text stringlengths 102 99.6k | url stringlengths 31 426 | crawl_date timestamp[us, tz=UTC]date 2022-04-01 00:29:49 2022-09-19 04:34:15 |
|---|---|---|
BEIJING, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterdrop Inc. ("Waterdrop", the "Company" or "we") (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.
Financial and Operational Highlights for the First Quarter of 2022
- Recovery to positive business growth: For the first quarter of 2022, the first-year premiums ("FYP") generated through our Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace amounted to RMB1,866.1 million (US$294.4 million), and our net operating revenue was RMB648.7 million (US$102.3 million) which represented an increase of 7.4% quarter over quarter, resuming positive growth after our business strategy has been adjusted from pursuing fast growth to enhancing quality development and profitability.
- Effective cost control and consistent profitability improvement: For the first quarter of 2022, our sales and marketing expenses decreased by 75.6%, and total operating costs and expenses decreased by 60.4% year over year, respectively, resulting in a US GAAP net profit of RMB105.0 million (US$16.6 million) for the first time following the non-GAAP profit in the fourth quarter of 2021. Our non-GAAP net profit was RMB127.3 million (US$20.1 million) for the first quarter of 2022, a significant increase quarter over quarter. These results have showcased our effective cost control and consistent commitment to achieving profitability.
- Steady growth in the number of insurance customers: The number of cumulative insurance customers reached 111.1 million and cumulative paying insurance customers reached 28.8 million as of March 31, 2022.
- Positive cash flow: As of March 31, 2022, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balance increased by RMB137.1 million from the end of 2021 to RMB2,924.2 million (US$461.3 million), as we continued to generate positive operating cash flow, partially offset by the investing and financing cash outflow.
- Further expanded product offerings: As of March 31, 2022, we offered 408 insurance products on our platform, as compared with 364 as of December 31, 2021. Over 90% of the FYP generated through our Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace was contributed by our exclusive customized insurance products. In the first quarter of 2022, the FYP of critical illness insurance increased by 39.9% quarter over quarter, and accounted for 27.6% of overall FYP, up by 8.2 percentage points as compared with the fourth quarter of 2021.
- As of March 31, 2022, over 403 million people cumulatively donated an aggregate of approximately RMB50.9 billion to nearly 2.5 million patients through our Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding.
Mr. Peng Shen, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Waterdrop, commented, "2022 marks the sixth anniversary of Waterdrop, and we are embracing a new beginning. For the first quarter of 2022, I am pleased to report we achieved a US GAAP net profit for the first time in our operating history after turning profitable on a non-GAAP basis in the prior quarter. We managed to further reduce sales and marketing expenses and operating costs. Our operating performance and business trends over the past two quarters also increased our confidence in being able to keep the momentum and achieve the overall profitability goal we set for the full year.
For our insurance business, the first quarter of 2022 was the second full quarter after upgrading our business model, and we have already significantly improved our operational efficiencies. We systematically optimized the operating model of 'multi-platform, multi-supply and multi-service mode'. We leveraged innovative operational scenarios to effectively increase engagement with users, and further increased the repurchase rate and renewal rate to over 70% and 90%, respectively. We also added new medical insurance products to our portfolio such as the chronic disease and the kidney disease-specific versions, and launched multiple critical illness protection plans that cater to the needs of diverse customer groups with different price sensitivities. Meanwhile, we continued to evolve our AI-empowered business and increased our efforts in exporting our AI capabilities to our insurance partners.
In terms of healthcare business exploration, we made further progress in solidifying our market position in patient recruitment for clinical trials. We helped with the enrollment of over 50 new clinical trial programs by partnering with leading domestic and international pharmaceutical companies. Over 500 patients have been successfully registered for clinical trial programs on our platform in the first quarter, representing a solid growth compared with the previous quarter. Leveraging our large patient pool and capability in precisely and efficiently matching patients with suitable programs on our AI-powered platform, we have effectively addressed the pain points of patient recruitment services and are fully committed to becoming one of the best third-party patient recruitment platforms.
As a company with positive social impact and strong sense of ESG responsibilities, we became a participant of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), joining hands with more than 16,000 companies in 161 countries around the world to shape a sustainable future together. We remain committed to our mission of 'leveraging internet technologies to make insurance protection more inclusive and accessible to all, and bring insurance and healthcare service to billions'. We also proactively leveraged our competitive strengths and digital service capabilities to promote, implement and achieve our sustainable development goals."
Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2022
Operating revenue, net
Net operating revenue for the first quarter of 2022 decreased by 26.6% year over year to RMB648.7 million (US$102.3 million) from RMB883.4 million for the same period of 2021, which was primarily due to the decrease in insurance-related income. The net operating revenue increased by 7.4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2021, mainly driven by the increase in insurance-related income.
- Insurance-related income includes insurance brokerage income and technical service income. Insurance brokerage income represents brokerage commissions earned from insurance companies. Technical service income is derived from providing technical services to insurance companies, insurance brokerage, and agency companies, which include customer relationship maintenance, customer complaint management, claim review, user referral services, among other things. Our insurance-related income amounted to RMB628.2 million (US$99.1 million) in the first quarter of 2022, representing a decrease of 23.9% year over year from RMB825.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, which was mainly due to the decrease in insurance brokerage income.
- Net operating revenue from management fee income was nil for the first quarter of 2022, compared to RMB2.7 million for the same quarter of 2021, which was mainly due to the cessation of the mutual aid business at the end of March 2021. Following this adjustment, the corresponding management fee income from the mutual aid business is no longer a revenue stream for the Company from the second quarter of 2021 and onwards. Excluding such management fee income, the adjusted net operating revenue(1) for the first quarter of 2022 decreased by 26.3% compared with the same period of 2021.
Operating costs and expenses
Operating costs and expenses decreased by 60.4% year over year and 21.5% quarter over quarter to RMB532.0 million (US$83.9 million) for the first quarter of 2022, due to the effective cost control measures taken since the third quarter of 2021.
- Operating costs decreased by 48.5% year over year to RMB154.9 million (US$24.4 million) for the first quarter of 2022, compared with RMB300.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, which was primarily driven by (i) RMB38.6 million decrease in professional and outsourced customer service fees; (ii) RMB5.2 million decrease in payout investigation cost due to the cessation of mutual aid business, (iii) a decrease of RMB35.3 million in personnel cost for our expanded consultants and insurance agents team and (iv) a decrease of RMB76.8 million in relation to the cessation of the Waterdrop Mutual Aid business. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, operating costs decreased by 21.4% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to a decrease of RMB44.9 million in personnel costs.
- Sales and marketing expenses decreased materially by 75.6% year over year to RMB204.3 million (US$32.2 million) for the first quarter of 2022, compared with RMB837.2 million for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to (i) RMB619.8 million decrease in marketing expenses to third-party traffic channels and (ii) RMB17.9 million decrease in outsourced sales and marketing service fees to third parties, offset by an increase of RMB14.4 million in payroll and related expenses for the employees involved in sales and marketing functions. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, sales and marketing expenses decreased by 15.2% from RMB241.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. This was mainly due to the decrease of RMB26.5 million in marketing expenses to third-party traffic channels, RMB5.4 million in payroll and related expenses for employees, and RMB3.3 million in outsourced sales and marketing service fees to third parties under our cost control plan and more strict budgeting for expenses.
- General and administrative expenses decreased by 15.9% year over year to RMB102.0 million (US$16.1 million) for the first quarter of 2022, compared with RMB121.3 million for the first quarter of 2021. The year-over-year variance was a net impact of the decrease of RMB45.1 million in share-based compensation expenses offset by (i) RMB7.2 million increase in D&O insurance premiums, (ii) RMB4.7 million increase in professional service fees, and (iii) RMB11.5 million increase in allowance for doubtful accounts. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, general and administrative expenses decreased by 31.4% from RMB148.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, which was mainly due to the combined impact of a decrease of RMB39.0 million in impairment loss and RMB15.9 million in personnel cost and share-based compensation expenses.
- Research and development expenses decreased by 16.6% year over year to RMB70.8 million (US$11.2 million) for the first quarter of 2022, compared with RMB84.9 million for the same period of 2021. The decrease was primarily due to RMB13.8 million decreases in research and development personnel costs and share-based compensation expenses. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, research and development expenses decreased by 22.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, mainly due to the optimization of our organizational structure.
Operating profit for the first quarter of 2022 was RMB116.6 million (US$18.4 million), compared with an operating loss of RMB460.6 million for the first quarter of 2021 and a loss of RMB73.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Interest income for the first quarter of 2022 was RMB14.5 million (US$2.3 million), compared with RMB13.2 million for the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to the increase in our bank balance and short-term investments as a result of the receipt of net proceeds from the completion of our initial public offering in May 2021 and positive operating cash flow generated from the business during the first quarter of 2022.
Income tax expense for the first quarter of 2022 was RMB51.3 million (US$8.1 million), compared with an income tax benefit of RMB74.3 million for the same period of 2021.
Net profit attributable to Waterdrop for the first quarter of 2022 was RMB105.0 million (US$16.6 million), compared with a net loss of RMB370.2 million for the same period of 2021, and a net loss of RMB71.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Adjusted net profit attributable to Waterdrop for the first quarter of 2022 was RMB127.3 million (US$20.1 million), compared with an adjusted net loss of RMB203.1 million for the same period of 2021, and an adjusted net profit of RMB5.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had combined cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB2,924.2 million (US$461.3 million), as compared with RMB2,787.1 million as of December 31, 2021.
Share Repurchase Plan
Pursuant to the 12-month share repurchase program announced on September 8, 2021, since the announcement up to the end of the first quarter of 2022, we cumulatively repurchased approximately 3.1 million ADSs from the open market with cash for a total consideration of approximately US$5.1 million.
Business Outlook
The Company expects to achieve overall profitability on a non-GAAP basis for the year 2022 under the circumstances that we keep investing in established businesses and new initiatives. We also expect the net operating revenue growth to continue quarter over quarter in the second quarter of 2022. This forecast is based on the current market conditions and reflects the Company's preliminary view and estimates, which are all subject to changes.
Exchange Rate
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD" or "US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB6.3393 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2022 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted net operating revenue and adjusted net profit/loss, in evaluating the Company's operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Adjusted net operating revenue represents net operating revenue excluding management fee income from mutual aid business. Adjusted net profit/loss represents net profit/loss excluding share-based compensation expense, the impact of terminating the mutual aid plan, foreign currency exchange gain or losses, impairment loss, and share of results of equity method investee. Such adjustments have no impact on income tax.
The non-GAAP financial measures are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and when assessing the Company's operating performance, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for net loss or other consolidated statements of comprehensive loss data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted net operating revenue and adjusted net profit/loss presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
The Company mitigates these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measures, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company's performance. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. Waterdrop may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Waterdrop's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Waterdrop's mission, goals and strategies; Waterdrop's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the insurance, medical crowdfunding and healthcare industry in China; Waterdrop's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; Waterdrop's expectations regarding its relationships with consumers, insurance carriers and other partners; competition in the industry and relevant government policies and regulations relating to insurance, medical crowdfunding and healthcare industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Waterdrop's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Waterdrop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Conference Call Information
Waterdrop's management team will hold a conference call on June 15, 2022 at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:
Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the Elite Entry Number to join the call.
A telephone replay will be accessible two hours after the conclusion of the conference call through June 22, 2022 by dialing the following numbers:
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.waterdrop-inc.com/.
About Waterdrop Inc.
Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact. Founded in 2016, with the comprehensive coverage of Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace and Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop aims to bring insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology. For more information, please visit www.waterdrop-inc.com.
For investor inquiries, please contact
Waterdrop Inc.
Xiaojiao Cui
IR@shuidi-inc.com
Christensen
In China
Mr. Eric Yuan
Phone: +86-1380-111-0739
E-mail: Eyuan@christensenir.com
In the US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@christensenir.com
View original content:
SOURCE Waterdrop Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/waterdrop-inc-announces-first-quarter-2022-unaudited-financial-results/ | 2022-06-15T07:42:37Z |
LONDON, Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ZomPot (ZPOT) is a multi-asset investment opportunity project, which uses the native ZPOT token for trading, will distribute around 175,000,000 ZPOT to the public.The distributed tokens, which make up 80% of available tokens, have been designated to create a balanced ecosystem, where both everyday crypto users and dedicated crypto investors can make the most out of their ZomPot (ZPOT) investments.
The token is built on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), which provides stability, reliability, and low transaction costs. Stability and reliability in the ZomPot (ZPOT) ecosystem will give uncertain investors proof of the value of blockchain technology, in turn drawing in new users to continue growing the project.
In the near future the company will also launch an NFT marketplace, where users can create their own tokens for use in their own metaverses. One of the biggest aspects ZomPot (ZPOT) intends to utilise is its metaverse. In this project, users will be able to create their own universes within the ZomPot (ZPOT) metaverse, including having unique tokens, which can be formed in the ZomPot (ZPOT) NFT market. For investors, this unlimited metaverse potential gives the token a huge value, and an opportunity to reach a wide crypto audience. Security is ZomPot's (ZPOT) number one priority, as it intends to be the platform to convert crypto sceptics to crypto believers. This will be done in multiple ways. By utilising the specific benefits of the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), ZomPot (ZPOT) can guarantee a reliable and secure ecosystem, where cheap transaction fees will encourage an active economy. ZomPot (ZPOT) will also bring about a reliable ecosystem through its token distribution.
ZomPot (ZPOT) aims to counter their project, to show the many benefits that investing with crypto can provide. The security of blockchain technology is one of its biggest selling points. Despite this, there is still hesitance for some in getting involved in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.
Learn more about ZomPot (ZPOT):
Presale: http://rise.zompot.com/
Website: http://zompot.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/ZompotTokenOfficial
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Zompot Token | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/12/zompot-zpot-will-distribute-around-175m-zpot-public/ | 2022-08-12T19:16:38Z |
AutoAp Providing Safety Recall Information for Total Customer Connect's Recall Marketing Services
SAN RAMON, Calif. and BEAVERTON, Ore., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Total Customer Connect (TCC) and AutoAp, Inc. jointly announced a strategic partnership for AutoAp to provide VIN-specific recall information to augment TCC's dealership service marketing and technology offerings.
AutoAp provides the industry's most accurate and timely vehicle safety recall information both directly to dealerships through its suite of recall management services and to dealer service providers to power their solutions and services.
TCC delivers a full suite of marketing and software services that help dealerships provide a premium customer experience while generating significant additional revenue. Timely identification of safety recalls is an important part of the spectrum of its services.
According to AutoAp research, more than 20 percent of all vehicles on the road have at least one open safety recall. For many safety recalls, there are delays between the manufacturer's announcement and posting on National Highway Transportation Safety Administration information sources. Because of these timing delays and error rates, dealers are often unaware that vehicles on their lots have open safety recalls and could unknowingly sell a vehicle with an open recall.
AutoAp has tackled this industry challenge by using advanced processing that results in highly accurate and more timely safety recall alerts. Many AutoAp dealers reduce the recall open rates in their inventory by 83% compared to industry averages.
Shawn Rajabi, Total Customer Connect's Founder and CEO said, "Over the years, we have worked with several providers of recall information but are delighted to now be working with AutoAp. We have found that the quality of their services, including the accuracy of identifying vehicles affected by specific recalls, is unsurpassed and, much like us, they are a collaborative partner working to benefit the industry."
Yuriy Kamsha, Total Customer Connect's CTO added, "True professionals with a wealth of industry experience, AutoAp's responsiveness and attention to detail make them a welcome strategic partner."
Mark Paul, AutoAp's Founder and CEO said, "TCC is well-known in the industry for being true partners with their dealership clients with a keen focus on the dealers' success. We are honored that they selected AutoAp to power the critical safety recall component of their services and look forward to a long relationship with TCC that is not only mutually beneficial, but brings significant value to dealerships and consumers alike. After all, when it comes to recalls, the end game is to make sure that customers' vehicles are safe to be on the road."
AutoAp, Inc., a Portland, Ore., based company helps clients increase profitability, decrease liability and reduce customers'/drivers' risks, with the industry's most comprehensive, accurate and timely safety recall solutions. The company provides the industry's leading safety recall management technologies and services to help franchised and independent auto dealers, automotive solutions providers, fleet management companies, corporate and government fleets and rental car companies, increase driver safety, lower liability, generate service revenue and reduce recall management costs. Find out more at www.autoap.com and obtain a copy of their 2022 "State of the Retail Industry" report.
Since 2001, Total Customer Connect's mission has been to increase franchise dealer fixed operations profitability by improving dealerships customer experience through every point of the customer lifecycle. Total Customer Connect uses state-of-the-art technology and DMS integration to maximize customer interactions providing innovative customer-centric solutions for automotive dealerships with measurable results in fixed operations revenue and building quality customer relations. TCC is the trusted Revenue-Enhancement and Customer-Retention company for franchise dealers and is specifically designed to increase opportunities and enhance service processes. Find out more at https://totalcustomerconnect.com/
View original content:
SOURCE AutoAp, Inc.; Total Customer Connect | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/total-customer-connect-autoap-announce-strategic-partnership/ | 2022-08-02T16:30:45Z |
Acumatica Accelerates SEACOM's Decision-making Processes and Enables International Growth
KIRKLAND, Wash., Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Acumatica, the world's fastest-growing cloud ERP company, has provided SEACOM, the Pan-African telecommunications provider, with the tools necessary to realise its ambitious growth plans and deliver high-speed internet connectivity around the world.
SEACOM launched Africa's first broadband submarine cable system along the continent's eastern and southern coasts in 2009. Today, SEACOM owns Africa's most extensive ICT data infrastructure – which includes multiple subsea cables, a continent-wide IP-MPLS network, and metro fibre in major African cities. This, and a comprehensive suite of scalable communications and cloud solutions, makes the company a leading partner for businesses, network carriers, and service providers across Africa.
SEACOM has grown rapidly in recent years on the back of a strategy to provide cloud and communication services across Africa. As it acquired other entities, SEACOM leaders noticed an opportunity to transform its accounting systems. Decision makers knew it was time to look for cloud-based software that could streamline accounting tasks, save employees time, and enable the company to scale. The new system also needed to be capable of handling multiple currencies and a high influx of transactions.
After implementing Acumatica's cloud ERP solution, SEACOM's accounting team were able to automate accounting tasks and saved 15-20% of their time. The new solution also provides real-time data visibility and enhanced decision-making over accounting systems, which will support the company's future growth and expansion plans.
"Acumatica has undoubtedly supported SEACOM's rapid expansion," said William Wilbraham, Head of Finance Planning and Excellence at SEACOM. "We've deployed Acumatica to several acquired companies in the last five months, so we know we can easily get new companies up and running on the platform very quickly."
SEACOM now has many of its acquired companies running on Acumatica – all with multiple divisions and currencies. The integrations have been seamless, which gives SEACOM confidence for future acquisitions.
"SEACOM's mission to give countries around the world access to high-speed internet inspires us and aligns perfectly with the values and goals of our AcumatiCares program," said John Case, chief executive officer at Acumatica. "It has been a pleasure to support SEACOM through their growth milestones and help the team embrace modern technologies that enable their operations to run smoothly and efficiently."
Learn more about how Acumatica cloud ERP has enabled SEACOM's expansion here.
Acumatica Cloud ERP provides the best business management solution for transforming your company to thrive in the new digital economy. Built on a future-proof platform with open architecture for rapid integrations, scalability, and ease of use, Acumatica delivers unparalleled value to small and midmarket organizations. Connected Business. Delivered. For more information, visit www.acumatica.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Acumatica | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/pan-african-telecommunications-provider-seacom-continues-expand-across-africa-with-acumatica-cloud-erp/ | 2022-08-16T16:38:11Z |
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Service Contract Industry Council – Back-to-school season is in full swing. Stores are filling up with supplies, leading parents, students, and teachers across the country to start finalizing their preparations for the upcoming school year. Necessities like new clothes, pencils and pens, notebooks, binders, backpacks, and paper are likely already on your shopping list, but this year you'll need to consider various electronics for your student – as well as crucial protection plans to cover pricey devices.
COVID-19 introduced a whole range of new technology to the school routine, and even after earlier restrictions have been lifted, electronics will remain an important part of schooling. A study by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2020 found that over 70% of schools said their teachers used technology for activities normally done in the classroom to a moderate (47%) or large extent (24%).
"When remote and hybrid learning became the new norm during the pandemic, students and teachers had to heavily rely on electronics – and now that most students have returned to in-person learning, classrooms have adapted to the innovative technology, utilizing it in day-to-day lessons," said Tom Keepers, CEO of the Service Contract Industry Council. "Students aren't always the most careful with these expensive devices, so it's essential to simultaneously purchase a service contract to protect against future damage or malfunction."
Here are four electronic items your student may need in 2022:
- Tablet
- Laptop
- Backup drive
- Digital textbook
On the first day of school, your child will slip on their new shoes, unzip their backpack and fill it with essential gadgets, and then head to school with confidence they won't miss a beat! Whether your child is in a school surrounded by peers or learning from home, you can avoid the stress of them handling expensive items all day. But don't worry – if accidents happen, a service contract will be there to protect you.
For more information on service contracts, visit www.go-scic.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Service Contract Industry Council | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/protect-your-students-essential-electronics-this-school-year/ | 2022-08-02T17:58:22Z |
Connecting to the internet shouldn’t be complicated
It’s hard to avoid needing an internet connection. Almost every business has a website, billions of people have email addresses and thousands of apps need a connection to work properly.
So getting internet into your home shouldn’t be laborious or complex. However, there are a few aspects you must consider to make the transition from mobile data to fixed internet a lot easier.
Required hardware
The router depends on your internet line
You’ve probably heard that you must have a wireless router to connect to the internet. That is true and the most crucial component, but not all routers are the same. Depending on where you live and coverage, your neighborhood might have access to fiber optical cables.
If that’s the case, then you’ll need a fiber router to convert the incoming data into a usable Wi-Fi connection. But if fiber isn’t an option, you might have access to a cable connection or the somewhat older ADSL internet technology. In either case, you’ll need a router to handle the connection.
Most internet service providers supply a router as part of a signup package, but it’s often a good idea to buy your own third-party hardware. The supplied routers are often not as fast or reliable and when you switch ISPs, you need to give them back. But if you buy your own, you are free to choose the brand you prefer and you keep the router when you switch.
Get a dual-band router that transmits the signal in 2.4 gigahertz and 5 gigahertz. Most devices use 2.4 Ghz but the band is nearing its saturation point, where interference is almost unavoidable. However, the 5 Ghz band is less congested, allowing for a more stable connection.
Internet service providers and packages available
The connections available in your neighborhood depend on the internet service providers that cover the area. If you can’t find the information by Googling your address with the word “fiber,” there are several checkers online that can help.
Once you know which ISP is operating in your area, browse through the available packages. Keep in mind that prices increase with higher speeds, and aim for a package that has unlimited data or no throttling when you reach an arbitrary amount of data.
Coverage of your property
Routers have different internal components to better suit a particular environment. For example, an average household router is powerful enough to provide internet to all rooms on one floor. But if you need wider coverage for more rooms, you can look at a more powerful router.
There are also special routers that you can use outdoors, to give you internet while hosting a pool party or working in the backyard.
Extenders and repeaters
A regular router’s Wi-Fi signal can only go so far before you must intervene. If you live in a house with multiple floors or several rooms spaced out over a large area, a single router won’t provide the best coverage.
In these situations, it is best to set up a few Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters. These gadgets take the existing wireless connection and extend it beyond the initial reach. For even larger properties, you might want to invest in a mesh Wi-Fi system.
Instead of extending the signal, each mesh node broadcasts its own Wi-Fi connection. This creates a network of nodes that bounce the connection around to provide the best coverage while not compromising on quality and speed.
Connecting to a router
Devices
Naturally, you can only connect a device to the Wi-Fi connection if it has a wireless receiver built-in. Virtually all modern mobile phones and tablets have that. All you need to do is open the settings of your mobile phone, tap on the Wi-Fi option and select your network.
You’ll be asked to input the password created during the setup process, and once correctly entered, your phone will be on the Wi-Fi network. The same process is how you connect a tablet, e-reader or smart TV.
What you need to buy for getting onto Wi-Fi
Best routers
TP-Link AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router (Archer AX73)
For a fast browsing experience, this router provides a maximum speed of 5.4 gigabits per second, although 4.8Gbps is allocated for the 5 Ghz band. It has six antennas that provide more area coverage than other routers.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Netgear Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router
This router can connect 25 devices simultaneously to the Wi-Fi network and covers about 1,500 square feet. It has four Ethernet ports and one USB 3.0 port for a wired connection. The router has dual-band frequencies and three antennas.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
TP-Link AX6600 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router (Archer GX90)
Perfect for video gamers, this router has eight antennas that work on the HE160, 5 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz tri-band frequencies. It detects and optimizes the signal for gaming streams and has one 2.5Gbps ethernet port and one 1Gbps port.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
This stand-alone router can cover 1,500 square feet and connects directly to your modem for more coverage. It is compatible with most internet service providers and intelligently routes traffic to avoid congestion or buffering.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Best mesh Wi-Fi systems
TP-Link Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System
If you want to cover an enormous area with stable Wi-Fi, then this mesh kit is the perfect solution. It can cover up to 5,500 square feet and you don’t need separate login details for each router. It connects up to 100 devices with a maximum speed of 1.2Gbps.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Google AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi System
Google’s Wi-Fi option is meant to replace your traditional router (if you have one) and any other nodes that provide connectivity. One node can cover up to 1,500 square feet while three can cover 4,500 square feet. It works on the 5 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz bands and provides a maximum speed of 1.2Gbps.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Orbi Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System
This three-node mesh system can cover up to 4,500 square feet and has a maximum download speed of 1.2Gbps. It is compatible with all ISPs, is easy to set up and has an Ethernet port for a wired connection.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Charlie Fripp 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/electronics-br/internet-streaming-br/how-to-use-a-router-everything-you-need-to-know-to-get-on-wi-fi/ | 2022-07-27T18:03:34Z |
Gas prices race back to near record highs
(CNN) - Gas prices are flirting with record highs again – adding to inflation headaches.
According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline rose to about $4.32 Monday, a fraction of a penny shy of the all-time high set March 11.
Gas prices have climbed 13 cents over the last week and stand well above the recent low of $4.07 a gallon.
Diesel prices are also spiking, adding another blow to the inflation outlook.
The national average for diesel hit another record of $5.54 a gallon Monday, which is up 22 cents in a week and 49 cents in a month, according to AAA.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February sent prices surging as investors braced for oil supply disruptions caused by the war and embargoes on Russian energy.
The Biden administration responded by unleashing a record amount of oil from U.S. emergency oil stockpiles, announcing March 31 that 1 million barrels a day would be released for six months.
The ongoing effort helped cool oil and gasoline prices off for a bit, but the relief was fleeting and relatively minor.
Copyright 2022 via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/09/gas-prices-race-back-near-record-highs/ | 2022-05-09T17:14:00Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for NLY, CZOO, SNAP, INTC, and LYFT.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- NLY: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=NLY&prnumber=080220226
- CZOO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=CZOO&prnumber=080220226
- SNAP: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=SNAP&prnumber=080220226
- INTC: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=INTC&prnumber=080220226
- LYFT: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=LYFT&prnumber=080220226
(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.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/thinking-about-buying-stock-annaly-capital-management-cazoo-group-snap-intel-corp-or-lyft/ | 2022-08-02T17:00:17Z |
WAAC reborn as a leading character business brand accelerates globalization
SEOUL, South Korea, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WAAC, a contemporary performance golf wear brand in Korea, considered a representative brand for the character business, is accelerating globalization of the brand.
Based on the pleasant brand history of Win At All Costs, WAAC has a witty brand concept, and various contents such as WAACKY, a playful evil character who leads the game to victory by blurring the opponent's concentration.
Since the launch of the brand in 2016, WAAC has been leading differentiated character marketing across online and offline environments using the story of WAACKY. The company plans to use seasonal campaign development, character collaboration, KakaoTalk emoji creation, as well as space collaboration marketing to create a "WAACKY Room" in collaboration with golf's premium studio The Plaza Golf.
The Korea Creative Content Agency reports that the domestic character market is growing at an average annual rate of 7.8%, and the industry expects it to exceed KRW 20 trillion this year. Society's transition to an untact, online community caused by COVID-19 has influenced the revival of the character industry and the revitalization of social media and the entire digital environment. In particular, media platforms on global networks such as YouTube and ZEPETO have become commonplace, which is accelerating the character industry's entry into overseas markets.
Why is the character industry growing day by day? Businesses using characters is a field beloved by everyone regardless of age, gender or generation. The character's unique intimacy and sympathy are delivered through storytelling that strengthens the emotional bonds with consumers, which is the most important factor in its popularity.
A recent example of WAAC's character collaboration is the meeting with the much beloved character Hello Kitty. This collaboration is also a glimpse into the global status of the Korean brand WAAC. It was first proposed by Sanrio Korea, which showed interest in the character, WAACKY.
The WAAC x Hello Kitty capsule collection consists of sweatshirts and pants, as well as a hat and socks, and plans to secure new female customers in the MZ generation and increase character awareness. From May 13 to June 7, a pop-up store will open in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. In the pop-up store, a large Hello Kitty objet was installed, and an outdoor Beer Pong game and photo zone using a lab cart were installed. The company also plans to expand brand awareness and provide a brand experience to customers, such as operating a cafe with a limited menu for WAAC x Hello Kitty collaboration.
Also, this year's WAAC collaboration with the global character brand BT21 provides new fun through a golf growth story of forming a team. The main items include a jumpsuit reminiscent of a caddie uniform, short-sleeved shirts with animated characters, and ball pockets. In addition, WAAC collaborated with Sonny Angel to release figures. It was presented as a gift only to customers who purchase more than 600,000 won, but it has been so well received that it stimulated the desire of Sonny Angel maniacs to collect it, and there have been many requests for sales.
Its globalization is based on the success of the domestic market this year. In the domestic golf market, which has recently become very competitive, WAAC achieved sales of KRW 40.7 billion in 2021, recording an 80% growth rate compared to the same period last year. Since 2019, WAAC has already started overseas business in earnest by signing a license contract with TAKIHYO, a Japanese textile and apparel company. Currently, the company is operating eight stores including one in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and plans to expand to 15 stores by the end of this year. The company also expanded into the Chinese market by entering Beijing's premium golf select shop S+G in SKP Department Store in October 2021, and is operating five on-course stores including Mission Hills Clubhouse in Shenzhen. The company also plans to expand to a total of 10 stores in China by the end of this year. Not only that, WAAC is also entering the US market, the home of golf. They will partner with WGS (Worldwide Golf Shop), the second largest golf retailer in the U.S., and customers will be able to see WAAC's products in eight stores and online shopping malls by the end of this year.
WAAC CEO Kim Yoon-kyoung said, "As metaverse technology becomes more popular in the future, the role of character intellectual property (IP) is expected to expand," and, "We will make an example of successful K-character business by developing the WAACKY character and a more attractive and sympathetic story so it can be loved by anyone."
About WAAC
In line with the brand slogan of "WIN AT ALL COSTS", WAAC is a brand that pursues fun and healthy sports by reinterpreting conservative stereotypes about golf with a creative idea to win by blurring the opponent's concentration. As of May 1, 2022, it will be officially launched by Super Train Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kolon Industries.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE WAAC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/do-you-know-evil-character-waacky/ | 2022-05-26T16:28:50Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Thursday the Biden administration can scrap a Trump-era immigration policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration courts, a victory for a White House that still must address the growing number of people seeking refuge at America’s southern border.
The ruling will have little immediate impact because the policy has been seldom applied under President Joe Biden, who reinstated it under a court order in December. It was his predecessor, Donald Trump, who launched the “Remain in Mexico” policy and fully embraced it.
Two conservative justices joined their three liberal colleagues in siding with the White House.
Under Trump, the program enrolled about 70,000 people after it was launched in 2019. Biden suspended the policy, formally known as Migrant Protection Protocols on his first day in office in January 2021. But lower courts ordered it reinstated in response to a lawsuit from Republican-led Texas and Missouri.
Dynamics at the border have changed considerably since “Remain in Mexico” was a centerpiece of Trump’s border policies.
Another Trump-era policy that remains in effect and was not a part of Thursday’s ruling allows the government to quickly expel migrants without a chance to ask for asylum, casting aside U.S. law and an international treaty on grounds of containing the spread of COVID-19. There have been more than 2 million expulsions since the pandemic-era rule, known as Title 42 authority, was introduced in March 2020.
In May, a federal judge in Louisiana prevented the Biden administration from halting Title 42, in a case that may ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
The court’s decision Thursday was released on the same day that the justices dealt the administration a blow in an important environmental case about the nation’s main anti-air pollution law. That ruling could complicate the administration’s plans to combat climate change.
The heart of the legal fight in the immigration case was about whether U.S. immigration authorities, with far less detention capacity than needed, had to send people to Mexico or whether those authorities had the discretion under federal law to release asylum-seekers into the United States while they awaited their hearings.
After Biden’s suspension of the program, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas ended it in June 2021. In October, the department produced additional justifications for the policy’s demise, but that was to no avail in the courts.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that an appeals court “erred in holding that the” federal Immigration and Nationality Act “required the Government to continue implementing MPP.” Joining the majority opinion was fellow conservative Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump-appointee, as well as liberal justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
Kavanaugh also wrote separately and noted that in general, when there is insufficient detention capacity, both releasing asylum-seekers into the United States and sending them back to Mexico “are legally permissible options under the immigration statutes.”
There was no immediate comment from the Biden or the Department of Homeland Security.
Cornell University law professor Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration expert, said the Biden administration does not need to take any further action to end the policy, but that Texas and Missouri can pursue a challenge over whether the administration followed appropriate procedure in ending the program.
In a dissent for himself and fellow conservatives Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the practice of releasing “untold numbers of aliens” into the United States “violates the clear terms of the law, but the court looks the other way.” Justice Amy Coney Barrett said she agreed with the majority’s analysis of the merits of the case but would have sent the case back to a lower court for reconsideration.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement that the decision was “unfortunate.” He argued it would make “the border crisis worse. But it’s not the end. I’ll keep pressing forward and focus on securing the border and keeping our communities safe in the dozen other immigration suits I’m litigating in court.” Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, said the decision would “only embolden the Biden Administration’s open border policies.”
Since December, the administration has registered only 7,259 migrants in “Remain in Mexico.” U.S. authorities stopped migrants 1.2 million times on the Mexico border from December through May, illustrating the policy’s limited impact under Biden.
About 6 of every 10 people in the program are Nicaraguans. The administration has said it would apply the policy to nationalities that are less likely to be subject to the broader Title 42 policy. Strained diplomatic relations with Nicaragua makes it extremely difficult for the U.S. to expel people back to their homeland under Title 42.
Immigrant advocates acknowledged that a relatively small number of asylum seekers arriving on the southwest border are affected by the MPP program with which the court ruling dealt. Still, advocates and Democrats were among those cheering the decision as were those waiting in Mexico.
Oscar Rene Cruz, a taxi driver from Nicaragua who is in a Salvation Army Shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, said after the ruling: “We are all very happy, waiting to see what is going to happen now with us, we know the program has finished but we haven’t been told what they are going to do with us.”
Cruz added: “I wish this will be over soon. Nobody wants to stay here” in Mexico.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said in a statement that those “fleeing violence and persecution to seek asylum —as they are entitled to by law —should not be forced to remain in places that have been deemed dangerous and unsafe while they wait for their day in court.”
Jacob Lichtenbaum, staff attorney for the immigrant rights group CASA in Maryland, called the ruling a “major victory for safety, compassion, and the rule of law.”
But Rep. John Katko of New York, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, said the program was a critical tool to help manage arrivals on the southwest border and the current administration lacks a plan to address the issue.
The case is Biden v. Texas, 21-954.
___
Spagat reported from San Diego. Associated Press writers Amy Taxin in Orange County, California, Jorge Lebrija in Tijuana, Mexico, and Alan Fram in Washington contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/supreme-court-biden-properly-ended-trump-era-asylum-policy/ | 2022-07-01T00:18:50Z |
NEW YORK, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking provided a $126,700,000 acquisition loan secured by 555 Aviation, a 259,754 square foot class-A creative office building located in El Segundo, CA. The Property was purchased by a subsidiary of FS Credit Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. which is advised by a subsidiary of FS Investments, and sub-advised by Rialto Capital Management, LLC.
555 Aviation is 100% leased to three tenants, Fabletics, Saatchi & Saatchi and Belkin, all on long term leases. The Property features floor-to-ceiling glass and high ceilings, open-air breezeways, a fitness center, outdoor lounge areas, bike storage and ample parking. The Property is proximate to an array of affluent residential neighborhoods including Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Palos Verdes communities.
Rialto Capital Management, LLC is an integrated investment management and asset management platform with a dedicated special servicer. FS Investments an asset manager which was founded in 2007 as Franklin Square Capital Partners and is currently headquartered in Philadelphia, PA with offices in Orlando, FL, New York, NY and Leawood, KS. The financing was arranged by Robert Rubano and Brian Share at Cushman & Wakefield.
About Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking
Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking is a leading global financial institution that provides advisory, investment banking, financing, corporate banking and capital markets services to corporations, financial institutions, financial sponsors and sovereign and supranational organizations worldwide.
Our teams of experts in 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. We are committed to supporting the environmental transition by aligning our financing balance sheet with a +1.5°C trajectory by 2050.
As part of the Global Financial Services division of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group's financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor's: A, Moody's: A1, Fitch: A+, R&I: A+).
Press contacts:
Tara Flanagan
Prosek Partners
tflanagan@prosek.com
Tel: +1 646 818 9022
https://www.linkedin.com/company/natixis
https://www.youtube.com/user/Natixisvideos
https://podcast.ausha.co/green-momentum
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Natixis | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/24/natixis-corporate-amp-investment-banking-provides-126700000-floating-rate-acquisition-loan-555-aviation/ | 2022-06-24T18:04:17Z |
LITTLE ELM, Tx (KDAF) — If you’ve ever wanted to learn to wakeboard from scratch without the intimidation of a boat, Hydrous Wake Parks in Allen and Little Elm is giving you the opportunity.
With approximately a .333 mile course with various ramps and obstacles, a beginner’s course and a floating “Wipeout!”-style obstacle course, a day at Hydrous will satisfy everyone.
Landon Wexler and Stephanie Wexler went all in and showed us the ropes in the video above!
Hydrous offers day camps for ages 7-15 – find out more here! | https://cw33.com/news/inside-dfw/learn-the-fundamentals-of-wakeboarding-at-hydrous-cable-park-in-little-elm/ | 2022-07-29T17:44:10Z |
Award-Winning Firm Now Has 16 Offices Across the State
WILMINGTON, N.C., Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in North Carolina, has opened a new office serving Wilmington, N.C. and surrounding areas. The new location builds on the firm's impressive statewide presence. This provides a local office location to help those who have been hurt due to a car wreck, an accident at work, medical malpractice, a defective product, or other forms of personal injury.
"We're proud to open a location in Wilmington and to help area residents seek justice," said President James S. Farrin. "It's a great city, and we look forward to supporting the people of southeastern North Carolina and fighting for their rights with high-quality services."
The firm is no stranger to the Wilmington community, having helped clients from the area even before having an official business location in the city. Residents who are in need of legal services can now contact or make an appointment at the Wilmington office, located at 428 Eastwood Road.
The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina and has helped over 55,000 injured people since 1997. Operating from 16 offices in NC and one in SC, many of the firm's 60+ accomplished attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. The firm focuses on providing quality legal services to as many people as possible in the following practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, workers' compensation, nursing home abuse, whistleblowing, defective products, eminent domain, mass torts, class actions, and Social Security Disability.
Contact Information:
David Chamberlin
280 S. Mangum Street
Suite 400
Durham, NC 27701
866-900-7078
https://www.farrin.com
Offices in Durham (main), Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, NC and Greenville, SC. Attorney J. Gabe Talton: 280 South Mangum St., Suite 400, Durham, NC
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Law Offices of James Scott Farrin | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/james-scott-farrin-expands-its-ability-help-north-carolinians-with-new-wilmington-office/ | 2022-08-25T09:52:52Z |
ISELIN, N.J., May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aergo Solutions, backed by Northstar Capital, has joined CorroHealth. The acquisition by CorroHealth, backed by The Carlyle Group, expands targeted RCM service offerings to the market.
The Aergo Solutions team brings strength and expertise in denial management and a worklist solution that assists in day-to-day RCM operations. Specialists in appeals including clinicians, nurses, legal experts, and contract representatives have helped establish Aergo as leader in the denials space. These specialists will also help CorroHealth address the growing demand for Denials Management and Recovery Services.
"Aergo and CorroHealth have worked together in the recent past on several RCM projects in our space," stated Kevin Chmura, CEO of Aergo Solutions. "The benefits of our worklist technology have already delivered impressive results to these combined engagements."
"The solutions and success Aergo brings to CorroHealth help address an often overlooked segment of the healthcare space," stated Pat Leonard, CEO of CorroHealth. "Their solutions scale to meet the needs of regional healthcare organizations. This scale makes revenue cycle improvements typically seen in larger health systems obtainable for any organization."
Cain Brothers, a division of KeyBanc Capital Markets, served as the exclusive advisor to Aergo Solutions.
About Aergo Solutions
Aergo solves revenue cycle challenges through a customized mix of services, technology, and consulting. Each healthcare provider's revenue cycle is unique, which is why Aergo doesn't simply offer "off-the-shelf" solutions. For the past 25 years, Aergo has continually evolved its solutions to meet changing needs. From their origins as a software company, Aergo has grown to become a leader in Denials Management and Complex Claim Resolution, A/R Outsourcing, Patient Access, Revenue Cycle Technology, and Consulting. For more information, please visit www.aergo.com
About Northstar Capital
Northstar Capital is an investment management company with offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota. Northstar specializes in junior capital investments and equity co-investments in lower middle-market companies. Since inception, Northstar has partnered with more than 150 companies and raised nearly $2 billion in capital. Northstar invests in a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, industrials, consumer, business services, food and agriculture, outsourcing, and distribution. For more information, please visit www.northstarcapital.com
About CorroHealth
CorroHealth sits at the center of the revenue cycle revolution. Fundamental operations of the revenue cycle are supported through our expert teams while we recast the role of clinicians through automation. This shift to a true clinical revenue cycle helps us achieve our core purpose – exceed client financial health goals. In October 2020, TrustHCS, Visionary RCM, T-System and RevCycle+ joined forces and were named CorroHealth to provide a greater breadth of reimbursement cycle, risk adjustment and quality solutions to health systems and payers. For more information, please visit www.corrohealth.com
About The Carlyle Group
Founded in 1987, The Carlyle Group is a pre-eminent global investment firm based in Washington DC, District of Columbia. The firm has a total of ~$300B AUM and prefers to invest through means of buyouts and growth capital. Carlyle invests across four segments which include Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Solutions. The firm invests across a wide variety of sectors including healthcare. Specifically, the firm invests in healthcare services, outsourcing services, companies running clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies, managed care, pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical related services, healthcare IT, medical, products and devices. For more information, please visit www.carlyle.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Aergo Solutions | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/aergo-solutions-joins-corrohealth/ | 2022-05-25T09:57:30Z |
US has more than 750 complaints that Teslas brake for no reason
DETROIT (AP) — More than 750 Tesla owners have complained to U.S. safety regulators that cars operating on its partially automated driving systems have suddenly stopped on roadways for no apparent reason.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed the number in a detailed information request letter to Tesla that was posted Friday on the agency’s website.
The 14-page letter dated May 4 asks the automaker for all consumer and field reports it has received about false braking, as well as reports of crashes, injuries, deaths. It also asks whether the company’s “Full Self Driving” and automatic emergency braking systems were active at the time of any incident.
The agency began investigating phantom braking in Tesla’s Models 3 and Y last February after getting 354 complaints.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/03/us-has-more-than-750-complaints-that-teslas-brake-no-reason/ | 2022-06-03T13:05:40Z |
Over 3,400 fleet safety professionals participated in study to better understand key goals and challenges around building a culture of safety
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GPS Insight, a leading provider of SaaS-based fleet and field service management software and complementary solutions, today announced the release of the 2022 Fleet Safety Report, a research study created and distributed in partnership with Bobit Business Media aiming to better understand the key goals and challenges fleets face in building effective safety programs. The report is comprised of 3,411 survey responses, collected in spring 2022, from fleet safety professionals across various job functions, industries, and fleet sizes.
Drivers are any fleet's greatest assets. While imperative that drivers' health and safety be prioritized, an organization's reputation and profitability depend on the behavior and performance of those behind the wheel. To establish a culture of safety while bolstering performance and efficiency, on-board safety systems provide high-level visibility across the entire fleet while on the road. The GPS Insight Fleet Safety study examined the safety hurdles fleets face, the safety solutions they use to achieve safety goals, the benefits fleets realize from vehicle and video telematics, and the tactics they use to integrate safety technologies across their fleet.
"The future of our fleets depends on all of us working together to cultivate a culture of safety, from safe driving behavior to well-maintained vehicles and equipment," said Shay Demmons, Chief Product Officer of GPS Insight. "Two-thirds of fleet safety professionals who utilize a video telematics system report it has improved driver safety, lowered insurance costs, reduced accident costs, proven when drivers weren't at fault, and minimized at-fault incident rate."
"And as technology advances, so does the acceptance of dash cams in fleet culture," Demmons said. "Drivers are realizing cameras aren't about Big Brother; the right technology is empowering drivers to make better decisions behind the wheel without management having to review hours of footage. Cameras can coach in real time and also defend drivers who are targeted on the road."
Bobit Business Media, publisher of Automotive Fleet, Government Fleet, Heavy Duty Trucking, and WorkTruck, assisted with the deployment and distribution of the survey. As the world's largest fleet publisher and authority on fleet vehicle management, Bobit is entrenched in fleet safety.
"It is evident that fleet professionals are working to put safety first, and safety technologies are critical parts of that plan," said Chris Brown, fleet group editor at Bobit Business Media. "The 2022 Fleet Safety Report demonstrates that fleet safety solutions can assist managers and supervisors in enhancing safety, retaining drivers, satisfying customer requests, and reducing costs."
Key findings in the 2022 Fleet Safety Report include:
- Fleets reported an average of 4.5 accidents per driver per year, with over a third of those attributing fault to the driver.
- Surprisingly, the top reason given for what motivates fleets to address safety concerns was to reduce fleet maintenance costs.
- For 41% of fleet safety professionals surveyed, turning plans into reality was the primary pain point in achieving their organization's safety goals.
- 57% of those who currently use telematics/GPS tracking consider it very effective in helping to improve safety within their fleet. An additional 17% consider it extremely effective.
A webinar will be held Wednesday, August 24 to present an overview of the findings; register for that live presentation at this link.
Find the full 2022 Fleet Safety Report at https://www.gpsinsight.com/premium/2022-fleet-safety-report.
We are the world's largest fleet publisher and authority on fleet vehicle management and have been for over 50 years. We reach 250,000 commercial and government fleets, small business fleets, work trucks of all sizes, and heavy duty truck fleets operating 18,000,000 vehicles. We offer a complete mix of media products that deliver news, industry trends and insight to the fleet management market.
GPS Insight helps fleet and field service businesses by delivering innovative solutions and actionable insights. Organizations across the globe turn to GPS Insight when they have high operating costs, are worried about safety on the roads, and struggle with fleet and field inefficiencies that waste valuable time and money. GPS Insight offers best-of-breed technology for organizations with drivers and technicians in the field, fleets of vehicles, trailers, and other mobile assets. GPS Insight provides many solutions that include vehicle and asset tracking, fleet management, AI-enabled smart cameras, field service management, and regulatory compliance solutions.
Media Contact
Bailey Wray
anthonyBarnum Public Relations
bailey.wray@anthonybarnum.com
(318) 470-5403
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE GPS Insight | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/gps-insight-partnership-with-bobit-business-media-releases-2022-fleet-safety-report/ | 2022-08-24T14:07:51Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — T- Mobile has agreed to pay $350 million to customers affected by a class action lawsuit filed after the company disclosed last August that personal data like social security numbers had been stolen in a cyberattack.
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Friday, the mobile phone company said the funds would pay for claims by class members, the legal fees of plaintiffs’ counsel and the costs of administering the settlement. It also said it would spend $150 million next year and in 2023 to fortify its data security and other technologies.
T-Mobile said the settlement contains no admission of liability, wrongdoing or responsibility by any of the defendants.
The company said that it expects court approval of the terms of the settlement as early as December 2022.
Nearly 80 million U.S. residents were affected by the breach. In addition to Social Security numbers, other information breached included names and information from driver’s licenses or other identification.
T-Mobile, based in Bellevue, Washington, became one of the country’s largest cellphone service carriers, along with AT&T and Verizon, after acquiring rival Sprint in 2020. It reported having a total of 102.1 million U.S. customers after the merger.
T-Mobile said it expects to record a total pre-tax charge of roughly $400 million in the second quarter of this year. | https://cw33.com/technology/ap-technology/t-mobile-settles-to-pay-350m-to-customers-in-data-breach/ | 2022-07-24T12:32:55Z |
SHANGHAI, May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ATRenew Inc. ("ATRenew" or the "Company") (NYSE: RERE), a leading technology-driven pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Highlights
- Total net revenues grew by 45.7% to RMB2,206.5 million (US$348.1 million) from RMB1,514.4 million in the first quarter of 2021.
- Loss from operations was RMB134.8 million (US$21.3 million), compared to RMB111.4 million in the first quarter of 2021. Adjusted income from operations (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million) compared to an adjusted loss from operations of RMB33.6 million in the first quarter of 2021.
- Total Gross Merchandise Volume ("GMV[2]") increased by 51.6% to RMB9.4 billion from RMB6.2 billion in the first quarter of 2021. GMV for product sales increased by 57.1% to RMB2.2 billion from RMB1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2021. GMV for online marketplaces increased by 50.0% to RMB7.2 billion from RMB4.8 billion in the first quarter of 2021.
- Number of consumer products transacted[3] increased by 31.3% to 8.4 million from 6.4 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Mr. Kerry Xuefeng Chen, the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of ATRenew, commented, "During the first quarter of 2022, our business operations demonstrated resilience against the volatility brought by a series of resurgences of COVID-19 outbreaks due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. We attribute our resilience to the hard work and commitment of our team and the continued implementation of our city-level service integration strategy. Our upgraded strategy proved invaluable as we navigated challenges posed by regional lockdowns leveraging fulfillment capabilities from nearby cities to combat supply chain interruptions. However, as macro uncertainty remains in the near future, we will prioritize operational efficiency and aim at achieving decent growth while synchronizing our business model with China's dual-carbon goal through the coming decades."
Mr. Rex Chen, the Chief Financial Officer of ATRenew, added, "We are pleased to report another profitable quarter, with non-GAAP operating income reaching RMB3.9 million. This result, achieved in the face of the continuing macro headwinds, demonstrates the extent to which we have optimized our cost structure compared with the same quarter last year. Our swift adoption of flexible and safety-focused operations safeguarded and bolstered our overall growth. During the lockdown in Shanghai, in addition to providing our employees with care and support, we also donated anti-COVID supplies to universities and communities in Shanghai as part of our effort in further integrating corporate social responsibility into our commercial operations. In the near term, we will remain prudent in our expansion and expenditure in the event that regional lockdowns continue. We employ a disciplined and balanced capital allocation strategy in order to ensure that we have sufficient cash to sustain business operations and tackle potential contingencies. Meanwhile, we firmly believe that strategically investing in supply chain capabilities and technology will widen our competitive moat in the long run."
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
REVENUE
Total net revenues increased by 45.7% to RMB2,206.5 million (US$348.1 million) from RMB1,514.4 million in the same period of 2021.
- Net product revenues increased by 45.7% to RMB1,908.9 million (US$301.1 million) from RMB1,310.5 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the sourcing volume and the corresponding sales of pre-owned consumer electronics through PJT Marketplace, Paipai Marketplace and the Company's offline channels.
- Net service revenues increased by 46.0% to RMB297.6 million (US$46.9 million) from RMB203.9 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to the increases in transaction volume on PJT Marketplace and Paipai Marketplace.
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Operating costs and expenses increased by 44.7% to RMB2,352.5 million (US$371.1 million) from RMB1,626.2 million in the same period of 2021.
- Merchandise costs increased by 49.7% to RMB1,640.0 million (US$258.7 million) from RMB1,095.7 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to the growth in product revenues.
- Fulfillment expenses increased by 32.8% to RMB296.2 million (US$46.7 million) from RMB223.0 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to (i) the increases in logistics expenses and operation center related expenses, which were in line with the increase in sales of pre-owned consumer electronics; (ii) an increase in personnel cost in connection with the Company's growing business; and (iii) an increase in the recognition of share-based compensation expense resulting from options granted to employees with an IPO condition since the second quarter of 2021.
- Selling and marketing expenses increased by 38.3% to RMB307.8 million (US$48.6 million) from RMB222.6 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to (i) an increase in sales promotion and coupon expenses in connection with business development; (ii) an increase in personnel cost in connection with the Company's growing business; and (iii) an increase in the recognition of share-based compensation expense resulting from options granted to employees with an IPO condition since the second quarter of 2021.
- General and administrative expenses increased by 53.1% to RMB45.0 million (US$7.1 million) from RMB29.4 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to the increase in the recognition of share-based compensation expense resulting from options granted to employees with an IPO condition since the second quarter of 2021.
- Technology and content expenses increased by 14.4% to RMB63.5 million (US$10.0 million) from RMB55.5 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was primarily due to (i) the increases in operation center and system upgrade related expenses in connection with the Company's growing business; and (ii) the increase in the recognition of share-based compensation expense resulting from options granted to employees with an IPO condition since the second quarter of 2021.
LOSS (INCOME) FROM OPERATIONS
Loss from operations increased by 21.0% to RMB134.8 million (US$21.3 million) from RMB111.4 million in the same period of 2021. Adjusted income from operations (non-GAAP), excluding amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions and recognition of share-based compensation expense resulting from options granted to employees, was RMB3.9 million (US$0.6 million), compared to an adjusted loss from operations of RMB33.6 million in the same period of 2021.
NET LOSS
Net loss increased by 70.3% to RMB161.4 million (US$25.5 million) from RMB94.8 million in the same period of 2021. Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB35.8 million (US$5.7 million), compared to RMB36.4 million in the same period of 2021.
BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share were RMB0.99 (US$0.16), compared to RMB32.13 in the same period of 2021.
Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share (non-GAAP)[1] were RMB0.22 (US$0.03), compared to RMB1.94 in the same period of 2021.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, RESTRICTED CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND FUNDS RECEIVABLE FROM THIRD PARTY PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and funds receivable from third party payment service providers decreased to RMB2,419.5 million (US$381.7 million) as of March 31, 2022, from RMB2,421.9 million as of December 31, 2021.
Business Outlook
For the second quarter of 2022, the Company currently expects its total revenues to be between RMB2,000.0 million and RMB2,050.0 million. This forecast only reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.
Recent Development
On December 28, 2021, ATRenew announced a share repurchase program, effective immediately, to repurchase up to US$100 million of its shares over a twelve-month period. As of March 31, 2022, the company had repurchased 4,753,840 American depositary shares ("ADSs") in the open market at an average price of US$4.73 per ADS, with a total cash consideration of US$22 million.
Conference Call Information
The Company's management will hold a conference call Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 08:00 A.M. Eastern Time (or 08:00 P.M. Beijing Time on Tuesday, May 24, 2022) to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers:
The replay will be accessible through May 31, 2022, by dialing the following numbers:
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at ir.atrenew.com.
About ATRenew Inc.
Headquartered in Shanghai, ATRenew Inc. operates a leading technology-driven pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform in China under the brand ATRenew. Since its inception in 2011, ATRenew has been on a mission to give a second life to all idle goods, addressing the environmental impact of pre-owned consumer electronics by facilitating recycling and trade-in services, and distributing the devices to prolong their lifecycle. ATRenew's open platform integrates C2B, B2B, and B2C capabilities to empower its online and offline services. Through its end-to-end coverage of the entire value chain and its proprietary inspection, grading, and pricing technologies, ATRenew sets the standard for China's pre-owned consumer electronics industry.
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB6.3393 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of March 31, 2022.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company also uses certain non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating its business. For example, the Company uses adjusted loss from operations, adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per ordinary share as supplemental measures to review and assess its financial and operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted loss from operations is loss from operations excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions. Adjusted net loss is net loss excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions and tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions. Adjusted net loss per ordinary share is adjusted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of shares used in calculating net loss per ordinary share. Adjusted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders is net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions and tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions.
The Company presents non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by the Company's management to evaluate the Company's financial and operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company believes that adjusted loss from operations and adjusted net loss help identify underlying trends in the Company's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that are included in loss from operations and net loss. The Company also believes that the use of non-GAAP financial measures facilitates investors' assessment of the Company's operating performance. The Company believes that adjusted loss from operations and adjusted net loss provide useful information about the Company's operating results, enhance the overall understanding of the Company's past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by the Company's management in its financial and operational decision making.
The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company's operations. Share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions and tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and deferred cost resulting from assets and business acquisitions have been and may continue to be incurred in the Company's business and is not reflected in the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures. Further, the non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP measures used by other companies, including peer companies, potentially limiting the comparability of their financial results to the Company's. In light of the foregoing limitations, the non-GAAP financial measures for the period should not be considered in isolation from or as an alternative to loss from operations, net loss, and net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders per share, or other financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, which should be considered when evaluating the Company's performance. For reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled, "Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results."
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to" and similar statements. Among other things, quotations in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. ATRenew may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about ATRenew's beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: ATRenew's strategies; ATRenew's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; ATRenew's ability to maintain its relationship with major strategic investors; its ability to provide facilitate pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and provide relevant services; its ability to maintain and enhance the recognition and reputation of its brand; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in ATRenew's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and ATRenew does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Investor Relations Contact
In China:
ATRenew Inc.
Investor Relations
Email: ir@atrenew.com
In the United States:
ICR, LLC.
Email: atrenew@icrinc.com
Tel: +1-212-537-0461
View original content:
SOURCE ATRenew Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/24/atrenew-inc-reports-unaudited-first-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-05-24T09:37:10Z |
IRVINE, Calif., May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) and their Los Angeles/Ventura (LA/V) Chapter hosted the Economic Forecast & Housing Strategy Summit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. on April 25th. The event was co-hosted by Southern California Leadership Council (SCLC) and had over 200 registered attendees.
The event took place from 3pm - 8pm consisting of a library tour, all-regions board meeting, VIP Reception and concluded with a special guests panel featuring local elected representatives. In attendance were BIASC leadership and Chapter Presidents, along with Southern California's top builders and landowners.
Former California Governor Pete Wilson, the 36th Governor of California, recorded a message for the audience stating Sacramento must reduce the regulatory burdens homebuilders face in order to reverse the state's declining homeownership rates. "Ten years ago, 50% of Californians could afford a medium priced home, but now it's less than half that, and each time the home affordability statistic drops another point, another swath of our population loses its hold on the American dream of ownership," he said. "That is a tragedy, because it also means that all the economic and social benefits that come with home ownership have been lost for them."
Guests heard opening remarks from Los Angeles Supervisor Fifth District Kathryn Barger. The moderator of the event was Bill McReynolds, BIA LA/V Chapter President and Vice President of Land Acquisitions at Warmington Residential. Former Governor Gray Davis, the 37th Governor of California and Co-Chair of SCLC, was a highlighted speaker at the event on Wednesday. Christopher Thornberg, founder of Beacon Economics, provided insight into the 2022 building economic forecast and beyond.
The Land and Development Panel included:
- Greg Bielli, President and CEO, Tejon Ranch
- Mike Balsamo, Senior Vice President, Governmental Relations, Rancho Mission Viejo
- Randall Lewis, Senior EVP of Marketing, Lewis Group of Companies
- Nicole Murray, Division President, Shea Holmes
- Greg McWilliams, Chief Policy Officer and VP, Fivepoint
The Land and Development Panel set the tone for the evening by expressing the need for predictability to exist in order for land purchasing and building to continue successfully. The regulatory agencies need to be stopped from promulgating more rules and hurdles to get over to get away from the massive economic transformation forcing gentrification. All hands on deck are needed in order to get neighborhoods and quality of life back on track.
"Our Economic Forecast & Housing Strategy Summit provides invaluable information for our members and elected officials to better engage on housing solutions," said BIASC CEO Jeff Montejano. "The growing large number of attendees for these leadership summit's are outstanding and a clear indication about the growing need for better regional housing policies."
About
The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) is the voice of the region's building industry, with four chapters offering localized services to building professionals from Ventura to the southern tip of Orange County. Throughout its 99-year history, the association has served its builder and associate members by anticipating, protecting and promoting their common interests through its many programs, services, councils and committees. For more information on the Building Industry Association of Southern California, visit https://biasc.org/.
IMAGE DOWNLOAD
IMAGE CAPTION - Bill McReynolds (BIA LA/V Chapter President and Vice President of Land Acquisitions, Warmington Residential), Christopher Thornberg (Founder, Beacon Economics), Mike Balsamo (Senior Vice President, Governmental Relations, Rancho Mission Viejo), Randall Lewis (Senior EVP of Marketing, Lewis Group of Companies), Nicole Murray (Division President, Shea Holmes), Greg Bielli (President and CEO, Tejon Ranch), and Greg McWilliams(Chief Policy Officer and VP, Fivepoint).
View original content:
SOURCE Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/13/building-industry-southern-california-hosts-successful-economic-forecast-housing-strategy-summit/ | 2022-05-13T06:03:54Z |
Many utility companies have been lenient about late payments -- or no payments at all -- due to the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic. But now, a growing number of Americans who have not paid their bills for an extended period of time are receiving notices to pay up or face possible shutoffs.
Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
(You can get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)
1. Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that US diplomats will return to Ukraine this week, a move officials are characterizing as a strong message of solidarity from the United States. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv over the weekend, where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, making them the highest-level US officials to have traveled to the country since the Russian invasion began in late February. Zelensky's office issued a readout of the meeting today, stressing the importance of the visit and thanking President Joe Biden for the US' "unprecedented assistance." Meanwhile, Ukrainians attempted to celebrate one of their most important holidays of the year yesterday, Orthodox Easter, but the ongoing war and latest attacks in Mariupol cast a dark shadow over the holiday.
2. French elections
Emmanuel Macron has won France's presidential election, making him the first French leader to be reelected in 20 years. Macron fended off a historic challenge from far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, after securing 58.5% of yesterday's runoff vote. The victory is seen as a relief for France's most prominent allies because a Le Pen presidency would have fundamentally changed France's relationship with the European Union and the West, at a time when the bloc and its allies rely on Paris to take a leading role in confronting some of the world's biggest challenges -- most notably, the war in Ukraine. Many in France were not happy with either candidate, however. The voter abstention rate for the runoff was 28%, according to the French Interior Ministry, the highest in more than 50 years.
3. Coronavirus
The Biden administration will renew its push with lawmakers to secure Covid-19 funding when Congress returns from recess this week, a White House official told CNN. A $10 billion funding package is currently on the table, which the Biden administration says is urgently needed to continue the federal Covid-19 response. The White House initially requested $22.5 billion in relief funding last month in a larger government funding package, but it failed to move forward. That request included funding for testing, treatments and preventing future outbreaks. Negotiators were able to reach an agreement on a scaled-back $10 billion package, but Congress left for a two-week Easter break without passing the deal.
4. Twitter
Twitter's board of directors met yesterday to discuss Elon Musk's offer to take over the company -- a potential prelude to negotiations with the Tesla CEO about next steps. A person familiar with the matter confirmed a board meeting took place and told CNN that discussions about Musk's bid have turned serious. According to an SEC filing, Musk offered to acquire all the shares in Twitter he does not own for $54.20 per share, valuing the company at $41.4 billion. Twitter is due to report first quarter earnings on Thursday afternoon. The company will have to address Musk's offer by then, if not before. Separately, Musk is on track for another massive payday where he will soon receive stock options worth billions of dollars.
5. Nigeria
Scores of people were killed in an explosion at illegal oil refinery in southern Nigeria yesterday. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps said in a statement that the fire had led "to the death of men, women and children in the hundreds," adding that the remains of some victims "were burnt beyond recognition." Emergency response teams have counted 109 bodies, while others remain missing, according to local media reports. Oil theft and artisanal refining of crude oil is a common practice in the Nigeria's delta region. Government figures released last year found that more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil are being lost to theft each day.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
This food company will pay you $10K to be its Chief Taco Officer
Lettuce pray for whoever's stomach will endure tacos for two months straight.
Memorabilia from 'The Wizard of Oz' is up for sale
Somewhere over the rainbow, someone wealthy is preparing to spend up to $1.2 million for this rare piece of Hollywood history!
The White House is in desperate need of new glassware
And it's not just a crystal crisis... silverware tends to go missing after special events at the White House -- slipped into coat pockets or dropped discreetly into purses. What a bold move, you sly guests!
Black woman named valedictorian decades after high school graduation
Better late than never. 38 years later, this woman was named valedictorian after her high school denied her the honor in 1984.
Fire crews rescue Washington woman after she falls headfirst into toilet
Sounds like a very stinky situation...
TODAY'S NUMBER
1,761
That's how many pounds of meth was seized from a big rig hauling a shipment of strawberry puree, customs and border officials said. The concealed drugs -- worth an estimated $35.2 million -- were discovered after a border patrol officer in Laredo, Texas, saw the tractor trailer arriving from Mexico and referred it for another examination.
TODAY'S QUOTE
"I think we're going to be in real trouble if we don't get up and deliver, then I believe that Democrats are going to lose."
-- Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, offering a warning to fellow Democrats yesterday, saying that if they "don't get up and deliver" while their party has the majority in Congress, they will lose the 2022 midterm elections. Warren's remarks come as the Democratic party aims to maintain its narrow control of the House and Senate, amid intraparty divisions on issues such as immigration and Covid-19 relief. President Biden is also facing low approval ratings as the nation grapples with inflation and the war in Ukraine strains the global economy.
TODAY'S WEATHER
AND FINALLY
Fluffy red pandas
If you've never seen red pandas, you're missing out on a ton of cuteness! (Click here to view)
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/5-things-to-know-for-april-25-ukraine-french-elections-covid-19-twitter-nigeria/article_abda1e57-e002-559b-994f-5434ffaa3f0a.html | 2022-04-25T13:13:30Z |
(The Hill) – A Google engineer who argued that the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) is sentient has been placed on personal leave.
A spokesperson for the company declined to elaborate on the reasons behind the suspension, noting that it is “a longstanding, private personnel matter.”
Multiple news outlets have reported that Blake Lemoine, the senior software engineer from Google’s responsible AI team, violated the company’s confidentiality policy.
Lemoine’s concerns reportedly grew out of his work with Google’s LaMDA model, which he grew to believe was sentient with feelings and emotions.
In a Medium post after he was placed on leave, Lemoine wrote that he sought “a minimal amount of outside consultation” after his managers turned down requests to escalate his concerns.
“When we escalated to the VP in charge of the relevant safety effort they literally laughed in my face and told me that the thing which I was concerned about isn’t the kind of thing which is taken seriously at Google,” Lemoine wrote.
The Google spokesperson told The Hill that Lemoine’s claims about LaMDA being sentient were reviewed and dismissed.
“These systems imitate the types of exchanges found in millions of sentences, and can riff on any fantastical topic — if you ask what it’s like to be an ice cream dinosaur, they can generate text about melting and roaring and so on,” they said. “LaMDA tends to follow along with prompts and leading questions, going along with the pattern set by the user.”
“Our team — including ethicists and technologists — has reviewed Blake’s concerns per our AI Principles and have informed him that the evidence does not support his claims” the spokesperson added.
While some researchers have suggested that automated systems could reach sentience, the consensus opinion in the space is that the technology has a very long way to go to reach such a point. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/engineer-who-claimed-google-ai-has-thoughts-feelings-is-placed-on-leave/ | 2022-06-14T22:54:44Z |
Mechanical failure caused deadly Navy helicopter crash
SAN DIEGO (AP) - A Navy helicopter crash off Southern California that killed five crewmembers last year was caused by mechanical failure, not pilot error, the military announced Tuesday.
A command investigation completed on April 18 found that a damper hose failed on the MH-60S Seahawk during flight, probably because of unsuspected damage that occurred during maintenance, the Navy said.
The hose reduces vibrations from the main rotor and the failure led to severe vibrations that caused the rotor to hit the deck as the aircraft landed on an aircraft carrier on Aug. 31, 2021, off San Diego, the Navy said.
The helicopter fell into the sea and sank about 70 miles (112 kilometers) off San Diego. One crewmember was rescued and five were declared dead after a search.
Five sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were injured.
“There is no evidence that weather conditions or pilot error were causal or contributing factors to the mishap,” the command investigation concluded.
The aircraft belonged to the Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/04/mechanical-failure-caused-deadly-navy-helicopter-crash/ | 2022-05-04T06:18:04Z |
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox lost every one of their first eight series against AL East opponents this season. In the ninth, a four-game set against the first-place Yankees, they opened with back-to-back losses and trailed by two runs in the 10th inning of Game 3.
That’s when things turned around.
One night after rallying to win in extra innings, Boston scored nine unanswered runs on Sunday to come back from a four-run deficit and beat New York 11-6. The split improved the Red Sox to 0-8-1 in series against AL East teams — not great, but a boost as they head into the All-Star break with series against the Rays and Yankees..
“I don’t think anyone would have bet that we would have split it after the first two. You’re definitely lying if you say that,” said shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who was added to the AL roster for the All-Star Game earlier Sunday.
“Especially how the first two games went,” he said, alluding to the 12-5 loss on Friday in which outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. pitched the ninth. “It’s nice to give the fans something to come back to the ballpark and look forward to.”
Jeter Downs’ bases-loaded blooper against Aroldis Chapman dropped in off DJ LeMahieu’s glove to break a sixth-inning tie, and the Red Sox rallied from a 6-2 deficit to win on Sunday night. Boston scored one in the third, three in the fifth to tie it, one in the sixth to take the lead and four insurance runs in the seventh.
It was the second straight comeback sparked by Downs, a 23-year-old rookie named after former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter who was supposed to start in Triple-A on Saturday but was scratched so he could head to Fenway Park.
“We play in a tough division, and we’ve been getting beat in the division and we know that,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “But we feel like we can play with anybody.”
J.D. Martinez hit a two-run homer to make it 6-all in the fifth, and Franchy Cordero and Christian Vazquez also homered.
Giancarlo Stanton and Matt Carpenter homered for the Yankees, who scored two runs off Boston starter Nick Pivetta in each of the first three innings to open a 6-2 lead.
Vazquez hit a solo homer in the bottom of the third, then doubled home a run in the fifth; Martinez hit the next pitch out to right-center to tie it 6-all. Chapman (0-3), who returned from the Injured List earlier this month, loaded the bases in the sixth on a single and two walks.
Downs pinch hit for Jarren Duran and blooped one toward center field. LeMahieu went back on it from second base and Aaron Hicks came in from center, but the ball glanced off LeMahieu’s glove and fell in.
Trevor Story scored from third to make it 7-6 but Rob Refsnyder, who held up at first, was forced out at second.
“Everybody talks about the bullpen, how great they are, and we saw the window there,” said Cora, who used two pinch hitters in the inning against Chapman. “We have to go for it there.”
Boston added four more in the seventh, loading the bases on an error, a walk and a single before Story doubled high off the Green Monster in left-center to clear the bases. Albert Abreu replaced Miguel Castro and committed a throwing error on Cordero’s bunt, allowing Story to score from second and make it 10-6.
Chapman was charged with one run on one hit and two walks, striking out two in one inning. Hirokazu Sawamura (1-1) struck out two in two innings for Boston, which is in second place in the AL East — but 14 games behind the Yankees.
“At the end of the day, they’re going to look at who has the most wins, not the one who has the most wins against the division,” Bogaerts said. “So that’s the only way you get to the playoffs now.”
BOONE BOOTED
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected by plate umpire Tripp Gibson in the middle of the seventh. Boone came out to argue, animatedly, after Sawamura struck out Stanton looking to end the top half of the inning.
STARS
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, closer Clay Holmes, catcher Jose Trevino and left-hander Nestor Cortes were added to the AL roster for the All-Star Game on Sunday. They join starters Aaron Judge and Stanton.
The Red Sox have two players headed to Dodger Stadium for the game on July 19: Bogaerts was added as a reserve, and third baseman Rafael Devers was elected as a starter.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: New York starter Jameson Taillon took a hard chopper from Vazquez off his right hip in the first inning, recovered and made the play at first. Taillon remained in the game.
Red Sox: Devers missed the last two games of the series with back pain. … RHP Nathan Eovaldi pitched three-plus innings for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox on a rehab assignment, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out four. He has been on the injured list since June 12 with lower back inflammation.
UP NEXT:
Yankees: After taking Monday off, host Cincinnati for the start of a three-game series Tuesday. Cole (8-2) will face Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft (4-2).
Red Sox: Rookie RHP Brayan Bello (0-1) makes his second career start when he faces the Tampa Bay Rays.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/red-sox-score-9-straight-rally-past-yanks-11-6-for-split/ | 2022-07-11T23:16:36Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Two is better than one and two winning Texas Lottery tickets were sold outside of Texas’ two biggest cities: Dallas and Houston.
The lottery says two $25,000 winning Cash Five tickets from Wednesday night’s drawing were sold in Baytown and Cedar Hill. The tickets matched all five of the winning numbers, 7, 8, 21, 23 and 28.
The Baytown ticket was sold at Snappy Mart on Garth Road (Quick Pick), while the Cedar Hill ticket was sold at Sunny Food Mart on 489 E Fm 1382 (non-Quick Pick). There were also 96 secondary prize winners ($350 each) who got four out of the five winning numbers right.
These wins also mark the fourth straight drawing to have a top prize winner from the Cash Five Texas Lottery game. | https://cw33.com/news/texas/2-25000-winning-texas-lottery-tickets-sold-outside-of-dallas-houston/ | 2022-05-12T23:37:47Z |
Officer returns to work to save life of 2-year-old child, officials say
Published: May. 6, 2022 at 5:53 PM CDT|Updated: 31 minutes ago
WOODSTOCK, Ga. (Gray News) - Officials in Georgia are praising the work of a local officer who helped save the life of a child Thursday night.
The Woodstock Police Department reports officer B. Dixon was on his way home when a call came in regarding a 2-year-old child not breathing.
A department spokesperson said instead of continuing home, Dixon was close by and took the call to be first at the scene.
The officer immediately began performing CPR and was able to resuscitate the child. Woodstock police said the boy was taken to a local hospital and doing well after the incident.
The department thanked Dixon for being a hero to the family and for representing the agency and city well.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/06/officer-returns-work-save-life-2-year-old-child-officials-say/ | 2022-05-06T23:24:50Z |
The safe-scenting solutions eliminate odors known to attract unwanted pests
READING, Pa., July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Odors released from trash chutes, product storage spaces and other common back-of-house areas can linger throughout indoor spaces. These troublesome smells attract unwanted pests and can negatively impact customer and brand perception. To help businesses operate pest-free and avoid potential negative brand backlash, Rentokil launched GENIE Max, a patented odor management system designed to eliminate challenging back-of-house malodors.
GENIE Max produces odor control solutions using nebulization to disperse non-toxic, safe-scenting fragrances. Designed for large back-of-house indoor and outdoor spaces, the patented scent technology eliminates and neutralizes foul smells, delivering an improved air care experience for customers and employees, while helping to reduce unwanted pests.
Strong aromas release a signal to many pests such as rodents, cockroaches and flies that food is near. Pests can contaminate food and spread harmful pathogens, directly impacting employee and customer health. Customers and employees view lingering odors as an indicator of unhealthy environments, leading to negative perceptions of the business or organization.
"The common house fly can smell odors as far as four miles away," said Matt Hayas, Director of Product and Innovation at Rentokil North America. "Air fresheners and aerosol sprays only mask the smells and create even more pungent aromas, which can make pest problems worse for businesses. GENIE Max takes odor remediation a step further by targeting the source and eradicating the vaporous odors at their molecular level."
GENIE Max odor management system can be equipped with up to four cartridge heads, offering multi-zone coverage from a single point. Each diffuser head can be individually programmed, with 50 intensity settings and 21 start and stop times per day, providing a range of options that can be adjusted based on the business's unique needs.
To learn more about this product, or for additional pest resources please visit, Rentokil.com/us.
ABOUT RENTOKIL
For more than 90 years, Rentokil has served as global experts in pest control. Through an integrated pest management approach, the Rentokil network of experts offer a superior level of protection and trusted solutions, pushing the boundaries of innovation and harnessing new technology, to create pest-free environments.
Rentokil is part of Rentokil North America, which provides commercial and residential pest control to customers in the United States and Canada. The comprehensive and digital pest management solutions include general pest control, rodents, mosquito, birds, termite and bed bug inspections and service, vegetation management and bird management.
In addition, Rentokil North America operates business services companies including Ambius, specializing in air purification, hand and surface hygiene as well as plants and scenting services; Steritech, offering food safety and operational assessments; SOLitude Lake Management, providing lake and pond solutions; and Vector Disease Control International, which serves governments and municipalities with mosquito control services.
For more information on Rentokil, visit www.rentokil.com/us.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Bernhard
Hannah.Bernhard@rentokil.com
View original content:
SOURCE Rentokil | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/rentokil-north-america-launches-odor-management-system-back-of-house-spaces/ | 2022-07-26T13:27:23Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, May 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Minerva Intelligence Inc. (TSXV: MVAI) (OTCQB: MVAIF) ("Minerva" or the "Company"), an artificial intelligence software company focused on building decision support tools for climate risk, mineral exploration and mining, is pleased to announce its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 ("Q1"). All amounts are presented in Canadian dollars.
Q1 Financial Highlights
- Total revenues for the three-month period ended March 31st 2022 of $123,122 compared to $552,397 for the three-month period ended March 31st 2021
- Net loss for the three-month period ended March 31st 2022 of $0.94 million compared to $0.46 million for the three-month period March 31st 2021
- Cash balance of $2,403,702 and working capital of $2,522,616
Q1 Operational Highlights
- Signed first licensed SaaS customer for DRIVER AI Software
- Signed four DRIVER proof of concept projects, one of which was converted directly to full license
- Transitioned to annually renewing contracts in SaaS products, creating reliable income
- Enhanced the Board of Directors with the addition of Dr. David Poole
"We are pleased with the results of our first quarter despite the change in revenue from same quarter in the prior year. We have made the transition to SaaS sales for DRIVER, which results in revenues being allocated over the period of the contract, as opposed to a fixed consulting contract which provided immediate revenues once completed. In our opinion, this transition is positive as it will result in longer term more stable revenues" said Scott Tillman, Chief Executive Officer.
Management expects future periods to result in higher sales as the contracts for DRIVER accumulate and renew.
In addition, the board of directors has authorized the issuance of 1,541,750 options to directors, officers and employees of the Company at an exercise price of $0.07 per share for a term of two years expiring May 26, 2024.
Additionally, the Company and Morgan Knowles have agreed to continue working together for one year, renewing the investor relations contract for a one-year term at the same rate as previously announced in addition to 100,000 options included in the prior paragraph on the same terms and conditions.
For full details on Minerva's reported results, please go to https://minervaintelligence.com/investors or SEDAR Home Page
About Minerva Intelligence Inc.
Minerva Intelligence Inc. is a software development company based in Vancouver, Canada, with a subsidiary office in Darmstadt, Germany. Their proprietary technology is empowering organizations to make defensible decisions in the face of climate change.
Although Minerva's applications focus on the search for critical metals and the assessment of physical climate risk, their technology has application in diverse industries and domains.
Minerva's common shares are currently listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (symbol MVAI). For further details, please refer to their website www.minervaintelligence.com or follow Minerva on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Information: This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. All information in this release, other than information of historical facts, including, without limitation, the availability of financing to the Company are forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such expectations are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information include changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, delays in receiving approvals, and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of our business, investors should review our continuous disclosure filings which are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Minerva Intelligence Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/30/minerva-intelligence-reports-q1-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-05-31T02:17:06Z |
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Saints have scratched top running back Alvin Kamara from Sunday’s lineup against Tampa Bay because of a rib injury that has bothered him since New Orleans’ Week 1 victory at Atlanta.
Kamara, who was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, is one of the New Orleans’ most productive players as both a runner and receiver.
Kamara left the Saints’ Sept. 11 game in the fourth quarter but initially said afterward that he believed he would be fine. After practicing on a limited basis on Wednesday, he sat out practices on Thursday and Friday.
With Kamara out, veteran Mark Ingram is expected to get the bulk of the work at running back, backed up by Dwayne Washington and Tony Jones Jr.
Kamara is among several established skill players ruled out for the game, including Tampa Bay receivers Julio Jones (knee) and Chris Godwin (hamstring), as well as Saints receiver Tre’Quan Smith (shoulder), who returned to practice this week after sitting out in Week 1.
New Orleans also scratched second-year defensive end Payton Turner, a 2021 first-round draft choice who blocked the Falcon’s 63-yard field goal attempted at the end of regulation in Week 1. He was not on this week’s injury report.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-saints-scratch-dynamic-rb-kamara-vs-bucs-with-rib-injury/ | 2022-09-18T22:50:53Z |
SAN ANTONIO, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost Bank, one of the largest banks based in Texas, today expanded its 14-month-old $100 overdraft grace feature so that it is available to all Frost Personal Account and Frost Plus Account customers, regardless of direct deposit status. Expanding the feature means checking account customers who participate in the bank's standard courtesy overdraft program will not be charged a fee if they overdraw their checking accounts $100 or less.
At the same time, Frost announced it would eliminate fees on nonsufficient and returned items for all consumer customers. This applies to checking, savings, money market and health savings accounts.
Introduced in April 2021, overdraft grace positioned the Frost Personal Account and Frost Plus Account well ahead of accounts at other banks, which on average charge a $35 overdraft fee even on overdrafts as low as $6, or make customers earn an overdraft grace through tenure or credit rating. Since 2021, overdraft grace has helped more than 64,000 families obtain needed goods and services without incurring a fee. This has been especially important during the pandemic and as inflation pushed consumer prices higher.
For years, even before introducing overdraft grace, Frost helped customers by taking fee-minimizing steps such as posting credits before debits, and processing ATM and debit card transactions first, in the order they are received.
Now, by also eliminating NSF and returned item fees for consumers, Frost takes another step ahead of its competitors while reinforcing one of its guiding principles: doing what's right.
"Combined, the expansion of these features means Frost expects to forgo as much as $3.5 million per year," said Jimmy Stead, Chief Consumer Banking Officer. "Nevertheless, we understand that people sometimes make a mistake or have a need that requires a little more money. We're the friend that will spot them $100 when they need it."
To learn more about the new overdraft grace feature, visit frostbank.com/overdraftprogram
Frost is the banking, investments and insurance subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR), a financial holding company with $51.3 billion in assets at March 31, 2022. One of the 50 largest U.S. banks by asset size, Frost provides a full range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped Texans with their financial needs during three centuries. For more information, visit www.frostbank.com.
For more information:
Bill Day
210-220-5427 office
210-288-5498 mobile
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Frost Bank | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/frost-bank-expands-overdraft-grace-eliminates-nsf-fees-consumer-banking-customers/ | 2022-06-13T14:15:33Z |
HUMBLE, Texas, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Coast Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCBX) (the "Company" or "Third Coast") the bank holding company for Third Coast Bank SSB, today announced the appointments of Bill Bobbora as Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, and Andrew Novarini as Executive Vice President and President of Community Banking, effective immediately.
Bart Caraway, Third Coast's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are excited to promote Bill and Andrew to these important positions within our Bank. Their extensive experience and deep industry knowledge will be invaluable in driving our Commercial Banking group. One of the key factors that differentiates Bill and Andrew is their leadership and staff development competencies, which exemplifies the very best attributes of our culture. We believe Third Coast's future holds limitless possibilities and look forward to Bill and Andrew's significant contributions."
About Bill Bobbora
Mr. Bobbora will serve as the Chief Banking Officer with oversight of Third Coast's Commercial Banking platform which includes middle market, corporate banking, and community banking. Community bank markets include Greater Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin-San Antonio. With over 30 years of banking experience, his expertise is centered around building middle market corporate banking platforms and supporting the Bank's overall growth strategy. Prior to joining Third Coast, he served as Managing Director at Regions Bank, where he led the Houston, South Texas and Louisiana corporate and investment banking activities. Mr. Bobbora was part of establishing Cadence Bank's middle market banking business where he was responsible for building the chemical and specialty services industry verticals and was also part of the Wachovia corporate banking team. Mr. Bobbora began his career in banking with Texas Commerce Bank (a predecessor to JP Morgan Chase). Bobbora spends his time outside of the bank giving back to students of the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship and the Commercial Banking program at the University of Houston and as an executive professor and advisory board member to the Bauer Business School and Commercial Banking Advisory Board. Bill is a member of the Advance Team advisory Board of MD Anderson Cancer Center, and a co-founder of a mentoring organization, uwantgame. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and received a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas.
About Andrew Novarini
Andrew Novarini joined Third Coast in 2021 and has been promoted to President of Community Banking to help lead and support our community bankers and community banking products across Greater Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin-San Antonio. He has nearly 20 years of banking experience, which were primarily focused on commercial and medical lending across Greater Houston. During his career, Mr. Novarini has been a part of a successful Houston de-novo bank and led the opening and growth of two offices for the Bank of Houston (now known as Independent Financial). Most recently, he served as the Houston Area Chairman for Independent Financial, where he oversaw a successful $3B+ community bank region. Outside of banking, Andrew is actively involved with the HCA Houston Northwest Hospital Board of Directors. He received both his bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.
About Third Coast Bank SSB
Third Coast Bancshares, Inc. is a commercially focused, Texas-based bank holding company operating primarily in Greater Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin-San Antonio markets through its wholly owned subsidiary, Third Coast Bank, SSB. Founded in 2008 in Humble, Texas, Third Coast Bank, SSB conducts banking operations through 14 branches and one loan production office encompassing the four largest metropolitan areas in Texas. Please visit www.tcbssb.com for more information.
Media:
Ginger Kimbrell
Vice President, Marketing Manager
Third Coast Bank SSB
gkimbrell@tcbssb.com
972-265-0066
View original content:
SOURCE Third Coast Bancshares | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/third-coast-bank-ssb-promotes-bill-bobbora-andrew-novarini/ | 2022-07-26T21:26:30Z |
Tune in to Bloomberg TV to find out how we are transforming retail through our leading solutions
THOROFARE, N.J., Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Checkpoint Systems was selected this year to be a part of the popular television series on Bloomberg TV. In the everchanging world of retail, utilizing technology to minimize risk and maximize profit has never been more important. Checkpoint Systems is a worldwide leader in Electronic Article Surveillance, Product Protection, and Apparel Labeling Solutions, that are designed to help retailers reduce theft and operate more profitably. "We think their story will be meaningful as well as educational to our viewers," said Kyle Freeman, Executive Producer of the show.
The upcoming episode neatly shows how Checkpoint's RF and RFID technologies are enabling retailers around the globe to protect their merchandise. By delivering this, Checkpoint is helping ensure their products are always available when the consumer wants to make a purchase. This is more important now than ever before, as consumers increasingly expect their shopping experience to be faultless whether it's in a physical or digital store. "We are delighted to have been singled out for our track record in delivering world leading, innovative retail technology solutions," said Eric McNaul, VP Sales & Customer Operations.
The episode will broadcast on Bloomberg TV on August 13th and August 20th. The airing times are listed below. Once the episode airs, the video will be available on the World's Greatest website site.
We've been helping retailers solve their problems for over 50 years with intelligent retail technology solutions to protect profits, products and people. The film will explain how our unique offering of software, hardware, and labels benefits stores, as well as showcasing how our integrated service provision allows us to design, manufacture and install all of our own solutions.
BLOOMBERG TV (airing information):
On DirecTV: Channel 353.
On DISH Network: Channel 203.
On Cable: Depends on your local area and carrier
Television Schedule Page: https://worldsgreatesttelevision.com/tv-schedule/
About Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (www.checkpointsystems.com)
A division of CCL Industries, Checkpoint Systems is a global leader in RF EAS, RFID and Alpha High Theft solutions for the retail industry, delivering loss prevention and merchandise visibility in a growing omni channel environment. As pioneers of retail technologies for over 50 years, Checkpoint Systems is a vertically integrated RF/RFID solution provider for the retail industry. Our Alpha High Theft Solutions provides retailers with innovative and technologically advanced products engineered to protect high-theft merchandise. Checkpoint Retail Solutions provides a unique offering of software, hardware, labels, tags and connected cloud-based solutions. Our solutions optimize retail operations and efficiencies with improved on-shelf availability, reduced shrink and intuitive real-time data throughout the supply chain and in-store, resulting in improved profitability and an enriched consumer experience.
Twitter: @CheckpointSys
About CCL Industries
CCL Industries Inc., a world leader in specialty label and packaging solutions for global corporations, small businesses and consumers, employs over 21,000 people and operates over 180 production facilities in 40 countries on six continents with corporate offices in Toronto, Canada, and Framingham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.cclind.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/12/checkpoint-systems-featured-one-worlds-greatest-bloomberg-tv/ | 2022-08-12T15:52:53Z |
SECOND SHOT SITDOWN — Memorial Day is May 30 and in this episode of Second Shot Sitdown, Jenny Anchondo had a conversation with a North Texas Navy Seal, Stephen Holley.
Holley is the president and CEO of the nonprofit Carry The Load, which teaches Americans about the sacrifices made by members of the military, veterans, first responders and their families.
Dallas was where he grew up and eventually went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 2000. He went on to serve as a Navy Seal for five years and completed four deployments to Iraq and southeast Asia.
After his service, Stephen along with fellow Navy Seal Clint Bruce started Carry the Load as a grassroots effort because they say they felt like the nation had forgotten the meaning of Memorial Day.
This is part of a 30-minute conversation. Click here to listen to the full episode. | https://cw33.com/news/inside-dfw/second-shot-sitdown-stephen-holley-with-carry-the-load/ | 2022-05-18T18:18:02Z |
Technology leader, Mihaela Mazzenga and creative agency veteran, David DeCheser to lead Valtech's continued expansion in North America
NEW YORK, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Valtech, a global business transformation agency, today promoted Mihaela Mazzenga to Chief Technology Officer and David DeCheser to Chief Creative Officer for Valtech North America, with the goal of upleveling digital and experience innovation and continuing to drive transformation for clients in North America.
From leading a massive re-platforming opportunity for SharperImage.com, to supporting the technical growth, enterprise architecture, and security maturity of Asset Health, Mazzenga has spent her career applying pioneering technologies to provide impact and change to organizations. As CTO, she aims to foster a culture of innovation, applying technology strategy for business acceleration as markets evolve and mature at a record pace.
"What attracted me to Valtech, aside from the caliber of the organization, is its commitment to delivering digital transformation, innovation, and world-class design to all customers," said Mazzenga. "It's an amazing time to be a technologist; having the opportunity to strategize at global scale and with such a talented group is incredibly exciting."
DeCheser has spent his career working at the intersection of design, technology, and culture. As the former VP, Group Executive Creative Director at R/GA New York, DeCheser has worked with some of the world's most beloved brands such as Marvel, LEGO, ESPN, Google, and Mailchimp. His experience spans product/service innovation, brand transformation, and campaigns. His work has been recognized internationally by Cannes Lions, CLIO, D&AD, ADC, and more.
"What continues to excite me about Valtech is the relentless focus on customer experience transformation," said DeCheser. "The need for brands to innovate their experience in a post 2020 world has never been more urgent."
"Mazzenga and DeCheser are both industry leaders," said Marc Blumberg, EVP of North America at Valtech. "I couldn't be more excited to have them leading the charge with our growing North America business."
By promoting Mazzenga and DeCheser, two recognized leaders in their respective fields, Valtech continues to further its belief that breakthrough innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines, industries, and cultures.
CONTACT:
Further Contact:
Director of Marketing, Valtech North America, Mikhala Lantz-Simmons.
Email: m.lantz-simmons@valtech.com
PR representative, Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz
Email: valtechna@rlyl.com
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
The following files are available for download:
View original content:
SOURCE Valtech | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/valtech-promotes-leaders-north-american-cto-cco-solidifying-its-commitment-experience-innovation/ | 2022-06-13T15:51:28Z |
NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- J.P. Morgan Private Bank announced today that six seasoned advisors who collectively oversaw more than $2 billion in client assets in their prior positions have joined the firm in New York. The Private Bank's New York region has seen extensive growth over the past five years and has doubled its business in terms of assets managed.
"The Private Bank is on the largest hiring and expansion journey it has ever embarked on, and New York City is a central part of this growth strategy," said David Frame, Chief Executive Officer, J.P. Morgan U.S. Private Bank. "We are committed to hiring the industry's most client-focused advisors, who are attracted to the firm by our strong brand reputation, breadth of our platform, and depth of our global resources."
With nearly six decades of combined experience, Amanda Johnson, Scott Walker, and Scott Thomas joined the firm as Executive Directors from Wells Fargo Private Bank. The team collectively oversaw more than $1 billion in client assets in their previous roles, and will report to Robert DiDiano, who recently joined J.P. Morgan from Wells Fargo to establish and lead a new Private Bank group in New York.
"I'm excited to be a part of the Private Bank's New York expansion, and to build on the business's momentum in the local market," DiDiano said. "These advisors are outstanding additions to the team and bring a proven track record for helping clients achieve their most important financial goals."
Additionally, Meghan Bergman, Michael Kuziw and David Carter have joined the firm as Managing Directors, reporting to Kevin Sherman, New York Market Manager. The three-advisor team previously oversaw more than $1 billion in client assets at Wealthspire. They bring more than 60 years of combined experience.
"As a major wealth center, New York offers an incredible opportunity for us to add new talent and attract new clients," said Nelle Miller, Co-CEO of New York for J.P. Morgan Private Bank. "I'm thrilled to welcome our newest teams to the firm to support our efforts and look forward to partnering closely with them as our business across New York continues to grow."
J.P. Morgan Private Bank last year announced plans to double its advisor headcount by adding 1,500 new advisors by 2026. Across the Greater New York region, the Private Bank is looking to hire as many as 350 advisors over the next five years and has already added 85 from the beginning of 2021 through the start of June 2022. Globally, the business has increased advisor headcount by 14% year-over-year.
About J.P. Morgan Private Bank
J.P. Morgan Private Bank provides customized financial advice to help wealthy clients and their families achieve their goals through an elevated experience. Clients of the Private Bank work with dedicated teams of specialists that bring their investments and financial assets together into one comprehensive strategy, leveraging the global resources of J.P. Morgan across planning, investing, lending, banking, philanthropy, family office management, fiduciary services, special advisory services and more. The Private Bank oversees more than $1.9 trillion in client assets globally. More information about J.P. Morgan Private Bank is available at privatebank.jpmorgan.com/.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE J.P. Morgan Private Bank | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/jp-morgan-private-bank-adds-two-billion-dollar-advisor-teams-its-new-york-city-business/ | 2022-06-09T18:45:14Z |
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Delinea, a leading provider of privileged access management (PAM) solutions for seamless security, today announced that the company has successfully completed Type ll Service Organization Control (SOC 2) recertification audits for Secret Server Cloud, Privilege Manager Cloud, Privileged Behavior Analytics, Access Controller Suite, Account Lifecycle Manager, and DevOps Secrets Vault. Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. conducted the recertification audit and found that Delinea continues to meet the SOC 2 standards for Security, Availability, and Confidentiality Trust Services Principles with zero exceptions.
SOC 2 compliance measures the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data across solutions. SOC 2 reports demonstrate a company's ability to not only implement critical security policies but to also prove compliance over an extended period.
"Thousands of organizations rely on Delinea daily to protect their most critical assets, data, and privileged credentials from a mounting number of threats," said Raun Nohavitza, Chief Information Officer at Delinea. "As a company, we continually seek third-party validation of our solutions to ensure that we maintain the highest degree of security controls and standards for our customers."
SOC 2 Type II standards help companies recognize, communicate, and exercise cross-functional value among DevOps and security teams. Delinea used this recertification audit as an opportunity to continue heavily integrating its security team within its DevOps practices. The internal team used the company's flagship solution to help with the examination and to also demonstrate Delinea's security posture for any ongoing audit.
For more information visit delinea.com.
About Delinea
Delinea is a leading provider of privileged access management (PAM) solutions that make security seamless for the modern, hybrid enterprise. Our solutions empower organizations to secure critical data, devices, code, and cloud infrastructure to help reduce risk, ensure compliance, and simplify security. Delinea removes complexity and defines the boundaries of access for thousands of customers worldwide, including over half of the Fortune 100. Our customers range from small businesses to the world's largest financial institutions, intelligence agencies, and critical infrastructure companies. Learn more about Delinea on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
© Delinea Inc. (formerly Centrify Corporation) 2022. Delinea™ is a trademark of Delinea Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Contacts:
Brad Shewmake
Delinea
brad.shewmake@delinea.com
+1-408-625-4191
John Kreuzer
Lumina Communications
delinea@luminapr.com
+1-408-963-6418
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Delinea | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/delinea-successfully-completes-soc-2-type-ll-compliance-recertification/ | 2022-04-12T13:08:39Z |
ZURICH, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor (NYSE: AMCR, ASX: AMC), a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, has received two accolades recognizing its more sustainable packaging innovations. Amcor respectfully won a silver award at the 2022 Australasian Packaging Innovation and Design Awards (PIDA) and was named a 2022 Sustainability Leader in the Australian Financial Review's (AFR) annual list.
The AFR listed Amcor as a 2022 Australian Financial Review Sustainability Leader in the Manufacturing and Consumer Goods category, in association with BCG. The AFR Sustainability Leaders list recognizes Australian businesses making progress in tackling sustainability challenges over the past year. Amcor's Australian business was recognised for its multiple achievements over the last financial year, including converting more than 85% of products to recycle-ready formats, with almost 95% of products designed to be recyclable. Amcor's contribution to create Australia's first, food grade recycled flexible wrapper for Nestle's KitKat helped to underscore its commitment to innovation and sustainability. In addition, Amcor spends more than $100 million on research and development every year to develop and produce more sustainable packaging solutions.
Amcor additionally won the silver award in the Sustainable – Industrial Design of the Year category at PIDA for its for PrimeSealTM Eco-Tite® Recycle-Ready Shrink Bag, an innovative packaging product for fresh and processed meat, poultry and cheese that has been designed-to-be-recycled. The PIDA, organized by the Australian Institute of Packaging, recognizes packaging innovations across Australia and New Zealand with award categories covering sustainability, accessibility and intelligent packaging technology. Additionally, Amcor's PrimeSeal Flow-Tite™ packaging was named a finalist in two categories - Best Food Packaging Design of the Year and Accessible and Inclusive Packaging Design of the Year.
Simon Roy, Vice President and General Manager for Amcor Australia and New Zealand, said: "It's terrific to see Amcor's innovative and more sustainable packaging solutions be recognized by the industry and community in the local market. We are a global company with a proud local history that enables us to leverage research and development at scale to produce best-in-class innovations that can be applied either globally or locally, to help meet our customers' needs. Our commitment to innovation is second to none and we're proud to be driving a more sustainable and circular packaging value chain for our local customers, end consumers and the environment."
These accolades are only the latest this year recognizing Amcor's work in developing innovative and more sustainable packaging. In March, Amcor came away with three awards at the 2022 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards, while in April the business won the Gold Innovation Award at the Packaging Innovation Awards for its AmLite® HeatFlex Recyclable packaging.
About Amcor
Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products and the people who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures and services. The Company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly light-weighted, recyclable and reusable, and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. Around 46,000 Amcor people generate $13 billion in annual sales from operations that span about 225 locations in 40-plus countries.
View original content:
SOURCE Amcor | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/amcors-more-sustainable-packaging-innovations-recognized-with-two-accolades/ | 2022-07-21T11:06:16Z |
CEDARHURST, N.Y., April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The securities litigation law firm of Kuznicki Law PLLC issues this alert to shareholders of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson ("Ericsson" or the "Company") (NasdaqGS: ERIC), if they purchased the Company's securities between April 27, 2017 and February 25, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Shareholders have until May 2, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in the securities class action lawsuit.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact us at https://kclasslaw.com/cases/securities/nasdaqgs-eric/, by calling toll-free at 1-833-835-1495 or by email (dk@kclasslaw.com).
Kuznicki Law PLLC 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:
Kuznicki Law PLLC
Daniel Kuznicki, Esq.
445 Central Avenue, Suite 344
Cedarhurst, NY 11516
Email: dk@kclasslaw.com
Phone: (347) 696-1134
Cell: (347) 690-0692
Fax: (347) 348-0967
https://kclasslaw.com
SOURCE Kuznicki Law PLLC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/filing-deadline-kuznicki-law-pllc-announces-class-action-behalf-shareholders-telefonaktiebolaget-lm-ericsson-eric/ | 2022-04-07T06:02:41Z |
Woman killed in expressway shooting called 911 saying she was being chased, family says
By Cate Cauguiran
Click here for updates on this story
CHICAGO (WLS) — Midlothian family honored a 27-year-old mother who was shot and later died after a shooting on the Dan Ryan Expressway last week.
The family held a cluster of balloons tightly together as the victim’s mother tried to hold it together during a memorial Sunday.
Once the balloons were released, pops of pink weightlessly colored the skies as gravity brought down many tears and heavy hearts for the family of 27-year-old Darren Jackson.
“It’s is unbelievable. It is indescribable, it’s unbearable,” said Jackson’s mother Shauncey Payton. “There’s nothing normal about this. This is tragic. This is something that no mother should have to experience and I wouldn’t wish this on any other mother or any other person.”
Jackson family said the 27-year-old mother and esthetician passed away Saturday after a days-long fight for her life after being shot on the Dan Ryan Expressway last week.
Payton said her daughter was a true woman of beauty inside and out, as well as a doting mother to her 4-year-old son.
“She was such a brave woman. She really was. She was there but each and every one of us,” Payton said. “We are still in disbelief that we’re not going to be able to experience her spirit any longer here in this lifetime.”
The night of the shooting, Jackson’s family said she was driving home after picking up groceries in Oak Forest.
However, she never made it back alive.
Jackson was found shot in her car on the Dan Ryan Expressway, near 47th Street, last Saturday just after 8:30 p.m., Illinois State Police investigators said.
Jackson’s family said before the 27-year-old mother was shot, she called for help, claiming she was being followed.
“She called 911. She needed help and she knew she needed help. And she knew that she was being chased,” Payton said.
Jackson’s family said investigators told them they got her call, but by the time they were able to get to her, it was too late.
ISP said early in the investigation that the shots appeared to come from someone inside another vehicle in the area.
A week later, this family is broken and begging for answers.
“If they have these high definition cameras on the Dan Ryan Expressway and they they’re newly installed, how come they have not been able to actually see who did this,” Payton said.
After reaching out, Illinois State Police said the case is still under investigation. Both ISP and Jackson’s family are pleading with the public for any information that could help solve this case, and bring closure and justice to the family.
Police asked anyone who witnessed the shooting or has any knowledge of the incident to contact 847-294-4400 or email at ISP.CrimeTips@Illinois.gov. Witnesses can remain anonymous.
There have been at least 88 expressway shootings in the Chicago area so far this year.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/30/woman-killed-in-expressway-shooting-called-911-saying-she-was-being-chased-family-says/ | 2022-05-30T16:09:04Z |
A runner casts a shadow as she crosses the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon in Boston in October. This year, the Boston Marathon will ban runners from Russia and Belarus.
Despite qualifying, runners living in Russia or Belarus are banned from participating in this year's Boston Marathon and Boston Athletic Association 5K, according to organizers.
The ban affects 63 athletes who signed up for either one or both races, BAA spokesperson Kendra Butters told CNN.
The 126th Boston Marathon is scheduled for April 18 this year with 30,000 participants.
"Like so many around the world, we are horrified and outraged by what we have seen and learned from the reporting in Ukraine," president & CEO of the BAA, Tom Grilk said, in a news release. "We believe that running is a global sport, and as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine."
Sports bans are just one of many sanctions the US, along with its allies, have placed on Russia in an attempt to impose costs on the country for its invasion and eventually cut off critical economic sectors.
A new sanctions package will ban all new investment in Russia, increase sanctions on financial institutions and state-owned enterprises in Russia, and sanction Russian government officials and their family members.
The Boston Marathon will let Russian or Belarusian athletes who are not residents of those countries compete in the races, but they can't run under their flag, according to the release.
The BAA said they will "make reasonable attempts" to refund the athletes from Russia or Belarus who will no longer be able to participate and will refund Ukrainians who are registered and unable to attend, or give them an option to defer to a future year.
The entry fee for qualifiers is $205 for US residents and $255 for international residents, according to the race website.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/the-boston-marathon-bans-runners-from-russia-and-belarus-2-weeks-before-the-race/article_7c6b56c9-50f0-599c-bef1-82419ecfa16d.html | 2022-04-07T17:39:12Z |
New private company will focus on accelerating 3D printing innovation and global adoption of desktop 3D printing solutions
NEW YORK and UTRECHT, Netherlands, Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MakerBot and Ultimaker, two leaders in desktop 3D printing, today announced the completion of their merger. Under the new brand, UltiMaker, the company aims to provide easy-to-use and accessible 3D printing hardware, software, and materials for any application, driving the industry to a future state of responsible and sustainable manufacturing.
Combining both companies' products platform under one roof, UltiMaker will continue to offer a wide range of solutions to customers, with well-established brands such as the MakerBot METHOD®, MakerBot SKETCH®, and MakerBot Replicator® 3D printers, and MakerBot CloudPrint™ as well as the Ultimaker 2+ Connect, Ultimaker S3, Ultimaker S5, and Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle. In addition, the open communities, Ultimaker Cura and MakerBot Thingiverse® will continue to be managed by the new company.
The newly formed entity will invest capital to accelerate growth, drive new product innovation, further research and development, and strengthen its presence across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific through market expansions. Nadav Goshen will spearhead the new company as its CEO, while former Ultimaker CEO Jürgen von Hollen has decided to leave the business after assisting with the integration and transition plans for the new company over the coming months.
"As we begin the next chapter together as UltiMaker, we will continue to focus on developing 3D printing innovations to advance the availability of accessible and easy-to-use 3D printing solutions," said Nadav Goshen, CEO of UltiMaker. "By combining our teams and technical expertise, we can work towards developing and delivering a comprehensive portfolio of products to support professional, educational, and light-industrial applications."
"With the completion of the merger behind us, we can now focus on integrating the two businesses further and begin creating significant value for customers with leading 3D printing solutions," said Jürgen von Hollen. "During the next few months, I look forward to helping the teams get started and take maximum advantage of the newly afforded opportunities."
The completion of the merger allows UltiMaker to work towards consolidating both organizations and product lines. Combining both companies' product portfolios will allow UltiMaker to offer a wide range of products for different applications to customers across the globe. Additionally, the new company plans to amplify R&D efforts to develop new products for education and professional customers, with new hardware and software innovations on the close horizon.
The new company will continue to operate in New York and The Netherlands.
About MakerBot
MakerBot was a global leader in desktop 3D printing that redefined the standards for 3D printing for safety and emissions, reliability, accessibility, precision, and ease-of-use.
MakerBot, MakerBot CloudPrint, MakerBot METHOD, MakerBot SKETCH, MakerBot Replicator, and Thingiverse are trademarks or registered trademarks of MakerBot Industries, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Ultimaker
Ultimaker was on a mission to accelerate the world's transformation to flexible, empowering and sustainable solutions with a platform that enabled customers to leverage diverse 3D printing products and services. Ultimaker provided a seamless integration of hardware, software and materials -including an Ecosystem of partners- that simply worked.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1896623/Ultimaker_and_MakerBot.jpg
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Ultimaker; MakerBot | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/ultimaker-makerbot-announce-closing-merger/ | 2022-09-13T11:38:39Z |
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until October 25, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG), if they purchased or acquired the Company's shares pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's March 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
If you purchased or acquired shares of Coupang as above and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cpng/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by October 25, 2022.
Coupang and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information in its IPO Registration Statement, violating federal securities laws.
The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company was engaged in improper anti-competitive practices with its suppliers and other third parties in violation of applicable regulations; (ii) the Company had improperly adjusted search algorithms and manipulated product reviews on its marketplace platform in order to prioritize its own private-label branded products over those of other sellers and merchants, to the detriment of consumers, merchants, and suppliers; (iii) unbeknownst to its Rocket WOW members, Coupang was selling products to non-member customers at lower prices than those offered to its Rocket WOW members; (iv) the Company subjected its workforce to extreme, unsafe, and unhealthy working conditions; (v) all of the above illicit practices exposed the Company to a heightened, but undisclosed, risk of reputational and regulatory scrutiny that would harm the Company's critical relationships with consumers, merchants, suppliers, and the workforce; and (vi) the Company's lower prices, historical revenues, competitive advantages, and growing market share were the result of systemic, improper, unethical, and/or illegal practices, and, thus, unsustainable.
The case is Choi v. Coupang, Inc., No. 22-cv-07309.
KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients – including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors – in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.
To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200
New Orleans, LA 70163
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/03/coupang-shareholder-alert-by-former-louisiana-attorney-general-kahn-swick-amp-foti-llc-reminds-investors-with-losses-excess-100000-lead-plaintiff-deadline-class-action-lawsuit-against-coupang-inc-cpng/ | 2022-09-03T03:48:32Z |
Alonso homers, sparks Mets in 5-0 win over Diamondbacks
By LARRY FLEISHER
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso hustled around the bases to spark the pivotal rally and later hit a two-run homer that helped the New York Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0. Pinch-hitter J.D. Davis delivered an RBI single in a three-run sixth inning and five Mets pitchers combined on a five-hitter for New York’s third shutout in 10 games this season. Filling in for injured Taijuan Walker, left-hander David Peterson tossed 4 1/3 effective innings that left Mets starters with a 1.07 ERA overall. Trevor Williams got two outs and Chasen Shreve pitched two perfect innings to earn New York’s first win by a reliever this year. Drew Smith and Edwin Díaz worked an inning apiece to finish it. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/17/alonso-homers-sparks-mets-in-5-0-win-over-diamondbacks/ | 2022-04-18T01:11:48Z |
Kansas set to slash taxes again, this time with Dems joining
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — With surplus state revenues rolling in each month, the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature is poised to slash taxes again only a decade after a GOP governor launched a tax-cutting experiment that became nationally notorious for the budget shortfalls that followed.
And this time Democrats aren’t warning that big tax cuts will tank the budget, endangering funding for schools or social services. Instead, they’re arguing about how taxes should be cut, favoring proposals from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to lower the cost of groceries and give a $250 rebate to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year.
Legislators could cut taxes by nearly $1.5 billion over the next three years, starting in July. Before they began their annual spring break last week, lawmakers approved about $310 million worth of cuts over three years. When lawmakers reconvene April 25 to wrap up business for the year, two bills with other, larger cuts await final votes.
Kelly still invokes voters’ memories of the past GOP tax-cutting experiment in running for reelection this year, but she and fellow Democrats also argue that Kansas has plenty of surplus cash to afford her big proposals. In resisting them, Republican lawmakers sometimes play the same card Kelly has.
“I wanted to be a little bit moderate on the amount of tax cuts that we did impose,” western Kansas Republican state Rep. Adam Smith, chair of the House tax committee, said Monday in an interview. “I don’t want to be back here in five or six years trying to raise taxes because we went and enacted too many permanent tax cuts that we couldn’t sustain.”
When legislators opened their annual session in January, their research staff told them Kansas was on track to end June 2023 with a record $3.8 billion in cash reserves. The state has since kept collecting more taxes than it anticipated — it’s had surpluses for 20 consecutive months — and lawmakers in both parties are frustrated that bigger tax bills didn’t pass earlier.
“We are not making a priority to pass this tax money back to the Kansas taxpayers,” Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a conservative southeast Kansas Republican, said in a speech before lawmakers adjourned.
The state’s strong run of better-than-expected monthly tax collections began immediately after bipartisan majorities in the Legislature reversed most of the Republican tax cutting experiment begun in 2012 under then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. In the nearly five years since, the state has failed to hit its tax-collection projections only three times.
Kelly’s first television ad of her reelection campaign, which started broadcasting over the weekend, briefly features a photo of Brownback. The 30-second spot recalls the GOP’s “reckless tax experiment” from his administration before adding, “so Kansans voted for change” in electing Kelly in 2018.
Yet Kelly also keeps stumping for ending the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries, saving taxpayers $1.4 billion on their grocery bills over the next three years. In announcing another good month for tax collections in March — a 13.4% surplus or $80 million in collections — Kelly said the numbers demonstrated that Kansas could get rid of the tax.
Kelly’s likely GOP opponent in November, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, also called for reducing or eliminating the tax as well. One of the two bills still awaiting final votes would phase out the tax over three years. Democrats are annoyed that it wouldn’t happen by this fall.
“So we don’t have the money? Now, come on, guys,” state Rep. Jim Gartner, of Topeka, the top Democrat on the House tax committee, said during an interview.
Republicans largely have ignored Kelly’s proposal for a $250 income tax rebate, a one-time break worth $460 million. Some have argued that it is a political gimmick, while Smith says it’s better to do something “in perpetuity” for taxpayers.
Republicans have pursued two dozen other smaller tax income, sales and property tax proposals, split between the bill already on its way to Kelly’s desk and one of the two measures still awaiting final votes.
“To me, it’s all about just kind of ripping the Band-Aid off. Do you do it all at once or do you just kind of slowly pull it off?” Smith said. “Normally I’m a the kind of guy who wants to just rip that sucker off of there, but you know, if you do that, and you’re not all the way healed up, it kind of creates more problems, so I’m wanting to make sure that we do it in a fiscally responsible way.”
Democrats scoff at such comments, believing Republicans simply want to deny Kelly a big policy victory heading into November election.
“It’s all politics,” Gartner said.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/05/kansas-set-slash-taxes-again-this-time-with-dems-joining/ | 2022-04-05T15:31:26Z |
Food desert in north Alliance creates trouble for residents
ALLIANCE – Five major grocery chains have locations in the city, but David Sheegog Jr. and other residents in the north section of Alliance must travel more than two miles to get to the nearest store.
Sheegog has lived in the city for three years. He buys his groceries at Save A Lot on East State Street, he said, and believes there needs to be more options for people in Wards 1 and 2.
"There should always be a neighborhood store," he said.
There is no shortage of grocery stores on State Street, with Giant Eagle, Walmart, Marc's and soon-to-be Meijer a few of the supermarkets that sit along one of the city's busiest streets. But the grocery landscape in the north section of town looks a lot different. The area has not had a full-service grocery store since Sander's Markets closed three years ago.
The food desert has created a barrier between residents and access to fresh produce and other nutritional food. Many want to see another supermarket come to the area, but an expert said it can be difficult to convince a grocery store to invest in a food desert, leading community organizations and churches to spearhead the effort.
What is a food desert?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as a low-income census tract where a substantial number of residents have little to no access to affordable, healthy food.
The agency considers a census tract low income if it has a 20% or greater poverty rate or median family income below 80% of the statewide or metropolitan area median family income. Meanwhile, low access is defined by a community of at least 500 residents where at least 33% live more than one mile from a supermarket or grocery store. In rural communities, it is 10 miles.
But Chris Post, a geography professor at Kent State University at Stark, said the USDA's definition of a food desert only accounts for distance and fails to address other barriers that prevent people from purchasing healthy food.
"If there's a fence around part of (the grocery store), or if you're forcing people to walk through the shipping area where the trucks come in and out of, that's still incredibly difficult and dangerous. So that food might be across the street, but it's still not really available or easy to get access," Post said.
What leads to a food desert?
One problem that creates food deserts is that many large grocery chains choose not to open locations in low-income areas.
"The big economic factor is that most of your major chain grocery stores will not invest in putting a store in a lower income neighborhood because they're concerned they won't get the profit that they need for that unit to survive," Post said.
This problem is not unique to Alliance. About 13.5 million people live in census tracts with low-access to fresh food, according to the USDA.
Neighborhoods in north Alliance have been without a full-service grocery store since 2019. Sander's Market shuttered its location on South Union Avenue at the end of 2018, citing high operating costs, marginal performance and vandalism.
Sander's was only open for eight months. The grocery chain acquired the building through U.S. Bankruptcy Court after Thorne's, the supermarket that previously occupied the space, went into federal bankruptcy in 2017.
The facility sat vacant until it was purchased by Alliance Ventures in 2020. Sun America currently leases the facility as a warehouse for its commercial bakery and food service products.
The former grocery store is next to the city's poorest census tract. Census Tract 7104 has a median household income of $12,372, according to Census Reporter. That is roughly two-thirds the median income of the rest of Alliance ($21,075) and half of Stark County ($30,168).
Meijer:What the supermarket means for Stark County, other store chains
How has the food desert affected Alliance?
Stacie Weimer, executive director of the Alliance YWCA, said the closure of Sander's Market has made it more difficult for people in the north section of the city to get healthy food.
"When you have lack of availability, and we're talking about the barriers that come with traveling to State Street at a minimum, you're definitely going to see people relying on gas station food because it's what's accessible at that time," she said.
This is a common issue found in areas without supermarkets, Post said. Many people in these communities consume foods with high levels of high fructose corn syrup and cheap proteins like fast-food hamburgers. This can lead to malnutrition and undernourishment, he said.
Post said dollar stores are not enough to supplement full-service grocery stores.
"They still lack a produce aisle, and that's one of the most important things that's needed to be considered a food vendor in these circumstances," he said. "You've got to have the fresh vegetables and fruits and other whole grain options."
Councilwoman Sheila Cherry (D-1) said many residents in the northeast part of Alliance have struggled in the absence of a supermarket.
"It was a challenge (getting fresh food) before Sander's and it's definitely one now," she said.
Cherry said many people rely on food pantries and mobile grocery store programs like StarkFresh for food, but that there are not enough resources to meet the demand in the city.
"I think there should be more efforts being done to get somebody in here that can stay," she said.
Weimer said the Alliance YWCA refers people experiencing food insecurity to the Alliance Community Pantry, but that some residents — particularly those living across the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Viaduct — might have trouble getting to the pantry.
"If you live across the viaduct, the pantry might not be that accessible either, especially if you have to travel, if you don't have the transportation to do so," she said. "And even across the viaduct, there's not even a gas station there available."
Several Carnation City residents agreed that access to fresh food is limited in the north part of town.
Jason Ridgeway has lived in the city for 20 years. He shopped at Thorne's and later Sander's Market before the grocery store shut down. He said he knows there are many people who rely on others to get groceries for them because they cannot go themselves.
"(The city) should try to get a closer store," Ridgeway said
Similarly, resident Tim Stuchell said there needs to be closer places to shop. He buys most of his food at the dollar store and occasionally makes a trip to State Street to get groceries.
He said a lot of people in the community depend on food stamps.
Joe Mazzola: 'I would love to see a grocery store on the north side. We all would here in the administration.'
City Director of Planning and Economic Development Joe Mazzola said city officials want to see a grocery store succeed in the north part of Alliance, but that it has proven to be difficult.
"They simply don't get the traffic counts that State Street gets," he said.
Mazzola said it can be hard for grocery store owners to make money because of overhead costs such as running freezers 24 hours per day.
"If TJ Maxx doesn't sell a shirt, they can discount it and still recover something. A grocery store, if their inventory goes bad, it's a complete loss. They have to throw it out," he said.
Additionally, Mazzola said a grocery store in the north part of town would have the challenge of competing against the other supermarkets on State Street. Alliance has a competitive grocery store landscape, he said, and any store that came to the area would have to compete against supermarkets such as Giant Eagle, Walmart and Marc's.
"I would love to see a grocery store on the north side. We all would here in the administration," he said. "But the challenges of attempting to do that while making money, the level of difficulty is high."
Alliance's Farmers Market was located downtown for its first 10 years of operation, providing people in the area with the opportunity to buy fresh produce. But the organization moved to West State in 2019.
"They took the only source of fresh vegetables to Giant Eagle," Cherry said.
Cimarron Ney-George, Alliance Farmers Market manager, previously told the Repository that low attendance drove the decision. She said the market's board wanted to stay downtown, but that vendors were not making enough money for the market to remain viable.
The farmers market will be operating in a new location this year: the northeast corner of State Street and Union Avenue.
Ney-George said the purpose of the move is to provide better visibility and attract more shoppers and vendors. She said the board hopes this new spot will be more accessible for residents because it is more centrally located than the Giant Eagle parking lot. It also has a Stark Area Regional Transit Authority stop nearby, which could draw in residents who use public transportation.
Resident Susan White, who has lived in Alliance since 2020, thinks the market's move will be good for the community.
"More people can access it," she said.
But Cherry said the market's new location is not close enough for low-income residents without access to transportation. She believes market vendors would have found more success if they stayed downtown and lowered their prices so that lower income residents could afford their goods, she said.
"Four people buying some green beans can still make you profit for the day," Cherry said.
Stark County:Your first look inside the county's first Meijer Supercenter
'Inspiring people to be entrepreneurial.'
Post said that many communities across the U.S. are trying to alleviate food deserts by growing their own fruits and vegetables.
He has worked with StarkFresh in downtown Canton for several years. He said the organization strives not only to provide Stark County residents with fresh produce, but also teach them how to grow food themselves.
"They are inspiring people to be entrepreneurial. They are empowering people to know how to grow their own food," Post said.
The hope, he said, is that showing people how to grow fruits and vegetables themselves will have a "bigger effect" by helping them overcome the lack of fresh produce in their communities.
Cherry said she hopes to see more organizations and churches in the Alliance community join in the effort to bring fresh food to those in need. She said it's important for everyone in the community to step up to resolve the issue.
"Some of it doesn't take money; it takes time and effort," she said.
Reach Paige at 330-580-8577 or pmbennett@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @paigembenn.
Resources available for Alliance residents in need
Alliance Community Pantry
Clients can receive food from the pantry every two weeks. Clients must be a photo ID and proof of residency during first visit. They will register by household by providing their name, birth date and race, along with the names, race and birth dates of the other members of their household.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must live in 44601 ZIP code or Marlington School District
- Must meet federal and state food income guidelines.
Clients are asked to re-register every July and show proof of residency at that time.
The pantry is located at 215 E. Market St. and open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
YWCA of Alliance
The agency's Meals on Wheels program provides hot, nutritious meals delivered by community volunteers to senior homes in the community. Patrons can receive meals up to five days per week, and options are based on dietary needs and taste.
For more information or to enroll in the program, call 330-823-1840.
The YWCA also offers a congregate dining option for seniors and disabled residents living in Alliance Towers. Lunch is served on Mondays through Thursdays in Alliance Towers' dining room. Residents can enroll in the program by contacting the resident services coordinator.
Family Empowerment Ministries
The Family Matters Resource Center provides food to those in need on the first and second Friday of every month. Residents can call 330-913-7007 Monday through Thursday and leave the number of people in their household. They can drive up to the community center at 425 E. Market St. at 6 p.m. and food will be brought out.
Clothed in Righteousness
The nonprofit organization located at 55 E Main St. provides free food, clothing, hygiene and cleaning products to those in need. There are no eligibility requirements. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Emergency assistance is available outside of business hours to Alliance area homeless. For more information, contact 330-501-8262. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2022/06/22/alliances-food-desert-creates-barriers-healthy-food/9820910002/ | 2022-06-22T11:48:26Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald is travelling to California this weekend for a series of engagements. During the visit, she will brief Governor Newsom, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and a number of state and congressional representatives including Congressman Mike Thompson, Assembly member James Gallagher and Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis the first woman elected Lieutenant Governor of California with responsibility for International Affairs and Trade. She will be meeting with senior global executives from several US companies including Google and Salesforce and address business leaders at an event hosted by the Bay Area Council. She will also meet with Irish Consul General Micheál Smith with Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and the IDA.
She will address the Labor Day breakfast organised by the San Francisco Labor Council and attend a number of Irish Community events in Pairc na nGael and the United Ireland Cultural Centre. She will deliver a keynote address in the University of San Francisco on Wednesday evening.
Ms McDonald said:
"I am travelling to California later this week and I look forward to meeting with political representatives, business leaders, trade unions and the Irish community.
"While we are dealing with many challenges, this is a time of real hope and opportunity in Ireland. The social and economic opportunities are immense and we want to see them realised. This requires planning and preparation, something which the current FF/FG government are completely failing to do. That is why we have a generation being left behind, a generation who will be worse off than their parents and locked out opportunity and home ownership. This cannot go on – we need change, we need progress, we need opportunity. We need our young people to have a stake in the future, a future in Ireland.
"We are approaching the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, an agreement that shows what can be achieved when people come together in common purpose. 25 years on we are now beginning to write the next chapter in Ireland's story – the re-unification of Ireland. The role of the US in securing the Good Friday Agreement was critical and their voice will be just as important as we move towards referenda on Irish unity.
"But as we look to the future we are dealing with huge challenges globally and in Ireland. The ongoing war in Ukraine, a cost of living crisis, the fallout of a toxic Brexit, a very real and present climate emergency and a full out attack on the Good Friday Agreement from a British Tory party in internal disarray. As they elect a new leader in the coming days we need to see a change of direction. We need to see a recommitment to the Good Friday Agreement, real support for the restoration of the political institutions and an end to game playing around the Irish protocol and the unilateral actions of the British Government.
And voices in Ireland and the US could not be more unified in making it clear to Britain that this needs to happen.
"My message on this trip is about change, opportunity and working together in common cause and that is what I'm committed to delivering."
Mary Lou McDonald will deliver a keynote address in the University of San Francisco at 7pm on Wednesday on the topic of "A Decade of Opportunity: Building a New and United Ireland - An Evening with Mary Lou McDonald" The event will be live streamed.
Contact: Siobhán Fenton
Sinn Féin Press Office
siobhan.fenton@sinnfein.ie
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Platinum Advisors DC on Behalf of Mary Lou McDonald | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/02/mary-lou-mcdonald-meet-political-business-leaders-california-visit/ | 2022-09-02T20:34:41Z |
Take Amtrak for a summer escape to visit the world premiere of the exhibition's global tour at the Franklin Institute
PHILADELPHIA, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, Amtrak passengers can celebrate the magic in Philadelphia at Harry Potter: The Exhibition, at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Open now through Sept. 18, this experience is one of the most comprehensive touring exhibitions ever presented about the Wizarding World. Amtrak will transport customers to Philadelphia where they can experience Harry Potter: The Exhibition and the18,000-square-foot space featuring 21 celebratory galleries, including the Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle, Hagrid's Hut, Hogwarts Houses and Newt's Case.
"We are thrilled to announce Amtrak as the official travel partner of Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Franklin Institute," said Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions. "Amtrak will provide guests of the Exhibition a wonderful way to easily get to the experience any day of the week."
"Amtrak is proud to serve as an official transportation partner for Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia," said Amtrak Assistant Vice President National Advertising & Brand Management, Darlene Abubakar. "By taking Amtrak, families can travel to the Exhibition without dealing with the hassles of driving, expensive gas prices and parking. Remember to book early for the best Amtrak fares."
William H Gray III 30th Street Station (PHL) is serviced by ten Amtrak train routes with destinations as far south as Florida, as far north as Vermont and as far west as Chicago. Amtrak trains deliver travelers right to the heart of the action and within a mile of the station are numerous Philadelphia attractions, including the Franklin Institute.
Amtrak Saver Fares offer low prices on the Northeast Regional, select Keystone Service and select Pennsylvanian service trains. Book travel early to get the best prices and save on convenient downtown-to-downtown service. Amtrak is also the more sustainable way to travel and is 46% more energy efficient than traveling by car and 34% more energy efficient than domestic air travel on a per-passenger-mile basis.
WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22)
View original content:
SOURCE Amtrak | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/amtrak-guests-can-now-celebrate-magic-harry-potter-exhibition-philadelphia/ | 2022-07-13T13:01:06Z |
Which baby bottle warmers are best?
Whether you’re feeding formula or pumped breast milk, feeding time can be more complicated than you’d like if your baby will only accept warm bottles. Baby bottle warmers quickly warm milk in bottles to the perfect temperature, which keeps babies happy and means caregivers don’t need to worry about over-heating the milk.
Looking after a baby is hard work, so any gadget that can make your life easier is worth an investment. Luckily, there are plenty of baby bottle warmers to choose from, so you’ll be able to find one that best suits your needs.
What are baby bottle warmers?
Baby bottle warmers are simple devices used to heat bottles, though many can also heat baby food containers. Most hold just one bottle at a time, but you can find some that simultaneously warm two bottles, which is excellent if you have twins or if you want to warm a bottle and some baby food at the same time.
Best baby bottle warmers
Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Baby Bottle Warmer
This bottle warmer uses electric steam to gently heat baby bottles and food jars. It fits Dr. Brown’s bottles and most other brands. It features a one-touch start button and an LCD display that counts down the time until your baby’s bottle is thoroughly heated. A tone will sound when it’s done to let you know. The cycle memory remembers your preferred heating time.
Sold by Amazon
Philips Avent Fast Baby Bottle Warmer
Capable of heating 5 ounces of milk in just 3 minutes, this speedy bottle warmer is perfect for those times when your baby isn’t going to wait quietly for their milk. It’s easy to adjust to your desired temperature, even when you only have one hand free. Then simply press the “on” button, and it will get started.
Sold by Amazon
With space for two bottles, this is the perfect choice for parents of multiples or anyone who needs to warm bottles and baby food simultaneously. You can choose from a range of settings, including a fast heating option and a setting for warming food. It works with glass, plastic and silicone bottles and accommodates bottles of most shapes and sizes.
Sold by Amazon
Chicco Digital Bottle & Baby Food Jar Warmer
From a big name in baby products, this is a bottle warmer you know you can trust. It’s easy to switch between temperature and bottle size settings so that it will heat your baby’s milk to just the right temperature. You can also use the delay timer function to set it to warm your baby’s bottle later. The handy insert makes it easier to warm jars of baby food and small bottles.
Sold by Amazon
Munchkin High Speed Bottle Warmer
This simple bottle warmer has just an on/off switch to operate it, which is ideal for any parents or caregivers who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. With bottles ready in just 90 seconds, your baby won’t need to wait too long for their meal. It also comes with an adapter ring to more easily warm jars of baby food. While it has a few quirks, it’s a good choice overall.
Sold by Amazon
It might not be a bottle warmer in the conventional sense, but it allows parents to quickly and easily make bottles of the perfect temperature for their baby. Rather than heating bottles up, it instantly dispenses water at either room temperature, body temperature or slightly warmer than body temperature. This means it’s ideal for formula but isn’t suitable for warming pumped breast milk or jars of baby food.
Sold by Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Tommee Tippee Easi-Warm Bottle & Food Warmer
This bottle warmer gently heats bottles and jars of food in 3 to 4 minutes. It features three temperature settings that are simple to adjust. You can choose from two variations of this bottle warmer, with one that’s a standard warmer for bottles and jars and one that has a small pocket for warming baby food pouches.
Sold by Amazon
The First Years 2-in-1 Simple Serve Bottle Warmer
This is a multi-use warmer that can heat formula, breast milk and jars of baby food and be capable of sanitizing several pacifiers at once. It’s affordable and simple to use, though you need to measure out the water used to warm the bottle every time.
Sold by Amazon
With simple controls, this bottle warmer is easy to use with one hand, which is great when you have a baby in one arm and attempt to sort out their bottle with the free arm. The large, clear LCD display counts down the seconds and minutes until the bottle is ready. It beeps when the bottle is ready and shuts off automatically to prevent overheating.
Sold by Amazon
Dr. Brown’s MilkSpa Breast Milk and Bottle Warmer
This bottle warmer has a range of settings to choose from for perfect results, no matter whether you’re warming frozen breast milk, formula from the fridge or even pouches of room temperature baby food. Because it heats gently using a water bath, it preserves the delicate balance of nutrients in breast milk and formula.
Sold by Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Thanks to the choice of three settings, you can use this warmer to heat milk, heat baby food and sterilize pacifiers and other small items. It’s effortless to switch between these settings, which is great for parents while they’re trying to warm a bottle and soothe a crying baby. It comes with tongs to use in sterilization mode.
Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/baby-kids-br/nursing-feeding-br/best-baby-bottle-warmer-2021/ | 2022-07-11T14:22:51Z |
Expanded Trimble Construction One Portfolio Enables an End-to-End Digital Experience for Heavy Civil and Infrastructure Contractors to Enhance Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today it has acquired privately-held B2W Software, a leading provider of estimating and operations solutions for the heavy civil construction industry. Financial terms were not disclosed.
With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and other infrastructure legislation across the globe, construction organizations are fast tracking the digitization of their processes and operations. As infrastructure projects become increasingly complex, data-driven insights and analytics will be imperative to improve productivity, increase efficiency and drive sustainability.
"Seamlessly connected workflows are key to unlocking the true potential of an organization's data," said Elwyn McLachlan, vice president of Trimble's Civil Solutions Division. "With the acquisition of B2W, Trimble will be able to provide an unparalleled end-to-end digital experience—connecting the digital to the physical—for heavy civil and infrastructure contractors."
The addition of B2W's comprehensive suite of pre-construction and operations capabilities will expand Trimble's already extensive civil infrastructure portfolio and Trimble Construction One, a purpose-built connected construction management platform. B2W's integrated suite of applications includes estimating, scheduling, field tracking, equipment maintenance, data capture and business intelligence. By combining these capabilities with Trimble's rich field data, project management, finance and human capital management solutions, civil contractors will be able to bridge the gap between office and field in new ways, promoting transparency, efficiency and ultimately profitability.
"B2W has helped thousands of heavy civil contractors increase their bid accuracy and operational efficiency," said Paul McKeon, B2W founder and CEO. "And now with Trimble, we can realize the next chapter of our story. By linking the planned with the executed, we will provide civil contractors with a truly connected construction experience, unlocking valuable new insights for our customers across their entire operation."
B2W will be reported as part of the Buildings and Infrastructure segment.
Perkins Coie LLP acted as legal advisor to Trimble. Piper Sandler & Co. acted as a financial advisor and Foley Hoag LLP acted as legal advisor to B2W Software.
About B2W
Headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and founded in 1993, B2W (formerly known as Bid2Win) provides specialized software for heavy civil construction management. Companies throughout North America and several other countries use B2W Software to bid on large-scale infrastructure and commercial projects, plan and manage operations, maintain large fleets of equipment and leverage business intelligence. To learn more, visit: www.b2wsoftware.com.
About Trimble
Trimble is an industrial technology company transforming the way the world works by delivering solutions that enable our customers to thrive. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble is transforming industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the business operations and prospects of Trimble. These forward-looking statements are subject to change, and actual results may materially differ due to certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to changes in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) realizing the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including Trimble's ability to combine B2W capabilities with Trimble solutions, and provide end-to-end, connected solutions to heavy civil and infrastructure contractors, (ii) the growth and worldwide adoption of digitization within construction organizations, and (iii) the risks and uncertainties associated with unexpected expenditures or assumed liabilities that may be incurred as a result of the acquisition. More information about potential factors which could affect Trimble's business and financial results is set forth in reports filed with the SEC, including Trimble's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Trimble as of the date hereof, and Trimble assumes no obligation to update such statements.
GTRMB
View original content:
SOURCE Trimble | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/trimble-acquires-b2w-software-expand-its-civil-construction-portfolio/ | 2022-09-14T11:59:14Z |
Foundation Events with the U.S. Department of Education and the Democratic Women's Caucus Draw Attention to the Landmark Law and the Importance of Continued Enforcement and Protection.
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation marks the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) is bringing together girls, champion athletes, advocates, and leaders to commemorate the milestone and the impact and importance of the landmark law. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), WSF is hosting a sports and STEM field day today for Washington D.C. and Baltimore-area youth, and tomorrow will conduct a Title IX briefing and discussion on Capitol Hill in collaboration with the Democratic Women's Caucus. These events are the latest in a series of WSF initiatives in this milestone year to draw attention to Title IX and the need for its continued enforcement and protection to help create a more equitable and equal society.
Considered the preeminent legislation that helped pave the way for girls and women's participation in sport, Title IX has ushered in great progress over five decades. However, there is still much more work to be done to fulfill the promise of the law. A recently released WSF research report, '50 Years of Title IX: We're Not Done Yet' revealed that girls' participation in high school sports is nearly 12x higher than it was in 1972, yet girls today still have less participation opportunities to play sports than boys did 50 years ago. More than 3.6 million high school boys participated in sports in 1972 compared to 3.4 million girls today, a number that falls one million short of the current 4.5 million sport opportunities for high school boys. The opportunity gap is widest among girls and women of color, those with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. The need for education, transparency and action is evident and critical to achieve true equity in sports and beyond.
"It's great to see everyone celebrating this essential legislation and the progress made over the last 50 years, yet we cannot take Title IX for granted," said Danette Leighton, WSF CEO. "As transformational as the law has been, the full promise of Title IX has not yet been met for many girls and women across our nation; we still have work to do. It's vital for everyone - especially younger generations - to understand their rights to equal access and opportunity. That's at the heart of this important law, which needs to be fully enforced and protected to reach equity."
Today's 'Title IX 50th Anniversary Field Day' is designed for girls (ages 8 – 14 years old) to get active, try new sports, hear from champion athletes and leaders, and learn how Title IX impacts their lives. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Leighton will welcome the girls who will have an opportunity to play multiple sports including basketball, soccer, and track & field, and to participate in an interactive STEM activation. Joining the girls in play, as well as leading the girls in an educational conversation, will be WSF Athlete Ambassadors including the Foundation's President and three-time Olympic ice hockey medalist Meghan Duggan, 29-time Paralympic swimming medalist Jessica Long, and the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten will also join the athletes in the panel conversation. The Field Day is designed to inspire, educate and empower young athletes of today to advocate for a fully realized Title IX and the access and opportunities the law can and should provide.
Tomorrow, WSF will be leading a Capitol Hill Briefing and Discussion on Title IX for legislators, policy makers and advocates, in collaboration with the Democratic Women's Caucus. Moderated by WSF, the panel will include Duggan, Long, Taylor and Neena Chaudhry, General Counsel and Senior Advisor for Education of the National Women's Law Center. The group will discuss the law's victories as well as unfulfilled promises, how Title IX has impacted their lives, and policy and practice recommendations to change the landscape for the next 50 years and beyond. The event will be livestreamed on the WSF YouTube Channel.
"As a collegiate student-athlete, I know first-hand the power of Title IX – I benefitted greatly from it," said Meghan Duggan, three-time Olympic medalist with the U.S. Women's Hockey Team and WSF president. "The opportunity to play, challenge myself, master new skills and excel, created a powerful foundation for my career both on and off the ice. I want every girl to have that same opportunity to unlock her own possibilities. Ensuring Title IX stays strong is important for everyone."
Recognized as a champion and protector of Title IX, WSF is highlighting the law in its programming throughout the year. From a Challenge at the centerpiece of the annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, to the '50 Years of Title IX: We're Not Done Yet' research report and Virtual Town Hall Series, it will also be featured in WSF's upcoming Annual Salute to Women in Sports. The Foundation is also engaged in numerous activities with partners across the country, leveraging its expertise and history to add to the collective voice drawing attention to Title IX. For example, WSF has joined with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and the National Women's Law Center to form the Title IX Anniversary Coalition, which recently launched the 'Demand IX' national campaign. Seeking to bolster the law's protections and enforcement, the Coalition has issued a nationwide call to action to sign a pledge to be shared with Congress, advocating for more robust application and activation of the landmark law.
Learn more about WSF Title IX 50 activities here.
The Women's Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. We are an ally, an advocate and a catalyst. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, we strengthen and expand participation and leadership opportunities through research, advocacy, community programming and a wide variety of collaborative partnerships. From its inception to Title IX's 50th anniversary in 2022, WSF has invested over $100 million in these impact efforts, helping to shape the lives of millions of youth, high school and collegiate student-athletes, elite athletes and coaches. We're building a future where every girl and woman can #KeepPlaying and unlock the lifelong benefits of sport participation. All girls. All women. All sports.® To learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation, please visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.
Media Contact
Patty Bifulco
Women's Sports Foundation
PBifulco@WomensSportsFoundation.org
631-230-3322
View original content:
SOURCE Women's Sports Foundation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/womens-sports-foundation-leadership-athletes-advocates-gather-washington-dc-mark-50th-anniversary-title-ix/ | 2022-06-22T14:24:36Z |
Woman charged in fatal hit-and-run that left teacher and father of 10 dead
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) - Prosecutors charged a 27-year-old woman in connection to a crash that killed a middle school teacher.
Kyrie Fields of Oregon, Wisconsin, was charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, KCTV reports.
A probable cause document stated Charles Criniere, a husband and father of 10 children who also was a teacher at Martin City Middle School, was struck and killed while riding his bike the morning of Aug. 27.
Law enforcement found car parts at the scene of the incident and learned that a white Acura MDX was the suspect vehicle. Police found that the car had been set on fire the day after the fatal crash. The document stated that the parts found matched the suspect vehicle.
After detectives found that Fields was the driver of the Acura, they arrested her Monday. While being interviewed, police said she told them she was texting a friend, high on Percocet, and had taken her eyes off the road when she struck Criniere.
Fields also said she was unsure who burned the car, the document stated.
The court record also said Fields admitted to cleaning the car at a friend’s house after the crash, and that there had been blood on the front of the vehicle after the incident.
Prosecutors are requesting a $100,000 bond.
A fundraiser has been set up by a family friend to benefit the Criniere family. Visit GoFundMe to donate money to the family.
Copyright 2022 KCTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/13/woman-charged-fatal-hit-and-run-that-left-teacher-father-10-dead/ | 2022-09-13T21:23:18Z |
US to diversify infant formula industry to avoid shortages
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is looking to help foreign makers of baby formula stay on the U.S. market for the long term, in an effort to diversify the industry after the closure of the largest domestic plant sparked a nationwide shortage.
The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday was set to announce plans to help overseas producers that have sent supplies to the United States, under emergency approval to address the shortfall, secure long-term authorization to market their formula in the U.S.
The agency will provide a way for producers temporarily selling in the U.S. to meet existing regulatory requirements so they can stay on the market, providing consumers with more choices and making supplies more resilient against current and future shortages.
The FDA will also host meetings and provide producers with a single point of contact to work through the regulatory system to make the application process more efficient.
“The need to diversify and strengthen the U.S. infant formula supply is more important than ever,” said the FDA commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, and Susan Mayne, the director of the agency’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, in a statement. “The recent shutdown of a major infant formula plant, compounded by unforeseen natural weather events, has shown just how vulnerable the supply chain has become.”
The U.S. has tried to boost supply of baby formula after regulators in February shuttered a Michigan plant run by Abbott, the largest domestic manufacturer of baby formula, over safety concerns. The plant reopened June 4 after the company committed to additional sanitizing and safety protocols, but closed again in mid-June after severe weather caused damage to the plant.
The company said it needs time to assess damage and sanitize the factory again after severe thunderstorms and heavy rains swept through southwestern Michigan on June 13.
In May, the FDA eased federal import regulations to allow baby formula to be shipped to the U.S., and President Joe Biden authorized the use of the Defense Production Act, providing federal support to get formula from overseas into the U.S.
The White House said that by this coming Sunday, its efforts will have brought 43 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of infant formula into the U.S.
“Infant formula is an essential food product that is the sole source of nutrition for many babies in the U.S. Companies and their manufacturing facilities must meet rigorous FDA standards that ensure the formula is both safe and nutritious,” Califf and Mayne said. “These standards are necessary to protect our children and will not be sacrificed for long-term supply considerations.”
The FDA’s policy of temporary enforcement discretion is set to expire in November, but the administration says it will renew it if necessary to ensure domestic supply.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/06/us-diversify-infant-formula-industry-avoid-shortages/ | 2022-07-06T18:09:52Z |
Location opens on July 6; grand opening celebration scheduled for July 9
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the opening of its Trulieve medical dispensary in Hurricane, West Virginia. Located at 2 Putnam Village Dr. Suite 2-3, the new dispensary will open its doors at 10am on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. This is the Company's sixth retail location in West Virginia and will be open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm.
Grand opening festivities will be held on Saturday, July 9 throughout the day to include partner giveaways, deals and specials, and all registered patients will receive a 25% discount. On-site medical care specialists will be available to assist with medical card registration and certification for West Virginia patients.
"We are excited to expand medical cannabis to Hurricane while creating jobs in the area," said Trulieve Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. "In less than a year, West Virginia's medical cannabis program has already added nearly 10,000 patients, and we look forward to supporting this thriving community. Trulieve is committed to providing the best quality services and products for the state's registered medical cannabis patients while strengthening community connections in this developing market."
Trulieve patients across West Virginia can choose from a large selection of THC and CBD products available in a variety of consumption methods, including flower, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, ingestibles, and more. Designed to meet every patient's needs, our portfolio of in-house brands includes Cultivar Collection, Momenta, Muse, TruFlower and more.
Last November, Trulieve opened West Virginia's first dispensary and has since expanded its store hours to welcome patients seven days a week. The Company has already opened four new dispensaries in the state this year, with plans to open three additional dispensary locations by the end of the year in Milton, Huntington and Belle.
For more information on store locations, please visit https://www.trulieve.com/dispensaries/west-virginia.
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
MATTIO Communications
Trulieve@Mattio.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/trulieve-announces-grand-opening-hurricane-wv-medical-dispensary/ | 2022-07-06T12:02:54Z |
Which farmhouse wall art is best?
Farmhouse is a popular design style that appeals to many people. Decorations in this category have a soft aesthetic that can’t help but make you feel warm and cozy. The best way to decorate your home in this style is to display farmhouse wall art.
The Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse White Flower Jars by Portfolio Dogwood – Graphic Art on Canvas is a perfect example. It showcases floral bouquets in a calming color scheme.
What to know before you buy farmhouse wall art
Materials and focus
It’s crucial to find the right kind of accent materials to make your farmhouse decor shine. Most people use a combination of wood and metal, but in softer details than you may see in an industrial style. These materials often look mildly distressed, replicating the look of a well-loved antique.
The farmhouse design style falls into a more traditional category, grounded in simplicity and organic materials. Farmhouse wall art will focus on that classic concept of a welcoming home, creating an atmosphere that feels warm, cozy and comfortable.
Complimentary to existing decor
Pick farmhouse wall art that is complementary to the rest of your home’s decor. Since these pieces will likely be some of the most visible in your home, you want them to blend in with the rest of your decorations. Think about any other decor you may have when shopping for wall art, such as flower vases and area rugs.
The subject of the art
Most farmhouse wall art focuses on either an animal, object or phrase that resonates with the overall farmhouse style. For example, you may want to have a picture of some ducks for your mudroom, or you may want to get a welcome home sign for your entryway. Find subjects that resonate with your values and general home decor. Try to stay within the same color scheme and theme for each room, so your decor doesn’t feel hectic.
What to look for in quality farmhouse wall art
Size
Take wall space into account before you purchase your wall art. Don’t try to cram too much onto a wall if you don’t have enough room. On the other hand, if you have a lot of room, opt for larger pieces. If the artwork is too small, it might look odd in a big space. You can also put together a gallery wall to combine several pieces of farmhouse wall art, which is very popular in the farmhouse decor style.
Colors
Farmhouse decor celebrates neutral colors, such as white, brown, tan and gray. You’ll rarely see bright colors or bold patterns. If there are other colors included, they’re usually a bit diffused and muted.
Paintings, prints or sculptures
If you’re looking for a farmhouse print or painting, chances are you’ll find one set on canvas. Some of these come framed, but this isn’t always the case. Cotton canvas is a high-quality, durable material used in many prints and paintings. You might also want sculpture wall art that captures the organic elements of a farmhouse style. Commonly used materials include glass, metal, wood, ceramic and terra cotta.
How much you can expect to spend on farmhouse wall art
Depending on the brand, size and material, you can find farmhouse wall art pieces ranging from $20-$150. The cost increases from there and can be pretty expensive if you start looking at pieces from more notable artists.
Farmhouse wall art FAQ
How many farmhouse wall art pieces should you display?
A. Remember, the farmhouse design style celebrates simplicity. Don’t go overboard; in general, the less artwork you display, the better. If you have a larger room or wall space, you may be able to display a few pieces of varying sizes on one wall.
Where should you hang farmhouse wall art?
A. You can hang farmhouse wall art in nearly any room. This design style is welcoming and friendly, making it appropriate for the kitchen, the living room and even the bathroom.
What’s the best farmhouse wall art to buy?
Top farmhouse wall art
Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse White Flower Jars by Portfolio Dogwood – Graphic Art on Canvas
What you need to know: Bring a feeling of serenity into your home with this print featuring floral bouquets in muted tones.
What you’ll love: This soft, delicate print depicts flower arrangements in three jars that are all contained in a wooden crate. It’s perfect for hanging in the living room or in a bedroom.
What you should consider: Some buyers noticed a few differences between the colors and design of the print online and in-person. Additionally, customers who opted to buy the framed version were disappointed by the cheap quality of the frame.
Where to buy: Sold by Wayfair
Top farmhouse wall art for the money
Primitives by Kathy Rustic-Inspired Wall Shelf, Metal and Wood Wall Art
What you need to know: Made of metal and wood, this piece conveys the rustic charm that’s characteristic of the farmhouse design style.
What you’ll love: This wall art consists of a round metal tub, lightly distressed to achieve a more rustic effect. It has a single wood shelf mounted on the back of the tub. This piece doubles as wall art and a place to display items.
What you should consider: A handful of buyers felt this was too small, and it was difficult to find anything small enough to fit on the shelf.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Gracie Oaks Midwest Windmill by Scott Medwetz ― Wrapped Canvas Print
What you need to know: This moody yet appealing photograph on canvas print will add an artistic touch to your farmhouse decor scheme.
What you’ll love: It depicts a windmill set against an overcast sky, creating an understated sense of beauty. The sepia tones keep the design streamlined while enhancing its impact. It’s also made of canvas, so it’s quite durable.
What you should consider: At least one buyer struggled to coordinate the sepia color scheme with the other decor in their home.
Where to buy: Sold by Wayfair
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Megan Oster 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/home-br/decor-br/best-farmhouse-wall-art/ | 2022-04-06T18:52:50Z |
--It pays to play--
MONTEREY, Calif., June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Embrace your independent spirit and freedom to travel with a trip to California's premier coastal destination. Monterey County is abuzz with events, outdoor activities, parades, farmer's markets, and festivals celebrating the area's culture and culinary spirit. With longer days and much to do, Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa entices guests to take advantage of the summer season. The Stay Longer & Save rate offers guests who stay three nights 15% off any room type with a flexible cancel plan. Rates start at $229.00. Guests who stay four nights will save 25% off any room type. Since plans can change, the Stay Longer & Save rate offers a 72-hour flexible cancellation with no fees.
The historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of picturesque Old Town Monterey, is close to area attractions, including Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Charming gardens, hacienda-style buildings, and gracious guestrooms pay homage to California's Spanish heritage. Guests appreciate modern comforts and signature amenities, including on-site parking, electric vehicle charging stations, complimentary Wi-Fi, a fitness room, an outdoor heated pool, and pet-friendly accommodations. Spa treatments are available at DESUAR, a private day spa opening on July 16, 2022.
Casa Munras is home to award-winning Estéban Restaurant, where Executive Chef Mario Garcia serves California-inspired Spanish cuisine. Seasonal dishes showcase the finest ingredients from local farmers, fishers, ranchers, and other artisan producers. Estéban's atmosphere is low-key, warm, and classic Monterey style. Guests enjoy the new summer menu inside the lively restaurant or linger al fresco next to the artisan firepit. Pintxos y piscolabis, tapas, paella, and raciones (medium to large plates) are served, along with bar drinks, sangrias, craft beers, and of course, the extensive wine list.
Estéban Restaurant is open for indoor seating, patio dining, and to-go from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm Sunday - Thursday and from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm Friday – Saturday. The tapas happy hour menu is available nightly from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, 700 Munras Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940.
www.hotelcasamunras.com For reservations, call: (800) 222-2446
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/casa-munras-garden-hotel-amp-spa-announces-stay-longer-amp-save/ | 2022-06-28T23:34:12Z |
Despite this, less than half of global business leaders rate their current customer engagement strategies as "good" or "excellent"
SAN FRANCISCO, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Harvard Business Review Analytic Services released a new report sponsored by Intercom, the Engagement OS, called "Future-Proofing Businesses with Modern Customer Engagement," which reveals a significant gap in how companies are engaging with their customers. This comes at a time when delivering exceptional experiences is even more critical to retention and revenue, amidst both an economic downturn and increasingly competitive landscape.
According to the report, 88% of global business leaders surveyed recognize that customer engagement has a significant impact on their organization's bottom line. Additionally, 92% view effective customer engagement as "very" to "extremely'' critical to their organization's success, but only 9% say they have excellent engagement today. What's more, less than half are investing in new or improved customer engagement technologies, and only 40% say they are effectively using data to send customers the right message at the right time via the right channel.
"As customers engage with leading brands that provide exceptional accuracy in their personalization and recommendations, they've come to expect that same level of service from all companies," said Blake Morgan, author of The Customer of The Future: 10 Guiding Principles for Winning Tomorrow's Business. "Accurate engagement today is more than just knowing a customer's name—it requires a deeper understanding of their preferences, values, and demographics to show that an organization cares and can provide relevant engagement."
Organizations are turning to customer engagement efforts primarily for increased customer loyalty and retention (69%), increased revenue growth and profitability (59%) and improved brand reputation (42%). But the main obstacles that prevent businesses from fully realizing these benefits include:
- Poor Cross-Functional Collaboration: Nearly half (44%) of respondents say a lack of collaboration and siloed efforts are the top impediments to successful customer engagement.
- Siloed Data: 32% of respondents say their organizations are failing to properly distribute data-driven customer insights throughout the organization, and another 32% say customer data is siloed or hard to extract insights from. 60% also don't feel they're doing a good job of tailoring communications to customers with data.
- Scarcity of Talent: Over half (56%) of respondents encounter difficulty finding the right personnel to manage customer engagement efforts, and nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" that their organization is in need of employees with experience and expertise in customer engagement.
"This research shows that while business leaders understand the importance of customer engagement, they are encountering barriers in execution," said Alex Clemente, Managing Director of Analytic Services at Harvard Business Review. "Fostering a culture that supports more personalized engagement, eliminating data silos, deploying the right technologies, and recruiting robust talent are all barriers that organizations will need to overcome to achieve effective customer engagement."
"Engaging your customers and delivering deep value for them has always been key to driving retention and repeat customers, and fueling a healthy business. During times of economic uncertainty, engagement and retention become more important than ever," said Karen Peacock, CEO of Intercom. "Now is the time to double down on creating an exceptional customer experience – one that's personalized, contextual, and engaging across the customer journey and doing it in a highly efficient way that saves you money. The businesses who do this are the ones who will thrive and emerge as winners."
To read the full report and learn more about how organizations are delivering exceptional customer experiences, please visit the website.
The findings on the value of customer engagement are based on a global survey fielded in April 2022 of 317 business leaders conducted by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services. Respondents were primarily senior or executive level management in a broad number of industries, led by manufacturing, healthcare, technology and financial services.
Intercom, the Engagement OS, enables businesses to build stronger customer relationships that drive growth and scale. With its all-in-one customer communications platform, Intercom offers next-generation solutions for sales, marketing and support teams to work together to convert prospects into paying customers, engage customers throughout their journey and provide world-class support.
Intercom is redefining the customer journey and unifying business silos to deliver ongoing, personalized engagement through in-context communications. More than 25,000 global organizations, including Atlassian, Amazon and Lyft Business, rely on Intercom to deliver unparalleled user experiences at any scale. Intercom's platform is used to send over 500 million messages per month and enables interactions with over 600 million monthly active end users.
Founded in 2011 and backed by leading venture capitalists, including Kleiner Perkins, Bessemer Venture Partners and Social Capital, Intercom is on a mission to make internet business personal.
Harvard Business Review Analytic Services is an independent commercial research unit within Harvard Business Review Group, conducting research and comparative analysis on important management challenges and emerging business opportunities. Seeking to provide business intelligence and peer-group insight, each report is published based on the findings of original quantitative and/or qualitative research and analysis. Quantitative surveys are conducted with the HBR Advisory Council, HBR's global research panel, and qualitative research is conducted with senior business executives and subject matter experts from within and beyond the Harvard Business Review author community. For more information, visit www.hbr.org/hbr-analytic-services.
Media Contact
Christine Curtin
christine.curtin@intercom.io
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Intercom, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/new-harvard-business-review-analytic-services-research-finds-effective-customer-engagement-is-business-critical-amid-economic-uncertainty/ | 2022-07-25T14:15:12Z |
Q4 total revenues of $93.7 million, up 40% year-over-year
Q4 net income margin of 39% and adjusted EBITDA margin of 42%
Fiscal Year 2022 total revenues of $343.5 million, up 66% year-over-year
Fiscal year 2022 net income margin of 45% and adjusted EBITDA margin of 44%
SAN FRANCISCO, May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS), the leading digital platform for U.S. medical professionals, today announced results for the fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.
"We're proud to now serve over 2 million US healthcare professionals, including over 80% of US physicians and over 50% of Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners," said Jeff Tangney, co-founder & CEO at Doximity. "This quarter, we added scheduling to our product suite with the acquisition of Amion, and saw record use of our fax, e-signature, and telehealth tools."
Fiscal 2022 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights
All comparisons, unless otherwise noted, are to the three months ended March 31, 2021.
- Revenue: Revenue of $93.7 million, versus $66.7 million, an increase of 40% year-over-year.
- Net income and non-GAAP net income: Net income of $36.7 million, versus $21.5 million, representing a 39% margin. Non-GAAP net income of $44.9 million, versus $24.0 million, representing a 48% margin.
- Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA of $39.4 million, versus $26.7 million, an increase of 47% year-over-year, representing adjusted EBITDA margins of 42%, versus 40%.
- Net income per share and non-GAAP net income per share: Diluted net income per share was $0.17, versus $0.07, while non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $0.21, versus $0.09.
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Operating cash flow of $47.0 million, versus $37.6 million, and free cash flow of $44.9 million, versus $36.6 million.
Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Highlights
All comparisons, unless otherwise noted, are to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.
- Revenue: Revenue of $343.5 million, versus $206.9 million, an increase of 66% year-over-year.
- Net income and non-GAAP net income: Net income of $154.8 million, versus $50.2 million, representing a 45% margin. Non-GAAP net income of $180.6 million, versus $57.2 million, representing a 53% margin.
- Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA of $150.3 million, versus $64.8 million, an increase of 132% year-over-year, representing adjusted EBITDA margins of 44%, versus 31%.
- Net income per share and non-GAAP net income per share: Diluted net income per share was $0.70, versus $0.23, while non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $0.82, versus $0.26.
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Operating cash flow of $126.6 million, versus $83.0 million, and free cash flow of $120.9 million, versus $78.4 million.
Financial Outlook
Doximity is providing guidance for its fiscal first quarter ending June 30, 2022 as follows:
- Revenue between $88.6 million and $89.6 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA between $28.6 million and $29.6 million.
Doximity is updating guidance for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 as follows:
- Revenue between $454.0 million and $458.0 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA between $192.0 million and $196.0 million.
Stock Repurchase Program
The board of directors of Doximity authorized a new stock repurchase program to acquire up to $70 million of the Company's Class A common stock, commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. The repurchases are expected to be executed from time to time over the next 12 months, subject to general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities, through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans.
Conference Call Information
Doximity will host a webcast today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss these financial results. To listen to a live audio webcast, please visit the Company's Investor Relations page at https://investors.doximity.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company's Investor Relations page shortly after the call.
About Doximity
Founded in 2010, Doximity is the leading digital platform for medical professionals. The company's network members include over 80% of U.S. physicians across all specialties and practice areas. Doximity provides its verified clinical membership with digital tools built for medicine, enabling them to collaborate with colleagues, stay up to date with the latest medical news and research, manage their careers, and conduct virtual patient visits. Doximity's mission is to help doctors be more productive so they can provide better care for their patients. For more information, please visit www.doximity.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements we make in this press release may include statements which are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, which are usually identified by the use of words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "projects," "seeks," "should," "will," and variations of such words or similar expressions. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act and are making this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations, or strategies will be attained or achieved. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors including (i) the timing and scope of anticipated stock repurchases; (ii) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (including the impact to our industry or on our customers' industries, impact on general economic conditions, and government responses, restrictions, and actions related to the pandemic); (iii) our ability to retain existing members or add new members to our platform and maintain or grow their engagement with our platform; (iv) our ability to attract new customers or retain existing customers; (v) the impact of our prioritization of our members' interests; (vi) breaches in our security measures or unauthorized access to members' data; (vii) our ability to maintain or manage our growth, and other risks and factors that are beyond our control including, without limitation, those set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the prospectus for our offering of shares of Class A common stock shares that was filed with the SEC on June 25, 2021, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2021, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC. Additional information will be provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended March 31, 2022. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to management's beliefs and assumptions as of this date. We assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor Relations Contact:
Perry Gold
ir@doximity.com
Media Contact:
pr@doximity.com
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), the Company uses the following non-GAAP measures of financial performance:
- Non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income margin, and non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per common share: We exclude the effect of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and expenses associated with acquisitions from non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP operating income. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income margin are further adjusted for estimated income tax on such adjustments. We calculate income taxes on the adjustments by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate to the adjustments. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per common share is non-GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares. For both basic and diluted non-GAAP net income per share, the weighted average shares we use in computing non-GAAP net income per share is equal to our GAAP weighted average shares. Non-GAAP gross margin represents non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of revenue and non-GAAP net income margin represents non-GAAP net income as a percentage of revenue.
- Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin: We define adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization, and as further adjusted for acquisition and other related expenses, stock-based compensation expense, and other income, net. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.
- Free cash flow: We calculate free cash flow as cash flow from operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized internal-use software development cost.
We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally for financial and operational decision-making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP financial measures and should be read only in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our presentation of non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. We encourage investors to carefully consider our results under GAAP, as well as our supplemental non-GAAP information and the reconciliation between these presentations, to more fully understand our business. Please see the tables included at the end of this release for the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results.
Key Business Metrics
- Net revenue retention rate: We calculate net revenue retention rate by taking the trailing 12-month, or TTM, subscription-based revenue from our customers that had revenue in the prior TTM period and dividing that by the total subscription-based revenue for the prior TTM period. Our net revenue retention rate compares our subscription revenue from the same set of customers across comparable periods, and reflects customer renewals, expansion, contraction, and churn.
- Customers with trailing 12-month subscription revenue greater than $100,000 and $1 million: We calculate the number of customers with TTM product revenue greater than $100,000 and $1 million by counting the number of customers that contributed more than $100,000 and $1 million in subscription revenue in the TTM period. The number of customers with TTM subscription-based revenue of at least $100,000 and $1 million is a key indicator of the scale of our business. Our customer count is subject to adjustments for acquisitions, consolidations, spin-offs, and other market activity.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following tables reconcile the specific items excluded from GAAP metrics in the calculation of non-GAAP metrics for the periods shown below:
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Doximity, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/doximity-announces-fourth-quarter-fiscal-year-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-05-17T20:56:45Z |
- Merck's retrosynthesis AI software 'SYNTHIA™ retrosynthesis software' accelerates Standigm's synthesis capability
SEOUL, South Korea, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Standigm Inc. ("Standigm"), the leading workflow artificial intelligence (AI) drug discovery company, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Merck Korea, for AI-based drug discovery research. The MOU signing took place on May 30 at the headquarters of Standigm, attended by Sojeong Yun, CEO of Standigm, and Stephen Namkoo Lee, the Head of Science and Lab Solutions, Life Science business sector of Merck Korea.
Under the MOU, Standigm will accelerate its drug discovery research by adopting Merck's AI software 'SYNTHIA™ retrosynthesis software', which can help Standigm's novel compound synthesis. SYNTHIA™ retrosynthesis software is a computer-aided retrosynthetic design tool and unites network theory, modern high-power computing, and expert chemical knowledge to rapidly design synthetic pathways.
"Applying AI to the drug discovery process can dramatically reduce time in discovering novel drug candidates and finding optimized synthesis paths," said Sojeong Yun, co-founder and CEO of Standigm. "By pooling know-how in AI synthesis of Merck and Standigm's AI technology together, we expect better results in drug discovery faster, compared to the traditional AI drug discovery method," she added.
"Candidate chemical discovery using AI technology for new drug development is playing a crucial role in the growth of local bioindustry," said Stephen Nam-Koo Lee, Head of Science and Lab Solutions for South Korea, Life Science business sector, Merck Korea.
As a leading workflow AI drug discovery company, Standigm has actively conducted research on AI technology in organic synthesis at its own Synthetic Research Center, established last year.
About Standigm
Standigm is a workflow AI-driven drug discovery company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea and Standigm has expanded its operations across the world, recently opening offices in the U.S. and UK. Standigm has proprietary AI platforms encompassing novel target identification to compound design, to generate commercially valuable drug pipelines. Founded in 2015, Standigm has established an early-stage drug discovery workflow AI to generate multiple First-in-Class compounds within seven months. Pursuing full-stack, AI-driven industrializing drug discovery, Standigm has achieved the automation of molecular design workflow, and the automation effort has been expanding to the whole drug discovery process based on Standigm AI platforms, including Standigm ASK™ for novel target discovery, Standigm BEST™ for novel compound generation. Learn more at http://www.standigm.com.
About Merck
Merck KGaA, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 60,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2021, Merck generated sales of € 19.7 billion in 66 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.
Contacts
Sangah Lee
sangah.lee@standigm.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Standigm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/standigm-signs-mou-with-merck-korea-ai-drug-discovery-research/ | 2022-06-09T08:01:44Z |
Russia to withdraw from the International Space Station project after 2024
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will opt out of the International Space Station after 2024 and focus on building its own orbiting outpost, the country’s newly appointed space chief said Tuesday.
Yuri Borisov, who was appointed earlier this month to lead the state-controlled space corporation Roscosmos, said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia will fulfill its obligations to other partners at the International Space Station before it leaves the project.
“The decision to leave the station after 2024 has been made,” Borisov said.
Borisov’s statement reaffirmed previous declarations by Russian space officials about Moscow’s intention to leave the space outpost after 2024.
It comes amid soaring tensions between Russia and the West over the Kremlin’s military action in Ukraine.
Despite the rift, NASA and Roscosmos made a deal earlier this month for astronauts to continue riding Russian rockets and for Russian cosmonauts to catch lifts to the International Space Station with SpaceX beginning this fall.
The agreement ensures that the space station will always have at least one American and one Russian on board to keep both sides of the orbiting outpost running smoothly, according to NASA and Russian officials. The swap had long been in the works and was finalized despite frictions over Ukraine in a sign of continuing Russia-U.S. cooperation in space.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/26/russia-withdraw-international-space-station-project-after-2024/ | 2022-07-26T12:27:29Z |
ORLANDO, Fla., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orlando Science Center, an award-winning science museum in Orlando, Florida, rolled out the red carpet on Friday, June 4 to celebrate the premiere of Yanira's World: Selling the American Dream, now streaming exclusively on YouTube. The new reality series follows Latina powerhouse Yanira Suarez and her team of 40 experienced real estate professionals on their journey to overcoming the unique hurdle today's first-time Latino home buyers face.
"The real estate market is growing at a record-breaking pace – it's about time we break down the barriers so many Latinx first-time home buyers face today, and give them the equal chance to reach their version of the American dream like everyone else," stated Yanira. "The premiere of our series is just the start to setting a precedent for generations to come."
The stage was set at the 200,000 square foot facility, chosen by the real estate mogul, to officially premiere the docuseries. Each floor of the interactive museum was transformed to create a captivating environment. On the main floor, all 200 guests were welcomed with glitz and glamour on the red carpet by the reality TV star who brought her A-glam. Appearances were made by Central Florida leaders and celebrities.
After the red carpet, guests were then directed to the second level of the museum for the private screening of the first episode of the series.
In the premiere episode, Yanira helps a Dominican family from New York find their dream home in Florida after the couple had several failed attempts to buying a property with nine other realtors.
The first six episodes debuted on YouTube on Sunday, June 5 around the world. New episodes are currently in production.
"The mission to demystify the path of building wealth has only just begun, but the successful premiere of the series shows there is a true need for this kind of hope. It's a true testament to the difference we're making in the lives of so many Latinos abroad."
After the premiere, guests were treated to an exclusive night out on the Finfrock Terrace with panoramic views of Downtown Orlando crafted cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a DJ to celebrate.
View photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rp1f3wfe1jebc58jzfjw0/h?dl=0&rlkey=47vh4yndmdr2k1hemzy0kzd7n
Watch the series now by visiting: https://youtu.be/LZDDwieS2ow
DIGITAL/SOCIAL: Fans can connect with "Yanira's World" Selling the American Dream" via social media with #YanirasWorld and @yanirasuarezteam on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
Yanira Suarez, a Puerto Rican multi-million-dollar producer, real estate broker and owner of Queen Homes, along with her team of 40 real estate professionals, embark on a journey to overcoming the unique hurdles today's first-time Latino home buyers face. The six-episode docuseries follows her team as they meet with homebuyers to help overcome their challenges, demystifying the path to wealth, to make their real estate dreams come true.
MEDIA CONTACT
Eleven 11 Communications
Maria Isabel Sanquírico
(813) 420-2922
mis@eleven11communications.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Yanira's World: Selling the American Dream | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/yaniras-world-selling-american-dream-now-streaming-celebrates-red-carpet-affair/ | 2022-06-10T13:07:07Z |
SHANGHAI and PARIS, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GenFleet Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on cutting-edge therapies in oncology and immunology, today announced the results from phase I study of GFH018 (TGF-β R1 inhibitor) monotherapy (NCT05051241) for treatment of advanced solid tumor will be presented as a poster at the 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology Meeting in Paris on September 12th.
Through an open-label, multicenter study, GFH018 demonstrated a favorable safety/tolerability profile and preliminary efficacy signal among advanced solid tumor patients that failed to respond to prior standard therapies. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed and over 20% patients with different types of cancer achieved stable disease. Two phase II combination studies of GFH018 with PD-1 inhibitor are ongoing with additional data to be presented at medical meetings in the future.
"We are delighted to collaborate with GenFleet in the clinical research of GFH018 as an innovative small-molecule kinase inhibitor designed to specifically target and inhibit TGF-β R1. We are pleased to report the preliminary efficacy signal and good safety/tolerability profile of GFH018 monotherapy and look forward to the further trials in combination studies." said Professor Ye Guo of Shanghai Oriental Hospital.
"It is the first time for GenFleet to present clinical data at ESMO, which represents a significant milestone in the company's multi-regional clinical research and global development. We have recently determined the recommended phase II dose and hope to confirm the response of combination therapies in patients with advanced tumors. Moreover, we expect to release more data related to GFH018 in future academic conferences." said Yu Wang, M.D./Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of GenFleet.
Phase I study of GFH018, a small molecular TGF-β R1 inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumor
Poster 437p, Abstract：#1623, Poster Area: Hall 4
This is an open-label, multicenter study comprising of a modified 3 + 3 dose escalation part followed by an expansion part and the starting dose was 5 mg. Eligible patients with advanced solid tumors failed to standard therapies were administrated with GFH018 BID, 14d on/14d off in 28-day cycles. As of Jan. 25, 2022, 39 patients were sequentially enrolled in the dose escalation part. The median lines of prior therapy were≥3. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, the maximum tolerated dose was not reached, and no patients discontinued the study treatment due to adverse events.
PK of GFH018 was linear and dose-independent with mean half-life in the range of 3.11 hours to 8.30 hours. Of 24 evaluable patients, 5 achieved stable disease. A patient with thymic carcinoma receiving 50 mg achieved a durable stable disease with tumor shrinkage (maximum lesion decreased by 18.4% and has stayed on treatment for 185 days as of the data cut-off date.
About GFH018 and TGF-β R1
Developed by GenFleet Therapeutics, GFH018 is an orally administered TGF-β R1 inhibitor and entered into phase I clinical trial in 2019. Preclinical data showed evidence of GFH018's good anti-tumor properties against cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Besides, translational and mechanistic studies confirmed it effectively acts on TGF-β signaling pathway and synergizes with checkpoint inhibitors.
In the microenvironment of advanced solid tumors, TGF-β signaling pathway can promote epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) & metastasis, induce the formation of cancer stem cells and their functional maintenance, inhibit anti-tumor immunity, enhance vasculature and fibrosis, and ultimately result in tumor progression. Among patients of hepatocellular carcinoma, glioma, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, urothelial cancer and other solid tumors, high expression of genes related to TGF-β signaling pathway is frequently discovered in their blood and tumor tissues. The expression level is positively correlated to the malignancy & poor differentiation of tumor and unfavorable prognosis in patients.
About GenFleet Therapeutics
GenFleet Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on cutting-edge therapies, is dedicated to serving significant global unmet medical needs in oncology and immunology. Based on the deep understanding of disease biology and translational medicine, GenFleet's proprietary and fully integrated R&D platform highlights multiple cutting-edge products with novel mechanisms and global IP.
Since its inception in 2017, GenFleet has built up industry-leading capabilities and expertise in developing novel drug candidates - both small molecules and biologics. Its pipeline includes over 10 programs, many of which have entered multi-regional clinical trials across China (including Taiwan), the United States and Australia. To date, GenFleet has over 5 clinical studies encompassing IND stage to phase II studies and completed co-development partnerships with 3 publicly listed companies in China or US.
GenFleet is expected to progress additional programs into the clinic, as well as transition from a clinical stage biotech company into a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company in the next 3-5 years.
Yun Zeng
+86-13482182145
yzeng@genfleet.com
View original content:
SOURCE GenFleet Therapeutics | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/genfleet-therapeutics-present-data-phase-i-trial-gfh018-monotherapy-2022-european-society-medical-oncology-annual-meeting/ | 2022-09-07T12:03:34Z |
Fant and Harris feel move to Seattle brings them full circle
By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Both defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant feel as if their offseason move to Seattle brings them full circle in their careers. Harris and Fant were two of the players Seattle acquired from Denver as part of the trade that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos. Harris once had an offseason workout for Seattle in 2016, but wasn’t signed by the Seahawks and ended up in Denver. Fant was nearly selected by Seattle in the 2019 draft, only to be selected by the Broncos. Both players fit offseason needs for the Seahawks. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/05/fant-and-harris-feel-move-to-seattle-brings-them-full-circle/ | 2022-04-05T23:42:41Z |
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Thongchai Jaidee shot a 7-under 65 on Saturday for a share of the second-round lead with Miguel Angel Jimenez in the PGA Tour Champions’ American Family Insurance Championship.
Thongchai birdied Nos. 14-16 and closed the bogey-free round at University Ridge with two pars. The 52-year-old Thai player is winless on the 50-and-over tour. He has 19 international victories.
“I think the green is soft, that way you can attack,” Thongchai said. “You hit a wedge, you’re going to be able to attack the pin.”
He tied for 10th last week in Iowa in the Principal Charity Classic to get into the field.
“My first time here. I enjoy playing here,” Thongchai said. “I think lucky. I’m very lucky to get this tournament, last week get me in. Like really proud to be here.”
Jimenez shot a 68 to match Thongchai at 10-under 134, rebounding from a bogey on 15 with birdies on 16 and 17.
“I know Jaidee for a long, long time.” Jimenez said. “We both played DP Tour, the European tour, and I played with him.”
Jimenez tied for second last year behind hometown favorite Jerry Kelly.
“Well, tomorrow we’re going to be in the last group and I’ll just play golf and enjoy myself on the golf course and anything happens, ” Jimenez said. “There are a lot of players, very good quality players.”
Jimenez has 12 Champions victories, with the 58-year-old Spanish star winning the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and Cologuard Classic this year. He won 21 times on the European tour.
First-round leader Steve Flesch (70) was a stroke back with Paul Broadhurst (66) and Paul Goydos (67).
Colin Montgomerie (70) was 8 under with David Branshaw (66) and Kirk Triplett (68).
Kelly (69) and John Daly (66) topped the group at 7 under.
“Another fairly sloppy day.” Kelly said. “Just made some bogeys in there that I shouldn’t have, didn’t make some birdies that I should have. Still wasn’t as tight, as crisp as I’d like to be.”
Kelly, coming off a playoff victory Sunday in Iowa, is chasing his third straight victory in the event hosted by Madison friend Steve Stricker. Kelly won in 2019 and the 2020 event was canceled because of the pandemic.
Stricker was 4 under after a 69. | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/thongchai-jimenez-share-champions-lead-in-wisconsin/ | 2022-06-12T11:31:15Z |
A global leader in gaskets, fasteners, and hoses, Lamons reflects on past successes and pledges continued innovation and support for critical energy sectors in the future
HOUSTON, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lamons® Manufacturing and Service Company, a global leader in safety sealing and attachment solutions, is pleased to announce it is commemorating its 75th anniversary in 2022.
Founded in 1947 by W.A. Lamons, the company began providing quality gaskets to the Oil and Gas and Petrochemical industries. It acquired Richard Gasket Company in 1985 and Packing & Gasket Engineering (PAGE) in 1988. Lamons then purchased Industrial Bolt and Gasket in Beaumont, Texas in 1997. In 2010, Lamons acquired South Texas Bolt and Fitting, which catapulted the company into being one of the most capable specialty fastener manufacturers in the world. IsoTek was purchased in 2012 and added isolation gaskets, sleeves, and washers to the product portfolio. With the addition of hoses in 2016, Lamons fulfilled its vision of leading global markets in safety sealing and attachment solutions. In 2019, Lamons became part of the First Reserve family, a leading global private equity investment firm exclusively focused on energy.
"We are extremely proud to reach this milestone – 75 years of innovation in safety sealing and attachment solutions,"
said Marc A. Roberts, CEO of Lamons. "Creating a world-class engineering team, investing in long-standing relationships, and never losing sight of the possibilities that tomorrow would bring are the significant reasons we are standing here today."
"A pivotal point in our success came when we decided to create a one-stop experience for our customers," added Kris Beezley, VP of Strategic Business Development. "Rather than only producing gaskets, we expanded our product offerings to include standard and specialty fasteners and hose assembly, which enabled us to provide total solutions for our customers."
Throughout the past seven-and-a-half decades, the company has prided itself on continual improvement and innovation to better serve its customers and industries. A cornerstone in achieving this has been its philosophy of superior global customer support with branch offices in North America, Europe, and Asia that provide quality products with faster service and on-time delivery.
For technical support and services, Lamons provides an array of offerings: custom engineered solutions, reverse engineering solutions, specialty machined parts, prototype machining, training, and field support.
Lamons has proudly supported the Oil and Gas and Petrochemical industries for the past 75 years and pledges to continue delivering quality products and technical support to these critical operations. As the world transitions to clean energy and net-zero carbon emissions, however, Lamons has redoubled its focus on supporting renewable industries such as wind, geothermal, alternative fuels, and others. Visit Lamons.com/industries for more details.
Lamons is also committed to protecting the environment and has developed corporate responsibility and sustainability programs to help preserve the planet for future generations. To learn more about these programs, please visit Lamons.com/sustainability.
Contact: Gina Lester | 346.453.9422 | gina.lester@lamons.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Lamons Manufacturing and Service | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/lamons-celebrates-75-years-manufacturing/ | 2022-06-16T15:06:55Z |
NEW YORK, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- H&M USA and Buy From A Black Woman kicked off the start of the non-profit's 2022 Inspire Tour in New Orleans with a celebratory dinner hosted by artist, poet, activist, and author Cleo Wade. Preceded by a special screening of BFABW's new documentary, "The Story Behind A Black Woman", the dinner was followed the next day by the tour's first pop up at H&M's French Quarter location, which highlighted Black Woman owned businesses from all over the country.
On June 30th, H&M and non-profit Buy From a Black Woman celebrated the start of their 2022 Inspire Tour ,now in its second year, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The evening began with a special screening of the non-profit's new documentary "The Story Behind a Black Woman" at New Orleans' WB Collective in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District. The film examines Founder Nikki Porcher, the background of her creation of the non-profit as well as its incredible effect on Black Woman business owners operating in a world where they may not always be seen. Following the screening, guests were led by a classic New Orleans brass band to a dinner at Calcasieu, hosted by Cleo Wade, in celebration of the start of the Inspire Tour the following day in H&M's French Quarter location at 418 N Peters St.
"As a New Orleans native, its so special to me to be supporting Buy From a Black Woman and the kick off to their Inspire Tour 2022 here in the Crescent City," says Wade. "I'm inspired by the work Nikki Porcher and the organization has done in empowering Black Woman business owners, and I look forward to continuing my work with them this year."
The Buy From a Black Woman Inspire Tour is a series of pop-up shopping events across 12 U.S. cities, highlighting local Black Woman owned businesses and providing them options in a world that limits their voices. July 1st marks the beginning of the Inspire Tour in New Orleans. On July 1st and 2nd, customers are able to shop from vendors such as including Perfectly Cordial, Flyest, Stepstitches, Taupe Coat, Oasis Soul Scent Co., Dirt Don't Hurt, Kindred Paper Company, Kate Lynn & Adwoa, Conditionher, Mlp Media and Lamik Beauty. Products range from skincare, wellness, stationary and more.
"I've often said that Buy From A Black Woman brings Black Women into spaces that we never thought we could imagine, but that is not true," says Nikki Porcher, Founder of Buy From A Black Woman. "The Buy From A Black Woman Inspire Tour has proved that wrong. Black Women do imagine these spaces, we just do not often get the chance that we deserve as there are people who believe Black Women do not belong in certain spaces. That is why this partnership with H&M is such a valuable one. H&M is one of the few companies that continues to stand up and show their support to Black Women Business Owners. H&M gave Black Women space. We live in a country that uses Black Women as examples without ever admitting how inspired they are by the way that we, Black Women, are living. Black Women are the Living Examples and I am excited to travel the country and showcase all the things that we can do."
Events in New Orleans, Dallas, Oakland, Detroit, Milwaukee and Memphis will be hosted in H&M stores where customers can meet and shop from local vendors. A variety of businesses will be featured, ranging from skincare, stationary, to home accessories and more. Many of those featured support additional causes, standing true to Buy From A Black Woman's motto, "When you support a Black Woman Business Owner, you support a whole community."
"We thank Cleo Wade for joining us to host tonight's joyous dinner. We appreciate her taking the time to lend her support and her voice to our celebration of Buy From a Black Woman and the start of the Inspire Tour 2022," says Donna Dozier Gordon, Head of Inclusion and Diversity for H&M Americas. "We continue to be proud of the partnership we've forged with Buy From a Black Woman which exemplifies our commitment to meaningful community engagement."
For images from the screening / dinner, click here.
To watch "The Story Behind a Black Woman", click here.
For a full list of Inspire Tour stops, click here.
For more information on Buy From a Black Woman please contact:
Nikki Porcher, Founder
Email: info@buyfromablackwoman.org
Customers can also donate here.
Support and Discover Businesses Owned and Operated by Black Women here.
For more information on H&M please contact:
H&M Media Relations
Email: media.relations@hm.com
*We hope you enjoyed reading about the latest H&M news, but if not please just send an email to Mediarelations.us@hm.com and request to be removed from our media list.
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (publ) was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is quoted on Nasdaq Stockholm. H&M's business idea is to offer fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way. In addition to H&M, the group includes the brands COS, Monki, Weekday, & Other Stories, H&M HOME and ARKET as well as Afound. For further information, visit hmgroup.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE H&M | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/cleo-wade-hosts-new-orleans-dinner-celebrating-buy-black-woman-inspire-tour-presented-by-hampm/ | 2022-07-01T16:06:14Z |
Alex Jones’ Infowars files for bankruptcy protection
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Infowars has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the website’s founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones faces defamation lawsuits over his comments that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax.
The bankruptcy filing Sunday in Texas puts civil litigation on hold while the business reorganizes its finances. The filing came a week before a jury in Texas was set to begin considering how much money Jones, who has already lost the defamation lawsuits, should pay the families of Sandy Hook victims.
In its court filing, Infowars said it had estimated assets of $50,000 or less and estimated liabilities of $1 million to $10 million. Creditors listed in the bankruptcy filing include relatives of some of the 20 children and six educators killed in the 2012 school massacre in Connecticut.
The plaintiffs in that case have said they were subjected to harassment and death threats from Jones’ followers because of the hoax conspiracy that Jones promoted. Jones has since conceded that the shooting did happen. The families have already won defamation lawsuits against Jones.
“Alex Jones is just delaying the inevitable: a public trial in which he will be held accountable for his profit-driven campaign of lies against the Sandy Hook families who have brought this lawsuit,” said Christopher Mattei, who represents the families in a Connecticut lawsuit against Jones.
An attorney for Jones has not returned a message seeking comment. Jones told his Infowars listeners Monday that he was “totally maxed out” and urged them to contribute money and buy nutritional supplements on his website to keep him on the air.
“It’s time for people to be able to see that I don’t have $5 million. I don’t have $3 million. We have less than $3 million cash, and we need that money to buy future product to be able to operate,” Jones said.
Last month, Jones was fined $75,000 for failing to appear for a deposition in a defamation case, but a judge last week ordered the return of the money because Jones eventually showed up.
Another newly filed lawsuit accuses Jones of hiding millions of dollars in assets, but an attorney for Jones has called that allegation “ridiculous.”
Neil Heslin, whose 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, died in the Newtown school shooting, said he did not immediately know how the bankruptcy would affect his defamation lawsuit against Jones in Texas, where a trial on how much money Jones should pay in damages is set to begin next week.
“It is what it is,” Heslin said. “We’ll see where it all goes. He’s tried everything to avoid everything.”
It is not the first time a bankruptcy filing has affected a lawsuit filed by the Sandy Hook families. While suing gun maker Remington, which manufactured the AR-15-style rifle used in the school shooting, the company filed for bankruptcy twice. In the second case filed in 2020, Remington’s assets were eventually sold off to other companies.
The 2020 bankruptcy delayed proceedings for a year in the Connecticut lawsuit, which sought damages against Remington for how it marketed its rifles. In February, the families of nine victims of the school shooting announced they had agreed to settle the case for $73 million.
___
Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/18/alex-jones-infowars-files-bankruptcy-protection/ | 2022-04-18T18:40:03Z |
After more than a year of painstaking negotiations, congressional Democrats on Thursday night found themselves no further on implementing their ambitious climate agenda than when President Joe Biden took office.
For the second time in seven months, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia walked away from a deal to address the climate crisis, citing concerns over spending and inflation.
"Inflation is absolutely killing many, many people. They can't buy gasoline. They have a hard time buying groceries," Manchin told a West Virginia radio host on Friday. "Everything they buy and consume for their daily lives is a hardship to them. Can't we wait to make sure we do nothing to add to that?"
It was deja vu for climate hawks who watched a similar climate bill fail during the Obama administration in 2010, after which then-President Barack Obama had to rely on executive action.
Twelve years later, Democrats again fumbled the climate crisis within yards of scoring, just as climate scientists are becoming increasingly apoplectic about the urgency to act. The eight hottest years on record have all occurred since 2010, and weather disasters have cost the US more than $100 billion per year on average during that time -- almost double what they averaged in the decade before.
Biden walked into the Oval Office promising the boldest climate action of any president before him. But Manchin, heavily invested in the coal industry, has long been skeptical of clean energy. When running for Congress in 2010, Manchin cut a campaign ad of himself shooting Democrats' climate cap-and-trade bill with a rifle.
Manchin dealt the agenda its final blow this week, denying Democrats their chance to pass climate legislation for at least several years.
"He killed this, and he has to own that," John Podesta, Obama's climate adviser and founder of the Center for American Progress, told CNN.
Now Biden and Democrats "have to explain why -- in a context where Democrats had at least nominal control of the White House, House and Senate -- they couldn't get the job done," Podesta said.
CNN spoke with 11 lawmakers, congressional staffers and outside climate advocates who said they place much of the blame squarely on Manchin, a figure several sources described as difficult to pin down, frequently finding new excuses to delay action. A spokesperson for Manchin declined to comment for this story.
Even as Manchin insisted Friday he was still open to a deal on climate measures in September, sources inside and outside the Senate told CNN they were deeply skeptical after months of goalposts being moved.
"It's a bunch of bullsh*t," an exasperated senior Democratic aide told CNN, adding Manchin "does not want to be held accountable."
Others lamented that even as the administration seemed to focus on climate early in Biden's tenure, the congressional result was eerily like Obama's.
"When you have an ally in the White House, these issues become more painful when we give them away," House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva told CNN. "Climate change was a priority, but inevitably when we get to this negotiation point, environmental issues, the climate crisis, frontline communities and indigenous issues get put back, they become part of the trade.
"This is a pattern that gets continued every time."
'They will never say what they want'
Just days before Manchin torpedoed the climate measures, Democrats had been feeling confident they could strike a deal that would raise taxes on corporations and wealthier earners, lower prescription drug costs and tackle energy costs and the growing threat of climate change.
As negotiations came to a head mid-week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made a number of deep concessions to try to woo Manchin, offering to significantly reshape the bill to fit Manchin's wishlist, according to a Democratic source briefed on the negotiations -- channeling the revenue to tax reform; striking electric vehicle tax credits; adding additional measures to encourage more oil and gas drilling.
Schumer made "concession after concession to at least get the best we could get," Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota told CNN. "To have Sen. Manchin walk away from that good-faith negotiation was stunning to me."
Manchin's approach to the latest talks was reminiscent of failed negotiations on Build Back Better in December, as well as previous negotiations on Democrats' earlier clean electricity standard that he eventually killed from earlier versions of the bill. Two sources involved in those earlier negotiations with Manchin said the West Virginia senator and his staff often proved impossible to pin down.
Instead of saying what Manchin wanted out of a deal, Manchin's team instead would often criticize what the other side was offering, the sources said.
"It's like a word salad of why they don't like it," one source said. "They will never say what they want; they will attack what you have. [Manchin] so desperately doesn't want to appear to be on the hook -- because he wants to walk away. It's just so slippery."
A Democratic senator told CNN there's a throughline in failed negotiations -- they are often on energy issues, and Manchin has made clear that investments in clean energy must be accompanied by more oil and gas drilling.
"I think it is particularly a problem on energy negotiations," the Democratic senator said, adding that Manchin chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Dialing up executive action
Biden, who pledged to slash the country's planet-warming emissions in half as part of rejoining the Paris Agreement, vowed on Friday to take action even without the support of Congress.
"If the Senate will not move to tackle the climate crisis and strengthen our domestic clean energy industry, I will take strong executive action to meet this moment," Biden said in a statement.
Biden didn't provide specifics on the kinds of climate action he would take, but climate advocates told CNN the administration should issue a mix of strong rules to cut emissions from power plants, vehicles and the oil and gas industry.
Advocates are expected to put even stronger pressure on the US Department of Interior to stop oil and gas leasing on federal lands, which has become a politically charged flash point among Republicans and Manchin.
With Manchin's vote no longer attainable, advocates told CNN now is the time to dial executive action and federal regulation up to 100.
"There's no excuse now," Varshini Prakash, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, told CNN. "What I am looking for is a coordinated agency wide response at the executive level that is utilizing every tool and agency at their disposal to address the climate crisis."
John Larsen, a climate expert and partner at the non-partisan think tank Rhodium Group, said that Biden still has time to distinguish himself from Obama's legacy on climate by continuing to ramp up on clean energy and ramping down on fossil fuels.
"When [the 2010 bill] fizzled out, there was no discussion or action on climate after that until after 2012 election," Larsen said. "Should you repeat that part of the history again, we'll be five years out from 2030."
More immediately, Podesta told CNN, the failure of climate legislation in Congress will hurt Biden and the United States at the next round of international climate talks this November in Egypt.
"I think it weakens the US," Podesta said. "I think that [US Climate Envoy] John Kerry's done a terrific job, but ultimately you have to demonstrate that you can deliver on your commitments, and one's power comes from that."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/democrats-fumble-on-the-climate-crisis-again-as-us-suffers-consequences-of-inaction/article_b6f4e416-fcd4-58f7-a501-ca9595c01e58.html | 2022-07-16T14:48:13Z |
Four migrants were killed and three people critically injured during a highway chase and crash in Encinal, Texas, in what authorities described as yet another deadly human smuggling incident this week near the southern border.
The crash occurred Thursday on Interstate 35 about 40 miles north of Laredo, according to a tweet Thursday from Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Troopers are investigating the fatal crash in which the driver, who is suspected of human smuggling, evaded law enforcement and struck a commercial vehicle, according to a tweet from DPS' South Texas Region.
The driver was been airlifted to a hospital, according to Olivarez.
I-35 is a major north-south route in the central United States for traffic and commerce from the southern border. The route is often exploited by smugglers at a time when record numbers of migrants are being intercepted at the US-Mexico border.
On Monday in San Antonio, about 120 miles north on I-35 from Encinal, 53 migrants died in what a Homeland Security Investigations' official called the deadliest human smuggling incident in US history.
A worker near the interstate called San Antonio police after finding a tractor-trailer abandoned under the hot sun on a back road, with dozens of dead migrants inside. Some victims could be younger than 18.
"The floor of the trailer ... was completely covered in bodies. Completely covered in bodies," Police Chief William McManus told CNN. "There were at least 10-plus bodies outside the trailer."
Authorities in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras have said they are collaborating with the US in trying to identify the people who died in San Antonio.
More than a dozen people were found alive inside the tractor-trailer and hospitalized for heat-related conditions, authorities said.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the human smuggling incident.
Homero Zamorano Jr., 45, who is originally from Brownsville but resides in Pasadena, Texas, was arrested Wednesday on criminal charges related to alleged involvement in human smuggling resulting in death, according to a US Department of Justice statement.
Zamorano has a lengthy criminal record dating back to the 1990s, public records show.
Laredo Sector Border Patrol surveillance footage showed the tractor-trailer passing an immigration checkpoint, according to the DOJ. The driver could be seen wearing a black shirt with stripes and a hat.
Zamorano matched the driver in the surveillance footage, the DOJ said.
CNN has been unable to determine whether he has an attorney.
Another suspect, Christian Martinez, 28, was arrested on Tuesday in Palestine, Texas, and charged with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in death, the DOJ said.
Two other men, Juan Claudio D'Luna-Mendez and Juan Francisco D'Luna-Bilbao, have been charged with "possession of a weapon by an alien illegally in the United States," according to criminal complaints filed Monday.
Authorities located the men after responding to the semi-truck incident, according to the affidavit.
The attorney for D'Luna-Mendez declined comment. CNN has reached out to D'Luna-Bilbao's attorney for comment.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/4-migrants-killed-3-critically-injured-in-second-deadly-human-smuggling-incident-in-texas-this/article_40096780-f563-5d52-a0d8-5ed35a5539fb.html | 2022-06-30T20:45:58Z |
CARY, N.C., June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SAS today announced it has won Microsoft's Global Independent Software Vendor (ISV) 2022 Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.
"Two years ago, we formed the SAS and Microsoft strategic partnership with a shared goal of making it easier for customers to drive better decisions in the cloud," said Gavin Day, Senior Vice President of Corporate Programs at SAS. "This award emphasizes the power of our combined expertise in helping organizations across industries and around the world successfully solve their toughest analytical challenges."
SAS and Microsoft have continued finding new ways to serve customers as they migrate and modernize with SAS® Viya® on Microsoft Azure.
"SAS Viya on Azure helps us to better serve our customers by providing them more targeted offers, improving customer service and, in turn, the long-term relationship with our customers," said Iikka Kuosa, Senior Vice President of Products and IT at S-Bank, a SAS Viya on Azure customer. "We need to use data to enable better decision making, to better understand motivation and to continue meeting our customers' evolving needs."
The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 3,900 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide. SAS was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in Global ISV.
The Global ISV Partner of the Year Award recognizes the Microsoft globally managed ISV that has demonstrated strong customer focus and success by partnering deeply with Microsoft on a global scale. The winning partner offers clearly differentiated value and customer experiences by building on Microsoft's cloud platform. The partner's solutions provide strong examples of how the Microsoft Cloud Platform can be leveraged to drive product differentiation, solution innovation and create new business models and approaches. In addition, the partner will illustrate how their engagement with Microsoft has accelerated their business growth, especially by leveraging Microsoft's partner programs and offerings.
"I am honored to announce the winners and finalists of the 2022 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards," said Nick Parker, corporate vice president of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. "These partners were outstanding among the exceptional pool of nominees and I'm continuously impressed by their innovative use of Microsoft Cloud technologies and the impact for their customers."
Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the company's global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 19-20 this year. Additional details on the 2022 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner Network blog: https://blogs.partner.microsoft.com/mpn/congratulations-to-the-2022-microsoft-partner-of-theyear-awards-winners-and-finalists/. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/inspire/awards.
About SAS
SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW®.
SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2022 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.
Editorial Contact:
Kara Roberts
919-531-5449
sas.com/news
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE SAS | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/sas-recognized-winner-2022-microsoft-global-independent-software-vendor-partner-year/ | 2022-06-28T19:35:50Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Candace Parker had 14 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Chicago Sky over the New York Liberty 90-72 Tuesday night in the deciding Game 3 to advance to the WNBA semifinals.
The defending champion Sky await the winner of the Connecticut-Dallas playoff series, with the deciding Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Allie Quigley and Kahleah Copper each added 15 points while Courtney Vandersloot had 14 points and 10 assists for the second-seeded Sky. Chicago has now won four consecutive elimination contests dating to back-to-back single-elimination games last year en route to the franchise’s first WNBA championship.
The seventh-seed Liberty shocked the Sky by winning Game 1. Chicago routed New York by a WNBA playoffs record 38 points in the second game, racing out to a 31-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looking back.
“We knew what we had to do. They were all on a mission and you could tell it was a collective mission,” Chicago coach James Wade said. “We decided it was go-time and show what we were made of and responded in Game 2 and built on it after that.”
This one was a lot more competitive. Chicago led 25-20 after one quarter and extended the advantage to 54-42 at the half as Parker had seven points, six assists and seven rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.
New York scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter, including a five-point possession by Sabrina Ionescu to get within 68-65 that brought the sold-out lower bowl of Barclays Center to its feet.
This was New York’s first home playoff game since 2017 when the Liberty lost in the second round to Washington. New York hadn’t made the semifinals since 2015.
That euphoria didn’t last long though as Chicago scored the next 16 points, including consecutive 3-pointers by Quigley to end the run and put the game away with just over 4 minutes left.
Betnijah Laney scored 15 points and Ionescu and Natasha Howard each had 14 for the Liberty.
“(Chicago) is a really good team, see the chemistry the have,” New York coach Sandy Brondello said. “They have poise and they made plays and we couldn’t. We rushed a few shots when they made some plays. Proud of these girls, proud of this team. The more experienced team won tonight.”
STAT STUFFERS
Parker fell just short of the fourth triple-double in WNBA playoff history. She was looking to join Vandersloot, Lisa Leslie and Margo Dydek.
BEING RECOGNIZED
Chicago Sky coach and general manager James Wade was chosen as the WNBA Executive of the Year on Monday. The voting panel is made up of one basketball executive from each WNBA team, with each representative submitting top three choices. Wade won by being named on the most ballots (11). … Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash and tennis great Billie Jean King were in attendance at the Barclays Center.
___
More WNBA playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-playoffs and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/parker-chicago-advance-to-wnba-semis-beat-new-york-90-72/ | 2022-08-24T20:35:47Z |
Director makes dramatic prediction this Parkinson's Awareness Month
PHOENIX, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the world's most comprehensive and interdisciplinary centers for Parkinson's disease celebrates its 25th anniversary, doctors at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix are predicting dramatic changes for Parkinson's disease treatment in the next quarter century.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder with no definitive cause and no known cure that affects more than 1 million Americans. Led by renowned movement disorder neurologist, Holly Shill, MD, the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute predicts changes are on the horizon. Dr. Shill has seen medical management and treatment options for Parkinson's disease come a long way in the last 25 years and is hopeful for the future.
"Our patients are living longer, higher quality lives after being diagnosed because we have better understandings about the medical, surgical and supportive interventions that are available today," says Dr. Shill, who she started her career at Barrow as a neurology resident in 1995, two years before the center was officially established.
"Research," she adds, "is still incredibly important. I truly believe that over the next 25 years research efforts – at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and in the Parkinson's community around the world – will lead to groundbreaking discoveries that will help us stop Parkinson's progression in its tracks."
Some of the Center's research focuses on genetic investigations while other landmark clinical studies the Center is part of, like the Michael J. Fox Foundation's Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) study, observe newly diagnosed patients to better understand Parkinson's onset and progression. The PPMI study in particular aims to help expedite the development of new and improved treatments, which are incredibly important tools in the ongoing battle that neurologists face.
Other exciting research initiatives at the Center involve infusions and brain mapping; light therapy for sleep problems; investigating potential environmental exposure links in mining and welding; using virtual reality style goggles to study eye movement patterns; the effects of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on gait and falls; and using palliative care to examine outcome predictors and identify different ways to intervene to improve outcomes.
"I am very proud to of our team here at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center," said Dr. Shill. "We are at the forefront of finding answers. Our team is devoted to increasing access to care and research by educating future neurologists, offering virtual and telemedicine opportunities, and breaking language barriers with cultural sensitivity."
Founded at Barrow on March 18, 1997 thanks to philanthropists and a unique friendship between three-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali and his movement disorder neurologist, Abraham Lieberman, MD, the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center has seen tremendous growth over the years. It is estimated that the Center treated more than 10,000 patients in the first ten years, and has provided care to more than 50,000 people since opening its doors.
The 26,450-square-foot facility is located on what is now officially named Muhammad Ali Way at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. It is a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence and a world leader in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for the treatment of movement disorders. In addition to world-class neurological and rehabilitation therapy care, the Center is also known for its cutting-edge research and robust outreach programs which include recreational therapies, educational workshops, support groups, and an acclaimed Hispanic Outreach Program that is also celebrating its 15th anniversary this spring.
The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center has become a beacon of hope for Parkinson's patients from around the world by continuing to uphold the mission set forth by its late namesake and his wife, Lonnie Ali - to treat every patient and caregiver with the same level of outstanding care that Ali received after his 1984 diagnosis.
"When Muhammad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, I knew he would fight it with the same strength, courage, and determination that he brought with him every single time he stepped into the ring," says Lonnie. "From the outset, Muhammad and I had a shared vision of building the greatest Parkinson's center in the world, to help those in need of it most by providing a place where patients and caregivers have someone fighting for them in their corner. That is the lasting impact of Muhammad's legacy."
Lonnie believes the Center is an example of Muhammad's spirit, noting that there is nowhere like it in the world. She credits the team of physicians, nurses, therapist and support staff who are dedicated to providing all patients and caregivers with the best possible care and support, to help them to maintain their dignity, independence and quality of life while battling the disease.
"Muhammad was proud to lend his name to the Center when it opened, and I know he would be proud of where it is now and how far reaching it has become," she adds.
"Finding the right connections can make an incredible impact on your life after diagnosis," explains Julie Raymond, 65, who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in June 2021 after she noticed extreme fatigue, a tremor in her hand and stiffness in her arm. "I have learned so much since I started participating in the programs offered by the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center."
A retired banker and proud grandmother, Raymond says she does what she can to stay positive and has made a number of lifestyle changes, like exercising and eating better.
She's also participated in many of the Center's offerings including a clinical trial, education classes, the PD SELF seminar for patients and caregivers, a support group for newly diagnosed patients and a Pilates class, as well as a number of other activities offed at the Valley of the Sun JCC for people with Parkinson's disease.
"Some days it still feels frustrating and, honestly, sometimes terrifying," admits Raymond who volunteers for the Glendale Police Victim Assistance Unit and likes to knit, craft and play piano – all skills that could one day be affected by the disease. "I try to stay hopeful and positive. I just take each day as it comes, knowing that while I don't always feel better, at least I don't feel worse and I know that I am doing everything I can to take care of myself. I wish that someday there will be a cure."
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Barrow Neurological Institute | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/muhammad-ali-parkinson-center-celebrates-25th-anniversary-with-hope-future-treatment/ | 2022-05-04T00:07:44Z |
Minority GM, coach candidates invited to meet NFL owners
By BARRY WILNER
AP Pro Football Writer
Even though the NFL attempted to enhance opportunities for minority candidates to become head coaches in a league whose players are 70% Black, there was a disconnect. Same thing for front office positions, although more improvement had been seen in recent years in that area. Those diverse prospects in many cases were strangers to the people making the hiring decisions. And when the number of minority head coaches on the 32 teams stagnated — it is six for 2022, including three Black men, one biracial, one Hispanic and one Lebanese — the NFL sought a different path for potential coaches and general managers. It has come up with the inaugural Coach and Front Office Accelerator that will take place next Monday and Tuesday at owners meetings in Atlanta. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/19/minority-gm-coach-candidates-invited-to-meet-nfl-owners/ | 2022-05-19T19:04:29Z |
3 seriously hurt when hot-air balloon crashes into train
Published: Jun. 2, 2022 at 11:13 AM CDT|Updated: moments ago
BURLINGTON, Wis. (WTMJ) - Three people were seriously injured when a hot-air balloon crashed into a moving train on Wednesday.
According to police, witnesses said the balloon was in distress before the crash.
A witness said the balloon hit a building, bounded off of it, then was hit by a train.
He said several people on the ground rushed over to help them.
The three people inside were hospitalized with injuries officials said are life-threatening.
City, state and federal officials are investigating what caused the crash.
Copyright 2022 [station] via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/02/3-seriously-hurt-when-hot-air-balloon-crashes-into-train/ | 2022-06-02T16:19:26Z |
Former US Army reservist found guilty in Jan. 6 riot
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former U.S. Army reservist described by prosecutors as a Nazi sympathizer was convicted Friday of storming the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, who worked a security contractor at a Navy base when he joined the pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6, was also convicted of disorderly conduct and other misdemeanors.
Hale-Cussanelli took the stand in his defense and claimed he didn’t know that Congress met at the Capitol building.
“I know this sounds idiotic, but I’m from New Jersey,” Hale-Cusanelli said, according to WUSA-TV. “In all my studies, I didn’t know there was an actual building that was called the ‘Capitol.’ It’s embarrassing and idiotic.”
Hale-Cusanelli’s trial was the fifth before a jury and the seventh overall for a Capitol riot case. The first four juries unanimously convicted the riot defendants of all charges. Roughly 300 others have pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from the riot, including seditious conspiracy and assault.
Prosecutors said Hale-Cusanelli openly espoused white supremacist and antisemitic ideology and wore an Adolf Hitler-style mustache to work. On his cellphone, investigators found photos of him with the distinctive mustache and combed-over hairstyle associated with the Nazi leader.
Hale-Cusanelli had a “secret” security clearance for his job as a security contractor at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey. He also lived on the base with a roommate who reported him to the Naval Criminal Investigation Service and secretly recorded a conversion about the Capitol riot.
During the trial’s opening statements Tuesday, a Justice Department prosecutor said Hale-Cusanelli stormed the Capitol because he wanted to kick off a civil war and create “a clean slate.”
Defense attorney Jonathan Crisp told jurors that “groupthink” and a desperate desire “to be heard” drove Hale-Cusanelli to follow a mob into the Capitol. Crisp described Hale-Cusanelli as a bombastic agitator prone to making “extreme statements to get attention.”
In pretrial court filings, prosecutors framed Hale-Cusanelli’s bigoted, antisemitic views as motivating factors for his participation in the Jan. 6 riot and his desire for a civil war.
One Navy seaman said Hale-Cusanelli told him “he would kill all the Jews and eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and he wouldn’t need to season them because the salt from their tears would make it flavorful enough,” according to prosecutors. Other coworkers recalled Hale-Cusanelli making derogatory remarks about women, Black people and other minorities, prosecutors said.
Before the trial, Crisp argued that any testimony about Hale-Cusanelli’s alleged statements about Jewish people and their role in the U.S. government would be “highly prejudicial in nature without substantive value.”
Crisp acknowledged Hale-Cusanelli shouldn’t have entered the Capitol building.
“But the question of why he was there is what is important,” he told jurors Tuesday.
Hale-Cusanelli wasn’t charged with engaging in any violence or property destruction. He was indicted on five counts: obstruction of an official proceeding, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or destructive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
The obstruction charge is a felony. The rest are misdemeanors.
Crisp said Hale-Cusanelli believed then-President Donald Trump’s false claims about a stolen election. But the defense attorney said Hale-Cusanelli went to Washington to peacefully protest, wearing a suit while many others wore tactical gear.
A video captured Hale-Cusanelli yelling profanities at police officers and screaming, “The revolution will be televised!”
“This was not a peaceful protest,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Fifield said.
More than 800 people have been charged with Capitol crimes stemming from the riot. Many of then are military veterans. Hale-Cusanelli is among a few defendants who were on active duty on Jan. 6.
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, who presided over Hale-Cusanelli’s trial, decided two other Capitol riot cases after hearing testimony without a jury. McFadden acquitted one of the defendants of all charges and partially acquitted the other after bench trials.
Hale-Cusanelli was arrested less than two weeks after the attack and has remained jailed since February 2021. He was discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves and barred from the Navy base after his arrest.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/27/former-us-army-reservist-found-guilty-jan-6-riot/ | 2022-05-27T21:17:13Z |
ALLENTOWN, Pa., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yourway, the only truly integrated premium courier and clinical packager in the clinical trials supply chain market, announced the expansion of its controlled ambient capabilities in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This expansion adds ~100,000 ft2 to Yourway's existing extensive storage capabilities at its Allentown headquarters. The new location in Allentown is close to Yourway's Global Headquarters and main storage facility, which is strategically located close to key airports, offering convenient global access to several domestic and international cities.
The decision was made to fulfill increased demand for long-term temperature-controlled storage. This new facility adds space for 5,000 pallets at ambient temperature. Yourway has completed mapping, validation, and full GMP qualification of the warehouse space.
An expanded complex is being constructed at Yourway's Global Headquarters, including both an extension of the main building, which is completed and has added an additional 1,000 pallets of 2–8 °C storage, and new buildings on the Allentown campus. When complete, the expansion will effectively double the primary and secondary packaging, storage, and distribution capabilities of the current facility. The expansion will significantly extend Yourway's temperature-controlled storage capacity, addressing the growing need for temperature-controlled storage, clinical packaging, and distribution services for clinical trials involving investigational products, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and other advanced modalities.
The company views this strategic expansion as an investment to meet anticipated demand for long-term storage capacity. "Yourway likes to stay ahead of the curve and have excess capacity available before customers need it," said Gulam Jaffer, Founder and President of Yourway. "This is an example of serving that need."
Yourway Allentown, PA site offers convenient access to three major international airports combined with all the value-added integrated services offered by Yourway allow the transport of clinical materials around the world in hours, not days, and for trials to start quickly. Large capacities of all levels of temperature-controlled storage are available, from ambient room temperature (20 °C) to liquid nitrogen storage at –180 °C.
About Yourway
Yourway is the only truly integrated premium courier and clinical packager, providing a full range of primary and secondary clinical packaging, ancillary materials sourcing, logistics, storage and distribution, and premium courier services serving the global biopharmaceutical industry. Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with a global network of fully managed GMP depots worldwide, Yourway is an agile and reliable partner with over 20 years of experience. Visit https://www.yourway.com/
Contact:
Leandro Moreira
SVP, Corporate Development
+1 610 395 9198
leandro.moreira@yourway.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Yourway | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/yourway-adds-additional-capacity-controlled-ambient-storage-allentown-pa/ | 2022-04-12T06:33:29Z |
Sympatic is a data collaboration platform based on the zero-copy paradigm that enables healthcare and life sciences companies to leverage sensitive data to benefit from AI and discovery with no data transfer and full privacy preserved.
CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sympatic, a data collaboration platform that allows users to create and manage safe data sandboxes in their cloud of choice, today announced that it has raised a pre-seed round of funding led by Saltagen Ventures with participation from ScaleGood Fund.
Sympatic rethinks how data collaboration occurs and lays the foundation for a future of ethical data use. Sympatic's founder, Dr. Piers Nash, personally experienced the endless delays and barriers to data sharing over two decades in research. A University of Chicago cancer research professor and Director of the National Cancer Institute Genomic Data Commons, Nash experienced how difficult, risky and expensive it is to access vital data to accelerate new cures.
The current industry standard are data sharing agreements that take months to negotiate and are ultimately unenforceable; where sensitive data is duplicated, and copies of data shipped out of reach. Risk, uncertainty and danger results in lost time, failure to create innovations, and revenue forgone. With as few as three data elements being enough to positively re-identify most individuals, the notion that de-identification provides privacy protection is misleading. Solutions that obfuscate, tokenize or encrypt data decrease data quality and increase analytic complexity while creating a residue of future risks.
Sympatic is revolutionizing the process with VirtualVault® management. "As a cancer researcher and genomic data custodian, it's painful to see privacy policies fail when data is shared or data held back that could save lives." said Piers Nash, Sympatic's founder and CEO. "Our goal is to allow the full power of deep medical data to be used to drive discovery and new AI models while leaving data owners in full control without the need to duplicate data. We are thrilled to partner with Saltagen Ventures who share Sympatic's commitment to develop the next generation of zero-copy data collaboration tools."
"We're pleased to partner with Sympatic, a mission-driven technology company that was born from Piers' firsthand experience navigating the complexities of healthcare data collaboration," said Joseph Fung, managing partner at Saltagen Ventures. "The Sympatic team has already made an immense impact developing patentable technology to unleash the value of data collaboration that stands to transform the health and life science industry."
Sympatic is a cloud platform enabling data collaboration based on the zero-copy paradigm. Sympatic leverages VirtualVault® technology to simplify data collaboration, increase velocity of data use and prevent data loss. Learn more at sympatic.com.
Saltagen Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in science and technology-based startups. Saltagen focuses on the verticals of biomedical technology, AI and machine learning, and edtech/media technology. Saltagen invests in visionary and disruptive technology startups that have strong defensibility.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Sympatic | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/sympatic-successfully-raises-pre-seed-round-funding-led-by-saltagen-ventures-revolutionize-zero-copy-data-use/ | 2022-08-04T17:15:24Z |
The plumbing and HVAC company's purchase of Velavi Heating & Cooling in Norwalk, California will enlarge its arsenal of locations offering heating and cooling services
LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air, a plumbing and HVAC company serving residential and commercial locations in California and Arizona, announced today it has purchased Velavi Heating & Cooling, Inc., a home services company in Norwalk, California, in an effort to expand its HVAC offerings into the greater Los Angeles area.
The expansion will allow Rooter Hero to offer heating, ventilation and air conditioning services to Los Angeles residents in addition to the plumbing repair, installation & drain cleaning services the company currently provides.
In 2019, Rooter Hero purchased four locations in the Phoenix area, allowing the plumbing company to enter into the HVAC market. The company expanded again in 2021 with the purchase of Allied Aire Service, Inc. in San Jose to provide HVAC services in the California Bay area.
"Rooter Hero has been known for our exceptional plumbing and drain services for more than a decade," said John Akhoian, co-founder and CEO of Rooter Hero. "With the success of our Phoenix and San Jose locations, moving into more HVAC markets has been a priority for us. The Velavi purchase allows us the ability to offer this service to the people of Los Angeles."
Akhoian said Velavi has built an excellent reputation in Los Angeles since its inception in 2017. He said Rooter Hero will continue to use the Velavi name for several months before transitioning the company under the greater Rooter Hero umbrella.
Velavi's co-founder, Jose Veliz, will remain with the company as the installation manager for the Norwalk Rooter Hero location.
"Joining the Rooter Hero team will allow Velavi to have access to the tools of a large organization while allowing me to continue to help run the business," Veliz said. "We're excited about joining the Rooter Hero family. By using their established administrative infrastructure, we will be able to better recruit and maintain the best talent and provide our customers with the latest HVAC technology."
About Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air
Since 2011, Rooter Hero has been committed to providing the best in plumbing and drain services. With more than 90 years of plumbing experience, the Rooter Hero team prides themselves on creating a memorable experience for each customer.
The company provides solutions for both residential and commercial needs and offers 24/7 emergency service. Now operating in nine service area locations throughout California and Arizona, Rooter Hero offers options such as HVAC service and installation in select areas. For more information, please visit https://rooterhero.com or call 844-219-2215.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
(865) 977-1973
hripley@ripleypr.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Rooter Hero | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/rooter-hero-expands-its-hvac-market-with-acquisition-los-angeles-area-home-service-company/ | 2022-05-19T12:36:47Z |
NEW YORK, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Digital Turbine, Inc. (NASDAQ: APPS) between August 9, 2021 and May 17, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 5, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Digital Turbine securities 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 Digital Turbine class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6272 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 5, 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 Digital Turbine's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Digital Turbine's recent acquisitions, AdColony and Fyber, act as agents in certain of their respective product lines; (2) as a result, revenues for those product lines must be reported net of license fees and revenue share, rather than on a gross basis; (3) Digital Turbine's internal control over financial reporting as to revenue recognition was deficient; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Digital Turbine's net revenues was overstated throughout fiscal 2022; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Digital Turbine's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Digital Turbine class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6272 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.
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
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/apps-final-deadline-august-5-rosen-national-trial-counsel-encourages-digital-turbine-inc-investors-with-losses-excess-100k-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-apps/ | 2022-07-29T21:03:17Z |
- U.S. Signals Scorecard measured and ranked performance of over 240,000 signalized intersections, representing about three-quarters of all signals in the country
- The average driver passed through nearly five traffic signals per trip and spent 10% of their journey delayed by traffic signals
- The busiest hour nationally was Thursday, 4:30-5:30pm, with over 430 million estimated total crossings in the peak hour
- If achieved nationwide, a one second improvement in delay per vehicle would eliminate more than 1.5 million metric tons of CO2, saving 3.9 million barrels of oil annually
KIRKLAND, Wash., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- INRIX, Inc., a world leader in mobility analytics and connected car services, today published the U.S. Signals Scorecard that measured and ranked performance of over 240,000 signalized intersections. On average, drivers spent more than 18 seconds sitting at each traffic signal, resulting in nearly 8.65 billion hours spent annually and, more importantly, nearly 28 million metric tons of CO2 emitted.
Leveraging INRIX IQ Signal Analytics, the U.S. Signals Scorecard is one of the most comprehensive reports to date with measurement of an estimated three-quarters of all signals in the United States, with analysis on the national, state, county, metropolitan area, and intersection levels. The Scorecard is augmented by an online national map showing all intersections analyzed and, when clicked, daily average and peak demand hour metrics.
The Signals Scorecard revealed that signalized intersections play a large part of the journey and associated carbon emissions. Analysis found that the average driver passed through nearly five traffic signals per trip and spent 10% of their trip delayed by traffic signals, leading to an increase of total delay by 24% over last year.
"Idling at signals results in lost time, fuel wasted, and unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions," said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. "The Signals Scorecard provides a national benchmark of signalized intersections, allowing cities and road authorities to identify problem areas and reduce carbon emissions immediately, without waiting years from now."
Signals in the Top 25 Metro Areas
The below table summarizes the results for the 25 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. The nature of the road networks (signal density, demand, etc.) vary widely and has a direct impact in signal performance. Delay per vehicle ranged from 14.9 seconds in the Minneapolis/St. Paul to 24.9 seconds in Miami-Dade, while total hours of daily delay per signal ranged from 72 hours in the Cleveland area to nearly 210 hours in Miami. Daily carbon and fuel use impacts from delay range from 480 metric tons of CO2 and roughly 1,250 barrels of oil in the Portland, Oregon area to more than 7,000 metric tons and 18,300 barrels in the Los Angeles area.
While all delay can't be eliminated, reducing excess delay has a direct impact on the creation of greenhouse gases and fuel consumption. If a one second improvement in delay per vehicle is achieved nationwide, more than 1.5 million metric tons of CO2 would be eliminated, saving 3.9 million barrels of oil annually.
The Top 10 Intersections by Peak Demand Delay
For the week analyzed, the intersection of West Southern Ave & South Alma School Rd (Mesa, AZ), ranked first in total daily delay, drivers sat at the intersection for 126 seconds during peak hour demand, followed by SW Baya Dr & SW Main Blvd (Lake City, FL) with nearly 112 seconds of delay. Florida and Texas each had three intersections ranked in the top 10.
The U.S. Signals Scorecard comes at a time when the country's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows for massive investment in ways to reduce oil consumption, increase safety and lower carbon emissions. City, County, Regional Planners, and State Departments of Transportation are investing in technologies that bring immediate and quantifiable benefits to meet key climate and safety targets.
The key findings of the U.S. Signals Scorecard provide a quantifiable benchmark for governments and cities to measure and improve urban mobility, while also identifying the associated carbon emissions due to vehicle delay.
Please visit www.inrix.com/signals-scorecard/ for:
- Full U.S. Signals Scorecard report
- Online national map showing all intersections analyzed and key metrics
- Complete methodology
About INRIX
Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered intelligent mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. This revolutionary approach enabled INRIX to become one of the leading providers of data and analytics into how people move. By empowering cities, businesses and people with valuable insights, INRIX is helping to make the world smarter, safer, and greener. With partners and solutions spanning across the entire mobility ecosystem, INRIX is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and transportation – whether its keeping road users safe, improving traffic signal timing to reduce delay and greenhouse gasses, optimizing last mile delivery, or helping uncover market insights. Learn more at INRIX.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE INRIX | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/13/inrix-analyzes-ranks-intersection-performance-across-us-estimates-impact-signal-delay-carbon-emissions/ | 2022-04-13T07:51:11Z |
What’s a Pell grant? Recipients can get $20,000 in student loan forgiveness
NEW YORK (AP) - President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program announced on Wednesday aims to provide $10,000 in student debt cancellation for millions of Americans.
But for federal Pell grant recipients, that amount is even higher: $20,000.
So what exactly is a Pell grant? And why is there a special benefit for people who got one?
Created by the Higher Education Act in 1965 as a way to promote access to education, federal Pell grants are special scholarships reserved for undergraduates and certain other students with the most significant financial need. The grants generally don’t need to be paid back, but they often don’t cover the full cost of college — so recipients take out additional loans.
The Biden administration is targeting Pell grant recipients for additional forgiveness “to smooth the transition back to repayment and help borrowers at highest risk of delinquencies or default once payments resume,” according to the Department of Education.
Roughly 27 million recipients of Pell grants will now be eligible for loan forgiveness. But for some, the $20,000 will hardly make a dent.
Lynn Hunt, a data analyst in Portland, Oregon, is a Pell grant recipient who borrowed somewhere around $45,000 to $50,000 to attend the University of Wisconsin and has paid back about $15,000 but still owes $70,000 because of interest.
“I know (Biden) mentioned, you know, $20,000 for Pell grants, but the people that had Pell grants had to take out the most loans,” Hunt said. “So $20,000 isn’t helping most of those people in any substantial manner. And the thing that happens every time when we get one of these half measures is, the can gets kicked for another decade.”
For Yaneth Peña, however, the money will make a difference. Peña graduated from North Carolina State University in 2014. She obtained about $4,000 in grants and approximately $25,000 in federal loans. Under Biden’s forgiveness plan, her debt would be whittled down to $5,000.
Relieved of the financial burden, Peña said she could now seriously pursue a graduate degree — something she said she hesitated to consider in the past because of her loans.
“This could like really change everything,” Peña said.
Pell grant recipients typically experience more challenges repaying their debt, the Department of Education notes. In the academic year of 2020-21, around 30% of all students that enrolled in undergraduate programs in the United States were awarded Pell grants and nearly every recipient came from a family that made less than $60,000 a year.
Almost all Pell grant recipients are independent students or dependent students from the bottom half of the income distribution, according to a report from the Urban Institute on college affordability.
Through the program, lower-income Americans can currently receive up to $6,895 annually for roughly six years.
If you’re not sure if you received a federal Pell grant, review any financial aid award letters administered through the Office of Federal Student Aid.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/25/whats-pell-grant-recipients-can-get-20000-student-loan-forgiveness/ | 2022-08-25T03:33:27Z |
Nestle Toll House to roll out stuffed cookie dough
Published: Apr. 13, 2022 at 11:46 AM EDT
(CNN) - Nestle Toll House is stuffing its cookie dough.
The iconic brand has been baking up some tasty new creations with its first-ever stuffed cookie dough.
You’ll have two flavors to choose from – chocolate chip cookie dough with fudge filling and double chocolate cookie dough with salted caramel filling.
The new dough delights are expected in the refrigerated aisle in July.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/13/nestle-toll-house-roll-out-stuffed-cookie-dough/ | 2022-04-15T09:57:29Z |
Based on Digilock's iconic design, new lock has basic, advanced or networked cloud based management options, along with keypad, RFID and Mobile ID access
PETALUMA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digilock, the global leader in keyless lock solutions, today unveiled its latest design-forward innovation, Curve. Inspired by the company's bestselling and industry-favored classic model, this next-generation lock has all the modern advantages, featuring basic, advanced or networked cloud management capabilities for anytime, anywhere control. Curve also offers wireless connectivity through Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), and customer choice of keypad, RFID, or Mobile ID access, to further simplify deployment options.
With nearly 300 patents and trademarks, Digilock is the force behind some of the biggest improvements in lock technology. In 1994, Digilock eliminated keys from the equation by introducing the first-ever keypad lock. The company also introduced the first locks where the functionality could be upgraded via technology without changing out the physical lock. And today, the company introduced its most advanced lock to date, Curve.
"Whether for use in corporate, healthcare, gym, or dozens of other settings, Curve ushers in a new era of commercial lock technology," said Julie Advocate, Vice President and CFO at Digilock. "For more than four decades, Digilock has been at the forefront of lock technology and continues to push the envelope of features, design, and function. Curve is not only elegant and seamless but also packed full of the latest technology."
In addition to Keypad, RFID and Mobile Access technology options, Curve also features:
- An option for 24/7 networked lock management through proprietary DigiLink® software
- Integration with existing access control systems and third-party applications
- Shared or Assigned Use functionality
- Easy, wire-free installation and seamless retrofit
- ADA compliant options
- Motorized opening with deadbolt or latch
- Lifetime Digilock customer support
Founded to simplify key management 41 years ago, Digilock has become the worldwide leader in keyless lock technology. Whether it's at Tesla, Salesforce, Four Seasons, Armani, or the Louvre, Digilock's technology is trusted by more than 32,000 organizations in 195 countries worldwide. The pioneering company was the first to introduce electronic technology to locks and keys for lockers, cabinets, furniture, and more. Extending its leadership, four decades after its founding, Digilock grew over 30 percent, in 2021 alone.
For more information, visit Digilock.com. And to view Curve in action, including video, visit Digilock.com/products/smart-locks/
Founded in San Francisco in 1981 and headquartered in Petaluma, California, Digilock is the global leader in keyless lock technology. Over four decades, Digilock is still growing and innovating, with nearly 300 patents and trademarks, and more than 32,000 customers worldwide. With products ranging from electronic and smart locks to turn-key locker solutions, Digilock has been a leader at every stage of the keyless lock evolution. To learn more, visit Digilock.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Digilock | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/digilock-unveils-curve-sleek-new-standard-upgradeable-lock-innovation/ | 2022-09-15T13:49:38Z |
CALGARY, AB, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - CONDUCTIVE ENERGY INC. (the "Company" or "Conductive"), a leading direct lithium extraction ("DLE") technology company, is scheduled to participate on a leadership panel on day one of the Reuters Industry Transition 2022 event on September 28th in San Diego, California, USA.
Conductive is one of the first direct lithium extraction companies that have an end-to-end solution for producing battery-grade lithium carbonate (LCE) from lithium bearing brine resources. The company is involved in multiple projects across North America. For more information about Conductive, visit www.conductive.energy.
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that reflect the current expectations of management about the future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities for Conductive. This presentation may use words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "except", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook", and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking information. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the inherent risks and uncertainties of technology development, the effectiveness and feasibility of emerging lithium extraction technologies which have not yet been tested or proven on a commercial scale. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will materialize and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
View original content:
SOURCE Conductive Energy | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/conductive-energy-participating-reuters-industry-transition-event-delivering-deep-decarbonization-hard-abate-sectors/ | 2022-08-23T16:45:28Z |
NEW YORK, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Amazon.com, Inc. ("Amazon" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: AMZN) of a class action securities lawsuit.
CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Amazon investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud. This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Amazon common stock between July 30, 2021, and April 28, 2022, inclusive. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:
AMZN investors may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500.
CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that defendants made false statements and/or concealed that: 1) defendants knew or recklessly disregarded that the Company's infrastructure and fulfillment network investments substantially outpaced demand; 2) those investments were a massive, self-imposed, undue drain on Amazon's financial condition; 3) contrary to defendants' public statements and undisclosed to investors, defendants had already implemented cutbacks to Amazon's fulfillment capacity by July 2021; and 4) as a result of defendants' misrepresentations and omissions, Amazon's common stock traded at artificially inflated prices during the class period.
WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Amazon during the relevant time frame, you have until September 6, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you are a class member, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket costs or fees. There is no cost or obligation to participate.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, the team at Levi & Korsinsky has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. Our firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10006
jlevi@levikorsinsky.com
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
www.zlk.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/amzn-lawsuit-alert-levi-amp-korsinsky-notifies-amazoncom-inc-investors-class-action-lawsuit-upcoming-deadline/ | 2022-07-28T11:02:38Z |
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) today announced it has granted equity awards under its 2022 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan to new employees who joined PayPal. The Plan was approved and adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of PayPal Holdings, Inc. in June 2022. Information regarding the equity awards can be found on the company's investor relations website at: https://investor.pypl.com/news-and-events/news/
About PayPal
PayPal has remained at the forefront of the digital payment revolution for more than 20 years. By leveraging technology to make financial services and commerce more convenient, affordable, and secure, the PayPal platform is empowering 429 million consumers and merchants in more than 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit https://www.paypal.com.
Contact: media@paypal.com
View original content:
SOURCE PayPal Holdings, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/paypal-announces-new-employee-inducement-grants/ | 2022-07-22T00:46:41Z |
-- Convention returns in person October 17-20 at the Javits Center --
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration opens today for NAB Show New York, October 17-20, 2022 (exhibits October 19-20) at the Javits Center. The event's mid-point timing six months following NAB Show in Las Vegas provides a unique opportunity for the NAB Show community to connect at a major East Coast venue. Attendees will gain strategic insight and engage with technology that is transforming broadcasting and the larger media and entertainment business.
Produced by the National Association of Broadcasters and co-located with the AES New York 2022 Convention, NAB Show New York offers hands-on learning and discovery of advanced product features, applications and workflows that promote superior audio and video experiences.
Exhibits Pass registrants receive full access to NAB Show New York and AES exhibits as well as education on the show floor, including an experiential zone featuring special theaters, demonstrations and networking activities.
Conference programs requiring separate registration include:
- Cybersecurity for Broadcasters Retreat (October 17-18)
- Post|Production Conference NYC (October 18)
- The Streaming Summit (October 18)
- TV2025: Monetizing the Future (October 19)
- *NEW — The Radio Experience at NAB Show New York (October 19-20)
- *NEW — NAB Marconi Radio Awards (October 19)
"We are thrilled to be back in person in New York and look forward to delivering an exceptional experience for exhibitors and attendees," said Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president and managing director, Global Connections and Events. "The success of NAB Show in Las Vegas reinforced the power of live events and the desire for a return to in-person trade shows. NAB Show New York is an important touch point for the industry to re-engage with the technology and thought leaders who are revolutionizing the art of storytelling and moving the business forward."
For information on registration packages and to register, click here.
Press registration will be open for qualified members of the media later this month.
Produced by the National Association of Broadcasters and co-located with the AES New York 2022 Convention, NAB Show New York will be held October 17-20, 2022 (exhibits October 19-20) at the Javits Center. Located in the media capital of the world, NAB Show New York offers hands-on learning, discovery and insights into the technology and business strategies that is transforming media and entertainment. Through exhibits, conferences and networking events, NAB Show New York spotlights the products, practices and leaders promoting superior audio and video experiences.
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
View original content:
SOURCE National Association of Broadcasters | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/registration-opens-nab-show-new-york/ | 2022-07-13T03:22:54Z |
NEW YORK, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for DIDI, SHLS, QNRX, FTCI, and RUN.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- DIDI: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=DIDI&prnumber=060620222
- SHLS: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=SHLS&prnumber=060620222
- QNRX: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=QNRX&prnumber=060620222
- FTCI: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=FTCI&prnumber=060620222
- RUN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=RUN&prnumber=060620222
(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.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/thinking-about-buying-stock-didi-global-shoals-technologies-quoin-pharmaceuticals-ftc-solar-or-sunrun/ | 2022-06-06T14:19:20Z |
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A sexual assault complaint has been filed against Puerto Rico pop star Ricky Martin, who recently sued his nephew over what he said were false allegations of sexual abuse.
The complaint was filed Friday at a police precinct in the capital of San Juan, police spokesman Edward Ramírez told The Associated Press on Saturday. Information including who filed the complaint and details of the allegations are not public, given the nature of the complaint.
A person who was not authorized to speak about the case confirmed that Martin’s nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sánchez Martin, filed the complaint. The person said the complaint does not automatically trigger an arrest because the alleged incident is not recent, adding that police will investigate and determine whether charges are warranted.
Sánchez previously requested a restraining order against Martin in July, but a judge later archived the case after Sánchez admitted under oath that he had never been sexually assaulted by the singer.
Flavia Fernández, a spokeswoman for Martin, told the AP that his legal team is evaluating the situation and not issuing public comment for now.
On Thursday, the artist’s attorneys filed a lawsuit against his nephew, whom they described as “troubled.” They accused him of extortion, malicious persecution, abuse of law and damages.
They said Sánchez’s allegations cost Martin at least $10 million worth of canceled contracts and projects, plus another $20 million in damages to his reputation.
The lawsuit states that Sánchez would send up to 10 messages a day to Martin, the majority “meaningless diatribes without any particular purpose.” It also accuses him of publishing Martin’s private number, forcing him to change it.
In addition, the lawsuit said Sánchez falsely claimed he had a romantic relationship with Martin for seven months and that the singer didn’t want it to end and would call Sánchez with frequency.
“Nothing further from the truth,” the lawsuit stated.
Attorneys also noted that a judge previously issued Sánchez two restraining orders in an unrelated stalking case. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-puerto-rico-star-ricky-martin-faces-sexual-assault-complaint/ | 2022-09-11T00:17:39Z |
WILMINGTON, Mass., Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF), a North American leader in providing managed business uniform programs, facility service products, and first aid and safety products and services, has signed a multi-year partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming an Official Partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and an Official Uniform Supplier of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In addition to being an official partner, UniFirst will be promoting its business services through a variety of activities including in-stadium signage, the Steelers.com website, and Pittsburgh Steelers pre-game radio broadcasts.
Throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area, UniFirst's redesigned and rebranded delivery trucks, a major aspect of the company's ongoing brand evolution initiative, will communicate the partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"UniFirst is excited to join forces with the Pittsburgh Steelers in our multi-year partnership," said Asit Goel, UniFirst Vice President of Marketing. "With several hundred associates servicing tens of thousands of workers and businesses in the Greater Pittsburgh communities, we share in the excitement with all of Steelers Nation."
UniFirst has evolved into a North American leader in providing managed uniforms, protective clothing, and custom corporate image apparel programs to businesses large and small. The company services over two million workers across the U.S. and Canada in high-quality, hygienically clean uniforms each workday. UniFirst also helps keeps businesses clean, safe, and healthy through an extensive line of facility service programs, first aid products and safety trainings.
For more information about UniFirst and how we always deliver for our customers, please visit UniFirst.com.
Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniform and workwear programs, as well as the delivery of facility service programs. Together with its subsidiaries, the company also provides first aid and safety products, and manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products; and with 260 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations, and 14,000 employee Team Partners, the company outfits more than 2 million workers each business day. For more information, contact UniFirst at 800.455.7654 or visit UniFirst.com.
The fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers were founded on July 8, 1933, by Arthur Joseph Rooney. Pittsburgh is among the most successful franchises in League history. The Steelers have won six Super Bowl titles, tied for the most in the NFL, and appeared in eight overall. Pittsburgh has also participated in 16 conference title games and hosted 11 – both, of which, are the most of any franchise in the League.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE UniFirst Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/unifirst-joins-steelers-nation-an-official-uniform-supplier-pittsburgh-steelers/ | 2022-09-14T11:59:20Z |
New funds will scale Syrup's AI-powered platform, expand its reach and increase use cases along the end-to-end inventory planning workflow
NEW YORK, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Syrup Tech, the AI-powered predictive software platform for inventory excellence in commerce, raised $6.3m in funding led by Gradient Ventures, Google's AI-focused venture fund. The round also included Flybridge Capital, Firstminute Capital, Rackhouse Ventures, as well as Angel investors incl. (former) executives at Adidas, Bonobos, Salesforce, ASOS, ThredUp, Casper, Zalando, and Stripe. 1984 Ventures, who led the company's pre-seed round last year, continued investing in this round.
"Inventory planning is such a critical function that drives any brand or retailers' profitability and sustainability – and yet, it's managed by spreadsheets and bad legacy software," said James Theuerkauf, CEO and Co-Founder of Syrup. "Syrup provides predictive software that delivers AI-driven recommendations on orders and allocations directly to merchandise planners, driving full-price sell-thru, more efficient workflows, and less waste."
The funding will be used to service new and existing demand from Syrup's fast-growing list of customers, as well as develop new modules and features. The funding comes on the heels of Syrup winning the SXSW 2022 competition in the "Enterprise and Smart Data" category in Austin, TX earlier this year.
"Today, it's harder than ever to accurately forecast inventory demand due to macroeconomic factors like supply chain disruptions and labor shortages," said Zachary Bratun-Glennon, Partner at Gradient Ventures. "With Syrup, merchandisers and planners can easily access rich datasets to inform their inventory plans down to the SKU, which is critical for any company looking to optimize their business. We're proud to back James and his team and look forward to what's next."
As omni-channel brands and retailers look to migrate from excel-based planning and poor legacy systems, Syrup provides an intuitive, AI-based system that generates recommendations for merchandisers and planners, empowering them with data-driven decision support. The proprietary technology plugs into internal systems to analyze internal data (e.g. transactions, e-comm, marketing, inventory data), that is enhanced with external sources (e.g. social media trends, weather). Syrup's recommendations are powered both by advanced forecasting and stochastic optimization models.
Syrup's customers are seeing double digit increases in profit margins through reductions in stock-outs, significant reductions in excess inventory and waste, while more efficient and less manual workflows are giving time back to highly stretched merchandising teams.
About Syrup Tech
Syrup Tech is an AI-powered predictive software venture for inventory excellence in commerce. Syrup's mission is to pave the way for a world where commerce is no longer a wasteful industry. The company's decision-support engine is empowering merchandisers and planners at omni-channel brands and retailers to make data-driven inventory decisions. Syrup was founded in 2020 and is based in New York. For more information, visit www.syrup.tech.
About Gradient Ventures
Gradient Ventures, Google's AI-focused venture fund, helps founders build transformational companies. The fund focuses on helping founders navigate the challenges in developing new technology products, using the latest best practices in recruiting, marketing, design, and engineering so that great ideas can come to life. Gradient was founded in 2017 and is based in Palo Alto, California. For more information, visit www.gradient.com.
Contact: hello@syrup.tech
View original content:
SOURCE Syrup Tech | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/gradient-ventures-leads-63m-investment-predictive-saas-inventory-commerce-venture-syrup-tech/ | 2022-07-13T14:23:31Z |
Inland Empire's Largest Consumer Rights Firm Blames State for Inequitable Funding for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties Versus Wealthier Coastal Counties
ONTARIO, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP, (MWA)—the Inland Empire's largest consumer law firm that includes within its practice areas Environmental matters, Racial and Economic Justice matters, and Class Actions—has filed a complaint against the State of California for inadequately funding the court systems in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties compared to wealthy coastal counties. The complaint alleges this disproportionate funding results in less justice for Inland Empire residents through no fault of the Inland Empire courts, especially relating to the mandated automatic expungement of certain marijuana-related offenses.
As a result of a California state law passed in 2016, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use, rendering certain marijuana-related arrests or convictions no longer criminal. Moreover, with this law in effect, AB-1793 required county courts to use state funding to automatically expunge certain marijuana convictions without individuals having to file a motion. As the funding was distributed, the complaint alleges the State's predisposed priority to wealthier, whiter counties left the courts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties floundering under the added caseload without the adequate funds to increase staff or upgrade equipment to carry out the mandate. The complaint also alleges that, as of January 2022 -- years after the passing of the funding bill – the Inland Empire courts have been able to complete none of their outstanding expungements because of inadequate funding and staffing. Comparatively, Santa Clarita and Los Angeles counties have been able to process 11,500 and 66,000 matters, respectively.
MWA maintains that Riverside and San Bernardino judges and court staff do heroic work in providing legal services and justice with the resources allocated to them. However, because of the alleged disparity in funding between coastal courts and Inland Empire courts, the Inland Empire courts face a long, slow, uphill battle to manage their caseload which has only grown larger since the passing of AB-1793. Wealthier coastal counties which have been well-funded by the State, the complaint alleges, can afford more staff and more advanced infrastructure upgrades which allow them to handle their expungement matters quickly while courts in the inland counties struggle with less funding and older equipment.
Bar Chart of Court Filings per Judicial Position by County:
- Riverside: 3,228
- San Bernardino: 3,057
- Los Angeles: 2,596
- Santa Clara: 2,062
- Alameda: 2,645
- Santa Cruz: 2,791
These statistics demonstrate how underfunding and understaffing can overwhelm court staff in the inland counties while coastal counties enjoy a much lighter workload. The lawsuit claims San Bernardino and Riverside judges and staff deal with a nearly impossible caseload which delays or denies justice for Inland Empire residents. The class action claims that while wealthier coastal court systems have had the resources to carry out the expungement mandated by AB-1793, the underfunding of Inland Empire courts has prevented the timely expungement of marijuana-related convictions for Inland Empire residents. As a result, those with minor marijuana arrests or convictions in the Inland Empire lack a way to start fresh.
"The AB-1793 situation is a symptom of a larger issue: many people who call the Inland Empire home are unable to receive help because their courts are insufficiently resourced in the first place," states MWA Partner Joseph L. Richardson. "Seeing the little help given to the residents of these counties is devastating, as demonstrated by our inland courts' inability to carry out the AB-1793 mandate. This highlights our inland courts' lack of infrastructure and resources to properly serve its citizens. Those who stand to benefit the most from AB-1793 are forced to live life as criminals, trying to make their way with fewer housing, job, and other opportunities when their past is no longer criminal."
This complaint, along with a class action matter previously filed against the California State University system for allegedly discriminatory pay structures, have highlighted the alleged inequities between the wealthy, whiter counties of Southern California and the lower income communities in which people of color reside. "We are done watching our Inland Empire being treated as second class counties by the State of California. Just in the last couple of years, we have seen that in the disparity of funding between coastal areas and the Inland Empire courts, as well as disparities of funding in the University of California and California State University system," said MWA Founding Partner Richard D. McCune. "The Inland Empire does not have the political clout to change that, and that leaves it up to residents through the legal process to challenge those inequities."
About McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP: McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP has a deep history of success for its clients, including a $203 million verdict against Wells Fargo Bank, recovery of over $1 billion for its clients, and over 100 contingency cases with recovery of $1 million or more. MWA maintains California offices in Ontario, San Bernardino, Palm Desert, and Irvine and supports its national practice with offices in Illinois and New Jersey. For over 30 years, MWA has successfully represented Inland Empire residents and grown to be the largest Inland Empire consumer rights firm. Visit mccunewright.com for more information.
Contact: Juniper Elizondo, je@mccunewright.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/mccune-wright-arevalo-llp-files-lawsuit-against-state-california-regarding-inadequate-funding-marijuana-related-expungements/ | 2022-08-01T19:23:48Z |
Wasserman Expands Industry-Leading Sports Talent Representation Practice
LOS ANGELES, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global sports, music, and entertainment agency Wasserman has acquired Esportif and launched their first-ever rugby division, which will be re-branded and operate as 'Wasserman Rugby' effective immediately, announced today by Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Fahri Ecvet. Esportif, now Wasserman Rugby, is widely-regarded as the global authority in their sport, and will continue to deliver the knowledge and innovation to maximise potential for all clients, whilst also incorporating their career and life ambitions.
Ryan Constable, Craig Innes, Rhys Parsons, Duncan Sandlant, Bruce Sharrock, and Mark Spoors and their team of over 40 executives and agents, will join Wasserman, effective immediately.
Wasserman Rugby will continue to operate globally, stretching worldwide from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Australia, Argentina, Italy, and Japan, to other regions where rugby is growing substantially. Some of the biggest names in the sport comprise the talent roster, including active players and coaches alike, such as Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Alun Wyn Jones, Richie Mo'unga, Gregor Townsend, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Taniela Tupou.
"The launch of Wasserman Rugby is another milestone in Wasserman's strategic global growth," said Ecvet. "Wasserman Rugby offers the most comprehensive service to clients in the sport, and that's a credit to what Ryan, Craig, Rhys, Duncan, Bruce, Mark, and their entire team have built over the last decade-plus. Their work is renowned and respected, and their approach to the sports and entertainment world matches the culture of Wasserman, and will complement our other industry-leading talent representation practices."
Executive Vice Presidents and Managing Directors Constable, Innes, Parsons, Sandlant, Sharrock, and Spoors said: "We are delighted to be expanding our rugby division by joining the team at Wasserman. The acquisition is huge for us and offers an exciting opening for growth in the rugby industry. It enables us to accelerate our ability to offer our clients much more of a holistic service and will strengthen our existing practices and expand our expertise to current and future clients. We are excited about the platform this will provide for rugby players to take their place alongside other Wasserman global superstar athletes & artists on the world stage."
This footprint expands Wasserman's presence in over 30 locations globally, and further strengthens the most comprehensive global footprint of any sports, music, and entertainment agency.
Throughout its 20-year history, Wasserman has deliberately and strategically grown its worldwide presence through both targeted acquisitions and organic growth, establishing itself as one of the world's leading companies in the areas of sports and music talent representation, and brands and properties consultancy.
About Wasserman
Wasserman is a partner to the world's most iconic sports figures, musical artists, brands and properties in their endeavors across sports, entertainment and culture. Our purpose is to transform and advance brands, businesses and careers, empowering clients to create culture and impact audiences.
Wasserman's elite talent representation practice encompasses athletes, broadcasters, coaches, sport executives and influencers who play integral roles across every major global sport, spanning six continents.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Wasserman | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/wasserman-acquires-esportif-launches-first-ever-rugby-division-wasserman-rugby/ | 2022-06-01T09:20:34Z |
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C., May 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Adam & Eve Franchise Corporation (AEFC), a division of the largest and most-trusted adult-themed online retailer AdamEve.com, announced the opening of its 100th location at 3801A Plank Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia - on the heels of another record-breaking year for its franchise locations during 2021. In celebration of this milestone store grand opening, local management is hosting several fun and creative events starting Friday, May 13 and continuing throughout this weekend, for adults over the age of 18.
While many brick-and-mortar retail locations continue to take a back seat to ecommerce giants, Adam & Eve stores continue to thrive as the U.S. market enters year three of a global pandemic.
"We are grateful for our franchise operators, both new and existing, who are benefiting from the popularity of our product assortment and trusted brand. Adam & Eve's store operators are positioned to have another lucrative year, and this is due to our company's ongoing commitment to support our franchisees in unique and different ways," said David Keegan, vice president of franchising for Adam & Eve Stores. "This expansion not only includes crossing the 100-store mark with the help of key franchise operators like Ben Woodard, but also the collective group of stores which will add four locations by June and is projected to grow 20 percent in 2022."
"AEFC has given us a tremendous opportunity to grow as a successful franchise operator in Virginia. The brand name recognition of Adam & Eve combined with our overall franchise experience and the ever-increasing need for our product assortment gives us a competitive edge at each of our four locations. We're honored to open the 100th Adam & Eve store and look forward to the continued prosperity that comes with being connected to this trusted brand," said Ben Woodard, Adam & Eve franchise operator in Virginia.
In addition to current franchise locations experiencing unmatched growth in store revenue, AEFC remains dedicated to their market expansion trajectory, which has seen consistent double-digit growth since its flagship location opened in 2005.
For information on investing in store market opportunities and to learn more about what it takes to realize success as a franchise operator for Adam & Eve Stores, visit AdamandEveFranchise.com.
About Adam & Eve Stores
Since its inception, Adam & Eve has successfully been raising the standards in the American adult-themed industry and has continued the tradition by opening retail stores that provide sex-positive and consenting people - over the age of 18 - the highest quality products and lingerie. There are currently 105 stores in 21 states across the U.S., in addition to locations in Canada and Peru. For more information on the Adam & Eve Stores franchise opportunity, visit the franchise website, AdamandEveFranchise.com.
Media Contact: Katy Zvolerin, katy@adameve.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE adamevestores.com | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/13/adam-amp-eve-franchise-corporation-celebrates-milestone-year-continued-market-expansion-virginia/ | 2022-05-13T19:43:50Z |
Lennox International Reports Record Revenue and Profit in Second Quarter
Published: Jul. 28, 2022 at 7:30 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Revenue up 10% to record $1.37 billion
GAAP EPS up 10% to record $4.96; Adjusted EPS up 9% to record $5.00
Repurchased $100 million of stock and paid $33 million in dividends
Raising low end of 2022 EPS guidance from $13.50-$14.50 to $13.80-$14.50
DALLAS, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII), a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2022. All comparisons are to the prior-year period.
Lennox International reported record revenue of $1.37 billion in the second quarter, up 10%. At constant currency, revenue was up 11%. GAAP operating income was a record $227 million, up 5%. GAAP earnings per share was a record $4.96, up 10%.
Total segment profit rose 4% to a record $230 million. Total segment margin was 16.8%, down 110 basis points. Adjusted earnings per share rose 9% to a record $5.00.
"Lennox International posted new highs for revenue, profit and EPS, led by strong growth in our Residential and Refrigeration businesses as price continued to offset material inflation," said CEO Alok Maskara. "In Commercial, we are encouraged by the sequential improvement in quarterly margins even though our ability to satisfy strong demand remained constrained by supply chain shortfall and factory inefficiencies."
In Residential, revenue and profit set new highs. Residential revenue was up 17%, led by double-digit growth in both replacement and new construction sales. Segment profit rose 14%. Segment margin was 22.1%, down 50 basis points. Refrigeration set new records for second-quarter revenue and profit. Refrigeration revenue was up 14% as reported and up 20% at constant currency, led by more than 30% growth in North America. Refrigeration profit rose 73%, and segment margin expanded 470 basis points to 13.8%. Commercial revenue was down 13%, profit was down 62%, and segment margin contracted 1,010 basis points to 7.8%.
Maskara added, "Looking ahead for the company overall, the macroeconomic environment is challenging, but customer demand remains strong. Residential and Refrigeration businesses are performing well and capitalizing on growth opportunities while Commercial segment performance is improving. We are adjusting 2022 revenue growth guidance from 7-11% to 10-15%. We are also raising the low end of EPS guidance from $13.50-$14.50 to a range of $13.80-$14.50. And we reiterate plans for $400 million of total stock repurchases for the full year."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Revenue: Revenue was a record $1.37 billion, up 10%. Volume was flat, price was up and mix was down. Foreign exchange had a 1% negative impact on revenue.
Gross Profit: Gross profit was $397 million, up 4%. Gross margin was 29.1%, down 180 basis points, impacted by inflationary pressures, factory inefficiencies and global supply chain disruptions.
Net Income: On a GAAP basis, net income for the second quarter was $177.2 million, or $4.96 per share, compared to $170.0 million, or $4.51 per share, in the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted net income in the second quarter was $178.4 million, or $5.00 per share, compared to $172.0 million, or $4.57 per share, in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted net income for the second quarter of 2022 excludes net after-tax charges of $1.2 million.
Cash from Operations, Free Cash Flow and Total Debt: Net cash from operations in the second quarter was $97 million compared to $192 million in the prior-year quarter as inventory returns back to normal seasonality post the Covid impact in recent years. Capital expenditures were approximately $21 million in the second quarter, the same as in the prior-year quarter. Free cash flow was $76 million compared to $171 million in the second quarter a year ago. Total debt at the end of the second quarter was $1.69 billion. Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $63 million at the end of the quarter. The company paid $33 million in dividends and repurchased $100 million of stock in the second quarter.
BUSINESS SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS Revenue in the Residential Heating & Cooling business segment was a record $978 million, up 17%. Foreign exchange was neutral to revenue. Segment profit was a record $216 million, up 14%. Segment margin was 22.1%, down 50 basis points as favorable price was partially offset by higher material costs.
Revenue in the Commercial Heating & Cooling business segment was $220 million, down 13%. Foreign exchange was neutral to revenue. Segment profit was $17 million, down 62%, and segment margin was 7.8%, down 1,010 basis points, impacted by lower volume and manufacturing inefficiencies.
Revenue in the Refrigeration business segment was a record $169 million, up 14%. Foreign exchange had a 6% negative impact to revenue growth. Segment profit rose 73% to a second-quarter record $23 million. Segment margin expanded 470 basis points to 13.8%, driven by favorable price and higher volume.
FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE
Raising 2022 guidance for revenue growth from 7-11% to 10-15%.
Raising the low end of 2022 guidance for GAAP and adjusted EPS from $13.50-$14.50 to $13.80-$14.50.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION A conference call to discuss the company's second-quarter results and outlook will be held this morning at 8:30 a.m. Central time. To listen, call the conference call line at 877-226-8216 (U.S.) or 409-207-6983 (international) at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and use participant code 3408699. The conference call also will be webcast and supplemental presentation materials available on Lennox International's web site at www.lennoxinternational.com. A replay will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. Central time on July 28 through August 11, 2022 by dialing 866-207-1041 (U.S.) or 402-970-0847 (international) and using access code 9000057. The call and supplemental presentation materials will be archived on the company's website.
ABOUT LENNOX INTERNATIONAL Lennox International Inc. is a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. Dedicated to sustainability and creating comfortable and healthier environments for our residential and commercial customers while reducing their carbon footprint, we lead the field in innovation with our air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, and refrigeration systems. Lennox International stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the symbol LII. Additional information on Lennox International is available at www.lennoxinternational.com or by contacting Steve Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations, at 972-497-6670.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The statements in this news release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding the 2022 full-year outlook and expected consolidated and segment financial results for 2022, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available as well as management's assumptions and beliefs today. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements, and investors should not place undue reliance on them. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements include risks that the North American unitary HVAC and refrigeration markets perform worse than current assumptions. Additional risks include, but are not limited to: the impact of higher raw material prices, availability and timely delivery of raw materials and other components, the impact of new or increased trade tariffs, LII's ability to implement price increases for its products and services, economic conditions in our markets, regulatory changes, the impact of unfavorable weather, a decline in new construction activity and related demand for products and services, and any resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic impact on the company and its employees and customers. For information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, see LII's publicly available filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LII disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/lennox-international-reports-record-revenue-profit-second-quarter/ | 2022-07-28T12:43:14Z |
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq: KOD), a biopharmaceutical company committed to researching, developing and commercializing transformative therapeutics to treat high prevalence retinal diseases, today reported business highlights and financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.
"We continue to meaningfully advance the tarcocimab tedromer (KSI-301, tarcocimab) clinical program," said Victor Perlroth, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak Sciences. "In demonstrating non-inferior visual acuity with a doubling of the treatment interval, we achieved the goal of the BEACON study. A successful outcome in BEACON is one of the pillars of our original development plan, which calls for two successful studies in one indication (GLEAM and GLIMMER in Diabetic Macular Edema) and then individual studies in each of the other indications. Importantly, the BEACON data provide reasons to be optimistic about the potential for GLEAM and GLIMMER to achieve non-inferiority in vision with best in class durability and thus the broader success of our development strategy with tarcocimab. Our suite of Phase 3 pivotal studies is fully enrolled and expected to read out topline data next year. As we learn more from the remaining Phase 3 studies, we look forward to continuing to work with the FDA and global health authorities to bring this medicine to patients."
- BEACON Phase 3 Pivotal Study of tarcocimab tedromer in Retinal Vein Occlusion Topline Readout: We recently announced positive topline results from our Phase 3 pivotal study of tarcocimab tedromer (KSI-301, tarcocimab) in treatment-naïve patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion ("RVO"). The study met its primary efficacy endpoint of non-inferior visual acuity gains at week 24 for subjects dosed every 8 weeks following two monthly loading doses with tarcocimab compared to subjects given aflibercept every 4 weeks. Tarcocimab was safe and well tolerated in the study with no new or unexpected safety signals identified. We intend to include the primary results at week 24 in our anticipated BLA filing to serve as the basis for approval of tarcocimab in RVO.
- Update on Tarcocimab tedromer Clinical Program: We continued to advance tarcocimab across all ongoing Phase 3 pivotal studies:
- Update on Tarcocimab tedromer Regulatory Plan: With the suite of Phase 3 studies fully enrolled and anticipated to read out their topline data mid-2023, if successful, we plan to file a single Biologics License Application (BLA) with the data across the program.
- Commercial Manufacturing: We continued our manufacturing scale up and announced the grand opening of our purpose-built bioconjugation facility with our manufacturing partner Lonza in May 2022. The facility will play a key role in the scaled manufacturing of tarcocimab tedromer to support a potential global commercial launch.
- Pipeline Progression: We continued progressing our pipeline product candidates KSI-501 and KSI-601. KSI-501 is our dual inhibitor antibody biopolymer conjugate targeting both IL-6 (anti-IL-6 antibody) and VEGF (VEGF-trap) for the treatment of retinal diseases. We are progressing the bioconjugate cGMP manufacturing, non-clinical toxicology and other supporting activities towards an expected IND submission in the second half of 2022.
- Full primary results from the BEACON study are expected to be presented by BEACON Study Investigators at upcoming ophthalmology congresses in September 2022.
Kodiak ended the second quarter of 2022 with $597.9 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. This includes an unrealized loss of $1.9 million on the investment portfolio due to rising interest rates during the quarter.
The net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $90.6 million, or $1.74 per share, on both a basic and diluted basis, as compared to a net loss of $55.9 million, or $1.08 per share, on both a basic and diluted basis, for the second quarter of 2021. The net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 included non-cash stock-based compensation of $26.0 million, of which $15.8 million was recorded in the second quarter related to the 2021 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $73.7 million for the second quarter of 2022, as compared to $45.4 million for the second quarter of 2021. The R&D expenses for the second quarter included non-cash stock-based compensation of $14.1 million. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily driven by higher clinical trial costs to support ongoing trials, increased manufacturing activities, as well as higher non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $18.3 million for the second quarter of 2022, as compared to $10.5 million for the second quarter of 2021. The G&A expenses for the second quarter included non-cash stock-based compensation of $11.9 million. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily driven by increased non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
Tarcocimab tedromer is an investigational anti-VEGF therapy built on Kodiak's Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate (ABC) Platform and is designed to maintain potent and effective drug levels in ocular tissues for longer than existing available agents. Kodiak's objective with tarcocimab tedromer is to improve outcomes for patients with retinal vascular diseases and to enable earlier treatment and prevention of vision loss for patients with diabetic eye disease. Kodiak is developing tarcocimab to be a new first-line agent which enables a majority of patients to be treated and maintained on an every 5 to 6-month treatment interval and a minority of high need patients to be treated as frequently as monthly. The tarcocimab tedromer clinical program is designed to assess the product's durability, efficacy and safety in wet AMD, DME, RVO and non-proliferative DR (without DME) through clinical studies run in parallel. The Company's GLEAM and GLIMMER pivotal studies in patients with diabetic macular edema, the BEACON pivotal study in patients with retinal vein occlusion, the DAYLIGHT pivotal study in patients with wet AMD, and the GLOW study in patients with NPDR are anticipated to form the basis of the Company's BLA to support potential approval and commercialization in multiple indications. The global tarcocimab tedromer clinical program is being conducted at 150+ study sites in more than 10 countries. Kodiak is developing and owns global rights to tarcocimab tedromer.
The Phase 3 BEACON study is a global, multi-center, randomized study designed to evaluate the durability, efficacy and safety of tarcocimab tedromer in patients with treatment-naïve macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion, including both branch and central subtypes. Patients are randomized 1:1 to receive tarcocimab 5 mg or aflibercept 2 mg. In the first six months, patients receiving tarcocimab are treated with a proactive, fixed regimen which includes two monthly loading doses followed by treatment every 8 weeks, and patients receiving aflibercept are treated monthly as per its label. In the second six months, patients in both groups will receive treatment on an individualized basis per protocol-specified criteria. Following this, patients can continue to receive tarcocimab tedromer for an additional six months on an individualized basis. The study completed enrollment of 568 patients worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2021 and met its primary efficacy endpoint at six months. Results from the BEACON study are intended to serve as the basis for the potential approval of tarcocimab in RVO. Additional information about the BEACON study (also called Study KS301P103) can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov under Trial Identifier NCT04592419 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04592419).
The Phase 3 GLEAM and GLIMMER studies are global, multi-center, randomized pivotal studies designed to evaluate the durability, efficacy and safety of tarcocimab in patients with treatment-naïve diabetic macular edema. In each study, patients are randomized 1:1 to receive either tarcocimab or aflibercept. The tarcocimab arm is treated with a proactive, individualized dosing regimen of every 8-, 12-, 16-, 20- or 24 weeks (utilizing tight dynamic retreatment criteria) after three loading doses. The aflibercept arm is treated with a fixed dosing regimen of every 8-weeks after five monthly loading doses, per its label. Both studies completed enrollment of approximately 450 patients each worldwide in the first quarter of 2022. The primary endpoint for both studies is the average of weeks 60 and 64, and patients will be treated and followed for a total of two years. We expect to announce topline data in mid-2023. If successful, we expect that data from our GLEAM and GLIMMER studies will serve as the primary basis for approval of tarcocimab in our anticipated BLA submission. Additional information about GLEAM (also called Study KS301P104) and GLIMMER (also called Study KS301P105) can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov under Trial Identifiers NCT04611152 and NCT04603937, respectively (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04611152 and https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04603937).
The Phase 3 DAYLIGHT study is a global, multi-center, randomized pivotal study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-frequency tarcocimab in patients with treatment-naïve wet AMD. Patients are randomized to receive either tarcocimab on a monthly dosing regimen or to receive standard-of-care aflibercept on a fixed dosing regimen of every 8-weeks after three monthly loading doses per its label. The primary endpoint is the average of weeks 40, 44 and 48. The DAYLIGHT study is intended to clarify the efficacy of tarcocimab to treat high need patients with wet AMD and, if successful, is intended to serve as the basis for approval in wet AMD with monthly dosing. DAYLIGHT has completed enrollment of approximately 550 patients worldwide and we expect to announce topline data in mid-2023. Additional information about DAYLIGHT (also called Study KS301P107) can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov under Trial Identifier NCT04964089 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04964089).
The Phase 3 GLOW study is a global, multi-center, randomized pivotal superiority study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tarcocimab tedromer in approximately 240 patients with treatment-naïve, moderately severe to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Patients are randomized to receive either tarcocimab every six months after initiating doses given at baseline, 8 weeks and 20 weeks into the study, or to receive sham injections. The primary endpoint is at one year and patients will be treated and followed for two years. Outcomes include changes in diabetic retinopathy severity, measured on a standardized photographic grading scale, and the rate of development of sight-threatening complications due to diabetic retinopathy. We believe tarcocimab tedromer has the potential to be the longest-interval intravitreal therapeutic option for patients with diabetic retinopathy. GLOW has completed enrollment of approximately 240 patients in August 2022. Additional information about GLOW (also called Study KS301P106) can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov under Trial Identifier NCT05066230 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT05066230).
Kodiak (Nasdaq: KOD) is a biopharmaceutical company committed to researching, developing and commercializing transformative therapeutics to treat high prevalence retinal diseases. Founded in 2009, we are focused on bringing new science to the design and manufacture of next generation retinal medicines to prevent and treat the leading causes of blindness globally. Our ABC Platform™ uses molecular engineering to merge the fields of antibody-based and chemistry-based therapies and is at the core of Kodiak's discovery engine. Kodiak's lead product candidate, tarcocimab tedromer, is a novel anti-VEGF antibody biopolymer conjugate being developed for the treatment of retinal vascular diseases including wet age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in elderly patients in the developed world, and diabetic eye diseases, the leading cause of blindness in working-age patients in the developed world. Kodiak has leveraged its ABC Platform to build a pipeline of product candidates in various stages of development. KSI-501 is our dual inhibitor antibody biopolymer conjugate targeting both VEGF (VEGF-trap) and IL-6 (anti-IL-6 antibody) for the treatment of retinal diseases. We are expanding our early research pipeline to include ABC Platform based triplet inhibitors for multifactorial retinal diseases such as dry AMD and glaucoma. Kodiak is based in Palo Alto, CA. For more information, please visit www.kodiak.com.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical fact and include statements regarding regulatory developments and strategy, including plans to obtain regulatory approval, expected timing of data from studies and submission of INDs, the bases on which regulatory approval may be sought, and contribution of data to support approval of tarcocimab; timing of upcoming presentations; and expectations regarding commercial manufacturing capabilities, including the potential of the bioconjugation facility to scale manufacturing to support a potential product launch. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "expect," "plan," "believe," "intend," "pursue," and other similar expressions among others. Any forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that preliminary safety, efficacy and durability data for our tarcocimab tedromer product candidate may not continue or persist; the risk that tarcocimab tedromer may not have the anti-VEGF effect or impact on the treatment of RVO expected; cessation or delay of any of the ongoing clinical studies and/or our development of tarcocimab tedromer may occur, including as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the risk that our ABC Platform may not extend treatment intervals in retinal disorders as anticipated, or at all; future potential regulatory milestones of tarcocimab tedromer, including those related to current and planned clinical studies, may be insufficient to support regulatory submissions or approval; adverse economic conditions may significantly impact our business and operations, including our clinical trial sites, and those of our manufacturers, contract research organizations or other parties with whom we conduct business; as well as the other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause our actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our most recent Form 10-K, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Kodiak undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Kodiak®, Kodiak Sciences®, ABC™, ABC Platform™ and the Kodiak logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Kodiak Sciences Inc. in various global jurisdictions.
View original content:
SOURCE Kodiak Sciences Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/kodiak-sciences-announces-second-quarter-2022-financial-results-recent-business-highlights/ | 2022-08-09T22:01:57Z |
Impact Index to Drive Socially Responsible Brand Content and Media Investments
SPRINGDALE, Ark., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is demonstrating its commitment to credible and socially responsible journalism in its advertising on websites and media by conducting a social context Impact Index in partnership with Mindshare, the global media services company, and socialcontext.ai, a contextual intelligence startup supported by the University of Colorado Boulder.
The Impact Index is an analytics tool that looks at the social impact of editorial content on minority communities. The custom algorithms powering the Index are trained, validated, and regularly audited by experts to identify detrimental or hateful content towards minority groups and communities. Media planners can then leverage this page-level data to quantify the impact their investments have on different communities and inform and optimize a brand's paid media spend accordingly.
"Tyson Foods has one of the most diverse workforces, and we're proud to advance diversity, equity and inclusion by committing to actions like the Impact Index," said Paul Davis, vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for Tyson Foods. "The Impact Index will ensure our actions in brand responsibility ladder up to our core values as a company and individuals."
As a first mover for the Impact Index, Tyson Foods is working with Mindshare and socialcontext.ai to analyze content around minority communities and drive more inclusive content. The company will continue to advance diversity, equity and inclusion by committing to work towards increasing diverse supplier spending, conducting education, training, and developing innovative programs through strategic partnerships to increase consumer awareness.
"Brands and ad placements have an impact on consumers, be it consciously or subconsciously," says Jared Greene, director of Invention+ at Mindshare, who co-led the launch of the Impact Index. "A tool like the Impact Index is a positive step in addressing the role human well-being plays in creating our media plans, and our ambition to make media more intentional and equitable for all consumers."
The Impact Index is the most recent example of Mindshare's parent company, GroupM, and Tyson Foods' collaborative efforts to advance diversity in paid media. In 2021, GroupM launched the "Responsible Investment" framework which includes the Media Inclusion Initiative to support and grow diverse media companies and creators. Tyson Foods has pledged to increase their investment in minority-owned media and minority voices. As part of that, several Tyson Foods brands have run campaigns through Mindshare's Black Community private marketplace, which drives media dollars to Black journalists and content creators across the U.S. The agency's private marketplace series is part of Mindshare's larger "Good Growth" vision and strategy—business growth that is enduring and sustainable, while also helping to shape society and the world for the better.
"The Media Inclusion Initiative strongly aligns with our efforts to invest and support supplier diversity. It establishes an actionable pathway to reach more underrepresented communities, and drive positive cultural change," said Davis.
The Impact Index begins with a design brief development process, and then media planners input all the elements of a brand's current media plan including creative examples. Next, the Index monitors, analyzes, and annotates publishers' content on a four-stage scale of impact from positive to toxic. Once the analysis is completed, Mindshare works with its clients to make strategic decisions on their media investments. Using its proprietary tool, Synapse, the agency can also forecast potential media spending and allocations' impact on projected business objectives. These inputs enable marketers to create inclusive, intentional media plans supporting their businesses and communities.
"Some of the most positive, constructive journalism today uses words and phrases that have been defined as sensitive by brand suitability solutions," says Chris Vargo, co-founder and CEO of socialcontext.ai. "We've built a system that understands the true social context of news content. This allows Mindshare and their clients to quantify the human impact of their investments, fund quality news and mitigate the unintended consequences of well-intentioned but overbroad brand suitability tools."
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world's largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it's available and raise the world's expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company had approximately 137,000 team members at October 2, 2021. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.
About Mindshare
Mindshare is a media services company that accelerates Good Growth for its clients in the age of transformation. Good Growth is business growth that is enduring and sustainable whilst also helping to shape society and the world for the better. We accelerate it for our clients by using media as a multiplier to drive sales and maximize marketing investments. We use Precisely Human Intelligence that combines data science and behavioral science to understand consumers and their motivations better and we act on that intelligence by planning media with intention to connect brands with consumers around their shared values. We were the first purpose-built company created by WPP and today our 10,000 people operate in 116 offices in 86 countries, helping to drive Good Growth for our clients, our people, the industry and the world.
www.mindshareworld.com
Instagram and Twitter: @mindshare_usa
Facebook: facebook.com/mindshareusa
LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/company/mindshare
About socialcontext.ai
Socialcontext.ai detects diversity, equity and inclusion ad opportunities on news content. Our patent-pending deep learning approach is built by journalism, advertising and data science professors at the University of Colorado Boulder. We positively target news articles with unrivaled precision and safety. Socialcontext.ai allows advertisers to meet their DEI goals by enabling them to invest in ads on news content that matches their core values. Each algorithm socialcontext.ai builds is designed to identify only quality, credible journalism that brings awareness to positive social change.
Socialcontext.ai expands the programmatic reach of advertisers and recovers ~20% of impressions blocked due to overbroad brand safety. Using deep learning, each algorithm is built on data analyzed by our experts. Each socialcontext.ai segment is the product of tens of thousands of human annotations and is only released when its classification performance metrics reach academic peer-review standards. The result is article-level news intelligence with accuracy, precision and recall unmatched by current sentiment and entity recognition approaches.
Our AI is ethically reviewed by outside academics. We take transparency seriously and allow advertisers to see "under the hood" to understand exactly what is inside each segment we build
https://socialcontext.ai/
Instagram and Twitter: @socialcontextai
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/socialcontext
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Mindshare | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/tyson-foods-demonstrates-commitment-credible-journalism-with-mindshare-socialcontext-impact-index/ | 2022-08-11T17:24:18Z |
Third quarter 2022 cash dividend of $0.165 per share
TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share, payable on October 14, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2022.
About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
Benchmark provides comprehensive solutions across the entire product life cycle by leading through its innovative technology and engineering design services, leveraging its optimized global supply chain and delivering world-class manufacturing services in the following industries: commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next generation telecommunications, complex industrials, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. Benchmark's global operations include facilities in seven countries and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Benchmark Electronics, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/benchmark-electronics-announces-quarterly-cash-dividend/ | 2022-09-12T21:48:35Z |
TORRINGTON, Conn., Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Therap Services, a Person-Centered, Data Driven solution provider in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and other human services settings, has introduced a new Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Dashboard in its Business Intelligence platform to help service providers visualize graphics from comprehensive analytics on their Scheduling/EVV data. The module also offers myriad reporting features, data comparison & data filtering capabilities for service providers to further develop a Data-Driven approach to enhance and improve their Person-Centered services for individuals.
The Business Intelligence platform in Therap can be used for aggregating agency-wide data and reporting through several dashboards. Service providers working in the human services field can create meaningful reports across several dashboards from the captured data at their agency using Therap's Business Intelligence Dashboards. Furthermore, users can easily navigate through these data using comprehensive graphs & charts, helping them determine scopes and opportunities for quality improvement, enhanced agency performance and identification of trends.
Therap's HIPAA compliant Scheduling/Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) module is designed for states & providers to build staff schedules (for in-home & community based services), track staff hours and monitor individual service allocation. This module also has a self check-in feature that allows users who are schedulable for that specific service to check in without an approved Schedule Slot in advance. This option is helpful for flexible services where the scheduler is not creating slots in advance.
Therap Services offers mobile solutions (Android and iOS) with adaptable tools that allow users to record essential data for services delivered from point-of-service remotely in home and community settings. Therap's Mobile Applications include geolocation features, electronic timestamps and also support offline capability. Therap's EVV Dashboard generates statistical presentation of Scheduling/EVV data of an agency. Using this data, users can generate extensive reports to display records of services provided to individuals and induce prompt payment for the provided services.
For more information on Therap's Business Intelligence Performance Dashboards, please visit https://www.therapservices.net/products/business-intelligence-platform-offers-agency-performance-dashboards/
Therap's comprehensive and HIPAA-compliant software is used in human services settings for documentation, communication, reporting, EVV and billing.
Learn more at www.therapservices.net.
View original content:
SOURCE Therap Services | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/theraps-business-intelligence-platform-introduces-new-electronic-visit-verification-evv-dashboard-allow-visual-display-schedulingevv-data-service-providers-human-services-settings/ | 2022-08-30T17:55:47Z |
NEW YORK, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stroock is expanding its Restructuring and Bankruptcy practice with a team from Luskin, Stern & Eisler, a Chambers-ranked boutique firm focused on restructuring and bankruptcy. The attorneys will be based in Stroock's New York office.
The team includes partners Richard Stern, Matthew O'Donnell, Alex Talesnick, and Stephan Hornung, senior counsel Michael Luskin, and associate Genna Grossman. Richard Stern will join Stroock partner Jeffrey Lowenthal as Co-Chair of Stroock's Restructuring and Bankruptcy Group.
"A key goal has been the acquisition of additional restructuring and bankruptcy firepower that represents banks and financial institutions, positioning us to serve a strategically important sector ahead of the widely anticipated acceleration of the restructuring cycle," said Alan M. Klinger, Stroock Co-Managing Partner. "Importantly, each of these attorneys is substantively strong and has the personality to foster relationships within the firm, support business development efforts and attract and retain top partners and associates. This is a great match, and we are terrifically excited to welcome the group to Stroock."
The team is well-known for providing top-quality representation to financial institutions in restructurings, bankruptcy matters, creditors' rights litigation, and financing transactions in the United States, as well as in cross-border matters spanning Latin America, Canada, and Europe. The practice represents more than 20 leading financial institutions as well as Fortune 500 companies, Chapter 11 trustees and court-appointed examiners.
Stroock's current Restructuring and Bankruptcy practice has extensive experience representing sophisticated financial institutions as well as creditors, equity holders and new money investors and lenders in complex bankruptcy matters. The team is also one of the few groups that advises on the interplay between insolvency and commodities and derivatives matters. Encompassing tax, debt finance and litigation practitioners, the team devises creative solutions to transition distressed companies into recovery and deploys targeted and high-impact litigation strategies, often involving ground-breaking areas of the law, to help clients with multidimensional negotiations.
"Stroock's long history and reputation for excellence in restructuring is well known to our team," Richard Stern said. "Stroock understands the nature of restructuring practice and knows how to cultivate it. And the firm's strong and cohesive culture will foster the continued success that we've enjoyed as a boutique. Opportunities abound to collaborate with current practice partners as well as partners from across the firm to provide our clients the full range of legal services as well as to lend our expertise to Stroock's institutional relationships."
About the Attorneys
Richard Stern has practiced bankruptcy law for over 35 years. He regularly represents financial institutions in out-of-court workouts, restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings and lending transactions with an emphasis on complex financial restructurings and has been appointed as a fiduciary in several bankruptcy matters. His recent focus has been assisting lenders with unique issues in workouts and insolvencies in the energy, travel, healthcare, retail, and hedge fund industries.
Michael Luskin focuses on bankruptcy and other litigation, enforcing a creditor's rights under the Bankruptcy Code or defending a creditor against "lender liability," fraudulent conveyance or preference claims brought by a creditors' committee or bankruptcy trustee. He also has substantial experience representing creditors in loan restructurings and out-of-court workouts and representing trustees and examiners in cases presenting complex litigation issues.
Matthew O'Donnell represents financial institutions in all types of loan restructurings, out-of-court workouts, bankruptcy proceedings and lending transactions including domestic and cross-border commodity financing transactions, asset-based loans, leveraged financing transactions, aircraft and other equipment financings.
Alex Talesnick represents financial institutions in out-of-court workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcy proceedings and on asset-based and leveraged financing transactions. Alex regularly advises agents, lenders, and hedge providers on complex financial restructurings, and has substantial experience in all aspects of bankruptcy proceedings.
Stephan E. Hornung represents financial institutions and other creditors in commercial litigation in state and federal courts, including bankruptcy courts, across the country.
Genna Grossman represents financial institutions in many types of finance transactions including asset-based loans, real estate financing, leveraged transactions, loan restructurings, workouts and bankruptcy proceedings.
About Stroock
Stroock provides strategic transactional, regulatory, and litigation advice to advance the business objectives of leading financial institutions, multinational corporations, and entrepreneurial businesses in the U.S. and globally. With a rich history dating back over 145 years, the firm has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C. For more, visit www.stroock.com.
View original content:
SOURCE Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/stroock-adds-restructuring-bankruptcy-group-new-york/ | 2022-07-18T14:53:54Z |
Sarah Palin files paperwork to run in Alaska US House race
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Sarah Palin on Friday shook up an already unpredictable race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, filing paperwork to join a field of at least 40 candidates seeking to fill the seat that had been held for 49 years by the late-U.S. Rep. Don Young, who died last month.
Palin filed paperwork Friday with a Division of Elections office in Wasilla, said Tiffany Montemayor, a division spokesperson. The paperwork was being processed by the division, she said.
The field includes current and former state legislators and a North Pole city council member named Santa Claus. The deadline to file was 5 p.m. Friday. A final list of official candidates was not yet available.
“Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years,” Palin said in a statement on social media. “I realize that I have very big shoes to fill, and I plan to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by offering myself up in the name of service to the state he loved and fought for, because I share that passion for Alaska and the United States of America.”
Palin is a former Alaska governor and was the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee. She has kept a low profile in Alaska politics since leaving office in 2009, before her term as governor ended.
Young, a Republican, had held Alaska’s House seat since 1973 and was seeking reelection at the time of his death last month at age 88.
A special primary is set for June 11. The top four vote-getters will advance to an Aug. 16 special election in which ranked choice voting will be used, a process in line with a new elections system approved by voters in 2020.
The winner will serve the remainder of Young’s term, which expires in January. The division is targeting Sept. 2 to certify the special election.
Others who filed Friday include Republican state Sen. Josh Revak; Democratic state Rep. Adam Wool; independent Al Gross, an orthopedic surgeon who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2020; and Andrew Halcro, a former Republican state lawmaker who is running as an independent. They join a field that includes Republican Nick Begich, who had positioned himself as a challenger to Young; Democrat Christopher Constant, an Anchorage Assembly member; and John Coghill, a Republican former state lawmaker.
Revak, who previously worked for Young’s office and was a statewide co-chair for Young’s reelection bid, said he felt a “strong calling and a duty” to step forward.
He said he was “heartbroken” by the filing timeline, coinciding with a period he said should be focused on remembering Young.
Young lied in state at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. A public memorial was held in the Washington, D.C.-area on Wednesday and a public memorial is planned in Anchorage on Saturday.
Revak said he also plans to run in the regular primary for U.S. House. Palin filed paperwork to run in the special and regular primaries as well, Montemayor said.
The August special election will coincide with the regular primary. The regular primary and November general election will determine who represents Alaska in the House for a two-year term starting in January.
Gross also plans to run in both the special and regular elections. His campaign announced a leadership team that includes several Republicans and independents, as well as Democrats, including former Gov. Tony Knowles.
“We are building a campaign that embodies all of Alaska,” Gross said in a statement.
Wool said he has privately discussed a run for years. He said he looked at the candidates running in the special primary and “wasn’t that impressed. Many of them have never won an election, don’t have any statewide recognition and politically aren’t aligned certainly not with me or what I would think the majority of Alaskans are looking for.”
Wool, from Fairbanks, said he considers himself moderate. He said he has yet to decide whether to run in the regular primary.
Halcro, who has a podcast on which he talks politics, said during the campaign he plans to play up his intent to only run to fill the remainder of the term. He said if the person who wins the special election also is in the November general election, he expects they would spend a fair amount of time campaigning. He said if elected, he would be focused on congressional work.
Meanwhile, a man who years ago legally changed his name to Santa Claus and serves on the North Pole city council also filed with the state Division of Elections for the special primary. Claus, who said he has a “strong affinity” for Bernie Sanders, is running as an independent.
He said he is not soliciting or raising money. He said the new elections process “gives people like me an opportunity, without having to deal with parties, to throw our hat in the ring.”
“I do have name recognition,” he said with a laugh.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/02/sarah-palin-files-paperwork-run-alaska-us-house-race/ | 2022-04-02T02:26:57Z |
Judge convicts man in 2019 fatal shooting outside business
By Nick Sloan
Click here for updates on this story
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KCTV) — A Jackson County judge on Friday found Timothy Fernandez guilty of two felony counts related to the fatal shooting in February 2019 of Michael Bryan outside a business near 17th and Grand Boulevard.
Michael Bryan of Kansas City was found dead outside a gas station in the area.
According to court records, Kansas City police went to the area of 17th and Grand Avenue in downtown KC on Feb. 5, 2019 on a call about a shooting.
When they arrived, they found Michael Bryan had died from gunshot wounds on the sidewalk outside of a convenience store.
In surveillance video, the suspect and the victim can be seen talking on the north side of the business. When the victim walked away, the suspect drew a gun and shot him in the back.
The video also showed the suspect throwing a tissue on the ground after blowing his nose about 20 minutes before the shooting happened. The police were able to retrieve that tissue for DNA testing. Two days later, the police found a backpack and leather jacket nearby, and also tested those items for DNA and fingerprints.
A DNA profile came back to Fernandez from the tissue and fingerprints from a Q-Tip inside the backpack were linked to him.
Ammunition found inside the backpack was the same caliber class as a bullet recovered from the victim’s jacket.
He will be sentenced at a future hearing.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. | https://localnews8.com/cnn-regional/2022/04/18/judge-convicts-man-in-2019-fatal-shooting-outside-business/ | 2022-04-18T15:08:56Z |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.