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Global Malnutrition Composite Score Included in Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule CHICAGO, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitals, medium and large medical practices and other healthcare facilities will be able to improve the quality of care for patients with malnutrition and reduce hospital stays and costs through a new opportunity resulting from work by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Avalere Health that was recently approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently finalized its proposal to include the Global Malnutrition Composite Score in its Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program in the 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule. "The Global Malnutrition Composite Score advances the treatment of patients with malnutrition, elevates the role of registered dietitian nutritionists in interdisciplinary healthcare teams and incentivizes health systems to provide the best level of care—all of which can shorten hospital stays and reduce readmissions," said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Ellen R. Shanley. The Global Malnutrition Composite Score, stewarded by the Academy and developed by Avalere, a member of Fishawack Health, is the first nutrition-focused quality measure and first composite electronic clinical quality measure in any CMS payment program. The Academy and Avalere developed, tested, and fine-tuned the four components of the Global Malnutrition Composite Score through the Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative. The Global Malnutrition Composite Score measures rates of nutrition screening, assessment by a registered dietitian nutritionist, malnutrition diagnosis by a physician and nutrition care plan documentation. Measuring performance based on this collective information can facilitate high-quality, comprehensive nutrition care that begins in the inpatient setting and can continue after discharge. "Malnutrition is a significant concern in the Medicare population, leading to increased readmissions, higher costs and longer length of stay. Including this measure in the Hospital IQR Program may promote data collection and reporting and encourage providers to prioritize high-quality nutrition care in this vulnerable population," said Avalere President Elizabeth Carpenter. As part of the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, hospitals can elect to report on the Global Malnutrition Composite Score as one of their three voluntary, self-selected electronic clinical quality measures beginning in 2024. This will expand opportunities for hospitals to improve their malnutrition care performance and realize health, quality performance and cost-reduction outcomes similar to those achieved by hospitals already tracking performance on the individual malnutrition care electronic clinical quality measures through the MQii. Hospitals that elect to report on the measure to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can leverage existing MQii resources to support their quality improvement programs. Visit the Academy's website and the MQii Global Malnutrition Composite Score webpage for additional information. The public is welcome to learn more by registering for the free webinar Quarterly Spotlight on Malnutrition that will take place on August 10, noon – 1 p.m. Central Time. In the coming months, the Academy and Avalere will create and disseminate educational materials for clinicians and administrators to better understand this opportunity. Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org. In an environment that demands a 360-degree perspective, Avalere Health, a member of Fishawack Health, brings innovative, data-driven solutions to complex health care challenges. Avalere is a health care consulting firm that operates at the intersection of policy, access, and transformation. We rely on expansive, proprietary data to derive insights and imagine what does not yet exist. Our customers span the health care continuum including the top 25 life sciences companies, leading health plans, top health care providers, and health care investors. Knowing that our customers we work with are people first, we join them in their drive to make a positive difference in health care. Inspired by our customers, empowered by data, and propelled by our inclusive culture, we are the essential voice improving health care. Visit us at www.avalere.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Fishawack Health (FH) is a leading global commercialization partner for the biopharmaceutical, medical technology, and wellness industries. The future of health is fast-paced and complex, demanding a different approach. Established in 2001, our 1300+ health care experts combine their knowledge and expertise across our four core disciplines—Medical; Marketing; Policy, Access, Value, Evidence; and Consulting. Working across the product and service lifecycle, from research and development to post-launch, we engage our collective force to solve the complex health care challenges of today and tomorrow. We imagine a healthier world and build the connections to make it happen. Visit us at www.fishawack.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics	https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/new-opportunity-quality-reporting-led-by-avalere-health-academy-nutrition-dietetics-will-improve-treatment-people-with-malnutrition/
A Springfield business owner and his staff are “shocked” and unsure of their future plans after the lease on their space was canceled this week. Fountain on Main owner Geoff Norman said his month-to-month lease was canceled, and he has until the end of September to move out of the building. “This is a place of positive values, positive people,” Norman said. “I’m just shocked, devastated.” Bushnell building owner Jim Lagos confirmed the business was on a month-to-month lease, but declined to comment further. Fountain on Main celebrated its 19th anniversary earlier this summer. The ‘50s style soda shop has called the Bushnell building home since the business’ start. Norman and his mother, Kylene, said the business was a part of the initial revitalization of Springfield’s downtown in the early 2000s. Not many businesses were located on the Main Street and Fountain Avenue area, save for businesses like a flower shop and a dance studio. The business started off as a small meal stop with 16 chairs and expanded in size and scope, Norman said. In the business’ life, it has seen many new faces and old. Norman described his base of customers as incredibly “loyal”: some coming in five times a week to eat homestyle cooking or drink milkshakes. “It’s a family run business with family coming in,” Norman said. “This is just as upsetting to them as it is to us.” It has also been a hot spot for birthday parties and other celebrations, revelers dawning poodle skirts and tunes of another time filling the diner air. The heartbeat of the downtown began to resonate in a different part of town. Business hours were cut back to lunchtime operation hours. The COVID-19 pandemic, too, had an impact on the restaurant as communal dining spaces were shut down and consumers stayed at home. The business was paying a reduced rent for the space, an arrangement that began around the time the pandemic started. They never missed a payment for rent, Norman said. Norman said in the past few weeks, it felt like things were beginning to bounce back for the business. “I love and am going to miss our customers,” he said. “But right now, I don’t know which way is up.” A new business is expected to take up space in the restaurant, Norman said. He’s unsure of his future plans. “We’re just completely at a loss,” he said. “And we’re still in shock.” About the Author	https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/fountain-on-main-owner-at-a-loss-after-leases-cancellation/7C2BW4IROVDGJCP4SKX357JSSQ/
XI'AN, China, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Throughout the millennia of history and the prosperous times of Chang'an, the profound cultural accumulation rooted in Xi'an, China, is a valuable historical treasure of this ancient city. In recent years, Xi'an has been making efforts to transform its cultural resources into fashionable "cultural tourism IP" based on "Tang cultural elements" and modern technology, and bringing historical and cultural heritage to life in a modern context. Recently, Xi'an Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government held a meeting and proposed to make good use of historical and cultural heritage, promote the deep integration of cultural industry and tourism industry, in order to make Xi'an a display window of Chinese culture and civilization. "Noblewomen'' and "ladies", "literati" and "warriors", reciting poems in the streets and imitating songs and dances of the Tang Dynasty, and the moving love story performed by ''gifted scholars and beautiful ladies of the Tang Dynasty'', etc., this is a Tang style city life neighborhood, which was derived from a historical TV drama, The Longest Day in Chang'an. The beautiful scenery of Tang dynasty clothing can be seen everywhere, and with the help of "sound, light and electricity" technology, it is like entering a "time and space feast" interwoven with literature, history, folklore and food. Through the integration of film and television IP and commercial IP, each visitor can realize the transformation from "watching the play" to "getting into the play" when entering the "The Longest Day in Chang'an", which makes people "back to Tang Dynasty in one second". The immersive experience satisfies people's new demand for experiencing Tang culture and becomes a new contact point to promote the integration of culture, tourism and business. What's more, relying on the "Tang cultural elements" to successfully build a cultural tourism scenic spot, there is also the famous Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-bright City. It has not only launched commercial activities such as "Tang Food Corner", "Tang Souvenir Corner" and "Tang Amusement Area", but also launched a number of immersive performances in the way of "interaction + experience", created a number of highly recognizable cultural tourism character IPs and blossomed the charm of "Tang culture" in an innovative way. More than fourteen hundred years ago, Xi'an was known worldwide as Chang'an. It was the world's first city of one million people, including about 100,000 envoys, merchants, foreign students and monks from other countries, so Xi'an's image of openness and inclusiveness was also known to the world. Despite the challenges of the epidemic, the ancient capital with thousands of years of history still exudes new vitality, driven by new leisure models such as market blocks, heritage exhibitions and immersive experiences. The long-standing cultural history has given consumption growth vitality and resilience, with "mystery boxes of Tang Dynasty characters", "ice cream made of images of popular landmarks such as the Terracotta Warriors and the City Wall," and "7 million netizens watching the Xi'an drum music stream", etc. All kinds of new consumption methods became the driving point for the upgrading of cultural tourism consumption. Xi'an is speeding up the integration of cultural resources and making history and culture the driving force for the development and innovation of this ancient city. Image Attachments Links: Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=422383 Caption: A Tang style city life neighborhood, which was derived from a historical TV drama, The Longest Day in Chang'an. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xi'an Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government	https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/xian-china-seeing-past-present-across-millennia-culture-tourism-innovation-animates-new-forms-consumption/
The 2023 model year cars keep rolling into dealer lots, albeit in limited supply, and the most visited review we posted this week was the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. A perennial Best SUV To Buy at The Car Connection, the Grand Cherokee has minor changes limited mostly to the 4xe plug-in hybrid model after last year’s redesign. We finally found some seat time in the 2022 Model S, and it once again impressed, in Plaid or otherwise. Here’s what else moved us this week. Plaid or not, the Model S offers incredible acceleration and impressive technology, but the steering yoke is a letdown. It earns a TCC Rating of 8.2 out of 10. The BMW i4 fits an electric powertrain into a 4-Series Gran Coupe body to earn a TCC Rating of 7.8 out of 10. The five-seat crossover SUV is mildly engaging to drive, has good standard features, and it’s the most attractive of Buick’s three remaining vehicles. It lacks the efficient powertrain options of competitors which limits its TCC Rating to 7.0 out of 10. 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee review The legendary SUV with seats for five or seven passengers carries more tech and a higher price this year, as well as a TCC Rating of 6.8 out of 10. Cadillac’s smallest crossover has good acceleration and a comfortable ride that overshadows a dull interior design to earn a TCC Rating of 6.2 out of 10. The compact crossover rides well and has a good standard feature set, but it doesn’t measure up to true luxury. It earns a TCC Rating of 6.0 out of 10. The 2023 Cadillac CT4 compact luxury sedan sports an impressive lineup and a TCC Rating of 5.6 out of 10 that would be higher based solely on the CT4-V and Blackwing models.	https://www.ksn.com/automotive/2023-jeep-grand-cherokee-2022-tesla-model-s-top-this-weeks-new-car-reviews/
Delta Air Lines, which has narrowly fought off several attempts to unionize its flights attendants, will begin paying cabin crews during boarding, a first for a major U.S. airline and a change that is expected to increase their wages by several thousand dollars a year. It is a notable change for U.S. airlines, where pay for flight attendants starts when all the passengers are seated and the plane’s doors close. Delta said the change will start June 2 on all flights. In a memo to flight attendants, the airline said the new pay “further recognizes how important your role is on board to ensuring a welcoming, safe and on-time start to each flight.” The change comes as Delta plans to increase the boarding time for single-aisle or “narrow-body” planes from 35 minutes to 40 minutes, which the airline expects will increase the percentage of flights that depart on time. Delta’s pilots are represented by a union, but several attempts to organize the flight attendants have failed in the face of fierce opposition by the Atlanta-based company. The Association of Flight Attendants, which has been gearing up an organizing campaign at Delta for more than two years, took credit for the boarding pay. “This new policy is the direct result of our organizing,” the union said. “As we get closer to filing for our union vote, management is getting nervous.” The union said Delta was also responding to employee anger over the longer boarding times, during which flight attendants currently don’t get paid. Delta said the new boarding pay would be on top of 4% raises that it granted to flight attendants last month. Unions represent upwards of 80% of workers at American, United and Southwest, but a far lower percentage at Delta.	https://www.wric.com/business/us-world-business/delta-to-begin-paying-flight-attendants-during-boarding/
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BERLIN (AP) — Germany's main opposition party has called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to explain his role in a large-scale tax evasion scam while he was mayor of Hamburg. Scholz has been dogged by questions about meetings he had with private bank M.M. Warburg in 2016 and 2017. Hamburg officials later dropped demands for the bank to repay millions of euros in tax refunds it had wrongly claimed for share trades. Dozens of bankers are being investigated in connection with so-called cum-ex share transactions that are said to have cost the German state billions. Scholz has denied wrongdoing and claimed not to recall details of his meetings with Warburg. But Thorsten Frei, a leading lawmaker with the center-right Christian Democrats, said recent revelations about 200,000 euros in cash being found in a safe belonging to a close party associate of Scholz raise further questions about the cum-ex affair. “Olaf Scholz needs to explain himself," Frei said in an interview published Thursday by German media group RND. The chancellor is holding his first annual summer news conference in Berlin on Thursday, during which the issue is likely to feature prominently. Scholz, who was finance minister under Angela Merkel from 2018 to 2021 and became chancellor last December, will also face questions over Germany's support for Ukraine, his government's efforts to tackle inflation and a looming energy crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.	https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Germany-Pressure-grows-on-Scholz-over-tax-scam-17366272.php
Longstanding Finance Executive Joins IMAX to Oversee Global Investor Relations Strategy NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) has named Jennifer Horsley as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations for IMAX. In her role, Horsley will oversee the Company's worldwide investor relations strategy and serve as its leader with the investment community, as IMAX seeks to evolve and grow its global entertainment technology platform. She joins IMAX from leading adtech firm Taboola, where she was part of the core executive team that took the company public in June 2021. Horsley will report directly to IMAX Chief Financial Officer Natasha Fernandes and be based in the Company's New York office. "Jennifer has excellent experience in helping guide technology companies at critical points in their evolution; she is a strategic thinker and effective communicator with a track record of building strong, lasting investor relationships," said Fernandes. "Her leadership will be invaluable to IMAX as we continue to build on the strength of our unique model, capitalize on a remarkable multi-year blockbuster slate, and expand our global platform through new growth opportunities." "I am excited to join IMAX, one of the most innovative global entertainment technology companies, and to work with Rich, Natasha and the team in communicating our compelling investment proposition," said Horsley. "IMAX is uniquely positioned at the nexus of top creators and consumers and differentiated through its proprietary technology platform, global reach and asset-lite business model. I cannot wait to share that story and the power of the IMAX Experience." Horsley has more than twenty years of experience across investor relations, financial management, strategic planning, and communications. Prior to Taboola, Horsley spent the first two decades of her career at Fortune 500 firm Xerox Corporation, where she held various roles across financial operations, FP&A and accounting before ultimately rising to the role of Vice President of Investor Relations. About IMAX Corporation IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theaters to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of June 30, 2022, there were 1,694 IMAX theater systems (1,610 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 72 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970." IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX™, IMAX LIVE™, IMAX Enhanced™, IMAX nXos® and Films to the Fullest®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies). CONTACT: Media: Mark Jafar mjafar@imax.com Investors: Jennifer Horsley jhorsley@imax.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE IMAX Corporation	https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/imax-names-jennifer-horsley-senior-vice-president-investor-relations/
ATSUGI, Japan, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) today announced the upcoming release of the IMX675, a 1/3-type CMOS image sensor for security cameras with approximately 5.12 megapixels2 that simultaneously delivers both full-pixel output of the whole captured image and high-speed output of regions of interest. In an industry first,1 the new sensor from SSS leverages Dual Speed Streaming technology to output all of the pixels in a captured image at a maximum rate of 40 frames per second while simultaneously outputting specific user-set regions of interest at high speed. Using this image sensor allows a single camera not only to provide comprehensive images of scenes, but also to support high-speed recognition of specific objects at a high level of detail. The new sensor also employs unique STARVIS™ 2 technology from SSS, which delivers high-sensitivity and a wide dynamic range, but with approximately 30% less power consumption than conventional models,3 thanks to its proprietary stacked structure. These technologies come together to deliver high-performance, high-quality image capture regardless of expected usage conditions or time of day, thereby contributing to a safer, more secure society. 1 Among CMOS image sensors for security camera applications. As of announcement on July 20, 2022. 2 Based on image sensor effective pixel specification method. 3 Compared to SSS's IMX335 1/3-type 5.12 effective megapixel CMOS sensor. ** The price of mass-produced items depends on trading volume and other factors. - Dual Speed Streaming Function Sample Video: https://youtu.be/0lwwTUoKZAc The requirements for security cameras vary depending on where and how they are used. At the same time, keeping the number of cameras optimized at a minimum is necessary to keep system costs low. Thanks to proprietary Dual Speed Streaming technology from SSS, the new sensor can simultaneously output the whole captured image and specific regions of interest at different frame rates, enabling capture of a comprehensive image of the scene while also accurately recognizing quick-moving objects, all with a single camera. This design helps reduce system costs. The new sensor can be used to capture, for example, the whole image of an intersection while recognizing people and cars moving through it, or to capture an overall image of a highway while also capturing the details needed to identify the license plate numbers of cars travelling on it. Additionally, STARVIS 2, a technology which delivers high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range, but with approximately 30% less energy consumption than conventional models,3 enables a dynamic range of 78 dB, approximately 2.5 times that of conventional models,3 when used in a single exposure method. As a result, the new sensor product has potential applications beyond security cameras, for instance in drive recorders and webcams, both of which are seeing increasing demand in recent times. Main Features - Equipped with Dual Speed Streaming for simultaneous full-pixel output of captured images and high-speed output of specific regions of interest This image sensor is the industry's first1 to employ Dual Speed Streaming technology to simultaneously output all pixels in a captured image at a maximum rate of 40 frames per second while also reading specific regions of interest at a high frame rate, a feat made possible by its original readout circuits. The location of the region of interest in the frame can be specified vertically, together with the corresponding frame rate. Depending on the purpose, users can choose to read only the necessary region at high speed to lessen the load on the camera system at a later stage by reducing the amount of data compared to the conventional method of reading all pixels. - Consumes 30% less power than conventional models3 This product utilizes a stacked structure, employing a Cu-Cu connection4 between the pixel unit and circuit unit, to achieve an optimized layout for multiple high-speed signal processing circuits. This results in significantly lower power consumption, approximately 30% lower than conventional models.3 In many cases, security cameras operate around the clock, creating issues such as power consumption costs, impact on the environment, and camera heat generation. With this new sensor, the number of heatsink components in the camera system can be reduced, lowering the overall system cost and contributing to reducing the impact on the environment. 4: Technology that provides electrical continuity via connected Cu (copper) pads when stacking the pixel section (top chip) and logic circuits (bottom chip). Compared with through-silicon via (TSV) wiring, where the connection is achieved by electrodes intruded around the circumference of the pixel area, this method gives more freedom in design, improves productivity, allows for a more compact size, and increases performance. - Single exposure method with approximately 2.5 times wider dynamic range than conventional models3 The new image sensor employs STARVIS 2 technology developed by SSS, which uses unique processing technology to increase the area of the light-receiving unit despite pixel size limitations, resulting in a wide dynamic range in a 1/3-type 5.12 megapixel format. This design delivers a dynamic range approximately 2.5 times wider than conventional models,3 at 78 dB, thereby enabling high-precision monitoring. - Improved sensitivity in the near-infrared domain delivers high-quality images in dark locations The new product comes with a proprietary device structure from SSS, where irregularities are incorporated into the incidence planes of the light receiving unit to refract incident light and thereby enhance the absorption rate of invisible near infrared light. This design results in a sensitivity approximately 2.5 times greater than conventional models,3 making it possible to capture high-quality images even in near infrared situations, which is often used in dark scenes and at night. Please visit the following websites for further details on CMOS image sensors for security applications. Product page: https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/e/products/IS/security/product.html Technology page: https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/e/products/IS/security/technology.html Key Specifications Note: STARVIS 2 is a registered trademark or trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliated companies. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation	https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/sony-semiconductor-solutions-release-industrys-first1-cmos-image-sensor-security-cameras-that-simultaneously-delivers-full-pixel-output-captured-images-high-speed-output-regions-interest/
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Paul Boxer, Rutgers University - Newark (THE CONVERSATION) After the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, psychology professor Paul Boxer and his colleagues reviewed research to see what could be learned from what they refer to as the “science of violence prevention.” In the wake of the May 24, 2022, massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Boxer has revisited that research anew – and other research conducted since then – for insights on what can be done to reduce the risk of school shootings in the future. Here he offers five policy changes – based on his findings – that can be implemented to achieve that end. 1. Dramatically limit access to guns Gun regulation matters. When my colleagues and I looked at gun regulations on a state-by-state basis, we found that more restrictive gun laws are associated with lower rates of homicides by guns. This relation held even after we took demographic, economic and educational factors into account. Others researchers have found that “permissive firearm laws and higher rates of gun ownership” were linked with higher rates of school shootings. What these results essentially mean is that in states where it is more difficult to acquire a gun, fewer people are killed by guns. Examples of these restrictions are raising the age for legal purchase, imposing lengthy waiting periods before access, requiring meaningful background checks, and more. These and similar measures – for example, eliminating access for individuals at a high risk of committing violence, such as the perpetrators of domestic violence – all move toward making it significantly harder to access guns, which would reduce gun violence substantially. Placing meaningful restrictions or outright bans on firearm equipment associated with greater lethality, such as assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines, should also lower the number of people being killed by firearms. Research already has shown that greater access to guns is associated with higher numbers of gun deaths. 2. Use more violence risk assessments in schools In the years since the Columbine shooting in 1999, researchers and federal law enforcement agencies have studied school shootings and developed risk assessments to gauge the likelihood of actual violence by a young person identified as a possible risk. These assessments are conducted by professionals that include police officers, school officials and teachers. They also involve mental health professionals, such as school counselors and psychologists. Together, these professionals all consult with one another to determine a young person’s risk for violence. These teams may not be able to prevent every possible incident. Still, this sort of approach is critical to improving the process of identifying and stopping potential shooters overall. Guidance on how to use these assessments is freely available and based in extensive applied research. For example, in one 2015 study, the Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines – a set of guidelines for the investigation of a reported threat, thorough assessment of the individual making the threat, and preventive or protective measures to be taken in response – were shown to reduce rates of student aggression. They were also shown to lower out-of-school suspension rates while improving teacher and student perceptions of safety. 3. Expand evidence-based strategies to reduce violent behavior To help reduce the number of youths who grow up to become violent, governmental agencies could increase the availability and use of evidence-based interventions in schools. Aggressive and violent behavior has been shown by research to emerge from a mix of personal and environmental risk factors. The factors include impulsivity, callousness, exposure to violence and victimization. In light of this research, effective approaches were developed to prevent aggression by teaching students to problem-solve for better responses to peer conflict. They also teach students to think carefully about others’ motivations when they feel provoked. Programs shown to reduce aggressive behavior typically train youths who already have exhibited some aggression on new and better coping skills for managing stress and anger. And for youths who have become seriously violent, treatments teach new, constructive behavioral and communication skills to youths and their caregivers. The treatments also help young people develop better relationships with family members and school personnel. 4. Make school buildings safer The Robb Elementary School shooter entered the school building through a door that reportedly malfunctioned. This highlights the absolute importance for schools to take and maintain physical security measures. In the wake of school shootings, schools often turn to solutions such as upgraded camera surveillance or increased law enforcement. These measures can have mixed effects on students’ perceptions of safety and support – cameras posted outside appear to increase felt safety, whereas cameras posted inside seem to promote unease. Increased law enforcement presence might make teachers feel safer in school. But it also might criminalize student misbehavior without actually making schools safer. Still, there are number of ways for schools to improve physical security without increasing student anxiety or needlessly deploying law enforcement. For example, in one large study, students were less likely to skip school because of safety concerns when metal detectors were used at school entry points. In that study, those metal detectors also reduced the likelihood of weapons being brought into schools. 5. Reduce exposure to violence through media and social media Entertainment media and social media are saturated with violent images of physical assaults, gun violence and gore. Exposure to and participation in virtual violence might not lead to aggressive behavior for all children and adolescents. But watching violent programs and playing violent video games can lead to increased hostility, aggressive feelings, emotional desensitization to violence and ultimately aggressive behavior. These effects can potentially be lessened by reducing the amount of screen violence to which children and adolescents are exposed over time, particularly early in development. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/5-ways-to-reduce-school-shootings-183965.	https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/5-ways-to-reduce-school-shootings-17214592.php
GREENSBORO, N.C., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brooks Group, an award-winning sales training company, has recently hired Jim Packard as the new Vice President of Product Innovation, who will ensure the company has tools and trainings that match todays learning styles. As a former learning architect and implementation strategist with Franklin Covey, Jim is an expert at creating engaging and effective learning experiences in live, live online, and self-paced formats. His goal is to help salespeople move past any aversion to learning created by educational experiences in their past, and make learning accessible and approachable to people in a way that helps them learn and use the information they are being taught. Jim's belief is that "You can't innovate effectively if you don't understand what people are trying to get done. I don't believe in learning for the sake of learning, but in removing barriers to find practical application; in meeting people where they are so they can apply what they learn and overcome the struggles they deal with." The pandemic has left a permanent mark on the learning industry. Sales managers are beginning to realize that while training can be brilliant from an instructional design perspective, it must be presented in a way that learners "opt-in" for and are willing to do. "As we continue to innovate our product set, we are certain that Jim's significant experience in adult learning and product design will lead to products that bring significant benefits to our clients." remarked Gary Fly, CEO of The Brooks Group. Jim lives in Utah, where he spends his free time hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, kayaking, and rock climbing—all with his wife, four sons, and sometimes the family dog, Millie. The Brooks Group teaches straightforward, actionable sales training skills to sales managers and their teams. Their IMPACT Selling® Sales Training Program has been taught to over one million sales professionals nation-wide, and they've been recognized as one of the top sales training companies annually since 2010. Jim Packard is the Vice President of Product Innovation, where he is responsible for ensuring a best in class product suite. His work impacts anything from product offerings, instructional design, modalities, and marketing collateral. Jim's background is in the classroom and helping people learn. His success in helping students learn using online platforms launched into a ten-year career at Franklin Covey, where he created innovative webinar rooms using Adobe Connect, Zoom, and Web Ex. He also leveraged his deep subject-matter expertise to help clients identify their leadership and organizational development needs, and strategize solutions to achieve desired results. He received his M.A. in English from Weber State University in 2009, and his Masters of Science, Leadership and Management from Western Governors University in 2021. Jim's pragmatic approach to learning drives him to remove barriers that prevent learners from finding practical applications for the techniques they learn. He has spoken to many organizations and individual learners to uncover which learning modalities people like, and has found that the most effective training is one that people opt-in to and are willing to implement. You can find Jim spending his free time in the mountains around his home in Utah, where he enjoys spending his time hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, kayaking, and rock climbing with his wife Tamara, four sons, Isaac, Jude, William, and Zeke, and sometimes the family dog, Millie. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Brooks Group	https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/brooks-group-plans-change-how-salespeople-learn/
HUNTINGTON — Active cases of COVID-19 increased across West Virginia on Thursday, including in Cabell County. The county reported 206 active cases Thursday, up from 158 cases one week ago. The community transmission level for COVID-19 remains “high” in Cabell County, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s community transmission levels are comprised of three levels — low, medium and high. With a high level of community transmission, the CDC recommends people wear a mask indoors in public spaces. Statewide, 1,197 new COVID-19 cases were reported Thursday as active cases increased to 3,351. That’s 197 more active cases than were reported Wednesday, according to the Department of Health and Human Resources’ coronavirus dashboard. State health experts have said active case counts could be undercounted by anywhere from 10% to 30% due to an end in free testing, a decrease in total testing and the availability of home tests, the results of which cannot be reported to the state or local health departments. To date, 7,149 residents have died from COVID-19 infections, with 20 of those deaths reported Thursday. Among the new deaths was an 86-year-old man from Mason County. More than 84% of deaths reported since vaccines became available in January 2021 have been people who were unvaccinated, per the dashboard. As of Thursday, 327 West Virginians — including six children — were hospitalized for COVID-19 infections. That’s five fewer patients than were reported Wednesday. Of those hospitalized, 51 patients — including three children — were in intensive care units and 13 were receiving care on ventilators. Nearly 54% of those hospitalized are unvaccinated, per the dashboard. That increased to 67% unvaccinated for those in the ICU. Eight of the 13 patients receiving care on ventilators reported being unvaccinated. It’s unclear whether those considered “fully vaccinated” have received recommended booster doses, as the state does not report hospitalization data with that information. Being fully vaccinated and boosted is still the most effective way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization or death from COVID-19, health officials say. Anyone 6 months or older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. For children younger than 3, contact a pediatrician or local health department to schedule a vaccination appointment. About 57% of eligible West Virginians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and another 9% report being partially vaccinated. Of those fully vaccinated, nearly 53% have received a booster dose. Booster doses are available to anyone 5 and older who previously received an initial round of an mRNA vaccine at least five months ago or the Johnson & Johnson one-shot two months ago. Second booster doses are recommended for individuals over 50 years old and for those with underlying conditions. Active cases per county are: Barbour (36), Berkeley (164), Boone (59), Braxton (20), Brooke (21), Cabell (206), Calhoun (8), Clay (9), Doddridge (7), Fayette (90), Gilmer (8), Grant (18), Greenbrier (50), Hampshire (21), Hancock (25), Hardy (27), Harrison (124), Jackson (29), Jefferson (69), Kanawha (313), Lewis (30), Lincoln (37), Logan (85), Marion (105), Marshall (69), Mason (45), McDowell (36), Mercer (177), Mineral (45), Mingo (55), Monongalia (196), Monroe (32), Morgan (24), Nicholas (85), Ohio (69), Pendleton (6), Pleasants (14), Pocahontas (8), Preston (38), Putnam (118), Raleigh (232), Randolph (31), Ritchie (14), Roane (31), Summers (28), Taylor (29), Tucker (5), Tyler (14), Upshur (48), Wayne (48), Webster (21), Wetzel (15), Wirt (6), Wood (177) and Wyoming (74).	https://www.herald-dispatch.com/coronavirus/active-covid-cases-exceed-200-in-cabell-county/article_42226ce0-f15c-5952-8fdc-28a73bc19563.html
DALLAS, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diamond J Properties announces Grand Opening Land Sale Event for private lakefront community, Stillwater Shores, on July 30th, 2022. Stillwater Shores is a 221-acre development located just 60 minutes from Dallas, TX on Richland-Chambers Reservoir. This gated community features 1 to 8 acre properties with prices starting at $69,900. Properties feature rolling pasture, mature hardwoods, ponds, and panoramic views. The community features a private gated entrance, paved roads, underground utilities, high-speed internet, event pavilion and community boat docks. These lakefront properties are the perfect spot to build your retirement home, getaway home, and it's a great investment! Visit www.stillwatershorestx.com to learn more and schedule your priority appointment. Appointments are required for the July 30th Land Sale Event. Call 833-499-1424 today to schedule your appointment. Diamond J Properties specializes in creating communities in Texas. With over 80 years of combined experience in real estate acquisition, development, marketing and sales, our team knows what it takes to create communities where people will be proud to call home. We make it easy to build your dream home in Texas by putting in the necessary infrastructure including paving roads, electricity, water, permitting, wildlife exemptions etc. Learn more about Diamond J Properties: https://www.diamondjproperties.com/ View original content: SOURCE Diamond J Properties	https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/diamond-j-properties-announces-grand-opening-land-sale-event-lakefront-community-stillwater-shores-july-30th-2022/
RENO, Nev., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - i-80 GOLD CORP. (TSX: IAU) (NYSE: IAUX) ("i-80", or the "Company") is honored to announce that the Company is the recipient of two Mine Operator Safety Awards by the Nevada Mining Association ("NVMA") as well as two Individual Awards. Awards are given to the top mines in designated categories based on their safety rate, which is calculated through a formula that factors the number of employees on site, number of hours worked, penalties for lost‑time accidents, number of reportable incidents, and lost-time days. Lone Tree and Ruby Hill both received the Small Surface Operator Safety Award. Each mine site hosted a celebratory lunch to thank our employees for their ongoing dedication to safety. The Nevada Mining Association also recognizes individuals and mine operators that exemplify the industry's dedication to workplace safety as a part of its annual Safety Awards. Cammie Holland, Lone Tree Lab Superintendent, received the Supervisor Safety Award and Dillion Pollock, Ruby Hill Electrician, received the Safety Champion Award. 37 individuals were recognized at an awards luncheon on September 10, 2022, at the NVMA Convention in Lake Tahoe. "In creation of i-80 Gold we brought together a collection of high-quality assets, and these assets have come with an exceptional team of dedicated professionals. This is evident with the Nevada Mining Association's recognition of two properties and two individuals as 2022 Safety Award recipients. Thank you to everyone at i-80 Gold for your exceptional performance in Health and Safety leadership." Stated Matthew Gili, President & COO of i-80 Gold Corp. i-80 Gold Corp. is a well-financed, Nevada-focused, mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status through the development of multiple deposits within the Company's advanced-stage property portfolio with processing at i-80's centralized milling facility that includes an autoclave. Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below and elsewhere in this release, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp	https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/i-80-gold-recipient-four-nevada-mining-association-safety-awards/
WASHINGTON — Jeanne Bjorn came out twice. In 1978, she acknowledged she was a lesbian. But it's only been recent that she said she came out as her truest self. "I realized that I needed to come out to myself as bisexual, that I have always been bisexual," Bjorn said. But, Bjorn said, it's been hard for her to come out to her lesbian friends. "There were a few times that I just said 'I can't even do this,'" she said. "It was sort of like I should go back into the lesbian closet." Bjorn tied her hesitation in part to the myths and stigma surrounding the bisexual community. Many bisexuals say they experience isolation and misunderstanding about their sexuality, even from others within the LGBTQ+ community. "I get the standard 'why don't you just pick a side?" said Mrunmayi J. Salil, a woman who said her struggle is compounded by the fact that she has a male partner. "I know for a fact that when I bring him to certain LGBT events, unless I'm very dressed [up], I will get mistaken for an ally." LGBTQIA+ advocates say many of the stigmas stem from what they call bisexual invisibility or erasure. Dr. Stephen Forssell, the director of George Washington University's LGBT Health Policy and Practice Program, said bisexuality is erased because people think in black and white terms - no gray areas. "The LGBTQ community doesn't have a convenient way of conceptualizing what bisexuals are," he explains. "It's just kind of a slippery concept for a lot of people to grasp." "A lot of people don't believe Bi people exist," David South added. "We don't like things that don't fit into a box. And as bisexuals, we live on the verge between homosexuality and heterosexuality." That black and white thinking leads many to assume someone is straight or gay, disregarding bisexuality. "If you see a couple holding hands, a man and a woman - that's a straight couple," South said. "If you see a couple that's a woman and a woman - that's a gay couple. There's no way for two people to appear bisexual. And so, it's very easy to overlook people." That invisibility is hurting the mental health of bisexual people. A 2017 report in the Journal of Sex Research found bisexual people had higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their gay, lesbian and straight counterparts. "I think when things aren't talked about, you get the message that there's something wrong with it," Bjorn said. Salil, Bjorn and South all agree that there's a lack of bisexual representation in current society. "I wish that I would have known more people in my life or celebrities or characters that were bisexual men," South said. "That would have helped me realize that this is how I feel." Dr. Forssell said increasing bisexual representation -- essentially erasing bi-erasure -- would ease the isolation and stigma for the community. "The more we make these things visible, the more conversations we have about this openly... the better it goes," South said.	https://www.abc10.com/article/life/bisexual-visibility-erasure-and-stigmas-pride-month-june-2022/65-4fefdf91-f5f1-43a7-b13f-e2eed5e64648
Ally Keith played an invaluable role as a junior in raising Archbishop Spalding girls lacrosse to a prosperous season and field hockey even more so. Hers was the final and pressure-lifting goal in the Cavaliers’ upset shutout victory over Garrison Forrest in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference final last November, bringing home the program’s third championship. Keith, who intends to lead Spalding back to a repeat this fall, recently spoke to The Capital. Editors note: Questions and answers have been edited for clarity. How does it feel preparing for your senior season? It’s so crazy. We had field hockey workouts this morning and I remember being a freshman being here. It went so fast. The state final was now so long ago and you graduated a good portion of your championship team. How do you face the season thinking, ‘OK, we have a title, but we don’t have everyone we had to defend it?’ I think we have some big shoes to fill. Those seniors were super-duper talented and our team dynamic last year was amazing. But this whole summer, every single girl came in ready to work. I think that’s our expectation, making it to the final game. We want it so bad. We have a lot of talent to do it. The younger girls are now sophomores and juniors, a little older than they were, and I think if we all work really hard, we can make it to the final game. It’s obviously hard to tell before a season really starts and you start playing real games, but when you graduate people, the dynamic of the offense and defense changes a little bit. How do you think this year’s team might be a little bit different with the pieces you have? I think we’ve always had a strong offense and we’ll continue to have a strong offense. We lost some players on defense, so we’ll have to make a few adjustments to protect our defense. We have an amazing goalkeeper [Ruby DeFrees], which is super helpful for communication in the backfield. [ Spalding upsets Garrison Forest for IAAM A Conference title. ] If I remember right, Ruby had her SATs before the final last year, right? Yeah, and then she came out and played a great game. I hope she took a long nap the next day. So for you, you’re obviously going to have to step up in a larger role. How do you think you’re going to approach that challenge this season? During this summer, I’ve really learned how to communicate with the girls. I feel like it’s easy when you have good communication and leadership skills on a team. I’ve just really been trying to gain girls’ trust, that they trust in me and believe what I’m saying. If I’m saying ‘We can push harder, do more,’ they could just be like, ‘Oh, there’s just a girl telling us what to do. I’m not really going to listen because I don’t really believe in her.’ But I feel like I’ve really tried to step up with communication skills and getting the girls to trust me. So what are some things you do to build that trust? At workouts, I try to take the seriousness out a little bit. Obviously, we come to work hard, we come to win. But I really like to jump around, talk to the girls, get to know the freshmen. I really have tried to learn all their names so that they’re not just freshmen. [To me], you’re not an age on this team. Everyone’s the same age on the playing field. It doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior when they’re all feeling like wanting to compete. Varsity Highlights So how have you developed your skills and abilities this year? How would you describe the player you are now? With a lot of help from our coaches. Coach [Leslee] Brady has always told me to keep communicating, keep working, and all our coaches have been really amazing in building who you are. I talked with the seniors — Becca [Lawn], Katie [Fichtner], Bridget [Donovan]. They were all super, really good role models to look after. I’ve tried to fill their shoes, what they’ve done to make us successful last year. So now that you guys gave broken down that door and gotten to a title for the first time since 2015, do you approach the season with a little more confidence or differently than you approached last season? I think it helps knowing we can get there, but I feel like our team has remained humble in that sense. The conference is still super hard. We played really good competition and it just doesn’t come easily. Last year, we didn’t go in thinking, ‘We’re the best team. We’re gonna win it all.’ And I think that’s why we won the championship. It’s definitely a weight off our shoulders, knowing we can do it. But we’re really just humbled knowing what we need to do to keep working hard and that it’s not just going to be a dip in the water. So what will separate Spalding from what you said is an incredibly tough A Conference this upcoming year? It helps other teams are also losing some key senior players from their team. But I also just think our team chemistry this year is amazing as well, just like last year. I think that’s really going to help that we have a close-knit team willing to work hard.	https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/high-school/ac-cs-ally-keith-spalding-field-hockey-q-and-a-20220808-6ppmxpr7engr7epbtoh4rbfvmm-story.html
DENVER, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Plume, the market-leading provider of virtual care services purposefully designed for the health care needs of the transgender community, today announced their Series B funding round of $24 million, led by Transformation Capital with participation from General Catalyst and Townhall Ventures. The growth investment in Plume will support the company in fulfilling its mission to transform health care for every trans life by creating access to high quality, safe gender-affirming care. As the world's leading virtual care provider for gender-affirming care, Plume will use these resources to expand coverage nationwide and into virtual primary care, ensure Plume is covered by insurance, and provide support that trans and gender diverse people and their families deserve. "As a trans woman and physician, I started Plume to offer a supportive space for trans Americans as they navigate our nation's broken health care system," said Dr. Jerrica Kirkley, Plume's Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer. "With today's announcement, we are on track to reach our goal of increasing access to high-quality, gender-affirming care to patients across the U.S. in both urban areas and coverage deserts. Knowing the hurdles trans Americans face when accessing care, I'm encouraged to reach this benchmark and I look forward to Plume's growth in the future. I want to thank Transformation Capital, General Catalyst, and Townhall Ventures for their partnership in transforming health care for every trans life." The visibility of the trans community is growing at an exponential rate as younger generations more readily openly identify as trans and gender diverse. Gen Z identifies as trans at nearly four times the rate of baby boomers and is statistically the queerest generation in history. Trans individuals have unique medical, legal, and socio-emotional needs distinct from those of the broader cisgender LGBQ+ population that are commonly unmet by the status quo. Plume is the only digital-health company entirely dedicated to services for trans and gender diverse individuals and their families and is uncompromisingly focused on providing the best care experience available. "Since launching in 2019, Plume has strived to bring the trans community the deeply personalized health care they deserve," said Dr. Matthew Wetschler, Plume's Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Amidst growing anti-trans rhetoric nationwide, Plume's model offers unmatched access to health care for trans Americans. Today's announcement only reinforces our goal of expanding that coverage and eliminating barriers to quality care." Access to safe health care is woefully inadequate across the ~2 million Americans that constitute the trans community. More than 30% of trans people avoid health care for fear of discrimination and more than 60% of trans people in urban areas have had to access medications outside of the clinical system. Plume has a clinical care model purposefully designed by a trans-led clinical team to ensure a positive, high-quality health care experience. "We are thrilled to partner with Plume's Co-Founders, Dr. Matthew Wetschler & Dr. Jerrica Kirkley, and their incredible team. Our firm has deep empathy and compassion for underserved communities – we believe the trans community deserves a better, more accessible care experience that is unfortunately not available to many in our health care system today. Plume is positioned to be a medical home for this important and growing community," said Jenna Ciotti, Vice President at Transformation Capital. While Plume continues to work towards gender-affirming care being covered by insurance, no insurance is necessary to become a member and receive care. Members pay $99 a month and receive 24/7 access to gender-affirming care, personal consultations, lab testing, facilitated support groups, medical letters of support for surgery and name and gender marker changes, and home delivery of prescriptions and gender-affirming medication as medically appropriate. Plume eliminates these barriers by making gender-affirming care accessible for anyone who needs it without ever having to step into a doctor's office. The research shows that gender-affirming care is life-saving and a clinical imperative. As anti-trans rhetoric and sentiment continues, guaranteeing access to trans-specific care is more important now than ever. This funding will support Plume's expansion that is critically important to addressing the unique needs of the trans community. To learn more visit www.getplume.co. Plume is a comprehensive, virtual care provider built by and for the health care needs of the transgender community. The company seeks to radically increase access to care, medication, and products for the trans community, supporting a bold, authentic, and healthy lifestyle. Its vision is to make gender-affirming care available to anyone, anywhere, until it transforms health care for every trans life. Plume is available to over 90% of the trans population across the United States. Transformation Capital is a digital health growth equity firm dedicated to supporting commercial stage companies focused on improving people's health and the sustainability of the health care system. The firm was founded on the premise that investing in health care requires both a sophisticated understanding of the health care system, including the prevailing market forces and resulting opportunities, as well as deep connections with decision makers across key providers, payers and digital health innovators. Transformation Capital has invested in digital health companies across the ecosystem, including Health Catalyst, Datavant, Vera Whole Health, Headspace Health, Sword, CareRev, and DexCare. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Plume	https://www.wsaz.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/plume-leading-gender-affirming-virtual-care-provider-announces-24m-series-b-funding-expand-coverage-nationwide/
SARASOTA, Fla. — An ice cream linked to more than 20 hospitalizations and a death has been recalled. On Wednesday, the FDA announced that Big Olaf Creamery is recalling all flavors and lots of its ice cream products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The ice cream was sold at Big Olaf retailers in Florida as well as to consumers in restaurants and senior homes, and one location in Fredericksburg, Ohio. The recall comes after WFLA reports that several environmental samples from a Big Olaf ice cream processing facility tested positive for listeria. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued a stop-use order of the equipment where listeria was found, effectively shutting down the facility. The ice cream was sold in plastic pint size containers, plastic ½ gallon containers, and plastic 2.5-gallon tubs. Other product was sold to independent retail stores. All flavors, lots, codes, and all expiration dates through 6/30/2022 are included in the recall. The FDA reports that based on information from the CDC and state officials, Big Olaf may be a potential source of illnesses in an ongoing Listeria outbreak. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause the serious infection Listeriosis. It can also cause common food poisoning symptoms. The CDC says around 1,600 people get listeriosis every year, resulting in about 260 deaths. It is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems. As of July 8, a total of 23 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 10 states. 12 of those infected are residents of Florida and another nine reported traveling to Florida before getting sick. Of the people who have gotten sick, 22 people have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported in Illinois. Five pregnant people got sick, resulting in the loss of one of the pregnancies. The age range of the people infected goes from younger than one to 92 years old, with a median age of 72. More than half of those infected are male. The CDC says recent illnesses may not be reported, as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. The true number of people involved in this outbreak is likely higher than the reported amount, as some people recover without medical care and are not tested. The FDA said Big Olaf is cooperating with regulatory authorities to return all suspected products. In a prior statement, the company said while the company is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, “it is only speculation” that their ice cream is the culprit. Regarding the investigation for possible listeria contamination: For now it is only speculation as it is an ongoing investigation, our brand has not been confirmed to be linked to these cases. I am not sure why only Big Olaf is being mentioned and targeted. The original report we got from the Florida Department of Health on Friday, July 1st, was that there are 23 cases reported, the first one reported was January 2022. 6 out of the 23 patients mentioned having consumed Big Olaf ice cream, but nothing has been proven. We have been cooperating with the Florida Department of Health, FDACS, and the FDA as soon as we were informed about the situation. We have been transparent and have answered all their questions and provided them with all the information requested from us, as the health and wellbeing of the public is our first priority. – Big Olaf Creamery via Instagram The CDC says public health investigators are using a system that manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. This same method was used to identify the source of the Jif peanut butter Salmonella outbreak. The investigation showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. The CDC says this means people in the outbreak likely got sick from the same food. Big Olaf faces two lawsuits connected to the outbreak. WFLA reports one is for the death of an Illinois woman and another from a couple who said they lost their unborn child because of the listeria infection. Anyone with the recalled ice cream should throw it out. Any areas, containers and serving utensils that may have touched the ice cream should be cleaned. Anyone with questions about the recall can call (941) 365-7483, Monday through Saturday from 8:00am – 5:00 pm EST.	https://cbs4indy.com/news/ice-cream-connected-with-deadly-multistate-listeria-outbreak-recalled-after-contamination-found-in-processing-facility/
MONTREAL, May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) today announced ratification of a four-year collective agreement by Unifor union members at seven of the company's pulp and paper mills in Canada, following an agreement-in-principle reached on May 15, 2022. "We are pleased with the result of the vote, which is a testament to the hard work and collaborative efforts of both the company and the union in recent years to address the challenges we are facing and to ensure the competitiveness of the business," said Remi G. Lalonde, president and chief executive officer. "Thanks to the support of our employees, we continue to pursue our vision to operate a model manufacturing company, built with the strongest business values, the highest respect for sustainability and the calling to serve our people and communities." The collective agreements cover approximately 700 hourly employees represented by Unifor at Resolute's Dolbeau; Gatineau; Kénogami; Saint-Félicien and currently indefinitely idled Amos and Baie-Comeau pulp and paper facilities in Quebec; and the Thunder Bay operation in Ontario. The seven mills account for about 50% of the company's total pulp and paper production capacity. Resolute Forest Products is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including market pulp, tissue, wood products and papers, which are marketed in over 60 countries. The company owns or operates some 40 facilities, as well as power generation assets, in the United States and Canada. Resolute has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to internationally recognized sustainable forest management standards. The shares of Resolute Forest Products trade under the stock symbol RFP on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Resolute has received regional, North American and global recognition for its leadership in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, as well as for its business practices. Visit www.resolutefp.com for more information. View original content: SOURCE Resolute Forest Products Inc.	https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/20/resolute-announces-ratification-collective-agreement-seven-canadian-pulp-paper-mills/
NEWTON, Mass., April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering novel cancer therapies, today announced that four abstracts highlighting selinexor clinical research have been selected for presentation, including one oral presentation, at the upcoming 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting taking place June 3-7, 2022, in Chicago. Research findings to be presented include an oral presentation discussing subgroup analyses and molecular classification data from the Phase 3 SIENDO study evaluating selinexor in endometrial cancer and a poster presentation highlighting preliminary results from a Phase 1/2 study evaluating selinexor in combination with ruxolitinib in patients with treatment-naïve myelofibrosis. "At Karyopharm, we are laser focused on targeting cancers with high unmet need where our science enables us to make the biggest difference in the lives of patients," said Reshma Rangwala, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Karyopharm. "We are excited to share the latest research at the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting as these data underscore the innovation across our four core programs in clinical development." Details for the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting presentations are as follows: Oral Presentation Title: Randomized phase III study of maintenance selinexor versus placebo in endometrial cancer (ENGOT - EN5/GOG-3055/SIENDO): Impact of subgroup analysis and molecular classification Presenter: Vicky Makker, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Abstract #: 5511 Date and time: Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CDT Session: Clinical Science Symposium/Molecular-Based Treatment for Endometrial Cancer Poster Presentations Title: A phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study of selinexor plus ruxolitinib in patients with treatment-naïve myelofibrosis Presenter: Haris Ali, City of Hope Abstract #: 7060 Date and time: Saturday, June 4, 2022, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CDT Session: Hematologic Malignancies—Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, and Allotransplant Title: Phase 1b study of weekly split-dose selinexor in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) Presenter: Abdulazeez Salawu, University Health Network Abstract #: 11563 Date and time: Sunday, June 5, 2022, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CDT Session: Sarcoma Title: Digital monitoring and assessments in patients with glioblastoma Presenter: Yasaman Damestani, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc. Abstract #: 2045 Date and time: Sunday, June 5, 2022, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CDT Session: Central Nervous System Tumors About XPOVIO® (selinexor) XPOVIO is a first-in-class, oral exportin 1 (XPO1) inhibitor and the first of Karyopharm's Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds to be approved for the treatment of cancer. XPOVIO functions by selectively binding to and inhibiting the nuclear export protein XPO1. XPOVIO is approved in the U.S. and marketed by Karyopharm in multiple oncology indications, including: (i) in combination with Velcade® (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (XVd) in patients with multiple myeloma after at least one prior therapy; (ii) in combination with dexamethasone in patients with heavily pre-treated multiple myeloma; and (iii) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least two lines of systemic therapy. XPOVIO (also known as NEXPOVIO® in certain countries) has received regulatory approvals in a growing number of ex-U.S. territories and countries, including Europe, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, Singapore and Israel, and is marketed in those areas by Karyopharm's global partners. Selinexor is also being investigated in several other mid- and late-stage clinical trials across multiple high unmet need cancer indications, including Multiple Myeloma, Endometrial Cancer and Myelofibrosis. For more information about Karyopharm's products or clinical trials, please contact the Medical Information department at: Tel: +1 (888) 209-9326 Email: medicalinformation@karyopharm.com XPOVIO® (selinexor) is a prescription medicine approved: - In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy (XVd). - In combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti–CD38 monoclonal antibody (Xd). - For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B–cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). SELECT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Warnings and Precautions - Thrombocytopenia: Monitor platelet counts throughout treatment. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction and supportive care. - Neutropenia: Monitor neutrophil counts throughout treatment. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction and granulocyte colony–stimulating factors. - Gastrointestinal Toxicity: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss may occur. Provide antiemetic prophylaxis. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction, antiemetics, and supportive care. - Hyponatremia: Monitor serum sodium levels throughout treatment. Correct for concurrent hyperglycemia and high serum paraprotein levels. Manage with dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation, and supportive care. - Serious Infection: Monitor for infection and treat promptly. - Neurological Toxicity: Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities until neurological toxicity resolves. Optimize hydration status and concomitant medications to avoid dizziness or mental status changes. - Embryo–Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with a female partner of reproductive potential, of the potential risk to a fetus and use of effective contraception. - Cataract: Cataracts may develop or progress. Treatment of cataracts usually requires surgical removal of the cataract. Adverse Reactions - The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with multiple myeloma who receive XVd are fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, upper respiratory tract infection, decreased weight, cataract and vomiting. Grade 3–4 laboratory abnormalities (≥10%) are thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, hypophosphatemia, anemia, hyponatremia and neutropenia. In the BOSTON trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 6% of patients within 30 days of last treatment. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 19%. - The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with multiple myeloma who receive Xd are thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, anemia, decreased appetite, decreased weight, diarrhea, vomiting, hyponatremia, neutropenia, leukopenia, constipation, dyspnea and upper respiratory tract infection. In the STORM trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 9% of patients. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 58% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 27%. - The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) in patients with DLBCL, excluding laboratory abnormalities, are fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, appetite decrease, weight decrease, constipation, vomiting, and pyrexia. Grade 3–4 laboratory abnormalities (≥15%) are thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and hyponatremia. In the SADAL trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.7% of patients within 30 days, and 5% of patients within 60 days of last treatment; the most frequent fatal adverse reactions were infection (4.5% of patients). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients; the most frequent serious adverse reaction was infection (21% of patients). Discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 17% of patients. Use In Specific Populations Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed. For additional product information, including full prescribing information, please visit www.XPOVIO.com. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. at 1–888–209–9326 or FDA at 1–800–FDA–1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. About Karyopharm Therapeutics Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: KPTI) is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering novel cancer therapies. Since its founding, Karyopharm has been the industry leader in oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound technology, which was developed to address a fundamental mechanism of oncogenesis: nuclear export dysregulation. Karyopharm's lead SINE compound and first-in-class, oral exportin 1 (XPO1) inhibitor, XPOVIO® (selinexor), is approved in the U.S. and marketed by the Company in three oncology indications and has received regulatory approvals in various indications in a growing number of ex-U.S. territories and countries, including Europe and the United Kingdom (as NEXPOVIO®) and China. Karyopharm has a focused pipeline targeting multiple high unmet need cancer indications, including in endometrial cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes and myelofibrosis. For more information about our people, science and pipeline, please visit www.karyopharm.com, and follow us on Twitter at @Karyopharm and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the ability of selinexor or eltanexor to treat patients with multiple myeloma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, solid tumors and other diseases; and expectations related to future clinical development and potential regulatory submissions of selinexor or eltanexor. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Karyopharm's control, that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from Karyopharm's current expectations. For example, there can be no guarantee that Karyopharm will successfully commercialize XPOVIO or that any of Karyopharm's drug candidates, including selinexor and eltanexor, will successfully complete necessary clinical development phases or that development of any of Karyopharm's drug candidates will continue. Further, there can be no guarantee that any positive developments in the development or commercialization of Karyopharm's drug candidate portfolio will result in stock price appreciation. Management's expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other factors, including the following: the risk that the COVID-19 pandemic could disrupt Karyopharm's business more severely than it currently anticipates, including by negatively impacting sales of XPOVIO, interrupting or delaying research and development efforts, impacting the ability to procure sufficient supply for the development and commercialization of selinexor or other product candidates, delaying ongoing or planned clinical trials, impeding the execution of business plans, planned regulatory milestones and timelines, or inconveniencing patients; the adoption of XPOVIO in the commercial marketplace, the timing and costs involved in commercializing XPOVIO or any of Karyopharm's drug candidates that receive regulatory approval; the ability to obtain and retain regulatory approval of XPOVIO or any of Karyopharm's drug candidates that receive regulatory approval; Karyopharm's results of clinical trials and preclinical studies, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at clinical trial sites and publication review bodies, including with respect to the need for additional clinical studies; the ability of Karyopharm or its third party collaborators or successors in interest to fully perform their respective obligations under the applicable agreement and the potential future financial implications of such agreement; Karyopharm's ability to enroll patients in its clinical trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; development or regulatory approval of drug candidates by Karyopharm's competitors for products or product candidates in which Karyopharm is currently commercializing or developing; and Karyopharm's ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for any of its products or product candidates. These and other risks are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Karyopharm's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 1, 2022, and in other filings that Karyopharm may make with the SEC in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, Karyopharm expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. XPOVIO® and NEXPOVIO® are registered trademarks of Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. Any other trademarks referred to in this release are the property of their respective owners. View original content: SOURCE Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.	https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/27/karyopharm-announces-selinexor-data-be-presented-2022-american-society-clinical-oncology-annual-meeting/
There was once a cultural moment — though not one that is easy to remember — when only a select few writers got the privilege of publishing a memoir with a big house. Those writers had to either a) be famous, b) have such a compelling story that it screamed to be told, or c) be a fantastic enough stylist to gloss over the lulls and ebbs of a sometimes banal life. These days, memoirs are being snatched up by the dozens for publication, and many of their authors have none of these qualifications. Sure, celebrities are still confessing their sins on the page (see the current best-seller lists) and the genre has produced blockbusters (some later found to be based on lies), but for the most part memoir has become a literary punch line. And yet, even now, there are the memoirs that break through. Writing out one's experiences is still a powerful form of catharsis, and when the author has been through enough to have learned some big lessons and has the chops to express them well, the result can be exhilarating. Such is the case with acclaimed poet Kelle Groom's new memoir, I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of A Girl. Groom has crammed so much pain into one lifetime that it is almost hard to believe: An alcoholic at 15 and pregnant at 19, she, on her family's urging, gave up her infant to an aunt and uncle to raise. That child, Tommy, surrendered to leukemia before the age of 2, and Groom's family kept the details of his illness from her, choosing to let her grow up with a hazy vision of how her baby lived and ultimately died. In the years that follow, Groom was abducted and raped after a night of heavy drinking, the second time in her life she had come under assault (she was attacked at knifepoint as a teen). She fell in and out of rehab for drinking and self-mutilation, got engaged and then broke it off, preferring several short love affairs and random sexual encounters. She moved from place to place in search of sobriety, safety and solace. And she was saved, at least in part, by writing poetry — and by digging deep into medical archives to understand her son's prognosis. The bare bones of the plot are certainly gripping — the loss of a son she never knew, the lifelong grieving process and investigation of that loss — but it is Groom's writing that stakes out the book's place in the genre and, in ways, seeks to elevate it. After reading I Wore the Ocean, you'll wish that more poets would write their lives in prose — Groom's voice feels vital and awake, uncompromising and refreshingly spare. Groom beautifully summons the smallest moments from her memory. When a boyfriend once hugged her after learning about her son, she writes, "that holding on stays with me, like the painted works of mercy." Remembering the last time she embraced Tommy, she writes, "His head is barely resting on my white cardigan, almost as if he's levitating. But he's at ease with me, nearly asleep in the red flowers." I Wore the Ocean details an emotional turf we know well. Groom understands that slipping and sliding around in our hurt is far easier to do than stepping up to the hard work of healing, but it is only through healing that we redeem ourselves. Groom's story of unrelieved pain can read at times as too intense, a piling on of unbearable circumstance. But her attempts to makes sense of this hurt and move beyond it soften the blows, and because her storytelling is non-linear, the reader knows, early on, that relief is on the way. Groom eventually blossoms into a successful poet, publishes in The New Yorker and makes peace with missing Tommy's short life. The writing of this memoir is yet another step in Groom's return to health, but it has the depth to serve a larger purpose, too. I Wore the Ocean would be a comforting resource for any parent who has lost a child, either to illness or to alcoholism. Groom's story might even encourage others to mine their histories to reconnect — if only spiritually — with an estranged loved one. Groom herself, now 48, was struck by the restorative power of such a pursuit: "I hoped that by writing about Tommy, I could find him; that the writing would take me to him. [Even] still, I'm surprised that that is what it's doing." Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.	https://www.apr.org/arts-life/2011-06-23/an-ocean-of-loss-through-a-poets-prism
Home News Police: Edinburg woman killed in crash involving tractor-trailer in McAllen An Edinburg woman died after a crash involving a tractor-trailer in McAllen Thursday morning. At 7:15 a.m., McAllen police responded to the area of Monte... Florida flies migrants to 'sanctuary' of Martha's Vineyard TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis... Mercedes High School cheerleader to perform at Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade A Mercedes High School cheerleader will perform in... 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Additional Links KRGVida Community Calendar 5's Fans for Friends Tim's Coats Zoo Guest Pet of the Week Student of the Week Connect Additional Links Contact Us Advertising Information FCC Reports Frequently Asked Questions Jobs at KRGV News Staff Sales Staff Apps and Social Media Station Information Contests Hechos Valle Descargan autobuses con migrantes frente a la casa de Kamala Harris WASHINGTON (AP) — Dos autobuses llenos de migrantes procedentes de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México fueron descargados el jueves por la mañana cerca de... Policía: mujer de Edinburg muere en accidente contra un trailer en McAllen Una mujer de Edinburg murió después de un... Hallan a 121 migrantes abandonados en un tractocamión en Nuevo León En nuevo león, integrantes de la guardia nacional... Additional Links Hechos Valle Transmision en Vivo Clima Elecciones Pandemia de Coronavirus Deportes La Entrevista Salud y Vida Cuidando El Planeta Para el Futuro Estudiante de la semana Regreso A Clases Corazon del Valle Temporada de huracanes Azteca Valle Daytime Heart of the Valley: Diabetes warning signs This month, Channel 5 News is taking an in-depth look at diabetes in the Valley. Karla Salinas, Rio Grande Valley correspondent for Daytime with Kimberly... Submit a Tip Search Home News Coronavirus Updates Elections Education Mexico Local News Immigration/Border Wall SpaceX 5 On Your Side Made in the 956 Heart of the Valley Photographer's Perspective National News Consumer News Find The Link Submit a Tip KRGV 5.1 News Live Stream Weather Hourly Forecast Latest Weathercast Interactive Radar Traffic Maps Winds Tide Information Lake Levels Water Restrictions Hurricane Central Weather Alerts Weather Links Send A Weather Question Weather Team Submit A Weather Photo Sports High School Football First & Goal Playmakers 5th Quarter Two-A-Day Tours 5 Star Plays Power Poll Band of the Week Valley HS Football Preview Show This Week's Schedule Send A Sports Tip Sports Staff Programming TV Listings Antennas Ratings Guide Community KRGVida Community Calendar 5's Fans for Friends Tim's Coats Zoo Guest Pet of the Week Student of the Week Connect Contact Us Advertising Information FCC Reports Frequently Asked Questions Jobs at KRGV News Staff Sales Staff Apps and Social Media Station Information Contests Hechos Valle Hechos Valle Transmision en Vivo Clima Elecciones Pandemia de Coronavirus Deportes La Entrevista Salud y Vida Cuidando El Planeta Para el Futuro Estudiante de la semana Regreso A Clases Corazon del Valle Temporada de huracanes Azteca Valle Daytime Submit a Tip Search SEARCH x invalid call of the function getCategories, first Argument (video_id) is of invalid type, can't cast String [] to a value of type [numeric] Radar 7 Days	https://www.krgv.com/gallery-videos/police-edinburg-woman-killed-in-crash-involving-tractor-trailer-in-mcallen
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte announced today that John Marcante, Vanguard's former global chief information officer and managing director, has been appointed independent senior advisor, U.S. CIO Program, Deloitte LLP, serving as the "CIO-in-residence." In this role, Marcante will serve as an independent strategic advisor to clients, practitioners and senior leadership to provide strategic guidance and perspectives in the areas of technology and tech leadership. Marcante's responsibilities will range broadly, including associate dean and speaker at Deloitte's Next Generation CIO Academies, mentor and coach to select client executives across industries, advisor to senior leadership, facilitator for the CIO Program's transition labs, and speaker for internal strategic CIO Program sessions. "Deloitte's CIO Program has long been recognized for excellence in guiding senior IT leaders through their most pressing obstacles and providing insight in a swiftly changing digital landscape," said Marcante. "I am honored and excited to be joining a world class team as 'CIO-in-residence' and look forward to continuing the mission of advising the technology leaders of today and tomorrow." As Vanguard's former CIO and managing director, Marcante steered Vanguard's growth over his 28-year career to one of the world's leading investment management companies. He led the company's digital transformation and enabled Vanguard's adoption of cloud-native technology, which resulted in the modernization of legacy environments, including an agile and product-driven organization. His sponsorship of employee resource groups across the company contributed to making Vanguard an equitable and inclusive workplace. "As the leader of Deloitte's U.S. CIO Program, I've seen firsthand the value add of an experienced senior advisor in elevating the client experience and generating opportunities for transformation," said Lou DiLorenzo, U.S. CIO Program leader, and managing director, Deloitte Consulting LLP. "John's prestigious background and experience are significant and I'm simply thrilled he has joined Deloitte as our 'CIO-in-residence.'" Deloitte's CIO Program delivers trusted, personal experiences and relevant insights to technology leaders at the moments that matter most. The program empowers CIOs and technology leaders to deliver business value and keep pace with the latest research and emerging technologies across their career lifecycle. For more information about Deloitte's CIO Program, please click here. About Deloitte Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's more than 345,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Deloitte	https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/deloittes-cio-program-names-john-marcante-us-cio-in-residence/
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – With temperatures nearing the triple digits, the Department of Human Services is warning parents of the dangers of leaving kids in a hot car. On average, 38 children die from vehicular heatstroke a year in the U.S. DHS Division of Childcare and Early Childhood Education Director, Tonya Williams said it can happen to anyone. Babies fall asleep, get quiet and parents get busy or distracted. Williams said some cars have safety features that can keep people from forgetting a child in the car. If you don’t have that, she suggests putting something back there like a phone or purse you need to get out when you do. “I mean the oppression of this heat and humidity is so much that just standing out is a lot and then you think about being in a car you know there’s just no air circulating so it can get very dangerous for young children in a matter of seconds,” Williams said. Sometimes it’s not even leaving a child in the car, but them figuring out how to get in the car while a parent isn’t looking. For that, Williams suggests always locking your car to keep children from getting in it. Williams also has tips for people who might come across a child in a hot car while running errands. She said if you see a child alone in a car at the grocery store or any other parking lot, immediately call 911. If you have another person with you, one of you go into the store and try to find the parent, while the other stays with the child to make sure they are breathing. Williams said it could even come down to breaking a window, but first responders will walk you through that. “I don’t want to read something that happened after the fact,” Williams said. “I don’t want to be one of those individuals that potentially had some responsibility.” For parents, she said it’s important to just take your children inside with you even if you’re only going in for a minute. Williams said children’s body temperatures can not regulate so it takes just seconds for kids to have serious health issues if left in a hot car.	https://www.fox16.com/klrt-good-day/department-of-human-services-reminds-parents-of-hot-car-dangers/
TOLEDO, Ohio, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL) today announced it will release second quarter 2022 financial results after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. The Company's earnings release will be available in the Investors section of the Company's website. Investors and other interested parties may access the conference call in the following ways: - At the Company's website: www.welltower.com. - Via webcast: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/101792930. A webcast replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the conference call and will be available for 90 days. Joining via webcast is recommended for those who will not be asking questions. - By telephone: The participant toll-free dial-in number is (888) 340-5024. International dial-in is (646) 960-0135. The conference ID number is 8230248. All phone participants are asked to dial in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure connectivity. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on August 10, 2022 and ending on August 17, 2022. The replay dial-in number for U.S. participants is 1 (800) 770-2030. For international participants, the replay dial-in is 1 (647) 362-9199. The replay conference ID number is 8230248. Welltower® Inc. (NYSE: WELL), an S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. The Company invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers, and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people's wellness and overall health care experience. Welltower, a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), owns interests in properties concentrated in major, high-growth markets in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, consisting of seniors housing, post-acute communities and outpatient medical properties. More information is available at www.welltower.com. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Welltower Inc.	https://www.wbay.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/welltower-announces-date-second-quarter-2022-earnings-release-conference-call-webcast/
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Fire Foundation has activated hundreds of its Disaster Relief cash cards and is distributing them to survivors of the recent devastating Oak Fire in Mariposa at the local assistance center located at Mariposa County High School. Working with community-based organizations on the ground in Mariposa, the Foundation's 350 activated cash cards are providing more than $87,000 in rapid assistance to those in need. The Alliance for Community Transformations is assisting with the cash card distribution, with funding provided through a partnership including the California Fire Foundation, the Rural County Representatives of California, and Golden State Finance Authority. "As with previous years, we are seeing this fire season impacting large numbers of people across the state," said Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the California Fire Foundation. "Partnering with these community-based organizations allows us to identify affected communities quickly, resulting in getting more aid out to those in desperate need." The California Fire Foundation's Disaster Relief program brings immediate, short-term relief in the amount of a $250 cash card to survivors of fire or other disasters throughout California. The Disaster Relief cards provide immediate relief so they may purchase basic necessities such as medicine, food, gas, lodging or clothing. "When we see people walk through our assistance center doors they are traumatized and overwhelmed," said Alison Tudor, Executive Director of Alliance for Community Transformations. "The Disaster Relief cards from the California Fire Foundation offer them immediate hope and comfort in these darkest of times and for that we are so grateful." The Oak Fire has destroyed at least 127 houses and 66 other structures, scorching more than 19,000 acres since it began on Friday, July 22. "Our communities in Mariposa County are suffering immeasurably right now," said Mariposa County Supervisor Miles Menetrey. "People have lost their homes, literally everything they own through this disaster. I am so thankful for these Disaster Relief cash cards that go some way to alleviate the immediate suffering to those impacted by the Oak Fire." For more information on California Fire Foundation's Disaster Relief program and how to support this important program, visit www.cafirefoundation.org/programs/disaster-relief-programs The California Fire Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation's mission includes survivor and victim assistance programs and a range of community initiatives. cafirefoundation.org. Media Contact: Carroll Wills, CA Fire Foundation; (916) 799-8148; cwills@cpf.org View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE California Fire Foundation	https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/05/california-fire-foundation-disaster-relief-cash-cards-provide-more-than-87000-support-survivors-oak-fire/
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW YORK (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the season with an all-time high $310.6 million payroll for purposes of the luxury tax and are on track to pay a record tax of nearly $47 million, according to figures compiled by Major League Baseball and obtained by The Associated Press. Five teams exceeded the $230 million threshold as of opening day, which if unchanged by the season’s end would be one shy of the most, in 2016. After adding Freddie Freeman and reaching a big one-year deal with Trea Turner, Los Angeles was the only team to exceed the new fourth threshold, the so-called Cohen Tax named after New York Mets owner Steven Cohen. But the Dodgers' payroll would drop by about $28.1 million if the domestic violence suspension of pitcher Trevor Bauer is upheld by an arbitrator. The Dodgers' payroll included $34 million for Bauer, the average of his $102 million, three-year contract. The Mets, in their second season since Cohen bought the team, were second at $289.3 million — $667,278 below the Cohen Tax. That left them on track for a tax payment of just under $22.5 million after adding pitcher Max Scherzer, center fielder Starling Marte, outfielder Mark Canha and All-Star infielder Eduardo Escobar. The Yankees were third at $261.4 million, which would cause a tax of $7.6 million. Philadelphia, which fired manager Joe Girardi on Friday following a poor start, was fourth at $233.1 million, on track to pay a tax of roughly $629,000, Boston was fifth at $232.3 million, which would result in a tax of about $466,000. San Diego, the only team other than the Dodgers to pay tax last year, began this season $694,982 below the initial $230 million threshold. Luxury tax payrolls include average annual values of all players on 40-man rosters plus just over $16 million per team for benefits and $1.67 million for each club’s share of the new $50 million pool for pre-arbitration players. Figures also include money owed released players, option buyouts and cash transactions. Totals change throughout the season as trades and roster moves are made, and the tax is billed based on the final figure in December. For players remaining in salary arbitration, MLB included club offers in its payroll figures. Under the collective bargaining agreement reached in March following a 99-day lockout, this year’s four tax thresholds are $230 million, $250 million, $270 million and $290 million. First-time offenders pay 20% on the amount above the first threshold, 32% above the second, 62.5% above the third and 80% above the fourth. As a repeat offender, the Dodgers pay 30% above the first, 42% above the second, 75% above the third and 90% above the fourth. Los Angeles paid tax each season from 2013-17 and its total bill through last year reached $182 million since the luxury tax began in 2003. That’s second only to the Yankees’ $348 million bill. If the Dodgers owe tax for 2023, they would pay 50% above next year’s first threshold of $233 million, 62% above $253 million, 95% above $273 million and 110% above $293 million. Until now, the previous high for a luxury tax payroll was the Dodgers’ $297.9 million in 2015, which resulted in a record tax of just under $43.6 million. A team’s tax rates reset at the lowest level after it drops below the initial threshold in any year. Four teams had luxury tax payrolls under $100 million: Oakland ($64.8 million), Pittsburgh ($73.5 million), Baltimore ($79.9 million) and Cleveland (91.2 million). Also this week, the players’ association issued its 2021 salary study, which showed the average baseball salary dropped 10.2% from 2017 through last season. The union calculated the 2021 average at $3,679,335, down 5.2% from what 2020 would have been at full salaries had the season not been shortened by the coronavirus pandemic. After rising from $3.97 million in 2016 to a record at just under $4.1 million in the first year of a new collective bargaining agreement, the average declined by $1,500 in 2019, and dropped to $4.05 million in 2019. The 2020 average would have been $3.89 million had a full schedule been played but was cut to $1.6 million by prorated salaries during the 60-game season. The union usually issues its salary report in December but the 2021 edition was delayed while staff was engaged in collective bargaining. Figures are based on 2021 salaries, earned bonuses and prorated shares of signing bonuses for 1,070 players on 26-man rosters and injured lists as of Aug. 31. MLB, using a slightly different methodology, calculated the average at $3,579,341. A study by The Associated Press found this year’s opening day average was up 5.9% to $4.4 million, using expanded opening-day rosters and midpoints for players remaining in arbitration. The average declines over the course of a season as veterans are released and replaced by younger players with lower salaries. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports	https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Dodgers-open-with-record-310M-tax-payroll-would-17218718.php
ATLANTA and STUTTGART, Germany, Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche Consulting, Inc., based in Atlanta, GA, announced the appointment of Gregor Harman as the next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1st, 2022. Gregor has worked for Porsche Consulting in the US for over ten years, bringing his experience to different industries from transportation to industrial goods. Given its strong ties to Porsche, Porsche Consulting, Inc. has the unique opportunity to leverage insights from a leading automotive group that provides a competitive advantage to its clients. Since the firm launched in 2011, it has continued to grow its service offerings with clients ranging from medium-sized companies to large corporations in the automotive, aerospace, transportation, and industrial goods industries, as well as financial services, consumer goods, retail, life sciences, and construction. With an emphasis on major strategic transformations, performance improvement, and innovative capacity enhancements, the firm has established itself as a clear leader in helping companies to drive measurable results. "I'm really pleased that with Gregor we could win a seasoned leader and passionate brand ambassador to head our North American operations," says Eberhard Weiblen, CEO of the German parent company Porsche Consulting GmbH based in Stuttgart. "He is the right person at the right time and his track record of success in North America speaks for itself. He truly embodies the Porsche values and has led engagements with many of our biggest clients striving for impact while always pushing the boundaries. With his expertise leading transformation programs and his ability to empower others, we trust him to take the company to the next level, propelling thought leadership and impact for our clients forward." When Gregor came to the United States 12 years ago, he immediately connected to the American culture. Native of France and having sharpened his skills in the competitive German automotive industry, he embraced the positive, can-do spirit of the country. This spirit fueled Gregor's passion for creating value for clients and inspired him to put down roots in America. "When I made the decision to transfer to the US – It was out of Passion and Ambition - the Passion for starting something new with a small group of colleagues and the Ambition to leave my mark by carrying our brand to new horizons and crafting a diverse team that shares the Porsche values," says Harman, who during his tenure worked with iconic companies like Royal Caribbean Group, BRP, Bombardier, Airbus, and Turner Construction. "I feel very much at home in the US. This is where my wife is from and where our kids were born," says Harman. With the support of his family, he is forging a strong future while embracing the growth and successes thus far. In Gregor's projects, Change Management and Transformation usually play a big role: "Challenging client stakeholders with new perspectives and insights creates a robust vision while putting people at the center of the implementation. This is the key to rapid, impactful, and sustainable success," he says. And it helps to come from a company like Porsche where attributes such as entrepreneurial spirit, passion and enthusiasm, competitive mindset, and teamwork characterized by openness and diversity are cherished. "Porsche is the brand for those who follow their dreams. I'm excited to now work with our talented team to achieve ours!" About Porsche Consulting, Inc. \| One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA Porsche Consulting, Inc. operates on the principle of "Strategic Vision, Smart Implementation," with a mission to drive measurable results that deliver a competitive advantage to its clients. Leveraging its insight and unique position with a leading automotive group, its management consulting experts support companies worldwide, primarily with major strategic transformations, performance improvement, and innovative capacity enhancements. Clients range from medium-sized companies to large corporations in the automotive, aerospace, transportation, and industrial goods industries, as well as financial services, consumer goods, retail, life sciences, and construction. Porsche Consulting, Inc. is a subsidiary of Porsche Consulting GmbH and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with an additional office in Palo Alto, CA. Please visit www.porsche-consulting.com to learn more. Follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/porsche-consulting-/ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Porsche Consulting, Inc.	https://www.valleynewslive.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/porsche-consulting-inc-appoints-gregor-harman-next-chief-executive-officer/
Chronicle: Ice Cream Social - The Different Takes on Ice Cream Chronicle: Ice Cream Social - The Different Takes on Ice Cream culinary creators are inventing uncommon frozen masterpieces. So foodies can experiment and try to try * different flavor each time ice cream flavors like rice beats one called the hokey pokey inspired from Australia. It's like * sponge candy and I like to think of it as like * puffed caramel, even pickle ice cream biting into * frozen pureed pickle. At first, the owner of Millie's homemade ice cream chad Townsend concocted * version he thought would be * hit at the popular Pittsburgh festival. Pickles berg, but instead of * bold pickle punch to your mouth, he made * cucumber like sorbet with * pickle essence. Little did he know die hard pickle fans wanted the real deal. They want to go to pick Allsburg, they want to eat * spoonful of * dill pickle. They want to go, whoa, that's * pickle. So he made this creamy pickle ice cream that hits your taste buds with * bold tang that pickle lovers crave. It's just one of the many homemade ice cream options made in the Homestead factory. So full fat creamy ice cream and you're also known for different types of flavors. Pickle. We've done roasted beet, we've done * lot of really interesting flavors, but what does it take to get quality cream that can be transformed into whatever dessert your mind can imagine * good base. These are filled with milk. These are currently filled with milk, raw milk from the farm, they were in the cow last night. He's talking about these special cows. Girls at twin brook dairy farm that makes ice cream just for Millie's, this is the milk house. So the milk comes into this receiving jar and fills up. You can see it's coming in now. Randy marsh Zac helps run the third generation farm in Washington County. She says working with Millie's and knowing the milk is making ice cream and making others happy fulfilled her childhood wishes. I'm going to be able to go to * shop and see the end product and like see people enjoying it. And that gives me goose bumps now to have that connection where we never did before, literally * dream come true when I was * little kid. I thought I just want to do something to help my dad to help the farm to make more money to be able to support the farm and grow the farm and now Um, it's kind of happening. So, and with good milk, you get good ice cream that can be molded into anything you want, even made into long sheets and the surface is about negative 20°. So then we'll flatten the ice cream out that are rolled with * special technique. It's really neat how they made, it kind of looks like ice cream Hibachi natural creameries owner and Lawrenceville claims the sweet treats are one of * kind. I saw it on tv actually and I'm like, I definitely can do that. I thought it was * really cool, unique. It's originated in Thailand and I thought it would be really cool to have something here like that in Pittsburgh mm Another unique find. The owner of alchemy Sarah's palate area says it's the only place in the city that offers authentic mexican popsicles, including rice flavored ones based on the pudding dessert. It has little bits of rice and then * small cinnamon stick inside of it as well. It's something like I can connect with my parents in Mexico too. But this pup likes to stick with traditional vanilla at Dave and Andy's homemade ice cream in the heart of Oakland and it's like * special treat for both of us in any flavor. Ice cream has * way of uniting us all. Advertisement Chronicle: Ice Cream Social - The Different Takes on Ice Cream When it comes to ice cream, many people think the only decisions are hard or soft serve and cone or cup.But in Pittsburgh, there are a lot more options than that. Some different takes on ice cream that are both unique and delicious, and get people talking in a whole new way.Watch the video above to learn more. When it comes to ice cream, many people think the only decisions are hard or soft serve and cone or cup. But in Pittsburgh, there are a lot more options than that. Some different takes on ice cream that are both unique and delicious, and get people talking in a whole new way. Watch the video above to learn more. Advertisement	https://www.wtae.com/article/chronicle-ice-cream-social-the-different-takes-on-ice-cream/40625630
Leading Mobile and Restaurant Dining Concept and Shark Tank Success Story Marks a Decade of Lobster with Plans for Expansion SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine , April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster, leading food truck concept and provider of the tastiest Maine lobster rolls across the country, announced the openings of two new territories in the United States as well as four signed franchise agreements in the first quarter of 2022. The new deals solidify a strong start to the year and mark another success milestone on the ten year anniversary of the brand, founded in April 2012. Recent franchise food truck openings include brand new territories for the brand in Austin and San Francisco, expanding CML's footprint across the United States. Additionally, new deals were signed by veteran Cousins Maine Lobster franchisees in markets including Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Tampa, Florida. An additional six openings are planned for Q2 of this year. With growth fueled by a hero product, sustainably harvested Maine lobster, and a successful turn on Shark Tank in 2012 that resulted in a longstanding partnership with Shark Barbara Corcoran, Cousins Maine Lobster has expanded into 35 major U.S. cities in 18 states with 36 food trucks and seven brick-and-mortar restaurants since the brand's inception. The brand has also added an e-commerce platform with shore-to-door offerings. Cousins Maine Lobster plans to continue domestic expansion with new deal signings and franchise openings in 2022 and beyond, for both food truck territories, and brick & mortar restaurants. "Since 2012, our mission at Cousins Maine Lobster has been driven by a unique business model and the determination of every franchisee to succeed while bringing an authentic taste of Maine to their local market," said Jim Tselikis, Co-Founder of Cousins Maine Lobster. "We are proud of what we have already achieved in 2022 and look forward to continuing to build momentum with our current franchise partners." "We are excited to sign on new franchisees in cities across the country and continue to bring our product to consumers in new territories," said fellow Co-Founder Sabin Lomac, of Cousins Maine Lobster. In addition to expansion, Cousins Maine Lobster saw an uptick in YoY sales nationally with a 37% increase in 2021. The brand also continued to offer a fully immersive customer experience on every food truck with their smart signage displays with the 43" displays to showcase the brand story at every location. Furthermore, CML plans to embark on a pilot program with new kitchen display systems in Q2 and continue to expand on the company's mobile app offerings in 2022. "2021 marked a year of expansion and investment for us, but none of that would have been possible without our incredible team. We added key people to our corporate staff. My cousin (Jim's sister) Annie Tselikis, is a fifteen-year veteran of the Maine lobster industry, and she joined the CML Family as Director of Sales and Marketing. We invested in a new distribution warehouse in Maine and we added several people to support that effort. We are committed to investing in the right people and resources that support the entire CML system and that will be true for 2022 as well," Lomac added. Cousins Maine Lobster is looking to expand in markets throughout the United States, including but not limited to Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minnesota, Orlando, St. Louis, Virginia Beach, and the Pacific Northwest. CML is looking for experienced, qualified franchisees to join their dynamic franchise family. To learn more about franchise development opportunities with Cousins Maine Lobster, visit https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise/. Founded in 2012 by real-life cousins and Mainers, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster began with two things: a food truck, and a shared vision to extend the highest-quality Maine lobster to the lobster-starved masses by making it affordable and accessible. After appearing on Shark Tank, Jim & Sabin partnered with Barbara Corcoran and began franchising, partnering with local owners and entrepreneurs to bring Maine lobster to over 30 cities across the country. For more information, visit cousinsmainelobster.com. Connect with CML on Instagram @cousinsmainelobster, Twitter @Cousinsmainelob, and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CousinsMaineLobster. Download the Cousins Maine Lobster Mobile App on iOS and Android to skip the line, save time, and earn rewards for purchases year round. DISCLAIMER This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for informational purposes only. An offer or solicitation can only be made by a Franchise Disclosure Document. This franchise offering is not being offered by us to residents of California, Hawaii, Indiana, Virginia, or Washington, until the offering has been registered and declared effective and an approved disclosure document has been properly delivered to the prospective franchisees. Contact: Sarah O'Connor-Guffey Fish Consulting 815-630-9557 sguffey@fish-consulting.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster	https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/27/cousins-maine-lobster-celebrates-ten-year-milestone-amp-strong-q1-with-new-deals-across-us/
DALLAS, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Lauren Smyth has joined as a partner in the firm's Dallas office as a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. "We are pleased to welcome Lauren to our team. We look forward to having her commercial real estate experience and work on complex and significant projects add depth to our capabilities as we continue to provide exceptional service to our clients," said Bradley Dallas Office Managing Partner Richard A. Sayles. Ms. Smyth focuses her practice on commercial real estate and regularly represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, borrowers and lenders in the acquisition, development, financing and disposition of commercial properties. Her experience ranges from complex lease negotiations to the creation of large-scale condominium projects and mixed-use developments. Before graduating from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law with high honors, Ms. Smyth received her B.A. in Political Science and French from Southern Methodist University and worked for the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. She is a member of the American Bar Association, and the Real Estate and Probate & Trust Sections of the State Bar of Texas. Ms. Smyth is also a member of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and the Dallas Bar Association's Real Property Law and Probate, Trust & Estates Sections. Bradley's Real Estate Practice Group is deeply embedded in the commercial real estate industry, serving every sector of the market, including office, multi-family, industrial, healthcare and medical, hospitality, and residential tract development, whether through acquisitions, financing, lending, leasing, construction, regulatory, tax, and other legal counsel, guidance or advice. The team handles complex, multimillion-dollar projects for large institutions, as well as routine transactions for clients whose primary interests are in real estate investment or development. About Bradley Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm's almost 600 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others. View original content: SOURCE Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP	https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/24/bradley-adds-real-estate-partner-lauren-smyth-dallas-office/
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The state of Utah and two Republican-leaning rural counties sued the Biden administration on Wednesday over the president's decision last year to restore two sprawling national monuments on rugged lands sacred to Native Americans that former President Donald Trump had downsized. The lawsuit over Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, the two southeastern Utah monuments, alleges that President Joe Biden's action violates a century-old law that allows presidents to protect sites considered historically, geographically or culturally important and outlines the rules governing when they can do so. The fate of the monuments is among the United States' most prominent battles over public lands and how they're managed. Federal land management decisions often become politically charged throughout the rural West, where Republican-leaning ranching communities skeptical of federal overreach are often pitted against conservationists and tribes who argue robust federal protections are needed as a bulwark against development or industries like mining or logging. The new lawsuit is the latest twist in a yearslong debate spanning three presidential administrations. Its arguments revisit familiar legal and political debates and touch on points Republicans have for years repeated in court and in campaign speeches about federal land grabs and advantages of local land management. The challenge from Utah and two right-leaning rural jurisdictions, Kane and Garfield counties, had been expected since Biden restored the lands in October 2021. At that time, Biden called Bears Ears “a place of reverence and a sacred homeland to hundreds of generations of native peoples.” The monuments, which together are nearly the size of Connecticut, contain canyons surrounded by pink ribbons of limestone, dramatic red rock mesas and buttes, juniper forests and Native American artifacts including ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs. In a Wednesday joint statement in support of the lawsuit, Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah's entire congressional delegation accused the federal government of not properly managing the land and blamed the expanded monuments for “unmanageable visitation levels.” “We now challenge this repeated, abusive federal overreach to ensure that our public lands are adequately protected and that smart stewardship remains with the people closest to the land," said the group, whose signatories included U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration had no comment about the lawsuit. The lawsuit brings the battle over these lands back to the courtroom, similar to what happened in 2017 after Trump made his move to shrink the monuments. At that time, lawsuits were filed by outdoor company Patagonia and a coalition of tribes including the Hopi, Ute Indian, Ute Mountain Ute, Zuni tribes and Navajo Nation to restore the monuments. “The tribes have been fighting for decades, and really centuries, to protect these lands," Matthew Campbell, deputy director of the Native American Rights Fund, said Wednesday. “It looks like they will have to continue that fight.” The part of southeastern Utah where the two monuments are located has been at the center of some of the country’s most heated land management debates since President Bill Clinton designated Grand Staircase a national monument in 1996. Bears Ears, which was designated a National Monument by President Barack Obama, is unique because land management decisions are made by a commission jointly governed by federal agency officials and representatives from five tribal nations. The commission was reestablished this past June, five years after it and an Obama-era joint governance plan was scrapped when the Trump administration downsized the monuments in 2017. That decision opened parts of the monuments up for mining, drilling and other development. Low demand and high production costs led to minimal interest from energy companies in the lands that became unprotected when Trump downsized the monuments, including a large coal reserve found in the lands cut from Grand Staircase or uranium on lands cut from Bears Ears. Utah's lawsuit argues the Biden administration interpreted the 1906 Antiquities Act in an overly broad manner and disregarded its original intent: protecting particular historical or archaeological sites. It cites provisions of the act that say designations should encompass “the smallest area compatible” with preservation goals. Democratic presidents have argued designating large swaths of land is needed to protect certain areas and in his October 2021 proclamation, Biden called the Bears Ears designation “the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects of historic and scientific interest." ___ Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.	https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/ap-online/2022/08/24/utah-sues-biden-over-move-to-restore-2-national-monuments
New York City Parks Department says beach goers are not allowed in the water, but the boardwalk and concessions remain open. They say they will reopen the beach when it's safe to do so. Rockaway Beach is temporarily closed for swimming due to shark sightings in the area. Beach goers are not allowed in the water at this time, but the boardwalk and concessions remain open. We will reopen the beach when it is safe to do so. — NYC Parks (@NYCParks) July 23, 2022 It comes as the heat wave is keeping beaches packed, and with authorities continuing to monitor shark activity with lifeguards, boats, helicopters and drones. A 16-year-old surfer, Max Haynes, was bitten about 15 to 20 yards out from Kismet Beach on Fire Island Wednesday evening. See previous story in video player above He was bitten on his right foot, and he said he was playing with his friend James, pretending to be a shark about 30 seconds before he was attacked. "We were actually flipping each other off our boards, scaring each other, you know, grabbing each other's feet in the water pretending we were sharks," he said. "And then all of a sudden, 30 seconds later, I actually get chomped on." He suffered an approximately 4-inch cut. "I felt on my foot like a bear trap just get me from below, like hard," he said. "It felt like it broke my foot." His doctor told him that based off of his bite marks, he could tell the size of the shark's jaw, which led to the estimate that the shark was about 6 feet long. It all came the same day as a dead great white shark washed up ashore in Quogue in the Hamptons. Experts say the warmer and cleaner waters mean sharks are getting closer to shore. Lifeguards are trained to spot sharks' distinctive fins. Governor Kathy Hochul says New York State beaches have increased staffing. Teddy Tilkin, an expert with the Long Island Aquarium, tells Eyewitness News there are several important factors to surviving a shark encounter. "Stay as calm as possible and try to get away from the shark," Tilkin said. He said to swim away with as little splashing as possible, so that the shark won't sense that you are injured or distressed. "If they really were to bite and wanted to eat us, we would be losing limbs and have a lot more external damages to us from a lot of the attacks," he said. "Because sharks are extremely powerful animals." RELATED \| Shark Alley? More sightings off Long Island beaches as swimmers urged to use caution ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * Follow us on YouTube * More local news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts	https://abc7ny.com/shark-sighting-rockaway-beach-sharks-new-york/12069237/
The law is on the lookout for a 24-year-old Lawton man accused of seducing and having sex with a then 13-year-old girl last year. Investigators said he threatened to post her sex video to social media. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. The law is on the lookout for a 24-year-old Lawton man accused of seducing and having sex with a then 13-year-old girl last year. Investigators said he threatened to post her sex video to social media. The Comanche County District Court issued a felony arrest warrant Tuesday for Shawn LaVelle Glass II for a count of second-degree rape, records indicate. The crime is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Lawton Police Detective Christopher Adamson interviewed the now 14-year-old girl and her mother on Sept. 5. The girl said Glass contacted her in August 2021 via Snap Chat after she posted she was “single,” the warrant affidavit states. She said she told him she was 13 and he said he was 17 years old. The girl said she thought he was too old for her. The girl told Adamson she invited Glass over to her father’s house one night and they had sex. Afterwards, she said he left and she didn’t hear from him. A Snap Chat message sent by the girl given to the detective stated “she didn’t want to have sex with Glass in the first place, the very first time. … that she was scared she was in the seventh grade,” the affidavit states. After doing some research, the girl said she discovered Glass graduated high school in 2017. In May, Glass contacted the girl and told her he’d been in jail. When asked about his age, she said he admitted to lying but then said he was 20, goes to Cameron University and plays basketball, according to the affidavit. She told Adamson she had sex with him two more times after that. She said one of the times, she felt he forced her into it. Adamson examined the girl’s cell phone and iPad, as well as screenshots of past conversations with Glass. This is when, Adamson stated, a sex tape of the girl and Glass was discovered, along with threats by the man to post it on social media, the affidavit states. “Glass told (the girl) he hopes she would kill herself, and he could have shot at her and her friends one night,” Adamson stated. Glass has a June felony conviction in Comanche County for endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude police, records indicate. A $50,000 cash warrant bond was issued upon Glass’ arrest. Written by Scott Rains: scott.rains@swoknews.com.	https://www.swoknews.com/news/law-looking-for-lawton-man-for-child-rape-allegation/article_ecdc69b0-59e6-5805-a025-7c3919febc47.html
Which futon bed is best? Futon mattresses are a traditional form of bedding in Japan, going back as far as records began, but Western-style futon beds are a more popular choice in the United States. They’re thicker than Japanese futons and usually come on a slatted frame, so they double as couches when not used as beds. The right futon for you depends on how and where you intend to use it, whether in your living room or spare room, as your main bed or a guest bed. The Lark Manor Burin Queen Futon is the top choice for regular use. What to know before you buy a futon bed Frame material The frame of a futon is important because it supports the mattress both in couch configuration and bed configuration. Futons can have either metal or wooden frames. - Wood: Frames made from wood are solid and highly durable. They’re unlikely to bend or break over time. They’re generally more attractive than wooden frames, as well, which is important if your futon is in the living room or anywhere else where you’ll have to look at it regularly. On the downside, they’re more expensive than metal frames and heavier so it can be trickier to convert your futon between modes. - Metal: Metal frames are an inexpensive choice. They’re usually light so transforming your futon from a bed to a couch is easier. However, they’re not the most durable and can bend or warp with regular use. Mattress material Traditionally, futon mattresses are made from cotton batting. This provides firm support but it doesn’t always feel comfortable to people who are used to more conventional mattresses. Therefore, many contemporary futons have integrated foam or innersprings into their mattresses. - Foam: Foam mattresses have a softer feeling than all-cotton versions while remaining supportive. They usually consist of a central layer of foam with cotton batting above and below. - Innerspring: Some futons contain inner springs below a layer of more traditional futon materials. This retains the firm support but adds some bounce. It’s a great choice for anyone used to sleeping on a sprung mattress. Size While you can find a handful of smaller and larger options, most futons are either full or queen size. Full size is great for one person if they want more space than a twin would offer, but can fit two people at a push. Queen size is a more comfortable option for sleeping two. You should also consider the length of the futon. Its length in bed mode is the same as its width in couch mode, so it’s often slightly shorter than a standard mattress. What to look for in a quality futon bed Color choices You can choose from a range of frame colors and mattress colors. Consider the existing decor in the room where your futon will go and use this to help your decision. Bi-fold frame Bi-fold frames have just two parts and one hinge, while tri-fold frames have three parts and two hinges. Bi-fold frames are more common than their tri-fold counterparts these days because they’re much easier to maneuver between modes. Adjustable frame position In addition to an upright couch position and a flat bed position, some frames have one or two more points of adjustment. This puts the back of the couch into a more relaxed reclined position. How much you can expect to spend on a futon bed Most futons cost $200-$1,000. Pricier models tend to have solid wood frames and higher-quality mattresses. Futon bed FAQ Are futons healthy to sleep on? A. As long as the mattress is adequately supportive, futons are perfectly healthy to sleep on. Cheap ones are fine for occasional use, such as when you have guests staying, but higher-end offerings are supportive enough for every night. Can futon covers be washed? A. Some futon mattresses have removable covers. These removable covers are usually machine washable, but you’ll need to check the label for exact instructions. Taking them off, washing them and replacing them can be a pain, so it’s better to keep the cover clean by using a fitted sheet. How thick should a futon mattress be? A. It should be roughly 6-8 inches thick. This is thick enough that it’s comfortable and supportive but not so thick that it’s impossible to fold. What’s the best futon bed to buy? Top futon bed What you need to know: With its innerspring mattress, this futon is supportive enough to be used every night. What you’ll love: The frame is wooden with a choice of two finishes: butternut and espresso. The mattress comes in five colors, including gray, black and dark blue. It’s a queen size so it’s large enough to sleep two people. What you should consider: The mattress and frame are both heavy so you need an extra pair of hands to switch it from a bed into a couch. Where to buy: Sold by Wayfair Top futon bed for the money Winston Porter Garrido Full Futon What you need to know: This basic metal-framed futon makes an excellent guest bed. What you’ll love: Assembly is straightforward and the frame and mattress are both light enough that it’s easy to change configurations. The gray color works well with most styles of decor. What you should consider: The mattress isn’t comfortable enough for regular use. Where to buy: Sold by Wayfair Worth checking out Nirvana Futons Eastridge Futon Set What you need to know: Comfortable, sturdy and attractive, this is an excellent futon for regular or occasional use. What you’ll love: The wooden frame has a gorgeous medium-dark finish and a flip-out table on the side of the arm. The mattress comes in a choice of 10 colors, including fudge, burgundy and navy blue. The cotton and foam mattress is comfortable and supportive. What you should consider: Assembly is on the tricky side, especially for anyone with little flatpack experience. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.	https://www.fox16.com/reviews/best-futon-bed/
HONOLULU (KHON2) – A tourism helicopter carrying six people crashed in a lava field near South Point on Hawaii’s Big Island, according to Hawaii County officials. K&S Helicopters, the operator of Paradise Helicopters, said the crash took place Wednesday at about 5:29 p.m. while the aircraft, a Bell 407, was operating a tour. Five passengers and one crew member were believed to be onboard, according to preliminary information Officials said a 50-year-old male pilot and an 18-year-old female were in serious condition. Four passengers were reported to be ambulatory. The Hawaii Fire Department said ground units were unable to access the crash site, which was located a mile from the nearest roadway. A helicopter was sent to extricate three ambulatory patients from the crash site and take them to ground medic units. A second chopper arrived on the scene shortly after, and brought the most seriously injured patient to awaiting ground crews before going back for another patient in serious condition. Yet another patient in critical condition was transported to the Kona Community Hospital in a chopper. All remaining patients were taken by fire department units to Kona Community Hospital as well. K&S Helicopters said they initiated an emergency response plan. The full resources of the company had been mobilized to respond to the incident, according to K&S. “The care of our passengers, crew members, and their families is our highest priority,” said Calvin Dorn of K&S Helicopters.	https://www.localsyr.com/news/national/tourism-helicopter-in-hawaii-crashes-into-lava-field/
MORRISVILLE, N.C., July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Soil Health Institute today announced five strategic goals it is pursuing to address climate change, regenerative agriculture, water resources, farmer empowerment, and consumer demand + policy. By 2050, the world's agricultural systems will need to support another 2 billion people. Yet, in the last century, soils have lost 40-60% of the basic building block that makes them productive (organic matter). The societal and environmental costs of soil loss and degradation in the United States alone are estimated to be as high as $85 billion every year. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have reached the highest level ever recorded and are continuing to increase. Scientists predict drought to increase from impacting 1% of the world's arable land to over 30% by the end of the century due to climate change. Approximately 80% of U.S. rivers and streams are in only fair to poor biological condition due to nutrient runoff and other contaminants. "We are at a critical juncture in human history where we must address these challenges, and soil health is the framework to do just that," said Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, President and CEO of the Soil Health Institute. Research shows that improving soil health in agricultural systems increases carbon sequestration, reduces GHG emissions, increases drought resilience, enhances water quality, boosts crop yield, increases nutrient availability, and suppresses many plant diseases. Yet today, only 5% of cropland in the U.S. is managed using the basic soil health practice of cover cropping. Adoption is hindered by gaps in information on the economic benefits of soil health practices, lack of scientific knowledge on how healthy a given soil can become and what that means for land managers and the environment, and a scarcity of locally relevant resources and mentoring networks for farmers. To address these issues, the Soil Health Institute is pursuing the following strategic goals: Climate Change: Provide the soil science knowledge and tactics needed for agriculture to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Regenerative Agriculture: Provide the scientific leadership for understanding, managing, and measuring soil health systems contributing to regenerative land management in agriculture and other ecosystems. Water Resources: Provide the soil science knowledge and tactics needed for improving water quality and quantity with soil health systems. Farmer Empowerment: Provide farmers with the information they need when selecting and implementing soil health systems to be profitable, resilient, and environmentally sound. Consumer Demand + Policy: Provide the science, metrics, information, and partnerships that will inform consumer demand and policies for food, fiber, feed, and fuel grown using soil health systems. "Bold challenges require bold action," said Dr. Honeycutt, "so we will use cross-cutting tactics that allow us to tackle several strategic goals simultaneously. For example, we believe land managers will be motivated to improve soil health once they learn how healthy their soils can become and what that means for increasing drought resilience, nutrient availability, and profitability." To address this gap, the Institute is establishing "Soil Health Targets" that will illustrate to farmers, ranchers, and their advisers how healthy their soils are and how healthy they can become. Because organic carbon is an important soil health measurement, this will also provide farmers with an assessment of how much carbon their soils can store. Different soils have different capacities to store carbon. "These science-based targets will empower farmers with the information they need when considering new management practices that will simultaneously reduce GHG emissions, build drought resilience, improve water quality, increase profitability, and meet the growing consumer demand for food and fiber grown using regenerative soil health systems," said Dr. Honeycutt. For more information, please contact Byron Rath, brath@soilhealthinstitute.org, or visit the Soil Health Institute's website at https://soilhealthinstitute.org/our-strategy/. The Soil Health Institute is a global non-profit with a mission of safeguarding and enhancing the vitality and productivity of soils through scientific research and advancement. Our vision is a world where farmers and ranchers grow quality food, fiber, and fuel using soil health systems that sustain farms and rural communities, promote a stable climate and clean environment, and improve human health and well-being. Accordingly, the Institute brings together leaders in soil health science and the industry to conduct research and empower farmers and other landowners with the knowledge to successfully adopt regenerative soil health systems that contribute economic and environmental benefits to agriculture and society. The Institute's scientific team holds doctorates in various soil science and related disciplines, with specialties in carbon cycling, nutrient cycling, water cycling, nutrient management, soil microbiome, farmer/adviser education, ecosystem services, soil-plant relationships, on-farm economics, and others. The team follows a comprehensive strategy for advancing adoption of regenerative soil health systems, as briefly described in this 5-minute video. Healthy soils are the foundation for restoring our land. Together, we can create a secure future for all, mitigate the effects of climate change, and help farmers and organizations meet production and environmental goals at scale. Visit www.soilhealthinstitute.org to learn more, and follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Soil Health Institute	https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/soil-health-institute-announces-five-strategic-goals/
Which Minecraft gift for kids is best? Minecraft is a wildly popular sandbox game that puts players in control of a blocky character named Steve or Alex and allows them to collect resources, craft items and way more. If you have a child or grandchild who loves video games, chances are pretty good they enjoy playing Minecraft. When buying a Minecraft gift for kids, it can be helpful to read up on the most popular characters from the game, as well as the most popular Minecraft products. Popular Minecraft characters - Steve: Steve is the main protagonist in the Minecraft series and has made cameo appearances in other games such as Borderlands 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. - Alex: Alex was added to Minecraft in a 2014 update to add more diversity to the game. Alex has a thinner frame than Steve and a red ponytail. Minecraft mods have stated that Minecraft is essentially a genderless world, but they wanted to have a character with feminine traits for players to choose from as well. - Creeper: Creepers are silent green enemies that approach the player’s character and explode. Creepers are one of the most iconic characters in the Minecraft game and can be a source of frustration for new players. - Zombie: Zombies tend to appear in groups of four and immediately try to attack the player. Zombies don’t try to avoid being hit by the player and burst into flames at dawn, making them easier to beat than many other enemies. - Enderman: Endermen are creepy enemies that won’t attack the player unless provoked. They can teleport, making them tricky to defeat. - Iron Golem: Iron Golems are large neutral characters a player can create to defend players and villagers. These characters can be built with four iron pieces and a pumpkin, carved pumpkin or jack-o-lantern, and often offer players and villagers poppies as a sign of friendship. Best Minecraft gifts for children Jada Toys Minecraft Dungeons Nano Metalfigs These durable little figurines are perfect for pretend play or display. Each one fits into the palm of your hand, features a solid paint job and is sturdy enough not to break. The Jada Toys Nano Metalfigs set comes with popular characters such as a Creeper, an Enderman and an Iron Golem. Although some users found the paint began to wear off after a year or so, most didn’t run into any issues, and your child will love that they get 20 figures in the set. Sold by Amazon Nintendo Switch Minecraft Dungeons Hero Edition If your child enjoys playing the original Minecraft game, they’ll surely get a kick out of this dungeon-crawling spinoff game. Minecraft Dungeons allows kids to journey through dungeons by themselves or with up to three friends. Character stats are primarily based on the armor and items collected throughout the game, meaning your child has plenty of opportunities to change their playstyle as they go. Some users didn’t like that the game often didn’t play at 30 frames per second, but children aren’t likely to notice. The Hero Edition of the game starts the player with two unique skins, a pet chicken, a hero cape and two DLCs that contain even more levels for your child to enjoy. Sold by Amazon LEGO Minecraft The Pillager Outpost Playset This playset is ideal for children who love LEGO and Minecraft. With the Pillager Outpost Playset, kids can build a unique scene that allows them to rescue an Iron Golem by blasting open its cage. The set comes in three different sections, so kids can easily reimagine the scene and come up with their own fun adventures. In addition to the Iron Golem, this set contains three other buildable characters, including the sheep and the Vindicator. Minecraft Potion Bottle Color-Changing LED Lamp This pixelated potion bottle night light makes an excellent display piece. Children can cycle through the bottle’s eight colors and pretend to drink potions or use it as a lamp. Some users seem to have received defective lamps, but it is a rare occurrence and returns are easy within 30 days of purchase. Sold by Amazon Ravensburger Minecraft: Builders & Biomes Strategy Board Game This board game gives children a great way to enjoy Minecraft without looking at a screen. Builders & Biomes may seem complicated at first, but your child will get the hang of it after one or two playthroughs. In this game, kids mine resources, defeat mobs and defend themselves from zombies, just like in the video game. Children have four different playable characters in the Minecraft board game, including Steve and Alex. Sold by Amazon Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.	https://www.wric.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/best-minecraft-gifts-for-kids/
(The Hill) — President Joe Biden’s bet on a rapid rebound from the coronavirus recession may have backfired. The president and his top economic officials rallied Democrats around a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill in March 2021, urging Congress not to repeat the mistakes of the Great Recession and cut off support for the economy too soon. The bill was also Biden’s way of delivering on the promise made during the pivotal Georgia Senate runoffs, which gave his party a slim Senate majority: elect Democrats and get another round of stimulus checks. Just more than a year after Biden signed the bill, the U.S. unemployment rate is nearly at pre-pandemic levels, the economy has added more than 10 million jobs and the gross domestic product is well above where it was when COVID-19 shattered the economy. By those measures alone, the recovery under his watch was far stronger than the slow trudge out of the Great Recession. But despite the rapid rebound, Biden’s approval rating is at all-time lows as Americans feel the brunt of high inflation — a risk few within and beyond the administration took seriously when he signed the American Rescue Plan. Consumer prices rose 1 percent in May alone and by 8.6 percent over the past 12 months, according to data released Friday by the Labor Department. Prices for food, gasoline, shelter and travel led the May inflation burst, giving Americans few ways to avoid higher prices. “The Fed and the White House were trying to avoid the kind of long slog, decade-long recovery that there was after the Great Recession,” said Skanda Amarnath, executive director at research nonprofit Employ America. “For some people, there was a certain complacency about inflation as a possibility. That’s probably true too. But that was viewed as a much more remote tail risk.” It’s a risk voters are feeling. Eighty-five percent of voters said they think inflation is a very serious or somewhat serious problem, according to an Economist-YouGov poll from earlier this month. In the same, poll, 44 percent of respondents said Biden has “a lot” of responsibility for the inflation rate, and 31 percent said he has “some.” Top Biden administration and Fed officials — along with dozens of economists — expected inflation to cool off last year as the world adjusted to life after COVID-19. Vaccination campaigns, reopening schools and a shift in spending from goods to services all figured to bring prices down and workers back into the job market. But COVID-19 adjusted quicker. The emergence of the delta and omicron variants didn’t curb consumer spending or cost the economy jobs. Instead, it shifted a glut of saved-up money toward goods, which had been in high demand since the start of the pandemic, instead of services. The new variants also led to factory shutdowns, port backlogs and other pandemic-related snarls, making it even harder for manufacturers and suppliers to meet higher demand powered in part by federal stimulus. “Inflation wasn’t transitory because COVID was not transitory. Parts of China are still locked down. We’re not even through the COVID shock,” said Claudia Sahm, a former Federal Reserve research director. And while some of those pressures have begun to ease, the war in Ukraine has pushed inflation even higher with severe shocks to the global supply of oil, natural gas, wheat and other crucial commodities. “There were people at the time who said given the gap, given how many people we have out of work, the American Rescue Plan is more than enough. That seems it could be especially true if you counted the excess savings as energy stored in the battery that could be used to get the economy rolling,” said Alan Cole, former chief economist for Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee. “The U.S. has had higher inflation generally than most advanced economies, and I don’t think anyone’s saying the ARP created all of it — or if they are, they are not telling the truth. But the ARP kind of contributed more at the margins.” Republican lawmakers, who voted in unison against the American Rescue Plan, have claimed vindication after warning Biden’s bill would trigger an inflation spiral. GOP lawmakers have centered their midterm campaign message — including their response to the Capitol riot investigation — around Biden’s failure to keep prices stable as the economy expanded. “[My] constituents ask me about the historic gas prices, skyrocketing inflation, and the baby formula shortage,” tweeted Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), the third-ranking House Republican, on Thursday. “Why aren’t Democrats holding primetime hearings about these crises impacting the American people?” Stefanik’s barb came two days after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted to lawmakers during House and Senate hearings that the administration misjudged inflation and likely spurred it higher through the stimulus plan. Yellen defended the American Rescue Plan’s role in spurring the economy, though she acknowledged how critical it would be for the administration to balance out its impact on the economy. Most economists say it’s hard to blame the White House for trying to repair the economy as quickly as possible. Even former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, the top Democratic critic of Biden’s economic policy, spurned the stimulus package because he believed the money would be better spent on the president’s broader Build Back Better agenda. That bill has fallen by the wayside amid concerns from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) about its potential impact on inflation. Even so, experts agree there is far more Biden could do to try to bring prices down. In a fiery Friday speech, Biden blasted Big Oil companies for reeling in record profits instead of expanding production with gas prices above $5 per gallon on average nationwide. “Why don’t they drill more? Because they make more money not producing oil. Prices go up on the one hand. No. 2, the reason they are not drilling is they are buying back their own stock — should be taxed quite frankly — buying back their own stock and not making new investments,” he said. But Amarnath, of Employ America, said Biden should work with the industry to increase output through agreements to purchase oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at set prices, giving them cover if market prices for oil go down amid the glut of products. Amarnath also said the U.S. government should deploy the Treasury Department’s exchange stabilization fund to help keep prices down for crucial commodities hindered by the war in Ukraine, sanctions on Russia and Chinese lockdowns. “Having some individualized attention on these markets would help, but you’d have to really do that systematically ahead of time. That takes a lot of work and that kind of work, just to be blunt, doesn’t happen anywhere within the government.” Sahm, the former Fed research director, also expressed concerns about Biden’s plan to lean on the Fed to bring down inflation when much of the forces driving prices higher are beyond the bank’s control. “[The Fed] should have moved sooner last year and it probably would have had some effect on inflation, but it would have had no effect on food and gas prices,” Sahm said. “When the Fed lowers inflation, it does it by reducing people’s ability to spend. It’s not a happy way that we get inflation down,” she continued. “The Fed’s lever is impoverishing people. Hardship in the United States is never equally shared.”	https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/why-bidens-bet-on-a-rapid-economic-rebound-may-have-backfired/
LONDON and NEW YORK, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of London, the next-generation technology company and the world's first purpose-built global clearing, agency, and transaction bank, today announced the appointment of Tam Holmes as its Co-President & Group Chief Product Officer and Member of the Group's Executive Management Committee. As Group Chief Product Officer, Tam is responsible for oversight of the Group's overall customer and product vision, strategy, and innovation. Prior to The Bank of London, Tam spent five years at 10X Banking ("10X") where he served as Chief Product Officer and Chief Development Officer, playing a key role in driving the business forward, including as a Board Member, and where he was principally responsible for managing all customer relationships, product strategy, product management and business development. Instrumental in building investor and customer confidence, he positioned 10X as the transformational partner of choice for Global Tier 1 banks. Previously Tam was the Head of Digital Security and Fraud at Lloyds Banking Group, where he also served as Head of Programme Delivery for Digital Banking. Tam was responsible for the re-platforming of Lloyd's digital banking stack, as well as the design of innovative digital fraud and security controls, including the UK's first deployment of behavioural biometrics, and device ID systems. Anthony Watson, Group Chief Executive & Founder of The Bank of London, said: "Tam's wealth of knowledge and experience across banking, large-scale transformation, and programme delivery, makes him a great fit at The Bank of London. He brings a particularly unique perspective from his time at 10X, where he led both the sales and product development of their cloud bank platform to JP Morgan Chase in the UK and Europe, Westpac in Australia and other global banks. With his flair for driving innovation coupled with a strong reputation for leading with humility and empathy, Tam will provide a world-class product experience for our clients globally." Tam Holmes, Co-President & Group Chief Product Officer of The Bank of London, said: "I'm delighted to join The Bank of London at such a pivotal time. The market has been left under-served by incumbents for far too long and I'm excited to start driving forward our customer and product vision, strategy, and innovation, to build strong products and experiences that our will customers love - in the UK, the EU and beyond." NOTES TO EDITORS About The Bank of London The Bank of London launched 30th November 2021 as the sixth principal clearing bank of the United Kingdom, and only the second clearing bank in 250 years. With a $1.1 billion valuation, it is the first pre-revenue bank in history to attain 'unicorn' status upon debut. The Bank of London is a leading-edge technology company and the world's first purpose-built global clearing, agency, and transaction bank. We leverage our patented technology innovations and differentiated bank capabilities to lift economies and communities by powering the borderless economic infrastructure of the future. The bank has been established to assist banks, clearing houses, digital & traditional asset firms, governments, financial services companies from local fintechs to global institutions, payment networks and non-financial brands seeking to launch fully compliant financial products and services in-country and across-borders. With headquarters in London and offices in New York and Belfast, The Bank of London is a principal clearing bank of the United Kingdom authorised by the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority. For more information visit: thebankoflondon.com, or on Twitter and Instagram at @thebankoflondon. Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1851422/Tam_Holmes.jpg View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Bank of London	https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/bank-london-appoints-tam-holmes-co-president-amp-group-chief-product-officer/
Cold recipes for hot weather I know hot weather isn’t unusual for L.A., but still, when you have to start using the air conditioner during the day, you know it’s officially too hot out. And I say this after returning from a two-week trip in France, where I experienced the much-discussed heat wave there, and let me tell you, THAT is hot. Each day felt like walking out into an oven that slowly dried you from the inside out. It was on those 104-degree days that all I wanted was cold fruit and salads and iced coffee injected into my veins. Get our new Cooking newsletter. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Now that I’m back in L.A., where we’re blissfully insulated from the worst of the heat wave that virtually everyone else is experiencing beyond the mountains, I’m maintaining that habit of eating nothing but cold salads and soups for the foreseeable future. One is my Spicy Watermelon and Tahini Salad With Pistachios and Mint, which I wrote about previously. It takes the often pallid watermelons you find at the grocery and boosts their flavor with a short maceration in sugar and salt before getting drizzled with a spicy tahini sauce that perks up the cold cubes wonderfully. For something more substantial, there’s my Sesame Cold Noodles With Crab and Crunchy Vegetables. You can use any seafood (or none) that you want, but the cold veggies are essential to give you that crunch against the chewy chilled noodles and toasty sesame dressing. Or, if you want something more acidic and vegan friendly, try my Kale Pasta Salad With Parm and Smoked Almonds. Orzo soaks up a lemony dressing that gets better as the kale softens over days in the fridge; the smoked almonds and parm pack an umami punch to balance all the leanness of the salad, too. My friend Paola Briseño-González has a wonderful recipe for Potato Salad With Spicy Green Goddess Labneh and Lobster that I make often, swapping in shrimp or scallops or even cooked salmon if I can’t find lobster. The dressing is extremely flavorful and the salad is as substantial as a full meal on its own. And when I want a smoothie for lunch on a hot day (but I hate smoothies), I turn instead to this Cold Almond and Garlic Soup. It’s a Spanish classic for a reason: blanched garlic and almonds puree to a smooth soup sharpened with lots of sherry vinegar. It’s so simple and adapts wonderfully to whatever tart-and-maybe-a-little-savory fruit you have to eat with it, like figs, plums or cherry tomatoes. Spicy Watermelon and Tahini Salad With Pistachios And Mint This salad adds a spicy richness to lean, sweet watermelon. Sprinkling the melon with salt and sugar for 20 minutes draws out excess liquid to concentrate the melon’s flavor. Get the recipe. Cook time: 30 minutes. Sesame Cold Noodles With Crab and Crunchy Vegetables The Chinese sesame paste and noodles are the two components of this dish that are essential. The sesame paste is like a toastier, nuttier tahini, and the noodles provide the proper chew with all the crunchy vegetables. Use ramen noodles because they’re the easiest to find. Get the recipe. Cook time: 45 minutes. Enjoying this newsletter? Consider becoming a Times subscriber. Kale Pasta Salad With Parm and Smoked Almonds Measure out your dressing ingredients and chop your vegetables while you’re waiting for the water to boil so you can make this salad super quick. It’s a great repository for any other leftover meat or vegetables you have chilling in the fridge. Instead of Parmesan, add the same amount of crumbled goat cheese or feta. Get the recipe. Cook time: 20 minutes. Potato Salad With Spicy Green Goddess Labneh and Lobster Commonly paired in many Latin cuisines, briny rich seafood — in this case, lobster — goes wonderfully with creamy potatoes in this salad, invigorated by a tart, creamy green goddess-style dressing. Because you only use a little, the lobster is affordable, and its flavor goes a long way, especially when tossed with lemon for a vibrant topping to the salad, garnished with crunchy rendered-and-chopped prosciutto. Get the recipe. Cook time: 40 minutes. Cold Almond and Garlic Soup Almonds and garlic transform into a hearty but refreshing, flavorful soup in this Spanish classic. Keep the soup in the fridge until ready to serve it, and top with figs, plums or even cherry tomatoes. Get the recipe. Cook time: 1 hour 10 minutes. Have a cooking question? Eat your way across L.A. Get our weekly Tasting Notes newsletter for reviews, news and more. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.	https://www.latimes.com/food/newsletter/2022-07-24/cooking-cold-recipes-for-hot-weather-cooking-editorial
Epson's High-Precision Robots and Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd.'s Automation Solutions Offer Customers More Flexibility and Opportunity LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson Robots, the #1 SCARA robot manufacturer in the world, today announced Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd (AM&C), a major Canadian distributor of factory automation products and solutions, is an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions. AM&C began as a fluid power-based company in 1986 and has since expanded to provide solutions in electric, pneumatic, robotic and mechanical systems. In addition to serving automotive customers in Ontario, Canada, AM&C also services a wide range of industries in Quebec, including medical, packaging and aviation. "Over the last two and a half years, we've seen many businesses struggle due to lack of labor and have looked for automated robotic solutions to help fill that gap, particularly with small parts assembly which can be quite tedious," said Dave Lawson, president, Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd. "Epson brings the ability to marry technologies like parts feeding, vision control and high-speed, high-performance robotics so we can quickly and easily help customers in this area." AM&C offers the complete lineup of award-winning Epson Robots automation products including the extensive SCARA portfolio, 6-Axis and All-in-One robots. Pairing Epson's robots with AM&C's technical expertise assist both businesses' dedication to making automation accessible, intuitive and valuable. "Epson recognizes Advanced Motion & Controls' commitment to offering exceptional customer service and value to automation projects, making them a great partner for our robot solutions," said Juan Carlos Castillo, sales & service director, Factory Automation Robotics, Epson America. "Advanced Motion & Controls has proven their loyalty to customers by delivering professional service and superior automation solutions. Together, we can grow the market not only in Ontario, but serve customers across Canada with high-speed, high-precision robots to help businesses succeed in all automation applications." "We've known Epson for many years and are excited to be a partner," said Lawson. "In speaking with other Epson partners, we have heard directly about their track record for success and look forward to growing the market in Ontario and all of Canada." Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd. (AM&C) is a leading Canadian distributor providing factory automation products. For more than 35 years, AM&C has had the mission to provide their customers with world-class leading solutions within electronic, pneumatic, robotic, and mechanical systems. Offering a broad selection of automation technology from conveyors, PLCs, and robotics to simple timers and pneumatic fittings, AM&C ensures its customers will find the right components for their applications – all from the top manufacturers in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.advancedmotion.com/ Epson Robots is a global leader in PC-controlled precision factory automation, with well over 100,000 units sold worldwide1 and a product line of hundreds of models of easy-to-use SCARA and 6-Axis robots based on a common PC-based platform. Building on a 35-year heritage, Epson Robots today delivers robots for precision assembly and material handling applications in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, biotechnology, consumer product, electronics, food processing, medical device, pharmaceutical, plastics, semiconductor, and telecommunication industries. For more information, visit www.epsonrobots.com Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/ Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). 1 Epson internal sales data through 2020. EPSON is a registered trademark and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2022 Epson America, Inc. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Epson America, Inc.	https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/epson-signs-advanced-motion-amp-controls-distributor-ontario-region/
Weekend high school scores: B-R girls lacrosse rallies past Bishop Stang BRIDGEWATER— In the latest battle between the Trojans and Spartans, it's the Trojans who prevailed. Bridgewater Raynham girls lacrosse beat Bishop Stang 10-9 Saturday in non-league action to improve to 2-8 on the season. The Trojans rallied from two goals down with Audrey Lambert scoring the winning goal for the hosts with 19 seconds remaining. The goal was one of Lambert's three of the afternoon, a tally matched by Ashley McLaren, while Sophia Perry had two goals and an assist, Emily Keefe had a pair of goals and Kate Lambert, Sage Balsamo and Alicia Caldeira all scored a goal each. B-R returns to action Thursday against Barnstable. 601 for Cuthbertson: D-R baseball celebrates coach's 600th win with all-around effort BOYS LACROSSE Xaverian 19, Bridgewater-Raynham 4 The Trojans fell to the Hawks on the road in non-league action Saturday and are now 7-3 on the season. Christian Thornton led the way for B-R with two goals while Ryan McInnis had a goal and two assists and Ryan Breheny had a goal. The Trojans return to action Saturday when they face Canton. TRACK AND FIELD Taunton at MTSCA Division I Relays The Tigers competed at the MTSCA Division I Relays at Braintree High School Saturday with one of their relay teams smashing a school record to win a medal The relay team of Colby Dunham, Nia Mainer-Smith, Caelen O'Leary and Emersyn DePonte finished sixth in the distance medley with a time of 13:22.57, beating Taunton's previous school record by 25 seconds. Taunton Daily Gazette sports reporter Cameron Merritt can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @CamMerritt_News. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Taunton Daily Gazette today.	https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/05/01/weekend-high-school-scores-b-r-girls-lax-rallies-past-bishop-stang/9611890002/
PITTSBURGH, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- One inventor, from Perris, Calif., said, "I thought about this idea when I was feeling pain and discomfort in my ears when using earbuds or reading glasses, or when my ear folded when I was asleep. It was impossible not to feel pain in my ears when laying sideways with a regular pillow pressing against my head." They created THE WEDGE to provide additional comfort. The newly designed pillow with satin pillow case would prevent wrinkles or marks being left on the face while sleeping as well as hair breakage caused by using a traditional pillow. The pillow would also help to relieve tension, muscle pain, stress and stiff muscles in the neck area. Additionally, it would hold its shape and help contribute to better health and a better night's sleep. The original design was submitted to the San Diego sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-SDB-1633, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE InventHelp	https://www.wistv.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/inventhelp-presents-adjustable-comfort-pillow-sdb-1633/
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A bill up for a final vote in West Virginia's Senate could make the state the first to pass new legislation restricting access to abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling removing its protected status as a constitutional right. Senators are set to meet Friday afternoon for a third reading of the bill, which some complained was not vetted in any of the chamber’s committees. If passed, it would head to the Republican governor, who has signaled he favors a statewide ban. Gov. Jim Justice said during a media briefing earlier this week that the abortion bill “is so important, it’s off the chart. We need modernization to our law, and what we have on the books is ancient.” He didn’t indicate whether he would sign the bill that passed the House, and the governor’s office didn’t immediately return an email Thursday requesting comment on that version. People are also reading… The House of Delegates passed the bill that would mandate prison time for medical providers who perform abortions earlier this week after allowing exemptions for victims of rape and incest up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. The exemption also requires victims to report their assault to law enforcement. The bill provides other exceptions for an ectopic pregnancy, a “nonmedically viable fetus” or a medical emergency. The vote in the GOP-dominated House on Wednesday came amid a protest from dozens inside the Capitol and followed a raucous public hearing in which most speakers — given just 45 seconds each to voice their opinions or be cut off — opposed the bill. A parade of 90 speakers stepped to the microphone, including 12-year-old Addison Gardner of Buffalo Middle School, who posed a vivid hypothetical situation for lawmakers. “If a man decides that I’m an object and does unspeakable and tragic things to me, am I, a child, supposed to carry and birth another child?" she said. "Am I to put my body through the physical trauma of pregnancy? Am I to suffer the mental implications? A child who had no say in what was being done with my body. Some in here say they are pro-life. What about my life? Does my life not matter to you?” The legislation advancing in a special session called by Justice to “clarify and modernize” the state's abortion laws would make providing an abortion a felony publishable by up to 10 years in prison. After the Supreme Court ruling in June, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said abortion was banned in the state because of an 1800s-era law that had been unenforceable while abortion was federally protected. But on July 18, a Charleston judge barred the state from enforcing the ban, ruling it had been superseded by a slew of conflicting modern laws such as a ban on abortion after 20 weeks. During hours of House debate, the sound of screams and chants from protesters outside the chamber rang throughout the room. “Face us!” the crowd yelled. “What’s ringing in my ears is not the noise of the people here,” said one of the bill’s supporters, Republican Del. Brandon Steele of Raleigh County. “It’s the cries of the unborn, tens of thousands of unborn children that are dead today. ... Their blood screams from the ground today that you end this scar on our state, that you remove this curse from this land that was put upon us by a court so long ago.” Some of those speaking at the public hearing cried, including a woman who said getting an abortion saved her life and a mother who said her teenage daughter was raped last year at a sleepover. Women’s Health Center of West Virginia Executive Director Katie Quiñonez was cut off and asked to step down as she started to talk about the abortion she got when she was 17 and just months from graduating high school. “I chose life,” she said, raising her voice to speak over the interruption. “I chose my life, because my life is sacred.” As security approached to escort her away from the podium, she walked past them, down the chamber aisle and out the doors. People sitting in the gallery stood up to clap and cheer. For AP’s full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion.	https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/after-abortion-ruling-wva-could-become-1st-to-pass-new-bill/article_3a70c857-a558-5dad-9697-65ee49e17fe8.html
HUIXTLA, Mexico (AP) — After walking for two days along rural highways in southern Mexico with several thousand other migrants, Venezuelan Wilber Pires spent what was supposed to be a day of rest for the caravan asking for help to buy medicine for his daughter. Two-year-old Valesca Pires was hospitalized in Huixtla overnight with a high fever. Other children in the extended family of 18 were sick as well and covered with mosquito bites. Under the roof of a covered court where migrants slept side-by-side on sheets spread over concrete, adults tended to battered feet after walking some 25 miles since departing Tapachula Monday. “If it’s hard for an adult imagine it for her,” Pires said of his daughter. Venezuelans make up a large proportion of this caravan, the biggest of the year, in contrast to previous ones. A factor appears to be a policy change implemented by Mexico in January requiring Venezuelans to acquire a visa to enter the country. Before that change, Venezuelans had flown to Mexico City or Cancun as tourists and then made their way comfortably to the border. Many made it from home to the U.S. border in as little as four days. Encounters with Venezuelans at the southwest border plunged from 22,779 in January to 3,073 in February, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In April, the most recent month available, there were 4,103 encounters. But the flow of Venezuelan migrants has continued. Since January, more than half of the 34,000 migrants who crossed the treacherous Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama were Venezuelans, according to Panama’s National Migration Service. The visa requirement drove the flow of Venezuelans into the shadows. Those traveling in the caravan are just the visible sign of who is traveling through Mexico out of public view. Many other Venezuelans have likely turned to smugglers. It was in January, the same month when Mexico imposed the visa requirement, that Pires and other extended family members spread across two cities in Venezuela began a group chat on a messaging platform that would eventually lead to a decision months later to leave their country en masse. Wildre Pires Álvarez, another cousin traveling with his wife and two children, said it took three months of discussion to decide to leave. “I was earning $3 to $6 a week,” Pires Álvarez said. “But if you ask me how far that reached: a kilo of rice, a kilo of pasta, a kilo of beans and there went my $6.” Family members complained of frequent electrical blackouts, scarcity and a lack of basic services. “The goal is the United States,” he said. “The dream is to work and be able to support more family members who stayed in Venezuela.” The extended family of 18, including eight children, traveled from Venezuela to Mexico’s southern border in 15 days. On the first day of the three it took to navigate the thick jungle of the Darien between Colombia and Panama, Pires’ cousin Eymar Hernández, passed out. Flor de los Ángeles, Hernández’s 11-year-old daughter, cried at the memory of her unconscious father. “He had a problem and they had to help him, give him fluids, air,” she said. “He was really bad in the jungle and that was really hard for me because I was scared about what would happen.” The family requested asylum in Tapachula, but were given appointments in July to begin the process. They said they did not have enough money to be able to wait that long in a city where work and affordable housing have been scarce. Jenny Villamizar, Hernández’s wife, said the constant uncertainty, the overwhelming fear that they will not be able to continue, has been awful. “This is terrible anguish not knowing what we’ll be able to achieve, what we’re going to be able to do,” Villamizar said. Negotiations between the migrants, their advocates and the Mexican government continued Wednesday. Recently, the government has dissolved other caravans by offering to move migrants to other cities where they could legalize their status more quickly. Finding consensus on managing migration flows in the region was a top priority for representatives meeting this week at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. Jesús Enrique González, another Venezuelan migrant traveling with 10 relatives, including his seven children, said the money he made as a butcher at home was no longer enough to make ends meet with constantly rising prices. So they left and have been traveling for two months. Since Panama, González’s children have been critical in helping their father continue. He fell while crossing the Darien Gap and broke his left foot, an injury that requires surgery, which he has so far been unable to attain. The 53-year-old man is alternating between crutches and a wheelchair pushed by relatives and friends as the family continues northward. They were the last migrants to reach Huixtla on Tuesday. “We fought until the end to stay in our country because everyone loves their country,” González said. “But seeing how everything was a struggle and we never reached a goal, we decided to leave.”	https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/venezuelans-big-presence-in-caravan-after-visa-requirement/
Rain and storms are back in the area this morning and will likely impact parts of the morning rush hour with slick roads, plus low visibility. It will not rain all day but a few showers and storms will redevelop through the afternoon but limited in coverage. It appears the most intense rainfall will be on the front end of the day with up to an inch in locations. Considering the cold front timing, warmth will remain today with highs nearing 70° around 3 p.m. The severe weather threat should remain just out of our viewing area, as southern and southeastern Indiana could be in play with stronger storms likely setting up in Ohio and northern Kentucky for the afternoon. Showers will be ending this evening and overnight, as clouds remain and dampness holds! Expect a cooler overnight with lows dropping into the lower 50s. Wednesday brings a cooler day but dry. Clouds will linger creating only limited chances for sunshine and a northeasterly flow. Highs tomorrow only reaching the lower to middle 60s. Our next round of rain/storms should arrive late Thursday and into Friday. This will keep our pattern active with windows of dry time to get caught up on yardwork in between. Next week brings the warmth! Degrees in the 80s will be likely, along with the possibility of our first upper 80s of the season on Tuesday and holding! Stay tuned…	https://fox59.com/weather/tracking-rain-and-storms-severe-threat-southeast/
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a safety cone to provide advanced warning to approaching motorists regarding lane closures and other issues," said an inventor, from Henderson, Nev., "so I invented the I T C. My design offers an improved alternative to standard cones that are only acknowledged when actually seen." The invention provides an improved design for a traffic safety cone. In doing so, it offers added warnings and guidance for motorists approaching construction sites and danger zones. As a result, it enhances safety and communication. The invention features a durable and attention-getting design that is easy to use so it is ideal for road work companies, construction companies, public works departments, etc. Additionally, it is producible in design variations. The original design was submitted to the Las Vegas sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-LGT-207, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE InventHelp	https://www.kold.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-traffic-safety-cone-lgt-207/
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday as she began a series of high-profile appearances in Washington that will include a session with U.S. counterpart Jill Biden. Blue and yellow Ukrainian flags flew alongside American ones on Pennsylvania Avenue as Zelenska headed for her first announced event in the United States, the meeting with Blinken. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the secretary of state assured Zelenska of the United States' commitment to Ukraine. Blinken also commended her for her work with civilians dealing with trauma and other damage from the war. The State Department announced and then canceled a planned brief appearance by Blinken and Zelenska before photographers there. The low-key arrival reflects that Zelenska is not traveling as an official representative of the government of her husband, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenska studied architecture in college but worked as a comedy scriptwriter, including for Zelenskyy, who was a comedian with a popular television show before winning the presidency in 2019. During the war, Zelenskyy has won admiration from Ukrainians and Ukraine's supporters abroad by staying put in the capital, Kyiv, after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack on Ukraine i n February. Zelenska largely disappeared with the couple's two children during the first months after the invasion. In an interview with Time magazine this month, she described the war forcing her to shelter away from Zelenskyy for security reasons from the first hours of Russia's bombing. Their children, like other Ukrainians, largely have seen Zelenskyy since then in nightly video addresses he makes to the country. Zelenska emerged from seclusion May 8 to greet Jill Biden, who was making an unannounced visit to western Ukraine. The two first ladies met then at a school, where they hugged, talked, and joined schoolchildren making tissue-paper bears as gifts for Mother's Day. Zelenska has taken a higher public profile since that meeting. That includes giving more newspaper interviews about Ukraine's struggles and about her projects during the conflict. She has promoted counseling for the millions of Ukrainians now dealing with grief and trauma. She meets with Jill Biden on Tuesday and will speak in the congressional auditorium at the Capitol to lawmakers on Wednesday. Her husband received standing ovations from congressional members in a video address to lawmakers in the same auditorium earlier in the war. Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to questions Monday about the schedule of her visit. ___ Associated Press writer Hanna Arhirova contributed from Kyiv. Matthew Lee contributed from Washington.	https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Out-of-wartime-hiding-Ukraine-s-first-lady-makes-17312695.php
Lakeville North (1-0) at Lakeville South (1-0), 7 p.m. Upset alert! Lakeville South’s 22-game winning streak could be in serious jeopardy when the Cougars welcome their cross-town rival into their stadium on Friday. The Panthers matched the Cougars’ physicality in a 12-0 loss last fall. Lakeville North has since gotten significantly more dangerous offensively with the installation of Riley Grossman as quarterback. The Panthers nearly knocked Eden Prairie off in last year’s playoffs, and could score a big upset this week. Our pick: Lakeville North 17, Lakeville South 14 East Ridge (0-1) at Stillwater (1-0), 7 p.m. Two East Metro teams again with big aspirations within the 6A football scene. Stillwater scored an impressive comeback road win in Week 1 against an always-game Centennial team, while East Ridge was a few mistakes away from going toe to toe with Eden Prairie. Max Shikenjanski and Tanner Zolnosky represents one of the best quarterback matchups you’ll find in Minnesota. Our pick: Stillwater 27, East Ridge 24 Simley (1-0) at Hill-Murray (0-1), 7 p.m. Sawyer Seidl ran 16 times for 175 yards and three scores in Hill-Murray’s tough Week 1 loss to Holy Angels, providing further evidence that he may just be the state’s best running back. But Seidl was relatively bottled up, by his standards, twice last season by Simley. Is the Spartans’ defense, which pitched a shutout in Week 1, again up for the challenge? Our pick: Simley 21, Hill-Murray 14 Farmington (1-0) at Eden Prairie (1-0), 7 p.m. A rematch of a state quarterfinal from a year ago, Farmington seeks vengeance against one of the state’s premier programs. Eden Prairie’s offense demonstrated impressive balance in Week 1, but the Tigers have a scintillating playmaker in dual-threat quarterback Jonah Ask. Our pick: Eden Prairie 24, Farmington 14 River Falls (3-0) at Hudson (3-0), 7 p.m. Identical undefeated starts set the stage for this classic rivalry to take on even greater meaning this week. The winner will stand alone as the clear favorite to win the Big Rivers Conference. River Falls has had rushing success with Jonah Severson — who has multiple rushing touchdowns in all three games — but will likely need to succeed in the passing game to move the ball against a Hudson defense that has allowed just seven points per game. Our pick: Hudson 21, River Falls 13 Last week: 8-2 Join the Conversation We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.	https://www.twincities.com/2022/09/08/high-school-football-fridays-week-2-predictions-2/
Rock and roll pioneer Ronnie Hawkins died Sunday, said his wife Wanda. Hawkins, who had diabetes for about 20 years, went downhill over the last few days, his wife told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He was 87. Hawkins -- who grew up in Huntsville and Fayetteville -- is primarily known for starting the group The Hawks, which later became The Band. "For an old ignorant country boy from Arkansas, I certainly had a good time," Hawkins told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 2018. "My timing was good. I met Johnny Cash while he was trying to sell cars and Carl Perkins when he didn't have a job." With Hawkins as lead singer, The Hawks had a minor hit with "Mary Lou," which reached No. 26 on Billboard's Top 40 in 1959. "Forty Days," Hawkins' reworking of Chuck Berry's "Thirty Days," reached No. 45 on the chart that same year. "Rockabilly was two pay grades below a prisoner of war," Hawkins told the newspaper. "Nobody liked it but younger people." Later, he would have considerably more fame in Canada. Ronald Cornett (Ronnie) Hawkins was born on Jan. 10, 1935, in Huntsville, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. His father, Jasper Hawkins, was a barber, and his mother, Flora Cornett Hawkins, was a schoolteacher. In 1945, the family, which included Hawkins's older sister Winifred, moved to Fayetteville. Ronnie Hawkins graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1952. Hawkins formed his first bands during his high school and college years. A physical education major at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Hawkins developed an outrageous stage persona that earned him the nicknames "Rompin' Ronnie" and "Mr. Dynamo," according to the encyclopedia entry. "I did the camel walk -- which Michael Jackson called the moon walk -- in 1948, when I was in the eighth grade," Hawkins told the Democrat-Gazette in 2018. Hawkins dropped out of college in 1956 and joined the Army. When he got out, he moved to Helena and started putting together a touring band that included Levon Helm of Marvell. At the suggestion of Harold Jenkins of Helena (later known as Conway Twitty), the group headed for Canada in 1958 and found audiences there hungry for American rock and roll. As some Arkansans dropped out of The Hawks, Hawkins added Canadians Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson to the group, while retaining Helm on drums. In the early 1960s, Hawkins owned The Rockwood Club in Fayetteville, and his band split its time between Canada and Fayetteville. In 1963, the group left Hawkins to venture out on their own. Bob Dylan hired them for his U.S. tour in 1965 and his world tour in 1996, where the musicians performed electric music for audiences that didn't always appreciate it. The Band, apart from Dylan, would eventually record such classics as "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek." The Last Waltz, Martin Scorcese's 1978 documentary, captures the group at its zenith, according to the Arkansas Encyclopedia. Hawkins performed a version of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" in the film. Hawkins remained in Canada for most of his life. "Canada has been the promised land for me," he told the Democrat-Gazette. "Hawkins was godfather to a generation of influential artists," according to The Globe and Mail of Canada. In Canada, Hawkins was awarded the 1982 Juno Award, equivalent to an American Grammy, as Best Male Country Vocalist, according to the encyclopedia. In 1996, he was presented the Walt Grealis Special Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the most esteemed honors in the Canadian music industry. The city of Toronto proclaimed Oct. 4, 2002, as "Ronnie Hawkins Day." Hawkins was added to Canada's Walk of Fame in 2002 and inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2004. Always retaining his U.S. citizenship, in 2014 Hawkins accepted an honorary appointment as officer of the Order of Canada, according to CBC/Radio-Canada. In addition to appearances as himself in The Last Waltz and Renaldo and Clara (1978), Hawkins had minor movie roles, including Heaven's Gate (1980). He hosted his own variety series, Honky Tonk, on Canadian television during the 1981–82 season. Hawkins lived with his wife Wanda in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. They have three grown children: Ronnie Jr., Robin, and Leah. In 2002, Hawkins was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was not expected to survive, according to the encyclopedia. But he defied the odds against him and recovered fully. In 2002, he released a new album, Still Cruisin', to favorable reviews. He was inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2018, Hawkins remembered when two Baptist deacons came to his door while he was a UA student in the 1950s: "One of them said, 'Ronnie Hawkins, don't you believe in God?' I said 'Yeah, I believe in God probably more than anybody else, but I'm real leery of the ground crew, I'll tell you that. They mumbled something in a foreign tongue and left." Gallery: Ronnie Hawkins, 1935-2022	https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/may/30/rockabilly-pioneer-and-arkansas-native-ronnie/
Take a look at the beta version of dw.com. We're not done yet! Your opinion can help us make it better. Drug cartels in Latin America are now making more money from synthetic drugs like fentanyl than the illicit substances the continent is best known for, like cocaine and marijuana. Synthetic drugs such as crystal meth, shown in production above, are becoming increasingly prevalent in Mexico In early February this year, a number of people were hospitalized in Buenos Aires, left in life-threatening condition after taking adulterated cocaine. As a result, 24 of them died. The Argentine authorities were forced to launch a media appeal, warning anyone who had recently purchased cocaine not to consume it under any circumstances. They subsequently discovered that the cocaine had been cut with another drug: carfentanil. Carfentanil, which is a derivative of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, is usually used to anesthetize large wild animals, like elephants. Just two milligrams — a few grains — is enough to kill a human being. Fentanyl, on the other hand, is "only" 50 times stronger than heroin, and 100 times stronger than morphine. And in recent years, this synthetic drug has become a hugely lucrative export for Mexican drug cartels. One of the reasons for this is that it costs much less to produce than traditional drugs. Reports in the Mexican media suggest that the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel now seems to be making bigger profits from fentanyl than from cocaine or any other drug. In early July, Mexican soldiers seized a record 543 kilograms (1,200 pounds) of fentanyl in the city of Culiacan. "This is the largest seizure of this deadly drug in Mexico's history," the undersecretary of state for public security, Ricardo Mejía, announced proudly after the operation. War on drugs: Just three weeks after the fentanyl seizure, police in Mexico City found 1.5 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a truck Mejía had given a press conference in May in which he detailed why fentanyl was so lucrative for Mexican drug cartels. It takes only two hours to produce one kilogram, he explained, and in Mexico, a kilogram of fentanyl would fetch an average price of $5,000 (about €4,900). In US cities like Los Angeles, the same amount would sell for $200,000. Against the backdrop of the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States, with more than 107,000 deaths in 2021 alone, the Mexican and US presidents, Manuel López Obrador and Joe Biden, have also been addressing the issue. On July 13, at their meeting in Washington, they agreed to increase their efforts and cooperation in the fight against synthetic drugs. At their meeting earlier this month, the Mexican and US presidents agreed to increase joint efforts to combat the opioid crisis From being a transit country for drugs produced in Andean countries, Mexico has now become a burgeoning consumer market. According to the latest United Nations' World Drug Report, published every year on June 26 — the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking — between 2013 and 2020, Mexico saw a 218% increase in the number of people in treatment for synthetic drug use. At the presentation of the World Drug Report 2022, Sofia Diaz, who is the country coordinator for Mexico at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), stated: "Mexico is the only country on the American continent where amphetamine-type stimulants have become the leading cause of health problems requiring medical treatment." She pointed out that, in addition to fentanyl and opioids, amphetamine-type stimulants and other synthetic drugs are also included, such as crystal meth and ecstasy. The rise of synthetic drugs in Mexico is striking on a continent that the UNODC says is characterized by the use of cannabis and cocaine. Marijuana is the main drug being treated for in Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and almost all of Central America; whereas in Canada, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, cocaine is the primarily culprit. The production and trafficking of synthetic drugs in Latin America is increasing much faster than that of naturally occurring drugs, Diaz warned. A January 2022 report from the Mexican ministry of health confirms this assessment. It found that overall drug use in Mexico increased 22% between 2010 and 2019, and that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused it to increase further. Several Mexican institutions recently collaborated on a major study called VoCes-19. After surveying 55,000 adolescents in the fall of 2021, they concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic — and the resulting depression and anxiety among adolescents — had led this group to take more drugs. According to its data, opioid and marijuana use among young people increased by 18% to 21% during pandemic times in Mexico. This article was originally written in German.	https://www.dw.com/en/in-latin-america-synthetic-drugs-becoming-more-popular-than-cocaine-and-marijuana/a-62633710
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended membership invitations to 397 film artists from 54 different countries. Among those who've been invited, 15 are Oscar winners including Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Troy Kotsur (CODA) and original song winners Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell (No Time To Die). Oscars are awarded based on votes from members of the Academy. The Academy has been trying to diversify its membership in recent years. Among this year's pool of invitees, 44% identify as women, 37% are from what the group calls "underrepresented ethnic and racial communities," and 50% are from countries or territories outside of the U.S. If all 397 accept their invitations, overall Academy membership would be 34% women and 19% from underrepresented groups. According to the Academy, the "membership process is by sponsorship, not application. Candidates must be sponsored by two Academy members from the branch to which the candidate seeks admission." Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.	https://www.knau.org/npr-news/2022-06-28/troy-kotsur-billie-eilish-and-ariana-debose-are-invited-to-join-oscars-academy
LESBOS, Greece (AP) — Authorities in Greece say a woman from Eritrea has given birth on an uninhabited rocky islet after traveling with other migrants from nearby Turkey. A coast guard official said 29 Eritreans ‒ 24 men and five women ‒ were spotted Wednesday during a patrol near the eastern Greek island of Lesbos. One of the women had just given birth. They were also rescued and taken to Lesbos, with the mother and baby receiving hospital treatment. “They were spotted by a patrol and are all in good health,” the coast guard official said on condition of anonymity because an official announcement hadn’t yet been released. “The mother and the baby are also in good health,” the official said. The migrants were found on the islet of Barbalias, about three kilometers (two miles) east of Lesbos and around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Turkish coast. Local officials said the baby was a boy. Lesbos was the busiest entry point into the European Union during the 2015-16 crisis when hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants fled war in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. But Greece has steadily toughened its migration policies, and many leaving Turkey now take the longer and more dangerous route to Turkey. Over the weekend, the coast guard rescued 108 migrants from a leaking and rudderless sailboat near the holiday island of Mykonos. Separately Wednesday, a man believed to be a migrant was found dead in the trunk of a car in an artificial lake near the Greek-Turkish border. Border police officers had pursued the vehicle after the driver refused to stop for a highway inspection. Five other passengers, all also believed to be migrants who had entered the country illegally, and the driver were detained, police said. ___ Costas Kantouris reported from Thessaloniki, Greece. Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP’s coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration	https://www.ksn.com/news/national-world/ap-international/greece-stranded-on-tiny-island-migrant-mother-gives-birth/
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — International human rights groups on Saturday urged Sri Lanka's new president to immediately order security forces to cease use of force against protesters after troops and police cleared their main camp following months of demonstrations over the country's economic meltdown. A day after President Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn, hundreds of armed troops raided a protest camp outside the president's office in the early hours of Friday, attacking demonstrators with batons. Human Rights Watch said the action "sends a dangerous message to the Sri Lankan people that the new government intends to act through brute force rather than the rule of law." Two journalists and two lawyers were also attacked by soldiers in the crackdown. Security forces arrested 11 people, including protesters and lawyers. "Urgently needed measures to address the economic needs of Sri Lankans demand a government that respects fundamental rights," Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. "Sri Lanka's international partners should send the message loud and clear that they can't support an administration that tramples on the rights of its people." Also condemning the attack, Amnesty International said "it is shameful that the new government resorted to such violent tactics within hours of coming to power." "The protesters have a right to demonstrate peacefully. Excessive use of force, intimidation and unlawful arrests seem to be an endlessly repetitive pattern in which the Sri Lankan authorities respond to dissent and peaceful assembly," said Kyle Ward, the group's deputy secretary general. Wickremesinghe, who previously served as prime minister six times, was sworn in as president a week after his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled the country. Rajapaksa later resigned while exiled in Singapore. Sri Lankans have taken to the streets for months to demand their top leaders step down to take responsibility for the economic chaos that has left the nation's 22 million people struggling with shortages of essentials, including medicine, fuel and food. While the protesters have focused on the Rajapaksa's family, Wickremesinghe also has drawn their ire as a perceived Rajapaksa surrogate. Armed troops and police arrived in trucks and buses on Friday to clear the main protest camp the capital, Colombo, even though protesters had announced they would vacate the site voluntarily. Sri Lanka's opposition, the United Nations, and the U.S. have denounced the government's heavy-handed tactics. Despite heightened security outside the president's office, protesters have vowed to continue until Wickremesinghe resigns. On Friday, he appointed as prime minister a Rajapaksa ally, Dinesh Gunawardena. Wickremesinghe on Monday declared a state of emergency as acting president in a bid to quell the protests. Just hours after he was sworn in, he issued a notice calling on the armed forces to maintain law and order — clearing the way for the move against the protest camp. The protesters accuse Rajapaksa and his powerful family of siphoning money from government coffers and of hastening the country's collapse by mismanaging the economy. The family has denied the corruption allegations, but the former president acknowledged that some of his policies contributed to Sri Lanka's crisis. The political turmoil has threatened efforts to seek rescue from the International Monetary Fund. Still, earlier this week, Wickremesinghe said bailout talks were nearing a conclusion. The head of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, told the Japanese financial magazine Nikkei Asia this week that the IMF hopes for a deal "as quickly as possible." Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.	https://www.knau.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-07-23/rights-groups-are-urging-sri-lanka-not-to-use-force-against-protesters
- FAST-02 represents a key milestone in the development of Flash therapy - Flash therapy delivers radiation at ultra-high dose rates in typically less than one second and is capable of being over 100 times faster compared to conventional radiation therapy PALO ALTO, Calif., June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to advance Varian's Flash clinical research program with the FAST-02 (FeAsibility Study of Flash therapy for the Treatment of Symptomatic Bone Metastases) clinical trial. Data from FAST-01, the first-ever human clinical trial of Flash, was used to support the approval of the FAST-02 study and will be reported later this year. The FAST-02 clinical trial builds on the clinical evidence from FAST-01 and will include bone metastases in the chest, providing critical insights into the clinical use of Flash treatment for cancer metastases. FAST-02 is expected to enroll 10 patients with painful thoracic bone metastases and aims to evaluate treatment-related side effects and efficacy of treatment, which will be assessed using trial participants' reported pain relief. Similar to FAST-01, FAST-02 was designed with input from leading scientific experts from the FlashForward™ Consortium and will be conducted at the Cincinnati Children's/UC Health Proton Therapy Center with John C. Breneman, M.D., FASTRO, as principal investigator. "For the last decade, radiation oncologists have been exploring Flash therapy as an important opportunity to create a paradigm shift in the way we treat patients," said Breneman, Medical Director of the Cincinnati Children's/UC Health Proton Therapy Center, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center member. "The FAST-01 trial laid the groundwork for the approval of FAST-02, and we are excited to continue the clinical research and evaluate Flash therapy in a new patient cohort." In connection with the FAST-02 clinical trial, the Varian ProBeam® system's proton particle accelerator has been modified to deliver Flash therapy, and Varian's Eclipse™ treatment planning system has also been modified to create plans for the Flash treatments. Varian is the only industry partner to advance the development of Flash therapy as an integrated, end-to-end solution that includes innovations in treatment planning, quality assurance, and therapy delivery technologies. "Receiving IDE approval for FAST-02 reaffirms our confidence in the potential of Flash therapy and represents an important step toward delivering this groundbreaking therapy in a clinical setting," said Agam Sharda, Vice President of Flash Solutions at Varian. "Together with our FlashForward Consortium, we have expanded Flash therapy research using our systems as we work to improve the patient experience. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with experts around the world to push the boundaries of innovation in cancer care." "Preclinical research of Flash therapy indicates using ultra-high dose rates may be less toxic to patients overall and enhances sparing of adjacent healthy tissue," said Deepak "Dee" Khuntia, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Varian. "The FAST-02 study will advance our work toward an important proof of concept, particularly in deep-seated tumors. We are eager to build on our clinical understanding of Flash therapy as we continue our work to transform cancer care." About Flash therapy Flash therapy, an experimental treatment modality delivering radiation therapy at ultra-high dose rates in typically less than one second, may be over 100 times faster compared to conventional radiation therapy. The concept of ultra-high dose rate radiation delivery has been studied for many years. Dedicated research and development by the team at Varian has led the advancement of clinical evidence for proton Flash therapy. Varian's efforts include investing in bench and preclinical research and supporting the FlashForward™ Consortium, a group of dozens of institutions from around the world, which includes experts in radiation oncology, translational sciences and medical physics. About Varian At Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, we envision a world without fear of cancer. For more than 70 years, we have developed, built and delivered innovative cancer care technologies and solutions for our clinical partners around the globe to help them treat millions of patients each year. With an Intelligent Cancer Care approach, we are harnessing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to enhance cancer treatment and expand access to care. Our 11,000 employees across 70 locations keep the patient and our clinical partners at the center of our thinking as we power new victories in cancer care. Because, for cancer patients everywhere, their fight is our fight. For more information, visit https://www.varian.com/ and follow @VarianMedSys on Twitter. About the Cincinnati Children's/UC Health Proton Therapy Center The Cincinnati Children's/UC Health Proton Therapy Center, which opened in 2016, is one of only 39 in the United States. Affiliated with the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, the proton therapy center is a $24 million, one-of-a-kind research facility, which includes a fully operational proton treatment room dedicated for just research along with integrated laboratories. The unique capabilities of the research center were instrumental in Cincinnati developing the world's first clinical trial of Flash proton therapy. In addition, children and adults from around the world seek treatment for more than 30 types of cancer in two clinical therapy rooms at the center. Press Contacts Shay Smith Health+Commerce Shay@healthandcommerce.com Katie Villany Varian Corporate Communications Katie.villany@varian.com View original content: SOURCE Varian	https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/varian-receives-investigational-device-exemption-ide-flash-technology-clinical-trial-fast-02/
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The European Union has agreed to slash Russian oil imports in a tough escalation of the bloc’s campaign of sanctions to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. It’s a landmark decision that will hit Russian coffers in the long term, but could also hurt consumers across the European continent. The move agreed late Monday at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels comes amid soaring energy prices in Europe and could spark more rises, particularly later this year as nations compete for natural gas supplies to heat homes and fire industries, analysts say. Just hours before U.S. markets opened Wednesday, benchmark U.S. crude had climbed $1.25 to $115.92 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Analysts say that amid high oil prices, the sanctions are unlikely to hit Russia hard soon, but they deprive Moscow of one of its most important customers for oil — likely for a long time to come. WHAT HAS THE EU DONE? European Union leaders agreed to cut Russian oil imports by about 90% over the next six months, a dramatic move that was considered unthinkable just months ago. The 27-country bloc relies on Russia for 25% of its oil. The ban applies to all Russian oil delivered by sea. It contains a temporary exemption for oil delivered by the Russian Druzhba pipeline to certain landlocked countries in Central Europe. Germany and Poland have agreed to stop using oil from the northern branch of the pipeline. Russian oil delivered by sea accounts for two-thirds of the EU’s oil imports from Moscow. WHAT ABOUT GAS? Russia has the world’s largest natural gas reserves and is the biggest global exporter, according to the International Energy Agency. But don’t expect the 27-nation bloc’s leaders to sign off on a ban on Russian gas imports any time soon. The bloc imports 40% of its gas — used for everything from generating electricity to heating homes — from Russia, and finding alternative supplies is tougher than for oil. “Russian oil is much easier to compensate … gas is completely different, which is why a gas embargo will not be an issue in the next sanctions package,” said Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer. That doesn’t mean gas is immune from the geopolitical tensions. Russia is flexing its economic muscle and retaliating to other sanctions by cutting off or restricting gas supplies to some European nations. Russian state energy giant Gazprom said this week it is halting the flow of gas to Dutch trader GasTerra and Denmark’s Oersted company and is also stopping shipments to Shell Energy Europe that were bound for Germany. Germany has other suppliers, and GasTerra and Oersted said they were prepared for a shutoff. Gazprom previously stopped the flow to Bulgaria, Poland and Finland. “Who’s next?” said Lucia van Geuns, an energy expert from The Hague Centre for Security Studies. She said the tightening of the net by Moscow could leave EU countries competing for gas supplies from other sources to fill up storage facilities over the summer and to use next winter — a move that would likely drive up prices even further. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR CONSUMERS? In short: Higher prices. Amid concerns about the devastating war in Ukraine and moves to punish Russia invading its neighbor, energy bills and gasoline prices have been high for months and governments have been cutting taxes in a bid to spare their citizens. Even so, energy consumers — that’s basically everybody who flicks a light switch, takes a shower, looks at their phone screen or fills their car’s fuel tank — are feeling the pinch and looking for ways to cut costs where they can. As oil prices rose again Wednesday, motorists in the eastern Netherlands were crossing the border in droves to refuel in neighboring Germany, where government tax cuts have made a liter of gasoline much cheaper than in the Netherlands. Dutch broadcaster NOS showed lines of cars with Dutch license plates waiting outside German gasoline sellers. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR RUSSIA? Moscow is waging a hugely expensive war in Ukraine. Oil and gas exports go a long way to footing the bill. Last year they accounted for 45% of the federal budget, the International Energy Agency says. Europe is Russia’s main energy customer, and once the 27 countries have stopped using its supplies, they may not go back. Short term, the oil ban will likely not hurt Russia too much amid high oil prices that mean Moscow can sell at a discount to clients in Asia and still make a profit, said Chris Weafer, CEO at Macro-Advisory Ltd., a consulting firm. “The financial pain for Russia probably will come more next year or over the next couple of years if it still has to offer discounts,” Weafer told the AP. Van Geuns said Moscow’s decision to cut off gas to European customers also will likely hurt Russia in the long term “because they are going to lose a large client and of course Europe is their biggest client as far as gas is concerned.” WILL THIS HASTEN TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE SOURCES? In the long term, probably, but in the short term it could actually have the opposite effect. Some lawmakers in the Netherlands have already voiced support for cranking up output from the country’s remaining coal-fired power stations, which are being phased out in an attempt to rein in carbon emissions, so that consumption by gas-fired power stations can be reduced. Mads Flarup Christensen, secretary-general of Greenpeace Norden, urged the EU to mitigate the effects of the oil sanctions by using less oil. “If the ban is to have the maximum effect on Putin’s war and on the climate crisis, then there must be immediate reductions in our oil consumption,” Christensen said. “It will require changes in the way we transport ourselves, such as a ban on short-haul routes, lower motorway speeds and cheaper public transport.” ___ Follow AP’s coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine	https://www.seattletimes.com/business/explainer-effects-of-eu-russia-oil-ban-moscows-response/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all
Facility part of global network of centers designed to accelerate development and adoption of aluminum solutions NOVI, Mich., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Novelis Inc., a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider and world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today celebrated the opening of its Customer Solution Center (CSC) for automotive in Novi, Michigan, a suburb of Metro Detroit. The $35 million facility is part of Novelis' global network of CSCs, which are designed to speed the development of aluminum solutions through collaboration between the company and its customers, as well as others in the value chain. Through the centers, Novelis partners with automakers and Tier 1 suppliers to maximize lightweight, high-strength aluminum in the next generation of vehicle design. In addition to the facility in Novi, Novelis operates automotive CSCs in Stuttgart, Germany, and Shanghai, China. "Novelis' network of Customer Solution Centers is a centerpiece of our purpose, which is shaping a sustainable world together," said Philippe Meyer, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Novelis Inc. "As a leading automotive aluminum supplier, this investment will strengthen the partnerships we have with our customers and ensure that innovative, low-carbon aluminum adoption continues to grow across the world." The company's 100 employees in Novi represent expertise in research and technology, technical development and commercial support. The center's high-tech equipment ranges from a hot stamping press to computer-aided design (CAD) software to visualization technologies that model vehicle safety scenarios. These capabilities enable Novelis to develop new aluminum solutions and demonstrate their benefits for current and future vehicle applications. Customers and Tier 1 suppliers are using the center to see these benefits firsthand, which include lighter designs, greener lifecycles, and simpler, more cost-effective solutions. "Today marks an important milestone for our dedicated and talented team of automotive aluminum experts in Novi," said Olga Alavanou, Vice President Automotive, Novelis North America. "This facility perfectly represents who we are, and we are thrilled to use it to partner with our customers every step of the way as they design exciting, next generation vehicles." Since launching the Customer Solution Centers in 2018, Novelis has made several advancements in automotive innovation. Examples include an aluminum intensive battery enclosure solution for electric vehicles; all-new high strength and heat-treatable alloys that are designed to compete with ultra-high strength, hot-formed steel solutions; and research proving out the benefits of aluminum use in doors and closures, one of the fastest growing aluminum applications in new vehicles. In addition, the company has worked to increase the amount of recycled aluminum in automotive alloys and expanded closed-loop recycling systems, which take back aluminum scrap from customers generated during the stamping process and recycle it back into the same product. "In an era of increasing complexity in the global automotive marketplace, these centers confirm that Novelis is prepared to partner with our customers across the world," said Jamie Zinser, Vice President, Global Automotive, Novelis. "Whether it is aluminum door research in Novi or electrification advancements in Shanghai, Novelis aims to innovate alongside our customers every step of the way." Novelis welcomed nearly 200 attendees to its ribbon cutting celebration, including customers, suppliers, local leaders from the City of Novi and Oakland County and representatives from State Senator Jim Runestad and U.S. Senator Gary Peters. Aluminum is the fastest growing automotive material according to DuckerFrontier. For more than 40 years, Novelis has been a leading global supplier of aluminum sheet to the industry, with an automotive manufacturing footprint in Asia, North America and Europe. Its product portfolio includes high-performing alloys that are featured on more than 315 models on the road today, including the iconic Ford F-150, Jeep Wrangler and Jaguar Land Rover. About Novelis Novelis Inc. is driven by its purpose of shaping a sustainable world together. We are a global leader in the production of innovative aluminum products and solutions and the world's largest recycler of aluminum. Our ambition is to be the leading provider of low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions and to achieve a fully circular economy by partnering with our suppliers, as well as our customers in the aerospace, automotive, beverage can and specialties industries throughout North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Novelis had net sales of $17.1 billion in fiscal year 2022. Novelis is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, an industry leader in aluminum and copper, and the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai. For more information, visit novelis.com. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Novelis Inc.	https://www.wbtv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/novelis-celebrates-opening-35-million-customer-solution-center-automotive-market-michigan/
The federal government is investigating the deaths of three Amazon workers who died at facilities in New Jersey over several weeks this summer. The first death occurred July 13 in Middlesex County at the company’s EWR9 fulfillment center in the 8000 block of Industrial Highway in Carteret, an Amazon official said. The man died during Prime Day, the company’s biggest sale event of the year. Eleven days later, on July 24, a worker suffered fatal injuries at the PNE5 Amazon facility on Applegate Drive in Robbinsville, Mercer County. The worker died on July 27, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. On Aug. 4, there was a worker fatality at DEY6 delivery station facility on Farrington Boulevard in Monroe Township in Middlesex County, according to OSHA. None of the workers have been identified and Amazon and OSHA have not provided additional details, including causes of each death. “Because these are all under investigation, the information that can be released is limited,” Joanna P. Hawkins, deputy director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Public Affairs, told NJ Advance Media. Hawkins said the federal agency has up to six months to investigate each death. Sam Stephenson, an Amazon spokesman, said Thursday “each of these tragic incidents have affected our teams greatly, and we are providing resources for families and employees who need them.” Stephenson said Amazon is cooperating with OSHA with its investigation. Amazon said the Carteret death was “a personal medical condition” and not a work-related death. Robbinsville Police Chief Michael Polaski told NJ Advance Media on Thursday that officers were called to the Applegate Drive warehouse shortly after 8 a.m. on July 24 on a report of a worker who fell off a three-foot ladder and struck his head in an open docking bay. “When patrol arrived, the worker was conscious and alert,” Polaski said, adding that the victim’s co-workers performed CPR before police arrived. The worker was taken to Capitol Health Regional Trauma Center and died three days later, according to police and OSHA. Polaski said the police department notified OSHA of the incident the same day the man was injured. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.	https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2022/08/3-amazon-workers-died-on-the-job-in-nj-over-past-month-osha-says.html
Drugmaker Teva announced Tuesday that it has agreed to contribute more than $4.3 billion in cash and medications to settle lawsuits in the state and local governments and Native American tribes that claimed the company contributed to the U.S. opioid epidemic. The deal in principle would rank among the larger ones so far in a yearslong trend of companies settling the complicated lawsuits over the toll from an addiction and overdose epidemic, which has been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the U.S. over the last two decades. In their lawsuits, state governments and others claimed the Israel-based company promoted Actiq and Fentora, prescription opioids approved to treat cancer pain, plus generic opioids including oxycodone for use for non-cancer purposes. The states also said the company downplayed the addiction risks and encouraged doctors to continue to increase the doses they prescribed. The states claimed the company and its distributor, Anda, failed to comply with requirements on monitoring and reporting suspicious orders. The multibillion-dollar settlement is to be paid over 13 years, with most of the money going to fight the opioid epidemic. The settlement includes providing up to $1.2 billion worth of naloxone, a drug that reverses overdoses, at no charge — although states could take a smaller amount of cash instead, if they choose. It also includes the payouts from several settlements the company has recently reached with individual states. New York is not included in the settlement, although the parties say negotiations with that state are continuing. A jury there last year found the company liable in a trial involving claims from the state government and two counties. The trial will go to a damages phase if a settlement isn’t reached with Teva before then. Teva said it does not expect to stand trial on any other opioid claims this year, even as cases involving claims against other companies continue to go to court. “While the agreement will include no admission of wrongdoing, it remains in our best interest to put these cases behind us and continue to focus on the patients we serve every day,” Teva said in a statement. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, one of the chief negotiators, said the settlement would help address the crisis, which has become more deadly in recent years. “Every week I meet people whose lives have been torn apart by the opioid epidemic,” Stein said in a statement. “Far too many families and friends have experienced painful loss to overdose. But I also meet inspiring people who are living happy lives in recovery — and this agreement will help thousands more North Carolinians get the treatment and support they need to free themselves of addiction.” For the deal to be finalized, it needs approval from state and local governments and tribes. “While this agreement is a vital step, we also recognize that this alone will not put an end to the opioid epidemic,” lead lawyers representing local governments said in a statement. “We will continue to work to hold companies up and down the opioid supply chain accountable.” There have been more than $40 billion worth of proposed and completed settlements over opioid claims in recent years, according to an Associated Press tally. Earlier this year, drugmaker Johnson & Johnson finalized a $5 billion settlement, and the three national drug distribution firms — AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson — finalized one worth a total of $21 billion. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma is trying to persuade a court to let it move ahead with a deal that could include up to $6 billion in cash from members of the Sackler family who own the company. That potential deal would also transform the company into a new entity with profits used to combat the crisis.	https://fox59.com/news/national-world/ap-us-news/drugmaker-teva-latest-to-settle-opioid-lawsuits-nationally/
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming will welcome "Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson to its annual fundraising breakfast on Wednesday morning. Robertson will serve as the keynote speaker at the organization's 24th annual awards and recognition breakfast, which will be held at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. The breakfast will also honor Brad and Jan Cundy, a Casper couple who founded Cundy Asphalt Paving Construction and Keyhole Technologies. After they lost their son Matthew to suicide in 2011, Brad and Jan have worked on the issue of suicide prevention in Wyoming. They've also given extensively in the Casper area. The breakfast will also feature four Youth of the Year finalists, one of whom will be selected at the event. That young person will receive a $7,500 scholarship and advance to the statewide Youth of the Year competition in February. People are also reading… Brad Hopkins, executive director of the Wyoming Rescue Mission in Casper, will be honored with the Mick and Susie McMurry Cowboy Code Try Award. Each person at the breakfast will receive copies of a new book, "Wyoming Try" which highlights the stories of 12 Wyomingites who've done extraordinary things. The breakfast is free to attend, but guests are asked to make a contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming. Doors open at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday, with breakfast at 6:30 a.m. and the program beginning at 7 a.m. For tickets or more information, visit bgccw.org, or call 307-235-4079.	https://trib.com/news/local/casper/duck-dynasty-star-will-speak-at-wednesdays-boys-and-girls-club-breakfast/article_8fcb7478-32d2-11ed-93ce-cb986daaf403.html
Propane vehicles have a role to play in getting cleaner air On Aug. 2, I attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at Hi-Pro Inc., a transportation and logistics trucking firm that hauls mail for the U.S. Postal Service. The event celebrated the beginning of operations for five propane powered trucks that will reduce emissions by over 20% from so-called “clean diesel” trucks. This is being done at approximately half of the cost of diesel. A speaker stated that to be “environmentally sustainable you need to be economically sustainable.” Propane vehicles fulfill that premise. It was announced that four more propane trucks were being ordered by Hi-Pro. The event was well attended by people from the Federally funded Clean Cities organization. Clean Cities’ goal is to reduce air pollution in non-compliant areas. The U.S. Postal Service’s Jennifer Beiro-Rivelle , Senior Director, Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability, was also present and spoke about propane’s role in cleaning the environment. Conspicuously absent was anyone from the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) whose stated goal is to “electrify everything.” Electric vehicles are not available for the type of service that Hi-Pro delivers except for experimental options that are prohibitively expensive and require expensive infrastructure expenditures. If the State of Colorado and the CEO truly want to get Colorado’s air cleaned up in a timely manner, they would support all efforts at reducing CO-22 and NOX emissions. DAN BINNING Arvada Time to revisit fees required of teachers My wife just sacrificed $56 from her humble Social Security for a fingerprint test required by the Colorado Department of Education to get her one-year substitute teacher certification. I got a notice that my 3-year substitute teacher authorization will expire in October, and I must renew at a cost of $90. News reports that the Bay District Schools of Panama City, Florida is waiving the $75 fingerprinting fee, as well as covering the $75 paraprofessional fee under the stress of 125 positions to fill. With a nationwide shortage of teachers isn’t it time for Colorado lawmakers to revisit the required fees related to public education? Oh, does Governor Polis know that my 2021 W2 form for sub-teaching in a Colorado public school district came from an outsourced West Palm Beach, Florida business? MIKE SAWYER Denver Holding TABOR refunds isn’t fair I found out yesterday that if you owe money to the courts, child support or any other of the government entities that you won’t receive your check! They put the TABOR money towards those bills. I don't understand why they would do that to the people who need it the most, like myself. I have been unemployed since March of 2020 when COVID first hit, and am currently still unemployed. Come on Colorado do something for the people who are struggling TAMMY WIEBERG Palisade There are economic reason behind China’s Taiwan aggression Chiang Kai-Shek, China's leader of the Republic of China, is forgotten in this China/Taiwan conflict. Chiang retreated to Taiwan during Mao's revolution in 1949. It has since become a powerhouse of the microchip industry that China wishes to steal by invading Taiwan. Deja vu. If the chip industry were to move to Korea or Japan, would Xi change his sites, or does he love the Taiwanese?	https://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/letters/emailed-letters-aug-11-2022/article_7a57d9bc-18f9-11ed-b22d-b3ed1572fbeb.html
Looking for comfort and style all located in a Resort Style Community?Then your search stops here with the Napamodel that seamlessly melds the living/dining/kitchen space with a beautiful open concept model. Upon walking in, you'll immediately feel at home in the large welcoming foyer. Off to the side is a great den/office area. The kitchen feature 42 cabinets, and kitchen appliances! The dining space fits right in between the kitchen and large living space. Right off the living room if the Sun Roomthat brings in great extra light! Off to the side of the dining space is the 2nd bedroom & bathroom, plus the large owners suite that includes a great bathroom and walk in closet. Includes eero's wifi guarantee for no dead spots, a Ring Video Doorbell and Level Lock, a Flo by Moen w/ Smart Water Shutoff and a Honeywell Home T6 Pro Z-Wave Smart Thermostat. All located in a community with a pool, walking paths and more! Home will have a September delivery Photos of previously built home	https://www.nwitimes.com/2-bedroom-home-in-cedar-lake---339-990/article_83016756-a12e-55b5-83aa-9cd0de365f6c.html
Restrictive abortion laws, including so-called trigger laws, are slated to take effect in several states this week. On Thursday, the trigger laws go into effect in Tennessee and Texas. In Tennessee, abortions at any pregnancy stage are illegal, except if to prevent a pregnant woman's death or serious injury. ABC News reported that this law wouldn't make exceptions for rape or incest. In Texas, abortions are illegal unless the pregnant woman is at risk of death or serious injury. There are no exceptions in cases of rape or incest, NPR reported. Idaho's trigger laws also take effect Thursday. Still, the news outlets reported that after a federal judge issued a preliminary order Wednesday, doctors won't be penalized if facing an emergency medical decision. CNN reported that North Dakota's trigger law bans most abortions would take effect on Friday. In Oklahoma, a law that would enact higher criminal penalties for performing illegal abortions will take effect on Saturday, NPR reported. According to CNN, trigger laws were written to take effect 30 days following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last month.	https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/abortion-trigger-laws-slated-to-take-effect-in-several-states-this-week
POKROVSK, Ukraine — Russian missiles hit industrial facilities at a strategic city in southern Ukraine Sunday as Moscow continued efforts to expand its gains in the country's east. Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said that the Russian missiles struck an industrial and infrastructure facility in the city, a key shipbuilding center in the estuary of the Southern Bug river. There was no immediate information about casualties. Mykolaiv has faced regular Russian missile strikes in recent weeks as the Russians have sought to soften Ukrainian defenses. The Russian military has declared a goal to cut off Ukraine's entire Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. If successful, such an effort would deal a crushing blow to the Ukrainian economy and trade and allow Moscow to secure a land bridge to Moldova's separatist region of Transnistria, which hosts a Russian military base. Early in the campaign, the Ukrainian forces fended off Russian attempts to capture Mykolaiv, which sits near the Black Sea Coast between Russia-occupied Crimea and the main Ukrainian port of Odesa. Since then, the Russian troops have halted their attempts to advance in the city but continued to pummel it with regular missile strikes. For now, the Russian military has focused its efforts on trying to take control of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland of Donbas, where the most capable and well-equipped Ukrainian forces are located. Ukraine says its forces still retain control of two small villages in the Luhansk region, one of the two provinces that make up the Donbas, and are successfully fending off Russian attempts to advance deeper into the second one, the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military's General Staff said Sunday that Ukrainian troops thwarted Russian attempts to advance toward Sloviansk, the key Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk, and other attacks elsewhere in the region. During a visit to the front lines Saturday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered "to further intensify the actions of units in all operational areas." While focusing on Donbas, the Russians hit areas all across the country with missile strikes. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians not to fall for Russia's attempts to scare them with warnings of horrendous missile attacks to come, which he said were aimed at dividing Ukrainian society. "It's clear that no Russian missiles or artillery will be able to break our unity or lead us away from our path" toward a democratic, independent Ukraine," he said in his nightly video address to the nation. "And it is also clear that Ukrainian unity cannot be broken by lies or intimidation, fakes or conspiracy theories." On Thursday, a Russian missile strike killed at least 24 people — including three children — and wounded more than 200 in Vinnytsia, a city southwest of Kyiv, the capital, far from the front lines that had largely been spared from the Russian bombardment before. Three of those missing after the attack were found alive in the rubble Saturday and one person remained missing, the emergency service said Saturday. On Sunday, relatives and friends attended a mourning ceremony for Liza, a 4-year-old girl killed in a strike. The girl with Down syndrome was en route to see a speech therapist with her mother in central Ukraine when the missile landed. Her mother, Iryna Dmytrieva, was among the scores injured. "She remembered that she was reaching for her daughter, and Liza was already dead," Iryna's aunt, Tetiana Dmytrysyna, told The Associated Press. "The mother was robbed of the most precious thing she had." In the Kharkiv region, at least three civilians were killed and three more were injured Saturday in a pre-dawn Russian strike on the city of Chuhuiv, which is only 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the Russian border, the police said. Lyudmila Krekshina, who lives in the apartment building that was hit, said a husband and wife were killed, and also an elderly man who lived on the ground floor. Another resident said she was lucky to have survived. "I was going to run and hide in the bathroom. I didn't make it and that's what saved me," said Valentina Bushuyeva. Pointing up at her destroyed apartment, she said: "There's the bathroom — explosion. Kitchen — half a room. And I survived because I stayed put." Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.	https://www.knau.org/npr-news/2022-07-17/russia-strikes-south-ukraine-city-presses-attacks-in-east
A federal court on Friday ruled in favor of environmental groups that had filed a lawsuit against the government and the Maine Lobstermen’s Association claiming federal fisheries officials had failed to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from potentially fatal entanglements in lobster fishing gear, records show. A judge ruled that NOAA Fisheries had violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act when it issued a May 2021 biological opinion and a September 2021 final rule because officials had not done enough to reduce the lobster fishery’s threat to right whales, the plaintiffs in the suit said in a statement. Advertisement The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Conservation Law Foundation, and Defenders of Wildlife. Jane Davenport, a senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife, said the “decision recognizes what NOAA Fisheries has ignored for decades — that Congress clearly intended to protect right whales from the lobster gear entanglements that are driving the species toward extinction just as surely as whaling nearly did.” “Today’s opinion is the course correction the agency needs to put both the species and the fishery on a path towards sustainability and co-existence,” Davenport said in the statement. Kristen Monsell, oceans legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, called the ruling “a huge victory in the fight to save these profoundly endangered whales from extinction.” “Lobster gear is a deadly threat to right whales, and the courts are telling the federal government to quit stalling and start taking real action,” Monsell said in the statement. “The Biden administration has to work much harder to help the industry prevent these agonizing, deadly entanglements.” David Abel of the Globe staff contributed to this report. This breaking news story will be updated. Jeremy C. Fox can be reached at jeremy.fox@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeremycfox.	https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/08/metro/federal-court-rules-fisheries-officials-didnt-do-enough-protect-right-whales-lobster-gear/
CUTE: Miniature horse born without use of rear legs takes off running in new wheelchair NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A miniature horse born with little-to-no movement in his rear end can now trot thanks to a new wheelchair. Turbo was born with two luxating patellas, a congenital defect, according to Road to Refuge Animal Sanctuary in North Haven, Connecticut. The only way Turbo was able to walk was in a hunched position, with the horse’s total weight being placed on its two front legs. Turbo’s previous owners contacted “R2RAS” in North Haven for guidance, and it stepped in and offered to give Turbo a fighting chance at its sanctuary. Megan, the Founder of Road to Refuge and mixed animal vet technician, said she began her organization after working at a veterinary practice. During her time as a vet tech, Megan said she saw a surplus amount of farm animals being brought in to be euthanized. She instead took the animals home with her to give them a second chance. “I lean towards the special needs ones, the broken ones, the really medical intensive cases,” Megan said. She said she has cared for blind goats, elderly goats, and a goat named Peaches who also needed a wheelchair for assistance. Megan said that’s how she got started on the path that led to Turbo’s rescue. Walkin’ Pets, a New Hampshire-based pet mobility company, said it came across Turbo’s story on social media and drove to the sanctuary, where it donated a wheelchair to Turbo. Before it could even get Turbo fully strapped in, it said the horse took off running. “Seeing Turbo walk before any assistance and dragging his legs, to being in his cart, I almost started crying,” Megan said. “He was running, bucking – it was all very exciting.” Megan urged people not to shy away from adopting a special needs animal. “It’s definitely a road worth traveling,” she said. “They really make a special place in your heart.” The sanctuary said Turbo’s journey is far from over. As the horse continues to heal, it will need physical therapy, rehab, and possible knee surgery. Anyone looking to help with the medical bills can do so on the R2RAS website here. Copyright 2022 WFSB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.	https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/18/cute-miniature-horse-born-without-use-rear-legs-takes-off-running-new-wheelchair/
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Algeria’s foreign minister on Monday decried Syria’s decadelong suspension from the Arab League during a visit to Damascus, indicating support for the war-torn country's return to the organization under President Bashar Assad. Syria was expelled from the 22-member group and boycotted by its neighbors after the conflict broke out in March 2011, following a heavy-handed crackdown by Assad's government on mass protests demanding reforms. The country quickly descended into civil war, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced half the country’s population and left large parts of Syria destroyed. But with Assad regaining control over most of the country, thanks to military assistance from allies Iran and Russia, Arab countries have inched closer toward restoring ties with the Syrian leader in recent years, most notably the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Last October, Jordan’s King Abdullah II received a call on Sunday from Assad, the first between the two leaders in a decade. Algeria will host the 2022 Arab League summit in November, and the Assad government in Damascus is eager to continue rekindling regional diplomatic relations. “Syria’s absence from the Arab League harms cooperation between Arab countries,” said Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, speaking at a news conference with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mekdad. “Syria is coordinating with Algeria and several Arab countries to revisit the status of Syria’s membership in the league,” Mekdad said. Lamamra also met with Assad and delivered a letter from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboun.	https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Algeria-s-top-diplomat-backs-Syria-s-return-to-17326912.php
BURTON, MI – One person is in custody following the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old Burton woman Tuesday morning, police said. Scheryle Turkessha-Marie Fields died when she was shot in the abdomen following an argument with another person in the 4100 block of Cherrybrook in the Creek Wood Mobile Home Park, according to Burton police. Officers were called to the mobile home park at about 10:19 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, following reports of shots being fired. When officers arrived, they found Fields inside a home with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was taken into custody and is lodged at the Genesee County Jail, police said. Read more at The Flint Journal: Name of man shot, killed after walking into wrong Davison Township apartment released Grand Blanc Township police chief retiring after 26 years with department Lapeer business significantly damaged in fire	https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2022/07/burton-woman-killed-in-shooting-at-mobile-home-park.html
Polish & Slavic FCU Scholarship Program has supported the educational dreams of young PSFCU members for twenty-two years BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's edition of the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union's Scholarship Program, which has supported the educational dreams of the Polish-American youth since 2001, set two significant records. 488 young PSFCU members were granted scholarships this year, with the total amounting to $551,000 i.e. $51,000 more than the previous record. PSFCU Board of Directors decided to raise this year's scholarship budged so that every applicant who met the formal program requirements could receive an award. Award ceremonies for the scholarship program took place on June 1 at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York and on June 2 at the Cracovia Manor in Wallington, New Jersey, with the third one scheduled for June 4 at the Polish Museum of America in Chicago, Illinois. Majority of scholarship recipients attending the ceremonies were accompanied by their extremely proud parents. PSFCU President/CEO Bogdan Chmielewski welcomed the recipients at the New York ceremony stressing the importance of ties between the Credit Union and the Polish American community. "Investing in the young generation is the best investment our Credit Union could make," Mr. Chmielewski said. "I congratulate you on the success you have already achieved and I wish you much success in your further professional life, so that you could also translate your academic and professional success to some extent into the success of our entire ethnic group in the United States." First Vice-Chairwoman of the PSFCU Board of Directors, Ms. Malgorzata Gradzki could not hide how proud she was with the young PSFCU members. "We are very proud of you and we hope that in your future career you will not forget about the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union," she said. "I hope that you will all live the issues of the Polish American community - because one of the goals of our program is to encourage you to participate in the initiatives of our ethnic group, in its cultural events, and in our community organizations." As in previous years, this year's edition of the PSFCU scholarship program consisted of two separate parts: for college-bound high-school graduates and for current university students. The program for high-school graduates was coordinated by the New York Credit Union Association. In addition to evaluating the submissions of applicants from several dozen New York credit unions, NYCUA also granted forty five scholarships to the best applicants. Fifteen of the forty five scholarships were issued to young PSFCU members. The program for current university students is an autonomous PSFCU program. Applicants were evaluated by college professors based on their study results, as well as active participation in the life of the Polish American community. Since the inception of its scholarship program in 2001, Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union has issued over six and a half million dollars in scholarships to a total of over 5,500 students. Founded in 1976 by a group of Polish immigrants to help other ethnic Poles obtain mortgages, the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union now has 21 branches in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, Pennsylvania, a Mortgage Center in New Britain, CT and an operations center in Fairfield, NJ. In addition, PSFCU offers mortgage loans on properties located in the state of Florida. Credit union members can access our services through our Online Banking, accessible on our www.psfcu.com website, or through our mobile app or utilize a Mobile Branch, a specially equipped vehicle used during special events, providing all services available at a traditional brick-and-mortar location. The 45-year-old credit union has over $2.6 billion in assets and serves over 108,000 members. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union	https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/record-scholarship-amount-record-number-students/
NEW YORK, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 5WPR, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the U.S., announces today the return of client Miami Fashion Week® (MIAFW) after a two-year hiatus. The 22nd edition of the event will be held in Miami, Florida from Tuesday, May 31, 2022, through Sunday, June 5, 2022. This year's show highlights international designers with a focus on sustainable fashion practices. 5WPR will be in attendance to manage and support events taking place across Miami's most iconic venues including Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Gary Nader Art Center, and Frost Science Museum. "We are thrilled to resume our work with client Miami Fashion Week and experience first-hand the ongoing return to live events," said 5WPR CEO, Dara A. Busch. "This year's event is set to have a substantial audience, including designers, industry experts, celebrities, and influencers. We look forward to supporting the client to ensure a successful week of events." "We're beyond excited to announce that Fashion Week that will be back in person this June," said Lourdes Fernández-Velasco, Executive Director of Miami Fashion Week. "Being our first time back in two years, we've teamed up with 5WPR to further amplify our ongoing commitment to bringing sustainability and new technology to the fashion industry. This year, we are bringing the heat to Miami showcasing the hottest collections and look on the runway." "Miami Fashion Week's notorious list of celebrity and designer supporters is endless, with big names including honorary President Antonio Banderas, Gary Nader, Juanes, Emilio Estefan, Roberto Cavalli and more. This year, special guest, Italian luxury lifestyle brand, Missoni, and world-renowned designer Naeem Khan are joining the lineup for the first time to showcase their latest collections. In addition, MIAFW will revolutionize fashion, incorporating style and art into the shows, new venues, hosting real conversations and supporting the participating designers to make a bigger splash than ever before. 5W opened a Miami office space in 2022 on the heels of rapid growth, and the need to service a diverse set of clients, while attracting and retaining the best talent in the country. Led by an expert team with extensive experience, services offered to 5WPR fashion and lifestyle clients includes messaging and positioning, media relations, influencer relations, product launches, new market expansion campaigns, executive visibility programs, fundraising announcements, content creation, sponsorships/partnerships, digital media campaigns, thought leadership and speaking opportunities. About Miami Fashion Week Relaunched in 2016 under new management, Miami Fashion Week® (MIAFW) is the second largest fashion event in the U.S. debuting resort collections of established and emerging international designers. With dates officially recognized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Fashion Calendar's Important Dates (CFDA) alongside New York, London, Paris and Milan, MIAFW plays an integral role in the industry by continuing to be the first international platform for the resort season to an audience of A-list celebrities, global influencers, and fashion leaders. MIAFW is back for its 22nd Edition on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, to Sunday, June 5, 2022 taking place across some of Miami's most iconic venues including Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Chotto Matte, Gary Nader Art Center and Frost Science Museum. For more information, please visit www.miamifashionweek.com. About 5WPR 5W Public Relations is a full-service PR agency in NYC known for cutting-edge programs that engage with businesses, issues and ideas. With more than 250 professionals serving clients in B2C (Beauty PR & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, Nonprofit), B2B (Corporate Communications and Reputation Management), Public Affairs, Crisis Communications and Digital Marketing (Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, SEO). 5W was awarded 2020 PR Agency of The Year and brings leading businesses a resourceful, bold and results-driven approach to communication. CONTACT: Dara A. Busch, dbusch@5wpr.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE 5W Public Relations	https://www.wkyt.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/5wpr-tapped-support-miami-fashion-week-return/
GREENSBORO — People finally got to dive into summer as Guilford County Parks opened its three public pools this weekend. The summer usually kicks off with pools opening over Memorial Day weekend. But Guilford County delayed opening its pools due to difficulties filling lifeguard jobs. "I'm glad that the pool has finally opened back up," said Lisa McLure, a mother visiting Bur-Mil Park on Saturday. "I love coming here with my kids every weekend to have some fun." For the past four weeks, Guilford County Parks has been working to put together a pool program while facing staff shortages and having to create a new schedule. The county hired a total of 48 lifeguards and pool managers to have enough staff for the entire summer. However, pools will be open for limited hours until enough staff are trained to cover the shifts. Lifeguards are getting training sessions that are deemed necessary to ensure safety at the pool. The affected pools are at Bur-Mil Park, 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road, Greensboro; Northeast Park, 3441 Northeast Park Drive, Gibsonville; and Hagan-Stone Park, 5920 Hagan-Stone Park Road. Due to staff shortages, the pools will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays with weekday hours starting on June 20. People are also reading… The city of Greensboro also delayed the typical Memorial Day opening of two of its public pools, but that delay was due to mechanical issues at its Windsor and Warnersville recreation center pools. Crowds of families gathered at this weekend's opening at Bur-Mil Park. Children of all ages ran through the sprinklers as the lifeguards watched. "I have been waiting patiently for weeks for the pool to open," Tiffine Michael said as her son played in the pool. "I'm so happy that I can finally bring my son back here to enjoy this place." Her son Michael Camden said he was having "so much fun." "I never want to leave." Contact Tanasia Moss at 336-373-7371	https://greensboro.com/news/local/summer-arrives-for-guilford-countys-public-pools/article_17e13fba-e5a7-11ec-a50c-ab9010cf04b6.html
Walter Priestley was on his way back to Houston on Saturday following an event for North Texas lettermen when he stopped by to see Michael Hickmon at his home. The old UNT teammates spent an hour watching film of the youth football teams Hickmon coached that had become his passion in life. Hickmon, a former UNT running back, was killed just hours later in a shooting at his son's game in Lancaster. He was 43. “What I remember most about Mike is his dedication to his son, youth athletics and his family,” Priestley recalled Sunday night. “He enjoyed coaching football and track and field. He had just gotten back from the AAU national track meet. He enjoyed being around kids.” Police have identified Yaqub Salik Talib — brother of former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib — as the suspected shooter. News of Hickmon’s death quickly spread among UNT’s former players and coaches. They remembered him as a dedicated teammate and admired the way he had dedicated himself to family and coaching following his college career. Hickmon played for the Mean Green from 1998-2002 when he was known among teammates as a calming influence at a key time in program history. Darrell Dickey took over as UNT’s head coach heading into the 1998 season, the Mean Green’s fourth in the Division I-A ranks after moving up from I-AA. UNT struggled to find its footing at the top level of college football before breaking through. The Mean Green won the first of four straight Sun Belt Conference titles in 2001 and beat Cincinnati in the 2002 New Orleans Bowl to cap one of the best seasons in program history. Hickmon was a veteran presence for those teams that ushered in a memorable era for the program. “Mike was a mentor for the younger guys,” former UNT quarterback Scott Hall said. “He was an old soul. Even in his 20s, he was very wise. He was calm, laid back and had wise words for us, whether it was before or after a game.” Hickmon rushed for 718 yards and five touchdowns in five seasons at UNT. His best year came in 1999, when he rushed for 302 yards. Hickmon was teammates with fellow running backs Patrick Cobbs, Kevin Galbreath and Ja’Quay Wilburn, who went on to Hall of Fame careers at UNT. Former UNT assistant coach Bruce Bell credited Hickmon for helping establish the competitive atmosphere that helped the Mean Green’s running backs thrive. Hickmon hosted Adrian Awasom and Ja’Mel Branch on their recruiting visits to UNT. Both signed with the Mean Green and went on to become key members of UNT’s Sun Belt championship teams. All three played key roles in UNT winning 26 straight Sun Belt games, a run that spanned from 2001-04 and ranks as one of the landmark achievements in the last 25 years of UNT athletics. “Anything we needed, Mike was there for us,” Branch said. “He made some key blocks and runs and was always at the right place at the right time.” Bell lived in Duncanville early in his tenure at UNT and often gave Hickmon a ride home on weekends. The two became friends after Hickmon’s playing career and would often see each other at UNT alumni events, where the conversation frequently turned to youth football. “Mike would send me clips of his son and ask me what I thought,” Bell said. “We stayed in touch that way.” Branch recently spoke to Hickmon, who called to inquire about a dog Branch was selling. They ended up talking about Hickmon’s family and the players he spent his time developing. “He was coaching, and his kids were growing up,” Branch said. “It made you really proud of how far he had come and how he had become even more of a father figure to his kids. He was a special guy.”	https://dentonrc.com/rsssports/unt-community-shocked-by-the-death-of-former-mean-green-running-back-michael-hickmon/article_c4eb68cb-ea13-5825-8f63-136ca718955a.html
Which camping cots are best? Camping doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable experience with the right gear. Even a simple camping cot can help you get a good night’s sleep, waking up refreshed for breakfast around the camping stove and a day of outdoor activities. Consider factors such as the size and weight of the cot and how far you’ll have to carry it. You won’t thank yourself for buying a bulky cot if you have a long walk from your car to your camping pitch. What to look for in a camping cot Size You should consider the size of a camping cot when it’s folded and unfolded. - Folded: Some cots fold in five or more spots, so their folded size is significantly smaller than those that only fold in one or two spots. If you only ever go car camping, the folded size doesn’t make much difference. However, if you have a trek to your camping spot, the smaller it folds, the better. - Unfolded: Standard cots measure roughly 25 to 30 inches wide and 73 to 76 inches long. However, if this isn’t big enough for you, it’s possible to buy larger versions. Weight Think about the weight of your camping cot — especially if you’ll have to lug it over any distance. - Frame: Those with steel frames are heavier than ones with aluminum frames but are usually stronger. - Sleeping surface: Cots with cotton or canvas sleeping surfaces are significantly heavier than those made with nylon or polyester materials. Mattress You can find some camping cots that come with either inflatable, foam or polyfill mattresses to fit the sleeping surface. If you don’t find that you sleep well on standard cots, this is a great choice. However, these cots are significantly heavier and bulkier than those without mattresses. Organizer Some cots have organizer pockets on one or both sides of the frame. These are great for holding essentials you need easy access to, such as a torch or your phone. You’ll notice that some organizers are significantly larger than others, so if you need plenty of room for storage, there are options available for you. Best camping cots under $75 This simple cot comes from a respected camping brand, so you can trust its quality and durability. It has a strong crossbar steel frame and holds people of up to 300 pounds and a maximum of 6 feet, 2 inches tall. Sold by Amazon Since it folds in five places and has a polyester sleeping surface and an aluminum frame, this cot is both compact when folded and light. It comes with a travel bag for transport and storage and an attached side organizer pocket. Sold by Amazon Not only does this cot fold up small when not in use, but it also comes with a convenient carry bag with a strap for easier transportation. It’s extremely durable and can hold up to 500 pounds, thanks to its steel frame and oxford fabric sleeping surface. Sold by Amazon You can raise and lower the top third of this cot to use it as a lounger when you’re not sleeping on it. This is great if you’re planning a relaxing camping trip rather than an activity-filled one. Sold by Amazon It’s quick and easy to fold and unfold this cot, so you won’t waste time trying to set up your pitch. It has dual storage pockets to hold your belongings and the option to angle the head end slightly if you find it more comfortable. Sold by Amazon Marchway Ultralight Folding Camping Cot Bed Weighing less than 5 pounds and packing down into a 16.9- by 5.5-inch stuff sack, it’s a perfect cot for those who like to travel light. It’s made from aluminum with a nylon sleeping surface and can hold up to 275 pounds. Sold by Amazon Best camping cots for $75 or over Coleman Camping Cot, Air Mattress and Pump Combo If you can’t get comfortable on a standard cot, you might like this one, which comes with an air mattress to fit it and a battery-powered pump. You can choose from either twin or queen sizes. Sold by Amazon Ever Advanced Extra-Wide Camping Cot This extra large camping cot measures approximately 84 inches long and 42 inches wide, so it’s a great choice if you find standard cots too short or narrow. It’s simple to assemble and comes with its own carry case. Sold by Amazon Thanks to the included polyfill-stuffed mattress, this is a more comfortable choice than your average cot, but it’s also bulkier. With an exceptionally strong steel frame, it can hold as much as 880 pounds. Sold by Amazon With its extra long organizer pocket, this is the perfect cot for anyone who needs a lot of storage. It folds easily and has a strong steel frame and a tough polyester sleeping surface. Sold by Amazon Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews. Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.	https://www.kron4.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/sleeping-br/10-best-camping-cots/
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Thursday submitted to a judge a redacted version of the affidavit it relied on when federal agents searched the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump to look for classified documents. U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart will decide whether the sealed FBI affidavit, which presumably lays out a detailed factual basis for the search, will become public — and if so, how much is disclosed. “The United States has filed a submission under seal per the Court's order of Aug. 22,” Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley said in a statement. “The Justice Department respectfully declines further comment as the Court considers the matter.” Reinhart had given the department until Thursday at noon to propose to him the redactions to the affidavit it wanted to make before any portion of it was released to the public. But he acknowledged on Monday that it was possible that the redactions, or blacked-out portions, would be so extensive as to leave the public version of the document without any meaningful information. The affidavit is likely to contain key information about the FBI's basis for executing a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Aug. 8. Documents already made public as part of the investigation show that the FBI retrieved from the property 11 sets of classified documents, including information marked at the top secret level. The documents also showed that the FBI was investigating the “willful retention of national defense information,” the concealment or removal of government records and obstruction of a federal investigation. Multiple news media organizations, including The Associated Press, argued in court last week for the disclosure of the affidavit, citing the extraordinary public interest in the federal search of a former president's home. Trump and some of his supporters have also encouraged the document's release. The Justice Department has opposed the release, saying the disclosure risks compromising an ongoing criminal investigation, revealing information about witnesses and divulging investigative techniques. Reinhart has said that though he was sensitive to the department's concerns, he was not inclined to keep the entire document sealed and directed officials to submit to him redactions of the document reflecting the information it wants to keep secret.	https://www.fox43.com/article/news/nation-world/justice-dept-provides-judge-with-redacted-version-of-trump-affidavit/507-641c168d-0b91-4488-81c8-9e6766db7467
VANCOUVER, BC, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Delic Holdings Corp ("Delic" or the "Company") (CSE: DELC) (OTCQB: DELCF) (FRA: 6X0), a leader in new medicines and treatments for a modern world, is pleased to announce that it completed the sale of 1,240 units (the "Units") at a price of $1,000 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,240,000, on July 27, 2022 (the "Closing Date"). Each Unit consists of one 4.0% senior secured, $1,064 principal amount convertible debenture (a "Debenture") and 16,369 share purchase warrants ("Warrants"). The principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest on each Debenture is convertible at the option of the holder into common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at any time following the Closing Date at a price of $0.065 per Common Share. The Debentures will mature 24 months from the Closing Date (the "Maturity Date") and will bear interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable quarterly on the last business day of each calendar quarter. At the Maturity Date, all principal amounts outstanding together with any unpaid interest must be repaid. The Debentures are represented by certificates and secured by security interests over substantially all of the Company's assets, similar security interests over the assets of its direct subsidiaries, and pledges of the shares of each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.10 at any time up to 2 years following the Closing Date. The Company has paid finder's fees with respect to certain of the issuances of Units. Finders could elect to receive: (i) a number of units ("Finder's Units") consisting of one Common Share and one Finder's Warrant equal to 7% of the number of Units sold to purchasers found by such finder, or (ii) 4% of the gross proceeds from the sale of Units to purchasers found by such finder, and a number of Finder's Warrants equal to 7% of the number of Units sold to such purchasers. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.12 at any time up to 2 years following the Closing Date. The Company paid $46,500 in cash, and will issue 107,692 Finder's Warrants, to finders. All securities issued in connection with the Debenture Offering are subject to a hold period in Canada of four months and one day from the Closing Date. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Debenture Units, net of expenses (including cash paid to finders), for expansion and general corporate purposes. Delic is a leader in new medicines and treatments for a modern world, improving access to health benefits across the country and reframing the conversation on psychedelics. The company owns and operates an umbrella of related businesses, including the largest chain of psychedelic wellness clinics in the country, Ketamine Wellness Centers; the only licensed entity by Health Canada to exclusively focus on research and development of psilocybin vaporization technology, Delic Labs; the premier psychedelic wellness event, Meet Delic; and trusted media and e-commerce platforms Reality Sandwich and Delic Radio. Delic is backed by a team of industry and cannabis veterans and a diverse network, whose mission is to provide education, research, high-quality products, and effective treatment options to the masses. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "likely" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "should," "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding payment of principal and interest on the Debentures, and the expected use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable in the circumstances, including assumptions that the Company will generate sufficient cash to pay principal and interest on the Debentures. However, such assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, its subsidiaries and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review the Company's disclosure documents, which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Delic Holdings Inc.	https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/delic-completes-offering-debentures/
CARMIEL, Israel, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: PLX) (TASE: PLX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced by its proprietary ProCellEx® plant cell-based protein expression system, today announced that the Company will present at the H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference, a hybrid conference. The conference is being held on September 12-14, 2022 at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City. Virtual participation will also be available. Dror Bashan, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, will provide a corporate overview at the conference. A webcast of the presentation will be available commencing on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 7:00 AM, Eastern time, and will be archived. Webcast Details: The conference will be webcast live from the Company's website and will be available via the following links: Company Link: https://protalixbiotherapeutics.gcs-web.com/events0 Webcast Link: https://journey.ct.events/view/326342b0-083d-4eca-81f7-f93cc78d3394 The Company's management will participate in one-on-one meetings with investors who are registered to attend the conference. If you are an institutional investor and would like to attend the Company's presentation, registration for the conference is available at https://hcwevents.com. Once your registration is confirmed, you will be prompted to log onto the conference website to request a one-on-one meeting with the Company. About Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. Protalix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins expressed through its proprietary plant cell-based expression system, ProCellEx. Protalix was the first company to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a protein produced through plant cell-based in suspension expression system. Protalix's unique expression system represents a new method for developing recombinant proteins in an industrial-scale manner. Protalix's first product manufactured by ProCellEx, taliglucerase alfa, was approved by the FDA in May 2012 and, subsequently, by the regulatory authorities of other countries. Protalix has licensed to Pfizer Inc. the worldwide development and commercialization rights for taliglucerase alfa, excluding Brazil, where Protalix retains full rights. Protalix's development pipeline consists of proprietary versions of recombinant therapeutic proteins that target established pharmaceutical markets, including the following product candidates: pegunigalsidase alfa, a modified stabilized version of the recombinant human α–Galactosidase–A protein for the treatment of Fabry disease; alidornase alfa or PRX–110, for the treatment of various human respiratory diseases or conditions; PRX–115, a plant cell-expressed recombinant PEGylated uricase for the treatment of severe gout; PRX–119, a plant cell-expressed long action DNase I for the treatment of NETs-related diseases; and others. Protalix has partnered with Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., both in the United States and outside the United States, for the development and commercialization of pegunigalsidase alfa. Investor Contact Chuck Padala, Managing Director LifeSci Advisors 646-627-8390 chuck@lifesciadvisors.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/999479/Protalix_Biotherapeutics_Logo.jpg View original content: SOURCE Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.	https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/protalix-biotherapeutics-present-hc-wainwright-24th-annual-global-investment-conference/
LAGRANGE — John Sisson is busy this week gathering up the last few items staled to cross the auction block this Friday at the LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity annual auction. That auction kicks off at 4 p.m. in the antique auction barn on the property at Trade Place Shipshewana in Shipshewana. Sisson is the executive director of the LaGrange County Habitat For Humanity, and this upcoming auction represented Habitat’s biggest fundraiser on the Habitat calendar all year. The money the annual auction raises can help to pay for the construction of a new Habitat home. Inflation and COVID have taken a toll on not-for-profit organizations like Habitat. Inflation has pushed the cost of constructing small, simple homes like those constructed by Habitat through the roof. And COVID made it difficult for organizations like Habitat to do their traditional fundraising. So with the COVID pandemic more or less in the rearview mirror, Sisson said he’s seeing donations up for this year’s auction. That gives him real hope. “I’m very excited,” he said. “We have a lot of new items up for auction this year. I mean, I would say my only concern is the RV industry has slowed down a little bit over the last few weeks because of the inflation thing. But I’m hoping that doesn’t hurt us any. I’m excited because I feel like we’ve got a lot enough new stuff that’s going to be a draw for people. We’ve advertised, and we’ve tried to advertise a little bit more this year. I’ve sent out public service announcements to a lot of local radio stations trying to get information. So I think we’re getting the word out a little bit better this year than we have in the last few years.” The sales bill for the auction is filled with several big-ticket items, including once again, a new buggy Sisson hopes will generate a little excitement not only in LaGrange County but in other communities that are home to larger Amish populations. “It’s called a suburban buggy. So it’s a different style buggy than what you normally see up here. There have only been a couple of them sold in this area. It’s really a popular buggy style in the Leo-Cedarville area,” he explained. The buggy is different than those typically built and used in LaGrange County. It features a roll-up door in the back and doors on each side,” he said. It’s got fold-down seats, too.” This special buggy prompted Sisson to advertise the Habitat auction in communities outside of LaGrange. In addition to audience bids, he expects to take telephone bids for the buggy. “We’re going to have a reserve,” he said. “But we’re expecting some Amish to travel up here just for the auction. Plus, we do some phone bids.” Another big-ticket item up for auction is a 2023 min green and white 28-foot long Riverside RV, complete with a queen-sized big, slide-out, and U-shaped dinette. A one-hour plane ride across LaGrange County also seems to be generating a lot of excitement, Sisson said. “That should be fun,” he added. In addition, the auction will feature dozens of items patrons of the past Habitat auctions have come to expect, such as a large assortment of new power and hand tools, marine batteries, multi tools a jigsaw, impact drivers, a cordless lawn blower, bicycles and more. A donated collection of between 25 and 35 quilts will go up for sale, many featuring popular designs such as the Double Irish Chain, the Heart of Roses and the Log Cabin. Furniture up for bid includes a new queen-sized bed, wooden step stools, a 6-foot-long bench, a Hickory Rocker, a two-person glider, oak bookshelves, and an executive’s wooden desk. The auction will offer dozens of gift certificates to local stores such as Forks County Line, Yoder’s Department Store, Happiness is Ice Cream, Heron Creek Golf, Five Lakes Coffee, The Corn Crib, Topeka Pizza, Howe Restaurant, Linder’s Main Street Tavern, Tire Star, the Van Buren Hotel, Stroh Fix-It and more. Sisson said the auction also will feature an 8-foot by 8-foot shed that can be delivered within 20 miles of the auction. As in the past, the event also features a Haystack dinner. That begins at 4 p.m. Friday. Guests will be asked to make a free-will donation for their meal. This year, the Habitat auction takes place during a busy weekend in Shipshewana. The flea market will be up and running Friday, and Sisson hopes guests visiting the market will wander over and spend a little time checking out the Habitat auction. “We’re encouraged that we’re actually having this auction on a flea market weekend. That Friday is a flea market Friday. So we’re encouraged that maybe we’ll pick up some traffic of people finishing up their time at flea market who might want to the auction and maybe enjoy our haystack dinner,” he said.	https://www.kpcnews.com/newssun/article_654d3f23-007c-538f-8d51-750339547db5.html
Thousands expected to participate in Women’s March for abortion access March organizers are calling it a “Summer of Rage” following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade. WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - “We won’t go back. Not now, not ever.” That’s the message of this year’s Women’s March in our nation’s capital following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade. Thousands are anticipated to march Saturday in Washington in support of abortion access and women’s reproductive rights. Rachel O’Leary Carmona is the Women’s March Executive Director. Organizers are calling this “A Summer of Rage. “Tomorrow’s action was always about making asks and demands of the Biden administration,” said Carmona. “This decision effects everyone,” said President Joe Biden at a press conference Friday. The march will come one day after Biden signed an executive order to safeguard abortion access and other reproductive healthcare. “I’m signing this important executive order,” he said. “I’m asking the Justice Department much like they did in the civil rights era to do something to do everything in their power to protect these women seeking to invoke their rights.” The Biden administration is calling on Congress to restore Roe vs. Wade. Democrats say they’re exploring legislation that would protect women’s health data, the right to travel freely, as well as re-introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act which would re-enforce abortion access. The legislation failed in the Senate in May following its earlier passage in the House of Representatives. After Biden’s signing of the executive order, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the House will vote for a second time to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act as well as legislation to protect women who travel for abortion care. Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.	https://www.kwch.com/2022/07/08/thousands-expected-participate-womens-march-abortion-access/
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (AP) — Bubba Wallace says the pointed criticism he made toward members of his crew last weekend were a result of his passion to win and shouldn’t harm his relationship with them. “We have a team capable of winning, cars capable of winning,” Wallace said as he prepared for the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Road America. “That just creates passion.” That passion was on display last weekend at Nashville. Wallace was in sixth place Sunday when a loose wheel during a pit stop sent him toward the back of the pack and caused him to curse at his crew. The issue caused him to restart in 31st place before he eventually finished 12th. The 23XI Racing driver was eager to put the incident in the past Saturday. He said one of his passions was “making it feel like we’re one team and family.” Wallace will be starting in the 25th position Sunday as the Cup Series comes to Road America for the second straight Fourth of July weekend. Points leader Chase Elliott won at Road America last year and has the pole position this time. Wallace said his crew members understand the types of comments that can be made in the heat of competition. He said he has a great relationship with crew chief Bootie Barker, who tried to calm him down in Nashville. “The team still has a great relationship,” Wallace said. “Not everybody’s going to be happy in a sport like this and a business like this. Just got to work to do your best. I’ll do better and be better.” Wallace had his second runner-up finish in the Daytona 500 this year but has only one other top-10 result and is 24th in the points standings. The Nashville situation wasn’t the first time this season he’s been hindered by a loose wheel. He was asked Saturday if he had any regrets about his Sunday comments. “I don’t really have much regrets in life,” Wallace said. “I said what I said. If I say I’m sorry, is that going to make anything better? People are still (ticked). It is what it is. Move on. I’ve moved on.” ROAD AMERICA’S FUTURE NASCAR’s premier series came to Road America for the first time since 1956 last year as part of the schedule’s renewed emphasis on road courses. This marks the second straight summer that the Cup Series has been here for the Fourth of July weekend. But there are no guarantees on whether this will be a long-term marriage. NASCAR hasn’t yet announced whether the Cup Series will return to Road America next year. “We hope to be a part of it, but ultimately the ball’s in their court,” Road America president/general manager Mike Kertscher said. Road America, which opened in 1955 and bills itself as “America’s national park of speed,” is located on 640 acres about halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay. The course is surrounded by about 1,600 campsites and has a sprawling layout that allows fans to walk around and see the race from various vantage points. Although most drivers didn’t offer an opinion on whether they believed Road America should become an annual Fourth of July stop for the Cup series, they spoke about how much they liked having this site included in the schedule. “I don’t know how long NASCAR is planning on coming here on this weekend, but I feel like it’s been a really nice fit for us,” Elliott said. “The people around here have accepted us really with open arms and have brought a lot of energy.” KING OF THE ROAD Elliott won at Road America last year despite starting out 34th. He has the pole for his title defense as he attempts to build on his victory last weekend on Nashville’s concrete oval track. Seven of Elliott’s 15 career victories have come on road courses. He won at Road America last year despite starting 34th. A victory Sunday would enable Elliott to tie Tony Stewart for second place with eight career road course victories. Jeff Gordon had a record nine wins on road courses. ODDS AND ENDS Elliott enters Sunday with a 30-point lead over Ross Chastain in the standings. … The list of spectators at Road America this weekend includes former Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat, who hasn’t been able to race this year on the European circuit because of the ban on Russian drivers since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. … This is the third road-course Cup Series race of the season. Chastain won at Circuit of the Americas and Daniel Suarez finished first at Sonoma. … Road America’s course is 4.048 miles long and features 14 turns. Sunday’s race includes 62 laps and has a distance of 250.98 miles. ___ More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports	https://www.localsyr.com/sports/sports-news/wallace-says-his-frustrations-result-from-his-passion-to-win/
FAA publishes a May 2020 report and a January 2021 CAMI study in its brief to the federal appeals court WASHINGTON , May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FlyersRights.org, the largest airline passenger rights organization, has filed its reply brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in its lawsuit seeking to compel the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue the minimum seat size standards required by Congress in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act. The statutory deadline passed more than two and a half years ago. The FAA, days before it filed its brief in April, released a May 2020 report and a January 2021 Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) report. The FAA argued that it does not need to set minimum seat standards. Paul Hudson, the President of FlyersRights.org remarked, "The FAA's argument that its general authority to promote aviation safety overrides the clear and specific Congressional mandate to set seat standards is preposterous. The law is clear, and the FAA must set minimum seat size standards." The FAA, in its responsive brief, declared that it had not merely been "twiddl[ing] their thumbs." The FAA also argued that its studies, including the recently published CAMI study "have not, in the agency's view, demonstrated that new seat-dimension regulations are necessary to protect passenger safety." The CAMI study excluded passenger test subjects who could not fit in smaller airline seats. Sixty percent (60%) of the passenger test subjects believed it would be "difficult" or "very difficult" to get out of a 26 inch (pitch) seat. Even more significantly, nearly seventy-seven percent (76.9%) of the 712 passenger test subjects thought that the seat would be "unsafe" or "very unsafe" in a flight two hours or longer. Passenger test subjects who could not fit in the 28 inch seat or who self-reported that they could not fit in the 26 inch seat were not included in the above figures. FlyersRights.org is represented in the current lawsuit by Public Citizen Litigation Group, USCA Case # 22-1004. FlyersRights.org's reply brief can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/FR0502221 The FAA's response brief can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/FR0429221 The January 2021 CAMI study can be found at: https://bit.ly/FR0429222 The May 2020 Emergency Evacuation Standards Aviation Rulemaking Committee report can be found here: https://bit.ly/FR0429223 FlyersRights.org maintains up to date passenger rights information at www.flyersrights.org and also provides passengers with legal information and appropriate contacts by phone, 877-FLYERS-6 and by email, hotline@flyersrights.org. View original content: SOURCE FlyersRights.org	https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2022/05/02/flyersrights-responds-faas-argument-that-it-does-not-need-follow-congressional-mandate-establish-seat-size-standards/
St. Lucie County School Board to decide on millage tax St. Lucie Public Schools board members will meet Tuesday night to decide whether to put a new millage tax on the November ballot. The decision comes at a time when inflation costs have hit record highs. If added to the ballot and then passed by county voters in November, the cost of the tax would remain the same. In 2018, more than 60% of St. Lucie County voters passed the millage that has been in place for the last four years. On average, the current millage brings in about $25 million to the school district, according to David Freeland, president of the Education Association St. Lucie. Freeland said 70% of the millage is used to recruit and retain teachers. "If the referendum did not pass, teachers would lose up to $6,000 of income," said Freeland. "As I tell members, members say, 'Well, what's the plan if the referendum doesn't pass?' Honestly, there is not a plan. If we had $26 million laying around, we would not need the referendum." The remaining 30% is used to fund school operations such as enhancing school security and improving mental health programs for students. Freeland said right now there is a national teacher shortage and that in Florida alone, there are over 4,000 teacher openings. "That income is important," said Freeland. "It does help keep our salaries competitive, and remember, we're not competing just across the state for quality educators. We're competing nationwide." All St. Lucie County educators received a $900 profit sharing bonus on May 2. Freeland said that money was given to teachers by the district after insurance claims remained low despite a surcharge from Florida Blue during the pandemic. Scripps Only Content 2022	https://www.wflx.com/2022/05/10/st-lucie-school-board-decide-millage-tax-november-ballot/
Court Will Hear the Full Case, Including Evidence About Plaintiffs' Scheme to Exert Improper Control over UpHealth All Current Directors to Remain in Office Shareholders Do Not Need to Take Any Action at This Time DELRAY BEACH, Fla., June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UpHealth, Inc. (NYSE: UPH) ("UpHealth" or the "Company") today issued the following statement regarding the Delaware Court of Chancery's ruling in advance of the Company's Annual Stockholders Meeting (the "Annual Meeting"): "We welcome last week's Delaware Court of Chancery ruling, which delays the current Annual Meeting to a later date to allow the Court to review all relevant materials and proceed with the trial on the limited issue of the change in quorum announced on May 31, 2022. We note that, in its ruling preliminarily enjoining the Annual Meeting, the Court stated that it "do[es] not doubt the defendants' good faith." We believe the actions by the plaintiffs, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria and Jeffery Bray, and by their group of aligned supporters, including Dr. Mariya Pylypiv, (the "Conflicted Group"), are a self-serving attempt to wield outsized influence over the future direction of UpHealth by inhibiting the Company's proper governance. We note that plaintiff, Mr. Bray, is a creditor of UpHealth and has been seeking to be paid more than $17 million, and that co-plaintiff Dr. Kathuria appears to be trying to gain control of UpHealth without paying a premium to shareholders. Dr. Kathuria and Dr. Pylypiv, among others, organized the Conflicted Group, and it further appears, failed to make appropriate public disclosures of their intentions. The plaintiffs sought an order affirming Dr. Kathuria's unilateral right as Co-Chairman of the Board to call a Special Meeting of Shareholders to further his own agenda. Noting that there was no "pattern of behavior … that one co-chair can unilaterally override the other," the Court determined that the plaintiffs were not reasonably likely to prevail on this point. To ensure the proper functioning of the Board, as previously announced, the Board has now appointed a single Non-Executive Chairman and removed Dr. Kathuria from the role of Co-Chairman. The Company is confident that the defendant directors will demonstrate at trial the propriety of all of their actions, including in modifying the quorum requirements for the Company's Annual Meeting to enfranchise all shareholders. The defendant directors are committed to continuing to act vigorously to protect the interests of all shareholders. Furthermore, the Company reserves all of its rights to pursue claims against any member of the Conflicted Group for not acting in the best interests of the Company, inappropriate disclosure of confidential materials, and violation of their fiduciary duties as Directors and as Executives in the company. Despite the Conflicted Group's repeated attempts to discourage voting at the Annual Meeting, more than 75% of the shares that were not owned by members of the Conflicted Group had submitted proxies as of the close of business on Friday, June 24. The Company sincerely thanks the shareholders for demonstrating overwhelming support for the Board's recommendations. The Company is confident that in due course UpHealth shareholders will have the opportunity to meaningfully influence the direction of the Company and that the voice of all shareholders will be heard. The Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, previously scheduled for June 28, has been delayed to a later date to allow the Delaware Court of Chancery the opportunity to hear the full evidence regarding plaintiffs' challenge to the Company's quorum change. Shareholders do not need to take any action at this time, and there will be no immediate change to the composition of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company intends to provide further updates to shareholders as developments warrant. UpHealth is a global digital health company that delivers digital-first technology, infrastructure, and services to dramatically improve how healthcare is delivered and managed. UpHealth's solutions holistically enable clients to deliver on their affordability, access, quality, outcomes, and patient experience goals. UpHealth's technology platform helps its clients improve access, coordinate care teams, and achieve better patient outcomes at lower cost, with care management solutions, analytics, and telehealth tools that serve patients wherever they are, in their native language. Additionally, UpHealth's technology-enabled virtual care infrastructure and services improves access to quality primary and acute care, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. UpHealth's clients include health plans, global governments, healthcare providers and community-based organizations. For more information, please visit https://uphealthinc.com and follow us at @UpHealthInc on Twitter and UpHealth Inc on LinkedIn. In connection with the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and the matters noticed for the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders in the definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on May 31, 2022 (the "Proxy Statement"), the Company has filed with the SEC and mailed the Proxy Statement to its stockholders. This press release does not contain all the information that should be considered in respect of the matters noticed for the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders in the Proxy Statement, and additional information is described in the Proxy Statement. The Proxy Statement and other relevant materials for the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders has been mailed to stockholders of the Company as of a record date established for voting at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders. Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the Proxy Statement, as well as other documents filed by the Company with the SEC without charge, at the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov. The Company and its respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from the Company's stockholders in respect of the matters noticed for the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders in the Company's Proxy Statement. Information regarding the Company's directors and executive officers is available in the Proxy Statement. This communication shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the matters noticed for the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders in the Proxy Statement. This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and ongoing litigation involving the directors. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the management of UpHealth in light of their respective experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments and their potential effects on UpHealth as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting UpHealth will be those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the parties), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including uncertainty regarding the outcome of litigation. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions being made prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE UpHealth, Inc.	https://www.kait8.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/uphealth-annual-meeting-delayed-allow-delaware-court-chancery-hear-full-case-brought-by-creditor-dissident-director/
State education officials are working on a plan to overhaul how North Carolina teachers are paid and licensed, and they're seeking feedback from teachers on the proposal. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is holding virtual feedback sessions this month with about 300 teachers or teacher-candidates from across the state who were invited by their districts or schools of education. Two former classroom teachers, Julie Pittman and Maureen Stover, are part of the team at DPI working on this effort. Pittman, who is the assistant to the state superintendent for teacher engagement, is leading the feedback sessions. Stover is the 2020 North Carolina Teacher of the Year and serves on a commission reviewing the plan. They helped answer the following questions. What are the major features of the plan? The proposal is an overhaul of the teacher licensing system in North Carolina. Here are a few key changes: - The model would eliminate the current pay scale for teachers based on years of experience and instead pay teachers based on their license level. - It would create new licenses for teachers starting through alternative routes and paid positions for experienced teachers who mentor other teachers. - In order to renew their license or achieve a higher level license, teachers would have to demonstrate their effectiveness through a variety of options. Currently, teachers renew their licenses based on the completion of professional development classes. "What stands out as a major change is the amount of support that the licensure proposal will give mostly early career teachers, beginning teachers," said Julie Pittman. Teachers at lower license levels would receive mentoring and support from teachers at the highest levels, who would apply for those roles. Pittman said it would also streamline alternative routes for people to become teachers and remove testing requirements that have been barriers for some. The proposal calls for seven different roles and four licenses. Someone interested in teaching who does not have a degree in education would start at the lowest levels. A beginning teacher with a bachelor's degree in education would start at License 3. Teachers with several years of experience and who demonstrate their effectiveness would be at License 4; most teachers would fall into this category. What's the overarching goal? "The overarching goal in in the new licensure model is to help us as teachers grow our profession from within," Pittman said. "It allows teachers who are veteran teachers who are highly effective teachers be able to help mentor and support, in a more robust way, our early career teachers or even some of our struggling teachers," Pittman said. "We lose most teachers from the profession between years three and five," Stover said. "That's really where we kind of started with this model, is how do we keep those beginning teachers past year five?" What does the proposal mean for teacher pay? State education officials say if the current form of the model passes and is fully funded, it would significantly raise pay for most teachers, and no one would lose salary supplements they currently receive. The proposed salary for fourth-year teachers who have demonstrated their effectiveness is $56,000. The current base salary for a fourth-year teacher is $38,000. "That's a significant raise for a teacher in their fourth year of teaching," Pittman said. The proposed salary for teachers who take on the most advanced roles is $72,000. The state's 2020-2021 pay scale for teachers tops out at $58,240 for teachers with 25 years of experience who have a National Board certification. Pittman said she's been asked if the new model would continue to give a 12-percent pay increase to teachers who attain that certification and master's degree pay for teachers who are grandfathered into that former state policy. She said the chairs of the compensation committee considering the plan "are adamant that that stay intact." What questions are teachers asking about this proposal? "A lot of the questions that we're fielding are around the confusion of what would be used to define effectiveness or growth of a teacher," Pittman said. While details are still in progress, she said planners are considering a range of options for how teachers can choose to demonstrate their effectiveness. "It's not just about a test score or evaluation scores, but [rather] there is choice for teachers to be able to make to have the autonomy to show how they are best meeting the needs of their students from year to year," Pittman said. "Another question I get too is, is this going to ask teachers to do a lot of extra work?" Stover said. "And the answer is no, we're going to ask teachers ... to submit things that they already are doing." Let's say I'm a veteran teacher up for license renewal and I don't want to apply for an advanced role. How would I renew my license? "Every teacher is going to demonstrate their ability to teach in a different way, just as the kids in our classrooms demonstrate their mastery of the content in a different way," Stover said. "We'll build the programs out so that if it's a diagnostic test, they could use that. If it is a portfolio of student work, they could use that," Stover said. "If it's an example from a video, they could use that. If they're working on their National Board certification, and they've already passed it, they could use that." The plan includes a $5,000 raise every time a teacher successfully completes their Level 4 license renewal every five years. What about the criticism that this is merit pay? "It's not merit pay based on the performance of your students. It's merit paid based on your teaching merit," Stover said. "This will be merit pay, but it's not merit pay, in the way that we've seen it in the past where the merit pay was tied directly to students' standardized test scores," Stover said. "This is pay being compensated for doing a lot of additional work and your merit as an educator and being able to assist other educators." After all the current planning, couldn't state lawmakers change this proposal before putting it into law? "I think for anyone who's working on that project, that obviously is a concern for everyone that's kind of in the back of our heads," Stover said. "While there is that fear that that will happen, I think that our General Assembly understands how important this is for the kids in North Carolina," Stover said. "What I hope is that we can get enough feedback and input and change and additions made as a direct result of that feedback and input from teachers, that teachers could then get behind parts of this or all of this, and then be able to advocate for it," Pittman said. Stover said the plan will undergo votes by the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission — on which she serves — and the State Board of Education before it might be presented to the legislature in the 2023 long session.	https://www.wunc.org/education/2022-05-23/qa-whats-proposal-change-how-north-carolina-teachers-paid-licensed
PHOENIX — While he's an expert on the football field, Arizona Cardinals defensive end, J.J. Watt wasn't sure what to do when he found a snake in his home Saturday morning. The football star took to Twitter asking locals for advice after finding a "baby rattlesnake" in his bathroom. Responses ranged from a phone number for the Phoenix Herpetological Society to suggestions for Watt to request a trade. JJ tweeted out an update a few hours later, saying he called an expert to step in. JJ said the man picked up the snake with his hands and said the critter was NOT a rattlesnake, but a long-nosed snake which is completely harmless. "If you ever want to feel like a wimp, that's how to do it," JJ joked. There's a huge number of venomous creatures that call Arizona home. If you find a rattlesnake in your home or yard, you can call 602-550-1090 to have it humanely removed. >> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. While it's not as extreme as the recent 'Donutgate' feud, it's always fun to hear about Watt's experience in our state since he signed on with the Cardinals in 2021. WE ❤ ARIZONA Explore amAZing people, places and things across our state on our 12 News YouTube playlist here. More ways to get 12News On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. 12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.	https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/j-j-watt-rattlesnake-in-the-bathroom/75-1548c2bb-a2a4-4515-adfc-8c5b8b94b1a8
TUCSON, Ariz. , June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- However the U.S. Supreme Court rules in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, current trends may result in more abortion complications, writes Ingrid Skop, M.D., in the summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Chemical abortions, which now constitute 54 percent of all abortions, will likely increase further if Roe v. Wade is overturned and states pass laws making surgical abortion less accessible. Additionally, the FDA has lifted the in-person requirement for dispensing abortion pills, making unsupervised ("self-managed") abortion available through telemedicine and on-line ordering. Chemical abortion is more likely than surgical abortion to be complicated by hemorrhage or retention of fetal parts, Dr. Skop notes. In addition, mifepristone, the drug that blocks progesterone and thus causes fetal death, may itself increase infection and mental health issues. Lack of in-person supervision may cause a number of avoidable problems. Dr. Skop lists: failure due to underestimation of gestational age; failure to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy; failure to give Rh D immunoglobulin to Rh-negative mothers; failure to recognize coercion; and poor quality of mail-order drugs. Abortion complications are greatly under-reported in the U.S., Dr. Skop states. A study from Finland documented four times as many complications after chemical (20 percent) as surgical abortions (5.6 percent). Failure to recognize complications in self-managed abortions is especially dangerous, as women are told to expect pain and bleeding as signs that "the pills are working." In striving to increase access to abortion, "safety" is apparently not a high priority in the industry, Dr. Skop suggests. The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)	https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/abortions-may-become-riskier-according-journal-american-physicians-surgeons/
(NEXSTAR) – More than 4,600 cases of monkeypox have been reported in the U.S. since May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the nation’s health regulators are rushing to deploy thousands of vaccine doses. Should you be getting the vaccine? Because there is currently a limited supply of the monkeypox vaccine in the U.S., health officials are allocating doses to those who are at the greatest risk of being infected. This includes individuals that may be exposed to monkeypox while working or those who may have been exposed to monkeypox, the CDC explains. While 300,000 monkeypox vaccine doses have been sent out from the nation’s Strategic National Stockpile, and nearly 800,000 more will soon be available for distribution, you may still need to meet certain eligibility requirements set by your local health department to receive a shot. The New York City Health Department, for example, is limiting monkeypox vaccine access to those who are gay, bisexual, and men who are sexually active with men, as well as transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary persons who are 18 years old or older and had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last two weeks. Those who may have been exposed to monkeypox or are notified by the Health Department due to close contact with someone with the disease are also eligible to get the vaccine. Chicago and Austin require the same conditions for vaccine eligibility. Vaccine eligibility for those living in San Francisco is similar but also includes sex workers of any sexual orientation or gender identity; persons who were notified by an event or venue of a potential exposure to the disease; and laboratory workers performing monkeypox virus testing. For the best chance of preventing monkeypox, the CDC recommends getting the vaccine within four days of exposure. Between four and fourteen days after exposure, the vaccine can reduce symptoms but may not prevent the disease. If you are hoping to get the monkeypox vaccine, check with your healthcare provider or local health department to determine your eligibility. Despite the majority of monkeypox cases being reported among men who have sex with men, anyone can contract the virus. Monkeypox is mainly spread through skin-on-skin contact but can also be transmitted through touching linens used by someone who is infected. Besides getting the vaccine, the CDC recommends avoiding skin-to-skin contact with people with rashes or scabs that could be monkeypox; not touching the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox; and washing your hands often with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based sanitizer. If you become sick with monkeypox, the CDC says you should isolate. Your isolation should continue if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms like a sore throat, nasal congestion or cough. Officials say you should only leave isolation to seek a healthcare provider or in case of an emergency. When leaving isolation, you should cover any rash and wear a mask. The Associated Press contributed to this report.	https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/should-you-get-the-monkeypox-vaccine/
NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street tumbled into what’s called a bear market Monday after fears about a fragile economy and rising interest rates sent the S&P 500 more than 20% below its record set early this year. The index sank 3.9% in the first chance for investors to trade after getting the weekend to reflect on the stunning news that inflation is getting worse, not better. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was briefly down more than 1,000 points before finishing with a loss of 876. At the center of the sell-off again was the Federal Reserve, which is scrambling to get inflation under control. Its main method to do that is to raise interest rates in order to slow the economy, a blunt tool that risks a recession if used too aggressively. With the Fed seemingly pinned into having to get more aggressive, prices fell in a worldwide rout for everything from bonds to bitcoin, from New York to New Zealand. Some of the sharpest drops hit what had been big winners of the easier low-rate era, such as high-growth technology stocks and other former darlings of investors. Tesla slumped 7.1%, and Amazon dropped 5.5%. GameStop tumbled 8.4%. “The best thing people can do is to not panic and don’t sell at the bottom,” said Randy Frederick, managing director of trading and derivatives at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, “and we’re probably not at the bottom.” Some economists are speculating the Fed on Wednesday may raise its key rate by three-quarters of a percentage point. That’s triple the usual amount and something the Fed hasn’t done since 1994. Traders now see a 28% probability of such a mega-hike, up from just 3% a week ago, according to CME Group. No one thinks the Fed will stop there, with markets bracing for a continued series of bigger-than-usual hikes. Those would come on top of some discouraging signals about the economy and corporate profits, including a record-low preliminary reading on consumer sentiment soured by high gasoline prices. The economy is still holding up overall, but the danger is that the job market and other factors are so hot that they will feed into higher inflation. That’s why the Fed is in the midst of a whiplash pivot away from the record-low interest rates it engineered earlier in the pandemic, which propped up stocks and other investments amid hopes of juicing the economy. Wall Street’s sobering realization that inflation is accelerating, not peaking, is also sending U.S. bond yields to their highest levels in more than a decade. The two-year Treasury yield shot to 3.36% from 3.06% late Friday in its second straight major move. It earlier touched its highest level since 2007, according to Tradeweb. The 10-year yield jumped to 3.37% from 3.15%, and the higher level will make mortgages and many other kinds of loans more expensive. It touched its highest level since 2011. The higher yields mean prices are tumbling for bonds, a relatively rare occurrence for them in recent decades. They’re also a particularly painful hit for older and more conservative investors who depend on them as the safer parts of their nest eggs. The gap between the two-year and 10-year yields has also narrowed sharply, a signal of weakening optimism about the economy. When the two-year yield tops the 10-year, an unusual occurrence, some investors see it as a sign of a looming recession. Some of the biggest hits came for cryptocurrencies, which soared early in the pandemic as ultralow rates encouraged some investors to pile into the riskiest investments. Bitcoin tumbled more than 14% from a day earlier and dropped below $23,400, according to Coindesk. It’s back to where it was in late 2020 and down from a peak of $68,990 late last year. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 fell 151.23 points to 3,749.63 and dropped 21.8% below its record set early this year to put it into what investors call a bear market. Bears hibernate, so bears represent a market that’s retreating, said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA. In contrast, Wall Street’s nickname for a surging stock market is a bull market, because bulls charge, Stovall said. The S&P 500 has lost nearly 9% in just three days. That’s its worst such stretch since the earliest days of the coronavirus crash in March 2020. The Dow lost 876.05, or 2.8%, to 30,516.74 on Monday, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 530.80, or 4.7% to 10,809.23. The coronavirus crash in early 2020 was Wall Street’s last bear market, and it was an unusually short one that lasted only about a month. The S&P 500 got close to a bear market last month, but it didn’t finish a day below the 20% threshold. Michael Wilson, a strategist at Morgan Stanley who’s been among Wall Street’s more pessimistic voices, is sticking with his view that the S&P 500 could fall further to 3,400 even if the U.S. economy avoids a recession over the next year. That would mark another roughly 9% drop from the current level, and Wilson said it reflects his view that Wall Street’s earnings forecasts are still too optimistic, among other things. With soaring price tags souring sentiment for shoppers, even higher-income ones, Wilson said in a report that “the next shoe to drop is a discounting cycle” as companies try to clear out built-up inventories. Such moves would cut into their profitability, and a stock’s price moves up and down largely on two things: how much cash a company generates and how much an investor will pay for it. ___ AP Business Writers Damian J. Troise and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.	https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/business/asian-shares-sink-after-inflation-driven-retreat-on-wall-st/
The Missouri Court of Appeals is siding with a woman who won a $5.2 million award against GEICO, in a case that centers on a unique auto injury claim: the woman says she contracted a sexually transmitted disease in a Hyundai sedan whose owner was insured by GEICO. The woman, identified in court papers as M.O., says a man, identified as M.B., infected her with human papillomavirus, or HPV, when they had unprotected sex in his 2014 Hyundai Genesis. She says the man was negligent and didn't tell her about his health diagnosis, despite having a throat cancer tumor that was confirmed to be positive for HPV. GEICO had told the woman its auto insurance coverage didn't apply because the "damages claimed did not arise out of the normal use of the vehicle." How did we get here? The sexual encounters took place in late 2017. Because the car was covered by GEICO at the time, M.O. says the company is obligated to compensate her for contracting HPV from its owner in the vehicle, citing medical expenses and her pain and suffering. The two signed an arbitration agreement in March of 2021, agreeing to settle their dispute. Roughly two months later, an arbitrator awarded M.O. $5.2 million, saying the sum "would fairly and justly compensate" her. M.O. went to circuit court in Jackson County, Mo., to enforce the arbitration ruling, and won her case. GEICO then appealed to the higher state court. The insurance giant said it hadn't been given a chance to defend itself, violating its constitutional rights to due process and access to the courts. But in its ruling this week, two judges in the Missouri Court of Appeals' western district said GEICO had numerous chances to act on its own behalf. The judges noted that M.O. had initially submitted a claim to GEICO more than a year ago. And in February of 2021, the woman sent the company a copy of the lawsuit she was about to file against the insured man. At that time, she also offered to settle the claim for $1 million. The third judge on the appeals panel concurred with the court's ruling, but he also said GEICO hadn't been given a "meaningful opportunity to participate in the suit" before the judgment was rendered. GEICO is also fighting the large award in federal court M.O. has now won three victories in Missouri. But in April of 2021, GEICO sued both M.O. and M.B. in federal court, asking the court to rule that the insurance company isn't liable for the woman being infected with HPV, and that it doesn't have a duty to defend the man from her claims against him. GEICO says the car owner's claims for coverage should be dismissed because they're barred by a number of legal doctrines, including "fraud, collusion, illegality, laches, and unclean hands." But M.O. says GEICO acted in bad faith, by refusing to defend the man who owns the car, despite multiple requests, and by refusing to settle her claim. She says the man "was insured against his personal liability arising from his negligence in actions involving his automobile," and that makes GEICO responsible. The federal case is set for a jury trial, which is currently slated to begin in a Kansas City courtroom in October. Since GEICO filed its federal suit more than a year ago, well over 100 docket entries have been made. Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.	https://www.knau.org/npr-news/2022-06-10/geico-may-have-to-pay-5-2-million-to-a-woman-who-got-an-std-in-an-insured-car
The Drop SENSE75 Keyboard is available for preorder on August 30 SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After years of community listening, development, and testing, mechanical keyboard industry leader Drop announced its take on the popular 75% keyboard layout with the new Drop SENSE75 Keyboard. The Drop SENSE75 is the first Drop keyboard designed in-house to launch since 2020 and is available now for preorder on the Drop website. Inspired by its community's increased interest in gasket-mounted and 75% layout keyboards, Drop developed the SENSE75, an enthusiast-level 75% mechanical keyboard. Drop is bringing top-end design ethos to the gasket-mount and 75% layout trends with a first-rate product that is an improvement on what is currently available on the market. The SENSE75 keyboard provides users with a symmetrical build, invisible underside RBG LED diffusers for a natural glow, quiet stabilizers for the perfect touch and feel, south-facing switches for maximum compatibility, and reliable hot-swappable sockets for ultimate customization. The pre-built version of the premium keyboard features Drop's popular Holy Panda X switches, DCX keycaps, and Phantom Stabilizers, all encompassed in an aircraft-grade aluminum case with a gasket-mounted design. For those looking to build their own keyboard, the barebones version just includes the gasket-mounted keyboard frame without any switches and keycaps so users can fully customize the keyboard's look and feel. Solving for a common issue with integrated RGB designs, both the barebones and pre-built SENSE75 keyboards incorporate LED diffusers on the underside of the keyboard, giving the keyboard a subtle underglow. Drop SENSE75 Features: - South-facing switches to avoid keycap interference - Reliable hot-swappable sockets to maximize customization - PCB-mount stabilizers that come factory-tuned to minimize rattle - A one-of-a-kind, subtle RGB LED underglow that creates a visually appealing halo - Per-key RGB that can be customized - Accessible configuration software* with QMK and VIA firmware support for seamless customization "When we pursued developing a 75% mechanical keyboard, we were committed to designing a product with great attention to detail and premium materials that not only outperformed others in the market but also offers a typing and customization experience that our community would love," said Jef Holove, CEO, Drop. "After an intensive design and development process, we are proud to introduce the Drop SENSE75 and we cannot wait for our community to try it out, as we could not have created it without them." The SENSE75 launch coincides with Drop's 10th Anniversary this year, signifying the company's evolution from offering a curated collection of third-party products to now also crafting its own high-quality, community-driven products built in-house. Since launching in 2012, Drop has become a leader in the mechanical keyboard and workplace productivity space, innovating enthusiast-level mechanical keyboards, keycaps, and switches, audio products, and other premium workspace products that bring the design and function to every type of user. The Drop SENSE75 Keyboard will be available in two versions and colorways. The Polar (e-white) colorway in particular features a white electrophoretic coating process that is commonly used in fine jewelry to create a stunning and clean look that is preferable for collectors. - The pre-built version comes with the keyboard frame, switches, and keycaps and is available in Nightfall (black) for $349 and Polar (e-white) for $399 - The barebones version comes with the keyboard frame only, no switches or keycaps included and is available in Nightfall (black) for $249 and Polar (e-white) for $299 The pre-built SENSE75 keyboard is available for preorder starting August 30 with preorder shipments arriving by early November. The first 500 users to purchase the pre-built SENSE75 keyboard will receive a free MT3 keycap set, a limited-edition launch novelty keycap and carrying case. The barebones version will be available for purchase at a later date. For more information, please visit: https://drop.com/buy/drop-sense75-mechanical-keyboard *Drop's new configurator will launch before the SENSE75 ships, more info to come soon About Drop Drop is driven by a passionate group of creators and technophiles who tap into feedback and insights from its enthusiast community – millions strong – to design and curate Drop's selection of products. Drop listens to, digests, and analyzes community feedback in the creation of Drop products, and collaborates with leading brands to improve upon existing products in a way that is relevant to the Drop community. Drop is continuously broadening its workspace product focus into new categories to ensure it brings its community the technology they need to thrive. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Drop	https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/drop-refines-75-mechanical-keyboard-category-with-new-sense75/
Jill Biden tests negative for COVID-19, will go to Delaware Share Updated: 7:50 AM MDT Aug 21, 2022 >> TONIGHT, FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN IS SAID TO BE "FEELING BETTER" AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19. BUT, IT IS MORE PROOF THAT THIS VIRUS ISN’T DONE WITH US YET. >> HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IS DR. DANIEL KURITZKES AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL. DR. KURITZKES THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR BEING HERE. THE FIRST LADY CAME DOWN WITH COVID WHILE VACATIONING WITH FAMILY SOMETHING PLENTY OF PEOPLE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW. WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KEEP IN MIND AT THIS STAGE OF THE PANDEMIC? >> I’M GLAD TO KNOW THAT THE FIRST LADY IS DOING WELL. PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THEY CAN STILL COME DOWN WITH COVID. MAKE SURE YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED. IF YOU DEVELOP SYMPTOMS, TEST WHETHER AT HOME OR THROUGH A TESTING FACILITY AND IF POSITIVE AND IF YOU FALL INTO A GROUP FOR WHOM PAXLOVID IS INDICATED, WE SURE TO GET TREATED. >> LET’S GET TO SOME VIEWER QUESTIONS. >> MAUREEN WANTS TO KNOW: "I’M WONDERING WHY PRESIDENT BIDEN WOULD NEED TO MASK FOR 5 OR 10 DAYS WHEN HE HAD JUST RECOVERED FROM COVID. WOULDN’T HE HAVE PROTECTION FROM REINFECTION AT LEAST FOR A MONTH OR SO?" >> HE IS PROBABLY PROTECTED, BUT THERE ARE TWO GOOD REASONS FOR HIM TO BE MASKING. THERE ARE RARE CASES WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT GET REINFECTED EVEN SOONER. HE NEEDS TO BE TESTED FREQUENTLY TO BE IN CONTACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE SO IT’S REASONABLE FOR HIM TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION. >> SWITCHING GEARS, WE CONTINUE TO GET QUESTIONS ABOUT MONKEYPOX AS WELL. HERE’S A QUESTION FROM REGINA: "I KEEP HEARING IT CAN BE PASSED BY SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT, CAN I CATCH THE VIRUS FROM GETTING A PEDICURE AND A MASSAGE?" >> ONLY IF THE PERSON HAD LESIONS ON THEIR HANDS AND FINGERS WHEN THEY WERE DOING THE PEDICURE AND MASSAGE. IT’S VERY UNLIKELY. >> DR. KURIZKES, THANKS SO MUC Advertisement Jill Biden tests negative for COVID-19, will go to Delaware First Lady Jill Biden has tested negative for COVID-19 and will leave South Carolina, where she had isolated since vacationing with President Joe Biden, and rejoin him at their Delaware beach home, her office said Sunday.The White House announced on Tuesday that the 71-year-old first lady, who like her husband has been twice-vaccinated and twice-boosted with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, had tested positive for the coronavirus. She first had symptoms on Monday.The 79-year-old president recovered from a rebound case of the virus on Aug. 7.Jill Biden was prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid and isolated at the Kiawah Island vacation home for five days before receiving negative results from two consecutive COVID-19 tests, spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander said. Jill Biden planned to travel to Delaware later Sunday. First Lady Jill Biden has tested negative for COVID-19 and will leave South Carolina, where she had isolated since vacationing with President Joe Biden, and rejoin him at their Delaware beach home, her office said Sunday. The White House announced on Tuesday that the 71-year-old first lady, who like her husband has been twice-vaccinated and twice-boosted with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, had tested positive for the coronavirus. She first had symptoms on Monday. Jill Biden was prescribed the antiviral drug Paxlovid and isolated at the Kiawah Island vacation home for five days before receiving negative results from two consecutive COVID-19 tests, spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander said. Jill Biden planned to travel to Delaware later Sunday.	https://www.koat.com/article/jill-biden-tests-negative-covid-19/40949598
New research highlights the importance of reviewing non-cancer chronic medications linked with frailty in older adults with blood cancers based on NCCN Guidelines list of inappropriate medications, in order to prevent dangerous interactions that may lead to falls or other adverse events. PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study in the August 2022 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network suggests a new way for hematologic oncologists to protect older patients from the risks of medication interactions. As part of the Older Adult Hematologic Malignancies Program, gerontology researchers teamed up with hematologic-oncology investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to look at the association between older patients with blood cancers who were taking multiple medications and their corresponding frailty. They also created a new scale based on a list of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) from the NCCN Guidelines® for Older Adult Oncology—called the Geriatric Oncology-Potentially Inappropriate Medications (GO-PIMs) Scale—and found it to be more effective at predicting frailty than conventional methods. "A large portion of research for older adults identifies patients as 'having polypharmacy' (i.e. taking multiple medications at the same time, leading to a higher risk of adverse events) based on a cutoff of five or more medications; but they don't specify which medications. Unfortunately, 50% of Americans 75-and-older meet this definition for polypharmacy, making it challenging for busy oncology teams to adequately review chronic medications in order to prevent potential problems," explained co-lead author Tammy T. Hshieh, MD, MPH, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. "We were interested in the NCCN list of medications of concern because, in contrast to other lists, it was developed by geriatricians and oncologists to be specific for older adults with cancer. We found the GO-PIMs scale we created based on this list carried the strongest association with frailty and can be used by oncology teams to help decrease inappropriate medication usage in an effective way to potentially improve patients' overall health. "The health risks from these specifically identified medications—including falls and fatigue—often outweigh their benefits, especially in older adults whose ability to tolerate side effects are reduced," said co-lead author Clark DuMontier, MD, MPH, also with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. "Our GO-PIMs tool makes it easier for oncology teams to identify these medications and consider deprescribing them. This scale can also be easily converted into an automated tool that identifies high-risk medications within an electronic health record." The researchers examined 785 transplant-ineligible blood cancer patients age 75-and-older treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between February 2015 and November 2019. Frailty was defined by combining two approaches well-established in aging research: the "phenotypic approach," based on slow gait speed, weakness measured by grip strength, self-reported exhaustion, low physical activity, and weight loss, and the "cumulative deficit approach," based on the presence of multiple health deficits spanning comorbidity, cognition, and function. Each additional 'unspecified' medication in general increased the relative odds of being pre-frail or frail by 8%, while each additional medication on the GO-PIMs scale increased the relative odds by 65%. Compared to robust patients, frail and pre-frail patients were more likely to be taking benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or corticosteroids. The study was cross-sectional and it was not possible to determine which came first, the medications or the frailty. However, the researchers did control for conditions that are known to contribute to frailty, and they adjusted for comorbidity severity to reduce the possibility that the association was due to underlying issues rather than the medications themselves. "The GO-PIMs scale may allow for targeted deprescribing in older adults with blood cancer and could reduce adverse outcomes," commented Tracey O'Connor, MD, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Member of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Older Adult Oncology, who was not involved in this research. "Additional studies are warranted to better define the optimal utilization of this scale and its potential benefits for older adults with cancer." To read the entire study, visit JNCCN.org. Complimentary access to "The Association of Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medications with Frailty among Older Adults with Blood Cancer" is available until November 10, 2022. More than 25,000 oncologists and other cancer care professionals across the United States read JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. This peer-reviewed, indexed medical journal provides the latest information about innovation in translational medicine, and scientific studies related to oncology health services research, including quality care and value, bioethics, comparative and cost effectiveness, public policy, and interventional research on supportive care and survivorship. JNCCN features updates on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), review articles elaborating on guidelines recommendations, health services research, and case reports highlighting molecular insights in patient care. JNCCN is published by Harborside. Visit JNCCN.org. To inquire if you are eligible for a FREE subscription to JNCCN, visit NCCN.org/jnccn/subscribe. Follow JNCCN on Twitter @JNCCN. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care so all patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation®. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information and follow NCCN on Facebook @NCCNorg, Instagram @NCCNorg, and Twitter @NCCN. Media Contact: Rachel Darwin 267-622-6624 darwin@nccn.org View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer Network	https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/theres-better-way-detect-high-risk-medications-older-adults-with-cancer-according-new-study-jnccn/
A Dream Come True aims to educate aspiring parents on fertility options, provide support and hope to families on their journeys to parenthood HOUSTON, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inception Fertility™, North America's largest provider of comprehensive fertility services, and Carter's, Inc. (NYSE: CRI), the largest branded marketer in North America of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, today announces the launch of A Dream Come True, a venture to destigmatize infertility, raise awareness around financial accessibility to fertility care and help aspiring parents understand their fertility options. In partnership with The Prelude Network® and Bundl Fertility™ – key members of Inception's growing ecosystem of patient-centered fertility care – A Dream Come True will provide the opportunity for one aspiring parent/couple to build their own family with a chance to win a free fertility journey through the A Dream Come True giveaway. Timed to one of the busiest known birth months, when birth announcements are taking over social media, A Dream Come True runs from August 1 through August 31, 2022, demonstrating support and compassion for all aspiring parents and their journeys to grow their families. "Inception Fertility recognizes there are several paths to parenthood and for far too many, financial accessibility can be a barrier in accessing the treatments they need to build the families they deserve," says TJ Farnsworth, Founder and CEO of Inception Fertility. "We are honored to partner with Carter's on A Dream Come True and continue our mission of destigmatizing infertility, reducing those barriers and providing support to aspiring parents." "Being a parent is the most rewarding experience, but I know first-hand the obstacles many aspiring parents face getting there," says Jeff Jenkins, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing for Carter's. "While it may not have been the path my wife and I anticipated, we can relate to the challenges hopeful parents face on their journey to parenthood. The opportunity to partner with Inception Fertility on A Dream Come True allows Carter's to provide support well before the traditional nine months begins and continue to be with parents through every milestone after." Beginning August 1, 2022, people are encouraged to participate in A Dream Come True by entering Inception's the A Dream Come True sweepstakes for their chance to win a free fertility package. In addition to a grand prize winner, 25 runners-up will win a complimentary consultation with a fertility expert. Entries can be made until August 31, 2022, and the winners will be announced the week of September 1, 2022. For more information, please visit inceptionfertility.com/adreamcometrue. Inception Fertility™ (Inception) is a family of fertility brands committed to helping patients build their own families. Built by patients for patients, Inception's purpose is to achieve the highest bar in experience, science, and medicine in an effort to enhance each patient's experience and achieve better outcomes. Inception's medical experts are leading pioneers in fertility care. Our doctors are some of the first to use breakthrough assisted reproductive technologies (ART) – including in vitro fertilization (IVF), pregenetic implantation testing (PGT) and fertility preservation services – and they continue to lead the industry by building on these technologies by through development, research and thought leadership. Its growing family of national organizations is an ecosystem of care, which touches every part of the fertility journey including diagnostics and treatment to financial accessibility. Through this unique ecosystem, Inception is working to deliver on its promise to push the envelope of what is possible for exceeding patient expectations. Carter's, Inc. is the largest branded marketer in North America of apparel exclusively for babies and young children. The Company owns the Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh brands, two of the most recognized brands in the marketplace. These brands are sold in leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally. They are also sold through nearly 1,000 Company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and online at www.carters.com, www.oshkosh.com, www.cartersoshkosh.ca, and www.carters.com.mx. The Company's Child of Mine brand is available at Walmart, its Just One You brand is available at Target, and its Simple Joys brand is available on Amazon. The Company also owns Skip Hop, a global lifestyle brand for families with young children. Carter's is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information may be found at www.carters.com. Media Contacts: Mia Humphreys Krupp - Public Relations for Inception Fertility MHumphreys@kruppagency.com Lindsay Rider Senior Director, Public Affairs Lindsay.Rider@carters.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Inception Fertility	https://www.weau.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/inception-fertility-partners-with-carters-launch-campaign-help-aspiring-parents-make-dreams-come-true/
IRVINE, Calif., June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FarrowTech, a Danish entrepreneurial company, has developed a range of wireless sensors for use in pig farms. The product utilizes InPlay's NanoBeacon SoC IN100, a Bluetooth beacon chip that requires no software programming, low power consumption and low cost, providing users with great flexibility to connect multiple sensors so they can quickly build a wireless sensor platform system. Even on such a tiny chip, both sensor measurements and Bluetooth advertising can be achieved simultaneously, and year-long operation can be achieved with a small density coin cell battery. It is also worth noting that the cost of the system is very attractive, making large-scale deployment of FarrowTech's technology possible. "After having done thorough research and comparison of the chips currently available in the market, the IN100 SoC was chosen. Low price, low power consumption and extreme ease of use made it a clear winner," said Erik Hougaard, CEO of FarrowTech. "I am very pleased that FarrowTech has adopted our NanoBeacon Bluetooth beacon technology for their wireless sensor product design. The accurate measurement of piglet temperature has been an industry challenge, and we are proud to work with FarrowTech colleagues to solve this challenge and contribute to it." said Jason Wu, co-founder and CEO of InPlay. About NanoBeacon NanoBeacon is a Bluetooth Beacon technology developed by InPlay with focus on active RFID and wireless sensor applications. It is a software programming free and configure-to-use solution. IN100 is the first of its kind in NanoBeacon product family and features small size (2.5mm x 2.5mm for DFN8 package and 3.0mm x 3.0mm for QFN18 package), low power, wide operating voltage, and wide operating temperature range. More product information is available at https://www.inplay-tech.com/in100. About FarrowTech FarrowTech specializes in developing, manufacturing, and marketing sensors and wireless infrastructure for use in pig farms. With animal welfare, environmental footprint and production efficiency all being areas requiring constant improvement, the detailed monitoring of each animal's wellbeing is essential to the modern farmer. FarrowTech products include solutions for monitoring water consumption, temperature, birth complications, ovulation, fever and more. About InPlay InPlay Inc is a fabless semiconductor company whose mission is to provide highly scalable, low-latency, low-power wireless communications technologies that unlock the vast potential of the VR/AR, healthcare and wireless industrial IoT markets. The company was founded by a group of wireless engineers experienced in wireless and mobile communication systems with unique technologies in RF, analog mixed-signal circuits and low-power circuit design. InPlay has a research and development team in Irvine, California, with operations and business development in both the United States and China. Media Contact: Emmy Chang Emmy.chang@inplay-tech.com +1-949-378-6361 Media Contact: Erik Hougaard Erik.hougaard@farrowtech.dk +45-23241155 View original content: SOURCE InPlay Inc.; FarrowTech	https://www.kmvt.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/farrowtechs-wireless-sensors-powered-by-inplays-nanobeacon-bluetooth-beacon-technology/
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MILWAUKEE (AP) — Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart says there’s a “strong likelihood” he'll play Saturday after missing Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal with a bruised right thigh. “We’re just dealing with the last part of it, and that’s getting that restriction off of the knee and the joint so I can be able to bend,” Smart said Thursday in a Zoom session from Boston. “Once that goes away, I should be back to myself. Everything else is healing up the right way.” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said “we’ll know more tomorrow, how he reacts to what he did today.” The series is tied 1-1 as it heads back to Milwaukee after the Celtics earned a 109-86 victory in Game 2. Smart said the injury is similar to an issue he faced in the regular season. The NBA defensive player of the year missed six games in January due to a quadriceps problem. He added he’s also dealing with fluid in his knee. “It’s literally the exact same one in the exact same spot,” Smart said. “Just reaggravating the same injury I’ve been dealing with. As we all know, injuries like that, they kind of linger.” Smart said the injury is particularly bothersome when he tries to get into a defensive crouch. “That’s what’s kind of keeping me back, because of the fluid on the knee that is restricting that movement to really bend down as much as I need to, especially to get into a defensive stance and explode and push off. It’s kind of hard to get out there and play when you can’t do that.” ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports	https://www.mrt.com/sports/article/Celtics-Smart-optimistic-he-ll-be-available-for-17151304.php
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) — A political shift is beginning to take hold across the U.S. as tens of thousands of suburban swing voters who helped fuel the Democratic Party's gains in recent years are becoming Republicans. More than 1 million voters across 43 states have switched to the Republican Party over the last year, according to voter registration data analyzed by The Associated Press. The previously unreported number reflects a phenomenon that is playing out in virtually every region of the country — Democratic and Republican states along with cities and small towns — in the period since President Joe Biden replaced former President Donald Trump. But nowhere is the shift more pronounced — and dangerous for Democrats — than in the suburbs, where well-educated swing voters who turned against Trump's Republican Party in recent years appear to be swinging back. Over the last year, far more people are switching to the GOP across suburban counties from Denver to Atlanta and Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Republicans also gained ground in counties around medium-size cities such as Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Raleigh, North Carolina; Augusta, Georgia; and Des Moines, Iowa. Ben Smith, who lives in suburban Larimer County, Colorado, north of Denver, said he reluctantly registered as a Republican earlier in the year after becoming increasingly concerned about the Democrats' support in some localities for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines, the party's inability to quell violent crime and its frequent focus on racial justice. “It’s more so a rejection of the left than embracing the right,” said Smith, a 37-year-old professional counselor whose transition away from the Democratic Party began five or six years ago when he registered as a libertarian. The AP examined nearly 1.7 million voters who had likely switched affiliations across 42 states for which there is data over the last 12 months, according to L2, a political data firm. L2 uses a combination of state voter records and statistical modeling to determine party affiliation. While party switching is not uncommon, the data shows a definite reversal from the period while Trump was in office, when Democrats enjoyed a slight edge in the number of party switchers nationwide. But over the last year, roughly two-thirds of the 1.7 million voters who changed their party affiliation shifted to the Republican Party. In all, more than 1 million people became Republicans compared to about 630,000 who became Democrats. The broad migration of more than 1 million voters, a small portion of the overall U.S. electorate, does not ensure widespread Republican success in the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress and dozens of governorships. Democrats are hoping the Supreme Court's decision on Friday to overrule Roe v. Wade will energize supporters, particularly in the suburbs, ahead of the midterms. Still, the details about party switchers present a dire warning for Democrats who were already concerned about the macro effects shaping the political landscape this fall. Roughly four months before Election Day, Democrats have no clear strategy to address Biden’s weak popularity and voters’ overwhelming fear that the country is headed in the wrong direction with their party in charge. And while Republicans have offered few policy solutions of their own, the GOP has been working effectively to capitalize on the Democrats' shortcomings. Republicans benefited last year as suburban parents grew increasingly frustrated by prolonged pandemic-related schools closures. And as inflation intensified more recently, the Republican National Committee has been hosting voter registration events at gas stations in suburban areas across swing states like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania to link the Biden administration to record-high gas prices. The GOP has also linked the Democratic president to an ongoing baby formula shortage. “Biden and Democrats are woefully out of touch with the American people, and that’s why voters are flocking to the Republican Party in droves," RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel told the AP. She predicted that “American suburbs will trend red for cycles to come” because of “Biden’s gas hike, the open border crisis, baby formula shortage and rising crime.” The Democratic National Committee declined to comment when asked about the recent surge in voters switching to the GOP. And while Republican officials are quick to take credit for the shift, the phenomenon gained momentum shortly after Trump left the White House. Still, the specific reason or reasons for the shift remain unclear. At least some of the newly registered Republicans are actually Democrats who crossed over to vote against Trump-backed candidates in GOP primaries. Such voters are likely to vote Democratic again this November. But the scope and breadth of the party switching suggests something much bigger at play. Over the last year, nearly every state — even those without high-profile Republican primaries — moved in the same direction as voters by the thousand became Republicans. Only Virginia, which held off-year elections in 2021, saw Democrats notably trending up over the last year. But even there, Democrats were wiped out in last fall's statewide elections. In Iowa, Democrats used to hold the advantage in party changers by a 2-to-1 margin. That’s flipped over the last year, with Republicans ahead by a similar amount. The same dramatic shift is playing out in Ohio. In Florida, Republicans captured 58 percent of party switchers during those last years of the Trump era. Now, over the last year, they command 70 percent. And in Pennsylvania, the Republicans went from 58 to 63 percent of party changers. The current advantage for Republicans among party changers is playing out with particular ferocity in the nation's suburbs. The AP found that the Republican advantage was larger in suburban “fringe” counties, based on classifications from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to smaller towns and counties. Republicans boosted their share of party changers in 168 of 235 suburban counties AP examined — 72 percent — over the last year, compared with the last years of the Trump era. These included suburban counties across Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Virginia and Washington state. Republicans also gained ground in further-out suburban counties, which the CDC lumps in with medium-size cities and calls “medium metro” — more than 62 percent of such counties, 164 in all, saw Republican growth. They range from the suburban counties north of Denver, like Larimer, to Los Angeles-area ones like Ventura and Santa Barbara in California. The Republican advantage was nearly universal, but it was stronger in some places than others. For example, in Lorain County, Ohio, just outside Cleveland, nearly every party switcher over the last year has gone Republican. That's even as Democrats captured three-quarters of those changing parties in the same county during end of the Trump era. Some conservative leaders worry that the GOP's suburban gains will be limited if Republicans don't do a better job explaining to suburban voters what they stand for — instead of what they stand against. Emily Seidel, who leads the Koch-backed grassroots organization Americans for Prosperity, said her network is seeing first-hand that suburban voters are distancing themselves from Democrats who represent "extreme policy positions.” “But that doesn’t mean that they’re ready to vote against those lawmakers either. Frankly, they’re skeptical of both options that they have,” Seidel said. “The lesson here: Candidates have to make their case, they have to give voters something to be for, not just something to be against.” Back in Larimer County, Colorado, 39-year-old homemaker Jessica Kroells says she can no longer vote for Democrats, despite being a reliable Democratic voter up until 2016. There was not a single “aha moment” that convinced her to switch, but by 2020, she said the Democratic Party had “left me behind.” “The party itself in no longer Democrat, it's progressive socialism,” she said, specifically condemning Biden's plan to eliminate billions of dollars in student debt. ___ Peoples reported from New York.	https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/More-than-1-million-voters-switch-to-GOP-in-17267385.php
E-truck-maker sets first dealer in state Electric delivery truck maker Envirotech Vehicles on Thursday named Jonesboro-based DaVinci Innovations as its first dealer in Arkansas. "Envirotech is proud to be pushing the transportation industry towards the future of greener technology as we announce DVI [DaVinci Innovations] as our first Arkansas-based dealer," said Envirotech Chief Executive Officer Phillip Oldridge. "The days of going to dealerships to purchase vehicles continue to become less prevalent in the industry, and we are excited to see how DVI's entirely online system will help enhance buyer experience and make purchasing our heavy-duty, fully-electric vehicles more convenient and accessible across the state." DaVinci Innovations was created in 2022 by owner Guy Pardew, a news release said. Envirotech customers will be able to view inventory and make purchases through DaVinci's website. New vehicles will be shipped directly from Envirotech's factory in Osceola. "We are thrilled to be accommodating both the federal and state government's demand for electric vehicles," Pardew said. "As a fully online electric vehicle dealer, we are proud to be embracing a quick and efficient way for businesses to find and purchase vehicles that meet their needs without having to visit a dealership." -- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette State's milk output falls 35% in quarter Milk production in Arkansas dropped 35% in the second quarter of 2022, compared with the same period a year ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Arkansas' dairy cows produced 11 million pounds of milk in April through June period, down from 17 million pounds from the second quarter of 2021. The state's first quarter 2022 milk production was down 24% compared to last year. A gallon of milk weighs 8.6 pounds. Dairy cows in Arkansas numbered 4,500 head, down from 5,000 head in the same period last year but unchanged when compared with the first quarter of 2022. U.S. milk production was 56.3 billion pounds in the second quarter, down about 1% from 56.8 billion pounds a year ago. The average number of dairy cows was 9.4 million head, down from 9.5 million a year ago. -- John Magsam Index inches up 2.89 to end day at 760.64 The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, closed Thursday at 760.64, up 2.89. "The S&P 500 index closed above the 50-day moving average for a third consecutive day as the market was led by the consumer discretionary and health care sectors as companies continue to report quarterly earnings," said Leon Lants, managing director at Stephens Inc. The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.	https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/jul/22/news-in-brief/
HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- - Total revenues of $301.7 million in Q1 FY23 compared to $287.4 million in Q4 FY22 - Net income of $4.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted stock, in Q1 FY23 compared to net loss of $4.3 million, or $(0.15) per diluted stock, in Q4 FY22 - EBITDA adjusted to exclude special items and asset dispositions was $51.1 million in Q1 FY23 compared to $35.9 million in Q4 FY22 - Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $26.0 million in Q1 FY23, with unrestricted cash balance of $255.0 million and total liquidity of $318.0 million - Awarded £1.6 billion second-generation search and rescue aviation contract by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency ("UK SAR 2G") - Signed favorable, long-term maintenance support agreements for global AW139 helicopter fleet Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL) today reported net income attributable to the Company of $4.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted stock, for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2022 ("Current Quarter") on operating revenues of $294.1 million compared to net loss attributable to the Company of $4.3 million, or $(0.15) per diluted stock, in the quarter ended March 31, 2022 ("Preceding Quarter") on operating revenues of $275.6 million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") was $39.0 million in the Current Quarter compared to $26.0 million in the Preceding Quarter. EBITDA adjusted to exclude special items and gains or losses on asset dispositions was $51.1 million in the Current Quarter compared to $35.9 million in the Preceding Quarter. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Metrics for a reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP (as defined below) measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. The following table provides a bridge between EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding gains or losses on asset dispositions (in thousands, unaudited). "I want to thank the Bristow team members who have worked diligently over the last several months to successfully deliver on several of the Company's strategic priorities, including securing the highly important UKSAR2G contract award, winning new government contracts to provide critical SAR services throughout the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean region, and completing the acquisition of British International Helicopters Limited, which expands our government services offering to the Falklands Islands and establishes an important new relationship with the British Armed Forces," said Chris Bradshaw, President and CEO of Bristow Group. "We have continued to make investments to strengthen our business such as the new long-term, highly favorable maintenance support agreements for our global AW139 helicopter fleet, while at the same time returning capital to shareholders with $10 million of share repurchases executed over the last two months. I'm grateful to the Bristow team for their collective efforts to deliver these successful outcomes and, most importantly, to deliver another quarter of world-class safety performance and excellent customer service." Sequential Quarter Results Operating revenues in the Current Quarter were $18.6 million higher compared to the Preceding Quarter. Operating revenues from oil and gas services were $5.8 million higher primarily due to higher utilization in the Africa and Europe regions and higher fuel revenues. These increases were partially offset by lower lease payment collections from Cougar Helicopters Inc. ("Cougar"), which are recognized on cash basis, and the weakening of the Norwegian krone and British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar. Operating revenues from government services were $3.9 million higher primarily due to higher activity, partially offset by the weakening of the British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar. Operating revenues from fixed wing services were $9.1 million higher primarily due to higher utilization related to the reopening of borders in Australia. Operating expenses were $6.8 million higher in the Current Quarter primarily due to higher fuel expenses and maintenance costs, partially offset by lower personnel, insurance and leased-in equipment costs. General and administrative expenses were $1.5 million lower in the Current Quarter primarily due to lower professional services fees and lower compensation expenses. Merger and integration costs were $0.5 million lower in the Current Quarter primarily due to lower lease return costs related to the merger with Era Group Inc. (the "Merger"). During the Preceding Quarter, restructuring costs were $2.1 million primarily due to severance costs in the Africa region. During the Current Quarter, the Company recognized a $5.2 million loss on impairment related to power-by-the-hour ("PBH") intangible assets write-off. During the Current Quarter, the Company recognized a loss on disposal of assets of $2.1 million from the sale of five helicopters for cash proceeds of $7.6 million. During the Current Quarter, the Company recognized earnings of $0.1 million from unconsolidated affiliates compared to losses of $0.3 million in the Preceding Quarter. Other income, net of $16.8 million in the Current Quarter resulted from foreign exchange gains of $14.0 million, government grants to fixed wing services of $2.5 million and a favorable interest adjustment to the Company's pension liability of $0.2 million. Other income, net of $13.0 million in the Preceding Quarter resulted from foreign exchange gains of $6.0 million, government grants to fixed wing services of $3.8 million, a gain on the sale of inventory of $1.9 million, insurance gains of $0.7 million and a favorable interest adjustment to the Company's pension liability of $0.6 million. Income tax expense was $8.2 million in the Current Quarter compared to $3.3 million in the Preceding Quarter. The increase in income tax expense in the Current Quarter primarily related to changes in the blend of earnings, the tax impact of valuation allowances on the Company's net operating losses and deductible business interest expense. Liquidity and Capital Allocation As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $255.0 million of unrestricted cash and $63.0 million of remaining availability under its amended asset-based revolving credit facility (the "ABL Facility") for total liquidity of $318.0 million. Borrowings under the amended ABL Facility are subject to certain conditions and requirements. In the Current Quarter, purchases of property and equipment were $9.0 million, and cash proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment were $7.6 million, resulting in net purchases of / (proceeds from) property and equipment ("Net Capex") of $1.5 million. In the Preceding Quarter, purchases of property and equipment were $7.8 million, and there were no cash proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment. See Adjusted Free Cash Flow Reconciliation for a reconciliation of Net Capex and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. In June and July 2022, the Company repurchased 425,938 shares of common stock for gross consideration of $10.0 million, which is an average repurchase price of $23.48 per stock. As of July 29, 2022, $15.0 million remained available under the authorized $75.0 million stock repurchase program. In August 2022, the Board of Directors of Bristow (the "Board") approved a new $40.0 million stock repurchase program, and terminated the prior program, under which $15.0 million remained available of the original $75.0 million authorized. Purchases of the Company's common stock under the stock repurchase program may be made in the open market, including pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 program, by block repurchases, in private transactions (including with related parties) or otherwise, from time to time, depending on market conditions. The stock repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice, subject to any changes in applicable law or regulations thereunder. Recent Highlights On August 3, 2022, the Board approved a change in the fiscal year end of the Company from March 31st to December 31st. The Company expects to change the fiscal year on a prospective basis and will not adjust operating results for prior periods, and the Company will file a transition report on Form 10-K for the transition period ended December 31, 2022. The Company believes this change to align with the calendar year will provide numerous benefits, including improving comparability between periods and relative to its peers. Bristow intends to issue financial guidance for the 2023 calendar year when it announces next quarter's earnings. On August 2, 2022, Bristow completed the acquisition of British International Helicopter Services Limited ("BIH") for £10.4 million, further enhancing its leading global government services offering. Bristow will integrate BIH into its U.K. operations, where BIH will adopt the Bristow name and brand throughout its operations. BIH's more than 110 employees currently deliver combined search and rescue and support helicopter services for the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) with operations in the Falkland Islands and deliver Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST) helicopter support for the Royal Navy in the U.K. BIH currently operates a fleet of two AW189 SAR-configured helicopters, three S61 helicopters, and one AS365 helicopter, performing various passenger and freight transport as well as hoist operations. With this acquisition, Bristow established an important new relationship with the British Armed Forces, and the Company is well-positioned to further expand its government services business throughout the U.K. and beyond. On July 27, 2022, Bristow was pleased to release its first sustainability report, which emphasizes Bristow's commitment to formally embedding sustainability into the Company's vision and highlighting its role as a leader in sustainability within the vertical lift industry. Bristow's global environmental sustainability highlights in 2021 include completing flights in the U.K. using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), initiating a transition to electric ground support vehicles in Norway and the U.K., publishing the first-of-its-kind greenhouse gas emissions report in Brazil, and partnering with leading companies developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. The Company's social sustainability highlights for 2021 include donating more than $500,000 to community engagement programs through its global Bristow Uplift program as well as rescuing 593 people through its U.K. search and rescue program. Additionally, Bristow's executive management team is 50% female, and the Company boasts a U.S. employee base in which one in four employees is a veteran. The complete sustainability report can be viewed at: https://www.bristowgroup.com/sustainability-report-2022. As announced on July 21, 2022, Bristow has been awarded the £1.6 billion 10-year UKSAR2G contract by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, an executive agency of the U.K. Department for Transport. Bristow will work in partnership with 2Excel Aviation, a leading specialist in fixed wing services, and Nova Systems, the consortium's innovation partner, to deliver the contract for the MCA on behalf of Her Majesty's Coastguard. The UKSAR2G contract combines the existing two separate aviation contracts for fixed wing aircraft and rotary aircraft and will include the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). As part of the new contract, Bristow will continue to operate from its current 10 bases and will launch two new seasonal bases in Fort William and Carlisle. The partners will operate: 18 helicopters, including nine existing Leonardo AW189s and three existing Sikorsky S-92s augmented by the introduction of six new Leonardo AW139 helicopters; six King Air fixed-wing airplanes; and one mobile deployable Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS. The companies will transition from the current contracts starting from September 30, 2024 through to December 31, 2026, to ensure a continuation of critical search and rescue aviation services across the whole of the U.K. As announced on June 30, 2022, Bristow has signed long-term, favorable maintenance support agreements with Leonardo Helicopters for airframes and Pratt & Whitney for engines on the Company's global fleet of AW139 helicopters. The legacy Era AW139 fleet was previously covered by a limited PBH support agreement with Leonardo for the airframes, while the engines were maintained on a time and cost of materials basis. The legacy Bristow AW139 fleet was covered by multiple, disparate PBH support agreements with Leonardo for the airframes, and the engines were covered under a PBH agreement with Pratt & Whitney. The new agreements result in consistent, global maintenance support programs for Bristow's AW139 helicopters, both the airframes and the engines. These agreements mitigate cost uncertainty in an inflationary environment and will result in maintenance expenses that are more directly correlated with flight hours. The Company expects the new agreements to deliver unlevered, cash-on-cash returns of approximately 20 percent over the life of the agreements. The aggregate buy-in cost is approximately $55 million, which will be paid in installments between July and December 2022. In addition to the AW139 agreements, Bristow has also signed long-term maintenance support agreements with Leonardo for the AW189 airframe and with Honeywell for the AW139 avionics suite. Bristow has also signed a long-term maintenance agreement with General Electric for support of AW189 and S-92 engines. Conference Call Management will conduct a conference call starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. CT) on Friday, August 5, 2022, to review the results for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2022. The conference call can be accessed as follows: All callers will need to reference the access code 162062. Within the U.S.: Operator Assisted Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (800) 207-0148 Outside the U.S.: Operator Assisted International Dial-In Number: (856) 344-9282 Replay A telephone replay will be available through August 19, 2022 by dialing 888-203-1112 and using the access code 6245002. An audio replay will also be available on the Company's website at www.bristowgroup.com shortly after the call and will be accessible through August 19, 2022. The accompanying investor presentation will be available on August 5, 2022 on Bristow's website at www.bristowgroup.com. For additional information concerning Bristow, contact Jennifer Whalen at InvestorRelations@bristowgroup.com, (713) 369-4636 or visit Bristow Group's website at https://ir.bristowgroup.com/. About Bristow Group Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. Bristow provides commercial search and rescue ("SAR") services in several countries and public sector SAR services in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency ("MCA"). Additionally, the Company offers ad hoc helicopter and fixed wing transportation services. Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, Guyana, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the U.K. and the U.S. Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements represent Bristow Group Inc.'s (the "Company") current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "project," or "continue," or other similar words. These statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, reflect management's current views with respect to future events and therefore are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based that occur after the date hereof. Risks that may affect forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, those relating to: public health crises, such as pandemics (COVID-19) and epidemics, and any related government policies and actions; any failure to effectively manage, and receive anticipated returns from, acquisitions, divestitures, investments, joint ventures and other portfolio actions; our inability to execute our business strategy for diversification efforts related to, government services, offshore wind, and advanced air mobility; our reliance on a limited number of customers and the reduction of our customer base as a result of consolidation and/or the energy transition; the possibility that we may be unable to maintain compliance with covenants in our financing agreements; global and regional changes in the demand, supply, prices or other market conditions affecting oil and gas, including changes resulting from a public health crisis or from the imposition or lifting of crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producing countries; fluctuations in the demand for our services; the possibility that we may impair our long-lived assets and other assets, including inventory, property and equipment and investments in unconsolidated affiliates; the possibility of significant changes in foreign exchange rates and controls; potential effects of increased competition and the introduction of energy efficient alternative modes of transportation and solutions; the possibility that we may be unable to re-deploy our aircraft to regions with greater demand; the possibility of changes in tax and other laws and regulations and policies, including, without limitation, actions of the Biden Administration that impact oil and gas operations or favor renewable energy projects in the U.S.; the possibility that we may be unable to dispose of older aircraft through sales into the aftermarket; general economic conditions, including the capital and credit markets; the possibility that segments of our fleet may be grounded for extended periods of time or indefinitely; the existence of operating risks inherent in our business, including the possibility of declining safety performance; the possibility of political instability, war or acts of terrorism in any of the countries where we operate; the possibility that reductions in spending on aviation services by governmental agencies could lead to modifications of our search and rescue ("SAR") contract terms with governments, our contracts with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement ("BSEE") or delays in receiving payments under such contracts; the effectiveness of our environmental, social and governance initiatives; the impact of supply chain disruptions and inflation and our ability to recoup rising costs in the rates we charge to our customers; and our reliance on a limited number of helicopter manufacturers and suppliers. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these matters or how they may affect us. We have included important factors in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 (the "Annual Report") which we believe over time, could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. You should consider all risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Annual Report and in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), all of which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Metrics The Company's management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess the performance and operating results of its business. Each of these measures, as well as Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Net Capex, each as detailed below, have limitations, and are provided in addition to, and not as an alternative for, and should be read in conjunction with, the information contained in the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP") (including the notes), included in the Company's filings with the SEC and posted on the Company's website. EBITDA is defined as Earnings before Interest expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted for certain special items that occurred during the reported period, as noted below. The Company includes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to provide investors with a supplemental measure of its operating performance. Management believes that the use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is meaningful to investors because it provides information with respect to the Company's ability to meet its future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements and the financial performance of the Company's assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a recognized term under GAAP. Accordingly, they should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow available for management's discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Because the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. The following tables provide a reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands, unaudited). Adjusted Free Cash Flow Reconciliation Free Cash Flow represents the Company's net cash provided by operating activities plus proceeds from disposition of property and equipment, less expenditures related to purchases of property and equipment. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is Free Cash Flow adjusted to exclude certain nonrecurring professional services fees, other costs paid in relation to the merger between Era Group Inc. ("Era") and Bristow Group Inc. (prior to such merger, "Old Bristow") which was completed in June 2020 (the "Merger") and reorganization items. Management believes that Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are meaningful to investors because they provide information with respect to the Company's ability to generate cash from the business. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow is net cash provided by operating activities. Since neither Free Cash Flow nor Adjusted Free Cash Flow is a recognized term under GAAP, they should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net cash provided by operating activities. Investors should note numerous methods may exist for calculating a company's free cash flow. As a result, the method used by management to calculate Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow may differ from the methods used by other companies to calculate their free cash flow. As such, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow (in thousands, unaudited). The chart below presents the number of aircraft in our fleet and their distribution among the regions in which we operate as of June 30, 2022 and the percentage of operating revenue that each of our regions provided during the Current Quarter (unaudited). View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Bristow Group	https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/bristow-group-reports-first-quarter-fiscal-year-2023-results/
Oldest Texas death row inmate executed for officer’s death HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Texas’ oldest death row inmate was executed Thursday for killing a Houston police officer during a traffic stop nearly 32 years ago. Carl Wayne Buntion, 78, was executed at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. He was condemned for the June 1990 fatal shooting of Houston police officer James Irby, a nearly 20-year member of the force. The U.S. Supreme Court had declined a request by Buntion’s attorneys to stop his execution. “I wanted the Irby family to know one thing: I do have remorse for what I did,” Buntion said while strapped to the Texas death chamber gurney. “I pray to God that they get the closure for me killing their father and Ms. Irby’s husband. “I hope to see you in heaven some day and when you show up I will give you a big hug.” Buntion, joined by his spiritual adviser, began praying Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd...” as the lethal dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital began. He took a deep breath, coughed once, then took three less pronounced breaths before all movement stopped. He was pronounced dead at 6:39 p.m., 13 minutes later. Several dozen motorcyclists, showing support for the slain motorcycle officer, loudly revved their engines as the execution took place, the roar clearly audible in the death chamber. Buntion had been on parole for just six weeks when he shot the 37-year-old Irby. Buntion, who had an extensive criminal record, was a passenger in the car that Irby pulled over. In 2009, an appeals court vacated Buntion’s sentence, but another jury resentenced him to death three years later. “I feel joy,” the officer’s widow, Maura Irby, said after watching Buntion’s execution. “I’m sorry someone died. But I didn’t think of him as a person. I just thought of him as a thing, as a cancer on the face of my family.” Before his slaying, James Irby had talked of retirement and spending more time with his two children, who at the time were 1 and 3 years old, Maura Irby, 60, said earlier. “He was ready to fill out the paperwork and stay home and open a feed store,” she said. “He wanted to be the dad that was there to go to all the ballgames and the father daughter dances. He was a super guy, the love of my life.” Leading up to his execution, various state and federal courts had also turned down appeals by Buntion’s lawyers to stop his death sentence. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Tuesday had rejected his clemency request. Buntion’s attorneys said he was responsible for Irby’s death and “deserved to be punished severely for that crime.” But they argued his execution was unconstitutional because the jury’s finding he would be a future danger to society — one of the reasons he was given a death sentence— has proven incorrect, and also his execution would serve no legitimate purpose because so much time has passed since his conviction. His attorneys described Buntion as a geriatric inmate who posed no threat as he suffers from arthritis, vertigo and needed a wheelchair. “This delay of three decades undermines the rationale for the death penalty ... Whatever deterrent effect there is diminished by delay,” his attorneys David Dow and Jeffrey Newberry, wrote in court documents. With his execution, Buntion became the oldest person Texas has put to death since the Supreme Court lifted its ban on capital punishment in 1976. The oldest inmate executed in the U.S. in modern times was Walter Moody Jr., who was 83 years old when he was put to death in Alabama in 2018. Buntion was also the first inmate executed in Texas in 2022. Although Texas has been the nation’s busiest capital punishment state, it had been nearly seven months since it carried out an execution. There have been only three executions in each of the last two years, due in part to the coronavirus pandemic and delays over legal questions about Texas’ refusal to allow spiritual advisers to touch inmates and pray aloud in the death chamber. In March, the U.S. Supreme Court said states must accommodate requests to have faith leaders pray and touch inmates during executions. As Texas prepared to execute Buntion, officials in Tennessee canceled the execution of an inmate Thursday in what would have been the state’s first execution since the start of the pandemic. Oscar Smith, 72, was scheduled to die for the 1989 killings of his estranged wife and her teenage sons. Republican Gov. Bill Lee didn’t elaborate on what issue forced the surprise 11th-hour stop to the planned execution. Texas prison officials agreed to Buntion’s request to allow his spiritual adviser to pray aloud and touch him while he was put to death. The adviser, Barry Brown, placed his right hand on Buntion’s right ankle in the moments before the drugs began flowing and prayed for about five minutes. He said Buntion no longer was the “hard-headed young man” but had been “humbled by the walls and cold steel of prison.” While the execution stirred up painful memories for her, Irby said it also reminded her of her advocacy work in public safety after her husband’s death, including helping put together legislation that allowed victim impact statements at trials. “I still miss him, 32 years later,” she said Thursday night. ___ Lozano reported from Houston. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.	https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/22/oldest-texas-death-row-inmate-executed-officers-death/
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Will Zalatoris had the most money and the best world ranking of anyone without a PGA Tour victory. He changed that Sunday by winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship without making birdie in a three-hole playoff. Heartache in two previous playoff losses this year — one in a major — turned into relief for Zalatoris after a wild finish in the TPC Southwind. It ended when he took a penalty drop from the rocks that frame the par-3 11th green and holed a 7-foot bogey putt to beat Sepp Straka. Zalatoris moves into the top 10 in the world for the first time and takes the No. 1 spot in the FedEx Cup, assuring him a reasonable shot at the $18 million prize in two weeks. He was clutch even if he was scrambling. It stated with a 10-foot par save on the 18th in regulation for a 4-under 66 to post at 15-under 265. Straka, already a winner this year in the Honda Classic, narrowly missed a 20-foot birdie putt for the win on the 18th for a 67. Both made par on the 18th on the first extra hole. Then, as Straka said after the loss, “It can get a little crazy” on a course like, and a closing hole like No. 18. Zalatoris went right off the tee, off the cart path and a few feet from a boundary fence, leaving him no choice but to chip out. Straka barely cleared the water on the left, but was just inside the hazard line. He chose to take a penalty drop and hit into 7 feet. Zalatoris hit his third to just inside 15 feet and made the par. Straka matched him and they went to the 11th. Zalatoris watched his tee shot hit the bank and then the rocks, and then the ball bounced seven times before coming to rest next to the lip of grass. He was in trouble, even if the ball was dry. But then Staka went right, took one bounce off the slope, one off the rocks and into the water. Straka went into a back bunker and blasted out to 4 feet. Zalatoris studied his options on how to get off the rocks before wisely deciding to go to the drop zone. He hit his wedge to 7 feet and raised both arms over his head when the putt dropped. “To see that decision pay off was pretty cool,” Zalatoris said. He won $2.7 million from his first PGA Tour postseason event, and it takes the sting out of playoff losses at Torrey Pines and at Southern Hills in the PGA Championship. Zalatoris also missed a 15-foot putt on the final hole of the U.S. Open that would have forced a playoff. Straka, who played bogey-free over the final 13 holes in regulation, moves to No. 8 in the standings and is assured his first trip to the Tour Championship at East Lake. Lucas Glover came away with a consolation prize. The former U.S. Open champion came into the FedEx Cup playoffs at No. 121, knowing that only the top 70 advance to the next tournament. Glover closed with a 66 and wound up in a tie for third. Not only was he among four players who moved into the top 70, he now is at No. 34 and has a good chance of being part of the top 30 who go to the Tour Championship to play for the $18 million first prize. Also moving into the top 70 were Adam Scott, Andrew Putnam and Wyndham Clark, who had reason to think he had thrown away his chances when he played a four-hole stretch in 4-over par and had to save par on the 18th for a 72. He finished at No. 70 by three points. Meanwhile, No. 1 in the world stays with Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who missed the cut and spent Sunday playing Pine Valley for the first time. British Open champion Cameron Smith could have replaced him by winning, and he arrived at the TPC Southwind two shots out of the lead. And then he was four shots back without hitting a shot. Smith was 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. They checked with Smith, who confirmed it was touching the line. He birdied the first hole, made only one other birdie, shot 70 and tied for 13th. Smith declined interview requests. ___ More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.	https://wtmj.com/national/2022/08/14/will-zalatoris-gets-1st-pga-tour-win-in-playoff-at-memphis/
MADISON, Wis., Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The US education system is enduring a teacher shortage crisis. Post-pandemic burnout, comparatively low pay, and difficulty managing the educational and emotional needs of students are some reasons teachers are leaving the profession. The teacher shortage is forcing full-time teachers to surrender prep time to cover classes, and principals are being pulled from their responsibilities to teach. However, pooling existing resources doesn't even scratch the surface. Many states are granting emergency substitute teaching licenses to fill the void. One school district in Illinois employs 100 daily substitute teachers in a school system of 450 full-time teachers. One of the unsung heroes within a school are the substitute coordinators. They are responsible for providing incoming subs with the information and tools they need. With 1:1 device programs as the new norm, substitute teachers are often required to use a tablet or laptop for student communication and to access lesson plans. Managing this technology has placed an additional burden on sub coordinators and IT teams alike. Due to the influx of daily subs, sub coordinators are under stress when checking in teachers for the day, and substitute teachers are frazzled before they even step foot in a classroom. One innovative way schools are improving conditions is by using a smart locker to automate the substitute teacher check in/check out processes. Here's how it works: a FUYL TowerTM Smart Locker, powered by LocknCharge Cloud, stores fully-charged devices and other teaching materials in individually-lockable bays. The substitute teacher is assigned a bay and a PIN number, allowing them to quickly access items inside without assistance. Because sub coordinators start early in the morning and are typically gone before the end of the school day, a smart locker provides a secure location for teachers to return and charge devices without oversight. This approach also benefits IT teams who spend less time locating and replacing missing devices. Tower activity is logged in the LocknCharge Cloud portal to show when and by who a bay was accessed. With droves of new full-time teachers entering the district mid-year, smart lockers are also being used to automate new teacher onboarding. The result is a reduction in stress and less wasted time throughout the school system. To learn more, contact LocknCharge – the experts in device management solutions for schools. Media contact: Allie Boycks, allie.b@lockncharge.com View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE LocknCharge	https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/schools-survival-mode-find-staffing-relief-through-automation/

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