilhelm said. “It’s an honor to have the work of Investigative Reporter Alex Flippin and Chief Photojournalist George Taylor recognized. The real reward is knowing that real journalism makes a difference in our communities. Alex and George’s investigation led to numerous changes in the department.”
This is Eyewitness News’ fifth national Murrow Award since 2003 and its 23rd regional award. Earlier this year, KWCH received a regional award for the Salina time theft investigation and a regional Murrow Award in the News Series category for the team’s monthly Cold Case series.
The Murrow Awards are named after pioneering television news broadcaster Edward R. Murrow to recognize the pursuit of excellence in journalism and are presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association. RTDNA is the world’s largest professional organization of electronic news professionals, dedicated to setting standards for newsgathering and reporting.
The award will be presented at RTNDA’s Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on October 10 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
Copyright 2022 KWCH. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/2022/08/15/kwch-kscw-win-national-edward-r-murrow-award/ | 2022-08-15T23:37:55Z | https://www.kwch.com/2022/08/15/kwch-kscw-win-national-edward-r-murrow-award/ | true |
Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey has come under fire for his social media posts including saying the holocaust “doesn’t even compare on a shadow” of lives lost from abortion.
But Bailey is not alone in using social media to share his cultural views. His running mate, Lt. Governor candidate Stephanie Trussell, also posts on Facebook and Twitter.
“Stick your finger in the lock and your DNA will open the appropriate door,” she tweeted in 2017. “We are not interchangeable. Do you think ‘Bruce,’ referring to Kaitlyn Jenner, has true joy?”
Trussell has used Facebook posts to mock Planned Parenthood.
“President Obama became the first sitting president ever to address Klanned Parenthood,” she posted.
The candidate also has a series of posts about gays and lesbians.
“Just say no! The LGBTQXYZ agenda is aggressively trying to repurpose classic stories and films. How can a godmother be genderless? Satan is a liar!” Trussell posted in 2020 about actor Billy Porter playing a genderless fairy godmother.
Trussell is sharply critical of politicians that back the “gay agenda.”
“Since Bill Clinton was called the first black president can we call Barack Obama the first gay president?” she tweeted in 2015.
Political analyst Paul Lisnek says answering questions about social media posts is the last thing Bailey and Trussell want to be focused on as they ramp up for the general election.
“Crime is skyrocketing and jobs and families are fleeing under JB Pritzker’s watch. But his campaign and the media are making a big election about old social media posts. Darren Bailey and I are focused on making Illinois safer and more affordable for every Illinoisan,” Trussell said in a statement to WGN News. | https://wgntv.com/news/klanned-parenthood-baileys-running-mates-old-social-media-posts-surface/ | 2022-08-15T23:38:44Z | https://wgntv.com/news/klanned-parenthood-baileys-running-mates-old-social-media-posts-surface/ | false |
Alex Rodriguez is putting Derek Jeter on blast.
In a recent joint interview with ESPN, Rodriguez, 47 recalled a story about staying over at Jeter's house in their days in the MLB and hilariously called out his former teammate for his lifestyle.
"He was the ultimate bachelor," he shared during the Kay-Rod Cast of the Yankees-Red Sox game on Aug. 14. "A great example of that is you open his fridge, there was nothing there."
He continued, "He does have some cereal, so now I'm eating Lucky Charms, no milk, I get a little orange juice, put it on the Lucky Charms and that was my breakfast of champions."
In response, Jeter, 48—who married model Hannah Davis Jeter in 2016 and went on to welcome daughters Bella Raine, 5, Story Grey, 3 and 8-month-old River Rose—laughed and said he couldn't remember the details, before admitting, "My fridge still doesn't have much in it to be quite honest."
The athletes started playing professional baseball in the '90s and were good friends. However, their bromance soon turned into a rivalry as their popularities rose. After Rodriguez signed a record breaking $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2000, he seemingly threw shade at Jeter.
"The 252 is going to be hard to break because of my age and my talent at such a young age," he told ESPN at the time. "Even a guy like Derek, it's going to be hard for him to break that because he just doesn't do the power numbers and defensively he doesn't do all those things."
The two later became teammates on the New York Yankees from 2004 to 2014, winning the World Series together in 2009 amid their icy relationship.
During their recent ESPN interview, A-Rod admitted that he has "regrets" about his past rivalry with Jeter and revealed that the two met up nearly two months ago to end their feud—with "a lot of cocktails."
Jeter also confirmed that their beef has since been squashed and the two have "moved on" and "learned."
"Things happen in life. You realize life is short," he added. "You don't hold grudges anymore and you move on." | https://www.eonline.com/news/1342097/alex-rodriguez-calls-out-ultimate-bachelor-derek-jeter-during-reunion?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories | 2022-08-15T23:46:51Z | https://www.eonline.com/news/1342097/alex-rodriguez-calls-out-ultimate-bachelor-derek-jeter-during-reunion?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories | false |
Patients and Taxpayers Forced to Absorb Preventable Costs
Patient Voice Patient Choice™ Campaign Engages Private Insurers and CMS
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), the nation's largest independent and patient-led kidney organization, unveiled an aggressive consumer engagement and mobilization campaign to help patients engage their commercial insurers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) on coverage decisions that undermine patient access to new and safe care innovations approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The AAKP Patient Voice Patient Choice™ campaign provides a sophisticated, interactive platform for patients, care partners, and others of goodwill to quickly identify and understand barriers impacting care choice and timely access to new treatments (www.patientvoicepatientchoice.org). The campaign includes tactics such as social media, letters to insurers and shareholders, online petitions, Congressional contact software, and voter registration tools.
In the United States, AAKP and allied kidney medical professionals, along with bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, have pushed to increase kidney research funding and to accelerate policies that remove barriers to treatment innovation. In the past several years, the FDA has increased substantive patient engagement, listened closely to patient concerns, and has approved several long-awaited and safe advancements in kidney care. The FDA's approvals have sparked massive, renewed interest in kidney medicine among existing and start-up pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The FDA's approvals have also created tremendous hope among patients and families suffering from the devastatingly high personal and financial costs of kidney diseases and related conditions such as diabetes, pruritus, and other debilitating ailments. Newly approved innovations include improved dialysis technologies, including those used in home dialysis, which help patients gain greater independence, including the ability to pursue aspirations for full-time and part-time work.
However, access to new kidney innovations has been severely curtailed by intentionally cumbersome insurance policies and cost controls that interfere with the ability of kidney doctors to prescribe the right treatment at the right time. These same payer policies often force highly vulnerable patients and their caregivers to navigate lengthy and complicated appeals processes. Unfortunately, many of these appeals offer little hope of a reversal, despite growing medical evidence that new therapies improve health outcomes beyond status quo kidney treatments. Nationally, intensifying patient frustrations toward insurers and barriers to timely treatment access have fueled bipartisan Congressional support for H.R. 3173 Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, sponsored by Congressional Kidney Caucus Co-Chair Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and supported by Caucus Co-Chair Larry Bucshon (R-IN). AAKP also supports H.R. 3173. AAKP supports the efforts of Representatives DelBene and Bucshon to increase care choice and access for patients.
AAKP President Richard Knight, a national kidney advocate, stated, "Kidney patient consumers and their allies have worked for many years to bring new treatments to market and to end disparate care. They are not about to sit idly as payer policies and red tape block timely access to care options that prevent further suffering or more serious illness. AAKP has organized patient consumers and they will raise their voices and exercise their votes to hold insurers, elected leaders, and other decision makers publicly accountable for their indifference toward highly vulnerable kidney patients." At a June 14, 2022, virtual event, The Hill Live: Chronic Kidney Disease – Forging Patient-Centered Solutions, Knight and AAKP thanked companies that have already been responsive to kidney patient concerns. Knight and AAKP also called out Humana for their ongoing lack of responsiveness to kidney patient concerns and for Humana's byzantine policies that block diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients from gaining full access to a new treatment that slows DKD progression (WATCH HERE). Knight is a former dialysis patient, current 16-year transplant recipient, and a former U.S. Congressional staff member and liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus.
AAKP Vice President and Chair of the AAKP Veterans Health Initiative Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC, stated, "AAKP is increasingly concerned that access-related issues are interfering with gains in kidney medicine during The Decade of the Kidney™. We strongly encourage responsible leaders in the insurance industry and at CMS to elevate these issues internally and weigh the ongoing defense of restrictive policies against the long-term costs borne by patients, taxpayers, and the nation when new treatments are walled off from patients in serious need. Defending status quo healthcare in an era of innovation is never a sustainable position." Hickey is a former Administrative Assistant on Capitol Hill and was involved in the first comprehensive Congressional initiative on brain diseases. He has served in two presidential administrations, including roles as a liaison to national Veteran Service Organizations, such as the Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
AAKP Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, a 42-year kidney patient who has lived with a kidney transplant for the past 25 years, stated, "The alignment of insurer and federal payment decisions to new, federally-approved and safe kidney therapies and devices is pivotal to sustained private sector involvement in kidney innovations and improved health outcomes. If current payer policies fail to evolve, advances in kidney care are in jeopardy, and both patients and American taxpayers will continue to bear the long-term costs of avoidable and unnecessary kidney disease complications and kidney failure. AAKP patient members and our allies find this situation totally unacceptable and are already taking action." Conway is a former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which administers the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the world's largest employer-sponsored group health insurance program.
The Patient Voice Patient Choice ™ campaign is another element of AAKP's Decade of the Kidney™ initiative (www.decadeofthekidney.org), launched in 2019. The initiative aims to widen national and global kidney patient involvement in decisions that impact disease research and the development of innovations, including safe new drugs, devices, and transformative technologies including artificial wearable and implantable kidneys and xenotransplants. For the past four years, AAKP, in partnership with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has also led the Global Summit on Kidney Disease Innovations, one of the largest patient-led innovation conferences in the world with engagement in over 80 countries. In June of 2022, the European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA) formally expanded its ongoing involvement in The Decade of the Kidney™ initiative by including it in the theme of their annual European Kidney Forum in the European Parliament in Brussels. AAKP also conducts the largest voter registration drive in the kidney community, the KidneyVoter™ program.
Kidney disease has an incredibly alarming and growing impact on Americans and their families and a disproportionate impact across minority, underserved, and rural communities. The human burdens and costs to patients, their families, and the American taxpayer are immense. Up to 37 million Americans are estimated to have kidney disease, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 90 percent of patients are unaware that they suffer from the disease. Kidney disease and kidney failure exact a heavy toll on patients, families, and the American taxpayer, with Medicare costs alone estimated at $120 billion dollars. Status quo kidney care is characterized by late disease diagnosis, outdated dialysis technologies, disparate treatment access, long waiting times for organ transplants, and extremely high mortality rates.
About the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP): In the past decade, AAKP patients have helped gain lifetime transplant drug coverage for kidney transplant recipients (2020); new patient-centered policies via the White House Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health (2019); new job protections for living organ donors from the U.S. Department of Labor (2018); and Congressional legislation allowing HIV positive organ transplants for HIV positive patients (2013). AAKP virtual platforms and social networks are internationally known for their impact. Follow AAKP on social media at @kidneypatient on Facebook and @kidneypatients on Twitter, and visit www.aakp.org for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Rate
Marketing & Communications Manager
jrate@aakp.org
(813) 400-2394
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SOURCE American Association of Kidney Patients | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/kidney-patients-cite-insurance-payment-issues-critical-barriers-fda-approved-care-innovations/ | 2022-08-15T23:48:39Z | https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/kidney-patients-cite-insurance-payment-issues-critical-barriers-fda-approved-care-innovations/ | false |
From Emergency Water Damage Restoration, Flood Cleanup, Mold Removal and More, M&G Water & Fire Restoration Can Handle It
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joel Gracia, the founder of M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc., is pleased to announce that when it comes to water damage restoration services in San Jose, California, his company is definitely one that customers can trust.
To read more about the water damage restoration services that M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services offers, please visit https://sanjose.mgwaterfirerestorationservicesinc.com/water-damage-restoration-service-for-san-jose-ca/.
As the blog notes, M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. is the locally owned and operated professional water damage company that has proudly been serving San Jose and the Bay Area for years with a comprehensive menu of superior water damage remediation and restoration services.
When a San Jose home or business owner notices water damage from a plumbing leak, burst pipe, severe weather or other cause, they can rest assured that the team from M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. has what it takes to get the job done quickly and correctly.
"We are proud to offer water damage recovery that not only fixes the immediate cause of the damage, but also helps to prevent it from occurring again while preserving and restoring as much of your property to like-new condition as possible," the blog notes.
Some of the many water damage restoration services the company offers includes:
- Air duct cleaning
- Content cleaning, rehabilitation, repair, and restoration
- Disaster restoration
- Electrical backups
- Emergency water damage restoration
- Excess water extraction
- Flood damage restoration
- Grout cleaning
- Mold remediation
- Mold testing and detection
- Natural disaster recovery
- Odor removal
- Rug cleaning
- Sewage cleanup
- Storm damage
- Water damage recovery
- Water damage remediation
For years, M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. has offered high-quality water and fire restoration and mold removing services. Clients can expect to work with consummate professionals who are highly trained and experienced. All of the company's technicians are certified by The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC). They're well versed in the specifics involved in water and fire recovery and restoration. For more information, please visit https://mgwaterfirerestorationservicesinc.com/bay-area-water-damage-experts/.
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SOURCE M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/mampg-water-amp-fire-restoration-services-inc-offers-water-damage-restoration-services-san-jose-residents-can-trust/ | 2022-08-15T23:51:13Z | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/mampg-water-amp-fire-restoration-services-inc-offers-water-damage-restoration-services-san-jose-residents-can-trust/ | true |
UTICA, N.Y. -- It was a job that every kid wanted years ago. Today, new recruits for the Utica police department are hard to come by. Utica PD is not alone in recruitment issues. A 2019 study done by the International Association of Chiefs of Police found that 78% of police agencies reported having difficulty in recruiting qualified candidates. A problem that Utica police Chief Mark Williams says his department is trying to solve.
“It’s kind of interesting,” Chief Williams explained, “in the past you would go to job fairs, place ads in the newspaper. Those are things that have passed. You will not get your word out to the public that you are recruiting if you still use those old, same methods. Believe it or not, the most successful campaigns we're having is social media”.
Those social media campaigns are posts containing testimonials from current UPD officers explaining why they joined the force. These stories are something Chief Williams says go a long way.
"We wanted the individual testimonials from the officers themselves. Let them speak about their careers, let them speak about policing in general, I think when that message comes from an individual that’s actually doing the job, that goes a long way" Williams said.
According to Chief Williams, the most rewarding part of the career has been growth, both personal and professional in his time as a law enforcement officer.
Williams explained that "I can only speak for myself. I can tell you this is one of the most rewarding careers anyone can get into. I've grown both professionally and personally because of this career choice."
If you think you have what it takes to be one of Utica’s finest, there's still time to apply. The deadline to submit an application is by the end of the business day this Friday the 19th, with the exam being held on the 17th of September. | https://www.wktv.com/news/utica-police-enlist-social-media-to-aid-recruitment/article_3b39c3ea-1ce0-11ed-b802-673875072d5d.html | 2022-08-15T23:55:24Z | https://www.wktv.com/news/utica-police-enlist-social-media-to-aid-recruitment/article_3b39c3ea-1ce0-11ed-b802-673875072d5d.html | false |
Legends Julius Erving and George Gervin to serve as coaches
First All-Star game part of the BIG3's biggest weekend ever with Monster Energy Celebrity Game and 2022 BIG3 Championship Game all hosted in Atlanta at State Farm Arena this Sunday
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The BIG3 today announced the players and coaches selected for the league's inaugural All-Star Game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta this Sunday, August 21. Coverage of the game begins at 3:30 pm ET on CBS and Paramount+ followed by the 2022 BIG3 Championship Game. It is a part of a massive weekend that also includes guest musical performances, the BIG3's first-ever Monster Energy Celebrity Game, and the 2022 Championship Game.
The teams are as follows:
"We're proud to feature the amazing talents in the BIG3 with our first-ever All-Star game - the game gets better every year," said BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube. "We can't wait to show out in Atlanta - with the All-Star Game, Celebrity Game, and Championship Game it is the best ticket in town."
Trilogy's Isaiah Briscoe and Earl Clark, and Power's Glen Rice Jr. were awarded All-Star game honors, but will not be playing due to their teams making it to the Championship game. Leandro Barbosa was also selected but will not play due to an injury. Donte Green will take Franklin Session's place to represent the Killer 3s as Franklin is unavailable for personal reasons.
Tickets for Championship weekend can be purchased here. The All-Star and Championship games will air on CBS and Paramount+ with coverage starting at 3:30 pm ET. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to BIG3.com and follow @thebig3 on twitter and instagram.
BIG3 (BIG3.com) is who we are, FIREBALL3 is what we play. It's not your grandfather's 3-on-3. The premier global BIG3 league features many of the greatest, most popular and skilled professional athletes of all time. Founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the BIG3 combines highly competitive, physical, fast game experiences and incredible fan experiences.
Contact:
BIG3: Hannah Palacios, hpalacios@hstrategies.com
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SOURCE BIG3 | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | 2022-08-15T23:55:46Z | https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/big3-announces-star-studded-coach-player-lineups-inaugural-all-star-game/ | true |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A California man jailed in Las Vegas on suspicion of causing a loud noise that sparked panic and travel delays Sunday at Harry Reid International Airport had been arrested at the airport less than 24 hours earlier for allegedly causing a disturbance near a ticket counter, a police official said Monday.
The sharp sound of a door closing or a trash can toppling — apparently mistaken for gunfire — caused passengers...
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — A California man jailed in Las Vegas on suspicion of causing a loud noise that sparked panic and travel delays Sunday at Harry Reid International Airport had been arrested at the airport less than 24 hours earlier for allegedly causing a disturbance near a ticket counter, a police official said Monday.
The sharp sound of a door closing or a trash can toppling — apparently mistaken for gunfire — caused passengers to abandon security lines about 4:30 a.m. Sunday. More loud noises reverberated through the airport’s busy Terminal 1 as metal posts were knocked over in the chaos, Las Vegas police Officer Larry Hadfield said.
Stefan Mathias Hutchison’s alleged role causing the sound was not immediately described.
“The initial sound was a door or trash can falling,” Hadfield said. “That triggered patrons to leave lines, which caused stanchions to fall, causing a succession of loud sounds.”
No serious injuries were reported by airport officials, but social media posts showed people running and, later, crowded in concourses of the terminal that serves most domestic flights.
Dozens of commercial flights in and out of Las Vegas were canceled or delayed throughout the day, and thousands of people were affected. Passengers who had been screened by Transportation Security Administration were required to re-screen at security checkpoints before boarding their flights.
Hutchison, 33, of Carmichael, California, was taken into custody at the airport on a felony burglary charge and held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas pending a court appearance, records showed. Hutchison was not armed, Hadfield said.
On Saturday, Hutchison had been arrested about 8:30 a.m. on misdemeanor misconduct and resisting an officer charges, and freed from jail without bail later that day. The initial police call in that case was about a possible airport security breach, Hadfield said.
On Monday, Hutchison refused to be taken from the jail to appear before a judge. Court records showed he was rescheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning. A deputy public defender who was appointed temporarily to represent him did not immediately respond to messages.
Airport spokesman Joe Rajchel said Monday he had no information about people injured in the chaos. He said operations had returned to normal. Reid airport is one of the 10 busiest airports in the world, according to the trade group Airports Council International.
“While Sunday’s incident was a false alarm, the response to any given situation is unique and will be informed by the confirmed details available in real time,” the airport said in a statement.
Copyright
© 2022 . All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. | https://federalnewsnetwork.com/u-s-news/2022/08/california-man-jailed-after-sharp-sound-vegas-airport-panic/ | 2022-08-15T23:57:38Z | https://federalnewsnetwork.com/u-s-news/2022/08/california-man-jailed-after-sharp-sound-vegas-airport-panic/ | true |
MAINE, USA — It's been a quiet hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin to date, but we still have a ways to go — the season lasts through the end of November, NBC 10 Boston reports.
We've had three tropical storms so far, which is running a little bit behind the pace of 2021. And July, in particular, was pretty quiet.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters have decreased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60% (down from the 65% chance in their May outlook). While we've had no hurricanes yet, NOAA's outlook still predicts six to 10, and they expect three to five of those to become major storms, meaning CAT 3 or higher.
Read the full story on NBC 10 Boston's website here. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/weather/atlantic-hurricane-season-off-to-slow-start-peak-still-month-away-weather/97-d76d95b2-986d-4f25-b086-8f3e7db89d21 | 2022-08-15T23:57:44Z | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/weather/atlantic-hurricane-season-off-to-slow-start-peak-still-month-away-weather/97-d76d95b2-986d-4f25-b086-8f3e7db89d21 | true |
Unsealed documents tell the what and why of the FBI's search of Trump's property
Unsealed documents tell the what and why of the FBI's search of Trump's property
The FBI recovered classified information in its search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago property this week. Unsealed court filings are offering clues about the investigation.
DANIEL ESTRIN, HOST:
The FBI recovered highly classified information in its search of former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago property this week. That's according to an inventory the agency filed in court of what it collected. The judge who authorized the search unsealed that list as well as the search warrant yesterday. NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson joins us now with more details. Hi, Carrie.
CARRIE JOHNSON, BYLINE: Hi, Daniel.
ESTRIN: What do we know at this point about what exactly the FBI is investigating?
JOHNSON: Well, the paperwork tells us a lot but not everything. The FBI took several boxes of information from former President Trump's residence and office at Mar-a-Lago including material classified as top-secret. Federal agents took a clemency grant for Trump's longtime friend Roger Stone. They took unspecified information about the president of France, and they took at least one binder filled with photos.
ESTRIN: OK. Now, Trump has not been charged with any crime here, right? But I understand these warrants usually list laws that may have been violated.
JOHNSON: That's right. The court papers list three laws that appear to be central to the investigation. One involves obstruction of federal probes, raising the question of what investigation Trump might have been trying to obstruct. Was it this one into the documents or something else? A second law is listed that makes it a crime to conceal, remove or mutilate government records - and finally, a part of the Espionage Act that involves gathering, transmitting or losing sensitive information related to the national defense. Breaking any of these laws is a serious matter and could involve prison time. But again, there are currently no charges against former President Trump or any of his aides who may have packed or shipped this material to Florida.
ESTRIN: What has Trump's public reaction been to all this?
JOHNSON: You know, Trump and his allies first suggested the FBI had planted evidence, providing no basis for that allegation. And in fact, we now know his lawyer signed off on the property receipt following the search on Monday night in Florida. Then, Trump said former President Obama took classified materials when he left the White House. And in fact, the National Archives put out a statement refuting that claim. The Archive says it has millions of documents from the Obama White House, some in Chicago and some classified ones near Washington, D.C., and that none of them are in Obama's control.
ESTRIN: Well, Trump supporters have also argued that he declassified a lot of material, which presidents do have the authority to do. So what are we learning about that?
JOHNSON: Yeah. Since this summer, one of Trump's allies named Kash Patel has argued Trump declassified this material in Florida. But the problem with that is that this process requires paperwork. It's not sure Trump has any paperwork to back up those claims. And legal experts say that it may not matter if the material has been declassified. You still can't take it home with you. And when the government asks for it, you need to give it back.
And in fact, this has been going on back and forth all year. The Archives alerted the Justice Department back in February. Then, it got 15 boxes of material Trump took to Florida with them. For some reason, he didn't turn over these other documents until the FBI came calling with a search warrant. So Merrick Garland, the attorney general, told reporters this week the Justice Department actually uses the least intrusive methods it can, implying that Trump has been stonewalling all this time.
ESTRIN: Wow. So the obvious question, Carrie, is, what's next?
JOHNSON: Yeah, there's a legal fight underway now to unseal the affidavit. That's the reasons why the FBI thought there was probable cause that a crime had been committed and that there was important evidence in Florida. Several media groups are trying to get that document made public in the coming weeks. And then, there's this question of the ongoing federal investigation. What will a grand jury and the Justice Department do here? Will they decide to charge the former president or one of his aides with a crime? That is an enormous step to consider.
ESTRIN: NPR's Carrie Johnson, thanks very much.
JOHNSON: Happy to be here.
Copyright © 2022 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. | https://www.npr.org/2022/08/13/1117347632/unsealed-documents-tell-the-what-and-why-of-the-fbis-search-of-trumps-property | 2022-08-16T00:00:00Z | https://www.npr.org/2022/08/13/1117347632/unsealed-documents-tell-the-what-and-why-of-the-fbis-search-of-trumps-property | false |
WFO CORPUS CHRISTI Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
629 PM CDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT
FOR SOUTH CENTRAL WEBB COUNTY...
At 629 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles northwest of Ranchitos Las Lomas to United
South High School, moving north at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and frequent lightning.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Laredo, Rio Bravo, Texas A&M, Laredo International Airport, St
Augustine High School South Laredo, Laredo Country Club, Laredo
Community College, United South High School and Doctors Hospital Of
Laredo.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 between mile markers 1 and 5.
US Highway 59 between mile markers 814 and 824.
US Highway 83 between mile markers 718 and 730.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.mysanantonio.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-CORPUS-CHRISTI-Warnings-Watches-and-17375552.php | 2022-08-16T00:00:10Z | https://www.mysanantonio.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-CORPUS-CHRISTI-Warnings-Watches-and-17375552.php | false |
Groundbreaking Digital Technology Firm Providing Photorealistic 3D Digital Representations Hires Leading PR Firm
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BeyondView, a data-driven technology offering providing accurate, interactive, and digital commercial real estate solutions, today announced the retention of Rubenstein Public Relations (RPR) as its agency of record.
BeyondView's groundbreaking digital technology is transforming the way commercial real estate professionals manage and market their property portfolios. The firm's groundbreaking technology is a visualization of useable data that provides photorealistic, 3D digital representations of commercial spaces. BeyondView's digital twins offer 360 panoramic pictures, videos, and interactive virtual tours combined with an embedded communications platform to help commercial real estate professionals accelerate the leasing process at a fraction of current costs. The technology's informational collection can be used for resource planning and the management of the supply chain.
BeyondView will leverage RPR's long-standing media relations and expertise in the real estate and technology industries, as well as over three decades of experience crafting corporate messaging and creating brand positioning development designed to generate sustained top tier media results.
"As technology and quick access to operational data continue to play more significant roles in real estate, BeyondView's digital twins not only offer customers stunning 3D representations of spaces but also present useable data for commercial real estate professionals. We are confident that RPR's expertise will help BeyondView create industry-wide relationships and highlight its technological capabilities in the media," said Kul Wadhwa, CEO and Founder of BeyondView.
"BeyondView's visual representations and useable data management has the ability to revolutionize commercial real estate property management and leasing processes," said RPR President Richard Rubenstein. "Leveraging the creative genius behind some of the most prominent tech and graphic companies in the United States, BeyondView's digital twins and easy-to-use communication platform offers CRE professionals an enhanced customer experience at their fingertips."
Melding groundbreaking digital technology with big-screen artistic ability, BeyondView is revolutionizing the way commercial properties are marketed and managed. The team leverages decades of experience in some of the digital world's most notable companies including, Marvel Entertainment, Disney and Pixar, Samsung, and Wikipedia, to create photorealistic 3D visualizations to deliver an identical, interactive digital twin. Integrating useable data and a user-friendly communication platform, BeyondView offers a consolidated customer experience that works from already prepared materials to digitally white box, redesign, and reimagine properties. BeyondView's innovative and unique offerings simplify portfolio scenario and resource planning as well supply chain management. For more information, please visit beyondview.com.
About Rubenstein Public Relations Rubenstein Public Relations (RPR) is an independent, New York-based communications agency headed by veteran publicist and respected brand architect, Richard Rubenstein. For more than three decades, RPR's intensive media relations approach and dedicated team of senior practitioners have helped clients build brand equity and reach their target audiences. The firm specializes in brand messaging development, media relations, crisis communications, and thought leadership positioning. RPR has a proven track record in executing successful public relations campaigns for leading corporate, real estate, technology, healthcare, social impact, luxury consumer, entertainment, and hospitality brands across the globe.
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SOURCE Rubenstein Public Relations | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/beyondview-retains-rubenstein-public-relations-agency-record/ | 2022-08-16T00:00:36Z | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/beyondview-retains-rubenstein-public-relations-agency-record/ | true |
Cameron Smith withdraws from BMW Championship over 'hip discomfort'
Smith's agent said the decision was made with the goal of winning the FedEx Cup playoffs in mind
Cameron Smith has withdrawn from the BMW Championship beginning this week over a nagging "hip discomfort" that he’s been experiencing for several months, his agent confirmed Monday.
The six-time PGA Tour winner made the decision with hopes of still achieving his goal of winning the FedEx Cup playoffs, Bud Martin said in a statement, provided by the Tour.
"Unfortunately, Cam will be unable to compete in the BMW Championship this week in Wilmington DE. He has been dealing with some on and off hip discomfort for several months and thought it would be best to rest this week in his pursuit of the FedEx Cup."
CAMERON SMITH SHUTS DOWN QUESTIONS ABOUT LIV GOLF DEAL
Smith finished the St. Jude Championship this weekend tied for 13th. He shot 70 in the final round after being given a two-shot penalty when rules officials realized upon review that when Smith took a penalty drop in the third round, the ball was still touching the red hazard line.
Smith declined interviews after the tournament, but leading up to it, and amid rumors of joining LIV Golf, the 2022 British Open champion made his intentions clear.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
"I’m here to play the FedEx Cup playoffs," he told reporters during a press conference. "That’s been my focus for the last week and a half. That’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to win the FedEx Cup playoffs."
Reports surfaced last week that Smith — who with the No. 2 ranking would be the highest-ranked player to join the league — signed a $100 million deal and would be competing in the circuit’s fourth tournament in Boston next month.
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In the same presser, Smith said he was "looking forward" to competing at the President’s Cup in late September, but doing so would mean he would not be competing at the LIV Golf series in Boston over Labor Day weekend.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/cameron-smith-withdraws-bmw-championship-over-hip-discomfort | 2022-08-16T00:00:47Z | https://www.foxnews.com/sports/cameron-smith-withdraws-bmw-championship-over-hip-discomfort | false |
The Fall Of Kabul, One Year Later
The Fall Of Kabul, One Year Later
WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images
It's been a year since the United States departed Afghanistan and the Taliban took over.
After two decades of war and occupation, the scenes on the ground were chaotic. But President Joe Biden insists it was the right time to end America's longest war.
And his administration has used the death of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri as an example of how his "over the horizon" strategy is working.
But what did the fall of Kabul mean for those who had to flee Afghanistan? And what does the international community owe to those who stayed?
Jane Ferguson, Joseph Azam, and Bradley Hope join us for the conversation.
Like what you hear? Find more of our programs online. | https://www.npr.org/2022/08/15/1117629357/the-fall-of-kabul-one-year-later | 2022-08-16T00:01:02Z | https://www.npr.org/2022/08/15/1117629357/the-fall-of-kabul-one-year-later | false |
BEIJING (AP) — China’s central bank trimmed a key interest rate Monday to shore up sagging economic growth at a politically sensitive time when President Xi Jinping is trying to extend his hold on power.
The decision suggested Beijing is temporarily setting aside worries over high debt to act to head off a slump before Xi is expected to try to award himself a third five-year term as Communist Party leader at a meeting this fall.
The ruling party has effectively acknowledged it cannot hit this year’s official 5.5% growth target after anti-virus curbs disrupted trade, manufacturing and consumer spending. A crackdown on excessive borrowing in China’s vast real estate industry triggered a plunge in home sales and construction.
“The momentum of economic recovery has slowed,” a government spokesman, Fu Linghui, said at a news conference. “More efforts are needed to consolidate the foundation of economic recovery.”
The People’s Bank of China cut its rate on a one-year loan to 2.75% from 2.85% and injected an extra 400 billion yuan ($60 billion) into lending markets after growth in factory output and retail sales weakened in July and home sales fell by double digits.
The central bank “seems to have decided it now has a more pressing problem,” Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a report.
The slowdown adds to political headwinds for Xi, China’s most powerful leader since at least the 1980s. He still is widely expected to succeed, but some analysts say he might be forced to compromise by sharing more of his sweeping powers with other party leaders.
Despite downward pressure on growth, party leaders affirmed their commitment to the severe “zero-COVID” strategy in a July 29 statement. It dropped previous references to growth targets after the economy grew by just 2.5% over a year earlier in the first half of 2022.
Growth in factory output in July slowed to 3.8% over a year ago, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Growth in consumer spending fell to 2.7%, down 0.4 percentage points from June.
Sales of housing and other commercial real estate fell 28.8% from a year earlier.
Beijing is forcing developers to reduce debt levels, which caused economic growth to plunge in mid-2021, disrupting a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The crackdown has bankrupted smaller developers and fueled fears of a default by the biggest, Evergrande Group, which owes $310 billion to banks and bondholders.
The “downward trend” in real estate has a “great impact on economic growth,” said Fu, the government spokesman.
The rate cut and extra money for lending are small compared with China’s $17 trillion-a-year economy, the world’s second-largest. Instead, such changes are widely seen as a signal to the state-owned banking industry to lend more and cut charges for commercial borrowers.
The ruling party is struggling to revive activity after Shanghai, the country’s business capital, and other industrial centers were shut for weeks starting in late March to fight virus outbreaks.
Managers of the Shanghai port, the world’s busiest, say shipping is back to normal, but economists say it might be months before the flow of smartphones, home appliances, consumer electronics and other goods through complex supply lines fully recovers.
A survey of manufacturers released earlier showed activity in July contracted. Indicators of new orders, exports and employment declined.
Retails sales were off 0.7% from a year earlier in the first half after plunging 11% in April following the temporary shutdown of Shanghai and other cities. | https://www.fox16.com/news/business/china-cuts-interest-rate-to-shore-up-sagging-economy/ | 2022-08-16T00:01:15Z | https://www.fox16.com/news/business/china-cuts-interest-rate-to-shore-up-sagging-economy/ | false |
Q2 2022 Wholesale Revenue Increased 117% Compared to Q2 2021
Q2 2022 General and Administrative Expense Decreased 57% Compared to Q2 2021
CEO Parimal Rana Provides Update on VERY GOOD's Refocused Strategy
VANCOUVER, BC , Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The Very Good Food Company Inc. (NASDAQ: VGFC) (TSXV: VERY) (FSE: OSI) ("VERY GOOD" or the "Company"), a leading plant-based food technology company, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Financial Highlights
- Revenue decreased $1,279,215 or 46% to $1,501,446 in Q2 2022, compared to $2,780,681 in the same period in 2021. The decrease in revenue was driven by a decrease of $1,825,436 in eCommerce sales, offset by an increase of $523,223 in wholesale revenue.
- Wholesale revenue increased 117% to $987,278 in Q2 2022 as compared to the same quarter last year due to an increase in the number of stores and distribution points as well as increased unit velocities on core and new items.
- eCommerce revenue decreased 83% to $380,967 in Q2 2022 as compared to the same period last year due to the Company's strategic decision to limit its eCommerce sales due to high digital marketing costs to acquire new customers, lowered production and headcount at some locations to manage inventory levels. VERY GOOD is focusing on its wholesale and foodservice channels and is evaluating potential exit plans for its eCommerce business.
- General and administrative expense ("G&A expense") decreased $3,899,256 or 57% to $2,935,624 in Q2 2022 compared to $6,834,880 in Q2 2021. Excluding share-based compensation and depreciation expense, adjusted general and administrative expense decreased $1,563,585 or 28% to $4,038,034 in Q2 2022 compared to $5,601,619 in Q1 2022. The decrease in adjusted general and administrative expense was primarily driven by a decrease in salaries and wages.
- Adjusted general and administrative expense ("Adjusted G&A Expense")1 increased $1,829,479 or 183% to $4,038,034 in Q2 2022, compared to $2,208,555 in Q2 2021. The increase in adjusted general and administrative expense was primarily driven by increased legal and professional fees of $1,036,165, increased insurance fees of $659,708 due to increases in director and officer insurance as a result of the Company's Nasdaq listing, increased wages and benefits of $616,539 due to higher head count and offset by a decrease in recruitment fees of $139,543.
- Net loss decreased 46% to $(6,699,130) in Q2 2022 compared to $(12,500,733) in Q2 2021.
- Adjusted EBITDA2 was a loss of $(7,028,270) in Q2 2022 compared to $(5,673,109) in Q2 2021, and $(9,991,892) in Q1 2022.
Cash and Liquidity Update
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $6,156,414, a reduction of $15,819,239 from $21,975,653 as of December 31, 2021. This decrease is primarily related to the Company's greater than expected cash burn during the quarter. As of the date of this MD&A, the Company's cash balance is approximately $3.2 million to settle current accounts payable and accrued liabilities of approximately $4.3 million. The Company will need to seek additional financing by the end of September to fulfil its outstanding obligations and fund ongoing operations and will be required to obtain subsequent financings in future periods. To address its lack of necessary liquidity, the Company has reduced its cash outflow related to paying trade payables while it evaluates its financing options. The Company is also continually evaluating other alternatives of generating cash in the short term such as disposing of non-core equipment and certain raw material inventory to extend the current cash runway. There can be no assurance that disposing of non-core equipment and certain raw material inventory will be successful. While there is no assurance on the availability of the Company's future financings, on acceptable terms, or at all, the Company currently believes that it will be able to raise capital through financing in the near term to fund operations as it continues to implement its new refocused strategy.
Q2 2022 Operational and Corporate Strategy Update
As of August 15, 2022, the Company has ceased regular operations at the Victoria Facility, Fairview Facility, and Patterson Facility and consolidated operations into the Rupert Facility. The Company closed the Victoria Flagship Store in June 2022 and has terminated the lease for the planned location of the Mount Pleasant Flagship Store. The Company made these decisions in an effort to improve production efficiencies and reduce overhead.
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, VERY GOOD made the strategic shift to focus on sustainable growth and a path to profitability as opposed to solely focusing on top line growth. As part of this shift, VERY GOOD decided to limit its eCommerce sales due to high digital marketing costs to acquire new customers, lowered production, and headcount at some locations to manage inventory levels, implemented initiatives such as pausing non-critical capital expenditures and lowering general and administrative expenses.
VERY GOOD has reduced its work force to core management teams with plant staff and overall head count has decreased to approximately 100 from 260 during first half of 2022 as a result of both terminations and employee resignations. The Company has granted stock options as a retention tool to help reduce employee turnover. The Company will continue to review its departments to find efficiencies and will manage inventory levels to only purchase essential raw materials.
VERY GOOD intends to continue to focus on the wholesale and food service channels, particularly in the United States, which it views as critical to realizing its vision to scale the Company.
On June 2, 2022, VERY GOOD closed a private placement offering with an institutional investor for gross proceeds of $8,184,762 (US$6,500,000) consisting of 13,100,000 common shares, 19,400,000 common share equivalents, and 32,500,000 share purchase warrants. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred share issuance costs of $936,659.
On June 23, 2022, VERY GOOD increased U.S. retail expansion via a new agreement with superstore chain Meijer Inc. (Meijer). With 262 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin, Meijer's robust Midwest presence represents significant progress towards VERY GOOD's objective to extend its brand and offer products in every major city across the United States.
On July 7, 2022, VERY GOOD increased U.S. retail expansion via a new agreement with The Giant Company ("Giant"). With Giant's presence throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia as well as online shopping and delivery to New Jersey, this retail distribution significantly expands VERY GOOD'S product availability on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.
On July 27, 2022, VERY GOOD announced further expansion into the Eastern U.S. retail environment with Weis Markets, Inc. ("Weis"). Weis owns and operates 196 supermarkets throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia and also offers online shopping and delivery to Pennsylvania. This additional retail distribution further extends VERY GOOD's product availability in the United States.
On August 15, 2022, VERY GOOD announced that the Company was awarded the Food Network Supermarket Award for our A Cut Above Pork in the "Most Noteworthy Vegan Newcomers" category.
Management Changes
On July 4, 2022, VERY GOOD announced that as part of its succession plan, Matthew Hall has stepped down as interim Co-Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company but will continue to support VERY GOOD in an advisory capacity. Parimal Rana, a seasoned food industry professional who had been serving as VERY GOOD's Vice President of Operations, assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and joined VERY GOOD's board of directors ("Board").
On July 12, 2022, VERY GOOD announced the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), Pratik Patel, CPA, CGA. Pratik commenced employment as CFO of VERY GOOD on July 25, 2022. He has over fifteen years of experience as a senior accounting and finance professional, with expertise in integration and external report.
Effective August 19, 2022, Kevin Callaghan, Vice President of Sales – North America of VERY GOOD will be resigning from his position. With its existing sales team including Michael Hoeksema, Director of Foodservice Sales, VERY GOOD believes it is still well positioned to continue its planned market advancements in the immediate term – with potential augmentations or additions to the sales team as needed. VERY GOOD wishes Kevin the best in his future endeavors.
Nasdaq Listing Notification
On January 11, 2022, VERY GOOD received notification from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq that, for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price of the Common Shares had closed below the minimum US$1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the "Bid Price Rule"). On July 11, 2022, VERY GOOD was granted an additional 180-day period from Nasdaq's Listing Qualification Department or until January 9, 2023, to regain compliance with the minimum US$1 bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. The Nasdaq notification has no immediate effect on the listing of the Common Shares. VERY GOOD is also listed on the TSXV and the notification does not affect the Company's compliance status with such listing. Nasdaq informed VERY GOOD in the July 11 notification, that if compliance cannot be demonstrated by January 9, 2023, Nasdaq will provide written notification that VERY GOOD's securities will be delisted – at which time, the Company may appeal Staff's determination to a Hearings Panel (the "Panel").
Nasdaq's determination of VERY GOOD'S eligibility for an additional 180 calendar day period during which the Company can regain compliance, was based on VERY GOOD meeting the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other applicable requirements for initial listing on the Capital Market with the exception of the bid price requirement, and the Company's written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary.
Refocused Strategy
The Company continues to implement its three-prong approach to (1) Stabilize, (2) Right-Size, and (3) Optimize, first announced in May 2022. The Board and its strategic advisors are focused on the stabilization prong and the management team, led by the CEO Parimal Rana, are executing to Right-Size and Optimize. The Right-Sizing efforts have mostly been completed with the closure of the restaurant operations and consolidation of production facilities into the Rupert Facility. With the re-focusing of sales away from eCommerce and toward wholesale and food service the Company is also reviewing strategic private label and co-manufacturing opportunities to fill excess production capacity and increase revenue.
The Company's long-term strategy is anticipated to continue to center around establishing and maintaining strong relationships with its customers through differentiated products, categories and channels that build our commitment to long-term profitable growth
CEO Parimal Rana commented on VERY GOOD's second quarter results and the current state of the organization. "In Q2 2022 We made notable progress toward our initiative to stabilize, right-size and optimize the business. We recognize that the hard work is not over, and we are still completely focused on forging a path toward profitability and growth by leveraging our track record of innovation and our clean, plant-based products that are well received by vegan as well as flexitarian consumers. It's never easy to report a sequentially down quarter, but the growth we are seeing in wholesale revenue, as well as some of our more recent wins are encouraging validation of our new strategic initiative to focus on the wholesale and foodservice channels. We are positioning ourselves to be on the leading edge of the plant-based-foods market recovery and future growth opportunity."
The management's discussion and analysis for the period and the accompanying financial statements and notes will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and will be furnished on a Report on Form 6-K on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Q2 2022 Conference Call Details
VERY GOOD will host a conference call on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time/ 2:00 pm Pacific Time to discuss its financial results and business outlook.
Participant Dial-In Numbers:
Toll-Free: 1-877-425-9470
Toll / International: 1-201-389-0878
* Participants should request The Very Good Food Company Second Quarter Earnings Call.
The call will be available via webcast on VERY GOOD's investor page of the Company website at https://investor.theverygoodfood.co/ until September 16, 2022.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in Canadian dollars, unaudited)
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(Expressed in Canadian dollars, unaudited)
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in Canadian dollars, unaudited)
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES
Non-IFRS financial measures are metrics used by management that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA
Management defines adjusted EBITDA as net loss before finance expense, tax, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation and other non-cash items, including loss on disposal of equipment, gain on termination of leases, and shares, units and warrants issued for services. Management believes adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial metric to assess its operating performance because it adjusts for items that either do not relate to the Company's underlying business performance or that are items that are not reasonably likely to recur.
Adjusted General and Administrative Expense
Management defines adjusted general and administrative expense as general and administrative expense excluding non-cash items such as share-based compensation and depreciation expense. Management believes adjusted general and administrative expense provides useful information as it represents the corporate costs to operate the business excluding any non-cash items.
The VERY GOOD Food Company Inc. is an emerging plant-based food technology company that produces nutritious and delicious plant-based meat and cheese products under VERY GOOD's core brands: The VERY GOOD Butchers and The VERY GOOD Cheese Co. www.verygoodfood.com.
OUR MISSION IS LOFTY BUT BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLE: GET MILLIONS TO RETHINK THEIR FOOD CHOICES WHILE HELPING THEM DO THE WORLD A WORLD OF GOOD. BY OFFERING PLANT-BASED FOOD OPTIONS SO DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS, WE'RE HELPING THIS KIND OF DIET BECOME THE NORM.
ON BEHALF OF THE VERY GOOD FOOD COMPANY INC.
Parimal Rana
Chief Executive Officer
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively referred to as "forward-looking information"), for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposed", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "may", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained or referred to in this news release includes, but is not limited to: the Company's ability to satisfy its existing and future cash obligations and to continue as a going concern; the Company's plans and needs to seek a financing to address near-term liquidity issues and continue operations, as well as the Company's requirements for future financings; the Company's belief that it will be able to raise capital through financing in the near term to fund operations as it continues to implement its new refocused strategy; the Company's plans to manage inventory levels and its ongoing cost-reduction initiatives to manage both short and long-term liquidity and re-establish a path towards profitability; the Company's refocused strategy and its three-prong approach to (1) Stabilize, (2) Right-Size, and (3) Optimize and the Board of Directors' and management's work and progress on successfully implementing such refocused strategy; the focus of the Company's long-term strategy; the Company's ongoing review of its eCommerce channel and the potential outcome of such review; potential strategic private label and co-manufacturing opportunities and the expected benefits that may be derived therefrom; the Company's focus on the wholesale and food service channels; the availability of alternatives of generating cash in the short term such as disposing of non-core equipment and raw materials to extend the Company's cash runway; the continued North American retail geographic expansion for VERY GOOD's products and the abilities of the Company's sales team: the Company's ability to compete; trends and growth expectations in the plant-based industry; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on VERY GOOD's business; the Company's ability to mitigate employee turnover. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect including, but not limited to, material assumptions with respect to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to manage recent personnel changes; which is available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. The Company's ability to execute on its strategy may also depend on the Company's ability to accurately forecast customer demand for its products and manage its current and future inventory levels, continued demand for VERY GOOD's products, continued growth of the popularity of meat alternatives and the plant-based food industry, no material deterioration in general business and economic conditions, the successful placement of VERY GOOD's products in retail stores and distribution in the food service channel, the Company's ability to remain listed on the Nasdaq, VERY GOOD's ability to successfully enter new markets, VERY GOOD's ability to obtain necessary production equipment and human resources as needed, VERY GOOD's relationship with its suppliers, distributors and third-party logistics providers, and management's ability to position VERY GOOD competitively. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because VERY GOOD can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of VERY GOOD to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information include, among others, the impact of, uncertainties and risks associated with negative cash flow and future financing requirements to sustain and grow operations, limited history of operations and revenues and no history of earnings or dividends, competition, risks relating to the availability of raw materials, risks relating to regulation on social media, expansion of facilities, risks related to credit facilities, dependence on senior management and key personnel, availability of labor, general business risk and liability, regulation of the food industry, change in laws, regulations and guidelines, compliance with laws, risks related to third party logistics providers, unfavorable publicity or consumer perception, increased costs as a result of being a United States public company, product liability and product recalls, risks related to intellectual property, risks relating to co-manufacturing, risks related to expansion into the United States; risks related to our acquisition strategy, taxation risks, difficulties with forecasts, management of growth and litigation as well as the risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by VERY GOOD, please refer to VERY GOOD's most recent Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com and as an exhibit to the Form 20-F filed with the SEC on May 26, 2022 and available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release. VERY GOOD undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
None of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, TSX Venture Exchange, the SEC or any other securities regulator has either approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.
None of the Nasdaq, the TSX Venture Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), the SEC or any other securities regulator accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
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SOURCE The Very Good Food Company Inc. | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/very-good-food-company-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-08-16T00:03:02Z | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/very-good-food-company-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | true |
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
- Enthusiast demand drives the rebirth of Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat after initial run as a single-year model
- 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat revealed during first day of three-day Dodge Speed Week event, which will also include announcements on Dodge Gateway Muscle and Future Muscle products on August 16 and August 17, respectively
- Three-row muscle SUV 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat delivers 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque and joins Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger in offering SRT Hellcat models
- Durango SRT Hellcat clocks 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph
- Durango SRT Hellcat expands Durango lineup to six models, joining the Durango SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel and SRT 392
- 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat opens for orders in September 2022
- For complete information on Dodge and the brand's Never Lift plan, which provides a 24-month road map to Dodge's performance future, visit Dodge.com and DodgeGarage.com.
The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is back for 2023 model year and ready to reclaim its rightful mantle as the most powerful SUV on the planet.
The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat loses nothing in its rebirth, once again fueled by the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine producing 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. The Durango SRT Hellcat, first introduced as a one-year-only model for 2021, storms back to life thanks to enthusiast demand and remains the perfect choice for SUV muscle enthusiasts with families.
"The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat has generated a crazy amount of enthusiasm and demand since it was introduced in 2020 — we even extended its initial production run — so it seemed appropriate to bring back the most powerful SUV ever as part of our historic 2023 model-year Dodge lineup," said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. "Muscle enthusiasts also have families, and the 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat can get those families where they want to go and has the ability to tow 8,700 pounds."
The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat was revealed at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, during the first day of the three-day Dodge Speed Week event, featuring announcements on current Dodge products. Dodge Speed Week will include additional announcements on Dodge Gateway Muscle and Future Muscle products on August 16 and August 17, respectively.
The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat has numbers to back up its performance claims: the Hellcat can move from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, click off a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 mph.
Dodge Durango once again joins Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger in offering SRT Hellcat models. The Durango SRT Hellcat also expands the Durango lineup to six models, joining the Durango SXT, GT, R/T, Citadel and SRT 392.
Orders for the 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat will open in September 2022, with the Hellcat scheduled to arrive in dealerships in early 2023.
Heart of a Hellcat — Revived
The 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat remains Dodge to its core, starting under the hood where the heart of a Hellcat continues to beat. SRT engineers developed and tested the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V-8 Hellcat engine to optimize it for the Durango. As with the previous Durango SRT Hellcat, key engine performance features and components include:
- Dedicated cooling circuit for the charge air coolers integrated in the supercharger housing, including a pump, coolant reservoir and heat exchanger, designed to keep air flowing into the engine cooler than 140 degrees Fahrenheit
- Twin-screw rotors in the supercharger set close to minimize air leakage and ensure maximum performance
- Integrated electronic bypass valve regulates boost pressure to a maximum of 11.6 psi (80 kPa); the 2.38-liter supercharger uses a drive ratio of 2.36:1 and has a maximum speed of 14,600 rpm
- Cast-iron engine block with water jackets between the cylinders for optimal cooling
- Forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing surfaces
- Specially tuned crankshaft damper, burst tested to 13,000 rpm
- High-strength, forged-alloy pistons
- Powder-forged connecting rods with high-load-capacity bushings and diamond-like, carbon-coated piston pins
- Piston-cooling oil jets
- Heat-treated aluminum-alloy cylinder heads
- Sodium-cooled exhaust valves, hollow-stem intake valves and steel-alloy heads that stand up to temperatures as high as 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit (900 degrees Celsius)
- Cold-air scoop in lower front fascia helps feed the supercharger and the Hellcat engine's 92-mm throttle body
- Exhaust system tuned to deliver a throaty Dodge DNA sound
- TorqueFlite 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission includes steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual-style shifting and has seven available Drive modes – Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, Eco and Valet.
The Durango SRT Hellcat inherits distinct Dodge DNA, with bold styling including a front fascia featuring a chin splitter, engine oil cooler duct, air guide and snorkel for cold air induction. The rear spoiler provides aerodynamic balance and a significant measure of rear downforce of 140 lbs. @ 180 mph.
Durango's forward-leaning profile includes LED low/high headlamps, LED daytime running lamp (DRL) signatures and a sculpted hood and grille. The front end creates a wide cross-car read. SRT Hellcat fender badges stamp the Durango as a Hellcat.
Inside, the driver-oriented cockpit is refined, upscale and high-tech throughout, featuring an available 10.1-inch touchscreen angled 7 degrees toward the driver. Unique to the SRT Hellcat are red-accented gauges and standard heated and ventilated Nappa leather with suede front seats with an embroidered SRT logo.
Additional Durango SRT Hellcat model highlights include:
- Standard electric power steering (EPS) with selectable steering tuning for increased grip
- EPS and SRT drive modes accessible via the 10.1-inch Uconnect infotainment screen, allowing drivers to choose their behind-the-wheel experience by controlling inputs such as shift speeds, steering, paddle shifters, traction, all-wheel drive (AWD) and suspension
- Unique Uconnect features for Durango SRT models include:
- SRT Drive modes with settings for Street (Auto), Sport and Track, and a Custom setting so drivers can choose individual preferences
- Launch Control feature is easily accessed from a toggle switch in the cockpit, managing tire slip while launching the vehicle to allow the driver to achieve consistent straight-line acceleration
- Launch Assist uses wheel speed sensors to watch for driveline-damaging wheel hop at launch and in milliseconds adjusts engine torque to regain full grip
- Excellent braking performance thanks to massive Brembo high-performance six-piston, two-piece (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers, and vented rotors at all four corners measuring 15.75 inches (front) and 13.8 inches (rear)
- Durango-specific tuning, weight distribution, wheelbase and reduced understeer equals more grip and improved cornering
Customize the Cat
Enthusiasts will have more options to personalize the 2023 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat with available Plus and Premium packages that deliver even more content. The Plus package for the Durango SRT Hellcat includes high-performance Laguna leather seats, trailer tow group, a power sunroof and adaptive and advanced safety features.
The Premium package adds to the Plus features with red seatbelts, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, carbon fiber interior accents and a Harman Kardon 19-speaker sound system.
The Durango SRT Hellcat revealed at M1 Concourse showcases the available Blacktop package, which includes Gloss Black badging, Gloss Black mirror caps and 20-inch Black Noise wheels.
Dodge//SRT
For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with muscle cars and SUVs that deliver unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.
Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT versions of every model across the lineup. For the 2022 model year, Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world, and the Dodge Durango SRT 392, America's fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV. Combined, these three muscle cars make Dodge the industry's most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.
In 2020, Dodge was named the "#1 Brand in Initial Quality," making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). In 2021, the Dodge brand ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market), making it the only domestic brand ever to do so two years in a row.
Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.
Follow Dodge and company news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Dodge brand: www.dodge.com
DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dodge and @StellantisNA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA
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SOURCE Stellantis | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/cat-is-back-2023-dodge-durango-srt-hellcat-most-powerful-suv-ever-returns-dodge-lineup/ | 2022-08-16T00:04:04Z | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/cat-is-back-2023-dodge-durango-srt-hellcat-most-powerful-suv-ever-returns-dodge-lineup/ | true |
DALLAS, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertical Capital Income Fund (NYSE: VCIF) today announced that the Fund's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on September 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at 41 South High Street, 17th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Shareholders of record of the Fund as of the close of business on August 31, 2022 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and at any adjournment thereof. The notice of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be mailed to shareholders on or about September 12, 2022. At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholders of the Fund will be asked to re-elect one of the Trustees of the Fund and transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value. The market price of Fund shares may vary from net asset value based on factors affecting the supply and demand for shares, such as Fund distribution rates relative to similar investments, investors' expectations for future distribution changes, the clarity of the Fund's investment strategy and future return expectations, and investors' confidence in the underlying markets in which the Fund invests. Fund shares are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal invested. No Fund is a complete investment program and you may lose money investing in a Fund. An investment in a Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. Before investing, prospective investors should consider carefully the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. For further details, please visit Vertical Capital Income Fund's website at vcif.us.
Vertical Capital Income Fund (VCIF) is an NYSE-listed closed-end fund that seeks monthly income by investing primarily in performing non-agency residential whole loans secured by real estate. As a secondary strategy the Fund aims to provide total return by acquiring performing residential loans at a discount to the unpaid principal balance (UPB). VCIF realizes capital gains as loans are paid off before maturity. For more information visit vcif.us and connect with the Fund on Twitter.
Oakline Advisors, LLC is the adviser to Vertical Capital Income Fund. Founded in 2013, Oakline Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser that specializes in the residential whole loan market. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dallas, TX-based Behringer. Since its inception in 1989, Behringer, together with its affiliates, has raised equity of more than $6 billion in assets through public and private fund structures. For more information about Oakline and Behringer please visit their respective websites at oaklineadvisors.com and behringerinvestments.com.
Fund shares are identified by CUSIP 92535C104
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SOURCE Vertical Capital Income Fund | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/vertical-capital-income-fund-vcif-announces-2022-annual-meeting-record-date/ | 2022-08-16T00:06:24Z | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/vertical-capital-income-fund-vcif-announces-2022-annual-meeting-record-date/ | false |
Updated August 14, 2022 at 9:16 AM ET
It's not every day you get the blessing from the director of one of your favorite childhood films to reimagine her movie in a new light.
Comedian and actor Abbi Jacobson did.
The co-creator of the new A League of Their Own series was able to speak to Penny Marshall, the original director of the 1992 film. Marshall, who died in 2018, gave the greenlight after Jacobson said the show was not going to be an exact replica of the movie.
"We told her how much we love the film and ... that we were shifting focus and really trying to tell the story of a generation of women who played baseball," Jacobson tells NPR. "And she said, 'Well go and do it already. Like go and do it.'"
Now it's available on Amazon Prime Video.
Both the film and the show are about the women who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which started during World War II.
In order to get a feel for what it was like to be a female baseball player in that era, Jacobson says she and fellow co-creator Will Graham consulted with Maybelle Blair, an original player in the league who came out publicly as the show prepared to launch. The 95-year-old shared her identity during the Q&A portion of the pilot's premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Jacobson says she hopes the untold stories about queer and racial experiences that weren't fully present in the film can now be highlighted in her series and help other come to their own truth — like Blair did.
Jacobson shares more about what she wanted the focus of the show to be on, the character she portrays in the series, and what she wants audiences to experience with this adaption of the film.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
On how she, Graham and other show staff approached the movie's material
From our initial conversation, it was like, we don't need to remake this movie at all. We're not trying to do these characters again. But there is so much in the film that we felt like Marshall was nodding to.
This is an iconic queer film, but no one in the film is openly gay and it's not really that clear. But it is beloved by the queer community.
There's an iconic scene in the movie where a Black woman picks up a foul ball and chucks it back to Dottie [Hinson, played by Geena Davis]. And you're sort of meant to know the historical fact that Black women were not even allowed to try out for this league.
We're really excited to dive into the stories that were not told in the film, the other people that we weren't focused on. We're kind of pulling focus in other directions. And so I always think of it as like a reimagining.
On how she relates to her character, Carson Shaw
I came into my queerness pretty late in life. And also I say that in a non-judgy way, like it's never too late.
But my character, Carson, is going through a very different but similar journey of coming to know herself. I really relate in so many ways to Carson and that figuring out of oneself and that experience of having the world sort of all of a sudden feel a lot bigger than it did before, which I think is what that felt like for me and in a great way.
On what she hopes people take away from the show
It really is about finding your team, and these characters, a lot of them are finding their team on the field, which is a place that they've never really had that kind of camaraderie.
But the show is also so much about finding your team in life, in your people, and I hope that whether you play baseball or not, I think this is a really analogous thing to whatever your passion is to go and find those people.
I feel like this is very analogous to my story in finding my people in comedy. Once I found them, I was like, "I can do this. I found other people that love this as much as I do."
And then in the same way is finding your people who see you. And that's the queer community. Whatever people you need, I hope an audience will watch and if they have their community, maybe they're watching with their community and they see themselves already. And if they don't have those communities yet, they know that it's never too late to find them.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.knau.org/2022-08-06/a-league-of-their-own-star-abbi-jacobson-focuses-on-the-films-untold-queer-stories | 2022-08-16T00:08:23Z | https://www.knau.org/2022-08-06/a-league-of-their-own-star-abbi-jacobson-focuses-on-the-films-untold-queer-stories | false |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California has selected Microchip Technology Inc. of Chandler, Arizona, to develop a High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) processor that will provide at least 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers. This key capability would advance all types of future space missions, from planetary exploration to lunar and Mars surface missions.
"This cutting-edge spaceflight processor will have a tremendous impact on our future space missions and even technologies here on Earth," said Niki Werkheiser, director of technology maturation within the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "This effort will amplify existing spacecraft capabilities and enable new ones and could ultimately be used by virtually every future space mission, all benefiting from more capable flight computing."
Microchip will architect, design, and deliver the HPSC processor over three years, with the goal of employing the processor on future lunar and planetary exploration missions. Microchip's processor architecture will significantly improve the overall computing efficiency for these missions by enabling computing power to be scalable, based on mission needs. The design also will be more reliable and have a higher fault tolerance. The processor will enable spacecraft computers to perform calculations up to 100 times faster than today's state-of-the-art space computers. As part of NASA's ongoing commercial partnership efforts, the work will take place under a $50 million firm-fixed-price contract, with Microchip contributing significant research and development costs to complete the project.
"We are pleased that NASA selected Microchip as its partner to develop the next-generation space-qualified compute processor platform." said Babak Samimi, corporate vice president for Microchip's Communications business unit. "We are making a joint investment with NASA on a new trusted and transformative compute platform. It will deliver comprehensive Ethernet networking, advanced artificial intelligence/machine learning processing and connectivity support while offering unprecedented performance gain, fault-tolerance, and security architecture at low power consumption. We will foster an industry wide ecosystem of single board computer partners anchored on the HPSC processor and Microchip's complementary space-qualified total system solutions to benefit a new generation of mission-critical edge compute designs optimized for size, weight, and power."
Current space-qualified computing technology is designed to address the most computationally-intensive part of a mission – a practice that leads to overdesigning and inefficient use of computing power. For example, a Mars surface mission demands high-speed data movement and intense calculation during the planetary landing sequence. However, routine mobility and science operations require fewer calculations and tasks per second. Microchip's new processor architecture offers the flexibility for the processing power to ebb and flow depending on current operational requirements. Certain processing functions can also be turned off when not in use, reducing power consumption. This capability will save a large amount of energy and improve overall computing efficiency for space missions.
"Our current spaceflight computers were developed almost 30 years ago," said Wesley Powell, NASA's principal technologist for advanced avionics. "While they have served past missions well, future NASA missions demand significantly increased onboard computing capabilities and reliability. The new computing processor will provide the advances required in performance, fault tolerance, and flexibility to meet these future mission needs."
Microchip's HPSC processor may be useful to other government agencies and applicable to other types of future space mission to explore our solar system and beyond, from Earth science operations to Mars exploration and human lunar missions. The processor could potentially be used for commercial systems on Earth that require similar mission critical edge computing needs as space missions and are able to safely continue operations if one component of the system fails. These potential applications include industrial automation, edge computing, time-sensitive ethernet data transmission, artificial intelligence, and even Internet of Things gateways, which bridge various communication technologies.
In 2021, NASA solicited proposals for a trade study for an advanced radiation-hardened computing chip with the intention of selecting one vendor for development. This contract is part of NASA's High-Performance Space Computing project. HPSC is led by the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development program with support from the Science Mission Directorate. The project is led by JPL, a division of Caltech.
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SOURCE NASA | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/nasa-awards-next-generation-spaceflight-computing-processor-contract/ | 2022-08-16T00:09:12Z | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/nasa-awards-next-generation-spaceflight-computing-processor-contract/ | true |
NEW YORK — The World Series is scheduled to start on a Friday for the first time since 1915 and could end on Nov. 5 — its latest ever — because of the lockout that delayed opening day.
Major League Baseball said Monday its expanded postseason will begin with all four games in the new wild-card series on Oct. 7. The other games are Oct. 8 and 9, if necessary.
As part of this year's schedule, off days will be skipped between Games 4 and 5 of the Division Series and Games 5 and 6 of the Championship Series, potentially taxing bullpens. The AL Division Series will have an unusual off day between Games 1 and 2.
The new format has 12 teams making the playoffs, up from the 10 in place from 2012-21, except the 16 used in the 2020 playoffs that followed a regular-season shortened to 60 games because of the coronavirus pandemic. The top two teams in each league get first-round byes, while the No. 3 seed faces No. 6 and No. 4 plays No. 5. The higher seed will be home in each best-of-three series.
In the best-of-five Division Series, the top seed plays the 3-vs.-6 winner and the No. 2 seed plays the 4-vs.-5 winner. The Division Series will have the familiar format of the higher seed home for Games 1 and 2, and, if necessary, Game 5. Both the AL Division Series and NL Division Series start Oct. 11.
The best-of-seven Championship Series starts Oct. 18 in the NL and Oct. 19 in the AL.
Opening day was delayed from March 31 to April 7 because of the 99-day lockout that ended on March 10, and the regular season was extended by three days to Oct. 5.
The World Series begins Oct. 28, matching its latest start, in 2009.
It will be its first Friday start since Oct. 8, 1915, at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia, when the Phillies beat the Red Sox 3-1 before losing the next four games.
Since the start of playoffs, the Series had been scheduled to start on a Tuesday since 2014, in 1990 and from 1977-84, a Wednesday from 2007-13 and a Saturday from 1969-76, 1985-89 and 1991-2006.
The Series went into November for the first time in 2001, when the 9/11 terrorist attacks caused the regular season to end a week later than originally scheduled. The latest a Series game has been played is Nov. 4, in 2001 and again in 2009. Last year’s Series ended on Nov. 2 when the Atlanta Braves beat the Houston Astros in Game 6 for their first title since 1995. | https://www.fox43.com/article/sports/baseball/mlb-postseason-world-series/507-c798db89-7a84-494b-b507-8b57ba0b7995 | 2022-08-16T00:09:20Z | https://www.fox43.com/article/sports/baseball/mlb-postseason-world-series/507-c798db89-7a84-494b-b507-8b57ba0b7995 | true |
Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford 'among group of senior Manchester United players to tell the club's hierarchy that new signings are needed after disastrous start to the season'
- A group of Manchester United players have told the club signings are needed
- The group includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford
- Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes are also reportedly part of the group of players
Cristiano Ronaldo is among a group of Manchester United senior players who have reportedly told the club's hierarchy that new signings are required.
United have endured a nightmare start to the Premier League season under new manager Erik ten Hag and are currently bottom of the Premier League following defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
According to The Mirror, Ronaldo, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes have made it clear to the club that further signings are needed before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo is among a group of Manchester United players to tell the club's hierarchy that new signings are needed
Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes have also expressed their concerns with the situation
So far this summer United have brought in Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia.
However, further reinforcements are evidently required, especially in midfield, which has been a problem area for United for a considerable amount of time.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been heavily linked with United but a deal has yet to come to fruition.
Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are also part of the group that have spoken to the club
Juventus' Adrien Rabiot has emerged as a target for ten Hag's side.
United have lost a host of players, including Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
The next task for United sees them host Liverpool, and another defeat would only add to the feelings of discontent surrounding the club. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11114601/Cristiano-Ronaldo-group-Manchester-United-players-tell-club-signings-needed.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-08-16T00:10:25Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11114601/Cristiano-Ronaldo-group-Manchester-United-players-tell-club-signings-needed.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false |
WFO BROWNSVILLE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
The National Weather Service in Brownsville has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northwestern Zapata County in deep south Texas...
* Until 815 PM CDT.
* At 640 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain
have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 3 inches in 1
hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
mainly rural areas of Northwestern Zapata County
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
Arroyos, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a
matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375561.php | 2022-08-16T00:11:17Z | https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375561.php | false |
WFO BROWNSVILLE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
The National Weather Service in Brownsville has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northwestern Zapata County in deep south Texas...
* Until 815 PM CDT.
* At 640 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain
have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 3 inches in 1
hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
mainly rural areas of Northwestern Zapata County
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.
Arroyos, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a
matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.expressnews.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375561.php | 2022-08-16T00:12:41Z | https://www.expressnews.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375561.php | false |
The FBI searched former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Aug. 8 as part of an investigation into potential violations of three different federal laws, and recovered “top secret” and other sensitive documents.
Since the search, many Republican politicians publicly denounced the law enforcement agency’s actions, calling it an overreach or “corrupt.”
But a video clip that’s making the rounds on Twitter appears to show Florida’s Republican governor defending the FBI’s search.
“Ron DeSantis went on Hannity and things got SPICY,” Twitter user Timothy Burke wrote in a tweet that has been shared tens of thousands of times.
In the video clip, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appears to be a guest on Sean Hannity’s show on FOX News. He seems to respond to Hannity’s comments about the FBI search by saying, “It’s not a raid. They were serving valid process, in accordance with the laws and the constitution of the United States and the state of Florida.”
Lara Trump, former President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, is also in the clip and appears to speak out against the Mar-a-Lago search.
Some people on Twitter claimed the clip is edited.
THE QUESTION
Did Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defend the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago on “Hannity”?
THE SOURCES
- Fox News host Sean Hannity
- Spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis
- Original episode of “Hannity” that aired on Tuesday, Aug. 9
- Reports from WPTV and CBS Miami in Florida on a December 2020 press conference from Gov. Ron DeSantis
THE ANSWER
No, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis didn’t defend the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago on Hannity. The clip shared on Twitter was edited and uses footage of DeSantis from an unrelated press conference in December 2020.
WHAT WE FOUND
Sean Hannity responded to the viral post in a tweet on Aug. 13, confirming that the video clip showing himself, DeSantis and Lara Trump is edited.
“WARNING IF YOU SEE THIS ON TWITTER IT IS EDITED FAKE NEWS! They spliced in comments the Governor made years ago,” he wrote. “Twitter needs to step in and remove this immediately.”
A spokesperson for DeSantis also called the edited video “disinformation.”
Twitter flagged the video as “manipulated media,” but has not removed it from the platform.
Lara Trump did appear on an episode of Hannity’s show alongside Fox News contributor Ari Fleischer on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The edited clip features real responses from Lara Trump about the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, but Fleischer has been replaced with the edited clips of DeSantis.
VERIFY was able to trace DeSantis’ comments in the altered video to a press conference he held in December 2020. Video of that press conference was shared on several local media sites.
The governor was addressing reporters’ questions after law enforcement seized computer equipment at the home of Rebecca Jones, who previously served as Florida’s coronavirus dashboard manager. Jones was accused of illegally hacking into the state Department of Health’s emergency alert system.
At three seconds into the edited video shared by Timothy Burke, DeSantis is heard saying, “It’s not a raid, with all due respect.”
DeSantis speaks the same words at nine seconds into a Twitter clip shared by WPTV, a South Florida news station, and about 30 seconds into a news report from CBS Miami in December 2020.
“It’s not a raid. With all due respect, what you just said is editorializing,” DeSantis said when a reporter referred to the search of Jones’ home as a raid.
The altered video also uses other soundbites from DeSantis, including the following at about seven seconds in: “It’s not a raid. They were serving valid process, in accordance with the laws and the constitution of the United States and the state of Florida.”
DeSantis says these same words at 42 seconds into the WPTV clip.
In the altered clip of DeSantis, his shot freezes in place while Lara Trump and Hannity are speaking. He doesn’t move or react to their comments the way someone would during a live or taped interview.
Additionally, DeSantis’ background in the altered video is the same as the one in the December 2020 press conference clips. He’s also wearing the same tie and jacket in the doctored video and genuine 2020 clips.
Since the FBI searched Mar-a-Lago, DeSantis has also openly criticized the FBI’s actions, writing in a tweet that it is “another escalation in the weaponization of federal agencies against the Regime’s political opponents.” | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/verify/social-media/florida-governor-ron-desantis-didnt-defending-fbi-mar-a-lago-search-hannity-edited-video/536-4d537635-9832-4673-b53a-0045b3314205 | 2022-08-16T00:16:59Z | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/verify/social-media/florida-governor-ron-desantis-didnt-defending-fbi-mar-a-lago-search-hannity-edited-video/536-4d537635-9832-4673-b53a-0045b3314205 | true |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ Charah Solutions, Inc. (CHRA) on Monday reported a loss of $9.6 million in its second quarter.
The Louisville, Kentucky-based company said it had a loss of 34 cents per share.
The company posted revenue of $77.1 million in the period.
Charah Solutions expects full-year revenue in the range of $310 million to $340 million.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CHRA at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CHRA | https://www.mrt.com/business/article/Charah-Solutions-Q2-Earnings-Snapshot-17375484.php | 2022-08-16T00:19:29Z | https://www.mrt.com/business/article/Charah-Solutions-Q2-Earnings-Snapshot-17375484.php | false |
Online guide to help women facing domestic and family violence, homelessness receives funding
By Antonia O'FlahertyA Queensland charity has launched an online information and service directory for women facing domestic and family violence, or who are at risk of homelessness.
Key points:
- The Lady Musgrave Trust has received money to put its directory of support services and information for women leaving abusive relationships online
- The charity has distributed more than 220,000 print copies of the guide already
- Sue Clarke says the online guide could have been "invaluable" for her daughter Hannah
The Lady Musgrave Trust, the state's oldest charity, has partnered with the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation and Queensland Community Foundation to distribute The Handy Guide, an online directory of support services for women in need.
Trust chief executive Victoria Parker said it was "extraordinary" to receive the funding from both organisations, given the group did not receive recurrent government funding.
She told ABC Radio Brisbane's Kat Feeney both organisations had recognised the value of The Handy Guide.
The resource provides information about leaving domestic and family violence relationships, and covers coercive control, types of abuse, and how to stay connected to family or friends to stay safe in toxic relationships.
It also provides information on where women who are in crisis housing situations can seek help and financial and legal guides.
The charity has produced more than 220,000 copies of the free guide and distributed it across the state for more than 10 years.
"So really, when you're in a situation that's quite scary, or you've got a lot of decisions to make in a really short period of time, it's very hard to find the organisation that can support you," Ms Parker said.
"The next step, obviously, in the evolution of this handy guide was to take it online, and that's what the funding has been used to do."
Guide would have been 'invaluable'
Small Steps 4 Hannah co-founder, Hannah Clarke's mother Sue Clarke said an online Handy Guide could have helped her daughter.
Hannah Clarke, along with her three children Aaliyah, Laiana and Trey were murdered by her estranged husband Rowan Baxter in 2020.
"She didn't know where to go, she didn't know where to look, she didn't know what to do … if she'd have had access to a one-stop shop like this website it would have been invaluable," Ms Clarke told the Trust's Annual Forum for Women and Homelessness earlier this month.
Along with the online version, the charity will continue to print copies of the guide.
The Lady Musgrave Trust, which helps Queensland women and children find safe and secure housing, has been operating for 137 years and had "some good success", Ms Parker said.
"But it is a tragedy that we're still necessary and needed more than ever today," she said.
"The housing supply of affordable and safe homes is very, very low, and the number of women who are needing safe places to go is increasing, so it's pretty dire."
The Trust has installed a "quick exit" button on The Handy Guide webpages that allow users to immediately be redirected to a neutral website.
"That quick exit button, which is available on every single page, is available in case the user needs to very quickly escape that page, so that the person that is seeing them using their computer can't see the site that they're on," Ms Parker said.
However, clicking the exit button does not clear browsing history, but the charity does provide tips for women about how to stay safe online. | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-16/online-guide-for-women-facing-homelessness-domestic-violence/101335044 | 2022-08-16T00:22:26Z | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-16/online-guide-for-women-facing-homelessness-domestic-violence/101335044 | true |
Medical investigator rules Baldwin set shooting an accident
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin last year was an accident, according to a determination made by New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator following the completion of an autopsy and a review of law enforcement reports.
The medical investigator’s report was made public Monday by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office along with numerous reports from the FBI on the revolver and ammunition that were collected following the shooting.
Prosecutors have not yet decided if any charges will be filed in the case, saying they would review the latest reports and were awaiting cell phone data from Baldwin’s attorneys.
Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when it went off on Oct. 21, killing Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza. They had been inside a small church during setup for filming a scene.
While it’s too early to say how much weight the medical investigator’s report will carry with the district attorney’s office, Baldwin’s legal team suggested it was further proof that the shooting was “a tragic accident” and that he should not face criminal charges.
“This is the third time the New Mexico authorities have found that Alec Baldwin had no authority or knowledge of the allegedly unsafe conditions on the set, that he was told by the person in charge of safety on the set that the gun was ‘cold,’ and believed the gun was safe,” attorney Luke Nikas said in a statement.
Baldwin said in a December interview with ABC News that he was pointing the gun at Hutchins at her instruction on the set of the Western film “Rust” when it went off after he cocked it. He said he did not pull the trigger.
An FBI analysis of the revolver that Baldwin had in his hand during the rehearsal suggested it was in working order at the time and would not have discharged unless it was fully cocked and the trigger was pulled.
With the hammer in full cock position, the FBI report stated the gun could not be made to fire without pulling the trigger while the working internal components were intact and functional.
During the testing of the gun by the FBI, authorities said, portions of the gun’s trigger sear and cylinder stop fractured while the hammer was struck. That allowed the hammer to fall and the firing pin to detonate the primer.
“This was the only successful discharge during this testing and it was attributed to the fracture of internal components, not the failure of the firearm or safety mechanisms,” the report stated.
It was unclear from the FBI report how many times the revolver’s hammer may have been struck during the testing.
Baldwin, who also was a producer on the movie “Rust,” has previously said the gun should not have been loaded for the rehearsal.
Among the ammunition seized from the film location were live rounds found on a cart and in the holster that was in the building where the shooting happened. Blank and dummy cartridges also were found.
New Mexico’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau in a scathing report issued in April detailed a narrative of safety failures in violation of standard industry protocols, including testimony that production managers took limited or no action to address two misfires on set prior to the fatal shooting.
The bureau also documented gun safety complaints from crew members that went unheeded and said weapons specialists were not allowed to make decisions about additional safety training.
In reaching its conclusion that the shooting was an accident, New Mexico’s medical investigator’s office pointed to “the absence of obvious intent to cause harm or death” and stated that there was said “no compelling demonstration” that the revolver was intentionally loaded with live ammunition on the set.
___
Associated Press writer Walter Berry in Phoenix contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.ktre.com/2022/08/15/medical-investigator-rules-baldwin-set-shooting-an-accident/ | 2022-08-16T00:23:50Z | https://www.ktre.com/2022/08/15/medical-investigator-rules-baldwin-set-shooting-an-accident/ | false |
CHICAGO (AP) — Jury selection in R. Kelly’s federal trial on charges that he rigged his 2008 state child pornography trial began Monday with the judge and attorneys quickly focusing on whether would-be jurors watched a 2019 documentary about sex abuse allegations against the R&B singer.
After denying a request from Kelly’s attorney to automatically exclude anyone from the jury who watched the six-part documentary series, “Surviving R. Kelly,” U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber quizzed potential jurors about how much they watched, what they could recall about it and whether they could be impartial if they were selected.
Jurors were asked whether they watched the documentary in a questionnaire they had already filled out. In one instance, a woman who had left her answer blank acknowledged that she had watched several episodes. She was not immediately excused from serving, however.
In all, the judge dismissed at least half of the some 60 would-be jurors he questioned Monday. Among those dismissed was an elementary school teacher who said he’d have difficulty being impartial given the subject matter of the trial, a man who said said many of his closest friends were Chicago cops and a woman who said she once took martial arts classes with Kelly’s kids.
Among those kept in the pool of possible jurors was a man with a post-graduate degree in classical music and several people who said they watched part of the documentary on Kelly but who assured the judge they could give the singer a fair trial.
Jury selection was expected to resume on Tuesday.
The trial centers on whether Kelly threatened and paid off a girl with whom he allegedly videotaped himself having sex when he was around 30 and she was no older than 14. Jurors in the 2008 child pornography trial acquitted Kelly, with some later explaining that they felt they had no choice because the girl did not testify. The woman, now in her 30s and referred to in filings only as “Minor 1,” will be the government’s star witness in the federal trial that’s expected to last four weeks.
Kelly also multiple counts of producing and receiving child pornography.
Kelly, 55, already has been sentenced by a New York federal judge to a 30-year prison term for a 2021 conviction on charges that he used his fame to sexually abuse other young fans.
Wearing a light gray suit, yellow dress shirt, a tie and black-rimmed eyeglasses, Kelley gave potential jurors a quick wave as his attorney Jennifer Bonjean introduced him. Kelly also wore a surgical mask as part of COVID-19 protocols for everyone entering the courthouse.
Kelly, who rose from poverty on Chicago’s South Side to become a star singer, songwriter and producer, faces multiple charges at the federal trial. They include four counts of enticement of minors for sex — one each for four other accusers. They, too, are slated to testify.
With the New York sentence alone, Kelly will be around 80 before qualifying for early release. Convictions in Chicago could add decades to Kelly’s New York sentence, which he is appealing. A conviction for just one count of producing child pornography carries as mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Two Kelly associates, Derrel McDavid and Milton Brown, are co-defendants at the Chicago trial. McDavid is accused of helping Kelly fix the 2008 trial, while Brown is charged with receiving child pornography. Like Kelly, they also have denied wrongdoing.
Two state cases also are pending. One is a multiple count sex-abuse case out of Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago. The other is a solicitation case in Minnesota. No trial dates are set for either.
Minor 1 is expected to testify that she was on video having sex with Kelly. The recording was at the heart of the monthlong 2008 trial and was played for jurors almost every day.
Minor 1 first met Kelly in the late 1990s when she was in junior high school. She had tagged along to Kelly’s Chicago recording studio with her aunt, a professional singer working with Kelly. Soon after, Minor 1 told her parents Kelly was going to become her godfather.
Prosecutors say Kelly later threatened and sought to pay off Minor 1 and her parents so they wouldn’t testify in 2008. None of them did.
Double jeopardy rules bar the prosecution of someone for the same crimes they were acquitted of earlier. That doesn’t apply to the federal trial because prosecutors are alleging different crimes related to Minor 1, including obstruction of justice. | https://www.wishtv.com/news/r-kelly-jury-selection-focuses-on-2019-documentary/ | 2022-08-16T00:24:11Z | https://www.wishtv.com/news/r-kelly-jury-selection-focuses-on-2019-documentary/ | false |
(The Hill) – More than 5 billion would die from starvation in the event of a full-scale nuclear war between the United States and Russia, a new study has found.
That’s the worst-case scenario in a Nature Food study published on Monday that examined the indirect death toll caused by soot from burning cities and forests entering the atmosphere.
The Rutgers University team arrived at that death toll by estimating how much global crop yields would suffer as the drifting clouds blocked out the sunlight that feeds plants that feed people, according to a statement accompanying the study.
First, researchers estimated the quantities of ash that would be thrown up by nuclear wars of varying size, as major cities in India, Pakistan, the United States or Russia burned. Then they loaded that into a U.S. government-sponsored climate forecasting tool to track how that ash would move around the globe — and where and how much it would impact food production.
In the event of a U.S.-Russia nuclear war, the model found that the planet’s wind patterns would bring circling clouds of smoke and particulates to the skies above major food exporters like the U.S., China, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Crashing crop yields in those countries would trigger a cascade of escalating consequences that would draw the rest of the world into the crisis. With harvests collapsing, so would food exports — spreading famine across Africa and the Middle East that depend on imported food for survival.
Under that scenario, three-quarters of people on Earth would be starving within two years after the missiles stopped falling — and that would only be the beginning.
By three or four years after the nuclear exchange, global crop, animal and fishing yields would have dropped by 90 percent — spreading famine, disruption and collapse further, and triggering other feedback loops.
Much of the details of the extent to which crops would fail under such an exchange remains unclear, co-author Lili Xia of Rutgers said.
“For instance, the ozone layer would be destroyed by the heating of the stratosphere, producing more ultraviolet radiation at the surface, and we need to understand that impact on food supplies,” Xia added.
Such a war would need to reach the scale of a full-scale exchange between superpowers to spread famine far beyond the blast zone.
Even in the most limited nuclear war the team examined — a localized nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan — global food production dived by 7 percent from soot and ash from the explosions entering the atmosphere.
That number is far smaller than the crop failures the model found for the U.S.-Russia case study. But it’s also bigger than any disturbance to world food supplies since the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization started tracking them.
Such a disruption would detonate against a world already facing the prospect of falling crop yields from climate change.
A NASA study last year — also in Nature Food — found that corn yields would begin to fall by 2030, suggesting that “major breadbasket regions” would begin to face the risks from human-caused climate change “sooner than previously anticipated.”
The conclusion of the new research was clear: that nuclear war would “obliterate global food systems,” co-author Alan Robock said in a statement.
“If nuclear weapons exist, they can be used, and the world has come close to nuclear war several times,” Robock said. “Banning nuclear weapons is the only long-term solution.”
He pointed to the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which has been ratified by 66 nations but none of the nine nuclear states.
“Our work makes clear that it is time for those nine states to listen to science and the rest of the world and sign this treaty,” he said. | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/national-news/billions-would-die-from-starvation-in-nuclear-war-research-finds/ | 2022-08-16T00:26:14Z | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/national-news/billions-would-die-from-starvation-in-nuclear-war-research-finds/ | true |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s killing told a judge Monday that they have rejected plea deals that would have resulted in three-year sentences, setting the stage for trial in October.
Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. They and Thomas Lane were working with Derek Chauvin when he pinned Floyd’s neck with his knee for more than nine minutes as the 46-year-old Black man said he couldn’t breathe and eventually grew still.
The killing, captured on bystander video, sparked protests worldwide and a reckoning on racial injustice. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted of second-degree murder last year and sentenced to 22 1/2 years on the state charge.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill had set a limited window for accepting a plea deal ahead of trial, and Monday’s brief hearing served to formalize the two ex-officers’ rejections of the state’s offers.
“It would be lying for me to accept any plea offer,” said Thou, who held back concerned bystanders as Chauvin pinned Floyd. Kueng did not give his reasons for rejecting the state’s offer.
Thao, Kueng and Lane were convicted in federal court in February of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Lane, who is white, held Floyd’s legs and twice asked if he should be turned on his side, and was sentenced to 2 1/2 years. Thao, who is Hmong American, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years. Kueng, who is Black, pinned Floyd’s back, and was sentenced to 3 years. Thao and Kueng are appealing their federal convictions.
In rejecting the plea agreements, Thao and Keung are risking state sentences that could be significantly longer than their federal sentences if they’re convicted on both counts. Assistant Attorney General Matt Frank pointed out in the hearing that the state’s sentencing guidelines recommend sentences of 12 1/2 years on the murder count and 4 years on the manslaughter count, but that prosecutors have already said they’ll seek longer sentences if they get convictions.
In Minnesota, assuming good behavior, defendants typically serve two-thirds of their sentences in prison and one-third on parole.
Frank said plea negotiations began in earnest in May and continued into June. The offers would have dropped the most serious charge of aiding and abetting murder, and the officers’ state time would have run concurrently with the federal sentences. Both defendants confirmed that they understood that the state has now withdrawn its offers.
“It’s a standard best practice to make a record in court when the State offers a plea agreement, in order to ensure the defendant’s decision is freely and knowingly made,” Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement afterward. “The defendants have a right to decline the offer and proceed to trial. The State is ready for trial.”
During the hearing, Kueng’s attorney, Thomas Plunkett, said that Ellison at one, unspecified point in the negotiations, offered Kueng a deal that would have resulted in 2 years in prison. Kueng confirmed that Plunkett had told him about the offer, and that they rejected it. Frank did not comment about the purported offer.
Thao’s attorney, Robert Paule, said that they, at an unspecified point, proposed a deal for 2 years, but that the state rejected it. Frank said that wasn’t how he recalled the discussions, and that his recollection was that Thao’s offer had included dropping the charges. Neither side elaborated on the discrepancies.
The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 24, with opening statements Nov. 7.
Lane avoided a state trial by pleading guilty in May to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in a deal that calls for a three-year sentence. His sentencing is Sept. 21.
Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years on the federal civil rights charge. He remains in the state’s maximum security prison at Oak Park Heights pending his transfer to federal prison. The other three remain free on bail.
___
Associated Press writer Amy Forliti contributed to this story.
___
Find AP’s full coverage of the killing of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/national/thao-kueng-say-they-rejected-plea-deal-in-floyd-killing/ | 2022-08-16T00:27:18Z | https://www.yourbasin.com/news/national/thao-kueng-say-they-rejected-plea-deal-in-floyd-killing/ | false |
From Emergency Water Damage Restoration, Flood Cleanup, Mold Removal and More, M&G Water & Fire Restoration Can Handle It
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joel Gracia, the founder of M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc., is pleased to announce that when it comes to water damage restoration services in San Jose, California, his company is definitely one that customers can trust.
To read more about the water damage restoration services that M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services offers, please visit https://sanjose.mgwaterfirerestorationservicesinc.com/water-damage-restoration-service-for-san-jose-ca/.
As the blog notes, M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. is the locally owned and operated professional water damage company that has proudly been serving San Jose and the Bay Area for years with a comprehensive menu of superior water damage remediation and restoration services.
When a San Jose home or business owner notices water damage from a plumbing leak, burst pipe, severe weather or other cause, they can rest assured that the team from M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. has what it takes to get the job done quickly and correctly.
"We are proud to offer water damage recovery that not only fixes the immediate cause of the damage, but also helps to prevent it from occurring again while preserving and restoring as much of your property to like-new condition as possible," the blog notes.
Some of the many water damage restoration services the company offers includes:
- Air duct cleaning
- Content cleaning, rehabilitation, repair, and restoration
- Disaster restoration
- Electrical backups
- Emergency water damage restoration
- Excess water extraction
- Flood damage restoration
- Grout cleaning
- Mold remediation
- Mold testing and detection
- Natural disaster recovery
- Odor removal
- Rug cleaning
- Sewage cleanup
- Storm damage
- Water damage recovery
- Water damage remediation
For years, M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. has offered high-quality water and fire restoration and mold removing services. Clients can expect to work with consummate professionals who are highly trained and experienced. All of the company's technicians are certified by The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC). They're well versed in the specifics involved in water and fire recovery and restoration. For more information, please visit https://mgwaterfirerestorationservicesinc.com/bay-area-water-damage-experts/.
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SOURCE M&G Water & Fire Restoration Services Inc. | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/mampg-water-amp-fire-restoration-services-inc-offers-water-damage-restoration-services-san-jose-residents-can-trust/ | 2022-08-16T00:30:41Z | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/mampg-water-amp-fire-restoration-services-inc-offers-water-damage-restoration-services-san-jose-residents-can-trust/ | true |
Bryce Dallas Howard: I Made 'So Much Less' Money Than Chris Pratt on 'Jurassic World' Sequels, but He Fought for Pay Equity
By Zack Sharf
LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - Reports surfaced in 2018 that Bryce Dallas Howard was making $8 million to Chris Pratt's $10 million for their work on "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," but Howard revealed in a new interview with Insider that she was actually being paid "so much less" on the "Jurassic World" sequels compared to her male co-star. Howard did not reveal a dollar amount, but she did stress that Pratt worked to correct the situation by ensuring she had pay parity on other "Jurassic World" properties such as video games and theme park rides.
"The reports were so interesting because I was paid so much less than the reports even said, so much less," Howard said. "When I started negotiating for 'Jurassic,' it was 2014 and it was a different world, and I was at a great disadvantage. And, unfortunately, you have to sign up for three movies and so your deals are set."
Howard continued, "What I will say is that Chris and I have discussed it, and whenever there was an opportunity to move the needle on stuff that hadn't been already negotiated, like a game or a ride, he literally told me, 'You guys don't even have to do anything. I'm gonna do all the negotiating. We're gonna be paid the same and you don't have to think about this, Bryce.'"
"I love him so much for doing that," Howard concluded. "I really do, because I've been paid more for those kinds of things than I ever was for the movie."
Howard and Pratt first joined forces for "Jurassic World" before reuniting to headline the film's two sequels, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" and "Jurassic World: Dominion." The latter opened in June and has grossed $373 million in the U.S. and $974 million worldwide, massive sums as the box office continues to recover from the pandemic.
"Jurassic World: Dominion" is available to rent digitally or buy on Blu-ray or DVD starting Aug. 16. | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-11114655/Bryce-Dallas-Howard-I-Made-So-Much-Less-Money-Than-Chris-Pratt-Jurassic-World-Sequels-He-Fought-Pay-Equity.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | 2022-08-16T00:32:58Z | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-11114655/Bryce-Dallas-Howard-I-Made-So-Much-Less-Money-Than-Chris-Pratt-Jurassic-World-Sequels-He-Fought-Pay-Equity.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 | false |
Pole Barn Destroyed in Fire in Carlton County
A pole building was destroyed in a fire that happened on Saturday in Carlton County.
A little before midnight on August 13th, the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a passerby who believed a house was on fire in Skelton Township. It was later determined that the structure was a pole building.
After responding to the scene, sheriff’s deputies learned that the owner of the home had used a wood stove in the pole barn earlier that night.
According to a report from the Sheriff’s Office, no injuries were reported, but the building and its contents were considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today. | https://lptv.org/pole-barn-destroyed-in-fire-in-carlton-county/ | 2022-08-16T00:35:38Z | https://lptv.org/pole-barn-destroyed-in-fire-in-carlton-county/ | false |
Patients and Taxpayers Forced to Absorb Preventable Costs
Patient Voice Patient Choice™ Campaign Engages Private Insurers and CMS
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), the nation's largest independent and patient-led kidney organization, unveiled an aggressive consumer engagement and mobilization campaign to help patients engage their commercial insurers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) on coverage decisions that undermine patient access to new and safe care innovations approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The AAKP Patient Voice Patient Choice™ campaign provides a sophisticated, interactive platform for patients, care partners, and others of goodwill to quickly identify and understand barriers impacting care choice and timely access to new treatments (www.patientvoicepatientchoice.org). The campaign includes tactics such as social media, letters to insurers and shareholders, online petitions, Congressional contact software, and voter registration tools.
In the United States, AAKP and allied kidney medical professionals, along with bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, have pushed to increase kidney research funding and to accelerate policies that remove barriers to treatment innovation. In the past several years, the FDA has increased substantive patient engagement, listened closely to patient concerns, and has approved several long-awaited and safe advancements in kidney care. The FDA's approvals have sparked massive, renewed interest in kidney medicine among existing and start-up pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The FDA's approvals have also created tremendous hope among patients and families suffering from the devastatingly high personal and financial costs of kidney diseases and related conditions such as diabetes, pruritus, and other debilitating ailments. Newly approved innovations include improved dialysis technologies, including those used in home dialysis, which help patients gain greater independence, including the ability to pursue aspirations for full-time and part-time work.
However, access to new kidney innovations has been severely curtailed by intentionally cumbersome insurance policies and cost controls that interfere with the ability of kidney doctors to prescribe the right treatment at the right time. These same payer policies often force highly vulnerable patients and their caregivers to navigate lengthy and complicated appeals processes. Unfortunately, many of these appeals offer little hope of a reversal, despite growing medical evidence that new therapies improve health outcomes beyond status quo kidney treatments. Nationally, intensifying patient frustrations toward insurers and barriers to timely treatment access have fueled bipartisan Congressional support for H.R. 3173 Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, sponsored by Congressional Kidney Caucus Co-Chair Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and supported by Caucus Co-Chair Larry Bucshon (R-IN). AAKP also supports H.R. 3173. AAKP supports the efforts of Representatives DelBene and Bucshon to increase care choice and access for patients.
AAKP President Richard Knight, a national kidney advocate, stated, "Kidney patient consumers and their allies have worked for many years to bring new treatments to market and to end disparate care. They are not about to sit idly as payer policies and red tape block timely access to care options that prevent further suffering or more serious illness. AAKP has organized patient consumers and they will raise their voices and exercise their votes to hold insurers, elected leaders, and other decision makers publicly accountable for their indifference toward highly vulnerable kidney patients." At a June 14, 2022, virtual event, The Hill Live: Chronic Kidney Disease – Forging Patient-Centered Solutions, Knight and AAKP thanked companies that have already been responsive to kidney patient concerns. Knight and AAKP also called out Humana for their ongoing lack of responsiveness to kidney patient concerns and for Humana's byzantine policies that block diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients from gaining full access to a new treatment that slows DKD progression (WATCH HERE). Knight is a former dialysis patient, current 16-year transplant recipient, and a former U.S. Congressional staff member and liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus.
AAKP Vice President and Chair of the AAKP Veterans Health Initiative Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC, stated, "AAKP is increasingly concerned that access-related issues are interfering with gains in kidney medicine during The Decade of the Kidney™. We strongly encourage responsible leaders in the insurance industry and at CMS to elevate these issues internally and weigh the ongoing defense of restrictive policies against the long-term costs borne by patients, taxpayers, and the nation when new treatments are walled off from patients in serious need. Defending status quo healthcare in an era of innovation is never a sustainable position." Hickey is a former Administrative Assistant on Capitol Hill and was involved in the first comprehensive Congressional initiative on brain diseases. He has served in two presidential administrations, including roles as a liaison to national Veteran Service Organizations, such as the Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
AAKP Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, a 42-year kidney patient who has lived with a kidney transplant for the past 25 years, stated, "The alignment of insurer and federal payment decisions to new, federally-approved and safe kidney therapies and devices is pivotal to sustained private sector involvement in kidney innovations and improved health outcomes. If current payer policies fail to evolve, advances in kidney care are in jeopardy, and both patients and American taxpayers will continue to bear the long-term costs of avoidable and unnecessary kidney disease complications and kidney failure. AAKP patient members and our allies find this situation totally unacceptable and are already taking action." Conway is a former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which administers the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the world's largest employer-sponsored group health insurance program.
The Patient Voice Patient Choice ™ campaign is another element of AAKP's Decade of the Kidney™ initiative (www.decadeofthekidney.org), launched in 2019. The initiative aims to widen national and global kidney patient involvement in decisions that impact disease research and the development of innovations, including safe new drugs, devices, and transformative technologies including artificial wearable and implantable kidneys and xenotransplants. For the past four years, AAKP, in partnership with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has also led the Global Summit on Kidney Disease Innovations, one of the largest patient-led innovation conferences in the world with engagement in over 80 countries. In June of 2022, the European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA) formally expanded its ongoing involvement in The Decade of the Kidney™ initiative by including it in the theme of their annual European Kidney Forum in the European Parliament in Brussels. AAKP also conducts the largest voter registration drive in the kidney community, the KidneyVoter™ program.
Kidney disease has an incredibly alarming and growing impact on Americans and their families and a disproportionate impact across minority, underserved, and rural communities. The human burdens and costs to patients, their families, and the American taxpayer are immense. Up to 37 million Americans are estimated to have kidney disease, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 90 percent of patients are unaware that they suffer from the disease. Kidney disease and kidney failure exact a heavy toll on patients, families, and the American taxpayer, with Medicare costs alone estimated at $120 billion dollars. Status quo kidney care is characterized by late disease diagnosis, outdated dialysis technologies, disparate treatment access, long waiting times for organ transplants, and extremely high mortality rates.
About the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP): In the past decade, AAKP patients have helped gain lifetime transplant drug coverage for kidney transplant recipients (2020); new patient-centered policies via the White House Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health (2019); new job protections for living organ donors from the U.S. Department of Labor (2018); and Congressional legislation allowing HIV positive organ transplants for HIV positive patients (2013). AAKP virtual platforms and social networks are internationally known for their impact. Follow AAKP on social media at @kidneypatient on Facebook and @kidneypatients on Twitter, and visit www.aakp.org for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Rate
Marketing & Communications Manager
jrate@aakp.org
(813) 400-2394
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SOURCE American Association of Kidney Patients | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/kidney-patients-cite-insurance-payment-issues-critical-barriers-fda-approved-care-innovations/ | 2022-08-16T00:35:45Z | https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/kidney-patients-cite-insurance-payment-issues-critical-barriers-fda-approved-care-innovations/ | false |
MASON, Ohio (AP) — Serena Williams’ opening match in the Western & Southern Open has been rescheduled from Monday to Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Williams, preparing to retire, is set to face 19-year-old Emma Raducanu, the defending U.S. Open champion. A spokesman for the tournament said the change was “on account of a number of factors related to scheduling.”
Williams has said she wants to have another child and pursue business interests. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has not said what her last event will be, but has made it sound as if her final farewell will come at the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 29 in New York.
Williams lost 6-2, 6-4 to Belinda Bencic on Wednesday night in Toronto in her first match since she elaborated on her future plans. | https://www.wivb.com/sports/ap-sports/serena-williams-cincinnati-opener-pushed-back-to-tuesday/ | 2022-08-16T00:36:05Z | https://www.wivb.com/sports/ap-sports/serena-williams-cincinnati-opener-pushed-back-to-tuesday/ | true |
WFO CORPUS CHRISTI Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
TORNADO WARNING
The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
South central Webb County in south central Texas...
* Until 730 PM CDT.
* At 702 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Rio Bravo, or 12 miles southeast of
Laredo, moving north at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
United South High School around 715 PM CDT.
St Augustine High School South Laredo and Laredo Community College
around 720 PM CDT.
Texas A&M and Laredo International Airport around 725 PM CDT.
Laredo, Laredo Country Club, Doctors Hospital Of Laredo, Orvil and
Unitec Industrial Park around 730 PM CDT.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 between mile markers 1 and 19.
US Highway 59 between mile markers 814 and 824.
US Highway 83 between mile markers 718 and 734.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.middletownpress.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-CORPUS-CHRISTI-Warnings-Watches-and-17375611.php | 2022-08-16T00:39:04Z | https://www.middletownpress.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-CORPUS-CHRISTI-Warnings-Watches-and-17375611.php | false |
York Township woman found dead hours after single-vehicle crash along Route 30
A 25-year-old York Township woman was found dead Friday morning in Springettsbury Township hours after her vehicle ran off the road along Route 30, according to the York County Coroner's Office.
Zoraida Soto, of the first block of Coventry at Waterford, was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple blunt force injuries, a news release said. It is believed that Soto, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from her vehicle.
Soto was driving westbound on Route 30 early Friday morning when her vehicle traveled off the road just before the Mount Zion Road exit, the coroner's office said. It crashed through some fencing and rolled several times.
The exact time of the crash is not known, the coroner's office said. It occurred hours before being found.
'We're all in this together':Residents respond to deadly tragedy in the Amish community
Also of interest:A York couple adopted a baby, and then 2 more kids. Then 2 more! Here's life now with 5 siblings
Springettsbury Township Police were dispatched around 6:39 a.m. to the reported crash, according to a department news release. When officers arrived, they found the heavily damaged sedan was unoccupied. Officers searched the area and found Soto's body.
It is not known why the vehicle left the roadway.
Anyone with information about the crash may contact Springettsbury Township Police Cpl. Cory Landis at (717) 757-3525. | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2022/08/15/route-30-pa-crash-claims-the-life-of-one-york-township-woman/65403368007/ | 2022-08-16T00:39:50Z | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2022/08/15/route-30-pa-crash-claims-the-life-of-one-york-township-woman/65403368007/ | true |
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Vermont farmer Brian Kemp is used to seeing the pastures at Mountain Meadows Farm grow slower in the hot, late summer, but this year the grass is at a standstill.
That’s “very nerve-wracking” when you’re grazing 600 to 700 cattle, said Kemp, who manages an organic beef farm in Sudbury. He describes the weather lately as inconsistent and impactful, which he attributes to a changing climate.
“I don’t think there is any normal anymore,” Kemp said.
The impacts of climate change have been felt throughout the Northeastern U.S. with rising sea levels, heavy precipitation and storm surges causing flooding and coastal erosion. But this summer has brought another extreme: a severe drought that is making lawns crispy and has farmers begging for steady rain. The heavy, short rainfall brought by the occasional thunderstorm tends to run off, not soak into the ground.
Water supplies are low or dry, and many communities are restricting nonessential outdoor water use. Fire departments are combatting more brush fires and crops are growing poorly.
Providence, Rhode Island had less than half an inch of rainfall in the third driest July on record, and Boston had six-tenths of an inch in the fourth driest July on record, according to the National Weather Service office in Norton, Massachusetts. Rhode Island’s governor issued a statewide drought advisory Tuesday with recommendations to reduce water use. The north end of the Hoppin Hill Reservoir in Massachusetts is dry, forcing local water restrictions.
Officials in Maine said drought conditions really began there in 2020, with occasional improvements in areas since. In Auburn, Maine, local firefighters helped a dairy farmer fill a water tank for his cows when his well went too low in late July and temperatures hit 90. About 50 dry wells have been reported to the state since 2021, according to the state’s dry well survey.
The continuing trend toward drier summers in the Northeast can certainly be attributed to the impact of climate change, since warmer temperatures lead to greater evaporation and drying of soils, climate scientist Michael Mann said. But, he said, the dry weather can be punctuated by extreme rainfall events since a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture — when conditions are conducive to rainfall, there’s more of it in short bursts.
Mann said there’s evidence shown by his research at Penn State University that climate change is leading to a “stuck jet stream” pattern. That means huge meanders of the jet stream, or air current, get stuck in place, locking in extreme weather events that can alternately be associated with extreme heat and drought in one location and extreme rainfall in another, a pattern that has played out this summer with the heat and drought in the Northeast and extreme flooding in parts of the Midwest, Mann added.
Most of New England is experiencing drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor issued a new map Thursday that shows areas of eastern Massachusetts outside Cape Cod and much of southern and eastern Rhode Island now in extreme, instead of severe, drought.
New England has experienced severe summer droughts before, but experts say it is unusual to have droughts in fairly quick succession since 2016. Massachusetts experienced droughts in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022, which is very likely due to climate change, said Vandana Rao, director of water policy in Massachusetts.
“We hope this is maybe one period of peaking of drought and we get back to many more years of normal precipitation,” she said. “But it could just be the beginning of a longer trend.”
Rao and other water experts in New England expect the current drought to last for several more months.
“I think we’re probably going to be in this for a while and it’s going to take a lot,” said Ted Diers, assistant director of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services water division. “What we really are hoping for is a wet fall followed by a very snowy winter to really recharge the aquifers and the groundwater.”
Rhode Island’s principal forest ranger, Ben Arnold, is worried about the drought extending into the fall. That’s when people do more yardwork, burn brush, use fireplaces and spend time in the woods, increasing the risk of forest fires. The fires this summer have been relatively small, but it takes a lot of time and effort to extinguish them because they are burning into the dry ground, Arnold said.
Hay farmer Milan Adams said one of the fields he’s tilling in Exeter, Rhode Island, is powder a foot down. In prior years it rained in the spring. This year, he said, the dryness started in March, and April was so dry he was nervous about his first cut of hay.
“The height of the hay was there, but there was no volume to it. From there, we got a little bit of rain in the beginning of May that kind of shot it up,” he said. “We haven’t seen anything since.”
Farmers are fighting more than the drought — inflation is driving up the cost of everything, from diesel and equipment parts to fertilizer and pesticides, Adams added.
“It’s all through the roof right now,” he said. “This is just throwing salt on a wound.”
The yield and quality of hay is down in Vermont too, which means there won’t be as much for cows in the winter, said Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts. The state has roughly 600 dairy farms, a $2 billion per year industry. Like Adams, Tebbetts said inflation is driving up prices, which will hurt the farmers who will have to buy feed.
Kemp, the president of the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, is thankful to have supplemental feed from last year, but he knows other farmers who don’t have land to put together a reserve and aren’t well-stocked. The coalition is trying to help farmers evolve and learn new practices. They added “climate-smart farming” to their mission statement in the spring.
“Farming is challenging,” Kemp said, “and it’s becoming even more challenging as climate change takes place.” | https://www.counton2.com/news/ap-top-headlines/northeastern-farmers-face-new-challenges-with-severe-drought/ | 2022-08-16T00:42:45Z | https://www.counton2.com/news/ap-top-headlines/northeastern-farmers-face-new-challenges-with-severe-drought/ | false |
WFO BROWNSVILLE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, August 15, 2022
_____
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Brownsville TX
659 PM CDT Mon Aug 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Zapata
County through 745 PM CDT...
At 658 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles southeast of El Cenizo, or 20 miles northwest of Zapata, moving
north at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Zapata
County.
This includes US Highway 83 between mile markers 738 and 752.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 2709 9943 2711 9944 2713 9943 2715 9944
2716 9943 2721 9943 2722 9944 2725 9944
2727 9945 2732 9937 2727 9933 2727 9924
2715 9920 2701 9944 2706 9945
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 170DEG 23KT 2716 9942
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375603.php | 2022-08-16T00:42:57Z | https://www.myjournalcourier.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-BROWNSVILLE-Warnings-Watches-and-17375603.php | false |
Notices:
Pelosi says America stands with Taiwan...gets it surrounded and violated, like SUPER violated 🥴
Biden: Military say a Pelosi Taiwan trip 'not a good idea' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby "We have said that we do not support Taiwan independence", Pelosi sneaks in after being too scared to include Taiwan in itinerary with real countries, propagandists -> "this was a great idea and well planned, our own military definitely didn't say otherwise and we have no idea why Taiwan is treated so differently from real countries 🙃"
Pelosi only cares about her legacy, but photo op is meaningless. China will extract a steep price in security and Pelosi's self aggrandizing is going to provide the excuse. Diaoyu Islands or SCS Islands, playing games has only resulted in a defacto situation heavily tilted for China and Taiwan island won't be different. Imagine the strait getting swarmed on a permanent basis because an old lady wanted selfies and trying to pass it off as a better than before for Taiwan. Taiwan left out of US gov press release Even if she goes, USA literally acting like a voyeur in the bushes. Apparently 'supporting Taiwan' is done under cover of darkness like a coward. Stand for it or don't even bother. Shameful. 🤡
So how's that 'revolution of our time' going? - people chuckling at the thought of it for years now 🤡
Don't hype over fantasy, China's been waiting almost 10 years for US to follow through on rhetoric over SCS construction. US lost in Taiwan conflict war games. China hit moving ship in SCS with ballistic missiles in 2020 from Qinghai and Zhejiang.
the world is ignoring the western boy who cried wolf for 5 years and counting. Nobody who matters believes any of this. Last time a fake push unfortunately coincided with discovering mass graves at "schools" for Native Americans. Latest push has the sad timing with a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school. Ironic how the West's own atrocious human rights record, especially with children, keeps stealing the spotlight from their own disinformation.
Message the Moderators of r/Sino (bottom of sidebar) for info on discords and telegram. The spaces cater to any regular participant on the subreddit (post history required) and/or any ethnic Chinese (verification required).
If a movie about China beating back US forces in North Korea bothers you, do NOT search "longest retreat in US history" and find out it's a movie based on real fact. https://streamable.com/s/nfdt5r. Definitely don't search - why didn't America invade North Vietnam in the Vietnam War. No connection at all.
Groups that bought into "U.S. values" rhetoric, worked for U.S. then got betrayed and left to rot: Hmong (Vietnam), Syrian rebels, Kurds (ISIS), HK rioters, Guaido (Venezuela), Afghan servicemen/translators (Taliban, who are now mocking Iwo Jima photo while wearing US military gear 😂), Ukraine (Budapest Memorandum, NATO membership)
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Flair Search: | https://www.reddit.com/r/Sino/comments/wp8p0b/my_favourite_chinese_revolutionary_opera_excerpt/ | 2022-08-16T00:47:02Z | https://www.reddit.com/r/Sino/comments/wp8p0b/my_favourite_chinese_revolutionary_opera_excerpt/ | false |
Patients and Taxpayers Forced to Absorb Preventable Costs
Patient Voice Patient Choice™ Campaign Engages Private Insurers and CMS
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), the nation's largest independent and patient-led kidney organization, unveiled an aggressive consumer engagement and mobilization campaign to help patients engage their commercial insurers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) on coverage decisions that undermine patient access to new and safe care innovations approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The AAKP Patient Voice Patient Choice™ campaign provides a sophisticated, interactive platform for patients, care partners, and others of goodwill to quickly identify and understand barriers impacting care choice and timely access to new treatments (www.patientvoicepatientchoice.org). The campaign includes tactics such as social media, letters to insurers and shareholders, online petitions, Congressional contact software, and voter registration tools.
In the United States, AAKP and allied kidney medical professionals, along with bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, have pushed to increase kidney research funding and to accelerate policies that remove barriers to treatment innovation. In the past several years, the FDA has increased substantive patient engagement, listened closely to patient concerns, and has approved several long-awaited and safe advancements in kidney care. The FDA's approvals have sparked massive, renewed interest in kidney medicine among existing and start-up pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The FDA's approvals have also created tremendous hope among patients and families suffering from the devastatingly high personal and financial costs of kidney diseases and related conditions such as diabetes, pruritus, and other debilitating ailments. Newly approved innovations include improved dialysis technologies, including those used in home dialysis, which help patients gain greater independence, including the ability to pursue aspirations for full-time and part-time work.
However, access to new kidney innovations has been severely curtailed by intentionally cumbersome insurance policies and cost controls that interfere with the ability of kidney doctors to prescribe the right treatment at the right time. These same payer policies often force highly vulnerable patients and their caregivers to navigate lengthy and complicated appeals processes. Unfortunately, many of these appeals offer little hope of a reversal, despite growing medical evidence that new therapies improve health outcomes beyond status quo kidney treatments. Nationally, intensifying patient frustrations toward insurers and barriers to timely treatment access have fueled bipartisan Congressional support for H.R. 3173 Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, sponsored by Congressional Kidney Caucus Co-Chair Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and supported by Caucus Co-Chair Larry Bucshon (R-IN). AAKP also supports H.R. 3173. AAKP supports the efforts of Representatives DelBene and Bucshon to increase care choice and access for patients.
AAKP President Richard Knight, a national kidney advocate, stated, "Kidney patient consumers and their allies have worked for many years to bring new treatments to market and to end disparate care. They are not about to sit idly as payer policies and red tape block timely access to care options that prevent further suffering or more serious illness. AAKP has organized patient consumers and they will raise their voices and exercise their votes to hold insurers, elected leaders, and other decision makers publicly accountable for their indifference toward highly vulnerable kidney patients." At a June 14, 2022, virtual event, The Hill Live: Chronic Kidney Disease – Forging Patient-Centered Solutions, Knight and AAKP thanked companies that have already been responsive to kidney patient concerns. Knight and AAKP also called out Humana for their ongoing lack of responsiveness to kidney patient concerns and for Humana's byzantine policies that block diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients from gaining full access to a new treatment that slows DKD progression (WATCH HERE). Knight is a former dialysis patient, current 16-year transplant recipient, and a former U.S. Congressional staff member and liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus.
AAKP Vice President and Chair of the AAKP Veterans Health Initiative Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC, stated, "AAKP is increasingly concerned that access-related issues are interfering with gains in kidney medicine during The Decade of the Kidney™. We strongly encourage responsible leaders in the insurance industry and at CMS to elevate these issues internally and weigh the ongoing defense of restrictive policies against the long-term costs borne by patients, taxpayers, and the nation when new treatments are walled off from patients in serious need. Defending status quo healthcare in an era of innovation is never a sustainable position." Hickey is a former Administrative Assistant on Capitol Hill and was involved in the first comprehensive Congressional initiative on brain diseases. He has served in two presidential administrations, including roles as a liaison to national Veteran Service Organizations, such as the Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
AAKP Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, a 42-year kidney patient who has lived with a kidney transplant for the past 25 years, stated, "The alignment of insurer and federal payment decisions to new, federally-approved and safe kidney therapies and devices is pivotal to sustained private sector involvement in kidney innovations and improved health outcomes. If current payer policies fail to evolve, advances in kidney care are in jeopardy, and both patients and American taxpayers will continue to bear the long-term costs of avoidable and unnecessary kidney disease complications and kidney failure. AAKP patient members and our allies find this situation totally unacceptable and are already taking action." Conway is a former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which administers the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the world's largest employer-sponsored group health insurance program.
The Patient Voice Patient Choice ™ campaign is another element of AAKP's Decade of the Kidney™ initiative (www.decadeofthekidney.org), launched in 2019. The initiative aims to widen national and global kidney patient involvement in decisions that impact disease research and the development of innovations, including safe new drugs, devices, and transformative technologies including artificial wearable and implantable kidneys and xenotransplants. For the past four years, AAKP, in partnership with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has also led the Global Summit on Kidney Disease Innovations, one of the largest patient-led innovation conferences in the world with engagement in over 80 countries. In June of 2022, the European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA) formally expanded its ongoing involvement in The Decade of the Kidney™ initiative by including it in the theme of their annual European Kidney Forum in the European Parliament in Brussels. AAKP also conducts the largest voter registration drive in the kidney community, the KidneyVoter™ program.
Kidney disease has an incredibly alarming and growing impact on Americans and their families and a disproportionate impact across minority, underserved, and rural communities. The human burdens and costs to patients, their families, and the American taxpayer are immense. Up to 37 million Americans are estimated to have kidney disease, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 90 percent of patients are unaware that they suffer from the disease. Kidney disease and kidney failure exact a heavy toll on patients, families, and the American taxpayer, with Medicare costs alone estimated at $120 billion dollars. Status quo kidney care is characterized by late disease diagnosis, outdated dialysis technologies, disparate treatment access, long waiting times for organ transplants, and extremely high mortality rates.
About the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP): In the past decade, AAKP patients have helped gain lifetime transplant drug coverage for kidney transplant recipients (2020); new patient-centered policies via the White House Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health (2019); new job protections for living organ donors from the U.S. Department of Labor (2018); and Congressional legislation allowing HIV positive organ transplants for HIV positive patients (2013). AAKP virtual platforms and social networks are internationally known for their impact. Follow AAKP on social media at @kidneypatient on Facebook and @kidneypatients on Twitter, and visit www.aakp.org for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Rate
Marketing & Communications Manager
jrate@aakp.org
(813) 400-2394
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE American Association of Kidney Patients | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/kidney-patients-cite-insurance-payment-issues-critical-barriers-fda-approved-care-innovations/ | 2022-08-16T00:48:01Z | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/kidney-patients-cite-insurance-payment-issues-critical-barriers-fda-approved-care-innovations/ | true |
BOSTON (AP) — Michael Cox, a Boston police veteran who was brutally beaten by fellow officers while chasing a suspect and fought against efforts to cover up his assault, was sworn in Monday as commissioner of the police department.
After taking the oath during a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, Cox thanked his family and friends who supported him through the incident that he said changed his life forever but does not define him.
“I’ve worked to change policing since that incident occurred, and I will continue to do all I can to make sure that no Black or brown person or any individual, no matter their gender identity or race, is the victim of any kind of unconstitutional policing,” Cox, who is Black, said.
Mayor Michelle Wu called Cox a leader that Boston “deserves.”
“I’m incredibly proud, grateful and inspired in the future for this city with Commissioner Michael Cox at the helm of the Boston Police Department,” she said.
The Boston native most recently served as police chief in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before taking that job in 2019, Cox served three decades in the Boston Police Department, where he took on the so-called “blue wall of silence” after he was attacked by colleagues who mistook him for a fleeing suspect.
In 1995, 29-year-old Cox was working undercover in plainclothes as part of the department’s gang unit when officers got a call about a shooting. The suspect started to scale a fence and Cox was struck from behind just as he was about to grab the man, Cox has said. He was kicked and punched by fellow officers, suffering head injuries and kidney damage.
Cox lost his footing on a frozen puddle, causing him to fall and crack his head, according to a department injury report.
The city eventually paid Cox more than $1 million over his civil rights case. He rose through the ranks over the years to become the bureau chief and superintendent of the Bureau of Professional Development, overseeing such things as the Boston Police Academy.
He replaces Dennis White, who was fired last year after decades-old domestic violence accusations — which he denied — came to light. Superintendent-In-Chief Gregory Long served as the acting police commissioner during the search for White’s permanent successor.
Cox was briefly placed on administrative leave in Ann Arbor over claims that he created a hostile work environment.
An investigation found “no evidence that the Chief was behaving in such a way” as to create a hostile work environment. But a report said “there is evidence that people feared retaliation by the Chief, and they had a legitimate basis for that fear, whether or not that was the Chief’s intent.” | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/michael-cox-sworn-in-as-boston-police-commissioner/ | 2022-08-16T00:50:01Z | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/michael-cox-sworn-in-as-boston-police-commissioner/ | true |
A red panda that spent two days on the lam after escaping from an Australian zoo was recaptured Sunday after he was spotted hanging out in a fig tree in a nearby park.
Named Ravi, the 7-year-old panda had arrived at Adelaide Zoo last week after he was brought in from another zoo with hopes that he would pair up with a female red panda named Mishry. But by Friday, Ravi was gone.
Adelaide Zoo Director Phil Ainsley told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that zookeepers spent Sunday trying to entice Ravi down from the fig tree with some of his favorite foods, including bamboo and sweet corn, to no avail.
In the end they fired a tranquilizer dart.
"We used a couple of different dart devices, finally got a dart into him and then just had to wait about 15 minutes just for the drug to take some effect,” Ainsley said.
Ravi then fell into the blankets of zookeepers who were waiting beneath the tree.
“Ravi's doing really well,” Ainsley told the broadcaster. “Settling down into animal health hospital, where he's just going to spend the next two or three days after being on the run. Just want to make sure he's all healthy and recovered from his adventure.”
U.S. & World
Ainsley said they discovered Ravi had escaped his enclosure Friday morning and initially focused their attention within the zoo, figuring he'd be up one of the large trees there. It wasn't until Sunday morning that a zookeeper spotted him in the fig tree in the nearby botanic park.
Ainsley told the broadcaster they'd be reviewing the zoo's CCTV footage to figure out how Ravi escaped.
“Obviously he'd just arrived and was testing his enclosure,” Ainsley said. “We know that red pandas are incredibly agile, and renowned for being escapologists.” | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/red-panda-found-in-fig-tree-after-escaping-australian-zoo/3825681/ | 2022-08-16T00:50:12Z | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/red-panda-found-in-fig-tree-after-escaping-australian-zoo/3825681/ | false |
Justice Department opposes unsealing affidavit for Mar-a-Lago search warrant
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.
Related video above: FBI seized 'top secret' documents from Trump's estate, court papers say
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. | https://www.mynbc5.com/article/justice-department-opposes-unsealing-affidavit-for-mar-a-lago-search-warrant/40901450 | 2022-08-16T00:52:15Z | https://www.mynbc5.com/article/justice-department-opposes-unsealing-affidavit-for-mar-a-lago-search-warrant/40901450 | false |
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