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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Westwood Financial, a leading retail real estate investment firm, announced today its first investment offering with CrowdStreet, the nation's largest online private equity real estate investing platform. Village at Peachtree Corners, a 100% leased grocery anchored neighborhood shopping center in Atlanta, is being listed on CrowdStreet's Marketplace. "We are excited to partner with CrowdStreet on this retail center. The level of due diligence they performed on the investment and on Westwood Financial was of high quality, both in depth and scope," said Mark Bratt, Chief Executive Officer. "CrowdStreet can be a viable alternative as Westwood expands its current investor base," Mark added.
The 88,850 square feet center was purchased in February 2022 and features national anchor tenants Lidl, the largest retailer in Europe, and PopShelf, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dollar General. The property is located within the affluent city of Peachtree Corners which is characterized by high income, well-educated working families, and is the largest city in Gwinnett County. The center achieved 23,884 square feet of leasing velocity within the first six months of 2022, bringing the center to 100% leased. "The combination of the asset's ideal location and stable cash flow makes it an excellent investment opportunity. In addition, we not only already have the benefit of a large Atlanta portfolio, but also an experienced leasing and property management team in place at our Atlanta office," said Lauren Ball, SVP and Head of Leasing.
Westwood will retain a minimum of 20% ownership in the asset and is looking to raise approximately $6.1 million dollars of Membership interests with a minimum investment of $25,000 from accredited investors. Details of the investment opportunity are posted on CrowdStreet's website and will be available for 45 days or until the target investment amount is reached. Offers will be accepted after the scheduled live webinar with Westwood executives on September 8th, which will include an overview of the opportunity and a Q&A session with potential investors.
About Westwood Financial
Westwood Financial owns / manages and operates over 124 high-quality shopping centers located in top U.S. metropolitan markets including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, and Raleigh. The centers are primarily anchored by top-tier grocers as well as leading service and experiential-based operators. Established in 1970, Westwood Financial is headquartered in Los Angeles, with regional offices in Atlanta, Dallas, and Scottsdale. More information is available at www.westfin.com.
Contact:
Brett Johnston
Vice President Operations/Investor Relations
bjohnston@westfin.com
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SOURCE Westwood Financial | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/westwood-financial-announces-first-investment-offering-with-crowdstreet/ | 2022-08-29T17:34:32Z |
Collaboration to focus on flexibility management including Demand Response for distribution utilities, optimization of Distributed Energy Resources such as solar, wind and battery storage assets for generators, distribution companies and large Commercial & Industrial consumers
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electricity consumption is set to grow dramatically in India, especially for cooling purposes, as the population of the country grows, and more consumers deploy air conditioners and electric vehicles. Demand Response (DR) is a powerful alternative by which utilities can reduce stress on the grid during peak periods while providing customers economic and environmental benefits. DR programs aim to reduce or shift energy consumption from peak hours of the day to leaner demand periods by offering incentives to the consumers for their cooperation. Participating customers can exercise control over their consumption, and voluntarily choose to turn down non-essential loads to reduce total load at peak times thus optimizing their monthly electricity bills.
Additionally, energy generation is set to grow sharply as well; almost doubling by 2030, accompanied by a rise in the share of renewables to around 50% of the total generation mix. The intermittency of renewable generation creates new challenges for power system operators and market participants to manage price volatility and system reliability. To cater to this, a study by CEA suggests the need for battery storage to the tune of 27,000 MW and pumped storage of 20,000 MW. The sharp increase projected in renewable energy, distributed generation, energy storage and need for ancillary services creates opportunities for existing and new players in the power system. The collaboration between PTC and AutoGrid proposes to unlock such opportunities.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Rajib K Mishra, CMD PTC said, "Demand is seeing a sharp rise in India due overall economic growth and increasing HVAC loads driven by rising consumer incomes. As a result, the load is getting peakier. Demand Response is a powerful tool for peak load management for Discoms. Additionally, there is a strong technology need to enable higher integration of Renewable Energy into India's grid without creating grid instability. We are looking forward to deploying AutoGrid' s AI-based energy management solution to support PTC's mission of a carbon-free future."
"We are delighted to collaborate with PTC India to bring pioneering solutions to their customer base by leveraging our best-in-class energy-AI platform, said Dr. Amit Narayan, CEO, AutoGrid. "With this collaboration, we aim to demonstrate the pivotal role of DR and DERs in realizing India's ambitions to remain one of the fastest-growing economies in the world while meeting the country's need for energy security and sustainability", he added.
PTC India and AutoGrid have identified the following strategic areas to collaborate on:
- Automated Demand Response leveraging Residential Air Conditioning Systems and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at Commercial and Industrial sites
- Integration of Energy Storage, Solar PV, Electrical Vehicles and other DERs for grid support, balancing and decarbonization
- Structured Renewable Energy or Hybrid solar/wind/battery storage contracts – for large C&I consumers and utilities
About PTC India Ltd:
PTC India Ltd., a Government of India initiative, is the pioneer in starting a power market in India. The Company has maintained its leadership position in power trading since inception.
The trading activities undertaken by PTC include long term trading of power generated from large power projects as well as short term trading arising as a result of supply and demand mismatches, which inevitably arise in various regions of the country.
The Company is credited with a number of products in the electricity trading market to meet the divergent needs of the customers. Driven by the vision to shape a vibrant power market, PTC has been providing value-focused services to its clients and build trust as a reliable partner. PTC is also the pioneer of cross border trading facilitating trade of electricity with Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
PTC is a unique example of a successful public-private partnership with major PSUs of the Ministry of Power, Government of India as promoters and a widely held ownership interest.
To learn more about PTC, please visit www.ptcindia.com
About AutoGrid:
Founded in 2010, AutoGrid's mission is to accelerate access to sustainable energy to mitigate climate change. AutoGrid's artificial intelligence-driven software makes electric vehicles, storage, roof-top solar, utility-scale wind, and other distributed energy resources (DERs) smarter.
By enabling prediction, optimization, and real-time control of millions of energy assets at an unprecedented scale, AutoGrid is making the vision of a decentralized, decarbonized, and democratized new energy world a reality. With over a decade of pioneering experience across the globe, AutoGrid offers fleet owners, energy-as-a-service companies, renewable project developers, utilities, and electricity retailers the ability to build, own, operate, and participate in intelligent and scalable virtual power plants, enabling them to disrupt the dependency on fossil-fuel based energy. AutoGrid's flagship application, AutoGrid FlexTM, manages over 6,000MW of distributed energy assets in 15 countries and is ranked a Leader in all flexibility management categories (DR, DERMS, VPP) by independent research and analysis firm Guidehouse Research.
To learn more about AutoGrid, please visit www.auto-grid.com
Media Contact:
Arup Barat
media@auto-grid.com
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SOURCE Autogrid Systems, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/ptc-india-autogrid-enter-memorandum-understanding-provide-global-best-class-ai-amp-ml-technology-based-solutions-indian-power-market/ | 2022-07-15T16:38:19Z |
HELSINKI, Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trevian acted as the buyer's advisor for the purchase, by private markets investment manager Partners Group, of the SaKa Hallikiinteistöt real estate portfolio in Finland. The portfolio contains 140,000 m2 of real estate in Finland's most central logistics and industrial areas. Trevian will manage the portfolio post acquisition, and the parties aim to grow the portfolio further. Logistics are an attractive and sought-after sector in the real estate investment industry.
The SaKa portfolio transaction, which includes a total of 20 properties, is one of the largest in Trevian's history. Partners Group, acting on behalf of its clients, is the primary owner, while Trevian is also invested in the portfolio and will continue as the real estate asset manager of the portfolio. The sellers in the transaction were Mandatum and Kaleva Mutual Insurance Company.
The logistics and industrial sector has become one of the most appealing in real estate, supported by the rise of online shopping, increased logistics needs, and office space purpose redesign. Occupancy is becoming tighter, and it can be difficult for occupiers to find good premises; for example, the market vacancy rate is around 4% and has been decreasing for a long time, which underlines the strength of the sector.
"We are proud that we were able to facilitate the completion of the transaction. In the future, our goal is to increase the portfolio even further, and buy more assets of similar characteristics. Amidst the challenges of the general market situation, we establish a new and important relationship with Partners Group through this transaction, further strengthening our position as Finland's leading commercial real estate asset manager", says Investment Director Risto Vuorenrinne from Trevian.
Partners Group, alongside Trevian, will execute the value creation plan and seek to scale the portfolio into a leading platform in Finland. Key value creation initiatives will include re-leasing assets at market rents, executing extensions to fulfil tenant expansion needs, as well as targeted capex initiatives to upgrade facilities with a strong focus on ESG-enhancement.
"We have been actively targeting the logistics sector across Europe and investing in select opportunities in strategic growth locations. The way we work, live, and consume is fundamentally changing and is increasing the demand for logistics occupiers in Finland, an export market relying on logistics to support its key economic industries," says Johan Johansson, Private Real Estate Europe, at Partners Group.
For additional information please contact:
Risto Vuorenrinne
Investment Director
Trevian Asset Management
+358 50 313 9350
risto.vuorenrinne@trevian.fi
www.trevian.fi
Trevian Asset Management is a Finnish investment and asset management company specializing in commercial and residential properties. The company was established in 2012 and is owned by its key personnel. The company produces actively managed real estate equity funds and asset management services optimized for its customers. The services are focused especially for institutional real estate investors, banks, and other professional investors. Trevian's assets under management near 1.0B€. www.trevian.fi/en/
About Partners Group
Partners Group is a leading global private markets firm. Since 1996, the firm has invested USD 185 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt, and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group seeks to generate strong returns through capitalizing on thematic growth trends and transforming attractive businesses and assets into market leaders. The firm is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create sustainable returns with lasting, positive impact for all its stakeholders. With USD 131 billion in assets under management as of 30 June 2022, Partners Group provides an innovative range of bespoke client solutions to institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,600 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN). For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
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SOURCE Trevian | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/trevian-invests-alongside-partners-group-large-scale-logistics-real-estate-transaction-trevian-will-act-asset-manager-grow-portfolio-further/ | 2022-08-30T08:44:30Z |
– Village Farms Will Contribute to Reshaping the Future of Recreational Cannabis in the Netherlands, the First Major European Country to Permit Large Scale Cultivation and Distribution of Recreational Cannabis –
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Village Farms International, Inc. ("Village Farms" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: VFF) today announced Leli Holland B.V. ("Leli Holland") has been granted the tenth and final license to cultivate cannabis legally in the Netherlands (the "License") under the Dutch Closed Supply Chain Experiment program (the "Dutch Program"), which is expected to be commence operating next year. Subsequently, Village Farms completed acquisition of 85% of privately held Leli Holland under its previously announced purchase option agreement, enabling Village Farms to directly participate as a Netherlands-based cultivator and distributor of cannabis in the Dutch Program, under which the Netherlands will become the first major European country to permit large scale cultivation and distribution of recreational cannabis.
The Dutch Program is intended to evaluate determine whether and how controlled cannabis can be legally supplied to existing retailers (known as "coffee shops") and what the effects of such would be, specifically in the context of concerns around public order and safety, public health and crime amidst the current Dutch cannabis policy, which tolerates the sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes but prohibits production and distribution to coffee shops.
"We are so proud to come home to the Netherlands as one of just ten companies that will be licensed to cultivate recreational cannabis and distribute high quality cannabis products to coffee shops in the Netherlands," said Michael DeGiglio, CEO Village Farms. "Village Farms has a long, rich history in the Netherlands and majority ownership of Leli will allow for direct and meaningful participation in the Dutch Program and contribute to reshaping the future of recreational cannabis in the Netherlands. Village Farms' Vice President of European Cannabis, Orville Bovenschen, born and raised in the Netherlands, will lead our cannabis venture there, splitting his time between our head office in Orlando and the Netherlands. We look forward, to bringing our deep expertise and decades of experience in the design, construction, start up and operation of high-performance, low-cost controlled environment agriculture facilities to the Dutch cannabis industry."
"For decades, the Netherlands has been a global pioneer in the decriminalisation of cannabis and the Dutch Program is an historic, positive step in the evolution of the country's cannabis regulation that will make it the first major European country to permit large scale recreational cultivation. Utilizing the existing retail sales channel will benefit Dutch consumers greatly, and very much look forward to supplying these consumers with high quality, safe and tested cannabis, in the participating jurisdictions. We expect that our Dutch roots, combined with our deep Canadian experience, will contribute to a successful pilot program, and the potential of the program to be expanded nationally."
Mr. DeGiglio added, "As cannabis sentiment shifts favorably, we are pursuing, and will continue to pursue, other European opportunities as they unfold. Our direct participation in the Dutch Program, leveraging our position as a top Canadian Licensed Producer with EU-GMP certification, strongly positions Village Farms for success in these markets as they legalize."
The Dutch Program is scheduled to operate for a minimum of four years with the potential for national expansion. The total supply requirement for the ten approved producers participating in the Dutch Supply Chain Experiment is specified by the Netherlands government to be approximately a minimum of 65,000 kilograms of dried flower annually. A brief description of the Dutch Program can be found at https://www.government.nl/topics/drugs/controlled-cannabis-supply-chain-experiment.
Village Farms leverages decades of experience as a large-scale, Controlled Environment Agriculture-based, vertically integrated supplier for high-value, high-growth plant-based Consumer Packaged Goods opportunities, with a strong foundation as a leading fresh produce supplier to grocery and large-format retailers throughout the US and Canada, and new high-growth opportunities in the cannabis and CBD categories in North America and selected markets internationally.
In Canada, the Company's wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, Pure Sunfarms, is one of the single largest cannabis operations in the world, the lowest-cost greenhouse producer and one of the best-selling brands.
In the US, wholly-owned Balanced Health Botanicals is one of the leading CBD brands and e-commerce platforms in the country. Subject to compliance with all applicable US federal and state laws and stock exchange rules, Village Farms plans to enter the US high-THC cannabis market via multiple strategies, leveraging one of the largest greenhouse operations in the country (more than 5.5 million square feet in West Texas), as well as the operational and product expertise gained through Pure Sunfarms' cannabis success in Canada.
Internationally, Village Farms is targeting selected, nascent, legal cannabis and CBD opportunities with significant medium- and long-term potential, with an initial focus on the Asia-Pacific region and the Netherlands in Europe.
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This Press Release also contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. We refer to such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information collectively as "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may relate to the Company's future outlook or financial position and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, budgets, expansion plans (including internationally as a result of our acquisition of Leli Holland), litigation, projected production, projected costs, capital expenditures, financial results, taxes, plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Particularly, statements regarding future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities for the Company, the greenhouse vegetable industry or the cannabis industry are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by such terms as "outlook", "may", "might", "will", "could", "should", "would", "occur", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "try", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue", "likely", "schedule", "objectives", or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this Press Release are subject to risks that may include, but are not limited to: our limited operating history, including that of Rose LifeScience Inc. ("Rose"), Balanced Health Botanicals, LLC ("Balanced Health"), Pure Sunfarms, Inc.("Pure Sunfarms") and our operations of growing hemp in the United States; the legal status of Pure Sunfarms, Rose and Balanced Health cannabis business; risks relating to the integration of Balanced Health and Rose into our cannabis business; risks related to international expansion through our investment in Leli Holland; risks relating to obtaining additional financing, including our dependence upon credit facilities; potential difficulties in achieving and/or maintaining profitability; variability of product pricing; risks inherent in the cannabis, hemp, CBD, cannabinoids, and agricultural businesses; market position, ability to leverage current business relationships for future business involving hemp and cannabinoids, the ability of Pure Sunfarms and Rose to cultivate and distribute cannabis in Canada; existing and new governmental regulations, including risks related to regulatory compliance and licenses (e.g., Pure Sunfarms ability to obtain licenses for its Delta 2 greenhouse facility as well as additional licenses under the Canadian act respecting cannabis to amend to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts, S.C. 2018, c. 16 (Canada) for its Delta 3 greenhouse facility), and changes in our regulatory requirements; risks relating to conversion of our greenhouses to cannabis production for Pure Sunfarms; risks related to rules and regulations at the U.S. federal (Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture), state and municipal levels with respect to produce and hemp; retail consolidation, technological advances and other forms of competition; transportation disruptions; product liability and other potential litigation; retention of key executives; labor issues; uninsured and underinsured losses; vulnerability to rising energy costs; environmental, health and safety risks, foreign exchange exposure, risks associated with cross-border trade; difficulties in managing our growth; restrictive covenants under our credit facilities; natural catastrophes; the ongoing and developing COVID-19 pandemic; and tax risks.
The Company has based these forward-looking statements on factors and assumptions about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release are based upon assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that may cause the Company's or the industry's actual results, performance, achievements, prospects and opportunities in future periods to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the factors contained in the Company's filings with securities regulators, including this Press Release. In particular, we caution you that our forward-looking statements are subject to the ongoing and developing circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and future financial results.
When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future results, performance, achievements, prospects and opportunities. The forward-looking statements made in this Press Release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this Press Release. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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SOURCE Village Farms International, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/village-farms-announces-leli-hollands-receipt-final-cultivation-license-majority-ownership-85-leli-holland/ | 2022-08-09T11:20:54Z |
Zach LaVine is staying in Chicago. Same goes for Jusuf Nurkic in Portland.
Day 2 of NBA free agency on Friday brought another max deal — this time, going to LaVine, who secured the richest contract in Bulls history when he agreed to a $215 million, five-year contract.
LaVine technically was a free agent, for about 18 hours. Klutch Sports, which represents LaVine, made the announcement of the max agreement, with the Bulls able to offer the Olympic gold medalist and two-time All-Star $56 million more than any other club could this summer.
Nurkic got by far the biggest payday of his career, agreeing to a four-year, $70 million contract with Portland. The center just completed his eighth NBA season, the last six of those coming with the Trail Blazers, for whom he averaged 15 points and 11.1 rebounds this past season.
Mitchell Robinson is another big man not moving elsewhere, agreeing Friday to a $60 million, four-year contract to remain with the New York Knicks.
There are some players who will be changing addresses. Danilo Gallinari, according to a person familiar with his decision, intends to sign a two-year deal with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics — once his waiving by the San Antonio Spurs is completed. Gallinari was sent to San Antonio this week in a trade that brought All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to Atlanta.
Also on the move: Bruce Brown Jr., a guard who has decided to leave Brooklyn and sign with Denver on a two-year deal worth just over $13 million. Brown averaged a career-best 9 points per game this past season for the Nets.
Another deal that was put into motion earlier in the week was completed, when five-time All-Star John Wall — bought out by the Houston Rockets — announced he had agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Wall was under contract for $47.4 million this season, got bought out by Houston for about $41 million, and will get the $6.4 million difference from the Clippers. Wall hasn’t played in the NBA since April 2021, and has appeared in 82 games, including playoffs, over the last 4 1/2 seasons.
The champion Golden State Warriors brought back one of their key free agents, retaining Kevon Looney — who appeared in all 104 of the team’s games this past season — on a three-year deal that could be worth about $26 million if the final year becomes fully guaranteed. But another two rotation pieces went elsewhere; Gary Payton II is headed to the Portland Trail Blazers and Otto Porter Jr. is signing with the Toronto Raptors.
LaVine’s agreement was at least the fifth deal of at least $200 million struck since free agency opened on Thursday. The others all came on Day 1, going to Nikola Jokic ($264 million extension in Denver), Bradley Beal ($251 million contract to stay in Washington), Devin Booker ($224 million extension with Phoenix) and Karl-Anthony Towns ($224 million extension with Minnesota).
And a sixth deal could very easily join that $200 million club: Memphis’ Ja Morant agreed to a $193 million extension that could reach $231 million based on what awards he qualifies for this coming season.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/day-2-of-free-agency-lavine-nurkic-decide-to-stay-put/ | 2022-07-02T15:11:08Z |
Here’s what’s in the $10 billion Covid-19 aid bill
By Katie Lobosco and Tami Luhby, CNN
The Senate has reached a bipartisan deal to provide an additional $10 billion in Covid-19 assistance, less than half of what the White House originally had requested.
It would allow the Biden administration to purchase more vaccines and therapeutics, as well as maintain testing capacity and research. But it does not include $5 billion in funding for global Covid-19 aid, nor would it replenish the program that pays for testing, treating and vaccinating the uninsured.
The deal would be paid for using unspent funds from the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, which was enacted in March 2021.
However, it would not draw from money previously provided for state and local government assistance. That proposed offset prompted several House Democrats to torpedo a $15.6 billion Covid-19 aid package that was initially part of the full-year spending bill.
“We urge Congress to move promptly on this $10 billion package because it can begin to fund the most immediate needs, as we currently run the risk of not having some critical tools like treatments and tests starting in May and June,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki wrote in a statement Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who was negotiating for the Republicans, each released the text and summaries of the deal.
Here’s what’s in the deal:
Vaccines, therapeutics and testing
The deal would funnel $9.25 billion to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, according to the summaries.
At least $5 billion would be spent on purchasing therapeutics, such as oral antivirals. Currently, there is a limited supply of treatments, including monoclonal antibodies, which are provided free of charge to Americans, regardless of insurance coverage.
The federal government has already scaled back on weekly allocations of many Covid-19 therapeutics due to both a lack of demand and a drop in available funding. Distribution of two monoclonal antibody treatments — sotrovimab and bebtelovimab — was scaled back “because Congress has failed to provide additional funding for the Covid-19 response,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said in a statement to CNN last month.
In a fact sheet released last month, the White House said the federal government has no more funding to buy additional monoclonals, including a planned order for March 25. It also said it does not have the ability to purchase additional oral antiviral pills beyond the 20 million already secured.
Also, the additional funds from the deal would be used to purchase vaccines, including booster shots, vaccines for children and, potentially, new types of vaccines. The Biden administration has warned that second Covid-19 vaccine booster shots — or a new type of vaccine, if needed — will not be free and readily available to all Americans, if and when they are authorized, without additional funding from Congress.
And the funds would be used to maintain testing capacity so that the manufacturing of at-home tests and lab capacity for PCR tests does not decline during the summer to the point where it can’t be ramped up again in the case of a future Covid-19 surge.
Among the ways to ensure testing is available in the future is for the federal government to purchase testing supplies from manufacturers or to provide funding to maintain state and local testing infrastructure.
Future variants
Some $750 million would go to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for research, clinical trials and development of vaccines for emerging variants. It could also be used to expand vaccine manufacturing capacity as needed.
Without additional funding, the government will have to wind down some Covid-19 surveillance investments that help it detect the next variant, the White House has said.
Here’s how it will be paid for:
The $10 billion legislation would be fully offset by Covid-19 relief funds that were previously authorized by Congress but have not yet been spent, according to a summary provided by Romney’s office.
Nearly $2 billion is left over from the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant program, which gave money to live music venues, theaters and museums that were forced to shut their doors for some period of time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The program stopped taking applications in August. It awarded more than $14 billion in grants.
The new bill would also repurpose about $900 million that is remaining for the Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance program, which allowed some small businesses to receive up to $15,000 that did not need to be paid back. The program would be left with enough money to accommodate pending loan modifications and the recently announced six-month deferment on loan payments, according to a summary of the bill provided by Senate Democrats.
The new bill would use $1.6 billion of unspent funds that were previously given to the US Department of Agriculture by both the Democrats’ coronavirus relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan Act, and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, which was signed into law by then-President Donald Trump in 2020, according to a summary from Senate Democrats.
More than $2.3 billion would come from the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program, which provided funding to businesses to cover up to half of their payroll costs for certain categories of employees for up to six months. In return, those businesses were required to make several commitments, including to not involuntarily furlough or lay off employees within that group during the same six-month period.
The new bill would also use remaining unspent money in the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, totaling $500 million. That program provided funds to colleges so that they could give emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The relief package would rescind more than $1.8 billion from the $10 billion in Covid-19 relief funds provided to the State Small Business Credit Initiative Program. The program aims to help states, the District of Columbia, territories and tribal governments “expand access to capital for small businesses emerging from the pandemic, build ecosystems of opportunity and entrepreneurship, and create high-quality jobs.” The bill would not rescind the money allocated specifically for small and disadvantaged businesses and very small businesses, according to a summary provided by Senate Democrats.
The new bill would also use $887 million from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund, which — due to a drafting error in previous legislation — has not been able to use any of the funds without congressional action, according to a summary provided by the Senate Democrats.
The-CNN-Wire
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CNN’s Katherine Dillinger contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2022/04/04/heres-whats-in-the-10-billion-covid-19-aid-bill/ | 2022-04-05T03:12:24Z |
DALLAS (AP) — The NBA fined the Dallas Mavericks for a third time in the playoffs on Sunday because of violations of rules regarding their bench.
The fine has doubled each time, with the latest at $100,000 after Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at Golden State on Friday. Game 3 in Dallas was Sunday night. None of the fines was from games in Dallas.
Several Mavericks players have stood for most or all of the games during the playoffs, including home games. The fines have been for players and coaches standing for extended periods, straying too far from the bench and encroaching on the court during game action.
The first two fines were from the West semifinals against Phoenix, after Games 2 and 7 in Arizona. The first fine was $25,000, the second $50,000 after a 33-point Dallas victory in the deciding game.
During the Warriors’ 126-117 victory in Game 2, Stephen Curry threw a pass out of bounds with no teammate in the area. The pass was in the vicinity of Dallas’ Theo Pinson, who was wearing a white shirt while standing and waving. Golden State was wearing its home white uniforms.
“He’s got his arms up, calling for the ball,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after shootaround Sunday. “That’s too much.”
Kerr added that Curry’s turnover was the only time he was upset with the Dallas bench during Game 2.
“In fact, I love their bench,” Kerr said. “They’ve got great chemistry, great energy. They’ve had a phenomenal season, and part of it is because they’re so connected.”
Pinson signed a 10-day contract with the Mavericks during a COVID-19 outbreak early in the season. He ended up getting a two-year deal and has been leading cheers from the bench as his playing time dwindled. Pinson has been inactive in the playoffs.
Tim Hardaway Jr. also has gotten into the spirit of cheering from the bench. He’s been out since January with a broken left foot and isn’t expected to return during the playoffs.
They aren’t the only two who have been standing for long stretches, and the Mavericks may not be ready to change their approach with the bench, if Hardaway’s reaction on Twitter to the latest fine is any indication.
“It’s the league’s decision to fine, but we’re not going to sit,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said before Game 3. “We’re going to cheer. That’s, I think, a positive that the bench can look at it as they’re donating to a nice charity.”
In another incident from Game 2, Davis Bertans of the Mavericks got tangled up with Damion Lee after making a 3-pointer in front of the Dallas bench. The contact led to several Golden State players approaching the bench, but there were no confrontations. Bertans and Lee were assessed technical fouls.
Kidd said after the second fine the club would check with the league on what was acceptable. He said Sunday night he hasn’t talked to the league.
“That’s just finding things to complain about,” Kidd said. “And we’re not a complaining organization. You want to talk about the bench, then talk about the bench. That’s on you.”
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/nba-fines-mavs-100000-for-3rd-bench-violation-in-playoffs/ | 2022-05-23T13:31:14Z |
NEW YORK, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global X ETFs, the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), today announced intentions to transfer the Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) from Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. to NYSE Arca, Inc. on July 1, 2022 at market open.
The fund aims to provide investors with exposure to the stocks in the Russell 2000 Index while implementing an at-the-money covered call-writing strategy to the U.S. small cap space. RYLD follows a "covered call" or "buy-write" strategy, in which the fund buys exposure to the stocks in Russell 2000 and "writes" or "sells" corresponding call options on the same index.
The fund will continue to trade as normal on Cboe until the transfer takes place.
Global X ETFs was founded in 2008. For more than a decade, our mission has been empowering investors with unexplored and intelligent solutions. Our product lineup features more than 90 ETF strategies and around $40 billion in assets under management.i While we are distinguished for our Thematic Growth, Income, and International Access ETFs, we also offer Core, Commodity, and Alpha funds to suit a wide range of investment objectives. Explore our ETFs, research and insights, and more at www.globalxetfs.com.
Global X is a member of Mirae Asset Financial Group, a global leader in financial services, with more than $628 billion in assets under management worldwide.ii Mirae Asset has an extensive global ETF platform ranging across the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam with over $82 billion in assets under management.iii
Media Contact
Frank Taylor
Dukas Linden Public Relations
frank@dlpr.com
(646) 808-3647
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility. Concentration in a particular industry or sector will subject RYLD to loss due to adverse occurrences that may affect that industry or sector. Investors in RYLD should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the fund's shares and the possibility of significant losses.
RYLD engages in options trading. An option is a contract sold by one party to another that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) a stock at an agreed upon price within a certain period or on a specific date. A covered call option involves holding a long position in a particular asset, in this case U.S. common equities, and writing a call option on that same asset with the goal of realizing additional income from the option premium. By selling covered call options, the fund limits its opportunity to profit from an increase in the price of the underlying index above the exercise price, but continues to bear the risk of a decline in the index. A liquid market may not exist for options held by the fund. While the fund receives premiums for writing the call options, the price it realizes from the exercise of an option could be substantially below the indices current market price.
Carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's summary or full prospectuses, which may be obtained at globalxetfs.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Global X Management Company LLC serves as an advisor to Global X Funds. The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO), which is not affiliated with Global X Management Company LLC. Global X Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell, Cboe or NYSE, nor do these entities make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in the Global X Funds. Neither SIDCO nor Global X are affiliated with these entities.
i Global X, as of 6/15/22
ii Mirae Asset, as of March 2022
iii Mirae Asset, as of June 2022
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SOURCE Global X Management Company LLC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/global-x-etfs-transfer-exchange-listing-global-x-russell-2000-covered-call-etf-ryld-cboe-nyse/ | 2022-06-17T21:30:48Z |
- The report demonstrates Country Garden's latest progress on environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments and its green and low-carbon development strategy.
FOSHAN, China, June. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Country Garden Holdings Company Limited ("Country Garden") (02007.HK) recently released its 2021 Sustainability Report, systematically demonstrating its key practices and outstanding achievements in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) field.
According to the report, as of the end of 2021, the company had completed the construction of 997 projects in compliance with the national green building evaluation standard, with a total GFA of 221.16 million square meters, representing a compound annual growth rate of 46.4% and 46.2% respectively from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, 61 additional green buildings that won certificates were constructed by the company with a combined area of 9.15 million square meters, while 124 new Sponge City projects were added with a floor area exceeding 8.65 million square meters.
In terms of technological innovation, the subsidiary, Bright Dream Robotics, made the final intelligent parameter adjustments to its spraying robot. It's the first time such a robot has been showcased worldwide. Bright Dream Robotics passed the acceptance test of the "BIM + FMS + WMS + construction robot" multi-machine construction system in Shantou, and is the first construction firm worldwide to do so.
As of the end of 2021, Country Garden had nearly 50 types of robots under development, with 18 types of construction robots having been put into commercial application and rented or sold, involving more than 350 projects in 25 Chinese provinces. In addition, more than 730 construction robots have been delivered, handling a total applied construction area of more than 7 million square meters.
Furthermore, Country Garden continues to increase its investment in renewable and sustainable energies as well as green and eco-friendly technologies, while expanding the carbon neutral portfolio through Country Garden Venture Capital, its equity investment division.
In 2021, Country Garden Venture Capital achieved many milestones in the carbon neutral sector, investing in several carbon neutral firms including SVOLT Energy, Morion Nanotech and UtmoLight Technology. The company was listed in the "Top 10 Carbon Neutrality Investment Institutions" of the year by lieyunwang.com, and has entered the investment portfolios of Hang Seng ESG ETF, GX Hang Seng ESG, VSGXETF and multiple other ETF funds worldwide.
Meanwhile, Country Garden undertakes meaningful action to counter climate change and protect biodiversity.
An example is the Country Garden Forest City Project. In 2021, Forest City Fisherman's Wharf and Sea Shell Exhibition Center began the installation of several solar photovoltaic power stations, with an anticipated installed capacity of 405kWp and estimated power supply of 480,000 kWh per year.
In 2021, Forest City won the Construction21 International Green Solution Award for its comprehensive solutions, among them, the water resources recycling and biodiversity protection project. It also garnered the SCAHSA Global Model of Low-Carbon City Planning and Design Award from Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) with its low-carbon and green development concept.
Country Garden engages in philanthropic actions while developing the core business.
To date, Country Garden Group and its founder have donated more than 10 billion yuan, and actively participated in targeted poverty relief projects in 57 counties across 16 Chinese provinces, helping more than 490,000 people move above the poverty line.
Country Garden founder and Chairman Yang Guoqiang and his family were China's fourth most generous providers of charitable cash donations in 2021 according to the 2021 China Philanthropy List issued by Forbes China. This is the 13th time that the Yang family has been included in the list.
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SOURCE Country Garden Holdings | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/country-garden-releases-2021-sustainability-report/ | 2022-06-17T05:25:02Z |
The following is a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.
Film
Netflix places one of its biggest bets yet on “The Gray Man,” a globe-trotting action thriller starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. One of the streamer’s most expensive films, “The Gray Man” is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the brothers who presided over one of the biggest box-office smashes ever (“Avengers: Endgame”) before they started churning out blockbusters for Netflix. Their “Extraction,” with Chris Hemsworth, ranks as one of the service’s most-watched films, and “The Gray Man” — a spy vs. spy adventure with some comic flare and major franchise ambitions — is likely to follow suit. It debuts Friday.
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
Music
Few details about Beyoncé’s new album “Renaissance” out Friday, July 22, are available but the lead single is performing well. Her “Break My Soul” became the first song to debut in the top 10 in 26 years on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. Of the 16-track album itself Beyoncé calls it “a beautiful journey of exploration.” Creating it “allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” the superstar wrote on Instagram, next to an image of her on a see-through horse. Back in June, she teased on her social media accounts that “Renaissance” would be “act i,” but it’s unclear how many acts will follow or when they will be released.
ZZ Top — now without Dusty Hill — have a new, 11-track live album, called “Raw,” with several of the band’s hits like “Gimmie All Your Lovin”“ and “La Grange.” Recorded at Gruene Hall — “the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas” — in 2019, “Raw” features the band’s original lineup of electric guitar player Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and the late Hill on bass. Made in connection with the 2019 ZZ Top Netflix documentary, “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas,” the 11-track album was produced by Gibbons, and is dedicated “in righteous memory of Dusty Hill.”
Ben Harper has never really minced words and that’s clearly the case on his new album, the 11-track “Bloodline Maintenance. “Slavery/We need to talk about it/Black Lives Matter/’Cause history says we don’t,” he sings over a funky guitar on the lead single, “We Need To Talk About It.” The new record sees Harper reflecting on the loss of his father and the personal nature of the subject matter led Ben to perform most of the album himself — playing guitar, bass, drums and percussion, including a plastic toy snare. “I knew the sounds I was hearing in my head were so unorthodox that I had to do most of it myself,” he says.
— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy
Television
Stephen Curry is the host of the ESPYS sports awards, and more. The NBA championship finals MVP is up for three honors including best male athlete at the ceremony airing Wednesday on ABC. Curry’s rivals for the top award include Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels, with Olympic champs Sunisa Lee and Katie Ledecky among those competing for best female athlete. ESPN previously said the ceremony will honor Vitali Klitschko, former heavyweight boxing champion and mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine, with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gretchen Evans will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were acclaimed actors and a long-married couple. They were also “The Last Movie Stars,” according to the six-part documentary of that title out on Thursday on HBO Max. The docuseries, directed by actor Ethan Hawke, promises a definitive account of their “dedication to their art, philanthropy and each other.” Transcriptions of interviews with Newman and intimates — conducted for his autobiography that went uncompleted — are voiced by actors including George Clooney and Laura Linney. Also heard from are several of their children and Martin Scorsese, an executive producer for the film. Woodward, who is 92, was married to Newman from 1958 until his death in 2008 at age 83.
The summer thrill ride known as Shark Week is back on Discovery Channel for its 34th year, with stars including tiger sharks with a taste for pork and “monster” hammerheads. The Bahamas’ Exuma Islands and Papua New Guinea are among the new spots visited during the extravaganza airing from Sunday, July 24, to Saturday, July 30, with Dwayne Johnson as its first emcee. Marine biologists and institutions contribute insights about shark mating and migration, with findings about a new and undescribed species promised. Among the highlights: “Island of Walking Sharks,” on Wednesday, with a scientist’s investigation of shark evolution.
— AP Television Writer Lynn Elber | https://www.tdtnews.com/entertainment/article_88855e14-069e-11ed-b992-a396f289a406.html | 2022-07-19T07:34:15Z |
BALTIMORE, May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Urological Association (AUA) today announced that Ruchika Talwar, MD, has been named the 2022-2023 H. Logan Holtgrewe Legislative Fellow. This fellowship is designed to prepare and educate urology residents and fellows in the legislative aspects of health policy.
As the AUA's Holtgrewe Fellow, Dr. Talwar will complete a four-week fellowship with a legislative office in Washington, DC, and participate in major AUA advocacy initiatives, including the Annual Urology Advocacy Summit and meetings of the AUA's Public Policy Council and Legislative Affairs Committee. She will also attend the Brandeis University Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy & Management.
"After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, the H. Logan Holtgrewe Legislative Fellowship returns with a fellow who embodies the passion and knowledge necessary to advance change in the healthcare space," said Eugene Rhee, MD, chair of the AUA Public Policy Council. "Dr. Talwar brings a deep understanding of the complex health policy landscape that urology faces. She has been a staunch advocate for the AUA and its legislative priorities dating back to her days in medical school and through her residency, making her a wonderful choice for the 2022-2023 Holtgrewe Fellow."
Dr. Talwar is a urologic surgery resident at the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Medicine Health System in Philadelphia. She received her medical degree from Rutgers University Medical School and holds a bachelor's degree in biology and legal studies from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Dr. Talwar currently serves as the chair-elect of the American Urological Association's Resident and Fellow Committee. In addition, Dr. Talwar serves as the AUA's representative to the Resident & Fellow Section at the American Medical Association House of Delegates. Previously, she served as a Board of Trustees member for the Medical Society of New Jersey.
The Holtgrewe Fellowship program was established in recognition of Dr. H. Logan Holtgrewe, former AUA president and past chairman of the AUA's Health Policy Council. The Holtgrewe Fellowship is open to all AUA residents in their research year, fellows and first-year post-graduates. Learn more about the Holtgrewe Fellowship.
About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology and has nearly 24,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.
Media Contact:
Caitlin Lukacs, Corporate Communications and Media Relations Manager
410-689-4081, clukacs@auanet.org
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SOURCE American Urological Association | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/aua-announces-2022-2023-h-logan-holtgrewe-legislative-fellow/ | 2022-05-17T14:36:34Z |
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — With sympathy in their voices, the receptionists at the University of New Mexico Center for Reproductive Health relayed the same news into the phone over and over again Wednesday morning.
“We’re scheduling about four weeks out.”
The people on the other end of the line, mostly Texas women, were told those four weeks could mean they would become ineligible for abortion medication in lieu of a procedure, or they could have to spend two days at the Albuquerque clinic instead of one.
The university’s clinic is one of three providing abortion procedures in New Mexico, which has become the destination state for many Texans wishing to terminate a pregnancy.
Aside from breaking the news about growing wait times, the front-desk responsibilities of what was once a quiet clinic have grown to include referring out-of-state patients to possible funding sources that could cover the hundreds of dollars they will have to pay out of pocket. The receptionists also help people navigate logistical hurdles, so patients can miss as little work or line up as little child care as possible.
“She’s under eight weeks, for an appointment at 8 a.m.,” one clinic employee whispered to her coworker while on the phone with a Texas patient. “But the latest flight out (of Albuquerque) is 5:25 p.m. — do you think she would make that flight?”
Another employee walked in to tell the receptionists not to count one woman who was supposed to be in the clinic about an hour earlier as a no-show. She was on the way, the staffer said, still driving in from Oklahoma.
Before September, the university clinic performed a relatively low number of abortions. With about 2 million residents in the state, the small handful of New Mexico abortion clinics and providers performed fewer than 6,000 abortions in 2020, according to the Guttmacher Institute, about a tenth of those performed in Texas.
The clinic was instead able to focus more on its training program for medical students and residents, and it had more availability to provide birth control services and other reproductive health care, according to physicians at the clinic.
But when Texas banned abortion at about six weeks into a pregnancy last year, their patient load skyrocketed. The demand for abortion care is only expected to grow after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the right to abortion last week, promptly followed by Texas and a growing number of states moving to ban almost all abortions.
“It’s a different job now,” Dr. Eve Espey said on Tuesday evening, sitting in her quiet, stucco-covered home after a long day at the clinic. “I would say 75% of our patients have been from Texas for the last several months.”
Doctors said more people have recently been coming from Oklahoma, which banned abortions in late May. And others are starting to trickle in from places like Kansas and Arizona. But the clinic is still bracing for the eventual full impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
“There’s only so much we can do,” said Espey, chair of the university’s OB-GYN department and a founder of the clinic. “We’re booking out to the end of July because we can’t book more patients in a day.”
Beyond an overwhelming increase in out-of-state patients, doctors at the clinic said even more concerning is the increase of patients who are further along in their pregnancies.
Espey said since September, local clinics have provided abortions for more than double the number of patients they would have seen before Texas’ abortion ban after about six weeks of pregnancy. What increased even more was patients more than 14 weeks pregnant and even more for those between 18 and 20 weeks.
“If they’d just been able to go to Dallas, and they live near Dallas, they could go tomorrow,” said Dr. Amber Truehart, the clinic’s medical director. “But they have to figure out how to travel here and get child care and funding, and all of that stuff is delaying them.”
“That’s not ideal for abortions because it puts you a little further along and things can get a little more complicated,” she added.
A mother’s decision
Medical staff walked into the Albuquerque clinic early Wednesday morning, leaving behind the bright blue skies and pink-hued mountain range.
Truehart huddled with nurses, medical assistants, trainees and a newly hired physician’s assistant to hear details about the dozen or so abortion patients scheduled for the morning. At least half were from Texas, a point staff made note of since, unlike for New Mexicans, Medicaid and private insurance will not pay for their abortions.
One of the patients was Adriana, who at 23 is the mother of two children, ages 4 years and 7 months.
“The reason why I’m deciding to do this is just because financially I can’t afford it,” Adriana said while waiting for an ultrasound Wednesday, her silky brown hair trailing down her petite frame. “I’d rather not put myself in a tough situation where I know that I might become homeless because I’m trying to provide for three kids.”
The Texas Tribune is using a pseudonym for Adriana, who asked not to be identified out of concern for her privacy.
Adriana is from Las Cruces, so she originally planned to go to El Paso for an abortion, about 30 minutes away from the southern New Mexico city. But with Texas’ abortion bans, she instead took the day off of work and her partner drove her about three and a half hours to Albuquerque the night before.
Based on the timing of her last period, which Adriana acknowledged was irregular since she was still breastfeeding, the mother and clinic staff estimated she would be more than 10 weeks pregnant. But after Truehart scanned her uterus and measured the size of the embryo, she determined Adriana was less than eight weeks along.
“Oh, that’s so much better,” Adriana sighed in relief on the table.
At eight weeks, she can safely have a medication abortion, Truehart told her, instead of an outpatient procedure. She would take two pills within 48 hours to induce an abortion, with symptoms similar to a miscarriage.
Back in the waiting room with the news from her ultrasound, Adriana visibly relaxed. She rested her head on the shoulder of her 7-month-old son’s father. They spoke in hushed tones, often interrupted by him kissing the top of her head.
Still, Adriana said she was upset over Texas’ ban on abortion and the overturning of Roe V. Wade, not only for herself but for so many like her.
“There’s a lot of women out there that choose to do these things,” she said, her arms wrapped protectively around herself in the ultrasound room. “Either financially they can’t afford to take care of an infant or, if you’re a rape victim — and I’m a rape victim — if you get pregnant, it could cause suicide.”
An overlooked state
Their priority is their patients, but leading doctors in New Mexico abortion care have other concerns during this time of upheaval in their field.
They’re worried about staffing shortages, already ever-present in the burnout much of the health care industry struggled with during the crush of the pandemic. And they’re concerned about a chilling effect on health care providers in states with abortion bans who may not take steps to save a pregnant person’s life for fear of criminal prosecution.
In Texas, the state’s abortion ban will not allow for exceptions in cases of rape or incest, only allowing an abortion if the pregnant person’s life is in danger.
“Even in cases it would be allowed for exceptions, who wants to put their neck out for that? Everybody’s afraid of ‘aiding and abetting,’” Espey said, quoting the language of Texas’ Senate Bill 8.
And in New Mexico, abortion rights advocates and providers are afraid new clinics seeking to provide more care for patients from across the country will bring the wrong kind of attention to a state that typically goes unnoticed by the rest of the country.
“When folks come in from out of town, there’s the concern that they’re going to upset the political balance and the community relationships,” Espey said, noting that local abortion rights groups have worked for decades to cultivate an acceptance of abortion care.
“I think these organizations and, frankly, me, too, would prefer it was New Mexicans that provide that care,” she added. “That said, there’s a big gap. It would be one thing if we could fill that gap, but right now, we can’t.”
New Mexico has no major restrictions in place on abortion access, but it is a poor, largely rural state that often falls short in providing reproductive health care to its own residents.
All three of New Mexico’s clinics that provide abortion procedures are in Albuquerque in the northern half of the state. A handful of other clinics provide abortion medication for early stage pregnancies, but, as evidenced by the backlog at Espey and Truehart’s clinic before Roe’s reversal, the doctors say the state needs more abortion providers.
But the new spotlight makes them wary of the longevity of the state’s new role as a haven for abortion care.
“They’re afraid of exactly that,” Truehart said, walking around the clinic in purple scrubs and Crocs. “That (new providers) are going to bring too much attention to New Mexico as like this hub of abortion and then the tide is going to change and then bam, New Mexico goes out, too.”
This story was first published at www.texastribune.org by The Texas Tribune. This story has been edited for length. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_b93e31f0-fa7f-11ec-b2f0-dfe4ed4b1a8e.html | 2022-07-03T08:55:31Z |
The Foo Fighters will perform two special tribute concerts in London and Los Angeles to honor the life of their former drummer, Taylor Hawkins.
"For our dear friend, our bada** bandmate, our beloved brother...Foo Fighters and The Hawkins family bring you the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts," the band announced Wednesday in a post on its official Instagram account.
The concerts will take place with the group's remaining members -- Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee -- on September 3 at London's Wembley Stadium and on September 27 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
The band has teamed up with Hawkins' family for the shows.
Hawkins' wife, Alison Hawkins, posted a message to fans on her husband's Instagram account to coincide with the tribute concerts' announcement.
"My deepest thanks and admiration go out to the global Foo Fighters community and Taylor's fans far and wide for the outpouring of love each and every one of you have shown our beloved Taylor. Your kindness has been an invaluable comfort for my family and me during this time of unimaginable grief," the message read in part.
Hawkins, 50, died March 25 in Bogotá, Colombia, hours before the Foo Fighters were set to take the stage at the Festival Estereo Picnic. The band immediately canceled its remaining tour dates.
Hawkins joined Foo Fighters in 1997, first appearing with the band on the tour supporting their sophomore album, "The Colour and the Shape."
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June 8, 3PM ET: The Sound of Diversity: Championing Unique Voices in Film/TV Music - @ASCAP Instagram Live
June 10, 12PM ET: The Art of Listening: A Live Music Meditation with Beginner's Ear - @ASCAP Instagram Live
June 15, 3PM ET: Express Yourself: A Roundtable on Identity in the Music Industry - YouTube Premiere @ASCAP
June 24, 3PM ET: - Deconstructed: Ashanti Breaks Down Her Hits - YouTube Premiere @ASCAP
NEW YORK, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ASCAP Experience, ASCAP's signature event created to inspire, educate and connect aspiring songwriters and composers everywhere, announces its June 2022 schedule. Capped off by a session with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and actress Ashanti, the month features a series of events dedicated to highlighting the many diverse voices and experiences in the ASCAP and music-making communities, and an ASCAP Wellness live music meditation.
On June 24 at 3PM ET, chart-topping singer and songwriter Ashanti will speak with VIBE Editor-in-Chief Datwon Thomas about the 20-year legacy of her history-making debut album, Ashanti, and delve into the creation of some of her all-time greatest hits. In addition to the Grammy, Ashanti has won numerous Billboard and American Music Awards and is a Guinness World Record holder. She is CEO of her record label Written Entertainment, recently became the first Black female artist to co-found a Web3 company, EQ Exchange, and will release her first children's book, My Name Is a Story, on July 12 with HarperCollins Publishing. The event will be broadcast from ASCAP's YouTube channel and wraps up ASCAP's Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, which take place on @ASCAP and @ASCAPURBAN social media June 21 - 24.
Earlier in the month, on June 8 at 3PM ET, Indian-American TV/film composer Raashi Kulkarni (Supergirl, DC's Legends of Tomorrow) and Costa Rican composer-producer Daniel Rojas (Marvel's Hit-Monkey, M.O.D.O.K.) will come together with Universal Pictures executive Jeff Cafuir for "The Sound of Diversity: Championing Unique Voices in Film/TV Music." The panelists will discuss why diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are so crucial for composers, corporations and fans alike. Kulkarni and Rojas will also discuss their experiences with NBCUniversal's Universal Composers Initiative, an effort aimed at closing the gap for women, people of color, and other underrepresented communities in the composing world. The conversation will take place live on Instagram @ASCAP.
On June 10 at 12PM ET, as a prelude to Global Wellness Day on Saturday, the ASCAP Wellness Program joins Experience to present "The Art of Listening: A Live Music Meditation with Beginner's Ear." Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, founder of Beginner's Ear, will guide an immersive group meditation that explores the ways in which sound, stillness and mindfulness are interconnected and that features acclaimed musician and ASCAP composer Todd Reynolds, performing a program of contemporary classical works for violin and electronics. The meditation will take place live on Instagram @ASCAP.
On June 15 at 3pm ET, ASCAP Experience hosts "Express Yourself: A Roundtable on Identity in the Music Industry." Featuring Lazaro Hernandez (VP, A&R at Warner Chappell Music for US Latin and Latin America), Ryan Cassata (award-winning singer-songwriter, LGBTQ+ activist) and Jamie Moore (three-time Grammy-nominated songwriter-producer), this roundtable discussion will cover how each participant's identity shapes their music career, how they've navigated the challenges they've encountered along the way, and how to create a more welcoming, accessible and nurturing music industry for all. The conversation will take place on ASCAP's YouTube channel.
In just the first few months of 2022, this year's ASCAP Experience sessions have been viewed nearly 30,000 times. Sessions so far have included music creators from Latin superstar Camilo to Oscar-nominated Encanto composer Germaine Franco; K-Pop stars Justin Liu and Amber Park to producers such as Ariana Grande hitmaker Tommy Brown and Bieber collaborator Poo Bear for discussions on a wide variety of music-related topics. Last year, ASCAP Experience saw a 39% increase in attendance and a 53% increase in RSVPs compared to the previous year, and 2022 is on track to break attendance records once again.
For more information and to see the full schedule as well as on-demand sessions, go to https://www.ascapexperience.com.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP's mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world's best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business - from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With more than 850,000 members representing more than 16 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
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SOURCE ASCAP | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/chart-topping-singer-songwriter-ashanti-hit-filmtv-composers-diverse-backgrounds-lgbtq-music-makers-lead-ascap-experience-june-programming/ | 2022-06-06T15:44:19Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fourteen of the 15 boxes recovered from former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate early this year contained classified documents, many of them top secret, mixed in with miscellaneous newspapers, magazines and personal correspondence, according to an FBI affidavit released Friday.
No space at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate was authorized for the storage of classified material, according to the court papers, which laid out the FBI’s rationale for searching the property this month, including “probable cause to believe that evidence of obstruction will be found.”
The 32-page affidavit — heavily redacted to protect the safety of witnesses and law enforcement officials and “the integrity of the ongoing investigation” — offers the most detailed description to date of the government records being stored at Mar-a-Lago long after Trump left the White House. It also reveals the gravity of the government’s concerns that the documents were there illegally.
The document makes clear how the haphazard retention of top secret government records, and the failure to return them despite months of efforts by U.S. officials to get them back, has exposed Trump to fresh legal peril just as he lays the groundwork for another potential presidential run in 2024.
“The government is conducting a criminal investigation concerning the improper removal and storage of classified information in unauthorized spaces, as well as the unlawful concealment or removal of government records,” an FBI agent wrote on the first page of the affidavit in seeking a judge’s permission for a warrant to search the property.
Documents previously made public show that federal agents are investigating potential violations of three federal laws, including one that governs gathering, transmitting or losing defense information under the Espionage Act. The other statutes address the concealment, mutilation or removal of records and the destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations.
Trump has long insisted, despite clear evidence to the contrary, that he fully cooperated with government officials. And he has rallied Republicans behind him by painting the search as a politically motivated witch hunt intended to damage his reelection prospects. He repeated that refrain on his social media site Friday, saying he and his representatives had had a close working relationship with the FBI and “GAVE THEM MUCH.”
The affidavit does not provide new details about 11 sets of classified records recovered during the Aug. 8 search at Mar-a-Lago but instead concerns a separate batch of 15 boxes that the National Archives and Records Administration retrieved from the home in January. The National Archives then sent the matter to the Justice Department, indicating in its referral that a review showed “a lot” of classified materials, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit argues a search of Mar-a-Lago was necessary due to the highly sensitive material found in the boxes recovered by the National Archives. Of 184 documents marked classified, 25 were at the top secret level, the affidavit says. Some had special markings suggesting they included information from highly sensitive human sources or the collection of electronic “signals” authorized by a special intelligence court.
Some of those classified records were mixed with other documents, including newspapers, magazines and miscellaneous print-outs, the affidavit says, citing a letter from the Archives.
Douglas London, a former senior CIA officer and author of “The Recruiter,” said this showed Trump’s lack of respect for controls. “One of the rules of classified is you don’t mix classified and unclassified so there’s no mistakes or accidents,” he said.
The affidavit shows how agents were authorized to search a large swath of Mar-a-Lago, including Trump’s official post-presidential “45 Office,” storage rooms and all other areas in which boxes or documents could be stored. They did not propose searching areas of the property used or rented by Mar-a-Largo members, such as private guest suites.
The document notes that no space at Mar-a-Lago had been authorized for the storage of classified information at least since the end of Trump’s term in office.
The FBI submitted the affidavit, or sworn statement, to a judge so it could obtain the warrant to search Trump’s property. Affidavits typically contain vital information about an investigation, with agents spelling out the justification for why they want to search a particular property and why they believe they’re likely to find evidence of a potential crime there.
Affidavits routinely remain sealed during pending investigations. But in an acknowledgment of the extraordinary public interest in the investigation, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart on Thursday ordered the department by Friday to make public a redacted version of the affidavit.
In a separate document unsealed Friday, Justice Department officials explained that it was necessary to redact some information to “protect the safety and privacy of a significant number of civilian witnesses, in addition to law enforcement personnel, as well as to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.”
The second half of the affidavit is almost entirely redacted, making it impossible to discern the scope of the investigation or where it might be headed. It does not identify by name any people who may be subjects of the investigation and it does not answer core questions, such as why top secret documents were taken to Mar-a-Lago at the end of the president’s term even though the government regards them as presidential records that belong to the National Archives and require special storage.
It also does not include details about the interactions between Trump representatives and the Justice Department in the months leading up to the search, including a subpoena in May for records and a visit to the property in June by the department’s top counterintelligence official. The back-and-forth culminated in the Aug. 8 search in which agents retrieved the 11 sets of classified records.
Still, the document unsealed Friday does offer insight into arguments the Trump legal team is expected to make as the case moves forward. It includes a letter from Trump lawyer M. Evan Corcoran in which he asserts that a president has “absolute authority” to declassify documents and that “presidential actions involving classified documents are not subject to criminal sanction.”
Mark Zaid, a longtime national security lawyer who has criticized Trump for his handling of classified information, said the letter was “blatantly wrong” to assert Trump could declassify “anything and everything.”
“There are some legal, technical defenses as to certain provisions of the espionage act whether it would apply to the president,” Zaid said. “But some of those provisions make no distinction that would raise a defense.”
____
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Nomaan Merchant, Michael Balsamo and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
___
Find more on Donald Trump-related investigations: https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump | https://cw33.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-trump-search-redacted-affidavit-set-to-be-released/ | 2022-08-26T19:42:33Z |
Awarded OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION and GLOBAL DESIGN BEST INNOVATOR DISTINCTION at CONNECT 2022 Marriott Select Brands Owner and Franchise Awards
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Graves Hospitality is pleased to announce its recognition as the winner of two awards from Marriott International at the recent CONNECT 2022 Marriott Select Brands Owner and Franchise Awards ceremony.
Over the past 47 years, Graves Hospitality has developed and managed a portfolio of more than 100 hotels, restaurants, residential and commercial properties. The distinctive Marriott awards honor two Moxy brand properties brought to market in 2021 by the Minneapolis-based company.
The Arne Sorenson Outstanding Contribution award for significant and outstanding contributions to Marriott brands was given to Graves Hospitality for the Moxy Portland Downtown. Located at the intersection of the lavish Pearl and Culture Districts, the 197-room Moxy embraces local maker-culture with a dose of signature style and splash of outdoor adventure, making it the perfect destination for guests visiting the Rose City. Graves Hospitality recently opened Food Cart Alley - a food hall incorporating distinct culinary purveyors into the heart of the hotel - which allows guests convenient access to a variety of outstanding dining options while simultaneously opening for a seamless street connection to the public. Big E by Chef Justin Sutherland and Fast Feathers by Chef Anthony Brown are now open.
Graves Hospitality was the sole recipient of the Global Design Best Innovator award in recognition for the Moxy Oakland Downtown project. The Global Design Best Innovator award recognizes a superior commitment to creative ideas, resources and construction methods while maintaining strong collaboration, and communication with Marriott's project team. Located at the gateway to the Oakland Arts and Entertainment District, all interior and exterior spaces of the 172-room hotel were expertly designed to reflect the creative urban vitality of the dynamic neighborhood, including a six-story art installation titled, Shapeshift Oakland, created by world-renowned artist Thom Faulders. Innovative in every aspect down to its construction, the hotel's completion marked the first-ever, fully modular Moxy Hotel, capitalizing on the cost-saving advantages as compared to a site-built building in the Bay Area.
The Moxy brand combines dynamic design, spirited service, and approachable pricing for the adventure-seeking, modern-day traveler. Since 2018, Graves Hospitality has developed and managed four of the more than 80 lifestyle centric Moxy hotels open across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Benjamin Graves sits on the Moxy Franchise Advisory Committee and has been actively involved in the brand's development and execution.
Consistently recognized as a results-driven industry leader, Marriott's awards for Innovation and contribution are just two of the more recent accolades received by family-owned Graves Hospitality. With a strong corporate team, focused on the pulse of demographic market drivers, financing strategies and lifestyle trends, Graves Hospitality tenaciously looks for new management partnerships and joint venture development opportunities.
"We're committed to projects that fuel our creative passions, in vibrant markets that excite and inspire, with people we sincerely enjoy. When those elements are rooted at the core of our management and development strategies, outstanding contributions and design innovations just come naturally," said Benjamin Graves, president, and CEO of Graves Hospitality. "We're both humbled and invigorated to have earned these stamps of distinction from Marriott."
The CONNECT 2022 Marriott Select Brands Owner and Franchise Awards honoring Graves Hospitality and other winners was held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, CO.
About Graves Hospitality: Graves Hospitality turns ideas into action and Real Estate into enterprise. Graves Hospitality offers a comprehensive range of development and management services adeptly tailored to answer the unique needs of independent and branded hotels, resorts, and restaurants as well as residential and commercial projects. The company's development skills and management services, including sales, marketing, distribution, human resources and accounting, are honed by over 40 years of continued success. Consistently recognized as an industry leader, Graves Hospitality has developed and managed more than 100 hotels and restaurants, as well as residential and commercial developments. Graves Hospitality is passionate about providing owners, guests, and associates with an unparalleled level of service and expertise. Partnering with smart, creative and sincerely enjoyable people and then fiercely maintaining those relationships, results in a positive synergy that naturally fosters success. Graves Hospitality takes great pride in being able to identify, develop, build, and manage projects that create great profits for our investors. To learn more information about Graves Hospitality, visit www.graveshospitality.com.
Moxy offers a playful hotel experience for the young at heart. With more than 80 properties open across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Moxy boldly breaks the rules of a conventional hotel stay across the globe. The nontraditional experience starts with check-in at Bar Moxy and comes to life throughout its social public spaces, like the Lounge and Library, and the small but smart bedrooms. Moxy provides stylish, industrial design and sociable service at an attractive price point, so that guests can splurge on the experiences that matter most to them during their travels. Moxy celebrates nonconformity, open-mindedness, and originality above all – forever giving its guests permission to Play On #atthemoxy. For more information, visit www.moxyhotels.com and join the fun #atthemoxy on Instagram. Moxy is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.com.
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SOURCE Graves Hospitality | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/graves-hospitality-garners-top-accolades-marriott/ | 2022-08-24T17:14:23Z |
DENVER, May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the start of the 2022 summer travel season, today Travel Lemming's team of writers released its picks for the 150 best things to do around the USA. The eclectic summer bucket list includes a floating taco bar in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a 1920s-themed lawn party in New York, a car-free island in Michigan, and the world's largest outdoor rodeo in Wyoming.
The top ten entries on Travel Lemming's list are:
- Lowell Observatory - Flagstaff, Arizona
- Million Dollar Highway - Ouray to Silverton, Colorado
- Fremont Solstice Parade - Seattle, Washington
- Taos, New Mexico
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- Five Points Jazz Festival - Denver, Colorado
- Biltmore Estate - Asheville, North Carolina
- Oregon's "Highway of Waterfalls"
- San Simeon, California
- Lime Out floating taco bar - Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands
The full list of 150 things to do features interactive filters readers can use to create a
personalized USA bucket list tailored to their region and preferred types of activities.
Other notable entries include the Chicago Blues Festival (#11), New York City's Jazz Age Lawn Party (#13), Arizona's Route 66 (#15), Florida's overwater A1A highway (#32), Michigan's car-free Mackinac Island (#76), and the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo (#114).
Nate Hake, CEO of Travel Lemming, said: "This summer is shaping up to be pivotal for the tourism industry. With so much on the line for the future of travel, we decided to spotlight 150 unique things our team feels are especially worth your tourism dollars."
Topping the list is the historic Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, which the article calls "the perfect dark-sky setting from which to peer into other worlds."
Lowell Observatory Historian Kevin Schindler reacted: "Lowell Observatory is honored to be recognized as a bucket list destination in Travel Lemming's guide of best things to do in the United States in 2022. We take great pride in providing a fun, unique, and exciting experience for our guests, and love sharing the wonders of the universe through telescope viewing, tours of the night sky, science demonstrations, visits to our historic buildings, and presentations by our educators and astronomers."
"Travel Lemming is the leader in shining a spotlight on truly special destinations and experiences for the adventurous traveler, so Visit San Simeon is simply thrilled to be nominated," added Mike Dawson, media strategist for Visit San Simeon. The California town was listed in position number nine.
The inaugural summer bucket list was a collaborative effort by Travel Lemming's team of 24 writers and editors. It follows the publication's signature annual list of emerging destinations.
About Travel Lemming
TravelLemming.com is a free online travel guide with more than a half-million monthly readers. Its team of 24 local and expert travel writers are known for publishing practical and helpful guides that encourage travelers to go "off the lemming path."
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SOURCE Travel Lemming | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/24/travel-lemming-reveals-150-top-things-do-usa-this-summer/ | 2022-05-24T15:56:04Z |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Realtors®, the largest professional trade association in Florida, has been named one of Florida's "Best Companies To Work For."
The annual "Best Companies To Work For In Florida" list, featured in a special August issue of Florida Trend magazine, ranks 100 companies in small, medium and large employer categories. Florida Realtors ranked 26th in the mid-size employer category.
"Creating a culture of trust and empowerment is an everyday process," says Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant. "When given the opportunity to do the right thing at the right time, employees will choose to do so when they feel trusted and empowered. At Florida Realtors, we invite our employees into the discussion for our mission to be the 'Voice for Real Estate in Florida.' They are as important to our brand as any of our products, tools or services."
Florida Realtors has 140 employees and two Florida offices: its headquarters in Orlando and a public policy office in Tallahassee. As the state Realtor association, it provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 225,000 members in 51 local Realtor boards and associations.
To participate in the "Best Companies To Work For In Florida" program, companies or government entities were required to have at least 15 workers in Florida and to be in operation at least one year. Those that chose to participate underwent an evaluation of their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The process also included a survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Workforce Research Group partners with Florida Trend magazine to conduct the process, do the survey, determine final rankings and manage the program.
"Nearly every business in Florida has had to implement new and creative ways to attract and retain employees as the nation experiences near historic lows in the unemployment rate," says Florida Trend Executive Editor Vickie Chachere. "The competition for high-quality talent has never been greater and employees are raising their expectations of their workplaces. Companies that support, elevate and celebrate their employees and are changemakers in creating positive workplace cultures will be the winners in the talent race."
Florida Trend Publisher David Denor adds, "Florida companies continue to lead, and lead by example. This impressive list of companies has not let adversity get in the way. They continue to innovate and step outside the box with critical thinking to ensure the success of not only their internal employees, but their clients as well. These inspirational and visionary companies provide a glimpse into what tomorrow's workplace and workforce will look like. Lessons learned from these industry pioneers span far and wide."
The "Best Companies To Work For In Florida" program is managed by Florida Trend and Workforce Research Group and is endorsed by the HR Florida State Council. Workforce Research Group handled the registration, survey and analysis and determined the final rankings. Check out Florida Trend's list of 100 Best Companies To Work For In Florida online.
Florida Trend business magazine is read by 270,000 business executives, civic leaders and government officials each month. It covers regional and statewide business news, industry executives and the business sectors they represent, as well as Florida's lifestyle, arts and culture scene.
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 225,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Newsroom website is available at http://floridarealtors.org/newsroom.
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SOURCE Florida Realtors | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/florida-realtors-named-top-100-best-companies-list/ | 2022-07-28T14:12:19Z |
Jackson Township trustees pick Superior Paving for $2M road resurfacing contract for 2022
The Repository
Jackson Township trustees
Tuesday meeting
ACTION: Awarded the 2022 resurfacing of roadways project and approved advertising for the 2022 striping project.
DISCUSSION: Trustees awarded the 2022 roadways resurfacing project to Superior Paving at a cost of $1.98 million. The trustees will begin advertising for bids to complete the 2022 striping project.
OTHER ACTIONS:
- Paid bills in the amount of $2.7 million.
- Accepted the resignation of full-time patrol officer Ryan Mack.
- Accepted $250 from The Strip Delaware for the police department.
- Accepted Community Celebration sponsorship donations as follows: $2,500 from Aqua Ohio; $250 from Combi Packaging Systems and Design Restoration and Reconstruction; and $100 from Fedorko Chiropractic Health Center.
- Accepted donations as follows: $200 from the Northeast District Athletic Board and $500 from Tome and Diane Grosenbaugh/Mydee Good Eatin for the parks department.
- Accepted a $100 donation to the fire department from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #2223.
- Purchased a dump body/salt spreader from Gledhill Road Machinery at a price of $47,683 to replace another truck.
- Accepted the resignations of Chad E. Cline and Patricia M. Primack from the zoning department effective May 31, 2022.
- Accepted a $10,000 sponsorship agreement with Mears Nissan for the Jackson Amphitheater.
- Sent three notices to the Stark County Auditor for expenses for mowing noxious weeds at 5689 Cherokee Ave. NW; one acre on Portage Street; and 431 Stuart Street NW.
UP NEXT: Meet 5 p.m. on June 28 at the Township Hall.
Patricia Faulhaber | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/06/15/jackson-township-trustees-choose-superior-paving-resurface-roads/7633513001/ | 2022-06-15T17:53:48Z |
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of investors that purchased or otherwise acquired Rivian common stock pursuant and/or traceable to Rivian's initial public offering on November 10, 2021 and/or between November 10, 2021, and March 10, 2022.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 6, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in RIVN:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/rivian-automotive-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26060&from=4
Rivian Automotive, Inc. NEWS - RIVN NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: Documents issued in connection with the initial public offering contained representations that were materially inaccurate, misleading, and/or incomplete because they failed to disclose, among other things, that the R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV were underpriced to such a degree that Rivian would have to raise prices shortly after the IPO and that these price increases would tarnish Rivian's reputation as a trustworthy and transparent company and would put a significant number of the existing backlog of 55,400 preorders, along with future preorders, in jeopardy of cancellation.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Rivian Automotive, Inc. you have until May 6, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Rivian Automotive, Inc. securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the RIVN lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/rivian-automotive-inc-loss-submission-form?id=26060&from=4.
ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/rivn-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-may-6-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-rivian-automotive-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-04-19T10:40:30Z |
Old Navy was supposed to save Gap. Now it’s struggling
By Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Business
Old Navy has long been the crown jewel of Gap’s otherwise inconsistent businesses. But now, even Old Navy is struggling. And that’s weighing on its parent company in a big way.
Gap said Thursday it is replacing Old Navy CEO Nancy Green and launching a search for a new chief executive. Gap also slashed its sales guidance for the first quarter of 2022 as a result of “execution challenges” at Old Navy and said it is ramping up promotions to clear out unsold merchandise.
The announcement sent shares tumbling around 20% Friday. As of Friday, Gap’s stock had dropped around 57% over the past 12 months.
Old Navy, a budget brand targeting families, is Gap’s most important brand, accounting for more than half of Gap’s total sales. (In addition to its namesake brand, Gap also owns Banana Republic and Athleta.) Green had been Old Navy’s CEO since 2020.
Old Navy has pointed to supply chain problems for its recent struggles, but sales were slumping before supply chain snarls popped up during the pandemic.
Since Old Navy relies heavily on budget shoppers, there is also concern that the inflation squeeze on consumers could dampen spending at the brand, GlobalData Retail analyst Neil Saunders said in a note Friday.
Problems at Old Navy are a turnabout for a brand that was once considered so strong that Gap considered spinning it off into a standalone company in 2018. Gap called off those plans after Old Navy’s sales slumped in 2019. (They have since recovered.)
“Old Navy is Gap’s powerhouse brand,” and the entire company will struggle if Old Navy can’t turn things around, said Saunders.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2022/04/22/old-navy-was-supposed-to-save-gap-now-its-struggling/ | 2022-04-22T21:14:05Z |
BEIJING, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this month, Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway saw the laying of ballasted tracks begin on its main line, marking a solid step of this landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project and signaling the pragmatic cooperation between China and Indonesia.
With a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the railway built with Chinese technology will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung, the country's fourth-largest city, from more than three hours to around 40 minutes.
While meeting Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday voiced the hope that key bilateral cooperation projects, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project, would advance smoothly. Meanwhile, Widodo called the high-speed railway project another milestone of bilateral friendship.
Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Indonesia have set the direction of building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future and forged a new pattern of bilateral relations featuring the "four-wheel drive" of political, economic, cultural and maritime cooperation.
"China and Indonesia are at similar development stages, have entwined interests, follow similar philosophies and development paths and share a closely connected future," Xi said, adding that building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future is the common aspiration and expectation of the two peoples.
He said sound Sino-Indonesian relations not only serve the long-term shared interests of the two countries but also have positive and far-reaching effects regionally and globally.
Widodo is the first foreign head of state to visit China after the Beijing Winter Olympics, and China is the first stop of Widodo's first trip to East Asia since the pandemic.
Resilient and vibrant ties
Despite COVID-19 outbreaks and growing uncertainties, China and Indonesia see unstoppable momentum in their cooperation and are ready to further deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.
As Xi mentioned in the meeting, the bilateral relationship has shown great resilience and vitality in recent years. China remained Indonesia's largest trading partner in 2021. According to Chinese customs statistics, trade volume between the two sides was valued at $124.3 billion, with a growth rate of 58.4 percent year on year.
Major cooperation projects, including the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway Project, the Two Countries Twin Parks program and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors, reflect the highly synergized connectivity between the BRI and Indonesia's national strategy. Thus, the cooperation projects will produce win-win outcomes in the economic recovery of the country and the wider region.
Vaccine cooperation has also become a new highlight of bilateral relations between the two countries as China is actively supporting Indonesia in building a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing hub. The hub will, in turn, help Southeast Asia's vaccine rollout.
Noting that the two countries are an example of major developing countries seeking strength through unity and win-win cooperation, Xi also told Widodo that the Chinese side is willing to foster more growth points with Indonesia, such as in digital economy and green development.
Asian input in global governance
Starting from June, several high-level global or regional economic forums have been scheduled in Asian countries, including China and Indonesia, ushering in an Asian moment due to their role in global governance.
The Chinese president on Tuesday called on the two countries to stand together in solidarity, fulfill the responsibilities of major developing countries, follow true multilateralism, uphold open regionalism and contribute Oriental wisdom and Asia's input to the development of global governance.
In June, China hosted the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit. In November, Indonesia is scheduled to host the G20 Summit, Cambodia will host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Related Summits, and Thailand will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Facing a turbulent international situation, the international community is expecting Asia, the largest continental economy, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the world's total gross domestic product (GDP), to play a leading role in promoting peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.
Confronting changes in the world that are unfolding in ways like never before, China has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, which have contributed to China's approach to advancing building a more just and reasonable global governance system and won extensive support and response from the international community, especially Asian countries.
The two presidents also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. They shared the view that the international community should create conditions for peace talks, play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation in Ukraine and stabilizing the global economic order, and work together to maintain the hard-won peace and stability in the region.
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SOURCE CGTN | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/cgtn-china-indonesia-vow-foster-community-with-shared-future/ | 2022-07-26T17:52:20Z |
Blaze Pizza donates proceeds to local Suncoast non-profit
Published: Aug. 25, 2022 at 5:59 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Suncoast residents can support families in need by buying pizza.
“Blaze of Hope” a non-profit organization that helps provide financial aid to families with children who are hospitalized has partnered with the restaurant Blaze Pizza.
On every last Thursday of the month customers who mention “Blaze of Hope” at the storefront will have twenty-percent of their order donated to the non-profit.
Blaze of Hope has many ways people can join their cause and will also be hosting a Walk for Childhood Cancer on September 24th on the John Ringling Bridge.
For details and events head to: https://www.blazeofhope.org/
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/25/blaze-pizza-donates-proceeds-local-suncoast-non-profit/ | 2022-08-25T23:12:50Z |
TAIPEI, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tang Prize, an international academic award set up to create a better world for all of humanity, is poised to announce its 2022 laureates in Taipei in four consecutive days starting June 18. In the first press conference held on June 18, the Foundation introduced to the public winner of the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development: Prof. Jeffrey Sachs. A world-renowned professor in economics who has made great contributions to the establishment and promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Prof. Sachs served as Special Advisor to three UN Secretaries-General, and is currently Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University as well as President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). He is awarded for "leading transdisciplinary sustainability science and creating the multilateral movement for its applications from village to nation and to the world," according to the selection committee's citation.
At the moment, mankind as a whole is confronted with many tough challenges, including environmental pollution, extreme weather events, energy crisis, the shock to our physical, social and economic wellbeing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and food shortages and raging inflation exacerbated by the regional confrontation. As an eminent economist of international distinction, Prof. Sachs has conducted ground-breaking research in many areas, such as debt crises, hyperinflations, transition from central planning to market economies, and eradication of extreme poverty. Moreover, when addressing complex issues related to global sustainable development, he combined the fields of global economics, public health, equity and sustainability to pioneer a multidisciplinary approach to solving these problems, transforming sustainable development into an integrated field of study and practice. His outstanding scholarship, advice to world leaders, educational innovation, and efforts in the global advocacy and realization of sustainable development have proven him to be a true leader of great vision, of profound influence, and imbued with deep humanistic concern.
With regard to the innovative transdisciplinary approach Prof. Sachs pioneered, an example can be found in his engagement with the Millennium Project, which he chaired on behalf of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan from 2002 to 2006. He was tasked with developing a concrete action plan to attain the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)[i], and he demonstrated how it can be done by using best practices in science, technology, and public policy. Moreover, Prof. Sachs was also in charge of the UN Millennium Village Project (MVP), which was implemented from 2006-2015 after the UN General Assembly adopted the key recommendations of the Millennium Project at a special session in September 2005. The MVP aimed to help rural Africa and was carried out in ten countries including Senegal, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. During these ten years, a range of notable successes were achieved, from raising agricultural production to reducing child stunting, and cutting child mortality rates. Lives of more than half a million people were changed as a consequence. Its key concepts of integrating rural development to achieve the MDGs are now being adopted by many other countries to help support national anti-poverty programs.
With regard to promoting the UN SDGs[ii], Prof. Sachs began his engagement from their very inception when the idea was first broached at the "Rio+20" conference in June 2012 and offered his help based on this experience of implementing MDGs. The SDGs are the blueprint for creating a more sustainable future for all. They address many global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. To overcome these problems, 17 goals, such as "no poverty," "good health and well-being," "reduced inequalities," "climate action," and "life below water" have been set. They are subdivided into 169 targets and 232 indicators to measure and track the global progress toward these goals. Prof. Sachs' fruitful pursuit of the MDGs, and his tireless work in front of and behind the scenes at Rio+20 made an important contribution in persuading nations to forge a consensus on adopting the 17 SDGs as the successor to the MDGs.
To promote the SDGs, also in 2012, Prof. Sachs led a global consortium of universities and think tanks under the auspices of then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to establish the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which functions as the largest global knowledge-based think tank to help countries achieve the SDGs. The SDSN has produced many highly influential reports, conducted academic studies, offered online courses, and held hundreds of SDG-related meetings around the world each year. The SDSN now has over 1600 member institutions in 47 networks across 137 countries.
With regard to combating anthropogenic climate change, Prof. Sachs saw the crucial importance of a long-term policy framework for climate control. He headed a global study on "deep decarbonization" which resulted in the highly influential "Pathways to Deep Decarbonization" report. The report lays out concrete and viable plans regarding issues like energy transition, industrial transformation, technological innovation, and governance mechanisms to enable 15 major carbon emitters to achieve deep decarbonization. Presented to Ban Ki-moon in September 2014, the report demonstrates how, during the decades leading to 2050, these 15 countries can find their own pathways to decarbonization that are compatible with their economic growth targets and technically feasible. Subsequently, many countries have taken on board this idea and designed their deep decarbonization pathways.
Prof. Sachs' participation in the promotion of the Paris Agreement has been equally vital. He has long helped to formulate core policy concepts for global climate control as a scholar and an academic leader. During the intensive phase of negotiating the Agreement, he worked behind the scenes with France, the US, and many other governments to support the design and adoption of the Paris Agreement. The SDGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change have been hailed as the two essential pillars for the world to achieve sustainable development, and Prof. Sachs has played a unique role in both.
With regard to offering suggestions to leaders of different countries, as one of the world's leading experts on economic development, global macroeconomics, and the fight against poverty, Prof. Sachs has advised many heads of states and governments on complex economic challenges, including ending high inflations (Bolivia, Peru, Poland), negotiating debt relief (Bolivia, Brazil, Poland, and others), adopting market economic reforms (Poland, Russia), introducing new national currencies (Estonia, Slovenia), promoting regional development (China), and scaling up health systems (Ethiopia, Ghana, India, and many others). He has been awarded by several countries their highest honors for his board-based support of their economic reforms.
About Jeffrey Sachs
Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1954, Jeffrey Sachs got his BA, MA and PhD degrees in economics from Harvard University. He joined the Harvard faculty in 1980s. In less than four years' time became a Professor of Economics with tenure at Harvard. He served as Director of the Center for Sustainable Development in the Earth Institute of Columbia University and Special Advisor to three UN Secretaries-General. He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor (by decree of the president of the French Republic), the Sustainable Development Leadership Award from India's TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), and Japan's Blue Planet Award. He has also received 38 honorary degrees from universities all over the world. The papers and books he has published number in the hundreds, including three New York Times bestsellers: The End of Poverty, Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet, and The Price of Civilization: Reawakening American Virtue and Prosperity
About the Tang Prize
Since the advent of globalization, mankind has been able to enjoy the convenience brought forth by the advancement of human civilization and science. Yet a multitude of challenges, such as climate change, the emergence of new infectious diseases, wealth gap, and moral degradation, have surfaced along the way. Against this backdrop, Dr. Samuel Yin established the Tang Prize in December 2012. It consists of four award categories, namely Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law. Every other year, four independent and professional selection committees, comprising many internationally renowned experts, scholars, and Nobel winners, choose as Tang Prize laureates people who have influenced and made substantive contributions to the world, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or gender. A cash prize of NT$50 million (approx. US$1.7 million) is allocated to each category, with NT$10 million (approx. US$ 0.35 million) of it being a research grant intended to encourage professionals in every field to examine mankind's most urgent needs in the 21st century, and become leading forces in the development of human society through their outstanding research outcomes and active civic engagement.
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SOURCE The Tang Prize Foundation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/18/jeffrey-sachs-awarded-2022-tang-prize-sustainable-development-leading-transdisciplinary-sustainability-science/ | 2022-06-18T04:17:10Z |
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- J INTS BIO announced that the pre-clinical data of its novel, orally administered 4th generation EGFR TKI 'JIN-A02' was presented at the 2022 IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer in Vienna, Austria on 8th August, at the official session "Overcoming Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors".
In addition, the abstract no. MA07.08 entitled "JIN-A02, a Highly Effective 4th Generation EGFR-TKI, Targeting EGFR C797S Mutation in NSCLC" was selected by the editors of the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP), to be included in a key highlights slide set which will be uploaded to its official website: http://www.etop-eu.org/. In general, a limited number of abstracts out of the hundreds accepted are selected for this honor at each international meeting. And it is uncommon for a product at pre-clinical stage.
This is also the first time a Korean company has been selected to be included in the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP) and it demonstrates that 'JIN-A02' has received wide recognition by the international oncology community as a game changer and has the potential to be a the best-in-class 4th generation EGFR TKI in the treatment of NSCLC with double and triple C797S mutations.
About European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP)
ETOP is a not-for-profit organization promoting academic clinical research and the exchange of ideas in the field of thoracic oncology and comprises more than 50 collaborative groups and institutions from all over Europe and beyond. ETOP sponsors and administers a growing number of translational studies and clinical trials by serving as a meeting platform for European study groups and institutions engaged in research on thoracic malignancies.
About J INTS BIO
J INTS BIO is a bio company specialized in developing innovative anti-cancer and orphan drugs to realize the goal of changing lives and improving health for patients around the world. J INTS BIO's teams have prior multi-year experience in multinational pharmaceutical companies and CROs and track records in medical, regulatory affairs, drug discovery and development.
About 'JIN-A02'
'JIN-A02' is a novel orally administered 4th Generation EGFR TKI targeting C797S mutations in NSCLC. Although 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs have been used with some success, recurrence occurs in most patients including 3rd Generation TKIs such as Osimertinib. Currently, there are no approved therapies for patients who developed EGFR C797S mutations due to the use of 3rd Generation EGFR TKIs and with the high propensity of these cancers to metastasize to the brain, there is an urgent need to develop an effective drug with high blood-brain barrier permeability. 'JIN-A02', a novel oral EGFR TKI, which is effective against C797S mutations and have a high brain penetrance, is therefore expected to become the most promising Best-in-Class 4th-generation EGFR TKI in NSCLC patients with limited or no viable treatment options.
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SOURCE J INTS BIO | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/12/jin-a02-novel-4th-generation-egfr-tki-selected-european-thoracic-oncology-platform-first-korean-pharma/ | 2022-08-12T03:34:44Z |
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A jury acquitted two men of all charges in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmerbut couldn’t reach verdicts against the two alleged leaders, a stunning defeat for the government after a weekslong trial that centered on a remarkable FBI sting operation just before the 2020 election.
Whitmer did not immediately comment on Friday’s outcome, though her chief of staff was critical, saying Americans are “living through the normalization of political violence.”
The result was announced on the fifth day of deliberations, a few hoursafter the jury said it had been strugglingto find unanimity on charges in the 10-count indictment. The judge told the panel to keep working, but jurors emerged again after lunch to say they still were deadlocked on some counts.
Daniel Harris, 24, and Brandon Caserta, 33, were found not guilty of conspiracy. In addition, Harris was acquitted of charges related to explosives and a gun.
The jury could not reach verdicts for Adam Fox, 38, and Barry Croft Jr., 46, which means the government can put them on trial again for two conspiracy charges. Croft also faces a separate explosives charge. They’ll remain in custody.
No juror spoke publicly about the mixed result.
“Obviously we’re disappointed with the outcome. … We have two defendants that are awaiting trial and we’ll get back to work on that,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said.
Harris and Caserta embraced their lawyers when U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said they were free after 18 months in jail awaiting trial. Family members moments earlier gasped and cried with joy when the verdicts were read.
The arrests in Michigan came amid upheaval in the U.S. in 2020. The year had started with pandemic lockdowns then shifted to armed Capitol protests over COVID-19 restrictions ordered by Whitmer and other governors. By late May, anger over racial injustice and the killing of George Floydby Minneapolis police erupted into demonstrations in cities nationwide.
In a Grand Rapids courtroom, during 13 days of testimony, prosecutors offered evidence from undercover agents, a crucial informantand two men who pleaded guiltyto the plot. Jurors also read and heard secretly recorded conversations, violent social media posts and chat messages.
Ty Garbin, who pleaded guilty and is serving a six-year prison sentence, said the plan was to get Whitmer and cause enough chaos to trigger a civil war before the election , keeping Joe Biden from winning the presidency.
Garbin and Kaleb Franks, who also pleaded guilty and testified for the government, were among the six who were arrested in October 2020 amid talk of raising $4,000 for an explosive to blow up a bridge and stymie any police response to a kidnapping, according to trial testimony.
Prosecutors said the group was steeped in anti-government extremism and furious over Whitmer’s pandemic restrictions. There was evidence of a crudely built “shoot house” to practice going in and out of her vacation home, and a night ride by Croft, Fox and covert operatives to check the property.
But defense lawyers portrayed the men as credulous weekend warriors, often stoned on marijuana and prone to big, wild talk. They said FBI agents and informants tricked and cajoled the men into targeting the governor.
During closing arguments a week ago, Fox’s attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said the plan was “utter nonsense,” and he pleaded with jurors to be the “firewall” against the government.
Harris was the only defendant to testify in his own defense, repeatedly telling jurors “absolutely not” when asked if he had targeted the governor.
“I think what the FBI did is unconscionable,” Caserta’s attorney, Michael Hills, said outside court. “And I think the jury just sent them a message loud and clear that these tactics — we’re not going to condone what they’ve done here.”
He said Whitmer was “never in any danger.”
Gibbons said the acquittals of Harris and Caserta demonstratedserious shortcomings in the government’s case.
“We’ll be ready for another trial. … We’ll eventually get what we wanted out of this, which is the truth and the justice I think Adam is entitled to,” Gibbons said.
Meanwhile, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said the “outcome is disappointing.” Whitmer’s office released a tough reaction from the governor’s chief of staff, JoAnne Huls.
“The plot to kidnap and kill a governor may seem like an anomaly. But we must be honest about what it really is: The result of violent, divisive rhetoric that is all too common across our country,” Huls said. “There must be accountability and consequences for those who commit heinous crimes. Without accountability, extremists will be emboldened.”
Deliberations resumed earlier Friday with a court employee handing jurors a large plastic bag containing pennies, known as evidence exhibit 291. The pennies were requested before jurors went home Thursday.
Pennies taped to a commercial-grade firework were intended to act like shrapnel against Whitmer’s security team, according to the government.
The trial covered 20 days since March 8, including jury selection, evidence, final arguments and jury deliberations. Croft is from Bear, Delaware, while the others are from Michigan.
Whitmer, a Democrat, wasn’t a trial witness and didn’t attend. She rarely talks publicly about the plot, though she referred to “surprises” during her term that seemed like “something out of fiction” when she filed for reelection on March 17.
She has blamed former President Donald Trump for fomenting anger over coronavirus restrictions and refusing to condemn right-wing extremists like those charged in the case.
A jury of six women and six men heard the case, as well as four alternates. Little is known about them. Citing privacy, Jonker ordered that they be only identified by numbers. Two jurors were dismissed during the trial because of illness.
The jury pool was drawn from a 22-county region in western and northern Michigan that is largely rural, Republican and conservative.Several people were dismissed after saying they had strong feelings about Whitmer — positive or negative — or the government.
Matthew Schneider, a former U.S. attorney in Detroit, believes prosecutors “could have done a better job” of learning about the backgrounds and personal views of some jurors who were called up near the end of the all-day selection process.
“The government had laid out its case. The jury didn’t believe it,” Schneider said of the verdict.
Separately, authorities in state court are prosecuting eight men who are accused of aiding the group that was on trial in federal court.
___
Find AP’s full coverage of the Whitmer kidnap plot trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial
___
White reported from Detroit. Associated Press reporters Sara Burnett in Chicago; David Eggert in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Mike Householder in Detroit contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-u-s-headlines/whitmer-kidnap-plot-2-men-acquitted-hung-jury-for-2-more/ | 2022-04-09T14:09:59Z |
Osaka-Swiatek in Miami women’s final; Ruud advances
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Naomi Osaka is playing her first final in more than a year on Saturday, which sounds like a comeback story. She doesn’t see it that way. The unseeded Osaka will meet second-seeded Iga Swiatek in the Miami Open women’s final. It’s a matchup pitting the world’s former No. 1-ranked player against the woman who will replace the now-retired Ash Barty atop the women’s rankings on Monday. In the men’s semifinals, Casper Ruud advanced to the final. He’ll face either Hubert Hurkacz or Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/01/osaka-swiatek-in-miami-womens-final-ruud-advances/ | 2022-04-01T20:44:05Z |
Did you lose money on investments in PLAYSTUDIOS? If so, please visit PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com to discuss your rights.
NEW YORK, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc. ("Playstudios" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MYPS) between June 22, 2021 and March 4, 2022, both dates inclusive, including, but not limited to, those who purchased or acquired Playstudios securities pursuant to the private investment in public equity offering ("PIPE" offering); (2) held common stock of Acies Acquisition Corp. ("Acies") as of May 25, 2021, and were eligible to vote at Acies' June 16, 2021 special meeting and exchanged their shares of Acies stock for shares of Playstudios stock pursuant to the merger of Acies and Old Playstudios, a privately-held gaming company (the "Merger"); and/or (3) purchased or otherwise acquired Playstudios common stock pursuant to or traceable to the Acies' Registration Statement and Proxy Statement issued in connection with the Merger. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of Sections 10(b), 14, and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.
On February 1, 2021, Acies announced that it had reached a merger agreement with Old Playstudios (the "Merger Agreement"). Playstudios represented that the transaction implied an enterprise valuation for Playstudios of $1.1 billion and that the consideration to Old Playstudios shareholders for the Merger would comprise at least 89.1 million shares of Acies common stock, worth $10 per share, up to $150 million in cash, and a $250 million PIPE investment of Acies common stock.
Defendants allegedly made misleading statements and omissions regarding the true state of Playstudios' development of its flagship game Kingdom Boss, and about its financial projections and future prospects, including in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement. In the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement, Playstudios represented that "Kingdom Boss, which began development in 2020, will launch as expected in the second half of 2021". However, Defendants knew that Kingdom Boss had encountered difficulties in its design and implementation that would cause the launch to be substantially delayed. In fact, only a few months later, it was revealed that Kingdom Boss would never be launched. Consequently, the 2021 and 2022 projected revenues and profits were inflated and unreliable.
On August 11, 2021, Playstudios released its financial results for the second quarter of 2021, ended on June 30, 2021. The financial results reported for the quarter were finalized on June 30, 2021, just nine days after the Merger closed. Playstudios revealed for the first time on August 11, 2021 that the Kingdom Boss launch was delayed until later in the year and investors should expect decreased revenues and profits during the year as a result.
On February 26, 2022, Paystudios CEO Andrew Pascal attributed the failure to meet the revenue and earnings projections to the failure to launch Kingdom Boss, and revealed that Kingdom Boss was not only delayed, but indefinitely "suspended".
On February 28, 2022, a securities analyst published an article entitled "Getting Played by Playstudios". In that article, he wrote: "I feel lied to. Or they were disastrously wrong about the prospects for their own company. Either way, it's not good."
On March 3, 2022, Playstudios filed its 10-K, which confirmed the extent of costs attributable to Kingdom Boss' failed launch.
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 6, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.
If you purchased or held MYPS securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com.
Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2022 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
Contact Information:
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Bernstein Liebhard LLP
https://www.bernlieb.com
(212) 951-2030
pallocco@bernlieb.com
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SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/playstudios-inc-nasdaq-myps-shareholder-class-action-alert-bernstein-liebhard-llp-announces-that-securities-class-action-lawsuit-has-been-filed-against-playstudios-inc-nasdaq-myps/ | 2022-04-08T02:49:58Z |
Police are searching for the killers of prominent Indian rapper turned politician Sidhu Moose Wala, who was shot by unidentified assailants while driving near his home in the Mansa district of India's Punjab state on Sunday.
The 28-year-old singer, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, sustained a bullet injury and was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead, Punjab police chief Viresh Kumar Bhawra told reporters.
Bhawra said about 30 empty casings were found at the crime scene, belonging to at least three different weapons including a 9mm handgun.
Punjab police linked the attack to gang rivalry, with a gang member from Canada allegedly claiming responsibility for Moose Wala's death. But political groups have blamed Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allowing the killing to take place.
"Sidhu Moose Wala was gunned down in a state-sponsored murder. The AAP government is totally responsible for this," India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said in a statement.
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, from the AAP, said Moose Wala's killers would not be spared. "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the gruesome murder of Sidhu Moose Wala. Nobody involved will be spared. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his fans across the world. I appeal everyone to stay calm," he tweeted.
The murder
Moose Wala left his home in a car with two other people at around 4.30 p.m., Bhawra said. About an hour later, two cars approached the vehicle from the front and opened fire, he said.
The attack comes as Punjab's state government announced the scaling back and withdrawal of security cover previously provided to 424 officials, among them 122 politicians who included Moose Wala, according to the Press Trust of India. Critics said the move would make individuals vulnerable to attack.
Bhawra said Moose Wala normally had access to four commandos but two had been reassigned to cover the anniversary of a Sikh massacre. Moose Wala still had access to two armed security guards but had chosen not to travel with police protection on Sunday, Bhawra added. "When he left his house, he did not take commando (guards) with them and told them that they did not need to come," Bhawra said.
The singer also had access to a bulletproof car that he did not use, Bhawra added.
Moose Wala rose to fame after releasing his first song in 2017, becoming one of the most prominent musicians of his generation.
He had 8 million followers on Instagram and his music videos have racked up millions of views on YouTube. Fellow rapper Drake reacted to the news of his death by sharing a photo of him on Instagram. "RIP Moose," he wrote in a caption.
The rapper ventured into politics in 2021 and joined the Indian National Congress party, contesting Punjab legislative elections in February when he was defeated by the rival AAP.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of Moose Wala's Congress party, shared public condolences on social media.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/indian-rapper-turned-politician-sidhu-moose-wala-shot-dead/article_8c26e773-5115-5afe-8c20-860c1746f911.html | 2022-05-30T09:51:46Z |
Provides Direct Access to Data, Media Professionals can Work on High Resolution and High Bit Rate Media Files Over the Internet
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LucidLink, a global leader in remote collaboration software for creative teams, announced with AJA Video Systems and Telestream the fastest way to access, organize and view data in one easy workflow. LucidLink Filespaces, an award-winning SaaS-based solution, provides rapid access to data through AJA Diskover Media Edition in conjunction with Telestream GLIM and the Vantage platform. LucidLink serves as a central hub uniting what is typically two disparate systems creating seamless workflows never before feasible for media professionals.
"We are excited to be showing this powerful solution for media professionals at IBC 2022," said Rupert Watson, LucidLink's Director of Alliances and Channels, EMEA. "Pulling together the innovative technologies from AJA, Telestream, and LucidLink into one workflow brings new capabilities for creative teams. Now teams can work in tandem on the same project, giving them the power to truly collaborate and create in real-time, no matter where they are based."
One workflow from three powerful solutions
The companies have come together to build a powerful solution for media professionals: LucidLink's centralized data repository provides immediate data access combined with AJA Diskover Media Edition, which helps catalog and find the right file while customers use Telestream GLIM to review the data and Vantage for transcoding. The combination offers great speed; LucidLink allows remote workers all over the globe to share and access data with speeds that are normally only reserved for high-speed on-prem storage. AJA Diskover Media Edition on top of LucidLink allows organizations to very rapidly index extremely large file systems stored via LucidLink and gives users visibility to the data no matter where they are located, but without the security risks associated with full, potentially destructive access to the data.
Simply put, these combined technologies allow media professionals to access, organize and view data in one easy workflow.
"The media and entertainment industry is bottlenecked with unwieldy data management across production and post, while remote workflows present additional challenges for managing file locations and metadata on the cloud. AJA Diskover Media Edition removes the hurdles associated with data management, helping industry professionals work more efficiently and make more informed data decisions. Our partnership with LucidLink further simplifies navigating cloud storage, enabling remote teams to collaborate seamlessly via a streamlined workflow akin to using on-premises storage. By pairing Diskover Media Edition with LucidLink, users can move immediately from viewing media and metadata to further production of assets with tools like Telestream's Vantage package," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems.
LucidLink Filespaces: The future of cloud storage streaming for teams
LucidLink Filespaces provides an infinitely scalable, centralized repository of data in the cloud that can be immediately accessed from anywhere. LucidLink works on any major operating system. The client can install it on any server, laptop, or workstation and mount as a local volume. As a mount point on a server, LucidLink provides a standard directory structure and instant access to data for all these various services that have never been able to integrate seamlessly. LucidLink enables AJA's Diskover and Telestreams GLIM and Vantage servers, located in different parts of the world, to easily access data and work in concert with each other.
Telestream GLIM helps creative professionals quickly preview high-quality media files with color accuracy via any web browser – without generating a proxy file. With direct access to and the ability to launch the player in AJA Diskover Media Edition, professionals can easily view and validate files located on-premises or in cloud storage as indexed by Diskover Media Edition as associated metadata. All files are shown with SCTE-35 markers, waveform view, and audio metering to ensure compliance standards on-the-fly, for any user, in any location.
Access to Telestream's powerful Vantage platform via AJA Diskover Media Edition v2.0 gives remote workers access to centralized tools for generating proxy files or transcoding media assets for delivery. Users can now select files and send them to an on-premises or cloud-based Telestream Vantage system to create proxies or transcode the assets, regardless of user, file, or Vantage system location. Coupled with AJA Diskover Media Edition's global index, the plug-in accelerates workflows by eliminating roundtripping between applications and streamlining files.
LucidLink will be at IBC 2022 (Hall 7, Booth B06). For more information or to schedule a briefing with LucidLink at IBC 2022, please contact Clare Plaisted at clare@prcoms.com.
About LucidLink
LucidLink offers an innovative cloud-native file service designed specifically for extensive data access over distance. LucidLink Filespaces provides best-in-class security and high-performance scalability to run file-based workloads on object storage for maximum efficiency and productivity. The service is compatible with Microsoft Azure Blob and any Amazon S3 compatible object storage provider that utilizes the cloud, on-prem, or hybrid storage. It supports all major operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS. Investors include Baseline Ventures, Headline, Adobe, Bright Cap Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, S28 Capital, and Fathom Capital. LucidLink is privately held and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with offices in Bulgaria, Europe, and Australia.
About AJA Video Systems, Inc.
Since 1993, AJA Video has been a leading manufacturer of video interface technologies, converters, digital video recording solutions, and professional cameras, bringing high-quality, cost-effective products to the professional, broadcast, and post-production markets. AJA products are designed and manufactured at our facilities in Grass Valley, California, and sold through an extensive sales channel of resellers and systems integrators around the world. For further information, please see our website at www.aja.com.
About AJA Diskover Media Edition
AJA Diskover Media Edition is a powerful and essential tool for M&E organizations in the remote work era and for navigating the explosion of data creation that is industry-wide. Creative facilities are dealing with a mix of on-prem storage, cloud storage, long term archival storage, and everyone is working in different locations around the globe – yet the need for rapid access to data and media assets still exists. AJA Diskover Media Edition provides organizations with these abilities and much more. For more details, visit: www.aja.com/products/aja-diskover-media-edition.
For more information about LucidLink, please contact info@lucidlink.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and visit us at www.lucidlink.com.
Contact:
Julie O'Grady
LucidLink
julie.ogrady@lucidlink.com
+1 (650) 269-9989
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SOURCE LucidLink | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/lucidlink-aja-telestream-simplify-workflows-media-amp-entertainment-companies-work-anywhere-tandem/ | 2022-09-01T04:56:01Z |
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Ron DeSantis appointed two board members to the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) on August 19th. Melissa Raburn of Lithia and Stacie Ward of Odessa.
Raburn was previously an Agriculture teacher for the Hillsborough County School District and Ward served as a substitute teacher for elementary through middle school grades. "I am extremely thankful to Governor DeSantis for appointing Melissa and Stacie to the ELCHC Board of Directors. They are both well respected leaders who will help take our organization to the next level. I look forward to serving with them to achieve our mission of ensuring our youngest children grow up to achieve anything they can imagine," said Aakash Patel, ELCHC Board Chair.
The ELCHC is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors as defined in legislation. Three seats are appointed directly by the Governor's Office, including the Chair, or seat 1. The recent appointments will fill seats 2 and 3.
Established by the State Legislature, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) is a 501(c)(3) organization focused on promoting school and life success for young children and their families through quality school readiness services and supports. The ELCHC administers School Readiness and VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) programs in Hillsborough County, offers teacher trainings and coaching, and provides Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) along with other services that daily serve more than 20,000 children and their families.
Contact: Alison Fraga
Phone: 813-205-6205
Email: afraga@elchc.org
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SOURCE Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/governor-desantis-appoints-two-new-board-members-early-learning-coalition-hillsborough-county/ | 2022-08-23T22:50:11Z |
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for NIO, RDBX, API, CDXC, and BYSI.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- NIO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=NIO&prnumber=061020222
- RDBX: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=RDBX&prnumber=061020222
- API: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=API&prnumber=061020222
- CDXC: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=CDXC&prnumber=061020222
- BYSI: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=BYSI&prnumber=061020222
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock's overall suitability for investment.
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/thinking-about-buying-stock-nio-redbox-entertainment-agora-chromadex-or-beyondspring/ | 2022-06-10T14:25:33Z |
Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies will soon be as easy as 9-8-8.
The United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline goes live on Saturday. It’s designed to be as easy to remember and use as 911, but instead of a dispatcher sending police, firefighters or paramedics, 988 will connect callers with trained mental health counselors.
The federal government has provided over $280 million to help states create systems that will do much more, including mobile mental health crisis teams that can be sent to people’s homes and emergency mental health centers, similar to urgent care clinics that treat physical aches and pains.
“This is one of the most exciting things that has happened” in mental health care, said Dr. Brian Hepburn, a psychiatrist who heads the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.
Hepburn cautions that when 988 kicks off, it will not be like “the flick of a switch. It’s going to take a number of years in order for us to be able to reach everybody across the country.”
Some states already have comprehensive mental health crisis systems, but others have a long way to go. And widespread shortages of mental health specialists are expected to slow their ability to expand services.
A RAND Corp. survey published last month found that fewer than half of state or regional public health officials were confident about being ready for 988, which is expected to generate an influx of calls.
Nearly 60% said call-center staffers had specialized suicide prevention training; half said they had mobile crisis response teams available 24/7 with licensed counselors; and fewer than one-third had urgent mental-health care units.
The 988 system will build on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, an existing network of over 200 crisis centers nationwide staffed by counselors who answer millions of calls each year — about 2.4 million in 2020. Calls to the old lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, will still go through even with 988 in place.
“If we can get 988 to work like 911 … lives will be saved,’’ said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Dispatching paramedics for heart attacks and police for crimes makes sense — but not for psychiatric emergencies, mental health advocates say. Calls to 911 for those crises often lead to violent law enforcement encounters and trips to jail or crowded emergency rooms where suicidal people can wait days for treatment.
The 988 system “is a real opportunity to do things right,” said Hannah Wesolowski of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Sustained funding will be needed. According to the National Academy of State Health Policy, four states have enacted laws to impose telecommunications fees to support 988 and many others are working on the issue.
A desperate call to a Utah state senator in 2013 helped spark the idea of a three-digit mental health crisis line.
Sen. Daniel Thatcher says a good friend sought his help after taking his suicidal son to an emergency room, only to be told by a doctor to come back if the boy hurt himself.
Thatcher has battled depression and at 17, he also considered suicide. He knew that despondent people in crisis may lack the wherewithal to seek out help or to remember the 10-digit national suicide lifeline number.
Thatcher found that many of Utah’s in-state crisis lines went straight to police dispatchers or voicemail. He wondered why there was no 911 service for mental health, and the idea got national attention after he mentioned it to longtime Sen. Orrin Hatch.
In 2020, Congress passed the bill designating the 3-digit crisis number and then-President Donald Trump signed it into law.
Thatcher’s mother was a nurse and knew where to get him help. He says 988 has the potential to make it that easy for others.
“If you get help, you live. It really is that simple,’’ Thatcher said.
___
Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at @LindseyTanner.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/new-988-hotline-is-the-911-for-mental-health-emergencies/ | 2022-07-16T09:00:32Z |
PARADISE, Texas, Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crushing Equipment Solutions (CES) may be new to Oklahoma and Texas, but they have forty plus years of experience in the industry. CES offers the complete line of METSO-OUTOTEC crushing and screening solutions, ranging from mobile conveyors, crushers and crushing plants to feeders and screens. CES is also a proud distributor of various other brands of crushing and screening equipment.
"The team at CES has decades of experience. We are here to help our customers evaluate their job sites and select the right gear for their application," said CES General Manager Cliff Kelley.
Bruce Wagner, CES President / CEO stated, "At CES we strive to be "One Professional Team Delivering Quality Solutions to Every Customer." CES will be open for business and ready to meet customer needs throughout Oklahoma and Texas on September 15, 2022. In the interim CES is fully capable of providing parts, service, sales, and rental support for its customers.
General questions regarding this press release can be directed to Cliff Kelley, CES General Manager at (720) 582-9876. Customers needing parts should call (833) 399-0240. Please visit cesrock.com to learn more.
Contact: Cliff Kelley
General Manager
Phone (720) 582-9876
ckelley@cesrock.com
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SOURCE Crushing Equipment Solutions | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/crushing-equipment-solutions-providing-parts-service-sales-rental-crushing-screening-equipment-across-oklahoma-texas-effective-september-15-2022/ | 2022-09-13T00:24:13Z |
Rain and thunderstorms starting Monday morning
Risk for strong to severe storms Monday afternoon
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - We usher in some clouds overnight tonight with temperatures staying mild in the upper 40s and low 50s. Winds tonight will gradually shift east around 5 to 10 mph. The rain should hold off until tomorrow morning when scattered rain and possibly a thunderstorm develops in Central Kansas, including North-Central Kansas. Strong to possibly severe thunderstorms would move through Monday afternoon and evening bringing wind and some hail.
Tonight: Increasing clouds becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s and low 50s. Winds ESE around 5 mph.
Monday: Scattered rain and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid to low 60s. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph, gusting to 30 mph. Scattered rain and the occasional thunderstorm beginning after 5am Monday in Central Kansas. Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms possible after 3pm mainly along and south of I-70. 60 mph winds and quarter sized hail are the main hazards.
Scattered rain showers will begin in Central Kansas Monday morning before spreading east through the midday/afternoon. A nearby area of low pressure is responsible for the rain Monday and the center of low pressure should cross through Monday afternoon just to our south. When it does, we have a chance for strong to isolated severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening. Areas south of I-70 have the highest risk at seeing severe weather tomorrow with 60 mph winds and quarter size hail the main hazards. The latest data continues to suggest that the tornado risk Monday afternoon should stay south in Oklahoma and southern Kansas, however, you’ll want to stay weather aware as this could change depending on how far north the warm front goes. Rainfall amounts Monday should range between 0.5″ and 1.00″.
We clear the rain for Tuesday although we stay cloudy until maybe seeing some sunlight late Tuesday afternoon. It will be a little chilly Tuesday with highs expected to be only in the low 60s with north winds at 10 to 15 mph. The cloud cover increases again Tuesday night keeping temperatures steady in the upper 40s and low 50s Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with a second likely chance for scattered rain showers Wednesday lasting through Thursday night.
Friday should be dry and closer to normal with temperatures near 70 degrees under partly cloudy skies. We finally see more sun than clouds by next Saturday and will warm to the upper 70s and maybe even low 80s Saturday afternoon. Right now, Mother’s Day looks overall dry, warm and generally sunny. Another chance for rain and thunderstorms looks to arrives late Monday.
Taking Action:
- While Monday does not pose a large risk for severe weather, be sure and stay up to date on the latest forecast trends. Right now the main hazards are 60 mph wind gusts and quarter sized hail. Areas south of I-70 have the highest chance at seeing strong to severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon. Rainfall totals Monday will be between 0.5″ - 1.00″ with isolated amounts nearing 2″.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/01/rain-thunderstorms-starting-monday-morning/ | 2022-05-01T21:52:01Z |
LEIDEN, Netherlands, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vico Therapeutics B.V., a neurology-focused genetic medicine company, today announced the appointment of Micah Mackison as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mackison brings significant biotechnology and pharmaceutical leadership experience to Vico. He will lead the company as it advances its neurology programs into the clinic and expands its oligonucleotide-based RNA modulation platform.
"We are very excited to welcome Micah to the Vico team," said Luc Dochez, Chairman of Vico. "His leadership in building biotech companies, experience in genetic neurological diseases and patient-centric focus make him uniquely suited to guide Vico as we progress to a clinical stage company."
"I am delighted and grateful to have the opportunity to lead Vico as we plan for many important milestones in execution of our business strategy," said Mr. Mackison. "As VO659 approaches the clinic and the VICOMER™ platform continues to develop, we are well positioned to deliver on the promise of genetic medicine for the patients and families that are at the center of our mission."
Micah joins us from Locanabio, an RNA-targeted gene therapy company, where he was Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development. At Locanabio, he was instrumental in setting strategy, raising capital and helping build an organization focused on genetic neurological diseases. Prior to Locanabio, he was Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy at Assembly Biosciences, where he led a range of business development efforts. Previously, Micah served as Head of Corporate Strategy and Senior Director, New Ventures at H. Lundbeck A/S focused on neuroscience. Prior to the acquisition by Lundbeck, he was Director, Corporate Development and M&A at Ovation Pharmaceuticals, a neuroscience-focused company that launched the first product for Huntington's disease.
Micah also held roles in corporate finance at Eli Lilly and Pfizer. He earned a B.S. in Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Vico Therapeutics is committed to advancing RNA modulating therapies for patients with severe, genetic neurological disorders. Vico's lead product candidate, VO659, is being developed for spinocerebellar ataxia types 3 and 1 and Huntington's disease. Our VICOMER™ platform designs antisense oligonucleotides for various genetic defects by modulating or editing RNA. For more information, visit www.vicotx.com
SOURCE Vico Therapeutics B.V. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/vico-therapeutics-appoints-micah-mackison-chief-executive-officer/ | 2022-08-01T06:50:41Z |
Woman assaults Sonic carhop because her order took too long, police say
TULSA, Okla. (Gray News) – Police in Oklahoma arrested a woman who they said assaulted a Sonic employee and another customer because her food order took too long.
Tulsa police said Stacy Minihan was arrested for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and for trafficking meth.
According to police, officers were called to a Sonic on Saturday night for reports of an assault with a weapon. Investigators found that when the carhop delivered Minihan’s food, she became very upset because the order took too long.
When the employee tried to explain that the restaurant was short-staffed, Minihan got out of her car, slapped the food out of the carhop’s hands and punched the carhop in the chest, witnesses told police.
Police said that when another witness followed Minihan to get her license plate number, Minihan pulled over, got out of her car and shot the witness in the face with a pepper ball gun. The victim was also hit several times and was bleeding from their head.
Officers said Minihan then drove to a nearby gas station where she was stopped by police and arrested. Police seized the pepper ball gun, nearly 30 grams of meth and other drug paraphernalia.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/11/woman-assaults-sonic-carhop-because-her-order-took-too-long-police-say/ | 2022-04-11T19:17:17Z |
(STACKER) — The COVID-19 pandemic has truly changed the way we think about the nature of work, and in particular, where we live versus where we’re employed. Pre-pandemic, telecommuting or work-from-home situations existed, but they weren’t the norm. Nearly 6 in 10 Americans rarely or never telecommuted pre-pandemic. Months later, just over half of workers who could were telecommuting. Although vaccines were on the horizon—and with that, an imminent return to office life—many still preferred this new way of working.
Employees discovered that working from home certainly had an upside. No more long, stressful commute. They were more productive. Having more flexibility with time allowed them to better manage a household. For those who live in expensive real estate markets, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to make the leap to a more affordable city without sacrificing a big-city paycheck.
While many employers want to bring workers back to the office in some capacity, the work-from-home trend is likely here to stay. With it, smaller cities may continue to boom, as people leave larger cities for a different lifestyle. So, where in your state are people coming to settle and enjoy this new work-from-anywhere style of living? To find out, Stacker compiled a list of metros where the most people are finding new jobs in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Jobs-to-Jobs Flows. Metros are ranked by the number of people that started a new job in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX in the first quarter of 2021.
You may also like: Where people in Dallas are moving to most
#20. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
– Started a new job in Dallas from Phoenix in Q1 2021: 596
— #14 most common destination from Phoenix
– Started a new job in Phoenix from Dallas in Q1 2021: 514
— 0.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 82 to Dallas
#19. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
– Started a new job in Dallas from San Francisco in Q1 2021: 610
— #28 most common destination from San Francisco
– Started a new job in San Francisco from Dallas in Q1 2021: 171
— 0.2% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 439 to Dallas
#18. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from McAllen in Q1 2021: 627
— #4 (tie) most common destination from McAllen
– Started a new job in McAllen from Dallas in Q1 2021: 459
— 0.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 168 to Dallas
#17. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Beaumont in Q1 2021: 634
— #3 most common destination from Beaumont
– Started a new job in Beaumont from Dallas in Q1 2021: 422
— 0.6% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 212 to Dallas
#16. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
– Started a new job in Dallas from Atlanta in Q1 2021: 721
— #16 most common destination from Atlanta
– Started a new job in Atlanta from Dallas in Q1 2021: 626
— 0.9% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 95 to Dallas
You may also like: Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Dallas, according to Tripadvisor
#15. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
– Started a new job in Dallas from Miami in Q1 2021: 755
— #20 most common destination from Miami
– Started a new job in Miami from Dallas in Q1 2021: 446
— 0.6% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 309 to Dallas
#14. Sherman-Denison, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Sherman in Q1 2021: 880
— #1 most common destination from Sherman
– Started a new job in Sherman from Dallas in Q1 2021: 915
— 1.3% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 35 to Sherman
#13. Longview, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Longview in Q1 2021: 887
— #2 most common destination from Longview
– Started a new job in Longview from Dallas in Q1 2021: 855
— 1.2% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 32 to Dallas
#12. Killeen-Temple, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Killeen in Q1 2021: 888
— #2 most common destination from Killeen
– Started a new job in Killeen from Dallas in Q1 2021: 879
— 1.3% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 9 to Dallas
#11. Lubbock, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Lubbock in Q1 2021: 914
— #3 most common destination from Lubbock
– Started a new job in Lubbock from Dallas in Q1 2021: 670
— 1.0% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 244 to Dallas
You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in Dallas metro area
#10. Waco, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Waco in Q1 2021: 1,023
— #2 most common destination from Waco
– Started a new job in Waco from Dallas in Q1 2021: 1,011
— 1.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 12 to Dallas
#9. Tyler, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Tyler in Q1 2021: 1,157
— #2 most common destination from Tyler
– Started a new job in Tyler from Dallas in Q1 2021: 1,180
— 1.7% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 23 to Tyler
#8. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
– Started a new job in Dallas from Chicago in Q1 2021: 1,157
— #15 most common destination from Chicago
– Started a new job in Chicago from Dallas in Q1 2021: 557
— 0.8% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 600 to Dallas
#7. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
– Started a new job in Dallas from New York in Q1 2021: 1,278
— #20 most common destination from New York
– Started a new job in New York from Dallas in Q1 2021: 668
— 1.0% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 610 to Dallas
#6. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Started a new job in Dallas from Los Angeles in Q1 2021: 1,356
— #15 most common destination from Los Angeles
– Started a new job in Los Angeles from Dallas in Q1 2021: 612
— 0.9% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 744 to Dallas
You may also like: Metros where people in Dallas are getting new jobs
#5. El Paso, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from El Paso in Q1 2021: 1,727
— #2 most common destination from El Paso
– Started a new job in El Paso from Dallas in Q1 2021: 1,375
— 2.0% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 352 to Dallas
#4. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from San Antonio in Q1 2021: 5,007
— #2 most common destination from San Antonio
– Started a new job in San Antonio from Dallas in Q1 2021: 4,947
— 7.0% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 60 to Dallas
#3. Non-metropolitan area(s), TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Non in Q1 2021: 5,743
— #2 most common destination from Non
– Started a new job in Non from Dallas in Q1 2021: 5,896
— 8.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 153 to Non
#2. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Austin in Q1 2021: 7,306
— #2 most common destination from Austin
– Started a new job in Austin from Dallas in Q1 2021: 7,718
— 11.0% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 412 to Austin
#1. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
– Started a new job in Dallas from Houston in Q1 2021: 14,223
— #2 most common destination from Houston
– Started a new job in Houston from Dallas in Q1 2021: 12,903
— 18.4% of total new out-of-metro jobs
– Net job flow: 1,320 to Dallas
You may also like: Highest paying jobs in Dallas for high school graduates | https://cw33.com/news/local/people-from-these-metros-are-finding-new-jobs-in-dallas/ | 2022-04-18T23:44:16Z |
CINCINNATI, May 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIVO) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2022.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Highlights (Comparison to Second Quarter Fiscal 2021):
- Consolidated net revenues totaled $111.2 million, the highest in Company history, with both segments ahead of expectations
- Life Science segment delivered record net revenues of $70.1 million
- Diagnostics segment net revenues increased 29% year-over-year to a record $41.1 million
- Launched Lyo-Ready™ sample specific master mixes for blood
- Resumed shipment of LeadCare® II assay ahead of schedule
Jack Kenny, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Meridian delivered another strong quarter. For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, both the Diagnostics and Life Science segments outperformed, each posting record quarterly net revenues. This is another sign in the continued progress we are making in building a stronger Meridian."
Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results (Comparison to Second Quarter Fiscal 2021)
Consolidated net revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 were $111.2 million, up 30% from $85.3 million in last year's second quarter. Diagnostics segment net revenues were up 29% year-over-year, while Life Science segment net revenues were up 32% year-over-year. Our Diagnostics segment's net revenues from molecular products were flat compared to the prior year second quarter, and net revenues from non-molecular assay products increased 33%. The Life Science segment experienced a significant shift in net revenues product mix from molecular reagents (7% increase) to immunological reagents (91% increase), driven by a higher demand for COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in fiscal 2022 relative to the molecular test demand experienced in fiscal 2021.
Reported consolidated operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was $36.1 million compared to $34.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2021. Operating expenses included: (i) increased selling and marketing costs in both the Diagnostics and Life Science segments, due, in part, to filling certain open positions and easing of COVID-19 related travel and meeting restrictions; and (ii) increased general and administrative costs primarily due to increases in incentive compensation. On an adjusted basis, consolidated operating income was $36.7 million, reflecting a margin of 33%, up from the prior year's $32.2 million but down from the prior year margin of 38% (see non-GAAP financial measure reconciliation below). This year-over-year margin decrease was driven by the lower gross margins of each of the segments. Gross margin for the Diagnostics segment was negatively impacted by the partial quarter of LeadCare® II assay shipments, and the Life Science segment, was negatively impacted by the significant shift in product mix mentioned above.
Financial Condition
At March 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were $76.5 million and after the paydown of $25 million, the Company had $175.0 million of available borrowing capacity under its $200.0 million commercial bank credit facility. The Company's obligations under the facility totaled $25.0 million as of March 31, 2022.
Andy Kitzmiller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "Meridian successfully navigated global supply chain challenges, and was able to meet the unprecedented demand of our customers through effective planning and leveraging the strength of our consolidated balance sheet."
Raising Fiscal 2022 Guidance
Based on the strong performance in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 we are raising our guidance for full year fiscal 2022.
FY2022 Net Revenues range:
- Consolidated $330.0 million to $345.0 million
- Diagnostics segment $145.0 million to $150.0 million (unchanged)
- Life Science segment $185.0 million to $195.0 million
FY2022 Adjusted Operating Margin: Consolidated 22.5% to 23.5%
FY2022 Adjusted Net Earnings Per Share on a Diluted Basis ("EPS"): $1.30 to $1.40 (44.3M shares)
Consistent with the Company's prior remarks on net revenues expectations, the net revenues component of this guidance anticipates that our Life Science segment experiences lower levels of net revenues in the second half of the year driven by decreased demand for its reagents used in COVID-19 tests. The Company expects to see demand similar to that seen in previous quarters where testing levels decreased following a surge in COVID-19 infection rates, such as the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 or the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The consolidated adjusted operating margin and adjusted EPS reflect the additional net revenues and gross profit and take into account the continued inflationary pressure on wages and other expenses, and the expected mix of Life Science segment molecular and immunological reagents.
This guidance reflects our current visibility into market conditions and customer order patterns for our products, and our current assumptions about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. and around the globe.
Conference Call Information
Jack Kenny, Chief Executive Officer, and Andy Kitzmiller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call on Friday, May 6, 2022 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the second quarter financial results and answer questions. A presentation to accompany the quarterly financial results and related discussion will be made available within the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.meridianbioscience.com, prior to the conference call.
The quarterly earnings call is once again also available via a live webcast, the link for which is located at investor.meridianbioscience.com or directly here. The webcast will provide the best experience for tuning into the call; however, if you are unable to join via the webcast, you may still participate by telephone from the U.S. by dialing (877) 407-0890, or from outside the U.S., by dialing (201) 389-0918, and mention "Meridian Bioscience, Inc.". A replay of the conference call will be available by webcast for one year beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 6, 2022 using the link provided at investor.meridianbioscience.com.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In this press release, we have supplemented our reported GAAP financial information with information on operating expenses, operating income, operating margin, net earnings, basic net earnings per share and diluted net earnings per share, each on an adjusted basis excluding the effects of selected legal costs, restructuring costs and changes in fair value of acquisition consideration, each of which is a non-GAAP measure. We have provided in the tables below reconciliations to the operating expenses, operating income, net earnings, basic net earnings per share and diluted net earnings per share amounts reported under GAAP for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
We believe this information is useful to an investor in evaluating our performance because:
- These measures help investors to more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of operations from period to period by removing the impacts of these non-routine items; and
- These measures are used by our management for various purposes, including evaluating performance against incentive bonus achievement targets, comparing performance from period to period in presentations to our board of directors, and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.
These non-GAAP measures may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, the non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Non-GAAP measures have limitations, in that they do not reflect all amounts associated with our results as determined in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, these measures should only be used to evaluate our results in conjunction with corresponding GAAP measures.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements. Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which may be identified by words such as "continues", "estimates", "anticipates", "projects", "plans", "seeks", "may", "will", "expects", "intends", "believes", "signals", "should", "can", "guidance" and similar expressions or the negative versions thereof and which also may be identified by their context. All statements that address operating performance or events or developments that Meridian Bioscience, Inc. ("Meridian" or "the Company") expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including, but not limited to, statements relating to per share diluted net earnings, sales, product demand, net revenues, operating margin, other guidance and the impact of COVID-19 on its business and prospects, are forward-looking statements. Such statements, whether expressed or implied, are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made. Specifically, Meridian's forward-looking statements are, and will be, based on management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance. Meridian assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. These statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, without limitation, the following:
Meridian's operating results, financial condition and continued growth depends, in part, on its ability to introduce into the marketplace enhancements of existing products or new products that incorporate technological advances, meet customer requirements and respond to products developed by Meridian's competition, its ability to effectively sell such products and its ability to successfully expand and effectively manage increased sales and marketing operations. While Meridian has introduced a number of internally developed products and acquired products, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in the future in introducing such products on a timely basis or in protecting its intellectual property, and unexpected or costly manufacturing costs associated with its introduction of new products or acquired products could cause actual results to differ from expectations. Meridian relies on proprietary, patented and licensed technologies. As such, the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property rights, as well as the potential for intellectual property litigation, would impact its results. Ongoing consolidations of reference laboratories and formation of multi-hospital alliances may cause adverse changes to pricing and distribution. Recessionary pressures on the economy and the markets in which the Company's customers operate, as well as adverse trends in buying patterns from customers, can change expected results. Costs and difficulties in complying with laws and regulations, including those administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and in complying with the ongoing investigation of the Department of Justice described in Meridian's reports filed with the SEC, can result in unanticipated expenses and delays and interruptions to the sale of new and existing products, as can the uncertainty of regulatory approvals and the regulatory process. The international scope of Meridian's operations, including changes in the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar and general economic conditions in foreign countries, can impact results and make them difficult to predict. One of Meridian's growth strategies is the acquisition of companies and product lines. There can be no assurance that additional acquisitions will be consummated or that, if consummated, will be successful and that the acquired businesses will be successfully integrated into Meridian's operations. There may be risks that acquisitions may disrupt operations and may pose potential difficulties in employee retention, and there may be additional risks with respect to Meridian's ability to recognize the benefits of acquisitions, including potential synergies and cost savings or the failure of acquisitions to achieve their plans and objectives. Meridian cannot predict the outcome of future goodwill impairment testing and the impact of possible goodwill impairments on Meridian's earnings and financial results. Meridian cannot predict the possible impact of any modification or repeal of any of the provisions of current U.S. health care legislation, and any similar initiatives in other countries on Meridian's results of operations. Efforts to reduce the U.S. federal deficit, breaches of Meridian's information technology systems, trade wars, increased tariffs, and natural disasters and other events could have a materially adverse effect on Meridian's results of operations and net revenues. The Company can make no assurances that a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future, which if identified and not properly corrected, could materially and adversely affect its operations and result in material misstatements in its consolidated financial statements. Meridian also is subject to risks and uncertainties related to disruptions to or reductions in business operations or prospects due to pandemics, epidemics, widespread health emergencies, or outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, including, without limitation, related supply chain interruptions. In addition to the factors described in this paragraph, as well as those factors identified from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a list and description of uncertainties, risks and other matters that may affect the Company. Readers should carefully review these forward-looking statements and risk factors, and not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.
About Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic products. We are dedicated to developing and delivering better solutions that give answers with speed, accuracy and simplicity that are redefining the possibilities of life from discovery to diagnosis. Through discovery and development, we provide critical life science raw materials used in immunological and molecular tests for human, animal, plant, and environmental applications. Through diagnosis, we provide diagnostic solutions in areas including gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections and blood lead level testing. We build relationships and provide solutions to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, veterinary testing centers, physician offices, diagnostics manufacturers, and biotech companies in more than 70 countries around the world.
Meridian's shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, symbol VIVO. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.
Contact:
Charlie Wood
Vice President – Investor Relations
Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
Phone: +1 513.271.3700
Email: mbi@meridianbioscience.com
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SOURCE Meridian Bioscience, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/06/meridian-bioscience-reports-record-second-quarter-fiscal-2022-operating-results/ | 2022-05-06T14:35:19Z |
Streaming Led with 11% Asian Share of Screen in 2021, Nearly Doubling Representation from 2020
NEW YORK, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN), a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, today released its 2022 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Diverse Intelligence Series report which noted a significant increase in Asian representation on screen in 2021. Across the top 1,500 shows in broadcast, cable and streaming video on demand (SVOD), SVOD led the way with 11% Asian share of screen compared to broadcast (3.2%) and cable (2.7%). The presence of Asian talent in top-rated shows like FBI, Equalizer, and Chicago Med, and the debut of Asian-led programs like FOX's The Cleaning Lady indicate the industry is responding to growing calls for more Asian-inclusive content.
"The media industry continues to make progress in its inclusive representation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) characters, themes and narratives," said Pat Ratulangi, Nielsen's VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. "However, that representation on screen is still below the Asian population in the U.S. Now is an important time for the industry to highlight Asian characters, stories and experiences on screen through culturally inclusive programming. Accurate representation on screen can lead to greater understanding, inclusion, engagement and peace off-screen."
In the last two years, AANHPI representation in streaming has almost doubled from 6.1% in 2020 to 11% in 2021, the report found. This improvement, coupled with Asian American consumers' growing hunger for more authentic and representative content (two-thirds of Asians still feel there is not enough representation on TV), present an opportunity for more shows that highlight the richness of Asian American experience across platforms.
Overall, Asian representation across broadcast, cable and SVOD increased to 4.6% in 2021 (up from 3.5% in 2020). The report notes a significant improvement in representation in the top 10 most-watched shows on broadcast and cable. In 2021, half of the top 10 programs had some Asian talent representation, compared to 2020 when none of the top 10 most-watched shows did. Asian women were present in three of those shows (NCIS, Equalizer and Yellowstone) and Asian men were present in two (Chicago Med and FBI).
Other key highlights in the 2022 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Diverse Intelligence Series include:
- Streaming programs drove Asian multigenerational co-viewing. Gen Z co-viewing on Netflix was 4.3x higher than audiences overall. On Netflix, for example, 8.4% of Asian American viewers aged 18-24 watched with someone aged 65-74.
- In 2021, there was a greater diversity of themes in shows with Asian representation — such as friendship, teamwork, and creativity — than in 2020 when the dominant themes were more stereotypical – cerebral, thoughtful, and good.
- More than half of Asians surveyed said they are more likely to buy from a brand that advertises in shows that feature Asians, creating an incentive for advertisers to engage with this population.
- A quarter of brands invest just 4% or less in the programs that represent Asians at parity, while the leaders for Asian-inclusive ad spending invest almost 10x as much.
Download the 2022 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Diverse Intelligence Series for more details and insights. Please visit www.nielsen.com/asian-american to learn more. Join the discussion on Facebook (Nielsen Community) and follow us on Twitter (@Nielsen_DEI).
ABOUT NIELSEN
Nielsen shapes the world's media and content as a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics. Through our understanding of people and their behaviors across all channels and platforms, we empower our clients with independent and actionable intelligence so they can connect and engage with their audiences—now and into the future.
An S&P 500 company, Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) operates around the world in more than 55 countries. Learn more at www.nielsen.com or www.nielsen.com/investors and connect with us on social media.
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SOURCE Nielsen | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/nielsen-study-reveals-significant-growth-asian-representation-tv-2021/ | 2022-05-18T14:12:24Z |
New tech repair shop provides fast fixes for phones, tablets, laptops and more
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new electronics repair shop, Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions™, has opened in Cheltenham at 2401 West Cheltenham Ave. The store offers professional fixes for most consumer electronics, from smartphones, tablets and computers to game consoles, smart speakers, drones and more.
While common repairs include cracked screens, battery issues and water damage, the company's repair experts have fixed millions of devices and can help with most any tech mishap, and many basic repairs can be completed in 45 minutes or less.
The store is owned by Patricia Buckley & Matt Robinson, who also own locations in Glen Mills and Bryn Mawr.
"We are looking forward to expanding the Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions brand across Philadelphia," said Robinson. "Our new Cheltenham employees are committed to ensuring locals have a go-to spot for tech repair that's not only affordable but also convenient."
The store's expert repair technicians fix all kinds of technology, regardless of make or model, and the store is an authorized repair provider for Samsung Galaxy® and Google Pixel™ smartphones. Customers can book a repair appointment online or stop by the store for walk-in service. The store offers free, no-obligation diagnostics on all gadgets, as well as a 1-year limited warranty on all repairs. It even offers a price match guarantee on any local competitor's regularly published price for the same repair.
The new Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions store brings the company's retail footprint to more than 750 locations across the U.S. Formerly known as uBreakiFix®, all U.S. locations are rebranding as Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions.
"We are excited to serve people in Cheltenham with fast and affordable tech repair," said Dave Barbuto, CEO of Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions. "We all rely on our phones and laptops more than ever before, and our mission is bigger than repairing shattered screens and broken charge ports. We fix tech because people depend on it to stay connected to things that are important to them. I look forward to serving this community through our new location."
The new store is located at:
Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions
2401 W Cheltenham Ave Suite 218, Philadelphia, PA 19150
(267)-360-2254
Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions, formerly known as uBreakiFix, is the retail brand operated and franchised by a subsidiary of tech care company Asurion. As the world's leading tech care company, Asurion eliminates the fears and frustrations associated with technology to ensure its 300 million customers get the most out of their devices, appliances and connections. Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions stores specialize in the repair of consumer technology, including smartphones, game consoles, tablets, computers and nearly everything in between. Asurion Tech Repair and Solutions repair experts fix cracked screens, software issues, camera issues and most other tech mishaps at more than 750 stores across the U.S. The stores provide fast, affordable fixes for nearly any device type, regardless of make or model, including authorized repairs for Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
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SOURCE Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/asurion-tech-repair-amp-solutions-opens-cheltenham/ | 2022-09-15T16:48:59Z |
Bengals claim 2nd in varsity debate at National Championship Tournament
ABELINE, Texas (KIFI) – Idaho State debater Joseph Tyler argued 14 rounds of debate last weekend delivering a 12-2 win-loss record to seize silver in the final round in the varsity division of the International Parliamentary Debate Association’s 25th National Championship Tournament.
Tyler, a Pocatello senior majoring in Global Studies, competed against 100 other entries from 44 universities in his division.
Typical topics ranged from “There has never been a good war or a bad peace” to “The US should better address foreign spies.”
He missed the first place honor on a split decision.
The Bengals’ Jordan Reynolds (Blackfoot), a graduating senior in Communication also received recognition as one of the top 30 in the varsity division. Seniors Abbey Vaughn and Alyson Tyler also debated in preliminary rounds, and later served as team researchers in the final rounds.
“This tournament is our second major success this year on the national stage, but it’s bittersweet,” Head Coach Sarah Partlow-Lefevre said. “We’re so proud of our graduating seniors, but saying goodbye is emotional for the entire team.”
This year marks ISU’s most competitive performance at the IPDA National Tournament. | https://localnews8.com/isu/2022/04/12/bengals-claim-2nd-in-varsity-debate-at-national-championship-tournament/ | 2022-04-12T22:53:42Z |
ESTERO, Fla., May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTZ) ("Hertz" or the "Company") announced today that its Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Scherr, will participate in a fireside chat at the following conference:
Goldman Sachs Travel and Leisure Conference
Monday, June 6, 2022
11:20 a.m. ET
New York, New York
An audio webcast link of the fireside chat will be accessible on the Company's Investor Relations website, https://ir.hertz.com. The replay will be available for 90 days from the respective date of the fireside chat.
ABOUT HERTZ
The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty vehicle rental brands throughout North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Hertz Corporation is one of the largest worldwide vehicle rental companies, and the Hertz brand is one of the most recognized globally. Additionally, The Hertz Corporation operates the Firefly vehicle rental brand and Hertz 24/7 car sharing business in international markets and sells vehicles through Hertz Car Sales.
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SOURCE Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/hertz-participate-fireside-chat-goldman-sachs-travel-leisure-conference/ | 2022-05-26T21:01:06Z |
RESTON, Va., June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE® 500 science and technology leader, was selected by the Dominican Republic's Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) to upgrade their security checkpoints. The airport will utilize Leidos' world-class technologies to keep passengers and staff safe while enhancing operational efficiencies and increasing passenger throughput.
"Leidos understands the importance of seamless travel from curb to gate," said Bradley Buswell, Senior Vice President for Leidos. "By utilizing our innovative capabilities, passengers will no longer need to remove electronics and liquids from carry-on bags, thus allowing greater efficiency and more time before boarding their flights."
Punta Cana is a popular Caribbean destination that hosts more than 4 million tourists annually. To meet strong projected growth over the coming years, airport officials identified the need for better security and greater efficiency.
"Tourism is vital for Punta Cana – we want travelers to have the most seamless and enjoyable experience when they visit, starting at our airport," said Alberto Smith, Director Operations Landside & Cargo for Punta Cana International Airport. "Working with Leidos will enable us to provide the most secure checkpoints with the highest passenger throughput at the lowest operational cost. This will assure our passengers can quickly get through security and onto their departing flights with minimal interruptions."
The planned upgrade will update all security lanes within the Punta Cana International Airport Terminal B checkpoint with the latest Leidos technology. These upgrades include the installation of the people scanner Pro:Vision® 2, ProPassage™, a fully configurable automated tray return system, as well as ClearScan™, an automated CT scanner for cabin baggage at each checkpoint. The airport already possesses Leidos' B220™, a desktop explosive trace detector. The Leidos Mosaic™ enterprise software solution will integrate the entire security ecosystem and connect with other elements of the airport operations.
Implementation is slated to start this summer with several lanes being fully upgraded by the end of the year. The remaining lanes will be completed in the first half of 2023. To learn more about Leidos security detection solutions, with more than 24,000 products deployed across 120 countries, please visit https://www.leidos.com/security-detection.
About Leidos
Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $13.7 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.
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SOURCE Leidos | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/punta-cana-international-airport-selects-leidos-airport-checkpoint-technology-provider/ | 2022-06-16T06:28:34Z |
Published: Jul. 29, 2022 at 2:05 AM CDT|Updated: 16 minutes ago
Achieved net earnings of $788 million, or $1.06 per diluted share
Generated record first half Adjusted EBITDA of $2.7 billion
Enhanced portfolio with strategic timberlands acquisition in North and South Carolina
SEATTLE, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) today reported second quarter net earnings of $788 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, on net sales of $3.0 billion. This compares with net earnings of $1.0 billion, or $1.37 per diluted share, on net sales of $3.1 billion for the same period last year and net earnings of $771 million for the first quarter of 2022. There were no special items in the second quarter of 2022 or the same period last year. Net earnings before special items was $978 million for the first quarter of 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2022 was $1.2 billion compared with $1.6 billion for the same period last year and $1.5 billion for the first quarter of 2022.
"In the second quarter, our teams delivered strong results across each of our businesses," said Devin W. Stockfish, president and chief executive officer. "Year to date, we have generated $2.7 billion of Adjusted EBITDA and $1.9 billion of Adjusted Funds Available for Distribution. Looking forward, we remain constructive on long-term demand fundamentals that support our businesses, notwithstanding the recent macroeconomic headwinds. Our financial position is exceptionally strong, and we remain committed to delivering operational excellence across our unmatched portfolio of assets and enhancing shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation."
TIMBERLANDS
Q2 2022 Performance – In the West, fee harvest volumes were moderately lower than the first quarter due to unseasonably wet weather. Domestic sales realizations were moderately lower and per unit log and haul costs were significantly higher as harvesting operations transitioned to higher elevation units. Export sales realizations were moderately higher and export sales volumes were significantly higher, driven by strong demand in Japan. In the South, sales realizations for sawlogs and fiber logs were slightly higher, and fee harvest volumes increased moderately. Per unit log and haul costs were significantly higher, primarily due to fuel-related costs. Forestry and road costs in the West and South were seasonally higher.
Q3 2022 Outlook – Weyerhaeuser anticipates third quarter earnings before special items and Adjusted EBITDA will be lower than second quarter 2022, but moderately higher than third quarter 2021. In the West, the company expects comparable fee harvest volumes and significantly lower sales volumes due to export. Sales realizations are expected to be moderately lower, and per unit log and haul costs are expected to be lower. In the South, the company expects sales realizations and per unit log and haul costs to be comparable and fee harvest volumes to be moderately higher. Forestry and road costs in the West and South are expected to be seasonally higher.
REAL ESTATE, ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
Q2 2022 Performance – Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA decreased from the first quarter due to lower real estate sales. The average price per acre decreased and the average basis as a percentage of sales increased due to the mix of properties sold.
Q3 2022 Outlook – Weyerhaeuser anticipates third quarter earnings and Adjusted EBITDA will be slightly lower than third quarter 2021, primarily due to a decrease in acres sold year over year. The company now expects full year 2022 Adjusted EBITDA for the segment will be approximately $325 million, a $25 million increase from previous guidance.
WOOD PRODUCTS
Q2 2022 Performance – Sales realizations for lumber and oriented strand board decreased 25 percent and 14 percent, respectively, compared with first quarter averages. Sales volumes for lumber were significantly higher due to seasonal inventory drawdown and improved production, while unit manufacturing costs and log costs were slightly higher. Sales volumes for oriented strand board were slightly higher. Unit manufacturing costs were moderately higher and fiber costs were comparable. Sales realizations and production volumes for most engineered wood products were significantly higher. This was partially offset by significantly higher raw material costs, primarily for oriented strand board webstock. Distribution commodity realizations were significantly lower.
Q3 2022 Outlook – Weyerhaeuser anticipates third quarter earnings and Adjusted EBITDA will be comparable to the second quarter, excluding the effect of changes in average sales realizations for lumber and oriented strand board. The company expects comparable sales volumes and unit manufacturing costs for lumber, as well as moderately lower log costs. For oriented strand board, the company expects slightly lower sales volumes, comparable fiber costs, and significantly higher unit manufacturing costs due to planned maintenance outages. Raw material costs for engineered wood products are expected to be significantly lower, primarily for oriented strand board webstock, partially offset by lower sales realizations, primarily for plywood. Sales volumes for engineered wood products are expected to be comparable.
UNALLOCATED
Q2 2022 Performance – Second quarter results include an $18 million noncash benefit for the elimination of intersegment profit in inventory and LIFO due to a decrease in log and lumber inventories.
ABOUT WEYERHAEUSER
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. We are also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. Our company is a real estate investment trust. In 2021, we generated $10.2 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,200 people who serve customers worldwide. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
EARNINGS CALL INFORMATION
Weyerhaeuser will hold a live conference call at 7 a.m. Pacific (10 a.m. Eastern) on July 29, 2022 to discuss second quarter results.
To join the conference call from within North America, dial 877-407-0792 (access code: 13724915) at least 15 minutes prior to the call. Those calling from outside North America should dial 201-689-8263 (access code: 13724915). Replays will be available for two weeks at 844-512-2921 (access code: 13724915) from within North America, and at 412-317-6671 (access code: 13724915) from outside North America.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains statements concerning the company's future results and performance that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, with respect to our outlook and expectations concerning the following: earnings and Adjusted EBITDA for the company and for each of our businesses; sales volumes and sales realizations for our Timberlands business; log and haul, forestry and road costs and expenses; fee harvest volumes; acres to be sold; sales volumes and unit manufacturing costs for our lumber and oriented strand board businesses; sales realizations and sales volumes for our engineered wood products business; materials costs for each of our Wood Products lines; long-term demand fundamentals affecting our businesses; and long-term shareholder value and returns. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often involve use of words and expressions such as "anticipate," "expect," "looking forward," "planned," "will," and similar words and expressions. They may use the positive, negative or another variation of those and similar words and expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events or performance. The realization of our expectations and the accuracy of our assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
the effect of general economic conditions, including employment rates, interest rate levels, inflation, housing starts, general availability of financing for home mortgages and the relative strength of the U.S. dollar;
the effect of COVID-19 and other viral or disease outbreaks and their potential effects on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and future prospects;
market demand for the company's products, including market demand for our timberland properties with higher and better uses, which is related to, among other factors, the strength of the various U.S. business segments and U.S. and international economic conditions;
changes in currency exchange rates, particularly the relative value of the U.S. dollar to the Japanese yen, the Chinese yuan, and the Canadian dollar, and the relative value of the euro to the yen;
restrictions on international trade and tariffs imposed on imports or exports;
the availability and cost of shipping and transportation;
economic activity in Asia, especially Japan and China;
performance of our manufacturing operations, including maintenance and capital requirements;
potential disruptions in our manufacturing operations;
the level of competition from domestic and foreign producers;
the successful execution of our internal plans and strategic initiatives, including restructuring and cost reduction initiatives;
our ability to hire and retain capable employees;
the successful and timely execution and integration of our strategic acquisitions, including our ability to realize expected benefits and synergies, and the successful and timely execution of our strategic divestitures, each of which is subject to a number of risks and conditions beyond our control including, but not limited to, timing and required regulatory approvals or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to a termination of any acquisition or divestiture transaction under the terms of the governing transaction agreements;
raw material availability and prices;
the effect of weather;
changes in global or regional climate conditions and governmental response to such changes;
the risk of loss from fires, floods, windstorms, hurricanes, pest infestation and other natural disasters;
energy prices;
transportation and labor availability and costs;
federal tax policies;
the effect of forestry, land use, environmental and other governmental regulations;
legal proceedings;
performance of pension fund investments and related derivatives;
the effect of timing of employee retirements as it relates to the cost of pension benefits and changes in the market price of our common stock on charges for share-based compensation;
the accuracy of our estimates of costs and expenses related to contingent liabilities and the accuracy of our estimates of charges related to casualty losses;
changes in accounting principles; and
other risks and uncertainties identified in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as those set forth from time to time in our other public statements, reports, registration statements, prospectuses, information statements and other filings with the SEC.
It is not possible to predict or identify all risks and uncertainties that might affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and, consequently, our descriptions of such risks and uncertainties should not be considered exhaustive. There is no guarantee that any of the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements will occur, and if any of the events do occur, there is no guarantee what effect they will have on the company's business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and future prospects.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA TO NET EARNINGS
We reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to net earnings for the consolidated company and to operating income (loss) for the business segments, as those are the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures for each.
The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2022:
The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2022:
The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2021:
The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA for the year-to-date period ended June 30, 2022:
RECONCILIATION OF NET EARNINGS BEFORE SPECIAL ITEMS TO NET EARNINGS
We reconcile net earnings before special items to net earnings and net earnings per diluted share before special items to net earnings per diluted share, as those are the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. We believe the measures provide meaningful supplemental information for investors about our operating performance, better facilitate period to period comparisons and are widely used by analysts, lenders, rating agencies and other interested parties.
The table below reconciles net earnings before special items to net earnings:
The table below reconciles net earnings per diluted share before special items to net earnings per diluted share:
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED FAD TO NET CASH FROM OPERATIONS
We reconcile Adjusted FAD to net cash from operations, as that is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure. We believe the measure provides meaningful supplemental information for investors about our liquidity.
The table below reconciles Adjusted FAD to net cash from operations:
For more information contact: Analysts – Andy Taylor (206) 539-3907 Media - Nancy Thompson (919) 861-0342
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.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/weyerhaeuser-reports-second-quarter-results/ | 2022-07-29T07:21:32Z |
GUELPH, ON, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) today announced that it has secured a new eAxle system contract with Workhorse Group for commercial vehicle delivery trucks. The Medium Duty beam axle propulsion system was designed and developed by Linamar's eLIN Group, a product solutions group dedicated to electrification for all Linamar's products. This is Linamar's first major eAxle contract with a Commercial Vehicle OEM and builds upon the previous success in the light vehicle eAxle segment. Linamar will be the Tier 1 supplier for the complete beam eAxle system.
"This is an exciting new project for Linamar," said Linda Hasenfratz, Linamar's Executive Chair and CEO. "Our eLIN Group's beam eAxle product lines have been gaining attention within the Commercial Vehicle space for some time now. Our portfolio of electrified business continues to grow and expanding into diverse pathways such as Commercial Vehicles is a key element of our strategy; it is great to see the efforts of our Commercial Vehicle eAxle design and development come to fruition. We look forward to the opportunity to work with a world class organization like Workhorse Group."
"Linamar has demonstrated engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities well suited to the needs of Workhorse," commented Jim Peters, Workhorse Group's Vice President of Supply Chain and Procurement. "Linamar has a competitive offering in this segment making them a great partner for this stage of our fleet electrification."
eLIN has a range of eAxle solution offerings for the passenger car, commercial vehicle, and other mobility markets. The commercial vehicle beam eAxle portfolio offers solutions for applications in the Class 2 through 6 vehicle sizes. This Medium Duty eAxle is designed for the Class 5-6 truck category and offers superior performance and efficiency for its size giving customers a no compromise electric driveline solution with ample packaging space remaining for the battery pack. Production will begin in mid-2023 and will be located in Linamar's facilities in Guelph, Canada.
For more information on this MD eAxle and the full eLIN product portfolio visit linamar.com/products/#elin or contact Electrification@Linamar.com
Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) is an advanced manufacturing company where the intersection of leading-edge technology and deep manufacturing expertise is creating solutions that power vehicles, motion, work and lives for the future. The Company is made up of two operating segments – the Industrial segment and the Mobility segment, both global leaders in manufacturing solutions and world-class developers of highly engineered products. The Industrial segment is comprised of Skyjack, MacDon and Salford. Skyjack manufactures scissors, booms and telehandler lifts for the aerial work platform industry. MacDon manufactures combine draper headers and self-propelled windrowers for the agricultural harvesting industry. Salford also supplies the agriculture market with farm tillage and crop nutrition application equipment. The Mobility segment is subdivided into three regional groups: North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Within the Mobility segment, the regional groups are vertically integrated operations combining expertise in light metal casting, forging, machining and assembly for both the global electrified and traditionally powered vehicle markets. The Mobility segment products are focused on both components and systems for new energy powertrains, body and chassis, driveline, engine and transmission systems of these vehicles. In addition to the recently formed eLIN Product Solutions Group that focuses on Electrification, McLaren Engineering provides design, development, and testing services for the Mobility segment. Linamar has nearly 27,000 employees in 65 manufacturing locations, 14 R&D centres and 28 sales offices in 17 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, which generated sales of more than $6.5 billion in 2021. For more information about Linamar Corporation and its industry-leading products and services, visit www.linamar.com or follow us on our social media channels.
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SOURCE Linamar Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/linamar-supply-commercial-vehicle-eaxle-program-workhorse-group/ | 2022-09-07T12:04:53Z |
Which smart TV brand is better?
Samsung is well known for its wide range of electronics, and its 4K TVs are among its most popular products. In fact, many Samsung TVs are on the cutting edge of display technology, with features such as quantum dot filtration and now OLED panels delivering great performance.
In contrast, Vizio has largely been a more value-oriented electronics manufacturer for most of its existence. While this remains true today, Vizio smart TVs do boast some powerful technologies that make for a great viewing experience.
If you’re willing to make a relatively large investment, a Samsung smart TV offers arguably the most high-end experience possible. But if you want something effective, good-looking and reasonably priced, don’t sleep on Vizio. The middle and upper end of its 4K TV lineup are excellent purchases for many users.
Samsung smart TVs
Samsung has been a leader in smart TVs for as long as these internet-connected devices have been mainstream, and for good reason. For example, it pioneered the use of quantum dot filtration to the point where the Samsung name for the technology, QLED, is now seen across the industry. Samsung was also one of the first manufacturers to incorporate advanced gaming features, including variable refresh rate technology, into its midrange TVs.
When researching Samsung TVs, you’re liable to run across reviews for older models full of concerns about quality control. In the past, Samsung TVs were somewhat notorious for shipping with dead pixels or unacceptable levels of light bleed in dark scenes. But for the last few generations, these issues have all but disappeared, with the most recent Samsung TVs getting high praise across the board.
Samsung smart TV pros
- All advanced HDMI 2.1 features available: This latest high-definition connection standard includes 120-hertz refresh rates, auto low latency mode, HDMI Forum variable refresh rates and enhanced audio return channel technology.
- Cutting-edge display technology: Samsung’s most recent flagship model is the first TV to combine an OLED panel with QLED quantum dot filtration.
- Remarkable HDR10 and HDR10+ performance: Many Samsung TVs boast premium local dimming, wide color gamuts and high peak brightness. Few brands have such consistently high visual performance.
- Great for gaming: Samsung TVs have a low input lag that’s perfect for fast-paced games such as first-person shooters.
Samsung smart TV cons
- No Dolby Vision support: This is especially unfortunate since there’s currently more content mastered in Dolby Vision HDR than in HDR10+, the competing high dynamic range standard.
- Relatively high prices: You will have to spend a considerable amount for a top-of-the-line Samsung TV.
Best Samsung smart TVs
This is the first TV to sport an OLED panel equipped with quantum dot filtration, giving it the best black levels and color coverage of nearly anything. If you can afford it, this is one of the best TVs money can buy. Sold by Amazon
This is one of the extremely rare high-end TVs made with IPS panel technology, which offers more edge-to-edge consistency and a much wider viewing angle than more common VA panels. This makes it the best TV anywhere for watching sports with a group of friends. Sold by Amazon
If you’re looking for an all-around great viewing experience without spending an absolute fortune, this is the one to consider. Its excellent local dimming and remarkably wide color gamut make it great for movies, TV shows and gaming. Sold by Amazon
While it’s closer to the entry level than the high end, it’s still outfitted with the powerful hardware and advanced features Samsung TVs are known for. Sold by Amazon
Vizio smart TVs
It doesn’t make a ton of TVs, but Vizio does a good job with models it offers. With that in mind, even its top-of-the-line models don’t quite compete with the flagship 4K TVs from other brands. However, they come at significantly lower prices. Especially once you get into the midrange and entry-level models, Vizio TVs boast some of the best values of all.
Vizio smart TV pros
- Great value for the money: Few brands offer such good image quality and modern features at such low prices.
- Easy to find the right model for you: Some manufacturers offer a dozen or more TVs, and it’s hard to tell them apart. Vizio’s lineup is simple, easy to navigate, and has something for everyone.
- Power HDR support: Its midrange and high-end options support both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, giving them a clear advantage over all Samsung TVs.
Vizio smart TV cons
- Less-than-perfect gaming experience: While it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, most Vizio TVs have a below-average pixel response time. This results in minor smearing or ghosting during some fast-moving scenes.
- Upscaling engine isn’t perfect: Vizio TVs don’t do the best job of translating standard definition content to the full 4K resolution. Samsung TVs are consistently better in this regard.
Best Vizio smart TVs
As one of the first non-LG OLED TVs available in the U.S., it delivers perfect black levels and a wide color gamut in addition to an easy-to-use smart TV interface. It also supports Dolby Vision and 120-hertz variable refresh rates. Sold by Amazon
You can avoid getting suckered into paying high prices for a bigger brand name with this premium option from Vizio. Available in 65 and 75 inches, it supports Dolby Vision, high refresh rates and Alexa voice control, all at a surprisingly reasonable price. Sold by Amazon
Don’t let the price fool you, because Vizio’s M-Series delivers just about the most bang for your buck of any entry-level TV. It’s one of the most affordable options with local dimming and support for the major HDR protocols. Sold by Amazon
If you’re looking for a basic TV that looks good and works well for all types of content, the V-Series is worth a look. It doesn’t exactly excel at anything in particular, and it lacks most advanced features, but it is affordable and reliable. Sold by Amazon
Should you get a Samsung or Vizio smart TV?
If you want the absolute best in display quality and don’t mind spending a lot, Samsung TVs boast nearly unrivaled image quality. However, Vizio smart TVs have comparable image quality to many Samsungs and, unlike them, support Dolby Vision HDR. Most people will be happier saving a little by purchasing a Vizio TV. For that matter, most people will hardly even be able to tell a difference in image quality between the top models from each brand.
Bottom line: In most cases, Vizio TVs’ significantly better value makes them a better choice.
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Chris Thomas 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/tv-video-br/samsung-smart-tv-vs-vizio-smart-tv/ | 2022-05-21T17:06:46Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The son of Ruth Whitfield, an 86-year old woman killed when a gunman opened fire in a racist attack on Black shoppers in Buffalo, New York, challenged Congress Tuesday to act against the “cancer of white supremacy” and the nation’s epidemic of gun violence.
Garnell Whitfield Jr’s emotional testimony comes as lawmakers are working furiously to strike a bipartisan agreement on gun safety measures in the aftermath of back-to-back mass shootings. Ten days after the death of his mother and 9 others in New York, another 18-year-old gunman with a semi-automatic rifle opened fire in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 school children and two teachers.
“What are you doing? You were elected to protect us,” Whitfield Jr. told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Is there nothing that you personally are willing to do to stop the cancer of white supremacy and the domestic terrorism it inspires?” he asked. “If there is nothing then, respectfully, senators … you should yield your positions of authority and influence to others that are willing to lead on this issue.”
The hearing is the first of two this week as families of the victims and survivors of the mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde appear at public hearings and events on Capitol Hill to show the human toll of America’s gun violence and urge Congress to act.
Pressing for a deal, President Joe Biden was meeting Tuesday with Sen. Chris Murphy, a key Democratic negotiator, who has worked most of his career trying to curb the nation’s mass shooting scourge after the heartbreaking slaughter of 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary in his home state of Connecticut a decade ago.
“Enough,” Biden said last week in a televised address calling on Congress to act.
On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee is expected to hear from more victims’ families and from fourth-grader Miah Cerrillo who captured Americans’ attention after she described covering herself in her dead classmate’s blood and playing dead to survive the shooting rampage in Uvalde.
The Senate hearing Tuesday focused directly on the white supremacist ideology that authorities say led an 18-year-old gunman dressed in military gear to drive hours to a predominately Black neighborhood in Buffalo and live stream his violent rampage. The shooting left 10 people dead and several others wounded.
“My mother’s life mattered,” Whitfield said. “Your actions here will tell us if and how much it mattered to you.”
Senators have been meeting privately in a small bipartisan group headed by Murphy and Republican Sen. John Cornyn, trying to hash out a compromise that could actually become law.
But lawmakers have been here before — unable to pass any substantial gun safety laws in decades in the face of steep objections from Republicans in Congress, some conservative Democrats, and the fierce lobby of gun owners and the National Rifle Association. No major legislation has made it into law since the 1994 assault weapons ban, which has since expired.
The package under discussion is far short of the sweeping measures for an assault weapons ban or universal background checks that are popular with Americans and advocated by gun safety groups, but rejected by Republicans.
Instead, the senators are focusing on incremental policy changes through a system that would send funds and other incentives to the states to bolster security at school campuses, provide more mental health services to young people and possibly encourage states to pursue red-flag laws to keep firearms out of the hands of people who would do harm.
“I’m optimistic we can get 60-plus votes — but the question is what that package looks like,” Cornyn told reporters as lawmakers arrived back in town Monday from a week-long recess.
Cornyn was referring to the 60-vote threshold needed in the 50-50 Senate to advance legislation past a filibuster that can block most any bill.
The Texas senator said he was preparing to brief his colleagues Tuesday, at their weekly Senate lunch, on the status of negotiations. But he warned Democrats off rushing the process, saying “arbitrary deadlines” are no help in the talks.
While senators are reluctant to raise the age requirement for gun purchases from 18 to 21, as has been done in some states, an alternative idea surfacing is to open the records of juvenile offenders to look for problem spots before allowing adults to purchase weapons.
Murphy said that Cornyn has articulated a legitimate concern that many times law enforcement doesn’t have access to juvenile records when making a decision on a background check.
“That clearly seems like something we should fix and address,” Murphy said. “That’s certainly a part of our talks. It’s complicated because different states have different rules when it comes to juvenile records.”
The proposals are gaining traction, but also raising concerns from Democrats and some advocacy groups who are pushing senators to do more, faster, to stem the tide of mass shootings across the nation.
___
Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/son-of-buffalo-victim-pushes-congress-what-are-you-doing/ | 2022-06-07T17:32:03Z |
Simms to Anchor New Platform in the Fishing Category Within Vista Outdoor's Outdoor Products Portfolio
Acquisition Strengthens Vista Outdoor with Twelfth Power Brand, Adds Approximately $110 Million in Net Sales
ANOKA, Minn., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO), the parent company of 39 renowned brands that design, manufacture and market sporting and outdoor products to consumers around the globe, today announced the acquisition of Simms Fishing Products for a purchase price of $192.5 million. The gross purchase price includes a net present value of roughly $20 million in future tax benefits. Simms is a premium fishing brand and leading designer, marketer and manufacturer of waders, outerwear, footwear and technical apparel.
Headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., Simms was founded in 1980 and later acquired in 1993 by K.C. Walsh, its current Executive Chairman. Walsh's initial vision for Simms was to create the most beloved brand in sport fishing that could marry his passion for fishing with his commitment to fisheries conservation. This vision has endured as Simms is now one of the most highly innovative fishing gear and apparel companies and a purpose-driven brand that resonates with consumers across the globe. The company's products are used by more than 8,500 Simms-sponsored fishing professionals and are distributed through specialty retail stores, both domestically and internationally, and directly to consumers through simmsfishing.com. Fishing continues to be a popular and highly accessible activity, with more than 55 million fishing participants in the United States alone.
"Simms is the perfect fit for our diversified portfolio of leading, iconic outdoor brands," said Chris Metz, Vista Outdoor CEO. "Simms broadens our core addressable market into the highly attractive fishing category with a premium, innovative brand with significant room for growth. Simms will be a central plank in our long-term growth strategy and will be the anchor of our new fishing platform within Outdoor Products. Fishing, particularly fly fishing where Simms has its roots, is a natural adjacency to our Outdoor Products business and Simms serves an enthusiast consumer demographic that has proven to be largely recession-resistant over time. With a beloved, household name brand like Simms leading the way, we believe that we can create a fishing platform that serves the 55 million+ anglers while delivering long-term growth and value for our shareholders for years to come."
"Equally important, Simms is the right cultural fit for Vista Outdoor and our soon-to-be-formed Outdoor Products company. Expanding conservation and access to natural waters are a core mission for the leaders and employees of Simms, just as they are for Vista Outdoor. We share this passion for conserving the places where we hunt, fish, hike and recreate, and we look forward to applying this shared ethic to lands and waters across the globe. After the separation of Vista Outdoor's Sporting and Outdoor Products segments, Simms will enable the Outdoor Products segment to become one of the largest, most diversified outdoor recreation companies in the industry," concluded Metz.
The world's best anglers wear Simms as they have developed the largest guide and ambassador network in the industry and a passionate following among enthusiast and professional anglers, which together drives brand awareness, consumer adoption and innovation across its brand and product categories. This success has enabled Simms to positively impact fisheries conservation through support for more than 30 conservation organizations and an unwavering commitment to keep anglers on the water for generations to come.
"Simms Fishing Products has become the most exciting brand in sport fishing, driving product innovation with our award-winning apparel, outerwear, footwear, and accessories," said Walsh. "Through our high-performance products, we encourage anglers to spend more time on the water—while advocating for healthy fisheries, responsible use, and clean water.
"We are thrilled to be joining the Vista Outdoor family of brands. It is hard to imagine a better partner for Simms. Vista Outdoor is committed to helping us build continued momentum through operational expertise, access to growth capital and their Supply Chain and Digital Centers of Excellence.
"The decision to locate the headquarters of the soon-to-be separated Outdoor Products segment in Bozeman made our decision even easier, as it will reinforce Simms' made-in-Montana heritage and strong commitment to our local community. We are also closely aligned with the Vista Outdoor Foundation's commitment to fish & wildlife conservation and their work with veterans groups. Joining Vista Outdoor is an exciting new era for Simms and very positive for our 170 Bozeman-based employees and the thousands of Simms retailers around the globe," concluded Walsh.
Current Simms Chief Executive Officer Casey Sheahan will continue to lead day-to-day operations of Simms, and K.C. Walsh will continue as a strategic advisor and conservation and government affairs advocate. The current Simms management team and existing employee base also will remain in place.
Simms will be part of Vista Outdoor's Outdoor Products segment and will be included in the new Outdoor Products Company upon the completion of the previously announced separation.
Vista Outdoor has agreed to pay a gross purchase price of $192.5 million, subject to certain customary closing adjustments. The gross purchase price includes a net present value of roughly $20 million in future tax benefits. Simms grew net sales by a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15% from calendar year 2019 to 2021 and is expected to grow in excess of that in calendar year 2022. Vista Outdoor expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings, excluding transaction costs, transition costs and inventory step-up, in Fiscal Year 2024.
Vista Outdoor expects to finance this acquisition via an existing ABL credit facility. Vista Outdoor expects to close the transaction in the second fiscal quarter of FY 2023, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Following the closing of this transaction, Vista Outdoor's leverage ratio is expected to be approximately 1.6 times, well within its target leverage ratio of one to two times. Vista Outdoor expects to de-lever to roughly 1.5 times by the end of the fiscal 2023. Furthermore, following the closing of this transaction, Vista Outdoor does not anticipate additional material acquisitions prior to the separation.
Robert W. Baird & Co. served as financial advisor and Perkins Coie LLP served as legal advisor to Simms Fishing Products.
Reed Smith LLP served as legal advisor to Vista Outdoor in connection with the transaction.
For additional information about Simms and the definitive agreement, please view the Simms Presentation and the Simms Infographic by viewing http://investors.vistaoutdoor.com/event.
Vista Outdoor plans to report its first quarter fiscal year 2023 financial results on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. EDT, which is earlier than previously announced considering the dual announcements of the quarter.
In addition to the first quarter fiscal year 2023 results, which will be published on Vista Outdoor's website, the company expects to discuss its outlook and financial guidance and may discuss matters of strategy during the earnings conference call which will be held on Thursday July 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. EDT, as previously communicated.
Please refer to our press release titled 'Vista Outdoor to Release First Quarter Fiscal 2023 Financial Results' for the earnings webcast and replay information.
Since 1980, Simms Fishing has created products that inspire you to fish. We use our hands to craft groundbreaking gear that's built to fish harder and go farther. Our products serve a higher purpose. Fishing is fishing, but more importantly, gear that performs at the highest level allows all anglers to embrace the overall fishing experience and all the unique nuances that occur before and after the catch. And as fishing has advanced, so too have we, into a state-of-the-art design and manufacturing hub, where innovators converge in Bozeman, Montana, to form a diverse, creative family. For more, visit www.simmsfishing.com.
Vista Outdoor (NYSE: VSTO) is the parent company of more than three dozen renowned brands that design, manufacture and market sporting and outdoor products. We serve a broad and diverse range of consumers around the globe, including outdoor enthusiasts, golfers, cyclists, backyard grillers, campers, hunters, recreational shooters, athletes, as well as law enforcement and military professionals. Our reporting segments, Outdoor Products and Sporting Products, provide these consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative outdoor and sporting products. Our operating model leverages shared resources across brands to achieve levels of excellence and performance that would be out of reach for any one brand on its own. Brands include Remington Ammunition, Bushnell, CamelBak, Bushnell Golf, Foresight Sports, Fiber Energy Products, Bell Helmets, Camp Chef, Giro, QuietKat, Stone Glacier, Federal Ammunition and more. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. For news and information, visit our website at www.vistaoutdoor.com.
Some of the statements made and information contained in this report, excluding historical information, are "forward-looking statements," including those that discuss, among other things: our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; projections with respect to future revenues, income, earnings per share or other financial measures for Vista Outdoor; and the assumptions that underlie these matters. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "aim," "should" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. To the extent that any such information is forward-looking, it is intended to fit within the safe harbor for forward-looking information provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations described in such forward-looking statements, including the following: supplier capacity constraints, production or shipping disruptions or quality or price issues affecting our operating costs; the supply, availability and costs of raw materials and components; increases in commodity, energy, and production costs; seasonality and weather conditions; our ability to complete acquisitions, realize expected benefits from acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses; reductions in or unexpected changes in or our inability to accurately forecast demand for ammunition, accessories, or other outdoor sports and recreation products; disruption in the service or significant increase in the cost of our primary delivery and shipping services for our products and components or a significant disruption at shipping ports; risks associated with diversification into new international and commercial markets, including regulatory compliance; our ability to take advantage of growth opportunities in international and commercial markets; our ability to obtain and maintain licenses to third-party technology; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; disruptions caused by catastrophic events; risks associated with our sales to significant retail customers, including unexpected cancellations, delays, and other changes to purchase orders; our competitive environment; our ability to adapt our products to changes in technology, the marketplace and customer preferences, including our ability to respond to shifting preferences of the end consumer from brick and mortar retail to online retail; our ability to maintain and enhance brand recognition and reputation; others' use of social media to disseminate negative commentary about us, our products, and boycotts; the outcome of contingencies, including with respect to litigation and other proceedings relating to intellectual property, product liability, warranty liability, personal injury, and environmental remediation; our ability to comply with extensive federal, state and international laws, rules and regulations; changes in laws, rules and regulations relating to our business, such as federal and state ammunition regulations; risks associated with cybersecurity and other industrial and physical security threats; interest rate risk; changes in the current tariff structures; changes in tax rules or pronouncements; capital market volatility and the availability of financing; foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; general economic and business conditions in the United States and our markets outside the United States, including the war in Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions on Russia, conditions affecting employment levels, consumer confidence and spending, conditions in the retail environment, and other economic conditions affecting demand for our products and the financial health of our customers; and risks related to our Planned Separation. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements we make. A more detailed description of risk factors that may affect our operating results can be found in Part 1, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2022 and in the filings we make with Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") from time to time. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
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SOURCE Vista Outdoor Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/vista-outdoor-enters-into-definitive-agreement-acquire-simms-fishing-products/ | 2022-07-27T21:51:35Z |
Twenty-fifth year provides opportunity to celebrate, reflect and look forward
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OST, a Midwest-based digital and IT consultancy, is celebrating 25 years of impact, driving value for market leaders. Over 25 years, small ripples have grown to be significant waves of impact. For each connection, solution, relationship and friendship we've built over the years, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve.
"For 25 years, OST has walked alongside clients as a transformational partner to architect, build and manage how and where technology runs," said OST President and CEO Meredith Bronk. "This influence carries ripples of impact across the lives of our clients, their customers, our teams and an entire culture of people through the Koniag shareholders. This year, we are pausing to reflect on where we started, celebrate how far we've come and dream of what good we can do next."
OST brings cross-functional knowledge and experience in a broad range of services from the cloud and data center to digital product development to advisory consulting to enable customers' success. OST impacts organizations who are the best at what they do by helping them transform their organization around technology in this rapidly changing world.
Founded in 1997, OST has grown from three to 350 employees with offices in Grand Rapids, Minneapolis and Detroit as well as global reach. As an employee-first organization, OST employees are guided by five principles: honor, delight, serve, embrace and learn.
"We exist to provide a sustainable, employee-first business where people who do what we do can thrive and contribute to a collective, shared impact on the world," Bronk said. "I believe in the collective impact of empowered individuals rallied around a shared purpose," Bronk said. "That's what gets me out of bed every day."
OST is proud to partner with community organizations including long-established partnerships in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Minneapolis. OST and its employees have made contributions to causes including children's food security, diversity in IT and access to STEAM education. In 2012, OST was purchased by Koniag, an Alaskan Native corporation. The work done by OST positively impacts the day to day lives of Koniag Shareholders, Descendants, employees, customers and business partners.
Forward has always been OST's path. A 25th anniversary is about celebration, reflection and dreaming about what the next 25 years will bring for our employees, our clients and the impact we can have on our world, together.
OST is an integrated, cross-functional business technology firm bringing together strategy and insights, digital experiences, connected products, data center transformation and enterprise managed services as we work alongside clients to optimize and grow their businesses. OST has offices in Michigan and Minnesota with teammates across the nation. Our customers include organizations ranging from startups to global Fortune 500 companies. With an employee-first culture driving our success, OST has been recognized for excellence, including in Inc. Magazine's 5,000's Fastest Growing Private Companies, in CRN's Tech Elite 250 and as a National Best and Brightest Company to Work For.
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SOURCE OST | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/ost-celebrates-25-years-impact/ | 2022-07-13T17:38:15Z |
ST PETERS, Mo., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ScholarPath, an education platform designed to help high school students pursue a future true to their talents and passions, today announced that it has exceeded initial investment targets by closing on an extended round of multimillion-dollar financing for its ongoing multi-state expansion.
"Due to the caliber of investors and their passion for supporting the mission of our company, we recently made a decision to accommodate additional participants, and now are almost fully subscribed to that higher financing target, as well," said ScholarPath CEO Doug Mitchell.
ScholarPath is a transformational tool that helps students find their ideal career pathway and plan for life after high school. The platform connects students directly with colleges, employers and recruiters to identify their best next steps and find real opportunities.
Initially set to close at the end of June, this latest start-up funding round was extended and expanded to incorporate broader investor interest. ScholarPath will be deployed in public high schools starting this Fall. Planned implementations include schools in North Carolina and Missouri, with plans to implement in other states in early 2023.
"The majority of this funding will be used to expand hiring in our evolving Customer Success area, Mitchell said. "In addition, some of it will also be used to complete a few of our ongoing technology enhancement projects."
The company's innovative platform seeks to match students with various organizations, whether they be focused on specific trades and local employers, higher education colleges and universities, or the military.
"The assistance we offer students is increasingly essential in a society where career, school and candidate options are abundant and potentially overwhelming," Mitchell said.
"In terms of this most recent capital round, we are so grateful for the confidence and support we continue to receive from our community and financial partners, who are equally committed to our vision of deeper fulfillment for our students," he said.
MyScholar's ScholarPath is a workforce development social network tool for high school students. By building an ecosystem for students, colleges, employers and the military, ScholarPath is changing how high school students plan their future and how high school talent is recruited. The organization helps high school students find their right path, whether that be college, the workforce, or the military. Founded by an experienced team of educators and technologists, ScholarPath launched in multiple St. Louis high schools during the 2020/2021 school year, in conjunction with area chambers of commerce, employers, unions and the military. To learn more about ScholarPath's mission, visit www.scholarpath.com.
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SOURCE ScholarPath | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/scholarpath-closes-expanded-financing-exceeds-initial-investment-targets/ | 2022-08-02T16:29:26Z |
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Smarter Balanced is excited to announce the hirings of Bryce Carpenter as its new Executive Administrative Officer and Rochelle Michel, Ph.D. as its new Deputy Executive Program Officer. The addition of these highly qualified individuals marks a commitment to building a robust organization committed to serving all students.
Dr. Carpenter is a lifelong public servant who believes in the transformative power of education. As a member of the executive team, Dr. Carpenter will support areas ranging from workforce development, budgetary operations, communications, and employee engagement.
Dr. Michel joins Smarter Balanced with 15 years of experience in psychometrics, research, and people leadership. As Deputy Executive Program Officer, Dr. Michel will oversee the psychometrics, research, and data analysis functions.
Regarding their appointments, Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Michel shared:
"Working in high-visibility, high-risk environments at state and federal levels taught me the importance of building a strong team of internals and externals. Partnerships are key," says Dr. Carpenter. "SmarterBalanced has a history of responsive impact and, based on the strength of our prior work and our robust partnerships, has an incredible forward trajectory. I am thrilled to contribute and be a part of this team's future."
"My experiences live at the intersection of teaching, learning, and assessment. I am a teacher at heart! I entered the field of education because I wanted to help students reach their greatest potential and I entered the field of psychometrics because I saw the role that assessments played within the educational system," says Dr. Michel. "With every professional role that I have held, I keep teachers, students, and students' families in mind."
Dr. Carpenter comes from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) where he served as the Chief of Staff to the Chief Information Officer. Dr. Carpenter also served in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has taught at every level from doctoral to pre-Kindergarten, and is a proud Army veteran.
Dr. Michel previously held positions at Curriculum Associates, Educational Records Bureau (ERB), and Educational Testing Service (ETS). She has experience teaching mathematics at the junior high school, high school, community college and university levels.
Smarter Balanced is a member-led public agency that supports educators as they help students on a path to progress. The Smarter Balanced dynamic system of tools—developed in collaboration with our members and educators—is a standards-aligned balanced assessment system and provides teachers with lessons, activities, and methods of gauging progress.
Media Contact: Audrey Lesondak audrey.lesondak@smarterbalanced.org
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SOURCE Smarter Balanced | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/bryce-carpenter-phd-rochelle-michel-phd-join-smarter-balanced/ | 2022-08-03T02:05:06Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - RYU Apparel Inc. (TSXV: RYU) (OTCQB: RYPPF) (FWB: RYA) ("RYU" or the "Company"), creator of award-winning urban athletic apparel, is pleased to announce it has brought Customer Care in-house to be run from its flagship Vancouver retail location on West 4th. Effective March 30th, what was previously outsourced will now be handled by a team of RYU employees trained in customer service, raising the bar on customer care and accountability.
Overseeing this new internal department will be Customer Care Lead, Tiffany Nguyen, previously from LuluLemom (NASDAQ:LULU) who brings many years of retail management and customer service experience to the role. To provide each customer with more personalized attention, each support ticket will be routed to an RYU employee with first-hand knowledge of company policies and products.
The goal of this new department is to extend the company's legendary in-store service to their online support, which aligns with their marketing strategy of creating more synergy between the online and offline shopping experience. Customers who have a positive experience, especially when reaching out to the support team, will foster brand loyalty and generate positive word-of-mouth.
The company is taking a phased approach to ensure a smooth transition, focused on intentional listening, curiosity and urgency:
Phase 1 will focus on team training to improve the quality of the resolution (vs. closing cases as quickly as possible). Protocols for challenging areas will also be addressed. Loop, a Shopify integrated platform, will be implemented to automate returns and exchanges.
Phase 2 will focus on closing benchmarks and goal setting to continually improving performance based on the standards set in phase 1.
Phase 3 will include rolling out the new live chat function, making response times immediate so customers can potentially receive assistance in real time.
"Bringing Customer Care under our roof will allow us total control over the experience, providing a much higher level of service to our customers," says RYU CEO Cesare Fazari. "Our West 4th team is known for their impeccable sales and service culture, so it made sense to place it in their hands. This is yet another strategic move to bridge the gap between online and in-store while building and strengthening RYU brand loyalty."
RYU Apparel (TSXV: RYU, OTCQB: RYPPF), or Respect Your Universe, is an award winning urban athletic apparel and accessories brand engineered for active lifestyles. Designed without compromise for fit, comfort, and durability, RYU exists to facilitate optimal human performance. For more information, please visit the RYU website at: http://ryu.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
This news release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of RYU. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and RYU's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information, including: (i) adverse market conditions resulting in the inability of RYU to raise necessary financing required to enter and make payments under the proposed definitive agreements; (ii) the inability of RYU to obtain any necessary approvals in respect of the proposed agreements, including approvals necessary for the issuance of the RSU's; and (iii) inability to restructure and transform its business as required. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, RYU does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE RYU Apparel Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/21/ryu-apparel-brings-customer-care-services-in-house-strengthening-brand-loyalty/ | 2022-04-21T11:13:22Z |
MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) announced that it will provide anesthesia services at the new Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, effective October 1, 2022. NAPA is the largest single-specialty anesthesia and pain management company in the U.S., with more than 6,000 clinicians providing anesthesia at hundreds of hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and office-based locations across 21 states. The 132-bed, 341,000-foot Penn State Health facility, located at 2160 State Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601, will open on October 3, 2022. The new facility will provide residents of Lancaster and York counties access to Penn State Health's expertise and specialty services without having to drive to its Hershey location.
Joseph J. Frank, MS, MPH, Regional Hospital President, East Region, Penn State Health, said, "We are committed to providing our communities access, quality, choice of care, and complete medical and surgical capabilities as close to their homes as possible. This facility will strengthen Penn State Health, providing world-class primary, specialty, and acute care to residents. NAPA will help us deliver the highest level of care and reinforce our reputation in the Lancaster area."
Joshua Constable, DO, NAPA's Vice President of Clinical Services for the Mid-Atlantic Region, said, "We are excited about this new relationship, where NAPA's trusted anesthesia clinicians will support Lancaster Medical Center in providing exceptional medical care from day one. With years of experience in delivering consistent and safe anesthesia services, we at NAPA look forward to a long relationship with Penn State Health in Lancaster, where we will work collaboratively to expand health care services, achieve facility excellence, and make reliable surgical services available for all."
As a clinician-led organization, North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) is redefining healthcare, delivering unsurpassed excellence to its partners and patients every day. NAPA has grown to become the nation's leading single-specialty anesthesia and pain management company. Our 6,000+ clinicians serve nearly 3 million patients annually at nearly 500 healthcare facilities in 21 states. For more information, please visit NAPAanesthesia.com.
Penn State Health is a multi-hospital health system serving patients and communities across 29 counties of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to improve health through patient care, research, education, and community outreach. Penn State Health has 126 practices in 94 unique outpatient locations. It employs more than 17,500 people, including more than 3,000 physicians and direct-care providers. Penn State College of Medicine is located on the campus of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and partners with Penn State Health to improve lives through research and education.
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SOURCE NAPA Management Services Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/north-american-partners-anesthesia-bring-anesthesia-services-new-penn-state-health-medical-center/ | 2022-08-23T12:07:30Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for APDN, HOTH, BTU, EYEN, and NIO.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- APDN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=APDN&prnumber=090620222
- HOTH: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=HOTH&prnumber=090620222
- BTU: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=BTU&prnumber=090620222
- EYEN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=EYEN&prnumber=090620222
- NIO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=NIO&prnumber=090620222
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical, and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock's overall suitability for investment.
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/thinking-about-buying-stock-applied-dna-sciences-hoth-therapeutics-peabody-energy-eyenovia-or-nio/ | 2022-09-06T14:37:06Z |
Aultman, Cleveland Clinic Mercy births for March 13-19
AULTMAN HOSPITAL
March 14, 2022
Jennifer Elsass and Stefan Johnson of Canton, girl
Shawna Becker and Don Hawkins Sr. of Canton, girl
March 15, 2022
Danielle Smith of Canton, girl
Taylor and Bryan Bayer of Uniontown, girl
March 16, 2022
Fantasia Durham and James O’Donnell of Uhrichsville, boy
Melissa Sue Pollock and Dustin Welker of East Canton, girl
Shawna Workman and Trent Clark of Strasburg, boy
Tynnoa Clark and Troy Blackmon of Alliance, girl
Jessica Heath and Jeremy Murch of Massillon, boy
March 17, 2022
Megan and Robert Windland of Canton, boy
Sharon and Cory Salerno of North Canton, boy
Alicia and David Eberly of Clinton, girl
Kathryn Campbell and Anthony Meredith of North Canton, boy
Heather and Aaron Whisman of Clinton, boy
Jennifer and Matthew Rutan of Canton, boy
Madison and Bret Rininger Jr. of Carrollton, boy
March 18, 2022
Katie and Drew Mercer of Alliance, boy
Kristin Roska and David Glyder of Canton, boy
Courtney Wells and Cody Snyder of Louisville, girl
March 19, 2022
Courtney Hayhurst and Corey Taylor of Canton, girl
CLEVELAND CLINIC MERCY HOSPITAL
March 13, 2022
Paige and Andrew Whitmer of Carrollton, boy
March 15, 2022
Samantha and Denis Betancourt Vargas of Massillon, girl
March 16, 2022
Jennifer and Benjamin Clark of East Canton, girl | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/04/03/aultman-cleveland-clinic-mercy-births-march-13-19/7166930001/ | 2022-04-03T07:41:17Z |
Inspired by principles that embody the American dream, industry icon Patrick Bet-David and PHP Agency will leverage Integrity's best-in-class resources and technology to help more Americans achieve financial security
DALLAS, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrity Marketing Group, LLC ("Integrity"), a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of wealth management and retirement planning solutions, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire PHP Agency, an industry leading field marketing organization ("FMO") based in Addison, Texas. As part of the acquisition, Patrick Bet-David, Founder and CEO of PHP Agency, will become a Managing Partner in Integrity. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
PHP, which stands for "People Helping People," serves nearly half a million Americans nationwide by offering life and annuity products through its team of more than 27,000 agents across 170 offices. In many ways, Patrick Bet-David, the Founder and CEO of PHP, is the epitome of the American dream. Bet-David came to the United States as an Iranian refugee as a child, then served in the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division before joining a large investment and financial services firm. In 2009, he founded PHP Agency, which has experienced exponential growth by investing in technology for agents and focusing on the needs of underserved communities. A leader in diversity and inclusion, PHP Agency is redefining industry norms by recruiting, training and supporting a diverse, dynamic and highly motivated salesforce.
"Patrick Bet-David is the embodiment of the American dream," said Bryan W. Adams, Co-Founder and CEO of Integrity. "He has inspired thousands of agents to become entrepreneurs, founders and leaders, all while building an agency that is reshaping the face of insurance. This type of leadership is a rare gift, and we're privileged to have Patrick join us in our mission to innovate the industry."
"In order to stay competitive in this space, we know we need to invest heavily in people and in technology," explained Patrick Bet-David, Founder and CEO of PHP Agency. "Integrity is much more than a proven leader in insurtech — they also share our core values and vision for a more inclusive future. Together, Integrity and PHP have tremendous resources to empower a new generation of agents who will serve Americans in profoundly innovative ways. This partnership accelerates so much for our business, including adding carriers, technology, support and partners to what we now have access to. When these benefits are combined with our youthful, energetic and diverse workforce, every stakeholder wins. Integrity's success is now our success, and I know we will create something truly special together."
"PHP Agency is inspiring and developing an entire generation of young, energetic and influential leaders who will leave a lasting impact on the industry," added Tom Dempsey, Chief Distribution Officer at Integrity. "Patrick is an inspiration to so many people — I can't think of a better leader who truly understands and represents Integrity's mission to serve others in planning for the good days ahead. We're proud that he will now join our partner network and help us find new ways to innovate insurance together. PHP Agency has already achieved incredible success by empowering its agent network to build relationships and provide solutions to everyone in their communities. The company can now tap into Integrity's state-of-the-art technology, products and relationships to serve even more Americans. I'm eager to see what PHP and Integrity can achieve together, and we welcome them to our fast-growing team."
PHP Agency will reach more customers than ever before by utilizing Integrity's extensive suite of end-to-end offerings. The Integrity insurtech platform encompasses resources such as real-time quoting and enrollment systems, efficient customer relationship management software and robust product development. PHP Agency can also take advantage of Integrity's strong and supportive infrastructure of business services available to all partners, allowing PHP Agency's leaders to redirect valuable administrative time. Included in these shared services are areas such as People & Culture, Technology & Innovation, legal and compliance, and access to a world-class advertising and marketing firm.
"Patrick Bet-David is a best-selling author and popular keynote speaker, as well as a social media icon with millions of followers. His message of hope and success inspires entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world, and we are excited to be able to work with him to fulfill our mission at Integrity," said Anne Wood, Chief Marketing Officer at Integrity. "Together, we're going to reach more people than ever before and deliver solutions that empower consumers to make the most of what life brings."
Bet-David will expand opportunities for his agents and agencies by leveraging opportunities for teamwork and growth through the Integrity partner network. Driven by a core commitment to innovate insurance, this world-class peer group of industry icons have united to shape best practices and strategies that improve insurance and financial services for everyone. Integrity partners are focused on protecting the life, health and wealth of all Americans, helping millions prepare for the good days ahead.
PHP employees will also take part in Integrity's Employee Ownership Plan, which offers employees the opportunity to share in Integrity's success through meaningful company ownership.
"With a culture devoted to 'People Helping People,' Patrick and his team can now use Integrity's platform to expand their influence and diversify the products and services they offer," said Steve Young, Chairman of the Board of Integrity. "We're always thrilled to partner with trailblazing leaders. PHP Agency will be an incredibly valued and esteemed addition to the Integrity family as we work to protect families across the United States."
For more information about PHP Agency's partnership with Integrity, view a video at www.integritymarketing.com/PHPAgency.
About Integrity Marketing Group
Integrity, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of innovative solutions for wealth management and retirement planning. Through its partner network, Integrity helps millions of Americans protect their life, health and wealth with a commitment to meet them wherever they are — in person, over the phone and online. Integrity's cutting-edge technology helps streamline the insurance and financial planning experience for all stakeholders. In addition, Integrity develops products with carrier partners and markets them through its distribution network of agencies, brokerages and RIAs throughout the nation. Integrity's nearly 6,000 employees work with more than 450,000 agents and advisors who serve over 10 million clients annually. In 2022, Integrity will help carriers place more than $12 billion in new sales and oversee more than $20 billion of assets under management and advisement through its RIA and broker-dealer platforms. For more information, visit www.integritymarketing.com.
About PHP Agency
Founded in 2009, PHP Agency Inc. is a tech-enabled national field marketing organization (FMO) headquartered in Addison, Texas. With over 27,000 licensed agents nationally in 49 states and Puerto Rico, PHP's agents have educated and served over 450,000 American families. PHP partners with leading insurance and annuity carriers and provides part-time or full-time opportunities to those seeking careers as life insurance agents. For more information, visit www.phpagency.com.
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SOURCE Integrity Marketing Group, LLC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/patrick-bet-david-php-agency-joins-integrity-accelerate-growth-serve-more-people/ | 2022-07-20T15:38:01Z |
Advanced Load-Cell Brake Pedals from Asetek for Immersive Sim Racing
AALBORG, Denmark, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Asetek, sim racing gear innovator, the creator of the all-in-one liquid cooler, and the global leader in liquid cooling solutions for gaming PCs and DIY enthusiasts, today announced it has started shipping its high-performance Forte™ Throttle and Brake Pedal Set for immersive sim racing. Forte means "strong" and with the Forte™ Pedal Set from Asetek SimSports™ aspiring sim racers can experience high-end pedals for immersive racing at a very competitive price point, while still providing a true racecar feel.
The ultra-realistic sim racing pedals with Asetek's proprietary 2-stage M.L.C.P.C.™ (Mechanical Load Cell Powered Cylinder) braking technology provide precise braking and incorporate the sleek design from the Invicta™ pedals, along with custom-made RaceHub™ software for quick and easy adjustments and calibration. The Forte™ Throttle and Brake pedals are compatible with the optional Invicta™ Clutch pedal and include several aspects of the premium-performance Invicta™ Throttle and Brake Pedal Set from Asetek SimSports™.
Forte™ Throttle and Brake Pedals Feature Set:
- Custom designed load-cell solution measuring pedal force up to 180kg
- M.L.C.P.C.™ technology ensures the 2-stage braking system enabling perfect trail braking and gained lap time
- Identical high-performance design to Asetek SimSports™ Invicta™ pedals
- High-precision, hall-effect sensor-based throttle
- Forte™ pedals feature smooth pedal plates for a more comfortable feeling for sim racing without shoes
"We are thrilled to be shipping our Forte™ Throttle and Brake Pedal Set, a high-quality product that provides many of the benefits of our premium performance Invicta™ pedals, at a price point accessible to many more sim racers," said André Sloth Eriksen, CEO and founder of Asetek. "Our goal with all of our SimSports products is to empower sim racers to experience the thrill and feel of a real racecar. With the Forte™ pedal set, aspiring sim racers are sure to improve their lap times, while benefiting from high-quality load-cell braking, and simple customization and personalization."
Sim racers can place their orders by going to www.asetek.com/simsports/webshop/.
- Asetek Forte™ Throttle and Brake Pedal Set is available for purchase. Extremely competitively priced and fully immersive, the Forte™ pedals including the load-cell brake offer the performance level and quality of much higher priced solutions. The Forte™ Pedal Set with its custom-made RaceHub™ software is available for €419.00 excluding VAT ($499.00 excluding sales tax when available for sale in the U.S.). To learn more or purchase the Forte™ Pedal Set with its custom-made RaceHub™ software click here: https://www.asetek.com/simsports/webshop/global/product/forte-pedals-brake-and-throttle/
- The optional Invicta™ Clutch Pedal is currently being sold for €209.00 excluding VAT ($249.00 excluding sales tax when available for sale in the U.S.). To learn more or purchase click here: https://www.asetek.com/simsports/webshop/global/product/invicta-pedals-clutch/
If desired, Forte™ pedal owners will be able to upgrade their pedals to the Invicta™ T.H.O.R.P.™ (Twin Hydraulic Opposing Rapid Pistons) system and replace the Forte™ pedal plates with Invicta™ pedal plates, for the ultimate experience of driving a real racecar. The Forte™ to Invicta™ Pedal Upgrade Kit is expected to be available for purchase in 2022.
In addition to the Invicta™ and Forte™ sim racing pedals, Invicta™ Footrest, and Forte™ Pedal Plates, Asetek SimSports™ will also offer wheel bases, steering wheels, shifters, and other end-user customization options.
Learn more about the high-performance Forte™ Throttle and Brake Pedal Set in the review videos from Will Ford of Boosted Media, Lawrence Dusoswa, Dave Cam, Ron Reviewt, Random Callsign, and more. Check out the reviews here: Reviews - SimSports (asetek.com).
Asetek prides itself on its credibility. Working with reviewers and influencers is an integral part of letting customers know our products will live up to everything they are designed and tested to do. When it comes to racing hardware reviews, advertising and ethics, Asetek joined the Conscious Advertising Network, a voluntary coalition of over 70 organizations to ensure that industry ethics catches up with modern advertising technology. More information can be found here: Asetek's Ethical Guidelines.
About Asetek
Asetek (ASTK.OL), a global leader in mechatronic innovation, is a Danish garage-to-stock-exchange success story. Founded in 2000, Asetek established its innovative position as the leading OEM developer and producer of the all-in-one liquid cooler for all major PC & Enthusiast gaming brands. In 2013, Asetek went public while expanding into energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solutions for data centers. In 2021, Asetek introduced the first of its products for next-level immersive SimSports gaming experiences. Asetek is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in China, Taiwan, and the United States.
Media contact
Margo Westfall
Asetek Sr. Marketing Managermwe@asetek.com
+1 (408) 644-5616
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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SOURCE Asetek | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/high-performance-high-value-forte-sim-racing-pedal-set-asetek-simsports-now-shipping/ | 2022-07-25T06:50:49Z |
HOUSTON, June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Identity Automation, the digital identity platform for education, today announced a new partnership with PIXM, an artificial intelligence cybersecurity startup, to launch PhishID™, a powerful anti-phishing solution integrated into Identity Automation's RapidIdentity IAM platform.
Our schools have become more digitally connected in recent years, significantly increasing the threat landscape. The Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) found that over 90 percent of cyber security incidents began with phishing attacks. The vulnerabilities will increase unless educational organizations take action to block attacks through phishing prevention.
Arming K-12 and higher education with robust and reliable protection against today's ever-evolving phishing attacks, PhishID stops phishing attacks in real-time through the browser at the point-of-click. This approach protects beyond email-based attacks to provide a holistic defense that can be implemented without disrupting instructional time.
Providing yet another layer of protection against account takeovers and other forms of identity theft, the new PhishID offering is available through Identity Automation's RapidIdentity platform. With RapidIdentity, institutions and districts are able to bring together identity management and authentication solutions with PIXM's point-of-click phishing protection.
"We are pleased to work with a fellow innovator such as PIXM to provide the latest protections and efficiencies schools need today," said Identity Automation CEO Jim Harold. "A PIXM-Identity Automation partnership is a great example of working together to empower and secure educators with the newest measures of protection they need to maximize learning time and minimize distractions or delays from dangerous threats such as phishing."
"Educators and learners shouldn't have to worry about phishing attempts," said Chris Cleveland, Founder and CEO of PIXM. "Partnering with Identity Automation provides an additional layer of protection to keep their information secure. Our AI-based technology identifies phishing attempts designed to bypass security measures and blocks users before they can enter their credentials."
About Identity Automation
Identity Automation provides identity and access management (IAM) solutions for K-12 and higher education. Its flagship platform, RapidIdentity, safeguards learning environments, maximizes instructional time, and minimizes the load on Information & Educational Technology teams. Technology leaders turn to RapidIdentity for its best-in-class security capabilities, time-saving automation, and flexible approach to managing digital identities. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Identity Automation is trusted by Chicago Public Schools, Public Schools of North Carolina, University of Rochester, Houston Community College, and hundreds of other institutions. To learn more about partnering with Identity Automation, visit www.identityautomation.com.
About PIXM
PIXM, a cyber security startup that stops zero-day phishing attacks with AI Computer Vision, is led by artificial intelligence experts focused on cyber security. It is advised by cyber security pioneers, intel community leaders, and successful entrepreneurs. PIXM CEO and Founder Chris Cleveland studied machine learning applications in cyber security at Columbia's SEAS graduate school. Its backers include Tenable Networks Founder Ron Gula and Veracode Founder Chris Wysopal. Visit www.pixmsecurity.com.
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SOURCE Identity Automation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/identity-automation-partners-with-pixm-offer-robust-anti-phishing-solutions-k12-higher-education/ | 2022-06-20T11:35:53Z |
Innovative product development partner expands North American footprint and engineering expertise by incorporating over 160 new team members
FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Pillar Global, a leading developer of breakthrough digital products, today announced it is expanding its business through the acquisition of Canada-based software engineering firm, Jonah Group, which brings substantial experience in the financial services industry and is known for its high quality engineering. With clients across auto finance, insurance, wealth management and capital markets, Jonah Group further complements 3Pillar's focus in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.
This is the latest in a line of strategic acquisitions and hires by 3Pillar as part of its accelerated growth strategy. 3Pillar also recently acquired a stronger foothold in Latin America with the acquisitions of Arizona-based Tiempo Development and Costa Rica-based Isthmus Software as well as in Europe with the acquisition of Czech Republic-based Software Development Europe.
"Jonah Group has provided premium software engineering services to an impressive list of clients for more than 20 years," said David DeWolf, CEO of 3Pillar. "Bringing them, and their 160 team members under the 3Pillar umbrella means we're now one team with shared strengths, values and culture. Our combined capabilities and expanded presence in the BFSI sector as well as the heart of Toronto's financial and technology district will allow us to better serve our clients for years to come."
The acquisition of Jonah Group will add to 3Pillar's growing global footprint and expand the 3Pillar team to more than 2,300 employees across nine countries. With global offices and delivery centers in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and APAC, 3Pillar continues to deliver high quality digital product development services on a continuous development cycle.
"This is a huge win for Jonah Group, our employees, and most of all, our clients," said Jeremy Chan, co-Founder, Jonah Group. "Over the last six months, we've been delighted to discover excellent values alignment with 3Pillar extending throughout the organization, most importantly, a shared emphasis on empathy, humility, and transparency within employee and customer relationships. 3Pillar is the preeminent partner for building digital businesses, and we could not have envisioned a better next step for our organization."
For more information on 3Pillar Global and its work building software products for digitally-transforming businesses, visit www.3pillarglobal.com.
About 3Pillar Global
3Pillar Global builds breakthrough software products that power cutting-edge digital transformations and define the next generation of digital business. 3Pillar's innovative product development solutions drive rapid revenue, increase market share, and ensure customer growth. Leveraging the "Product Mindset," 3Pillar delivers disruptive and transformative digital and software products to clients across industries, from CARFAX and Fortune to PBS. Visit www.3pillarglobal.com for more information and career opportunities. To learn more about the Product Mindset, visit www.productmindset.com and pick up a copy of "The Product Mindset: Succeed in the Digital Economy by Changing the Way Your Organization Thinks," by 3Pillar CEO David DeWolf and VP of UX/UI for CoStar Group Jessica Hall.
About Jonah Group
Jonah Group Ltd. (jonahgroup.com) is a premier software development firm that provides best-in-class software solutions to some of Canada's largest companies.
Founded in 2001, Jonah Group specializes in the design, build, implementation, and management of custom software applications for enterprises under pressure to evolve. The company is known for its smart approach to digital solution development and roll out. Jonah's proprietary software development methodology, Lightwave®, is a set of processes, recipes, tools, and best practices that help deliver software efficiently and with low risk, while giving their clients an excellent experience. Jonah Group's attitude toward inhabiting customer goals and expressing them fully within digital products sets them apart from their competitors. Jonah boasts an impressive list of clients ranging from Canada's blue-chip institutional investors and other premier financial institutions to some of the largest health care and health care insurance providers. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada in the heart of Toronto's financial and technology sector.
3Pillar Global Media Contacts
Margaret Irons
mediarelations@3pillarglobal.com
BLASTmedia for 3Pillar Global
Patrick Murphy
3Pillar@BLASTmedia.com
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SOURCE 3Pillar Global | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/3pillar-global-acquires-canada-based-software-firm-jonah-group/ | 2022-09-13T18:41:31Z |
Integration provides remote and hybrid teams with a powerful alternative to screen sharing
LAS VEGAS, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluescape, a visual collaboration and online whiteboard platform, is teaming up with Webex to introduce Bluescape for Webex. This integration, announced at the Cisco Live event, enables users to communicate and collaborate seamlessly, providing a superior meeting experience.
The Bluescape for Webex app provides hybrid and remote teams with a powerful alternative to screen sharing by allowing them to add a Bluescape workspace to their existing Webex meeting application. From there, users can share images, videos, files, and other content in high fidelity on a secure workspace that can be attached to their meetings.
"The workplace is at a critical moment in time," says Bluescape CEO Peter Jackson. "The way we work isn't going to look like it did before 2020, so remote and hybrid teams need tools that meet their needs. That means tools that alleviate stress without compromising quality of work."
Teams can meet and collaborate on projects side-by-side to have better and more efficient meetings by bringing together the power of real-time communication with the flexibility of asynchronous collaboration. The Bluescape for Webex app will allow users to get more work done quickly through increased productivity and asynchronous work. Advantages of Bluescape's integration for Webex include:
- Enable better meetings through collaboration and whiteboarding tools
- Quickly attach a whiteboard to your Webex Meeting app
- Collaborate asynchronously with remote teams
- Capture content, discussion, and feedback in a persistent workspace that can be accessed anytime, anywhere
A Webex and a Bluescape account are required to use this integration. Teams can revolutionize their operations by clicking on "Apps" and selecting Bluescape to get started. You can sign up for Bluescape for free at www.bluescape.com/partners/webex. Once you sign in, you can select a workspace to add to Webex Meetings.
About Bluescape
Bluescape is the visual platform for high-value collaboration. We bring teams and their work together in one place to overcome information silos and communication barriers, propelling productivity and breakthrough innovation. Customers include Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, higher education, and media and entertainment. A Silicon Valley-based company, Bluescape was named one of the most innovative companies of 2021 by Fast Company. Visit Bluescape and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that has been making the Internet work since 1984. Our people, products, and partners help society securely connect and seize tomorrow's digital opportunities today. Discover more at thenetwork.cisco.com and follow us on Twitter at @Cisco.
Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.
About Webex by Cisco
Webex is a leading provider of cloud-based collaboration solutions which includes video meetings, calling, messaging, events, customer experience solutions like contact center and purpose-built collaboration devices. Webex's focus on delivering inclusive collaboration experiences fuels our innovation, which leverages AI and Machine Learning, to remove the barriers of geography, language, personality, and familiarity with technology. Its solutions are underpinned with security and privacy by design. Webex works with the world's leading business and productivity apps – delivered through a single application and interface. Learn more at webex.com.
Media Contact: Peyton Francum, Peyton.Francum@RuderFinn.com
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SOURCE Bluescape Software | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/bluescape-changes-remote-work-game-with-new-webex-partnership/ | 2022-06-15T13:53:20Z |
WHO: Monkeypox won’t turn into pandemic, but many unknowns
LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization’s top monkeypox expert said she doesn’t expect the hundreds of cases reported to date to turn into another pandemic, but acknowledged there are still many unknowns about the disease, including how exactly it’s spreading and whether the suspension of mass smallpox immunization decades ago may somehow be speeding its transmission.
In a public session on Monday, WHO’s Dr. Rosamund Lewis said it was critical to emphasize that the vast majority of cases being seen in dozens of countries globally are in gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men, so that scientists can further study the issue and for populations at risk to take precautions.
“It’s very important to describe this because it appears to be an increase in a mode of transmission that may have been under-recognized in the past,” said Lewis, WHO’s technical lead on monkeypox.
Still, she warned that anyone is at potential risk of the disease, regardless of their sexual orientation. Other experts have pointed out that it may be accidental that the disease was first picked up in gay and bisexual men, saying it could quickly spill over into other groups if it is not curbed. To date, WHO said 23 countries that haven’t previously had monkeypox have reported more than 250 cases.
Lewis said it’s unknown whether monkeypox is being transmitted by sex or just the close contact between people engaging in sexual activity and described the threat to the general population as “low.”
“It is not yet known whether this virus is exploiting a new mode of transmission, but what is clear is that it continues to exploit its well-known mode of transmission, which is close, physical contact,” Lewis said. Monkeypox is known to spread when there is close physical contact with an infected person or their clothing or bedsheets.
She also warned that among the current cases, there is a higher proportion of people with fewer lesions that are more concentrated in the genital region and sometimes nearly impossible to see.
“You may have these lesions for two to four weeks (and) they may not be visible to others, but you may still be infectious,” she said.
Last week, a top adviser to WHO said the outbreak in Europe, U.S., Israel, Australia and beyond was likely linked to sex at two recent raves in Spain and Belgium. That marks a significant departure from the disease’s typical pattern of spread in central and western Africa, where people are mainly infected by animals like wild rodents and primates, and epidemics haven’t spilled across borders.
Most monkeypox patients experience only fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. People with more serious illness may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body. No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak.
WHO’s Lewis also said that while previous cases of monkeypox in central and western Africa have been relatively contained, it was not clear if people could spread monkeypox without symptoms or if the disease might be airborne, like measles or COVID-19.
Monkeypox is related to smallpox, but has milder symptoms. After smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, countries suspended their mass immunization programs, a move that some experts believe may be helping monkeypox spread, since there is now little widespread immunity to related diseases; smallpox vaccines are also protective against monkeypox.
Lewis said it would be “unfortunate” if monkeypox were able to “exploit the immunity gap” left by smallpox 40 years ago, saying that there was still a window of opportunity to close down the outbreak so that monkeypox would not become entrenched in new regions.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/30/who-monkeypox-wont-turn-into-pandemic-many-unknowns/ | 2022-05-30T13:13:20Z |
- Q2 Revenue up 14% QoQ and 36% YoY to a Record $22.4 Million -
- Q2 Adjusted EBITDA up 64% QoQ and 95% YoY to a Record $10.2 Million, with $4.3 Million of
Cash from Operations -
- Reaffirms 2022 Guidance of $90-$95 Million of Revenue and $25-$28 Million of
Adjusted EBITDA -
MIAMI, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Cansortium Inc. (CSE:TIUM.U) (OTCQX: CNTMF) ("Cansortium" or the "Company"), a vertically-integrated cannabis company operating under the Fluent™ brand, today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. Unless otherwise indicated, all results are presented in U.S. dollars.
"We generated a record quarter of results in Q2, highlighted by double-digit revenue growth, margin expansion and a material increase in adjusted EBITDA and cash flow generation," said CEO Robert Beasley. "The investments we have made to add scale and improve cultivation in Florida are paying dividends. Our Sweetwater indoor cultivation facility is now fully operational and the yields in our Tampa facility have doubled from the start of 2022, all of which has led to dramatically improved productivity at the store level and a consistent increase in new patient count. In fact, revenue in Florida was up 16% from Q1 without adding a single new store during the quarter."
Beasley continued: "I am very proud of what our team has accomplished this year, however we still have significant room to grow. We remain on track to open 4-5 new stores in Florida by year-end, and the final phase of our cultivation expansion in Tampa is nearly complete. We expect product from this new space to hit shelves in the next couple of months, just in time for one of our strongest periods of the year in Florida as we enter the holidays."
Q2 2022 Financial Highlights (vs. Q2 2021)
- Revenue increased 36% to $22.4 million compared to $16.5 million.
- Florida revenue increased 33% to $18.8 million compared to $14.2 million.
- Adjusted gross profit1 increased 40% to $15.0 million or 67.0% of revenue, compared to $10.7 million or 65.1% of revenue.
- Adjusted EBITDA increased 95% to $10.2 million or 45.4% of revenue, compared to $5.2 million or 31.7% of revenue.
- Cash from operations increased significantly to $4.3 million compared to cash used of $(0.7) million.
- At June 30, 2022, the Company had approximately $8.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $69.3 million of total debt, with approximately 252.3 million fully diluted shares outstanding (based on treasury stock method and share price on July 31, 2022).
Operational Highlights
- In Florida, the Company anticipates opening 4-5 new stores by the end of 2022. All of these locations are currently under contract and going through construction.
- In Pennsylvania, the Company opened its third dispensary in Annville in April.
- In August, the Company discontinued its operations in Michigan due to unfavorable market conditions. By ceasing operations in Michigan, Cansortium is expected to save approximately $0.5 million in operating expenses per year.
- As highlighted in the chart below, the Company has experienced ten consecutive quarters of revenue growth in addition to material improvements in adjusted EBITDA, reaching record levels for both metrics.
2022 Outlook
The Company continues to expect revenue in 2022 to range between $90-$95 million, reflecting an approximate 42% increase from 2021 at the midpoint. Cansortium also continues to expect adjusted EBITDA in 2022 to range between $25-$28 million, reflecting an approximate 35% increase from 2021.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and live audio webcast today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial and operational results, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Date: Monday, August 29, 2022
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
Toll-free dial-in number: (800) 319-4610
International dial-in number: (604) 638-5340
Conference ID: 10020139
Link: Cansortium Conference Call
Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Elevate IR at (720) 330-2829.
The conference call will also be available for replay via the News & Events section of the Company's investor relations website at https://investors.getfluent.com/.
About Cansortium Inc.
Cansortium is a vertically-integrated cannabis company with licenses and operations in Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. The Company operates under the Fluent™ brand and is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by Cansortium's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution and retail. The Company is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
Cansortium Inc.'s common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U" and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol "CNTMF". For more information about the Company, please visit www.getfluent.com.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control.
Forward-looking information is necessarily based on many opinions, assumptions, and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
For further information: www.getfluent.com.
Company Contact
Robert Beasley, CEO
(850) 972-8077
investors.getfluent.com
Investor Relations Contact
Sean Mansouri, CFA
Elevate IR
(720) 330-2829
investors@cansortiuminc.com
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SOURCE Cansortium Inc | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/cansortium-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-08-29T21:59:43Z |
Trust in information from secondary sources like Internet searches, pharma companies, patient advocacy groups, and more has grown since 2019 Survey; Consumers need help making sense of online health information.
NEW YORK, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Harris Poll, a Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) company, today released results from the "2022 Health Information Trends Survey," conducted among a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 U.S. adults between June 15 and June 17, 2022. The survey – which expands upon research first conducted in 2019 on the public's trust in health information sources – shows consumers are increasingly looking to non-health care providers for critical health information.
Findings from the "2022 Health Information Trends Survey" suggest the public is both confident in and confused by online information, leading to a 'trust but verify' approach to health information.
- Consumers side-stepping health care providers for health information: A majority of U.S. adults agree that they can often find the health information they need without going to a health care provider (63%). Nearly the same proportion (61%) agree they need help making sense of all the health information available online.
- The proportion of adults who trust non-health care provider information sources is on the rise since 2019. Consumers report a great deal or a lot of trust in Internet searches (41% in 2022 vs. 33% in 2019), pharma companies (36% vs. 26%), patient advocacy groups (35% vs. 28%), and support groups (35% vs. 28%), among others. At the same time, trust in primary care providers and specialists has declined slightly from 2019; 78% of consumers say they trust their Primary Care Providers, down from 83% in 2019. 76% say they trust their specialists, down from 80% in 2019.
- Verification sources: Among those who use specific sources of information1, more than nine in ten verify the information they find. The most common motivation prompting verification behavior, regardless of information source, is wanting to have more than one source with the same information followed by a belief that it's hard to keep up because healthcare information is changing all the time.
"The data suggests a complex and evolving environment for healthcare consumers, communicators, and providers. The public is consuming healthcare information frequently from various sources and need more help making sense of what they find, what's credible, and what's not," said Michele Salomon, Vice President at The Harris Poll. "Communicators must find new ways to reach consumers as non-traditional sources become trusted health care advisors. In this context – with noted reductions in trust for providers between our 2019 and 2022 surveys – the role of health care providers is diminished."
Full findings from the report are available for download here.
Harris Poll's healthcare research covers all key audiences including patients, generalist and specialist providers, payers, hospital system decision makers, policy makers, caregivers, those with specific or chronic illnesses, patient advocacy group or association members, and the broader public. For more information about The Harris Poll or to learn more about our healthcare practice, please visit the https://theharrispoll.com/industries/healthcare/
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963. It is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. We work with clients in three primary areas; building twenty-first century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible.
About the Media Communications Research Practice
Built on the 50+ year heritage of The Harris Poll, the Media Communications Research practice supports the full scope of clients' data-driven communications strategy, including paid, earned, social and owned media. Whether the goal is to own and tell their own story through thought leadership research, to measure what the public thinks or knows through public opinion polling, or to influence the policy and legislative agenda by taking a public affairs lens, our consultants guide the research and analysis process, from discovering a unique space a client can own through supporting the full range of outreach activities.
Harris Poll Reputation Practice
The Harris Poll's reputation insights capabilities are powered by 25 years of dedicated expertise that provide strategic guidance, well beyond just the data or a dashboard. 2022 marks the 23rd annual release of the Harris Poll's Reputation Quotient (RQ) Study – currently released in partnership with Axios as The Axios-Harris Poll 100 (more details can be found here: https://theharrispoll.com/partners/media/axios-harrispoll-100/)
The Harris Poll's healthcare reputation expertise is showcased through regularly building and managing programs that cover 20+ global markets and 12+ stakeholders (including the most complex and hard to reach, such as Policy Makers, Payers, and Hospital System Decision Makers, in addition all healthcare Medical Specialties). Today, more than ever, this work also creates actionable value in context of ever-changing business, societal and healthcare issue/ trend landscape.
1 Sources examined in survey: online sources, health insurance company, government agencies, peer-reviewed medical journals, pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocacy groups or associations
About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 12,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Contact:
Michele Salomon
michele.salomon@harrispoll.com
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/consumer-confidence-health-information-non-health-care-provider-sources-rise-harris-polls-2022-health-information-trends-study/ | 2022-07-14T14:54:02Z |
Oklahoma State routs Baylor 11-1, advances in Big 12 tourney
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Justin Campbell struck out 10 in seven innings, Griffin Doersching hit a three-run homer and No. 4 seed Oklahoma State beat eighth-seeded Baylor 11-1 in the Big 12 Tournament. Oklahoma State, coming off a 4-0 loss to Texas after recording just three hits, advances to play on Friday in the double-elimination tournament. Baylor had its season come to an end. Jake Thompson’s two-run single in the seventh inning ended the game on the 10-run rule. Thompson and Doersching each had three RBIs, and Roc Riggio had four of Oklahoma State’s 16 hits. Doersching’s 12th homer of the season made it 4-1 in the third inning, and Riggio’s seventh home run made it 7-1 in the sixth. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/26/oklahoma-state-routs-baylor-11-1-advances-in-big-12-tourney/ | 2022-05-26T19:03:09Z |
Milestone underscores CEVA's central role in the IoT era, enabling wireless connectivity and intelligence in billions of smartphones, consumer electronics, wearables, IoT endpoints and edge AI devices
ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of wireless connectivity and smart sensing technologies and co-creation solutions, announced today that cumulative royalty-bearing chip shipments that include CEVA IP surpassed 15 billion units during the second quarter. This significant milestone has been achieved as CEVA approaches it's 20-year anniversary of being a public company. While the first 10 billion CEVA-powered shipments spanned more than 15 years, the next 5 billion shipments took less than three and a half years.
The incredible rapid adoption rate of CEVA's IP in the IoT era is a testament to the company's role in the democratization of wireless connectivity, through the broad licensing of its 5G, cellular IoT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and UWB platform IP to hundreds of semiconductors and OEMs. This effectively lowered the entry barriers for embedding wireless connectivity in SoCs, enabling companies to design more cost-effective and power-efficient chips that led to the proliferation of wirelessly-connected devices that we take for granted today. These devices include smartphones, wearables, hearables, wireless speakers, smart home appliances, white goods, plugs, lights and many more.
Gideon Wertheizer, CEO of CEVA, stated: "Surpassing the 15 billion CEVA-powered chip shipment milestone is a very noteworthy accomplishment for CEVA and its customers. The steep shipment ramp we have experienced over the past 3 years directly coincides with the explosion of IoT devices, where almost every electronic device that ships today is connected. We have been developing and investing in wireless technologies for two decades, and today CEVA is proud to be at the forefront of wireless connectivity in the IoT era. Going forward, as devices become increasingly smarter, integrating more sensors and intelligence, our sensing technologies and edge AI platforms are primed to build on our wireless success. We are excited and invigorated by what's next for CEVA as the adoption of our technologies continues to grow and we reach new heights."
Today, more than 50 CEVA-powered devices are sold every second around the world. For more insight into some of the latest CEVA-powered devices, visit our website at https://www.ceva-dsp.com/powered-products/.
About CEVA, Inc.
CEVA is the leading licensor of wireless connectivity and smart sensing technologies and co-creation solutions for a smarter, safer, connected world. We provide Digital Signal Processors, AI engines, wireless platforms, cryptography cores and complementary software for sensor fusion, image enhancement, computer vision, voice input and artificial intelligence. These technologies are offered in combination with our Intrinsix IP integration services, helping our customers address their most complex and time-critical integrated circuit design projects. Leveraging our technologies and chip design skills, many of the world's leading semiconductors, system companies and OEMs create power-efficient, intelligent, secure and connected devices for a range of end markets, including mobile, consumer, automotive, robotics, industrial, aerospace & defense and IoT.
Our DSP-based solutions include platforms for 5G baseband processing in mobile, IoT and infrastructure, advanced imaging and computer vision for any camera-enabled device, audio/voice/speech and ultra-low-power always-on/sensing applications for multiple IoT markets. For sensor fusion, our Hillcrest Labs sensor processing technologies provide a broad range of sensor fusion software and inertial measurement unit ("IMU") solutions for markets including hearables, wearables, AR/VR, PC, robotics, remote controls and IoT. For wireless IoT, our platforms for Bluetooth (low energy and dual mode), Wi-Fi 4/5/6 (802.11n/ac/ax), Ultra-wideband (UWB), NB-IoT and GNSS are the most broadly licensed connectivity platforms in the industry.
CEVA is a sustainable and environmentally conscious company, adhering to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. As such, we emphasize and focus on environmental preservation, recycling, the welfare of our employees and privacy – which we promote on a corporate level. At CEVA, we are committed to social responsibility, values of preservation and consciousness towards these purposes.
Visit us at www.ceva-dsp.com and follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
LOGO: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/74483/ceva__inc__logo.jpg
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SOURCE CEVA, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/ceva-celebrates-15-billionth-ceva-powered-chip-shipped/ | 2022-08-09T12:48:51Z |
ORLANDO, Fla., June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA) announced today the winners of its inaugural Trailblazers Awards program during the 2022 Logistics Marketing & Sales Conference in Orlando.
"With our new awards program and expanded categories, the number of submissions for projects and nominations exceeded our expectations," said Courtney Keenan, TMSA Recognition Committee Chairperson and RLS Logistics Marketing and CX Manager. "We are honored to recognize the successes of 25 brands for their skill to blaze a trail at their companies or in their communities."
A panel of industry veterans and non-biased judges selected companies and individuals for their excellence in sales or marketing accomplishments in the past 12 to 18 months. The Trailblazer Awards program also features the TMSA Purpose Award, which highlights companies that have devoted efforts to giving back to their communities at large.
"We rebranded the awards program because our membership base is consistently growing and shifting, and we want to grow right along with them," said Jennifer Karpus-Romain, Executive Director at TMSA. "I was blown away by the submissions this year and I am thrilled to celebrate each and ever one of them."
The TMSA Trailblazer Winners are as follows:
Excellence in Sales or Marketing Campaign
- Drop & Hook
- RLS Logistics
- TransImpact
- BlueGrace Logistics
- Emerge
- Digital Dispatch Podcast
- The Shippers Group
- Matson Logistics
- Sonwil Logistics & Farmers Marketing Inc.
- Sol de Naples, on behalf of TAGG Logistics
- The Leverage Marketing Group, on behalf of Odyssey Technology and Logistics
- Sol de Naples, on behalf of Conrad Winter
Purpose Award:
- Verst Logistics
- ITS Logistics
- The ERB Group of Companies
- ReedTMS
- TransImpact
Marketing Mountain Mover of the Year:
- Robin Siekerman, Vice President Marketing & Customer Solutions, The Shippers Group
Top Brand Innovators:
- Noelle Taylor, Director of Sales and Marketing, Taylor Logistics Inc.
- Katerina Jones, Vice President Marketing and Business Development, Fleet Advantage
- Kate Speer, Vice President of Marketing, Engagement, and Investor Relations, JLE Industries
Sales Mountain Mover of the Year:
- Manny McElroy, Sr. Vice President of Transportation, ITS Logistics
Top Rainmakers:
- Jeff Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Select Carriers
- John Gaudet, Vice President of Business Development, RLS Logistics
- Scott Carver, National Sales Manager, ReedTMS Logistics
Rising Stars:
- Mackenzie Hill, Marketing Coordinator, Jacksonville Port Authority
- Laura Gomez, Marketing Communications Manager, NFI
- Kyle Olsen, Branch Manager, Trailer Bridge
TMSA Member of the Year:
- Jeff Price, Director of Marketing, Jacksonville Port Authority
TMSA Partner of the Year:
- Michelle LeBlanc, Founder/CEO, Drop & Hook
TMSA is the only association dedicated to advancing the success of marketing and sales professionals in all modes of the commercial freight transportation market. From president and vice president to manager, director and coordinator, members are at all levels and represent all market segments including motor carriers, 3PLs, railroads, air carriers, ocean lines, port authorities, OEMs, media and suppliers.
TMSA's mission is to enable sales and marketing professionals to learn and give back to the transportation and logistics industry through education, connections and resources, ultimately strengthening their individual development, their businesses and the industry-at-large. TMSA's vision is to be the pre-eminent non-profit sales and marketing association that transportation and logistics professionals turn to for industry-specific education, connections and resources.
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SOURCE Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA) | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/transportation-marketing-amp-sales-association-announces-2022-trailblazers-award-winners/ | 2022-06-07T01:48:18Z |
Unique synergy between R&D and manufacturing capabilities
SHENZHEN, China, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology brand HONOR today revealed the proprietary technology behind the manufacturing of HONOR Magic4 Pro, the brand's latest flagship smartphone made exclusively in HONOR Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park. Demonstrating manufacturing excellence, the flagship smartphone exemplifies the brand's commitment to delivering cutting-edge innovation and is a testament to HONOR's capability to manufacture high-quality premium products at scale. The HONOR Magic4 Pro is set to arrive in select international markets starting this month.
"The opening of the HONOR Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park last year was a significant milestone of our success in integrating our R&D capabilities into our manufacturing processes. The consolidation allows us to better harness our expertise across both fields," said George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co, Ltd. "In addition to bolstering our manufacturing capacities, the smart manufacturing facility houses world-class production, testing and quality control equipment that ensures our premium products live up to our customers' high expectations."
Seamless Integration between R&D and Manufacturing
Operational since September 2021, the HONOR Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park is the brand's first self-funded factory. Equipped with cutting-edge manufacturing and testing facilities to support every aspect of smartphone manufacturing, the Park is integral to assuring the quality of the brand's premium offerings. With 20 percent of the staff working in the Park being R&D personnel, HONOR weaves its R&D resources into the Park's core capabilities, maximizing the synergy between the two and enabling manufacturing technology to keep pace with innovation.
Custom Production Line for HONOR Magic4 Pro Innovations
Arriving to select international markets beginning this month, HONOR Magic4 Pro debuts with AI Privacy Call, a pain point killer feature that massively minimizes sound leakage during voice calls; Ultra-Fusion Computational Photography, a camera solution that enables users to take full advantage of the smartphone's multiple rear cameras; and the Quad-Curved LTPO Display, a stunning display that provides immersive viewing experiences. Each of these features poses a set of unique manufacturing challenges, the solutions to which are only made possible by HONOR's R&D and manufacturing synergy.
With each generation of smartphones, smartphone makers have been continuously shifting the receiver towards the top bezel in attempt to achieve an increased display area. However, the closer the receiver is placed near the edge, the more pronounced the sound leakage during voice calls, leading to privacy concerns.
To address this user pain point, HONOR identified and solved over 100 technological challenges and created AI Privacy Call. This innovative feature leverages the industry-first Intelligent Dual Sound-Emitting Unit, which includes a bone conduction component using piezoelectric ceramics that is mounted directly to the display. Due to the nature of glass, the assembly process requires extreme precision – even minor manufacturing deviations will permanently damage the panel. Working hand in hand, the R&D and manufacturing teams were able to overcome the challenge in three months' time. The concerted efforts resulted in the creation of the automated high-precision mounting equipment, which leverages computer vision and optimized algorithms to achieve an accuracy of 0.01mm and a yield of 99.99 percent, contributing to HONOR's ability to meet consumer demands for the HONOR Magic4 Pro.
The HONOR Magic4 Pro is also equipped with a powerful Triple Camera combination supporting Ultra-Fusion Computational Photography. The complexity of the solution in the new flagship smartphone necessitated double the camera calibration equipment compared to what was required for its predecessor. Benefitting from improved calibration and testing procedures, the Triple Camera system, combined with AI algorithms, delivers more detailed images with more authentic colors across the full supported focal range.
Advanced assembly processes are also adopted for the Quad-Curved LTPO Display on HONOR Magic4 Pro. Leveraging a cutting-edge setup of six-axis robotic arms, high-precision cameras and HONOR-developed computer vision algorithms, the mounting equipment operates with an accuracy range of ±0.075mm and outputs products with a low manufacturing tolerance of just 0.1mm, further demonstrating HONOR's superior manufacturing capabilities.
The Park is also equipped with industry-leading laboratories, including a reliability laboratory, regulatory laboratory and environmental protection laboratory, with which HONOR conducts over 200 reliability tests on the HONOR Magic4 Pro to ensure its premium quality. For instance, the HONOR Magic4 Pro is tested to have a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value – which measures smartphone radiation emission – that is 56 percent below the limit of the most stringent industry standard.
Three Pillars of Manufacturing Excellence
Automation, digitalization and intelligent technology serve as the cornerstones underpinning the Park's core manufacturing capabilities. The Park operates with 75 percent of its production line automated, minimizing the risk of human error. Additionally, more than 40 percent of the automated production equipment is developed in-house, which serves as further evidence of the tight integration between R&D and manufacturing capabilities at the Park.
All key equipment in the production facility supports digital control systems, allowing HONOR to better manage the entire production line and reap better efficiency as well as improve product quality.
Manufactured exclusively in the Park, the HONOR Magic4 Pro represents the best of HONOR's manufacturing capabilities, which international consumers will soon be able to experience firsthand when the flagship smartphone arrives in select markets starting this month.
About HONOR
HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technology that empowers people around the globe to go beyond, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more. Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to suit every budget, HONOR's portfolio of innovative, premium and reliable products enable people to become a better version of themselves.
For more information, please visit HONOR online at www.hihonor.com or email newsroom@hihonor.com
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SOURCE HONOR | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/honor-unveils-behind-the-scenes-technology-new-honor-magic4-pro-production-line/ | 2022-05-26T10:21:43Z |
CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Angeles Investors – the investor community finding, funding and growing the most promising Hispanic and Latinx ventures – is pleased to recognize the 2022 Angeles Estrellas award recipients. Awardees, attendees and the industry at large will convene in-person at the Awards in Chicago, Illinois, August 19, 2022, to recognize the top funders and venture capital firms investing in Hispanic and Latinx startups. This year's honorees exemplify leadership in not only investing in top startups but also investing in founders who are among the fastest growing segments in the U.S. economy.
This year's Q3 event will take place August 18-19, across multiple sites in Chicago at Google's Chicago Office, Northern Trust, the Chicago Booth Gleacher Center and Wintrust. The Estrellas awards dinner and cocktails are being sponsored by Goldman Sachs and First Bank Chicago, respectively . Accredited investors will have an opportunity to hear a few of America's top startups pitch for funding. Click here to view the full agenda.
"It's exciting to see the number of top funders and venture capital groups investing in Latino startups grow!" In 2020, we started Angeles Investors with the goal of making the venture capital industry aware of all the Latino startup community has to offer. Fast forward two years, we now have a list of 40 Estrellas who are helping us to achieve this goal, and we're just getting started," said Adela Cepeda, Angeles Investors Board Chair and Director at BMO Financial Corporation.
It's been a priority of Chingona Ventures to provide access and opportunity to the Latino startup community, where gaining access to funding — the necessary fuel to grow their companies – is a constant struggle.
"I've been fortunate to benefit from having the Latinx community support me in the early days of raising a fund, including many Angeles members. We need organizations like ours to invest and support the startup community where founders receive less than 1% of all venture capital funding," said Samara Mejia Hernandez, Founding Partner at Chingona Ventures.
Nominations for the Angeles Estrellas award are solicited from Angeles members, partners and the general public. Awardees are evaluated on the quantity of startups invested in, total dollars invested and their commitment to the Hispanic and Latinx startup ecosystem.
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SOURCE Angeles Investors | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/angeles-investors-recognize-top-funders-amp-venture-capital-firms-investing-hispanic-latinx-startups-with-2022-angeles-estrellas-award/ | 2022-08-18T11:01:16Z |
NEW YORK, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The InfraCap MLP ETF (NYSE Arca: AMZA) (the "Fund") has declared a monthly distribution of $0.22 ($2.64 per share on an annualized basis). The distribution will be paid July 28, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business July 21, 2022.
AMZA Cash Distribution:
- Ex-Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2022
- Record Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022
- Payable Date: Thursday, July 28, 2022
The Fund estimates that 100 percent of the distribution, or $0.22 per share, is attributable to return of capital and that 0.00 percent, or $0.00 per share, is attributable to dividend income. Infrastructure Capital Advisors expects to declare future distributions on a monthly basis. Distributions are planned, but not guaranteed, for every month. The next distribution is scheduled to occur in August 2022.
For more information about AMZA's distribution policy, its 2022 distribution calendar, or tax information, please visit the Fund's website at www.virtusetfs.com.
About Virtus ETF Advisers
Virtus ETF Advisers is a New York-based, multi-manager ETF sponsor and affiliate of Virtus Investment Partners. With actively managed and index-based investment capabilities across multiple asset classes, Virtus offers a range of complementary exchange-traded-funds subadvised by select investment managers.
About Infrastructure Capital Advisors
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC (ICA) is an SEC-registered investment advisor that manages exchange traded funds and a series of hedge funds. The firm was formed in 2012 and is based in New York City. ICA seeks total-return opportunities in key infrastructure sectors, including energy, real estate, transportation, industrials and utilities. It often identifies opportunities in entities that are not taxed at the entity level, such as master limited partnerships ("MLPs") and real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). It also looks for opportunities in credit and related securities, such as preferred stocks. Current income is a primary objective in most, but not all, of the company's investing activities. The focus is generally on asset-intensive companies that generate and distribute substantial streams of free cash flow. For more information, please visit www.infracapfunds.com.
DISCLOSURE
Fund Risks
Exchange Traded Funds: The value of an ETF may be more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities the ETF is designed to track. The costs of owning the ETF may exceed the cost of investing directly in the underlying securities.
MLP Interest Rates: As yield-based investments, MLPs carry interest rate risk and may underperform in rising interest rate environments. Additionally, when investors have heightened fears about the economy, the risk spread between MLPs and competing investment options can widen, which may have an adverse effect on the stock price of MLPs. Rising interest rates may increase the potential cost of MLPs financing projects or cost of operations, and may affect the demand for MLP investments, either of which may result in lower performance by or distributions from the Fund's MLP investments.
Industry/Sector Concentration: A fund that focuses its investments in a particular industry or sector will be more sensitive to conditions that affect that industry or sector than a non-concentrated fund.
Short Sales: The Fund may engage in short sales, and may experience a loss if the price of a borrowed security increases before the date on which the Fund replaces the security.
Leverage: When a Fund leverages its portfolio, the value of its shares may be more volatile and all other risks may be compounded.
Derivatives: Investments in derivatives such as futures, options, forwards, and swaps may increase volatility or cause a loss greater than the principal investment.
MLPs: Investments in Master Limited Partnerships may be adversely impacted by tax law changes, regulation, or factors affecting underlying assets.
No Guarantee: There is no guarantee that the portfolio will meet its objective.
You should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. Contact VP Distributors LLC at 1-888-383-4184 or visit www.infracapmlp.com to obtain a prospectus which contains this and other information about the Fund. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
Virtus ETF Advisers, LLC serves as the investment advisor and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC serves as the sub-advisor to the Fund.
The Fund is distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
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SOURCE InfraCap MLP ETF | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/infracap-mlp-etf-nyse-arca-amza-declares-monthly-distribution/ | 2022-07-19T21:17:42Z |
WOODBRIDGE, N.J., July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP, one of New Jersey's leading business law firms, is pleased to announce the launch of a new blog, "Healthcare Perspectives: Legal Issues for the Healthcare Industry," our latest resource for sharing timely information, valuable insights and the "Greenbaum perspective" on a broad range of topics of strategic interest to the healthcare business community and those who serve and support it. This new informational platform will strive to educate, analyze and provide context on need-to-know developments in the law that have a real-world impact on the business operations and objectives of healthcare entities, physicians and other medical care providers, and industry-related organizations and service firms.
The blog will be authored primarily by members of the firm's healthcare group, a multi-disciplinary team of attorneys with extensive experience in their respective areas of focus. Greenbaum takes a holistic approach to serving its clients, and subjects addressed on this blog will extend beyond the parameters of traditional healthcare law to encompass numerous additional areas of relevance, including corporate matters, employment and compensation issues, real estate holdings, tax planning, ethics concerns, cybersecurity protocols and more.
The "Healthcare Perspectives" blog is an offshoot of Greenbaum's continued commitment to support its valued healthcare clients and the greater New Jersey and national healthcare community by serving as a first-stop source for updates and observations on breaking developments, industry trends, regulatory and compliance matters, actions at the state and federal court levels, and other significant business issues.
Visit us online to learn more about the firm's capabilities and our work on behalf of healthcare industry clients.
Media Contacts:
Diana Parker | Director of Marketing | dparker@greenbaumlaw.com | 732.476.2464
Erin Faltin | Assistant Director of Marketing | efaltin@greenbaumlaw.com | 732.476.3278
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SOURCE Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/greenbaum-rowe-smith-amp-davis-llp-shares-timely-insights-new-blog-legal-issues-healthcare-industry/ | 2022-07-14T19:28:55Z |
‘Live PD’ is returning to TV under new title, report says
(Gray News) - A once-popular reality TV show is being revived.
Variety reports producers of “Live PD” are bringing back the show’s live format under a new working title called “On Patrol: Live” that will air on Reelz.
According to the report, the show is scheduled to air live on Friday and Saturday nights starting later this summer.
The “On Patrol: Live” announcement comes two years after A&E reportedly halted production in the wake of protests against police brutality and concerns over coverage of police activity following the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.
Big Fish Entertainment is said to again be behind the show’s new production along with Half Moon Pictures, which is devoted to crime and investigative series.
According to the report, Dan Abrams will also be back as host.
Previously, “Live PD” was a juggernaut for A&E, dominating cable ratings and spawning multiple spinoffs.
According to Variety, Reelz CEO Stan E. Hubbard said he believed the new show would serve as “the cornerstone of our commitment to commissioning brand-defining, must-see original programming.”
Police departments and sheriff’s offices featured on “On Patrol: Live” are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/08/live-pd-is-returning-tv-under-new-title-report-says/ | 2022-06-08T22:34:54Z |
NEW YORK, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WorkGenius, a freelance technology company has acquired US based JBC, a staffing company, in a landmark deal that together, will aim to transform the freelance staffing industry through proven operations, great people, and cutting edge technology.
The combined company will be close to $100m in revenue, with EBITDA in the high teens and more than 250 employees. The company grows north of 50% YoY, driven by a tenured team, unique technology product, strong trends of digitalization in the human capital space, and a shift to flexible workforce models.
"Our goal has always been to transform the $600bn freelance industry, to make it more equitable and accessible through our technology. Partnering with JBC and its entire team is a big step towards achieving that goal. Both teams share the same vision and we are looking forward to providing unprecedented access to the best talent through our AI powered WorkGenius platform, hybrid, or, direct with our trusted recruiter and consultant network. We see this partnership as a major benefit to our clients, our freelancers and to both our teams." says Marlon Rosenzweig who will be the new CEO of WorkGenius Holdings, based out of New York City.
Based in NY, JBC which operates primarily in the US, UK, Spain, France, Canada and Hong Kong, was founded by Bryan Zaslow. Zaslow will continue to lead the organization forward supporting a robust offering of freelance and permanent search work.
WorkGenius was founded in Hamburg, Germany, by Marlon Rosenzweig and Daniel Barke. The success of the end-to-end freelance management platform led to its US expansion, now headquartered in NYC. WorkGenius has seen tremendous growth due to the digitization of the human capital space, a shift to freelance from traditional employment, and strong growth in the served end markets.
Rounding out the executive management team will be Daniel Barke (Chief Revenue Officer), and Keith Geller (Chief Operations Officer).
"The JBC team is thrilled to join forces with Workgenius and excited to bring the power of Workgenius' technology to our clients, affording them access to a lightning fast matching algorithm that can provide the most qualified talent and a freelance management tool to manage contingent workforces compliantly on a global scale. Our future will have a unique offering of pure tech and hybrid, empowering our teams" adds Zaslow.
The company headquarters will continue to be located in NYC, USA with offices across the US, London, England, and Hamburg, Germany.
Chad Leat, former Vice Chair of CitiGroup, joins existing equity investors including John Jahr and Axel Sven Springer. Investcorp BDC and CION Invest Corp provide the debt facility and also invested in the equity.
"Freelance adoption is like a flywheel driven by the talents' preference to work flexibly, as well as companies desiring to have a more flexible workforce. The end markets we serve have seen strong tailwinds, in addition to a seismic shift to more freelancing in the workforce. We intend to maintain our rapid growth both organically and inorganically on a global scale." adds Rosenzweig.
To find out what this means for the future of human capital management, click here.
Contact: media@workgenius.com
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SOURCE WorkGenius Holdings Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/workgenius-freelance-technology-company-acquires-us-based-jbc-staffing-company/ | 2022-06-08T14:46:52Z |
TAMPA BAY, Fla., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TeamViewer, a global leading provider of remote connectivity and workplace digitalization solutions, today announced that its connectivity solution is integrated into the professional aerial drones provided by SB C&S (SoftBank Commerce & Service). TeamViewer's software enables the real-time sharing of aerial video and audio streams captured by the drones' cameras to multiple remotely connected devices. Commercial use cases for this technology include for example joint infrastructure inspections, as well as joint aerial inspection of disaster sites or other locations that are difficult to access.
Via TeamViewer's solution, images or videos captured by the drone-carried camera can be seamlessly streamed to multiple remotely connected devices through a 4G or LTE mobile network. Also, the images from devices such as infrared cameras for temperature measurements or LiDARs could be transmitted and streamed through the solution.
Katsumi Moriya, Vice President, Deputy Head of ICT Unit, Head of Cloud Service Promotion Division, Cloud Service Unit at SB C&S, said: "In recent years, there has been an increasing need to remotely check real-time video footage of aerial photography using drones and to give instructions directly to the operator. We are pleased that we can now offer this effective utilization of our drones together with TeamViewer. We will continue solving customer issues together with TeamViewer in response to the rapidly increasing need for aerial drones in different kinds of scenarios."
"The real-time aerial imagery transmissions enable people located in different parts of the world to efficiently work together on exploring remote locations", said Sojung Lee, President APAC at TeamViewer. "Although our solution is perfectly working with 4G and LTE networks, the worldwide introduction of 5G networks will enable various additional use cases, with even higher image resolutions and larger amounts of data to be transmitted and shared in real-time. We are happy to work with our strong partner SB C&S to address challenges and explore use cases of various customers from industry as well as public authorities."
About TeamViewer
TeamViewer is a leading global technology company that provides a connectivity platform to remotely access, control, manage, monitor, and repair devices of any kind – from laptops and mobile phones to industrial machines and robots. Although TeamViewer is free of charge for private use, it has more than 625,000 subscribers and enables companies of all sizes and from all industries to digitize their business-critical processes through seamless connectivity. Against the backdrop of global megatrends like device proliferation, automation and new work, TeamViewer proactively shapes digital transformation and continuously innovates in the fields of Augmented Reality, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. Since the company's foundation in 2005, TeamViewer's software has been installed on more than 2.5 billion devices around the world. The company is headquartered in Goppingen, Germany, and employs around 1,500 people globally. In 2021, TeamViewer achieved billings of EUR 548 million. TeamViewer AG (TMV) is listed at Frankfurt Stock Exchange and belongs to the MDAX. Further information can be found at www.teamviewer.com.
About SB C&S
SB C&S Corp. provides a wide range of services by harnessing the synergies of the SoftBank Group, including the business of distributing IT-related commodities, the operations of which is where it all began for the SoftBank Group, as well as the manufacture and sales of mobile accessories and IoT equipment, the provision of various cloud-computing services and ICT solutions, and the operations of Web services and a purchasing-support business. Visit our website for more information. https://cas.softbank.jp/en/
Press Contact
Julia Gottschalk
Tel.: +49 7161 60692 3895
E-mail: press@teamviewer.com
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SOURCE TeamViewer | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/teamviewer-enables-real-time-remote-video-sharing-industrial-aerial-drones-by-sb-camps-softbank-commerce-amp-service/ | 2022-04-12T14:50:45Z |
Customer Orders Above $11 million with Unconstrained Customer Demand Continuing to Exceed $20 Million for 2022
Revenue for 1H Fiscal 2022 Expected to Increase Approximately 285% from 1H Fiscal Year 2021
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- (TSXV:SEV) (OTCQB:SPVNF) Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. ("Spectra7" or the "Company"), a leading provider of high-performance analog semiconductor products for broadband connectivity markets, today announced preliminary selected and unaudited revenue results and a business update for the three month period ended March 31, 2022. Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this press release are expressed in US dollars.
- Due to Covid-related business closures in China in late March, approximately $1.2 million in product that was expected to ship in Q1 is now expected to ship in early April 2022
- Preliminary Q1 revenue is expected to be approximately $2.0 million, reflecting the aforementioned pushout of shipments
- Full Q1 demand was greater than $6 million, and total customer orders on hand for 2022 now exceed $11 million
- Added five new hyperscale data center design-ins in the first quarter, for a total of 103 to date
- Fiscal 2022 unconstrained product demand based on customer indications continues to exceed $20.0 million1
- Revenue realization expected to improve in the second half of the year due to accelerated deployment of capital to secure greater supply, as well as assembly and test capacity1
"The sudden Covid-related quarantines and temporary closures in China, coupled with the associated logistics issues, affected our ability to ship $1.2 million of product towards the end of the first quarter," said Raouf Halim, Chief Executive Officer. "The good news is that the majority of the approximately $1.2 million of product is expected to ship in early April. We are also accelerating deployment of capital from our October 2021 raise to secure supply for the remainder of the year."
"Order backlog remains strong going into Q2, and unconstrained product demand still exceeds $20 million for the year. 1 Deployment of our GaugeChanger™ technology is driving this robust growth as customers seek superior performance at a lower cost and lower power consumption than other technologies currently available. Momentum in our business is positive, and I remain confident in our outlook for significant growth in 2022," added Mr. Halim.
Constraints in the semiconductor supply chain are expected to last through the second quarter, which will limit near-term revenue. The Company is deploying a significant portion of capital generated from its CDN $14.8 million private placement completed in October 2021 to secure supply, as well as assembly and test capacity, to increase production volumes and grow revenue in the second half of the year.
While long-term trends in the business are favorable, continued supply chain disruptions and constraints lead the Company to expect that revenue for the first half of fiscal 2022 will be in the range of $5.5 million to $7.0 million. At the midpoint of the outlook, this represents an increase of approximately 285% from the first half of fiscal 2021. Non-IFRS operating expenses2 are expected to be between $4.5 million and $5.0 million, which includes the costs of the annual general meeting, the annual audit and headcount growth to support Spectra7's production ramp to meet rapidly growing demand from its data center customers in the second half of fiscal 2022. The second half of fiscal 2021 non-IFRS operating expenses were approximately $4.0 million.
1 This is forward-looking information and is based on a number of assumptions, which include the current customer purchase orders received, supply outlook and anticipated operational expenses. See "Cautionary Notes".
2 Non-IFRS operating expenses is a non-GAAP measure which includes research and development, sales and marketing, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization for capital equipment and right-of-use assets and excludes share-based compensation expense, non-recurring termination costs, interest and related financing costs, change in fair value of warrant liabilities, foreign exchange gain/loss and gain/loss from property and equipment disposal.
Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. is a high-performance analog semiconductor company delivering unprecedented bandwidth, speed and resolution to enable disruptive industrial design for leading electronics manufacturers in data centers, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and other connectivity markets. Spectra7 is based in San Jose, California with a design center in Cork, Ireland and technical support location in Dongguan, China. For more information, please visit www.spectra7.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provided (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, the Company's expectation for 2022 revenue and operating expenses, revenue improvement and supply availability, the Company's expectation regarding product demand in 2022, and the Company's strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.
For more information, please contact:
Matt Kreps/Jim Fanucchi
Darrow Associates
214-597-8200
ir@spectra7.com
Spectra7 Microsystems Inc.
Bonnie Tomei
Chief Financial Officer
669-212-1089
ir@spectra7.com
Spectra7 Microsystems Inc.
John Mitchell
Public Relations
650-269-3043
pr@spectra7.com
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SOURCE Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/07/spectra7-announces-preliminary-first-quarter-2022-revenue-provides-business-update/ | 2022-04-08T01:35:09Z |
NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Real Estate, LLC announces August 1, 2022 as the deadline for persons interested in acquiring the 5,200± square foot penthouse unit at the top of Lake Point Tower, to submit a bid in the bankruptcy court- approved sale for the property. Lake Point Tower is a famed, architecturally-significant skyscraper that stands alone as the only high-rise building located east of Lake Shore Drive. The 70th floor circular space sits atop the famous tower and offers 360-degree, unobstructed panoramas of the city skyline and Lake Michigan through its floor-to-ceiling windows. The sale also includes four commercial spaces located on the building's second floor, totaling approximately 2,650 square feet.
Once the tallest apartment building in the world, the asymmetrical "Y"-shaped building is well known for its elegant curves and silky glass appearance. Completed in 1968, the building's undulating design, absence of corners, together with bronze-tinted windows framed by gold-anodized aluminum, creates a stunning image as it reflects the sunlight off Lake Michigan and appears golden. The building, designed by architects John Heinrich and George Schipporeit (students of the famed architect Mies van der Rohe), has been praised as "a singular achievement," and served as the inspiration for the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, currently the tallest structure in the world.
Hilco also expects meaningful interest in converting the 70th floor space into a residential unit, with the lower-level suites likely to be utilized for personal storage. Adding to the allure of this spectacular residential penthouse, possible options exist to utilize existing risers/roof areas to create the ultimate outdoor living space/personal sky deck.
The 70th floor space currently operates as Cité, a 142-seat world-class restaurant, voted one of The World's Best 17 Restaurants & Bars with Amazing Views by Delish Digital Magazine. It also received the OpenTable Diners Choice Award for Best Scenic View, Romantic, & Best Ambiance. Exclusive access to the space is provided by a private elevator from the 68th floor. The restaurant, which features a full commercial-grade kitchen, is supported by four suites located on the building's second floor (207, 209, 209-A & 224). The spaces include private offices, kitchen prep areas, a laundry room, walk-in freezers and coolers and various storage areas.
At the base of the tower, in perfect juxtaposition under the shadow of the modern obelisk, sits an unassuming Alfred Caldwell-designed, 2.5-acre private park. A spring-fed lagoon hewn of layered Wisconsin limestone offers visitors a welcomed reprieve from the surrounding urbanization of the city. Babbling waterfalls are underscored by a collection of native trees and natural prairie vegetation. This oasis rests atop the building's parking structure three stores above street level. Subject to HOA approval, the building also provides the new owner with access to a playground, outdoor pool, a completely updated health club including an indoor pool, racquetball/handball court, a resident lounge/business center, and a host of other features.
Just beyond Lake Point Tower's grounds sits historic Navy Pier, Chicago's premier tourist attraction, drawing nearly nine million visitors annually. Spanning 3,300 linear feet and encompassing over 50 acres, Navy Pier keeps an impressive calendar of events, offering a host of free public programs, attractions, live music, theater and dance performances, a world-class children's museum, art exhibits, diverse cultural celebrations, lake cruises, an array of dining and shopping options, and free firework displays throughout the summer.
The property's surrounding Streeterville neighborhood is located along beautiful Lake Michigan and just north of the Chicago River. This historic neighborhood has a homey, residential feel as it sits east of the popular Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue. With views of the legendary Centennial Ferris Wheel, the structure's Streeterville area contains a combination of hotels, restaurants, residential high rises, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Prentice Women's Hospital at Northwestern Medicine, and cultural venues making it one of the most exciting Chicago neighborhoods around town.
Steve Madura, senior vice president at Hilco Real Estate, stated, "I can, without exaggeration, say there is truly no other space in the entire City of Chicago that compares to the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower. From the penthouse, it feels like the building is in the center of Lake Michigan. While it may continue operating as a restaurant offering guests a spectacular dining experience, I believe there will be significant interest in converting the space into a one-of-a-kind personal residence…a veritable castle in the sky."
Madura continued, "Due to the high-profile nature and desirability of the space, we expect interest from buyers both nationally and internationally."
Robert Handler, bankruptcy trustee for Cité, said, "The bankruptcy process clears the way for the property to free itself from some of its past financial problems and ensures a direct path to new ownership."
The bankruptcy court in Chicago has approved procedures for interested persons to view the space and submit a bid to acquire the property on or before the August 1, 2022 bid deadline. Additional information on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, including open house times and dates, due diligence information, and bid procedures can be obtained mailto:by contacting Chet Evans at (847) 418-2702 or cevans@hilcoglobal.com or Steve Madura at (847) 504-2478 or smadura@hilcoglobal.com.
For further information on the property, an explanation of the bid process or to obtain access to property due diligence documents, please visit HilcoRealEstate.com or call (855) 755-2300.
About Hilco Real Estate
Hilco Real Estate ("HRE"), a Hilco Global company (HilcoGlobal.com), is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois (USA). HRE is a national provider of strategic real estate disposition services. Acting as an agent or principal, HRE uses its experience to advise and execute strategies to assist clients in deriving the maximum value from their real estate assets. By leveraging multi-faceted sales strategies & techniques, aggressive repositioning and restructuring experience, a vast and motivated network of buyers and sellers, and substantial access to capital, HRE exceeds expectations even in the most complex transactions.
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SOURCE Hilco Real Estate | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/hilco-real-estate-announces-bankruptcy-sale-penthouse-unit-chicagos-famous-lake-point-tower/ | 2022-05-31T14:11:22Z |
All figures in USD unless stated otherwise
TORONTO, May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Halo Collective Inc. ("Halo" or the "Company") (NEO: HALO) (OTCQB: HCANF) (Germany: A9KN) today announced its financial and operational results for three months ended March 31, 2022 ("Q1 2022"). Halo's book value- booking investments at actual adjust costs basis after impairments per IFRS guidelines- is $80.7 million. These actual results validate that the Company's fundamental shift in strategy to incubate and spin out cannabis related companies is expected to create significant value for shareholders.
"Marked to market the Company's estimated unrealized gain before taxes at March 31, 2021, on Halo's investment in Akanda was approximately $74.6 million,1" said Kiran Sidhu, CEO, and Director. "We expect that if the intended acquisition and subsequent spin out of PhytoCann SA ("PhytoCann") is completed, it will also create substantial value by delivering meaningful revenue and operating profit contribution.2"
- Akanda Corp. ("Akanda"), Halo's first incubated company, completed its initial public offering and the listing of its common shares (the "Akanda Shares") on NASDAQ in March 2022.
- Halo's consolidated Q1 2022 revenue of $7.6 million declined $2.4 million, or 23.9%, compared to revenue of $9.9 million in Q1 2021. Revenue was impacted by a significant downturn in both the California and Oregon markets. The flower category, which is a leading indicator, sharply declined, with sales falling by 23% in California and 26% in Oregon year over year.3 Adjusted gross profit4 was $1.4 million, or 18.7% gross margin, compared to $2.2 million, or 22.1% gross margin, in Q1 2021.
- Halo's California Wholesale business segment posted positive EBITDA in Q1 2022.
- As of March 31, 2022, the Company had a book value of $80.7 million ($1.65 book value per share).
"In 2022, we intend to develop, grow, and ultimately monetize assets by incubating promising cannabis related businesses while remaining laser focused on optimizing West coast cannabis operations. The planned spinout of Halo Tek Inc. is expected to result in a distribution to all Halo shareholders. The intended acquisition of Phytocann is expected to add significant revenue and EBITDA to the Company in late 2022," said Katie Field, President, and Director.
"Halo's California wholesale business segment is EBITDA positive and scaling. We expect to re-achieve positive EBITDA contribution from the Oregon wholesale business segment in the latter half of 2022," added Joshua Haddox, Chief Operating Officer.
"The Company's California dispensary business segment officially opened in Q1 and is growing quickly. After a six-month ramp-up period per dispensary, we expect the Los Angeles dispensaries in North Hollywood, Westwood, and Hollywood to contribute positive EBITDA," commented Beau McKeon, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations.
- Akanda successfully listed the Akanda Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on March 15, 2022, under the ticker symbol "AKAN ."As of March 31, 2022, the Company held a total of 12,674,957 common shares of Akanda, and based on Akanda's listed stock price per NASDAQ of $7.94 per share on March 31, 20225, the Company had an estimated unrealized gain from Halo's Akanda investment of $74.6 million.
- Halo Tek Inc. ("Halo Tek"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Halo, filed a preliminary long form prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Québec, for the purpose of qualifying the distribution by Halo to holders of Halo's common shares ("Halo Shares") of all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of Halo Tek (the "Halo Tek Shares") as a return of capital (the "Distribution"). Prior to the Distribution, Halo intends to reorganize its technology assets so that Halo Tek is the owner of all the outstanding shares of Halo DispensaryTrack Software Inc., Halo AccuDab Holdings Inc., Halo Cannalift Delivery Inc., Nasalbinoid Natural Devices Corp., 1265292 B.C. Ltd. (d/b/a Cannafeels), and 1275111 B.C. Ltd.
- Halo signed a letter of intent and entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Phytocann, one of Europe's leading wellness CBD companies. Upon closing the acquisition of PhytoCann, PhytoCann is expected to add substantial net revenue and EBITDA and an impressive CBD-based product lineup to Halo.
- The Company also expects its holding in Elegance Brands, Inc., now known as Sway Energy Corporation ("Sway"), to be listed on a major North American exchange in 2022. Halo holds 9,333,333 shares in Sway, and the listing would allow Halo to monetize the position. The Company further holds 5,000,000 Sway warrants exercisable at a price of $0.75 per Sway share.
The initial phase of Halo's retail rollout is almost complete. As of May 16, 2022, Halo has opened its North Hollywood dispensary under the Budega™ brand. The Company's flagship Westwood dispensary is expected to open by May 27, 2022. The Hollywood location is planned to open by the end of June 2022. After a six-month ramp-up period per store, collectively, dispensaries are expected to contribute $27 million of net revenue and $4 million of operating profit contribution annually.6 The Company is in discussions with numerous other dispensary acquisition targets, but there is no assurance that any transaction will be completed.
California
In Q1 2022, the California wholesale business segment reported revenue of $2.0 million, gross margin of 20.1%, and Adjusted EBITDA7 of $0.1 million. These promising results resulted from:
- Expansion of California's product line to 77 SKUs, including product categories gaining market share.
- Increased distribution from 142 dispensaries on December 31st, 2021, to 163 on March 31 st, 2022. Bad debts have been reduced, and accounts receivable days have decreased.
- Overhauled social media platforms and added brand ambassadors to increase retail sell through and demand at the consumer level.
- Increased white label business reducing fixed overhead costs and contributing to positive net income
- As of April 2022, discontinued operations at Coastal Harvest and consolidated to Outer Galactic Chocolates/Mendocino Distribution and Transportation LLC, which will reduce overheads and increase profitability in Q2 2022.
The Company anticipates Governor Newsom's tax proposal- which would eliminate cultivation tax starting July 2022- if passed, would further increase profitability and growth of the California business segment.
Oregon
Consolidated Oregon wholesale revenue was $4.9 million with a gross profit of $0.7 million, representing a 13.8% gross margin. Notable operating highlights from this quarter include:
- Increased Oregon's product lineup to 422 SKUs targeting growing market categories by March 31st, 2022.
- Decreased distribution of our products to Oregon dispensaries from 478 on December 31, 2021, to 464 on March 31st, 2022; bad debts have been reduced, and accounts receivable days have decreased.
- Further reductions planned of production overheads and "right sizing" of the business for current revenue and future projections.
- Reduction in outdoor cultivation operations both in scope and cost for the 2022 growing season to decrease working capital expenditure and improve cash flow.
In March 2022, the Oregon legislature signed HB4016, a moratorium that inactivates all marijuana license applications received after January 1, 2022, until March 31, 2024. Additionally, it allows the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to refuse to issue any new marijuana licenses until further notice. Halo anticipates this favorable policy change will decrease saturation and lead to rising wholesale cannabis prices over time. The net effect of this bill is expected to result in an increase in product profitability in the State of Oregon.
Halo Kushbar Retail Inc. ("Kushbar") reported $0.6 million in dispensary revenue and a gross margin of 32.2%. Combined, the three Kushbar stores had $1,678 in adjusted EBITDA8. As Halo assumes management of the Kushbar locations, the Company expects this segment to contribute to profitability. Management has devised a roadmap to improve the three Alberta stores and increase margin.
- Brand: Management intends to rebrand the stores from Kushbar to Budega. While the stores are aesthetically pleasing, the Company believes that the Budega brand promise -- superior quality product, community-centricity, and sunset vibes – will resonate well with Canadian consumers. To achieve this, each store will be refreshed by the end of 2022 with mini makeovers that will reflect that of Budega's U.S. operating retail outlets.
- Performance: To drive sales performance, the Company plans to methodically assess and rationalize the product assortment to ensure the store stocks the highest velocity items. SKUs held in inventory past 30 days must be sold through and replaced with products that our consumer base desires most.
- Experience: The Company intends to implement proprietary operational systems to shift the focus of frontline employees from "clerking" to ensuring customers leave with every need filled and expectations exceeded. In both U.S. and Canadian operations, we will continue to be laser focused on ensuring each guest interaction is thoughtful and complete. Upon exit, the consumer should not have to stop at any other dispensary for cannabis products.
- Loyalty: Halo believes the current Kushbar loyalty program can be improved by applying the successful Budega approach. By implementing the Budega loyalty program, the Company anticipates Kushbar stores will experience improved sell through, overall guest experience leading to more frequent purchases, larger basket size, and higher average ticket size.
Halo corporate overheads were $10.6 million in Q1 2022 compared to $10.9 million in Q4 2021, a 3% decrease. The Company expects more significant reductions through 2022. These reductions include, but are not limited to:
- Professional and legal fees are expected to decline as Halo Tek spins out, the pace of smaller acquisitions declines, and more professional and legal services have been brought in house.
- Executive salaries are expected to be paid in cash by Q3 2022, reducing aggregate costs by 50%.
- General and administrative costs are expected to decline as travel costs abate.
Halo will host a live webinar at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, to discuss its results. To access the webinar, visit https://conferencingportals.com/event/qzlwFzzt. The webinar will also be available on a telephonic replay after the event until May 25, 2022. To access the replay, dial 1-(800) 770-2030 (toll free) or (647) 362-9199 (international) and enter conference ID: 45805.
Please email all questions in advance to info@haloco.com.
Complete results are reported in the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and associated management's discussion and analysis (the "Q1 2022 MD&A").
Halo is a multi-national incubation company with assets and operations centered in both THC and non-THC sectors. For the THC sector, Halo is focused on the West Coast of the United States where it has vertically integrated operations covering the entire value chain from seed to sale. Halo cultivates, extracts, manufactures, and distributes quality cannabis flower, pre-rolls, vape carts, edibles, and concentrates. Halo sells these products under a portfolio of brands including Hush™, Winberry Farms™, Williams Wonder Farms, its retail brand Budega™, and under license agreements with Papa's Herb®, DNA Genetics, and FlowerShop*. Halo has opened a dispensary in Los Angeles under the Budega™ brand in North Hollywood and plans to open two more in Hollywood, and Westwood in the second quarter of 2022. Halo also operates three Kushbar retail cannabis stores located in Alberta, Canada.
In the non-THC sector, Halo is expanding into health and wellness categories including CBD and functional supplements such as nootropic nutraceuticals and non-psychotropic mushrooms. Halo, through a series of acquisitions, has product offerings in the form of beverages (H2C Beverages), dissolvable strips (Dissolve Medical), capsules (Hushrooms™), and topical supplements (Hatshe) with proposed national distribution via a strategic agreement with SWAY Energy Corporation. Halo has entered a letter of intent to acquire Phytocann Holdings, one of Europe's leading wellness CBD consumer packaged goods companies with a portfolio of value and premium brands including Ivory, Harvest Laboratoires, Easy Weed, Kanolia, Herboristerie Alexandra, Buddies and Ghosty Buds.
As an incubator, Halo has successfully acquired and integrated a variety of companies which were subsequently reorganized to create Akanda Corp. (NASDAQ: AKAN), an international medical cannabis and wellness company, of which Halo currently owns approximately 44% of the common shares. Halo has also acquired a range of software development assets, including CannPOS, Cannalift, CannaFeels, and a discrete sublingual dosing technology, Accudab. Halo intends to reorganize these entities (including their intellectual property and patent applications) into a subsidiary called Halo Tek Inc., and to complete a distribution of the shares of Halo Tek Inc. to shareholders on record, at a date to be determined.
For further information regarding Halo, see Halo's disclosure documents on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Connect with Halo Collective: Email | Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS financial measures that the Company uses to assess its operating performance and does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Management defines Adjusted Gross Profit as Gross Profit adjusted for fair value gains or losses on biological assets, and impairments included in cost of goods sold. Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (loss) before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization, as adjusted for non-cash items. These non-IFRS measures are provided to assist management and investors in determining the Company's operating performance. The Company also believes that securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties frequently use these non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of companies, many of which present similar metrics when reporting their results. As other companies may calculate these non-IFRS measures differently than the Company, these metrics may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We caution readers that Adjusted EBITDA should not be substituted for determining net loss as an indicator of operating results, or as a substitute for cash flows from operating and investing activities. For a reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA, please refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" in the Q1 2022 MD&A, which is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only Halo's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Halo's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to the expected results of operations and changes to operating expenses currently expected by management, the number of stores to be added by the end of the year, management's plans regarding its portfolio of cannabis businesses, the proposed acquisition of PhytoCann, revenue outlook, the expected contribution from the Company's California dispensaries and the expected opening date thereof, the time and place for the Company's earnings call, the Company's expansion plans regarding Canada, the expected size and capabilities of the final facility planned at Ukiah Ventures, the size of Halo's planned cultivation facility in Northern California, and the proposed spin-off by Halo Tek Inc.
By identifying such information and statements in this manner, Halo is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Halo has made certain assumptions. Although Halo believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Among others, the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: inability of management to successfully integrate the operations of acquired businesses, changes in the consumer market for cannabis products, changes in the expected outcomes of the proposed changes to Halo's operations, delays in obtaining required licenses or approvals necessary for the build-out of Oregon operations, dispensaries or Canadian operations, the proposed spin-out with Halo Tek Inc., delays or unforeseen costs incurred in connection with construction, the ability of competitors to scale operations in Northern California, delays or unforeseen difficulties in connection with the cultivation and harvest of Halo's raw material, changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and the other risks disclosed in the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2021 and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.
The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Halo does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to Halo or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.
This press release contains a financial outlook within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The financial outlook has been prepared to provide an outlook for annual net revenues and operating profit for the Company's three Budega dispensaries, following a ramp-up period of six-months per location and may not be appropriate for any other purpose. The financial outlook has been prepared based on several assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements" above and assumptions with respect to market conditions, pricing, and demand. The actual results for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. The Company and its management believe that the financial outlook has been prepared on a reasonable basis. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements" above, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
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SOURCE Halo Collective Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/r-e-p-e-t-halo-collective-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results-book-value-per-share-165-212-cad/ | 2022-05-17T13:13:13Z |
(NewsNation) — On the day when Uvalde students went back to class for the first time since 21 people died in a massacre at their school, several officers were referred to a state watchdog for possible discipline.
The Office of the Inspector General will investigate five responding officers, the state’s public safety department confirmed to NewsNation. They did not provide any names, but did note two are on paid leave.
The law enforcement response has been under scrutiny since the hours after the community and country learned what happened on the morning of May 24 at Robb Elementary School. Nineteen students and two adults died as a shooter entered two classrooms before barricading himself.
In the days after the attack, police claimed a locked door prevented them from entering, but subsequent investigation found that door was open. All told the shooter was in a classroom for almost an hour while police stood outside.
There were no survivors in the classroom, but critics say law enforcement might have been able to get victims to hospitals sooner if they’d entered the room quicker.
After the shooting, police leaders said the situation was treated like a barricaded subject instead of an active shooter. In July, a memo went out emphasizing that all school shootings should be treated as active threats.
“DPS Officers responding to an active shooter at a school will be authorized to overcome any delay to neutralizing an attacker. When a subject fires a weapon at a school he remains an active shooter until he is neutralized and is not to be treated as a ‘barricaded subject,’ Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw wrote in a memo to his staff in July.
For the students’ first day back Tuesday, 30 state officers patrolled the district’s buildings.
Former Uvalde School police Chief Pete Arredondo has faced calls for accountability after his lawyer defended the police’s response in a scathing letter to the school board on the evening they fired him. The lawyer argued Arredondo was entitled to due process as a public employee, but the school board terminated his employment anyway.
Arredondo was elected to Uvalde’s City Council before the shooting, but resigned in July after being sworn in during a secret proceeding.
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents Uvalde’s district, criticized the state’s transparency in a statement Tuesday.
“We cannot stop here. True justice requires transparency, accountability, and a commitment to solutions. Greg Abbott and DPS need to fess up and take action to stop the plague of gun violence in our communities,” he wrote. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/5-uvalde-officers-referred-to-inspector-general/ | 2022-09-07T16:15:24Z |
Non-partisan orangutan welfare organization works to secure and protect viable ecosystems to ensure the future survival of Critically Endangered orangutans.
NEW YORK , May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first of a series of orangutan releases back to the wild this year, the Bornean Orangutan Rescue Alliance (BORA) - a joint initiative of the Indonesian Nature Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Centre for Orangutan Protection and The Orangutan Project – has released two Critically Endangered Bornean orangutans into the Busang Ecosystem, one of the last remaining viable rainforest habitats for orangutans on the island of Borneo.
The mother and daughter pair – Ucokwati (aged 18 years) and Mungil (aged 8 years) - were deemed eligible for release after successfully completing rehabilitation at the BORA Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre in East Kalimantan.
The pair had previously been cared for at the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island of Java. Ucokwati was brought to the Centre after being rescued from an amusement park in October 2011 and gave birth to daughter Mungil in May 2013.
"We don't know how long Ucokwati had been held in captivity at the park," said Hardi Baktiantoro, field manager for The Orangutan Project and founder of the Centre for Orangutan Protection. "As with most orangutans that end up in such places like these, it is highly probable that she was taken from her mother as an infant and sold into the illegal pet trade."
With the Wildlife Rescue Centre forced to close due to financial difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pair were translocated to the BORA Centre in April 2021 after being identified as successful candidates for release.
"Both had demonstrated advanced foraging and nest-making skills, as well as a healthy dislike for humans," Baktiantoro said. "Ucokwati is particularly aggressive towards humans, no doubt due to her ill-treatment while in captivity, and this made her a prime candidate to successfully transition back into the wild."
The pair were released onto Dalwood-Wylie Island located in the Busang Ecosystem, a 340km, 10-hour journey by road from the BORA Centre, followed by a three-hour journey by boat along the Busang River.
Their release onto the island provides an opportunity for the pair to experience the freedom of life in the wild while still being closely monitored by staff from BORA. It is expected they will make their full transition back to the wild within several months as they become increasingly independent and venture further into the Busang Ecosystem.
Later this month, two other male orangutans under the care at BORA will also be released into the Busang Ecosystem. It is the mission of the alliance to secure and protect viable ecosystems like the Busang Ecosystem to ensure the future survival of Critically Endangered orangutans.
"We are currently living in the most important decade in the history of our planet for species survival," said Leif Cocks, founder of The Orangutan Project. "We are facing an extinction crisis unlike anything we have ever seen before due to the ongoing impact of habitat loss and the illegal trade of wildlife that has devastated populations of many animal species and led to an unprecedented loss of biodiversity.
"Unless we can secure and permanently protect fully functional ecosystems of the right type, shape and size within the next 10 years, then it is inevitable that orangutans will become extinct in the wild as populations will be too small to be genetically viable."
The Busang Ecosystem is one of eight ecosystems identified as being strategically-critical for the future survival of Critically Endangered orangutans. Each ecosystem requires a minimum of 2,000 orangutans to ensure the population is sustainable.
"The alliance has been granted approximately 20,000 hectares within the 260,000 hectare Busang Ecosystem to undertake orangutan rehabilitation and release for Critically Endangered Bornean Orangutans," Cocks said.
"The release of orangutans like Ucokwati and Mungil back to the wild gives hope that we can revert the impending extinction crisis," Cocks said. "But we cannot do it alone. We need more individuals to join us to secure and protect viable rainforest habitat before it is too late."
To find out more about the work of The Orangutan Project and how you can support, visit www.theorangutanproject.org
About The Orangutan Project
The Orangutan Project was established in 1998 with a critical mission; to ensure that Critically Endangered orangutan species are protected against Extinction and will continue to live in viable wild populations for generations to come. Today, The Orangutan Project is a dynamic, fast-growing and successful non-profit organisation that has raised over $25 million to support a wide range of critical projects that address the holistic problem facing fragmented orangutan populations - including fighting deforestation and habitat loss at the highest level.
About the Centre for Orangutan Protection
Founded in 2007, the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) is an Indonesian direct-action group who work to create a better life for orangutans, whether they are individuals in captivity or as a population in the wild. Partnering with The Orangutan Project, the COP team worked hand in hand with authorities to secure the last remaining orangutan habitat, mitigate conflict between wild animals versus humans including rescue, rehab and release the orangutan. COP operates several rapid-response teams that help animals in need and with its supporter group is probably one of the strongest grassroot groups in Western Indonesia.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Orange Orchard
(865) 977-1973
hripley@orangeorchardpr.com
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SOURCE The Orangutan Project | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/orangutan-mother-daughter-released-back-wild/ | 2022-05-19T11:28:18Z |
Two police officers were shot during a July Fourth celebration in Philadelphia, according to city police.
A 36-year-old Philadelphia Highway Patrol officer suffered a graze wound to the forehead, and a 44-year-old Montgomery County Sheriff's deputy suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
Both officers were providing security at a July Fourth concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway when shots were fired around 9:47 p.m., just before the fireworks went off, Outlaw said.
Neither officer heard the gunshots before they were hit, she added.
"We don't know if this was ricochet from celebratory gunfire, we don't know if this was intentional," Outlaw said. "We're just extremely grateful this wasn't worse than it was."
The officers were taken to Jefferson University Hospital, treated and discharged, Outlaw said.
Social media video of the incident, apparently filmed from a nearby building, shows large crowds of people running along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, as lights from police cars and emergency vehicles flash in the street.
There have been no arrests so far, and no suspects in custody. Police said they are following several leads, and are asking members of the public to come forward if they have any information regarding the shooting or video capturing what happened.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the day had been "laid back, chilled," with good weather and an enjoyable concert.
"But we live in America, and we have the Second Amendment, and we have the Supreme Court of the United States telling everybody they can carry a gun wherever they want," he said. "This is what we have to live with."
"If I had the ability to take care of guns, I would. But the legislature won't let us, the US Congress won't let us," he added. "This is a gun country."
Philadelphia Police are advising people who are looking to reunite with loved ones on the parkway to meet at the Free Library of Philadelphia. All others were asked to avoid the area.
Partnerships often create movie magic. Giggster took a look at the most significant director-screenwriter duos who stand out across film history. Click for more.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/2-law-enforcement-officers-shot-during-a-july-fourth-festival-in-philadelphia/article_f6fe5610-7397-5c39-a2c2-305231700a2e.html | 2022-07-05T07:32:18Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 40 organizations representing children, the environment, ethics, consumers, and health professionals today call on the Biden-Harris Administration to fill the vacancy of Chief Dental Officer of the Public Health Service with a new leader who will immediately stop the use of mercury dental fillings in children and pregnant women—then phase out its use entirely in federal programs. https://mercuryfreedentistry.files.wordpress.com/2022/08/civil-society-calls-for-new-policy-from-usphs-chief-dental-officer.pdf
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued Safety Recommendations on September 24, 2020, calling for the end of amalgam use in children, in young women, and in those with kidney and neurological conditions—but the holdover chief dental officers at the Department of Health and Human Services resist implementing it. Now the position of Chief Dental Officer of the Public Health Service is vacant, so civil society calls for Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine to appoint a chief dental officer with views compatible with the Biden-Harris environmental justice initiatives.
"Mercury dental fillings for children and pregnant women should have ended in government programs two years ago, when FDA publicly stated that exposure is harmful," said Nse Witherspoon, Executive Director of the Children's Environmental Health Network. "It is astounding that chief dental officers at the Public Health Service refuse to implement the Safety Recommendation of sister agencies at the Department of Health and Human Services. One would think our government would be first, not last, to follow FDA warnings for non-use of a toxic product on children."
Noting that FDA has spoken loud and clear to end amalgam for children and for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the nation's most prominent dentist authority on ethics in health care, Dr. Rueben C. Warren, calls the failure of government agencies to comply "a clear and convincing violation of medical ethics." Dr. Warren, director of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University and former dean of the Meharry dental school, says, "Surgeon General Murthy and Assistant Secretary Levine must act immediately to appoint a chief dental officer committed to immediately stopping the placing of dental amalgam on all Tribal lands, military bases, prisons, and Medicaid programs." Tuskegee, the site of the egregious syphilis experiment on Black men, which historian analogize to Nazi-era racial atrocities, houses the nation's watchdog to avoid any semblance of its repetition.
"According to the World Health Organization, which cites a comprehensive European survey, 95% of consumers would choose mercury-free dentistry – either for health reasons, environmental reasons, or both," said Charles G. Brown of Consumers for Dental Choice. "Consumers do not want mercury-silver fillings – but federal bureaucracies defying the nation's science health regulator continue to hoist them onto the powerless recipients of federal programs like Indian Health, Department of Defense, and Bureau of Prisons."
In March, the Biden Administration helped spearhead an amendment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury which sets a new worldwide floor: the end of amalgam for children under 15 nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
"This Administration, a world leader in protecting the public from mercury exposure, must not let its own federal agencies, led by holdover chief dental officers, subvert the new global policy which ends amalgam placement in children," said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean and Healthy New York. "Our nation's children deserve no less."
For further information, contact Charles Brown, Consumers for Dental Choice, charlie@mercury-free.org or 202.246.7642
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SOURCE Consumers for Dental Choice | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/40-organizations-led-by-consumers-dental-choice-call-biden-harris-administration-appoint-chief-dental-officer-committed-ending-mercury-dental-fillings-federal-programs/ | 2022-08-17T16:47:04Z |
Texas school shooting hits ‘close to home’ for Rays pitcher
By DICK SCANLON
Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, was especially disturbing for Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Brooks Raley. Uvalde is the 33-year-old left-hander’s hometown. He grew up playing baseball there, and his parents and a brother still reside in the small community of 16,000 west of San Antonio. Raley was in the Rays’ clubhouse in St. Petersburg, Florida, less than an hour before a game against the Miami Marlins when he learned 19 children and two adults had been gunned down at his old grade school, Robb Elementary. He says the news was difficult to hear and he feels deeply for the families of the victims. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/25/texas-school-shooting-hits-close-to-home-for-rays-pitcher/ | 2022-05-26T03:14:04Z |
Analysis predicts 462 preventable deaths on U.S. roadways July 1-4
ITASCA, Ill., June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council estimates 462 people may lose their lives on U.S. roads during Independence Day weekend in preventable crashes. According to newly released estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. roads are the most dangerous they've been in 16 years. With Independence Day being one of the most risky driving holidays of the year, NSC urges not only drivers, but all road users, whether they're biking, walking or otherwise mobile, to be safe.
"On a typical day, more than 100 people die on our roads, and that number is climbing," said Mark Chung, executive vice president, roadway practice at NSC. "Please take safety personally and follow our safe driving tips to ensure you get to where you want to go as safely as possible. Your life and those you love may depend on it."
The National Safety Council implores all drivers to adhere to the following safe driving tips this weekend:
- Buckle up: Lack of seat belt use is a top cause of fatalities in crashes. Buckle up, while also making sure you have appropriate car seats installed correctly.
- Designate a sober driver or arrange alternate transportation: Holidays are a cause for celebration, but alcohol is only one cause of impaired driving. Drugs, including opioids, marijuana and some over-the-counter medicines, can cause drowsiness, alter visual functions and affect mental judgment and motor skills.
- Slow down: Speeding is a factor in more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Drive the speed limit or below it if conditions dictate. Be sure to pay close attention to those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe.
- Prepare before you go: Before hitting the road, make sure your car is safe for driving. Vehicle owners should check the oil, put air in the tires, and check for and repair open recalls. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to see if your vehicle has an open recall, and get it repaired for free.
- Drive distraction-free: Thousands have died in car crashes involving cell phone use. Put your phones away and #JustDrive.
- Look before you lock: Pediatric vehicular heatstroke is still the leading cause of non-crash motor vehicle-related fatality for children. Since 1998, more than 900 children in the U.S. have died because of this completely preventable tragedy. Always check your back seat for children or animals when you reach your destination.
In addition to promoting safe driving behaviors among individuals, the National Safety Council recognizes the need for action to address the urgency of this national traffic safety crisis—because the onus of preventing deaths on our roads is not entirely on individual drivers.
NSC and its allies on Capitol Hill, at the U.S. Department of Transportation, and across safety and advocacy groups understand the commitment to a Safe System approach is necessary because much of our current roadway system is built to maximize throughput, not safety. To that end, on Wednesday, June 29 at 10 a.m. ET at the National Press Club in Washington, NSC will unveil the executive summary of its new report, Mobility, Technology and Safety: The Next 20 Years. This event highlights the findings of the report, announces new, related initiatives from the National Safety Council, and calls on policymakers to take decisive action around the troubling trend of traffic fatalities. NSC will utilize the conclusions of this new report to identify, track, and advocate for priority actions for the federal government. To register to attend this event virtually, click here.
For more safety tips, visit nsc.org/saferoads. Review supplemental information about the Independence Day holiday fatality estimates, and additional motor vehicle data and research at injuryfacts.nsc.org.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety advocate–and has been for more than 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives.
Connect with NSC:
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SOURCE National Safety Council | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/national-safety-council-urges-safe-driving-this-independence-day-weekend/ | 2022-06-27T13:08:27Z |
Topeka woman arrested for meth near Mayetta
Published: Aug. 21, 2022 at 3:18 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
JACKSON CO., Kan. (WIBW) - A Topeka woman was arrested on drug charges Saturday night after deputies located drugs during a traffic stop.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Janet Sue Huhs, 60, of Topeka was arrested just after 10:00 p.m. Saturday night following a traffic stop near 150th and Q. Road.
Following a search of the vehicle, Huhs, who was the passenger of the vehicle, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. She was booked and transported to Jackson County Jail.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/21/topeka-woman-arrested-meth-near-mayetta/ | 2022-08-21T21:24:06Z |
CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion92, a Chicago-based independent marketing innovation company with offices in Chicago, Detroit and Austin, announced it has named Joseph Shavit as SVP, Product. In this role, Shavit will lead the firm's product team and help the expansion of product offerings to support the company's growth. He will report to Jacob Beckley, EVP, Product and Innovation.
Joseph has nearly 25 years of professional experience and is highly skilled in product lifecycle management, emerging technologies, mobile applications and business and operations management. He joins Fusion92 after spending the last five years as chief product officer for Spiral Health, creators of a digital health and wellness platform. Prior to that, he was CPO of Yoi Corp, a SaaS platform designed to improve human performance in the workplace. Joseph has also held roles in entertainment and media, including being a founder of Webifacts, a dynamic mobile strategy and development agency empowering brands with cross-channel programs to mobilize, engage and monetize audiences.
"As we continue to build our product offerings, having top-notch expertise and leadership is vital, and Joseph is the ideal fit to expand our product department," said Doug Dome, president of Fusion92. "Fusion92 continues to lead with innovation and developing products to help our clients transform their business, and we are excited to add someone with Joseph's experience and expertise to support our product growth."
The Winnipeg native is also the co-founder of The Brighter Side of News, a social awareness and social giving project that he started with his then 14-year-old son (now 16). Sharing a passion for technology and its ability to improve lives, Joseph and his son use the platform to share informative and inspirational stories from around the world, highlighting people and the good that is being done on a daily basis.
"I'm excited to be joining such an innovative company that has established a set of goals that align with my career goals," said Joseph. "The growth trajectory of Fusion92 along with its outstanding culture makes this a very attractive place to be, and I'm looking forward to working with the team and expanding our product portfolio."
Founded in 1999, Fusion92 is a Chicago-based independent marketing innovation company with offices in Chicago, Detroit and Austin that form a Midwest powerhouse that helps growth stage and enterprise brands thrive. The firm's comprehensive stack of services and products helps bring exponential returns to companies in virtually every industry and vertical. Fusion92 collaboratively partners and serves as a consultative, trusted adviser to clients on B2B and consumer engagements that span traditional and digital media, leveraging the firm's expertise to innovatively solve business challenges. Fusion92's dynamic technology, integrated content lab (Studio440), media and activation capabilities, AdTech and premium NFT studio (Mint Werx) provide a lineup of differentiated solutions that deliver data-driven results. Learn more at Fusion92.com.
Media Contact: Brian Werger, 8885504864, b.werger@fusion92.com
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SOURCE Fusion92 | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/fusion92-names-joseph-shavit-lead-product-development/ | 2022-08-04T18:43:14Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for MSFT, BBY, AAPL, CVX, and AMZN.
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- AAPL: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=AAPL&prnumber=082920225
- CVX: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=CVX&prnumber=082920225
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InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-microsoft-best-buy-apple-chevron-or-amazon/ | 2022-08-29T13:56:36Z |
‘Tigermania’ sweeps Augusta as he practices again ahead of 2022 Masters
By Ben Morse, CNN
Will he? Won’t he? It’s the question on everyone’s lips.
Tiger Woods’ potential teeing off on Thursday’s opening round of the 2022 Masters has golf ablaze with excitement, with a dramatic comeback on the cards.
The 15-time major champion has been away from competitive golf for over a year, having suffered serious leg injuries in a car crash in February 2021.
But Woods, 46, has been spotted playing a few practice rounds at Augusta National, including one on Monday, which has only fueled rumors of a comeback.
One of his playing partners seems certain of what will happen on Thursday.
“I hope everything keeps going Tuesday and Wednesday and I’m sure he’s going to tee it up Thursday,” Fred Couples told reporters. “It’s not shocking because he’s the greatest player to ever play.”
“If he can walk around here in 72 holes, he’ll contend. He’s too good.”
And 2021 FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay says Woods’ return is the “greatest thing” for golf.
“He’s a good example of life’s not always perfect, and so it’s really exciting to see him on his highs,” he told the media.
“And so I hope that he is able to tee it up this week and play well, and obviously that’s the greatest thing for our sport. There’s definitely a different feel in tournaments that he tees it up in.”
Understanding
In the car crash last year in Los Angeles, Woods suffered comminuted open fractures that affected his right tibia and fibula, which are the two long bones directly under the knee.
He admitted in February this year that he was “frustrated” with his recovery and conceded he won’t be able to play a full PGA Tour schedule again.
Someone who knows a thing or two about coming back from serious injuries is four-time major winner Brooks Koepka.
The 31-year-old has had to endure his own share of injury concerns, missing sizeable time over recent years due to surgery recovery and rehab.
And Koepka, who comes into the 2022 Masters as one of the favorites for the Green jacket, said he understands what Woods might be going through.
“I was in somewhat of his shoes trying last year two weeks after surgery. This place isn’t exactly an easy walk,” he told the media. “I understand what he’s up against. It’ll be difficult. But if anybody can do it, it’s him.”
Koepka added: “I’m happy he’s becoming healthier and able to play golf … we need him, the game needs him, everybody needs him, the fans need him, all that stuff. But at the end of the day everybody is just out here competing. I’m worried about myself and I’m sure everybody else is worried about themselves.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/sports/cnn-sports/2022/04/05/tigermania-sweeps-augusta-as-he-practices-again-ahead-of-2022-masters/ | 2022-04-05T12:29:15Z |
The boutique coffee chain is launching its fourth store in Texas in six months – this time in Hutto
PORTLAND, Ore., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Rock Coffee Bar, founded in Portland, Oregon, continues to accelerate its momentum in Texas with the opening of a new location in Hutto, approximately 30 minutes north of Austin and just east of Round Rock. This location marks the third store to open in the Austin area and 12th in the state.
Located in the vibrant Star Ranch community at 5103 Gattis School Road, the Hutto store is set to open on Friday, June 3rd. To celebrate its grand opening, Black Rock will offer all customers free 16 oz. drinks all day on June 3rd at this location, and other specials throughout the following week.
The popular boutique coffee chain that was founded in Oregon is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel® energy drinks - all prepared and served by a Black Rock team of baristas that elevate the Black Rock Coffee Bar experience with exceptional customer service.
"We are excited to continue building our presence here in Texas," said Josh Pike, CEO of Black Rock Coffee Bar. "It's always been Black Rock's commitment to connect communities with coffee. Our culture of authentically meeting people wherever they are in life and fueling their story is what drives us. We're here to serve and hope to see everyone at our latest Hutto grand opening."
With more than 100 stores across seven states, the new Hutto location incorporates Black Rock's signature industrial modern design and features a large Texas-themed mural that is designed to connect to the region.
Founded in 2008 in Portland, Oregon, an area of the Pacific Northwest known for its coffee excellence, Black Rock Coffee Bar continues its rapid expansion through the west and into the sunbelt, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington. The boutique coffee chain recently was named the Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon and SW Washington in 2021 by the Portland Business Journal.
The Black Rock culture prides itself on providing opportunities for young people to learn how to lead, run a business, and develop people skills.
Black Rock Coffee Bar is a national boutique coffee shop that is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel® energy drinks. Founded as a family owned and operated business in Oregon in 2008, Black Rock Coffee Bar has grown to more than 100 retail locations in seven states. The Black Rock culture prides itself on not only being a positive force for the communities it serves, but also the team members that fuel their locations day in and day out. An important aspect of their team mission is to recognize those that go above and beyond by displaying the 4G's of Black Rock – grit, growth, gratitude and grace.
For more information, visit https://br.coffee/
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SOURCE Black Rock Coffee Bar | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/black-rock-coffee-bar-amplifies-momentum-texas-with-new-opening-austin-area/ | 2022-06-02T03:44:59Z |
1/6 panel to interview Pa. governor nominee Mastriano
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Republican governor nominee Doug Mastriano is appearing Tuesday before the Jan. 6 committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection as the panel probes Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Mastriano, who was outside the Capitol that day, helped organize efforts in Pennsylvania to submit alternate presidential electors beholden to Trump. He is one of two people expected to provide private interviews Tuesday before the committee, according to a person familiar with the situation who was granted anonymity to discuss it.
Committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson issued the subpoena for Mastriano back in February as the panel intensified its probe of the “fake electors” scheme, seeking documentation from him and others potentially involved and in close contact with Trump.
The committee “is seeking information about efforts to send false slates of electors to Washington and change the outcome of the 2020 election,” Thompson wrote. “We’re seeking records and testimony from former campaign officials and other individuals in various states who we believe have relevant information about the planning and implementation of those plans.”
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also been in talks to testify on Tuesday, CNN and other outlets have reported.
Mastriano, a retired Army officer who beat out several candidates to emerge as the GOP nominee for governor in Pennsylvania, has been willing to talk to the committee, his attorney has said. He also spoke with the FBI last year and said he did not know about a planned insurrection, his lawyer has said.
The committee is working through August, deepening its work after blockbuster public hearings this summer that began to outline its investigation into Trump’s multi-pronged effort to reverse his election loss to Joe Biden and the subsequent storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The scheme to compile alternative electors emerged as a last-ditch plan by Trump’s team to stop Biden’s victory when Congress met for the typical routine job of certifying the state election results.
Growing from Trump’s false claims of voter fraud, the fake electors strategy relied on having several battleground states that Biden won submit their tally for the defeated Republican president, rather than the Democratic winner, Biden.
Federal authorities earlier this summer issued subpoenas in several key battleground states across the nation to individuals in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and other Republican officials potentially involved in the strategy to submit electors for Trump.
Prosecutors in Georgia are similarly probing Trump’s attempt to subvert the election results in that state.
The Justice Department has charged more than 800 people in the deadly Capitol riot and is investigating Trump’s actions in the run up and aftermath of the insurrection.
The Jan. 6 attack left at least nine people killed in the riot and its aftermath, including a Trump supporter shot by police and a police officer who died later.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/09/16-panel-interview-pa-governor-nominee-mastriano/ | 2022-08-09T15:59:21Z |
- Net earnings were $477.7 million, or $0.46, per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 compared with $563.9 million, or $0.52, per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted net earnings1 were approximately $573.0 million compared with $564.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share1 were $0.55, representing an increase of 5.8% from $0.52 for the corresponding quarter of last year.
- Total merchandise and service revenues of $3.8 billion, an increase of 1.0%. Same-store merchandise revenues increased by 2.3% in the United States, by 6.2% in Europe and other regions, and by 0.1% in Canada.
- Merchandise and service gross margin increased by 1.3% in the United States to 33.1%, by 0.2% in Europe and other regions to 38.3%, and by 1.4% in Canada to 32.4%. Gross margin in the U.S. and Canada was favorably impacted by prior year inventory adjustments of $26.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively, as well as by pricing initiatives.
- Same-store road transportation fuel volumes decreased by 1.7% in the United States, increased by 3.7% in Europe and other regions, and increased by 4.3% in Canada.
- Road transportation fuel gross margin1 of 46.12¢ per gallon in the United States, an increase of 11.67¢ per gallon, and of CA 13.41¢ per liter in Canada, an increase of CA 2.49¢ per liter. Fuel margins remained healthy throughout the North American network, due to favorable market conditions and the continued work on the optimization of the supply chain. In Europe and other regions, the road transportation fuel margin1 was US 7.51¢ per liter, a decrease of US 3.34¢ per liter, impacted by increase in crude oil prices, supply chain challenges from the current geopolitical context, as well as volatility of the diesel market.
Fiscal Year 2022
- Net earnings per diluted share of $2.52 compared with $2.44 for fiscal 2021, an increase of 3.3%, while adjusted diluted net earnings per share1 were $2.60 compared with $2.45 for fiscal 2021, an increase of 6.1%.
- Fulfillment of the Corporation's share repurchase program, totaling $1.9 billion, including $834.7 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2022, the Corporation renewed its share repurchase program which allows it to repurchase up to 10.0% of the public float. Under the renewed program, shares for a net amount of $429.2 million were repurchased.
- Increase in the annual dividend declared for fiscal 2022 of 25.6%, from CA 33.25¢ to CA 41.75¢.
- Return on capital employed1 remained strong at 15.4%, a slight decrease from 15.9%, driven by impairment costs incurred during the year which had a negative impact of approximately 0.3%.
- Leverage ratio1 at 1.39 : 1, a slight increase from 1.32 : 1, driven primarily by the use of cash for share repurchases.
- Despite its annual growth rate of expenses of 14.3%, the Corporation has deployed strategic efforts to mitigate costs increases and inflationary pressures, which is demonstrated by a compound annual growth rate of 3.4% of normalized growth of expenses compared to 2020, including employee-related costs1, remaining below inflation.
LAVAL, QC, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - For its fourth quarter ended April 24, 2022, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard" or the "Corporation") (TSX: ATD) announces net earnings of $477.7 million, representing $0.46 per share on a diluted basis. The results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were affected by a pre-tax impairment loss of $56.2 million resulting from the deconsolidation and impairment of Russian subsidiaries, a pre-tax impairment loss of $33.7 million on our investment in Fire & Flower Holdings Corp., a pre-tax expense of $15.1 million due to a change in the accounting policy relating to cloud computing arrangements, a pre-tax net foreign exchange gain of $3.0 million, as well as pre-tax acquisition costs of $0.9 million. The results for the comparable quarter of fiscal 2021 were affected by a pre-tax expense of $29.1 million following the delivery of an early redemption notice of senior unsecured notes, a pre-tax gain on disposal of $26.6 million related to the sale of a property located in Toronto, Canada, pre-tax acquisition costs of $1.5 million, as well as by a pre-tax net foreign exchange loss of $1.1 million. Excluding these items, the adjusted net earnings1 were approximately $573.0 million, or $0.55, per share on a diluted basis for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, compared with $564.0 million, or $0.52, per share on a diluted basis for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 5.8% in the adjusted diluted net earnings per share1, driven by higher road transportation fuel margins in the United States and Canada, by organic growth in the convenience activities, as well as by the favorable impact of the share repurchase program, partly offset by higher operating expenses. All financial information presented is in US dollars unless stated otherwise.
"We are proud to report a remarkable year despite the continued pressures caused by the pandemic, global inflation, and staffing challenges. With our operational and financial resilience, we had record-breaking results across key metrics and remained focused on our strategic goals. During the quarter, we made notable progress accelerating organic growth both inside the store and on our forecourts, as well as innovating for the future, including beginning our e-mobility journey in North America and rolling out smart checkout frictionless technology in targeted geographies. We also started the work with select partners to get a better understanding of our consumers' interests in rapid delivery. I want to thank all our team members, customers, and shareholders for their continued commitment to the business as we prepare for an even stronger year ahead" said Brian Hannasch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alimentation Couche-Tard.
"No doubt with inflation hitting 40-year record highs this quarter, consumers have experienced pressure both at the pump and at the checkout line. We are committed to providing good value for our customers across the network, and through our in-store localized pricing efforts and fuel promotions we are working hard to make our customers' lives a little easier every day, even during difficult economic times." concluded Brian Hannasch.
Claude Tessier, Chief Financial Officer, added: "Our results for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2022 have exceeded our expectations on many fronts, especially in light of a challenging global environment. Inflation was particularly notable during the fourth quarter, impacting all aspects of our business. We, once again, diligently managed through these challenging conditions and were able to mitigate the impacts from a higher inflation level and continued pressure on wages. We have also continued to reinvest in our operations while maintaining a particularly strong balance sheet, allowing us to return capital to our shareholders during the quarter, including the completion of our upsized 2021-2022 share repurchase program. As we look ahead to fiscal 2023, our healthy financial position and strong capital structure, including our newly implemented US Commercial Paper Program, position us well to continue delivering strong results and return further value to our shareholders as we remain focused on our ambitious double-again strategy."
Significant Items of the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2022
- On April 8, 2022, as a result of the geopolitical events leading to economic sanctions imposed from and against Russia, as well as the developments following our announcement that we had suspended the operations of our 38 stores located in Russia, it was determined that we lost control over our investment in our wholly-owned Russian subsidiaries. As a result, an amount of $56.2 million was recorded to Depreciation, amortization and impairment.
- On April 24, 2022, as a result of a decrease in the market capitalization of Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. ("Fire & Flower"), an impairment loss of $33.7 million was recorded to bring our investment in the associated company to its fair value.
- On April 28, 2022, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2022, we exercised the Series B common share warrants in Fire & Flower for a total consideration of CA $37.8 million ($29.5 million), which increased our interests in Fire & Flower to 35.3%.
- On April 21, 2021, the Toronto Stock Exchange approved the implementation of a share repurchase program (the "Program"), which took effect on April 26, 2021. The Program initially allowed us to repurchase up to 4.0% of the Class B subordinate voting shares of the public float as at April 19, 2021 (the "Public float"). On January 31, 2022, the Toronto Stock Exchange approved the amendment of our Program to increase the maximum number of shares that may be repurchased to 5.8% of the Public float.
- During the fourth quarter and fiscal 2022, we repurchased 18,969,690 and 46,806,328 shares, respectively, reaching the Program's authorized share repurchase limit. These repurchases were settled for amounts of $834.7 million and $1.9 billion, respectively. On April 22, 2022, the Toronto Stock Exchange approved the renewal of our Program, which took effect on April 26, 2022. The renewed Program allows us to repurchase up to 79,703,614 shares, representing 10.0% of the public float as of April 20, 2022, and the share repurchase period will end no later than April 25, 2023. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2022, and under the renewed Program, we repurchased 9,764,000 shares for an amount of $429.2 million.
- On March 3, 2022, following the delivery of a redemption notice dated January 31, 2022, we fully repaid our CA $250.0 million Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes issued on November 1, 2012, which were set to mature on November 1, 2022. The repayment of CA $254.1 million ($200.6 million) was settled using cash on hand and included an early redemption premium of CA $4.1 million ($3.2 million). We also settled the cross-currency interest rate swaps associated with these Canadian-dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes.
- Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2022, we established a commercial paper program in the United States on a private placement basis, which allows us to issue, from time to time, unsecured commercial paper notes for which the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time cannot exceed $2.5 billion.
Changes in our Network during the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2022
- We acquired 4 company-operated stores, reaching a total of 74 company-operated stores through various transactions since the beginning of fiscal 2022. We settled these transactions using our available cash.
- On March 22, 2021, based on the outcome of a strategic review of our network, we announced our intention to sell certain sites across 28 states in the United States and 6 provinces in Canada. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, we completed the sale of 44 sites to various buyers for cash consideration of $51.5 million, which resulted in a gain of $15.6 million.
- We completed the construction of 42 stores and the relocation or reconstruction of 16 stores, reaching a total of 133 stores since the beginning of fiscal 2022. As of April 24, 2022, another 58 stores were under construction and should open in the upcoming quarters.
- On May 20, 2022, subsequent to the end of fiscal 2022, we acquired, through a joint venture with Musket Corporation, four road transportation fuel terminals located in Florida, Illinois and North Carolina, United States.
Summary of changes in our store network
The following table presents certain information regarding changes in our store network over the 12–week period ended April 24, 2022:
The following table presents certain information regarding changes in our store network over the 52–week period ended April 24, 2022:
Change in Accounting Policy
In April 2021, the IFRS Interpretations Committee finalized its agenda decision Configuration or Customisation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (IAS 38 Intangible Assets), clarifying how to recognize certain configuration and customisation expenditures related to cloud computing arrangements. During fiscal 2022, we finalized our assessment of the impact of this agenda decision and changed our accounting policy to align with the interpretation. As a result, costs previously capitalized as intangible assets were reclassified, out of which $15.1 million were expensed to Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings, $6.0 million were recognized as long-term prepaid expenses to Other assets and $3.9 million were recognized to Prepaid expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. We did not apply this change in accounting policy retrospectively as its impact was not deemed material. We expect that this change in accounting policy will impact our future consolidated results as the expenditures within the scope of this interpretation will be recorded to Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses while they were recorded to Depreciation, amortization and impairment in the consolidated statements of earnings before this agenda decision. We also expect timing of recognition to earnings of those expenditures to differ following this change.
Exchange Rate Data
We use the US dollar as our reporting currency, which provides more relevant information given the predominance of our operations in the United States.
The following table sets forth information about exchange rates based upon closing rates expressed as US dollars per comparative currency unit:
For the analysis of consolidated results, the impact of the translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars is defined as the impact from the translation of our Canadian, European and Asian operations into US dollars. Variances of our foreign currency operations into US dollars are determined as being the difference between the corresponding period results in local currencies translated at the current period average exchange rate and the corresponding period results in local currencies translated at the corresponding period average exchange rate.
Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2022
The following table highlights certain information regarding our operations for the 12 and 52–week periods ended April 24, 2022 and April 25, 2021, and the results analysis in this section should be read in conjunction with this table. Europe and other regions include the results from our operations in Asia.
Revenues
Our revenues were $16.4 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, up by $4.2 billion, an increase of 34.3% compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021, mainly attributable to a higher average road transportation fuel and other fuel products selling price, the contribution from acquisitions, and organic growth on merchandise and service sales while being partly offset by the net negative impact of approximately $206.0 million from the translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars.
For fiscal 2022, our revenues increased by $17.0 billion, or 37.3%, compared with fiscal 2021, mainly attributable to a higher average road transportation fuel and other fuel products selling price, a higher fuel demand, the contribution from acquisitions, organic growth on merchandise and service sales, as well as the positive impact of approximately $150.0 million from the translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars.
Merchandise and service revenues
Total merchandise and service revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were $3.8 billion, an increase of $38.5 million compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $37.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $75.0 million, or 2.0%, is primarily attributable to organic growth, and to the contribution from acquisitions which amounted to approximately $27.0 million, while being partly offset by the disposal of stores following the strategic review of our network. Same-store merchandise revenues increased by 2.3% in the United States, by 6.2%2 in Europe and other regions, and by 0.1% in Canada.
For fiscal 2022, the growth in merchandise and service revenues was $730.8 million compared with fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net positive impact of approximately $108.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $623.0 million, or 3.9%, is mainly attributable to similar factors as those of the fourth quarter. Same-store merchandise revenues increased by 1.9% in the United States, increased by 5.9%1 in Europe and other regions, and decreased by 3.4% in Canada. On a 2-year basis, same-store merchandise revenues increased by an annual average rate of 3.8% in the United States, 6.0%1 in Europe and other regions, and 3.1% in Canada.
Road transportation fuel revenues
Total road transportation fuel revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were $12.4 billion, an increase of $4.0 billion compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $158.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $4.2 billion, or 50.1%, is attributable to a higher average road transportation fuel selling price, which had an impact of approximately $4.1 billion. Same-store road transportation fuel volumes decreased by 1.7% in the United States and increased by 3.7% in Europe and other regions, and by 4.3% in Canada. During the quarter, road transportation fuel demand was unfavorably impacted by the significant rise in retail prices driven by the increase in crude oil costs as well as from continued work from home trends.
For fiscal 2022, the road transportation fuel revenues increased by $15.9 billion compared with fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net positive impact of approximately $49.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $15.9 billion, or 54.1%, is mostly due to the positive impact of the higher average road transportation fuel selling price, and organic growth. Same-store road transportation fuel volumes increased by 4.0% in the United States, by 3.8% in Europe and other regions, and by 6.1% in Canada. On a 2-year basis, same-store road transportation fuel volumes decreased by an annual average rate of 4.5% in the United States, 1.3% in Europe and other regions, and 4.4% in Canada.
The following table shows the average selling price of road transportation fuel of our company-operated stores in our various markets for the last eight quarters. The average selling price of road transportation fuel consists of the road transportation fuel revenues divided by the volume of road transportation fuel sold:
Other revenues
Total other revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were $295.4 million, an increase of $132.7 million compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $12.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $145.0 million, or 89.1%, is primarily driven by higher prices and higher demand on our other fuel products, which had a minimal impact on gross profit1.
Total other revenues for fiscal 2022 were $854.7 million, an increase of $372.9 million compared with fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $12.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $385.0 million, or 79.9%, is mainly attributable to similar factors as those of the fourth quarter, which had a minimal impact on gross profit1.
Gross profit3
Our gross profit was $2.6 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, up by $222.5 million or 9.5%, compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021, mainly attributable to higher road transportation fuel gross margins in the United States and Canada, improved merchandise and service gross margin, and organic growth in our convenience activities, while being partly offset by the net negative impact of the translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars of approximately $37.0 million.
For fiscal 2022, our gross profit increased by $889.5 million, or 8.8%, compared with fiscal 2021, mainly attributable to higher road transportation fuel gross margins in the United States and Canada, higher road transportation fuel demand, the contribution from acquisitions, improved merchandise and service gross margin, organic growth and the net positive impact of approximately $44.0 million from the translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars.
As the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on our prior year financial results, looking at gross profit on a 2-year basis provides additional insight given the volatility in the various key measures of our business. Excluding the disposal of CAPL and the acquisition of Circle K Hong Kong4, merchandise and service, as well as road transportation fuel gross profit were higher by 10.2% and 18.2%, respectively, compared with the annual pre-pandemic results of fiscal 2020.
Merchandise and service gross profit
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, our merchandise and service gross profit was $1.3 billion, an increase of $56.5 million compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $15.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $72.0 million, or 5.9%, is primarily due to organic growth as well as to pricing initiatives. Our gross margin1 increased by 1.3% in the United States to 33.1%, by 0.2% in Europe and other regions to 38.3%, and by 1.4% in Canada to 32.4%. Gross margin in the U.S. and Canada were also impacted in the prior year by unfavorable inventory adjustments on personal protective equipment of $26.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
During fiscal 2022, our merchandise and service gross profit was $5.7 billion, an increase of $347.0 million compared with fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net positive impact of approximately $29.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $318.0 million, or 6.0%, is mainly attributable to the contribution from acquisitions, which amounted to approximately $148.0 million, and to the favorable impact of changes in product mix and to pricing initiatives. Our gross margin1 increased by 0.6% in the United States to 33.7%, increased by 0.8% in Canada to 32.2%, and decreased by 0.9% in Europe and other regions to 38.2% mainly due to the impact of the integration of Circle K Hong Kong, which has a different product mix than our European operations.
Road transportation fuel gross profit
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, our road transportation fuel gross profit was $1.3 billion, an increase of $177.9 million compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $19.0 million. The remaining increase in our gross profit was approximately $197.0 million, or 18.3%. In the United States, our road transportation fuel gross margin1 was 46.12¢ per gallon, an increase of 11.67¢ per gallon, and in Canada, it was CA 13.41¢ per liter, an increase of CA 2.49¢ per liter. Fuel margins remained healthy throughout our North American network, due to favorable market conditions and the continued work on the optimization of our supply chain. In Europe and other regions, our road transportation fuel margin1 was US 7.51¢ per liter, a decrease of US 3.34¢ per liter, impacted by increase in crude oil prices, supply chain challenges from the current geopolitical context, as well as volatility in the diesel market.
During fiscal 2022, our road transportation fuel gross profit was $5.2 billion, an increase of $570.6 million compared with fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net positive impact of approximately $15.0 million. The remaining increase in our gross profit was approximately $556.0 million, or 12.1%. The road transportation fuel gross margin5 was 39.62¢ per gallon in the United States, US 9.86¢ per liter in Europe and other regions, and CA 11.74¢ per liter in Canada.
The road transportation fuel gross margin1 of our company-operated stores in the United States and the impact of expenses related to electronic payment modes for the last eight quarters, were as follows:
Generally, during normal economic cycles, road transportation fuel margins in the United States can be volatile from one quarter to another, while in Europe and other regions and in Canada, fuel margins and expenses related to electronic payment modes are not as volatile.
Other revenues gross profit
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, other revenues gross profit was $32.8 million, a decrease of $11.9 million compared with the corresponding period of fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $2.0 million.
During fiscal 2022, other revenues gross profit was $165.6 million, a decrease of $28.1 million compared with fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $1.0 million. The remaining decrease of approximately $27.0 million, or 13.9%, is primarily due to lower margins on our other fuel products.
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses ("expenses")
For the fourth quarter and fiscal 2022, expenses increased by 19.0% and 14.3%, respectively, compared with the corresponding periods of fiscal 2021. Normalized growth of expenses1 was 15.6% and 9.4%, respectively, as show in the table below:
The normalized growth of expenses1 in the fourth quarter was mainly driven by government grants of $41.0 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year, measures necessitated by the impact of the labor shortage and the need to improve employee retention, an increase of marketing initiatives and other discretionary expenses that were significantly reduced in the prior year quarter, inflationary pressures, including higher utility costs in Europe, higher costs from rising minimum wages, as well as by incremental investments in our stores to support our strategic initiatives. This increase was partly offset by lower COVID-19 related expenses compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. The costs of the retention measures implemented during the fiscal year, which totaled approximately $19.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, the employee-related COVID-19 costs in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year, such as Thank you bonuses of $5.2 million, as well as the government grants, represented an increase in expenses of 4.3% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
For fiscal 2022, we have deployed strategic efforts in order to mitigate the impacts of a higher inflation level and continued pressure on wages, which is demonstrated by a compound annual growth rate of 3.4% of our normalized growth of expenses compared to 2020, including employee-related costs1, below inflation, despite the challenging market conditions.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment ("EBITDA[6]") and adjusted EBITDA1
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, EBITDA stood at $1.1 billion, an increase of 0.9% compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 increased by $50.8 million, or 4.7%, compared with the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021, mainly due to higher road transportation fuel margins in the United States and in Canada, and organic growth in our convenience operations, partly offset by higher operating expenses. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $15.0 million.
During fiscal 2022, EBITDA increased from $5.1 billion to $5.2 billion, an increase of 3.6% compared with fiscal 2021. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2022 increased by $261.3 million, or 5.2%, compared with fiscal 2021, mainly attributable to higher road transportation fuel margins in the United States and in Canada, higher road transportation fuel demand, organic growth for our convenience operations, as well as the contribution from acquisitions. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net positive impact of approximately $27.0 million.
Depreciation, amortization and impairment ("depreciation")
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, our depreciation expense increased by $104.5 million compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net favorable impact of approximately $7.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $111.0 million, or 32.2%, is mainly driven by the impact of the deconsolidation and the impairment of our Russian subsidiaries of $56.2 million, the impairment on our investment in Fire & Flower of $33.7 million, as well as by the impact from investments made through acquisitions, the replacement of equipment, and the ongoing improvement of our network.
For fiscal 2022, our depreciation expense increased by $186.8 million compared with fiscal 2021. The translation of our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net unfavorable impact of approximately $7.0 million. The remaining increase of approximately $180.0 million, or 13.2%, is mainly attributable to similar factors as those of the fourth quarter.
Net financial expenses
Net financial expenses for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2022 were $51.5 million and $281.0 million, respectively, a decrease of $20.2 million and $61.5 million compared with the corresponding periods of fiscal 2021. A portion of the decrease is explained by certain items that are not considered indicative of future trends, as shown in the table below:
Income taxes
The income tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 was 22.6% compared with 18.5% for the corresponding period of fiscal 2021.
The income tax rate for fiscal 2022 was 21.5% compared with 19.5% for fiscal 2021. The increase is mainly stemming from the impact of gains and losses taxable or deductible at a lower income tax rate between current and prior year, and a different mix in our earnings across the various jurisdictions in which we operate.
Net earnings and adjusted net earnings1
Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were $477.7 million, compared with $563.9 million for the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year, a decrease of $86.2 million, or 15.3%. Diluted net earnings per share stood at $0.46, compared with $0.52 for the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. The translation of revenues and expenses from our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net negative impact of approximately $8.0 million on net earnings of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
Adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were approximately $573.0 million, compared with $564.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $9.0 million, or 1.6%. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share7 were $0.55 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, compared with $0.52 for the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 5.8%.
For fiscal 2022, net earnings stood at $2.7 billion, a decrease of $22.2 million or 0.8%, compared with fiscal 2021. Diluted net earnings per share stood at $2.52, compared with $2.44 for the previous fiscal year. The translation of revenues and expenses from our foreign currency operations into US dollars had a net positive impact of approximately $20.0 million on net earnings of fiscal 2022.
Adjusted net earnings for fiscal 2022 stood at $2.8 billion, an increase of $54.0 million or 2.0%, compared with fiscal 2021. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share1 were $2.60 for fiscal 2022, compared with $2.45 for fiscal 2021, an increase of 6.1%.
Dividends
During its June 28, 2022 meeting, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of CA 11.00¢ per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 to shareholders on record as at July 8, 2022, and approved its payment effective July 22, 2022. This is an eligible dividend within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
For fiscal 2022, the Board of Directors declared total dividends of CA 41.75¢ per share, an increase of 25.6% compared with CA 33.25¢ for fiscal 2021.
Lead Director of the Board of Directors
Couche-Tard also announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Louis Vachon as the Lead Director effective June 28, 2022. Mr. Vachon, an independent director of the Company since September 2021, succeeds Mélanie Kau who is stepping down as Lead Director, but who will remain on the Board of Directors. Alain Bouchard, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors said, "The Board's unanimous selection of Mr. Vachon to the Lead Director role is a testament to his leadership and expertise, and the Board's continuous commitment to rigorous oversight and sound governance practices. We welcome Mr. Vachon to this new role and thank his predecessor, Mélanie Kau, for her many years of service to the Board and to our Company as its Lead Director."
Non-IFRS Measures
To provide more information for evaluating the Corporation's performance, the financial information included in our financial documents contains certain data that are not performance measures under IFRS ("non-IFRS measures"), which are also calculated on an adjusted basis to exclude specific items. We believe that providing those non-IFRS measures is useful to management, investors, and analysts, as they provide additional information to measure the performance and financial position of the Corporation.
The following non-IFRS measures are used in our financial disclosures:
- Gross profit;
- Interest-bearing debt;
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment ("EBITDA") and adjusted EBITDA; and
- Adjusted net earnings.
The following non-IFRS ratios are used in our financial disclosures:
- Merchandise and service gross margin and Road transportation fuel gross margin;
- Normalized growth of operating, selling, administrative and general expenses;
- Normalized growth of operating, selling, administrative and general expenses compared to fiscal 2020, including normalized employee-related costs;
- Growth of same-store merchandise revenues for Europe and other regions;
- Adjusted diluted net earnings per share;
- Leverage ratio; and
- Return on equity and return on capital employed.
The following capital management measure is used in our financial disclosures:
- Net interest-bearing debt/total capitalization.
Supplementary financial measures are also used in our financial disclosures and those measures are described where they are presented.
Non-IFRS measures and ratios, as well as the capital management measure ("Non-IFRS measures") are mainly derived from the consolidated financial statements, but do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. These non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, our definitions of non-IFRS measures may differ from those of other public corporations. Any such modification or reformulation may be significant. These measures are also adjusted for the pro forma impact of our acquisitions and impacts of new accounting standards, if they are considered to be material.
Gross profit. Gross profit consists of revenues less the cost of sales, excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment. This measure is considered useful for evaluating the underlying performance of our operations.
The table below reconciles revenues and cost of sales, excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment to gross profit:
Please note that the same reconciliation applies in the determination of gross profit by category and by geography presented in the section "Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results".
Merchandise and service gross margin. Merchandise and service gross margin consists of Merchandise and service gross profit divided by Merchandise and service revenues, both measures being presented in the section ''Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results''. Merchandise and service gross margin is considered useful for evaluating how efficiently we generate gross profit by dollar of revenue.
Road transportation fuel gross margin. Road transportation fuel gross margin consists of Road transportation fuel gross profit divided by total volume of road transportation fuel sold. For the United States and Europe and other regions, both measures being presented in the section ''Summary Analysis of Consolidated Results''. For Canada, this measure is presented in functional currency and the table below reconciles, for road transportation fuel, Revenues and Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, amortization and impairment to gross profit and the resulting road transportation fuel gross margin. This measure is considered useful for evaluating how efficiently we generate gross profit by gallon or liter of road transportation fuel sold.
Normalized growth of operating, selling, administrative and general expenses ("normalized growth of expenses"). Normalized growth of expenses consists of the growth of Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses adjusted for the impact of the changes in our network, the impact of more volatile items over which we have limited control as well as the impact from changes in accounting policies and adoption of accounting standards. This measure is considered useful for evaluating our ability to control our expenses on a comparable basis.
The tables below reconcile growth of Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses to normalized growth of expenses:
Normalized growth of operating, selling, administrative and general expenses compared to fiscal 2020, including normalized employee-related costs ("normalized growth of expenses compared to 2020, including employee-related costs"). Normalized growth of expenses compared to fiscal 2020, including employee-related costs consists of the growth of Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses compared to fiscal 2020 adjusted for the impact of the changes in our network, employee-related costs that are not deemed indicative of future trends, the impact of more volatile items over which we have limited control as well as the impact from changes in accounting policies and adoption of accounting standards. This measure is considered useful for evaluating our ability to control our expenses on a comparable basis and against a fiscal year that was subject to limited volatility.
The tables below reconcile growth of Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses to normalized growth of expenses compared to 2020, including employee-related costs:
Growth of same-store merchandise revenues for Europe and other regions. Same-store merchandise revenues represent cumulated merchandise revenues between the current period and comparative period for those stores that were open for at least 23 days out of every 28-day period included in the reported periods. Merchandise revenues are defined as Merchandise and service revenues excluding service revenues. For Europe and other regions, the growth of same-store merchandise revenues is calculated based on constant currencies using the respective current period average exchange rate for both the current and corresponding period. In Europe and other regions, same-store merchandise revenues include same-store revenues from company-operated stores, CODO and DODO stores, as well as Asian corporate stores prior to their acquisition date of December 21, 2020. These last two items are not included in our consolidated results. This measure is considered useful for evaluating our ability to generate organic growth on a comparable basis in our overall European and other regions store network.
The tables below reconcile Merchandise and service revenues to same-store merchandise revenues for Europe and other regions and the resulting percentage of growth :
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment ("EBITDA") and adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA represents net earnings plus income taxes, net financial expenses, and depreciation, amortization and impairment. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for acquisition costs and other specific items for which the impact on consolidated results is not deemed indicative of future trends. These performance measures are considered useful to facilitate the evaluation of our ongoing operations and our ability to generate cash flows to fund our cash requirements, including our capital expenditures program, share repurchases, and payment of dividends.
The table below reconciles net earnings, as per IFRS, to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share. Adjusted net earnings represents net earnings adjusted for net foreign exchange gains or losses, acquisition costs and other specific items for which the impact on consolidated results is not deemed indicative of future trends. These measures are considered useful for evaluating the underlying performance of our operations on a comparable basis.
The table below reconciles reported net earnings, as per IFRS, with adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted net earnings per share:
Interest-bearing debt. This measure represents the sum of the following balance sheet accounts: Current portion of long-term debt, Long-term debt, Current portion of lease liabilities and Lease liabilities. This measure is considered useful to facilitate the understanding of our financial position in relation with financing obligations. The calculation of this measure of financial position is detailed in the ''Net interest-bearing debt/total capitalization'' section below.
Net interest-bearing debt/total capitalization. This measure represents the basis for monitoring our capital as well as a measure of financial condition that is especially used in financial circles.
The table below presents the calculation of this performance measure:
Leverage ratio. This measure represents a measure of financial condition that is especially used in financial circles.
The table below reconciles net interest-bearing debt and adjusted EBITDA, for which the calculation methodologies are described in other tables of this section, with the leverage ratio:
Return on equity. This measure is used to measure the relation between our profitability and our net assets. Average equity is calculated by taking the average of the opening and closing balance for the 52-week period.
The table below reconciles net earnings, as per IFRS, with the ratio of return on equity:
Return on capital employed. This measure is used to measure the relation between our profitability and capital efficiency. Earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") represents net earnings plus income taxes and net financial expenses. Capital employed represents total assets less short-term liabilities not bearing interest, which excludes the current portion of long-term debt and current portion of lease liabilities. Average capital employed is calculated by taking the average of the beginning and ending balance of capital employed for the 52-week period.
The table below reconciles net earnings, as per IFRS, to EBIT with the ratio of return on capital employed:
(1) The following table reconciles balance sheet line items, as per IFRS, to capital employed:
Profile
Couche-Tard is a global leader in convenience and fuel retail, operating in 24 countries and territories, with more than 14,000 stores, of which approximately 10,700 offer road transportation fuel. With its well-known Couche-Tard and Circle K banners, it is one of the largest independent convenience store operators in the United States and it is a leader in the convenience store industry and road transportation fuel retail in Canada, Scandinavia, the Baltics, as well as in Ireland. It also has an important presence in Poland and Hong Kong SAR. Approximately 122,000 people are employed throughout its network.
For more information on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. or to consult its annual Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis, please visit: https://corpo.couche-tard.com.
The statements set forth in this press release, which describes Couche-Tard's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations, or forecasts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation. Positive or negative verbs such as "believe", "can", "shall", "intend", "expect", "estimate", "assume", and other related expressions are used to identify such statements. Couche-Tard would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties such that its results, or the measures it adopts, could differ materially from those indicated in or underlying these statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of a particular projection. Major factors that may lead to a material difference between Couche-Tard's actual results and the projections or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements include the effects of the integration of acquired businesses and the ability to achieve projected synergies, uncertainty related to the duration and severity of the current COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in margins on motor fuel sales, competition in the convenience store and retail motor fuel industries, exchange rate variations, and such other risks as described in detail from time to time in the reports filed by Couche-Tard with securities authorities in Canada and the United States. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Couche-Tard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information available as of the date of the release.
Webcast on June 29, 2022, at 8:00 A.M. (EDT)
Couche-Tard invites analysts known to the Corporation to ask their questions to its management on June 29, 2022, during the question and answer period of the webcast.
Financial Analysts, Investors, media and any individuals interested in listening to the webcast on Couche-Tard's results, which will take place online on June 29, 2022, at 8:00 A.M. (EDT) can do so by either accessing the Corporation's website at https://corpo.couche-tard.com/en and by clicking in the "Investors/Events & Presentations" section or by dialing 1-888-390-0549 or the international number 1-416-764-8682, followed by the access code 37095248#.
Rebroadcast: For individuals who will not be able to listen to the live webcast, a recording of the webcast will be available on the Corporation's website for a period of 90 days.
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SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/alimentation-couche-tard-announces-its-results-its-fourth-quarter-fiscal-year-2022/ | 2022-06-28T22:03:54Z |
Whipshots™ is now available in 11 States and Over 4,000 Retail Stores in just 5 Months
SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Starco Brands today announced that Whipshots™, the ground breaking vodka-infused whipped cream, is expanding its retail presence across the United States and is now available in 11 states including most recently Texas, Washington D.C./Maryland, Nevada, and Illinois. The expansion builds upon Whipshots' successful entry into instant-delivery, on-premise and off-premise retail across the U.S., making the highly-demanded product available to even more consumers in more locations in just over 5 months.
Following its national retail launch in February 2022, Whipshots has expanded its footprint to over 4,000 points of distribution, including some of the largest chains in each market including Total Wine, BevMo, Binny's, Specs, ABC Fine Wine and Spirits, Lee's, Liquor Barn and Gopuff. Whipshots is available in 50mL ($5.99), 200mL ($14.99) and 350mL ($19.99) sizes in all three flavors: vanilla, caramel and mocha.
"The overwhelming demand for Whipshots across the U.S. has been remarkable and is a true testament to what's possible when you have a culture that is hard wired for innovation committing to only commercializing products that can change behavior," said Ross Sklar, CEO of Starco Brands. "I also can't say enough about our team, best-in-class retail partners and of course our creative inspiration, marketing force and partner Cardi B." says Sklar.
In addition to the expansion across the U.S., the industry has embraced the vodka-infused whipped cream by awarding the brand a Double Gold Medal in the 2022 SIP Awards and Double Gold Medal in the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. Whipshots is an overwhelming hit with consumers and fans flocking to social media to flaunt their favorite boozy whipped creations. At last count, the brand has organically earned over 150M views on TikTok alone, making it a true pop culture phenomenon.
"We knew we had something special with Whipshots, however, the way that consumers have embraced the brand, and made it a part of the cultural fabric in just a short period of time, is incredibly rewarding," said David Dreyer, Chief Marketing Officer of Starco Brands. "You can see how much fun we've brought to the spirits industry just by watching our fans showing off their whipped creations."
Whipshots has 10% Alc./Vol, is non-dairy (contains caseinate), does not require refrigeration, and is a luxurious addition to any cocktail, dessert, or party.
Starco Brands is a disruptive and scaling company that prides itself on only creating behavior-changing products and technologies that spark enjoyment in the everyday. Together with its retail partners, Starco Brands is making Whipshots easily accessible to consumers nationwide. Follow @whip_shots and visit Whipshots.com for more information.
Developed by Starco Brands, Whipshots™ is a first-of-its-kind alcoholic whipped cream that is a party in a can and was launched in 2021 with Partner Cardi B. Whipshots™ is a playful shot of sophistication that will indulge your curiosity and senses. A Double Gold medal recipient in the 2022 SIP Awards and Double Gold medal recipient in the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, the boozy whipped cream is non-dairy (contains caseinate), does not require refrigeration and can be found next to other spirits at retail and in hospitality and entertainment locations. Follow Whipshots™ @whip_shots and visit whipshots.com for more information.
Starco Brands (STCB) is an innovative branded consumer packaged goods company focused on technological innovation that changes the current landscape for the better. Starco Brands invents cutting-edge brands that change our behavior and spark enjoyment in the everyday. Starco Brands is a public company and develops products across a variety of categories including: Household Cleaning, Personal Care, OTC, Food, Beverage & Spirits and DIY Hardware. For more information about Starco Brands, please visit www.starcobrands.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ariel Moses l Rogers & Cowan PMK
Whipshots@rogersandcowanpmk.com
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SOURCE Starco Brands | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/starco-brands-stcb-expands-retail-distribution-whipshots/ | 2022-07-28T18:45:23Z |
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FRESNO, Calif., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Fresno City Council joined with health and safety advocates from Alcohol Justice and the Friday Night Live Partnership at Fresno City Hall Tuesday to condemn California SB 930. The "gut & amend" bill, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assembly Member Mark Haney (D-San Francisco) is the 5th attempt since 2013 to disrupt the protections of California's statewide uniform last call.
"All previous attempts to disrupt the protections of a uniform statewide 2 a.m. last call have failed and for good reason – it's a terrible public policy change for California," stated Cruz Avila, Executive Director of Alcohol Justice. "Today we are here together, in my home town of Fresno, to say NO to SB 930 and NO WAY to creating a dangerous new class of California late night, bar hopping, impaired commuters."
SB 930 would allow closing times for on-sale retailers to be extended from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. as part of a dangerous "pilot program." The experiment would take place in 6 cities: San Francisco, Oakland, West Hollywood, Cathedral City, Coachella, and Palm Springs. Fresno was originally the 7th city in the pilot program but requested to be removed from the bill due to intense opposition among Fresno city leaders who will be voting on an opposition resolution on Thursday.
"The effort to keep Fresno bars open until 4 a.m. from 2 a.m. was reckless and dangerous," said Fresno City Councilmember Gary Bredefeld. "Our great Fresno Police already have to deal with numerous DUI arrests nearly every day. That's why several Council colleagues and I are bringing forward a Council resolution on August 11th opposing this stupidity. This bill, SB930, not surprisingly is authored by one of the most left-wing, radical, pro-criminal politicians that exists in Sacramento. Should it pass, our citizens and their families will have a greater chance of being injured or killed due to having more drunk drivers on our roads. That is why I will do everything to make sure this doesn't happen. Having drinking continue until 4 a.m. will only yield more tragedies on our roads and highways and would be just one more insane policy from Sacramento politicians causing destruction in our community. This bill must be defeated."
" The City of Fresno has shown itself to be a leader in developing and upholding policies that put the well-being of its citizens first," stated Lynne Goodwin, Administrator Friday Night Live Partnership. " A city council resolution to oppose SB930 will demonstrate this city's continued commitment to putting the health and welfare of the people first. "
Public health and safety experts and advocates throughout the state are convinced there is no "local control" when it comes to alcohol because the danger, harms and costs will not stay in the "Pilot Project Cities" where the drinking and economic benefits occur. If the bill becomes law, all surrounding communities of pilot project cities will be threatened by late night drinkers traveling drunk and fatigued in the early morning commute hours.
"We already have a crisis of drunk drivers in Fresno County, said Steve Brandau, District 2 Supervisor Fresno County Board of Supervisors. "Fresno is considered the most dangerous city in California for drunk drivers, and 25th in the entire nation. Extending operating hours so bars can sell alcohol until 4 a.m. is a cocktail recipe for disaster – and a bad fit for Fresno. I am opposed."
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), California currently suffers more annual alcohol-related harm than any other state: 11,000 alcohol-related deaths, $35 billion in total costs, $18.5 billion in state costs. The CDC also identifies maintaining existing last call times as one of the 10 key policies for reducing the harms from reckless drinking and from alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths.
Fresno is following actions by the Los Angeles City Council which passed a resolution of opposition last week, and the powerful Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) that came out against SB 930 in a recent letter to Senator Scott Wiener, co-author of SB 930.
"I've talked to our downtown businesses and they don't want 4 a.m., said Fresno Councilmember Miguel Arias (District 3). "It would impose more costs with very little extra revenue being generated. They also know that patrons leaving drunk at 4 a.m. will be running into farm workers on their way to work. This policy doesn't fit in our city, our community. It's just not necessary."
SB 930:
- Is a poorly conceived and inadequately funded pilot project
- Strips away uniform protections of statewide 2 a.m. last call
- Costs the state at least $3-4 million per year to administer, mitigate the harm, and clean the blood off the highway; costs cities and towns in "Splash Zones" millions more
- Disregards 40 years of peer-reviewed, public health research on the dangers of extending last call
- Ignores the existing annual catastrophe of alcohol-related harm in California
- Uses the false narrative of COVID economic recovery to subsidize and reward late-night alcohol-sellers at government and tax-payer expense
"Fresno leaders are absolutely using power in the right way," stated Carson Benowitz-Fredericks, MSPH, CHES, Research Director, Alcohol Justice. "As a public health expert, I would argue they are using power in the only right way—to protect the residents of this city from reckless, short-sighted, science-denying policies promoted by politicians who would tip the rest of the state off the cliff just to enjoy the drunken view from 4 a.m. Now, let's stand up for every community in this state and use every bit of power we have to stop SB 930."
Alcohol Justice encourages the public to TAKE ACTION to STOP SB 930: Text JUSTICE to 313131 or visit: https://alcoholjustice.org/take-action/stop-sb-930-no-late-last-calls-in-ca-not-now-not-ever
CONTACT: Jorge Castillo 213 840-3336
Michael Scippa 415 548-0492
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SOURCE Alcohol Justice; California Alcohol Policy Alliance | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/fresno-city-council-members-safety-advocates-come-together-oppose-dangerously-flawed-california-sb-930-4-am-bar-bill/ | 2022-08-10T01:45:20Z |
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), a leading global solutions provider to users of specialty ingredients and chemicals, announced today that it has acquired Vicom Distribución Productos Quimicos, S.L. ("Vicom"), a leading regional specialty chemicals distributor in Spain and Portugal.
The Vicom acquisition will further expand the Company's already robust specialty portfolio of coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) offerings by enhancing its range of additive solutions and augmenting its presence in Europe with more sustainable options.
"I am delighted to welcome the Vicom team to the Univar Solutions family," said Nick Powell, president of Global Ingredients & Specialties. "Vicom advances our strategic growth priorities by deepening our ability to offer market-leading ingredients, specialty chemicals and solutions to our customers. With a highly knowledgeable sales organization, strong partnerships with both new and existing Univar Solutions suppliers, and a proven track record of service excellence, Vicom is a highly complementary fit and will add even more value to our customers as we expand our solution offerings to meet trends and drive sustainable options as we continue growing together."
Teresa García, president of the board, Vicom, said: "We are very excited to join Univar Solutions to offer our customers an even broader portfolio of critical solutions for their applications. We share a deep commitment to customer service through an enhanced experience, and I am confident we have a very bright future ahead as part of Univar Solutions."
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, Vicom Distribución Productos Quimicos, S.L is a leading regional specialty chemicals distributor in Spain and Portugal. The company partners with a range of well-known global suppliers, including ExxonMobil, Arkema, MLPC, Synthomer, Goodyear Chemical, Sidiac and others. Learn more at https://www.vicomdistribucion.es/.
Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR) is a leading global commodity and specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.
This press release includes certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and predictions for the future, which are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and assumptions. A detailed discussion of these factors and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Potential factors that could affect such forward-looking statements include, among others: the ultimate geographic spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and our customers and suppliers; the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition; other fluctuations in general economic conditions, particularly in industrial production and the demands of our customers; significant changes in the business strategies of producers or in the operations of our customers; increased competitive pressures, including as a result of competitor consolidation; significant changes in the pricing, demand and availability of chemicals; our levels of indebtedness, the restrictions imposed by our debt instruments, and our ability to obtain additional financing when needed; the broad spectrum of laws and regulations that we are subject to, including extensive environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; an inability to integrate the business and systems of companies we acquire, including of Nexeo Solutions, Inc., or to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; potential business disruptions and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents; an inability to generate sufficient working capital; increases in transportation and fuel costs and changes in our relationship with third party providers; accidents, safety failures, environmental damage, product quality and liability issues and recalls; major or systemic delivery failures involving our distribution network or the products we carry; operational risks for which we may not be adequately insured; ongoing litigation and other legal and regulatory risks; challenges associated with international operations; exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations; potential impairment of goodwill; liabilities associated with acquisitions, ventures and strategic investments; negative developments affecting our pension plans and multi-employer pensions; labor disruptions associated with the unionized portion of our workforce; and the other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek, "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
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SOURCE Univar Solutions Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/univar-solutions-expand-global-offerings-with-acquisition-spanish-specialty-distributor-vicom/ | 2022-08-01T13:06:00Z |
NEW YORK, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of VRCA during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
CLASS PERIOD: May 28, 2021 to May 24, 2022
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) there were manufacturing deficiencies at the facility where Verrica's contract manufacturer produced a bulk solution for the Company's lead product candidate, VP-102; (2) these deficiencies were not remediated when Verrica resubmitted its New Drug Application for VP-12 for molluscum; (3) the foregoing presented significant risks to Verrica obtaining regulatory approval of VP-102 for molluscum; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
DEADLINE: August 5, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/verrica-pharmaceuticals-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=28551&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of VRCA during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is August 5, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
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SOURCE The Gross Law Firm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-verrica-pharmaceuticals-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-5-2022-nasdaq-vrca/ | 2022-06-15T10:49:05Z |
Cities ask Netflix, Hulu, stream services to pay cable fees
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court is debating whether Netflix and other streaming services should have to pay local governments the same fees levied on cable operators. The argument is similar to one in several other states, where cities are trying to force streaming service companies to pay cable operator fees. At issue in Ohio is the state’s 2007 Video Service Authorization law, which directed the state Commerce Department to determine what entities must obtain permission to physically install cables and wires in a public right-of-way. Companies deemed video service providers must pay a fee to local governments under that law. Streaming companies argue their distribution method is different from traditional video providers. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/13/cities-ask-netflix-hulu-stream-services-to-pay-cable-fees/ | 2022-04-13T19:09:19Z |
Voter registration deadline approaching for Aug. 23 primary
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The deadline to register to vote in Sarasota County’s primary election is fast approaching, officials say.
The deadline to register to be eligible to vote in the Aug. 23 primary election, or to change party affiliation for that election, is Monday, July 25.
“New paper voter registration applications must be completed, signed and returned in person to an elections office or postmarked by July 25, and may also be submitted electronically through RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov before midnight on July 25,” Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner said.
Requests for party changes must also be submitted on a signed Florida voter registration application or submitted electronically and received by the July 25 deadline.
Applications are available at all elections offices in Sarasota, Venice and North Port, at public libraries, military recruitment offices and public assistance offices. They also may be downloaded at SarasotaVotes.com.
Applications also may be submitted through any driver license or tax collector’s office that issues Florida driver licenses or Florida ID cards.
If you’re not sure about your status, go to SarasotaVotes.gov and click on the My Voter Status quick link to check your information.
Turner also reminds voters that Florida is a closed primary state, which means only registered Democrat and Republican voters may vote in their party’s primary. Voters who are registered with minor or no party affiliation may only vote in nonpartisan contests and universal primary contests, of which there are several on the August primary ballot.
In addition to the three nonpartisan school board races for seats 1, 4 and 5, there will be four universal primary contests for hospital board seats and one for State Senate District 22.
Additionally, registered voters who reside in the City of Sarasota will have the opportunity to vote in their nonpartisan city commission contest for at-large seats.
For more information or assistance, voters may call the elections office at 941-861-8619 or visit SarasotaVotes.gov.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/12/voter-registration-deadline-approaching-aug-23-primary/ | 2022-07-12T14:39:47Z |
What you need to know before you head to the lake this summer
LAKE TEXOMA, Texas (KXII) - Lake season is fast approaching, but for Texas Game Wardens, May 1st marks the official water safety season.
“Probably make sure you have enough life jackets for everybody on board, no drinking and driving, make sure if you go out you know all the boat safety stuff on your boat make sure you have fire extinguishers, all your life jackets, your whistles, all the stuff the Game Wardens are looking for,” said Casey Alexander, local Lake Texoma enjoyer.
Texas Game Warden, Daron Blackerby, said Lake Texoma had five to six boat crashes or drowning last summer.
“If we can reduce that number that’d be great, like I said, if everybody that goes out there is safe and has a good time, we definitely don’t want to keep you from having a good time but just do it in a safe manor foreshore,” Blackerby said.
So, News 12 went to the people, for their tips about staying safe on the water.
“Well I think one of the most important things is the use of alcohol when you’re boating it’s so important that, you’re out on the water you’re driving a boat just like you’re driving a car and you put yourself at danger you put others at danger and too many times people get over intoxicated and unfortunately accidents happen,” said Ronnie Coufal, a local lake goer.
Just like driving a car, the legal limit to operate a boat is .08.
Boating while intoxicated is legally equivalent to driving while intoxicated.
It’s a Class B misdemeanor but if there are prior convictions, it can be a Class A.
“Even though people don’t realize that they’re out here having fun that they can be arrested for boating while intoxicated,” Blackerby said.
Another thing to keep in mind, life jackets.
“The boat just has to have the correct number for the passengers on board, however a jetski or a personal watercraft the operator has to be wearing a life jacket and so does the passenger,” Blackerby said.
If you’re 14-years-old, or older, you don’t have to wear a life jacket on a boat, but if you are 13-years-old, or younger, you are required by law to buckle up, and if you don’t, it is considered a Class C misdemeanor which could cost you up to $500.
Game Wardens say the lake is much more fun, when everyone is safe.
“Love being out of the water I hope everybody enjoys the summer and really have a great time and stay safe,” Coufal said.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/30/what-you-need-know-before-you-head-lake-this-summer/ | 2022-05-01T05:48:07Z |
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carolinas AGC proudly announces the CAGC 2022 Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Legacy winners. These winners—two who have left incredible legacies on our industry, and seven who are still paving the way for future leaders to follow—embody the skill, integrity, and responsibility that Carolinas AGC and the Associated General Contractors stand for. These prestigious awards honor individuals, including those who have passed, who are making or made extraordinary contributions over their careers to Carolinas AGC, the construction industry, and the community they serve.
The winners and their families were honored at the 2022 Carolinas AGC Summit & Expo on July 23 in Hilton Head Island, SC. Visit the Awards page of www.cagc.org to read the extended winners' bios and see photos.
CAGC Hall of Fame Legacy Award Winners
Joseph Bordeaux
Bordeaux Construction
Richard Nickel
Carolina Bridge
CAGC Hall of Fame Award Winners
Robert Barnhill
Barnhill Contracting
Edison Cassels
Edison Foard
Bill Crowder
Crowder Constructors
Otis Crowder
Crowder Constructors
Mark Hood
Hood Construction Company, Inc.
Marty McKee
King Asphalt, Inc.
Pat Rodgers
Rodgers
To learn more about each recipient, including photos and videos of the winners and event, please visit the Awards page of www.cagc.org, found under At Your Service.
Carolinas AGC (CAGC) is a construction trade association made up of contractors and construction-related firms that perform work in North Carolina and South Carolina. CAGC is a chapter of the AGC of America (AGC) and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Our members are both small and large general contractors, specialty contractors, material/equipment suppliers, and service providers.
Media Contact: Lori McGovern at lmcgovern@carolinasagc.org.
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SOURCE Carolinas AGC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/carolinas-agc-honors-construction-leaders/ | 2022-08-08T12:15:27Z |
NEW YORK, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for MREO, ATHX, NIO, BILI, and XPEV.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- MREO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=MREO&prnumber=061720222
- ATHX: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=ATHX&prnumber=061720222
- NIO: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=NIO&prnumber=061720222
- BILI: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=BILI&prnumber=061720222
- XPEV: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=XPEV&prnumber=061720222
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock's overall suitability for investment.
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/thinking-about-buying-stock-mereo-biopharma-athersys-nio-bilibili-or-xpeng/ | 2022-06-17T14:54:47Z |
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