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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As loving pet owners, it is always a top priority to select the best dog bowls for your furry family members. In order to solve the selection dilemma of the vast dog owners, Pawaii rolls out a set of multifunctional bowls, which is called the Pawaii Magic Bowl.
How many options of dog bowls do you know on the market? From material to function, there are a lot of dog bowls, like plastic dog bowls, ceramic bowls, etc. Many dog owners wasted a large amount of time when it comes to choosing the best dog bowls for their loved dogs. However, the cheaper plastic bowls are easily stained with oil and are not bite-resistant while the easy-to-clean ceramic bowls will easily scratch your dogs when broken into pieces. Besides the plastic bowls and the ceramic bowls, there are slow feeders for preventing dogs from eating too fast, elevated bowls for giving an enjoyable eating experience when dogs lower their heads to eat food and intelligent bowls with weighing and remote control functions. The dog bowls are being upgraded at a higher speed, which always gives dog owners an illusion that dogs live a better life than them.
This Pawaii Magic Bowl is designed to accompany your dog for his/her whole life, just like we human beings. This bowl integrates four functions including double bowls, slow feeding, an elevated dog bowl and thermal insulation.
For puppies, you can separate the bowls into a main bowl and a base bowl, one for drinking, and the other for feeding, which achieves dry-wet separation.
If your dog eats too much and too fast, you can add the slow feeder insert on the dog bowl, which can help prevent digestive problems.
As dogs get older or there is problems on forelimbs or joints, the double bowls can be stacked together to form the elevated dog bowl, thereby giving your dog a comfortable eating experience.
In summer, you can add ice cubes to the main bowl and in winter, you can fill the main bowl with hot water. Accordingly, the dog bowls can keep cold or warm to ensure the optimal feeding temperature.
Moreover, this magic bowl is provided with food-grade stainless steel inner bowls and anti-slip silicone bases. With a split design, the stainless steel bowls can be washed by a dishwasher. In a word, Pawaii has taken everything into consideration when it comes to eating and drinking of medium and large dogs.
As a new design brand in the pet industry, Pawaii is committed to breaking human-pet interaction barriers by fashionable, quality and intelligent products, and brings warmth and innovation to every pet family. Therefore, each Pawaii product not only integrates multiple functions, but attaches more importance to user experiences like an attractive design, a simple-to-use experience and data-driven individualized service, making pets live a relaxed and joyful life.
There are so many options of dog bowls in style and size nowadays. On behalf of your pet's health, find the right dog bowl for your pet, providing years of healthy eating. Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
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SOURCE PAWAii | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/pawaii-rolls-out-pawaii-magic-bow-set-multifunctional-bowls/ | 2022-08-04T04:18:01Z |
Post competition, Acer will donate the laptops used to schools in Indonesia as part of the "Acer for Education" campaign
TAIPEI, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Acer Inc. is once again the Official Sponsor of the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) held this year in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from August 7-15, 2022. Acer is powering the competition by supplying laptop computers for all the on-site contestants to be used for designing algorithms and programming tasks.
With its longstanding mission of "Breaking Barriers between People and Technology," Acer has sponsored the IOI since 2018 and has continued to show its strong belief in the value of providing quality education through technology and making it accessible to more people. As the Official Sponsor of IOI 2022, Acer Aspire 3 laptops were supplied for all on-site contestants. The 15-inch Aspire 3 model was selected for its dedicated numeric keypad, making it more practical for contestants to solve algorithms and conduct swift calculations.
After the competition, the Aspire 3 laptops will be donated to select schools as part of the "Acer for Education" campaign in Indonesia. Education is one of Acer's primary focus areas and the company aims to provide the next generation with greater access to technology and education, in the hopes of paving a brighter future for the youth.
The International Olympiad in Informatics is one of several international science Olympiads held annually around the world. This year, more than 350 exceptional high school students from over 80 countries are competing in this prestigious informatics competition to sharpen their skills in problem analysis, designing of algorithms and data structures, programming, and testing.
About Acer
Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world's top ICT companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. As Acer evolves with the industry and changing lifestyles, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software and services will fuse with one another, creating ecosystems and opening up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. Acer's 7,500 employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.
© 2022 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra.
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SOURCE Acer | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/acer-sponsors-international-olympiad-informatics-2022/ | 2022-08-10T08:40:32Z |
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., today announced the results of its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 8, 2022.
The Company put forward the following resolutions to be voted on by shareholders at the meeting, all of which were approved: (i) to elect eight directors for the forthcoming year from the nominees proposed by the Board; and (ii) to appoint Marcum LLP as auditors for the Company and authorization of the Board of Directors to fix the auditors' remuneration and terms of engagement.
A total of 97,288,636 of the 184,184,142 votes attached to all outstanding shares of the Company on an as-converted basis as at the record date voted at the meeting, representing 52.8% of outstanding shares on an as-converted basis.
Election of Directors:
Each of the directors elected at the Meeting, being Kim Rivers, Giannella Alvarez, Thad Beshears, Peter Healy, Richard May, Thomas Millner, Jane Morreau and Susan Thronson, will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Appointment of Auditors:
Marcum LLP were re-appointed as Auditors of the Corporation for the 2022 fiscal year with the Directors authorized to fix their remuneration.
About Trulieve
Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S. operating in 11 states, with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.
Facebook: @Trulieve
Instagram: @Trulieve_
Twitter: @Trulieve
Investor Contact
Christine Hersey, Executive Director of Investor Relations
+1 (424) 202-0210
Christine.Hersey@Trulieve.com
Media Contact
Rob Kremer, Executive Director of Corporate Communications
+1 (404) 218-3077
Robert.Kremer@Trulieve.com
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SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/trulieve-reports-results-2022-annual-meeting-shareholders/ | 2022-06-10T12:51:29Z |
SINGAPORE, May 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SwipeRx (formerly mClinica Pharmacy Solutions), Southeast Asia's (SEA) leading platform for pharmacies, announced it has secured a Series B round of US$27 million in equity and debt to accelerate growth across SEA. The round was led by Indonesia's MDI Ventures, with participation from global investors, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures, SIG and existing investors.
Singapore-based mClinica Pharmacy Solutions recently rebranded to SwipeRx, the name of its flagship app and has acquired more than 235,000 pharmacy professionals and 45,000 pharmacies across SEA to-date.
With a strong presence across Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, SwipeRx is ready to grow its network of pharmacies, expand their specialised healthcare logistics to fulfil B2B commerce, accelerate technological innovation and recruit talent across SEA.
Farouk Meralli, Founder and CEO, SwipeRx, said, "SwipeRx's growth has been exponential and the past years have allowed us to further our vision to build the largest pharmacy network in SEA. This funding round reaffirms our commitment to disrupt this deeply fragmented industry while improving public health by supporting the pharmacy channel. We are excited to hold the pole position in SEA as a platform that has transformed and digitised the pharmacy industry, becoming their one-stop platform to perform all daily tasks from education to purchasing to inventory financing."
Since inception, SwipeRx identified that pharmacies were largely fragmented. SwipeRx innovated a community-driven commerce model and has established the largest digital community for pharmacy professionals with all-in-one B2B commerce capability.
Donald Wihardja, CEO, MDI Ventures, commented, "We see great potential and promise in SwipeRx's platform as it strives to address the challenges faced by pharmacies, especially in Indonesia, by connecting different players – big and small – all under one platform. SwipeRx has the largest retail purchasing network, national logistics capabilities, financing options and fully integrated B2B stack for pharmacies to leverage. We, at MDI Ventures, are excited to be a part of SwipeRx's next phase of growth as it looks to achieve greater heights in Indonesia and the region."
SwipeRx sees vast opportunities to expand its community and commerce solutions for pharmacies across SEA and build on its lead in its key markets. With a strong team of over 400 employees, SwipeRx is poised to grow and scale across SEA.
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SOURCE SwipeRx | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/23/swiperx-secures-us27-million-series-b-funding-accelerate-growth-across-southeast-asia/ | 2022-05-24T00:31:36Z |
TORONTO, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Talisker Resources Ltd. ("Talisker" or the "Company") (TSX: TSK) (OTCQX: TSKFF) is pleased to announce the results of its annual and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held July 20, 2022.
A total of 129,497,294 common shares of the Company were represented at the Meeting, representing approximately 39% of the total number of common shares of the Company issued and outstanding. All matters presented for approval at the Meeting were duly authorized and approved including setting the board of directors at six, election of all five management nominees to the board of directors of the Company, providing for one vacancy on the board, and the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorization of the directors to fix their remuneration.
Detailed voting results regarding the election of directors are as follows:
Talisker (taliskerresources.com) is a junior resource company involved in the exploration of gold projects in British Columbia, Canada. Talisker's projects include two advanced stage projects, the Bralorne Gold Complex and the Ladner Gold Project, both advanced stage projects with significant exploration potential from historical high-grade producing gold mines, as well as its Spences Bridge Project where the Company holds ~85% of the emerging Spences Bridge Gold Belt and several other early-stage Greenfields projects. With its properties comprising 304,931 hectares over 500 claims, three leases and 197 crown grant claims, Talisker is a dominant exploration player in south-central British Columbia.
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SOURCE Talisker Resources Ltd | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/talisker-announces-results-annual-amp-special-meeting-shareholders/ | 2022-07-21T12:47:52Z |
New FDA Clearance Illustrates the Utility of the i:X to Reliably Detect
Clinically Significant Bacteria that Impedes Wound Healing
TORONTO, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - MolecuLight Inc., the leader in point-of-care fluorescence imaging for real-time detection of wounds containing elevated bacterial loads, announces that it has received an expansion to its FDA 510(k) clearance for the MolecuLight i:X® imaging device's ability to detect the location of elevated bacterial loads (>104 CFU/g) in wounds. The expanded labelling also includes the device's ability to identify areas of wounds containing more bacterial species, including key target pathogens of interest to the CDC that are major causes of antimicrobial resistance1. Detectable species include gram-negative and gram-positive species, aerobes and anaerobes. This expanded labeling is based on a detailed retrospective statistical analysis of over 350 patients.
"We are thrilled with the FDA's new clearance for MolecuLight' ability to determine the location of elevated bacterial loads in wounds, in addition to the ability to identify regions with more bacterial species of interest", says Anil Amlani, MolecuLight's CEO. "Clinicians worldwide are using the MolecuLight device to visualize regions with clinically significant bacterial loads and more species of concern. With point-of-care information on bacterial load and its locations through use of a MolecuLight device, clinicians can act immediately to tailor their cleaning, debridement, antimicrobial strategies and treatments accordingly."
This video (courtesy of Rose Raizman) illustrates the importance of visualizing the location of elevated bacterial load in a wound. In this scenario, the clinician is using MolecuLight i:X to inform their decision-making and target their wound hygiene to the areas of red fluorescence. Regions of red, indicating that the wound contains clinically significant (>104 CFU/g) levels of bacterial burden, are clearly visible on the patient's diabetic foot ulcer (see image).
In addition, the FDA has also recognized MolecuLight's ability to visualize regions containing troublesome bacterial species at the point-of-care. The MolecuLight device can be used to enable fluorescence-guided tissue biopsies to these regions to detect a higher number of pathogens of interest (defined by the CDC as increasing risk to develop antibiotic resistance) compared to standard-of-care-guided biopsies. The CDC has identified antibiotic resistance as "one of the greatest global public health challenges of our time"1. Strategies to combat antibiotic resistance include containing emerging threats through early detection and aggressive response and improving appropriate antibiotic use through antimicrobial stewardship programs. The expanded use of diagnostic tools, like MolecuLight, to improve accuracy and speed of pathogen detection has been called out to help improve appropriate antibiotic selection and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use1.
MolecuLight was the first to receive FDA de novo clearance for its MolecuLight i:X imaging platform and has subsequently received three additional FDA 510(k) clearances for the device.
MolecuLight Inc. is a privately-owned medical imaging company that has developed and is commercializing its proprietary fluorescent imaging platform technology in multiple clinical markets. MolecuLight's suite of commercially released devices, including the MolecuLight i:X® and DX™ fluorescence imaging systems and their accessories, provide point-of-care handheld imaging devices for the global wound care market for the real-time detection and localization of elevated bacterial load in wounds and for digital wound measurement. MolecuLight procedures performed in the United States can benefit from an available reimbursement pathway including two CPT® codes for physician work to perform "fluorescence imaging for bacterial presence, location, and load" and facility payment for Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) settings through an Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) assignment. The company is also commercializing its unique fluorescence imaging platform technology for other markets with globally relevant unmet needs including food safety, consumer cosmetics and other key industrial markets.
Image: Download at: https://moleculight.box.com/s/ax8758gz0f8amouhcjjvs4xzkfa9vofo
Video: https://youtu.be/HKOCGBlIQj4
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SOURCE MolecuLight | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/fda-510k-clearance-expands-labelling-moleculight-ix-include-ability-identify-regions-containing-elevated-load-more-bacterial-species/ | 2022-06-29T10:26:34Z |
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden is holding an election Sunday expected to boost a populist anti-immigration party that promises to crack down on shootings and other gang violence that have shaken many people’s sense of security.
The Sweden Democrats entered parliament in 2010 and have steadily gained more votes with each election. The party’s fortunes have risen following massive migration in recent years, particularly in Europe’s crisis year of 2015, and as crime has grown in segregated neighborhoods.
The party has its roots in the white nationalist movement but many years ago began expelling extremists. Despite its rebranding, voters long viewed it as unacceptable and other parties shunned it. That is changing.
Polls predicted the Sweden Democrats, which won 13% in 2018, would take about 20% Sunday to become the second-largest party in the parliament. That would put it only behind the center-left Social Democrats of Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
Andersson, a 55-year-old economist, enjoys high approval ratings. She became Sweden’s first female prime minister less than a year ago and led Sweden’s historic bid to join NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Zeth Isaksson, a specialist in electoral behavior at Stockholm University, said she is highly trusted thanks to her experience in government, first as finance minister, through crises including the COVID-19 pandemic and, as prime minister, in the negotiations to join NATO.
“Magdalena Andersson is one of the most important factors in this election,” Isaksson told The Associated Press.
At rallies, her supporters have worn T-shirts and pins with her image modeled after the stylized “Hope” poster of former President Barack Obama.
But hope is precisely what some no longer have in her party after its eight years in power. They blame it for high taxes and for failing to stem the shootings that have made Sweden one of Europe’s most violent countries.
“She has had eight years to do everything that she’s now saying she’s going to do,” said Bosse Adolfsson, a 70-year-old partly retired electrician at a Sweden Democrats rally on Saturday. “She is asking for four more years to not do anything.”
There are two major blocs, with four left-wing parties and four conservative parties. The polls leading up to the election showed the blocs running neck and neck.
If the left-wing bloc does poorly overall, Andersson might not be able to form a government with a majority in parliament. The party in second place would then get to try.
Traditionally, that would be the center-right Moderates. Though the party risks being outvoted by the populists, their leader, Ulf Kristersson, currently the main opposition leader, is seen as the likely prime minister candidate should the right prevail. He ran on a pledge of “Sweden needs change.”
The populists’ leader Jimmie Akesson still is not considered a prime minister candidate given the party’s historical roots.
The Moderates’ expected third-place showing “shifts everything upside down,” said Torbjorn Sjostrom, CEO of the polling institute Novus. “The Swedish Democrats have increased for every election quite substantially, slowly moving into the warmth of being a serious party in Sweden, and they therefore would expect more influence.”
He said his polling research shows that those who vote for the Sweden Democrats are often blue collar workers, and that twice as many men as women support it.
“It’s basically the same as you see in most traditional populist parties, even in the Trump voter,” he said, explaining that the party resonates largely with people “who are afraid of their own safety and the future.”
Andersson has voiced alarm at the rising popularity of the Sweden Democrats, characterizing it as a “far-right” party that, if it wins influence in government, could erode Sweden’s identity as a place of tolerance and of refuge for the persecuted.
“It could be a different Sweden that we could have in four years,” she said.
The Sweden Democrats have clearly tapped into the anxieties of many, and other parties have been moving closer to its positions. Many Swedes agree that their country can no longer bear the costs of the country’s generous refugee policies of the past.
Tobias Andersson, a 26-year-old member of parliament for the Sweden Democrats seeking a second term, said his party is being unfairly characterized as racist by opponents because it serves their interests.
“I wasn’t even born when my party was founded, I don’t really care who founded it. I look at the values and policies that we support today,” he told the AP.
He said politicians who have called the Sweden Democrats racist are now “pushing forward the same policies themselves.”
Most Swedes still oppose them, and some were voting tactically against any right-wing party to prevent that side from getting a chance to wield power.
Voting in Stockholm, Bjarne Frykholm, a 65-year-old computer specialist wouldn’t say who he voted for other than to make clear he opposed the Sweden Democrats.
“I don’t want them to get any power at all,” he said. “I think they frighten me a lot.” | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/ap-sweden-holds-election-expected-to-boost-anti-immigrant-party/ | 2022-09-11T15:47:28Z |
- Hyundai Invests More Than $51 Million in Michigan Safety Laboratory Site
SUPERIOR TWP., Mich., June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., (HATCI) together celebrated the $51.6 million expansion project for a new Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) at a recent groundbreaking ceremony. The ceremony highlighted the benefits of the new safety laboratory and included remarks from José Muñoz, president and chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor Company and president and chief executive officer, Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America. Brian Latouf, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America, and John Robb, president, HATCI, as well as local and government officials including Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II also participated in the event. The STIL is planned to be operational in the fall of 2023 and will be supported by 160 employees.
"Safety is the top priority at Hyundai and is embedded throughout the entire organization," said José Muñoz, president and chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor Company and president and chief executive officer, Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America. "We excel in third-party crash testing and ratings, and we strive to be a leader in equipping our vehicles with the latest safety features. The new laboratory will enable us to even more effectively protect our customers and enhance our world-class safety organization."
The new facility will further augment Hyundai's existing safety testing and analysis. It will feature a field crash investigation lab, high voltage battery lab, forensics lab, 500m track and a Vehicle Dynamics Area pad. IBI Group and BCCG have been selected for the architectural design and construction of the building expansion. The investment is focused on enhancing Hyundai's safety commitment in identifying vehicle field issues, preventing crashes and keeping passengers safe.
"This investment by Hyundai is critically important not only to Southeast Michigan, but to our entire country," said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12). "Traffic fatalities are at an all-time high in our nation, and each of us from elected officials to auto makers have a role to play in addressing this urgent, preventable crisis. This new Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory will save lives, and I applaud Hyundai for their commitment to keeping passengers safe."
"Hyundai's cutting-edge Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory will create good-paying, high-skilled jobs right here in Michigan," said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "Michigan put the world on wheels, and I am grateful for Hyundai's partnership in building on that tradition with a $50 million investment in Superior Township. Since entering office, Governor Whitmer and I have added nearly 25,000 good-paying auto jobs, and we will continue working hard to maintain Michigan's leadership in future mobility, grow our economy, upskill Michigan's workforce, and stand tall for Michigan."
Hyundai recognizes the value and importance of enhancing its hands-on safety evaluation processes. The STIL was developed in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) based on a 2020 Consent Order which required an investment in a safety facility of $25 million. Hyundai increased its required investment by more than $26 million.
Hyundai also reminds drivers and passengers to always wear safety belts, use appropriate child seats and focus on the drive.
As one of Hyundai Motor Group's (HMG) six centers focused on research and development (R&D), Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) was established in 1986 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. HATCI is HMG's design, technology and engineering division for North America. As HMG has solidified its position as one of the top five global OEMs, HATCI has grown to include a strong network of engineering disciplines and increased business-focused activities to support North America's Voice of the Customer. For more information, visit http://www.hatci.com/.
Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.
Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/hyundai-breaks-ground-new-safety-test-investigation-laboratory/ | 2022-06-27T23:01:00Z |
Company to exhibit and share early clinical results at the American Delirium Society Conference, June 12-14, Indianapolis, IN
A multi-center, international clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of EyeControl-Pro for Delirium reduction is underway
TEL AVIV, Israel, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EyeControl is developing the EyeControl-Pro, an AI-based, smart, screenless and wearable, eye-tracking communication solution for Delirium reduction. The company will display its new investigational device, EyeControl-Pro, at the American Delirium Society Conference (ADS), June 12-14, Indianapolis, IN.
EyeControl-Pro is being designed to enable bi-directional remote connectivity and communication between the patient's headset, the medical team and family members.
EyeControl CEO Mr. Or Retzkin said, "Our intention is to effectively empower the up to 80% of ICU patients experiencing Delirium to communicate with their medical support team, family and friends, center and regain control of reality. Delirium costs the US healthcare system up to $152B annually. We'll speak about our vision and plans for Delirium management at the ADS conference."
EyeControl will also share early data from its phase I clinical trial in Israel at Beilinson Hospital's ICU, where preliminary results include decreases in patient errors in the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU), a validated Delirium screening tool, as well as improvements in Lowenstein Communication Scale (LCS) scores and patient engagement with hospital staff.
EyeControl-Pro is also currently being evaluated in a multi-center, international clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of the device for Delirium reduction.
Delirium is an acute mental disturbance characterized by confused thinking and disrupted attention sometimes accompanied by hallucinations; it can be brought on by anxiety, isolation and cognitive decline, which arises from lack of communication and interpersonal interactions.
About EyeControl
EyeControl has developed the first AI-based, smart, screenless and wearable, eye-tracking communication solution intended to address the unmet healthcare needs of patients, who cannot speak. The company was founded in 2016 by individuals who share unique personal connections to ALS and Locked-in patients, in an effort to restore their communication needs.
EyeControl-Med provides comprehensive, round-the-clock, bi-directional connectivity between acute care patients with communication difficulties, their families, and medical teams. This increases patient engagement and emotional wellbeing in ICUs, long-term acute care facilities, and rehabilitation centers. The product is FDA 510(k)-exempt, CE marked, ISO certified, and HIPAA/GDPR compliant.
EyeControl-Pro, based on the same communication platform, is an investigational device being developed to treat those experiencing Delirium. Clinical trials investigating its safety and efficacy in reducing Delirium are currently underway in Israel and the US. EyeControl-Pro for Delirium reduction is for investigational use only and has not been cleared or approved by the US FDA. The device is not available for sale in the US.
Investors include Connecticut Innovations, certain VC funds, angels, the European Innovation Council (EIC) and EIC Fund, the Israel Innovation Authority and Israel Ministry of Economy.
For more information please visit: www.eyecontrol.co.il.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1838341/EyeControl.jpg
Press Contact
Marjie Hadad
General Manager
Must Have Communication
917-790-1178
marjie@mhc-pr.com
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SOURCE EyeControl | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/eyecontrol-expands-rampd-program-with-eyecontrol-pro-delirium/ | 2022-06-13T14:35:31Z |
ALBANY – Two and a half years into the coronavirus pandemic, which caused cancellations of events from the Snickers Marathon to sporting events as well as plays and concerts, tourism has “bounced back” in the region.
A spending and economic report for Dougherty County showed that overall tourist spending increased by 16.6 % last year over 2020, totaling $263.9 million. The report included the categories of dining, retail shopping, transportation, lodging and recreation.
“It’s very exciting, considering (COVID-19),” Rashelle Minix, executive director of the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau, said. “We bounced back very nicely.”
The growth last year returns tourism back to pre-pandemic levels, she said.
“I really feel it’s the fact we have a lot of the attractions that a lot of the larger communities have, but ours are less congested and cost less,” Minix said. “This is one of those times when being rural is better.”
Hotel occupancy also has improved and is at 67%.
“The hotel/motel tax collections were up by 30% from last year, so that was good,” Minix said.
Spending on retail, transportation and at restaurants was up by about 15.5% last year over 2020, with restaurants seeing a 17% increase and an 8% increase for recreation.
Food and drink was the largest category of the $263.9 million total at $72 million, followed by recreation at $65.5 million and lodging at $49.9 million.
Among the biggest draws for recreation in the area is Radium Springs, but other attractions also bring people to the county, including the Flint RiverQuarium, Chehaw Park & Zoo and the Albany Civil Rights Institute.
“Radium Springs is one of our highest-trafficked (attractions) on our website,” Minix said. “Radium Springs is definitely a factor for Albany. The restaurants, as you saw in that report, restaurants did very well. For food and beverage 16% is really good.”
In recent months, despite another spike in coronavirus cases that started after the July 4 holiday, the primary cause of cancellations and rescheduling of events has been the massive amounts of rainfall. But even that didn’t dampen enthusiasm for last weekend’s Nut Roll bike ride, which also saw participation rebound to numbers not seen since before COVID.
The CVB director said she is excited about some upcoming projects, including a tennis/pickleball park and clubhouse facility in development by the Dougherty County government and regional tourism marketing.
An example of the latter includes encouraging visitorship at not only Albany’s Civil Rights Institute but other facilities including the Americus Civil Rights Center, Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville and the Leesburg Stockade Girls, Minix said.
“These are opportunities for us to bring tourists and tell the story of the South as well,” she said.
When visitors have the benefit of multiple sites to visit in the area, that means extended hotel stays and more spending at stores and restaurants while they are in town, she said.
The tourism spending supported 3,772 jobs in the county in 2021 and generated some $21.3 million in state and local taxes, which equals an approximate $622 in tax savings per household, the report said.
The tennis facility will offer the opportunity to bring tournaments, along with overnight visitors, to town.
“Having the pickleball courts is going to be tremendous,” Minix said. “We can get into the tournament field, and pickleball is big right now. There are a lot of tournaments out there we could bid on.
"I'm just looking forward to hopefully the citizens of Albany and Dougherty County will pass the SPLOST (special-purpose local-option sales tax) so these projects can move forward."
If approved, the sales tax would provide funding for the Civil Rights Institute, Chehaw, the RiverQuarium and Thronateeska Heritage Center.
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DALLAS (KDAF) — StubHub has released its 2022 college football season preview and it’s dropping some serious truth bombs when it comes to the upcoming season’s ticket demands and to no one’s surprise, SEC is king.
So, here’s a quick look at the facts when it comes to the demand for tickets during the upcoming college football season as it pertains to the state of Texas. Whether you’re Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Houston, Texas Tech, or one of the other FBS schools in the state, it’s an exciting time whenever it’s football time in the Lone Star State.
When it comes to demand for seeing certain college football teams, the Longhorns came in at No. 3 and the Aggies of A&M were at No. 5. Other teams on the list are Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, LSU, and Auburn.
In terms of College Football Games, Texas and the A&M are coming in hot… against the same team. At No. 1 it’s Alabama visiting the Longhorns in Austin in early September and then at No. 3 its the Aggies taking a stroll to Tuscaloosa in early October.
Conference demand might be surprising, or not, SEC has the majority, followed by the Big Ten and the other conferences as follows Big 12, ACC, and the Pac-12.
“College football demand is as strong as ever, ahead of what’s sure to be an electric season – ticket demand on StubHub is already outpacing what we saw ahead of the 2019 season by more than 10 percent,” said Adam Budelli, spokesperson for StubHub. “Ohio State, Notre Dame, Alabama and Texas are some of the notable schools topping our most in-demand lists and driving considerable sales for the best-selling games of the season.” | https://cw33.com/news/texas/2022-college-football-ticket-demand-2-texas-schools-in-top-10-bama-vs-texas-top-game-sec-is-king/ | 2022-08-16T21:56:29Z |
TAIPEI, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GigaMedia Limited (NASDAQ: GIGM) today announced its second-quarter 2022 unaudited financial results.
Comments from Management
In the second quarter of 2022, GigaMedia reported revenues of $1.36 million, with a gross profit $0.77 million, an operating loss of $0.84 million and the net loss of $1.13 million. Total revenues decreased by 11.8% if compared to the previous quarter.
The decrease in revenues was mainly as a result of a weaker consumer sentiment on entertainment, which was undermined by inflation, downturn in financial markets, and an unprecedented COVID-19 upsurge in Taiwan.
"The first half of 2022 had posed challenges for us," said GigaMedia CEO James Huang, "nonetheless, we managed to minimize the adverse impacts to our business and continued making progress in improving our products and services."
Second Quarter Overview
- Operating revenues decreased by approximately 11.8% quarter-on-quarter, to $1.36 million from $1.55 million in last quarter, but increased by 11.3% year-over-year from $1.22 million the same period last year. The decrease from last quarter was mainly due to reduced consumer spending on entertainment amid a worsening economic environment.
- Gross profit decreased by 14.1% to $0.77 million from $0.90 million in last quarter, and increased by 22.3% compared to $0.63 million in the same period last year.
- The net asset value was $4.46 per share.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Results
GigaMedia Limited is a diversified provider of digital entertainment services. GigaMedia's digital entertainment service business FunTown develops and operates a suite of digital entertainments in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with focus on browser/mobile games and casual games.
Unaudited consolidated results of GigaMedia are summarized in the table below.
For the Second Quarter
Second-Quarter Financial Results
- Consolidated revenues for the second quarter of 2022 decreased by 11.8% quarter-on-quarter to $1.36 million from $1.55 million in last quarter, but increased by 11.3% year-over-year from $1.22 million the same period last year.
- Consolidated gross profit was $0.77 million, decreased by 14.1% quarter-on-quarter but increased by 22.3% year-over-year.
- Consolidated loss from operation of the second quarter of 2022 was a loss of $0.84 million, comparable to the operating loss in the first quarter.
- Net loss in the second quarter of 2022 was $1.13 million, increased slightly from a net loss of $1.10 million in the first quarter.
- Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the second quarter of 2022 amounted to $39.6 million, decreased by 2.2% from $40.5 million as of the end of the first quarter.
Financial Position
GigaMedia maintained its solid financial position, with cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash amounted to $39.6 million, or $3.59 per share, as of June 30, 2022.
Business Outlook
The following forward-looking statements reflect GigaMedia's expectations as of July 29, 2022. Given potential changes in economic conditions and consumer spending, the evolving nature of digital entertainments, and various other risk factors, including those discussed in the Company's 2021 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as referenced below, actual results may differ materially.
"In the second half of 2022, we will be committing ourselves to boosting the productivity of our products and services by enhancing customer loyalty to our platforms, and expanding customer base with effective marketing strategies," stated GigaMedia CEO James Huang.
Meanwhile, our management continues exploring possibilities of expanding our business through strategic investments to create greater shareholder value. And the recent upheaval in the global capital market may exhibit a chance of acquiring quality assets at a discount, for which we will pursue promising investment opportunities prudently but boldly.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
To supplement GigaMedia's consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with US GAAP, the Company uses the following measure defined as non-GAAP by the SEC: EBITDA. Management believes that EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) is a useful supplemental measure of performance because it excludes certain non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization and that EBITDA is a measure of performance used by some investors, equity analysts and others to make informed investment decisions. EBITDA is not a recognized earnings measure under GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning. Non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of using EBITDA is that it does not include all items that impact the company's net income for the period. Reconciliations to the GAAP equivalents of the non-GAAP financial measures are provided on the attached unaudited financial statements.
About the Numbers in This Release
Quarterly results
All quarterly results referred to in the text, tables and attachments to this release are unaudited. The financial statements from which the financial results reported in this press release are derived have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, unless otherwise noted as "non-GAAP," and are presented in U.S. dollars.
Q&A
For Q&A regarding the second quarter 2022 performance upon the release, investors may send the questions via email to IR@gigamedia.com.tw, and the responses will be replied individually.
About GigaMedia
Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, GigaMedia Limited (Singapore registration number: 199905474H) is a diversified provider of digital entertainment services in Taiwan and Hong Kong. GigaMedia's digital entertainment service business is an innovative leader in Asia with growing capabilities of development, distribution and operation of digital entertainments, as well as platform services for games with a focus on mobile games and casual games. More information on GigaMedia can be obtained from www.gigamedia.com.tw.
The statements included above and elsewhere in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding expected financial performance (as described without limitation in the "Business Outlook" section and in quotations from management in this press release) and GigaMedia's strategic and operational plans. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties and changes in circumstances. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements, including but not limited to, our ability to license, develop or acquire additional online games that are appealing to users, our ability to retain existing online game players and attract new players, and our ability to launch online games in a timely manner and pursuant to our anticipated schedule. Further information on risks or other factors that could cause results to differ is detailed in GigaMedia's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed in April 2022 and its other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(Tables to follow)
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SOURCE GigaMedia | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/gigamedia-announces-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-07-29T14:27:55Z |
PITTSBURGH, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "My hearing aids always pull out with the wrap around the ear style of masks," said an inventor from Matawan, N.J., "so I invented the NO SNAG MASK. It will be easier to drop the front down to eat and drink and for people who wear hearing aids or earrings."
Various states are requiring that masks be worn whenever in public locations. This patent-pending invention provides enhanced comfort and ease of positioning or removal and does not snag hearing aids, earrings, and hair when it is removed. It provides added protection, security and peace of mind as it may reduce the spread of various communicable diseases such as COVID-19, measles, meningitis, tuberculosis, flu, etc. and thus may save lives.
The original design was submitted to the New Jersey sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-NJD-2423, 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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/inventhelp-inventor-develops-an-improved-ppe-face-mask-njd-2423/ | 2022-06-21T15:27:25Z |
RENTON, Wash., Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Radiant Logistics, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American: RLGT) today announced that it has secured a new $200.0 million syndicated secured revolving credit facility (the "Secured Facility") to replace its existing $150.0 million revolving facility. The Secured Facility enhances the Company's financial flexibility, providing increased capacity to fund future acquisitions, capital expenditures or for other corporate purposes, including, if warranted at the time, the repurchase of the Company's common stock.
BofA Securities, Inc. acted as the book runner and joint lead arranger for the syndicated credit facility. Bank of Montreal acted as lender, joint lead arranger, and syndication agent. MUFG Union Bank, N.A. acted as lender and co-documentation agent. Keybank National Association acted as lender and co-documentation agent. Bank of America, N.A., and Washington Federal Bank, National Association also acted as lenders. Bank of America, N.A. will also serve as administrative agent.
Under the terms of the new Secured Facility, the Company may borrow up to $200 million, subject to compliance with customary and standard financial coverage covenants and ratios. Included within the Secured facility is an accordion feature for an additional $75 million to support future acquisition opportunities. Borrowings under the Secured Facility accrue interest at either the Lenders' base rate plus 0.50% or SOFR plus 1.40%, and can be subsequently adjusted based on the Company's consolidated net leverage ratio, at either the Lenders' base rate plus 0.50% to 1.50% or SOFR plus 1.40% to 2.40%.
The Secured Facility carries a five year term and is secured by accounts receivable and other assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. For general borrowings under the Secured Facility, the Company is subject to a maximum consolidated net leverage ratio of 3.0x and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of 1.0x. Additional minimum availability requirements and financial covenants apply in the event the Company seeks to use advances under the Secured Facility to pursue acquisitions or repurchase its common stock. Under the terms of the Secured Facility, as of March 31, 2022, the Company had a consolidated net leverage ratio of 1.0x and a consolidated interest coverage ratio of 24.4x.
Concurrent with entering into new Secured Facility, the Company also amended the term loans held by its Canadian lender, Fiera Private Debt Funds IV and V (formerly known as Integrated Private Debt Funds IV and V), to make the financial and other covenants therein consistent with those contained in the new Secured Facility. The security interest securing such term loans remain on a parity basis with those assets securing the new Secured Facility.
"We are very pleased to announce our new $200 million Secured Facility and appreciate and the strong support and confidence of our banking group," said Bohn Crain, Founder and CEO of the Company. "The new Secured Facility provides us access to additional low-cost capital and greater financial flexibility as we look to maximize long term shareholder value through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions as well as opportunities to buyback of our common stock."
Crain Continued: "We remain encouraged by our continued strong financial performance and the fact that we have now reported a record $69.5 million in adjusted EBITDA on $1.3 billion in revenues for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2022. It is also worth noting that we delivered these results while maintaining very low leverage on our balance sheet and believe we are very well positioned with ready access to capital to begin our push to the next billion dollar milestone."
About Radiant Logistics, Inc.
Radiant Logistics, Inc. (www.radiantdelivers.com) is a third-party logistics and multimodal transportation services company delivering advanced supply chain solutions through a network of company-owned and strategic operating partner locations across North America. Through its comprehensive service offerings, the Company provides domestic and international freight forwarding services, truck and rail brokerage services and other value-added supply chain management services, including customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management and warehousing to a diversified account base including manufacturers, distributors and retailers using a network of independent carriers and international agents positioned strategically around the world.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to: trends in the domestic and global economy; our ability to attract new and retain existing agency relationships; acquisitions and integration of acquired entities; availability of capital to support our acquisition strategy; our ability to comply with financial covenants under our outstanding indebtedness; our ability to maintain and improve back office infrastructure and transportation and accounting information systems in a manner sufficient to service our revenues and network of operating locations; our ability to maintain and grow our revenues and operating margins in a manner consistent with recent operating results and trends; our ability to maintain positive relationships with our third-party transportation providers, suppliers and customers; outcomes of legal proceedings; competition; management of growth; potential fluctuations in operating results; and government regulation. More information about factors that potentially could affect our financial results is included Radiant Logistics, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
The use of proceeds under the Secured Facility described above reflect possible uses and are not guarantees of how the proceeds will be used, if at all. Any use of proceeds by the Company will be subject to, among other things, then applicable: industry conditions, competitive environment, operational performance, financial covenants within any outstanding indebtedness, contractual restrictions, and regulatory requirements.
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SOURCE Radiant Logistics, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/radiant-logistics-announces-new-200m-secured-credit-facility/ | 2022-08-08T21:48:13Z |
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MIND Technology, Inc. ("MIND" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: MIND) announced today that it has received orders for sonar and source controller systems totaling approximately $7.7 million. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors has elected not to declare a quarterly cash dividend on its 9.00% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") for the second quarter of its fiscal year ending January 31, 2023.
Rob Capps, MIND's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "These new orders had been anticipated, but it is an important step to have them in hand. The equipment to be delivered includes multi-beam sonar systems, along with associated handling equipment, and seismic source controller systems. We expect all these orders to be completed and delivered in our current fiscal year. We believe these orders indicate the strength in military and exploration markets and we expect further orders in the near future.
"Due to liquidity demands to complete these, and other, orders and the uncertainty as to the timing of certain cash flow, we feel it prudent to defer the payment of the second quarter dividend on our Series A Preferred Stock. The Company continues to have positive working capital and no funded debt."
The Company may defer dividend payments on the Series A Preferred Stock, but the dividend is a cumulative dividend that accrues for payment in the future. During a deferral period, the Company is prohibited from paying dividends or distributions on its common stock, or redeeming any of those shares. Further, if the Company does not pay dividends on its Series A Preferred Stock for six or more quarters, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have the right to appoint two directors to the Company's board.
About MIND Technology
MIND Technology, Inc. provides technology to the oceanographic, hydrographic, defense, seismic and security industries. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, MIND has a global presence with key operating locations in the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Its Seamap and Klein units, design, manufacture and sell specialized, high performance, marine sonar and seismic equipment.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, our objectives for future operations, future orders and anticipated delivery of existing orders, and future payments of dividends are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "should," "would," "could" or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts of our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions or dispositions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reductions in our customers' capital budgets, our own capital budget, limitations on the availability of capital or higher costs of capital, volatility in commodity prices for oil and natural gas and the extent of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, unless required by law, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein.
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SOURCE MIND Technology, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/mind-technology-announces-receipt-new-orders-deferral-preferred-stock-dividend/ | 2022-07-06T21:15:34Z |
NEW YORK, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Waste Management, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of WM 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:
https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/waste-management-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=28554&from=4
CLASS PERIOD: This lawsuit is on behalf of all purchasers of certain Waste Management redeemable senior notes between February 13, 2020 and June 23, 2020.
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the U.S. Department of Justice had indicated to Waste Management that it would require Waste Management to divest significantly more assets than the $200 million indicated in the merger agreement between the Company and Advanced Disposal Services; (ii) as a result, the merger would not be completed by July 14, 2020, the end date under the merger agreement; and (iii) the Waste Management redeemable senior notes would be subject to mandatory redemption at 101% of par.
DEADLINE: August 8, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/waste-management-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=28554&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of WM 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 August 8, 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/2022/06/15/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-waste-management-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-8-2022-nasdaq-wm/ | 2022-06-15T10:09:36Z |
A manhunt is underway for one of two brothers suspected in a mass stabbing that left 10 dead and 18 injured across multiple locations in Saskatchewan, Canada.
The attacks on Sunday -- which rattled the Canadian nation and put the province of Saskatchewan on edge -- spanned 13 crime scenes in an Indigenous community and a nearby rural village, according to authorities.
Less than three hours after the first attack was reported, authorities identified the suspects as brothers Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson.
On Monday morning, Damien Sanderson, 31, was found dead on the James Smith Cree Nation in a "heavily grassed area" near a house, police said.
His injuries were not believed to be self-inflicted, said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, adding that the exact cause of death would be determined by the Saskatchewan coroner's office.
His 30-year-old brother is still at large and considered "armed and dangerous," Blackmore said. The man has a "lengthy criminal record" and had warrants out for his arrest before the stabbings, she said.
Police warned that Myles Sanderson may also be injured and might try to seek medical attention, but did not provide further details on why they believe he might be hurt.
"We do have strong reason to believe that he has sustained some injuries. We're not exactly sure what those injuries are," Blackmore said.
Although still at large, Myles Sanderson was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and breaking and entering into a residence.
One of the victims was identified as Gloria Burns, a first responder, according to Reuters. She was responding to a crisis call when she was caught up in the violence and killed, her brother Darryl Burns told Reuters, though the agency didn't say if the call was related to the stabbings.
"She was butchered," her brother Ivor Burns said to Reuters.
Police believe suspect was in the city of Regina
The suspects were believed to be traveling in a black Nissan Rogue with a Saskatchewan license plate that was reported seen with two people inside on Sunday in Regina, a city more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the James Smith Cree Nation, according to police.
Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said that while the lead on the car was already "stale," it remained the most recent reliable information police had and "we are still operating under the impression that Myles is in the city of Regina."
The vehicle still hadn't been found and Bray said it's unknown who else was in the car if it wasn't Damien.
"Is it possible that they're no longer in this community? It is possible but we don't have any information to disprove or point us either way," Bray said.
Blackmore said police haven't established a motive for the attacks, and there's still no word on the type of weapon that was used. "It takes a significant amount of resources to process 13 crime scenes," she said.
"There's a lot of anxiety in our province right now in our communities and throughout the country," Bray said. "And so we need to start the healing process and until we can make this arrest that isn't going to happen."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the stabbings "horrific and heartbreaking."
"I am shocked and devastated by the horrific attacks today in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan, that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured many more," Trudeau said in a statement.
Few details have been released about the brothers. Myles Sanderson, who remains at large, stands about 6 foot 1 inch tall and weighs 240 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
It remains unclear if he was involved in the death of Damien Sanderson, according to police.
"It is an investigative avenue that we are following up on, but we can't say that definitively at this point," Blackmore said.
How the attacks unfolded
Investigators on Monday were trying to piece together the order in which the attacks took place. Blackmore said the stabbings didn't necessarily happen in the order that the calls came in and it's unclear if the brothers are suspected of carrying out the attacks at the same time.
The first stabbing was reported on the James Smith Cree Nation at 5:40 a.m. local time, and several more calls came in minutes later about stabbings at other locations, police said.
The James Smith Cree Nation has a population of around 3,400 people with about 1,800 members who live on the reservation, according to its website.
By 9:45 a.m., authorities reported victims in multiple locations, including one in the village of Weldon, and that some victims may have been attacked randomly.
In total, 28 people were wounded, including 10 who died.
Helicopter crews took some victims to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon while others were brought to local hospitals by ground ambulances. Police said there may be additional injured people who took themselves to the various hospitals.
The victims included men and women in different age groups, some of whom were apparently targeted while others may have been attacked randomly, according to Blackmore.
Police have not released information on victims' conditions and identities, but said the youngest was in their early 20s.
About three hours after the first stabbing was reported, authorities identified the suspects as the Sanderson brothers and told the public that they were driving the black Nissan Rogue SUV.
Around noon, an alert was sent out reporting that the suspect vehicle had been seen by a driver on Arcola Avenue in Regina and told the public in Regina to shelter in place.
It wasn't until the next morning that Damien Sanderson was found dead.
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Record-setting catch: Fisherman hooks nearly 2-pound sunfish
FOLKSTON, Ga. (Gray News) - An angler in Georgia is setting records in the state and possibly the world with his latest catch.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reports Lester Roberts caught a redbreast sunfish that came in as over 11 inches long and weighing 1 pound, 12 ounces.
Georgia officials said that Roberts hooked the fish on May 7 in the Satilla River near Folkston.
Native sunfish species in the Satilla River benefit from an ongoing control program that helps reduce the number of invasive flathead catfish in the area, according to the wildlife resources division.
State officials report Lester’s catch is pending a world-record tie and replaces Georgia’s previous record set back in 1998 for a fish that weighed 1 pound, 11 ounces.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/13/record-setting-catch-fisherman-hooks-nearly-2-pound-sunfish/ | 2022-05-13T20:34:52Z |
WIXOM, Mich. , June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMTI), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the treatment of iron deficiency and anemia management, today announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Mark Strobeck, Ph.D., as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Strobeck will also join the Company's Board of Directors. Russell Ellison, M.D., M.Sc., will be stepping down as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Company's Board of Directors effective June 30, 2022.
"We are excited to have Mark join Rockwell as our new President and Chief Executive Officer" said Robert S. Radie, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rockwell Medical. "Mark's scientific, operational, and business experience along with his successful track record align well with Rockwell's goal to develop and commercialize transformative treatments for iron deficiency in multiple disease states. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Dr. Russell Ellison for his contributions to Rockwell over the last 2 years and wish him well in the future."
"I am incredibly excited to join Rockwell and grateful for the support of Rockwell's Board in entrusting me to lead the next phase of Rockwell's development," said Dr. Strobeck. "I am impressed with Rockwell's proprietary drug technology and excited to drive forward its development toward the potential treatment of iron deficiency in the home infusion setting, and longer term in acute heart failure. Additionally, as one of the largest suppliers of life saving concentrates for dialysis patients in the U.S., Rockwell has a unique opportunity, working with distributors and customers, to grow and develop this critical business. The company has made significant progress and I look forward to working with Rockwell's Board of Directors and the talented Rockwell team to build upon this momentum."
Mark Strobeck, Ph.D. brings 20+ years of operating, business development, capital raising and investing experience in life sciences for both private and public biotechnology companies. Prior to joining Rockwell Medical, Mark was a Managing Partner at Aquilo Partners, a life science investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions and strategic partnering transactions. Mark was Chief Operating Officer at Zyla Lifesciences (acquired by Assertio Therapeutics), President and CEO of Corridor Pharmaceuticals (acquired by AstraZeneca), and Chief Business Officer of Topaz Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Sanofi Pasteur). He also served as Chief Business Officer of Trevena, Inc. and Vice President of Business Development at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) where he was responsible for numerous transactions including GSK's +$1B agreement with Chemocentryx. Earlier in his career, he worked at two venture capital firms, SR One (GSK's formally wholly owned venture capital firm) and EuclidSR Partners making investments in drug discovery and drug development companies.
Mark received a doctorate in biophysics and pharmacology from the University of Cincinnati and completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. He also received a BS from St. Lawrence University.
Rockwell also announced the grant of an inducement award to Dr. Strobeck as an inducement material to Dr. Strobeck's employment pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. In connection with his commencement of employment, Dr. Strobeck was granted an inducement award consisting of a stock option to purchase up to 400,000 shares of Rockwell common stock, which vests 25% on the first four anniversaries of the grant date. The exercise price of the stock option will equal the closing price of the Company's common stock on July 1, 2022, the date of the grant.
Rockwell Medical is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing its next-generation parenteral iron technology platform, Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate (FPC), which has the potential to lead transformative treatments for iron deficiency in multiple disease states, reduce healthcare costs and improve patients' lives. The Company has two FDA-approved therapies indicated for patients undergoing hemodialysis, which are the first two products developed from the FPC platform. Rockwell Medical is also advancing its FPC platform by developing FPC for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients outside of dialysis, who are receiving intravenous medications in the home infusion setting. In addition, Rockwell Medical is one of two major suppliers of life-saving hemodialysis concentrate products to kidney dialysis clinics in the United States. For more information, visit www.RockwellMed.com.
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as, "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "could," "can," "would," "develop," "plan," "potential," "predict," "forecast," "project," "intend," "look forward to," "remain confident" or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward looking statements. There can be no assurance that Rockwell Medical will be able to maintain timing for planned clinical trials and regulatory filings or achieve planned cost savings to operate its concentrates business profitability. While Rockwell Medical believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties (including, without limitation, those set forth in Rockwell Medical's SEC filings), many of which are beyond our control and subject to change. Actual results could be materially different. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as such description may be amended or updated in any future reports we file with the SEC. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update our forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
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- The "EVolving the Road Ahead" event kicked off with a ceremonial ride through Times Square with Energica US CEO, Stefano Benatti, Ideanomics Executive Chairman, Shane Mcmahon and President of Mobility, Robin Mackie
- During the investor presentation, Ideanomics CEO, Alf Poor, President of Mobility, Robin Mackie and Energica CEO, Livia Cevolini, discussed the companies' shared vision for the future and how Energica fits into the broader Ideanomics vision and Carlo Iacovini, GM of Energica Inside, formally introduced the new business unit to the market
- The full line up of Energica electric motorcycles was on display to the public in Times Square to promote brand awareness and to build excitement about the acquisition
Link to Getty Images: https://bit.ly/37FD9pQ
NEW YORK, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ideanomics (NASDAQ: IDEX), a global company focused on accelerating the commercial adoption of electric vehicles, held a press and analyst day on April 11, 2022, at the NASDAQ MarketSite location in New York City following the company's March announcement that it had finalized the acquisition of Energica Motor Company S.p.A. (Energica), a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance 100% battery-powered electric motorcycles. Ideanomics and Energica executives held their first joint investor presentation to showcase the companies' shared vision for the future and how Energica fits into the broader Ideanomics mission. Attendees were able to see Energica's entire line-up of electric motorcycles, including the Energica Ego, Energica Eva Ribelle and Energica EsseEsse9. The event was widely attended by analysts and media alike.
The event, which was themed "EVolving the Road Ahead," commenced with a ride of the Energica motorcycles by Ideanomics' Executive Chairman Shane McMahon and President of Mobility Robin Mackie and Energica US CEO, Stefano Benatti, to symbolize the Italian and American companies coming together in a location as iconic as Times Square.
"As a result of this acquisition, Ideanomics is uniquely positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for electric, two-wheeled vehicles," said Shane McMahon, executive chairman of Ideanomics. "Energica's high-performance electric motorcycles, growing dealer network and powertrain applications will allow us to leverage vehicle applications across other Ideanomics companies and customers, while supporting the next phase of growth for Energica."
During the investor presentation, Ideanomics CEO Alf Poor discussed how Energica brings technology, economies of scale and strong leadership to the Ideanomics family. Energica CEO, Livia Cevolini, discussed Energica's key advantages, unique selling propositions and how the company will grow its business with support from Ideanomics. Carlo Iacovini, GM of Energica Inside, touched on the company's goals for 2022 and formally introduced the market to Energica Inside – a new business unit dedicated to the development and production of powertrains, battery assembly and technology for electric vehicles. Energica Inside is positioning itself as the gateway to the electric transition in multiple industries, bringing Energica's decade of experience in electric mobility.
"Energica is a well-established company that brings much to the table now that it is under the Ideanomics umbrella," said Robin Mackie, President of Ideanomics Mobility. "Their technologies and solutions will support product development for our other operating companies and our combined supply chain buying power will improve access to components and batteries so we can build more Energica bikes faster. In addition, Energica's experienced leadership team will be an asset to the entire Ideanomics organization, and we are thrilled to have them on board."
"At Energica, we are excited to support Ideanomics' range of electrification solutions in order to create a global power player in the EV space across multiple verticals," said Livia Cevolini, CEO of Energica. "Our bikes have more power, torque and range than our competitors, and with our competitive price point, we are uniquely positioned to capture a large percentage of zero-emission Imotorcycle enthusiasts. With our growing sales, exceptional products and new Energica Inside business unit, we will work hand in hand with other Ideanomics operating companies to develop new technologies for powertrain components and modular powertrain systems."
In March, Ideanomics finalized its majority ownership stake in Energica. The acquisition will expand Ideanomics' solutions offerings across the high-growth market for two-wheeled, zero-emissions vehicles. Energica's zero-emission EV technology combined with the pedigree of high-performance mobility synonymous with Italy's Motor Valley, delivers a range of exceptional products for the high-performance motorcycle market. In addition, Energica has developed a proprietary EV battery and DC fast charging in-house, which has broader applications across Ideanomics' global business lines.
The Energica lineup of high-performance electric motorcycles include:
- Energica EGO, EGO+ and EGO+ RS: The Energica EGO sportsbikes offer riders the highest top speed and sustained performance of any electric motorcycle on the market. Coupled with surprisingly nimble handling even at lower speeds, the fully electric bike sports immense torque, blistering acceleration, sophisticated on-board technology and DC Fast Charging (DCFC) as standard.
- Energica EVA Ribelle and EVA Ribelle RS: A true electric e-fighter, Energica's EVA Ribelle is the naked version of the Energica EGO, with the same torque, power, acceleration and range, with key differences being riding position and top speed. Perfect for aggressive riding with an urban mojo, or an assertive-yet-upright riding position instead of the typical track day crouch, the EVA Ribelle also easily transforms into a long-distance bike with the simple addition of side panniers, windshield and tank bag.
- Energica EsseEsse9, EsseEsse9+ and EsseEsse9+ RS: The Energica EsseEsse9 shares the technology and sophistication of both the EGO and the EVA Ribelle, but is made more suitable for casual riding without the demanding hyper-performance of the other two models. The EsseEsse's classic bench seat and relaxed riding position make it the ideal bike for two-up riding and the preferred choice for long-distance electric wanderers around the world.
Ideanomics' vision brings together vehicle and charging technology with design, implementation and financial services to support customer EV deployment programs. Through this strategy, Ideanomics has developed a unique ecosystem to support the exponential growth of the vehicle electrification and zero-emissions market.
A replay of the webcast and associated presentation materials are available on Ideanomics' investor relations website. For more information on Ideanomics and its operating companies, visit www.ideanomics.com.
About Ideanomics
Ideanomics (NASDAQ: IDEX) is a global group with a simple mission: to accelerate the commercial adoption of electric vehicles. By bringing together vehicles and charging technology with design, implementation, and financial services, we provide the solutions needed for the commercial world to commit to an EV future. To keep up with Ideanomics, please follow the company on social @ideanomicshq or visit https://ideanomics.com.
About Energica Motor Company S.p.A.
Energica Motor Company S.p.A. is the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance electric motorcycles and the sole manufacturer of the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. Energica motorcycles are currently on sale through the official network of dealers and importers.
Contacts:
Ideanomics, Inc.
Tony Sklar, SVP of Investor Relations
1441 Broadway, Suite 5116, New York, NY 10018
ir@ideanomics.com
Media Contact:
Malory Van Guilder, Skyya PR for Ideanomics
malory@skyya.com
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New Link in Bio App Gives Creators a Dedicated Space to Provide Direct Feedback to Fans
SAN DIEGO, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Koji, the world's most powerful Link in Bio platform and the leading app store for social media, today announced the launch of Video Feedback, a new app that provides a dedicated space where creators can give feedback to their community members through video interaction.
With Video Feedback, creators can receive video submissions from community members, fans, and other artists who want feedback and advice on their latest work and projects. These video responses, accessible directly from the link in bio, give creators a new way to build trust and meaningful relationships with others through the feedback process. The app also features a public feed of videos that have already received feedback, allowing users to see and interact with each other's content.
The new app is free to use and available today on the Koji App Store.
Koji is the world's most powerful Link in Bio platform. With hundreds of free apps created by Koji and its community of independent developers, the Koji Link in Bio gives leading Creators on TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and other social media platforms new ways to engage audiences, connect with supporters, and monetize. Koji launched in March 2021 and has raised $36 million in venture capital.
PRESS CONTACT
Sean Thielen
sean@withkoji.com
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Video Feedback on the Koji App Store
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SOURCE Koji | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/creator-economy-platform-koji-announces-video-feedback-app/ | 2022-07-27T15:20:20Z |
Company working with Etain, LLC to scale infrastructure and processes ahead of license transfer and anticipated launch of New York adult-use sales
TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - RIV Capital Inc. ("RIV Capital" or the "Company") (CSE: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF), an acquisition and investment firm focused on building a leading multistate platform with the strongest portfolio of cannabis brands in key strategic markets across the United States ("U.S."), today released its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2022 ("Q1 2023"). All financial information in this press release is reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Q1 2023 Highlights
- Initial closing of acquisition of ownership and control of Etain, LLC and Etain IP LLC (together, "Etain") completed in April 2022 (the "Etain Acquisition")
- Ongoing integration of the Etain business to optimally position the Company for the launch of the adult-use cannabis market in New York
- Approximately $170 million of cash on-hand to support the Etain Acquisition and long-term expansion plans
"Following the initial closing on the unregulated assets of Etain in April 2022, we remain confident that we have selected the ideal platform for growth as the New York market approaches the launch of adult-use sales," said Mark Sims, President and CEO of RIV Capital. "While the final transfer of equity interests of Etain, the license-holding entity, is currently under review by New York state regulators, the structure of the acquisition has given us ownership of Etain's non-regulated assets, and accordingly, we have been diligently working with the Etain team to appropriately scale their existing infrastructure, processes, and systems. We expect a significant increase in Etain's revenue and cash flow following the launch of adult-use sales in the New York, which Etain plans to support alongside the State's medical program once legally permissible."
"We believe that we have a significant advantage in our ability to expand the existing Etain business into a larger platform designed for long-term, sustained growth," Mr. Sims continued. "Our newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Mike Totzke, will be dedicated to leading our New York operations and executing our growth plans. Despite ongoing challenges in the existing medical market, particularly due to the rampant proliferation of unlicensed operators in the state of New York, Etain has carved out a premium niche that will serve as a foundation on which to grow market share in the years ahead. Four months following the initial closing of the Etain Acquisition, Etain is well on its way to completing the Chestertown expansion, introducing new and exciting products into the medical market, optimizing its retail platform, and readying to break ground on our new flagship facility in Buffalo."
"Despite some of the prolonged headwinds that we have seen weigh on the sector over the past several quarters, we remain extremely bullish on the growth prospects for the cannabis industry, and we believe that New York will be the epicenter for key market developments in the years to come," said Chris Hagedorn, Executive Vice President, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Division President, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, and Director, RIV Capital. "We remain confident that meaningful federal regulatory reform is a question of when, not if, and our long-term commitment to this industry is as strong as ever. We are excited to continue to watch and support our partners at RIV as they work towards building the New York leader that we believe they are optimally positioned to become. We are well-situated to win in this industry long-term with RIV as our investment vehicle and we look forward to the development of their strategy outside of New York's borders as well."
Eddie Lucarelli, Chief Financial Officer of RIV Capital, added, "Our cash position remains strong, providing us with more than enough liquidity to complete the Etain Acquisition and finance our expansion plans in New York, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to the shifting cannabis landscape in real time. Our goal to build a market-leading U.S. platform begins in New York, but we continue to explore new opportunities for the selective expansion of our footprint to other geographies in the future, keeping in mind the dynamic nature of the industry."
Etain Acquisition and Integration
In April 2022, RIV Capital announced the completion of the initial closing of its previously disclosed transaction involving Etain, owners and operators of a legally-licensed Registered Organization with cannabis cultivation and retail dispensaries in the state of New York. Pursuant to the initial closing, RIV Capital acquired the non-regulated portion of the Etain companies. Subject to receipt of the relevant approvals by the New York state regulators, including the New York Cannabis Control Board (the "CCB") and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (the "OCM"), the second closing and transfer of the license-holding entity's equity interests is expected to occur in the second half of calendar year 2022.
The structure of the Etain Acquisition has enabled an accelerated timeline for the optimization of Etain's business, which includes the early execution of certain integration activities and streamlining of internal processes. Following the initial close, the Company has been able to provide various support services, including advising on the implementation of new cultivation and manufacturing best practices, leveraging insights from the technical services team at The Hawthorne Gardening Company, a subsidiary of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company ("ScottsMiracle-Gro"), RIV Capital's strategic partner, with the goal of optimizing the design and fit-out of Etain's Chestertown cultivation facility expansion.
Etain's cultivation and production infrastructure in Chestertown is undergoing a significant expansion to increase cultivation capacity and support the development of new product formats in anticipation of the launch of adult-use sales in New York. The Company expects construction on the expansion to be substantially complete before the end of its fiscal year. The Company is also working to help prepare Etain's existing retail locations for the expected increase in customer traffic and sales volume next fiscal year, with the potential for certain strategic relocations in early calendar year 2023. In addition, RIV is currently evaluating locations for the four new dispensaries permitted under the Etain license, which would bring the Company's total New York footprint to eight retail locations, three of which will be co-located for adult-use (once legally permissible).
As previously announced, RIV Capital is also in the process of developing a new, state-of-the-art flagship indoor cultivation facility in Buffalo, designed with premier cultivation and production infrastructure specifically tailored to support the premium New York market. Under the lease agreement relating to the facility, RIV Capital will lease two buildings totaling approximately 75,000 square feet. Importantly, an approximately 7,000 square foot portion of the new facility will be designated to support social equity licensees. The Company believes that supporting the state's initiatives for an equitable cannabis industry will further strengthen the broader New York market, while securing new wholesale opportunities and other potential partnerships. RIV Capital expects to break ground on the new flagship facility in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2022. The lease contains various conditions relating to receipt of regulatory and other necessary approvals, including completion of any environmental remediation pursuant to the New York State Brownfield Program. Operation of the flagship facility is also subject to receipt of regulatory approval from the CCB and the OCM.
While the Company believes that the pending launch of adult-use sales in New York will be transformative, management recognizes that the current market faces operational challenges. These include the prolonged roll-out of regulations for the adult-use market, low patient retention in the medical program, and rampant proliferation of unlicensed operators in the state. Although these factors have placed added pressure on the current market, management continues to strongly believe in the significant market opportunity in New York. The Company is hopeful that regulators are taking the necessary steps required to ensure a safe, legal market for patients and businesses alike, while setting the groundwork for a successful adult-use launch that supports the long-term, sustained success that patients, customers, and businesses alike deserve in the state.
Growth and Expansion Strategy
RIV Capital's long-term strategy is to build a leading multi-state operating and brand platform, with New York serving as the foundation. The Company intends to develop and expand new brands and products designed to resonate with the New York consumer, with plans to offer as one of its core brands Etain's popular product line, which will include new form factors and SKUs later this year. Once adult-use sales begin, the Company expects a significant ramp in business to occur, with expanded operations coming online to satisfy the growing consumer demand that is expected across the state. We further believe that adding capacity to Etain's existing cultivation and manufacturing footprint will allow the company to continue efficiently serving New York's medical market even as adult-use rolls out across the state.
While RIV Capital remains focused on operationalizing its New York platform before undertaking significant expansions elsewhere, the Company continues to actively explore M&A opportunities as part of its overall corporate strategy. Amid difficult market conditions, RIV Capital's strong liquidity puts the Company in a favourable position to build its U.S. platform as the broader market evolves. The Company intends to take full advantage of its significant cash position when the right opportunity presents itself, and aims to provide updates on its progress as its U.S. operations begin to scale.
Q1 2023 Financial Results
The following is a summary of the Company's financial results for Q1 2023. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial highlights summarized in tables in this press release are presented in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts. In light of the Etain Acquisition, and its initial closing in April 2022, the Company changed the presentation currency of its consolidated financial statements from the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar effective April 1, 2022. As a result of the change in the Company's presentation currency, all references to "$" are to United States dollars and references to "C$" are to Canadian dollars.
The Company reported revenue, net of excise taxes, of $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (the Company did not report revenue for any reporting periods ended on or prior to March 31, 2022). Retail revenue of $1.3 million was generated from Etain, LLC's dispensaries in Manhattan, Kingston, Syracuse, and Yonkers, and wholesale revenue of $0.2 million was generated from sales of Etain-branded products to other registered organizations in New York.
The Company reported cost of goods sold (which excludes unrealized fair value changes included in biological assets and realized fair value changes included in inventory sold) of $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (the Company did not report cost of goods sold for any reporting periods ended on or prior to March 31, 2022).
The Company reported nominal amounts in respect of the unrealized loss on changes in fair value of biological assets and realized fair value changes included in inventory sold for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (the Company did not report either of these items for any reporting periods ended on or prior to March 31, 2022).
Based on the foregoing, the Company reported a gross profit of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (the Company did not report gross profit for any reporting periods ended on or prior to March 31, 2022).
The Company reported operating expenses of $5.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with operating expenses of $2.0 million for the same period last year. The increase in operating expenses relative to the comparative period was primarily due to the significant increase in the size and scope of general and administrative functions of the Company to support its strategic shift to the U.S. cannabis market and as a result of the Etain Acquisition.
The Company reported other income of $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with other loss of $26.4 million for the same period last year. The following factors contributed to the Company's reported results:
- Royalty, interest, and lease income was $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $0.5 million for the same period last year. The decrease in royalty, interest, and lease income relative to the comparative period was primarily attributable to the Company no longer recognizing royalty, interest, or lease income for certain investees due to challenges in the underlying business performance of those investees or as a result of dispositions of these financial assets.
- The net change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL") was a decrease of $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with a decrease of $29.2 million for the same period last year. The net change in fair value of financial assets at FVTPL reported in the prior period included a negative change in the fair value of the Company's previously-held investment in CGC common shares of $29.9 million.
- Accretion and interest expense was $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with a nominal amount for the same period last year. The increase in accretion expense relative to the comparative period was primarily attributable to the accretion expense recognized on the Convertible Notes issued to The Hawthorne Collective and accretion expense recognized on the deferred consideration related to the Etain Acquisition.
- Unrealized foreign exchange gain was $6.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $nil for the same period last year. The unrealized foreign exchange gain was primarily attributable to foreign-denominated cash deposits held by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.
The Company reported an income tax expense of $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with an income tax recovery of $3.9 million for the same period last year. Income tax expense for the period included a tax expense of $0.4 million related to the estimated taxable profits of Etain, LLC for which the Company is responsible.
Based on the foregoing, the Company reported a net loss of $3.5 million and basic and diluted EPS of $(0.02) for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with a net loss of $24.5 million and basic and diluted EPS of $(0.17) for the same period last year.
The net change in fair value of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (net of tax expense or recovery) was an increase of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with a decrease of $0.4 million for the same period last year. The Company also reported a downward adjustment as a result of foreign currency translation of $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with an upward adjustment of $3.6 million for the same period last year. The recognition of the foreign currency translation adjustment was new this period as a result of the shift in the Company's presentation currency from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars.
Based on the foregoing, the Company reported a total comprehensive loss of $8.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared with a total comprehensive loss of $21.3 million for the same period last year.
Q1 2023 Portfolio Updates
The following represents a brief summary of other developments in the RIV Capital portfolio during and subsequent to Q1 2023:
- BioLumic Inc. ("BioLumic") announced the closing of a $13.5 million Series B funding round that will be used to accelerate commercial growth, market its technology, and deepen relationships with cannabis cultivation leaders and technology partners, while expanding its growing library of Light Signal Recipes. BioLumic also announced an exclusive partnership with Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, to deliver BioLumic's cutting-edge UV Light Signals through Fluence's LED products.
- The Company completed the divestment of its financial interests in 10831425 Canada Ltd. d/b/a Greenhouse Juice Company ("Greenhouse Juice") for cash consideration of C$5.5 million. The Company had originally invested in Greenhouse Juice in January 2019, at a time when Greenhouse Juice's strategic plan included exploring opportunities to participate in the cannabis market in Canada. The disposition was consistent with the Company's strategy in respect of its legacy portfolio as it relates to the identification of opportunities for monetization for non-core investments. No gain or loss or mark-to-market adjustments were recognized upon disposition as the proceeds received by the Company were equal to the carrying value of the investment for financial reporting purposes.
- Subsequent to Q1 2023, High Beauty, Inc. ("High Beauty") completed the initial closing of a financing round that triggered automatic conversion mechanisms pursuant to the senior secured convertible promissory note agreement between High Beauty and the Company. Accordingly, the convertible promissory note with a face value of $0.8 million that the Company purchased in December 2019 converted into 1,000,017 shares of High Beauty based on a conversion price that was a 20.0% discount to the price per share implied by High Beauty's raise.
- NOYA Cannabis Inc. ("NOYA") reached an agreement with Medicibis ("Mendo"), an online portal for medical cannabis patients that ships nationwide through Canada. Under the agreement, NOYA and its cultivation partners will cultivate product drops for Mendo from both their indoor and sun grown facilities, in addition to offering their world-renowned cultivars, giving Mendo patients access to all NOYA brands.
- ZeaKal, Inc. ("ZeaKal") announced a multi-year development agreement to raise more sustainable poultry through improved soy genetics and feed quality with Perdue AgriBusiness ("Perdue"), a leading merchandiser, processor, and exporter of agricultural products. With Perdue handling roughly three million acres worth of soybeans per year, ZeaKal's PhotoSeed® trait technology offers growers a higher value crop with reduced environmental footprint.
This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for Q1 2023, which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.rivcapital.com/investors.
For more information regarding the Company, please refer to the MD&A and the Company's annual information form ("AIF") dated June 10, 2022, also available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.rivcapital.com/investors.
About RIV Capital
RIV Capital is building a leading cannabis packaged goods company, with a focus on establishing one of the strongest portfolios of brands in key strategic U.S. markets. Backed by in-house expertise and cannabis domain knowledge, RIV Capital aims to grow its own brands and partner with established U.S. cannabis operators and brands to bring them to new markets and build market share. RIV Capital established the foundational building blocks of its active U.S. strategy with the announced Etain Acquisition. Through its strategic relationship with The Hawthorne Collective, Inc. ("The Hawthorne Collective"), a subsidiary of The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company ("ScottsMiracle-Gro"), RIV Capital is The Hawthorne Collective's preferred vehicle for cannabis-related investments not under the purview of other ScottsMiracle-Gro subsidiaries.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of RIV Capital and its portfolio companies with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding the Company's strategies, objectives, goals, opportunities and plans, including in respect of Etain; the Company's liquidity position, including its ability to finance the second closing of the Etain Acquisition and long-term expansion plans with cash on-hand; the Company's ability to appropriately scale Etain's existing infrastructure, processes and systems; the Company's expectations regarding the U.S. cannabis market; the Company's expectations of the anticipated benefits of the Etain Acquisition, and the structure thereof, and strategic rationales for acquiring Etain, including expectations regarding legal cannabis market opportunities in the New York; expectations regarding the launch of adult-use sales in the state of New York; expectations regarding expansion and timing thereof, including in respect of Etain's Chestertown facility; the Company's investment in Etain, including the timing and cash required for completion of the second closing of the Etain Acquisition; the Company's expectations regarding Etain's position in the New York cannabis market; the Company's expectations and plans regarding Etain's business, including its market share, sales, brand, products and locations; the Company's expectations regarding growth opportunities; the Company's plans to expand geographically; challenges faced by the existing U.S. medical cannabis market; the Company's plan to invest in, launch and/or develop U.S. assets to build a multistate cannabis operating and brand platform and the value to be derived therefrom; the Company's expectations with respect to the development of a new Buffalo facility, including the size and expected timing for completion of such facility; the Company's intention to, and the anticipated benefits of, supporting New York state cannabis equity initiatives; the anticipated benefits of the investments from The Hawthorne Collective; the Company's expectation that it will be ScottsMiracle-Gro's preferred vehicle for investments not under the purview of The Hawthorne Gardening Company; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although RIV Capital believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of RIV Capital or its portfolio companies.
Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the timing and likelihood for receipt of all required regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of other conditions to closing, in respect of the Etain Acquisition; the Company's ability to execute its go-forward strategy; stock market volatility; changes in the business activities, focus and plans of the Company, Etain and the Company's investees and the timing associated therewith; the timing of any changes to federal laws in the U.S. to allow for the general cultivation, distribution, and possession of cannabis; regulatory and licensing risks; changes in cannabis industry growth and trends; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; litigation risks; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws; compliance with extensive government regulation, including RIV Capital's interpretation of such regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; divestiture risks; and the risk factors set out in RIV Capital's MD&A and AIF filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available on RIV Capital's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company has invested in and acquired, and intends to in the future invest in and/or acquire, companies that are involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where such operations occur permit such activities, however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable U.S. federal money laundering legislation.
While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under U.S. federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although RIV Capital has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. RIV Capital does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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SOURCE RIV Capital Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/riv-capital-reports-first-quarter-2023-financial-results/ | 2022-08-29T23:37:03Z |
Dr. Derrick Rossi Named Interim CEO
NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) today announced the death of its Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Susan L. Solomon, on September 8th, shortly after she had stepped down as CEO, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Dr. Derrick Rossi, a member of the NYSCF Board of Directors and co-founder of Moderna Therapeutics, has been named Interim CEO of NYSCF.
NYSCF is a New York-based non-profit organization that supports stem cell scientists around the world and operates the NYSCF Research Institute, the largest independent stem cell laboratory in the United States. As CEO, Ms. Solomon raised over $400M for stem cell research, helping to catalyze the field and transform the future of medical research.
"This is the end of an incredible era for NYSCF," said Dr. Roy Geronemus, Chairman of the NYSCF Board of Directors. "Susan founded this organization in 2005, and guided it for over 17 years. She imagined the impossible and made it happen. I speak on behalf of the entire Board when I say that we will forever be grateful for all she did for NYSCF and for the field of stem cell research to advance better treatments and cures for patients everywhere. We are confident that Dr. Rossi as Interim CEO, and the rest of the NYSCF team, will continue the trajectory that Susan led us on to move NYSCF's mission forward. The Board has begun a search for a permanent CEO."
A lawyer by training and a longtime entrepreneur and business executive, Ms. Solomon began her role as a health-care advocate in 1992 when one of her sons was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. After conversations with clinicians and scientists, she identified stem cells as the most promising way to address unmet patient needs and felt an independent organization was needed to help translate cutting-edge stem cell research into clinical breakthroughs and cures for patients. She co-founded NYSCF in 2005. Since then, advances from NYSCF research have twice been named Time magazine's #1 scientific breakthrough of the year, and NYSCF-supported research has led to over 20 major clinical breakthroughs that are already or very soon bringing clinical treatments for devastating diseases. During her time as CEO, Ms. Solomon served on many Boards, including the College Diabetes Network and the Regional Plan Association, and received numerous awards, including the New York State Women of Excellence Award from the Governor of New York, the Triumph Award from the Brooke Ellison Foundation, and recognition as a Living Landmark from the New York Landmarks Conservancy.
During a meeting earlier in the week with NYSCF staff to announce the CEO transition, Ms. Solomon relayed the following message:
"Building NYSCF has been the privilege of a lifetime and I am incredibly proud of the contributions we have made to the field of stem cell research and developing new and more effective treatments and cures to improving the lives of patients. I am confident that our outstanding and dedicated leadership and staff will continue to move our programs forward under Derrick's leadership and that of our longtime COO/CFO Jeff Wallerstein while the Board conducts a search for my successor."
"It has been a great privilege to serve on the NYSCF Board of Directors and I am honored to now serve as Interim CEO," said Dr. Rossi. "Since I first met Susan in 2010 and became a member of the NYSCF community, I have been in awe. Susan was a force of nature, a fierce and effective advocate for science and patients, and a true visionary. She was also a dear friend. Without question, Susan's and NYSCF's impact on science has been enormous and, quite frankly, unmatched. Though I wish that Susan could have continued her incredible and effective leadership of NYSCF for the next hundred years, I am nonetheless honored and ready to lead NYSCF over the coming months as we search for a permanent leader."
Dr. Rossi, a biotechnology entrepreneur and stem cell scientist, is the co-founder of Moderna Therapeutics, and co-founder of Intellia Therapeutics, Magenta Therapeutics, and Stelexis Therapeutics. Until his retirement from academia, he was an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard University, and an investigator at Boston Children's Hospital where he led an academic team working on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. In 2010, Derrick was named a NYSCF – Robertson Stem Cell Investigator and he joined the Board of Directors in 2020. His efforts in the development of cutting-edge technologies and new therapeutic strategies are at the forefront of regenerative medicine and biotechnology. Time magazine named Dr. Rossi as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world (Time 100) in 2011. Dr. Rossi earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. from University of Toronto, and his PhD from the University of Helsinki.
Prior to founding NYSCF, Ms. Solomon had a diverse career spanning many decades. After graduating from New York University, she received her JD from Rutgers University School of Law while raising her eldest son as a single mother and serving as an editor of the Law Review. She began her career as an attorney at Debevoise & Plimpton. The work she was most passionate about was her pro bono work, including the representation of a woman suing the NYC Fire Department for sexual discrimination based on the firefighting qualification testing that was biased toward male applicants.
She later continued her law career as counsel for Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Corporation, a joint venture in the then-new industry of cable television to develop television networks, including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Showtime.
After jobs at United Satellite Entertainment and CBS Productions, a film arm of CBS, Ms. Solomon joined MacAndrews & Forbes to help in the area of media acquisitions, and later APAX, formerly MMG Patricof and Company, another financial firm.
Ms. Solomon subsequently joined Sony Corporation to establish and serve as President of a new radio network, Sony Worldwide Networks, which was the first to do internet radio broadcasting. She then moved on to her last media job as the founding CEO of Sothebys.com, where she helped to develop the first online auction platform.
Prior to founding NYSCF in 2005, she started her own strategic management consulting firm, Solomon Partners LLC, through which she worked with a range of non-profit and media companies.
Ms. Solomon is survived by her husband Paul Goldberger and three sons and daughters-in-law, Adam and Delphine Hirsh, Ben Goldberger and Melissa Rothberg, and Alex Goldberger and Carolyna De Laurentiis, and six grandchildren Thibeaux and Josephine Hirsh, Julian and Gabriel Goldberger, and Arlo and Celeste Goldberger.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is an independent non-profit organization accelerating cures and better treatments for patients through stem cell research. The NYSCF global community includes over 200 researchers at leading institutions worldwide, including the NYSCF – Druckenmiller Fellows, the NYSCF – Robertson Investigators, the NYSCF – Robertson Stem Cell Prize Recipients, and NYSCF Research Institute scientists and engineers. The NYSCF Research Institute is an acknowledged world leader in stem cell research and in the development of pioneering stem cell technologies, including the NYSCF Global Stem Cell Array®, which is used to create cell lines for laboratories around the globe. NYSCF focuses on translational research in an accelerator model designed to overcome barriers that slow discovery and replace silos with collaboration.
David McKeon
212-365-7440
dmckeon@nyscf.org
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SOURCE The New York Stem Cell Foundation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/new-york-stem-cell-foundation-mourns-loss-ceo-susan-l-solomon/ | 2022-09-09T10:59:36Z |
Extending fertility could also extend life of women, research says
(CNN) – Lengthening a woman’s fertility may extend her life as well.
Research shows women who have later menopause tend to live longer. Ovaries age twice as fast as all other tissues, which affects fertility and long-term health.
Researchers say when the ovaries stop working due to menopause they stop making a cocktail of hormones important for general health.
The average age of natural menopause is 51.
However, there is still little data about why women go through menopause at all. One reason for this is a historical lack of funding for reproductive research.
With the help of investors, there is now a Center for Reproductive Longevity and Equality.
The center is researching the underlying causes of accelerated aging in the ovaries.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/21/extending-fertility-could-also-extend-life-women-research-says/ | 2022-08-21T18:39:53Z |
NEW YORK, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for CLNN, GOEV, EVGO, PAYO, and ALLK.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- CLNN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=CLNN&prnumber=071420222
- GOEV: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=GOEV&prnumber=071420222
- EVGO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=EVGO&prnumber=071420222
- PAYO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=PAYO&prnumber=071420222
- ALLK: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=ALLK&prnumber=071420222
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock's overall suitability for investment.
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/thinking-about-buying-stock-clene-canoo-evgo-payoneer-global-or-allakos/ | 2022-07-14T15:02:37Z |
A Florida school district promises a swift investigation after six middle school students are seen spelling out a racial slur in a photo
By David Williams, CNN
The Martin County School District in Florida is investigating a photograph that shows a group of middle school students holding up what appears to be hand-made letters that spell out a racial slur, officials announced Wednesday.
The photo, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows six students spelling the word “N***er” with letters that are large enough to cover their upper bodies.
The incident happened at Hidden Oaks Middle School in Palm City, about 100 miles north of Miami.
“We are moving with all deliberate speed to interview all those who may have been involved in this shameful incident, and, unfortunately, can confirm that the photo is authentic,” Superintendent of Schools John D. Millay said in a statement posted to the school district’s website.
The district expects to finalize its investigation within the next 48 hours, according to the statement.
“Students who were involved in this disgraceful incident will be provided the due process afforded under federal and state law, and our investigation will not compromise those rights,” he said in the statement. “The District is, however, appalled, and saddened by this incident which is contrary to our values, and the ideals that are instilled in our students.”
The district “will mete out appropriate disciplinary consequences to any students who participated in this behavior, pursuant to the District’s Code of Student Conduct,” Millay said in the statement, adding federal law prevents them from identifying the students or what disciplinary action is taken.
On Tuesday, members of the community expressed outrage at the photo during public comments at a Martin County School Board meeting.
“What we saw wasn’t racism, it was beyond racism. It was terrorism. And that is what’s happening in our community,” said Marwan Porter, an attorney based in Stuart, who warned that incidents like this could inspire future attacks like Saturday’s shooting at a Buffalo grocery store.
A number of speakers said the incident is why lessons on diversity, Black history and racism are important.
Martin County NAACP President Jimmy Smith said the district should hire more Black and brown teachers to better match the area’s diversity.
“You will never solve this problem until we learn to know each other,” Smith said.
The Martin School District has 18,542 students, according to a 2020-21 Report Card from the Florida Department of Education.
The report said 6.3% of the students are Black/African American, 54.6% are White and 34.1% are Hispanic.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2022/05/18/a-florida-school-district-promises-a-swift-investigation-after-six-middle-school-students-are-seen-spelling-out-a-racial-slur-in-a-photo/ | 2022-05-19T01:11:51Z |
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Miles Mikolas fell one strike short of a no-hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals against Pittsburgh when Cal Mitchell doubled with two outs in the ninth inning Tuesday night.
Mitchell drove a 2-2 curveball just over the head of Gold Glove center fielder Harrison Bader. The ball bounced on the warning track 383 feet from home plate and over the wall in straightaway center for a ground-rule double.
The hit came on the 129th pitch from Mikolas, a career high. He was lifted right after that for Packy Naughton, who closed out a 9-1 victory over the Pirates in the second game of a doubleheader.
Mikolas struck out six and walked one. Pittsburgh got an unearned run in the fourth to make it 7-1 when Bryan Reynolds scored on Daniel Vogelbach’s groundout.
Reynolds led off the inning and reached second base when left fielder Juan Yepez misplayed a fly ball for an error. Reynolds advanced to third on a groundout.
Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman made a diving stop in the fourth and an off-balance throw from the middle of the diamond in the sixth to prevent would-be hits.
Mikolas worked a 1-2-3 seventh with the help of a nice catch by Bader at the center-field fence on Jack Suwinski’s drive. Pittsburgh also went down in order in the eighth.
The most recent no-hitter for the Cardinals was thrown by rookie Bud Smith in a 4-0 win over San Diego on Sept. 3, 2001.
Mikolas was trying for the third no-hitter in the majors this season. Tylor Megill and four New York Mets relievers combined for one on April 29 against Philadelphia. Los Angeles Angels rookie Reid Detmers tossed one against Tampa Bay on May 10.
St. Louis won the opener of the day-night doubleheader 3-1. Pittsburgh has lost nine straight.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/mikolas-working-on-no-hitter-through-6-for-cards-vs-pirates/ | 2022-06-16T01:09:07Z |
82% of women do not know that they are at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, though two-thirds of cases are women
73% of American women have not talked to their healthcare providers about their cognitive health
62% of women say they have not had a discussion with healthcare providers about menopause or perimenopause
CLEVELAND, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Women's Alzheimer's Movement (WAM) at Cleveland Clinic released the results of a comprehensive survey on the state of women's health, revealing that American women are largely unaware of crucial and pressing health issues that can impact their lives and long-term health.
Some of the more startling facts include that 82% of women do not know they are at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, though two-thirds of cases are women. Also, the majority of women have not spoken with their healthcare providers about several critical areas of health that can put them at risk for the disease.
An alarming 73% of women have not discussed their cognitive health with providers, and 62% of women have not discussed menopause or perimenopause -- transitional phases in a woman's reproductive life -- that research now shows are critical to monitor closely in order to reduce the risk for Alzheimer's.
The findings will be presented by Maria Shriver, founder of WAM, and strategic partner for women's health and Alzheimer's at Cleveland Clinic, and Beri Ridgeway, M.D., Cleveland Clinic's chief of staff, at the Aspen Ideas: Health Festival on Friday, June 24, and give a glimpse into the status of women's health in the U.S. and factors that contribute to the growing instances of Alzheimer's disease.
The good news is that a majority of women (71%) in the survey said they had seen a doctor in the past year, with 58% of women ranking their health as generally good. At the same time, 56% report not getting enough sleep, 35% say they almost always or often wake up in physical pain, and two in five women have been diagnosed with or treated for anxiety, depression and insomnia.
"The fact that women experience high levels of depression, anxiety and insomnia, but report being unaware that these are often symptoms of menopause means women may be going to the doctor, but not necessarily having the right conversations," said Shriver. "The survey results are both a red flag about the state of women's health, but also an exciting opportunity to redirect the way that both healthcare providers and women think, talk and act on issues involving women's health—at every age and every stage of a woman's health span. Women want the information and it's incumbent on us all to get it to them."
Of the women who reported their physical health as being poor, 32% cited chronic conditions as the cause. Among those who categorized their mental health as poor, most cited depression (33%) and anxiety (30%) as the issue. Low physical activity, chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity and hypertension, and depression are all associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. Only 12% of women in this survey reported knowing about a possible link between estrogen loss and an increased risk for Alzheimer's, a major area of interest and research funded by WAM at Cleveland Clinic.
Over half of the women surveyed report caring for others, with 43% of them saying they focus on other people's health over their own. Single mothers report the lowest quality of sleep and the highest percentage when it comes to women rating their health as poor or fair (69%.)
These numbers are important to the study of women's health, since many of the health factors affecting women can be adjusted if women are made aware of this empowering health information. Science now suggests that 40% of Alzheimer's disease cases could be prevented through healthy lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise.
One positive survey finding revealed that when educated on lifestyle factors, women are highly motivated to prioritize them to reduce their risk:
- 82% would stay mentally/intellectually active
- 71% maintain a healthy weight
- 70% stay socially active
- 70% eat a healthy diet
- 67% manage stress
- 67% get better sleep
- 66% exercise regularly
- 62% quit smoking
"We know that women's unique biology and experiences over the course of their lifetime do play a role in Alzheimer's disease, and this survey illustrates the need to inform women of this link and empower them to start having conversations with their providers now so they can prioritize their brain health and improve overall health outcomes," said Dr. Ridgeway. "Cleveland Clinic officially partnered with WAM in February to do that through research, education and advocacy. This is another reminder of the importance of our work together as WAM at Cleveland Clinic."
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Among Cleveland Clinic's 72,500 employees worldwide are more than 5,050 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 22 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2021, there were 10.2 million total outpatient visits, 304,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 259,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic's health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
About Women's Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic
The Women's Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic is a partnership between the Women's Alzheimer's Movement (WAM), the pre-eminent non-profit organization for women and Alzheimer's founded by Maria Shriver, and Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit multispecialty academic center that integrates clinical care with research and education. The venture between these two renowned organizations is focused on raising awareness about women's increased risk for Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases, educating the public about brain health, and raising funds to support women-based Alzheimer's and neurological research. WAM has led the way in re-framing the narrative of Alzheimer's as a women's issue, starting with its ground-breaking 2010 Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's, published in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association. Since then, Shriver and WAM have continued to help shape the national dialogue and policy around Alzheimer's, including leading the first ever California Task Force on Alzheimer's Prevention, Preparedness and the Path Forward in 2021. To learn more visit thewomensalzheimersmovement.org or follow @womensalzmovement and @womenalz
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SOURCE The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at Cleveland Clinic | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/womens-alzheimers-movement-cleveland-clinic-survey-women-are-unaware-critical-aspects-their-health/ | 2022-06-23T11:50:36Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention Outset Medical, Inc. ("Outset Medical") (NASDAQ: OM) 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 or entities who purchased Outset Medical common stock between September 15, 2020, and June 13, 2022.
If you suffered a loss on your investment in Outset Medical, 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 Outset Medical includes allegations that the Company made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's flagship product, Tablo Hemodialysis System ("Tablo"), would require an additional 510(k) application to be filed with The United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), as defendants had "continuously made improvements and updates to Tablo over time since its original clearance"; (2) as a result, the Company could not conduct a human factors study on a cleared device in accordance with FDA protocols; (3) the Company's inability to conduct the human factors study subjected the Company to the likelihood of the FDA imposing a "shipment hold" and marketing suspension, leaving the Company unable to sell Tablo for home use; and (4) as a result, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and /or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: September 6, 2022
Aggrieved Outset Medical investors only have until September 6, 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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-outset-medical-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-6-2022/ | 2022-08-01T11:26:51Z |
NEW YORK , June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE: MFA) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend for the second quarter of 2022 of $0.44 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on July 29, 2022, to common stockholders of record on June 30, 2022.
MFA Financial, Inc. is a leading specialty finance company that invests in and finances residential mortgage assets. MFA invests, on a leveraged basis, in residential whole loans, residential mortgage-backed securities and other real estate assets. Through its subsidiaries, MFA also originates and services business purpose loans for real estate investors. MFA is an internally-managed, publicly-traded real estate investment trust.
Category: Dividends
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SOURCE MFA Financial, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/mfa-financial-inc-announces-dividend-044-per-share/ | 2022-06-15T13:49:09Z |
ESU All-American Jace McDown named linebacker coach
EMPORIA, Kan. (WIBW) - Emporia State All-American linebacker Jace McDown will take his skills on the field to the sidelines.
ESU announced Thursday McDown will join Garin Higgins’ staff as linebacker coach. He’ll also assist with the strength and conditioning program.
“Jace was able to come back during the spring and was a graduate assistant and by the time spring was over I knew I had my guy,” Higgins said. “For as young as Jace is he also has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of our defense. Not only did he play in the system for four years, but with his redshirt and COVID year he has been a part of it for six years.”
McDown led the MIAA in tackles over the last three seasons. He was second in the league with 17.0 tackles for loss, ranked 11th in total tackles and solo tackles.
After the 2021 season, he was a Strength & Conditioning intern with nine-time NCAA Division I-FCS national champion North Dakota State before returning to Emporia State in time for spring football.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/16/esu-all-american-jace-mcdown-named-linebacker-coach/ | 2022-06-16T21:49:10Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dotdash Meredith's Verywell Mind and Parents released findings from Mental Health Days & Kids: A Verywell Mind & Parents Study. The study examines the benefits and barriers of mental health days for children and how economic divides prevent access and availability to mental health days.
The Mental Health Days & Kids survey indicates favorable perception and support of mental health days for kids but concerns around legitimacy and reception from others hold steadfast. Results showed more than half of parents (55%) have let their child take a mental health day from school or other obligations, and an additional 32% say they would consider it. And while 3 in 4 parents believe mental health days are effective tools, 46% would not tell friends or family that their child had taken a mental health day.
"The pandemic, canceled activities, and remote learning contributed to an increasing kids' mental health crisis, prompting many states to permit kids to take mental health days from school so they could focus on managing their symptoms," said Amy Morin, LCSW, editor-in-chief, Verywell Mind. "While challenges like socioeconomic status and lingering stigmas still prevent widespread use, our survey results show the beginning of parents' acceptance of mental health days, which gives us hope that more parents and schools will follow suit."
Grace Bastidas, editor-in-chief of Parents, said, "Presently, over half the country does not have legislation for mental health days in schools, and even where it is mandated, 1 in 5 parents can't afford to let their kids take one. They simply can't miss work or pay for unexpected childcare, so taking a day to reset and recharge becomes a question of privilege for many families."
Findings and analysis of the survey can be found in separate stories on Verywell Mind and Parents, detailing the use and impact of mental health days as a growing number of U.S. states allow them as an excused absence from school. Some of the most significant survey results include:
Parents welcome mental health days.
- The majority (68%) of American parents are aware of mental health days and 54% know other parents (parents with children in the same age range) who allow their children to take mental health days.
- 3 in 4 parents (75%) feel mental health days can be an effective tool in managing a child's mental health, and another 74% feel that schools should offer mental health days to children. Overall, 62% feel that children should be able to take more mental health days.
- Among those who let their child take mental health days, 86% feel that mental health days have been impactful on their child's mental health with (77%) saying the impact was positive.
But a quarter cite stigma as a barrier.
- While 42% of parents have no concerns about their child taking a mental health day, 1 in 4 (26%) are concerned about stigma for either themselves or their child for taking/allowing their child to take a mental health day.
- 1 in 3 parents surveyed are concerned that mental health days are less legitimate than sick days (34%) and another 1 in 3 (31%) feel that mental health days are an excuse for children to skip school.
- 1 in 3 (31%) parents also feel their child is too young to have mental health issues.
Schools in wealthy neighborhoods are more likely to offer mental health days.
- 55% of parents in households making $100k or more say their children's school offers mental health days, compared with 20% of those in households earning less than $100k annually.
- 91% of parents allow their child to take a mental health day if their household income is at least $100k annually and their school permits them, compared with just 45% of parents in the same income bracket but with children in schools that do not offer mental health days.
Parents let their children take mental health days where schools permit.
- 81% of parents whose children's schools offer mental health days make use of them, compared to just 45% of those whose children's schools do not offer mental health days.
- However, 84% of those who did not let their child take a mental health day would consider letting their child take a mental health day from school or other obligations if their school allowed.
Kids and schools are speaking up.
- 58% of parents say they know if their child needs a mental health day when their child asks for one while 31% feel the need when the child's school suggests it.
- When deciding whether their child needs a mental health day, 37% of parents consult either a co-parent/guardian or school counselor (35%).
- 37% of parents said their child has seen a school counselor for emotional or mental struggles.
For more information on the Mental Health Days & Kids: A Verywell Mind & Parents Study, and insights into the current state of mental health, visit Verywell Mind and Parents.
Methodology
Verywell Mind and Parents surveyed over 1,000 American parents across a wide range of demographics including age, race, income, geographic location, and sexual orientation. Respondents are all parents or guardians of a child between the ages of 8-12 (tweens) or 13-17 (teens).
About Verywell
Verywell Mind is one of the largest mental health sites in the world, serving 6 million people a year during their moments of need. The award-winning publication is committed to providing inclusive mental health information through thousands of expert-written, medically-reviewed articles across hundreds of topics and empowers readers to get the mental health treatment they deserve. Verywell Mind is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
About Parents
For nearly 100 years, Parents has provided its audience of 9 million monthly caregivers with trustworthy advice and a supportive community as they raise the next generation of confident and compassionate kids. Parents' team of editors, writers, and experts are by your side as a current and practical source of information for the big life decisions and memory making moments in the constantly evolving scope of parenthood. Parents is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
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SOURCE Verywell | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/verywell-mind-parents-release-mental-health-days-amp-kids-survey-finds-stigma-income-are-barriers-use-mental-health-days-schools/ | 2022-08-16T14:51:12Z |
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Two female boxers headline at Madison Square Garden for the first time in its 140-year history
By Kikue Higuchi and Don Riddell CNN
For the first time in its 140-year history, two female boxers are headlining at Madison Square Garden as undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor goes toe-to-toe with seven-weight champion Amanda Serrano in the ring on Saturday.
“I think this is one of those history making fights. Male or female, the sport hasn’t seen a fight like this before,” the 35-year-old Taylor told CNN Sport’s Don Riddell.
“I feel like after Saturday night, people are going to be talking about myself and Amanda Serrano in years and years to come.”
The ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ will be a fitting venue for a battle between the best in the world; both ESPN and DAZN have Taylor ranked first and Serrano second pound-for-pound.
This will be the boxing’s first fight between the pound-for-pound No. 1 and No. 2 since 2008, when Manny Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez. The fight will be televised exclusively by DAZN starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
A 2012 Olympic gold medalist, Taylor (20-0, 6 knockouts) is putting her lightweight titles in the WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC and The Ring on the line. The 33-year-old Serrano (42-1-1, 30 knockouts), has earned world titles across seven weight classes ranging from 115 to 140 pounds. Last year, she successfully defended her WBO and WBC featherweight titles.
“We’re two great champions in our prime and it’s going to make for such an amazing fight,” said Taylor. “I think stylistically we might do very, very well together. She’s obviously a very, very aggressive fighter and so am I. So, I think it’s going to be a very, very exciting fight. I just can’t wait for it.”
Knowing your worth
There was a time when Taylor thought this fight would never happen.
It had previously been set for May 2, 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When the time came to reschedule both Taylor and Serrano decided to fight for a bigger payday, delaying the match even further.
“You obviously know your worth when you are capable of selling out arenas and selling out stadiums. We’re both in a position where we’re able to do it, and not just sell out a stadium but sell out Madison Square Garden, which is very, very special,” said Taylor.
Speaking to the MMA Hour in January, Jake Paul confirmed that both boxers would earn seven figures for the match. In 2021, Puerto Rican Serrano, who lives in Brooklyn, signed with Paul’s company, Most Valuable Promotions, which is co-promoting the fight with Matchroom Sport.
A long-time pioneer in the sport, securing her own payday isn’t enough for Taylor — she wants her success to start spreading throughout the rest of women’s boxing.
“I feel like we have covered a lot of ground over the last few years in terms of the paycheck and the purses, but I still feel like we still have a long way to go as well,” she told CNN.
“It’s not okay that myself and Amanda are just the ones that are getting the big paychecks, but that has to carry over onto the other female fighters as well and I hope that can happen.”
Trailblazers
Taylor and Serrano are widely credited with the recent rise in popularity of women’s boxing. Since going pro in 2016, Taylor has seen huge changes in her sport.
“When I first turned pro six years ago, it was very, very unusual to see a female fight on a card, but right now you’re seeing female fights in every single boxing card and you’re seeing the female fighters as household names as well, which is absolutely incredible,” said Taylor.
“I think for the first time, people are actually seeing the best in women’s boxing. They’re seeing the best versus the best and just the skill that actually involves.”
Growing up, Taylor looked to Christy Martin and Deidre Gogarty for representation in the ring. Now, being at the forefront of her sport, Taylor recognizes that she is a source of inspiration for young female boxers.
“It is definitely a big responsibility, it’s also just more like a privilege to me. You want to have this influence and influence is an absolute privilege. I feel very, very lucky and blessed to be in this position.” said Taylor, who grow up in Bray, near Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.
“When I started boxing as a 10 or 11 year-old, there was no female fighters at all in the country and when I walk into every single boxing gym right now in Ireland, every single gym is packed with female fighters; and the talent that I’m seeing, they’re absolute superstars in the making. That, to me, is the most satisfying part about this journey.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/29/katie-taylor-vs-amanda-serrano-two-female-boxers-headline-at-madison-square-garden-for-the-first-time-in-its-140-year-history/ | 2022-04-29T10:21:04Z |
Tennessee tops LSU 5-2 behind Beck, Dollander
HOOVER
Jordan Beck drove in two runs and four pitchers combined on a six-hitter to give top-seeded Tennessee a 5-2 win over fourth-seeded LSU in the SEC Tournament. Beck had an RBI triple in the first inning before scoring on a wild pitch and drew a bases-loaded walk in the second. That was enough for the Crimson Tide pitching staff, which has the best earned run average in the country. Chase Collander went 6 2/3 innings to improve to 9-0. Redmond Walsh pitched the final two innings for his seventh save of the season and 23rd of his career to tie Todd Helton for the school record. LSU faces Kentucky Saturday morning with the winner taking on Kentucky later in the day. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/28/tennessee-tops-lsu-5-2-behind-beck-dollander/ | 2022-05-28T10:34:37Z |
MIDLAND, Mich., July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow (NYSE: DOW)
- GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $2.26; Operating EPS1 was $2.31, compared to $2.72 in the year-ago period and $2.34 in the prior quarter. Operating EPS excludes significant items in the quarter, totaling $0.05 per share, primarily related to digitalization program costs.
- Net sales were $15.7 billion, up 13% versus the year-ago period with gains in all operating segments and regions. Sequentially, sales were up 3% with gains in all regions except Asia Pacific, which was impacted by pandemic-related lockdowns in China.
- Local price increased 16% versus the year-ago period, reflecting gains in all operating segments, businesses, and regions. Currency decreased net sales by 3% year-over-year due to broad-based strength of the U.S. dollar. Sequentially, local price increased 6% with gains in all operating segments and regions.
- Volume was consistent with the year-ago period, as gains in Packaging & Specialty Plastics were primarily offset by declines in Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure. Sequentially, volume declined 2%, driven by declines primarily in Europe and China.
- Equity earnings were $195 million, down $83 million from the year-ago period, primarily due to impacts from pandemic-related lockdowns in China. Equity earnings were up $21 million from the prior quarter, driven by gains at Sadara.
- GAAP Net Income was $1.7 billion. Operating EBIT1 was $2.4 billion, down $453 million versus the year-ago period. Gains in the Performance Materials & Coatings segment were more than offset by higher raw material and energy costs across the company as well as lower equity earnings. Sequentially, operating EBIT decreased 2%, as gains in Packaging & Specialty Plastics were more than offset by declines in Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure.
- Cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations was $1.9 billion, down $165 million year-over-year and up $244 million compared to the prior quarter. Free cash flow1 was $1.4 billion.
- The Company's proactive actions to redeem outstanding notes totaling $750 million have delivered an annual interest expense reduction of $27 million and no substantive long-term debt maturities are due until 2027.
- Returns to shareholders totaled $1.3 billion in the quarter, comprised of $800 million in share repurchases and $505 million in dividends.
SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS
- Op. Earnings Per Share, Op. EBIT, Op. EBIT Margin, Op. EBITDA, and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP measures. See page 6 for further discussion.
®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
CEO QUOTE
Jim Fitterling, chairman and chief executive officer, commented on the quarter:
"Team Dow once again delivered net sales growth both year-over-year and sequentially with price increases across all operating segments and regions. Our competitive advantages and relentless focus on disciplined execution enabled us to navigate the impacts of pandemic-related lockdowns in China, continued logistics constraints, and higher energy and raw material costs. As a result, we increased our cash flow and our share buybacks sequentially.
"We continued to progress our strategy to grow our underlying earnings over the economic cycle by investing in higher-return, faster-payback projects while capitalizing on long-term growth opportunities. As part of these efforts, today we announced a series of circularity projects that will enable us to achieve approximately two thirds of our 2030 'Stop the Waste' target as we capture growth for the sustainable and circular solutions our customers are increasingly demanding."
SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Packaging & Specialty Plastics
Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment net sales in the quarter were $8.2 billion, up 16% versus the year-ago period. Local price increased 14% year-over-year due to tight supply and demand balances, with gains in both businesses and in all regions. Continued strong end-market demand drove a 5% year-over-year volume increase, with gains in energy, infrastructure, and packaging applications. Currency decreased net sales by 3%. On a sequential basis, the segment delivered an 8% net sales increase, driven primarily by local price gains in both businesses and in all regions.
Equity earnings were $138 million, up $8 million compared to the year-ago period primarily due to the Sadara joint venture. On a sequential basis, equity earnings increased by $28 million on gains at Sadara and the Kuwait joint ventures.
Operating EBIT was $1.4 billion, compared to $2 billion in the year-ago period, as price increases were more than offset by rapidly rising raw material and energy costs. Sequentially, Op. EBIT was up $202 million and Op. EBIT margins increased by 120 basis points due to improved product mix and integrated margins which offset higher raw material and energy costs, primarily in the U.S. & Canada.
Packaging and Specialty Plastics business delivered a net sales increase versus the year-ago period due to both local price and volume gains. Prices increased across all key product chains, led by gains in functional polymers and volumes increased on strong demand growth in packaging end-markets and materials for renewable energy applications. Sequentially, the business increased revenue on price gains in all regions, primarily in industrial, consumer, and food packaging applications.
Hydrocarbons & Energy business delivered a net sales increase compared to the year-ago period, driven primarily by higher local prices for olefins and aromatics. Sequentially, sales increased due to higher olefin prices with gains in Europe and the U.S. & Canada.
Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure
Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment net sales were $4.4 billion, up 4% versus the year-ago period. Local price improved 14% year-over-year with gains in both businesses. Currency decreased net sales by 4%. Volume was down 6% year-over-year, as declines in Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals were partly offset by gains in Industrial Solutions. On a sequential basis, the segment recorded a net sales decline of 3%, as lower volumes due to planned maintenance turnaround activity and third-party outages were partly offset by price gains in both businesses.
Equity earnings for the segment were $57 million, a decrease of $87 million compared to the year-ago period, driven by the impact of pandemic-related lockdowns in China. On a sequential basis, equity earnings decreased by $5 million due to lower MEG margins at the Kuwait joint ventures.
Operating EBIT was $426 million, compared to $648 million in the year-ago period and $661 million in the prior quarter, as increased planned maintenance turnaround activity along with raw material and energy costs were partly offset by higher pricing.
Polyurethanes & Construction Chemicals business net sales decreased compared to the year-ago period, as local price gains were more than offset by local currency and lower volume due to planned maintenance turnaround activity, third-party outages, and inflationary impacts on demand for consumer durables. Sequentially, net sales declined as lower volumes from planned maintenance turnaround activity and third-party outages were partly offset by higher local price.
Industrial Solutions business delivered a net sales increase compared to the year-ago period, with local price and volume gains in all regions. Volume increased year-over-year on higher supply availability and strong demand for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and oil & gas-related applications. Net sales declined sequentially as lower seasonal demand for deicing fluids was partly offset by local price gains in all regions.
Performance Materials & Coatings
Performance Materials & Coatings segment net sales in the quarter were $3 billion, up 22% versus the year-ago period. Local price increased 28% year-over-year, with gains in both businesses and all regions. Currency decreased net sales by 3%. Volume declined 3% year-over-year, primarily due to the impact of pandemic-related lockdowns in China, which were partly offset by stronger demand for silicones and coatings applications in the U.S. & Canada. On a sequential basis, net sales were down 2%, as local currency impacts and lower volume in Europe and China were partly offset by strong consumer demand in the U.S. & Canada as well as higher seasonal demand for coatings applications.
Operating EBIT was $561 million, compared to $225 million in the year-ago period, as Op. EBIT margins expanded by 960 basis points primarily due to pricing gains for both silicones and coatings applications. Sequentially, Op. EBIT declined $34 million as lower siloxane prices in Europe and China were partly offset by margin expansion in Coatings & Performance Monomers.
Consumer Solutions business delivered higher net sales versus the year-ago period, with local price gains in all regions and end-market applications. Volume declined year-over-year as strong consumer demand in the U.S. & Canada was more than offset by the impact of pandemic-related lockdowns in China. Sequentially, net sales declined as volume gains from strong demand for building and construction, infrastructure, and mobility end markets were more than offset by lower siloxane volumes and prices in Europe and China.
Coatings & Performance Monomers business delivered increased net sales compared to the year-ago period, with local price gains in all regions. Despite increased supply availability in the U.S. & Canada, volume overall declined year-over-year primarily due to pandemic-related lockdowns in China. Sequentially, net sales increased with local price gains in all regions and increased volumes driven by strong seasonal demand in the U.S. & Canada.
"Looking ahead, the long-term fundamentals driving growth across our end markets remain attractive," said Fitterling. "While near-term market conditions are dynamic, we will continue to leverage our diverse, global portfolio and flexible operating model to capitalize on attractive growth opportunities. The actions we've taken to enhance the resiliency of our business position us well to deliver value across a variety of economic environments. Our disciplined and balanced approach to capital allocation has delivered higher mid-cycle earnings, an improved credit profile, and cash generation above pre-pandemic levels. Team Dow remains well-positioned to continue advancing our "decarbonize and grow" strategy while delivering attractive shareholder remuneration."
Dow will host a live webcast of its second quarter earnings conference call with investors to discuss its results, business outlook and other matters today at 8:00 a.m. ET. The webcast and slide presentation that accompany the conference call will be posted on the events and presentations page of investors.dow.com.
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership to achieve profitable growth and deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates 104 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $55 billion in 2021. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
Certain statements in this report are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements often address expected future business and financial performance, financial condition, and other matters, and often contain words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "would" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words or phrases.
Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond Dow's control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date the statements were made. These factors include, but are not limited to: sales of Dow's products; Dow's expenses, future revenues and profitability; the continuing global and regional economic impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic and other public health-related risks and events on Dow's business; any sanction, export restrictions, supply chain disruptions or increased economic uncertainty related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; capital requirements and need for and availability of financing; unexpected barriers in the development of technology, including with respect to Dow's contemplated capital and operating projects; Dow's ability to realize its commitment to carbon neutrality on the contemplated timeframe; size of the markets for Dow's products and services and ability to compete in such markets; failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; the rate and degree of market acceptance of Dow's products; significant litigation and environmental matters and related contingencies and unexpected expenses; the success of competing technologies that are or may become available; the ability to protect Dow's intellectual property in the United States and abroad; developments related to contemplated restructuring activities and proposed divestitures or acquisitions such as workforce reduction, manufacturing facility and/or asset closure and related exit and disposal activities, and the benefits and costs associated with each of the foregoing; fluctuations in energy and raw material prices; management of process safety and product stewardship; changes in relationships with Dow's significant customers and suppliers; changes in consumer preferences and demand; changes in laws and regulations, political conditions or industry development; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, market uncertainty, interest and currency exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices; business or supply disruptions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; weather events and natural disasters; disruptions in Dow's information technology networks and systems; and risks related to Dow's separation from DowDuPont Inc. such as Dow's obligation to indemnify DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and/or Corteva, Inc. for certain liabilities.
Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that Dow faces. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Dow is unable to identify at this time or that Dow does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. If any of those risks or uncertainties develops into an actual event, it could have a material adverse effect on Dow's business. Dow and TDCC assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities and other applicable laws.
®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
This earnings release includes information that does not conform to U.S. GAAP and are considered non-GAAP measures. Management uses these measures internally for planning, forecasting and evaluating the performance of the Company's segments, including allocating resources. Dow's management believes that these non-GAAP measures best reflect the ongoing performance of the Company during the periods presented and provide more relevant and meaningful information to investors as they provide insight with respect to ongoing operating results of the Company and a more useful comparison of year-over-year results. These non-GAAP measures supplement the Company's U.S. GAAP disclosures and should not be viewed as alternatives to U.S. GAAP measures of performance. Furthermore, such non-GAAP measures may not be consistent with similar measures provided or used by other companies. Non-GAAP measures included in this release are defined below. Reconciliations for these non-GAAP measures to U.S. GAAP are provided in the Selected Financial Information and Non-GAAP Measures section starting on page 11. Dow does not provide forward-looking U.S. GAAP financial measures or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, unusual gains and losses, foreign currency exchange gains or losses and potential future asset impairments, as well as discrete taxable events, without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on U.S. GAAP results for the guidance period.
Operating Earnings Per Share is defined as "Earnings per common share - diluted" excluding the after-tax impact of significant items.
Operating EBIT is defined as earnings (i.e., "Income before income taxes") before interest, excluding the impact of significant items.
Operating EBIT margin is defined as Operating EBIT as a percentage of net sales.
Operating EBITDA is defined as earnings (i.e., "Income before income taxes") before interest, depreciation and amortization, excluding the impact of significant items.
Free Cash Flow is defined as "Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations," less capital expenditures. Under this definition, Free Cash Flow represents the cash generated by the Company from operations after investing in its asset base. Free Cash Flow, combined with cash balances and other sources of liquidity, represent the cash available to fund obligations and provide returns to shareholders. Free Cash Flow is an integral financial measure used in the Company's financial planning process.
Cash Flow Conversion is defined as "Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations," divided by Operating EBITDA. Management believes Cash Flow Conversion is an important financial metric as it helps the Company determine how efficiently it is converting its earnings into cash flow.
Operating Return on Capital (ROC) is defined as net operating profit after tax, excluding the impact of significant items, divided by total average capital, also referred to as ROIC.
- Europe, Middle East, Africa and India.
- "Income before income taxes."
- "Net income available for Dow Inc. common stockholders." The income tax effect on significant items was calculated based upon the enacted tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.
- "Earnings per common share - diluted," which includes the impact of participating securities in accordance with the two-class method.
- Costs associated with implementing the Company's Digital Acceleration program.
- Restructuring charges, asset related charges and costs associated with implementing the Company's 2020 Restructuring Program.
- Primarily related to charges associated with agreements entered into with DuPont and Corteva as part of the separation and distribution which, among other matters, provides for cross-indemnities and allocations of obligations and liabilities for periods prior to, at and after the completion of the separation.
- "Income before income taxes"
- "Net income (loss) available for Dow Inc. common stockholders." The income tax effect on significant items was calculated based upon the enacted tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.
- "Earnings per common share - diluted," which includes the impact of participating securities in accordance with the two-class method.
- Costs associated with implementing the Company's Digital Acceleration program.
- Restructuring charges, asset related charges and costs associated with implementing the Company's 2020 Restructuring Program.
- Asset related charges including inventory write-downs, bad debt reserves and impairments of other assets related to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
- Primarily related to charges associated with agreements entered into with DuPont and Corteva as part of the separation and distribution which, among other matters, provides for cross-indemnities and allocations of obligations and liabilities for periods prior to, at and after the completion of the separation.
- "Income before income taxes"
- "Net income available for Dow Inc. common stockholders." The income tax effect on significant items was calculated based upon the enacted tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.
- "Earnings per common share - diluted," which includes the impact of participating securities in accordance with the two-class method.
- Costs associated with implementing the Company's Digital Acceleration program.
- Costs associated with implementing the Company's 2020 Restructuring Program.
- Asset related charges including inventory write-downs, bad debt reserves and impairments of other assets related to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
- Primarily related to charges associated with agreements entered into with DuPont and Corteva as part of the separation and distribution which, among other matters, provides for cross-indemnities and allocations of obligations and liabilities for periods prior to, at and after the completion of the separation.
- Free cash flow in the first six months of 2021 reflects a $1 billion elective pension contribution.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DowNewsroom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dow/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/dow-chemical
Instagram: http://instagram.com/dow_official
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SOURCE The Dow Chemical Company | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/dow-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-07-21T11:08:40Z |
- Efforts All Aimed at Meeting Expanding Semiconductor-related Demand -
TOKYO, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nippon Express (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "NX Taiwan"), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings, Inc., became the first Japanese logistics company this past February to obtain bonded certification for its own operational warehouse in Tainan City in southern Taiwan, and on July 11 it established a new air-conditioned space to meet growing demand for semiconductors.
Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202207123722-O1-525Ik8T9
Exterior of Tainan Warehouse:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202207123722/_prw_PI2fl_p4Tk08i5.jpg
Inside of Tainan Warehouse:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202207123722/_prw_PI3fl_3M0JC1xB.jpg
Demand for semiconductors has expanded due to the rapid adoption of remote work driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a serious shortage of in-vehicle semiconductors in Taiwan, a major semiconductor supplier for the entire world, has prompted customers in semiconductor-related industries as well as other companies to expand their factories.
The Tainan Warehouse is located about 7 km from the Tainan Science Park (part of the Southern Taiwan Science Park), home to numerous semiconductor-related companies, including the world's leading foundry companies, and offers temperature-/humidity-controlled storage and management of semiconductor production materials, manufacturing equipment maintenance parts and other products requiring high-quality storage. The ILC* bonded license acquired in February this year also allows this warehouse to be used for non-resident inventory storage and import/export.
The NX Group will continue stepping up its efforts on behalf of the semiconductor industry, positioned as a priority industry in the Group's Business Plan, and expanding its logistics functions globally to help customers develop their business activities.
Profile of facility
Name: Tainan Warehouse, Nippon Express (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.
Location: No. 85, Yongke 1st Road, Yongkang District, Tainan City
Structure: 3-story building
Total floor area: 11,800 m2, of which 3,900 m2 is currently air-conditioned. (This section is to be expanded to 9,285 m2 by the end of 2022.)
Principal equipment/functions: Raised-floor platform, 24/7 security, surveillance cameras, bonded storage, air conditioning
Business description: Warehouse receiving, inspection, sorting, palletizing, storage and delivery of goods
Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
NX Group's official LinkedIn account:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/
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SOURCE Nippon Express Holdings, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/nippon-express-taiwan-acquires-bonded-certification-establishes-new-air-conditioned-space-expands-functions-tainan-warehouse/ | 2022-07-15T07:38:19Z |
Biotech Company Strengthens Strategic Intellectual Property Protection of Targeted Indication
SAN DIEGO, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tryp Therapeutics, Inc. (CSE: TRYP) (OTCQB: TRYPF) ("Tryp" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing psilocybin-based compounds for diseases with unmet medical needs, announced today the filing of a new provisional patent for the use of psilocybin for the treatment of patients with Binge Eating disorder (BED).
The new patent application is part of Tryp's corporate strategy to expand the clinical utility of psilocybin-assisted therapy in patients with BED who are awaiting transformative medicines. Tryp's Phase II S.T.O.P. (Study of the Treatment of Overeating utilizing Psilocybin) trial in collaboration with the University of Florida, represents the first use of psilocybin in conjunction with psychotherapy as a therapeutic intervention in patients with BED. The initial data readout for the first patient dosed in the STOP trial showed potential benefit for patients with BED, further supporting the Company's commitment to developing psilocybin based therapies for patients with eating disorders. Once issued, the new patent will provide Tryp with an Intellectual Property Protection for BED utilizing its psilocybin-based candidates TRP-8802 and TRP-8803.
"We have elected to pursue indications that are distinct from other industry players, thereby distinguishing our research and development pipeline among our peers," said Jim Gilligan, Interim CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, Tryp Therapeutics. "TRP-8802, our clinical candidate, has shown promising early data endpoints. The expansion of our patent portfolio enables us to develop a psychedelic treatment in conjunction with psychotherapy for BED patients while also strengthening Tryp's position as an industry leader with an expanding Intellectual Property Estate."
Tryp is utilizing TRP-8802 to evaluate the use of psilocybin-related compounds in certain neuropsychiatric disorders in early-stage trials. In disorders where efficacy is indicated, Tryp's lead drug candidate TRP-8803 which is being developed concurrently, will be studied in subsequent trials. TRP-8803 includes a unique formulation and delivery system and is designed to enhance the positive effects of psilocybin and psilocybin-related compounds, while markedly reducing the limitations of psilocybin dosed through other routes of administration, including oral, nasal and sublingual.
About Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
- BED is characterized by recurring episodes of eating large quantities of food and feeling unable to stop.
- Nearly 30% of people seeking weight loss treatments show signs of BED.
- Up to 3.5% of females and 2.0% of males will develop BED at some point in their lives - nearly 4 million women and 2 million men in the United States; treatments to date have not been effective.
About Tryp Therapeutics
Tryp Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing psilocybin-related molecules, including TRP-8803, for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs through accelerated regulatory pathways. Tryp's Psilocybin-For-Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PFN™) program is focused on the development of synthetic psilocybin-related molecules as a new class of drug for the treatment of binge eating, chronic pain, and other indications. The Company has begun enrolling patients in its Phase II trial for the treatment of binge eating disorder at the University of Florida and recently announced an upcoming Phase IIa clinical trial with the University of Michigan to evaluate TRP-8802 for fibromyalgia. TRP-8803 is a proprietary psilocybin-based product that uses a novel formulation and route of administration to potentially improve efficacy, safety and the patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tryptherapeutics.com.
Investor Relations:
Jim Gilligan, Interim CEO
Tryp Therapeutics
jgilligan@tryptherapeutics.com
Media Relations:
Francesca DeMauro
KCSA Strategic Communications
TRYP@KCSA.com
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "targets," "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "an opportunity exists," "is positioned," "estimates," "intends," "assumes," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," "will" or "will be taken," "occur" or "be achieved." In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.
Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Tryp as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors'' section of Tryp's final prospectus available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Tryp; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Tryp expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
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SOURCE Tryp Therapeutics | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/tryp-therapeutics-strengthens-ip-portfolio-with-provisional-patent-application-binge-eating-disorder-treatment/ | 2022-06-29T12:43:15Z |
Increased availability of Wasabi hot cloud storage delivers high-performing, cost-effective support for Australia's growing digital-first industries
BOSTON and SYDNEY, May 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wasabi Technologies, the hot cloud storage company, has opened its 12th global storage region, located in Sydney, Australia, to help organizations in the Asia Pacific region capitalize on the growing adoption of hybrid cloud and digital-first infrastructure, while also addressing data sovereignty. Sydney is the latest in Wasabi's expansive international rollout. In 2021, the company opened APAC headquarters in Tokyo and a short time later launched a storage region in Osaka. This year, Wasabi began service in Toronto, Frankfurt, Paris, and London to meet the demand for affordable and high-performing cloud storage, as well as to accommodate its exponentially growing Partner Network worldwide.
With game-changing technological advancements across many industries, including healthcare, education, energy, video surveillance, and media and entertainment, Australians are embracing cloud technologies to modernize their infrastructure and efficiently handle the unprecedented scope of data now being generated. GlobalData projects the Australian cloud market to top $14B by 2025. To support this growing market, Wasabi's new location in Sydney provides closer proximity to customers and partners, including Veeam®, to reduce latency and keep costs affordable and predictable.
"As the leader in backup, recovery and data management solutions that deliver Modern Data Protection, Veeam has a valuable technology alliance partnership with Wasabi," said Andreas Neufert, vice president of product management at Veeam. "Now with expanded service in APAC, our joint customers will benefit from higher performance as a result of reduced latency. Wasabi's product knowledge and expertise will help customers to reduce the management overhead for offsite storage."
Wasabi hot cloud storage has transformed the industry with a simple solution that is 1/5th the cost of hyperscalers, with no fees for egress or API requests and no vendor lock-in. Businesses are able to securely and affordably store all of their data and access it the moment they need it without complex pricing tiers. Housed in the Equinix Sydney location and leveraging Equinix Metal™ and Equinix Fabric™, Wasabi's latest region is fully scalable and benefits from best-in-class speed and access, industry-leading environmental and energy efficiency standards, and the ability to address data sovereignty needs as Wasabi's reach continues to expand globally. Wasabi now serves customers in over 100 countries, storing data ranging from backups, disaster and ransomware recovery, archiving, and more.
"We are proud to once again work with Wasabi as they expand their presence even deeper into Asia Pacific with this new storage region in Australia," said Roddie Samuel, senior director of sales, Equinix Australia. "Wasabi's innovative low-cost object storage in combination with our digital services greatly benefits organizations around the world by reducing costs and delivering a simpler experience with higher performance."
"With Asia Pacific at the forefront of digital-first business strategy and tremendously growing hybrid cloud adoption, Sydney was the obvious choice for Wasabi's newest storage region, following our additions of Tokyo and Osaka last year," said David Friend, co-founder and CEO, Wasabi Technologies. "By bringing Wasabi's high-performing and cost-effective cloud storage to Australia, we're empowering even more organizations across APAC to extract the true value of their data, maximize the benefits of their digital infrastructure priorities, and achieve tangible business results without the complexity that comes with the hyperscalers."
For more information about Wasabi and its storage regions, please visit wasabi.com/locations/.
About Wasabi Technologies
Wasabi provides simple, predictable and affordable hot cloud storage for businesses all over the world. It enables organizations to store and instantly access an unlimited amount of data at 1/5th the price of the competition with no complex tiers or unpredictable egress fees. Trusted by tens of thousands of customers worldwide, Wasabi has been recognized as one of technology's fastest-growing and most visionary companies. Created by Carbonite co-founders and cloud storage pioneers David Friend and Jeff Flowers, Wasabi has secured nearly $275 million in funding to date and is a privately held company based in Boston. Wasabi is a Proud Partner of the Boston Red Sox, and the Official Cloud Storage Partner of Liverpool Football Club and the Boston Bruins.
Follow and connect with Wasabi on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and our blog.
Wasabi Technologies PR contact:
Kaley Carpenter
Inkhouse for Wasabi
wasabi@inkhouse.com
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SOURCE Wasabi Technologies | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/10/wasabi-technologies-opens-storage-region-sydney/ | 2022-05-11T05:35:20Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MiniTool has just announced the release of its data recovery software for Windows - MiniTool Power Data Recovery to version 11.3. The newly released version brings users brand-new data filtering options and continues to improve its data recovery capabilities.
Newly Designed Data Filter Option
Pick out wanted data from numerous files is not easy in the whole data recovery process. But with a data filter, things are different. Previous versions of MiniTool Power Data Recovery also give limited ways to filter files but earn unsatisfactory utilization. From this point of view, MiniTool Power Data Recovery 11.3 focuses on the improvement of the quick data filter this time and it offers four options for users to quickly navigate to the desired files. To be specific, these options are:
- Filter by file type: drop down the menu and choose to show a file type including pictures, audio, video, document, email, database and achieve.
- Filter by modified dates such as past day, past week, past month, past year, and more.
- Filter by file size: data size ranges from 0KB - 1MB, 1 MB - 100MB, 100MB - 1GB, more than 1GB, etc.
- Filter by file category: to show all files or deleted files only.
As long as users can remember any of the above information about their lost files, they will spend less time than usual to get the desired files back.
Enhanced Data Recovery from exFAT Partitions
In addition, MiniTool Power Data Recovery 11.3 also continues to improve the data recovery efficiency and data recovery results from exFAT partitions, as exFAT is frequently used on USB flash drives. Through comprehensive testing and verification, the new version can bring users a better data recovery experience on exFAT drive recovery.
More Bug Fixes
Bug fixes of version 11.3 mainly focus on the interface. Among them, the most notable one is the dynamic layout bug of partitions on the Home page. If users switch to Utilities or Settings and then expand the left menu, after that they go to This PC and they will see partitions cannot be automatically repositioned. Of course, in MiniTool Power Data Recovery 11.3, this bug has been resolved successfully.
About MiniTool Power Data Recovery
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is one of the most effective data recovery software for HDDs, SSDs, USB flash drives, SD cards, and external hard drives. This program can help users recover lost files from hard drive errors, system crashes, virus attacks, human errors, and more.
For more information, feel free to visit https://www.minitool.com
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SOURCE MiniTool Software Limited | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/minitool-power-data-recovery-113-brings-easier-data-filter-options/ | 2022-08-11T01:31:32Z |
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewTrade, the force that powers fintech, has enhanced its customer onboarding service with three new modules designed to help its clients onboard retail financial customers more efficiently and with greater security. With the enhancements, clients can activate any of the new modules and make them part of their custom identity verification and background check process.
Key Features of the New Modules
- Jurisdiction Block enables account managers to block users from opening accounts from certain global regions, countries or a US state before the account is passed to the custodian, effectively halting account creation before other KYC verifications are conducted. Account managers can create their own list of jurisdictions to block and/or allow account creation. This module is fully customizable and available on a branch level, enabling brokers to toggle their lists to either fully block entire regions, or only accept account creation from specific countries or states.
- Person Block works similarly to Jurisdiction Block by enabling account managers to fully block certain persons from opening accounts. Managers can create their own list of banned profiles and identities that can be updated as needed and published immediately. This functionality can be activated as a background check module and be part of the branch-specific identity verification flow.
- Continuous ID verifies account identities through multiple sanction lists, government exposure and risk databases on a daily basis once activated. The module also enables administrators to mark false-positive matches to be skipped on future system runs, so only relevant matches will be flagged after each scan.
"ViewTrade's continuous investment in our product suite ensures we can continue to offer ever more comprehensive and flexible technology to our clients," said Sergei Lishchenko, Digital Experience Technology Services. "With these enhancements, clients can further streamline their customer's experience and digitally onboard them, compliantly and at scale – a critical enabler to sustainable and responsible growth."
ViewTrade's Global Identity Verification Service provides a tailored experience for each client including customized logic and KYC/CIP vendor selection to confirm the authenticity of an identity, the ability to accommodate the challenge of common names and compliance rule customization. Services also include identity verification services to confirm the authenticity of a wide range of government-issued ID documents, including driver's licenses, passports and more during the onboarding/account opening process.
"Ingrained in our leading solutions is the global market expertise needed to deliver a fast, reliable and seamless onboarding experience to the investors of today and tomorrow," said Mark Ford, Chief Compliance Officer at ViewTrade. "These enhancements address and eliminate pain points that existing solutions do not. The new modules will allow our clients to permanently prevent individuals who are not compliant with their onboarding rules from creating accounts, providing greater control, increased approval rates and improved workflows."
About ViewTrade
ViewTrade is the force that powers fintech and cross-border investing for financial services firms throughout the world. We provide the technology, support and brokerage services that business innovators need to quickly launch or enhance a retail investing experience. Over the past 20+ years, our approach has helped 300+ firms – from technology startups to large banks, brokers and advisors – create the differentiating investment experiences their customers demand. With clients in over 20 countries and a team that brings decades of experience and understanding of brokerage technology and services, we help our business clients deliver the investment access and financial solutions they require.
For more information, visit https://viewtrade.com/, and follow the company on LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Alex Shafer
viewtradepr@jconnelly.com
973-934-5100
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SOURCE ViewTrade | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/viewtrade-launches-three-new-modules-improve-efficiency-security-its-customer-onboarding-services/ | 2022-08-25T15:59:05Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses have been ordered for small children in anticipation of possible federal authorization next week, White House officials say.
The government allowed pharmacies and states to start placing orders last week, with 5 million doses initially available — half of them shots made by Pfizer and the other half the vaccine produced by Moderna, senior administration officials said.
As of this week, about 1.45 million of the 2.5 million available doses of Pfizer have been ordered, and about 850,000 of available Moderna shots have been ordered, officials said. More orders are expected in the coming days.
Young children are the last group of Americans who have not been recommended to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Up to about 20 million U.S. children under 5 would become eligible for vaccination if the government authorizes one or both shots.
It’s not clear how popular the shots will be. A recent survey suggests only 1 in 5 parents of young children would get their kids vaccinated right away.
And public health officials have been disappointed at how many older U.S. children, who have been eligible for shots for months, have yet to be vaccinated: Less than one-third of kids ages 5 to 11 have gotten the two recommended doses, according to government figures.
“As we go down in the age groups, we see lower and lower uptake” of vaccines, said Dr. Lucia Abascal of the California Department of Public Health.
Pfizer has asked FDA to authorize three doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 month to 4 years. Each dose is one-tenth of the amount adults receive.
Moderna has asked FDA to authorize two shots for kids ages 6 months to 5 years, each containing a quarter of the dose given to adults.
The Food and Drug Administration authorizes the use of vaccines, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues recommendations to doctors and the public about using them.
An FDA advisory committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday and Wednesday to review data from the two companies. Officials say they expect a FDA decision shortly after that meeting.
A CDC advisory committee is scheduled for next Friday and Saturday, with a CDC decision expected soon after.
Vaccinations should begin in earnest as early as June 21, White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha told reporters last week.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://cw33.com/news/ap-top-headlines/officials-millions-of-covid-19-shots-ordered-for-youngest/ | 2022-06-09T14:21:04Z |
Annual Best Airlines Report Reveals Best and Worst Airlines in America Based on Reliability, Overall Experience, Cost, Loyalty Offerings, and More
NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Today, The Points Guy (TPG) has released its sixth annual Best Airlines Report naming Delta Air Lines the number one airline in America for the fourth year in a row. TPG ranked airlines in the United States from best to worst according to criteria including customer satisfaction, cabin comfort, on-time records, lost luggage data, lounge quality and more. The rankings also reflect a strategic method that evaluates all aspects of a customer's journey — from ticketing through baggage delivery and even redeeming rewards for future trips.
"As travel restrictions were lifted around the world and more people returned to traveling, airlines faced a mountain of challenges this year from labor shortages to unfortunate delays making it a difficult year for air travel," said Brian Kelly, Founder of The Points Guy. "In the face of these challenges, our team has worked tirelessly to create this invaluable resource that will help travelers make educated decisions when booking their next domestic getaway."
Southwest Airlines took the number two spot, with United, American, and Alaska rounding out the top five rankings. By contrast, Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier were the lowest ranked airlines over the last year, with Spirit dropping from 8th place in 2021 to 10th place this year.
Best Airlines Report for 2022 rankings are highlighted below:
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Frontier Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Spirit Airlines
Additional takeaways include:
- Delta comes out on top again: Named the winner for the fourth year in a row, Delta boasts an extensive network of lounges, impressive customer satisfaction feedback, and fewer involuntary bumps than its competitors. Delta saw the fewest customer complaints this year with just 1.25 complaints for every 100,000 passengers. They also only bumped two passengers out of more than 127 million Delta flyers in 2021, which was impressive given the state of the airline industry overall.
- Hawaiian Airlines ranks highest in reliability: For the second straight year, Hawaiian Airlines came out on top in terms of reliability with the lowest percentage of delays and cancellations. Over 90% of Hawaiian's flights arrived on time (within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time), and just 264 of the airline's 60,000+ flights were canceled.
- Southwest wins for affordable fares and widespread network Southwest Airlines took the top spot in the cost & reach category, which measures how vast a carrier's route network is combined with how much it costs consumers to fly the carrier. While Southwest doesn't serve as many destinations as some other U.S. airlines, its airfares were notably more affordable than the three legacy airlines (American, Delta, United) — and Southwest charged the fewest ancillary fees for checked bags and ticket changes or cancellations.
- United earns top marks for frequent flyers: United received the highest score in the frequent-flyer category thanks to a broad portfolio of cobranded credit cards plus the highest number of airline partners for earning and redeeming MileagePlus miles.
Report methodology:
This year TPG took into consideration reliability, experience, loyalty and cost & reach for each airline. TPG also examined data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.), including the number of passenger complaints filed against each airline with the D.O.T., as well as the number of reports of lost luggage each airline had. Additionally, in consulting the airlines' financials and combing through publicly available fleet data, the experts at TPG were able to factor all those elements — and more — into the rankings for 2022's best airlines report.
For all criteria, the raw scores from the data were converted into a scaled score from 0 to 10 and then weighted using the following percentages to arrive at the final score. This ensured that the calculation for each airline's score was made relative to the performance of others — as opposed to a simple ranking system that wouldn't accurately capture these differences.
The full list of factors and weighting was as follows:
- Reliability (30%)
- Experience (25%)
- Costs and Reach (20%)
- Loyalty (25%)
A full version of TPG's 2022 Best Airlines Report can be viewed here.
For a year-over-year comparison, TPG's 2021 Best Airlines Report can be viewed here.
About The Points Guy
The Points Guy (TPG) is a trusted travel and lifestyle media platform that focuses on maximizing travel experiences while minimizing spending. Through an informative, clever point of view, TPG has become the leading online site for all things points, miles and resourceful travel experiences. The site's editorial content and newsletter consists of firsthand flight, hotel and airplane reviews, curated travel guides and immersive video components, as well as global event activations. Since its launch in 2010, founder Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and extensive network of freelancers around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 11 million unique monthly visitors and more than 3.5 million followers across social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok).
Media Inquiries:
press@thepointsguy.com
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SOURCE The Points Guy | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/points-guy-releases-its-sixth-annual-best-airlines-report/ | 2022-08-17T13:55:10Z |
SAN DIEGO, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Plexium, Inc. (Plexium), a leading next-generation targeted protein degradation (TPD) company, today announced the appointment of Brian Wong as a member of its Board of Directors. Dr. Wong is a well-respected leader with more than two decades of experience in the biotechnology and large pharmaceutical sectors, including a track record of advancing more than 20 programs from discovery to late-stage clinical development and including through approval.
"We are very pleased to have such an accomplished executive and drug developer like Brian join our Board as we continue to advance our TPD pipeline toward the clinic and to patients in need," said Plexium President & CEO Percival Barretto-Ko. "His diverse background as an industry executive in both small and large companies, combined with his training as a physician-scientist, will provide us with valuable insights as we develop our platform, grow our pipeline and unlock the potential of our Targeted Protein Degradation capabilities to improve the lives of patients."
Dr. Wong currently serves as the President and CEO of RAPT Therapeutics, a clinical stage immunology-based biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral small molecule therapies for patients with significant unmet needs in inflammatory diseases and oncology. Prior to RAPT, Dr. Wong served as Senior Vice President, Research, and Head of Immuno-Oncology at Five Prime Therapeutics and as Director in the Inflammation Disease Biology Area at Roche. While at Roche, he led the discovery and development of Roche's autoimmune disease portfolio, consisting of more than 20 biologics and small-molecule programs from discovery to late-stage clinical development and through approval. Prior to Roche, he held various leadership roles at Rigel Pharmaceuticals, where he identified and developed clinical candidates for allergic, autoimmune and respiratory disorders, including Tavalisse™. Dr. Wong received his M.D. from the Weill Cornell Medical College and his Ph.D. in Immunology from Rockefeller University.
"Plexium has tremendous potential to address the limitations of heterobifunctional degraders and cereblon IMiDs to create the next generation of Targeted Protein Degradation therapies," commented Dr. Wong. "In just a few short years, Plexium has executed on a thoughtful and purposeful strategy that I believe will build long-term value for all stakeholders, including patients and their families, making this a compelling opportunity and an exciting time to join the Board of Directors. I look forward to contributing to the Company's promising future as they advance novel TPD therapies toward the clinic."
Plexium is the premier, next-generation Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) company seeking to discover a wide range of monovalent target protein degraders that address the limitations of heterobifunctional degraders and cereblon IMiDs. The company is powered by its proprietary drug discovery platform designed to identify novel small molecules that induce selective degradation of drug target proteins through E3 ligase mediated proteasomal degradation. From molecular glues to monovalent degraders, Plexium is advancing a pipeline of novel targeted protein degraders for the treatment of cancer, neurodegeneration, and other diseases. Due to its expertise in TPD, Plexium has entered into strategic collaborations with Amgen and AbbVie to discover and develop a wide range of new therapies from cancer to neurological diseases. Supported by high quality investors, Plexium is well positioned to transform medicine.
For more information, visit https://plexium.com/ and engage with us on LinkedIn.
Plexium Investor and Media Contact:
Amy Conrad
Juniper Point
amy@juniper-point.com
858-366-3243
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SOURCE Plexium | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/plexium-appoints-brian-wong-md-phd-its-board-directors/ | 2022-07-13T13:07:37Z |
Highlights of the Announced Transaction
- Both companies share a relationship-based philosophy focused on providing personalized products and services to the communities they serve.
- Strengthens Bank First's franchise through a larger branch network and greater market share in central Wisconsin.
- The combined organization's scale will increase lending capacity to Hometown customers, allowing its team of bankers to service larger relationships at the local level.
- Leverages the operational strengths of both institutions, increasing shareholder value.
- Tim McFarlane, President & CEO of Hometown, to join Bank First as President and will join the Board of Directors of Bank First, N.A. He will also be nominated to the Bank First Corporation Board of Directors.
MANITOWOC, Wis. and FOND DU LAC, Wis., July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank First Corporation (Nasdaq: BFC) ("Bank First" or "the Company"), the holding company of Bank First, N.A., announced today the signing of an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Hometown Bancorp, Ltd. ("Hometown"), parent company of Hometown Bank, a Wisconsin state-chartered bank, under which Bank First has agreed to acquire 100% of the common stock of Hometown in a combined stock-and-cash transaction.
Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, each Hometown shareholder will have the option to receive either $29.16 in cash or 0.3962 of a share of Bank First's common stock in exchange for each share of Hometown common stock, subject to customary proration and allocation procedures, such that no less than 70% of Hometown shares will receive stock consideration and no greater than 30% will receive cash consideration. The aggregate consideration is valued at approximately $124 million, based on the closing price of Bank First common stock as of July 22, 2022 of $75.23 per share.
Bank First's focus on providing innovative products and services will allow the customers of Hometown to benefit from a wide array of retail banking products and loan programs tailored to the unique needs of each individual or family.
Hometown shareholders and customers will also benefit from Bank First's 49.8% ownership of UFS, LLC, a bank technology outfitter, which provides digital, core, cybersecurity, managed IT, and cloud services to banks in the Midwest. Bank First's relationship with UFS creates opportunities to access the latest advancements in banking technology at a faster rate than its peers.
Mike Molepske, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank First stated, "We are excited to welcome Tim McFarlane and the relationship focused team of bankers at Hometown to Bank First. I've had the pleasure of knowing Tim throughout my banking career and working with him as well. I am looking forward to collaborating with Tim and his team as we combine our organizations. Together, we will provide exceptional value to our employees, customers, and shareholders."
"Our organizations' shared values make this partnership a natural fit," stated Tim McFarlane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hometown. "By joining with Bank First, we found an opportunity to align with a partner that shares our passion for providing personalized customer service and shows a genuine concern for the well-being of our employees, customers, and communities. We see a great opportunity to complement Bank First's strengths while leveraging their capabilities to add value to our customers in the form of leading-edge technology and a large breadth of retail and business offerings."
Upon completion of the merger, Tim McFarlane will assume the role of President and will join the Board of Directors of Bank First, N.A. He will also be nominated to the Bank First Corporation Board of Directors. Mike Molepske will continue serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Boards of Directors of Bank First Corporation and Bank First, N.A.
The Boards of Directors of Bank First and Hometown have approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger. The closing of the transaction is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, approval by Hometown's shareholders, and obtaining a conversion date from UFS and Fiserv.
As of June 30, 2022, Hometown had approximately $627.6 million in consolidated assets, $421.2 million in gross loans, $538.7 million in deposits and $65.5 million in consolidated stockholders' equity. Based on the financial results as of June 30, 2022, the combined company, inclusive of projected balances to be acquired from the proposed acquisition of Denmark Bancshares, Inc., will have total assets of approximately $4.3 billion, loans of approximately $3.3 billion and deposits of approximately $3.7 billion.
Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor to Bank First and Alston & Bird LLP served as legal counsel. Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, s.c. served as legal counsel to Hometown.
Bank First Corporation
Bank First Corporation is a bank holding company headquartered in Manitowoc, Wisconsin with total assets of approximately $2.9 billion. Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of Bank First, a nationally-chartered community bank that operates 21 banking centers serving Wisconsin. The bank's history dates back to 1894 when it was founded as the Bank of Manitowoc. For more information on Bank First, please visit bankfirst.com.
Hometown Bancorp, Ltd
Hometown Bancorp, Ltd is a bank holding company headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with total assets of approximately $627.6 million. Its principal activities are the ownership and management of its wholly owned subsidiary, Hometown Bank. The bank generates commercial, mortgage and consumer loans and offers various deposits and savings plans to customers located primarily within central and northeastern Wisconsin. For more information on Hometown, please visit htbwi.com.
For further information, contact:
Deb Weyker, Vice President Marketing
Phone: (920) 652-3274
dweyker@bankfirst.com
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SOURCE Bank First Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/bank-first-corporation-signs-definitive-agreement-acquire-hometown-bancorp-ltd/ | 2022-07-26T15:04:47Z |
Industry powerhouse Avoya affiliates with TLN, effective immediately
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Avoya Travel, an innovative mega agency based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has become the newest member of Travel Leaders Network, the largest travel agency network in North America.
As a well-known consumer brand and developer of proprietary marketing solutions and travel technology, Avoya provides outstanding resources to thousands of companies, including cruise lines, tour operators, resorts and the independent travel agencies in its network.
Avoya's patented technology includes its Agent Power™ SaaS technology that saves valuable time and money by providing travel agency owners with the resources to meet their business needs; a robust Live Leads™ program that sends new clients directly specialized, independent travel experts; a full menu of support, professional development and education services; and exclusive pricing and promotions on popular vacations.
"We are excited to welcome Avoya Travel Network as our newest member," said Roger Block, President of Travel Leaders Network. "Avoya has done groundbreaking work in developing a platform to support its independent travel advisors, and the company's recent growth is a testament to those efforts. Their unique ability to drive business to our preferred supplier community due to their disciplined process and innovative solutions makes Avoya the perfect partner."
This new relationship will benefit both companies by providing additional opportunities for growth and delivering even more value to consumers. Avoya Travel's network of independent agencieswill gain access to many of the TLN best-in-class marketing solutions and exceptional cruise, airfare and hotel programs developed by Travel Leaders Network.
"Travel Leaders is one of the most respected names in travel and our two companies are a perfect fit. We look forward to the opportunities that membership in Travel Leaders Network will bring to our members," said Jeff Anderson, Co-CEO of Avoya Travel. "We share a common commitment to providing travel agencies with the highest level of support so that they can be successful and better serve our mutual clients. We are excited to be participating in Travel Leaders Network's proprietary omnichannel Engagement Marketing programs, promotional groups, and more to benefit travelers in North America and beyond."
For additional information on Travel Leaders Network, visit www.TravelLeadersNetwork.com. For additional information on Avoya Travel, visit AvoyaNetwork.com.
Travel Leaders Network (www.TravelLeaders.com) assists millions of leisure and business travelers annually and is one of the largest sellers of luxury travel, cruises and tours in the travel agency industry, with approximately 5,700 travel agency locations across the United States and Canada. Travel Leaders Network is part of Travel Leaders Group, a division of Internova Travel Group.
Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 70,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries.
CONTACT:
Berit Griffin
bgriffin@travelleaders.com
651-442-5173
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SOURCE Travel Leaders Network | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/travel-leaders-network-welcomes-mega-agency-avoya-travel-its-consortium/ | 2022-09-15T18:17:56Z |
Well known for its leading position in e-prescriptions in Brazil, Memed invests in technology and products that integrate the healthcare value-chain by seamlessly connecting physicians, patients, pharmaceutical retailers & industries and clinics
SÃO PAULO, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Memed - Brazil's fastest growing and largest digital health company in terms of user base, volumes & partnerships - has raised US$80 million in the past twelve months and recently launched a set of digitally integrated care pathways as a result of a new strategy implemented by its CEO Joel Rennó Jr. Memed is backed by DNA Capital, the leading healthcare investor in Brazil, and Temasek. About 65% of the proceeds raised are being efficiently allocated to boost technology, product, data science, analytics and clinical intelligence. The new strategy now gains even more momentum with the first platform ever that allows patients to purchase medication online directly from a Memed e-prescription with just a few clicks.
"In a fragmented market, we've built real digital bridges integrating all personas within the value-chain to promote rapid, convenient and affordable medical adherence by patients", explains CEO Joel Rennó Jr. The first product in this regard was the exams' platform, which enables any patient to schedule online appointments for medical tests straight from Memed's e-prescription. "Our physicians and trusted partners, such as insurance companies and health plan operators, deserve to have visibility as to whether a given patient is actually doing the correct set of exams that were prescribed - our platform not only allows for the online scheduling of such exams but also drastically reduces no-shows for clinics and laboratories", says Joel Rennó Jr.
As Memed had a massive nine-fold increase in terms of e-prescription volumes, jumping from 2.9 million in 2018 to 29 million in 2021, and also built a reputation for itself in terms of technology and brand recognition, the second strategic product that has recently been launched was the medications' platform. The platform operates as a true 3P marketplace in which Memed controls the neatly designed user experience and sellers provide a wide array of sortiment and take care of logistics. The medications' platform has already attracted the largest pharma retailers in Brazil - 6 out of the top 10 - and essentially all of the digital native pharma e-commerces. That validates Memed's strategy and reinforces the unparalleled value of its scale.
"Imagine how wonderful would be to receive an e-prescription from your physician, open it up on your smartphone, click on a link that automatically takes you to an open platform featuring a whole range of the best pharmacies in Brazil and, with just 2 clicks, purchase your medication online and have it delivered to your home 30 minutes later? That's what we have built to the benefit of our physicians, partners, patients and pharma retailers" adds Joel Rennó Jr.
Based on public data disclosed by other companies, Memed currently has a market share in excess of 80% in e-prescriptions - however, the segment is still in its early innings despite the accelerated growth, once e-prescriptions in Brazil represent less than 10% of the total medical prescriptions issued every year.
Another key attribute of Memed's medications' platform is the solution to a long-standing healthcare issue in Brazil: sanitary and regulatory control. That is because, after the sale of a medication, the pharmacy needs to register that transaction and eliminate that medication from its inventory management system, notably for controlled substances. Through Memed's proprietary technology available to over 80 thousand points-of-sale in Brazil, any medication is automatically registered and eliminated upon its sale and the e-prescription is immediately expired. This prevents frauds and abuse of medical prescriptions and allows complete traceability for sanitary auditing purposes.
About Memed
Memed's mission is to make access to healthcare more efficient and human by building innovative technology and products that connect physicians, patients and all other stakeholders in a simple and safe way. Memed has become the standard of reference in e-prescriptions, positively impacting the lives of millions of Brazilians.
Memed serves more than 300 healthcare organizations across Brazil. It is used by about 150,000 physicians and has generated 29 million e-prescriptions in 2021, benefiting 20 million lives. The company also supports environmental preservation by saving tons of paper that would have been used with conventional prescriptions, paving the way for the construction of truly sustainable solutions within the healthcare ecosystem.
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SOURCE Memed | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/brazilian-healthtech-memed-launches-innovative-platform-deliver-best-care-directly-e-prescription/ | 2022-05-16T14:47:11Z |
Ringling Bridge lights to mark start of Pride Month
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The John Ringling Causeway Bridge will honor LGBTQ Pride Month for a week, beginning tonight, with a multicolored light display, starting around sunset.
Individuals and businesses are also encouraged to light up Sarasota in rainbow colors, according to the nonprofit organization Project Pride SRQ,
Events around the Suncoast during Pride Month are being coordinated through Project PRIDE SRQ. They include:
June 1-30: Taste of PRIDE. Participating businesses are offering special discounts to customers who mention Taste of Pride! Visit www.ppsrq.org/taste-of-pride-2022 for a list of participating restaurants and business or to learn more.
June 2, 7 p.m.: Drag Bingo with Beneva Fruitville at “On the Green” at University Town Center Mall.
June 4, 7-10 p.m.: The Grand Carnival – an ICONic Evening. at the Sarastoa Municipal Auditorium 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Featuring performances, visuals and LGBTQ+ history. $50 ticket includes open bar, food, dancing, performances, Dj Brianna Lee, and more. Tickets are on sale now at https://the-grand-carnival.ticketleap.com
June 8, 5:30 p.m.: Zumba Pride Party. Come enjoy Zumba at “On the Green” at UTC.
June 9 at 8-10 p.m.: Loud & Proud Dance Party with DJ Brianna Lee at “On the Green” at UTC.
June 11, 11 a.m.: PRIDE Car Parade down Main Street Sarasota. Prizes for best decorated vehicles and more.
June 16, 5-9 p.m.: UTC Night Market with Moxy Stardust Band, a monthly outdoor market event featuring live music and a great mix of local farmers and makers selling handmade goods, jewelry, art, gifts and more in the West District at UTC.
June 18, 9 a.m.: PRIDE Pet Parade at Bayfront Park.
June 25, 7:30 p.m.: Grand Flag March at Hart’s Landing. As they unfurl the largest inclusive Pride Flag in the world at a record breaking 700 feet and march it across the John Ringling Bridge.
June 30, 6-8 p.m.: PRIDE Picnic. Enjoy live music, food & family fun at “On the Green” at UTC.
Project PRIDE SRQ organizes safe, quality events that are open to everyone. Additionally, Project Pride SRQ produces educational, cultural and entertainment events and activities throughout the year in order to create a truly celebratory experience for the whole community.
For more information, contact Project PRIDE SRQ, at admin@PPSRQ.org or visit www.PPSRQ.org.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/01/ringling-bridge-lights-mark-start-pride-month/ | 2022-06-01T19:59:05Z |
Renewed Russian attacks strike several areas of Ukraine
KRAMATORSK, Ukraine (AP) — Russia stepped up its onslaught against Ukraine on Saturday, with civilian casualties reported in several areas of the country.
At least three civilians were killed and three more were injured in a Russian rocket strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Chuhuiv in the early hours, a regional police chief said.
Serhiy Bolvinov, the deputy head of Kharkiv’s regional police force, said that the rockets were likely fired from Russian territory. Chuhuiv lies some 120 kilometers from the border.
“Four Russian rockets, presumably fired from around (the Russian city of) Belgorod at night, at about 3:30, hit a residential building, a school and administrative buildings,” Bolvinov wrote on Facebook, adding that a two-story apartment block was partly destroyed.
“The bodies of three people were found under the rubble. Three more were injured. The victims are civilians,” Bolvinov added.
In the neighboring Sumy region, one civilian was killed and at least seven more were injured after Russians opened mortar and artillery fire on three towns and villages not far from the Russian border, regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said on Telegram on Saturday morning.
Seven civilians were killed and 14 more received injuries over in the most recent 24 hours in cities in Ukraine’s embattled eastern Donetsk region, its governor said Saturday morning.
Nearby, however, Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian overnight assault on a strategic eastern highway, said Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region.
Haidai said that Russia had been attempting to capture the main road link between the cities of Lysychansk and Bakhmut “for more than two months.”
“They still cannot control several kilometers of this road,” Haidai wrote in a Telegram post.
Russia’s defense chief told troops to step up operations across Ukrainian territory, according to social media updates from the defense ministry on Saturday.
A Facebook post said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu gave “instructions to further intensify the actions of units in all operational areas, in order to exclude the possibility of the Kyiv regime to launch massive rocket and artillery strikes on civilian infrastructure and residents of settlements in Donbas and other regions.”
According to the post, Shoigu on Saturday inspected some of the Russian units that have served in Ukraine, handing out awards for bravery.
Russia’s military campaign has been focusing on the Donbas, covering Donetsk and Luhansk, but Russian forces also have been pounding other parts of the country in a relentless push to wrest territory from Ukraine and soften the morale of its leaders, civilians and troops as the war nears the five-month mark.
In Ukraine’s south, two people were wounded by Russian shelling in the town of Bashtanka, northeast of the Black Sea city of Mykolaiv, according to a Telegram post by regional governor Vitaliy Kim.
Kim said that Mykolaiv itself also came under renewed Russian fire in the early hours. On Friday morning, he had posted videos of what he said was a Russian missile attack on the city’s two largest universities, and denounced Russia as “a terrorist state.”
A woman was hospitalized and two more people trapped under the rubble after a Russian rocket strike on the eastern riverside city of Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region, its governor said on social media. Valentyn Reznichenko said on Telegram that a five-story apartment block, a school and a vocational school building were damaged.
On Friday, cruise missiles fired by Russian strategic bombers struck the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, killing at least three people and wounding 16.
A day earlier, a Russian missile strike killed at least 23 people — including three children — and wounded more than 200 in Vinnytsia, a city southwest of Kyiv, the capital, far from the front line.
Russia said the Kalibr cruise missiles hit a “military facility” that was hosting a meeting between Ukrainian air foce command and foreign weapons suppliers. Ukrainian authorities have insisted the site had nothing to do with the military.
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Friday that Russian forces have conducted more than 17,000 strikes on civilian targets during the war, killing thousands of fighters and civilians and driving millions from their homes. The invasion has also rippled through the world economy by hiking prices and crimping exports of key Ukrainian and Russian products such as grain, fuel and fertilizer.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/16/renewed-russian-attacks-strike-several-areas-ukraine/ | 2022-07-16T10:16:59Z |
Skateboarders at home on their own creation
From unused tennis courts to a thriving skate park, skateboarders in Stark County have created something special. Kyle Skotnicky poured the first cement obstacle in 2016, and the former Westbrook Skatepark then took shape. It’s now known as 9th St. DIY. Local skaters and bikers pooled their money and held fundraisers to buy cement, and donated hours of free time to help create the park. Dale and Melanie Brownfield of Canton have built a great working relationship with the City of Canton, which also has contributed to the skate park’s growth. These days, the park has working lights, and is open sunup until 11 p.m. “I like that the City of Canton is letting people who use the park build it ourselves,” said Shawn Fosnight of Massillon, a skater of more than 35 years. “I hope it inspires other cities and townships to do the same. I would love to help build one in Massillon. Skateparks can provide a needed sense of community and belonging for people of all ages. In this day and age, I feel this is more important than ever.” Skaters and bike riders of all ages enjoy the park, and, most importantly, take responsibility for it. “Not only is 9th St. one of the most fun parks in Northeast Ohio, it’s 100% skater-built,” said Cameron Snyder of Plain Township. “It’s safe and a fun place for everyone. I’m stoked to have this in our city.” Learn more about the park, and upcoming events, on its Instagram page or ctnskatebording.com.
– Story and photos by Kevin Whitlock, Massillon Independent photographer | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/lifestyle/2022/06/19/skateboarders-home-their-own-creation/7625978001/ | 2022-06-19T11:24:34Z |
Douglas Co. deputies enjoy brisket on N.C. sheriff’s office after bet on the Jayhawks
LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office enjoyed some brisket on a North Carolina sheriff’s office after a bet on the Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament.
On Wednesday morning, April 27, the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office gave a warm thank you to the Orange Co. North Carolina Sheriff’s Office for a helping of Hillsborough BBQ Company.
Deputies said the package, which featured a pound of brisket and a pound of barbecue, was the settlement of a National Championship wager for the Sheriff Showdown.
Since Douglas County’s Jayhawks Men’s Basketball team took home the title win against Orange County’s UNC Men’s team.
Sheriff Armbrister and deputies enjoyed the North Carolina brisket last week.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/27/douglas-co-deputies-enjoy-brisket-nc-sheriffs-office-after-bet-jayhawks/ | 2022-04-27T22:20:16Z |
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Three weeks before he faced sentencing, the Malaysian defense contractor at the center of one of the biggest bribery investigations in U.S. military history made an escape as stunning and brazen as the case itself: U-Haul trucks were seen at his home in a tony San Diego neighborhood before Leonard Glenn Francis, known as “Fat Leonard,” snipped off his ankle monitor and disappeared.
Nearly a dozen U.S. law enforcement agencies were searching for Francis on Tuesday. But officials acknowledged he may already be in Mexico, and possibly on his way back to Asia.
Four years ago, U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino feared Francis might run off when she turned down his lawyer’s request to allow him to be under house arrest without round-the-clock security guards watching the ailing defense contractor. At the time, Francis was cooperating with prosecutors as they pursued charges against dozens of Navy officials who accepted bribes in exchange for classified information that gave Francis’ ship servicing business in Asia an edge in getting military contracts.
When asked about the bold escape Tuesday, his lawyer, Devin Burstein, who pushed for more leniency for his client, said: “At this time, I have no comment, sorry.”
Sammartino repeatedly maintained that Francis, who was in poor health and needed medical care, could only remain under house arrest if private security guards were on site. At one point she expressed concern that if he were to escape and ended up “back in Malaysia for whatever reason,” her name would come up if anyone asked “who let somebody do this without any security,” according to a transcript of a closed-door hearing in February 2018 that was unsealed in January.
She raised similar concerns in another hearing on Dec. 17, 2020, after receiving a report that the home was left without anyone guarding it for nearly three hours, according to the court transcript. The guard said he had been on a long lunch break, and Francis apologized to the judge for the mishap.
It was unclear if round-the-clock security guards were still in place this weekend.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in San Diego declined to comment, referring calls to the U.S. Marshals Service. Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Omar Castillo, said his officers found no security officers at the home when they arrived Sunday afternoon, nearly seven hours after Francis is believed to have removed his ankle monitor with heavy scissors. The device was found in the home.
Castillo said someone called the San Diego police department, which sent officers to the home shortly before 2 p.m. to check on it. Castillo said he did not know who made the call. After finding the home empty, police contacted U.S. Pre-Trial Services, the federal agency in charge of his confinement, which then called the U.S. Marshals Service.
Castillo said he did not know if security guards were still ordered to be there. He said neighbors reported seeing U-Haul trucks coming and going from the home one or two days before the escape. Pre-Trial Services declined to comment or answer questions.
The home is about a 40-minute drive from the Mexican border, where vehicles stream into Tijuana and are only stopped randomly. Castillo said Mexican authorities have been put on alert and 10 U.S. law enforcement agencies at local, state and federal levels were searching for Francis on Tuesday.
Castillo said GPS ankle monitors are easy to remove and do not stop people from escaping. He added that he would not be surprised if Francis was already in Mexico since it is easy to drive into the country and not be stopped.
“That’s the risk that is taken when defendants are on GPS monitoring, you know,” he said. “They don’t all cut off their GPS bracelets, but this can happen.”
It was a surprising turn in a case already full of shocking revelations.
Nearly a decade ago, Francis was arrested in a San Diego hotel as part of a federal sting operation. Investigators say he and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, bilked the Navy out of more than $35 million by buying off dozens of top-ranking Navy officers with booze, sex, lavish parties and other gifts. In exchange the officers, including the first active-duty admiral to be convicted of a federal crime, concealed the scheme in which Francis would overcharge for supplying ships or charge for fake services at ports he controlled in Southeast Asia.
The case, which delved into salacious details about service members cheating on their wives and seeking out prostitutes, was an embarrassment to the Pentagon. It was prosecuted by the U.S. attorney’s office, which offered an independent authority from the military justice system.
Francis was scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 22 after working with prosecutors for years, leading to dozens of convictions.
All that cooperation will mean nothing now, but Francis may be hard to catch, given his wealth and vast worldwide connections, said Jason Forge, a former federal prosecutor in San Diego who worked on a number of high-profile corruption cases.
“He doesn’t strike me as the type of person under these circumstances to make a spontaneous decision,” Forge said. “I’m assuming this means he has planned things out and he has the wherewithal to do so. He will probably be a free bird for awhile.” | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/ap-fat-leonards-escape-as-stunning-as-his-navy-bribery-case/ | 2022-09-07T01:30:15Z |
2022 is set to be a milestone year for OriCell who has been focusing on the field of cancer immunotherapy for more than seven years and is fully committed to becoming an innovative global drug developer.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OriCell Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. ("OriCell" or "the Company") has announced the completion of Series B financing totaling over US$120 million. This round of financing was jointly led by Qiming Venture Partners and Quan Capital with participation by several leading international and Chinese investment funds, as well as existing shareholder C&D Emerging Capital. The new funding will go toward the development of OriCell's cell therapy pipeline, and Company's proprietary discovery platform, as well as the construction of a manufacturing plant for both clinical and commercial purposes.
Helen Yang, Chairman and CEO of OriCell, stated, "We are grateful to our new and existing investors for their continued support in OriCell. We have achieved a number of significant milestones in terms of clinical development of our CAR-T and partnered bispecific antibody programs, as well as continued to strengthen our senior management team. We look forward to delivering more innovative discoveries and clinical milestones in the next three years. In today's open, inclusive, and dynamic innovative pharmaceutical ecosystem in China, we endeavor to become a world leading cell therapy company with a broad vision that can integrate seamlessly into the global market."
OriCell's Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for Ori-C101, Company's first internally developed CAR-T product targeting GPC3 for the treatment of advanced liver cancer, was accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China in June of this year. In data published at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, Ori-C101 demonstrated superior safety and efficacy in patients with GPC3-positive advanced liver cancer with an objective response rate (ORR) of 44% and disease control rate (DCR) of 78%. The longest follow-up thus far is more than 22 months, with additional follow-ups ongoing.
OriCAR-017, China's first GPRC5D CAR-T product developed by OriCell for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) confirmed the product's potential with clinical results from the investigator-initiated phase I trial (POLARIS) was presented in an oral presentation at the 2022 ASCO and EHA2022 annual meetings, respectively. In all patients, the majority of adverse events (AE) were transient, manageable, and reversible. Only Grade 1/2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed with no dose limiting toxicity (DLT), neurotoxicity, or AE-related death. Responses were durable and deepened over time with 100% ORR and 100% MRD negative rate, including in 5 prior BCMA CAR-T relapsed patients. All patients were progression-free and followed up without additional therapy by the cutoff date of April 30, 2022. Presently, OriCell is accelerating its registration and clinical development in China and the United States.
An exclusive global license agreement for Ori®Bs-001 (ATG101) was reached with Antengene in 2019. Ori®Bs-001 (ATG101) is a PD-L/4-1BB bispecific antibody and has received the implied approval from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in China in March this year after receiving IND from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Clinical Trials Notification (CTN) from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
In March this year, Dr. Weidong Cui joined the company as Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Cui has more than 20 years of experience in process development, GMP production and commercial operation of cell therapy drug products. As the former CTO at Fosun Kite, he has led the team to successfully complete the GMP production, IND registration, and NDA registration of the first CAR-T drug in China.
About OriCell Therapeutics
Founded in 2015, OriCell Therapeutics aims to develop novel immunotherapies to satisfy globally unmet clinical needs. OriCell has constructed 4 versatile and patented technology platforms: Ori®Ab antibody discovery technology platform, Ori®CAR CAR-T technology platform featuring high memory and high vitality, Ori®TIL, a stable and controllable cell culture platform for efficient expansion, and Ori®UCAR, a universal, convenient, and efficient CAR-T technology platform.
Visit www.oricell.com for more information.
Forward-looking statements
The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development.
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SOURCE OriCell Therapeutics Co., Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/oricell-therapeutics-raises-over-120-million-series-b-financing-led-by-qiming-venture-partners-quan-capital-advance-cell-therapies-cancer-immunology/ | 2022-08-01T14:34:10Z |
POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — The missile’s impact flung the young woman against the fence so hard it splintered. Her mother found her dying on the bench beneath the pear tree where she’d enjoyed the afternoon. By the time her father arrived, she was gone.
Anna Protsenko was killed two days after returning home. The 35-year-old had done what authorities wanted: She evacuated eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region as Russian forces move closer. But starting a new life elsewhere had been uncomfortable and expensive.
Like Protsenko, tens of thousands of people have returned to rural or industrial communities close to the region’s front line at considerable risk because they can’t afford to live in safer places.
Protsenko had tried it for two months, then came home to take a job in the small city of Pokrovsk. On Monday, friends and family caressed her face and wept before her casket was hammered shut beside her grave.
“We cannot win. They don’t hire us elsewhere and you still have to pay rent,” said a friend and neighbor, Anastasia Rusanova. There’s nowhere to go, she said, but here in Donetsk, “everything is ours.”
The Pokrovsk mayor’s office estimated that 70% of those who evacuated have come home. In the larger city of Kramatorsk, an hour’s drive closer to the front line, officials said the population had dropped to about 50,000 from the normal 220,000 in the weeks following Russia’s invasion but has since risen to 68,000.
It’s frustrating for Ukrainian authorities as some civilians remain in the path of war, but residents of the Donetsk region are frustrated, too. Some described feeling unwelcome as Russian speakers among Ukrainian speakers in some parts of the country.
But more often, lack of money was the problem. In Kramatorsk, some people in line waiting for boxes of humanitarian aid said they were too poor to evacuate at all. Donetsk and its economy have been dragged down by conflict since 2014, when Russian-backed separatists began fighting Ukraine’s government.
“Who will take care of us?” asked Karina Smulska, who returned to Pokrovsk a month after evacuating. Now, at age 18, she is her family’s main money-earner as a waitress.
Volunteers have been driving around the Donetsk region for months since Russia’s invasion helping vulnerable people evacuate, but such efforts can end quietly in failure.
In a dank home in the village of Malotaranivka on the outskirts of Kramatorsk, speckled twists of flypaper hung from the living room ceiling. Pieces of cloth were stuffed into window cracks to keep out the draft.
Tamara Markova, 82, and her son Mykola Riaskov said they spent only five days as evacuees in the central city of Dnipro this month before deciding to take their chances back home.
“We would have been separated,” Markova said.
The temporary shelter where they stayed said she would be moved to a nursing home and her son, his left side immobilized after a stroke, would go to a home for the disabled. They found that unacceptable. In their hurry to leave, they left his wheelchair behind. It was too big to take on the bus.
Now they make do. If the air raid siren sounds, Markova goes to shelter with neighbors “until the bombing stops.” Humanitarian aid is delivered once a month. Markova calls it good enough. When winter comes, the neighbors will cover their windows with plastic film for basic insulation and clean the fireplace of soot. Maybe they’ll have gas for heat, maybe not.
“It was much easier under the Soviet Union,” she said of their lack of support from the state, but she was even unhappier with Russian President Vladimir Putin and what his soldiers are doing to the communities around her.
“He’s old,” she said of Putin. “He has to be retired.”
Homesickness and uncertainty also drive returns to Donetsk. A daily evacuation train leaves Pokrovsk for relatively safer western Ukraine, but another train also arrives daily with people who have decided to come home. While the evacuation train is free, the return one is not.
Oksana Tserkovnyi took the train home with her 10-year-old daughter two days after the deadly attack on July 15 in Dnipro, where they had stayed for more than two months. While the attack was the spark to return, Tserkovnyi had found it difficult to find work. Now she plans to return to her previous job in a coal mine.
Costs in Dnipro, already full of evacuees, were another concern. “We stayed with relatives, but if we needed to rent it would have been a lot more,” Tserkovnyi said. “It starts at 6,000 hryvnia ($200) a month for a studio, and you won’t be able to find it.”
Taxi drivers who wait in Pokrovsk for the arriving train said many people give up on trying to resettle elsewhere.
“Half my work for sure is taking these people,” said one driver, Vitalii Anikieiev. “Because the money is gone.”
In mid-July, he said, he picked up a woman who was coming home from Poland after feeling out of place there. When they reached her village near the front line, there was a crater where her house had been.
“She cried,” Anikieiev said. “But she decided to stay.”
___
Associated Press journalist Inna Varenytsia contributed.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of fighting in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/the-money-is-gone-evacuated-ukrainians-forced-to-return/ | 2022-07-25T10:48:23Z |
MARYVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clayton, a national home builder, and Family Promise, the nation's leading nonprofit addressing family homelessness, have expanded their partnership strategy, changing the way corporations are helping fight family homelessness.
In 2018, Clayton and Family Promise partnered to donate one off-site built home to a family facing housing insecurity. Just a few months later, the two organizations expanded the partnership significantly to establish A Future Begins at Home, an innovative prevention program that addresses the underlying causes of family homelessness and catalyzes funding from other sources to increase reach and impact. A Future Begins at Home has attracted more than $4.3 million in funding, serving more than 5,100 families facing housing insecurity, including over 11,300 children. In addition, Clayton has donated 12 homes to Family Promise Affiliates to support families facing housing insecurity.
"By partnering with corporations like Clayton, we are able to significantly increase our impact to help prevent even more families and children from experiencing the trauma of homelessness," said Claas Ehlers, Family Promise CEO. "When we were forced to close our shelters due to the pandemic, we were able to continue to serve our communities well through innovative prevention programs made possible by Clayton and other corporate partners. In 2021, 31,034 episodes of homelessness were avoided or shortened through prevention and diversion."
A Future Begins at Home awards grants to Family Promise Affiliates to provide case management, rental assistance, landlord mediation, transportation, childcare support and other important resources to families facing homelessness. With support from Clayton, Family Promise also piloted innovative prevention and diversion strategies - including landlord partnerships and pandemic relief efforts - enabling these programs to gain traction and prove results before scaling up nationally.
"At Family Promise, we work to help families avoid the trauma that comes from a family losing their housing," said Caroline Lamar, Regional Director (South), and former Executive Director of Family Promise of Blount County (TN). "Clayton understands the diverse and compounding challenges low-income families face nationwide with incredibly limited affordable housing options. Our partnership allows us to focus on preventing families from experiencing homelessness and providing them with alternatives to shelters if necessary."
During the last two years of the pandemic, thanks to the support of Clayton, Lamar says her Affiliate was well-positioned to keep families in their existing housing or identify emergency solutions that avoid shelter. "We supported a family with four children, one who needed heart surgery, which required the parents to travel to receive care. We ensured childcare, food, and transportation to school for the other siblings. We found mom and dad a place to stay near the hospital, so they didn't have to sleep in their car. In these kinds of situations, financially insecure families often are so overwhelmed they don't know what resources are available to them. They can lose income, and then, housing. I don't know how they would have cared for all of their kids if not for A Future Begins at Home."
"At Clayton, we believe companies have the privilege and ability to drive positive social change," said Kevin Clayton, Clayton CEO. "As we explore ways to expand our impact, our partnership with Family Promise helps us develop housing innovations that improve lives and build a better tomorrow for everyone."
In 2022, funding from Clayton aims to prevent 1,000 families and more than 2,400 children from becoming homeless through A Future Begins at Home. The company will also donate three off-site built homes to be used for transitional housing, which bridges the gap between shelter and permanent housing.
About Clayton
Founded in 1956, Clayton is committed to opening doors to a better life and building happyness® through homeownership. As a diverse builder committed to quality and durability, Clayton offers traditional site-built homes and off-site built housing – including modular homes, manufactured homes, CrossMod™ homes, tiny homes, college dormitories, military barracks and apartments. All Clayton Built® homes are proudly designed, engineered and assembled in America. In 2021, Clayton built 60,701 homes across the country. Clayton is a Berkshire Hathaway® company. For more information, visit claytonhomes.com.
CrossMod is a trademark of the Manufactured Housing Institute.
About the Family Promise
Family Promise envisions a nation in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future. What began as a local initiative in Summit, NJ, has become a national movement that operates in 200+ communities in 43 states. Family Promise delivers innovative solutions for family homelessness including prevention, shelter, and stabilization services. We have served 1 million family members since our founding more than 30 years ago, and we aspire to change the future for 1 million children by 2030 through our community-based programs. Learn more at FamilyPromise.org.
Family Promise is a trademark of Family Promise, Inc.
Media Contact:
Caitlyn Crosby
media@claytonhomes.com
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SOURCE Clayton | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/clayton-family-promise-redefine-how-corporations-help-prevent-family-homelessness/ | 2022-08-04T14:08:18Z |
Twitter breach exposed anonymous account owners
(AP) - A vulnerability in Twitter’s software that exposed an undetermined number of owners of anonymous accounts to potential identity compromise last year was apparently exploited by a malicious actor, the social media company said Friday.
It did not confirm a report that data on 5.4 million users was offered for sale online as a result but said users worldwide were affected.
The breach is especially worrisome because many Twitter account owners, including human rights activists, do not disclose their identities in their profiles for security reasons that include fear of persecution by repressive authorities.
“This is very bad for many who use pseudonymous Twitter accounts,” U.S. Naval Academy data security expert Jeff Kosseff tweeted.
The vulnerability allowed someone to determine during log-in whether a particular phone number or email address was tied to an existing Twitter account, thereby revealing account owners, the company said.
Twitter said it did not know how many users may have been affected, and stressed that no passwords were exposed.
“We can confirm the impact was global,” a Twitter spokesperson said via email. “We cannot determine exactly how many accounts were impacted or the location of the account holders.”
Twitter’s acknowledgment in a blog post Friday followed a report last month by the digital privacy advocacy group Restore Privacy detailing how data presumably obtained from the vulnerability was being sold on a popular hacking forum for $30,000.
A security researcher discovered the flaw in January, informed Twitter and was paid a reported $5,000 bounty. Twitter said the bug, introduced in a June 2021 software update, was immediately fixed.
Twitter said it learned about the data sale on the hacking forum from media reports and “confirmed that a bad actor had taken advantage of the issue before it was addressed.”
It said it was directly notifying all account owners that it can confirm were affected.
“We are publishing this update because we aren’t able to confirm every account that was potentially impacted, and are particularly mindful of people with pseudonymous accounts who can be targeted by state or other actors,” the company said.
It recommended users seeking to keep their identities veiled not add a publicly known phone number or email address to their Twitter account.
“If you operate a pseudonymous Twitter account, we understand the risks an incident like this can introduce and deeply regret that this happened,” it said.
The revelation of the breach comes while Twitter is in a legal battle with Tesla CEO Elon Musk over his attempt to back out from his previous offer to buy San Francisco-based Twitter for $44 billion.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/05/twitter-breach-exposed-anonymous-account-owners/ | 2022-08-05T22:59:10Z |
NEW YORK, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM) redeemable senior notes (the "Notes") between February 13, 2020 and June 23, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"), including the following senior redeemable notes issued by WM in May 2019: (i) 2.95% Senior Notes due 2024; (ii) 3.20% Senior Notes due 2026; (iii) 3.45% Senior Notes due 2029; and (iv) 4.00% Senior Notes due 2039, of the important August 8, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Waste Management Notes during the Class Period 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 Waste Management class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6891 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 August 8, 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: The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the U.S. Department of Justice had indicated to Waste Management that it would require Waste Management to divest significantly more assets than the $200 million Antitrust Revenue Threshold; (2) as a result, the merger would not be completed by the End Date; and (3) the Notes would be subject to mandatory redemption at 101% of par. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Waste Management class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6891 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.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/rosen-top-ranked-firm-encourages-waste-management-inc-investors-with-losses-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-wm/ | 2022-07-15T19:50:03Z |
Yosemite wildfire moving east into Sierra National Forest
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire that threatened a grove of California’s giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park was burning eastward into the Sierra National Forest on Wednesday.
The Washburn Fire is one of dozens of blazes chewing through drought-parched terrain in the Western U.S. It has increased in size to more than 5.8 square miles (15 square kilometers), pushing containment from 22% down to 17%.
“As the fire grew our containment went down,” said Nancy Philippe, a fire information spokesperson.
Firefighting preparations had already been underway in the national forest.
“We’ve brought in Sierra National Forest folks from the get-go, kind of anticipating that this may happen,” Philippe said.
Containment lines within the park, including along the edge of the grove, were holding, firefighting operations official Matt Ahearn said in a video briefing.
The fire had been entirely within the national park since breaking out July 7, when visitors to the Mariposa Grove of ancient sequoias reported smoke.
Authorities have not said how the fire started and whether it involved a crime or some type of accident.
Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon told a community meeting this week that it was considered a “human-start fire” because there was no lightning that day.
Philippe said a park ranger who is a trained investigator was on the scene almost immediately when the fire was reported, and a law enforcement team continues to investigate.
Philippe said she believed they had found the point of ignition, but declined to release further information, citing the active investigation.
The fire in the southern portion of Yosemite forced evacuation of hundreds of visitors and residents from the small community of Wawona, but the rest of the park has remained open to summer crowds.
One firefighter suffered a heat injury and recovered, but no structures have been damaged.
Flames mostly skirted the Mariposa Grove, though it did leave its mark on some of the trees.
The Galen Clark tree, named for the park’s first custodian, and three trees that greet visitors when they arrive at the popular destination, were partly charred but none were expected to die because their canopy didn’t burn, said Garrett Dickman, a park forest ecologist who toured the site.
Dickman credited periodic intentional burns in the undergrowth beneath the towering trees with helping the grove survive its first wildfire in more than a century.
Small, targeted fires lit over the past 50 years essentially stopped the fire in its tracks when it hit the Mariposa Grove and allowed firefighters to stand their ground and set up sprinklers to further protect the world’s largest trees, Dickman said.
“We’ve been preparing for the Washburn Fire for decades,” said Dickman, who works for the park. “It really just died as soon as it hit the grove.”
The sequoias are adapted to fire — and rely on it to survive. But more than a century of aggressive fire suppression has left forests choked with dense vegetation and downed timber that has provided fuel for massive wildfires that have grown more intense during an ongoing drought and exacerbated by climate change.
So-called prescribed burns — most recently conducted in the grove in 2018 — mimic low intensity fires that help sequoias by clearing out downed branches, flammable needles and smaller trees that could compete with them for light and water. The heat from fires also helps cones open up to spread their seeds.
While intentional burns have been conducted in sequoias since the 1960s, they are increasingly being seen as a necessity to the save the massive trees. Once thought to be almost fireproof, up to 20% of all giant sequoias — native only in the Sierra Nevada range — have been killed in the past two years during intense wildfires.
Fighting fire with fire, which is used in limited applications to reduce threats to property or landmarks, is a risky endeavor and has occasionally gotten out of control.
In New Mexico, firefighters were working Tuesday to restore mountainsides turned to ash by the largest wildfire in the state’s recorded history that broke out in early April when prescribed burns by the U.S. Forest Service escaped containment following missteps and miscalculations.
The Santa Fe County Commission in an afternoon meeting blasted federal officials and unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Forest Service to conduct a more comprehensive environmental review as it looks to reduce the threat of wildfire in the mountains that border the capital city.
So far in 2022, over 35,000 wildfires have burned nearly 4.7 million acres (1.9 million hectares) in the U.S., according to the National Interagency Fire Center, well above average for both wildfires and acres burned.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/13/yosemite-wildfire-moving-east-into-sierra-national-forest/ | 2022-07-13T20:36:14Z |
America’s faithful are bracing — some with cautionary joy and others with looming dread — for the Supreme Court to potentially overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and end the nationwide right to legal abortion.
A reversal of the 49-year-old ruling has never felt more possible since a draft opinion suggesting justices may do so was leaked this week. While religious believers at the heart of the decades-old fight over abortion are shocked at the breach of high court protocol, they are still as deeply divided and their beliefs on the contentious issue as entrenched as ever.
National polls show that most Americans support abortion access. A Public Religion Research Institute survey from March found that a majority of religious groups believe it should be legal in most cases — with the exception of white evangelical Protestants, 69% of whom said the procedure should be outlawed in most or all cases.
In conservative Christian corners, the draft opinion has sparked hope. Faith groups that have historically taken a strong anti-abortion stance, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, have urged followers to pray for Roe’s reversal.
The Rev. Manuel Rodriguez, pastor of the 17,000-strong Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic church in New York City’s Queens borough, said his mostly Latino congregation is heartened by the prospect of Roe’s demise at a time when courts in some Latin American countries such as Colombia and Argentina have moved to legalize abortion.
“You don’t fix a crime committing another crime,” Rodriguez said.
Bishop Garland R. Hunt Sr., senior pastor of The Father’s House, a nondenominational, predominantly African American church in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, agreed.
“This is the result of ongoing, necessary prayer since 1973,” Hunt said. “As a Christian, I believe that God is the one that gives life — not politicians or justices. I certainly want to see more babies protected in the womb.”
No faith is monolithic on the abortion issue. Yet many followers of faiths that don’t prohibit abortion are aghast that a view held by a minority of Americans could supersede their individual rights and religious beliefs.
In Judaism, for example, many authorities say abortion is permitted or even required in cases where the woman’s life is in danger.
“This ruling would be outlawing abortion in cases when our religion would permit us,” said Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, scholar in residence at the National Council of Jewish Women, “and it is basing its concepts of when life begins on someone else’s philosophy or theology.”
In Islam, similarly, there is room for “all aspects of reproductive choice from family planning to abortion,” said Nadiah Mohajir, co-founder of Heart Women and Girls, a Chicago nonprofit that works with Muslim communities on reproductive rights and other gender issues.
“One particular political agenda is infringing on my right and my religious and personal freedom,” she said.
According to new data released Wednesday by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, 56% of U.S. Muslims say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, a figure that’s about on par with the beliefs of U.S. Catholics.
Donna Nicolino, a student at Fire Lotus Temple, a Zen Buddhist center in Brooklyn, said her faith calls on followers to show compassion to others. Restricting or banning abortion fails to consider why women have abortions and would hurt the poor and marginalized the most, she said.
“If we truly value life as a culture,” Nicolino said, “we would take steps like guaranteeing maternal health care, health care for children, decent housing for pregnant women.”
Sikhism prohibits sex-selective killings — female infanticide — but is more nuanced when it comes to abortion and favors compassion and personal choice, said Harinder Singh, senior fellow of research and policy at Sikhri, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that creates educational resources about the faith.
A 2019 survey he co-led with research associate Jasleen Kaur found that 65% of Sikhs said abortion should be up to the woman instead of the government or faith leaders, while 77% said Sikh institutions should support those who are considering abortions.
“The surveyed Sikh community is very clear that no religious or political authority should be deciding this issue,” Singh said.
Compassion is a virtue emphasized as well by some Christian leaders who are calling on their ardently anti-abortion colleagues to lower the temperature as they speak out on the issue.
The Rev. Kirk Winslow, pastor of Canvas Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California, said he views abortion through a human and spiritual lens instead of as a political issue. Communities should turn to solutions such as counseling centers, parenting courses, health care and education, he said, instead of getting “drawn into a culture war.”
He has counseled women struggling with whether to have an abortion, and stresses the importance of empathy.
“Amidst the pain, fear and confusion of an unexpected pregnancy, no one has ever said, ‘I’m excited to get an abortion,’” Winslow said. “And there are times when getting an abortion may be the best chance we have to bring God’s peace to the situation. And I know many would disagree with that position. I would only respond that most haven’t been in my office for these very real and very difficult conversations.”
Likewise, Caitlyn Stenerson, an Evangelical Covenant Church pastor and campus minister in Minnesota’s Twin Cities area, called on faith leaders to “tread carefully,” bearing in mind that women in their pews may have had abortions for a variety of reasons and may be grieving and wrestling with trauma.
“As a pastor my job isn’t to heap more shame on people but to bring them to Jesus,” Stenerson said. “We are called to speak truth, but with love.”
Ahead of a final court ruling expected to be handed down this summer, faith leaders on both sides are preparing for the possibility of abortion becoming illegal in many states.
The Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano, senior pastor of Irvine United Congregational Church in Irvine, California, said her congregation is considering providing sanctuary and other support to women who may travel to the state to end their pregnancies. On Tuesday, the day after the draft opinion leaked, she led congregants and community members in a rally for abortion rights in nearby Santa Ana.
“Our faith calls us to be responsive to those in need,” Halverson-Cano said. “It’s time to stand with women and families and look into how to respond to this horrible injustice.”
Niklas Koehler, president of the Students for Life group at Franciscan University of Steubenville, a private Catholic college in eastern Ohio, said he and others regularly attend a special Mass on Saturday with prayers for an end to abortion. They then travel across the state line to nearby Pittsburgh to hold a prayer vigil and distribute leaflets outside an abortion clinic.
Actions like that will continue to be necessary even if the draft opinion becomes the law of the land, Koehler said, because abortion will likely remain legal in states such as Pennsylvania.
“We will still be going to pray outside the clinic,” he said.
___
Bharath reported from Los Angeles and Henao from New York. Associated Press writers Giovanna Dell’Orto in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Peter Smith in Pittsburgh contributed.
___
Associated Press religion coverage 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. | https://www.tdtnews.com/life/faith/article_7d03a946-d2c4-11ec-bc8f-3717c7adb28c.html | 2022-05-13T14:31:04Z |
ZUG, Switzerland and BOSTON, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PharmaCCX, the leading provider of innovative access agreement infrastructure software, announced today that it has completed its SOC 2® Type 1 examination. Achieving SOC 2 compliance is a significant milestone for PharmaCCX, as it demonstrates the company's commitment to the industry's highest standards for managing customer data.
By achieving SOC 2 compliance, PharmaCCX clients (payers and pharmaceutical companies) in the healthcare space will benefit from added layers of trust including security, availability, processing, integrity, confidentiality and privacy.
SOC 2 is a rigorous compliance standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that is designed to specify how organizations should manage customer data. Through the process an organization's internal controls for privacy and information security are examined, assessing compliance at a specific point in time.
To earn this report, PharmaCCX worked closely with compliance-as-a-service platform Laika, which helps companies manage information security and privacy compliance, obtain security certifications and build trust with customers.
"Our clients' data is paramount, and that commitment to security is part of PharmaCCX's DNA," said Armen Solakhyan, Chief Technology Officer at PharmaCCX. "SOC 2 report is a milestone that validates the intention we have put into designing our platform and procedures. Our client's need to trust that when they share data with us it will be handled in a safe and secure manner."
"SOC 2 compliance is table stakes for vendors that want to build credibility with clients," said Eva Pittas, founder and COO, Laika. "PharmaCCX is creating an overall culture of compliance, exemplified by their commitment to SOC 2."
PharmaCCX has already begun work with Laika on its SOC 2 Type 2 examination and ISO 27001 certifications, both of which PharmaCCX is expected to complete in the next year.
PharmaCCX is the leading provider of innovative access agreement software. Providing a configurable infrastructure that enables the scaling of creativity and complexity of access agreements with a technology platform that empowers pharmaceutical companies and payers in their access functions to prepare for, negotiate, and manage agreements. The platform empowers users to plan for and seamlessly manage an otherwise complicated process, including the administration of existing deals. PharmaCCX has a presence in Switzerland, Sweden, UK, and USA.
If you're a PharmaCCX customer looking for a copy of the SOC 2 report, please reach out to support@pharmaccx.com
Laika offers unified software and services to simplify and automate SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and other information security compliances. Grow faster, build trust, and implement scalable security practices through solutions for certification and attestation, security questionnaires, audit management, and continuous compliance monitoring.
Laika was founded by Austin Ogilvie and Sam Li, both two-time founders and Y Combinator alumni, and industry veteran Eva Pittas, who oversaw global risk and compliance functions at Citigroup for 20 years. Learn more at www.heylaika.com.
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SOURCE Laika | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/pharmaccx-completes-soc-2-type-1-report-with-laika/ | 2022-07-07T15:42:05Z |
The annual John Wooden Global Leadership Award recognizes exceptional business leaders who exemplify Coach Wooden's values
LOS ANGELES, April 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UCLA Anderson School of Management on Thursday, March 31, honored Kenneth C. Frazier, executive chairman of the board and former CEO of Merck, with the 2021 John Wooden Global Leadership Award. The award was presented at a gala dinner at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
First presented in 2008, the award is named for legendary UCLA basketball coach, author and leadership expert John Wooden (1910–2010). It is given each year to an exceptional business leader whose leadership style and service to the community reflect the high standards of performance, integrity and ethical values for which Wooden was known. The recognition was last bestowed in 2019 to Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments. Because of the pandemic, the award was not presented in 2020.
Frazier was chosen as this year's Wooden Award recipient in recognition of his business leadership, his philanthropy, his focus on innovation and his commitment to promoting racial and economic equity.
"Ken Frazier has epitomized ethical and visionary leadership throughout his career," UCLA Anderson Dean Antonio Bernardo said. "He has encouraged innovation and is a passionate champion for social justice, racial equality and financial inclusion. His emphasis on values-based leadership personifies the qualities of the John Wooden Global Leadership Award."
"We know Coach Wooden would be so proud of the two CEO icons here with us tonight — Ken Frazier who is our honoree, and Ken Chenault, who is a past honoree," said Caroline Nahas, (B.A. '70), Korn Ferry senior advisor and chair of the UCLA Anderson Board of Advisors. "They exemplify the values-based leadership that Coach stood for, both on and off the court."
At Thursday's banquet, Chenault, who is chairman and managing director of the venture capital firm General Catalyst, and former CEO and chairman of American Express, engaged Frazier in an on-stage conversation about leadership, values and the Wooden legacy. As the conversation began, Frazier noted how special it was to be in the same company as past John Wooden Global Leadership Award winners, including Chenault, who received the award in 2009.
Chenault asked Frazier about his widely-quoted idea that a corporation should have a soul. "How can a company have a soul?" Frazier asked in response. "There are two elements. The first element is purpose. Every company has a purpose: to serve society in its own unique way. These companies should be more than just vehicles for wealth creation."
His own company, he said, "exists to alleviate human suffering around the world. And the people who come to work every day really believe in that. The second element is conscience — do the company's strategies and behaviors align with its stated values?"
In accepting the award, Frazier added, "I think the most important thing for a leader is that they really believe in the core values of the company. Ultimately, you have to decide what's right for the company, not just for the short term but for the long term."
"It all comes back to Coach Wooden," Frazier said. "He taught people to care about others. It wasn't about winning, it was about teaching people how to maximize the value of their lives."
The program began with a tribute to John Wooden, which featured a trio of UCLA basketball Hall of Famers: Keith Erickson and Jamaal Wilkes (B.A. '74), who played for Coach Wooden, and Ann Meyers Drysdale (B.A. '79), who played for the Bruins women's team and whose brother David played for Coach Wooden.
"Friendship and loyalty, respect and esteem — he didn't just say it, he lived it," said Erickson. "John Wooden coached more than 200 players and he called us 'his boys.' We could not have had a better friend, a living example of his Pyramid of Success, during our formative years."
The tributes were followed by a video montage that underlined Coach Wooden's stature as a cultural icon, showing fictional characters from television shows like Billions and Ted Lasso, along with real-life coaches, including Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and the Los Angeles Rams' Sean McVay, and all referencing Wooden. In accepting the trophy after the Rams Super Bowl win in February, for example, McVay quoted a key tenet of the pyramid: "Be at your best when your best is needed — competitive greatness," he said.
Kenneth C. Frazier serves as executive chairman of Merck's board of directors, a role he began in July 2021 following his retirement from a decade-long tenure as Merck's president and chief executive officer.
Under his leadership, Merck delivered innovative, life-saving medicines and vaccines, as well as long-term sustainable value to the company's multiple stakeholders. Frazier substantially increased Merck's investment in research, including early research, while refocusing the organization on the launch and growth of key products that provide far-reaching benefits to society. He also led the formation of philanthropic and humanitarian initiatives that built on Merck's 130-year legacy.
Frazier's contributions, particularly in the legal, business and humanitarian fields, have been widely recognized. He sits on numerous boards and is co-founder and co-chair of OneTen, a coalition of leading organizations committed to upskilling, hiring and promoting one million Black Americans into family-sustaining jobs. OneTen is committed to facilitating a meaningful, measurable, and lasting impact on racial and economic justice.
As a strong advocate for social justice and economic inclusion, Frazier is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including being named one of the "World's Greatest Leaders" by Fortune magazine, as well as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People.
In a 2018 interview with Harvard Business Review, Frazier remarked on the relationship between doing good business and doing good in the community. "While a fundamental responsibility of business leaders is to create value for shareholders, I think businesses also exist to deliver value to society," he said.
Previous John Wooden Global Leadership honorees include: Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president, Ariel Investments; Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO, Netflix; W. James (Jim) McNerney Jr., retired chairman, president and CEO, The Boeing Company; Ursula Burns, former chairman and CEO, Xerox; Paul E. Jacobs, former executive chairman, Qualcomm; Robert Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company; Indra Nooyi, former CEO, PepsiCo; Peter Ueberroth, managing director, Contrarian Group, and president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee; Frederick Smith, president and CEO, FedEx; Kenneth Chenault, former chairman and CEO, American Express Company; and Howard Schultz, former chairman and CEO, Starbucks.
Net proceeds from the annual event support fellowships for UCLA Anderson students who embody Coach Wooden's leadership ideals and commitment to improving the lives of others. Each of the four 2021 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellows will receive a $35,000 fellowship:
- Uzair Alaidroos (FEMBA '23)
- Bianca Judy Choe (FEMBA '22)
- Jasson D. Crockett (EMBA '22)
- Miranda Fang ('22)
As the most successful coach in U.S. men's college basketball history, John Wooden left a legacy of leadership that transcends athletics and spans generations. As a coach, prolific author and inspiring speaker, he dedicated his life to motivating people to achieve their highest potential. Wooden instilled in others a sense of pride, a commitment to ethics and a respect for teamwork. UCLA Anderson extends these fundamental principles and Wooden's famous Pyramid of Success into the classroom through the Wooden Global Leadership Program. Learn more about the John Wooden Global Leadership Award, fellowships and UCLA Anderson School of Management:
https://bit.ly/2DFMAU4
UCLA Anderson School of Management is among the leading business schools in the world, with faculty members globally renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Located in Los Angeles, gateway to the growing economies of Latin America and Asia and a city that personifies innovation in a diverse range of endeavors, UCLA Anderson's MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, UCLA-NUS Executive MBA, Master of Financial Engineering, Master of Science in Business Analytics, doctoral and executive education programs embody the school's Think in the Next ethos. Annually, some 1,800 students are trained to be global leaders seeking the business models and community solutions of tomorrow. anderson.ucla.edu
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SOURCE UCLA Anderson School of Management | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/01/ucla-anderson-school-management-honors-merck-executive-chairman-board-former-ceo-ken-frazier/ | 2022-04-02T13:57:01Z |
AP source: NBA investigating 76ers for possible tampering
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers are being investigated by the NBA for possible tampering in offseason free-agency moves involving James Harden, P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday night. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said the team is cooperating with the investigation. Harden signed a deal worth slightly over $68 million, paying him about $33 million this season with a $35 million player option for the 2023-24 season. Harden, though, will make about $14.5 million less this coming season than he could have earned under his previous deal. ESPN reported Friday there are questions involving Harden and the Sixers having “a handshake agreement in place on a future contract.” | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/07/29/ap-source-nba-investigating-76ers-for-possible-tampering/ | 2022-07-30T08:43:16Z |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Yext, Inc. ("Yext" or the "Company") (NYSE: YEXT).
Class Period: March 4, 2021 – March 8, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 16, 2022
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Yext's revenue and earnings were significantly deteriorating because of, inter alia, poor sales execution and performance, as well as COVID-19 related disruptions; (2) accordingly, Yext was unlikely to meet consensus estimates for its full year ("FY") fiscal 2022 financial results and fiscal 2023 outlook; and (3) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/FRC_LAW.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to info@frankcruzlaw.com, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, Los Angeles | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/yext-investors-have-opportunity-lead-yext-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit/ | 2022-08-11T17:00:24Z |
More than $8 million in incremental grants to nonprofit organizations will help house thousands of veterans nationwide
ATLANTA, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 37,000 veterans estimated to be experiencing homelessness, The Home Depot Foundation has granted an additional $8 million to nonprofit partners as part of its overall commitment of half of a billion dollars to veteran causes. Individuals who have served in the U.S. military continue to be overrepresented in the homeless adult population, based on estimates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Home Depot Foundation has been actively working to combat the crisis for the past decade. These latest grants will fund construction and renovation of more than 800 housing units, short-term residential programs, supportive services and other programs aimed at bringing an end to veteran homelessness.
"Over the past decade, The Home Depot Foundation has invested over $110 million to ensure our nation's heroes are able to successfully transition out of homelessness through access to housing and supportive services," said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. "While the factors leading to the issue are complex, the mission is clear: together, we must end veteran homelessness. We're proud to partner with organizations committed to bringing this vision to life."
The Foundation has partnered with leading national nonprofit organizations to ensure our nation's heroes have access to affordable housing, including the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans, Volunteers of America, Community Solutions and Housing Assistance Council. New grants to these organizations will:
- Help thousands of veterans experiencing homelessness in major cities move into housing
- Provide for new construction and rehabilitation of permanent supportive housing units and transitional housing units
- Make more affordable housing resources and tools available
- Help low-income veterans at risk of homelessness in rural communities access affordable housing
"Volunteers of America is committed to ending veteran homelessness and preventing others from becoming homeless, and, through this grant of $1.9 million from The Home Depot Foundation, we'll be able to provide services and housing to more veterans across the nation," said Tanisha Smith, vice president of corporate partnerships for Volunteers of America. "Through emergency and transitional housing, mental health, case management, employment and mentorship services, we're committed to helping veterans overcome the barriers that stand between them and a stable, secure life."
Through the Foundation's Veteran Housing Grant program, more than $3.7 million will be distributed to nonprofits making a direct impact in their local communities. The Foundation's $1 million investment in the greater Los Angeles area will help U.S.VETS and Century Villages at Cabrillo, Inc. construct more than 200 new units of housing for low-income veterans and those experiencing homelessness. In Orlando, The Home Depot Foundation's grant will support Step Up on Second Street, Inc. with the construction of 101 units of permanent supportive housing, with 30 units reserved for veterans and their families. Additional funds have been granted to nonprofits working in Atlanta, San Francisco, Tampa, Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon, among other cities.
The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, support communities impacted by natural disasters and train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $400 million in veteran causes and improved more than 50,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest half of a billion dollars in veteran causes by 2025 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program. To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.
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SOURCE The Home Depot Foundation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/home-depot-foundation-invests-build-improve-more-than-800-housing-units-veterans-facing-homelessness/ | 2022-06-07T12:37:50Z |
Geospatial data creation company onboards new Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Technology Officer to scale and recruit for its new Utah-based headquarters
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beans.ai, a geospatial data creation company that maps complex addresses and surrounding points of interest, is hiring and expanding its executive team to meet increased demand for its precise last mile logistics technology.
Founded in 2018 by former engineers from Uber, Google, and Yahoo, who experienced the inaccuracy of mapping firsthand during a family emergency, Beans.ai details the precise locations of secondary addresses found within larger, primary address sites, like apartment complexes, condominiums, hospitals, and colleges. This sub-address-level data is made available through both geocoding and feature services, which allow users to easily search and find unit locations and semantic waypoints.
Beans. ai has grown rapidly with 500+ customers including FedEx Ground, Uber, Instacart, Verizon, Cox, Fetch Package, Lytx, Ontrac, and Optima Overnight as well as $19M in funding from Saama Capital and Google veteran Amit Singhal, with participation from Venture Highway, Mubadala Capital and industry veterans Brian McClendon and Manik Gupta, among others. Beans.ai has mapped over 70% of all hard-to-locate addresses like apartments and mobiles homes across the continental U.S. and powers over 4% of all residential deliveries in the U.S., up 100% in less than a year. To support this growth, the company hired former Podium Vice President of Sales, Nick Miller as Chief Revenue Officer. A Utah unicorn veteran, Miller also worked at Qualtrics before joining Podium where he spent six years helping the company scale from 20 to 1,400 employees.
"As a career salesperson, there's nothing more motivating than selling an innovative product and I can honestly say Beans.ai is building one of the best products I've ever encountered," said Miller. "With the largest mapping database in the U.S. and its advanced AI-driven technology, Beans.ai is disrupting the delivery industry by making that last mile easier to navigate for drivers, creating a more seamless customer experience. It's a privilege to work with an ingenious team, building a superior product that's solving an important problem in the service industry."
Additionally, Beans.ai has named Jack Yu Chief Technology Officer. Yu, who joined Beans.ai as one of the first employees in 2019, came from Uber as a staff engineer, and spent 10 years at Oracle prior. In the CTO role, Yu is working to scale the teams and systems to serve more customers, more diverse industries, and more countries. He's also leading efforts to expand ideations and experimentations with both new and old technologies, while evaluating technical partnerships to broaden collaborations.
"At Beans.ai, we aspire to use simple technologies to solve really complex problems," said Yu. "It's a joy to work with such a creative team and together, we're tackling some of the most interesting last 100 feet challenges for many companies."
In addition to his role as CRO, Miller has opened a Utah office and is currently hiring for a number of roles in various departments, including account executives, sales operations, and marketing. For more detailed information on open roles and how to apply visit beans.ai/careers.
About Beans.ai
Beans.ai is a geospatial data creation company that maps complex addresses and surrounding points of interest, including building entrances and stairwells, that prove critical in efficiently locating hard-to-find destinations. Access to Beans.ai's data precisely navigates to the secondary address's front door through a series of semantic waypoints. With over 8 million apartment units mapped, Beans.ai hosts the largest database of precise mapping locations in the United States. For additional information, please visit www.beans.ai.
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SOURCE Beans.ai | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/last-mile-logistics-leader-beansai-expands-c-suite-meet-increased-demand/ | 2022-08-23T13:47:03Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly three dozen House Democrats are pushing the administration to get tougher with Saudi Arabia, calling it a bad strategic partner after it has refused to help ease the world’s oil supply crunch during Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat and senior member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat and chairman of the Committee on Rules, led lawmakers in a letter asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a “recalibration” of the U.S.-Saudi relationship.
The Saudi Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
President Joe Biden started out his presidency freezing out the kingdom’s crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, over Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen and abuses including the killing of American-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Tight oil supply and rising oil prices that are driving inflation have led the Biden administration to try to improve its relationship with Saudi rulers since then, however.
Blinken and other U.S. diplomats and military leaders have called on Saudi officials, dialed back public criticism of Saudi imprisonment of dissidents, and emphasized U.S. defensive support for the kingdom against cross-border missile attacks on Saudi oil sites and other targets by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
There are no signs the U.S. overtures have assuaged affronted Saudi rulers, and the kingdom has refused to make the drastic increases in oil pumping that the U.S. hopes for.
The House Democrats’ letter noted the kingdom’s ongoing harsh treatment of rights advocates and the 2018 killing of Khashoggi, which the U.S. intelligence community concluded Prince Mohammed ordered.
And currently, the Democrats wrote, Saudi Arabia is doing nothing to help the West as it tries to freeze out Russia for its war in Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil and gas producer, and the conflict has worsened an already tight global oil supply.
“Instead of accepting appeals from our government to produce more oil, an initial step that would immediately lower prices for Americans across the country,” Saudi rulers are reportedly talking with China about pricing part of its oil sales in the Chinese yuan, a move that could weaken the U.S. dollar, the Democrats wrote.
“Governments that have formed genuine, ironclad alliances with the United States, forged in shared values of democratic norms and respect for human rights, have answered the call to action in the wake of unprovoked invasion. Unfortunately, our long-standing relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has not produced a similar response,” Democrats wrote.
“Saudi Arabia’s inability to stand up for international law exemplifies the short- and long-term risks associated with maintaining uncritical U.S. support for the Saudi regime,” the letter added. It asked Blinken to rebalance U.S. dealings with Saudi Arabia accordingly.
The Saudi Embassy in Washington separately said Wednesday it would provide up to $10 million in support for Ukrainian refugees.
___
Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/house-democrats-ask-biden-to-get-tougher-with-saudi-arabia/ | 2022-04-14T19:46:17Z |
Washburn Rural trio shows they’re a blessing to their community
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Teachers are signing the praises of a trio of Junior Blues who are our Good Kids this week.
Washburn Rural High School juniors Sienna Hamilton, Megan Weise and Naledi Mackenzi are a blessing to the “Bee the Blessing” box program in the Topeka area. The mini-food pantries are scattered around town, offering non-perishable foods and personal care items to anyone who might need them.
A couple weekends ago, the young ladies fanned out across the city, cleaning, repairing and repainting 40 of the boxes that went out of use or became neglected during the pandemic. The work doesn’t end there. Now that they’re good as new, the boxes need to be stocked.
School counselor Marcie Frederickson tells us the girls are planning food drives and awareness campaigns for “Bee the Blessing” to ensure the boxes are filled whenever someone needs a boost. She says they are enthusiastic about the project, and would love to have the community’s support.
People who would like to help should check the “Bee the Blessing Box” Facebook page, or email beetheblessingbox@gmail.com.
13 NEWS joins in thanking Sienna, Megan and Naledi for their great work.
Nominate a Good Kid you feel deserves the spotlight by using this form.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/07/washburn-rural-trio-shows-theyre-blessing-their-community/ | 2022-09-07T03:33:46Z |
Shareholders with $500,000 losses or more are encouraged to contact the firm.
BENSALEM, Pa., July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Upstart Holdings, Inc. ("Upstart" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: UPST).
Class Period: March 18, 2021 – May 9, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 12, 2022
Investors suffering losses on their Upstart investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) that Upstart's AI model could not adequately account for macroeconomic factors such as interest rates that impact the market-clearing price for loans; (2) that, as a result, Upstart was experiencing negative impact on its conversion rate; (3) that, as a result, the Company was reasonably likely to use its balance sheet to fund loans; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com, or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contacts
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
Howard G. Smith, Esquire
215-638-4847
888-638-4847
howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com
www.howardsmithlaw.com
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SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/upst-investors-have-opportunity-lead-upstart-holdings-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit/ | 2022-07-01T16:08:40Z |
(The Hill) — President Joe Biden responded to a heckler while delivering remarks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Monday, saying “everyone’s entitled to be an idiot.”
Biden traveled to Wisconsin on Labor Day to deliver a speech at Milwaukee Laborfest where he spoke about his support for unions and lauded Democratic legislative victories such as last year’s coronavirus relief package and bill to invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing that he signed into law last month.
At one point, someone in the audience could be heard trying to disrupt the speech.
“No, no, no, don’t – let him go. He’s, look, everybody’s entitled to be an idiot,” Biden said. It was not immediately clear what prompted the heckling or what the person was saying.
Biden also responded to protesters while delivering a prime-time speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Thursday. Hecklers shouted “F Joe Biden” and the anti-Biden phrase “Let’s go Brandon.”
“They’re entitled to be outrageous. This is a democracy,” Biden said during that speech, also saying “good manners is nothing they’ve ever suffered from.”
Biden’s stop in Wisconsin comes just two months ahead of the November midterms. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) and Democratic Senate nominee Mandela Barnes are gearing up for high-profile contests against Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) respectively. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/biden-responds-to-heckler-at-speech-everyones-entitled-to-be-an-idiot/ | 2022-09-06T19:36:56Z |
WATCH: Turtle hatchlings emerge from nest and start trek to sea
FOLLY ISLAND, S.C. (Gray News/TMX) - It’s sea turtle nesting season in South Carolina, and eggs are hatching on Folly Island, just south of Charleston.
A video shared by the Folly Beach Turtle Watch Program shows a pile of hatchlings emerging from their nest and starting their long trek to the Atlantic Ocean. A close-up shows one hatchling shuffling across the sand, inching its way toward the sea.
Wildlife officials warn the public never to disturb sea turtles crawling to or from the ocean. The baby turtles can also be confused by lights near the beach or flash photography.
All beachfront homes are required to turn off all lights that face the ocean and close blinds in oceanfront rooms after 10 p.m., according to a City of Folly Beach ordinance.
That ordinance states there is to be no artificial light illuminating any area of the beaches of the city between 10 p.m. and dawn May 1 - Oct. 31 of each year.
Anyone caught violating the ordinance is issued a $500 fine.
Folly Beach is a prime nesting location for loggerhead sea turtles from May to September.
It is believed the female turtles return to the beaches where they hatched decades earlier to lay their eggs.
While loggerheads are the most common species in South Carolina, the state also sees Kemp’s ridley, green and leatherback sea turtles.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. TMX contributed to this story. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/10/watch-turtle-hatchlings-emerge-nest-start-trek-sea/ | 2022-08-10T13:19:12Z |
NEW YORK, April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLP, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to:
Natus Medical Incorporated (NASDAQ: NTUS)'s sale to an affiliate of ArchiMed for $33.50 in cash per share. If you are a Natus Medical shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Flexible Solutions International, Inc. (NYSE: FSI)'s merger with Lygos, Inc. If you are a Flexible Solutions shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
East Stone Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: ESSC)'s merger with ICONIQ Holding Limited. If you are an East Stone shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options.
Halper Sadeh LLP may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com.
Halper Sadeh LLP represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Halper Sadeh LLP
Daniel Sadeh, Esq.
Zachary Halper, Esq.
(212) 763-0060
sadeh@halpersadeh.com
zhalper@halpersadeh.com
https://www.halpersadeh.com
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SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/18/shareholder-investigation-halper-sadeh-llp-investigates-ntus-fsi-essc/ | 2022-04-18T18:25:36Z |
--ARIKAYCE® (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension) Achieves 32% Year Over Year Growth for the First Quarter of 2022 with Total Revenue of $53.1 Million--
--Seven Clinical Trials Underway; Enrollment on Track in Brensocatib Phase 3 ASPEN Study and ARIKAYCE Post-Marketing Studies (ARISE and ENCORE)--
--Company Reiterates Revenue Guidance of at Least 30% Growth in 2022 and Cash Runway into 2024 to Support Ongoing Programs--
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Insmed Incorporated (Nasdaq:INSM), a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a business update.
"I am proud of Insmed's solid progress in the first quarter of 2022, with steady ARIKAYCE performance in three territories around the globe, advancement of seven clinical trials, including our ASPEN and ARISE/ENCORE trials, and continued development of our early-stage research programs," commented Will Lewis, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Insmed. "We ended the quarter in a position of financial strength, with a strong balance sheet and steady revenue stream. The remainder of 2022 will be a critical execution period across the four pillars of our business, and I am confident we have the ambition, determination, and talent to achieve our objectives and deliver high-impact medicines for patients in need."
Recent Pillar Highlights
ARIKAYCE
- In the first quarter of 2022, ARIKAYCE revenue grew 32% over the first quarter of 2021, reflecting steady U.S. performance and ongoing launch activities in Japan and Europe.
- Enrollment remains on track in the post-marketing confirmatory, frontline clinical trial program of ARIKAYCE in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), consisting of the ARISE and ENCORE trials. Insmed anticipates completing enrollment in ARISE in 2022 and having topline data in the first half of 2023; the Company also anticipates completing enrollment in ENCORE by the end of 2023.
- Insmed announced that it will present data at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2022 International Conference, taking place May 13-18, 2022, highlighting the reduction in hospitalizations after initiation of ARIKAYCE treatment in a retrospective cohort study of patients in real-world settings.
Brensocatib
- Enrollment remains on track in the Phase 3 ASPEN study, a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of brensocatib in patients with bronchiectasis. Insmed continues to anticipate completing enrollment in this trial in early 2023.
- A Phase 2 pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study of brensocatib in patients with cystic fibrosis is underway and Insmed continues to anticipate sharing data by early 2023.
- As previously shared, Insmed plans to develop brensocatib in two new potential indications – chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps and hidradenitis suppurativa.
- Insmed will present data at the ATS 2022 International Conference evaluating the benefit-risk profile in a post-hoc analysis of the Phase 2 WILLOW study of brensocatib in patients with bronchiectasis.
TPIP
- Insmed remains on track to share preliminary data from a small number of patients in a Phase 2a trial of treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder (TPIP) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) this year. The Phase 2a study will measure the impact of TPIP on pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) over a 24-hour period.
- Insmed is also advancing a Phase 2b study to evaluate the effect of TPIP on PVR and 6-minute walk distance over a 16-week treatment period in patients with PAH, and a Phase 2 study to assess the safety and tolerability of TPIP in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) over a 16-week treatment period.
Translational Medicine
- Insmed is advancing a translational medicine portfolio encompassing a wide range of technologies and modalities, including gene therapy, gene editing, protein deimmunization, and manufacturing capabilities. The Company anticipates filing at least one Investigational New Drug Application per year from this portfolio.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
- Total revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $53.1 million, compared to total revenue of $40.2 million for the first quarter of 2021. Total revenue for the first quarter of 2022 comprised ARIKAYCE net sales of $40.8 million in the U.S., $10.7 million in Japan, and $1.6 million in Europe and rest of world.
- Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangible assets) was $12.2 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared to $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2021.
- Research and development (R&D) expenses were $84.4 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared to $61.4 million for the first quarter of 2021.
- Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $56.7 million, compared to $51.6 million for the first quarter of 2021.
- For the first quarter of 2022, Insmed reported a net loss of $94.6 million, or $0.80 per share, compared to a net loss of $91.6 million, or $0.89 per share, for the first quarter of 2021.
Balance Sheet, Financial Guidance, and Planned Investments
As of March 31, 2022, Insmed had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $664.7 million. The Company's total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $142.9 million.
Insmed continues to expect full-year 2022 global revenues for ARIKAYCE to increase at least 30% year over year from 2021. The Company also continues to anticipate that its cash on hand will support its ongoing business into 2024.
The Company plans to continue to invest in the following key activities in 2022:
Conference Call
Insmed will host a conference call beginning today at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. Shareholders and other interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (844) 200-6205 (U.S. toll free), (646) 904-5544 (U.S. local), or +1-929-526-1599 (international) and referencing access code 388457. The call will also be webcast live on the company's website at www.insmed.com.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately 1 hour after its completion through June 4, 2022, by dialing (866) 813-9403 (U.S. toll free), (929) 458-6194 (U.S. local), or +44-204-525-0658 (international) and referencing access code 252664. A webcast of the call will also be archived for 90 days under the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.insmed.com.
About ARIKAYCE
ARIKAYCE is approved in the United States as ARIKAYCE® (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension), in Europe as ARIKAYCE® Liposomal 590 mg Nebuliser Dispersion, and in Japan as ARIKAYCE® inhalation 590 mg (amikacin sulfate inhalation drug product). Current international treatment guidelines recommend the use of ARIKAYCE for appropriate patients. ARIKAYCE is a novel, inhaled, once-daily formulation of amikacin, an established antibiotic that was historically administered intravenously and associated with severe toxicity to hearing, balance, and kidney function. Insmed's proprietary PULMOVANCE® liposomal technology enables the delivery of amikacin directly to the lungs, where liposomal amikacin is taken up by lung macrophages where the infection resides, while limiting systemic exposure. ARIKAYCE is administered once daily using the Lamira® Nebulizer System manufactured by PARI Pharma GmbH (PARI).
About PARI Pharma and the Lamira® Nebulizer System
ARIKAYCE is delivered by a novel inhalation device, the Lamira® Nebulizer System, developed by PARI. Lamira® is a quiet, portable nebulizer that enables efficient aerosolization of ARIKAYCE via a vibrating, perforated membrane. Based on PARI's 100-year history working with aerosols, PARI is dedicated to advancing inhalation therapies by developing innovative delivery platforms to improve patient care.
About Brensocatib
Brensocatib is a small molecule, oral, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1) being developed by Insmed for the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis and other neutrophil-mediated diseases. DPP1 is an enzyme responsible for activating neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), such as neutrophil elastase, in neutrophils when they are formed in the bone marrow. Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell and play an essential role in pathogen destruction and inflammatory mediation. In chronic inflammatory lung diseases, neutrophils accumulate in the airways and result in excessive active NSPs that cause lung destruction and inflammation. Brensocatib may decrease the damaging effects of inflammatory diseases such as bronchiectasis by inhibiting DPP1 and its activation of NSPs. Brensocatib is an investigational drug product that has not been approved for any indication in any jurisdiction.
About TPIP
Treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder (TPIP) is a dry powder formulation of treprostinil palmitil, a treprostinil prodrug consisting of treprostinil linked by an ester bond to a 16-carbon chain. Developed entirely in Insmed's laboratories, TPIP is a potentially highly differentiated prostanoid being evaluated for the treatment of patients with PAH, PH-ILD, and other rare and serious pulmonary disorders. TPIP is administered in a capsule-based inhalation device. TPIP is an investigational drug product that has not been approved for any indication in any jurisdiction.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR ARIKAYCE IN THE U.S.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (reported as allergic alveolitis, pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, allergic reaction to ARIKAYCE) was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (3.1%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (0%). Most patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis discontinued treatment with ARIKAYCE and received treatment with corticosteroids. If hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurs, discontinue ARIKAYCE and manage patients as medically appropriate.
Hemoptysis has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Hemoptysis was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (17.9%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (12.5%). If hemoptysis occurs, manage patients as medically appropriate.
Bronchospasm has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Bronchospasm (reported as asthma, bronchial hyperreactivity, bronchospasm, dyspnea, dyspnea exertional, prolonged expiration, throat tightness, wheezing) was reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (28.7%) compared to patients treated with a background regimen alone (10.7%). If bronchospasm occurs during the use of ARIKAYCE, treat patients as medically appropriate.
Exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease (reported as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), infective exacerbation of COPD, infective exacerbation of bronchiectasis) have been reported at a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (14.8%) compared to patients treated with background regimen alone (9.8%). If exacerbations of underlying pulmonary disease occur during the use of ARIKAYCE, treat patients as medically appropriate.
Anaphylaxis and Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious and potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported in patients taking ARIKAYCE. Signs and symptoms include acute onset of skin and mucosal tissue hypersensitivity reactions (hives, itching, flushing, swollen lips/tongue/uvula), respiratory difficulty (shortness of breath, wheezing, stridor, cough), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain), and cardiovascular signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (tachycardia, low blood pressure, syncope, incontinence, dizziness). Before therapy with ARIKAYCE is instituted, evaluate for previous hypersensitivity reactions to aminoglycosides. If anaphylaxis or a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue ARIKAYCE and institute appropriate supportive measures.
Ototoxicity has been reported with the use of ARIKAYCE in the clinical trials. Ototoxicity (including deafness, dizziness, presyncope, tinnitus, and vertigo) were reported with a higher frequency in patients treated with ARIKAYCE plus background regimen (17%) compared to patients treated with background regimen alone (9.8%). This was primarily driven by tinnitus (7.6% in ARIKAYCE plus background regimen vs 0.9% in the background regimen alone arm) and dizziness (6.3% in ARIKAYCE plus background regimen vs 2.7% in the background regimen alone arm). Closely monitor patients with known or suspected auditory or vestibular dysfunction during treatment with ARIKAYCE. If ototoxicity occurs, manage patients as medically appropriate, including potentially discontinuing ARIKAYCE.
Nephrotoxicity was observed during the clinical trials of ARIKAYCE in patients with MAC lung disease but not at a higher frequency than background regimen alone. Nephrotoxicity has been associated with the aminoglycosides. Close monitoring of patients with known or suspected renal dysfunction may be needed when prescribing ARIKAYCE.
Neuromuscular Blockade: Patients with neuromuscular disorders were not enrolled in ARIKAYCE clinical trials. Patients with known or suspected neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis, should be closely monitored since aminoglycosides may aggravate muscle weakness by blocking the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Aminoglycosides, including ARIKAYCE, may be associated with total, irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness in pediatric patients exposed in utero. Patients who use ARIKAYCE during pregnancy, or become pregnant while taking ARIKAYCE should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
Contraindications: ARIKAYCE is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any aminoglycoside.
Most Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions in Trial 1 at an incidence ≥5% for patients using ARIKAYCE plus background regimen compared to patients treated with background regimen alone were dysphonia (47% vs 1%), cough (39% vs 17%), bronchospasm (29% vs 11%), hemoptysis (18% vs 13%), ototoxicity (17% vs 10%), upper airway irritation (17% vs 2%), musculoskeletal pain (17% vs 8%), fatigue and asthenia (16% vs 10%), exacerbation of underlying pulmonary disease (15% vs 10%), diarrhea (13% vs 5%), nausea (12% vs 4%), pneumonia (10% vs 8%), headache (10% vs 5%), pyrexia (7% vs 5%), vomiting (7% vs 4%), rash (6% vs 2%), decreased weight (6% vs 1%), change in sputum (5% vs 1%), and chest discomfort (5% vs 3%).
Drug Interactions: Avoid concomitant use of ARIKAYCE with medications associated with neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and ototoxicity. Some diuretics can enhance aminoglycoside toxicity by altering aminoglycoside concentrations in serum and tissue. Avoid concomitant use of ARIKAYCE with ethacrynic acid, furosemide, urea, or intravenous mannitol.
Overdosage: Adverse reactions specifically associated with overdose of ARIKAYCE have not been identified. Acute toxicity should be treated with immediate withdrawal of ARIKAYCE, and baseline tests of renal function should be undertaken. Hemodialysis may be helpful in removing amikacin from the body. In all cases of suspected overdosage, physicians should contact the Regional Poison Control Center for information about effective treatment.
U.S. INDICATION
LIMITED POPULATION: ARIKAYCE® is indicated in adults, who have limited or no alternative treatment options, for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen in patients who do not achieve negative sputum cultures after a minimum of 6 consecutive months of a multidrug background regimen therapy. As only limited clinical safety and effectiveness data for ARIKAYCE are currently available, reserve ARIKAYCE for use in adults who have limited or no alternative treatment options. This drug is indicated for use in a limited and specific population of patients.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on achieving sputum culture conversion (defined as 3 consecutive negative monthly sputum cultures) by Month 6. Clinical benefit has not yet been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Limitation of Use: ARIKAYCE has only been studied in patients with refractory MAC lung disease defined as patients who did not achieve negative sputum cultures after a minimum of 6 consecutive months of a multidrug background regimen therapy. The use of ARIKAYCE is not recommended for patients with non-refractory MAC lung disease.
Patients are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088. You can also call the Company at 1-844-4-INSMED.
Please see Full Prescribing Information.
About Insmed
Insmed Incorporated is a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases. Insmed's first commercial product is a first-in-disease therapy approved in the United States, Europe, and Japan to treat a chronic, debilitating lung disease. The Company is also progressing a robust pipeline of investigational therapies targeting areas of serious unmet need, including neutrophil-mediated inflammatory diseases and rare pulmonary disorders. Insmed is headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, with a footprint across Europe and in Japan. For more information, visit www.insmed.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. "Forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are statements that are not historical facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words herein such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "predicts," "intends," "potential," "continues," and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) may identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon the Company's current expectations and beliefs, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements and the timing of certain events to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or timings discussed, projected, anticipated or indicated in any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following: failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, regulatory approvals for ARIKAYCE outside the U.S., Europe or Japan, or for the Company's product candidates in the U.S., Europe, Japan or other markets, including regulatory approval for the Lamira® Nebulizer System and the drug delivery device for TPIP in each market and for each usage; failure to successfully commercialize ARIKAYCE, the Company's only approved product, in the U.S., Europe or Japan (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension, Liposomal 590 mg Nebuliser Dispersion, and amikacin sulfate inhalation drug product, respectively), or to maintain U.S., European or Japanese approval for ARIKAYCE; business or economic disruptions due to catastrophes or other events, including natural disasters or public health crises; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce its spread on the Company's business, employees, including key personnel, patients, partners and suppliers; risk that brensocatib does not prove effective or safe for patients in ongoing and future clinical studies, including the ASPEN study; risk that TPIP does not prove to be effective or safe for patients in ongoing and future clinical studies; uncertainties in the degree of market acceptance of ARIKAYCE by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the healthcare community; the Company's inability to obtain full approval of ARIKAYCE from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including the risk that the Company will not successfully or in a timely manner complete the study to validate a patient reported outcome tool and the confirmatory post-marketing clinical trial required for full approval of ARIKAYCE; inability of the Company, PARI or the Company's other third-party manufacturers to comply with regulatory requirements related to ARIKAYCE or the Lamira® Nebulizer System; the Company's inability to obtain adequate reimbursement from government or third-party payors for ARIKAYCE or acceptable prices for ARIKAYCE; development of unexpected safety or efficacy concerns related to ARIKAYCE or the Company's product candidates; inaccuracies in the Company's estimates of the size of the potential markets for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, TPIP or the Company's other product candidates or in data the Company has used to identify physicians, expected rates of patient uptake, duration of expected treatment, or expected patient adherence or discontinuation rates; the Company's inability to create an effective direct sales and marketing infrastructure or to partner with third parties that offer such an infrastructure for distribution of ARIKAYCE or any of the Company's product candidates that are approved in the future; failure to obtain regulatory approval to expand ARIKAYCE's indication to a broader patient population; risk that the Company's competitors may obtain orphan drug exclusivity for a product that is essentially the same as a product the Company is developing for a particular indication; failure to successfully predict the time and cost of development, regulatory approval and commercialization for novel gene therapy products; failure to successfully conduct future clinical trials for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, TPIP and the Company's other product candidates due to the Company's limited experience in conducting preclinical development activities and clinical trials necessary for regulatory approval and its potential inability to enroll or retain sufficient patients to conduct and complete the trials or generate data necessary for regulatory approval, among other things; risks that the Company's clinical studies will be delayed or that serious side effects will be identified during drug development; failure of third parties on which the Company is dependent to manufacture sufficient quantities of ARIKAYCE or the Company's product candidates for commercial or clinical needs, to conduct the Company's clinical trials, or to comply with the Company's agreements or laws and regulations that impact the Company's business or agreements with the Company; the Company's inability to attract and retain key personnel or to effectively manage the Company's growth; the Company's inability to successfully integrate its recent acquisitions and appropriately manage the amount of management's time and attention devoted to integration activities; risks that the Company's acquired technologies, products and product candidates are not commercially successful; the Company's inability to adapt to its highly competitive and changing environment; risk that the Company is unable to maintain its significant customers; risk that government healthcare reform materially increases the Company's costs and damages its financial condition; the Company's inability to adequately protect its intellectual property rights or prevent disclosure of its trade secrets and other proprietary information and costs associated with litigation or other proceedings related to such matters; restrictions or other obligations imposed on the Company by agreements related to ARIKAYCE or the Company's product candidates, including its license agreements with PARI and AstraZeneca AB, and failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under such agreements; the cost and potential reputational damage resulting from litigation to which the Company is or may become a party, including product liability claims; risk that the Company's operations are subject to a material disruption in the event of a cybersecurity attack or issue; business disruptions or expenses related to the upgrade to the Company's enterprise resource planning system; the Company's limited experience operating internationally; changes in laws and regulations applicable to the Company's business, including any pricing reform, and failure to comply with such laws and regulations; the Company's history of operating losses, and the possibility that the Company may never achieve or maintain profitability; goodwill impairment charges affecting the Company's results of operations and financial condition; inability to repay the Company's existing indebtedness and uncertainties with respect to the Company's ability to access future capital; and delays in the execution of plans to build out an additional third-party manufacturing facility approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities and unexpected expenses associated with those plans.
The Company may not actually achieve the results, plans, intentions or expectations indicated by the Company's forward-looking statements because, 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. For additional information about the risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business, please see the factors discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and any subsequent Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any obligation, except as specifically required by law and the rules of the SEC, to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Financial Statements Follow
Contact:
Investors:
Eleanor Barisser
Associate Director, Investor Relations
Insmed
(718) 594-5332
eleanor.barisser@insmed.com
Media:
Mandy Fahey
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
Insmed
(732) 718-3621
amanda.fahey@insmed.com
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SOURCE Insmed Incorporated | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/insmed-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results-provides-business-update/ | 2022-05-05T12:10:25Z |
Former White House aides to testify at next Jan. 6 hearing
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two former White House aides are expected to testify at the House Jan. 6 committee’s prime-time hearing Thursday as the panel examines what Donald Trump was doing as his supporters broke into the Capitol, according to a person familiar with the plans.
Matthew Pottinger, former deputy national security adviser, and Sarah Matthews, a former press aide, are expected to testify, according to the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and requested anonymity. Both Pottinger and Matthews resigned immediately after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that interrupted the congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.
The two witnesses will add to the committee’s narrative in its eighth, and possibly final, hearing this summer. The prime-time hearing will detail what Trump did — or did not do — during several hours that day as his supporters beat police and broke into the Capitol.
Previous hearings have detailed chaos in the White House and aides and outsiders were begging the president to tell the rioters to leave. But he waited more than three hours to do so, and there are still many unanswered questions about what exactly he was doing and saying as the violence unfolded.
Lawmakers on the nine-member panel have said the hearing will offer the most compelling evidence yet of Trump’s “dereliction of duty” that day, with witnesses detailing his failure to stem the angry mob.
“This is going to open people’s eyes in a big way,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a member of the House committee investigating the riot who will help lead Thursday’s session, said Sunday. “The president didn’t do anything.”
Thursday’s hearing will be the first in the prime-time slot since the June 9 debut that was viewed by an estimated 20 million people.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/19/former-white-house-aides-testify-next-jan-6-hearing/ | 2022-07-19T01:12:37Z |
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers approved sweeping legislation Thursday to outlaw gender-affirming medications for transgender kids and advanced a separate measure prohibiting early classroom instruction on sexual and gender identity, a bill critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”
The Alabama House of Representatives voted 66-28 for legislation to make it a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for a doctor to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones or perform surgery to aid in the gender transition of people under age 19. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature as Alabama becomes the latest red state to promote legislation and policies aimed at trans youth. Ivey has not indicated whether she will sign it.
The topic of transgender and LGBTQ identity has become one of the GOP’s “wedge” issues aimed at securing votes because they are popular with the party’s base.
Rep. Neil Rafferty, the only openly gay member of the Alabama Legislature, appeared to struggle to hold back his anger and maintain composure as lawmakers headed to the vote.
“This is wrong,” Rafferty said. “Y’all sit there and campaign on family being the foundation of our nation … but what this bill is doing is totally undermining that. It’s totally undermining family rights, health rights and access to health care.”
Republican Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, sponsor of the House version of the bill, argued during debate Thursday morning that transgender youth are not old enough to make decisions about gender-affirming medication.
“Their brains are not developed to make the decisions long term about what these medications and surgeries do to their body,” Allen said.
Rep. Chris England, who serves as chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, said the measure targets already vulnerable children and essentially tells them they are not welcome in Alabama.
“You’re saying this is about children. It’s not. What it is about is scoring political points and using those children as collateral damage,” England said.
The bill would also require school counselors, nurses and others to tell parents if a child discloses they believe they are transgender.
A spokeswoman for Ivey did not immediately reply to a text message asking if the governor will sign the measure.
“I want the governor to know that she doesn’t have to sign this, she can veto it,” Jeff Walker, whose 15-year-old daughter, Harleigh, is transgender, said Thursday afternoon. “All you are doing is hurting Alabama families with these bills.”
Arkansas approved a similar law in 2021, but it was put on hold by the courts. Advocacy groups in Alabama have vowed to quickly challenge the measure if Ivey signs it into law.
In a written statement, Chase Strangio, deputy director for Trans Justice with the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, called the Alabama measure “the most deadly, sweeping, and hostile law targeting transgender people in the country.”
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters Thursday that the U.S. Department of Justice has warned states such laws and policies may violate the Constitution and federal law.
“Today’s vote in Alabama will only serve to harm kids,” she said.
The Alabama Senate advanced separate legislation Thursday related to public school bathrooms and discussions of gender and sexual identity in early grades.
Senators voted 26-5 to approve legislation mandating that K-12 students can only use multiperson bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with the gender on their original birth certificate, rather than their current gender identity.
Republicans in the Senate also added language similar to a law in Florida that critics called the “Don’t Say Gay”measure.
The Alabama language would “prohibit classroom instruction or discussion on sexual orientation or gender identity” for students in kindergarten through the fifth grade.
The Alabama proposal goes further than Florida’s law, which includes grades K-3. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/gender-affirming-medication-banned-for-youth-in-alabama/ | 2022-04-07T23:55:11Z |
Welcome Connect developed by Goldman Sachs, ServiceNow, and Infosys with support from Breakthrough Prize Foundation's Tech for Refugees initiative connects Americans with Ukrainians seeking refuge in the United States
New 'Be a Welcomer' campaign connects Americans with opportunities to welcome refugees, including donations of time, resources, and support
WASHINGTON D.C., June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, on World Refugee Day, Welcome.US is expanding pathways for Americans to support newcomers, including launching Welcome Connect, a first-of-its-kind platform, developed with support from Goldman Sachs, ServiceNow, Infosys, and the Breakthrough Prize Foundation's Tech for Refugees initiative. While more than 58,000 Americans have already raised their hand to sponsor Ukrainians seeking safety in the United States, there are still many more in need of refuge who have not yet been matched with a sponsor. To bridge this gap and recruit Americans to sponsor 100,000 Ukrainians, Welcome.US and its partners created Welcome Connect, a user-friendly platform to provide a safe, streamlined process for Americans looking to connect with beneficiaries and serve displaced Ukrainians in need of a sponsor but without a connection to one.
Starting June 22, Americans interested in being sponsors can sign up through Welcome Connect, where they will complete a training on sponsorship and build a profile. Beginning June 29, Ukrainians seeking refuge in the United States will be able to join the platform and once a threshold of profiles are populated for both sponsors and beneficiaries, users will be invited to connect with one another to pursue sponsorship.
Welcome.US is also inviting people across America to pledge to 'Be a Welcomer' and take action to support Ukrainian and Afghan newcomers. At the Welcome.US 'Be a Welcomer' interactive art installation in Pioneer Court in Chicago, Illinois from June 17–21, visitors can share a message of welcome for newcomers. Americans can also send a virtual postcard or recorded video message of welcome online. As one of the top 10 cities where Afghan and Ukrainian newcomers are being resettled in the United States, Chicago is a microcosm of the welcoming taking place in dozens of communities across the country. As a Welcomer, Americans can support newcomers from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and elsewhere through sponsorship or by volunteering, donating funds to the Welcome Fund to support community-based organizations and essential goods for home set-ups, or providing other resources including safe transportation or temporary housing through Welcome.US and partners.
"World Refugee Day is an opportunity to recognize the courage and resilience of the millions who are forced to flee their home country and to celebrate all who open their arms to welcome them," said Welcome.US CEO Nazanin Ash. "We need everyone to get involved, that's why we are asking Americans to pledge to be a Welcomer and take action to support those seeking safety in the United States. Through the new Welcome Connect platform, and together with our partners throughout the country, Welcome.US is inspiring and empowering people from all across America to unite in common purpose and help newcomers thrive in their new communities."
CONNECTING DISPLACED UKRAINIANS WITH AMERICAN SPONSORS
Ukrainians fleeing the war can seek refuge in the United States through the recently announced Uniting for Ukraine program. This federal program requires displaced Ukrainians to be sponsored by a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, other lawfully present individuals, non-profits, educational institutions, or an employer.
The new Welcome Connect platform brings together interested Americans and individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine who are in need of a sponsor, and initiates the sponsorship process in an accessible, efficient, and secure way. The easy-to-use site is designed to give agency to vulnerable Ukrainians and ensure that first time sponsors have a positive experience.
Welcome Connect was built with engineering leadership from Goldman Sachs, as well as extensive support from ServiceNow and Infosys, who are providing expertise and support for the initial build at no cost, including design, development, and technical support. The Breakthrough Prize Foundation's Tech for Refugees initiative will financially support the Welcome Connect platform as it scales, and ServiceNow is hosting Welcome Connect on its Now Platform at no cost. Integrations with additional platforms, including EdApp, are also currently being developed.
This solution is designed to meet the immediate needs around sponsorship for displaced Ukrainians, but can be adapted for future work related to private sponsorship for other refugee groups.
MEETING THIS HISTORIC MOMENT
This year, World Refugee Day marks an unprecedented moment as the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached 89.3 million by the end of 2021 and has now surpassed 100 million for the first time in history, according to the UN refugee agency. Spurred by the war in Ukraine, the fall of Kabul in August 2021, and other recent international conflicts, this figure represents one in every 78 people in the world that has been forced to flee their homes, which is equivalent to the 14th most populous country.
About Welcome.US
Welcome.US was founded to unite, inspire, and empower Americans to support those seeking refuge here, beginning with Afghan refugees evacuated to the United States after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Welcome.US' ultimate ambition is to grow the contributions and deep desire of everyday Americans to help newcomers into durable capacity and an enduring commitment to welcome those seeking refuge here.
In partnership with local and national resettlement agencies, community organizations and leaders, refugees, community sponsorship groups, nonprofits, businesses, faith-based institutions, veterans, universities, four former Presidents and four former First Ladies, Welcome.US is the single point of entry for Americans who want to get involved and support those who are starting new lives in the United States.
To learn more about Welcome.US, please visit welcome.us.
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SOURCE Infosys | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/world-refugee-day-welcomeus-announces-new-pathways-americans-welcome-newcomers-including-first-of-its-kind-sponsorship-platform/ | 2022-06-20T16:10:01Z |
AUSTIN, Minn., June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation, (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced Executive Vice President of Refrigerated Foods Deanna Brady is on the 2022 Top Women in Grocery list compiled each year by Progressive Grocer magazine.
Progressive Grocer's 2022 Top Women in Grocery awards program recognizes the integral role women play across all segments of the North American food retail and grocery industries. Now in its 16th year, it is the food retailing industry's longest-running program recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of thousands of women at all levels of the industry.
"I'm incredibly honored," Brady said. "I can't think of many aspects of my career that have been more rewarding than helping women in our company and in our industry live up to their potential. Being part of this year's class chosen by Progressive Grocer is a humbling experience."
Hormel Foods Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Office Jim Snee is no stranger to Brady's talent and accomplishments. The two have been colleagues for decades and have steadily risen to the highest levels of the Austin, Minn., food company.
"Deanna is a proven and accomplished businesswoman, leader, mentor and visionary, and we are so fortunate to have her," he said. "I congratulate Deanna on this recognition and continue to be inspired by her."
Under Brady's leadership, net sales for the company's Refrigerated Foods group grew to $6.4 billion in fiscal 2021, up from $5.3 billion the year prior. The largest of the four Hormel Foods segments, Refrigerated Foods includes the foodservice, deli and retail businesses, and leading brands such as Hormel® Black Label® bacon, Applegate®, Columbus®, Hormel® pepperoni and Hormel® Natural Choice®.
A graduate of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Brady has been instrumental in championing the Hormel Foods cultural beliefs, which include diversity, inclusion and belonging efforts. She is the executive sponsor for the Hormel Integrating Relevant Experiences (HIRE) employee resource group, which provides an internal network for experienced new-hires to learn about the organization and to share the knowledge they have gathered during their careers. As a registered dietitian, Brady also has led efforts within the organization to advance health, wellness and nutrition initiatives, including within the company's product portfolio. Many of these efforts led to Hormel Foods being named one of the world's top female-friendly companies by Forbes magazine.
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $11 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Justin's®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.
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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/hormel-foods-evp-deanna-brady-receives-top-women-grocery-honor/ | 2022-06-29T15:44:07Z |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Unilever PLC ("Unilever" or "the Company") (NYSE: UL) for violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investors who purchased the Company's securities between September 2, 2020 and July 21, 2021, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before August 15, 2022.
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at bschall@schallfirm.com.
The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.
According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Unilever failed to disclose the fact that in July 2020, the board of Ben & Jerry's, a Unilever subsidiary, passed a resolution to end the sales of its ice cream in what it labeled "Occupied Palestinian Territory." The Company also failed to disclose the risks associated with this decision to investors. The Company claimed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, but failed to discuss the Ben & Jerry's decision, which risked violations of laws, executive orders, or resolutions aimed at discouraging boycotts, divestment, and sanctions of Israel adopted by 35 U.S. states ("Anti-BDS Legislation"). Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Unilever, investors suffered damages.
Join the case to recover your losses.
The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
CONTACT:
The Schall Law Firm
Brian Schall, Esq.,
www.schallfirm.com
Office: 310-301-3335
info@schallfirm.com
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SOURCE The Schall Law Firm | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/deadline-today-schall-law-firm-encourages-investors-unilever-plc-with-losses-contact-firm/ | 2022-08-15T12:47:52Z |
37% revenue growth signals strong start to the year;
Aspen presented with Overdrive Award at GM's 30th Supplier of the Year ceremony;
Closed $150.0 million financing from Koch Strategic Platforms
NORTHBOROUGH, Mass., April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE: ASPN) ("Aspen" "the Company"), a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2022, which ended March 31, 2022, and discussed recent business developments.
Total revenue for the first quarter 2022 was $38.4 million, compared to $28.1 million in the first quarter last year. First quarter 2022 net loss was $19.5 million, compared to a net loss of $6.3 million in the first quarter last year. Net loss per share for the first quarter 2022 was $0.59, compared to a net loss per share of $0.22 in the first quarter last year.
Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter 2022 was $(14.7) million, compared to $(2.6) million in the first quarter last year. A reconciliation of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA to net loss is provided in the financial schedules that are part of this press release. An explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure is also included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
Q1 2022 Highlights and Recent Business Developments
- Total first quarter 2022 revenue of $38.4 million grew 37% year-over-year.
- First quarter PyroThin® thermal barrier record revenue of $7.6 million increased 41% compared to the fourth quarter 2021.
- Strengthened balance sheet with financing from Koch Strategic Platforms ("KSP") comprised of $100.0 million convertible notes and $50.0 million common stock equity.
- Raised $23.6 million through the At-the-Market ("ATM") equity offering, which went into effect March 16, 2022.
- Broke ground at the Company's second aerogel manufacturing plant ("Plant II"). The Statesboro, Georgia advanced aerogel manufacturing facility supports Aspen's thermal barrier expansion plan in the fast-growing electric vehicle ("EV") market.
- Received Overdrive Award as part of GM's 30th Annual Supplier of the Year awards (for Launch Excellence recognizing Aspen's key role in GM's Ultium battery platform thermal propagation strategy).
"Aspen is off to a strong start for the year," commented Don Young, Aspen's President and CEO. "Total first quarter revenue grew 37% year-over-year and 22% sequentially, reflecting continued penetration in the EV market and healthy energy industrial growth." Mr. Young added, "We significantly strengthened Aspen's balance sheet during the quarter, with financings comprised of a $150.0 million follow-on investment from KSP and $23.6 million raised through our ATM equity offering. These investments increase the financial resources we have available to capitalize on significant opportunities in our commercial markets and give us improved flexibility with regard to the timing of future capital raises to support our planned growth. We will maintain a multi-faceted efficient approach to raising capital, including the potential utilization of public offerings, strategic financings, government supported financing vehicles, and debt, where appropriate."
2022 Financial Outlook
Aspen's 2022 full year outlook remains unchanged.
- Total revenue is expected to range between $145.0 million and $155.0 million
- Net loss is expected to range between $66.7 million and $70.7 million
- Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range between $(42.0) million and $(46.0) million
- Net loss per share is expected to range between $1.88 and $1.99
The Company's 2022 outlook assumes depreciation and amortization of $9.7 million, stock-based compensation expense of $8.2 million, interest expense of $6.8 million and weighted average shares outstanding of 34.2 million for the full year.
Mr. Young noted, "Our growth targets remain unchanged for a doubling of revenue from 2021 to 2023 and tripling revenue from 2023 to 2025 to approximately $720 million. We are increasing our investment levels throughout the year to keep pace with the size and intensity of growth within our PyroThin thermal barrier business. These investments are focusing on Plant II; a high-volume fabrication operation in Mexico; and enhancing the technical, commercial and operational teams that support our thermal barrier business. Leveraging higher volumes, coupled with the impact of these investments, advances our path to profitability and sets the stage for strong revenue and profit growth through the decade."
A reconciliation of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for the 2022 financial outlook is provided in the financial schedules that are part of this press release. An explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure is also included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
Aspen Aerogels may incur charges, realize gains or losses, incur financing costs or interest expense, or experience other events in 2022, including those related to the planned capacity expansion, that could cause actual results to vary materially from this outlook.
Conference Call Notification
A conference call with Aspen management to discuss first quarter 2022 results and recent business developments will be held at 8:30 am ET on April 28, 2022. During the call, management will respond to questions concerning, but not limited to, Aspen's financial performance, business conditions, and financial outlook. Management's discussion and responses could contain information that has not been previously disclosed. Shareholders and other interested parties may call (844) 200-6205 (domestic) or (929) 526-1599 (international) and reference conference ID "313156" to participate in the conference call. In addition, the conference call and an accompanying slide presentation will be available live as a listen-only webcast hosted at the Investors section of Aspen's website, www.aerogel.com. Following the live event, an archived version of the webcast will be available on Aspen's website for convenient on-demand replay for at least a year. A copy of this press release is posted in the Investors section on Aspen's website.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to providing financial measurements based on generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"), Aspen provides additional financial metrics that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP ("non-GAAP"). The non-GAAP financial measure included in this press release is Adjusted EBITDA. Management uses non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as a measure of operating performance because the non-GAAP financial measures do not include the impact of items that management does not consider indicative of Aspen's core operating performance. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA (i) for planning purposes, including the preparation of Aspen's annual operating budget, (ii) to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of its business, and (iii) as a performance measure under its bonus plan.
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect Aspen's ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in its business, as they exclude expenses and gains not reflective of Aspen's ongoing operating results or that may be infrequent and/or unusual in nature. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating Aspen's operating results and future prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
The non-GAAP financial measures do not replace the presentation of Aspen's GAAP financial results and should only be used as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, Aspen's financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. In this press release, Aspen has provided a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Management strongly encourages investors to review Aspen's financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.
About Aspen Aerogels, Inc.
Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability. The company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, e-mobility and clean energy. Aspen's PyroThin® products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle market. The company's carbon aerogel program seeks to increase the performance of lithium-ion battery cells to enable EV manufacturers to extend the driving range and reduce the cost of electric vehicles. Aspen's Spaceloft® products provide building owners with industry-leading energy efficiency and fire safety. The company's Cryogel® and Pyrogel® products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its Aerogel Technology Platform™ into additional high-value markets. Headquartered in Northborough, Mass., Aspen manufactures its products at its East Providence, R.I. facilities. For more information, please visit www.aerogel.com.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release and any related discussion contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including statements relating to Aspen's 2022 financial outlook. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Aspen's current expectations, estimates and projections regarding Aspen's business, operations and other factors relating thereto, including with respect to Aspen's 2022 financial outlook. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook," "assumes," "targets," "opportunity," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, Aspen's expectations about capacity, revenue, backlog, costs, expenses, profitability, cash flow, gross profit, gross margin, operating margin, net loss, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and related decreases, improvements, timing, variability or trends; beliefs about the general strength, weakness or health of Aspen's business; beliefs about current or future trends in the energy, energy infrastructure, chemical and refinery, LNG, sustainable building materials, EV thermal barrier, EV battery materials or other markets and the impact of these trends on Aspen's business; beliefs about the strength, effectiveness, productivity, costs, profitability or other fundamentals of Aspen's business; beliefs about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Aspen's operating performance; beliefs about Aspen's strategic initiatives and implementation; beliefs about Aspen's investments in the electric vehicle market and aerogel technology platform; beliefs about the potential to develop new business opportunities from the innovation behind Aspen's Aerogel Technology Platform™; beliefs about the commercial potential of new aerogel products, technologies, businesses and partnerships; beliefs about the role of Aspen's technology and opportunities in the electric vehicle market; beliefs about Aspen's ability to provide and deliver products and services to electric vehicle customers; beliefs about content per vehicle, revenue, costs, expenses, profitability, investments or cash flow associated with Aspen's electric vehicle opportunities, including the EV thermal barrier business; beliefs about doubling EV thermal barrier revenue in 2023 and tripling EV thermal barrier revenue in 2025, beliefs about the revenue growth through the decade, beliefs about the performance of PyroThin® including its ability to mitigate the propagation of thermal runaway in electric vehicles; beliefs about Aspen's ability to expand the market for PyroThin, to achieve design wins, to commence shipments of production parts, and to become an industry standard solution for thermal runaway management; beliefs about Aspen's thermal barrier design, prototype, quoting and fabrication activities; beliefs about Aspen's ability to deliver broader solutions to enhance electric vehicle battery performance and safety; beliefs about Aspen's ability to develop and commercialize carbon aerogel battery materials in the lithium-ion or solid state battery markets; beliefs about Aspen's automated thermal barrier fabrication capability; beliefs about the expansion of Aspen's silica aerogel blanket manufacturing capacity in Bulloch County, Georgia, or any other location, including the timing, size, cost, capacity, job creation and operating benefits of any such expansion; beliefs about the construction of Aspen's Advanced Thermal Barrier Center; beliefs about the fabrication operations in Mexico, including timing and scope, beliefs about the expansion of Aspen's battery materials facilities or carbon aerogel capacity; beliefs about the potential of Aspen Battery Materials business, beliefs about the sufficiency of Aspen's financial resources and liquidity; beliefs about the KSP convertible note or equity financings; beliefs about Aspen's ability to timely raise the capital required to fund operating requirements, expansions of manufacturing or fabrication capacity; beliefs about Aspen's ability to execute its strategy; future operating performance on an annual or other basis; and accounting and other assumptions involved in arriving at the expectations. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcome of events, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: an inability to create new product, partnership and market opportunities; any sustained downturn in the energy industry or energy prices; any sustained downturn in the energy, energy infrastructure, chemical and refinery, LNG, sustainable building materials, EV thermal barrier, EV battery materials or other markets due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 or any other factor; any failure to sustain project-based demand in the subsea, LNG, on-shore or other markets; the right of EV thermal barrier customers to cancel contracts with Aspen at any time and without penalty; any costs, expenses, or investments incurred by Aspen in excess of projections used to develop pricing under the contracts with EV thermal barrier customers; any failure of Aspen or PyroThin to meet contractual specifications and requirements under contracts with EV thermal barrier customers; Aspen's inability to create new product, customer or market opportunities, including for PyroThin, battery performance and safety products, battery materials or for other new products developed from Aspen's aerogel technology; any disruption or inability to achieve expected capacity levels in any of our three existing production lines in East Providence, RI or the manufacturing facility in which they are located, including due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 or any other factor; any inability to expand manufacturing capacity in a second manufacturing facility in Bulloch County, Georgia or at any other location; any inability to establish or timely establish thermal barrier fabrication operations in Mexico or any other location; the failure to receive all regulatory or other approvals required to operate, maintain or expand any of Aspen's facilities; any failure of demand for Aspen's products; any failure to achieve expected price increases or average selling prices for Aspen's products; any significant increase in the cost of raw materials, utilities or any other manufacturing consumable; shortages of raw materials, utilities or any other manufacturing consumable due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 or any other factor; the failure to generate sufficient operating cash flow or to obtain significant additional capital to pursue Aspen's strategy; the failure of Aspen's products to become widely adopted; the competition Aspen faces in its business; any failure to enforce any of Aspen's patents; any failure to protect or expand Aspen's aerogel technology platform; any future finding of invalidity of any patent in any jurisdiction; any failure to generate sufficient operating cash flow or to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to pursue Aspen's new business, technology, patent enforcement, or patent defense strategy; any failure of Aspen's products to meet applicable specifications and other performance, safety, technical and delivery requirements; the general economic conditions and cyclical demands in the markets that Aspen serves; the economic, operational and political risks associated with sales and expansion of operations in foreign countries including Mexico; the loss of any direct customer, including distributors, contractors and OEMs; compliance with health and safety laws and regulations; the maintenance and development of distribution channels; and the other risk factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 1, 2022, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC. All statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. Aspen does not intend to update this information unless required by law.
Square Foot Operating Metric
We price our product and measure our product shipments in square feet.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following tables presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure included in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss)
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense and other items, which occur from time to time and which we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022:
For the 2022 full year financial outlook:
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SOURCE Aspen Aerogels, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/27/aspen-aerogels-inc-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results-recent-business-developments/ | 2022-04-27T23:18:20Z |
TAIPEI, Taiwan, R.O.C., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: ASX, TAIEX: 3711, "ASEH" or the "Company"), announces its unaudited consolidated net revenues for July 2022.
CONSOLIDATED NET REVENUES (UNAUDITED)
Pro Forma Basis**
Net revenues for ATM assembly, testing and material business are as follows:
ATM NET REVENUES (UNAUDITED)
Pro Forma Basis**
*This press release is intended to comply with Taiwan regulatory requirements.
** Pro forma basis excludes the disposed China Sites.
Safe Harbor Notice:
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although these forward-looking statements, which may include statements regarding our future results of operations, financial condition or business prospects, are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify these forward-looking statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and our actual results of operations, financial condition or business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements for reasons including, among others, risks associated with cyclicality and market conditions in the semiconductor or electronic industry; changes in our regulatory environment, including our ability to comply with new or stricter environmental regulations and to resolve environmental liabilities; demand for the outsourced semiconductor packaging, testing and electronic manufacturing services we offer and for such outsourced services generally; the highly competitive semiconductor or manufacturing industry we are involved in; our ability to introduce new technologies in order to remain competitive; international business activities; our business strategy; our future expansion plans and capital expenditures; the strained relationship between the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China; general economic and political conditions; the recent shift in United States trade policies; possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural or human-induced disasters; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and other factors. For a discussion of these risks and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2021 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on March 29, 2022.
Investor Relations Contact:
ir@aseglobal.com
Tel: +886.2.6636.5678
http://www.aseglobal.com
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SOURCE ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/ase-technology-holding-co-ltd-announces-monthly-net-revenues/ | 2022-08-09T08:22:16Z |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I have diabetes and wanted to create an improved supplement to help treat it at home," said an inventor, from Grand Prairie, Texas, "so I invented the SOOTHE-THE-BURN. My design would be easy to swallow and it would offer a natural way to optimize health."
The invention provides a holistic supplement for treating various ailments such as diabetes. In doing so, it eliminates the struggle and taste associated with consuming liquid olive oil. As a result, it could provide added health benefits and it offers an alternative to taking manmade supplements. The invention features a novel and all-natural formula that is easy to consume so it is ideal for health-conscious individuals. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Dallas sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-DAL-206, 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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/inventhelp-inventor-develops-new-olive-oil-supplement-dal-206/ | 2022-09-12T16:48:38Z |
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro made official his bid to run for reelection in October, giving him three months to close a double-digit gap to secure victory.
The Liberal Party’s formal approval of Bolsonaro’s candidacy took place at its convention Sunday in a Rio de Janeiro stadium. Support was widely expected and merely symbolic, given that the far-right president has effectively been campaigning for months, crisscrossing the country to drum up support and remind voters why they shouldn’t back his nemesis, leftist former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“We don’t need another ideology that hasn’t worked anywhere else in the world. We need to improve what we have,” Bolsonaro said on stage, surrounded by ministers, former ministers, family and other allies. “Our life wasn’t easy, but one thing comforts me isn’t seeing a communist sitting in that chair of mine.”
Bolsonaro has sought to characterize the upcoming race as a battle between good and evil, echoing his 2018 campaign that presented him as an outsider crusading to restore law, order and conservative values to a wayward nation. He joined the centrist Liberal Party in November after failing to found his own party.
People snaked through lines to enter the stadium, where the campaign jingle “Captain of the People” played repeatedly. Cheering supporters were decked out in the green-and-yellow national colors, though there were dozens of empty seats in the stadium, which has capacity of about 13,600.
Several supporters of the president told The Associated Press that if Bolsonaro doesn’t win a second term, Brazil will follow the catastrophic lead of Venezuela. And many spoke about how they don’t trust polls that show Bolsonaro trailing, and fully expect him to win.
Alexandre Carlos, 52, said he came to the convention to support Bolsonaro’s quest to make Brazil better, and that the president didn’t waver in his first term.
“It’s good versus evil and we’re in favor of the good,” Carlos said. “Bolsonaro is the only hope we have now to save the country.”
Da Silva, leads all polls to return to his former job — as he had in 2018 until his removal from that race due to a corruption conviction. That enabled Bolsonaro, then a seven-term fringe lawmaker, to cruise to victory. Da Silva’s conviction was annulled last year by the Supreme Court that ruled the judge overseeing the probe had been biased and colluded with prosecutors.
Bolsonaro faces an uphill battle. His approval ratings have recovered only slightly since declining during the pandemic. A congressional investigation last year recommended he and administration officials face criminal indictments for actions and omissions related to the world’s second highest death toll from the disease.
The latest survey by pollster Datafolha, in June, found more than half of respondents said they wouldn’t vote for him under any circumstance. And 47% of respondents said they plan to vote for da Silva, versus 28% for Bolsonaro, according to the poll, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Political analysts expect the race to tighten somewhat in coming months.
Bolsonaro’s administration recently limited interstate taxes to reduce gasoline prices for consumers — an effort aided by falling global oil prices — and approved an increased social welfare program that will begin next month and run through year-end. Bolsonaro announced Sunday that, if elected, the program will be extended into 2023.
The unemployment rate has also dipped below double digits for the first time since 2016, and economic prospects for this year have climbed steadily. Analysts surveyed by the central bank expect 1.75% growth, more than triple the level they forecast in April.
“The cumulative impact of a better economy, relief on inflation in July, and a larger cash transfer stipend does move the needle somewhat on the election. But not tremendously,” Christopher Garman, Americas managing director for political risk consultancy Eurasia Group wrote in a July 19 note, forecasting the race will ultimately tighten to single digits.
The welfare program will provide a limited bump for Bolsonaro because the social class benefiting is more favorable to da Silva, according to Esther Solano, sociologist at the Federal University of Sao Paulo who has conducted targeted polling of potential Bolsonaro voters.
“There is a very strong attachment of this popular base to Lula. He is recognized as a political leader who actually cared about that base,” Solano said.
Bolsonaro is particularly struggling to draw support from female voters, and looking to his wife, an evangelical Christian, for help. Michelle Bolsonaro took the stage Sunday and delivered a speech full of biblical passages, at one point referring to her husband as “God’s chosen one.”
To help burnish his appeal among women, allies had encouraged him to tap his former agriculture minister, Tereza Cristina, as his vice president. Instead, Bolsonaro chose a fellow military man, Gen. Walter Braga Netto, who served as a special adviser.
With the possibility of a loss looming, Bolsonaro has insisted that the electronic voting system used since 1996 is susceptible to fraud, though never presented any evidence. Many political analysts have expressed fear that Bolsonaro — an outspoken admirer of Donald Trump — is preparing to follow the former U.S. president’s lead and reject results.
His unsubstantiated claims have been roundly dismissed, most recently after he called dozens of diplomats to the presidential palace to hold forth on the subject. Associations of prosecutors, judges and Federal Police expressed their faith in the current system, as did members of the Supreme Court and electoral authority, lawmakers include the Senate’s president, and the U.S. State Department.
Bolsonaro made no direct mention of the matter in his speech on Sunday.
Standing outside the stadium, Marcelo Cunha, 57, said he isn’t a Bolsonaro fanatic, but that the president is the only one who can prevent da Silva’s return to power, which he said would be “terrible.”
“It hasn’t been a government of great achievements, but I was OK with what was done,” Cunha said. “For me, it is the best option at the moment.”
___ Álvares reported from Brasilia. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/bolsonaro-kicks-off-presidential-bid-at-party-convention/ | 2022-07-24T19:31:36Z |
Organic Beverage Brand Ranks No. 216 Overall and Top Ten of America's Fastest-Growing Food and Beverage Companies
NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Inc. revealed that Tractor Beverage Company is No. 216 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment—its independent businesses. One of North America's fastest growing beverage brands and the world's first and only Certified Organic, Non-GMO total beverage solution for the foodservice industry, Tractor joins the ranks of other well-known names including Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, and Patagonia which gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
"We're thrilled to be part of the 2022 Inc. 5000 and delighted to land in the top ten of America's fastest growing food and beverage companies," said Kevin Sherman, Tractor Beverage CEO. "We are also incredibly grateful to our partners, from seed all the way to sip, who make it possible for us to source more organic materials and provide cleaner drinks to the world. It is because of our collective commitment that we can truly live into our mission of making the world a cleaner, healthier place one drink at a time."
The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Among the top 500, the average median three-year revenue growth rate soared to 2,144 percent. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, which will be available on August 23.
"The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated," says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today."
Tractor's offerings are Certified Organic, non-GMO, all-natural, and contain no preservatives, artificial flavors, or corn syrups. With less sugar and calories than traditional soda, Tractor serves as a powerful differentiator for eateries looking to attract a new generation of consumers and offers them a full line-up of beverage solutions. The coronavirus pandemic has led to surging demand for organic and sustainable foods, particularly among younger demographics, according to a report from Ecovia Intelligence. The Gen Z consumer has shown a preference for healthy eating, including clean beverages and better for you options that are free of additives. Restaurant operators are seeing the rapid shift in tastes and preferences and recognize that Tractor is there with a total "better for you" clean label solution, from organic agua frescas, organic frozen slushies, organic premium craft sodas and mixology.
"From the start, it's been our goal to be a catalyst for a more accessible and sustainable food system," said Kevin Sherman. "We believe business is one of the most powerful levers for meaningful change, and we're excited to lead the charge for better beverages!"
About Tractor Beverage Company
Founded with a mission to create better beverages for all, Tractor Beverage Company is the first and only Certified Organic, Non-GMO full line beverage solution for foodservice. Tractor's handcrafted drinks feature clean ingredients that deliver on taste, functionality and an innovative consumer experience. Tractor's vision is to use its beverage platform to expand organic farm practices—and, in turn, lead the way to a more sustainable and flourishing future for restaurants, consumers, and farmers. Tractor was named to Fast Company's prestigious annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies in 2021. For more information, please visit drinktractor.com or follow along on Instagram at @drinktractor.
Contact:
Chrystie Heimert, 802-338-2556
Chrystie@drinktractor.com
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SOURCE Tractor Beverage Co | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/tractor-beverage-company-makes-2022-inc-5000-by-making-drinks-feel-good-about/ | 2022-08-16T12:41:19Z |
Menogan brings decades of public company leadership experience to one of the world's leading franchisors in the real estate industry
DENVER, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RMAX), parent company of RE/MAX, one of the world's leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, and Motto Mortgage, the first and only national mortgage brokerage franchise brand in the U.S., today announced that its stockholders elected Annita M. Menogan to its Board of Directors at the Company's annual meeting of stockholders on June 1, 2022. Stockholders also voted to re-elect Dave Liniger, Steve Joyce, and Teresa Van De Bogart to the Board.
"RE/MAX Holdings remains focused on growth, and Annita's track record of driving business strategies for transformational enterprise growth and global scale makes her a perfect addition to the talented, committed individuals who make up our Board of Directors," said Dave Liniger, Chairman of the Board & RE/MAX Co-Founder. "Her deep expertise in legal and governance matters should be tremendously valuable to the Board, the company, and its stockholders."
Currently, Menogan is a board member of Children's Hospital Colorado, a $1.5B top-10 nationally ranked children's hospital. There, she serves on the Compliance and Business Ethics Committee, which oversees internal audit, cybersecurity, privacy, hospital and physician regulatory compliance, risk management, and licensing; the Executive Committee; and the Executive Compensation subcommittee. Menogan is also a board member of the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and is an NACD Leadership Fellow. She is chair of the Program Committee and serves on the diversity task force, working to facilitate corporate board opportunities for diverse board candidates.
Most recently, Menogan served as General Counsel of The Simply Good Foods Company and previously Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., which SMPL acquired in a SPAC transaction. Before that, she served as Chief Legal Officer of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., advising the board and management through SEC regulatory activity and litigation, strategic redirection following the 2008 recession and two resulting shareholder campaigns. Earlier in her career, she served as a senior lawyer and Vice President, Corporate Secretary at Adolph Coors Company and before that was in private practice for 16 years, representing businesses in a variety of industries.
"RE/MAX Holdings is a proven leader in the real estate franchising space," Menogan said. "I look forward to contributing to the Company's vision to be the worldwide leader in everything real estate. It's an exciting time to join the board as the Company continues to evolve."
Menogan has served on numerous civic boards, including Denver Kids, Warren Village and International Women's Foundation of Colorado, and several professional organizations, including Colorado Supreme Court lawyer oversight committees.
She holds a J.D. from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law and a B.F.A. from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
About RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RMAX) is one of the world's leading franchisors in the real estate industry, franchising real estate brokerages globally under the RE/MAX® brand, and mortgage brokerages within the U.S. under the Motto® Mortgage brand. RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. Now with more than 140,000 agents in almost 9,000 offices and a presence in more than 110 countries and territories, nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX, as measured by total residential transaction sides. Dedicated to innovation and change in the real estate industry, RE/MAX launched Motto Franchising, LLC, a ground-breaking mortgage brokerage franchisor, in 2016. Motto Mortgage has grown to over 175 offices across almost 40 states.
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SOURCE RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/remax-holdings-inc-appoints-annita-menogan-board-directors/ | 2022-06-06T21:14:23Z |
UVALDE, Texas (AP) — Two Uvalde city police officers passed up a fleeting chance to shoot a gunman outside Robb Elementary School before he went on to kill 21 people inside the school, a senior sheriff’s deputy told The New York Times.
That would mean a second missed opportunity for officers to stop Salvador Ramos before the May 24 rampage inside the school that killed 19 children and two teachers. Officials previously said that another officer, with the school district’s police, had driven past Ramos without seeing him in the school parking lot.
The unidentified Uvalde city officers, one of whom was armed with an AR-15-style rifle, said they feared hitting children playing in the line of fire outside the school, Chief Deputy Ricardo Rios of nearby Zavalla County told the newspaper.
The officers’ chance of stopping Ramos passed quickly, perhaps in seconds, Rios said.
Messages from The Associated Press to Rios and the Zavala County Sheriff’s Office have not been returned. The Zavala County sheriff’s officials responded to the shooting in support of Uvalde and Uvalde County officers.
Rios said he had shared the information with a special Test House committee investigating the school massacre.
Uvalde police officials agreed Friday to speak to the committee investigating, according to a Republican lawmaker leading the probe who had begun to publicly question why the officers were not cooperating sooner.
“Took a little bit longer than we initially had expected,” state Rep. Dustin Burrows said.
On Thursday, Burrows signaled impatience with Uvalde police, tweeting that most people had fully cooperated with their investigation “to help determine the facts” and that he didn’t understand why the city’s police force “would not want the same.” He did not say which members of the department will meet with the committee, which is set to continue questioning witnesses in Uvalde on Monday about the attack that killed 19 students and two teachers.
Uvalde police did not reply to messages seeking comment.
Weeks after one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, law enforcement officials have stopped providing updates about what they’ve learned about the shooting and the police response. Their silence comes after authorities gave conflicting and incorrect accounts in the days after the shooting, sometimes withdrawing statements hours after making them.
Officials also haven’t released records sought under public information laws to media outlets, including The Associated Press, often citing broad exemptions and the ongoing investigation. It has raised concerns about whether such records will be released, even to victims’ families.
The state House committee has interviewed more than a dozen witnesses behind closed doors so far, including state police, school staff and school district police. The list of witnesses provided by the committee so far has not included Pete Arrendondo, the Uvalde school district police chief, who has faced criticism over his actions during the attack.
Burrows defended the committee interviewing witnesses in private and not revealing their findings so far, saying its members want an accurate account before issuing a report.
“One person’s truth may be different than another person’s truth,” Burrows said Friday.
Since the shooting, Republican leaders in Texas have called for more mental health funding but not new gun restrictions. Authorities say the 18-year-old gunman used an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle. Police did not confront he gunman for more than an hour, even as anguished parents outside the school urged officers to go in. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/deputy-2-officers-had-chance-to-shoot-uvalde-school-gunman/ | 2022-06-18T17:22:43Z |
The company obtained a European Access Permit for in-vitro diagnostics devices (IVDD) authorized by the Netherlands CIBG of Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
GUANGZHOU, China, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PulmoSeekTM Lung Cancer Early Detection Assay, the non-invasive blood-based cfDNA methylation detection product developed by AnchorDx for the early diagnosis of lung cancer, recently completed the procedure for EU IVDD CE Marking, and obtained IVD reagents licensing signed and issued by the CIBG of Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the Netherlands. The license number is NL-CA002-2022-71591.
PulmoSeekTM is applicable for the benign and malignant diagnosis of people with 5-30mm pulmonary nodules. In the earlier stage of prospective clinical studies at 14 centers, the product's excellent performance was well verified in the following:
- 6-20mm size nodules subgroup, with a sensitivity of 100.0%;
- Stage I lung cancer subgroup, with a sensitivity of 97.1%;
- Solid nodules, part-solid nodules, and ground-glass nodules, with a sensitivity of 100.0%, 94.7% and 96.4%, respectively;
- In head-to-head comparison, PulmoSeekTM outperformed PET-CT, Mayo Model and Veterans Affairs Model, and will provide an innovative non-invasive detection solution for the precise management of patients with pulmonary nodules. Relevant results have been published in renowned international medical journal, The Journal of Clinical Investigation (impact factor: 14.808) in 2021.
According to GLOBOCAN 2020 data released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths (18%) with more than 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths annually worldwide. As a screening technology for lung cancer, LDCT has been widely recognized by domestic and international clinical guidelines, but the precise management of patients with pulmonary nodules after LDCT screening has also become an urgent clinical problem to be solved.
PulmoSeekTM Lung Cancer Early Detection Assay can achieve early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer through accurate diagnosis of patients with benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Currently, several of AnchorDx's products have obtained relevant IVD-related qualifications from US FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA). PulmoSeek's access permit for the EU market will further promote this innovative precision medical product to benefit more patients with pulmonary nodules around the world forthwith.
About AnchorDx
AnchorDx is a world-leading developer of cancer screening and early detection solutions based on methylation NGS technology. AnchorDx strives to revolutionize single/multi/pan-cancer early screening, detection technologies, and products. The current product pipeline encompasses more than 70% of all cancers.
CONTACT : PR@anchordx.com
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SOURCE Guangzhou AnchorDx Co., LTD | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/anchordxs-non-invasive-lung-cancer-early-diagnosis-product-pulmoseek-completes-eu-ce-marking-requirements/ | 2022-06-15T13:43:21Z |
ALBANY – Albany Utility Board Member Brenda Battle drew July’s 10 Push to Portal winners during the board's recent meeting.
The Push to Portal initiative offers Albany Utility customers the opportunity to win $100 in the form of a credit to their account, a gift card or a check. Customers who pay their bill on time and through the online portal are entered into the drawing the following month.
The July winners were:
1. Trenton Blakely
2. Wilmer Forehand
3. Richard Turner
4. Lon Jorgensen
5. Robert Matthew
6. Camille Taylor
7. Mellow Mushroom
8. Lorenzo Mullins
9. Robert Smith Jr.
10. Shemika Willingham
Interested Albany Utility customers can rewatch the Aug. 11 Utility Board meeting during which the winners were drawn at https://www.albanyga.gov/meetings.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/10-more-albany-utility-customers-100-winners/article_edad309a-1d65-11ed-86e0-8792e3052678.html | 2022-08-16T14:26:01Z |
Partners with leading provider of workforce solutions to the multifamily real estate sector
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Halifax Group ("Halifax"), a leading private equity firm that partners with management to invest in lower middle-market businesses, today announced that it has completed an investment in The Liberty Group ("Liberty" or "the Company"), a leading provider of specialty temporary staffing, executive search, and employee screening services to the multifamily residential real estate industry. Halifax partnered with Liberty's management team, led by CEO Matthew Smith, in this investment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Prior to the transaction, Liberty was a portfolio company of Merit Capital Partners and Six Pillars Partners.
The Liberty Group is one of the largest providers of temporary staffing services to the multifamily residential industry in the United States. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company currently operates in 30 markets across 23 states and prides itself on its local market expertise and longstanding relationships with the nation's leading property management companies. Its Specialty Staffing division provides high-quality candidates to fill short-term staffing needs across a variety of positions, including maintenance technicians, leasing agents, groundskeepers, porters, and others. Its Executive Search division sources and places highly skilled and experienced candidates into roles across all aspects of multifamily real estate operations and management. Liberty also offers employee screening services to clients through its Liberty Screening Services division.
Doug Hill, Senior Partner at Halifax, said, "Apartment buildings have historically been challenged by high employee turnover and seasonal swings in maintenance and leasing activity, driving demand for temporary staffing services. Continued growth in the number of apartment units will likely only exacerbate these challenges. Liberty's core temporary staffing solution allows the Company's property management clients to meet their year-round staffing needs and provide a great resident experience."
Davis Hostetter, Halifax Principal, added, "Liberty's differentiated client service approach has earned it a loyal client base that appreciates its high-touch, local presence and has resulted in annual client retention in excess of 98% among top clients. We are very excited to work with the Liberty team to help drive the Company's strategic plan."
"We are delighted to be partnering with the team at Halifax," commented Mr. Smith. "The firm is well-known for its management-first approach to investing as well as its focus on facilities services. Halifax's experience and financial resources will be invaluable as we continue to deliver on our goal of providing premium service and a superior customer experience to our valued clients."
About The Liberty Group
The Liberty Group provides temporary staffing, executive search, and employee screening services to clients in the multifamily residential real estate industry. The Company, which was founded in 1977 and is based in Houston Texas, currently operates in 30 markets across 23 states. For more information, visit www.thelibertygroup.com.
About The Halifax Group
Founded in 1999, The Halifax Group is a private equity firm that partners with managers and entrepreneurs to recapitalize and invest in lower middle-market businesses with total enterprise values generally between $100 million and $300 million. Halifax specializes in equity recapitalizations, corporate carve-outs, and management buyouts and invests across a variety of industries, including health and wellness, outsourced business services, and franchising. The firm is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and maintains an office in Raleigh, NC. For more information, please visit www.thehalifaxgroup.com.
Contact:
Lambert & Co.
Caroline Luz
203-656-2829
Cluz@lambert.com
or
Jennifer Hurson
845-507-0571
jhurson@lambert.com
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SOURCE The Halifax Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/halifax-invests-liberty-group/ | 2022-06-23T11:47:13Z |
Service Delayed: Military members and veterans lodge thousands of complaints over credit report mistakes
Inaccuracies not only blur financial futures but could also derail careers
InvestigateTV - Tiffany Ellett has lived her adult life dedicated to service. After four years in the Army as an intelligence analyst, with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, she took a new role with The American Legion, a veteran service organization.
In her position as Deputy Director for Health Policy, Ellett said she’s able to help veterans navigate the same challenges she faced while transitioning back to civilian life after living in a system where many things were handled by the military.
“We’re not trained, when you come out there’s no reverse basic training that helps you with financial literacy or medical literacy,” Ellett said.
Ellett said perhaps the biggest struggle her clients face is understanding their medical bills.
“There’s a number of things that can interfere with veterans and service members receiving their bills, and then once we get it we’re not really sure what to do with it,” she said.
Servicemembers and veterans aren’t just lost trying to learn financial and medical systems; a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) report reveals thousands of complaints claiming those systems are failing them altogether.
According to the CFPB’s Office of Veteran Affairs latest report, since 2011, service members, military families and veterans registered over 250,000 consumer complaints. In 2021 alone, 51% of those complaints were for “inaccurate information on their credit reports”.
For example, this complaint out of Florida:
“I went to the XXXX. I had insurance through the military XXXX XXXX The visit was not billed under my insurance it was billed as though I had none. Now its on my credit report. Ive disputed it’ multiple times and they refuse to drop it or try to work it out.” – CFPB Report
Jim Rice, the CFPB’s Assistant Director for the Office of Servicemember Affairs, said those mistakes can lead to significant problems.
“It really can be serious for that service member, [and] can have a negative impact on their credit rating,” Rice said.
One of the major findings of the CFPB report was the major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, were failing to respond to military members’ credit complaints.
According to the report, in 2021 there was a 71% increase in the number of complaints military members filed, indicating the credit agency did not reply within 30 days or did not resolve the issue within 30 days.
The report identified complaints from across the United States in 2021. Georgia, Washington D.C. and Nevada came in as the top areas for complaints per capita, and hundreds of complaints were lodged by service members stationed abroad.
Rice said that turnaround time on complaints was not good enough.
“The national credit reporting companies should hold themselves to the standard that they’ve agreed that they should meet,” Rice said “That is to reply within 30 days and fix that credit appropriately for that service member.”
The CFPB supervises TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian for compliance with several federal laws, including the Dodd-Frank Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
According to a statement from the bureau, the CFPB also “takes enforcement actions against entities or persons who violate the FCRA.” Relevant enforcement actions over the years can be found here:
“Transunion, Experient and Equifax, we’re going to hold them accountable for accuracy and making sure that they’re not allowing inaccurate information to flow into the system,” said John McNamara, the CFPB’s Principal Assistant Director of Markets.
Communication breakdown
Members of the military, their families, and veterans are covered by an insurance program called TRICARE. The program uses a network of VA facilities and civilian healthcare options.
According to the CFPB report, a “common way that service members accrue medical debt” is during a breakdown in the medical billing process between the private provider and TRICARE.
One complaint referenced in the report detailed a service member’s struggles with the process:
“I asked the company, [NCRC], to investigate thoroughly the [debt collector] account on my credit report because it in inaccurate. It is for a medical debt that I am not responsible for. The hospital that it would have come from had full access to our insurance information and billed by our active-duty military insurance, Tricare. The insurance paid this debt. Now, [debt collector]is trying to get double paid by us as patients as well for the hospital. This is illegal and unethical. I have asked the creditor and [NCRC] several times to remove it and have even provided evidence to w[h]ere other credit bureaus found it to be a fraudulent debt claim and remove it. [NCRC] still refused to remove it.” – CFPB REPORT
InvestigateTV reached out to the Veterans Administration and the Defense Health Agency (DHA), which operates TRICARE about billing problems affecting servicemembers’ credit.
In a statement, the VA wrote it recently changed its process on how it reports to the credit reporting agencies which yielded a “99% reduction” in unfavorable debt reports.
The DHA replied in an email that its managed care contractors are “required to have a process for documenting all inquiries and referral” to a debt collection assistance officer. The statement went on to say it received a monthly report on debt collection cases and its health care contractors neither send “accounts to debt collection nor tracks or monitors the status of cases transferred to a debt collection agency by a provider.”
The impact of inaccuracies
John McNamara worked in the debt collection industry for more than 20 years. He’s now the CFPB’s Principal Assistant Director of Markets. He said credit inaccuracies can have a significant impact.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for that information to be accurate, because big decisions are based on that information,” McNamara said.
For service members, inaccurate debt information not only hurts their chances of buying a house or a car, but it can also negatively affect their security clearance a certification that allows an individual to “have access to classified information or be assigned to a highly sensitive job.”
Credit report flags became more important in 2017 when the Department of Defense switched from a five- or ten-year check for security clearances to continuous monitoring.
“If there’s a flag on someone’s credit process, they could indicate that they’re a risk and it could influence their security clearance,” said Jim Rice.
McNamara said that can have a devastating effect.
“If it’s not addressed and it’s wrong, it can hang out there for seven years, depriving you of credit, depriving you of the place that you want to live, maybe depriving you of the job of your dreams,” McNamara said.
He said communication was key for debt collectors to reduce the number of possible inaccuracies on military members’ and veterans’ credit reports.
“For one thing, be responsive to the consumers,” McNamara said. “Double check the clients. Make sure that the information they’re getting from the clients is absolutely accurate.”
InvestigateTV reached out to the big three credit companies to ask if they were instituting changes because of the report.
TransUnion, the only company to respond, referred us to the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), a representative for the nationwide credit bureaus.
The CDIA declined our request for an interview but said in a statement “it’s committed to helping military service members and all consumers resolve any potential errors on their credit reports.” The CDIA recommends people file a dispute online if they feel their information is inaccurate or incomplete.
According to a March 2022 press release, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion released a joint statement announcing that “paid medical collection debt will no longer be included on consumer credit reports”. Also, in 2023 the three major credit bureaus will stop reporting medical collection debt below $500.
The CFPB said there are steps service members and veterans can take to protect their credit:
* Check your bills for accuracy and ask debt collectors to verify the debt by providing you with information about the collector and the bill.
* Steer clear of people charging an upfront fee. Don’t pay a person or service that promises to keep medical bills off your credit report. Those are likely scams.
The CFPB said debt collectors can contact you while trying to collect a legitimate debt, but they must comply with the laws that apply to debt collection, which include avoiding harassing or abusive calls.
If the calls persist, the CFPB said you should report them.
Jim Rice, a veteran himself, said he hopes the CFPB’s report leads to changes in the way service members and fellow veterans are treated when it comes to fixing and eliminating problems on credit reports.
“I think it’s important that people who are making the commitment that they do, to the country, get at least the things that they are owed,” he said.
Full statements
OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS A STATEMENT:
“VA recently changed the process in which we report to the Credit Reporting Agencies (CRA) which yielded a 99% reduction. In regards to medical copayment debts, VA has never reported delinquent medical copayments to the CRAs.
The VA now will only report debts that meet the following standards: the debt is classified as currently not collectible, the debt is not owed by an individual who is determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled or has reported to VA a gross household income below the applicable geographically adjusted income limits, and the outstanding debt amount is over $25. This new rule authorizes VA to reduce reporting to roughly 13 accounts per year. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2022 and put into effect March 4, 2022.”
TRICARE STATEMENT
“DHA is responsible for oversight and management of the TRICARE Managed Care Support Contracts. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) assess contractor performance against all contract requirements, including claims and customer assistance to beneficiaries with claims issues.
DHA’s debt collection support to beneficiaries is multi-pronged and includes government Beneficiary Counselor and Assistance Coordinators (BCACs) and Debt Collection Assistance Officers (DCAOs) located at Military Treatment Facilities and within the TRICARE Health Plan Division. The Managed Care Support Contractors (MCSCs), currently Humana Government Business (HGB) and Health Net Federal Services (HNFS), have internal customer service procedures for handling of debt collection inquiries. Synchronized claims and debt collection inquiry processes between DHA and the MCSCs include submission of inquiries by mail, fax or email; assignment to a DCAO; coordination with the beneficiary on any necessary actions, and, communication of final resolution by phone, mail, or email.
The TRICARE contracts include timeliness and accuracy requirements established by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and TRICARE Operations Manual for claims processing and debt collection assistance for debt collected by the government as well as providers. The MCSCs are required to have a process for documenting all inquiries and referral to a DHA DCAO. The MCSCs report monthly to DHA the number of DCAO cases received and referred. Neither MCSC sends beneficiary accounts to debt collection nor tracks or monitors the status of cases transferred to a debt collection agency by a provider.
A review of the HGB and HNFS reports found the following number of claims referred for debt collection assistance:
1. HNFS (July 2018 - April 2022): 1298 claims
2. HGB (January 2018-June 2022): 15741 claims
Claims for health care services are only reimbursable for covered benefits obtained in accordance with the applicable TRICARE plan. Beneficiaries and providers must comply with TRICARE policies for obtaining and providing care. e.g., if a referral is required to receive services, the claim is not payable if a referral was not obtained. If an Active Duty Service Member sees a private sector provider without an MTF referral (or DHA-approved Supplemental Health Care Program Waiver) and the claim is denied by the regional contractor, it is likely to get sent to collections.
There are many reasons for non-payment of a claim, e.g., lack of referral, wrong billing codes or providers not in the system. When a TRICARE claim fails to pay, MCSCs utilize internal processes (approved by DHA) to identify the problem and notify the beneficiary and/or provider(s) of the issue(s) and assist those parties in correcting or appealing the claim.
DHA and the MCSCs provide continuous beneficiary and provider education and information regarding TRICARE benefits and reimbursement to beneficiaries and providers via DHA and MCSC websites, briefings, mailings and other methods. During the COVID pandemic, the MCSCs even increased the number of virtual “non-contact” events to maintain communication and education for beneficiaries’ ad providers, including Reserve and National Guard units.
Specific to Active Duty Service member (ADSM) and TRICARE claims, DHA continues to work to clarify the rules governing ADSM private sector care and claims payment/denials - to include compliance with referral requirements (and permissible consequences) and whether or not ADSMs may avail themselves of Other Health Insurance (OHI) if such coverage is not excluded by the policy terms based on military duty status).”
CONSUMER DATA INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION STATEMENT:
“Accurate credit reporting is vital to a healthy economy and consumers—especially those serving our country in uniform. We are committed to helping military servicemembers—and all consumers—resolve any potential errors on their credit reports. We are working diligently across the financial ecosystem to make sure consumer credit reports are accurate and comprehensive.
We recommend consumers proactively monitor their credit reports so that they are more aware of what lenders may see. Our industry has taken joint action to extend the pandemic response service offering free weekly credit reports to consumers through the end of 2022. These free weekly credit reports are available from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official website authorized by federal law for this purpose.
If a consumer reviews their credit report and finds their personal information to be inaccurate or incomplete, they may file a dispute online with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The dispute process is an important tool to notify credit bureaus about any data that may have been furnished inaccurately.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/29/service-delayed-military-members-veterans-lodge-thousands-complaints-over-credit-report-mistakes/ | 2022-08-29T19:16:19Z |
CAUGHT ON CAM: Driver decides to bypass traffic on sidewalk
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Sidewalks are for pedestrians. That’s the message the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has for drivers on the Suncoast after citing a driver for this very issue.
The office opened up an investigation into dash cam footage sent to them showing a driver dangerously passing people on the sidewalk.
Last week, the Sheriff’s Office received an email from a citizen that included a dashcam video showing a dark sedan driving down the sidewalk in the 8000 block of Fruitville Rd. to avoid traffic congestion. The email stated that this vehicle had been seen driving on the sidewalk regularly during the morning rush hour.
The Patrol Bureau was notified of the issue, and a deputy was dispatched to the location Wednesday morning.
At approximately 7 a.m., the deputy witnessed what he believed to be the same dark sedan pull onto the sidewalk from Fruitville Road to avoid the backed-up traffic. The vehicle traveled down the sidewalk for a short distance before seeing the deputy and pulling back onto Fruitville Road.
As the vehicle pulled into the driveway where the deputy was parked, the car was stopped, and the driver was issued a citation for driving on the sidewalk.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/28/caught-cam-driver-decides-bypass-traffic-sidewalk/ | 2022-06-28T16:34:10Z |
Fox bites man, putting Capitol Hill on high alert
WASHINGTON (AP) — Capitol Hill has a fox problem. And that’s not the lead-in to a joke.
Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., learned firsthand Monday evening while walking to the Capitol for votes. Now he’s undergoing a series of four rabies shots out of an abundance of caution.
Bera said he felt something lunge at him from behind as he walked near one of the Senate office buildings. He turned and used his umbrella to fend off what he thought would be a small dog, but he soon realized he was tangling with a fox.
Bera said the encounter lasted about 15 seconds. A bystander yelled to alert others and the fox fled as U.S. Capitol Police officers ran up on the scene. A medical doctor, Bera looked for puncture wounds. He didn’t see evidence of any, but there was some abrasion, so he consulted the Capitol physician, who told him not to take any chances and to get treated.
He said he went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after votes for the first of a series of four shots.
“I would say it’s the most unusual day on the Hill in 10 years,” Bera said of his experience.
Of course, there were many joking references to Fox News at the Capitol on Tuesday. But the House Sergeant at Arms was serious when telling lawmakers and their staffs Tuesday afternoon that there had been multiple recent fox encounters and that the animals should not be approached.
The warning noted that there are possibly several fox dens on the Capitol grounds and that animal control personnel would be seeking to trap and locate any that they find.
In at least one case, they were successful. Capitol Police tweeted pictures of one fox safely captured in a cage.
Bera harbored no ill will toward the culprit.
“Hopefully, the animal can be relocated,” he said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/06/fox-bites-man-putting-capitol-hill-high-alert/ | 2022-04-06T05:58:42Z |
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MIND Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIND) ("MIND" or the "Company") today announced financial results for its fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and year ended January 31, 2022.
Total revenues from continuing operations for fiscal 2022 were $23.1 million compared to $21.2 million in fiscal 2021. Revenues from Marine Technology Products sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were $3.8 million compared to $8.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 and $6.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.
On an annual basis, the Company reported a net loss of $18.0 million attributable to common stockholders in fiscal 2022, or $(1.20) per share, compared to a net loss of $22.6 million attributable to common stockholders in fiscal 2021, or $(1.30) per share. The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 of approximately $5.1 million compared to a loss of $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 and a loss of $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 net loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders was $(0.43) per share compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2022 net loss per share of $(0.20) and a net loss of $(0.29) per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.
For the full year, Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was a loss of $10.6 million compared to a loss of $7.3 million in fiscal 2021. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 was a loss of approximately $4.5 million compared to a loss of $1.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 and a loss of $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, which is a non-GAAP measure, is defined and reconciled to reported net loss from continuing operations and cash provided by operating activities in the accompanying financial tables. These are the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Backlog of Marine Technology Products as of January 31, 2022, was approximately $13.1 million compared to $10.0 million at October 31, 2021 and $14.2 million at January 31, 2021.
Rob Capps, MIND's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Despite the challenges we have continued to face, including global supply chain disruptions, order delays and delivery challenges, we accomplished a great deal in fiscal 2022 and continue to see increased levels of customer interest. While our fourth quarter revenues were disappointing due to the mentioned supply chain bottlenecks and delivery delays, we saw sales grow 9% year-over-year.
"Inquiry and bidding activity remain robust. As we announced last week, we have recently received significant new orders and have other pending orders that we are highly confident in receiving. Coupled with our backlog of approximately $13.1 million as of January 31, we believe our current book of business is in excess of $23 million. This is significantly higher than we have seen historically and of course does not include numerous other prospects that we are actively pursuing. Based on these factors, we expect revenues from continuing operations in fiscal 2023 to exceed those of fiscal 2022 and we think that improvement will be seen beginning in the first quarter.
"Our balance sheet remains strong with zero debt, and our cost structure is flexible. We have taken steps recently to streamline our organization and thereby reduce our overhead structure, including eliminating two of the three highest paid positions in the Company.
"Our long-term outlook remains positive as we progress with our strategic initiatives to expand our product offerings to meet the increasing needs of the maritime market, which will underpin our future growth," continued Capps. "However, we are very much focused on near-term opportunities. The disruptions in the global supply chain obviously introduce risk and uncertainty. As always, we will proactively work to mitigate these risks as much as possible, but we do believe these issues are temporary and will be resolved in time.
"As we move into fiscal 2023, we continue to believe the positive trend for order flow will continue. Additionally, we believe the underlying market fundamentals are positive and those have contributed to the increase in order activity. The current geopolitical situation has highlighted the need for maritime security and other defense applications. Some of our recent order and bid activity is, we believe, a direct result of the European security situation. The pricing environment in the energy market is positive for our customers in that space. The trend towards renewable energy, such as wind farms, is a positive development for our marine survey customers. We plan to continue executing on our long-term strategic initiatives and position the Company to become a leading provider of innovative marine technology and products," concluded Capps.
NOTE: As has been previously disclosed, the Company is exiting the land leasing business. Accordingly, the Equipment Leasing segment has been treated as a discontinued operation, and the associated results are excluded from the Company's results from continuing operations for all periods presented. Assets and liabilities associated with the Equipment Leasing segment have been reclassified as "held for sale" in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheet.
CONFERENCE CALL
Management has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss the Company's fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and year-end results. To access the call, please dial (412) 902-0030 and ask for the MIND Technology call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Investors may also listen to the conference live on the MIND Technology website, http://mind-technology.com, by logging onto the site and clicking "Investor Relations." A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through April 28, 2022 and may be accessed by calling (201) 612-7415 and using passcode 13728499#. A webcast archive will also be available at http://mind-technology.com shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 90 days. For more information, please contact Dennard Lascar Investor Relations by email at MIND@dennardlascar.com.
ABOUT MIND TECHNOLOGY
MIND Technology, Inc. provides technology to the oceanographic, hydrographic, defense, seismic and security industries. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, MIND has a global presence with key operating locations in the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Its Seamap and Klein units, design, manufacture and sell specialized, high performance, marine sonar and seismic equipment.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements and information in this press release concerning results for the quarter and fiscal year ended January 31, 2022 may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "should," "would," "could" or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts of our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions or dispositions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reductions in our customers' capital budgets, our own capital budget, limitations on the availability of capital or higher costs of capital, volatility in commodity prices for oil and natural gas and the extent of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, unless required by law, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Certain statements and information in this press release contain non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Company management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures, provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period. Company management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the ability of investors to analyze the Company's business trends and to understand the Company's performance. In addition, the Company may utilize non-GAAP financial measures as guides in its forecasting, budgeting, and long-term planning processes and to measure operating performance for some management compensation purposes. Any analysis of non-GAAP financial measures should be used only in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliation of Backlog, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is not included in this press release due to the inherent difficulty and impracticality of quantifying certain amounts that would be required to calculate the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
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SOURCE MIND Technology, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/20/mind-technology-inc-reports-fiscal-2022-fourth-quarter-year-end-results/ | 2022-04-20T22:40:50Z |
JERUSALEM (AP) — The leaders of two parties in Israel’s outgoing government coalition announced Sunday that they would run as political partners in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The announcement by Gideon Saar and Benny Gantz was the first shift in Israel’s political landscape since the Knesset voted to dissolve itself June 30 and send the country back to the polls to elect a new parliament.
Israel will hold its fifth elections in under four years in November after the government headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett collapsed last month. The previous four elections were largely referendums on longtime leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s fitness to serve as prime minister while under indictment for corruption.
Gantz, a former army chief of staff, heads the centrist Blue and White party and serves as Israel’s defense minister. Saar is a former member of the once-dominant Likud party who broke ranks and formed his hawkish New Hope party. He is currently justice minister.
Both were key members of the alliance of eight diverse parties that joined forces last year to oust Netanyahu after 12 years in office.
Gantz said that the two parties were joining forces in order to provide voters with a strong centrist option to help end the country’s protracted political crisis.
“Today, we are laying the foundation of the next government,” he said.
Saar said the aim was to break the political deadlock and form “a broad national unity government that is not dependent upon the fringes.” He said that Gantz was best suited to lead as prime minister. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/israeli-ministers-to-run-as-partners-in-upcoming-elections/ | 2022-07-10T23:16:25Z |
Streaming live on YouTube, the best 28 riders in the world take to steep ski slopes and
compete for the crown of World Champion and a $10,000 prize purse.
RENO, Nev., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Future Motion, maker of the popular Onewheel GT and Pint X electric boards, will host its biggest and most ambitious Championship competition to date, The Race for the Rail World Championships at Sky Tavern Resort August 20th and 21st. The world's best Onewheel riders will compete against one another in a boarder-cross style competition down steep, technical trails and over demanding natural and man-made features that include an epic 'truck jump'.
Viewers can stream the Women's and Men's races live on Onewheel's YouTube channel August 20th and 21st at 4pm PT. The broadcast is professionally produced by Transition Productions, presenter of the World Surf League and the Dew Tour events.
Over 400 riders competed for a spot in the event at Western and Eastern Qualifier events earlier this summer. Now, the field of riders at the Race for the Rail has been narrowed down to just 28 riders. Races will be paired in brackets and will race boarder-cross style down challenging off-road tracks that include tight turns, drops, and even a feature built over a truck at Sky Tavern Ski Area in Reno, NV.
"This is must-watch programming," commented Onewheel's Chief Evangelist, Jack Mudd. "Onewheel is the fastest growing boardsport and these riders are constantly taking it to the next level. This year's course is absolutely insane and there are going to be some serious fireworks in the coolest sporting event you've probably never heard of."
Fans and locals are encouraged to come spectate in person at Sky Tavern on Saturday, August 20th, and Sunday, August 21st starting at 3pm both days. Drinks, food, and merchandise will be on offer and tickets are available for $20. Kids under the age of 14 are free. Tickets are available on eventbrite.
Founded in 2013, Future Motion is committed to designing and developing inspiring vehicles that include both elegant form and unprecedented function. Future Motion's products, Onewheel Pint and Onewheel+ XR, exemplify its dedication to crafting products that bridge recreation and transportation. Future Motion designs not only the Onewheel product line but also all the subsystems that power it, including custom brushless motors, power electronics and battery modules. Onewheel, which provides a riding experience similar to surfing but on paved or unpaved trails, is perfectly situated in Santa Cruz where the mountains meet the sea. Its products are protected by over 37 issued patents in the U.S. and worldwide.
CONTACT: Garin Fons 952-239-1422 garin@igtstudio.com
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SOURCE Onewheel | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/onewheels-2022-world-championship-race-promises-be-must-watch-event/ | 2022-08-18T21:00:38Z |
Prestigious International Awards Program Honors Outstanding Educational Technology Products and Companies
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw Hill, a leading global education company that partners with millions of educators, learners and professionals around the world, today announced that its ALEKS® online learning program has been selected as winner of the "Best STEM Solution for HigherEd" award in the fourth annual EdTech Breakthrough Awards. The annual awards program is conducted by EdTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies and solutions in the global educational technology market.
McGraw Hill's online learning solution ALEKS® (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is a course assistant that helps forge constructive learning paths for students—blending personalized modules with instructor-driven assignments to ensure every student always has another block to build on their knowledge base. ALEKS gives instructors the flexibility to assign homework, share curated content such as videos, review student progress and provide support anytime, anywhere.
The web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system for K-12 and Higher Education uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what topics a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS is purposefully designed to help math and chemistry educators identify instructional gaps, personalize learning paths, and track the progress of student learning and mastery.
"In the next decade, STEM jobs are projected to grow at more than two times the rate of jobs overall, but at this point there are more openings for STEM jobs than there are qualified individuals to fill them—and a significant barrier to students' pursuit of STEM degrees is a lack of preparation when transitioning from high school to college," said James Johnson, managing director, EdTech Breakthrough. "McGraw Hill's online learning solution, ALEKS, represents a true 'breakthrough' in addressing this talent and education gap, and we see this solution as playing a vital role in developing the STEM professional of the future. Unlike any other Math and Chemistry learning platforms on the market, ALEKS meets all students where they are and moves them along their own path. Congratulations to the McGraw Hill team for taking home this well-deserved 2022 EdTech Breakthrough Award for the innovative ALEKS online learning program."
The mission of the EdTech Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work and success in a range of educational technology categories, including Student Engagement, School Administration, Adaptive Learning, STEM Education, e-Learning, Career Preparation and many more. This year's program attracted more than 2,250 nominations from over 18 different countries throughout the world.
"ALEKS has helped millions of students learn math and chemistry over the years and forge unique paths to success," said Simon Allen, McGraw Hill CEO. "I congratulate our ALEKS team for winning an EdTech Breakthrough Award and for their continued drive to innovate and improve this powerful, digital platform."
McGraw Hill
McGraw Hill is a leading global education company that partners with millions of educators, learners and professionals around the world. Recognizing their diverse needs, we build trusted content, flexible tools and powerful digital platforms to help them achieve success on their own terms. Through our commitment to equity, accessibility and inclusion, we foster a culture of belonging that respects and reflects the diversity of the communities, learners and educators we serve. McGraw Hill has over 40 offices across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and makes its learning solutions for PreK-12, higher education, professionals and others available in more than 80 languages. Visit us at mheducation.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
EdTech Breakthrough
Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the EdTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in educational technology products, companies and people. The EdTech Breakthrough Awards provide a platform for public recognition around the achievements of breakthrough educational technology in categories including e-learning, student engagement, school administration, career preparation, language learning, STEM and more. For more information, visit EdTechBreakthrough.com.
Contact
Tyler Reed
McGraw Hill
(914) 512-4853
tyler.reed@mheducation.com
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SOURCE McGraw Hill | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/mcgraw-hill-aleks-recognized-stem-education-innovation-2022-edtech-breakthrough-awards-program/ | 2022-06-09T13:47:06Z |
One study highlight reveals that many parents might not understand how far behind students are academically
SALT LAKE CITY, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure, the makers of Canvas, today released its 2022 State of Teaching and Learning in K-12 research report, which provides insight into the latest trends in K-12 education. As educators move into a post-pandemic era, new educational technologies and instructional strategies have evolved teaching and learning at an unprecedented pace. However, the impact of COVID-19 is still affecting students' engagement, motivation and achievement, and the lasting impact on teachers is perhaps greater than ever before.
The study revealed that parents might not understand how far behind students are academically. A small share of parents (27%) believes their children have fallen behind significantly or majorly, whereas administrators and teachers are significantly more likely to believe so (51% and 62%, respectively). Similarly, parents don't seem to realize how much engagement has been impacted. Only half of parents (45%) say that maintaining engagement has been difficult compared to a large majority of administrators and teachers (77% and 81%, respectively.)
"The K-12 community has faced immense challenges over the span of multiple school years," said Trenton Goble, VP of K-12 Strategy at Instructure. "However, educators and students have continued moving forward, adapting to change and evolving their practices. As school districts plan for the next school year and beyond, we hope district leaders, school administrators and teachers will find the information helpful as they reflect on how best to engage students, support their schools and improve the learning journey for every student."
The research revealed six key trends that parents and educators across the country feel are important to teaching and learning in K-12 education:
1. High-quality teaching is the key ingredient to high-quality learning.
Parents want to know that when their kids are in school, they're with teachers who care about their overall wellbeing and have the knowledge and resources to support their learning.
- An overwhelming 95% of parents and educators agree that student-teacher relationships are one of the most impactful social/emotional factors on student success. There is nearly universal consensus among administrators (97%) and teachers (98%).
- Nearly all administrators and teachers agree that high-quality staff (97% and 98%, respectively) and engaging instruction (96% and 97%, respectively) have the most impact on student success.
2. Student engagement is (still) the No. 1 measure of success.
Educators continue to find student engagement (94%) and attendance (91%) are the most important metrics for measuring student success and are expected to be the most important over the next year (73% and 66%, respectively) – findings consistent with 2021 respondents. At the same time, there is a renewed focus on academic student achievement. Technology that supports engagement continues to play an important role in teaching and learning.
3. Changes need to be made in the way we approach assessment.
While teachers and students continue to feel pressure around high-stakes standardized tests, their perceived value continues to decrease. While standardized test scores remain the least important measure of student success among educators and parents, their relative importance has increased since 2021. School districts are increasingly taking a balanced approach to assessment.
- In terms of measuring student success, respondents perceive standardized test scores as the least important among 14 factors, at only 37% (up from 29% in 2021).
- For parents, standardized test scores are the least important factor when assessing their child's success at 41%, a decrease of 22% from our 2021 study (63%).
4. Both hybrid and digital teaching and learning are here to stay.
With the return to in-person learning, the continued use of technology in the classroom supports innovative pedagogical strategies that prepare students for 21st-century skills. We anticipate hybrid teaching and learning to be the new normal for schools and districts moving forward.
- Some 90% of parents, 91% of administrators and 94% of teachers agree that personalized instruction has an impact on student success. And 68% of parents believe technology is beneficial in providing access to individualized programs.
- Self-paced learning is also top of mind for many, with 84% of parents, 71% of administrators and 77% of teachers agreeing it's at least moderately impactful when it comes to success.
5. Strides are being made in achieving educational equity, but there's still work to do.
While the pandemic exposed many of the inequities in K-12 education, it also forced educators to address such inequities. Funding from the CARES and CRRSA COVID relief packages provided the funds needed to adopt technology that supports equitable learning experiences for all students.
- Funding to facilitate digital learning, (2021: 52% 2022 63%; increase of 11%) is expected to remain a top priority for future funding.
- Despite such funding, 20% of administrators and 31% of teachers still report that insufficient equipment or lack of access to devices is a top challenge or concern with technology solutions. Notably, the percentage of respondents reporting this concern decreased from 39% in 2021.
- While the majority of parents in 2021 expressed that their children received support from their district in the form of tools/devices (56%), the number dropped in 2022 to 44%.
6. Technology is no longer a "nice-to-have." It's essential to innovative K-12 pedagogy.
Technology's most important role and its principal benefits continue to be rooted in its ability to help recreate core classroom experiences like communication and high-quality instruction.
- Eighty-eight percent of respondents agree that the availability of technology has an impact on student success, while 86% believe the use of educational technology resources impacts success.
- Usage has increased for assessment management systems. Some 69% of administrators and 53% of teachers report using such a system in 2022, compared to only 41% of educators reporting the same in 2021.
- Parents assess tech to be similarly important to all aspects of the learning experience (67%-80%), but student and parent communication rank as most important (80, 79%, respectively).
Research Methodology
Instructure developed the State of Teaching and Learning in K-12 Education survey in coordination with Hanover Research. The survey was fielded in March 2022 and was cleaned and analyzed by Hanover Research. After fielding and data cleaning, the study consisted of 1,379 qualified, completed responses from 498 parents, 533 teachers and 378 school or district-level administrators. The data cut into crosstabs by role, region and district urbanicity. We performed statistical significance testing across segments with a 95% confidence level using a Z-Test with p = less than 0.05 and a margin of error +/- 1% for the overall sample size. For any questions regarding the underlying methodology or data, please contact us at studentsuccess@instructure.com.
ABOUT INSTRUCTURE
Instructure (NYSE: INST) is an education technology company dedicated to elevating student success, amplifying the power of teaching and inspiring everyone to learn together. Today the Instructure Learning Platform supports tens of millions of educators and learners around the world. Learn more at www.instructure.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the potential, timing and examples of any strategic alternatives. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results to vary from expectations. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof and Instructure undertakes no duty to update this information except as required by law.
CONTACT:
Brian Watkins
Corporate Communications
Instructure
801-610-9722
brian.watkins@instructure.com
SOURCES: Instructure, Canvas
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SOURCE Instructure | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/instructure-releases-annual-state-teaching-learning-k-12-research-that-explores-new-normal-education-us-schools/ | 2022-06-27T12:24:49Z |
SEATTLE, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With so much information being shared between home and school, it is essential that schools provide equitable school-home communications for all families. Having a consistent and efficient program in place that meets the needs and preferences of each of its members is vital in schools today. Students come into our classrooms from homes where there may be multiple languages spoken. In the United States, 13% of the population speaks Spanish at home. For students who come from Spanish-speaking homes or homes where different languages are spoken, it is essential that teachers and schools be able to keep families informed about and involved in their child's education. Without the right communication tools available, critical information will not reach families and families will not feel connected to their child's education.
With an app like Bloomz, the concern that families are missing out is cast aside because of its language functionalities. Because Bloomz offers a variety of features which focus on accessibility and fostering equitable communication, every family member is included and becomes more involved. Because of potential language barriers, having functionality such as school language translation is essential. While there are many communication apps out there, such as Class Dojo and Seesaw, that can facilitate communication from home to school, they do not offer what Bloomz does in a unified and streamlined communication platform.
Equitable school-home communications require that schools understand family needs and preferences. With more than 108 languages available, Bloomz helps to reduce any potential language barriers that may exist between schools and the families they serve. Providing two-way communication for families is essential for schools who want to foster and build family engagement and develop a more active family community with the school.
Understanding the diverse needs (languages, notification, preferences) of the families and students in our school system, will help us to provide the right space that will lead to the formation of a strong and collaborative home-to-school partnership. Promoting parental and family engagement has been shown to directly and positively impact student success, and foster a supportive home-to-school connection. Increasing engagement empowers parents and engages them closely in the learning experience of their children.
While other apps like Class Dojo may offer their services for "free," this can sometimes be a little bit misleading for schools and families. An app that is free typically does not offer as many features, especially those which promote accessibility because they come at a higher cost. However, in order to provide the most robust platform that meets the preferences and needs of all members of the school community, this is where the true value comes in.
With other communication platforms used in schools like ClassDojo or Seesaw, the cost may instead be transferred to parents which leads to inequity. Class Dojo for example, is free for teachers but the cost for premium is passed to families instead. Because of this cost issue, parents will miss out on essential and time-sensitive information from schools. Another concern is that families may miss vital information because other apps do not offer the same level of language capabilities for translation as Bloomz.
Children that come from more affluent backgrounds, have parents who become more involved in their children's education using PBIS tools and the other features, while the children of less affluent children receive less attention. Bloomz enables educators to stay connected with parents who may have limited availability for school events or meetings. It enhances the accessibility to the support and resources needed by parents, whenever they need them. Bloomz provides this and more for families.
Being able to provide families with the right information when they need it is essential. When it comes to our schools, not all families may have access to the resources that they need, particularly when it comes to languages.
Not all families speak the same language and as a result, important messages are missed. There are schools where half or more of their student population, involves a high percentage of different languages that are being spoken. Teachers may wonder how to best exchange information with families to keep them informed of student progress in class.
As an example, a friend works in a school where 70% of the students and their families that are non-native English speakers, and roughly 42 different languages are spoken. With this, finding a person to translate is time-consuming, costly and can be quite difficult depending on the language required. When communication tools have translation capabilities built into them, this helps alleviate the frustration that can come from not being able to understand a message.
Through two-way AI powered translation, Bloomz ensures that the information is received by families right from day one and in their preferred language and modality (app, email, text or voice). The original message is always available for viewing and with this capability, schools can feel more confident that the messages sent are being received, understood and accessible by all members of the school community. The auto translation feature breaks the barriers and brings non-English speaking parents into the loop.
At the school and district level, being able to provide everything that students and families need through a comprehensive program and in a manner that parents and families choose is important. Recognizing when there may be barriers that limit parental engagement, enables schools to proactively develop strategies and implement the right tool to better support families. With Bloomz, schools can be confident that when it comes to information and communication, they are fostering a culture of equity through a unified, streamlined, accessible platform.
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SOURCE Bloomz Inc | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/bloomz-provides-equitable-school-communication-with-language-translation/ | 2022-08-04T18:41:47Z |
OKLAHOMA CITY, April 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tailwind, a leading small business marketing software platform, has surpassed one million members. The growing user base relies on Tailwind for strategic marketing automation.
With deep roots in social media marketing, Tailwind is expanding its software offering to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs with a wide range of marketing tasks.
"Of course we are proud to have reached the 1 million mark," says Tailwind's Director of Customer Operations, Kevin Lorenz. "But, what really matters most to us is expanding Tailwind's impact by deepening customer relationships and providing solutions that matter to their bottom line."
The company's mission is to make world-class marketing easy for everyone.
"Helping small businesses owners achieve their goals is paramount in all we do," says Tailwind Co-Founder, Alex Topiler.
"We know how time-consuming marketing can be. It's hard enough for small business owners and teams to find time for everything they have to do to grow their businesses. Tailwind frees up valuable time while helping level-up their marketing efforts, so they can make an impact in other areas and avoid making sacrifices at work or home."
Tailwind members feel a strong sense of connection to the platform as they rely on it to accomplish an expanding set of marketing tasks.
"Tailwind is part of my team," says Sandy Dedeian, one of Tailwind's members. "Yes, it's a tool, but I consider the app part of my team because it does so many things and makes my life easier."
With an eye toward additional product offerings, Tailwind recently acquired Replier.ai. Replier uses machine learning to produce high-quality copy. Tailwind's engineering team is tackling the challenging work of incorporating a new, sophisticated AI system into the platform.
Customers appreciate the ways that Tailwind has grown and expanded its product offering.
"Tailwind has gone through a lot of iterations since I've had an account," says Christine Martell, Founder of Visuals Speak and Tailwind subscriber. "It just keeps getting better and better."
Tailwind is backed by Pilot Growth Equity.
About Tailwind:
Launched in 2015, Tailwind is a leading small business marketing platform that helps entrepreneurs, creators, sellers and marketers plan, create and execute world-class marketing campaigns across digital marketing platforms including Email marketing, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Enquiries
For additional information on Tailwind or enquiries of your involvement in future fundraising activity, please email bd@tailwindapp.com.
View original content:
SOURCE Bridesview Inc. dba Tailwind | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/22/tailwind-surpasses-1-million-users-milestone-poised-greater-growth-2022/ | 2022-04-22T19:26:43Z |
Fire, looming ruling don’t stop new Wyoming abortion clinic
By MEAD GRUVER
Associated Press
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — When organizers earlier this year settled on a summer opening for a new women’s health clinic in Wyoming, they felt upbeat about their plans even as they knew they would face opposition to what will be the only such clinic to offer abortions in the state.
There were the expected protests and harassing messages. Things got more tense after a leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that, if finalized, would likely make abortions illegal in Wyoming and half of the states.
Then last week, their building was damaged by a fire police believe was deliberately set.
None of it has derailed plans to open the clinic — a rarity in heavily Republican parts of the United States where most abortion providers at the moment are fighting just to stay in business, let alone expand services.
“We can’t be bullied into submission,” Julie Burkhart, the clinic founder, said as she watched from across the street as Casper police and firefighters investigated the blaze.
For years, Wyoming prided itself on live-and-let-live Western conservatism that took a hands-off approach to setting social policy in government, abortion included. That’s changing, however.
In March, Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, signed a bill that put Wyoming among the states that would outlaw abortion should the Supreme Court overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal nationwide. The only exceptions would be in the event of rape or incest, to save the mother’s life or to save the mother from severe, non-mental health problems.
Gordon, who’s running for re-election this year, hasn’t made abortion and other culture war issues a feature of his campaigns or time in office. But a recent rightward shift of both the Supreme Court and state Legislature has elevated abortion into an issue in Wyoming.
The planned clinic stands in stark defiance of that trend.
Its backers include Riata Little Walker, a Casper resident who recently spoke out at a rally in support of the clinic. In an interview, Little Walker described herself as pro-life until two years ago, when fetal heart and chromosomal abnormalities doctors said would likely cause her to miscarry prompted her to get an abortion five months into her pregnancy.
Had she not been able to get an abortion at a hospital in Colorado, Little Walker said she may have had to face a traumatic miscarriage at home.
“Not all aborted babies are unwanted,” Little Walker said. “This needs to be available for people when they need it, even if they wanted their baby and they have to make the hardest decision that any parent could possibly make.”
Her opinion is probably not the majority view in Casper, a working-class city of 58,000 people that is Wyoming’s second-biggest after the capital, Cheyenne.
Known as the “Oil City,” Casper has a long history as a hub of oil drilling and cattle ranching, with more recent activity in uranium mining and wind energy. The city sprawls at the base of Casper Mountain with a skyline dominated by a 180-foot (54-meter) concrete spire built in the 1960s.
After the clinic fire, one minister and clinic supporter, the Rev. Leslie Kee of the local Unitarian Universalist church, called for tolerance by all.
“All this does is fan the flames of division and fear and helplessness and sense that things are spinning out of control,” Kee said. “Somebody’s got to step up and call for calm and love and peace. That comes from the human heart.”
No one was injured in the blaze, which left the stucco house being renovated for the clinic with broken windows and smoke damage. Authorities are investigating whether the fire is linked to a person seen running away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a bag.
After surveying the damage, Burkhart said she expects the previously planned mid-June opening to be delayed by “at least several weeks.”
Burkhart has faced daunting odds against opening abortion clinics before.
She worked closely with Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita, Kansas, abortion doctor who was assassinated at church in 2009. Four years after his murder, Burkhart helped to reopen Tiller’s clinic.
The Wichita clinic, much like the one planned in Casper, enabled women to get abortions without driving hundreds of miles to other cities and states.
Colorado, which codified the right to abortion in state law in April, has long been the primary destination for abortions for many Wyoming women.
“Colorado has been the saving grace for everyone,” said one Casper woman who got an abortion in Boulder when she was a 17-year-old in foster care in a small Wyoming town in 1989.
She declined to be identified, citing concerns for her safety and employment prospects that were shared by her daughter, a Casper woman who went to Colorado to get the drugs required for her own abortion 20 years later, at age 21.
While abortions have continued in Wyoming — there were 98 in the state last year and 91 the year before, according to state figures — only a couple medical providers at most now do abortions regularly. The state doesn’t track who the providers are and they seldom publicize their services.
The Casper clinic will be far more open with its services, which in addition to abortions will include women’s, family planning and gender-affirming health care. It will help fill a gap left when the city’s Planned Parenthood clinic, which didn’t provide abortions, closed for financial reasons in 2017.
One outspoken local opponent of the clinic, Ross Schriftman, expressed disappointment about the fire. Still he said everybody should oppose abortion and noted the goal isn’t necessarily to make abortion illegal but “unthinkable.”
“I don’t have a uterus. But I do have a heart, a mind and a First Amendment. And I have every right to speak about how I feel about an issue,” said Schriftman, a member of the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation.
Little Walker said her abortion was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
At the Denver hospital, Little Walker and her husband, Ian, got to hold their daughter, whom they’d named Riana, after she died. They maintain her memory in a box with items including her ashes in heart-shaped container, prints of her tiny hands and feet and a baby blanket.
“I feel like it’s Riana’s legacy to share her story and help people understand that abortion is much bigger than what the propaganda would have you believe. It’s much more complicated. It’s very, very gray. And it can affect anybody,” Little Walker said.
“When you find yourself in a difficult position, you just want to have choices.”
___
Follow Mead Gruver at https://twitter.com/meadgruver | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-wyoming/2022/05/29/fire-looming-ruling-dont-stop-new-wyoming-abortion-clinic/ | 2022-05-29T18:18:47Z |
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Betterware de Mexico S.A.P.I. de C.V. (NASDAQ: BWMX), ("Betterware" or the "Company"), announced today its consolidated financial results for the second quarter fiscal year 2022. The figures presented in this report are expressed in nominal Mexican Pesos (Ps.) unless otherwise noted, presented and approved by the Board of Directors, prepared in accordance with IFRS, and may include minor differences due to rounding. The Company will host a conference call at 9:00 am (Eastern Time) on July 29, 2022, to discuss its results for the second quarter of 2022.
Key Highlights of Q2 2022
- Betterware is positioned to continue its history of growth in the future and maintain its hallmarks of high profitability, strong balance sheet and cash flow generation.
- JAFRA acquisition contributes to the Group's revenue growth, profitability and cashflow generation.
- Company introduces guidance inclusive of the acquisition of JAFRA, noting that due to a tougher external environment than anticipated, it expects 2022 net revenues and EBITDA for Betterware de Mexico to be lower than its previous guidance. A revised consolidated guidance for the year, including JAFRA, is released.
Luis G. Campos, Executive Chairman of the Board, stated, "The completion of the acquisition of Jafra on April 7th is instrumental to our future growth plans, as we are now a multi-channel group with unique brands in different product segments, targeting similar consumer profiles and distribution channels in Mexico and the U.S. We are excited about our growth prospects as a group and are confident on our talented team´s ability and defined action plans to capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead, even in uncertain periods.
The first half of 2022 has presented relevant challenges, with a tougher than expected external environment and increased uncertainty, which negatively impacted our consumers and our associates and distributors. In this context, we continued to advance our key priorities. We stabilized Betterware´s associate and distributor base at approximately 880 thousand and 44 thousand respectively for the last eight weeks, while showing signs of recovery in the last two weeks and maintaining the activity levels, resulting in average weekly sales of more than double of our pre-pandemic comparable period, and we capitalized on opportunities to expand our reach with the successful completion of the JAFRA acquisition. We are confident that this stabilization period, after the extraordinary growth experienced since the pandemic began, is setting the base for future revenue and EBITDA growth in the years to come.
We maintain our focus on our long-term growth opportunities which will allow us to maximize value for all Betterware's stakeholders in the long term."
Luis G. Campos
Executive Chairman of the Board
JAFRA Acquisition
On April 7, 2022, the Company announced the successful completion of the acquisition of 100% of JAFRA's operations in Mexico and the United States, along with JAFRA´s trademark rights worldwide.
JAFRA, a leading company in the beauty and personal care products industry, is a strong and well positioned international brand with access to millions of households in Mexico and in the U.S. through its direct selling business model.
The acquisition provides a unique opportunity for us to enter an attractive and complementary new industry for Betterware, with estimated annual revenues in Mexico and the U.S. of approximately US$100 billion, with the proven experience of JAFRA´s management team.
The transaction, which is expected to be highly accretive for Betterware since its first year adding approximately Ps. 550M to EBITDA in 2022*, was funded primarily by debt, on a debt-free, cash-free basis with a purchase price of US$246M, an attractive valuation even without considering any of the identified cost synergies of between US$10M and US$15M per year.
We are confident in our ability to accelerate JAFRA´s profitable growth by leveraging our scale and infrastructure, by replicating Betterware´s three strategic pillars into JAFRA´s day to day operations.
Consolidated Group
The incorporation of JAFRA allows us to create a multi-channel group with unique brands in different product segments, targeting similar consumer profiles and distribution channels in Mexico and the U.S.
JAFRA and Betterware share the key features that will allow us for continued success going forward:
- Asset-light business models with low CAPEX requirements
- High profitability and high free cash flow generation
- Flexibility to promptly adapt to different market conditions and consumption trends.
Our action plans for each company, described below, have been defined to regain growth and successfully expand our business towards additional international markets, such as the United States in the case of Betterware, and Colombia and Peru in future years in the case of the consolidated group.
All of this will be possible thanks to JAFRA´s and Betterware´s outstanding and experienced management teams, which will remain focused on their respective business, operating as independent companies, supported by the new corporate structure announced in February 2022, which will be overseeing both companies.
Q2 2022 Operating Metrics and Consolidated Results
- Net Revenues
Net revenues for Q2 2022 increased 25% to Ps. 3,242.9M from Ps. 2,594.5M in Q2 2021, mainly explained the inclusion of JAFRA´s net revenues since the acquisition was completed on April 7th, 2022.
Betterware's net revenues reflect the following three factors:
- Back to normal consumption: Shifts in consumption of product categories
- Back to normal activities: Effects of spring vacation, Labor Day, Mother´s Day and Teacher´s Day, which have always temporarily affected sales
- Inflation: impact in the consumers´ disposable income
These three factors resulted in higher-than-average weekly churn rates in our associates and distributors base in Betterware. For the period, on average we had 44.4 thousand distributors, 32% lower than in Q2 2021, and 908.0 thousand associates, 25% lower than in Q2 2021.
These factors also impacted performance in JAFRA, where on average we had 22.4 thousand leaders, 7% lower than in Q2 2021, and 409.7 thousand consultants, 10% lower than in Q2 2021.
- Gross Margin
Gross margin expanded 1,230 bps to 69.1% in Q2 2022 from 56.8% in Q2 2021, mainly due to the incorporation of JAFRA´s operations to our business, reflecting its higher gross margin profile.
Betterware´s Gross margin expanded 41 bps to 57.2% in Q2 2022 from 56.8% in Q2 2021, due to the increase in our product prices of 12% previously announced, efficient cost management and the stabilization of supply chains, which allowed us to offset cost pressures and discounted sales to reduce inventory levels for the quarter.
- EBITDA
For the second quarter of 2022, consolidated EBITDA decreased 20% Year-on-Year to Ps. 595.3M, compared to Ps. 746.0M in Q2 2021, of which Betterware represented Ps. 383.3M of consolidated EBITDA and JAFRA, in turn, Ps. 212.1M.
For Betterware, EBITDA decreased due to the lower revenue and operating leverage relative to the prior year period, as SG&A expenses represented 34.9% of net revenues for Q2 2022, compared to 28.8% of Q2 2021.
Consolidated EBITDA margin contracted 1,039 bps to 18.4% in Q2 2022 compared to 28.8% in Q2 2021, reflecting the incorporation of Jafra into the results, which historically has had a lower EBITDA margin than Betterware, which opens the opportunity for us to improve JAFRA´s cost structure and increase margins in the future.
During the quarter, we cut fixed costs in Betterware to adjust to the new level of revenues going forward which led us to incur in one-time expenses of approximately Ps. 15M related to the restructuring of our workforce, which should positively reflect on EBITDA margins in the future.
- Net Income
For the second quarter of 2022, consolidated Net Income decreased 45% Year-on-Year to Ps. 252.0M, compared to Ps. 460.9M in 1H 2021, which only considers JAFRA results since the acquisition was completed on April 7th, 2022.
Adjusted consolidated Net Income, which excludes non-cash income of Ps. 28.3M related to the unrealized gain in mark-to-market valuation of financial derivative instruments, which do not affect the Company´s cash flows or operating income, decreased 48%. Adjusted Earnings per Share were Ps. 5.99.
1H 2022 Operating Metrics and Consolidated Results
- Net Revenues
Net revenues for 1H 2022 decreased 7% to Ps. 5,112.1M from Ps. 5,496.1M in 1H 2021, which only considers JAFRA´s results since the acquisition was completed.
The lower level of consolidated net revenue resulted mainly from the effects of the return to normality and high inflation rates previously described in the Q2 2022 Results section, deriving in a lower average distributor and associates' base in Betterware and lower level of consultants and leaders in JAFRA.
- Gross Margin
Consolidated gross margin expanded 991 bps to 67.1% in 1H 2022 from 57.1% in Q1 2021, mostly explained by the inclusion of JAFRA´s operations to the business during the second quarter, reflecting its higher gross margin profile.
Betterware´s gross margin expanded 348 bps, mainly driven by the product price increase of 12% announced at the beginning of the year, efficient cost management and planning for freight expenses.
- EBITDA
For the first half of 2022, consolidated EBITDA decreased 32% Year-on-Year to Ps. 1,143.1M, compared to Ps. 1,669.6M in 1H 2021, which only considers JAFRA´s results since the acquisition was completed. Betterware represented approximately 81% of consolidated EBITDA for the period.
Consolidated EBITDA margin contracted 802 bps to 22.4% in 1H 2022 compared to 30.4% in 1H 2021, reflecting JAFRAs inclusion to the results.
For Betterware, EBITDA margin contracted 356 bps to 26.8% in 1H 2022 compared to 30.4% in 1H 2021, reflecting the extremely tough comparison base, a lower operating leverage in line with the current level of sales, and higher operating expenses due to surging inflation.
- Net Income
For the first half of 2022, consolidated Net Income decreased 53% Year-on-Year to Ps. 519.3M, compared to Ps. 1,099.4M in 1H 2021, which only considers JAFRA´s results since the acquisition was completed.
Adjusted consolidated Net Income, which excludes non-cash expense of Ps. 71.1M related to the unrealized loss in mark-to-market valuation of financial derivative instruments, which do not affect the Company´s cash flows or operating income, decreased 37%, explained by a lower EBITDA and higher interest expense due to the acquisition of JAFRA. Adjusted Earnings per Share were Ps. 15.82.
Strong Balance Sheet
As of the end of Q2 2022, the Company's financial position remains strong, reflecting the main attributes of our differentiated business model, namely high cash flow generation and asset light business model.
The mainly debt funded acquisition of JAFRA, which resulted in a cash outflow of Ps. 574M from our balance sheet, increased our leverage ratio to 2.2x Net Debt to EBITDA in Q2 2022, considering Betterware´s last twelve months EBITDA and JAFRA´s 1H 2022 Annualized Adjusted EBITDA. While our position remains strong and conservative, we are confident that Betterware´s and JAFRA´s high cash flow generation nature will allow us to gradually deleverage going forward.
As of Q2 2022, our Balance Sheet includes approximately Ps. 482M in additional inventory proactively acquired at the beginning of the year in response to supply chain disruptions and to a lesser extent the ending inventory also reflects lower-than-expected sales. As we expect the global supply chain situation to normalize, our inventory levels are expected to be gradually reduced during Q3 2022 and going forward, which will improve our cash conversion cycle, without impacting our gross margins.
Outlined Action Plan
- Betterware
From the start of the second half of 2021 to date, Betterware and the home solutions market experienced a downturn due to the return to normality, following the extraordinary growth during the COVID period, namely from Q1 2020 to Q1 2021, which resulted in a 211% growth in our average weekly gross revenues and a 183% growth in our average associate and distributor base.
The effects of the return to normality have been amplified by a softer-than-expected economic environment and a weaker consumer spending, which has been impacted by the highest inflation rate in Mexico since 2001, which has decreased spending on discretionary products. In fact, according to the market study we entrusted to one of the most prestigious companies in its field in Mexico, the market size for household products temporarily expanded from approximately Ps. 82 billion in 2019 to approximately Ps. 134 billion in 2020, and in 2021 it normalized back to its pre-pandemic level. In turn, we managed to expand our average weekly gross revenues from Ps. 119M in Q2 2019 to Ps. 240M weekly gross revenues in 2Q 2022, representing a 26% CAGR. This resulted in an increase in market share to 7.7% in 2021, up from 5.0% in 2020, due to our successful business model.
During this uncertain and unusual period, we have remained focused on maintaining profitability while taking internal action to stabilize and improve our business trend. During the first quarter of 2022 we recovered our profitability levels thanks to the flexibility and resiliency of our business model, while during the second quarter, we stabilized our network of associates and distributors, maintaining our base at approximately 880 thousand and 44 thousand respectively, for the last eight weeks of the quarter and showing signs of recovery in the last two. While the churn rates for associates and distributors for the quarter remained at higher than usual weekly rates, at 3.6% and 2.1% respectively, we have seen this trending back to normal levels during the last eight weeks of the period, which has us optimistic that our network will start to experience growth prior to year-end and continuing going forward. It is important to mention that we have experienced an associate growth month-to-date in July 2022, being the first month since February 2021 that we grow our salesforce.
In this market downturn, both associates and distributors have remained active, with weekly rates of 28.2% and 78.3% respectively for the quarter, resulting in average weekly sales today more than double of our pre-pandemic comparable period (Q2 2019), expanding our market share to 7.7% and our household penetration to 29%, attaining a stronger brand positioning and market dominance. This proves the resiliency of our business model, where we´ve been able to retain Associates and Distributors, despite a normalization in demand.
The home solutions market pre-pandemic secular trends remain valid and stronger than ever. To seize the opportunity that these trends bring and return to growth, we are deploying several initiatives based on our three strategic pillars:
- Grow the core: reinforce our position in core categories (e.g. Home Organization, Space Optimization, and Cooking, and Commuting Solutions, which lost share in our sales during the downturn and are ready to regain relevance).
- Expand our portfolio into promising Concepts, such as: Bedding, Home Entertainment, Kids, Pets, Tabletop, and Drinkware. Additionally, we are developing an innovative "cleaning products" line, which could disrupt the market, and increase the frequency of purchase from our customers. More to come soon.
- Upgrading our e-commerce website, which should increase our penetration, attracting customers we don´t reach with our traditional model. It is important to stand out that (1) we will keep a model in which our Associates and Distributors are benefited from these customers, and (2) since our launch in December 2020, we´ve learned many details that we are adapting to make this platform successful in the medium term.
- The recent rollout of our new Betterware Plus app should yield more retention and activity, as our Associates and Distributors enjoy the new and improved benefits of this new platform.
- Undergoing a process of evaluation of data analysis capabilities at JAFRA and Betterware, to replicate best practices in both companies.
As mentioned before, we have two main avenues for organic growth: expanding household penetration and increasing share of wallet.
Our household penetration in Mexico expanded from 24% in 2020 to 29% in 2021, according to the latest market study concluded in March 2022. Relevant opportunities to further expand our household penetration and reach our target 40% include:
- Refocused rewards program to incentivize associate and distributor growth and reactivation.
- Hybrid model between personal contact and technology. Relaunched person-to-person companion program, which allows distributors to support their associates in developing their business leveraging on technological tools.
- Revamping of the physical and digital catalogues. Enabled first dual strategy through QR codes on the physical catalogue, strengthening our digital catalogue design.
- Social selling and social influencing. Currently working on this front, the progress will be shared in the coming quarters.
As for increasing our share of wallet, the results of the market study referred above, clearly identify the existing market size opportunity in various categories and concepts we participate in. With this new knowledge, we are ready to ride the curve back to growth as the Home and Life Solutions market stabilizes:
- Innovation. Continue increasing market penetration in core categories as we mentioned above.
- Expand to new categories, as we also mentioned above in the Product Innovation pillar.
- Pricing Strategy. Revised pricing strategy will focus on delivering great value packages to fuel consumer´s desire to buy as disposable income remains pressured. Furthermore, we are adjusting prices to reflect the recent decline in container costs, which will further incentive consumers to purchase our products.
In terms of our international expansion plans to support our long-term growth:
- We started our initial assessment and are in the process of finding the right team to lead the expansion of Betterware to the United States with the aim of starting operations in Q4 2023.
- For the longer term, we target further international expansion to South America, namely Colombia and Peru, between 2025 and 2026.
- JAFRA
Having completed the acquisition of JAFRA in 2022, we are focused on reaccelerating its growth to high single-digit or low double-digit in the near term beginning in 2023, as well as improving its profitability and cash flow generation. We are confident we can achieve our objectives by replicating Betterware´s three strategic pillars into JAFRA´s day to day operations, and we have been intensively working to set up the conditions to achieve our growth and profitability objectives:
- Product Innovation: implementing our best practices to achieve a successful and enhanced innovation pipeline in JAFRA´s product line.
- Technology: focusing our digital efforts through a comprehensive strategy to provide a better experience for consumers.
- Business Intelligence: replicating Betterware´s big data capabilities to improve JAFRA´s understanding of the market and accelerate its market penetration.
- Finance: As for efficiencies and synergies, for 2023 are expected to be in the range of Ps. 200M and Ps. 300M million. These include:
For the rest of 2022 and going forward, we will continue the integration process and the evaluation of efficiency and growth opportunities.
Growth Expectations for 2022
Given our consolidated results for the first half of the year, we expect our consolidated net revenues to be in the range of Ps. 12,800M and Ps. 14,200M, and our consolidated EBITDA to be in the range of Ps. 2,400 and Ps. 2,700M, which include JAFRA's full year 2022 results. Our full year expectations per company, including JAFRA´s full year results, are as follows:
In the longer term, we are fully confident of our growth opportunities in the years to come.
For Betterware, we remain confident we will reach our target of 40% household penetration in Mexico, as well as expand our geographic reach, starting with expansion to the United States, which we have already started the initial evaluation process, and expect to start operations by Q4 2023.
And for JAFRA, we are confident that based on our three strategic pillars of product innovation, technology and business intelligence, and executing on the efficiency strategies we have already identified, we will reignite its revenue growth while improving its EBITDA margins in the short and long term.
Dividend
The prevailing macroeconomic outlook is characterized by low growth, high inflation and increasing interest rates for the coming months and, furthermore, supply chain disruptions remain at present and can potentially prevail in the future. In this context, we remain focused on Jafra's efficient integration and consolidation in the short-term.
Based on the above and considering the revenue decline year-to-date, our Board of Directors has proposed to adjust the dividend payment to Ps. 200M for the quarter, a sustainable level even in this uncertain environment, prioritizing company's financial strength after the temporary cash reduction in our balance sheet due to the initial cash investment of Ps. 574M related to the acquisition of Jafra, as well as other investments aimed at unleashing JAFRA's full potential and enhancing its value through investments in venues like Business Intelligence and further IT capabilities, coupled with severance payments due to workforce restructuring, a temporary increase in inventories aimed at preserving an adequate service level to our customers, and anticipating higher interest payments due to rising interest rates.
The dividend is subject to approval at the Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting of August 19th, 2022.
In the longer term, we remain fully confident in our ability to generate strong cash flows and continue to return value to our shareholders through constant and growing dividend payments as our businesses continue to grow. As the situation stabilizes and our strategies begin to show results in JAFRA, the board will analyze the long-term sustainable dividend policy.
Share Repurchase Program
During the second quarter, we paused the execution of our share repurchase program due to the completion of the JAFRA acquisition. We will continue to conservatively analyze the appropriate execution of the repurchase program, as we remain focused on maximizing long-term shareholder´s value while maintaining a strong balance sheet.
Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures
This announcement includes certain references to EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Net Debt:
EBITDA: defined as profit for the year adding back the depreciation of property, plant and equipment and right of use assets, amortization of intangible assets, financing cost, net and total income taxes
EBITDA Margin: is calculated by dividing EBITDA by net revenues
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin are not measures recognized under IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, consolidated net income for the year as determined in accordance with IFRS or as indicators of our operating performance from continuing operations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information and should note that these measures as calculated by the Company, may differ materially from similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Betterware believes that these non-IFRS financial measures are useful to investors because (i) Betterware uses these measures to analyze its financial results internally and believes they represent a measure of operating profitability and (ii) these measures will serve investors to understand and evaluate Betterware's EBITDA and provide more tools for their analysis as it makes Betterware's results comparable to industry peers that also prepare these measures.
About Betterware de México, S.A.P.I. de C.V.
Founded in 1995, Betterware de Mexico is the leading direct-to-consumer company in Mexico focused on creating innovative products that solve specific needs regarding organization, practicality, space saving and hygiene within the household. Betterware's wide product portfolio includes home organization, kitchen, commuting, laundry and cleaning, as well as other categories that include products and solutions for every corner of the household.
The Company has a differentiated two-tier network of distributors and associates that sell their products through twelve catalogues per year. All products are designed by the Company and under the Betterware brand name through its different sources of product innovation. The Company's state-of-the-art infrastructure allows it to safely and timely deliver its products to every part of the country, backed by the strategic location of its national distribution center. Today, the Company distributes its products in Mexico and Guatemala, and has plans of additional international expansion.
Supported by its asset light business model and its three strategic pillars of Product Innovation, Business Intelligence and Technology, Betterware has been able to achieve sustainable double-digit growth rates by successfully expanding its household penetration and share of wallet.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "should", "would", "plan", "predict", "potential", "seem", "seek," "future," "outlook", and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. The reader should understand that the results obtained may differ from the projections contained in this document and that many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward looking statements. For this reason, the Company assumes no responsibility for any indirect factors or elements beyond its control that might occur inside Mexico or abroad and which might affect the outcome of these projections and encourages you to review the 'Cautionary Statement' and the 'Risk Factor' sections of our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 and any of the Company's other applicable filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information concerning factors that could cause those differences
The Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Further information on risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations and financial performance, and the forward statements contained herein, is available in the Company's filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Q2 2022 Conference Call
Management will hold a conference call with investors on July 29, 2022 at 8:00 am Central Standard Time (CST)/ 9:00am Eastern Time (EST). For anyone who wishes to join live, the dial-in information is:
Toll Free: 1-877-451-6152
Toll/International: 1-201-389-0879
Conference ID: 13731394
If you wish to listen to the replay of the conference call, please see instructions below:
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* JAFRA´s 2022 estimated EBITDA after the closing of the acquisition, which excludes adjusted EBITDA of Ps. 158.4M pertaining to January 1st to April 6th,2022.
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SOURCE Betterware de México, S.A.B. de C.V. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/betterware-reports-second-quarter-fiscal-year-2022-results/ | 2022-07-28T20:36:11Z |
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- USPack, a national leader in the same-day, final-mile delivery industry and a NewSpring Holdings platform company, today announced that the company has named Michael Clark ("Mike") as CEO, effective immediately. Mike succeeds Mark Glazman who will continue to remain on the Board of Directors ("the Board") in the role of Chairman. Under Glazman's leadership USPack successfully integrated onto a single technology and operating platform, improved customer experience, and expanded its business with blue chip clients across the pharmaceutical, retail, automotive and white glove final mile delivery space. On the heels of these impressive accomplishments, Glazman believes that now is the opportune time to transition to new leadership for the next phase of USPack's growth.
Clark is a solutions-oriented transportation executive with a demonstrated track record of exceeding customer expectations and accelerating growth at logistics and supply chain companies including DHL, FedEx, Pacer and Panther Expedite.
"USPack's geographic footprint and network density make it a formidable player in the same-day final mile space. I am very excited to join USPack and work with the team to build on the momentum and success as we continue to leverage the company's agile technology platform to drive further enhancements for customers," said Clark.
"We are thrilled to have Mike join USPack as our next CEO," said Glazman. "Mike brings his experience building and driving best-in class operational processes that will help us further optimize our delivery network and technology solutions for USPack and our customers. I look forward to partnering with Mike in my new role as Chairman."
About USPack
USPack is a same-day final-mile delivery company custom-built to help brands and businesses win in the Delivery Economy. With a 30-year track record of success, the company has a proven ability to create delivery strategies with business impact for customers in retail, healthcare, eCommerce, manufacturing, and distribution. With one of the industry's most extensive transportation and warehouse networks and a dedicated network of independent delivery professionals on-call 24/7/365, USPack builds scalable, tech enabled final mile delivery networks for companies with needs of all shapes, sizes and timeframes across the country. Headquartered in Orlando, FL, USPack operates across the US through a network of over 40 facilities, and also provides dedicated solutions operating out of customer facilities. For more information, visit www.gouspack.com.
About NewSpring Holdings
NewSpring Holdings, NewSpring's dedicated holding company with a strategy focused on control buyouts and platform builds, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take profitable, growing companies to the next level through acquisitions and proven organic methodologies. Founded in 1999, NewSpring partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The Firm manages over $2.5 billion across five distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries. Visit NewSpring at www.newspringcapital.com.
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SOURCE USPack | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/uspack-appoints-veteran-transportation-leader-michael-clark-ceo/ | 2022-08-01T13:23:34Z |
Which tea towel is best?
Tea towels, or dish towels, as they’re often known outside of England, New Zealand and Australia, are an essential part of any kitchen. They have many uses beyond drying recently cleaned dishes. They’re also made from various materials, although cotton is the most popular option.
Some tea towels are custom made or embroidered, while others have more of a classic design. If you’re going for a themed holiday design, check out this set of six tea towels by Urban Villa. They’re high quality, 100% cotton and make a great gift.
What to know before you buy a tea towel
Purpose
Most people use tea towels to dry fragile dishes such as china or porcelain. However, you can use them to wrap around hot tea pots or wine bottles, insulate dishes or cover food. In fact, the English began using tea towels these ways in the 18th century.
For some people, tea towels are a form of decoration that hangs on the wall. This is especially true for those who enjoy a bit of embroidery in their spare time. Embroidered tea towels make a great gift since they come in nearly any design. Many people now use tea towels as they were initially intended or as decoration. They also could use them to bundle baguettes, or add them to a table setting for a touch of sophistication or elegance.
Design
When it comes to design, there’s no limit. Luxury tea towels often are custom made and can have any print or design imaginable. This makes them great as gifts or for those who want something creative or unique in their own kitchen.
Some popular designs include:
- holiday-themed
- animal print
- a loved one’s initials
- leaf or floral patterns
- map of someone’s home or a popular area
- embroidered
A tea towel may have a subtle design or it may be bright and eye-catching. Whatever the case, they are versatile enough for any occasion.
Tea towel vs. dish towel
Many people often use the words “tea towels” and “dish towels” interchangeably. While this usually works, it isn’t always accurate.
For example, embroidered or custom tea towels are more for decoration than they are for practical use. On the other hand, people primarily use dish towels as a way to dry dishes or protect surfaces from hot containers. That said, both types of towels are versatile.
One of the biggest differences between a tea towel and a dish towel is that tea towels typically are made from cotton or linen. Dish towels may be made from different materials, with terry cloth as the most popular option. Dish towels are more absorbent than tea towels, generally speaking.
Tea towel care and maintenance
The best way to properly wash a tea towel is by hand. If you have cotton tea towels, you may be able to put them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, then let them air-dry or tumble dry low in the dryer. Make sure to wash tea towels with like colors.
To wash a tea towel by hand, soak it in a bowl of warm water and add a dash of dish soap. Thoroughly rinse the tea towel and leave it out to dry.
What to look for in a quality tea towel
Material
Linen tea towels: Linen is the traditional material for tea towels. This material has soft fibers that are perfect for drying or polishing delicate dishes such as porcelain or fine china. Unlike other materials, linen doesn’t scratch dishes, nor does it leave behind lint, fuzz or other debris. Linen is also fast-drying and absorbent.
Cotton tea towels: Similar to linen, cotton also is highly absorbent and gentle enough for fragile dishes. Cotton tea towels often are more durable than linen tea towels. Even after multiple washes in the machine, they’re likely to hold their shape and work as intended.
Both cotton and linen tea towels can last for years with proper care. Since they absorb moisture and dry easily, they are less likely to become a breeding ground for bacteria than dish cloths made from other materials.
Size
Tea towels come in various sizes but they’re usually around 27-by-19 inches in size. Some custom tea towels may be larger or smaller, depending on the manufacturer or artisan, as well as individual preference.
Individual or sets
Tea towels sometimes come individually packaged. This is often the case with custom tea towels or luxury tea towels. They also can come in sets. Most sets come with two to six tea towels, which is convenient for anyone who plans to use them regularly and doesn’t want to frequently wash them.
How much you can expect to spend on a tea towel
Tea towels range in price but most standard sets cost $10-$20. Individual, luxury, embroidered or custom tea towels may cost more, depending on the seller.
Tea towel FAQ
What else can you use tea towels for?
A. With tea towels, you can use them for nearly anything. Besides drying dishes or holding hot plates or other containers, you can use them to dust fragile keepsakes or dishes, dry your hands or clean up spills.
Can you embroider a tea towel by hand?
A. Yes. Just make sure you wash and dry the tea towel first to remove any oils or other residue it may have.
What’s the best tea towel to buy?
Top tea towel
Urban Villa Set of 6 Christmas-Checks Tea Towels
What you need to know: This set of six holiday-themed tea towels are made with premium quality cotton and are gentle enough for even the most fragile china dishes.
What you’ll love: These tea towels come in several colors for any holiday occasion. They are highly absorbent, long-lasting and easy to clean. Since they’re made from cotton, they are fast-drying and resistant to bacteria buildup. They’re also natural and chemical-free.
What you should consider: They may attract lint when washed in the machine.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top tea towel for the money
What you need to know: This set of six cotton tea towels is simple, clean and practical.
What you’ll love: Highly absorbent and quick drying, these tea towels make cleaning countertops, dusting glasses or drying dishes quick and easy. They’re 20-by-28 inches in size, making them the right size for nearly any use. Each towel comes with a hanging loop for easy storage.They’re durable and come with a 30-day money back guarantee.
What you should consider: If you’re looking for a gift idea or something to add a splash of elegance to your space, you may want to look elsewhere.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
T-Fal Textiles 2-Pack Tea Towels
What you need to know: Doubling as your standard kitchen dish towels, this pack of cotton tea towels comes in several solid and checked patterns.
What you’ll love: These kitchen towels are durable, absorbent and dry quickly. They’re a little smaller at 16-by-26 inches, but they’re still large enough for most people’s hands. The brand is known for producing high-quality products.
What you should consider: They’re on the thinner side and should be hand-washed to help with longevity.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Angela Watson 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/best-tea-towel/ | 2022-05-22T13:26:42Z |
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