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ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC) (the "Company") today announced its board of directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend of $0.62 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on or around October 6, 2022 (the "Payment Date") to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 22, 2022 (the "Record Date").
About Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC) is a leading global vacation company that offers vacation ownership, exchange, rental and resort and property management, along with related businesses, products and services. The Company has over 120 vacation ownership resorts and approximately 700,000 owner families in a diverse portfolio that includes some of the most iconic vacation ownership brands. The Company also operates exchange networks and membership programs comprised of nearly 3,200 resorts in over 90 countries and territories, as well as provides management services to other resorts and lodging properties. As a leader and innovator in the vacation industry, the Company upholds the highest standards of excellence in serving its customers, investors and associates while maintaining exclusive, long-term relationships with Marriott International, Inc. and Hyatt Hotels Corporation for the development, sales and marketing of vacation ownership products and services. For more information, please visit www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com.
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SOURCE Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/marriott-vacations-worldwide-corporation-announces-quarterly-cash-dividend/ | 2022-09-09T13:00:49Z |
A look at what’s happening around the majors on Sunday:
___
ROOKIE WATCH
Bobby Witt Jr. began the season as a highly rated prospect and looks like he’s starting to heat up. Fellow rookies Nolan Gorman and Michael Harris also are attracting attention.
A day after falling a double shy of the cycle, Witt hit three doubles Saturday as the Royals beat Minnesota 7-3. The 21-year-old shortstop has 41 hits this year — 22 for extra bases, including a team-best 13 doubles.
Gorman went 4 for 4, including his first major league homer, and drove in four runs to lead St. Louis over Milwaukee 8-3. A first-round draft pick in 2018, the 22-year-old second baseman is batting .360 in eight games since making his debut this season.
The 21-year-old Harris made his debut Saturday, going 1 for 3 and scoring a run for Atlanta in a 4-1 loss to Miami. The center fielder joined the Braves from Double-A Mississippi on Saturday.
Asked how Harris can help the Braves, manager Brian Snitker said, “Well, just the defensive part of it.”
NOT PHAM FRIENDLY
Reds outfielder Tommy Pham will finish out his three-game suspension, imposed by Major League Baseball after he slapped Giants outfielder Joc Pederson because of a dispute about their fantasy football league.
Pham will miss the series finale against San Francisco at Great American Ball Park. He also was fined.
The incident occurred while the Giants warmed up in the outfield Friday. Pham confronted Pederson and smacked him in the face before they were separated.
Pham said Saturday there was some “sketchy” stuff going on with the fantasy league, and added Pederson had made “disrespectful” comments about his former team, the San Diego Padres.
“We had too much money on the line, so I look at it like there’s a code,” Pham said. He also said Pederson was “messing with my money.”
COMEBACK TRAIL
Nationals star Stephen Strasburg makes his second rehab appearance for Class A Fredericksburg against the Salem Red Sox, this time with a target of 60-70 pitches. Strasburg, the 2019 World Series MVP, is coming back from thoracic outlet surgery last year. The right-hander also started Tuesday’s series opener against Salem and threw 62 pitches over 2 2/3 innings. He gave up three runs, struck out three and walked four.
COME BACK SOON
The Mets hope center fielder Brandon Nimmo will return to the lineup for their series finale against Zack Wheeler and the rival Phillies in prime time.
Nimmo didn’t start Saturday because of a sore right wrist. An MRI came back clean, but manager Buck Showalter said the leadoff man may require an injection. Either way, Showalter was optimistic Nimmo would be back within a day or two. Nimmo has a 10-game hitting streak and a .386 on-base percentage for the season.
Wheeler is set for his 10th start versus his former team. He’s 4-2 with a 2.58 ERA against the Mets since signing a $118 million, five-year deal with Philadelphia before the 2020 season.
It will be the 12th meeting already this season between the NL East foes. After this one, they won’t play again until Aug. 12.
CY YOUNG WINNER AVAILABLE
Dallas Keuchel is on the market after the veteran left-hander was designated for assignment Saturday by the Chicago White Sox.
The 34-year-old Keuchel is 2-5 with a 7.88 ERA in eight starts this season. He signed a $55.5 million, three-year contract with Chicago in December 2019.
Keuchel is owed $14,456,044 for the remainder of his contract: $12,956,044 in salary for the rest of this season, plus a $1.5 million buyout of his 2023 option. If he is released, another team could sign him for a prorated share of the $700,000 minimum, with the White Sox responsible for the rest.
Keuchel won the AL Cy Young Award in 2015, going 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA for the Houston Astros. He is 101-87 with a 3.86 ERA in 262 career games, including 251 starts.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/leading-off-rookies-witt-gorman-and-harris-draw-attention/ | 2022-05-29T13:13:59Z |
With the way gas prices are rising, some analysts predict that an average of $6 per gallon might not be too far away. As summer approaches, this could be problematic. In the warmer months, people take more vacations, which means an increased demand for gas. Even if you aren’t planning road trips every weekend, there is another reason why higher gas prices could create a financial strain this summer: yard maintenance.
However, this might not be a bad thing. Higher gas prices could be the incentive that pushes the average homeowner to move from gas-powered options to more earth-friendly electric lawn tools.
Gas vs. electric lawn tools
The rise in gas prices may have prompted you to consider if electric yard tools will save you money on fuel, but that is not the only aspect you should consider when debating making the switch.
Fuel cost
You may have sticker shock when looking at the price of gas at the pump these days. However, if you have a walk-behind mower, the gas tank might only hold 1 to 3 quarts. This means it may only cost $1-$3 to fill your tank.
Conversely, an electric lawn mower battery could cost over $100. Depending on the size of your lawn, it might take years to offset the upfront fuel cost of switching to a battery-powered lawn tool. This is why it is important to consider other aspects beyond fuel savings when switching to electric.
Tool cost
On the plus side, electric tools are much more affordable than their gas-powered counterparts. For example, an electric tiller is roughly half the cost of a gas-powered model.
Noise level
A gas-powered tool works by creating controlled explosions that drive the moving parts. As much as we depend on this, it is an inelegant solution. These explosions create a loud volume that can disturb your neighbors and damage your hearing. Additionally, they create toxic emissions that are not only hazardous to your lungs but contribute to global warming as well.
Moving parts
When you are using a machine with an internal combustion engine, the force created by the exploding fuel drives mechanisms that move the parts you engage to perform a task. Because of this, a gas-powered tool endures significantly more wear and tear than a battery-powered tool. This decreases the tool’s lifespan. Not only do parts wear out more quickly, but some parts also need to be replaced, such as filters and spark plugs. In short, the cost of owning, maintaining and operating a gas-powered tool is higher than owning, maintaining and operating an electric lawn tool.
Ease of use
If you can do something faster and easier, it stands to reason that it is the better way. With an electric lawn tool, there is no pouring fuel, no mixing oil and gas and no starting struggles — just push a button and the tool turns on. Additionally, other than a regular cleaning, electric tools require virtually no maintenance. Owning an electric lawn tool is as close to effortless as you will experience with yardwork.
Are electric lawn tools powerful enough?
With all the reasons you would benefit from switching to electric lawn tools, there are a few cons that are important to understand upfront. Depending on your situation, these cons may or may not be deal-breakers.
- With all the impressive technological advances, electric lawn tools offer sufficient power for most jobs. However, they still aren’t the top choice for heavy-duty tasks.
- Electric lawn tools are not the best option for people with large properties.
- The batteries of electric yard tools do not stay in peak operating condition forever.
- It only takes a minute to fill up the tank when you run out of gasoline. Conversely, it can take hours to recharge a battery.
Top electric lawn tools
Ryobi 40V HP Walk-Behind Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
This top-of-the-line self-propelled lawn mower comes with two batteries and a charger. It offers 70 minutes of running time, and the deck comes with a lifetime warranty.
Sold by Home Depot
Greenworks 40V 10-Inch Cordless Tiller
The adjustable width on this tiller ranges from 8.25 inches to 10 inches. The adjustable height gives you a 5-inch cultivating depth. It has a 40-minute runtime and push-button start for convenience.
Sold by Amazon
WORX 12 Amp Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher
Whether you need an edge or a trench, this model can help. This lightweight machine only weighs 14 pounds, but it has a heavy-duty steel blade for tough tasks. The adjustable depth and cutting line indicator help make sure you always have exceptional results.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Black and Decker Corded 2-in-1 String Grass Trimmer
This affordable corded trimmer gives your yard a crisp, clean look. It has an adjustable height and pivoting handle for comfort, and the tool can quickly convert from a trimmer to an edger as needed.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
Black and Decker Corded 3-in-1 Leaf Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
If you have any yard cleanup tasks, this is the tool you want. It handles blowing, mulching and vacuuming chores. The two speeds let you accomplish a wide range of tasks, while the shoulder strap makes it easy to carry.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
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Allen Foster 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://cw33.com/reviews/br/tools-br/as-gas-prices-skyrocket-consumers-turn-to-electric-lawn-tools-here-are-our-top-options/ | 2022-04-17T15:15:26Z |
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Few Americans outside law enforcement and government ever see the most graphic videos or photos from the nation’s worst mass shootings — in most states, such evidence is only displayed at trial and most such killers die during or immediately after their attacks. They never make it to court.
That has made the penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz for his 2018 murder of 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School unusual.
As the worst U.S. mass shooting to reach trial, the surveillance videos taken during his attack and the crime scene and autopsy photos that show its horrific aftermath are being seen by jurors on shielded video screens and, after each day’s court session, shown to a small group of journalists. But they are not shown in the gallery, where parents and spouses sit, or to the general public watching on TV.
Some online believe that should change — that to have an informed debate on gun violence, the public should see the carnage mass shooters like Cruz cause, often with high-velocity bullets fired from AR-15 semiautomatic rifles and similar weapons.
Others disagree. They say the public display of such videos and photos would add to the harm the victims’ families already endure and might entice some who are mentally disturbed to commit their own mass shooting. They believe such evidence should remain sealed.
Liz Dunning, a vice president at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, doesn’t believe releasing such videos and photos would have the political impact some think. Polls show that most Americans already support stronger background checks for gun buyers and bans or restrictions on AR-15s and similar weapons, said Dunning, whose mother was murdered by a gunman.
“Public perception is not the issue,” Dunning said. “We should be asking more of the powerful.”
Since most of the worst U.S. mass shooters were killed by themselves or police during or immediately after their attack, it is rare for anyone outside government to see such surveillance videos or police and autopsy photos. The public didn’t see such evidence after the Las Vegas shooting in 2017, Orlando in 2016, Sandy Hook in 2012, Virginia Tech in 2007 and others.
But Cruz, 23, fled after his shooting and was arrested an hour later. He pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of first-degree murder – his trial is only to determine if he is sentenced to death or life without parole. The videos and photos are part of the prosecution’s case.
Since the trial began July 18, everyone in the courtroom and watching on TV has seen and heard heartbreaking testimony from teachers and students who saw others die. They have heard the gunshots and screams as jurors watched cellphone videos.
But when graphic videos and photos are presented, those are not shown. Usually, they only hear medical examiners and police officers give emotionless descriptions of what the jury is seeing.
Then at the end of each day, a group of reporters reviews the photos and videos, but are only allowed to write descriptions. That was a compromise as some parents feared photos of their dead children would be posted online and wanted no media access.
Miami media attorney Thomas Julin said in Florida before the internet, any photos or other evidence presented at trial could be seen and copied by anyone. Newspapers didn’t print the most gruesome photos, so no one cared.
But in the mid-1990s as the internet boomed, Danny Rolling faced a death penalty trial for the serial murders of four University of Florida students and a community college student. The victims’ families argued that the publication of crime scene photos would cause them emotional harm. The judge ruled that anyone could view the photos, but no one could copy them. Such compromises have since become standard in Florida’s high-profile murder trials.
The surveillance video of the Stoneman Douglas shooting is silent. It shows Cruz moving methodically from floor-to-floor in a three-story classroom building, shooting down hallways and into classrooms. Victims fall. Cruz often stops and shoots them again before moving on.
The crime scene photos show the dead where they fell, sometimes on top of or next to each other, often in contorted shapes. Blood and sometimes brain matter are splattered on floors and walls.
The autopsy photos show the damage Cruz and his bullets did. Some victims have massive head wounds. One student had his elbow blown off, another had her shoulder blown open. Another had most of her forearm ripped away.
Yet, despite their gruesomeness, Columbia University journalism professor Bruce Shapiro says most autopsy and crime scene photos wouldn’t have a lasting public impact because they don’t have context.
The photos and videos that have a strong effect on public opinion tell a story, said Shapiro, who runs the university’s think tank on how journalists should cover violence.
The photos of Emmett Till’s battered body lying in its coffin after the Black teenager was tortured and killed by Mississippi white supremacists in 1955. Mary Ann Vecchio screaming over Kent State student Jeffrey Miller’s body after he was shot by National Guard troops in 1970. Vietnamese child Phan Thi Kim Phuc running naked after being burned by a napalm bomb in 1972. The video of police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd’s neck until he’s dead in 2020.
“They work not just because they are graphic, but because they are powerful, stirring images,” Shapiro said.
And even if the graphic photos and videos were released, most major newspapers, wire services and television stations would be hesitant to use them. Their editors weigh whether the public benefit of seeing an image outweighs any prurient interest — and they usually pass.
That would leave most for only the most salacious websites. They would also become fodder for potential mass shooters, who frequently research past killers. Cruz did; testimony showed he spent the seven months before his attack making hundreds of computer searches about committing massacres.
“The images of the carnage will become part of their dark fantasy life,” Shapiro said. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/parkland-trial-a-rare-curtailed-look-at-mass-shooting-gore/ | 2022-07-31T16:07:52Z |
Patagonia founder gives company away to environmental trusts
(AP) - The founder of outdoor gear company Patagonia, long known for environmental activism, says the company is transferring all of its voting shares into a trust “dedicated to fighting the environmental crisis and defending nature.”
In a letter posted on the privately-held company’s website on Wednesday night, founder Yvon Chouinard said the 50-year-old company would transfer 100% of its voting stock to the Patagonia Purpose Trust and 100% of its nonvoting stock had been given to the Holdfast Collective.
Each year after reinvesting profits back into the company, Chouinard said remaining funds will be distributed as a dividend to the trusts in their ongoing efforts to fight the climate crisis.
Chouinard said the other options for the Ventura, California company to dedicate itself to protecting the planet — selling the company and donating the proceeds; or taking the company public — were not viable for Patagonia’s ultimate goals.
“Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, we’ll use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth,” Chouinard wrote.
Patagonia makes outdoor clothing, gear and accessories for everything from skiing to climbing and camping.
Chouinard said he “never wanted to be a businessman,” and started Patagonia as a craftsman, making climbing gear for himself and his friends.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/15/patagonia-founder-gives-company-away-environmental-trusts/ | 2022-09-15T14:38:16Z |
Since ancient times, the idea of eternal life has captivated the human imagination.
Around the world, there are so-called blue zones where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives. Scientists study these "lands of immortals" to uncover the secrets of longevity.
We may not yet have discovered the healing waters of the fountain of youth, but one of the breakthroughs in this week's newsletter is shaking up what we know about life and death.
Trailblazers
Cutting-edge research on pigs is showing that death in cells isn't instantaneous.
In fact, it's a complex biological process -- a bit like a cascade of dominoes -- that can potentially be halted.
Scientists from Yale University have reanimated the cells and organs of pigs that had been dead for an hour using a treatment involving synthetic blood.
The results amazed the researchers involved in the project. Check out the pig cells, shown at right in the side-by-side comparison above, revived by the OrganEx system, a new technology they developed.
The goal, though, isn't to bring animals magically back to life -- it's to expand the window for much-needed human organ transplants.
Force of nature
The massive eruption of an undersea volcano near Tonga in January has defied easy explanation, consistently surprising the scientists who continue to study it.
It created an unexpected type of tsunami, a sonic boom heard as far away as Alaska, hurricane-strength winds in space and unusual pressure waves.
Now we know, thanks to detections from a NASA satellite, the volcano blasted such a massive amount of water vapor high into the atmosphere that it's likely to temporarily warm Earth's surface.
The plume of vapor the eruption sent into the stratosphere -- which is located between 8 and 33 miles (12 and 53 kilometers) above Earth's surface -- included enough water to fill 58,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Fantastic creatures
The NASA Artemis mission isn't just about returning to the moon -- it's part of preparations for a bolder plan to go to Mars.
How astronauts will make the years-long trip to the red planet is uncertain. One idea is to induce hibernation in the space travelers, and a tiny, mouselike creature that lives in the Patagonian forest may hold a key to unlocking this approach.
Once the weather turns cold, the bug-eyed monito del monte builds a mossy nest in a tree hollow. There, the tiny marsupial enters a physiological state called torpor, and its heart rate drops from 200 beats per minute down to two or three beats per minute. During this inactive period, the animal conserves energy, taking a breath once every three minutes.
Understanding how it almost stops its metabolism and wakes up weeks later unscathed potentially could help scientists come up with a plan for human hibernation on long-haul space missions.
Learn more about the monito during Sunday's episode of the CNN docuseries "Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World" at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Every new episode of the six-part series will be available on CNNgo the day after it airs on television. You can also access CNNgo via our CNN app.
Across the universe
Walking on Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid, would be a bit like wading through a ball pit, NASA scientists have found.
Images and data from the agency's OSIRIS-REx mission revealed the asteroid's exterior is made of loosely packed particles that aren't bound together securely.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which in 2020 successfully collected a sample from the asteroid, encountered little resistance when it landed -- about the same amount as someone might feel pushing the plunger on a French press coffee maker.
If the spacecraft hadn't fired its thruster to back away after its quick collection of dust and rocks, it might have sunk right into the asteroid. It's just the latest unexpected finding about Bennu as OSIRIS-REx and the precious sample make their way toward Earth.
Ocean secrets
Coins and priceless jewels once belonging to seafaring knights are among the treasures recently discovered on a Spanish shipwreck.
The Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas (or Our Lady of Wonders) sank in 1656 after it collided with another boat from its fleet and crashed into a coral reef off the Bahamas.
The 891-ton vessel was carrying a massive trove, some of which was reserved as royal tax for King Philip IV, from Cuba to Seville, Spain.
The cache was more significant than usual, as the Maravillas also had been transporting treasure retrieved from a ship that had sunk two years prior.
Discoveries
Escape to worlds beyond your own with these stories:
-- A paleontologist found an extremely cool fossil in his backyard. It's upending what we know about the first Americans.
-- Caves provided shelter to Earth's earliest human inhabitants. Similar formations on the moon could provide pioneering astronauts with a lunar safe haven.
-- The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a stunning image of a strange, cartwheel-shaped galaxy.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest COVID-19 infection rates in Georgia using data from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Click for more. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/how-scientists-have-reanimated-cells-from-dead-pigs/article_8b371136-2eef-538e-af4b-bf8db4c88f73.html | 2022-08-06T17:06:31Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Enochian BioSciences, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of ENOB during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
CLASS PERIOD: January 17, 2018 to June 27, 2022
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's co-founder and inventor Serhat Gumrukcu was engaged in a variety of frauds; (2) Gumrukcu was not a licensed doctor anywhere in the world; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Gumrukcu's purported contributions to the Company lacked a reasonable basis; (5) as a result of the foregoing, the Company had overstated its commercial prospects; (6) Gumrukcu had improperly diverted approximately $20 million from Enochian to entities he owned; and (7) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
DEADLINE: September 26, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/enochian-biosciences-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=30893&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of ENOB during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is September 26, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
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SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-enochian-biosciences-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-26-2022-nasdaq-enob/ | 2022-08-17T11:28:56Z |
Friday forecast: Isolated storms today, much cooler
70s and 80s today through the weekend
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - An unsettled weather pattern will be the main focus for the next 8 days with several chances for storms. Despite several chances, the confidence on any particular time-frame of storms impacting a specific area is very low so this is a weather pattern to stay updated, check the radar and listen for thunder if you are outside.
After highs in the 90s all work week long, highs will be in the 80s for most areas today through Sunday with isolated to at best scattered storms. The highest chance for storms to have an impact on your outdoor plans is Sunday but it’s relative, it’s still not a high enough chance to cancel your plans. This also doesn’t mean that just because there’s a relatively higher rain chance Sunday that you will get rain Sunday and not today or even tomorrow. You might get rain today and/or tomorrow but not Sunday, these storms are going to be very hit and miss which is why it’s tough to say if you will have rain or not.
Impacts from any storms that do develop today through Sunday will be lightning and locally heavy rainfall with a lower risk of severe weather (hail/wind threat).
Today: Hit and miss showers/storms, most spots dry. Highs in the low-mid 80s. Winds NE/N 5-10 mph.
Tonight: Few isolated storms this evening mainly south of I-70, decreasing clouds. Lows in the mid-upper 50s. Winds calm.
Tomorrow: Mostly Sunny. Highs in the mid-upper 80s. Winds E/SE 5-10 mph. It is worth noting that our in house model is indicating an areas of scattered showers/storms moving through in the afternoon; however that is the exception with all other models completely dry, we’ll keep an eye on that very low possibility.
While the 8 day shows a storm chance for Saturday night it is very low with a better chance for storms developing on Sunday with uncertainty on how widespread or how heavy the rain will be. It’ll be cooler and in the upper 70s-low 80s for the 2nd half of the weekend.
We’ll continue with hit and miss storms next week mainly at night however Tuesday will be a day to monitor where storms may impact at least the morning hours.
Models disagree on a cold front late in the week with one model bringing the cold front through Friday while the others model has the front moving through on Sunday.
Taking Action:
- Do NOT cancel outdoor plans with all these storm chances today through Sunday due to uncertainty on how widespread storms will be or if it will impact your particular area.
- DO keep an eye on the radar and updated forecast throughout the weekend since confidence may increase compared to what it is right now.
- If you hear thunder, go inside even if you don’t have any rain.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/13/friday-forecast-isolated-storms-today-much-cooler/ | 2022-05-13T10:26:06Z |
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AERO Sustainable Material Technology is proud to announce that their satin-matte finishes are enhancing the newest 2022 Land Rover Defender as well as the 2021 model – winner of the 2021 World Car Design of the Year at the Annual World Car Awards. AERO satin-matte finishes are one of a kind; composed of a unique surface structure that is inherently satin-matte by design, with no additives needed, enabling a lasting quality finish. Traditional, spray-application paints require additives to achieve a matte look, which risks staining and extensive maintenance. AERO enables motor vehicle companies like Jaguar Land Rover to deliver a lasting finish with ultra-durability and self-healing properties, while reducing its environmental impact.
"The Land Rover Defender is known for its all-terrain capabilities and off-road style, and AERO finishes provide earth friendly durability" - Jim McGuire, CEO of AERO Sustainable Material Technology, Inc.
The environmental impact of AERO's product life cycle is radically less damaging than traditional paint.
Manufacturing and application of traditional paint requires significant energy and resources, while generating harmful pollutants, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Additionally, traditional assembly lines use large volumes of water—particularly during exterior decoration.
It is estimated that paint is likely responsible for up to 2.25 million tons of microplastic entering the ocean each year - that's equivalent to 225 billion empty plastic bottles. AERO technology does not particulate, so will not contribute to increasing levels of ocean pollution. AERO finishes produce zero CO2, are free from VOCs, PVC, and solvents, while requiring zero water during manufacturing, application, and usage. Traditional paint is also far heavier than AERO, requiring more fuel usage, which therefore produces higher CO2 emissions still.
By generating lower application costs, while requiring little to no capital expenditure, AERO can accelerate throughput times and enable broader options in custom color and finish, including contrast roof and contrast bonnet options. For companies like Jaguar Land Rover, AERO enhances positioning as an aspirational brand, increases customizability, reduces cost, and reduces environmental impact.
AERO is a game changer in the automotive, marine, motorsports, wind energy, and architectural industries. https://aerotechnology.com/about/
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SOURCE AERO Sustainable Material Technology | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/aero-technology-enhances-2022-amp-2021-land-rover-defender-with-revolutionary-planet-friendly-exterior-finishes-that-are-far-superior-traditional-paint/ | 2022-06-08T15:13:54Z |
TORONTO, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Equitable Bank (the "Bank" or "Equitable"), a wholly owned subsidiary of EQB Inc. (the "Company") (TSX: EQB) (TSX: EQB.PR.C) (TSX: EQB.R) today announced it is increasing its prime lending rate by 100 basis points to 4.70% from 3.70%, effective July 14, 2022.
About Equitable Bank
EQB Inc. trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: EQB, EQB.PR.C and EQB.R) and serves more than 340,000 Canadians through its wholly owned subsidiary Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™. Equitable Bank has a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Founded over 50 years ago, Equitable Bank provides diversified personal and commercial banking and through its EQ Bank platform (eqbank.ca) has been named the top Schedule I Bank in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks 2022 and 2021 lists. Please visit equitablebank.ca for details.
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SOURCE Equitable Bank | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/equitable-bank-increases-prime-rate/ | 2022-07-13T21:46:45Z |
Andrew Tate, the professional fighter-turned media personality who earned the ire and admiration of millions with his viral rants about male dominance, female submission and wealth, is everywhere these days.
It doesn't matter that the so-called "alpha-male" podcaster, who openly advocates violence against women, has been banned from every major social media platform, or that he was kicked off the TV show "Big Brother" for violent and hateful behavior and had his house raided as part of an ongoing human trafficking investigation (he told Fox News' Tucker Carlson he was the victim of a swatting attempt).
His ideas have already taken root in the minds of countless young men who see him as a role model of masculinity. Before it was taken down, his TikTok account racked up about 11.6 billion views. Social media spaces dedicated to teaching have featured accounts of students as young as middle schoolers parroting his diatribes and harassing female classmates. Rashes of sexual harassment in schools in the UK and Australia have also been blamed on Tate's influence.
He's not the only one, either. So-called male supremacist views have surged on TikTok and podcasting platforms, with personalities ranting about the rights of "high value" or "hypermasculine" men -- those that they define as wealthy, confident, influential, sexually dominant and entitled to subservience from women.
If left unchecked, human rights groups and policy experts can point to what typically comes next. There is a clear pipeline between misogynist content and larger channels of hate, documented by the Anti-Defamation League and similar groups. Such philosophies have also inspired a rising rate of deadly violence.
Combating this dangerous phenomenon requires muscle on multiple fronts. In the US and across the world, organizations are turning to technology and teaching methods to show young men and boys a better path. They're also applying a more unexpected ingredient: Compassion.
Stopping hate before it starts
The jumble of groups and philosophies that center around ideas of toxic masculinity is commonly referred to as the "manosphere." Within lie incels (involuntary celibates), men's rights activists, pick-up artists, and the content creators that spread these ideas to the masses. Brette Steele, senior director for Preventing Targeted Violence at the McCain Institute, says men usually flock to the manosphere because they are unhappy in some way and searching for a sense of belonging, and younger audiences are drawn in by a similar need.
"Youth are searching for that sense of belonging, that kind of grounding to explain what's happening to them," she tells CNN.
"In the last few years, more youth have had to turn to communities online. We've seen a degradation of in-person social skills, and in middle school, that's when those social skills are first coming into play."
Steele works with several teams that are exploring ways to curb misogynist content and prevent the violence and extremism that sometimes follows. One of her teams out of Arizona State University created curricula and lesson plans for fourth- and fifth-graders that help build social resilience at a critical age.
"We have to ask things like, when do youth actually develop the skill sets that can prevent some of these risk factors? When do they develop a positive sense of self-concept? When do they develop the ability to withstand rejection?"
Once young men have made contact with dangerous parts of the manosphere, Steele says redirection becomes a main strategy.
Diverting Hate, a project out of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Equity and Justice, maintains a database of terms used in the manosphere. By programming against those words, they can target ads toward people engaging in dangerous conversations in online public spaces.
"The idea is to redirect people to more pro-social men's organizations, and more positive representations of what masculinity could look like that are not violent or demeaning," Steele says.
Changing expectations
Ted Bunch, the co-founder of A Call to Men, says one of the keys to pulling men and boys out of the dangerous pipeline of misogyny is to understand where it starts. A Call to Men partners with schools, companies and professional sports organizations to promote what it calls "healthy masculinity:" concepts like kindness, respect for others, and an understanding that, in a patriarchal society, men have an opportunity to use their power to protect.
"(Misogyny) teaches men that aggression, violence, and the domination of others is somehow embedded in their DNA," Bunch says. "It's not. It is the way men are socialized. In a male-dominated patriarchal society, all are taught that women and girls have less value, or that on some level they are the property."
One of the first priorities of A Call to Men is always to mitigate the harm such thinking causes others, Bunch says. But seeing misogyny as a learned experience also presents an opportunity for compassion. Bunch stresses that ACTM and similar organizations for men don't take the stance that masculinity is inherently toxic, or that manhood should be punished. Rather, his organization strives to give men opportunities to think differently about what, exactly, being a man means.
Bunch says some of the ACTM's most effective work comes when it gets a group of men in a space of trust, and just lets them talk to each other -- about things that make them sad, things that stress them out, and things they have been socialized to feel they shouldn't address.
"When we're in rooms with men, and we start unpacking how we've been socialized, they are thirsty for this information," he says.
He also notes that this process is especially effective when the group works with men in areas that are male-dominated and emblematic of values that can be considered very masculine, like law enforcement and the military.
"We also point out that healthy manhood is an inward thing as well as an outward thing," Bunch says. "Men have higher rates of suicide and early death. They struggle silently with anxiety and depression. They sometimes forgo basic medical care. Looking tough, being tough -- those kinds of expectations harm men as well."
Calling out, and calling in
When someone leverages misogyny to harm others, or begins to tread deeper into the manosphere, the first attempt to right the ship can be critical. Steele and Bunch say they have a general idea of what approaches do and do not work.
"There is a real negativity for any type of mental health intervention in these (manosphere) spaces," Steele says
Instead, the work she supports focuses on diverting the pipeline, rather than pushing back against it.
"There is a difference between a counter-narrative and an alternative narrative. Rather than pushing against the tide, such efforts are promoting other organizations that might provide the same sense of belonging or connection without the same negativity."
On Youtube and TikTok, a number of popular creators speak out forcefully against the Andrew Tates of the world. Some, like TikTok superstar Drew Afualo, do so with the intent to protect women and other marginalized voices from hate -- not necessarily to change the minds of the men who level it. To enact change, Bunch says men need to step up and call out bad behavior when they see it.
"Part of the problem is, these men don't listen to or respect the experiences of women. But they listen to each other," Bunch says. "If men speak up, other men will respond to that and we've found that to be true.
But, "calling in" is also important, Bunch says. He mentions several male celebrities who are leveraging their fame to introduce healthier ideas of manhood: NBA star Dwayne Wade, who does work supporting the LGBTQ community; actor Benedict Cumberbatch who brings attention to equal pay issues; and actor Justin Baldoni who promotes healthy fatherhood and family.
"There are more and more men doing this, because men are realizing this way of thinking doesn't work for us," Bunch says. "It doesn't feel good."
The dangerous influence of misogyny starts with men. Saying so doesn't need to be an indictment. In that vein, experts say the solution is most effective when it starts with men. That is not an indictment, either. Instead, they hope it can be an opportunity.
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QUINCY, Mass., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CFSB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: CFSB) (the "Company"), the holding company for Colonial Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank"), reported net income of $544,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2022, and net income of $442,000 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, compared to net income of $396,000 and $1,392,000 for the same periods in 2021.
President and Chief Executive Officer Michael E. McFarland said "In the year ended June 30, 2022 we completed our reorganization from a mutual savings bank into a two-tier mutual holding company form of organization. Colonial Federal saw improvements in both interest earning assets and net interest margin over the year. Our mortgage portfolio experienced increased purchase volume and less refinancing volume due to the rising rate environment. Our asset quality remains excellent and expenses were very well controlled during the year. We expect performance to improve due to rising interest rates for the remainder of the year."
On January 12, 2022, the Company became the holding company for the Bank when it completed the reorganization of the Bank into a two-tier mutual holding company form of organization. In connection with the reorganization, the Company sold 2,804,306 shares of common stock at a price of $10.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $28.0 million. The Company also contributed 130,433 shares of common stock and $250,000 in cash to the Colonial Federal Savings Bank Charitable Foundation and issued 3,586,903 shares of common stock to 15 Beach, MHC, its federally-chartered mutual holding company.
COVID-19 Impact
The Bank's initiative to work with borrowers that were unable to meet their contractual obligations because of the effects of COVID-19 have been successful. As of June 30, 2022, we had 10 loans with $32,000 of remaining deferred principal, all of which were performing in accordance with their contractual terms.
Income Statement Analysis
Net interest income increased $200,000, or 10.2%, to $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Net interest income increased $798,000, or 10.8%, to $8.2 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, from $7.4 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2021. The increase was due to an increase in average net interest-earning assets of $13.4 million combined with an increase in our net interest rate spread to 2.37% for the year ended June 30, 2022 from 2.15% for the year ended June 30, 2021. Our net interest margin increased to 2.47% for the year ended June 30, 2022 compared to 2.32% for the year ended June 30, 2021. The increase in the net interest rate spread was primarily a result of the yield on interest-earning assets decreasing at a slower rate than the decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
We recorded a provision for loan losses of $0 and $15,000 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively, and $26,000 and $60,000 for the twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively. The allowance for loan losses was $1.7 million, or 1.00%, of total loans, at June 30, 2022, compared to $1.7 million, or 0.98%, of total loans, at June 30, 2021. We did not have any non-performing loans at either June 30, 2022 or 2021. We had $1,000 and $0 in charge-offs for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We had no recoveries for the years ended June 30, 2022 or 2021.
Non-interest income increased $21,000, or 14.4%, to $167,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $146,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2021. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2022, non-interest income increased $52,000, or 8.1%, to $695,000 for the year ended June 30, 2022 from $643,000 for the year ended June 30, 2021. The increase was due to a $12,000 increase in customer service fees, a $24,000 increase in income on bank-owned life insurance, a $56,000 increase in gain on sale and call of securities offset by a decrease of $40,000 in other income.
Non-interest expense increased $210,000, or 13.5%, to $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The increase was primarily due to a $42,000 increase in salaries and employee benefit expense due to normal employee annual merit salary benefit increases and the expense recognized in connection with the ESOP, a $27,000 increase in occupancy expense, a $13,000 increase in data processing expense and a $128,000 increase in other expenses due to increased consultant and audit expenses. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2022 non-interest expense increased $2.1 million, or 33.6%, to $8.5 million from $6.4 million for the year ended June 30, 2021. The increase was due primarily to the $1.6 million funding of the new charitable foundation, a $103,000 increase in salaries and employee benefit expense due to normal employee annual merit salary benefit increases, a $52,000 increase in occupancy expense, a $38,000 increase in advertising expense and a $378,000 in other expenses due primarily to increased consultant and audit expenses.
Balance Sheet Analysis
Total assets increased $27.3 million, or 8.1%, to $366.2 million at June 30, 2022 from $338.9 million at June 30, 2021. The increase resulted primarily from increases in securities held to maturity of $40.1 million, or 38.2%, and bank-owned life insurance of $894,000, or 9.7%, offset by decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $9.0 million, or 22.1%, available for sale securities of $2.1 million and net loans of $1.8 million, or 1.0%.
Securities available for sale decreased $2.1 million to $199,000 at June 30, 2022 from $2.3 million at June 30, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to the sale in July 2021 of a $2.0 million seven-year U.S. Treasury security that was purchased in March 2021. The security was sold for a pre-tax gain of $48,000.
Securities held to maturity increased $40.1 million, or 38.2%, to $145.2 million at June 30, 2022 from $105.1 million at June 30, 2021, as we invested excess cash into securities to increase our overall yield on interest-earning assets. A corporate bond, held to maturity, was called creating a pre-tax gain of $8,000 for the year ended June 30, 2022.
Net loans decreased $1.8 million, or 1.0% to $172.6, million at June 30, 2022 from $174.4 million at June 30, 2021. The decrease was due to decreases of $1.6 million, or 10.1%, in multi-family real estate loans, $484,000, or 19.7%, in second mortgages and $1.6 million, or 9.8%, in commercial real estate loans, offset by increases of $1.7 million, or 1.2%, in one- to-four family residential real estate loans and $89,000, or 4.2%, in other loans. The decreases in multi-family and commercial real estate loans reflected payoffs on properties sold by the borrower and repayments exceeding originations during the year ended June 30, 2022.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased $9.0 million, or 22.1%, to $31.7 million at June 30, 2022 from $40.7 million at June 30, 2021. The decrease was a result of an increase in securities held to maturity, as we invested excess cash into securities to increase our overall yield on interest-earning assets.
Total stockholders' equity increased $25.7 million, or 52.6%, to $74.3 million at June 30, 2022 from $48.6 million at June 30, 2021. The increase was due to $27.7 million in funds received from the stock offering and net income of $442,000 for the year ended June 30, 2022 offset by $2.6 million for the purchase of 255,648 shares of common stock by the ESOP.
About CFSB Bancorp, Inc.
CFSB Bancorp, Inc. is a federal corporation organized as the mid-tier holding company of Colonial Federal Savings Bank and is the majority-owned subsidiary of 15 Beach, MHC. Colonial Federal Savings Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank that has served the banking needs of its customers on the south shore of Massachusetts since 1889. It operates from three full-service offices and one limited-service office in Quincy, Holbrook and Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "assume," "plan," "seek," "expect," "will," "may," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "continue," "target" and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, general economic conditions or conditions within the securities markets, changes in the quality, size and composition of our loan and securities portfolios, changes in demand for our products and services, legislative, accounting, tax and regulatory changes and a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks that could adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations and the business in which the Company and the Bank are engaged.
Further, given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the pandemic, we cannot predict the continuing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business and on our prospects. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the pandemic can be controlled and abated. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, and results of operations: demand for our products and services may decline, making it difficult to grow assets and income; if the economy worsens, loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased expenses and reduced income; collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase; our allowance for loan losses may have to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties, which will adversely affect our net income; the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us; it may be challenging to grow our business if the recovery from the economic impact caused by COVID-19 is slow or unpredictable; we rely on third-party vendors for certain services and the unavailability of a critical service due to the COVID-19 outbreak could have an adverse effect on us; and FDIC deposit insurance premiums may increase if the FDIC experiences increased resolution costs.
Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. CFSB Bancorp, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.
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SOURCE Colonial Federal Savings Bank | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/cfsb-bancorp-inc-announces-2022-fourth-quarter-year-date-financial-results/ | 2022-09-14T22:31:49Z |
ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A joint-venture between Minkoff Development and South Duvall has signed a lease with Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) to build a 140,000 square foot build-to-suit project on Montgomery College's Germantown Campus. The campus currently is home to the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College (PIC MC) with Holy Cross Germantown Hospital as its anchor tenant. Located at 19710 Observation Drive in Germantown, Maryland, adjacent to the Hughes headquarters complex, the new high-tech manufacturing building will house production of Hughes satellite broadband and networking equipment.
"This new facility reflects our long-standing commitment to Montgomery County, as a local employer and business leader for more than 50 years and will help Hughes advance our mission of connecting the unconnected around the world with innovative satellite and networking solutions," said Jim Muir, III, vice president, corporate real estate at Hughes. "We look forward to inviting students from PIC MC to learn and grow with us and continuing to engage with the community where so many of our employees live and work."
Minkoff Development and South Duvall responded to an RFP from PIC MC in 2018 and the joint venture was awarded the exclusive development rights and long-term ground lease for the 5.67-acre parcel on the Montgomery College Germantown campus and located within a RISE & Opportunity zone.
"Hughes is a world-class provider of satellite and networking technologies with a long history in Montgomery County, Maryland," said Andy Chod, Co-President of Minkoff Development. "We are thrilled to be able to support their continued success in our local community and around the world."
As part of the arrangement, Hughes and Montgomery College (MC) will continue to collaborate on training and educational initiatives.
"Montgomery College is proud to be partnering with Hughes on this innovative venture. Together we can contribute even more to building the pipeline of talented, highly skilled workers at the MC Germantown Campus," said Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, president of Montgomery College. "We look forward to collaborating with Hughes to ensure that our students gain the skills they need to be competitive in the rapidly evolving workforce."
"We are excited about this mutually beneficial partnership with Hughes, where students will have the opportunity to interact with technology industry professionals on a regular basis. This transaction is the first of many anticipated collaborations between PIC MC, the real estate development community and technology companies at Montgomery College where we are creating an integrated academic, business, and research campus to inspire the next generation of technology industry leaders," said Michael Smith, Executive Director, Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology (PIC MC).
"South Duvall is fortunate to have excellent partners on this project," said Matthew Brown of South Duvall. "With Montgomery College providing an ideal location, Minkoff leading the development efforts, and Scheer Partners marketing and leasing the project, we had a huge advantage over our competition. The design is underway, and we expect to break ground in August, aiming for occupancy in fall of 2023."
Scheer Partners, Henry Bernstein, Matt Brady, and Aaron Gambini led the building's leasing efforts, and Kevin Wille, Nadia Kahler, and Brad Wilner with CBRE represented Hughes.
South Duvall (www.southduvall.com) is a commercial real estate investor headquartered in Rockville, MD focusing on value-add properties and select stabilized properties. Founded in 2017 by Robert Scheer, its principals have a two-decade track record of creating value through repositioning existing real estate assets throughout the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. While experienced in all asset classes, South Duvall is known for its expertise in Life Science, Health Care and Technology real estate. South Duvall's principals have developed over 600,000 SF of life science real estate and have additionally consulted on the development of two million square feet.
Since 1972, Minkoff has been actively engaged in Metropolitan Washington, DC's commercial real estate landscape. Offering development, leasing, construction and management services, our family-owned firm prides itself in fostering a caring environment to our tenants and attending to every detail in the buildings that we own. Our personal perspective is seen in every facet of the services that we offer, from finding the right home for businesses to guiding tenants through the design-build process or creating solutions to management requests as they arise. As an owner-operator, Minkoff affords its clients a smooth and transparent leasing experience and day-to-day operational excellence. Real estate remains a local industry that requires boots on the ground, and we give each project the specialized attention that it requires. Our vast expertise and deep understanding of the Washington market allow us to excel.
The Germantown Campus is home to the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College, or PIC MC, a hub of education, business, and entrepreneurship, where industry partners co-locate and actively interact with faculty and students to achieve both educational and economic success. The Montgomery College Germantown Campus features the Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, an 80,000 square foot Medical Office Building, a 145,000 square foot bioscience educational building and the Montgomery County-owned, Germantown Innovation Center that is a business incubator with 24 startup life sciences companies.
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite and multi-transport technologies and networks for 50 years, provides broadband equipment and services; managed services featuring smart, software-defined networking; and end-to-end network operation for millions of consumers, businesses, governments and communities worldwide. The Hughes flagship Internet service, HughesNet®, connects millions of people across the Americas, and the Hughes JUPITER™ System powers internet access for tens of millions more worldwide. Hughes supplies more than half the global satellite terminal market to leading satellite operators, in-flight service providers, mobile network operators and military customers. A managed network services provider, Hughes supports nearly 500,000 enterprise sites with its HughesON™ portfolio of wired and wireless solutions. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes is owned by EchoStar. To learn more, visit www.hughes.com or follow HughesConnects on Twitter and LinkedIn.
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite communication solutions. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and conducting business around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in secure communications technologies through its Hughes Network Systems and EchoStar Satellite Services business segments. For more information, visit www.echostar.com. Follow @EchoStar on Twitter.
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SOURCE Scheer Partners, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/minkoff-development-south-duvall-lease-build-to-suit-project-hughes-network-systems-pic-mc-montgomery-college-germantown-campus/ | 2022-08-10T22:29:49Z |
Five arrested after sheriff’s office serves narcotics search warrant
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (Gray News) – Police in Florida arrested five people after serving a narcotics search warrant Tuesday.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said the warrant was executed at a home near Niceville, Florida. The sheriff’s office said the home has been the subject of complaints and is associated with drug overdoses, including an overdose death.
The sheriff’s office said members of its Special Response Team deployed two non-lethal flash bangs outside the home after no one was responding to authorities.
The sheriff’s office said it took four people into custody for resisting an officer.
Patrick Mulcahy, a resident of the home, was taken into custody after the sheriff’s office said he was found to have methamphetamine and a rolled up dollar bill containing meth residue.
He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate. They said there will be additional charges announced.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/08/five-arrested-after-sheriffs-office-serves-narcotics-search-warrant/ | 2022-05-08T21:56:18Z |
Stocks on Wall Street were mixed in afternoon trading Monday, as investors braced for a two-day meeting of the Federal Reserve this week where it’s expected the central bank will raise interest rates sharply to combat inflation.
The S&P 500 index was down 0.1% as of 2:44 p.m. Eastern after fluctuating between gains and losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 3 points, or less than 0.1%, at 31,902. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite was down 0.7%.
The major indexes are coming off solid gains last week following a mix of mostly better-than-expected reports on corporate profits. Falling yields in the bond market also helped, easing the pressure on stocks after expectations for rate hikes by the Fed sent yields soaring much of this year.
On Wednesday, most economists expect the Fed to announce a three-quarter percentage point hike in its short-term rate, a second consecutive hefty increase that it hasn’t otherwise implemented since 1994. It would put the Fed’s benchmark rate in a range of 2.25% to 2.5%, the highest since 2018.
The U.S. economy is slowing, but healthy hiring shows it isn’t yet in recession, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” She spoke ahead of the release this week of a slew of economic reports that will shed light on an economy currently besieged by rampant inflation as interest rates rise.
Some early signs suggest that inflation may be cooling down from red-hot levels. Auto club AAA said on its website as of Monday that the average price of a gallon of regular gas is $4.36 per gallon. That’s down 16 cents from a week ago, and 55 cents cheaper than late June, when the average price was $4.91 per gallon. Crude oil prices have fallen nearly 10% this month alone.
Outside of the Fed meeting, the highest-profile report will likely be Thursday, when the Commerce Department releases its first estimate of the economy’s output in the April-June quarter. Some economists forecast it may show a contraction for the second quarter in a row. The economy shrank 1.6% in the January-March quarter. Two straight negative readings is informally considered a recession.
Earnings will be quiet on Monday, but pick up later this week when technology heavyweights like Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon all report their results. Other big companies reporting this week include Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, where investors may look to see the impact of inflation on these inflation-conscious, consumer-facing companies.
Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the S&P 500 Monday. Chipmaker Nvidia fell 2.3%.
Restaurant chains, retailers and other companies that rely on direct consumer spending also fell. Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants was 2.7% lower, while Dollar Tree fell 2.4%.
Energy companies, banks and health care stocks helped keep the losses in check. Exxon Mobil rose 3.3% and Bank of America added 0.7%. UnitedHealth Group gained 1%.
World Wrestling Entertainment jumped 7.7% after CEO Vince McMahon retired Friday amid an investigation into alleged misconduct.
Weber slumped 14.5% after the Illinois-based grill maker announced the departure of CEO Chris Scherzinger. It also pulled its 2022 forecast and suspended its dividend.
Newmont slid 13.9% after the gold miner’s second-quarter earnings fell sharply from a year earlier amid higher costs and weaker gold prices.
Bond yields rose. The two-year Treasury yield, which tends to move with expectations for the Fed, rose to 3.03% from 2.97% late Friday. The 10-year yield, which influences mortgage rates, rose to 2.82% from 2.78%. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/asian-shares-start-week-lower-tracking-wall-st-retreat/ | 2022-07-25T19:33:33Z |
One of several significant milestones the laser hair removal giant has reached this year.
OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Milan Laser Hair Removal, the nation's largest laser hair removal provider, recently unveiled its expanded and remodeled corporate headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. As previously announced, June 15, 2022, marked the company's 10th anniversary. Milan Laser traces its roots to Papillion, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, where physicians Shikhar Saxena, MD, and Abe Schumacher, MD, opened the first clinic.
"We are excited to grow our presence in Omaha as we continue to expand our footprint across the U.S.," said Liz Allison, President of Milan Laser Hair Removal. "With more than 200 locations nationwide, we are growing fast but remain true to our Midwestern roots. We plan to continue leveraging the diverse talent pool here in Omaha and bring more jobs to the community."
Along with the new 45,000-sq. ft headquarters at 17645 Wright Street, Milan Laser also has a warehouse distribution center and a call center in the Omaha Metro area to accommodate the company's rapid growth. Milan Laser currently has 442 corporate employees in Omaha and another 1,000+ employees across the country.
"We owe our success over the last decade to our commitment to standing out from the competition," said Dr. Shikhar Saxena, co-founder and CEO of Milan Laser Hair Removal. "We have 214 (and counting) locations in 27 states because we guarantee our clients' results for life at one affordable price."
In addition, Milan Laser has always been a medically focused company. Its team of medical experts utilizes ongoing medical research to evolve and refine its proprietary treatment protocol to ensure all providers offer the safest, most effective treatments in the industry for all skin tones. Additionally, all treatments are performed by highly trained medical professionals who are overseen by physicians.
"I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished over the last decade, and I want to thank everyone who's been with us along the way," said Dr. Saxena. "Laser hair removal is life-changing for many, and I'm very excited about Milan Laser's future."
To learn more about Milan Laser Hair Removal, visit www.milanlaser.com.
Founded in 2012 by two board-certified medical doctors in Omaha, Nebraska, Milan Laser Hair Removal is the nation's largest laser hair removal provider. With more than 210 locations in 27 states and over 1,500 employees nationally, they are a premier employer as well. Laser hair removal is all they do, performing over 50,000 treatments each month. Milan Laser provides life-long results for all genders and skin tones in a safe, judgment-free environment, and all of their treatments are performed by highly trained medical professionals. For more information, visit www.milanlaser.com.
Press Contact:
Bettia Williamson
Sr. Brand Strategist
bettia.williamson@milanlaser.com
Phone: (914) 309-1808
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SOURCE Milan Laser Hair Removal | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/milan-laser-hair-removal-unveils-updated-national-headquarters/ | 2022-08-11T11:15:53Z |
PITTSBURGH, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a simple way to open a screen door or storm door even when your hands are full," said an inventor, from Easton, Pa., "so I invented the MAGIC SCREEN DOOR/STORM DOOR OPENER. My design enables you to open a screen door without fumbling with the original latch hardware. I have been using mine successfully for over 20 years!"
The invention provides an easier way to open a residential screen door. In doing so, it eliminates the need to operate the small latch on the original door. As a result, it could enhance safety and convenience. The invention features a functional design that is easy to install and use so it is ideal for households. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype/model is available upon request.
The original design was submitted to the Lancaster sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-LBT-144, 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.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/inventhelp-inventor-develops-easier-way-open-screen-door-lbt-144/ | 2022-04-11T17:09:07Z |
A look at what’s happening around baseball Thursday:
___
COOLING OFF
Boiling mad after a spate of plunkings this season, the New York Mets have a day off to recover.
The Mets have been drilled 19 times in 20 games this season, leading the league by a wide margin. Mets pitcher Chris Bassitt says bad baseballs are to blame. The actual problem is probably multifaceted, ranging from cold weather to bad luck. MLB-wide hit-by-pitch rates were actually down slightly heading into Wednesday’s games.
Their frustration spilled over Wednesday in St. Louis after third baseman J.D. Davis was hit by a pitch on the ankle and had to leave the game. An inning later, Mets pitcher Yoan López threw high and tight to Cardinals star Nolan Arenado, who reacted angrily, sparking a benches-clearing brawl.
Mets manager Buck Showalter denied after the game that New York felt the need to send a message about the hit-by-pitches and said López’s pitch wasn’t intentional. López could still be punished by MLB.
Showalter also said X-rays on Davis’ ankle were negative, but he’ll need further evaluation.
STARTING STRONG
Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock tries to build on the success of his first major league start with an outing at Toronto.
A standout rookie reliever in 2021, Whitlock has stretched out to try his hand at starting this season and struck out seven over four shutout innings against Tampa Bay last week in his first turn in the rotation.
That earned him another look for Boston, which has manager Alex Cora back with the team after he missed six games because of COVID-19.
CHECK HIM
The Mariners are hoping for good news on left-hander Marco Gonzales, who was hit on his left wrist by a 109 mph line drive in the first inning at Tampa Bay on Wednesday. The team said X-rays were negative and he hasn’t been ruled out for his next start.
The 30-year-old Gonzales entered the day 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA through three starts this season.
FROM NASSAU TO THE NL
A pair of childhood friends, Lucius Fox and Jazz Chisholm Jr., became the first pair of Bahamas-born players to appear in the same MLB game since 1961 on Wednesday.
Chisholm, a second baseman, led off for the Marlins against the Nationals, who started Fox at shortstop. Both players are 24 years old and from Nassau, Bahamas. The country has a population of about 400,000 and nine Bahamian-born players have played in the majors.
According to the Nationals, who cited the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other pair of Bahamians to play in the same game were Andre Rodgers and Tony Curry, who faced each other six times during the 1960 and 1961 seasons.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/leading-off-mets-rest-after-melee-whitlock-starts-again/ | 2022-04-28T19:04:58Z |
Police: Ohio woman paid thief $30 to steal her car from auto body shop
CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) - A woman in Ohio allegedly paid someone to steal her car from an auto shop rather than paying the full $3,500 she owed for repairs.
Surveillance video showed the hired suspect driver hit an employee with the car on their getaway.
Kitu Veal, owner of Kitu’s Auto Group in Cincinnati, says 28-year-old Terrella Lewis brought her car in for repairs, but when it came time to pay, she didn’t have the money.
The cost was also subject to rise without payment as Lewis risked accumulating additional storage fees while her car languished at Veal’s shop.
Veal says he offered to help her by moving the car to his secondary location, where it remained parked while she worked things out.
“I put it on the street right here for maybe ten minutes,” Veal said. “Then I went into the side of my building. I’m walking into the building, I hear the alarm go off, like the chirp of the alarm. So I turn around and saw a guy running to get into her front seat.”
Veal says he thought the person behind the wheel was attempting to steal from the car or steal the car itself.
“Everyone who comes to my business, I protect their car like it’s mine,” said Veal. “It would hurt my heart to know that someone’s property got taken while it was in my possession.”
But police claim in an affidavit that Lewis gave the suspect a key to her car and paid them $30 to steal it and avoid paying the repair costs.
Surveillance video showed Veal jogged to the entrance and stood directly in front of the car. He says he told the person to get out, but the driver then accelerated into him as he was dragged down Central Avenue.
“It was definitely an experience while on the ride,” Veal said. “Once he hit the brakes, that’s when the hard part kicked in. My back still hurts from it.”
Veal says if he had known that he would not have attempted to stop the driver.
“The only reason I stood in front of this car was so he didn’t take your property and put you in a worse position, and you were the person who sent them down here the whole time,” he said.
The person who hit Veal has not yet been identified.
Lewis is currently being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on $10,000 bail for a charge of complicity.
She will appear before a grand jury June 30.
Copyright 2022 WXIX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/22/police-ohio-woman-paid-thief-30-steal-her-car-auto-body-shop/ | 2022-06-22T06:36:47Z |
World 100 champion Coleman back up to speed after suspension
By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
American sprinter Christian Coleman is steadily getting up to speed after an 18-month ban that knocked him out of the Tokyo Games last summer. This weekend’s Prefontaine Classic will be the first step in what could be a long and fruitful run in Eugene, Oregon, for the 100-meter world champion. The U.S. championships are at the same site next month. He will then defend his title in July during the world outdoor championships in Eugene. It marks the first time the biggest event in track and field outside of the Olympics will be held in the United States. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/27/world-100-champion-coleman-back-up-to-speed-after-suspension/ | 2022-05-27T20:19:30Z |
DANVERS, Mass., April 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Plexus team at ITW Performance Polymers is introducing Plexus MA8105 as its newest adhesive, continuing to push the limits of what is possible with MMA (methyl methacrylate) adhesives and addressing the challenges of earlier generations.
MMA structural adhesives offer distinct advantages over other adhesives: Fast room temperature curing, excellent mechanical properties, and a broad range of adhesion. Older MMA adhesives bond a wide range of materials but struggle with "difficult to bond" metals like hot dipped galvanized steel, or tough semi-crystalline plastics like polyamides (nylons).
Challenges and Requirements
Broad Adhesion – Customers need to bond a full range of materials. Older generations of adhesives had difficulty bonding galvanized steel, nylons to composites, other metals and plastics.
High Temperature Resistance – Certain applications require high strength even at 180°F (82°C) or higher.
Fast Throughput – The adhesive strength development must match expectations. Making more parts per hour improves efficiency and lowers cost.
Toughness Requirement – Users need high strength adhesives with good elongation handling impact and fatigue.
Cure Tack-Free, Sandable & Paintable – Adhesive squeeze out happens. It's beneficial to have an adhesive that cures tack-free and accepts most paints.
Non-Sag on Vertical Surfaces – It stays where you put it.
Handle Off-Ratio Mixing – Older adhesives require exact mix ratios.
Expanding the Plexus MA8100 Brand
Enter MA8105, a 5-minute working time product with fixture times between 12-15 minutes. MA8105 takes the robust adhesion of other MA8100 series products and adds quicker product throughput.
The Results
MA8105 has excellent primerless adhesion to a wide range of substrates. Composites, painted metals, and amorphous thermoplastics are often bonded with little to no surface preparation. MA8105 adhesive even bonds oily metals. MA8105 withstands long-term environmental exposure. Parts can be bonded and survive in typical outdoor environments with significantly higher heat resistance than competitive structural adhesives. MA8105 cures quickly in a range of temperatures, enabling fast throughput. Quick dispensing and part joining mean manufacturing and assembly are optimized, producing more parts per hour. Labor shortages mean manufacturers can turn to the creative solutions of adhering their parts in a fast, efficient manner.
About Plexus:
A brand of ITW Performance Polymers. Plexus industrial adhesives create durable bonds in a variety of applications providing dependable solutions across multiple markets. Used to improve processes and techniques in manufacturing and assembly, these products are available around the world.
About ITW Performance Polymers:
A world leader in the research, development and manufacturing of grouting and chocking compounds, structural and semi-structural adhesives, sprayable syntactic materials, and wear-resistant coatings and repair compounds. These value-added solutions are widely used in several markets including wind, transportation, marine, electronics, and other industrial OEM & MRO applications.
Media Contact:
Max VanRaaphorst
(978) 412-2773
mvanraaphorst@itwpp.com
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SOURCE ITW Performance Polymers | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/04/next-generation-mma-adhesives-plexus-ma8105/ | 2022-04-04T09:26:47Z |
New Snowflake integration gives Mozart customers access to powerful data tools as part of its all-in-one platform
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mozart Data, the all-in-one modern data platform, today announced it raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Craft Ventures with participation from Goldcrest Capital, Spearhead, Apollo Projects, and Valor Equity Partners. Mozart Data provides a Snowflake data warehouse, ETL, transformation, and other no-code tools to consolidate, organize, and clean company data before the analysis stage. Mozart's all-in-one data platform decreases company time and resources spent on building and maintaining data infrastructure. The new funding brings the company's total funds raised to $21M.
"We're empowering customers of all technical levels to build best-in-class data stacks in under an hour," said Peter Fishman, CEO and Co-Founder of Mozart Data. "Companies can give teams the power to get the data they need without being blocked by engineering, and instead use their time to focus on the analysis that produces unique insights about their business."
Since raising its seed round in 2020, Mozart Data has had more than a 500% increase in annual recurring revenue. The new round of funding will help Mozart Data hone in on its current product, while introducing additional offerings such as the ability to support customers with existing Snowflake databases. Now, companies with a Snowflake account will be able to plug their database into Mozart Data's platform, gaining access to a collection of powerful data tools.
Mozart Data helps companies work with data more efficiently, spend less time managing their data pipelines, and empower less technical users with easy-to-use features including:
- ETL: Over 300 data connectors available for users to easily extract data from databases, CRMs, ad platforms, payment providers, and other systems without any coding. Push cleaned data into a business intelligence tool or spreadsheet for visualization and reporting.
- Data Warehouse: Overcome siloed data by consolidating data from multiple sources in a Snowflake warehouse.
- Data Transformation: Automate cleaning and preparing data for analysis, create a single source of truth, and ensure everyone works with the most recent and cleanest data. Automatically capture a record of your data at regular intervals for auditing and history tracking.
- Data Cataloging and Observability: Data lineage, version history, and run history provide a look into what's happening in the pipeline so users can quickly identify and debug problems.
- Data Reliability: Increase reliability and trust with proactive alerts when an error is detected.
"Mozart Data lowers the barrier to building a modern data stack," said Brian Murray, Partner and COO, Craft Ventures. "By bundling and connecting best-in-class data infrastructure, Mozart empowers teams of any stage to orchestrate their businesses more intelligently."
Read more about Mozart Data's modern data platform here.
About Mozart Data
Mozart Data is the all-in-one modern data platform that gives anyone the tools to consolidate, organize, and prepare data for analysis. Mozart Data is on a mission to empower anyone to get the most out of their data without engineering or technical knowledge. Businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, use Mozart Data to power their data infrastructure and free up their teams to focus on the data engineering and analysis that's unique to them. Learn more at https://www.mozartdata.com/.
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SOURCE Mozart Data | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/27/mozart-data-raises-15-million-make-data-infrastructure-tools-accessible-start-ups/ | 2022-04-27T14:57:29Z |
Senators propose changes to electors law after Capitol riot
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of senators agreed Wednesday on proposed changes to the Electoral Count Act, the post-Civil War-era law for certifying presidential elections that came under intense scrutiny after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election.
Long in the making, the package introduced by the group led by Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Joe Manchin of West Virginia is made up of two separate proposals. One would clarify the way states submit electors and the vice president tallies the votes in Congress. The other would bolster security for state and local election officials who have faced violence and harassment.
“From the beginning, our bipartisan group has shared a vision of drafting legislation to fix the flaws of the archaic and ambiguous Electoral Count Act of 1887,” Collins, Manchin and the other 14 senators said in a joint statement.
“We have developed legislation that establishes clear guidelines for our system of certifying and counting electoral votes,” the group wrote. “We urge our colleagues in both parties to support these simple, commonsense reforms.”
Both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell have signaled support for the bipartisan group, but the final legislative package will undergo careful scrutiny.
Votes are not likely before fall. But with broad support from the group of 16 senators, eight Democrats and eight Republicans, who have worked behind closed doors for months with the help of outside experts, serious consideration is assured.
In a statement, Matthew Weil, executive director of the Democracy Program at the Bipartisan Policy Center, called the framework a “critical step” in shoring up ambiguities in the Electoral Count Act.
After Trump lost the 2020 election, the defeated president orchestrated an unprecedented attempt to challenge the electors sent from battleground states to the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, when the vice president presides over certification.
Under the proposed changes, the law would be updated to ensure the governor from each state is initially responsible for submitting electors, as a way to safeguard against states sending alternative or fake elector slates.
Additionally, the law would spell out that the vice president presides over the joint session in a “solely ministerial” capacity, according to a summary page. It says the vice president “does not have any power to solely determine, accept, reject, or otherwise adjudicate disputes over electors.”
That provision is a direct reaction to Trump’s relentless efforts to pressure then Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electors being sent from certain battleground states as a way to halt the certification or tip it away from Joe Biden’s victory.
The bill also specifies the procedures around presidential transitions, including when the election outcome is disputed, to ensure the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next.
That’s another pushback to the way Trump blocked Biden’s team from accessing some information for his transition to the White House.
The second proposal, revolving around election security, would double the federal penalties to up to two years in prison for individuals who “threaten or intimidate election officials, poll watchers, voters or candidates,” according to the summary.
It also would seek to improve the way the U.S. Postal Service handles election mail and “provide guidance to states to improve their mail-in ballot processes.” Mail-in ballots and the role of the Postal Service came under great scrutiny during the 2020 election.
An Associated Press review of potential cases of voter fraud in six battleground states found no evidence of widespread fraud that could change the outcome of the election. A separate AP review of drop boxes used for mailed ballots also found no significant problems.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/20/senators-propose-changes-electors-law-after-capitol-riot/ | 2022-07-20T20:05:05Z |
Yellowstone National Park to partly reopen after floods
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park will partially reopen at 8 a.m. Wednesday, after catastrophic flooding last week destroyed bridges and roads and drove out tourists.
The National Park Service announced Saturday that visitors will once again be allowed on the park’s southern loop, under a license plate system designed to manage the crowds: Those with even-numbered plates will be allowed on even-numbered days, and those with odd-numbered plates on odd-numbered days.
Commercial tours will be allowed whatever their plate number.
Visitors had been flocking to Yellowstone during its 150th anniversary celebration.
The southern half of the park includes Old Faithful, the rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its majestic waterfall.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/19/yellowstone-national-park-partly-reopen-after-floods/ | 2022-06-19T01:57:49Z |
2nd trial set for Aug. 9 for 2 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot
DETROIT (AP) — A judge has set Aug. 9 for a second trial for two men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
A jury in April acquitted two other men but were deadlocked on Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr.
They were described as leaders of a scheme to kidnap Whitmer at her vacation home in 2020, trigger a civil war and prevent Joe Biden from winning the presidency.
Prosecutors said the group was steeped in anti-government extremism and furious over Whitmer’s pandemic restrictions.
There was evidence of a crudely built “shoot house” to practice going in and out of her vacation home, and a night ride to check the property.
Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were acquitted.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/30/2nd-trial-set-aug-9-2-men-charged-whitmer-kidnapping-plot/ | 2022-06-30T22:04:46Z |
Fedrigoni marks the fourth private equity transaction where Canson is financial advisor and co-investor
MILAN and LONDON, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Canson Capital Partners ("Canson") is pleased to announce that it has acted as lead financial advisor to BC Partners, a leading international investment firm, on its entering into a joint ownership agreement with Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm, for Fedrigoni, a leading global producer of premium self-adhesive labels and fibre-based luxury packaging.
As a key partner to the private equity consortium, Canson will have the ability to co-invest in the transaction through its merchant banking arm, acquiring a minority stake in Fedrigoni alongside BC Partners and Bain Capital. This is in line with Canson's merchant banking model, connecting alternative sources of capital with unique investment opportunities.
Canson's merchant banking arm has previously co-invested in a number of significant private equity transactions, including the acquisition of minority stakes in Refinitiv, the Financial and Risk division of Thomson Reuters; Kantar, WPP's data, research and analytics business; and Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane S.p.A. (INWIT), Italy's largest operator of mobile phone towers. Canson invested alongside Blackstone, Bain Capital and Ardian, respectively in these three carve-outs.
The Fedrigoni transaction is the fourth corporate partnership where Canson has both advised and co-invested since its inception in 2017. Canson manages approximately €500 million in aggregate AUM across three merchant banking funds.
Matteo Canonaco, Co-Founder of Canson, said: "We are very excited to partner with two leading private equity firms in BC Partners and Bain Capital to make this investment alongside Fedrigoni's management team, whom we have admired for many years. This transaction is another significant milestone in the growth of Canson and again showcases our unique role as a merchant banking partner in the private-equity ecosystem."
Luca Colopi, Partner at Canson, said: "We have remained close partners to the Fedrigoni team since the company's acquisition by Bain Capital in 2017, and have witnessed first-hand the impressive transformation over which they have presided. We believe Fedrigoni is a long-term winner in its sector thanks to its leading market position, distinct and premium offering, and commitment to sustainability; we look forward to partnering with the business through the next phase of its global growth."
Canson Capital Partners
Canson Capital Partners is a leading Alternative Capital-focused Advisory and Merchant Banking firm. Providing senior advice and principal-to-principal engagement, the team seeks to connect sources of Alternative Capital with specific opportunities, enabling clients to achieve their long-term strategic objectives. Since 2017, Canson Capital Partners has advised on private equity-related transactions with an aggregate enterprise value of over $70 billion. Canson Capital Partners is the trading name of Canson Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Media contacts:
Greenbrook
Matthew Goodman
Daniel Oliver
Tatiana Stratton
canson@greenbrookadvisory.com
+44 207 952 2000
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SOURCE Canson Capital Partners | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/canson-capital-partners-co-invest-fedrigoni-acts-lead-financial-advisor-bc-partners-joint-ownership-agreement-with-bain-capital/ | 2022-07-26T14:52:56Z |
Disney+ won’t take ads for alcohol or politics
Published: May. 17, 2022 at 3:43 PM CDT|Updated: 9 minutes ago
(CNN) – Disney+ is pulling the plug on some commercials.
The popular streaming service featuring “Star Wars” and Marvel movies, shows, series, and many children-based programming is getting ready to announce a new ad-backed tier.
However, according to two media buyers familiar with recent talks on the matter, alcohol and political advertising will not be accepted.
The House of Mouse will also not take deals from competitors or entertainment studios.
Two media buyers also say Disney will be cautious about running commercials during shows aimed at pre-school viewers.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/17/disney-wont-take-ads-alcohol-or-politics/ | 2022-05-17T20:54:29Z |
MIRROREYE OEM TAKE RATES REMAIN STRONGER THAN ORIGINAL EXPECTATIONS WITH INCREASED OUTLOOK FOR 2023
SECOND-QUARTER PERFORMANCE IMPACTED BY FX HEADWINDS
2022 Second-Quarter Results
- Sales of $220.9 million
- Adjusted sales of $205.7 million
- Gross profit of $38.6 million (18.7% of adjusted sales)
- Operating loss of ($5.9) million
- Adjusted operating loss of ($6.5) million ((3.2%) of adjusted sales)
- Adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 million (1.1% of adjusted sales)
- Loss per share ("EPS") of ($0.27)
- Adjusted EPS of ($0.29)
2022 Full-year Guidance Update
- Reducing full-year 2022 midpoint revenue guidance by $15 million to $865 million ($855 million - $875 million) to reflect slower-than-expected improvement in customer production volumes despite strong end-market demand
- Reducing midpoint adjusted EPS guidance ($0.17) to a midpoint of ($0.20) (($0.25) – ($0.15))
NOVI, Mich., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, with sales of $220.9 million and loss per share of ($0.27). Adjusted sales were $205.7 million and adjusted EPS was ($0.29) for the second quarter. Sales were adjusted to normalize the impact of $15.3 million of electronic component spot buys recovered from customers within the quarter. The exhibits attached hereto provide reconciliation detail on this and all other normalizing adjustments.
For the second quarter of 2022, Stoneridge reported gross profit of $38.6 million (18.7% of adjusted sales). Operating loss was ($5.9) million and adjusted operating loss was ($6.5) million ((3.2%) of adjusted sales). Adjusted EBITDA was $2.3 million (1.1% of adjusted sales). Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency rates, adjusted gross, operating and EBITDA margins would have been approximately 19.7%, (2.3%) and 0.9%, respectively.
Jon DeGaynor, president and chief executive officer, commented, "In the second quarter, our team continued to adapt to volatile production schedules, limited material availability and continued rising material costs. Although material costs continue to create a headwind, we have significantly reduced the net impact of rising material costs on our financial performance as we have offset approximately 90% of these incremental costs incurred year-to-date through price increases and cost recovery actions. Our performance was negatively impacted by foreign currency exchange rate movements during the quarter resulting in an adjusted EPS headwind of $0.06. We continue to focus on controlling the variables within our control and adapting our cost structure to align with current market conditions. While production and material availability remain volatile, we are seeing improvements in customer production forecasts as a result of improved material availability. We expect that the actions we have taken, and will continue to take, will result in strong run-rate financial performance as our end-markets and supply chains continue to recover."
DeGaynor continued, "Although macroeconomic conditions continue to be challenging, we remain focused on the initiatives that will drive long-term, profitable growth. Market demand continues to be strong for the first OEM MirrorEye® program in Europe with take rates averaging approximately 35%. That said, material availability is constraining take rates in 2022. Based on discussions with our first OEM partner, we expect the take rate will continue to expand as supply chain issues subside and are forecasting the take rate to be greater than 50% heading into next year. This has the potential to drive significant revenue upside and strong contribution margins going-forward."
Second Quarter in Review
Control Devices sales totaled $85.0 million, an increase of 0.7% relative to adjusted sales excluding the impact of the divested business in the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to customer price increases offset by COVID-19 related shutdowns impacting production in China in the second quarter of 2022. Second quarter adjusted operating margin was 4.8%, a decrease of 220 basis points relative to the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to the increase in material costs as a result of supply chain constraints and inflation, offset by negotiated price increases.
Control Devices sales were consistent with our first quarter sales, primarily due to incremental revenue on actuation program ramp-ups offset by continued volatility in customer production volumes and COVID-19 related shutdowns impacting production volumes in China. Second quarter adjusted operating margin decreased 310 basis points relative to the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to a one-time favorable SG&A benefit related to a legal settlement recognized in the first quarter of 2022 and higher material costs from supply chain constraints and inflation.
Electronics adjusted sales totaled $115.1 million, an increase of 18.3% relative to sales in the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to increased end-market demand, customer price increases and the ramp-up of new program launches partially offset by an unfavorable foreign currency impact of $11.8 million. Second quarter adjusted operating margin was (2.2%), a decrease of 40 basis points relative to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to fixed cost leverage on incremental sales offset by an increase in material costs as a result of supply chain constraints.
Relative to the first quarter of 2022, Electronics adjusted sales increased 6.4%, primarily due to increased end-market demand, expansion of recently launched programs and pricing actions offset by an unfavorable foreign currency impact of $1.8 million. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency, sales increased by 8.0%. Adjusted operating margin increased 30 basis points relative to the first quarter of 2022, primarily due to reduced net engineering spend as well as reduced SG&A costs offset by an unfavorable foreign currency impact of approximately $2.1 million. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency, operating margin improved by 210 basis points versus the first quarter of 2022.
Stoneridge Brazil sales were $13.3 million, a decrease of 10.4% relative to sales in the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to lower sales in most product lines partially offset by favorable foreign currency impact of $1.0 million. First quarter adjusted operating margin decreased 440 basis points relative to the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to unfavorable fixed cost leverage on lower sales.
Relative to the first quarter of 2022, Stoneridge Brazil sales increased by $1.3 million primarily due to favorable foreign currency impact of $0.7 million. Stoneridge Brazil adjusted operating margin decreased by 140 basis points relative to the first quarter of 2022 primarily due to higher SG&A and D&D spend.
Cash and Debt Balances
As of June 30, 2022, Stoneridge had cash and cash equivalents balances totaling $40.7 million. Total debt as of June 30, 2022 was $162.0 million. The 2022 amendment to the Company's $300 million credit facility provides for a covenant relief period through the end of Q1 2023 at which point covenants revert back to pre-amendment levels. This amendment to the credit facility waives the maximum leverage ratio covenant for the first three quarters of 2022 and modifies the fourth quarter of 2022 covenant to include a maximum 4.75x leverage ratio. This amendment also modified the minimum interest coverage covenant for each quarter of 2022. The Company expects to remain in compliance with the amended existing covenants through the covenant relief period.
2022 Outlook
Matt Horvath, chief financial officer, commented, "The pricing and supply chain actions taken in the first half of the year continue to provide relief on incremental material costs. Driven primarily by limited material availability, customer production forecasts have not recovered as quickly as we expected despite continued strong end-market demand. As a result, we are reducing the midpoint of our 2022 adjusted revenue guidance by $15 million to $865 million to reflect updated second half expectations. This results in a reduction to adjusted EPS of approximately $0.11 based on our expected contribution margin of 25% to 30%."
Horvath continued, "We are reducing our margin guidance to reflect reduced fixed cost leverage on lower expected revenue, offset in part by a continued focus on reducing operating expenses and aligning our cost structure with current market conditions. Additionally, we expect incremental interest and tax expense to reduce adjusted EPS by approximately $0.05 for the remainder of the year. As a result, including consideration for second quarter performance, we are reducing our full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a mid-point of ($0.20)."
The Company announced updated full-year sales guidance of $855.0 million to $875.0 million, adjusted gross margin guidance of 21.25% to 21.75% and adjusted operating margin guidance of 0.75% to 1.25%. Full-year tax expense guidance was updated to $5.5 million to $6.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance was updated to 4.75% to 5.25%. Adjusted EPS guidance was updated to ($0.25) – ($0.15).
Conference Call on the Web
A live Internet broadcast of Stoneridge's conference call regarding 2022 second-quarter results can be accessed at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at www.stoneridge.com, which will also offer a webcast replay.
About Stoneridge, Inc.
Stoneridge, Inc., headquartered in Novi, Michigan, is a global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems for the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets. Additional information about Stoneridge can be found at www.stoneridge.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release contain "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear in a number of places in this report and may include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, with respect to, among other things, our (i) future product and facility expansion, (ii) acquisition strategy, (iii) investments and new product development, (iv) growth opportunities related to awarded business, and (v) operational expectations. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "will," "may," "should," "designed to," "believes," "plans," "projects," "intends," "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "continue," and similar words and expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors:
- the ability of our suppliers to supply us with parts and components at competitive prices on a timely basis, including the impact of potential tariffs and trade considerations on their operations and output;
- fluctuations in the cost and availability of key materials (including semiconductors, printed circuit boards, resin, aluminum, steel and copper) and components and our ability to offset cost increases through negotiated price increases with our customers or other cost reduction actions;
- global economic trends, competition and geopolitical risks, including impacts from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related sanctions and other measures, or an escalation of sanctions, tariffs or other trade tensions between the U.S. and China or other countries;
- our ability to achieve cost reductions that offset or exceed customer-mandated selling price reductions;
- the impact of COVID-19, or other future pandemics, on the global economy, and on our customers, suppliers, employees, business and cash flows;
- the reduced purchases, loss or bankruptcy of a major customer or supplier;
- the costs and timing of business realignment, facility closures or similar actions;
- a significant change in automotive, commercial, off-highway or agricultural vehicle production;
- competitive market conditions and resulting effects on sales and pricing;
- our ability to manage foreign currency fluctuations
- customer acceptance of new products;
- our ability to successfully launch/produce products for awarded business;
- adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions, including tariffs, affecting our products or our customers' products;
- our ability to protect our intellectual property and successfully defend against assertions made against us;
- liabilities arising from warranty claims, product recall or field actions, product liability and legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party, or the impact of product recall or field actions on our customers;
- labor disruptions at our facilities or at any of our significant customers or suppliers;
- business disruptions due to natural disasters or other disasters outside of our control;
- the amount of our indebtedness and the restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our revolving Credit Facility;
- capital availability or costs, including changes in interest rates or market perceptions;
- the failure to achieve the successful integration of any acquired company or business;
- risks related to a failure of our information technology systems and networks, and risks associated with current and emerging technology threats and damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber-attack and other similar disruptions; and
- the items described in Part I, Item IA ("Risk Factors") of our 2021 10-K filed with the SEC.
The forward-looking statements contained herein represent our estimates only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release contains information about the Company's financial results that is not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Such non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled to their closest GAAP financial measures at the end of this press release. The provision of these non-GAAP financial measures for 2022 and 2021 is not intended to indicate that Stoneridge is explicitly or implicitly providing projections on those non-GAAP financial measures, and actual results for such measures are likely to vary from those presented. The reconciliations include all information reasonably available to the Company at the date of this press release and the adjustments that management can reasonably predict.
Management believes the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's financial position and results of operations. In particular, management believes that adjusted sales, adjusted gross income and margin, adjusted operating income (loss) and margin, adjusted net loss, adjusted loss per share, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted loss before tax, adjusted income tax expense and adjusted tax rate are useful measures in assessing the Company's financial performance by excluding certain items that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance or that may obscure trends useful in evaluating the Company's continuing operating activities. Management also believes that these measures are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's results of operations and provide improved comparability between fiscal periods.
Adjusted sales, adjusted gross income and margin, adjusted operating income (loss) and margin, adjusted net income loss, adjusted loss per share, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted loss before tax and adjusted tax rate should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for sales, gross profit, operating income (loss), net loss, loss per share, income before tax, income tax expense, tax rate, cash provided by operating activities or other income statement or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.
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SOURCE Stoneridge, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/stoneridge-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-03T21:21:57Z |
BETHESDA, Md., May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will webcast live a presentation by Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet and CFO Jay Malave at the Bernstein 38th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. EDT.
Access to the webcast will be available at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/investor. An audio replay will be available for two weeks following the presentation.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/lockheed-martin-chairman-president-ceo-cfo-speak-bernstein-38th-annual-strategic-decisions-conference/ | 2022-05-26T13:29:51Z |
MCLEAN, Va., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- V2X, Inc., (NYSE: VVX), a leading provider of critical mission solutions and support to defense clients globally, will report its financial results for the Second quarter ended July 1, 2022, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, after market close. Senior management will conduct a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET that same day.
U.S.-based participants may dial in to the conference call at 877-242-2259, while international participants may dial 416-981-9017. A live webcast of the conference call as well as an accompanying slide presentation will be available on the V2X Investor Relations website at http://investors.vectrus.com.
A replay of the conference call will be posted on the V2X website shortly after completion of the call and will be available for one year. A telephonic replay will also be available through August 23, 2022, at 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 412-317-6671 (international) with passcode 22020062.
ABOUT V2X
V2X is a leading provider of critical mission solutions and support to defense clients globally, formed by the 2022 merger of Vectrus and Vertex to build on more than 120 combined years of successful mission support. The Company delivers a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions across the operations and logistics, aerospace, training and technology markets to national security, defense, civilian and international clients. Our global team of approximately 14,000 employees brings innovation to every point in the mission lifecycle, from preparation, to operations, to sustainment, as they tackle the most complex challenges with agility, grit and dedication.
Contact Information
Mike Smith, CFA
michael.smith@vectrus.com
(719) 637-5773
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SOURCE V2X, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/v2x-announce-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-07-28T20:41:44Z |
SHREVEPORT, La., Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolfgramm Capital acquires the 78-room extended-stay Residence Inn by Marriott, according to Wolfgramm Capital's Co-Founder and CEO, Phil Wolfgramm. Conveniently located near Shreveport regional airport, the exclusive hotel offers comfortable suites for long and short-term trips and is minutes away from bustling downtown entertainment.
"We are excited to acquire a Residence Inn branded hotel and look forward to elevating this hotel through our firm's hotel management arm: Wolfgramm Properties. The Residence Inn brand's stellar reputation sets the standard in hospitality, and we will work to exceed expectations for our guests," says Co-Founder and COO Koloa Wolfgramm.
The hotel boasts amenities including an outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, a fitness center, outdoor sports court, on-site guest laundry facilities and sundries mart. All guest rooms provide quality comfort, while their newly renovated suites provide all the proper live-away necessities including full kitchens with stovetops, dishwashers, and a separate living area with pull-out sofa beds.
Formed in 2021 by Phil Wolfgramm, Koloa Wolfgramm, and Russell Handy, the new private equity real estate firm has amassed an impressive 150-million-dollar asset portfolio in its first eight months. With decades of combined experience in operating hotels, asset managing luxury resorts, consulting in the real estate legal field, and managing funds in the private equity sector, the principals of Wolfgramm Capital are uniquely positioned to capitalize on their experience elevate the Residence Inn by Marriott Shreveport Airport hotel.
For more information on Wolfgramm Capital, please visit www.wolfgramm.com or email pr@wolfgramm.com.
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SOURCE Wolfgramm Capital | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/wolfgramm-capital-acquires-shreveport-residence-inn-by-marriott/ | 2022-08-30T10:20:22Z |
Colorado pair arrested after fentanyl pills seized in Manhattan
MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - A pair from Colorado was arrested after around 60 fentanyl pills were seized in Manhattan on National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
The Riley County Police Department says on Tuesday, May 10, National Fentanyl Awareness Day, officers with the Special Investigations Unit seized about 60 fentanyl-pressed pills in Manhattan.
RCPD confirmed to 13 NEWS that Christi Lee Otero, 53, and Luis Eliceo Otero, 38, both of Loveland, Co., were arrested for the pills.
The RCPD booking records indicate both were arrested for:
- Distribution of marijuana - between 450 grams and less than 30 kilograms
- Distribution of a stimulant - between 100 grams and less than 1 kilogram
- Distribution of opiates/opium/narcotics/stimulants/heroin - between 10 and less than 100 units
- Distribution or possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use
- Use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia into a human body
- Possession of opiates/opium/narcotic/or certain stimulants
- Possession of marijuana
The booking record also notes the pair was arrested at the area of Fort Riley Blvd. and S. Delaware Ave.
RCPD said officers remain committed to the safety of residents and the removal of lethal drugs from the streets.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/12/colorado-pair-arrested-after-fentanyl-pills-seized-manhattan/ | 2022-05-12T16:00:40Z |
BOSTON, Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pugsley Wood LLP announces a $4.2 million settlement of a False Claims Act lawsuit against Philip North America LLC d/b/a Philips Healthcare, a subsidiary of Koninklijke Philips N.V. Relators had alleged that Philips Healthcare made false claims to the U.S. government related to the airworthiness of the IntelliVue MP2 Mobile Patient Monitor ("MP2"), a portable medical monitoring device used in military and other government aircraft.
According to a statement by Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachel Rollins's office, "Philips admits that, after receiving initial airworthiness and safe-to-fly certifications for the MP2 from the U.S. Army in 2008 and the U.S. Air Force in 2011, Philips made modifications to the MP2 but did not adequately notify the relevant military testing facilities to determine whether the device modifications required retesting for certification."
"It is never easy to blow the whistle on wrongdoing, as it can have such an immediate and devastatingly negative impact on a whistleblower's life and career," stated Pugsley Wood partner Bryan A. Wood. "Our clients, owners of a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business, willingly took that risk because the safety of their clients – U.S. military and government personnel – outweighed concerns for their own personal finances. Their bravery is to be commended."
Safe-To-Fly and Airworthiness certification ensures that a product and its component parts: (1) will work in the air; (2) will not hinder the operation or navigation of the aircraft; and (3) will not allow for hostile detection of the aircraft or the product. Press reports quoted a Philips spokesman acknowledging that the company "did not adequately notify the relevant military certifying facilities to determine whether the device modifications would or would not require retesting to maintain military airworthiness and safe-to-fly certifications."
"Given the high-risk, possibly life-threatening, situations in which the Government uses aeromedical equipment, certification for product airworthiness is paramount," added Pugsley Wood attorney Lindsey Silver. "We applaud the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office for dedicating resources to this important matter and the U.S. Department of Justice for ultimately holding Philips Healthcare to account."
The United States Department of Justice made the settlement public on September 1, 2022. Pugsley Wood LLP represented the whistleblowers along with co-counsel George Price at Casner & Edwards, LLP.
Pugsley Wood LLP is among the premier whistleblower law firms in the United States. Wood and Pugsley began collaborating on whistleblower cases in early 2015. In 2021 they decided to leave their respective law firms of 20+ years to better serve their clients by combining their knowledge and resources in a highly specialized law firm dedicated solely to representing whistleblowers. To date, they have obtained more than $75 million whistleblower awards for their clients under SEC, CFTC, DOJ, FIRREA/FIAFEA, and other whistleblower programs.
Visit PugsleyWood.com for additional information.
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SOURCE Pugsley Wood LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/pugsley-wood-llp-announces-42-million-false-claims-act-settlement-with-philips-healthcare/ | 2022-09-08T13:49:50Z |
SURREY, BC , April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - INEO Tech Corp. (TSXV: INEO) (OTCQB: INEOF) (the "Company" or "INEO"), the innovative developer of the INEO Media Network, a digital advertising and analytics solution for retailers, is pleased to announce the Company's representatives will be participating at the following upcoming conferences:
Date: April 22-23, 2022
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Link: https://cem.ca/conference/scottsdale-capital-event-2022/
Greg Watkin, Founder and Chairman, and Kyle Hall, CEO of INEO, will discuss an overview of INEO's progress, including the development of the INEO Welcoming Network and the Company's global partnership with Prosegur. The conference introduces growth-stage companies to active top-level capital finance individuals through a day of scheduled 1-on-1 meetings and networking activities.
Date: April 25-27, 2022
Location: Orlando, Florida
Link: https://www.rila.org/conferences/retail-asset-protection-conference
Booth: Florida Exhibition Halls A-F – Booth 1807 (Prosegur Security)
Kyle Hall, CEO of INEO, will be attending the conference and INEO will be showcased in the Prosegur Security booth where a demo of the Welcoming System will be on display. INEO is quickly becoming recognized as a leading innovator in the retail technology sector. Hosted by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the Retail Asset Protection Conference features retailer-led breakouts and round tables, inspiring Keynotes and general sessions.
INEO Tech Corp.
Per: "Kyle Hall"
Kyle Hall, Chief Executive Officer and Director
INEO Tech Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, INEO Solutions Inc., operates the INEO Media Network, a digital advertising and analytics solution for retailers. INEO's patented technology integrates and monetizes digital screens with theft detection sensor gates at the entrance of retail stores. The Company's cloud-based platform uses IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology to deliver customized digital advertising to each retail location based on the demographic mix, such as age and gender, of customer traffic at each location. The Company offers its technology through a SaaS-based solution to retailers. INEO is headquartered in Surrey, Canada and publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the symbol "INEO" and on the OTCQB-Venture Market under the symbol "INEOF".
For more information please visit: www.ineosolutionsinc.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE INEO Tech Corp. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/ineo-participate-upcoming-investor-retail-industry-conferences/ | 2022-04-12T11:37:44Z |
Death toll in Afghan mosque, school bombing rises to 33, Taliban say
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A Taliban official says a bombing at a mosque and religious school in northern Afghanistan on Friday killed at least 33 people, including students of a religious school.
Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted news of the devastating bombing in the town of Imam Saheb, in Kunduz Province, saying it also wounded another 43 people, many of them students.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, but Afghanistan’s Islamic State affiliate on Thursday claimed a series of bombings, the worst of which was an attack on a Shiite mosque in northern Mazar-e-Sharif that killed at least 10 Shiite Muslim worshippers and wounded scores more.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — An Islamic State affiliate on Friday claimed a series of bombings a day earlier that targeted Afghanistan’s minority Shiite Muslims, while Pakistan issued a warning of IS threats in its eastern Punjab province.
It comes as another bomb exploded late Friday at a religious school in northern Kunduz province in the border town of Imam Saheb, killing two students. Another six students were wounded, said Obaidullah, a provincial police spokesman who like many Afghans uses just one name. No one has yet claimed Friday’s bombing.
The deadliest of the three bombings on Thursday exploded inside a Shite mosque in northern Mazar-e-Sharif. Hospital officials say at least 12 people were killed and as many as 40 were hurt.
Earlier Thursday, a roadside bomb exploded near a boys school in the Afghan capital of Kabul, injuring two children in the city’s predominately Shiite neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi. A third bomb in northern Kunduz injured 11 mechanics working for the country’s Taliban rulers.
Since sweeping to power last August, the Taliban have been battling the upstart Islamic State affiliate known as Islamic State in Khorasan Province or IS-K which is proving to be an intractable security challenge for Afghanistan’s religiously driven government. Last November the Taliban’s intelligence unit carried out sweeping attacks on suspected IS-K hideouts in eastern Nangarhar province.
In a statement Friday, the IS-K said the explosive devise that devastated Mazar-e-Sharif’s Sai Doken mosque was hidden in a bag left inside among scores of worshippers. As they knelt in prayer, it exploded.
“When the mosque was filled with prayers, the explosives were detonated remotely,” the IS statement said, claiming that 100 people were injured.
The Taliban say they have arrested a former IS-K leader in northern Balkh province, of which Mazar-e-Sharif is the capital. Zabihullah Noorani, information and culture department chief in Balkh province, said Abdul Hamid Sangaryar was arrested in connection with Thursday’s mosque attack.
The IS-K had been relatively inactive in Afghanistan since last November, but in recent weeks have stepped up its attacks in Afghanistan and in neighboring Pakistan, taking aim at Shiite Muslim communities reviled by Sunni radicals.
Earlier this month two bombs exploded in Kabul’s Shiite neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi, killing at least seven students and wounding several others.
The IS-K established its headquarters in eastern Afghanistan in 2014 and have been blamed for some of the worst attacks in Afghanistan, including a vicious assault on a maternity hospital and at a school that killed more than 80 girls in 2021, months before the Taliban took power.
The IS-K also took responsibility for a brutal bombing outside the Kabul International Airport in August 2021 that killed more than 160 Afghans who had been pushing to enter the airport to flee the country. Thirteen U.S. military personnel also were killed as they oversaw America’s final withdrawal and the end of its 20-year war in Afghanistan.
In recent months, the IS-K has also stepped up attacks in neighboring Pakistan, targeting a Shiite mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar in March. More than 65 worshippers were killed. The upstart affiliate has also claimed several deadly attacks against Pakistan’s military .
In Pakistan’s central Punjab city of Faisalabad, the local police on Thursday issued a threat warning, saying “it has been learned that IS-Khas planned to carry out terrorist activities in Faisalabad,” advising people to “exercise extreme vigilance.” The police warning did not elaborate.
Meanwhile late on Thursday a Pakistani soldier was killed in southwestern Baluchistan province after militants raided a security outpost. No one claimed responsibility. The area has been targeted by both IS-K as well as the violent Pakistani Taliban militants known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also headquartered in neighboring Afghanistan.
The safe havens of militant groups in Afghanistan has raised concerns for Pakistan which earlier this month carried out air strikes inside Pakistan, killing at least 20 children, according to the United Nations education fund (UNICEF).
Pakistan has not confirmed the strikes but has warned Afghanistan’s Taliban to stop its territory being used to attack across the border into Pakistan.
In separate incidents, five children were killed Friday in northern Afghanistan’s Faryab Province while playing with unexploded ordnance. In one incident, three brothers died when they found an unexploded device and tried to dismantle it. In a second incident in another village, two children, ages 7 and 8, were killed playing with a device, said Shamsullah Mohammadi, Faryab provincial information and culture head.
After more than four decades of war, that included two invasions — one by the former Soviet Union and one by the U.S.-led coalition — Afghanistan is one of the heaviest mined countries in the world and is littered with unexploded ordnance.
_____
Gannon reported from Islamabad. Associated Press Writer Tameem Akhgar in Islamabad, Asim Tanvir in Multan, Pakistan and Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/22/death-toll-afghan-mosque-school-bombing-rises-33-taliban-say/ | 2022-04-22T16:09:55Z |
NEW YORK, May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE: VRT) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of persons and entities that: (a) purchased or otherwise acquired Vertiv securities between February 24, 2021, and February 23, 2022, inclusive; and/or (b) purchased Vertiv shares in or traceable to the Company's secondary public offering of Class A common stock conducted on or around November 4, 2021.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 23, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in VRT:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/vertiv-holdings-co-loss-submission-form?id=27266&from=4
Vertiv Holdings Co NEWS - VRT NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Vertiv Holdings Co made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company could not adequately respond to supply chain issues and inflation by increasing its prices; (2) as a result of the increasing costs, Vertiv's earnings would be adversely impacted; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Vertiv you have until May 23, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Vertiv securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the VRT lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/vertiv-holdings-co-loss-submission-form?id=27266&from=4.
ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/vrt-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-may-23-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-vertiv-holdings-co-shareholders/ | 2022-05-17T10:17:40Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with Coupang's March 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO") of the important October 25, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Coupang securities pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Coupang class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8383 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 25, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the IPO Registration Statement featured false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Coupang was engaged in improper anti-competitive practices with its suppliers and other third parties in violation of applicable regulations, including: (a) pressuring suppliers to raise prices of products on competing e-commerce platforms to ensure Coupang's prices would be more competitive; (b) coercing suppliers into purchasing advertisements that would benefit Coupang financially; (c) forcing suppliers to shoulder all expenses from sales promotions; and (d) requesting wholesale rebates from suppliers without specifying any terms relating to rebate programs, all of which served to artificially maintain Coupang's lower prices and artificially inflate Coupang's historical revenues and market share; (2) Coupang had improperly adjusted search algorithms and manipulated product reviews on its marketplace platform to prioritize its own private-label branded products over those of other sellers and merchants, to the detriment of consumers, merchants, and suppliers; (3) unbeknownst to its Rocket WOW members (a customer loyalty program for the Company's most engaged and frequent customers), Coupang was selling products to non-member customers at lower prices than those offered to its Rocket WOW members; (4) Coupang subjected its workforce to extreme, unsafe, and unhealthy working conditions; (5) all of the above illicit practices exposed Coupang to a heightened, but undisclosed, risk of reputational and regulatory scrutiny that would harm Coupang's critical relationships with consumers, merchants, suppliers, and the workforce; and (6) Coupang's lower prices, historical revenues, competitive advantages, and growing market share were the result of systemic, improper, unethical, and/or illegal practices, and, thus, unsustainable. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Coupang class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8383 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
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Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/17/rosen-trusted-leading-law-firm-encourages-coupang-inc-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-cpng/ | 2022-09-17T23:38:06Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirstie, the leading e-commerce provider for beverage alcohol brands, today announced its partnership with Benriach Single Malt Scotch Whisky through the launch of the brand's store for U.S. consumers to purchase whisky online. Benriach is the first brand within Brown-Forman's prestigious spirits portfolio to have a branded online shopping experience in the U.S.
Benriach's online shop, powered by Thirstie, will provide consumers with a seamless digital experience through Thirstie's retail integration and partnerships.
Since the launch of Thirstie's proprietary platform in 2016, the company has demonstrated a strong commitment to compliance, enabling a three-tier compliant branded e-commerce solution for beverage alcohol suppliers. The technology, built by Thirstie, has a sophisticated retail algorithm that dynamically determines product availability based on pricing set by retail partners and tax calculations based on the market. Thirstie's front-end technology delivers a unique branded experience for adult consumers.
"e-Commerce within the spirits industry is rapidly growing, as adult consumers continue to shop online," stated Laura Petry, VP Group Brand Director - Emerging Brands. "At Brown-Forman, we are the champion of consumers, shoppers, customers, and trade. They are at the heart of everything we do. When looking for a partner to deliver a branded e-commerce experience, it was critical to find a solution that delivers a compliant experience and adheres to the regulations within beverage alcohol. We are excited to partner with Thirstie to launch our Benriach branded storefront within the US."
Benriach, based in Speyside, Scotland, is part of Brown-Forman's Single Malt Scotch Whisky family crafted under the guidance of Master Blender Rachel Barrie. Its unique whisky-making heritage and extensive flavor profile attract consumers globally, especially in the U.S. market. Benriach's digital storefront will enable U.S. customers to purchase the brand's extraordinary range of whiskies delivered or shipped directly to their homes.
"We are excited for Thirstie's partnership with Benriach coming to life with the launch of the online storefront," stated Thirstie's CEO & Co-Founder, Devaraj Southworth. "We certainly share a like-minded approach in paving the way for digital transformation in the spirits industry, while respecting the foundational principles our sector was established on."
Adult consumers in CA, CT, DC, FL, IL, MN, NJ, NY, WA markets can now purchase Benriach at shop.benriachdistillery.com.
Thirstie is the leading e-commerce solution for beverage alcohol brands. Established in 2014 by Co-Founders, Devaraj Southworth and Maxim Razmakhin, Thirstie's patented technology increases online consumer interactions for the world's most iconic alcohol companies. Thirstie delivers a compliant end-to-end full customer experience with its e-commerce, retailer, data, and gift card solutions. Thirstie's national network of licensed retailers seamlessly fulfills online orders funneled through a branded webstore that are routed to them through the company's proprietary algorithm. Thirstie's suite of best-in-class data capabilities helps brands better understand and target their customers. In 2021, the company launched the industry-first alcohol branded gift card solution, enabling brands to further drive online retail revenue. For more information about Thirstie, please visit www.thirstie.com.
A Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky as intriguing and extraordinary as Benriach could not have come to be without a unique whisky-making heritage, dating from 1898, when founder John Duff built his distillery. Ruggedly beautiful, Benriach stands on the site of the old Riach farm in north Speyside, drawing water from a mineral-rich aquifer, deep beneath the distillery.
Thanks to a long-standing tradition of distilling three styles of whisky; classic unpeated, Highland peated and triple distilled, together with an eclectic selection of casks from around the world, our whisky makers are able to explore the full flavour possibilities of Single Malt, creating some of the richest, most multi-layered whiskies in Speyside.
This tradition continues today under the guidance of Master Blender, Rachel Barrie. Benriach is the story of a hidden Speyside gem, quietly revealing its treasures to be discovered and savored.
Please Drink Responsibly. Benriach is a registered trademark. ©2022 Benriach. All rights reserved. Scotch Whisky 43% Alc. by Vol. Imported by Brown-Forman Beverages, Louisville, KY.
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SOURCE THIRSTIE | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/thirstie-brown-forman-launch-benriach-single-malt-scotch-whisky-e-commerce-partnership-with-debut-digital-storefront/ | 2022-09-12T15:23:50Z |
California to unveil groundbreaking slavery reparations report
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California’s first-in-the-nation task force on reparations for African Americans will release a report Wednesday documenting in detail the harms perpetuated by the state and recommending steps to address those wrongs, including expanded voter registration, making it easier to hold violent police accountable and improving Black neighborhoods.
It also recommends the creation of a special office that would, in part, help African Americans descended from free or enslaved Black people in the country at the end of the 19th century document their eligibility for financial restitution.
The report, which runs 500 pages, will be the first government-commissioned study on harms against the African American community since the 1968 Kerner Commission report ordered by then-President Lyndon Johnson, task force Chair Kamilah Moore said.
“I hope that this report is used not only as an educational tool, but an organizing tool for people not only in California but across the U.S. to educate their communities,” she said, adding that the report also highlights “contributions of the African American community and how they made the United States what it is despite ongoing oppression and degradation.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation creating the task force in 2020, making California the only state to move ahead with a study and plan. Cities and universities are taking up the cause with the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, becoming the first U.S. city to make reparations available to Black residents last year.
The task force voted in March to limit reparations to descendants, overruling reparations advocates who want to expand compensation to all Black people in the U.S.
The report, to be released by the state Department of Justice, marks the halfway point for the two-year task force’s work. The draft report does not provide a comprehensive reparations plan, which is due to lawmakers next year.
The report is expected to lay out how California supported slavery before it was technically abolished and oppressed Black residents through discriminatory laws and practices in education, home ownership, employment and the courts.
African Americans make up nearly 6% of California’s population yet they are overrepresented in jails and prisons. They were nearly 9% of people living below the poverty level and made up 30% of people experiencing homelessness in 2019, according to state figures.
Despite it being a “free” state, an estimated 1,500 enslaved African Americans lived in California in 1852, according to the draft report. The Ku Klux Klan flourished in California with members holding positions in law enforcement and city government. African American families were forced to live in segregated neighborhoods that were more likely to be polluted.
Moore said that a state Office of African American or American Freedmen Affairs could help African American residents file claims and trace their lineage to prove eligibility for individual restitution.
The task force in its draft report also recommends compensating people who were forced out of their homes for construction projects such as parks and highways and general renewal, as happened to San Francisco’s historically Black and once-thriving Fillmore neighborhood.
“Other groups that have suffered exclusion, oppression and downright destruction of human existence have received reparations, and we should have no less,” said the Rev. Amos Brown, the committee’s vice chair and pastor of Third Baptist Church in the Fillmore District.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/01/california-unveil-groundbreaking-slavery-reparations-report/ | 2022-06-01T11:17:00Z |
TROY, Mich., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), a leading specialty talent solutions provider, will release its second-quarter earnings before the market opens on Thursday, August 11, 2022. In conjunction with its second-quarter earnings release, Kelly will publish a financial presentation on the Investor Relations page of its public website and will host a conference call at 9 a.m. ET.
The call may be accessed in one of the following ways:
Via the Internet:
kellyservices.com
Via the Telephone
(877) 692-8955 (toll free) or (234) 720-6979 (caller paid)
Enter access code 5728672
After the prompt, please enter "#"
A recording of the conference call will be available after 2:30 p.m. ET on August 11, 2022, at (866) 207-1041 (toll-free) and (402) 970-0847 (caller-paid). The access code is 8237932#. The recording will also be available at kellyservices.com during this period.
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) connects talented people to companies in need of their skills in areas including Science, Engineering, Education, Office, Contact Center, Light Industrial, and more. We're always thinking about what's next in the evolving world of work, and we help people ditch the script on old ways of thinking and embrace the value of all workstyles in the workplace. We directly employ more than 350,000 people around the world, and we connect thousands more with work through our global network of talent suppliers and partners in our outsourcing and consulting practice. Revenue in 2021 was $4.9 billion. Visit kellyservices.com and let us help with what's next for you.
KLYA-FIN
Analyst & Media Contact:
James Polehna
(248) 244-4586
polehjm@kellyservices.com
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SOURCE Kelly Services, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/kelly-announces-second-quarter-conference-call/ | 2022-07-28T13:04:43Z |
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Covectra, a leader in track and trace solutions, today announced today announced that Gary Miloscia has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company also announced that Steve Wood, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer since its inception in 2008, will be transitioning to serve on the Board of Directors and as a Senior Advisor to the management team.
"I'd like to thank Steve for his fourteen years of distinguished service co-founding and building Covectra with me," said David Bear, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board. "He has been an integral part of the Company's growth and success. Under his leadership, Covectra pioneered unit dose serialization and developed an impressive array of serialization hardware and software systems used by leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, label converters and other brand owners. Steve's creativity helped develop a patent in authentication which is the foundation for StellaGuard, our new smart security label. His leadership and dedication have well positioned Covectra to be successful moving forward."
Bear further adds, "The future of Covectra has never been brighter. Gary has proven during his tenure with the company that he is exceptionally well suited to assume the role of CEO. Given his many strengths, we believe Gary is the ideal CEO to lead Covectra into its next chapter of growth and success."
"As a leading provider of serialization, track & trace, and authentication technologies, Covectra is poised to leverage its technology and strategic position to enhance value for its customers, " said Steve Wood. "I have served over 14 years as CEO and have been proud and fortunate to work with an outstanding and dedicated group of employees. I am deeply grateful for their hard work and commitment and am confident Gary Miloscia will be an excellent leader for Covectra."
Since 2015, Miloscia has served as Covectra's CFO and CMO, responsible for its strategic business, financial planning, marketing, and product development initiatives. Prior to Covectra, Miloscia held senior finance roles at Fidelity Investments, Health Dialog, and American Express. Miloscia received a B.S. Degree in Finance from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to assume my new role at Covectra," said Gary Miloscia. "We have a strong business model and very talented management team that uniquely positions us in providing exceptional serialization and innovative brand protection solutions to our customers. I look forward to leading the Company through its next chapter as we move forward to fully commercialize our new StellaGuard security label."
Covectra provides complete serialization, track & trace, and authentication technologies to secure, trace and manage products across the entire supply chain, extending to the unit dose level. Transforming supply chains with end unit traceability from the packaging line to the cloud, we enable customers to ensure brand protection, product safety and supply chain integrity in the pharmaceutical, food & beverage, luxury goods, and tobacco industries. With over 3 billion serial numbers issued worldwide, Covectra helps to combat counterfeiting & product diversion and to facilitate product recalls. To learn more, visit us at www.covectra.com, or follow us on Twitter at @COVECTRA1 and LinkedIn.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Laura MacSweeney, Red Javelin
339-221-0614
laura@redjavelin.com
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SOURCE Covectra | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/covectra-announces-appointment-gary-miloscia-president-chief-executive-officer/ | 2022-06-14T16:19:05Z |
NEW YORK, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 5WPR, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the U.S., announces today it has been named PR agency of record for Circle Line, the historical cruise line offering unique New York City sightseeing opportunities.
Since first opening in 1945, Circle Line has welcomed over 80 million passengers onboard, offering unparalleled views of the city and earning worldwide recognition. 5W will be handling strategic media and influencer relations, along with ideating partnership programming to drive new consumer experiences for both New Yorkers and tourists alike.
"Circle Line possesses a rich history, and over the past 75 years they have cemented themselves as a staple of the city," said 5WPR CEO, Dara A. Busch. "No one can truly say they've seen New York City unless they've viewed it from a Circle Line cruise, it's a must do activity for visitors and city natives. We are thrilled to welcome such an iconic experience to our roster of tourism clients."
"We are excited to join the 5WPR family, said Phil Whitney, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing Circle Line. "As an iconic New York institution, Circle Line fits perfectly within the 5WPR portfolio. We look forward to a long and successful partnership together."
5W Public Relations is a leader in travel and hospitality PR, with a unique talent for developing integrated communications campaigns that get results. The practice offers services including media relations, thought leadership, profiling, digital marketing, and social communications. Through key relationships with media, influencers, bloggers, and celebrities, the team executes 360-degree campaigns that result in meaningful coverage for their clients.
New York Cruise Lines
New York Cruise Lines is the parent company of the iconic Circle Line and other industry leading travel, hospitality and restaurant businesses. Since its start in 1945, the company has hosted over 80 million guests and is known as "America's Favorite Boat Ride." World-famous for sightseeing and special events including concerts and entertainment. New York Cruise Lines also owns and operates North River Lobster Company, an award-winning casual floating lobster shack. New York Cruise Lines also operates World Yacht, a luxury special events and private charter business, as well as The BEAST, a summertime thrill ride. New York Water Taxi provides transportation services for business and major events in New York City. Circle Line operates from Pier 83, located in Hudson River Park on 42nd Street and the Hudson River, convenient to Times Square, the High Line and Hudson Yards, as well as from Pier 16 South Street Seaport convenient to the World Trade Center, the Battery and Wall Street.
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.
Media Contact
Dara A. Busch
dbusch@5wpr.com / 212-999-5585
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SOURCE 5W Public Relations | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/5wpr-welcomes-historic-new-york-city-sightseeing-experience-circle-line-roster-tourism-clients/ | 2022-05-31T14:06:02Z |
Student on rowing team missing after Florida lightning strike
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Divers searched through the night for a student missing after a rowing team’s boat capsized in an Orlando lake following a nearby lightning strike, officials said.
Medics took one child to a hospital, and three others who were on the boat were sent home with their parents following the incident on Lake Fairview on Thursday evening, Orlando Fire Department Executive Deputy Chief Ian Davis said during a news conference.
“The rowing club was on the lake practicing,” Davis said. “There was lightning strike in the area. We’re unsure if it actually hit the vessel or was just in the area. The boat was capsized.”
Davis said divers and officials from multiple agencies were searching a wide area for the missing child. He did not give the age of the child or what school the team members attend.
Orlando television station WESH reported that the team was practicing at the North Orlando Rowing facility. Its online calendar said middle school and JV/Varsity teams were scheduled to practice between 3:50 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
“We are going to use every diver that we have to see if we can locate the missing child,” Davis said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/09/16/student-rowing-team-missing-after-florida-lightning-strike/ | 2022-09-16T13:45:33Z |
#Keyword 2 - Advanced tokenomics in the brand catchphrase, FUEL
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SKYPlay introduces its brand catchphrase, FUEL to please everyone while raising the value of token in these 3 directions, "sustainable," "fair," and "attractive".
FUEL, which pledges to maintain Fun, Utility, and Easy content while keeping the platform's Liquidity intact.
Polygon(MATIC), which SKYPlay chose as its main net for a platform's steady liquidity, is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain with benefits of scalability, low fees, and quick transmission speed. Following the Terra crisis, it was accepted by multinational corporations, and Meta will also launch Polygon and Ethereum-based NFTs on Facebook and Instagram.
As for the SKP, the governance token of SKYPlay platform, shows steady growth after its initial offering at MEXC in this May.
#Keyword 3 - Engagement, Connection, and Expansion
Since the first formal community launch in April, SKYPlay has focused on resurrecting the regional community in Southeast Asia where P2E game users are concentrated, and it reached 200K members, the 'hard to reach' ceiling of Telegram groups in July even before the start of games and services.
All participants in Coin Grid's global pre-booking, which began on the 11th of this month, are given a variety of game characters that are the top picks from the poll on SKYPlay's official community which had taken place last month.
Through a planned community operation in connection with the platform beta release, SKYPlay will enhance and increase the involvement of SKYPlayan(the community members). Additionally, SKYPlay expands its impact in the global market by attracting foreign investment and displaying advertisements in Times Square in New York.
Web 3.0 is slowly becoming a part of everyday life. Recent NFT projects in traditional art and re-creation of past art history sites in metaverse reflects conservative traditional art industry is also adapting to changes.
Let's keep an eye on SKYPlay with its P2E games as well as its aspiration to be the leader of Web 3.0.
SKYPlay
SKYPlay will offer a rich variety of lifestyle content including easy P2E games, sports, education, music, and art-all of which will be provided through an easy NFT business platform optimized for mobile UI/UX.
SKYPlay will offer a bigger and better space than a simple portal, encouraging users and service providers to grow and thrive within an easy-to-use, reliable, and trustworthy ecosystem.
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SOURCE SKYPlay | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/quest-skyplay-easiest-p2e-nft-platform-part-2/ | 2022-08-26T13:20:53Z |
This year's top five ranking attributed to strong operating metrics, revenue growth, and expanded global user base
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Miro, the online platform accelerating innovation through visual collaboration, has been named to the Forbes 2022 Cloud 100, the definitive ranking of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world, published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures. The market leader in visual collaboration is ranked #4, climbing the Forbes Cloud 100 list from #57 in 2020 and #36 in 2021.
For the seventh straight year, the Cloud 100 reviews submissions from hundreds of cloud startups and private companies each year. The Cloud 100 evaluation process involved ranking companies across four factors: market leadership (35%), estimated valuation (30%), operating metrics (20%), and people & culture (15%). For market leadership, the Cloud 100 enlists the help of a judging panel of public cloud company CEOs who assist in evaluating and ranking their private company peers.
"We're deeply honored to be named as one of the world's leading cloud companies for the third year in a row, among so many others who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in their industry," said Grisha Pavlotsky, Chief Operating Officer at Miro. "For teams around the world, Miro's biggest value is its ability to be a central, singular place where all work comes together and big things happen. This recognition underscores our ability to innovate quickly and deliver a visual collaboration platform that's at the core of the new technology stack for the future of work."
As distributed work models increasingly become the norm, and teams grapple with how to balance new ways of working, companies must consider how to optimize for effective synchronous and asynchronous collaboration. Miro's robust visual collaboration platform is designed to support greater connectedness among teams and increased productivity on every project and workflow. Miro is used by 99% of the Fortune 100 companies and now offers more than 120 apps and integrations, including Miro for Google Meet and a next-gen Developer Platform to make Miro an integral part of the new, digital-first approach to getting work done.
"The companies of the Cloud 100 list represent the best and brightest private companies in this fast-growing sector," said Alex Konrad, senior editor at Forbes. "Every year, it gets more difficult to make this list — meaning even more elite company for those who do. Congratulations to each of the 2022 Cloud 100 honorees."
"The public markets may be in turmoil, but the private valuations of the Cloud 100 continue to rise. All of the 2022 Cloud 100 honorees, again, have reached the $1 billion valuation milestone, and the average Cloud 100 valuation has skyrocketed to $7.4 billion," said Mary D'Onofrio, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. "Despite the market correction in 2022, our confidence in the cloud economy continues to grow—today over 70% of the 2022 Cloud 100 Honorees have reached or exceeded $100 million in annual recurring revenue making them cloud Centaurs. An additional 10% of the list is expected to hit this milestone by the end of the year, furthering our conviction that this years' honorees truly represent the best cloud companies globally."
"Great companies are born out of all environments, and it's exciting to see the continued momentum in the cloud sector," said Alex Kayyal, Managing Partner, Salesforce Ventures. "The companies on this list have gone through a rigorous selection process, and join an esteemed alumni list of Cloud 100 companies. As the need for digital transformation continues to drive innovation and efficiencies across industries, we can look to these companies as the absolute best in cloud computing."
The Forbes 2022 Cloud 100 and 20 Rising Stars lists are published online at www.forbes.com/cloud100. Highlights of the list appear in the August/September 2022 issue of Forbes magazine.
This year, the CEOs of The Cloud 100 and the 20 Rising Stars companies will be honored with a digital content launch, as well as at the exclusive Cloud 100 Celebration hosted by Bessemer Venture Partners, Salesforce Ventures, and Forbes. A special thank you to our event sponsors Amazon Web Services (AWS), Bank of America, Cooley, Fuel a McKinsey Company, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Nasdaq, and Silicon Valley Bank.
Miro is an online, visual collaboration platform designed to unlock creativity and accelerate innovation among teams of all kinds. The platform's infinite canvas enables teams to lead engaging workshops and meetings, design products, brainstorm ideas, and more. Miro, co-headquartered in San Francisco and Amsterdam, serves more than 35M users worldwide, including 99% of the Fortune 100. Miro was founded in 2011 and currently has more than 1,500 employees in 11 hubs around the world. To learn more, please visit: https://miro.com.
Bessemer Venture Partners helps entrepreneurs lay strong foundations to build and forge long-standing companies. With more than 135 IPOs and 200 portfolio companies in the enterprise, consumer and healthcare spaces, Bessemer supports founders and CEOs from their early days through every stage of growth. Bessemer's global portfolio includes Pinterest, Shopify, Twilio, Yelp, LinkedIn, PagerDuty, DocuSign, Wix, Fiverr and Toast and has $19 billion of regulatory assets under management. Bessemer has teams of investors and partners located in Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, London, Boston, Beijing and Bangalore. Born from innovations in steel more than a century ago, Bessemer's storied history has afforded its partners the opportunity to celebrate and scrutinize its best investment decisions (see Memos) and also learn from its mistakes (see Anti-Portfolio).
Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 150 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE and Forbes Virtual events, custom marketing programs and 47 licensed local editions in 80 countries. Forbes Media's brand extensions include real estate, education and financial services license agreements.
Salesforce Ventures helps enterprising founders build companies that reinvent the way the world works. Since 2009, we've invested in and partnered with more than 400 of the world's most tenacious enterprise software companies from seed to IPO, including Airtable, Databricks, DocuSign, Guild Education, Hopin, monday.com, nCino, Snowflake, Snyk, Stripe, Tanium, and Zoom. Salesforce Ventures leverages our decades of expertise in the cloud and our long-term relationships with key decision-makers at thousands of businesses around the world to give our portfolio companies an unfair advantage, help them build credibility, and accelerate growth. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 25 countries with offices all over the world including in San Francisco, Irvine, New York, London, Tokyo, and Sydney. Follow @SalesforceVC and learn more at http://www.salesforceventures.com.
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SOURCE Miro | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/12/miro-ranks-4-forbes-cloud-100-recognized-market-leadership-visual-collaboration-third-consecutive-year/ | 2022-08-12T14:06:45Z |
Tournament Weekend Gives Underrated High School Basketball Student Athletes a Platform for Access, Opportunity and the Chance to Compete for Academic Scholarships and Visibility
OAKLAND, Calif., April 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen Curry's season three of the UNDERRATED Tour Powered by Rakuten makes its final stop on April 1-3 at Oakland's Soldiertown indoor basketball court. The three-day, invite-only event is the culmination of a nationwide search for overlooked and underrepresented high school student basketball talent, bringing together tour finalists to compete in tournament style games where one boy and one girl will be crowned the country's most UNDERRATED athlete representing their region. During the UNDERRATED Tour Championship Stop, student athletes also compete in tournament style games and receive specialized training, tailored experiences and best-in-class resources like drills, off-court education, personal skills development, expert panels and more.
"The UNDERRATED Tour was created to encourage anyone who feels overlooked to believe in their potential regardless of the obstacles they face," said Stephen Curry. "I was one of those kids growing up who was told my skills on the basketball court made me a 3-star athlete. I didn't fit the mold and recruiters couldn't see past the box they put me in. In every way, this experience led me to where I am today. The UNDERRATED Tour Championship Stop is about opening doors for young athletes with an underdog spirit and a dream to be bigger than their hometown teams. It's about giving these kids the opportunity to write their own story."
The UNDERRATED Tour provides a powerful platform for young athletes to be seen by college recruiters, sports agents and other key professionals in the sports industry. This visibility gives often-overlooked three-star high school players more opportunities to arise into college-level scholarship athletes and epitomize an UNDERRATED mindset.
Throughout the summer of 2021, the UNDERRATED Tour stopped in four cities (Washington D.C., Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles) where 75 boys and 75 girls were given a chance to learn and break through the noise. The final 64 participants (16 from each city) were flown to the Bay Area for the Championship.
New to the program this year, Rakuten added two $20,000 scholarship opportunities for Championship-bound players that can be used toward the college, university or trade school of their choice. Players can submit essays describing their underrated story and its impact in their lives, which will be reviewed by a panel of curated sports and industry professionals. Two lucky recipients, one boy and one girl, will be selected to receive scholarships and will be announced at the UNDERRATED Tour Championship Stop in Oakland.
"We are inspired by the optimism and spirit of The UNDERRATED Tour athletes, and we are incredibly proud to partner with Stephen Curry on this program," said Amit Patel, CEO of Rakuten Americas and Rakuten Rewards. "We are honored to support a program that aims to empower underrated and underrepresented communities. Congratulations to all the athletes competing at this year's Championship Stop."
The UNDERRATED Tour is the realization of Stephen's inspiring journey to the top as he continues to defy the odds and break basketball stereotypes by reminding people that being the best is not about being the strongest, fastest or tallest, but about being grounded in your potential, committed to your craft and, ultimately, undeterred. The mission remains steadfast in empowering underrated and underrepresented individuals all over the world.
For more information and the latest updates on The UNDERRATED Tour Powered by Rakuten, please visit www.stayunderrated.com.
About UNDERRATED
UNDERRATED is an inspiring lifestyle brand with a mission to empower underrated and underrepresented individuals all over the world. With a passion for celebrating the underdog, UNDERRATED echoes this message across three main categories including experiences, media and physical product. The brand, which was established by Stephen Curry in 2019, draws on the revered NBA Champion's personal story as an underappreciated three-star athlete in high school who always stood in the shadows of his peers. As a powerful culmination of this inspiring journey to the top, UNDERRATED is committed to opening doors for often-overlooked student-athletes by developing impactful basketball programming, and fostering a platform for visibility through the UNDERRATED Championships, which create opportunities for players to be recognized by key figures. Based in the Bay Area, UNDERRATED is a mindset, a motivation, a calling, a compliment. For more information, please visit www.stayunderrated.com, and connect on social media via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
About Rakuten Americas
Rakuten Americas is the North American division of Rakuten, Inc., (Japan), a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Headquartered in San Mateo, California with more than 2,400 employees nationwide, the Rakuten Americas business portfolio includes market leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, business intelligence, logistics, communications, and entertainment. We create products and services that provide exceptional value them by aligning members and the businesses that want to engage them in a shared community. Visit http://rakuten.us for more information.
Media Contacts
UNDERRATED
Tom Dietz, ID-PR
SC30@id-pr.com
Rakuten
Carol Lee
carol.lee@rakuten.com
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SOURCE UNDERRATED | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/01/stephen-currys-underrated-tour-powered-by-rakuten-holds-championship-tournament-oakland-april-1-3/ | 2022-04-01T14:01:30Z |
Russia taking ‘operational pause’ in Ukraine, analysts say
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Foreign analysts say Russia may be temporarily easing its offensive in Ukraine as the Russian military attempts to reassemble its forces for a renewed assault.
On Wednesday, Russian forces made no claimed or assessed territorial gains in Ukraine “for the first time in 133 days of war,” according to the Institute for the Study of War. The think tank based in Washington suggested that Moscow may be taking an “operational pause” that does not entail “the complete cessation of active hostilities.”
“Russian forces will likely confine themselves to relatively small-scale offensive actions as they attempt to set conditions for more significant offensive operations and rebuild the combat power needed to attempt those more ambitious undertakings,” the institute said.
A Thursday statement from Russia’s Defense Ministry seemed to confirm that assessment. It said Russian military units involved in combat in Ukraine were given time to rest.
“The units that performed combat missions during the special military operation are taking measures to recover their combat capabilities. The servicemen are given the opportunity to rest, receive letters and parcels from home,” read the statement, quoted by Russian state news agency Tass.
Shelling continued in Ukraine’s east, where at least nine civilians were killed and six wounded in 24 hours, Ukrainian officials said.
Ukraine’s presidential office said in its Thursday morning update that cities and villages in seven Ukrainian regions were shelled in the past day. Most of the civilian deaths occurred in Donetsk province, where fighting is ongoing. Seven civilians were killed there, including a child, the presidential office said.
Ten cities and villages came under shelling in Donetsk, and 35 buildings were destroyed, including a school, a vocational college and a hospital, officials said.
Donetsk is part of the Donbas, a mostly Russian-speaking industrial area where Ukraine’s most experienced soldiers are concentrated. Pro-Russian separatists have fought Ukrainian forces and controlled much of the Donbas for eight years. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two self-proclaimed republics there just before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Putin on Monday claimed victory in Luhansk, the other province constituting the Donbas, after Ukrainian forces withdrew from the last city they controlled there. The governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai, denied Wednesday that the Russians had completely captured the province.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, a boarding school was hit, but no one was injured. The Kharkiv region, which lies along the border with Russia, is under daily shelling, and two civilians were killed there over the past 24 hours.
The Ukrainian military said Thursday that Russian forces also carried out shelling and helicopter strikes in the Sumy region in the northeast.
Even as the fighting continued, the British Defense Ministry said it thinks Russia’s military is “reconstituting” its forces. A ministry intelligence assessment issued Thursday said the heavy shelling along the front line in Donetsk is likely intended to secure previous Russian gains.
The British ministry noted a new law under consideration by the Russian parliament to give the government special economic powers amid the war.
The law would allow Russia “to avoid acknowledging it is engaged in a war or its failure to overcome Ukraine’s military that was outnumbered and outgunned,” the ministry said.
As fighting continued in the east, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said it summoned the Turkish ambassador in Kyiv Thursday over what it described as the theft of Ukrainian grain by a Russian ship.
The Russian ship Zhibek Zholy was allowed to leave Turkey’s Black Sea coast after Turkish authorities briefly detained it at Ukraine’s request. Ukraine summoned the ambassador to complain about the “unacceptable situation.”
Turkey, with its Bosporus Strait, is a key transit route for shipping out of the Black Sea. Ukraine has sought to pressure Ankara to stop Russian shipments of its grain, a vital source of revenue.
___
Jon Gambrell in Lviv, Ukraine, and Cara Anna in Kharkiv, Ukraine, contributed to this story.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/07/russia-taking-operational-pause-ukraine-analysts-say/ | 2022-07-07T10:13:26Z |
PON OLT Revenue up 42 Percent Y/Y
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a newly published report by Dell'Oro Group, the trusted source for market information about the telecommunications, networks, and data center IT industries, total global revenue for the Broadband Access equipment market increased to $4.4 B in 1Q 2022, up 14 percent year-over-year (Y/Y). Growth continues to come from PON equipment and fixed wireless CPE, as service providers expand their broadband availability and speeds.
"Despite all the challenges with supply chains, logistics, and labor, service providers continue to invest heavily to expand their fiber broadband networks, particularly in North America" noted Jeff Heynen, Vice President, Broadband Access and Home Networking at Dell'Oro Group. "Many of these deployments are to deliver multi-gig services, as operators look to stay one step ahead of their competitors" explained Heynen.
Additional highlights from the 1Q 2022 Broadband Access and Home Networking quarterly report:
- Total cable access concentrator revenue increased 5 percent Y/Y to just over $257 M. Solid growth in Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) deployments help offset declines in traditional CCAP licenses.
- Total fixed wireless CPE unit shipments reached 3.8 M units in the quarter, with 5G Sub-6GHz units showing the fastest growth.
The Dell'Oro Group Broadband Access and Home Networking Quarterly Report provides a complete overview of the Broadband Access market with tables covering manufacturers' revenue, average selling prices, and port/unit shipments for Cable, DSL, and PON equipment. Covered equipment includes Converged Cable Access Platforms (CCAP) and Distributed Access Architectures (DAA); Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers ([DSLAMs] by technology ADSL/ADSL2+, G.SHDSL, VDSL, VDSL Profile 35b, and G.FAST); PON Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), Cable, DSL, and PON CPE (Customer Premises Equipment); and SOHO WLAN Equipment, including Mesh Routers. For more information about the report, please contact dgsales@delloro.com.
Dell'Oro Group is a market research firm that specializes in strategic competitive analysis in the telecommunications, networks, data center infrastructure, network security markets. Our firm provides in-depth quantitative data and qualitative analysis to facilitate critical, fact-based business decisions. For more information, contact Dell'Oro Group at +1.650.622.9400 or visit www.delloro.com.
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SOURCE Dell'Oro Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/fiber-broadband-spending-remains-resilient-despite-supply-chain-constraints-according-delloro-group/ | 2022-06-09T12:30:20Z |
LAS VEGAS, May 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Access Community Capital is proud to be a sponsor and fiscal agent of the 2022 Nevada SBA Awards luncheon. This year saw an impressive array of businesses that managed to thrive despite a challenging business environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The luncheon, held on May 5, 2022, at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, NV was a sold-out event with well over 260 attendees. Nic Steele, Executive Director of Access Community Capital said "This year's luncheon was an amazing celebration of the resilience in Nevada's Small Business ecosystem. All the winners are a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that is continuing to drive Nevada's economic growth."
Congratulations to the 2020 and 2022 SBA Award Winners !
Minority Owned Business of the Year:
2022 Winner - Don Tortaco
2020 Winner – Edwin Suarez Physical Therapy, LLC
Woman Owned Business of the Year:
2022 Winner - Live Electric Inc
2020 Winner - Free Brands Inc.
Family Owned Business of the Year:
2022 Winner - See Us Now Staffing, Inc.
Microenterprise Business of the Year:
2022 Winner - PHamily Hair Care
2020 Winner - Bio Logical, LLC
Veteran Owned Business of the Year:
2022 Winner - Heritage Mortuary Inc.
Northern Nevada Legacy Award of the Year:
2022 Winner - Huck Salt
2020 Winner - Full Tilt Logistics
Southern Nevada Legacy Award of the Year:
2022 Winner - Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
2020 Winner - Michael E. Minden Diamond Jewelers , Michael Minden
Rural Owned Business of the Year:
2022 Winner - McAdoo's Restaurant
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award of the Year:
2022 Winner - Scott Muelrath, Henderson Chamber of Commerce
2020 Winner - David Eclips
Exporter of the Year:
2022 Winner - Ganesha Enterprises
8(a) Graduate of the Year:
2022 Winner - HSG
Lenders of the Year:
2022 Winners
SBA Nevada National Lender of the year (Total # of loans) - U.S. Bank (1st) , Wells Fargo (2nd)
SBA Nevada Lender of the year - Nevada State Bank (1st) , American First Credit Union (2nd) , Meadows Bank (3rd)
Cosponsorship Authorization # 22-10-C. SBA's participation in this Cosponsored Activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
About the Small Business Administration:
Since 1953, the SBA has worked to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover. The Nevada District Office has a collective team of resources to help your business prosper.
About Access Community Capital:
Access Community Capital ("ACCESS") is a minority-led mission-driven organization founded by entrepreneurs who understand the plight of business ownership and remain committed to addressing the inequities present in the lending landscape. ACCESS provides loans, grants, and investments to assist small businesses and promote economic development in low-moderate income communities. ACCESS complements traditional financial institutions by increasing access to affordable capital in communities often underserved, including minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses. In addition to providing commercial and micro loans, ACCESS also provides mission-related program services such as capacity-building technical assistance and grant making. For more information, please visit http://accesscdfi.org/
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SOURCE Access Community Capital | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/13/access-community-capital-serves-fiscal-agent-2022-nevada-sba-award-luncheon/ | 2022-05-13T20:35:04Z |
Trump SPAC is down 44% since Elon Musk disclosed Twitter stake
By Matt Egan, CNN Business
Elon Musk’s quest to become a social media mogul is dealing a blow to Donald Trump’s social venture.
Shares of Digital World Acquisition Corporation, the controversial blank-check firm that plans to merge with Trump Media & Technology Group, fell 15% on Monday to about $35.
That’s the lowest level since the Trump deal was announced last October — and the selloff comes as Musk reaches a deal to take over Twitter, one of the Big Tech companies Trump had vowed to take on. At one point, the stock was down as much as 19%.
Trump Media & Technology Group recently launched Truth Social, a Twitter clone aimed at conservatives whom Trump claims Twitter has silenced.
“There’s no need to download Truth Social if you can get it on Twitter,” said Matthew Kennedy, senior IPO market strategist at Renaissance Capital, which provides IPO-focused ETFs and pro-IPO research.
Since the final trading day before Musk surprised Wall Street by saying he had amassed a stake in Twitter, Digital World has lost 44% of its value. The special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, closed at $63.25 on April 1 before Musk’s announcement April 4.
Musk, a longtime critic of Twitter’s content moderation policies, has vowed to transform Twitter in part by bolstering free speech on the platform. The Tesla CEO agreed to buy Twitter in a deal that values the company at about $44 billion.
A Musk-run Twitter would undercut the rationale for Truth Social, which Trump had promised would “stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech.” There is even speculation that Twitter, under Musk’s control, could lift the ban on Trump himself.
At $35, the implied valuation of Trump Media & Technology Group has tumbled to roughly $7.7 billion, according to Kennedy of Renaissance Capital. That’s down sharply from around $13 billion before Musk disclosed his Twitter investment.
“While the market apparently believes that a Twitter owned by Elon Musk dims the outlook of Truth Social, Trump still has some financial incentives to use Truth,” Kennedy said.
Beyond Musk’s efforts to acquire Twitter, the Trump SPAC has been hurt by the slow start of Truth Social. As CNN reported earlier this month, Truth Social has been plagued by a lengthy waitlist, a lack of content and high-profile contents that appear to be bots.
At the same time, federal regulators are investigating the Trump SPAC deal and legal experts have told CNN that securities regulators could slow or even derail the merger altogether.
Since hitting a 2022 high of $101.87 on March 2, Digital World is down by about 65%.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2022/04/25/trump-spac-is-down-44-since-elon-musk-disclosed-twitter-stake/ | 2022-04-25T20:06:30Z |
20,000 Square-Foot, State-of-the-Art Facility Anticipated To Be Fully Operational by End of 2022
PHOENIX , June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) (the "Company")—a vertically integrated cannabis dispensary franchisor and operator that produces premium, award-winning products—is pleased to announce today that its new 20,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art cultivation and lab facility in Pahrump, N.V. (the "Nevada Facility") is nearing completion and expected to be fully operational by end of 2022.
The master development and expansion of the Nevada Facility began in early 2019 and has been advancing quickly, especially the past year. Currently, Item 9 Labs Corp. is awaiting the water and electrical connections to be completed as well as the installation of air conditioning units and backup generators. The Company is working with the City of Pahrump and Nye County to finalize the Certificate of Occupancy.
"Our Nevada cultivation and lab facility was strategically developed to ensure full optimization and efficiency throughout," said Chase Herschmann, director of business development at Item 9 Labs Corp., adding that the Company's experienced team has spearheaded the build and expansion of multiple cultivation sites across the North America, along with its current master site expansion that is underway in Coolidge, Ariz.
He continued, "Our construction team works hand-in-hand with operations to ensure our facilities are developed with our strategic processes for every function, from cultivation to extraction and production top of mind."
Once the cultivation and lab facility is finalized this coming fall, it will include: 4,450 square feet of operations space for flower, 990 square feet of vegetation space, 400 square feet for clones, 300 square feet for dry curing and 615 square feet for genetics. The facility also houses more than 2,500 square feet of post-processing and lab space, along with the opportunity for a joint venture with a commercial kitchen space of 1,100 square feet. The remainder of the building is ancillary rooms such as water rooms, offices, locker rooms and break rooms.
"Nevada is a rapidly growing adult-use cannabis market that shows no sign of slowing down," said CEO of Item 9 Labs Corp. Andrew Bowden. According to MJ Brand Insights, the state brought in $1.03 billion in taxable sales between adult-use and medical cannabis dispensaries in the 2021 fiscal year, which was a $318 million increase from the previous year.
He continued, "We are optimistic about the potential opportunities we have to expand alongside the booming cannabis industry in Nevada."
For more information about the Company and its brands, visit item9labscorp.com. Invest in Item 9 Labs Corp. at keepcannabislocal.com and click here to view the offering circular.
ABOUT ITEM 9 LABS CORP.
Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space up to 640,000-plus square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit item9labscorp.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental regulation, especially in a foreign country, future financial and operational results, competition, general economic conditions, proposed transactions that are not legally binding obligations of the company and the ability to manage and continue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include the introduction of new technology, market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Media Contact:
Item 9 Labs Corp.
Jayne Levy, VP of Communications
Jayne@item9labs.com
Investor Contact:
Item 9 Labs Corp.
800-403-1140
Investors@item9labscorp.com
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SOURCE Item 9 Labs Corp. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/item-9-labs-corp-nears-completion-cannabis-cultivation-lab-facility-pahrump-nevada/ | 2022-06-23T14:33:20Z |
Woman accused of trying to run over boyfriend after argument about cheating, police say
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5/Gray News) – A woman in Arizona is accused of trying to run over her boyfriend with a truck, police say.
According to authorities, Jolina Morris, 38, confronted her boyfriend, who was not identified, about cheating with another woman.
Investigators say he went to a nearby bar after the argument and began drinking. Morris and another friend reportedly drove to the bar and also started drinking, AZ Family reported.
Morris told her boyfriend she threw away his truck keys when he asked to leave, but he saw she had them and tried to take the keys, police said.
Court documents stated they got into a short fight before the boyfriend took the keys and got in the truck. Morris and her friend struggled with the boyfriend some more and eventually got him out of the truck and he walked home.
According to the documents, Morris pulled into the driveway when her boyfriend approached the front door. She’s accused of hitting her boyfriend with the truck and pinning him against the house.
Investigators said she backed the truck up and yelled, “I will kill you!” while hitting her boyfriend again.
Police were able to identify Morris from a neighbor’s Ring camera that captured the whole incident.
The boyfriend was taken to the hospital with a shattered leg, cuts and other injuries.
Morris was booked on one count of attempted second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault and one count of endangerment.
Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/26/woman-accused-trying-run-over-boyfriend-after-argument-about-cheating-police-say/ | 2022-08-26T14:47:44Z |
MONTREAL, July 19, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) ("Lion" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, today announced that its customers in Canada can now receive up to $150,000 in funding under Transport Canada's newly launched Incentives for Medium and Heavy-duty Zero-Emission Vehicles ("iMHZEV") Program. Under this new program, the Canadian Federal Government is providing nearly $550 million in funding for the purchase or lease of medium and heavy-duty trucks over the next four years.
All models in Lion's current lineup of all-electric trucks are eligible to receive incentive funds under the iMHZEV Program. This includes $100,000 for the Lion5, Lion6, Lion8P straight truck, Lion8 Bucket and Lion8 Refuse ASL, along with $150,000 in funding for the Lion8T. These funding amounts apply to all available battery configurations and can be combined, or "stacked," with other available provincial, municipal, utility and other available incentives, such as Quebec's Écocamionnage program. By stacking both the federal and provincial incentives in Quebec, a Lion6 heavy-duty truck is elegible for subsidies of up to $243,750.
"As a leading Canadian manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles, it is both exciting and encouraging to see the Canadian Government embracing the deployment of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and transit buses with the launch of the iMHZEV Program," said Marc Bedard, CEO – Founder of Lion Electric. "Through its LionGrants team, Lion has years of experience successfully assisting our customers to secure available incentive funding and we are fully ready to immediately start capturing funding under this new program for our customers. This will enable us to continue putting zero-emission vehicles on the road, which we have been doing for years. This will undeniably lead to improvements to the environment and public health here in Canada, as we transition to a cleaner transportation sector."
iMHZEV funds are applied at the point-of-sale for Canadian organizations and businesses. Through its LionGrants team of funding experts, Lion can apply for the iMHZEV on behalf of customers. Additionally, the LionGrants team is currently actively tracking billions of dollars in available funding across North America and can assist customers in applying to a wide variety of provincial, municipal, utility and other available funding. LionCapital Solutions can assist customers in securing the remaining financing for the purchase or leasing of their vehicles.
More information on the iMHZEV Program is available on Transport Canada's website.
Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5 to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric buses and minibuses for the school, paratransit and mass transit segments. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of its vehicles' components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.
Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life. Lion shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LEV.
Lion Electric, The Bright Move
Thelionelectric.com
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about Lion's beliefs and expectations relating to the offer and sale of Common Shares under the ATM Program, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "may," "will," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "could," "plan," "project," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "target" or other similar expressions and any other statements that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the offer and sale of Common Shares under the ATM Program, including the timing and amounts thereof, and the use of any proceeds from the ATM Program.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Such risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the Canadian Prospectus Supplement, the US Prospectus Supplement and section 23.0 entitled "Risk Factors" of the Company's annual MD&A for the fiscal year 2021. Many of these risks are beyond Lion's management's ability to control or predict. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained herein and the risk factors included in the Canadian Prospectus Supplement, the US Prospectus Supplement, the Company's annual MD&A for the fiscal year 2021 and in other documents filed with the applicable Canadian regulatory securities authorities and the SEC.
Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under applicable securities laws, Lion undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any duty, to update, revise or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE Lion Electric | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/lion-electric-trucks-eligible-up-150000-funding-canadas-incentives-medium-heavy-duty-zero-emission-vehicles-program/ | 2022-07-19T12:09:34Z |
Father flips car in crash, flees without son, police say
MILWAUKEE (WTMJ) - A 21-year-old man is facing charges after accusations that he crashed his car on a Wisconsin highway and ran from the scene. Police say he left his young son and a loaded gun behind.
Ladarius Davis-Hughes, 21, appeared in court Monday. He is charged with five felonies, including second degree recklessly endangering safety and neglecting a child.
Video from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shows the moments April 12 that police say Davis-Hughes sped down I-43 near Holt, switching back and forth between lanes until he crashed into a median wall and flipped his car.
A Milwaukee police officer says he found a 4-year-old child, now identified as Davis-Hughes’ son, climbing out of the back windshield with his father following behind him.
According to court documents, Davis-Hughes told police he was dropping his son off at school when the car started “acting up,” so he tried to stop the vehicle.
Later in the video, father and son walk back to the police car. The officer says he put the 4-year-old in the back of his car and was getting something for Davis-Hughes’ bleeding hand when the man suddenly took off.
Video shows Davis-Hughes jump over the concrete median, cross three lanes of traffic and run into the brush. Police eventually found and arrested him.
Police say they recovered a loaded AK-47 from inside the vehicle, and there was no car or booster seat for the child.
Davis-Hughes faces up to 38 years in prison, if convicted. He is expected back in court Tuesday.
Copyright 2022 WTMJ via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/21/father-flips-car-crash-flees-without-son-police-say/ | 2022-04-21T06:09:33Z |
Hart steps down as Grayson baseball coach
Published: Jun. 24, 2022 at 9:27 PM CDT|Updated: 43 minutes ago
DENISON, Texas (KXII) - After over twenty years with the Grayson Vikings baseball team, Dusty Hart steps as the head coach to take over at Blinn College.
Hart has been a staple of stability for the Grayson program. He was a seven time Region V North Coach of the year and a two-time Southwest district coach of the year. He amassed an impressive record of 623-280, which includes a NJCAA National Championship in 2008.
Hart was named the national coach of the year by three different organizations in 2008.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/25/hart-steps-down-grayson-baseball-coach/ | 2022-06-25T03:10:26Z |
Hennessey starts build of its biggest and most exclusive six-wheel-drive truck
6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 | 1,012 bhp | 969 lb-ft torque | 283-inches (719 cm) long
- Mammoth 6x6 is biggest truck ever created in Hennessey's 30-year history
- Just 12 Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6x6 TRX trucks will be built each year, priced in excess of $449,950
- Everything is bigger in Texas – New Hennessey 6x6 is terrifyingly imposing, monstrously capable, and unthinkably fast
SEALY, Texas, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hennessey, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer and high-performance vehicle creator, has started building its biggest ever truck, the 1,012 bhp, 283-inch (719 cm) long Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6x6 TRX.
At almost seven feet high and 88 inches wide, the enormous 6x6 pickup truck dwarfs ordinary cars and trucks. It has the power to match its presence, with Hennessey's engineers boosting performance of the stock Dodge Ram TRX engine by more than 300 horsepower to 1,012 bhp. The torque needed to propel the monster truck is enhanced similarly, totaling 969 lb-ft (1,314 Nm) after a 319 lb-ft (433 Nm) uplift by Hennessey.
Alongside performance upgrades, the new truck features a mountain of off-road kit from locking rear axles and Bilstein suspension, to 20-inch wheels clad in 37-inch off-road tires. The 6x6 Mammoth builds on the base Ram TRX adding a third axle, extending the truck's length by more than four feet and creating a cavernous load-space.
John Hennessey, company founder and CEO: "Everything we do at Hennessey Performance is turned up to 11, but the Mammoth 1000 6x6 is definitely turned up to 12! Everything on the Mammoth 6x6 is bigger, badder, and more imposing – plus, it's still super-fast, while being a total powerhouse off-road. It's the undisputed king of the road."
Priced from $449,950 – inclusive of the base Ram TRX – the four-door Mammoth 6x6 features uprated front and rear bumpers and a dazzling array of LED lights alongside a bespoke interior, which adds to the exclusivity of this special vehicle. Under the chest-height hood, the truck features a mighty 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 engine – a beast even in stock form. The Hennessey team builds on this foundation adding a high-flow 2.65L supercharger, fuel injectors and high-flow induction system alongside performance-boosting calibration.
Hennessey has a track record of success when it comes to gigantic and exclusive 6x6 trucks. The company has built and delivered more than 20 VelociRaptor 6x6 and Goliath 6x6 Silverado trucks to clients all around the world. This solid performance in the three-axle world has its foundation in the highest standards of customer satisfaction, with Hennessey priding itself on the quality of its vehicles and workmanship. Underscoring this dedication to quality and customer car, all Hennessey models are offered with extensive warranties. The Mammoth is no different, benefitting from comprehensive 2-year / 24,000-mile cover.
Available for global shipping, the new Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6x6 TRX can be ordered now through authorized Ram retailers or directly with Hennessey, by calling +1 979.885.1300 or visiting HennesseyPerformance.com.
Specifications: HENNESSEY MAMMOTH 1000 6x6 TRX
Package prices & contents subject to change. Contact Hennessey Performance for details.
Images
Download high-resolution images of the Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6x6 TRX: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dm0gzy81y1jg86t/AAAMLu05PAcCzlFQZ8GhvEhNa?dl=0
About Hennessey
Based in Sealy, Texas, the Hennessey business comprises Hennessey Special Vehicles, Hennessey Performance (HPE), Tuner School, and the Lonestar Motorsports Park. The company has re-engineered more than 12,000 vehicles for performance enthusiasts from around the world to deliver unparalleled driving thrills. Alongside modifying a diverse range of sports, and muscle cars since 1991, the company also applies its high-performance expertise to trucks and SUVs – and boasts its own hypercars – the Venom GT and the Venom F5.
Every Hennessey product is dyno-proven, fully track-tested, street-legal, and warrantied. Customers can choose from road-ready performance-enhanced cars by Hennessey from a wide variety of brands including Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and Jeep in addition to benefitting from a host of high-performance upgrades.
With its own test track, engineering curriculum for aspiring tuners, more than 50 team members and capacity to work on 40-50 vehicles at a time, Hennessey Performance is one of the world's leading specialist vehicle engineering companies. The new 6.6-litre V8 Venom F5 hypercar sold out in 2021 with customer deliveries taking place from 2021-2023. Boasting 1,817 hp and a +311 mph top speed, the company is guaranteed to deliver like never before on its mission of 'making fast cars faster'. HennesseyPerformance.com
About John Hennessey
As the company founder and CEO, John Hennessey lives and breathes fast, fun cars. John developed a passion for performance while competing at world-renowned motorsport events including Pikes Peak, the Silver State Classic, and the Bonneville Salt Flats (where he set a class world record).
What started in 1991, modifying imports out of his garage, soon morphed into building 1,000-horsepower twin-turbo Dodge Vipers that gained international recognition in car magazines such as Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Top Gear, and Road and Track.
Known as an American icon of speed, John has achieved his vision to be the top automotive tuner and builder in the U.S. With a global sales footprint covering the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East, he continues to find ways to engineer greater performance from some of the world's most iconic vehicles alongside the creation of the company's new world-class hypercar – the Hennessey Venom F5.
Social media
YouTube: hpedesign | Instagram: hennesseyperformance | Facebook: @hennesseype | Twitter: @HennesseyPerf
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SOURCE Hennessey Performance | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/colossal-6x6-hennessey-mammoth-thunders-off-production-line/ | 2022-04-19T16:49:45Z |
CHICAGO, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, celebrated the expansion of its facility in Illinois where it has been operating for over half a century. Goya Chicago has become the company's latest expansion project during a time of high inflation rates where supply chain concerns have impacted the way consumers acquire everyday goods and food. This new project, in addition to Goya's expansion of 26 facilities throughout the United States, Caribbean and Europe directly confronts the current global food crisis and ensures that consumers have access to affordable, nutritious, and plant-based products.
"Through our Goya Gives initiative we have donated millions of pounds of food to pantries and communities throughout the United States and around the World. Now, after a couple years of lockdowns, accelerating costs and inflation creating severe supply chain challenges around the Globe, we are preparing for what is to come by expanding our facilities worldwide and procuring supplies and raw materials needed in order to reinforce our ongoing commitment to keep grocery stores stocked without interruption," said Bob Unanue, President and CEO of Goya Foods.
This facility, totaling nearly 300,000 square feet, will double the amount of food distribution throughout the Midwest, including an additional 10 states and emerging markets. The building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and machinery in order to operate more efficiently and to support Goya's growth worldwide. The expansion also ensures the retention of existing local jobs and offers new positions.
In honor of the opening, Goya will donate 20,000 pounds of food to the Illinois Migrant Council and $20,000 to the Salt and Light Coalition as part of Goya Cares, a global initiative to eliminate child trafficking both domestically and internationally.
For more information about Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.
To learn more about Goya, please visit: www.goya.com
About Goya Foods: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world. The combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.
For more information, contact:
Cristina Vera
(312) 265-0326 / cvera@veracreative.com
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SOURCE Goya Foods, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/goya-chicago-becomes-latest-expansion-project-confront-global-food-crisis/ | 2022-06-16T15:05:48Z |
Clydesdale horses to march in Strawberry Festival parade
Clydesdale horses will be prancing down Main Street at this year’s Grand Floats Parade on Friday, May 6 in Humboldt during the town's annual West Tennessee Strawberry Festival. This will be the first appearance of the Clydesdales. The Humboldt Chamber made the announcement this week.
The black and white Clydesdales, sponsored in the parade by local business Express Employment Professionals, are not ordinary horses.
The horses are rare creatures who are show-stoppers. According to the press release, “these gentle giants weigh over 2,000 pounds each and have shoes the size of dinner plates.”
Express Employment franchisee, Ronnie Morris, was excited to add the famous West Tennessee Strawberry Festival to their list of nationally parades and promotional events. The Express Clydesdales have participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Tournament of Roses Parade and the Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade.
The award-winning Clydesdales were named World Champions at the 2015 World Clydesdales Competition. They took home the award for the Best in Show for Supreme Champion Clydesdale at the Calgary Stampede World Champion Competition in Calgary, Alberta.
“We are thrilled to have the Express Employment Clydesdales here for the Strawberry Festival Parade,” said Morris. “We invite everyone to stop and see them at our office in Humboldt. You can see them up close and on May 5th from 3 – 6pm and have your picture made next to one of these majestic animals.” | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/2022/04/22/clydesdale-horses-march-strawberry-festival-parade/7368345001/ | 2022-04-22T11:45:44Z |
Boy, 12, killed when tractor-trailer struck bicycle on Mississippi highway, troopers say
MAGEE, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - Troopers in Mississippi said a sixth-grade boy died after a tractor-trailer collided with the bicycle he was riding.
WLBT reports the Mississippi Highway Patrol said Anthony Wilder III, 12, died as a result of the Tuesday night crash on US 49 in Simpson County.
Investigators determined a 1998 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling south on the highway when it collided with the bicycle in the right lane.
Wilder attended Magee Middle School, and the school posted a Facebook tribute to the child, saying he was known for his “energetic personality and upbeat attitude.”
The school said Wilder was a high achiever academically and was known to breakdance in the hallway.
“These memories will keep Anthony with us during the difficult times ahead,” the school said on Facebook. “We give our hopes and prayers to his family and friends. Anthony, we will miss you.”
Troopers are still investigating the crash.
Copyright 2022 WLBT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/07/boy-12-killed-when-tractor-trailer-struck-bicycle-mississippi-highway-troopers-say/ | 2022-04-07T16:55:08Z |
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) — As a paramedic, nothing would stop Sara Cathey from stepping up to save a life. As it turned out, the South Carolina EMS worker was able to help one of her own family members.
It was a devastating day when she found out that 2-year-old Natalyn had a genetic condition that nearly killed her.
“She had a double nephrectomy, so both her kidneys got removed June of last year,” said Sara.
The whole family took tests to find out who might be a kidney match.
“You never think it’s going to be you,” she said. “I am out here every day with strangers. I love these strangers. I really enjoy being a paramedic, helping people. I get emotionally invested with these complete strangers. So I can’t really explain how much it really hits when it’s her.”
Sara was a perfect, 100% match to donate a kidney to Natalyn, but her weight stood in the way. The aunt was about 270 pounds at the time. According to doctors, she was not physically fit enough to make the donation.
“I save complete strangers on a daily basis. There was nothing that was going to stand in my way,” said Sara.
Instead of giving up, she started trying to lose weight.
“It was all the motivation I needed. I had a great support team, my family 110% stood behind me,” said Sara. “My co-workers, they are eating salads with me. The fire department is eating salads with me. The ER department is hiding the snacks so I don’t eat them when I come in.”
She said her biggest cheerleader was also her smallest.
“When she was in the hospital and I was on the treadmill, we would FaceTime,” Sara smiled. “Natalyn would cheer for me. That’s all the motivation I needed, truly.”
“She brightens my day,” she said of her niece. “Makes any bad day good.”
Through diet and a lot of exercise, the Beaufort County paramedic lost 125 pounds in just over one year and was cleared by the doctors for surgery.
“She didn’t even know she was a match and said, ‘I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it for her,'” said Erika Mann, Natalyn’s mom. “I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to be there for her.”
Sara and Natalyn go under the knife next week. There’s recovery time ahead for both. Natalyn will be in the hospital for a few weeks, and Sara off the job for two to three months.
But everyone says it will be worth it.
“She’s going to be good,” said a teary-eyed Sara. “She’s got her second chance and we are doing it. We are doing it.”
Because of the live donor and family match, the hope is that Natalyn won’t have to worry about another kidney for almost 20 years.
This pair is positive — already making plans for after surgery.
“She keeps saying, ‘Nope I don’t need to eat,'” Sara smiled. “‘Not until Aunt Sara gives me her kidney. When I get Aunt Sara’s kidney, I can have my macaroni.’
“That’s all she wants is some macaroni and chocolate and she’s going to get it. And I am going to eat some mac and cheese with her. I think I’ve earned some mac and cheese.”
If you would like to help the family with expenses, a GoFundMe has been set up in Natalyn’s name. | https://cw33.com/news/paramedic-loses-125-pounds-to-donate-kidney-to-2-year-old-niece/ | 2022-06-29T19:30:46Z |
Domestic Energy Can Spur Further Growth While Supporting Energy Transition, Lower GHG Emissions
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today announced that U.S. chemical industry investment linked to plentiful and affordable domestic supplies of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) has topped $200 billion. ACC recognized this historic milestone by reemphasizing the benefits of natural gas to the U.S. economy and the ways in which it supports the energy transition and a lower-emissions future.
"Chemical makers are transforming domestic natural gas into a stronger economy and new jobs," said ACC President and CEO Chris Jahn. "Thanks to this versatile resource, American chemistry has experienced more than a decade of growth. Our new investment boosts employment, payrolls, and tax revenue in local communities and nationwide."
"Natural gas has an important role in the energy transition and efforts to address climate change," Jahn continued. "It is and will remain a key energy source as our nation strives to deploy renewable energy infrastructure, enhance grid reliability, and develop and adopt innovative lower-emissions technologies in manufacturing and beyond."
U.S. chemical manufacturing uses natural gas for heat and power and as its main source of feedstock. Access to industrial-scale supplies is crucial to the industry's competitiveness globally, as natural gas provides much of the energy used to run complex chemical operations. Today, natural gas is often the only adequate source of the heat energy available for cracking and other heat-intensive chemical processes.
ACC members are reducing GHG emissions intensity in manufacturing and operations. Many of those gains have come from transitioning from coal and coke to lower-carbon natural gas fuels. Meanwhile, chemistry and plastics-based solutions and technologies are being used in carbon capture and use (CCU), renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, battery storage, electric and high-efficiency vehicles, energy-saving building materials, and other applications that help reduce emissions.
"Policymakers can help ensure that our nation fully realizes the environmental and economic benefits of natural gas," Jahn concluded. "Reforming the regulatory permitting process for energy and manufacturing projects needs to be a priority." Chemistry companies seeking to build or expand facilities in the U.S. face a labyrinth of regulatory permitting requirements at the federal, state, and local levels. Energy infrastructure projects face similar challenges.
ACC has urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reconsider draft policies that would discourage investments in expanded natural gas infrastructure that will be needed to maintain U.S. industrial production capacity and grow clean energy deployment.
The Administration's recent announcement to Accelerate and Deliver Infrastructure Projects on Time, on Task, and on Budget is an encouraging step -- if backed by actionable policies for the full range of energy infrastructure, including natural gas, renewables, and support for an 'all of the above' national energy strategy.
ACC keeps a running tally of announced U.S. chemical industry projects linked to shale gas. Since 2010, the chemical industry has invested $109 billion in new and expanded facilities in the United States. These 235 projects are completed and operating. Another 44 projects cumulatively valued at $31 billion are under construction, while 72 projects worth $68 billion are in the planning phase. Total investment is $208 billion across 351 projects.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the multibillion-dollar business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products, technologies and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health, safety and security performance through Responsible Care®; common sense advocacy addressing major public policy issues; and health and environmental research and product testing. ACC members and chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development, and are advancing products, processes and technologies to address climate change, enhance air and water quality, and progress toward a more sustainable, circular economy.
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SOURCE American Chemistry Council | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/us-chemical-industry-investment-linked-shale-gas-tops-200-billion/ | 2022-05-16T14:52:03Z |
High school completion leads to increased earnings and contribution to local economy, plus higher postsecondary enrollment rates
Scholarships offered to Florida residents who can graduate through their public library for free
POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Career Online High School today announced that 1,000 Florida adults have earned their high school diplomas through their local libraries. A leader in adult high school education, COHS has been delivered in FL libraries since 2015. It is available to residents ages 19+ through scholarships in 200+ library locations throughout the state. Learn more at the FL COHS website.
The potential impact of 1,000 new graduates in terms of earnings, contribution, and postsecondary enrollment is shown in this infographic. The program—which includes an entry-level certificate in areas like manufacturing, health care, professional skills, and childcare—aligns to The Florida 2030 Blueprint, which emphasizes building a talent pipeline, increasing employability skills and postsecondary completion, and reducing childhood poverty.
"COHS is an important pathway to improved financial, education, and career prospects for the more than 2.5 million FL adults who did not complete high school," said district Superintendent of Schools Dr. Howard Liebman. "Over 76% of our graduates plan to pursue further education through local community colleges, state universities, and vocational programs."
FL postsecondary institutions include:
- Miami Dade College
- Broward College
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Hillsborough Community College
- Tallahassee Community College
- Complete list here
For residents, finishing high school through their libraries has proven the stepping stone to career progression:
Latoya Freelove (Broward County Libraries): "I felt incomplete without my high school diploma. I wanted to do this to have a better future for my child and myself. I feel more optimistic. I'm now a Supervisor at the United States Postal Service."
Jasmine Camacho (Largo Public Library): "I'm currently working as a CNA. I want to sign up for college to become an RN and get my bachelor's."
- FL residents: Learn more at fl.careeronlinehs.org.
- Libraries: Visit shcoe.org.
COHS is part of Smart Horizons Career Online Education, the world's first accredited online school district. COHS was designed to reengage adults in the education system and prepare them for the workplace or postsecondary education. 13,500+ students have graduated from the district and COHS is available in 2,000+ U.S. library locations. shcoe.org.
Media Contact: media@shcoe.org
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SOURCE Smart Horizons Career Online Education | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/1000-florida-adults-graduate-high-school-through-public-libraries-career-online-high-school/ | 2022-08-18T18:38:20Z |
Feds announce additional measures for refugees fleeing Ukraine
By Brooklyn Neustaeter
Click here for updates on this story
TORONTO (CTV Network) — The federal government has announced additional measures to help refugees trying to flee Ukraine and come to Canada.
Speaking at the Global Citizen-organized social media rally Stand Up for Ukraine on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a series of measures to make it easier for Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion come to Canada.
These measures include charter flights to Canada for Ukrainians, short-term income support to help ensure their basic needs are met for six weeks, as well as temporary hotel accommodation for up to two weeks.
Minister of Transport of Canada Omar Alghabra said during a virtual press conference on Saturday the federal government is in the process of finalizing the details with Canadian airlines on the number of flights that will be chartered, as well as their pick-up points for refugees.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser said Canada will also exempt biometrics — fingerprints and identification photos — for Ukrainian refugees under the age of 18, over the age of 60 and those with previous Canadian visas that have no immigration issues. He said the government is making the move to “reduce the pressure on biometrics collection.”
Speaking during the press conference, Fraser said the new measures will help more Ukrainians take advantage of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program, and further details will be available in the coming days.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that Ukrainians are supported over the course of their stay in Canada,” Fraser said.
Fraser said the government continues to prioritize the issuing of Canadian passport and travel documents, proofs of citizenship, and visas, as well as student and work permit applications for Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine.
Fraser added that the Government of Canada is also working to help facilitate travel for those Ukrainian refugees who may not have travel documents.
“This means that for family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents currently residing in Ukraine who don’t hold valid travel documents IRCC can issues single journey travel documents on an exceptional basis to support their travel to Canada,” Fraser said.
Since the CUAET program launched last month, Fraser said the federal government has approved over 30,000 applications from Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada under the program. He noted that this number is in addition “to the thousands” of applicants who were approved under different, pre-existing programs.
According to the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canadian government had received nearly 60,000 applications as of March 26. The minister had previously stated there will be no limit on the number of applications that will be accepted.
The CUAET program, which the federal government launched on March 17, is designed to create an “expedited pathway” for temporary residence within Canada and involves streamlining current visa and travel requirements, removing most fees, and providing expedited processing. With the CUAET, Ukrainians and their family members can stay in Canada as temporary residents for three years. Those who arrive through this stream will also be eligible for an open work permit allowing employment with almost any employer in Canada for up to three years. The federal government is urging Canadian employers to register job offers with Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage in order to hire displaced Ukrainians. The government also recently expanded its settlement supports for Ukrainian refugees, offering “key services” to help them settle into their new communities including language training, information about life in Canada, employment aid and services for women, seniors, youth and LGBTQ+ individuals. “This is what we have to do. We know that coming to live in a new country, even temporarily, is not easy and we will continue to look for ways to support Ukrainians after they arrive,” Fraser said in French. During the Stand Up for Ukraine event, Trudeau also announced an additional $100 million in humanitarian support for Ukraine to help provide added emergency health services on the ground and in neighbouring countries, including trauma care, protection, and basic necessities such as shelter, water and food. Including the new funding announced Saturday, the federal government has provided $245 million in humanitarian aid since January 2022 in response to the conflict in Ukraine. “Whether it’s food, water, shelter, or medical aid – we will continue to have your backs and provide the assistance you need at this time. We are also making it easier for Ukrainians fleeing the war to come to Canada. We are standing up for Ukraine,” Trudeau said. He added that the Government of Canada continues to work “around the clock” to help Ukrainians.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.
Matthew Talbotmatthew.talbot@bellmedia.ca | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/10/feds-announce-additional-measures-for-refugees-fleeing-ukraine/ | 2022-04-10T21:30:57Z |
LOVELAND, Colo., Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Heska Corporation (NASDAQ: HSKA; "Heska" or the "Company"), a leading global provider of advanced veterinary diagnostic and specialty solutions, reported financial results in two segments (North America and International) for its second quarter ended June 30, 2022. In this release, Point of Care is "POC", Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Diagnostics is "PVD", Other Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals is "OVP", and basis points is "bps".
Report Highlights
- Quarterly revenue increased 4.0% on a constant currency basis to $64.7 million, led by North America Lab Consumables growth of 5.4% and sales in VetZ software solutions.
- Year over year gross margin: Consolidated up 30 bps to 42.3%, International up 370 bps to 35.9%, and North America down approximately 200 bps to 46.0%.
- Key strategic initiatives advanced, including new product launches toward commercial rollout: Heska Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Screen Test and Heska truRapidTM Series single-use tests, and new cloud-based software solutions.
- Full Year 2022 Outlook updated.
Kevin Wilson, Heska's Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, "Heska did fantastic work on and in Heska in the first half, while also growing revenue and gross margin on a consolidated basis. In the second quarter, Heska grew key revenue lines, expanded gross margin, improved our strategic position, advanced our secure subscription model across all geographies, and progressed major new product launches, pipeline, and sales funnels. Our sales growth execution this quarter was commendable in the face of a 42% growth comparisons in the prior year. But, as shared on our full year 2021 call, on our Q1 call, and again at our Investor Day mid-May, we expect to do better and are well prepared to do so in the second half. We have seen nice sales and margin mix from our new products in the first half and expect continued acceleration in the back half, when we believe Heska will grow faster than the broader industry, powered in part by: 1) increased market share for Heska's blood lab, new Element AIM®, and new Heskaview TelecytologyTM activations, which are performing clinically and financially well and have very strong placements pipelines, 2) additive consumables pull-through from these new equipment activations, 3) sales from Heska's slightly delayed but now selling truRapidTM Series single-use tests, 4) new test menu (large and incremental) on currently active analyzers, 5) new analyzer launches targeted for Q4, and 6) Heska's new software, data, and connectivity solutions capabilities. Our other key financial pillars remain strong- subscriptions and subscribers are healthy, pricing updates to the balance of this year's annualizing subscriptions continue to accumulate each month, and ongoing margin and mix continue to improve. Clearly there is a lot going well specific to Heska."
"On the other side of the ledger are macro and industry-wide challenges that are prudently accounted for in our updated outlook," continued Mr. Wilson. "Heska's base case for the rest of 2022 is that the dollar is very strong, Europe will experience a difficult winter, interest rates are rising, labor markets will remain tight, inflation will stay stubbornly around 8% in a slowing economy, and year over year clinic visits will finish normalizing (slowing) from the step-up levels of 2021 before returning to historical growth in 2023. I'll address each in order. The strong dollar will affect animal health companies with constant currency headwinds which are in Heska's updated outlook. The European situation is more difficult and complicated than the North America situation and this is in Heska's updated outlook. Interest rates will have little to no effect on Heska. Tight labor markets will continue to constrain veterinarians from serving more demand, but tightness will begin to loosen as good people enter and re-enter the labor market and are attracted to rewarding, missional jobs in pet healthcare. Inflation will have operating expense impacts for veterinarians and Heska, but they will be more than overcome by price increases in both instances. And despite a global economic cooling, pet families' demand and spending for pet healthcare and utilization will stay steady- total sales will grow while hospital visits trends for the second half will be like the first half (-4%). Heska's quantities of baseline tests will capture less than 100% of the downtrend in visits, which will revert to growth in 2023, and until then will be more than offset by extensive new menu specific to Heska and from price increases. Net-net, with careful consideration of these factors, we see a solid performance for Heska for all of 2022 and a great setup for 2023. Heska has agency and many levers to pull, and we have the ability, pipeline, talent, customer base, product stack, and launched growth drivers to achieve or beat our clear goals," concluded Mr. Wilson.
Profitability
Consolidated gross margin improved approximately 30 bps to 42.3%. North America gross margin declined approximately 200 bps to 46.0%, which was primarily driven by the impact of lower OVP sales and increased idle plant costs and the normal impact of initial capital lease placements of Element AIMTM and Heskaview TelecytologyTM equipment, which generate lower margin revenues than subsequent consumables utilization; partially offset by increased sales of POC Lab Consumables. International gross margin improved approximately 370 bps to 35.9%, largely due to favorable product mix from higher margin products which have replaced lower margin products year over year, particularly within POC Lab Consumables. The acquisition of VetZ also favorably impacted gross margin.
Consolidated operating margin declined from negative 1.1% to negative 8.6%. Slight expansion of gross margin was offset by acquisition related costs, non-recurring items and extraordinary charges not indicative of ongoing operations of $4.6 million, $3.5 million of which is related to a provision for credit losses on a convertible note receivable in our research and development pipeline efforts. Additionally, continued accelerated investments in new products and technologies acquired through our most recent acquisitions were dilutive to operating margin, as expected, as we pursue faster time to market launches in areas such as software, consumables test menu, analyzers and rapids. We also experienced increased compensation costs as we invest in people. Adjusted EBITDA margin declined approximately 220 bps driven by increased operating costs discussed above, excluding acquisition related costs, non-recurring items and extraordinary charges not indicative of ongoing operations.
Liquidity
We continue to demonstrate a strong liquidity position with cash of $171.9 million.
- Reported revenue growth of approximately 8%-9% and approximately 12%-14% in constant currency.
- North America POC Lab Consumable revenue growth rate of approximately 11%-14%.
- International POC Lab Consumable revenue consistent with prior year on a reported basis, approximately 9%-12% growth in constant currency.
Earnings Conference Call
Heska management will host a conference call on August 8, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. MT (11:00 a.m. ET) to discuss the Company's second quarter 2022 financial results. The call may be accessed by dialing 1-800-289-0720 within the United States and 1-323-701-0160 outside of the United States and referencing conference identification number 8591850. The call will also be webcast online at https://ir.heska.com/events/. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through August 22, 2022. The replay may be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 within the United States or 1-412-317-6671 outside of the United States and referencing replay identification number 8591850. The webcast will be archived on the Company's website for 90 days.
About Heska
Heska Corporation (NASDAQ: HSKA) manufactures, develops and sells advanced veterinary diagnostic and specialty healthcare products through its two business segments: North America and International. Both segments include Point of Care Lab testing instruments and consumables, single-use offerings such as in-clinic diagnostic tests, digital imaging products, software and services, data services, allergy testing and immunotherapy, and heartworm preventive products. The North America segment also includes private label vaccine and pharmaceutical production under third-party agreements and channels, primarily for herd animal health. For more information, please visit www.heska.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking information related to the Company. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "may," "will," "should," "could," "potential," or similar expressions. All of the statements in this document, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements and are based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate and cause actual results to materially deviate from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this document include, among other things, statements with respect to Heska's future financial and operating results, future sales, sales split percentages, sales geography percentages, market share, and strategic goals, and the anticipated benefits of the scil, Lacuna, BiEsseA, Biotech, and VetZ acquisitions. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of recent acquisitions; supplier availability; competing suppliers; any product's ability to performed and be recognized as anticipated, in particular when such product is under development; Heska's ability to sell and market its products in an economically sustainable fashion, including related to varying customs, cultures, languages and sales cycles and uncertainties with foreign political and economic climates; the Company's ability to integrate the acquired businesses within its existing operations; and new product development and release schedules.
Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition; the success of third parties in marketing our products; our reliance on third party suppliers and collaborative partners; our dependence on key personnel; our dependence upon a number of significant customers; competitive conditions in our industry; our dependence on third parties to successfully develop new products; our ability to market and sell our products successfully; expansion of our international operations; the impact of regulation on our business; the success of our acquisitions and other strategic development opportunities; our ability to develop, commercialize and gain market acceptance of our products; cybersecurity incidents and related disruptions and our ability to protect our stakeholders' privacy; product returns or liabilities; volatility of our stock price; and our ability to service our convertible notes and comply with their terms. Such factors are set forth under "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial measures presented on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP"), we also present second quarter and year to date 2022 and 2021 EBITDA (net income before income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Non-GAAP earnings per share, which are non-GAAP measures. These measures should be viewed as a supplement to (not substitute for) our results of operations presented under U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies because they may not calculate their measures in the same manner. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in this release. Our management has included these measures to assist in comparing performance from period to period on a consistent basis.
Constant currency is a non-GAAP measure utilized by Heska management to measure performance, excluding the impact of translational movements, and is intended to be indicative of results in local currency. As we operate in various foreign countries where the local currency may strengthen or weaken significantly versus the U.S. dollar, we utilize a constant currency measure as an additional metric to evaluate performance without consideration of foreign currency movements. This information is non-GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to (not a substitute for) our reported results of operations under U.S. GAAP. We calculate the impact of foreign exchange by translating our current period local currency results throughout the year at the average exchange rates during the respective prior year period. The result is the current period results in U.S. dollars, as if foreign exchange rates had not changed from the prior year period.
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SOURCE Heska Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/heska-corporation-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-08T13:18:31Z |
Statewide survey highlights the negative impact of the pandemic on nurses physical and emotional wellbeing, and the lack of appropriate support by their employers in a number of areas
Survey shows newer nurses are especially impacted by COVID-19, inadequate staffing, and dangerous conditions, and are fleeing the profession
CANTON, Mass., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 8 in 10 registered nurses in Massachusetts say in a newly published survey that the quality of patient care in hospitals has gotten significantly worse over the last two years as the COVID-19 pandemic careened into a fragile healthcare system already burdened by profit-driven staffing shortages and high-risk conditions for patients and nurses.
Nurses said they must be compensated better for the stress and pressure they endure, while newer nurses especially decried the lack of staffing and support in "The State of Nursing in Massachusetts," a randomized survey of Massachusetts RNs conducted March 30 to April 7 by Boston-based Beacon Research. Note that in key places throughout the survey results, newer nurses express how they are especially impacted by poor conditions and plan to leave nursing at high rates.
The survey, released to coincide with National Nurses Week, May 6 to May 12, shows that nurses across Massachusetts are dedicated to their patients and believe in the importance of their practice, but are emotionally exhausted, feel increasingly disengaged and are more likely because of the pandemic to leave the profession or reduce their hours. Email jmarkman@mnarn.org for a copy of the survey results and charts.
The percentage of nurses who said this year that the overall quality of care in Massachusetts hospitals has gotten worse (83%) is higher by nearly 30 points than any other year. Additionally, 49% of nurses said the quality of care has gotten "much worse," with only 3% saying it has gotten better over the past two years.
"I have never seen nurses so demoralized by conditions at the bedside and how difficult it is to provide the kind of care our patients deserve," said Katie Murphy, a practicing ICU nurse and president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which commissioned the survey. "The coronavirus has made it even harder to be a healthcare professional dedicated to safe patient care, but the pandemic alone did not create these problems.
"For many years, our healthcare system has focused relentlessly on profits, executive pay and expansion at the expense of maintaining local services and making sustainable investments in frontline staff and patient care quality," Murphy said. "Nurses across Massachusetts are calling on hospital executives to improve staffing, pay and benefits to address the nursing profession's intense stress and help recruit and retain the nurses necessary to provide safe patient care. For National Nurses Week, what nurses really want are healthcare executives to listen to them, invest in them and support them so they can do the work they love."
Major Challenges Facing Nurses
While the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated staffing problems, the issue of understaffing of hospitals is a long-standing crisis created and sustained by the hospital industry's multi-year effort to increase profit margins at the expense of safe staffing levels and ensuring quality patient care.
Massachusetts has among the highest population of nurses per capita in the nation, yet many nurses refuse to put their license or their patients' lives on the line under longstanding staffing practices. WBUR reported in February that the state Board of Registration in Nursing showed a 24% increase in licensed registered nurses compared to June 2019 (see graph below). And that was in addition to nearly 12,000 temporary — or travel — nurses licensed during the pandemic.
As Katie Murphy told WBUR and "The State of Nursing in Massachusetts" demonstrates, it's not a shortage of nurses that the state is facing but rather "a shortage of nurses willing to work under these conditions."
Survey results related to nurse staffing and time with patients:
- 55% of nurses said understaffing is the biggest obstacle to providing quality care. Lack of appropriate staffing levels is a particular concern of newer nurses, with 68% of nurses with 0 to 5 years of experience saying understaffing is the biggest obstacle they face to delivering quality care.
- The number of RNs who said they do not feel that they have enough time to provide patients with the care and attention each one needs jumped to a record high of 71%, up from 60% last year.
- Among direct care nurses, 71% said their employer did a fair or poor job providing the staffing levels needed to properly care for COVID patients, a 12-point jump in negative ratings from last year.
- 71% report having inadequate time with patients, an 11-point jump from last year.
- Among bedside nurses, two-thirds (67%) reported not enough time with patients. For nurses with 0 to 5 years' experience this jumps to 92%.
Survey results related to inadequate pay and benefits, other serious problems:
- Almost two-thirds (64%) of nurses said inadequate pay or benefits is a major challenge. This response is up from 48% reporting lack of pay or benefits in 2021 and 27% in 2019 – a 37-point increase in nurses having a concern about pay and benefits over just three years.
- Over the last two-years, most nurses have seen RN positions being left vacant (84%). In 2019, just 50% of RNs saw positions left vacant.
- Nurses report an increase in the use of travel nurses (76%), and an increase in non-permanent nursing staff (68%).
- Nurses have also seen increased use of mandatory overtime (+10 from 2021) and use of on call (+6 from 2021).
"Nurses' concerns about inadequate pay and benefits represents the high cost of burnout, moral injury and the increase in workplace violence nurses face every day, all exacerbated by the pandemic," Murphy said. "The recruitment and retention of nurses needed to address these problems and enable nurses to provide quality care hinges on hospital executives investing in their permanent workforce."
Nurses Assess COVID-19 Employer Response
Massachusetts nurses generally gave employers poor grades when it came to their handling of the pandemic. Except for ensuring the COVID vaccine was easily accessible to staff and providing adequate testing for staff to track infections, RNs rated their employers' COVID response in the negative.
- Four-in-ten (43%) gave their employer an A or B grade, while a three-in-ten (30%) gave their employer a C.
- More than 8 in 10 direct care nurses rated their employer either fair or poor for the job they did:
- 44% of nurses report having been infected by COVID-19.
- 56% of those infected said it was "definitely" or "probably" from their workplace.
The Impact on Nurses and Retention
The pandemic, combined with pre-existing understaffing and workforce problems such as healthcare violence, has harmed nurses and created serious repercussions for industry retention. Despite nurses' dedication to patient care, they feel exhausted and morally injured.
- Although 95% of nurses surveyed said they always or sometimes look forward to being able to help their patients and 89% always or sometimes feel that the work they do is significant and worthwhile, a similar number (94%) also always or sometimes feel emotionally drained from work, and two-thirds (65%) feel disengaged from work.
- 33% of RNs reported planning to leave nursing sooner than originally planned. Among newer nurses with 0 to 5 years of experience, 37% are planning to leave sooner – the highest percentage of any experience group.
- 25% of nurses said they plan to reduce their hours because of their experience with the COVID pandemic.
- 25% of nurses think they will leave the field of nursing in two years or less.
- Newer nurses, with five years or less of experience, are more likely to leave the profession now, with 25% this year saying they plan to leave nursing within two years, up from 18% in that experience range last year and 10% in 2019.
- Among nurses who said they will leave nursing sooner because of COVID, 99% said that they always or sometimes feel emotionally drained from work and 83% feel disengaged.
The experiences shared by newer nurses in "The State of Nursing in Massachusetts" coincides with recent studies examining the impact of COVID-19 on nurses and especially nurses with fewer years of experience.
- Data analyzed and published last year by Press Ganey. Ganey showed that nearly 30% of registered nurses are at risk of leaving their organization and nurses younger than 35 who have been at their current employer for less than a year are most likely to leave voluntarily.
- A survey released last month by the American Nurses Foundation found that 69% of nurses under age 25 said they have suffered from burnout—more than double of those older than 25 (30%). Additionally, 60% of nurses under age 25 and 57% of nurses 25-34 said they generally felt unsupported by their organization.
What Nurses Say Would Help
Here are some of the many ineffective and often demoralizing ways hospital executives have "thanked" nurses and other healthcare workers during the pandemic: Breakfast sandwiches, pizza, buttons, journals, billboards heralding "healthcare heroes," granola bars, Hershey kisses and glossy magazine advertisements. In "The State of Nursing in Massachusetts," nurses were honest about what they want.
- 80% said time off to recuperate
- 74% said financial support
- 41% said counseling services and 39% said support groups
Among those nurses who said they plan to leave the profession within two years, these are the main persuasion strategies that could keep them working as nurses:
- 69% said salary increases
- 53% said enough support staff
- 49% said limits on the number of patients to care for at one time
- 44% said favorable time off benefits
- 41% said pension benefits
"The nursing profession has suffered for many years from a top-down, corporate approach to healthcare that emphasizes financial gain over patient safety and sustainable working environments," Murphy said. "It is no surprise that nurses feel not merely burnt out but morally injured and exploited by the healthcare industry and are fleeing in large numbers.
"One of the most concerning set of findings from this survey is the devastating impact current working conditions are having on our newly graduated and novice nurses, as these are the nurses who constitute the hope for the future of our profession," Murphy said. "These results make clear that any efforts and funding expended to increase the pipeline of nurses are doomed to fail unless and until hospital executives ensure the working conditions these nurses need to make them want to stay."
Additional Survey Details
A majority (62%) of RNs interviewed were not MNA members. Respondents were randomly selected from a complete file of the 150,000 nurses registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, and geographic quotas were used to ensure accurate representation across all regions of the state. Nurses were contacted through text and the survey was completed online on their phone or computer.
Screening questions were used to verify that respondents were registered nurses working in Massachusetts. Slight age and care setting (teaching hospital, community hospital, non-hospital care) weights were applied to ensure the data accurately matched demographic information available on the statewide list of nurses and the actual breakdown of healthcare facilities across the state.
A total of 462 interviews with Massachusetts nurses were completed as part of this survey. Questions have a margin of error of ±4 (at the 95% confidence level).
MassNurses.org │ Facebook.com/MassNurses │ Twitter.com/MassNurses │ Instagram.com/MassNurses
Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
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SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/massachusetts-nurses-warn-rapidly-deteriorating-patient-care-quality-widespread-unsafe-conditions-they-call-improvements-staffing-pay-benefits-latest-state-nursing-survey-released-national-nurses-week/ | 2022-05-05T15:39:09Z |
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch court on Tuesday sentenced an Austrian man to three years imprisonment for his involvement in illegally detaining six children held for years and isolated from the outside world by their father at a remote farmhouse in the Netherlands.
The case made headlines around the world when it was discovered in October 2019 that father had been living for years with six of his children in the farmhouse in the village of Ruinerwold in the eastern Netherlands. Their plight only came to light when one of the sons left the building and raised the alarm.
At previous court hearings, prosecutors portrayed the father, identified only as Gerrit Jan van D., as a deeply religious man who saw his family as “chosen by God” and did everything in his power — including physical beatings and other punishments — to keep them from succumbing to what he considered malign outside influences.
The same court last year dropped all charges against the children’s father, saying he could not stand trial after being incapacitated by a stroke.
The Northern Netherlands District Court convicted the father’s Austrian helper and “disciple,” identified only as Josef B. under Dutch privacy rules, of co-perpetration in the “unlawful deprivation of liberty of the six youngest children of the family” at the farm. He also was convicted of deprivation of liberty of another man held for a time at the farm.
The court said the Austrian, who bought supplies for the family and rented the farm property, “played an essential role in the events and without his contribution it would not have been possible for the father to keep his children isolated from society for so long.”
He was acquitted of the unlawful deprivation of liberty of the family’s eldest three children and of abusing all the children.
The six children who were kept on the farm are now all young adults. Three older siblings had earlier left the family’s isolated life. Their mother died in 2004.
The time the Austrian has already spent in custody ahead of his trial will be deducted from his sentence. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/austrian-convicted-of-helping-detain-6-dutch-children/ | 2022-06-15T01:04:58Z |
Honoring the Top Six Fan-voted Indie Pancake Spots in the United States
PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakfasts are getting topped with more excitement and surprise for residents of six towns across America as Nutella® announces the inaugural winners of The Nutella® Fancake Awards, going to the top six fan-voted independent pancake restaurants across America.
Nutella, the undisputed king of pancake toppings, asked pancake lovers around the country to nominate their favorite independently owned pancake spots for a chance to win the latest coveted restaurant industry top honor. After sifting through short stacks and tall, Nutella is excited to share the fans' favorite spots that serve up the best pancake recipes and lend the warmest atmospheres for cozy and memorable pancake breakfasts.
2022 Nutella Fancake Awards Winners
- Steve's Diner (Exeter, NH)
- The Pancake Pantry (Franklin, TN)
- The Magnolia Pancake Haus (San Antonio, TX)
- Pancake House (Lubbock, TX)
- Ricas Crepas (Los Angeles, CA)
- Cedric's Family Restaurant (Idaho Falls, ID)
"Nutella is thrilled to announce the winners of our first-ever Nutella Fancake Awards," shares Endri Shtylla, Marketing Director, Nutella® at Ferrero U.S.A. "Pancakes and the local small businesses that serve them, spread so much joy to people who go out to breakfast with friends and family. These pancake restaurants are integral parts of our communities and we look forward to helping them continue the tradition of creating special breakfast moments."
For winning The Fancakes, Nutella will give all six pancake spots a $5,000 grant and year's supply of Nutella to spread more joy to their loyal patrons. The fan-voted winners will also receive new hardware in the form of a sparkling Nutella Fancakes trophy and team up with Nutella to create an exclusive Nutella pancake recipe that embodies how special each spot is to their local community.
To learn more about The Nutella Fancake Awards winners and try their famous recipes at home, visit Nutella.com.
Nutella
Nutella® was born in 1964. The unique hazelnut spread that millions of people around the world love, is made with a meticulous selection of high-quality ingredients and an exacting, artisan-inspired production. Today, the popular hazelnut spread is available in around 160 countries worldwide.
About Ferrero
For over 70 years, Ferrero has created products loved by generations. We've grown from a bakery in Alba, Italy into the third largest confectionery company in the world. Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and continues to spread joy with Ferrero Rocher®, Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac® and Fannie May® chocolates. Ferrero Group expanded its portfolio in 2018 with the addition of Butterfinger®, CRUNCH®, Baby Ruth®, 100Grand® and other legendary chocolate brands.
We are a family-owned company with 3,000 employees in eight offices and ten plants and warehouses in North America, including a cocoa processing plant in Brantford, Ontario and a planned chocolate processing factory in Bloomington, Illinois. Instilled in every aspect of our business is the entrepreneurial spirit of our founders, and their passion for quality, creativity, and innovation. Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and @FerreroNACorp on Instagram. www.ferreronorthamerica.com.
Contact:
Kelsey McGeough
kmcgeough@golin.com
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SOURCE Ferrero North America | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/nutella-announces-its-first-ever-nutella-fancake-awards-winners/ | 2022-06-22T14:01:29Z |
A celebration of Black Music Month with 3-time Grammy-award-winning Sounds of Blackness
Sponsored by Andersen Corporation
- Live concerts at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Minn.
- Directed by award-winning Music Director and Producer Gary D. Hines
- Executive produced by diversity, equity and inclusion firm Rae Mackenzie Group
MINNEAPOLIS, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The influence of Black Music on America's history through centuries and decades is monumental, especially in the transformative decade of the 1960s. During Black Music Month, Andersen Corporation presents "Soul of the Sixties: A celebration of Black Music with Grammy award-winning Sounds of Blackness," a live musical event at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at The Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, Minn.
Soul of the Sixties is an authentic reenactment and tribute to the greatest soul performers of the sixties: Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Sly and the Family Stone, and many more. Sounds of Blackness performs in full costume with original choreography and their ten-piece band. The Dakota is the stage for this second annual Black Music Month event.
Executive produced by award-winning Rae Mackenzie Group, an industry-leading diversity, equity and inclusion marketing firm, the event is sponsored by Andersen Corporation, manufacturer of America's most loved brand of windows and doors*.
Since January of 1971, Sounds of Blackness has flourished under the direction of Gary Hines. The group proclaims the music, culture and history of African Americans to audiences all over the world including the World Cup, Super Bowl, Ryder Cup, NFL, NBA and Grammy Awards. The award-winning vocal and instrumental ensemble's music spans genres including jazz, blues, rock & roll, R&B, gospel, spirituals, reggae and soul, to share uplifting messages of hope, unity, love and peace for all humankind.
Gary D. Hines, is the Music Director and Producer of this special show.
"Music is the window to our souls. Black Music Month is a special time to celebrate the music and musicians that shaped the past and continue to inspire today," said Jay Lund, chairman and chief executive officer of Andersen Corporation. "We can't wait to share the award-winning music of Sounds of Blackness with our friends and community – it is sure to be an event not to be missed."
"Celebrating Black Music month is a tradition at Andersen that I now look forward to every year," said Tracey Gibson, vice president and chief diversity officer at Andersen Corporation. "When we thought about who could best take us on a journey through the rich history of Black Music of the sixties, we couldn't think of anyone more apt to do this than Sounds of Blackness, who have been ambassadors of Black Music across the nation and around our world for decades."
A Minnesota-based company for nearly 120 years, Andersen has been named a Best Large Employer by Forbes for the past three consecutive years, Best Employer for Diversity by Forbes for the past two consecutive years and 'Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality' by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Andersen continually works to build a culture of inclusion, creating a respectful workplace for all employees and removing systemic barriers to success.
Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, CEO of the Rae Mackenzie Group said, "It really means something when a company like Andersen demonstrates their commitment to Black Music and Black culture in this way. We are proud to come together in community to celebrate."
As a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) marketing expert on the national stage, Smith-Akinsanya has long held Andersen Corporation as an example of what a corporation can accomplish when it prioritizes inclusion in every aspect of the company.
"The Soul of the Sixties: A Celebration of Black Music" premieres at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Minn.
The event is open to the public and tickets are now on sale at:
7 p.m. https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/soul-of-the-sixties-7pm/
9 p.m. https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/soul-of-the-sixties-9pm/
*2022 Andersen brand survey of U.S. homeowners.
About Andersen Corporation
Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style.
Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen®, Renewal by Andersen®, EMCO®, MQ™ and Heritage™ brands. Andersen, a privately held company with more than 12,000 employees, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award.
Visit us at https://www.andersenwindows.com/
Follow us on Facebook @AndersenWindows, Twitter @AndersenWindows, and Instagram @andersen_windows.
© 2022 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.
About Rae Mackenzie Group
Rae Mackenzie Group (RMG) is an award-winning DEI marketing and strategy firm that helps corporations build authentic and meaningful relationships with People of Color by advising companies on how to best position their brands to recruit and retain Talent of Color. With a business track record spanning over 20 years, RMG has become an authority in the DEI Marketing space and has built a past and present client list consisting of Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and top employers, including U.S. Bank, Midco, Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx, Andersen Corporation, Thrivent, Minute Media, Make-A-Wish® America, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, and more.
RMG helps corporations avoid DEI landmines by looking at how they approach procurement, recruitment, corporate sponsorships, social responsibility, and leadership through a DEI lens. RMG provides consulting on speeches, websites, social media, advertising, press releases, and more. With a diverse team, each of whom brings a unique perspective to the table, RMG walks the walk by assembling a team that is majority women, and made up of Black, Latinx, Asian, White, and LGBTQIA+ consultants, marketers, and content writers.
Rae Mackenzie Group CEO, Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, has been providing DEI communication and marketing services for over 20 years. To help leaders make change, Sharon authored COLORFULL: Competitive Strategies to Attract and Retain Top Talent of Color - a people-centered approach that shares simple actions we can take to help solve complex issues. The book lays out a playbook on how everyone has a role to play in making the world more just and equitable, starting with building intentional and authentic relationships with people who share different racial, cultural, and ethnic identities.
https://www.andersenwindows.com
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SOURCE Andersen Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/announcing-june-30-soul-sixties/ | 2022-06-13T20:41:13Z |
Next generation online monitor combines infrared gas measurements with automated on-board calibration using water vapor
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Doble Engineering Company, a leader in power grid diagnostic solutions, today announced the release of the Calisto R9 Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) Monitor. Ground-breaking new technologies allow Calisto R9 to deliver accurate gas readings over the long haul without the maintenance costs associated with cylinders of consumable gas.
"Calisto R9 was developed to provide asset managers with early fault detection and lifetime-accurate DGA diagnostics, while minimizing monitor maintenance time and expense," said Stephan Brauer, Chief Technology Officer at Morgan Schaffer, a Doble company since 2017. "The key to achieving this goal is a U.S.-patented system that uses water vapor as a calibrant to maintain the accuracy of the gas measurements over time – an industry first."
Calisto R9 reports hourly readings of all the key transformer fault gases. A new differential infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (DIPAS) method provides accurate measurements of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), acetylene (C2H2), ethylene (C2H4), and ethane (C2H6). Hydrogen (H2) is measured using the sensitive and stable thermal-conductivity method that has been a differentiator for Calisto fault-detection monitors for more than 20 years.
"Early fault detection and identification are key for ensuring asset health and grid reliability. We've paired these powerful new gas measurement technologies with 50 years of DGA know-how to provide a dependable easy-to-use monitor for asset management teams," said May Scally, Chief Operating Officer at Morgan Schaffer.
The new product also features all new electronics for enhanced reliability and supply-chain resilience, with a generous offering of communication features and optional modules. A Linux operating system allows the product to integrate into any smart substation architecture while meeting evolving requirements for cyber security. The new browser-based user interface offers intuitive operation and harmonizes the user experience with other products in Doble's condition monitoring suite.
"We've brought together Doble's century of knowledge in asset health and maintenance and Morgan Schaffer's deep experience in dissolved gas analysis to create this next-generation product that makes dissolved gas monitoring easier and more impactful for utilities globally," added Bryan Sayler, President of Doble.
Calisto R9 will be produced at a new facility in Montréal, Québec, Canada using world-class methodologies for lean-manufacturing and quality assurance. After-sales support will be provided through Doble's international network of channel partners and affiliated companies, including Altanova.
For more information on the Calisto R9 online DGA monitor, please visit the website.
The team at Doble ensures reliable, safe and secure power for all. We do this by providing comprehensive diagnostics and engineering expertise for the energy industry.
Founded in 1920, Doble is committed to the continuing education of our customers, and the support and training of the next generation of power industry workers – uniting the utility sector for an innovative future.
Doble is part of the Utility Solutions Group of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE). For more information, visit: www.doble.com, follow us on Twitter @doble and connect on LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Doble Engineering Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/doble-simplifies-long-term-accurate-dissolved-gas-monitoring-with-calisto-r9/ | 2022-08-29T12:56:40Z |
IRVING, Texas, May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vistra (NYSE: VST) announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.177 per share of Vistra's common stock, reflecting an estimated aggregate payment of $75 million this quarter, and together with last quarter's dividend, ~$150 million cumulatively in 2022. This represents a ~18% increase in the company's quarterly common stock dividend per share from its second quarter 2021 dividend. The common dividend is payable on June 30, 2022, to common stockholders of record as of June 22, 2022. The ex-dividend date for the common dividend will be June 21, 2022.
The board of directors also declared a semi-annual dividend on the company's 7.0% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Green Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock. The Series B dividend is $35.972223 per preferred share (including amounts accrued from Dec. 10, 2021 to Dec. 15, 2021), or $70.00 per share of Series B preferred stock on an annualized basis. The Series B dividend is payable on June 15, 2022, to Series B preferred stockholders of record as of June 1, 2022.
About Vistra
Vistra (NYSE: VST) is a leading Fortune 275 integrated retail electricity and power generation company based in Irving, Texas, providing essential resources for customers, commerce, and communities. Vistra combines an innovative, customer-centric approach to retail with safe, reliable, diverse, and efficient power generation. The company brings its products and services to market in 20 states and the District of Columbia, including six of the seven competitive wholesale markets in the U.S. and markets in Canada, as well. Serving nearly 4.3 million residential, commercial, and industrial retail customers with electricity and natural gas, Vistra is one of the largest competitive electricity providers in the country and offers over 50 renewable energy plans. The company is also the largest competitive power generator in the U.S. with a capacity of approximately 39,000 megawatts powered by a diverse portfolio, including natural gas, nuclear, solar, and battery energy storage facilities. In addition, Vistra is a large purchaser of wind power. The company owns and operates the 400-MW/1,600-MWh battery energy storage system in Moss Landing, California, the largest of its kind in the world. Vistra is guided by four core principles: we do business the right way, we work as a team, we compete to win, and we care about our stakeholders, including our customers, our communities where we work and live, our employees, and our investors. Learn more about our environmental, social, and governance efforts and read the company's sustainability report at https://www.vistracorp.com/sustainability/.
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SOURCE Vistra Corp. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/04/vistra-declares-dividend-common-stock-series-b-preferred-stock/ | 2022-05-04T22:33:04Z |
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Civil rights advocates in St. Louis on Wednesday demanded an investigation into the conditions at the city jail, where six detainees have died since April.
A coalition made up of the ArchCity Defenders law firm, Action St. Louis, Freedom Community Center, Metropolitan Congregational United, Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center and the St. Louis public defenders office said it is seeking more information on the deaths at the City Justice Center, or CJC. It also called for the release of all detainees accused of lower-level crimes and those with serious medical conditions.
“The egregious number of deaths within a five-month period demands answers from CJC and government officials,” the coalition said in a statement.
A spokesman for the corrections department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the coalition, Robert Lee Miller died on April 28; Augustus Collier died on July 8; a person known by the street name Nelly Boo died on Aug. 10; Donald Henry died on Sept. 3; Courtney McNeal died on Sept. 6; and one other detainee whose name was not known died on some unspecified date since the start of April.
The coalition said detainees have complained about overcrowding and being confined to their cells for all but one hour a day. It also cited reports from detainees that pepper spray, bear mace and tear gas are often used on inmates.
“Between lengthy jail stays that average more than a year, dependence on ‘no bond allowed’ determinations, and the inhumane conditions at CJC, people are left in a cage to deteriorate with no hope of release,” the coalition said. “This is state-sanctioned violence.”
Andrea Armstrong, a professor at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and an expert on prison and jail conditions and mortality, cited data showing that around three-quarters of U.S. jails don’t average any deaths in a calendar year.
“I would say it’s alarming,” Armstrong said of the spate of deaths in St. Louis.
St. Louis jails have long been troubled.
A lockup known as the workhouse was notorious for decades for its inhumane conditions, including rodent infestations, extreme heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter. Mayor Tishaura Jones, a liberal Democrat elected in April 2021, ran in part on a pledge to close the workhouse. Corrections department spokesman Monte Chambers said it is not housing inmates but remains available if needed during “peak times.”
The City Justice Center was the site of two significant riots in early 2021. Detainees upset about often-lengthy pretrial detentions and jail conditions were able to get out of their cells due to faulty locks. They set fires and threw chairs and other things out of windows. No significant injuries were reported.
Jones blamed “failed leadership” for the jail’s problems, and Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass resigned in May of 2021. The city spent millions of dollars to fix the locks. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/ap-six-detainee-deaths-in-st-louis-prompt-investigation-demand/ | 2022-09-14T23:34:15Z |
GUANGZHOU, China, April 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
As China's top comprehensive trade event in terms of scale and turnover, the Canton Fair has prepared well for the 131st session and is ready to welcome international buyers.
Here, we can enjoy the new and chic clothing and joyful modelling displays. In previous Fairs, textiles and apparel have always sit among the most eye-catching sections. Each session, many garment and textile companies flock in from provinces like Shandong, Hebei, Zhejiang, and Fujian. In recent years, technology innovation has revived the quite traditional industry in China. Numerous new products come to the stage featuring new fabrics, design, and manufacturing, dazzling the buyers' eyes. At the 130th Canton Fair, a waterproof beige trench coat made with eco-friendly fabrics is favored by European and American buyers. Another type of popular products is those made by seamless computer knitting machine, which was especially well received among buyers from the U.K., Germany, U.S. and Japan.
The Chinese textile industry has penetrated various fields, from clothing and home textiles to the national defense and military industry, from transportation to medical and healthcare, from environmental protection to new energy development, from artificial blood vessels inside the heart and blades of wind turbines to the metal antenna mesh of the Beidou Satellite System (BDS), as well as the knitted Chinese national flag displayed on the moon.The wide application of Chinese textiles reflect constant innovations of the industry.
According to the reports, China's clothing and textiles have transformed its global targeted market from middle and low-end into high-end with the same share of 60%. Once synonymous with "processing," the Chinese textile industry is embarking on a path of intelligent manufacturing driven by technological innovation.
Hit by COVID-19, more textiles and apparel foreign trade enterprises have switched to online sales. From the 127th Canton Fair, many participant enterprises have arranged live streaming teams. During the Fairs, they advertised their products via 24-hour live streaming to attract buyers. Maggie Pu, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Canton Fair, said, with trade promotion activities such as "Discover Canton Fair with Bee and Honey", "Trade Bridge" Virtual Promotion, the 131st Canton Fair will continue to connect buyers and suppliers, and share Chinese intelligent manufacturing products with the world.
Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index#/foreign-email for more opportunities.
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SOURCE Canton Fair | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/10/canton-fair-2022-technological-innovation-revitalizes-chinas-textile-industry/ | 2022-04-10T12:42:36Z |
Net Income Improves by $5 Million with Growth Across the Business
CHELMSFORD, Mass., May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Harte Hanks, Inc. (NASDAQ: HHS), a global customer experience company, today announced financial results for the first quarter, the period ended March 31, 2022.
First Quarter Financial Highlights
- Revenues improved by 12% to $49.0 million, compared to $43.8 million in the same period in the prior year.
- Growth was broad-based, with revenue for each segment increasing, led by 28% growth in Fulfillment & Logistics services and 7% growth in Customer Care.
- Diluted EPS of $0.39 for the first quarter of 2022 vs. $(0.28) for the same period in the prior year.
- Operating income of $3.9 million, compared to an operating loss of $0.9 million in the same period in the prior year.
- Net income of $3.3 million, compared to a net loss of $1.8 million in the same period in the prior year.
- EBITDA improved to $4.5 million compared to negative $0.2 million in the same period in the prior year.1
Segment Highlights
- Customer Care, $17.8 million in revenue, 36% of total - Revenue increased by 7.2%, or $1.2 million, from the prior year quarter and year-over-year EBITDA improved to $3.5 million from $2.6 million. New business wins for the quarter included:
- Fulfillment & Logistics Services, $18.4 million in revenue, 38% of total - Revenue increased by 28.4%, or $4.1 million, compared to the prior year quarter; and year-over-year EBITDA improved to $2.4 million from $1.2 million. New business wins for the quarter included:
- Marketing Services, $12.9 million in revenue, 26% of total - Revenue increased by 0.4% or $46,000 compared to the prior year quarter and year-over-year EBITDA improved to $1.5 million from $0.6 million. New business wins for the quarter included:
Harte Hanks CEO, Brian Linscott, commented: "The new, streamlined Harte Hanks has developed clear differentiators and compelling solutions that are in demand from our top-tier customer base. The result is increased and diversified revenue by segment and customer, and a stable platform for long-term profitable growth. Our growing presence in the healthcare and consumer products verticals is driving incremental opportunities, enabling us to better utilize our existing capacity in Kansas City and Boston. Additionally, we continue to prove our expertise in Customer Care, as more and more customers rely on us to deliver unique solutions for their most valuable asset, their customers. We are increasingly confident that 2022 will be a year of bottom-line growth for Harte Hanks."
"Our focus this year, in addition to growing our business and expanding our relationships with our customers, is improving our operating margins by fully taking advantage of our asset-lite operating model and investment in technology," continued Mr. Linscott. "The initial results validate our strategy, with consistent and growing profitability including a $5.0 million positive swing in net income. Harte Hanks is now built for sustainable profitability, and we are working to leverage our platform to create lasting shareholder value."
Consolidated First Quarter 2022 Results
First quarter revenues were $49.0 million, up 12.1% from $43.8 million in the first quarter of 2021. All three segments delivered year-over-year growth.
First quarter operating income was $3.9 million, compared to an operating loss of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2021. The improvement resulted from the Company's revenue increases and cost reduction efforts.
Net income for the quarter was $3.3 million, up from a net loss of $1.8 million in the first quarter last year. Income attributable to common stockholders for the first quarter was $2.8 million, or $0.40 per basic share and $0.39 per fully diluted share, compared to loss attributable to common shareholders of $1.9 million, or $(0.28) per basic and diluted share.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Harte Hanks ended the quarter with $12.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, compared to $15.1 million at December 31, 2021. At March 31, 2021, the Company had no short-term debt, $5 million in long-term debt and $51.3 million in outstanding long-term pension liability. On December 31, 2021, the Company had no short-term debt, $5 million in long-term debt and $52.5 million in outstanding long-term pension liability.
The company anticipates receiving a net operating loss (NOL) tax refund of $7.6 million in 2022 which will further enhance liquidity.
Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss these results today at 4:30 p.m. EST. Interested parties may access the webcast at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2810/45439 or may access the conference call by dialing in the United States (844) 369-8770 or internationally (862) 298-0840.
A replay of the call can also be accessed via phone through May 26, 2022, by dialing (877) 481-4010 from the U.S., or (919) 882-2331 from outside the U.S. The conference call replay passcode is 45439.
About Harte Hanks:
Harte Hanks (NASDAQ: HHS) is a leading global customer experience company whose mission is to partner with clients to provide them with CX strategy, data-driven analytics and actionable insights combined with seamless program execution to better understand, attract, and engage their customers.
Using its unparalleled resources and award-winning talent in the areas of Customer Care, Fulfillment and Logistics, and Marketing Services, Harte Hanks has a proven track record of driving results for some of the world's premier brands including Bank of America, GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, Pfizer, HBOMax, Volvo, Ford, FedEx, Midea, Sony, and IBM among others. Headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Harte Hanks has over 2,500 employees in offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
For more information visit hartehanks.com
As used herein, "Harte Hanks" or "the Company" refers to Harte Hanks, Inc. and/or its applicable operating subsidiaries, as the context may require. Harte Hanks' logo and name are trademarks of Harte Hanks.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Our press release and related earnings conference call contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. All such statements are qualified by this cautionary note, provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements other than historical facts are forward-looking and may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "seeks," "could," "intends," or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on current information, expectations and estimates and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In that event, our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially adversely affected and investors in our securities could lose part or all of their investments. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors include: (a) local, national and international economic and business conditions, including (i) the outbreak of diseases, such as the COVID-19 coronavirus, which has curtailed travel to and from certain countries and geographic regions, created supply chain disruption and shortages, disrupted business operations and reduced consumer spending, (ii) market conditions that may adversely impact marketing expenditures, (iii) the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict on the global economy and our business, including impacts from related sanctions and export controls and (iv) the impact of economic environments and competitive pressures on the financial condition, marketing expenditures and activities of our clients and prospects; (b) the demand for our products and services by clients and prospective clients, including (i) the willingness of existing clients to maintain or increase their spending on products and services that are or remain profitable for us, and (ii) our ability to predict changes in client needs and preferences; (c) economic and other business factors that impact the industry verticals we serve, including competition and consolidation of current and prospective clients, vendors and partners in these verticals; (d) our ability to manage and timely adjust our facilities, capacity, workforce and cost structure to effectively serve our clients; (e) our ability to improve our processes and to provide new products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner though development, license, partnership or acquisition; (f) our ability to protect our facilities against security breaches and other interruptions and to protect sensitive personal information of our clients and their customers; (g) our ability to respond to increasing concern, regulation and legal action over consumer privacy issues, including changing requirements for collection, processing and use of information; (h) the impact of privacy and other regulations, including restrictions on unsolicited marketing communications and other consumer protection laws; (i) fluctuations in fuel prices, paper prices, postal rates and postal delivery schedules; (j) the number of shares, if any, that we may repurchase in connection with our repurchase program; (k) unanticipated developments regarding litigation or other contingent liabilities; (l) our ability to complete anticipated divestitures and reorganizations, including cost-saving initiatives; (m) our ability to realize the expected tax refunds; and (n) other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 which was filed on March 21, 2022. The forward-looking statements in this press release and our related earnings conference call are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, the Company may use certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance in order to provide investors with a better understanding of operating results and underlying trends to assess the Company's performance and liquidity in this press release and our related earnings conference call. We have presented herein a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measure "Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)" as a measure useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's financial results because it facilitates a period-to-period comparison of Operating Revenue and Operating Income (Loss) by excluding restructuring expense, impairment expense and stock-based compensation. The most directly comparable measure for this non-GAAP financial measure is Operating Income (Loss).
The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measure "EBITDA" as a supplemental measure of operating performance in order to provide an improved understanding of underlying performance trends. The Company defines "Adjusted EBITDA" as earnings before interest expense net, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation expense. The most directly comparable measure for EBITDA is Net Income (Loss). We believe EBITDA is an important performance metric because it facilitates the analysis of our results, exclusive of certain non-cash items, including items which do not directly correlate to our business operations; however, we urge investors to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP EBITDA to the comparable GAAP Net Income (Loss), which is included in this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company's financial performance.
The use of non-GAAP measures do not serve as a substitute and should not be construed as a substitute for GAAP performance but should provide supplemental information concerning our performance that our investors and we find useful. The Company evaluates its operating performance based on several measures, including this non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measures in this press release and earnings conference call presentations are useful supplemental financial measures of operating performance for investors because they facilitate investors' ability to evaluate the operational strength of the Company's business. However, there are limitations to the use of this non-GAAP measures, including that they may not be calculated the same by other companies in our industry limiting their use as a tool to compare results. Any supplemental non-GAAP financial measures referred to herein are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and they should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for the most comparable GAAP financial measures.
EBITDA is the Company's measure of segment profitability.
Investor Relations Contact:
Rob Fink
FNK IR
HHS@fnkir.com
646-809-4048
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SOURCE Harte Hanks, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/12/harte-hanks-generates-12-revenue-growth-delivers-039-eps-first-quarter-2022/ | 2022-05-12T21:20:35Z |
MIAMI, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept and leader in family vacations, announced today new enhancements to its existing family and wellness programming. Just in time for summer vacations, Club Med is deploying its new Mini Club Med + children's programming across its resort portfolio in North America, Asia, and Europe. While kids enjoy Mini Club Med +, parents can take advantage of unique and immersive wellness experiences under Club Med's new Wellness Fusion concept for the ultimate peace of mind.
"Since the pandemic, we have seen sharp growth in the demand for both all-inclusive family travel and wellness experiences," said Kevin Armstrong, Senior Director of Brand & Communications for Club Med North America and the Caribbean. "More than ever, our guests are looking for experiences that enhance their well-being and quality of life, as well as that of their children. Through our Mini Club Med +, we have created a unique approach to our children's programming that spurs both the social and emotional development and creativity of our youngest guests while their parents can benefit from a complete 360-degree approach to their wellbeing with our Wellness Fusion offer."
New Mini Club Med + Programming
In 1967, Club Med founded their first Children's Club – the Mini Club Med for children ages 4-10. To continue supporting kids' growth and empowerment as well as give them the tools to foster positive relationships with their peers on vacation and at home, Club Med has enhanced its existing Mini Club programming to offer even more engaging, fun-filled, and educational activities that encourage children to make new friends, expand their imaginations, and experience the freedom of childhood.
The new Mini Club Med + experience will feature activities including:
- Nature Detective: Embark on a treasure hunt outdoors and learn more about the surrounding flora and fauna.
- Happiness Builders: Children practice random acts of kindness like leaving kind messages on guest doorknobs and writing each other happiness cards – sowing little seeds of happiness to develop empathy and positive energy.
- Giant Caterpillar: Using teamwork and a gym mat, children need to work together to get the caterpillar moving.
- Ninja Bootcamp: Race to the finish as children and their teammates hop, skip, and jump over obstacles to get to the finish line.
- Happiness Expo: Sharing time for kids and parents as kids share the best moments of their eventful day at Mini Club Med +.
Built on the six pillars of creativity, courage, connection, cooperation, cheerfulness, and self-confidence, the enhanced Mini Club Med + provides children with the vital tools needed to foster their unique strengths, connect with others, and develop with confidence.
For more details, please visit this link.
Introducing Wellness Fusion by Club Med
While kids enjoy time in their respective Children's Clubs, parents can take advantage of diverse wellness experiences that fall under Club Med's Wellness Fusion umbrella. Combining a harmonious fusion of wellness experiences designed to harness ultimate peace of mind, guests can enjoy a well-rounded itinerary filled with active sports, natural reconnection, mindfulness and yoga programming, nutritious dining, and spa experiences:
- Active Sports: Enjoy more than 20 included land and water sports including pickleball, standup paddle, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and Club Med's must-try flying trapeze experience.
- Natural Reconnection: Surrounded by nature and spread across an average of 50 acres, each Club Med resort offers plenty of room to roam and enjoy dining al fresco in airy outdoor restaurants and lounges, exploring pristine white sand beaches, and embarking on cultural excursions to further explore the surrounding destination.
- Mindfulness and Yoga: Guests can partake in a comprehensive yoga program that includes up to 4 hours of classes in unique environments. Popular options include treetop yoga, beachfront sunset yoga, power yoga, and family yoga. New meditation experiences include sound bowl meditation, forest meditation, and gentle epicurean hikes.
- Spa Experiences: Find bliss with Club Med's wide range of wellness experiences at each resort's dedicated spa with treatments including hydrotherapy, temezcal, moonlight massages, and oceanfront massages using products inspired by the native flora.
- Healthy Dining: All-day dining is included for every Club Med guest, and on-site Chefs use the highest quality of ingredients when preparing well-balanced meals. Locally sourced produce are combined with local specialties as well as Club Med's trademark French savoir faire. For breakfast, enjoy an extensive selection of fresh fruits, fresh green juices, and breakfast favorites like acai bowls, omelets, and avocado toast. New plant-based dishes are also available at select properties courtesy of Beyond Meat.
For images, please visit this link.
ABOUT CLUB MED
Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gérard Blitz, is the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, offering approximately 70 premium resorts in stunning locations around the world including North and South America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean. Each Club Med resort features authentic local style and comfortably upscale accommodations, superior sports programming and activities, enriching children's programs, gourmet dining, and warm and friendly service by its world-renown staff with legendary hospitality skills, an all-encompassing energy and diverse backgrounds.
Club Med operates in more than 30 countries and continues to maintain its authentic Club Med spirit with an international staff of more than 23,000 employees from more than 110 different nationalities. Led by its pioneering spirit, Club Med continues to grow and adapt to each market with three to five new resort openings or renovations per year, including a new mountain resort annually.
For more information, visit www.clubmed.us, call 1-800-Club-Med (1-800-258-2633), or contact a preferred travel professional. For an inside look at Club Med, follow Club Med on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Club Med Media Contacts
Sophia Lykke
Public Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
sophia.lykke@clubmed.com
QUINN PR
clubmed@quinn.pr
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SOURCE Club Med | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/club-med-pioneer-all-inclusive-concept-announces-all-new-family-amp-wellness-programming/ | 2022-06-27T16:10:15Z |
HO CHI MINH, Vietnam, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- What do you think if you made 70% of a small investment in the short term? Or how about when you play the coin flip game, you will pay a coin if you lose but get 70 if you win? Most people will accept the first option and stay away from the second because it sounds like a Sic Bo game. However, both options are basically the same. And Binary Options come as a breath of fresh air in 2022 as a form of investment that is of interest to a huge number of investors for its fun and profitability.
What are Binary Options?
Binary Options (BO) are financing options that allow players to trade on the prediction of the uptrend/downtrend of financial products. If the players can predict the trend, they will receive 70% - 95% of the return on initial investment depending on the level of profitability set by the broker. However, if their prediction is wrong, they lose the entire amount invested. In terms of form, it is like Sic Bo.
Binary Options investment is simple, fun, and profitable
Why is it so simple to invest in Binary Options?
Investors only need to place orders based on trends that they believe will increase or decrease in a type of financial asset. This simplicity has attracted crowds of investors and new entrants to the financial markets. Unlike stocks, forex, gold, and crude oil, there are many factors to address when investing, from slippages and margins to news events. For BO, the risk is only at the same level as your investment. Compared to other trades, the profit in BO is extremely attractive (90% for Up Options).
How could Binary Option make investing so enjoyable in 2022?
As in the title, flip the coin and wait for luck. For BO, flipping the coin but the odds of winning are higher, do not expect much luck because BO has ways to limit the risk. Many tools support binary trading, such as online price charts, economic calendars, news, and indicators. Even long-time traders rely on experience to analyze and forecast prices.
It is hard to say not fun while "Gambling" but having a plan, having a specific strategy, having a capital management way to limit risk without using emotion or luck, and having a high percentage of winning.
Compared to other forms of securities investment, BO is simpler. However, traders should fully understand how binary options work, what markets and timeframes they can trade with binary options, the advantages and disadvantages of these products, and which companies are legally authorized to offer binary options.
Where to participate in binary trading?
The method used to open an account will be very simple for BO brokers in Vietnam. After opening an account, investors will be supported with advice and guidance on trading based on financial products (securities, gold, Forex, Bitcoin...). Investors should have evaluation criteria to make the best quality choices of reputable BO brokers. Here are the dominant criteria of the Up Options binary broker.
Highlights of Up Options
Up Options LLC with its registered address on the 1st Floor, First St. Vincent Bank Ltd, James Street, Kingstown, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines. Each transaction at Up Options is monitored by reputable financial institutions while applying special facilities for investors to choose specifically as follows:
- The state-of-the-art trading platform incorporates unrivaled security technologies that ensure the fastest transaction speed. Fast without delay order processing and the most accurate list prices
- Fast deposit and withdrawal operations using a specialized payment gateway. Accept paying via Bank, Visa, Mastercard, and other payment gateways.
- A customized platform built to adapt to any device use and any transition without hindrance
- Keeping an economic calendar provides valuable information about upcoming economic events to help traders make the right investment decisions
- Actively support investors to create order action through unlimited demo accounts
Up Options established with the criterion: "As a trader, we understand that you will not trade without your advantages." However, equip yourself with sufficient knowledge before entering the financial markets and should only trade with capital that you can afford to handle if the risk occurs.
For more information about Up Options, please visit:
Website: www.upoptions.com
Hotline: +1 874 458 23 06
Email: support@upoptions.com
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SOURCE Binary Options (BO) | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/binary-options-bring-fun-into-successful-investing-2022/ | 2022-04-11T20:07:11Z |
POLK CITY, Fla. (AP) — Bart Bryant, who once beat Tiger Woods to win the biggest paycheck of his career, was killed when a truck slammed into his SUV while he was stopped in a line of vehicles on a central Florida road for a construction crew, authorities said.
Bryant, 59, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, was unresponsive when emergency responders in Polk City found him Tuesday afternoon. He was taken to a hospital where he died. His wife, Donna, 49, also was in the vehicle and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said in an emailed statement.
“The PGA Tour is saddened by the tragic passing of Bart Bryant and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” Commissioner Jay Monahan said. “The Bryants have been a part of the PGA Tour family for over four decades and we are grateful for the impact and legacy he made on our organization and countless communities. Bart will be dearly missed.”
Bryant’s older brother, Brad, also won on the PGA Tour. They both qualified for the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
Bryant’s career was marked by humility and perseverance, and he was awarded the Ben Hogan Award by the Golf Writers Association of America in 2006 for staying active in golf despite physical setbacks.
He had rotator cuff surgery in 1992 that sent him bouncing around mini-tours and trips to PGA Tour qualifying school to keep his card. He also had surgery on both elbows, and he won his first tournament at the 2004 Texas Open.
Nothing could top the 2005 season. He held off Fred Couples to win the Memorial, saving par from a creek on the 18th hole at Muirfield Village. And at the Tour Championship at East Lake to end the year, he opened with a 62 and went wire-to-wire, winning by six shots over Woods.
That remains the most shots Woods finished behind as a runner-up.
According to the sheriff’s office, the Bryants’ SUV was stopped at the construction site near an intersection. A truck traveling in the same direction failed to see their stopped SUV and slammed into it, the sheriff’s office said.
It said an investigation was ongoing. Bryant lived in nearby Auburndale.
“He was a champion on and off the course and will be dearly missed by many,” the PGA Tour Champions tweeted.
Bryant is survived by his second wife, daughters Kristen and Michelle and his stepchildren. His first wife, Cathy, preceded him in death. She died in 2017 of brain cancer, 11 months after her diagnosis.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/pro-golfer-bart-bryant-killed-in-vehicle-accident-in-florida/ | 2022-06-02T16:54:07Z |
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Why some people are poor and others are prosperous is the theme of a new book, Objective Prosperity (Rothstein Publishing, August 2022), by Professors Roger Blackwell and Roger Bailey. The book was published August 15 by Rothstein Publishing.
Their book explains how behavioral economics contributes to prosperity along with national economic growth, and take a "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" approach to how behavioral economics differs from traditional economics.
Objective Prosperity describes how people with diverse backgrounds, skillsets and ethnicities move from poor to prosperous. It has examples of people not born wealthy achieving success including Dave Thomas, Steve Jobs, and Jeff Bezos.
Is inequality getting better or worse? Examining Thomas Piketty, the authors believe his theories are based on incorrect data leading to policies that may harm rather than help low and middle-income consumers. The authors conclude values inherited from parents are more important than inherited capital illustrated by Walmart's Doug McMillon, Tom Brady and Serena Williams.
Blackwell, the author of 40 previous books, has served on the boards of directors for 14 publicly traded companies, including Applied Industrial Technologies and Abercrombie.
The book is endorsed by business leaders, including:
"What factors influence the chances for individual success and national prosperity? The authors cite the thoughts of many profound thinkers on how to live a rewarding life."
-Philip Kotler, Distinguished Professor of International Marketing, emeritus, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
"This book is a must read for any entrepreneur."
-Rhett C. Ricart, 2020 Chairman National Automobile Dealers Association
Roger Blackwell, Ph.D., retired as professor at The Ohio State University, and is co-author of Consumer Behavior, a textbook translated into multiple languages. Roger Bailey, Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio State, received a Ph.D. in Economics from Vanderbilt University.
For more information:
Home - Roger Blackwell (rogerblackwellbusiness.com)
Objective Prosperity: How Behavioral Economics Can Improve Outcomes for You, Your Business, and Your Nation - Rothstein Publishing
Objective Prosperity: How Behavioral Economics Can Improve Outcomes for You, Your Business, and Your Nation by Roger Blackwell and Roger Bailey
Rothstein Publishing
270 pages
ISBN print: 978-1-044480-77-6 EPUB: 978-1-044480-78-3
$31.99 (Paperback); $28.99 (Kindle)
Publication date: August 15, 2022
PR Contact:
Andrew Blum, AJB Communications
917-783-1680, ajbcomms@gmail.com
View original content:
SOURCE Rothstein Publishing | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/new-book-by-ohio-professors-objective-prosperity-how-behavioral-economics-can-improve-outcomes-you-your-business-your-nation/ | 2022-08-17T15:17:01Z |
Which Coleman sleeping bag is best?
Coleman is one of the most recognized brands in camping gear. From tents to outdoor cooking equipment, they have made a name for themselves by offering super high-quality products at affordable prices. Coleman is also a very popular brand because they are so widely available in brick-and-mortar stores.
Their product variety extends to sleeping bags, which are built for all varieties of temperatures and always focus on comfort first. The best one is the Coleman Cool Weather Sleeping Bag, which will keep you warm in temperatures as low as 30 degrees, thanks to the soft tricot lining on the interior.
What to know before you buy a Coleman sleeping bag
Temperatures
Keeping warm while you’re sleeping outside is of the utmost importance. For this reason, most sleeping bags are measured by what temperatures they can withstand. They are also often designated by what season they are best for. All-season sleeping bags should be able to keep you comfortable when it’s as low as 30 degrees. If you’re specifically camping in winter temperatures, you want to ensure your bag can withstand at least 15 degrees.
Packable sleeping bags
Any sleeping bag you find today will come with a carrying case that is meant to house your bag when it’s not in use. Of course, experienced campers know that this is sometimes easier said than done. Most sleeping bags aren’t that easy to compress into a bag that’s barely large enough to hold it. But Coleman uses a set of tools that make packing away your sleeping bag easy. Their Roll Control system uses loops and toggles to keep the bag straight while rolling it up. Also, the Quick Cord feature allows you to fasten the bag instead of fumbling with strings.
ZipPlow
Another innovative feature of Coleman sleeping bags is the ZipPlow. Camping always brings some unique challenges, but the last thing you want to deal with is a snagging zipper on your sleeping bag. If you’re camping in colder temperatures, you’ll certainly be sleeping in several layers of clothing in a tightly fitting sleeping bag. This can lead to snagging your zipper on your clothes — not to mention the bag fabric itself. Coleman’s ZipPlow is a specialized zipper mechanism that pushes away fabric from the zipper’s teeth to allow for a smooth opening and closing motion.
What to look for in a quality Coleman sleeping bag
Camping for two
Most camping product companies don’t consider what it’s like to camp with a partner. Coleman, however, has created special zippers that can connect from one sleeping bag to another. If you purchase two of these bags separately, they can connect their zippers and create one large sleeping bag. This way, you can cuddle with your partner when the temperatures get a little too cool. If you don’t want to spend money on two separate sleeping bags, you can opt for Coleman’s Tandem Sleeping bag, which is wide enough for two full-sized adults.
Inner pocket
Campers know the issues of keeping track of your belongings out in the wilderness. This is especially true when you settle down in your tent at the end of a long day of hiking. You want to safely stow away your eyeglasses, smartphone or other small items without worrying about rolling over on them in the night. Coleman has inner pockets built into most of their sleeping bags that are up by the head area. They also include a zipper to keep things in place.
Crossbody zippers
Most sleeping bags only zip on the edges. This can often expose your body too much, leaving plenty of open space for cold air to get in. One of Coleman’s most unique products is their Adjustable Comfort Sleeping Bag, which features crossbody zippers. These zippers go across your body instead of just on the outer edges. Furthermore, they have an inner lining that stays intact when you unzip one of the sections. Think of it like a regular bed where you can remove the duvet and still use the flat sheet when it gets too warm.
How much you can expect to spend on Coleman sleeping bag
Coleman sleeping bags cost $18-$70.
Coleman sleeping bag FAQ
Do Coleman sleeping bags make a loud rustling sound?
A. Coleman uses a polyester material in its sleeping bags, so you will hear a slight rustling sound when you adjust your position. However, many of its bags use a tricot blend material on the interior, which is much quieter than polyester.
How big are Coleman sleeping bags when rolled up?
A. The Coleman Tandem sleeping bag, which is one of its largest, is around 20 inches long and 15 inches wide when rolled up. Its standard sleeping bags are much more compact at around 16 inches long and 9 inches wide in their packed form.
What’s the best Coleman sleeping bag to buy?
Top Coleman sleeping bag
Coleman Cool Weather Sleeping Bag
What you need to know: This sleeping bag works best in mild temperatures, making it one of Coleman’s best overall camping products.
What you’ll love: With a sleek polyester outer lining and a super soft tricot fiber inner lining, the Cool Weather Sleeping Bag is great for comfort. It can keep you warm in temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it has an inner pocket for storing your phone or glasses and a ZipPlow system to keep the zipper from snagging on your clothes.
What you should consider: This sleeping bag won’t fit someone taller than 5 feet 11 inches.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Coleman sleeping bag for the money
What you need to know: The Tandem Sleeping Bag from Coleman offers twice the sleeping space for an affordable price.
What you’ll love: Not only can this bag hold two full-size adults, but it can also unzip into two separate bags if you’re on a solo trip. In addition, there’s a thermal insulation layer that keeps you warm in temperatures as low as 45 degrees. If you’re over 6 feet tall, this sleeping bag can accommodate you very comfortably.
What you should consider: It’s best for summer camping as the interior lining won’t protect against super cold weather.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Coleman Adjustable Comfort Sleeping Bag
What you need to know: This uniquely shaped sleeping bag is built to keep you comfortable with frequent temperature changes.
What you’ll love: Camping can often be uncomfortable when it comes to temperatures. This bag features crossbody zippers that let you open up your bag in the center as well as the edges. There’s also an inner lining that keeps you covered even when the outer layer is unzipped.
What you should consider: The angle of the zippers can sometimes be difficult to unzip.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/sleeping-br/best-coleman-sleeping-bag/ | 2022-06-07T17:33:31Z |
A pair of Wampus Cats sign with East Central
Published: May. 19, 2022 at 11:05 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
ATOKA, Okla. (KXII) -Signing day at Atoka High School as a pair of Wampus Cats are headed off to East Central to join the track and field program. Peyton Holland will be throwing shotput and discus and Jodi Moore will compete in the pole vault. Both are ready for the next chapter.
”I think it will be really exciting,” said Moore. “I always loved it in high school. So, I’m just really excited about the experiences.”
”The competition is going to be way higher. It’s going to be better for me,” said Holland. “It’s been great. The coaches have helped me a lot become a better athlete.”
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/20/pair-wampus-cats-sign-with-east-central/ | 2022-05-20T05:19:58Z |
FIRST QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
- Total transaction volume of $12.7 billion, up 40% from Q1'21
- Total revenues of $319.4 million, up 42% from Q1'21
- Net income of $71.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $2.12, up 23% and 18%, respectively, from Q1'21
- Adjusted EBITDA1 of $62.6 million, up 3% from Q1'21
- Servicing portfolio of $116.3 billion at March 31, 2022 up 6% from March 31, 2021
- Completed the acquisition of GeoPhy
- Declared quarterly dividend of $0.60 per share for the second quarter
- Promoted Steve Theobald to Chief Operating Officer and Greg Florkowski to Chief Financial Officer
BETHESDA, Md., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE: WD) (the "Company" or "W&D") reported total revenues of $319.4 million for the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 42% year over year. Net income for the first quarter of 2022 was $71.2 million or $2.12 per diluted share, up 23% and 18%, respectively, from the first quarter of 2021. First quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA1 was $62.6 million, up 3% over the same period in 2021. First quarter total transaction volume was $12.7 billion, up 40% year over year. The Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.60 per share for the second quarter of 2022. The Company promoted Steve Theobald to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective June 1, 2022, at which time Greg Florkowski will assume the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Walker & Dunlop Chairman and CEO Willy Walker commented, "The breadth of Walker & Dunlop's platform, capabilities, and brand resulted in 40% year-over-year growth in total transaction volume to $12.7 billion in the first quarter of 2022, driving total revenues to $319 million, up 42% year over year, and diluted earnings per share of $2.12, up 18% from the first quarter of last year. We recently made the two largest acquisitions in W&D's history, Alliant and GeoPhy, which dramatically expand our presence in the affordable housing industry and accelerate our growth as a technologically-enabled financial services company. The growth and market share gains in our core businesses, along with our investments in new businesses and technology, position Walker & Dunlop extremely well to achieve our mission of becoming the premier commercial real estate finance company in the United States."
Mr. Walker continued, "Exceptional service delivery is a hallmark of W&D. We have asked Steve Theobald to become Chief Operating Officer to drive service delivery, integration, and technology implementation across Walker & Dunlop. Greg Florkowski, who has been an integral member of our finance and accounting team before running business development for the past three years, will become Chief Financial Officer. It is a joy to see these two talented executives moving into new roles that will bring significant benefits to W&D."
CONSOLIDATED FIRST QUARTER 2022 OPERATING RESULTS
Discussion of Results:
- Total debt financing volume increased 19% from the first quarter of 2021. Driving the overall increase was a 17% increase in GSE debt financing volumes, driven by strong Fannie Mae lending activity. Our GSE market share increased in the first quarter of 2022 to 12.3% compared to 11.4% at December 31, 2021. Despite the decreases in Freddie Mac and HUD debt financing volume, Agency debt financing volume saw a 7% increase quarter over quarter, indicating continued strength in the multifamily financing market.
- The 31% increase in brokered volume in the first quarter of 2022 reflects our team's ability to meet our clients' broad range of capital needs within uncertain market conditions, continued demand for all commercial real estate property types, and the impacts of our investments in people, brand and technology. We continue to see a benefit from our investments in acquiring and recruiting commercial mortgage bankers, the significant amount of capital being invested into U.S. commercial real estate, and our valued relationships with commercial real estate capital providers.
- Property sales volume increased 153% in the first quarter of 2022 due to the significant growth in our property sales team over the past year in key markets and strong investor demand for multifamily assets.
Discussion of Results:
- Our servicing portfolio continues to expand as a result of the debt financing volume over the past 12 months, partially offset by payoffs of loans.
- During the first quarter of 2022, we added $0.5 billion of net loans to our servicing portfolio, and over the past 12 months, we added $6.4 billion of net loans to our servicing portfolio, 61% of which were Fannie Mae.
- $5.8 billion of Agency loans in our servicing portfolio are scheduled to mature over the next two years. These loans represent only 5% of the total portfolio, with a relatively low weighted-average servicing fee of 19.3 basis points. Additionally, we expect lower levels of prepayments and higher levels of loan assumptions due to rising interest rates compared to the past several quarters, which should benefit the growth of the servicing portfolio in the coming quarters.
- The increase in the overall weighted-average servicing fee was primarily due to an increase in Fannie Mae loans as a percentage of the overall servicing portfolio year over year, coupled with a higher weighted-average servicing fee on Fannie Mae debt financing volumes over the past year than loans that have paid off.
- We added net mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs") from originations of $22.7 million in the first quarter of 2022 and $66.7 million over the past 12 months.
- The MSRs associated with our servicing portfolio had a fair value of $1.3 billion as of March 31, 2022, compared to $1.2 billion as of March 31, 2021.
- Assets under management ("AUM") as of March 31, 2022 consisted of $14.5 billion of assets managed by Alliant, $1.3 billion of loans and funds managed by WDIP and $0.9 billion of loans in our interim lending joint venture. The year-over-year increase in AUM is driven by the addition of Alliant's AUM to our portfolio upon closing the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Discussion of Results:
- The increase in net income was a result of a 23% increase in income from operations, driven by the increase in total revenues year over year. The first quarter of 2022 includes a $39.6 million gain connected with our acquisition of GeoPhy, which positively benefited net income. As part of the GeoPhy acquisition, we acquired the other 50% ownership interest in Apprise. The revaluation of our existing 50% ownership interest in Apprise resulted in the $39.6 million gain.
- The increase in adjusted EBITDA was a result of higher origination fees, property sales broker fees, servicing fees and other revenues. These increases were offset by growth in personnel expense and other operating expenses.
- The decrease in operating margin was primarily due to the increase in total expenses outpacing the growth in total revenues year over year.
- The increase in personnel expenses as a percentage of revenue was a result of commissionable revenues increasing at a faster rate than non-commissionable revenues.
- The increase in other operating expenses as a percentage of revenues was due to the significant investments we have made in our infrastructure over the past year as part of our Drive to '25 growth strategy.
Discussion of Results:
- Our at-risk servicing portfolio, which is comprised of loans subject to a defined risk-sharing formula, increased due to the significant level of Fannie Mae loans added to the portfolio during the past 12 months. As of March 31, 2022, there were two defaulted loans that were provisioned for in 2019 and one loan that was provisioned for in 2021. The two properties that defaulted in 2019 have been foreclosed on and final settlement of any losses will occur in the future upon disposition of the assets by Fannie Mae.
- The on-balance sheet interim loan portfolio, which is comprised of loans for which we have full risk of loss, was $221.6 million at March 31, 2022 compared to $213.2 million at March 31, 2021. There was one defaulted loan in our interim loan portfolio at March 31, 2022, which was provisioned for in the third quarter of 2020. All other loans in the on-balance sheet interim loan portfolio are current and performing as of March 31, 2022. The interim loan joint venture holds $0.9 billion of loans as of March 31, 2022, compared to $0.6 billion as of March 31, 2021. We share in a small portion of the risk of loss, and as of March 31, 2022, all loans in the interim loan joint venture are current and performing.
FIRST QUARTER 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS BY SEGMENT
Capital Markets - Discussion of Results:
The Capital Markets segment includes our Agency lending, debt brokerage, property sales, and appraisal and valuation services.
- The increase in origination fees was driven by the increase in overall debt financing volume, partially offset by the decrease in the origination fee margin. The decrease in origination fee margin was due to a shift in the mix of debt financing volume from 41% Agency loans in the first quarter of 2021 to 37% Agency loans in the first quarter of 2022. Agency loans typically carry higher origination fees than brokered loans.
- The decrease in MSR income was the result of the decrease in the Agency MSR margin, partially offset by a 7% increase in Agency debt financing volume year over year. The decrease in the Agency MSR margin was the result of the significant decline in HUD debt financing volume as HUD loans have the highest MSR margins of all our products. Additionally, the weighted-average servicing fee for our Fannie Mae debt financing volume decreased 25% year over year.
- The increase in property sales broker fees was driven by the 153% increase in property sales volume year over year.
- The increase in net warehouse interest income from loans held for sale ("LHFS") was due to an 89% increase in the net spread, offset by a 24% decrease in the average balance of LHFS outstanding.
- Personnel expense increased primarily as a result of (i) an increase in commissions expense due to the increases in origination fees and property sales broker fees; (ii) an increase in salaries and benefits costs due to strategic acquisitions and hiring initiatives that contributed to a 12% increase in average bankers and brokers year over year; and (iii) an increase in subjective bonuses due to the increase in headcount and our financial performance. Additionally, there was a $1.5 million increase in total compensation costs as a result of consolidating Apprise after the acquisition of GeoPhy. The operating results for the month of March 2022 include compensation costs for Apprise, while the operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 do not as we accounted for our investment in Apprise under the equity method in 2021.
- The increase in other operating expenses was largely attributable to increases in travel and entertainment and marketing costs, both of which are attributable to our overall growth over the past year and low costs in these areas in the first quarter of 2021 due to the pandemic.
Servicing & Asset Management - Discussion of Results:
The Servicing & Asset Management segment includes loan servicing, principal lending and investing, managing third-party capital invested in tax credit equity funds focused on the affordable housing sector and other commercial real estate, and real estate-related investment banking and advisory services, including housing market research.
- The $6.4 billion net increase in the servicing portfolio over the past 12 months was the principal driver of the growth in servicing fees year over year, combined with the increase in the servicing portfolio's weighted-average servicing fee.
- Other revenues increased principally due to the additions of fee income from Alliant and Zelman, with no comparable activity in the prior year as these acquisitions occurred in the second half of 2021. Additionally, prepayment fees increased substantially due to an increase in prepayment activity year over year.
- Personnel expense increased substantially year over year as a result of increased salaries and benefits costs due to strategic acquisitions and hiring initiatives, including both Alliant and Zelman.
- Amortization and depreciation increased as a result of the growth in the average balance of MSRs outstanding year over year and an increase in prepayment activity. Additionally, we had a $3.3 million increase in amortization of intangible assets from our strategic investments in 2021.
- The benefit for credit losses for first quarter of 2022 was primarily attributable to the update in our historical loss rate factor that is based on a 10-year rolling period. The historical loss rate decreased to 1.2 basis points as of March 31, 2022 from 1.8 basis points as of December 31, 2021. In response to improving unemployment statistics and the expected continued overall health of the multifamily market, we adjusted the loss rate for the forecast period downwards to four basis points as of March 31, 2021 from six basis points as of December 31, 2020, resulting in the benefit for risk-sharing obligations for the first quarter of 2021.
- The increase in other operating expenses was largely attributable to increases in office and other professional fees to support the continued growth in our operations as a result of recent acquisitions.
Corporate - Discussion of Results:
- The increase in other revenues was primarily a result of the $39.6 million gain connected with the acquisition of GeoPhy discussed above, coupled with an increase in income from our other equity method investments.
- Personnel expense increased primarily as a result of (i) increased salaries and benefits costs due to an increase in the average headcount year over year; and (ii) an increase in company bonus and stock-based compensation expense associated with our performance share plans due to our financial performance and increased headcount.
- In the fourth quarter of 2021, we refinanced our senior secured term loan and doubled the aggregate principal amount from $300 million to $600 million. The term loan carries an interest rate of SOFR plus a 10 basis point credit spread adjustment (with a floor of 50 basis points) plus a 225 basis point spread, leading to additional interest expense in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year. In addition to the debt refinancing, we incurred additional interest expense related to a note payable at our subsidiary, Alliant, which we assumed in the fourth quarter of 2021.
- Other operating expenses increased in the first quarter due to: (i) an increase in legal and other professional fees and office expenses related to our recent acquisitions and overall growth; and (ii) an increase in travel and entertainment expenses, which were still impacted by the effects of the pandemic in the first quarter of 2021.
CAPITAL SOURCES AND USES
On May 4, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.60 per share for the second quarter of 2022. The dividend will be paid on June 3, 2022 to all holders of record of the Company's restricted and unrestricted common stock as of May 19, 2022.
On February 2, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $75.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock over the coming one-year period ("2022 Share Repurchase Program"). During the first quarter of 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $75.0 million of authorized share repurchase capacity remaining under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program.
Any future purchases made pursuant to the 2022 Share Repurchase Program will be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will be subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS
Walker & Dunlop promoted Steve Theobald to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Florkowski will succeed Mr. Theobald as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Both leadership changes will be effective on June 1, 2022.
Mr. Theobald has been with Walker & Dunlop in the CFO role since 2013 during which time he has overseen the servicing, marketing, investor relations, treasury, financial reporting, and accounting departments. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Theobald served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hampton Roads Bankshares, Inc. Previously, he held numerous senior financial positions at Capital One Financial Corporation from 1999 to 2010, including serving as chief financial officer, local banking. Mr. Theobald began his career at KPMG LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Mr. Florkowski has been with Walker & Dunlop since 2010 when he was hired as Senior Vice President & Controller. Most recently, he has served as Executive Vice President, Business Development with the responsibility of developing, implementing, and executing strategic business initiatives, including the successful acquisitions of AKS Capital, FourPoint, TapCap, Zelman, Alliant, and GeoPhy. Prior to joining Walker & Dunlop, Mr. Florkowski served as a senior manager at KPMG LLP, where he began his career. Mr. Florkowski holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Salisbury University.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
The Company will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly results on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Listeners can access the webcast via the link: https://walkerdunlop.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pp8bFPh0RU20ivYHZi03OA or by dialing +1 408 901 0584, Webinar ID 842 5966 3665, Password 232851. Presentation materials related to the conference call will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the Company's website prior to the call. An audio replay will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, along with the presentation materials.
ABOUT WALKER & DUNLOP
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities — where Americans live, work, shop and play — to life. The power of our people, premier brand, and industry-leading technology enables us to meet any client need – including financing, research, property sales, valuation, and advisory services. With over 1,000 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work® and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
To supplement our financial statements presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. The presentation of adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. When analyzing our operating performance, readers should use adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as an alternative for, net income. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before income taxes, interest expense on our term loan facility and Alliant's note payable, and amortization and depreciation, adjusted for provision (benefit) for credit losses net of write-offs, stock-based incentive compensation charges, the fair value of expected net cash flows from servicing, net, and non-cash charges associated with the extinguishment of long-term debt, and the gain associated with the revaluation of our previously held equity-method investment in connection with our acquisition of GeoPhy. Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for our management's discretionary use, as it does not reflect certain cash requirements such as tax and debt service payments. The amounts shown for adjusted EBITDA may also differ from the amounts calculated under similarly titled definitions in our debt instruments, which are further adjusted to reflect certain other cash and non-cash charges that are used to determine compliance with financial covenants.
We use adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of our business, for comparison with forecasts and strategic plans and for benchmarking performance externally against competitors. We believe that this non-GAAP measure, when read in conjunction with the Company's GAAP financials, provides useful information to investors by offering:
- the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of the Company's on-going operating results;
- the ability to better identify trends in the Company's underlying business and perform related trend analyses; and
- a better understanding of how management plans and measures the Company's underlying business.
We believe that adjusted EBITDA has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that adjusted EBITDA should only be used to evaluate the Company's results of operations in conjunction with net income on both a consolidated and segment basis. For more information on adjusted EBITDA, refer to the section of this press release below titled "Adjusted Financial Metric Reconciliation to GAAP" and "Adjusted Financial Metric Reconciliation to GAAP By Segment."
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect our current views about future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statement.
While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith projections, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future results. Furthermore, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or methods, future events or other changes, except as required by applicable law. Factors that could cause our results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: (1) general economic conditions and multifamily and commercial real estate market conditions, (2) regulatory and/or legislative changes to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or HUD, (3) our ability to retain and attract loan originators and other professionals, (4) risks related to our recently completed acquisitions, including our ability to integrate and achieve the expected benefits of such acquisitions, and (5) changes in federal government fiscal and monetary policies, including any constraints or cuts in federal funds allocated to HUD for loan originations.
For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or contemplated in any forward-looking statements, see the section titled "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updates or supplements in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the SEC. Such filings are available publicly on our Investor Relations web page at www.walkerdunlop.com.
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SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/walker-amp-dunlop-reports-42-growth-revenues-diluted-eps-grows-18-212/ | 2022-05-05T10:27:07Z |
Building on a decade of research, the program will develop next-generation probiotics and therapeutics to modulate the gut microbiota to target areas like anxiety, depression and mental well-being
LOS ANGELES and BOSTON, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seed Health, a microbiome science company, and Axial Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced a joint development program targeting the microbiome-gut-brain axis for mental health, with the potential to impact well-being in areas like anxiety, depression and stress response. The program builds on the work of Axial co-founder and Board Member and Seed Health Board Member Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian, whose California Institute of Technology (Caltech) lab first discovered the critical contributions of intestinal microbes and microbial metabolites in neuropsychiatric conditions. With joint expertise across discovery, mechanistic validation, microbial fermentation, scale-up, clinical research and commercialization, the program is uniquely positioned to transform the current paradigm of treatment in mental health.
In the past fifteen years, the gut microbiome has emerged as one of the critical regulators of brain function. Known as the gut-brain axis (or, more specifically, the microbiome-gut-brain axis), this bidirectional line of communication impacts the central nervous system and, in turn, mood, cognition, and motor and autonomic activity. Dr. Mazmanian's lab was the first to discover that molecular signals from gut bacteria can profoundly influence anxiety behavior. More recently, a study published in Nature from the Sarkis Mazmanian Lab revealed that specific microbes alone can modulate neuronal activity in the hypothalamus to reduce levels of the stress hormone corticosterone (known in humans as cortisol) and regulate social behaviors.
"Until recently, we've lacked clarity into how the gut microbiome regulates emotions and impacts complex behaviors," explained Dr. Mazmanian, PhD., Luis & Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology in the Division of Biology & Biological Engineering at Caltech." A growing body of research is advancing understanding of the gut-brain axis and revealing the potential for microbial innovations to maintain or even improve mental well-being. The collaboration between Seed Health and Axial Therapeutics will translate this breakthrough research into novel probiotics and living medicines for a range of cognitive and neuropsychiatric outcomes."
The development program will be overseen by Seed Health Co-founder and Co-CEO Raja Dhir and recently-appointed Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) Dr. Dirk Gevers, former Head of J&J's Janssen Human Microbiome Institute.
"The work of Dr. Mazmanian and the Axial team brings us to a critical inflection point in gut-brain research, unlocking insights that allow movement beyond correlation to causation," stated Dr. Gevers. "We now have the human-centric data defining the gut-mediated mechanisms that influence behavior. At the same time, we reveal the potential to harness specific bacterial strains to repress the metabolites implicated in a range of neurological applications."
"Axial was founded to help realize the potential of the gut-brain axis as a new framework for the treatment of mental health and neurological conditions. This collaboration with Seed Health complements our existing work in small molecule therapies and expands the application of our research and opportunity for impact," said Stewart Campbell, CEO of Axial Therapeutics. "Our deep expertise in this field, combined with Seed's impressive work in microbiome and product innovation, solidifies a powerful force in gut-brain development."
"The gut-brain connection and the resulting commercialization is an area where evangelism has largely outpaced the data. The emergence of 'psychobiotics,' for example, while often not evidence-based, is evidence of the growing willingness and hope for new interventions," explained Ara Katz, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Seed Health. "Existing treatments do not consider nor target the underlying role of the gut microbiome. This disruptive approach unlocks a promising future for the millions who experience and suffer from a range of mental health conditions and disorders."
About Seed Health | Seed
Seed Health is a microbiome science company pioneering innovations in probiotics and living medicines to impact human and planetary health. Founded to realize the potential of microbes, our platform enables the translation of breakthrough science across a portfolio encompassing both indication-specific and preventive applications for gastrointestinal and digestive health, women's health, skin and oral care, pediatrics, mental health, metabolic function and nutrition. Our consumer innovations are commercialized under Seed® with a mission to bring much-needed precision, efficacy, education, and perspective-shifting science communication to the global category of probiotics. Environmental research is conducted under SeedLabs, which was founded to develop novel bacterial interventions to enhance biodiversity and restore ecosystems impacted by human activity.
LUCA Biologics, co-founded with Dr. Jacques Ravel, develops living medicines targeting the vaginal microbiome for urogenital and reproductive health.
seedhealth.com • seed.com • luca.bio
About Axial Therapeutics
Axial Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of gut-restricted, small molecule therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The company is leveraging its expertise in the gut-brain axis and its unique drug development platform to advance novel therapies that have the potential to transform the treatment paradigm in neurodegenerative diseases.
About Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian
Dr. Sarkis K. Mazmanian is leading research into how the gut microbiome impacts and communicates with the immune and nervous systems. His work is specifically focused on how the two-way internal communication highway known as the "gut-brain axis" influences complex diseases of the brain, such as Parkinson's, autism and Alzheimer's diseases. Sarkis has received numerous awards including the MacArthur Foundation "Genius" award and Discover Magazine's "Best Brains in Science." Currently the Luis & Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Sarkis is also a member of Seed Health's Scientific Board, founder of three biotech companies, and the proud mentor of countless students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful independent careers in medicine, industry, and academia.
About Climate Change
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Contacts for Seed Health
Media:
seed@consortpartners.com
Contacts for Axial Therapeutics
Media:
Mike Beyer
312-961-2502
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com
Investors:
Jeffrey Young, CFO
781-701-8467
jeffrey@axialtx.com
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SOURCE Seed Health and Axial Therapeutics | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/seed-health-launches-gut-brain-development-program-with-axial-therapeutics-translate-caltech-research-into-probiotic-innovations-neuropsychiatric-health/ | 2022-07-13T11:34:48Z |
CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --As part of a national plan to expand access to computer science education for over 11 million U.S. students, Google is funding CodePath's work in Chicago with a $500K grant to continue expanding opportunities to the nation's most competitive tech roles in underrepresented communities. With the recent influx of tech companies in Chicago, CodePath and Google are dedicated to democratizing computing education and creating successful pathways for students to become tomorrow's tech leaders, builders, and founders.
Chicago is the No. 1 city in the Midwest for growth in the tech sector and a global hub for tech employment. According to the Chicago Tech Effect study by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Chicago's tech ecosystem grew by 18% over the past decade and supports 18% of the city's workforce. While Chicago's tech ecosystem sees greater Black and Latinx participation than the national average — with 32% of diverse participation compared to the national U.S. average of 19%, according to the study — more must be done to close the representation gap, as Black and Latinx Chicagoans represent two-thirds of the city population.
"As Chicago continues to be a rapidly expanding tech hub in the Midwest, it is important that our young people be provided with ample opportunities to enter this lucrative industry," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "Thanks to organizations like CodePath, we are able to accomplish this goal in an equitable and inclusive way. CodePath, now bolstered by funding from Google, will be able to continue in its efforts to connect underrepresented students to tech-related career paths through computer science education—thus helping to build a better economy that works for everyone."
With support from Google, CodePath is expanding its offerings in Chicago to ensure that local students have equitable pathways to careers within the burgeoning tech sector. CodePath brings together employers, students, and colleges to eliminate inequities in tech education and provide underrepresented students with a career trajectory that leads to significant economic mobility. CodePath's no-cost courses are developed by industry-leading software engineers and center on the needs and successes of students who self-identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and students who come from low-income backgrounds.
"Providing equal access to tech education across Chicago is vital to build up the next generation of students in tech, and Google is proud to be a part of this initiative. This is an exciting partnership that invests in Chicago's diverse talent, while creating new opportunities for local students. Google is committed to long-term partnerships that bring positive contributions to the Chicago community," said Ben Collins-Sussman, co-site lead of Google's Chicago office.
"Tech continues to be on the rise in the Midwest, particularly in Chicago, and Google has been an important partner in ensuring underrepresented communities have access to computer science in their education, leveling the playing field for students and their futures," said Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar. "We are thankful to CodePath and Google for supporting the futures of Chicago students and pushing to provide equitable opportunity for success in tech."
The statistics show there are far more computing job openings than computer science graduates in the United States. CodePath directly addresses this issue by resolving gaps between existing computer science curricula and industry needs. While these gaps certainly exist across the board, it is often the largest for underrepresented minority talent who might lack access to the proper, robust training and work experience essential to a tech career.
CodePath's vision is that Black, Latinx, Indigenous students, and students from low-income communities gain economic mobility in Chicago by becoming the next generation of tech leaders.
"CodePath is thrilled to have this support from Google to bring rigorous, industry-backed training to Chicago-based Computer Science students. With Google and local community partners, CodePath has the resources and network needed to create system-wide, enduring change within Chicago's higher education and tech workforce," said Michael Ellison, Founder and CEO of CodePath.
One such resident positively impacted by CodePath's work is Ebuka Egbunam, who started his journey as an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright. With a 4.0 GPA and participation in CodePath's student leadership program, Ebuka was accepted as a transfer to continue his studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
"The biggest motivator for me is seeing my friends and family achieve less than they can, even when they put in more work. I want to be a person that creates huge impacts and changes a lot of lives," said Ebuka. "CodePath put me in a position to become a leader and a better communicator. My first step towards a career in software engineering was the support I received from CodePath."
Google's support of CodePath will help the nonprofit expand to other universities across Chicago to transform young people's economic futures, families, and communities.
CodePath is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that partners with colleges and major tech companies to prepare underserved computer science students for careers in tech. CodePath runs courses across 70 universities and has taught over 10,000 students since 2017. CodePath is supported by Andreessen Horowitz, Blue Meridian Partners, Cognizant Foundation, Comcast, Google, Knight Foundation, Meta, New Profit Foundation, Salesforce, Walmart, and Workday, among others. To learn more, visit codepath.org.
Emily Chong, emily@codepath.org
Alex Hanns (Google), ahanns@kivvit.com
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SOURCE CodePath | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/codepath-announces-support-google-help-democratize-computer-science-education-underrepresented-students-across-chicago/ | 2022-09-01T14:05:46Z |
Gamecocks blend in high-profile transfers in spring
By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer wasn’t afraid to add high-level, high-profile transfers to the team in his second season. The Gamecocks wrapped up spring workouts this past Saturday with ex-Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler and former Wake Forest leading rusher Christian Beal-Smith getting significant time with their new team. Beamer said he won’t ever shy away from bringing in players who can ramp up competition as Rattler and Beal-Smith have done. South Carolina also brought in transfer receivers as it utilizes the NCAA portal to improve. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/17/gamecocks-blend-in-high-profile-transfers-in-spring/ | 2022-04-17T20:09:29Z |
NEW YORK, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention Unilever PLC ("Unilever") (NYSE: UL) shareholders:
The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that a class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of investors. This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired Unilever American Depositary Receipts between September 2, 2020 and July 21, 2021, inclusive.
If you suffered a loss on your investment in Unilever, contact us about potential recovery by using the link below. There is no cost or obligation to you.
ABOUT THE ACTION: The class action against Unilever includes allegations that the Company made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: a) in July 2020, the board of Ben & Jerry's, one of Unilever's marquee brands, passed a resolution to end sales of its ice cream in "Occupied Palestinian Territory" ; and b) this boycott decision risked adverse governmental actions for violations of laws, executive orders, or resolutions aimed at discouraging boycotts, divestment, and sanctions of Israel adopted by 35 U.S. states.
DEADLINE: August 15, 2022
Aggrieved Unilever investors only have until August 15, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. You are not required to act as a lead plaintiff in order to share in any recovery.
Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Vincent Wong, Esq.
39 East Broadway
Suite 304
New York, NY 10002
Tel. 212.425.1140
E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Vincent Wong | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-unilever-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-15-2022/ | 2022-06-27T21:34:57Z |
ATLANTA – A three-judge bench of a federal appeals court has paved the way for Georgia to hold Public Service Commissioner elections in November as originally planned.
The appellate court’s 2-1 decision overturned a lower court’s order from last week. That initial order had blocked Georgia from holding PSC elections in two of the state’s five districts until the state changed the rules around voting for the PSC members.
The PSC regulates the state’s public utilities and sets utility rates. Under Georgia’s system, commissioners run statewide but must live in one of five districts.
The current case began when a group of black leaders sued the state, claiming the black vote had been diluted.
A federal district court ruled in the group's favor last week, finding Georgia's unusual system for electing PSC commissioners violates the federal Voting Rights Act. The state immediately appealed.
The majority appellate court opinion said recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have made clear federal courts should not block elections close to the voting date.
“But if we are mistaken on this point, the Supreme Court can tell us,” the ruling concludes.
By Friday evening, the plaintiffs had already filed an emergency motion asking the circuit court to reverse course and indicating they would appeal.
And lawyers for Georgia already had responded.
“At the end of the day, the Secretary [of State] needs to know what to do: Does he include PSC races on the ballot proofs … or wait for further direction?” the state’s response said.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/federal-court-allows-public-service-commission-elections-to-proceed/article_b87ae562-1be3-11ed-9492-c7953a36a545.html | 2022-08-14T16:25:28Z |
BERLIN (AP) — An off-duty police officer and two other passengers on a regional train in Germany overpowered a Iraq-born man who wounded five people including the officer with a knife on Friday, authorities said.
A top law enforcement official said the 31-year-old attacker had been investigated for possible Islamic extremism while living in a refugee hostel in 2017, but that the motive for the train attack remained hadn’t been determined.
Four of the injured were treated in hospital for wounds to their hands or face and head, while one victim had been stabbed in the shoulder blade. None were in life-threatening condition. The attacker was also injured and taken to a clinic.
The train had just pulled out of the station at Herzogenrath near the border with the Netherlands and was heading for the western German city of Aachen at 7:42 a.m. local time when the man began attacking fellow passengers “randomly and arbitrarily,” state interior minister Herbert Reul said. He praised the courage of the 60-year-old off-duty officer and passengers who had “prevented worse harm.”
He described the attack as “a gruesome crime that was stopped in an enormous act of courage.”
The motive for the attack was under investigation. Authorities were investigating the possibility of an extremist motive but hadn’t confirmed it, Reul said. About 200 officers were deployed to secure evidence at the scene and look after the victims.
Reul said the man had undergone a police check for possible Islamic extremism after the refugee hostel where the man had been living reported that he had grown a beard, changed his behavior and isolated himself from his fellow residents. He had had no further contact with police.
He said that investigators were probing to what extent an Islamist motive might have been involved. The man’s current citizenship could not immediately be determined, he said. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/german-police-investigate-possible-terrorism-in-knife-attack/ | 2022-05-13T17:39:48Z |
CHICAGO, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE: JLL) will release its first quarter 2022 results Monday, May 9, 2022, at approximately 7:30 a.m. Eastern time, followed by a live webcast and teleconference call at 9 a.m. Eastern time.
The link to register for the webcast or audio conference can be accessed at the Investor Relations website, ir.jll.com. Registration is open throughout the call. However, to ensure connection for the full call, registration a day in advance or at least 10 minutes before the start of the call is recommended.
The webcast replay will be available for 12 months following the event on the Investor Relations website.
For further information, please contact JLL's Investor Relations department at: JLLInvestorRelations@am.jll.com.
About JLL
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $19.4 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 98,000 as of December 31, 2021. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit ir.jll.com.
Connect with us
https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll
https://www.facebook.com/jll
https://twitter.com/jll
https://www.instagram.com/jll
Contact: Gayle Kantro
Phone: +1 312 228 2795
Email: Gayle.Kantro@am.jll.com
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SOURCE JLL-IR | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/jll-announces-details-first-quarter-2022-earnings-release-conference-call/ | 2022-04-07T13:25:48Z |
Scott ‘Movie’ Mantz joined us to discuss “Minions: The Rise Of Gru”, “Thor: Love and Thunder”, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song”
“Minions: The Rise Of Gru” and “Thor: Love and Thunder” are in theaters now. The entire first season of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is on Paramount + now.
This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on July 8, 2022 | https://cw33.com/news/scott-movie-mantz-joins-us-to-discuss-minions-thor-star-trek-and-hallelujah/ | 2022-07-08T22:36:07Z |
NEW YORK, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Spero Therapeutics, Inc. ("Spero" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SPRO) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and docketed under 22-cv-04154, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Spero securities between May 6, 2021 and May 2, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.
If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Spero securities during the Class Period, you have until July 25, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.
Spero, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on identifying, developing, and commercializing treatments for multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections and rare diseases in the United States. The Company's product candidates include Tebipenem Pivoxil Hydrobromide (HBr), an oral carbapenem-class antibiotic to treat complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis for adults.
On October 28, 2021, Spero announced that it had submitted a New Drug Application ("NDA") to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for Tebipenem HBr for the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections including Pyelonephritis (the "Tebipenem HBr NDA").
Throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the data submitted in support of the Tebipenem HBr NDA were insufficient to obtain FDA approval; (ii) accordingly, it was unlikely that the FDA would approve the Tebipenem HBr NDA in its current form; (iii) the foregoing would necessitate a significant workforce reduction and restructuring of Spero's operations; and (iv) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
On March 31, 2022, Spero issued a press release announcing the Company's fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results. In the press release, Spero disclosed that "[t]he U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified Spero that, as part of its ongoing review of Spero's New Drug Application (NDA) for tebipenem HBr, it has identified deficiencies that preclude discussion of labeling and post-marketing requirements/commitments at this time."
On this news, Spero's stock price fell $1.59 per share, or 18.27%, to close at $7.11 per share on April 1, 2022.
Then on May 3, 2022, Spero issued a press release announcing "that it will immediately defer current commercialization activities for tebipenem HBr based on feedback from a recent Late Cycle Meeting (LCM) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding Spero's New Drug Application (NDA) for tebipenem HBr[,]" and that, "[a]lthough the review is still ongoing and the FDA has not yet made any final determination regarding approvability, the discussion suggested that the data package may be insufficient to support approval during this review cycle." Specifically, the FDA advised the Company, in relevant part, that the FDA's separate analysis of the relevant study population had "reduce[d] the number of evaluable patients in the primary analysis population compared with those resulting from the trial's pre-specified micro-ITT population as outlined in the statistical analysis plan" and [a]s a result, the FDA considers that the pre-specified non-inferiority margin of -12.5% was not met." Further, the press release advised that, "[i]n connection with this development, Spero announced that it is undertaking a reduction in its workforce by approximately 75% and a restructuring of its operations to reduce operating costs and reallocate resources."
On this news, Spero's stock price fell $3.24 per share, or 63.65%, to close at $1.85 per share on May 3, 2022.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com
CONTACT:
Robert S. Willoughby
Pomerantz LLP
rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
888-476-6529 ext. 7980
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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/pomerantz-law-firm-announces-filing-class-action-against-spero-therapeutics-inc-certain-officers-spro/ | 2022-07-21T22:05:06Z |
NEW YORK, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: February 1, 2019 to April 5, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 5, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in AMZN:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/amazon-com-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28126&from=4
Amazon.com, Inc. NEWS - AMZN NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Amazon.com, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Amazon engaged in anticompetitive conduct in its private-label business practices, including giving Amazon products preference over those of its competitors and using third-party sellers' non-public data to compete with them; (ii) the foregoing exposed Amazon to a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and/or enforcement actions; (iii) Amazon's revenues derived from its private-label business were in part the product of impermissible conduct and thus unsustainable; and (iv) as a result, the defendants' public statements throughout the class period were materially false and/or misleading.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Amazon you have until July 5, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Amazon securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the AMZN lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/amazon-com-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28126&from=4.
ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/amzn-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-5-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-amazoncom-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-06-07T10:02:24Z |
MADISON, Wis., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison-based Rural Mutual Insurance Company, announced its selection as a Ward's Top 50 Top Performer. This marks the fourteenth consecutive year the company has been recognized for this award. Annually, Ward Group analyzes the financial performance of over 2,900 property and casualty insurance companies in the United States and identifies the top performers in each segment based on objective data and subjective quality measures.
In selecting the Ward's 50, companies are identified that pass financial stability requirements and measure their ability to grow while maintaining strong capital positions and underwriting results. Each Ward's 50 company has passed all safety and consistency screens and achieved superior performance over the five previous years analyzed. The top fifty companies are awarded the Ward's 50 Seal and their names are listed as the Ward's 50 Top Performers for the year.
"This is an impressive streak to continue but is not something that I take for granted. It's an accomplishment I'm very proud of achieving and attribute our success to the hard work of our employees and agents who are dedicated to our policyholders every day to make this possible." says Dan Merk, Executive Vice President and CEO.
Merk notes that this recognition reinforces Rural Mutual's promise that when a claim happens, we will be there to help our insureds rebuild following times of unintended financial loss.
Rural Mutual has protected Wisconsin farmers, families and businessowners since 1934. The company does business in only one state, so premiums paid here, stay here to keep Wisconsin strong.
Rural Mutual Insurance Company has been protecting Wisconsin for 88 years. As a Ward's 50® company, Rural Mutual provides a full line of insurance products exclusively to families, businesses and farms in Wisconsin. The company is headquartered in Madison and has 150 agents across the state. For more information, visit RuralMutual.com
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SOURCE Rural Mutual Insurance Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/rural-mutual-recognized-one-nations-best-insurance-companies-fourteenth-consecutive-year/ | 2022-07-18T11:49:13Z |
SHIJIAZHUANG, China, June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the Hebei branch of China Mobile (hereinafter referred to as Hebei Mobile), together with Huawei and iFLYTEK, integrated the intelligent translation capability provided by iFLYTEK into 5G New Calling, breaking language barriers for video calls. By using intelligence technologies, 5G New Calling makes communication visual and accessible. Chairman of China Mobile, Yang Jie, hopes to build a 5G-based information service system delivering connections, compute power, and service capabilities. 5G New Calling perfectly meets the requirements for building such a system. 5G New Calling is a successful practice of China Mobile's "5G+" plan.
The barrier-free communication feature is based on China Mobile's enterprise standards for 5G New Calling and a major upgrade to the native video call function of mobile phones. The feature uses intelligence technologies during video calls to recognize speech and then convert it into text in real time. In this way, users can read a transcription of what the other user is saying in real time. If the users speak different languages, it can translate what the other user is saying in real time, truly breaking language barriers.
In conventional calls, users must understand the language the other user speaks. However, 5G New Calling integrated with advanced intelligence technologies breaks this barrier, so that users can easily communicate with each other even if they speak different languages. This feature is also helpful for users who are hard of hearing.
The barrier-free communication feature is another one of Hebei Mobile's successful explorations following the application of 5G New Calling in vertical sectors. Hebei Mobile will continue to work with industry partners to develop more valuable services with 5G New Calling and lay a solid foundation for the commercial use of 5G New Calling.
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SOURCE Huawei Technologies Co., LTD. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/5g-new-calling-huawei-china-mobile-iflytek-realize-barrier-free-calling/ | 2022-06-20T13:04:58Z |
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (WGHP) —Maggie Peterson, well-known for her role as Charlene Darling in “The Andy Griffith Show” has passed away.
A post to Peterson’s Facebook page says the 81-year-old passed away in her sleep Sunday surrounded by family. Peterson’s health had taken a “turn for the worse after the death of her husband Gus [Mancuso].” He died of Alzheimer’s disease last year, according to the Associated Press.
The Andy Griffith Museum also paid tribute to Peterson, saying in part, “Maggie will forever be remembered by Mayberry Fans as Charlene Darling … We will miss you Maggie.”
In one episode of the show, Charlene fell for Sheriff Andy Taylor.
Peterson also appeared in “Casino, “Love American Style,” “Green Acres,” “Gomer Pyle USMC,” and “The Odd Couple.” She appeared in an episode of “Mayberry R.F.D.,” the films “Return to Mayberry,” “The Love God?,” and “Angel in My Pocket.”
Her most recent projects, according to IMDb, include “Pay It Forward” in 2000 and “Mars Attacks!” in 1996.
Peterson’s family says a private service will be planned in the next few weeks.
A fellow actor from “The Andy Griffith Show,” Betty Lynn, best known for her role as Barney Fife’s sweetheart Thelma Lou, died in October after a brief illness. She was 95.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/national/nexstar-media-wire/the-andy-griffith-show-actress-maggie-peterson-passes-away-at-81/ | 2022-05-17T05:25:55Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - International Battery Metals Ltd. (the "Company" or "IBAT") (CSE: IBAT) (OTC: IBATF) is pleased to confirm that further to its news release dated June 1, 2022 and June 10, 2022, the Company has filed on SEDAR its audited financial statements, accompanying management discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the year ended January 31, 2022 (the "Annual Filings").
As a consequence of the Annual Filings, the Company expects that the management cease trade order formerly granted on June 1, 2022, by applicable securities regulatory authorities, will be revoked and that directors and officers of the Company will be permitted to trade securities of the Company.
The Company wants to thank all of those who worked diligently in assisting with the finalization of the Annual Filings.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Dr. John Burba"
Dr. John Burba, CEO & Director
Tel: (778) 939-4228
Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
Forward‐looking and cautionary statements
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations
This release may contain certain forward‐looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. There is no assurance that the company's apparatus will be able to commercially produce lithium at the stated capacity. The purpose of the tests is to determine if it will be able to do so and successful completion of the tests cannot be assured as they are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with any new mineral processing method and characteristics of the material being processed.
By their nature, forward‐looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward‐looking statements.
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SOURCE International Battery Metals Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/filing-audited-annual-financial-statements-revocation-mcto/ | 2022-06-15T04:00:14Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Five years after Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico and exposed the funding problems the Caribbean island has long faced, philanthropists warn that many of those issues remain unaddressed, just like the repairs still needed for the American territory’s physical infrastructure.
The Category 4 storm, with winds reaching 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), killed dozens immediately on Sept. 20, 2017 and researchers estimate thousands more died in the aftermath due to the lack of permanent shelter and power. According to a Hispanic Federation report released Wednesday, Hurricane Maria did an estimated $90 billion in damage to the island.
“It was just such a scary moment,” said “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who helped mobilize millions in aid for Puerto Rico. “But one of the silver linings has been the coalition building between the diaspora and residents on the island that was really formed out of those challenges.”
That coalition building was sorely needed, because Puerto Rico and its residents have an unusual image problem in philanthropy, said Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda. International nonprofits generally left it out of donations given to the neediest populations because it is part of the United States, while American nonprofits often left it out of programs by earmarking donations only for the 50 states.
That long-running problem was intensified by what critics say was former President Donald Trump’s administration’s slow response to Hurricane Maria, which extended the impact of the storm, including the longest blackout in American history.
“It was about fairness,” said Frankie Miranda, adding that some federal recovery funds are only getting to Puerto Rico now. “It was about equity. We were not getting the fair share for people on the island compared to other disasters happening in the United States. So we needed to act.”
Frankie Miranda will lead a delegation from the Hispanic Federation — including Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is not related — to Puerto Rico on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Maria and survey what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done.
For Lin-Manuel Miranda, the storm was personal. He had family on the island who he couldn’t reach because phone service was knocked out. He remembered learning that his uncle survived the storm from a photo on Facebook showing his uncle volunteering help.
However, his most successful initial fundraising campaign was not planned. Lin-Manuel Miranda, known for being level-headed and upbeat almost as he is known for his creativity, got mad about Trump’s reaction to the suffering he saw in Puerto Rico.
“You’re going straight to hell, @realdonaldtrump,” he tweeted, along with a link to the Hispanic Federation’s fund for Puerto Rico.
The reaction was fast and intense. Donations skyrocketed, eventually topping more than 200,000 separate gifts, as did attention for the victims of the hurricane. The next day, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s photo and tweet was on the front page of the New York Daily News next to Trump.
“I didn’t anticipate any of that,” he said. “But, anger can be a galvanizing force. And the widespread frustration with that president’s inability to engage with reality, sort of galvanized a lot of donations. That was the biggest moment in terms of fundraising.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda then worked to keep the momentum going. “I burned up my Rolodex to make that almost like praying,” he said, as he sought donations. “And then I burned up my Twitter DMs for people I didn’t know. The first six months it basically became our entire lives. I just put everything else in our lives on hold.”
Initially, the focus was on the “really nitty gritty things, like food, water, basic recovery supplies.” Then, he began to expand the scope of the aid, eventually bringing a production of “Hamilton” to the island as a fundraiser.
Proceeds from those shows helped launch the Flamboyan Arts Fund, which helps preserve and support the arts in Puerto Rico with support from major nonprofits, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Mellon Foundation.
“We realized that the arts never get included in recovery efforts,” the “In the Heights” star said. “Yet, when you think about this tiny part of the world 100 miles across and how much it has given to the arts — it’s absurd how much Puerto Rican artists have enriched global culture. The No. 1 artist in the world, Bad Bunny, is from the island. So we need to protect Puerto Rican culture and Puerto Rican art on the island.”
Working with the Hispanic Federation, Lin-Manuel Miranda also helped support the Puerto Rican coffee industry, long a point of pride for the island because it could count popes and royalty among its customers.
“Coffee plants aren’t sunflowers — they don’t grow back in a season,” he said, adding that about 85% of the coffee crop was wiped out by Hurricane Maria. “We talked to anybody who was in the coffee business, in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, to figure out how to jumpstart this and also empower coffee growers. And now, at the five-year mark, coffee is back and exceeding pre-Hurricane Maria levels in terms of production.”
Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together, a nonprofit that uses grassroots giving to diversify donations, said she worried that the underfunding of Puerto Rico by major donors would return once the emergencies caused by Hurricane Maria had passed.
“Everybody responds to disasters because you are seeing the direct effect,” Lomelin said. “What people forget is that when there is a disaster like Hurricane Maria or the wildfires in California or the pandemic, is that you can’t just put a Band-Aid on it. These things take years. And the problem is people move to the next disaster or move to the next issue after a couple of weeks or months and they forget the problem is still there.”
However, she said the current mix of medium-term and long-term donations in Puerto Rico gives her hope and that attention tied to the anniversary and Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts on Sept. 15, will provide momentum. “I love that the Hispanic Federation has these initiatives right now, where they are focusing on long-term things that need to happen,” she said. “I do believe that disasters can be the perfect time for people to get organized.”
Lomelin said that works best when donors listen to the communities receiving the funds. And that’s something that Hispanic Federation’s Frankie Miranda believes in and has invested more than $50 million in the island so far.
“There is so much that philanthropy can do,” he said. “But we also can be advocates so that organizations in Puerto Rico continue to be part of a participatory process, ensuring that the funds go to the neediest cases. Puerto Rico needs to remain on the philanthropy map for all of these major institutions.”
____
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/ap-lin-manuel-miranda-others-seek-puerto-rico-silver-lining/ | 2022-09-14T23:26:59Z |
The "Power Score Index" for Countries Shows 18 Measures of Strength & Provides an Aggregate Power Reading for 24 Countries Based on the Research Shown in Dalio's Latest Bestseller, the Changing World Order
NEW YORK, May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on the research described in his recently released and latest New York Times Bestseller – Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail (Changing World Order) – famed investor and author Ray Dalio today announced the release of the inaugural edition of his new Country Power Score Index ("Power Score"). The index shows levels of 18 different types of strengths and combines them into an aggregate measure of power for the top 24 countries. Besides being able to compare countries' strengths and watch them evolve over time, one can use the Power Score as a good leading indicator of future conditions. Due to the scores being an objective measure of health that are leading indicators of future well-being, they also provide a guide for producing improved outcomes for policy makers and can serve as a tool for individuals for anticipating conditions.
The index was crafted in a way that only Dalio can do because of his experience as a global-macro investor and student of history for more than 50 years. To do his job well, Dalio has spent decades studying what makes countries and their markets rise and decline. He and his Bridgewater research team converted his learnings into the 18 different determinants of power – including education, innovation and technology development, civility of people, economic output, incomes and balance sheets, reserve currency status, military, etc. – to generate readings that measure countries' strength in these areas and serve as indicators. Weighing different quantitative indicators and drawing from hundreds of data series, the indices convey pictures for 24 countries that are helpful in decision making. The whole process, including writing the text descriptions of what is happening, has been computerized so that the index will continue independently and beyond Dalio.
"As a global-macro investor, I discovered early on that I needed to understand the cause-effect relationships that drive conditions and market movements, and that I needed to study many cases through history in order to gain that understanding. That's because many circumstances that I encountered never happened in my lifetime but happened many times before," said Dalio. "Over many years, I studied the drivers that cause countries, empires and world orders to rise and fall to help me deal with what was coming at me. That created a roadmap that actual events have by and large followed and are still following. When I started doing this and put out the research, the changing conditions painted by this process were highly controversial, but since then, events that have transpired have been consistent with this template, so these changes are now fairly obvious to most. However, the pictures they paint still remain non-conventional. My reason for putting out this index is to show these things for others, so they can evaluate them for themselves and to help policy makers and average people have better understandings, which they can use to make better decisions that can produce better outcomes."
The index is available at www.economicprinciples.org and will be updated annually. The readings shown in the indices paint very rich pictures of each country's various styles of strengths and weaknesses and whether they are improving or deteriorating. A very superficial summary of the key findings at this time shows:
- The United States ranks at the top in terms of overall power due to its relatively high level of education, military strength and technology capability, but it is in relative decline predominately due to relative weakening in these areas, unfavorable financial and economic conditions, and high levels of domestic and external conflicts;
- The aggregate power rating for China shows it to be the second most powerful country and rising due to improving financial and economic conditions; rapid improvements in infrastructure, investment, innovation and technology; and its rising share of global trade. Notably, there has been a sharp rise in the U.S. conflict gauge that has tracked the archetypical cycle of great power conflicts when two leading world powers become comparable. These last three conditions together combined with rises in military expenditures have been leading indicators of wars;
- Europe ranks third and has been in relative decline due to low productivity gains in its labor markets and inefficient allocation of labor and capital;
- Several countries follow for various reasons that are shown and explained in the body of the report; and
- At the bottom of the list are Argentina (lowest), South Africa (second lowest) and Mexico (third lowest) for reasons explained in the sections devoted to them.
The full analyses and Power Score Index can be viewed at: www.economicprinciples.org.
To watch the animated video of Principles for Dealing with The Changing World Order, which distills the key concepts of the book by the same name and which the index is based on, please visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xguam0TKMw8.
About Ray Dalio
Dalio is the founder, Co-Chief Investment Officer and board member of Bridgewater Associates, a global leader in institutional portfolio management, and the largest and most successful hedge fund in the world with approximately $150 billion in assets under management. Dalio started Bridgewater out of his two-bedroom apartment in New York in 1975 and over the course of its 45+ year history grew it into the 5th most important company in the U.S. according to Fortune Magazine. For his innovative work, Ray has been called the "Steve Jobs of Investing" by Wired Magazine and named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine.
Dalio is also a long-running New York Times bestselling author, with notable work including Principles: Life and Work and Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order. Due to its success, the first has been distilled into an easy-to-read, illustrated book, Principles for Success. He is also the author of Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises. Additionally, Dalio has published several studies on his economic views, including "Why and How Capitalism Needs to be Reformed."
Media Contact
Ryan FitzGibbon
Prosek Partners
rfitzgibbon@prosek.com
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SOURCE Ray Dalio | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/24/ray-dalio-releases-inaugural-edition-annual-global-power-score-index/ | 2022-05-24T11:12:35Z |
FORSYTH — As spring hits full stride, Daniel Sollenberger will field more calls and emails about snakes. And most will involve two questions: What species is this and what should I do?
As for the first question, seldom is the snake a venomous species, according to Sollenberger, a senior wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Whether it’s venomous, of course, is the worry or fear underlying most of the questions. Chances are it’s not. Only six of the 46 species native to Georgia are venomous and only one — the copperhead — usually thrives in suburban areas, which is where many Georgians live.
“While at least one of the state’s six species of venomous snakes could be found in each county in the state, seldom are they the most common species encountered,” Sollenberger said.
Now to the second question: What should you do, or not do, if you see a snake?
You can try to identify it from a distance. Resources such as georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes, which includes DNR’s “Venomous Snakes of Georgia” brochure, can help.
Do not attempt to handle the snake. Give it the space it needs.
Remember that snakes are predators that feed on small mammals, amphibians, insects and even other snakes. There is no need to fear non-venomous snakes. Also, Georgia’s native non-venomous species are protected by state law, and one — the eastern indigo — is federally protected.
If a clearly identified venomous snake is in an area where it represents a danger to people or pets, consult georgiawildlife.com/nuisancewildlife for a list of private wildlife removal specialists. Most bites occur when a snake is cornered or captured and defending itself.
Non-venomous snakes such as scarlet kingsnake, eastern hognose and watersnake species are frequently confused with their venomous counterparts — coral snakes, rattlesnakes and water moccasins, respectively. Although pit vipers, which include all venomous species native to Georgia except for coral snakes, are often identified by their broad, triangular-shaped heads, many non-venomous snakes flatten their heads when threatened, which can make their heads appear triangular-shaped. Also, some non-venomous species have color patterns similar to venomous snakes.
The bottom line: While it’s likely not venomous, use caution around any unidentified snake. For more on Georgia’s snakes, visit georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes. “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia” (University of Georgia Press) also provides a comprehensive reference.
Venomous vs. poisonous: Venom is a toxic substance. But a key difference when the terms are used to describe organisms is how the toxin is delivered. Venomous animals inject theirs by biting, stinging or sticking — think venomous snakes, wasps and stingrays. Poisonous species, such as poison frogs, deliver toxins passively, such as when they’re eaten or through skin secretions when they are touched.
Benefits: While some snakes eat rodents and even venomous snakes, others prey on creatures some Georgians also may not want near their homes. Brown and red-bellied snakes, for example, feed on snails and slugs, the bane of gardeners. Crowned snake species primarily eat centipedes.
Baby snakes? Snakes such as earth and brown snake species are small (usually less than 12 inches long) and homeowners occasionally mistake them as juveniles. The common concern here: Are the parents nearby? Some snake species are live-bearers and some are egg-layers. But most snakes do not exhibit parental care. If there are parents, they are not watching over their offspring.
Prevention: To reduce the potential for snakes near your home, remove brush, log piles and other habitat features that attract mice, lizards and other animals on which snakes prey.
From eastern indigo snakes to bald eagles, DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section works to conserve rare and other Georgia wildlife not legally fished for or hunted, as well as rare plants and natural habitats. The agency depends primarily on fundraisers, grants and contributions. That makes public support key.
Georgians can help by supporting the state’s Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund. Here’s how:
♦ Buy a DNR eagle or monarch butterfly license plate, or renew one of the older plate designs, including the hummingbird. Most of the fees are dedicated to wildlife. Upgrade to a wild tag for only $25. Details at georgiawildlife.com/licenseplates.
♦ Donate at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com. Click “Licenses and Permits” and log in to give. (New customers can create an account.) There’s even an option to round-up for wildlife.
♦ Contribute to the Georgia Wildlife Conservation Fund when filing state income taxes — line 30 on form 500 or line 10 on form 500EZ. Giving is easy and every donation helps.
♦ Donate directly to the agency. Learn more at georgiawildlife.com/donations.
♦ Purchase a hunting or fishing license. A one-day, $5 hunting/fishing license returns to Georgia wildlife that fee plus about $45 in federal excise taxes paid by hunters and anglers nationwide.
Visit georgiawildlife.com/conservation/annualreport to see how your support is put to work for wildlife. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/heres-what-to-do-when-you-see-a-snake/article_bb1f8416-c0f9-11ec-9828-0f665980877e.html | 2022-04-23T12:47:14Z |
ARMONK, N.Y., May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New market research commissioned by IBM (NYSE: IBM) revealed that global AI adoption grew steadily over the last year, to 35 percent of those surveyed in 2022, further underscoring that AI growth is poised to accelerate as it continues to mature, becoming more accessible and easier to implement.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9002053-ibm-global-ai-adoption-index-2022/
Other data points from the "Global AI Adoption Index 2022," conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of IBM, reveal this growth was due to companies recognizing the value of AI as they emerged from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and invested in their digital transformation, while dealing with talent and skills shortages. In fact, the study shows that AI adoption was up 4 percentage points compared with 2021.
For the first time, the report also polled companies about their plans to use AI in their sustainability initiatives and found that AI is poised to play a significant role. 66% of IT professionals surveyed said that their company is either currently applying AI, or plans to apply AI, to accelerate ESG initiatives.
Highlights from the "Global AI Adoption Index 2022" include:
- Global AI adoption is growing steadily, and most companies already use or plan to use AI: Today, 35% of companies reported using AI in their business. Compared with 2021, organizations are 13% more likely to have adopted AI in 2022. Additionally, 42% of companies report they are exploring AI. Large companies are more likely than smaller companies to use AI. Chinese and Indian companies are leading the way, with nearly 60% of IT professionals in those countries saying their organization already actively uses AI, compared with lagging markets like South Korea (22%), Australia (24%) the U.S. (25%), and the U.K. (26%). IT professionals in the financial services, media, energy, automotive, oil, and aerospace industries are most likely to report their company has actively deployed AI, while organizations in industries including retail, travel and government/federal services and healthcare are the least likely.
- Setting clear data and AI strategies are key for horizontal deployment: A major explanation for gradual AI adoption is the need to implement a successful data management strategy and applying AI to that data achieve business goals. Companies that have not deployed AI are three times as likely to say that they have little to no confidence their company has the proper data management tools. Today, 37% of companies are developing an AI strategy, 28% already have a holistic strategy in place, and 25% have a strategy that is focused only on limited or specific use cases.
- Automation is helping address skills gaps, labor shortages: More than costs, lack of tools, or project or data complexity, the skills gap remains the biggest barrier to AI adoption. At the same time, AI is also helping organizations address skills shortages, for example by automating tasks for skilled workers so they can be more productive, or by using AI-assisted learning or employee engagement. Almost one-in-four companies are adopting AI because of labor or skills shortages, and 30% of global IT professionals say employees at their organization are already saving time with new AI and automation software/tools.
- A growing emphasis on trust – but few concrete actions: Establishing trustworthy, responsible AI practices and AI maturity go hand-in-hand: The more likely a company is to have deployed AI, the more likely they are to value the importance of trustworthiness. IT professionals at businesses currently deploying AI are 17% more likely to report that their business values AI explainability than those that are simply exploring AI. But while growing majorities of business leaders say that trustworthy AI is critical, a majority organizations have not taken key steps to ensure their AI is trustworthy and responsible, such as reducing bias (74%), tracking performance variations/model drift (68%), and making sure making sure they can explain AI-powered decisions (61%)
- Building more sustainable operations: AI is poised to play a growing role in the sustainability initiatives of organizations around the world as more than two-thirds of businesses either use or plan to use AI today as part of their sustainability initiatives. One-in-five companies are already adopting AI because of environmental pressures.
- Popular use cases like automation, security drive adoption: Organizations are applying AI in a wide variety of use cases today, with the most advanced adoption happening in areas like IT operations, security and threat detection and business process automation. Today, already a third of companies are already using AI for IT Operations (AIOps) to automate key processes, which helps them maintain application performance while also making resource-allocation more efficient. A third of companies deploying AI are applying such as natural language processing to fields like marketing, sales and customer care.
"More than one-third of organizations polled in the IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2022 say they are using AI today to respond to a myriad of different factors and pressures," said Tom Rosamilia, Senior Vice President, IBM Software. "They're looking to AI to help them address skills and labor shortages, respond to competitive pressures and, increasingly to respond to environmental pressures as well. Most respondents said they either are already using or plan to use AI as part of their sustainability initiatives. These trends all point to the growing role that AI is playing both within organizations but also in society."
While AI investment continues to grow, barriers to adoption remain, particularly for smaller organizations who are significantly less likely to take advantage of AI. The survey determined top three barriers to AI adoption for businesses are: limited AI expertise or knowledge (34%), high prices (29%), and lack of tools and platforms for developing AI models (25%).
IBM is helping to address these barriers and deliver the benefits of AI to more people and organizations across industries with AI that is human-centered and designed for the needs of businesses. IBM is continually drawing on the latest innovations in AI from IBM Research to deliver new enterprise-ready capabilities, automate technical and manual processes like IT operations and develop new ways to operationalize and help ensure AI ethics are observed. Additionally, IBM Consulting brings deep technology, industry and process design expertise to co-create solutions with customers that embed AI into core business processes and create intelligent workflows at scale.
Download the full report here.
This poll was conducted from March 30-April 12, 2022, among a sample of 7,502 senior business decision-makers with some knowledge/influence over their company's IT decisions, including 500 respondents each in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, India, Singapore, Australia, Canada, UAE, and South Korea, and 1000 respondents in across the Latin America region (Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru). The interviews were conducted online and the margin of error for the full sample in each country is +/- 4 percentage points, and the margin of error for the Latin America region is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% confidence level. See full details on the methodology at the end of the summary.
Watson is IBM's AI technology for business, helping organizations to better predict and shape future outcomes, automate complex processes, and optimize employees' time. Watson has evolved from an IBM Research project, to experimentation, to a scaled, open set of products that run anywhere. With more than 40,000 client engagements, Watson is being applied by leading global brands across a variety of industries to transform how people work. To learn more, visit: https://www.ibm.com/watson
Media Contact:
Zachery Bishop
IBM Media Relations
Zachery.bishop@ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/global-data-ibm-shows-steady-ai-adoption-organizations-look-address-skills-shortages-automate-processes-encourage-sustainable-operations/ | 2022-05-19T18:36:02Z |
2nd person in custody in deadly weekend Philadelphia gunfire
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A second person is in custody in connection with the gunfire that killed three people and wounded 11 in a Philadelphia entertainment district over the weekend, authorities said, but no charges have yet been filed in any of the deaths that stemmed from it.
Rashaan Vereen, 34, was arrested without incident in Philadelphia, the U.S. Marshals Service said Tuesday. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangering, conspiracy, and weapons crimes, as well as evidence tampering and obstruction of justice, marshals said.
One other man was previously charged in the Saturday night shootings, though not with the deaths of any victims, two of whom were believed to be bystanders. And police on Tuesday released a photo of a person wanted in connection with the shootings and said that person should be considered armed and dangerous.
Police also noted a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in a homicide, and an additional $10,000 reward per suspect offered by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Police officers patrolling the South Street area in central Philadelphia around 11:30 p.m. Saturday raced to the scene after hearing shots and found several people with gunshot wounds lying on the sidewalk and in the street.
Seeing a man on a corner firing a handgun at people about half a block away, one officer opened fire, and that man dropped his handgun onto the sidewalk and fled, authorities said.
Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore has said authorities have identified that man as Quran Garner, and he faces charges including aggravated assault and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. Authorities had said earlier that an arrest warrant for attempted murder had been approved for another individual.
Authorities have said the gunfire started with a fight between two people who then began fired a total of 17 shots at each other.
One man, 34-year-old Gregory Jackson, was killed, and the other was wounded; no charges are planned against him since both men had permits to carry and that shooting is considered self-defense, authorities said.
Police said Garner began firing back at the area of the initial confrontation until he was wounded in the hand by fire from a police officer. He fled and surrendered to other police officers at the scene of an earlier shooting nearby.
Authorities have said that the other two people killed by the gunfire, 27-year-old Alexis Quinn and an unidentified 22-year-old man, as well as many of the other people wounded by gunfire — who ranged in age from 17 to 69 — are believed to have been innocent bystanders.
It’s unclear whether Vereen. who was arrested Monday night, or Garner have attorneys to speak on their behalf; a message could not be left Tuesday at a phone number listed for Vereen, and a listed number for Garner couldn’t be found.
South Street is known for its entertainment venues, bars, restaurants and nightlife. Surveillance video from businesses showed scores of people fleeing as the gunfire broke out. Police are also investigating several other nearby shootings, one fatal, to see whether they might be related, officials said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/07/2nd-person-custody-deadly-weekend-philadelphia-gunfire/ | 2022-06-07T23:08:03Z |
Verizon customers: Your cellphone bill is about to get more expensive
(Gray News) - Consumers can expect to see their cellphone bills increase as companies look for ways to fight inflation.
Each voice line for Verizon Wireless will go up $1.35, making the total administrative fee $3.13 a month, according to Bloomberg.
Bloomberg also reports that Verizon representatives said business customers will see phone data plans increase by $2.20 a month and basic service plans going up by 98 cents.
You can expect to see the new charges beginning in June.
This move comes on the heels of AT&T announcing similar price increases.
According to Bloomberg, AT&T raised its rates on older consumer plans by $6 on single lines and $12 for families in an effort to compete with rising costs and wages.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/18/verizon-customers-your-cellphone-bill-is-about-get-more-expensive/ | 2022-05-18T18:40:54Z |
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