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Man who stormed Capitol with gun gets 87 months in prison
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Texas man convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun, helmet and body armor was sentenced Monday to more than seven years in prison, the longest sentence imposed so far among hundreds of Capitol riot cases.
Prosecutors said Guy Reffitt told fellow members of the Texas Three Percenters militia group that he planned to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the Capitol building by her ankles, “with her head hitting every step on the way down,” according to a court filing.
Reffitt’s prison sentence — seven years and three months — is two years more than the previous longest prison sentence for a Capitol riot defendant. But it’s less than half the length of the 15-year prison term requested by a federal prosecutor, who called Reffitt a domestic terrorist and said he wanted to physically remove and replace members of Congress.
Reffitt was the first person to go on trial for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, in which supporters of then-President Donald Trump halted the joint session of Congress for certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, who presided over Reffitt’s jury trial, also sentenced him to three years of supervised release after his prison term and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Justice Department prosecutors recommended a 15-year prison sentence for Reffitt, who already has been jailed for approximately 19 months. They said he was a militia group member who intended to drag lawmakers out of the building and take over Congress to stop the certification of the Electoral College vote.
Sentencing guidelines calculated by the court’s probation department called for a sentence ranging from nine years to 11 years and three months. Prosecutors argued that an “upward departure for terrorism” was warranted in Reffitt’s case.
The longest sentence before Reffitt’s was five years and three months, for two men who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers at the Capitol.
Defense attorney Clinton Broden asked for Reffitt to be sentenced to no more than two years in prison. Broden noted that Reffitt didn’t assault any law enforcement officers or enter the Capitol building.
Videos captured the confrontation between outnumbered Capitol police officers and a mob of people, including Reffitt, who approached them on the west side of the Capitol.
Reffitt was armed with a Smith & Wesson pistol in a holster on his waist, carrying zip-tie handcuffs and wearing body armor and a helmet equipped with a video camera when he advanced on the officers, according to prosecutors. He retreated after an officer pepper sprayed him in the face, but he waved on other rioters who ultimately breached the building, prosecutors said.
Reffitt didn’t testify at his trial before jurors convicted him in March of all five counts in his indictment. The jury found him guilty of obstructing Congress’ joint session, of interfering with police officers outside the Capitol and of threatening his two teenage children if they reported him to law enforcement.
Reffitt’s 19-year-old son, Jackson, testified that his father told him and his sister, then 16, that they would be traitors if they reported him to authorities and warned them that “traitors get shot.”
Guy Reffitt was a member of the Texas Three Percenters militia group, according to prosecutors. The Three Percenters movement refers to the myth that only 3% of Americans fought in the Revolutionary War against the British.
Reffitt lived with his wife and children in Wylie, Texas, a Dallas suburb. He drove to Washington, D.C., with Rocky Hardie, a fellow member of the militia group.
Hardie testified that both of them were armed with holstered handguns when they attended Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally before the riot. Hardie also said Reffitt gave him two pairs of zip-tie cuffs in case they needed to detain anybody.
More than 840 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot. Over 340 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. More than 220 have been sentenced, with nearly half of them receiving terms of imprisonment. Approximately 150 others have trial dates stretching into 2023.
Reffitt is one of seven Capitol riot defendants to get a jury trial so far. Jurors have unanimously convicted all seven of them on all counts in their respective indictments.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the Jan. 6 committee hearings at https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/01/man-who-stormed-capitol-with-gun-gets-87-months-prison/ | 2022-08-01T20:33:22Z |
NEW YORK, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Unity Software Inc. ("Unity" or the "Company") (NYSE: U) in connection with the Company's proposed merger with ironSource Ltd. ("ironSource") (NYSE: IS). Under the merger agreement, the Company will acquire each ironSource share for 0.1089 of a Unity common share, leaving Unity shareholders owning approximately 73.5% and ironSource shareholders owning approximately 26.5% of the combined company upon closing of the transaction.
If you own Unity shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website:
https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/u
Or please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
Weiss Law
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 682-3025
(888) 593-4771
stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
Weiss Law is investigating whether (i) Unity's board of directors acted in the best interests of Company shareholders in agreeing to the proposed transaction, (ii) the per-share merger consideration and percentage of ownership is fair to Unity's shareholders, and (iii) all information regarding the sales process and valuation of the transaction will be fully and fairly disclosed.
Weiss Law has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
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SOURCE Weiss Law | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/shareholder-alert-weiss-law-investigates-unity-software-inc/ | 2022-07-19T19:45:31Z |
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VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - MANTARO PRECIOUS METALS CORP. (TSXV: MNTR) (OTCQB: MSLVF) (FSE: 9TZ) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has exercised its option to acquire a 51% in the share capital of Minera Golden Hill S.R.L. ("MGH"), which owns the Golden Hill Property, located in Bolivia.
In order to exercise its option to acquire an initial 51% of the shares of MGH, the Company issued a total of 2,000,000 common shares and 1,000,000 share purchase warrants, made cash payments of US $500,000 and incurred a minimum of US $250,000 of exploration expenditures at the Golden Hill Property during the last year. The Company continues to have the option to earn up to an 80% interest in MGH, which option terms as set out in detail in the news release dated August 25, 2021.
Craig Hairfield, Chief Executive Officer of the Company states, "Mantaro is excited to continue its partnership with Minera Golden Hill after a year of extensive work and exciting results at the Golden Hill Property. Minera Golden Hill has proven to be a valuable local partner that is instrumental to the continued success of our work programs in Bolivia. This option exercise represents an important step for Mantaro towards its goal of advancing high-quality, district-scale mineral properties. We are excited to invest and operate in Bolivia as the country continues to demonstrate its vast mineral potential and commitment to further developing its mineral mining industry."
Luis Fernando Kinn, General Manager of Minera Golden Hill states, "Minera Golden Hill is pleased to be working with Mantaro Precious Metals to advance and realize the full potential of the Golden Hill Project. We have proven that any foreign company may invest in Bolivia under a safe corporate environment and with current regulations that are motivating private companies to strengthen the Bolivian mining industry. Mantaro was chosen as our partner due to their strong knowledge and experience with greenfield exploration programs and we are excited to see the results from the recent drilling program as well as future work programs at Golden Hill."
The Company's board of directors has made the decision to focus its capital on its core properties, the Golden Hill Property and Santas Gloria Silver Property. Accordingly, the Company has elected to relinquish its interest in its non-core San Jose Silver Property.
Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. is a British Columbia company that holds a diversified portfolio of gold and silver focused mineral properties in Bolivia and Peru. The Company's holds an option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the advanced Golden Hill Property ("Golden Hill"), located in the underexplored, orogenic Bolivia Shield, Bolivia.
The Company also has a 100% interest in the high-grade Santas Gloria Silver Property as well as a 100% interest in each of the La Purisima, Cerro Luque and Huaranay Properties (collectively, the "Silver Properties"). The Silver Properties are located in Peru.
Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Resulting Issuer undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE Mantaro Precious Metals Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/mantaro-precious-metals-corp-acquires-51-interest-golden-hill-property/ | 2022-08-25T13:01:01Z |
A man was injured in a Temple shooting late Saturday night, police said.
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LOS ANGELES, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Lucid Group, Inc. ("Lucid" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: LCID).
Class Period: November 15, 2021 – February 28, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 31, 2022
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Lucid lawsuit, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/lucid-group-inc/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants overstated Lucid's production capabilities while concealing that "extraordinary supply chain and logistics challenges" were hampering the Company's operations from the start of the Class Period.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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SOURCE Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/lcid-investors-have-opportunity-lead-lucid-group-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit/ | 2022-04-11T18:39:13Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of LifeStance Health Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFST) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with LifeStance Health's June 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"), of the important October 11, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased LifeStance Health securities pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the LifeStance Health class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8073 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 11, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the IPO Registration Statement featured false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the number of virtual visits clients were undertaking utilizing LifeStance Health was decreasing as the COVID-19 lockdowns were being lifted, thereby flatlining LifeStance Health's out-patient/virtual revenue growth; (2) the percentage of in-person visits clients were undertaking utilizing LifeStance Health was increasing as the COVID-19 lockdowns were being lifted, thereby causing LifeStance Health's operating expenses to increase substantially; (3) LifeStance Health had lost a large number of physicians due to burn-out and, as a result, its physician retention rate had fallen significantly below the 87% highlighted in the IPO's registration statement and LifeStance Health had been expending additional costs to onboard new physicians who were less productive than the outgoing physicians they were replacing; and (4) as a result, LifeStance Health's business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as the IPO's registration statement represented. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the LifeStance Health class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8073 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
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Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
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New York, NY 10016
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/rosen-national-trial-lawyers-encourages-lifestance-health-group-inc-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-lfst/ | 2022-09-14T08:49:56Z |
A microfluidics phage screening platform will accelerate the development of generalizable phage therapies targeting deadly antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Felix Biotechnology has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant for $314,411 from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to develop a microfluidics platform for rapid, high-throughput screening of therapeutic bacteriophages that target disease-causing bacteria.
Bacteriophage, or phage, are natural predators of bacteria with enormous potential to treat bacterial infections, but most only kill a narrow range of bacteria which limits their clinical potential. To reach the clinic, Felix is engineering phage to kill a broader range of bacteria, and this requires large amounts of data on phage-bacteria interactions. Supported by this SBIR grant, Felix will develop new tools that accelerate the acquisition of this critical phage-bacteria interaction data.
"We are excited to apply the high throughput tools that have been developed in the microfluidics space to address the constraints that limit phage data collection," said UCSF professor Adam Abate, world-renowned microfluidics expert and collaborator on this project. Professor Abate continues, "With microfluidics we can generate the large amount of data needed to leverage the power of machine learning approaches to identify how to engineer viruses to kill a broader range of bacteria."
"Phage therapy has been around for a long time but has not reached its potential due to the narrow host ranges of most therapeutic phages. The tools being developed in this grant will allow us to overcome this key technical limitation and develop generalizable phage therapy to effectively treat antimicrobial resistant infections and save lives," said Rob McBride, co-founder of Felix.
As the incidence of deadly antimicrobial infections increases globally, Felix remains at the forefront of global efforts to create novel and effective solutions. Felix thanks the NIH and other funders for their generous support and efforts to shape a better future for global health.
Felix Biotechnology is focused on discovering, developing and deploying customizable antimicrobials targeting urgent microbial threats. Felix's discovery and engineering technology platforms, built on technology from Yale University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, generate solutions that overcome the key limitations of traditional antimicrobials to kill targeted bacteria while preserving healthy microbiome function. Felix is a seed stage company funded by multiple investors, including Y Combinator, Illumina Accelerator and Point72 Ventures. More information is available at www.felixbt.com.
For more on Felix Biotechnology, please visit: https://www.felixbt.com/
For more on the Adam Abate lab, please visit https://www.abatelab.org/
For more on the National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs, please visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/
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SOURCE Felix Biotechnology, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/felix-biotechnology-awarded-competitive-grant-national-institutes-health-power-phage-engineering-platform/ | 2022-07-14T16:49:46Z |
ALBANY — With temperatures at game time topping 100 degrees, the Lee County 11- and 12-year-old All-Star team started off just as hot with three straight hits to open the game against Albany All-Star pitcher Tillman Faust.
The big hit early was a double to the fence by catcher Carson Carpenter that scored two runs before any outs were recorded. DeMario Huff added another RBI with a single in the first to put the score at 3-0 and Lee County went on to take Game 1 of the three-game series 7-2. Huff had the biggest hit of the afternoon, a two-run homer over the centerfield fence in the fifth inning.
Faust settled things down against Lee County after the first inning and kept Lee off the bases until the fourth. With one runner on second in the fourth, Huff's younger brother Amari smacked a double to the centerfield fence to put Lee up 4-0. Faust stayed on the mound for Albany until Garrison Lorber took over in the fifth.
Huff controlled the mound for Lee County most of the game and kept the Albany team hitless for the first three innings, including striking out the side in the bottom of the third. The no-hitter ended with one out in the bottom of the fourth when Albany's Sam Keating belted a double to right field and then went to third on a wild pitch. Micah Joiner followed with a walk and stole second base. Keating scored the first Albany run when he raced home on a called third strike against teammate Flint McCullough. The ball got away from Lee County and Keating and Joiner both advanced. Rylan Carter followed with a hard drive line to right field, but a sliding Lee County right fielder, Noah Jones, dove for the catch to keep Albany from scoring more.
Lee County responded in the top of the fifth when Kaden Nelms singled to put runners on first and third to get that inning going. Nelms stole second and the runner at third attempted to go home, but the Albany defense was ready and caught the runner in a rundown between third and home plate. Nelms scored moments later when DeMario Huff blasted his home run over the centerfield fence to put Lee County ahead 6-1.
Albany added a second run in the fifth inning on a hit by Lorber that scored Cash Solomon. Solomon had doubled and Lorber followed with a hit to centerfield, but Amari Huff was in center and picked up the ball and threw a strike to second base to get Lorber out as he tried to stretch his hit to a double. Albany had a chance in the sixth with runners on second and third, but Lee County's Carpenter had moved from catcher to the mound and he shut down the rally and ended the game. | https://www.albanyherald.com/sports/lee-county-all-stars-win-game-1-over-albany-thanks-to-hot-start/article_bec4eb18-eb8f-11ec-9074-9b24140a42bc.html | 2022-06-14T04:47:48Z |
Cash App data breach could have affected over 8 million users
(Gray News) – A data breach committed by a former employee of the company which owns the mobile payment app Cash App could have affected over 8 million users.
According to a report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Block, Inc. announced that it determined a former employee downloaded reports containing U.S. customer information from its subsidiary Cash App Investing LLC in December 2021.
Although the former employee had access to the information during their employment, the data was accessed without permission after they were no longer with the company, the filing says.
Only customers who used Cash App’s stock function are affected by the breach, according to the report. The information included the full name and brokerage account number, brokerage portfolio value, brokerage portfolio holdings and stock trading activity.
Downloaded data did not include usernames and passwords, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, payment card information, addresses, bank account information or any other identifiable information.
Customers outside of the U.S. were not affected, the filing says.
When it made the discovery, Block launched an investigation in partnership with a forensics firm. The company has notified regulatory authorities and law enforcement of the breach.
The filing says the company “takes the security of information belonging to its customers very seriously and continues to review and strengthen administrative and technical safeguards to protect the information of its customers.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/07/cash-app-data-breach-could-have-affected-over-8-million-users/ | 2022-04-07T02:15:56Z |
NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Twitter, Inc. ("Twitter" or the "Company") (NYSE: TWTR). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether Twitter and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
On April 4, 2022, Elon Musk ("Musk") disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filing that he owned 9.2% of Twitter stock. On this news, Twitter's stock price rose $10.66 per share, or 27.12%, to close at $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022.
Then, on April 5, 2022, in another SEC filing, Musk disclosed that he had purchased more than 5% of Twitter stock on March 14, 2022, which, per applicable SEC rules, should have been disclosed by March 24, 2022. The same April 5, 2022 filing also indicated that Musk had acquired approximately 13.1 million Twitter shares at an average price of $39.06 per share after March 24, 2022, and before Twitter's stock price rose to $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022, thereby potentially saving him millions of dollars at the expense of other investors that could have sold their Twitter stock at a higher price, had they been similarly and timely informed of Musk's large stake in the Company.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
CONTACT:
Robert S. Willoughby
Pomerantz LLP
rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
888-476-6529 ext. 7980
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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/shareholder-alert-pomerantz-law-firm-investigates-claims-behalf-investors-twitter-inc-twtr/ | 2022-05-03T06:57:29Z |
Expert panels to examine collaborative solutions in biomarker testing
ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Strata Oncology, Inc., a next-generation precision oncology company enabling smarter and earlier cancer treatment, today announced that its Senior Vice President of Clinical Development Kat Kwiatkowski, Ph.D., will participate in two panel discussions at the Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC) 2022, being held live from June 28-30 in Santa Clara, CA.
Details of the panels are as follows:
Title: Dismantling Barriers to Biomarker Testing Through Collaboration
- Time: Tuesday, June 28 at 9:00 AM pacific time
- Participants: Omar Perez, Ph.D., Head of Medical Diagnostics, U.S. Medical Affairs Oncology, AstraZeneca; Kat Kwiatkowski, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Clinical Development, Strata Oncology; Jenn Higgins, Vice President, Public Affairs, Guardant Health; Nikki Martin, Director, Precision Medicine Initiatives, LUNGevity Foundation; Laura J. van't Veer, Ph.D., Professor of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco
Title: Immuno-oncology Biomarkers for Predicting Drug Efficacy
- Time: Tuesday, June 28 at 11:30 AM pacific time
- Participants: Ronnie Andrews, President and CEO, OncoCyte; Kat Kwiatkowski, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Clinical Development, Strata Oncology; Paul Billings, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, FACMGG, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Biological Dynamics
Recordings of the panels will be available afterwards. For more information, visit https://www.pmwcintl.com.
Since 2009, the Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC) has served as the global forum of information, innovation and inspiration for those who dedicate their work to turning the promise of precision medicine into a standard of care reality in the clinic. Partnering with world-class medical luminaries, Stanford, UCSF, Duke, UPMC, and the University of Michigan, PWMC has gathered those from industry, medicine, healthcare, and government to showcase what is possible to achieve, examine the challenges still to conquer, and to provide an environment that engenders collaboration. See past speakers: https://www.pmwcintl.com/previous-speakers/
Strata Oncology, Inc. is a precision oncology company dedicated to delivering the best possible treatment for each patient with cancer. The company combines molecular profiling, real-world data, and a large-scale clinical trial platform to identify and deliver optimal treatments for patients with cancer. For more information visit strataoncology.com.
Media Inquiries:
Kyle Evans
(646) 277-1295
Kyle.evans@westwicke.com
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SOURCE Strata Oncology, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/strata-oncology-senior-vice-president-clinical-development-kat-kwiatkowski-participate-two-panels-precision-medicine-world-conference/ | 2022-06-16T15:51:35Z |
UPDATED: Chairman & CEO of Citius, Leonard Mazur, to present September 12, 2022 at 8:30am ET
CRANFORD, N.J., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), today announced that Citius will participate in the H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference being held September 12-14, 2022. Leonard Mazur, Chairman and CEO of Citius, will present in person on September 12, 2022 at 8:30 am EDT, and host one-on-one meetings with investors.
Registered participants will be able to view Mr. Mazur's presentation live through the conference website or access an archived webcast of the presentation under "Events" in the Investors section of the Citius website. The archived webcast will be available for 90 days following the event.
About Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Citius is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products, with a focus on oncology, anti-infectives in adjunct cancer care, unique prescription products, and stem cell therapies. The Company's diversified pipeline includes two late-stage product candidates, Mino-Lok®, an antibiotic lock solution for the treatment of patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), which is currently enrolling patients in a Phase 3 Pivotal superiority trial, and I/ONTAK (E7777), a novel IL-2R immunotherapy for an initial indication in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), for which a BLA submission is being prepared for the second half of 2022. Mino-Lok® was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). I/ONTAK has received orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of CTCL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). In the first half of 2022, Citius initiated a Phase 2b trial for Halo-Lido, a topical formulation for the relief of hemorrhoids. The Company anticipates completing enrollment in the Halo-Lido trial by the end of 2022. For more information, please visit www.citiuspharma.com.
Investor Contact:
Ilanit Allen
Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
T: 908-967-6677 x113
E: ir@citiuspharma.com
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SOURCE Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/citius-pharmaceuticals-inc-present-hc-wainwright-24th-annual-global-investment-conference/ | 2022-09-08T21:20:10Z |
City of Pottsboro asks residents to voluntarily conserve water
POTTSBORO, Texas (KXII) - Staring Wednesday afternoon, the City of Pottsboro has issued a voluntary request to help conserve water.
The city encouraged all customers conserve water and reduce outdoor watering.
The request was due to record consumption and high temperatures, which puts Pottsboro’s water distribution system under stress.
The city said the request was created to ensure its distribution capacity remains acceptable for standard services such as household use and public safety.
Area forecasts from the National Weather Service showed prolonged hot and dry conditions, which emphasizes the importance of voluntary water conservation and reduction in outdoor watering.
The City has asked all customers voluntarily follow to the schedule below to relieve some of the stress on the distribution system:
- Odd numbered street addresses: Water on Mondays and Wednesdays,
- Even numbered street addresses: Water on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
- All outdoor watering should occur between 10:oo PM and 5:00 AM.
The City asked that no outdoor watering occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, when water demand is often highest.
These recommendations are voluntary and are the first step in the city’s Drought Contingency Plan as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/20/city-pottsboro-asks-residents-voluntarily-conserve-water/ | 2022-07-20T20:48:23Z |
Generates Over 8 km of Strike Length at Five Drill Target Areas
VANCOUVER, BC, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - KORE Mining Ltd. (TSXV: KORE) (OTCQX: KOREF) ("KORE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce completion of a highly productive 2021-2022 winter exploration field season and provides a summary of the western drill targets of the Imperial Gold Project ("Imperial"). This release summarizes the geologic context for the five western targets: Ogilby, Powerline Discovery Outcrop, Ironwood, Smoketree, and East Mesquite (Figure 1), which are in the western exploration target area between the Imperial deposit and the Mesquite gold mine (operated by Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX)). The western target areas include five targets covering over 2,400 acres across 8.3 kilometers of strike length.
ss = stream sediment sample rc = rock chip sample g/t = grams per tonne
There are a total of nine drill target areas identified in the overall Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District ("District") that captures a 28 kilometers ("km") trend. Refer to KORE's April 26, 2022 news release for exploration targets identified on the eastern portion of the District.
KORE's Executive Chairman, James Hynes, commented, "KORE had a great field season on the Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho trend. While the area is still not fully covered with field mapping and sampling, KORE field tested all satellite alteration and historic known gold anomalies and outcrops aligned with the regional geophysical trend from the Mesquite mine through Imperial towards the closed Picacho mine. We have a large number of drill targets in inventory and must now prioritize for additional drill permit applications ."
Over 100 additional rock chip and stream sediment assays are pending from the winter exploration program and any significant results will be released. Refer to KORE's May 17, 2022 news release for assays released on the Powerline and Ogilby target areas.
KORE is committed to operating within the stringent environmental and labour standards of California. Exploration drilling is designed to avoid any sensitive areas and all land disturbances will be rehabilitated.
Figure 2 shows the georeferenced ground resistivity sections intersecting the western area targets and mentioned subsurface anomalies.
Figures 3-5 shows three photo compilations of the western area prospects Ogilby, Powerline/Smoketree/Ironwood, and East Mesquite.
Ground resistivity and induced polarization ("IP") surveys provide strong evidence that the primary mineralizing structure at the Imperial deposit is continuous across the 3 km of strike length to the Ogilby target area. This data indicates two anomalous trends (Figure 2) which completed reconnaissance scale mapping and sampling in February 2022. Assay results have confirmed the presence of gold near the surface trace of these anomalies, including highlights of 1.4 g/t gold ("Au") and 0.8 g/t Au stream sediment samples (Figure 1). To date, a total of 19 strongly anomalous samples have been collected along the 2 km strike length of this WNW-ESE structural corridor.
The Ogilby target area is covered by a thin veneer of young volcanic flows, which are steeply incised by seasonal stream channels ("arroyos") that expose the underlying Bear Canyon conglomerate. This unit is a significant alluvial sandstone conglomerate that covers the majority of the property. Proximal to known gold occurrences, the Bear Canyon often displays iron oxide alteration and quartz + calcite veining (Figure 3). Over nine acres of this type of altered bear canyon has been documented in the Ogilby target area, which yielded strongly anomalous assays and suggests that the mineralizing system is strong and near surface.
The Powerline target area contains the largest and highest-grade surface expression of gold mineralization west of the Imperial Deposit. The Powerline area spans over 1300 acres and contains the highest-grade assay on the property at 9.98 g/t Au. Powerline also contains all known gneiss exposures west of the Imperial deposit (Figure 1). The mineralized trend of Powerline remains open and untested along strike for 3 km to the east, towards the Ogilby target area.
Ground IP and resistivity survey data indicate two distinct anomalous structural trends that persist across the strike length of the Powerline target area (Figure 2). Along these trends, ground observations have confirmed the presence of these structural corridors which have assayed strongly anomalous for gold.
Powerline currently contains three named prospect areas: the Powerline Discovery Outcrop, the Ironwood Prospect, and the Smoketree Prospect.
The Powerline Discovery outcrop consists of two distinct, strongly brecciated and altered gneiss exposures that are interpreted as stacked thrust sheets. These regional scale faults bring crystalline basement host rock closer to surface. In 2021, KORE commissioned a multispectral satellite alteration survey, which highlighted the Powerline discovery area as being strongly anomalous for chlorite alteration. Other types of alteration observed at the outcrop include sericite, local silicification and quartz veining, and strong iron oxide staining (Figure 4). This is consistent with the alteration assemblage of the Imperial deposit, which was used to "tune" or fingerprint the signature associated with gold mineralization.
Similar to the Powerline Discovery Outcrop, the Ironwood Prospect contains two structurally dismembered gneiss outcrops which are strongly folded, brecciated, and altered (Figure 4). Ironwood was first identified as an area of interest by the multispectral satellite data. The Ironwood outcrop is the largest gneiss exposure west of the Imperial deposit and forms a cliff approximately 25 feet tall. Ironwood is interpreted to have been formed via the same thrust fault architecture which causes the exposure of the Powerline discovery outcrops 2.5 km to the northwest.
The Smoketree Prospect is a low grade subcrop of gneiss with an associated anomalous gold trend detected downstream. Smoketree is overlain by a thin veneer of Bear Canyon conglomerate that appears to be moderately altered and veined. The poor exposure of Smoketree makes it a priority target for the fully permitted person-portable drilling system, which produces BQ sized core at depths up to 30 feet.
The East Mesquite segment boundary is located only 2 km to the southeast from the operating Mesquite Mine's Vista pit. Geophysical survey data indicates a strong anomaly that is directly on strike with the mineralized trend of the Vista pit. A small gneiss exposure referred to as the "Predator Hill outcrop" has been observed along this trend and provides strong evidence of structural continuity (Figure 5).
Adjacent to the segment boundary in the southeast is a turtleback feature similar in character to the Powerline target area, which contains the highest-grade gold assays on site. Follow up reconnaissance sampling is ongoing in this area.
KORE owns 100% of the Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District which consists approximately 31,000 acres of claims capturing the entire 28-km trend from the operating Mesquite mine (Equinox Gold - TSX:EQX) to the closed Picacho mine and including KORE's Imperial project. In the District, gold is hosted in local fault structures related to a series of regional faults connecting the known District deposits. Those three District deposits (Mesquite, Imperial and Picacho) were discovered in exposed outcrops and from placer workings. The rest of the District is covered by alluvium and has never been systematically explored.
The Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District centers on KORE's Imperial project. Imperial is a structurally controlled orogenic gold deposit. The 100% oxide gold deposit is currently defined at 2.44 km long and up to 0.75 km wide and is open both along strike and down dip. It is hosted in a shallowly southwest dipping, amphibolite grade metamorphic rock suite along a west- northwest trending low-angle regional thrust fault system which controls the regional geometry of mineralization. East-west striking, post-mineralization normal faults control the property scale geometry of mineralization. Geophysical characterization of the deposit and regional controlling structures is an essential component of exploration for additional resources.
Imperial has a mineral resource estimate and a positive preliminary economic assessment effective April 6, 2020 with the following highlights:
- Robust economics: US$ 343 million NPV5% post-tax with 44% IRR at US$ 1,450 per ounce gold
- Low capital intensity project with only US$ 143 million pre-production capital cost
- Average 146,000 ounces gold per year over 8 years for 1.2 million ounces total production
- Technically simple project: shallow open pit, run-of-mine heap leach with existing infrastructure
- Value enhancement through Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District exploration and resource expansion
The Company's NI 43-101 compliant resource and preliminary economic assessment is titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment – Technical Report Imperial Gold Project" effective as of April 6, 2020 and revised and amended on June 10, 2021, prepared by Terre Lane and Todd Harvey of Global Resource Engineering and Glen Cole of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website.
KORE Mining is focused on responsibly creating value from its portfolio of gold assets in California, USA. The Company is advancing the Imperial project towards development while continuing to explore across both district-scale gold assets. Management and Board, along with strategic investor, Eric Sprott (26% owner), are aligned with all KORE shareholders with the goal of creating per share value.
Further information on Imperial and KORE can be found on the Company's website at http://www.koremining.com/ or by contacting us as info@koremining.com or by telephone at (888) 407-5450.
On behalf of KORE Mining Ltd
"Scott Trebilcock"
Chief Executive Officer
(888) 407-5450
Technical information with respect to the District and Imperial Gold Project contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Marc Leduc, P.Eng, who is KORE's Senior Technical Consultant and former COO, and is the qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the technical matters of this news release.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects", "intends", "indicates" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward- looking statements.
Forward‐looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the nature and implication of sample assay results, the potential of target areas, the highly prospective nature of the project; the strategy, process, timing and grant of a permit for regional exploration drilling in the 28-kilometer Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District ("Regional Exploration Drilling"); potential actions, behavior or position of the Bureau of Land Management (the "BLM"); the underexplored and prospective nature of the Imperial Regional Exploration Drilling area; the results of the preliminary economic assessments for the Imperial Project, including future project opportunities, the projected NPV, permit timelines, the current mineral resource estimate, and the ability to obtain the requisite permits; the market and future price of and demand for gold; the opportunities of expansion at the Imperial Project; and the ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including all levels of government. Such forward‐looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. In connection with the forward‐looking information contained in this presentation, the Company has made numerous assumptions, including, among others: there being no significant change to current geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical conditions at the Imperial Project; exploration, permitting, and development of the Imperial Project being consistent with current expectations and planning; the geological, permitting and economic advice that the Company has received is reliable and is based upon practices and methodologies which are consistent with industry standards; and other planning assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies.
Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward‐looking information. Known risk factors include, among others: the outcome of BLM's review processes for permitting, including the final outcome(s) of BLM's mineral claim validity examination(s) and administrative review process(es) with respect to the Imperial Zone, including a change to the findings from the mineral claim validity examination conducted in 2002 for the mill sites at the Imperial Zone, resulting in the Company having to move its future Imperial Zone project support facilities to areas that are not within the Indian Pass mineral withdrawal area; the possibility that BLM may require and/or conduct further mineral claim validity examinations with respect to the Imperial project, and the outcome and final determination of such examination could, among other things, invalidate one or more mining claims; the possibility that BLM or other governmental authority review of the Regional Exploration Drilling program, delays or changes the Company's plan for Regional Exploration Drilling permitting, which could result, among other things, in delays, additional project requirements, additional costs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; the exploration drill program may not be completed as planned; the need to obtain additional financing; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other government approvals.
Additional risks and uncertainties are described in the "Risks" sections of (i) the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020 prepared as of April 29, 2021, and (ii) the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, both available under the Company's issuer profile on www.sedar.com.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserve. Itis uncertain if further exploration will allow improving the classification of the Indicated or Inferred mineral resource. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
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SOURCE Kore Mining | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/kore-mining-continues-exploration-success-western-portion-imperial-gold-project-regional-exploration/ | 2022-05-31T12:03:36Z |
CAMILLA — Southwest Georgia Academy freshman Nate Akers used just 62 pitches in seven innings to shut down Westwood's high-powered hitters and lead his team to a 5-0 win Friday afternoon at Westwood.
Westwood (9-2) had been averaging 12 runs per game and had already defeated Southwest Georgia 13-9 earlier this season. The Warriors improved to 8-6 on the season.
Akers, a left-hander, allowed only four baserunners. He gave up one hit, walked one batter and two batters reached on errors. The infielders of Southwest Georgia didn't get much work though, as the Wildcats hit fly ball after fly ball and the Warrior outfield was in place to catch them all, except one. Westwood's only hit was a triple to the right-field fence by DJ Palmer in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sawyer Franklin knocked in the first run for the Warriors in the first inning with a line drive to center. Westwood pitcher Braxton Ethridge ran into trouble against the Warriors in the top of the fourth when he walked Franklin, hit Jack Davis with a pitch, and then walked Brayden Bailey to load the bases. Ethridge was able to get Bo Williams to hit a ground ball and the Wildcats got an out, but two runs scored. A walk and two errors in the next inning gave the Warriors another run.
The Wildcats will host Miller County on Monday at Westwood and will travel to Dawson to face Terrell Academy Tuesday.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/sports/southwest-georgia-academys-nate-akers-shuts-down-westwood/article_d2c40fa4-b23c-11ec-822a-e37e4a3c0d69.html | 2022-04-02T06:03:34Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of LifeStance Health Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LFST) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with LifeStance Health's June 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"), of the important October 11, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased LifeStance Health securities pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the LifeStance Health class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8073 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 11, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the IPO Registration Statement featured false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the number of virtual visits clients were undertaking utilizing LifeStance Health was decreasing as the COVID-19 lockdowns were being lifted, thereby flatlining LifeStance Health's out-patient/virtual revenue growth; (2) the percentage of in-person visits clients were undertaking utilizing LifeStance Health was increasing as the COVID-19 lockdowns were being lifted, thereby causing LifeStance Health's operating expenses to increase substantially; (3) LifeStance Health had lost a large number of physicians due to burn-out and, as a result, its physician retention rate had fallen significantly below the 87% highlighted in the IPO's registration statement and LifeStance Health had been expending additional costs to onboard new physicians who were less productive than the outgoing physicians they were replacing; and (4) as a result, LifeStance Health's business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as the IPO's registration statement represented. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the LifeStance Health class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8073 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/rosen-highly-recognized-law-firm-encourages-lifestance-health-group-inc-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-lfst/ | 2022-09-06T20:37:13Z |
ADC rebrand to Upshop recognizes total store retail operations technology capabilities
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Data Corporation (ADC), global pioneer of total store operations, announces an extensive rebranding effort to reflect the company's accelerated vision and growth. Upshop promises to deliver a simplified, smarter, more connected platform for retailers and associates by synchronizing Fresh, Packaged, and eCommerce operations.
ADC has been a visionary in Fresh operations for over thirty years in 28,000+ grocery and convenience locations. In 2019, the company re-architected from on-premise to cloud-based SaaS as a first step in driving associate usability and adoption. This past year has seen eCommerce fulfillment orchestration and expiration date management capability integrations to pioneer a singular platform for total store operations.
"AFS chose Upshop because it enables our store teams to focus on fresh," said Associated Food Stores Systems and Integration Director, Greg Welling. "Upshop provides our customers with a fresher experience while making our store teams more efficient at the same time. The combination is a win-win that drives customer loyalty and improves AFS store success."
Sync up your people, products, and processes with one singular platform for store operations. Upshop provides retailers the end-to-end visibility necessary to increase sales, cut waste, and improve labor efficiency; gaining a pivotal, competitive edge to win and maintain loyalty with shoppers.
Upshop has been pioneering store operations technology for over 30 years; delivering SaaS-based solutions which offer a simplified, smarter, more connected solution to retail store associates. The business leveraged the technology of leading products FreshIQ®, ShopperKit, and Date Check Pro to synchronize one platform, providing retailers the visibility needed to increase sales, cut waste, and streamline labor efficiencies. Over 145+ retail chain accounts trust our software in over 28,000+ stores, 9 countries, and 3 continents.
CONTACT:
Mike Weber, CMO
mike.weber@upshop.com
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SOURCE Upshop | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/introducing-upshop-total-store-operations-platform/ | 2022-08-18T12:38:16Z |
With nurses consistently ranked the most trusted professionals in the U.S., the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Separate Segregated Fund (CRNA-PAC), launches new national project to actively support A+ Members of Congress.
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nursing Votes — a project of the AANA's CRNA-PAC — launched a new initiative to get the nation's six million nurses and healthcare voters engaged in the political process.
AANA President Dina Velocci, DNP, CRNA, APRN, said "Nursing Votes is determined to advocate for evidence-based healthcare policies that will increase patient access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare nationwide."
"Through Nursing Votes, we're thrilled to drive patient-focused change throughout our country by passing legislation and winning elections that put pro-nursing, pro-patient candidates into office. We do this by communicating with nurses and voters through broadcast advertising, direct mail, telephone, text, and social media," Velocci said.
For the 2022 midterm elections, Nursing Votes is proud to announce our bi-partisan list of A+ Members of Congress:
Founded in 2020 by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Separate Segregated Fund (CRNA-PAC), Nursing Votes advocates for issues that improve patient access to quality, affordable healthcare by electing pro-nursing, pro-patient candidates to office.
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SOURCE American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Separate Segregated Fund | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/10/nursing-votes-calls-nations-six-million-nurses-get-engaged-us-politics/ | 2022-06-10T20:45:38Z |
- Revenues of $69.3 million, increased 12% sequentially, and decreased 25% year-over-year
- Enterprise Wi-Fi revenues of $24.0 million, increased 55% sequentially and 31% year-over-year
- Gross margin of 48.3%, non-GAAP(1) gross margin of 48.9%
- Operating income of $2.7 million, non-GAAP(1) operating income of $6.3 million
- Net income of $2.3 million or $0.08 per diluted share, non-GAAP(1) net income of $5.0 million or $0.18 per diluted share
- Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $7.8 million or 11.3% of revenues
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambium Networks Corporation ("Cambium Networks") (NASDAQ: CMBM), a leading provider of wireless networking infrastructure solutions, today announced financial results for the second quarter 2022 ended June 30, 2022.
"We are pleased to deliver a significant improvement in our second quarter financial results," said Atul Bhatnagar, president and CEO. "Our supply chain began recovering as we experienced an easing of Chinese government COVID lockdowns allowing for improved production and distribution of our products from Asia."
Bhatnagar continued, "Cambium's gigabit wireless fabric allows network operators to dramatically improve broadband performance and quality of service. Our Wi-Fi 6/6E solutions are in the first phase of expansion followed by the next leg of growth comprised of millimeter wave technologies, continued by the opening of 6 GHz spectrum to drive the next generation multi-gigabit fixed wireless broadband infrastructure solutions. We are also forecasting a healthy increase in global defense spending, as national security has become a paramount issue for many nations."
Revenues of $69.3 million for the second quarter 2022 decreased $23.4 million year-over-year primarily as a result of lower Point-to-Multi-Point revenues primarily due lower demand from service providers and global supply and distribution constraints, offsetting strong demand for enterprise Wi-Fi products and higher Point-to-Point revenues. Revenues for the second quarter 2022 increased by $7.4 million compared to $61.9 million for the first quarter 2022, primarily due to higher enterprise Wi-Fi and Point-to-Point revenues, offset by lower Point-to-Multi-Point revenues.
GAAP gross margin for the second quarter 2022 was 48.3%, compared to 49.7% for the second quarter 2021, and 47.1% for the first quarter 2022. GAAP operating income for the second quarter 2022 was $2.7 million, compared to operating income of $14.3 million for the second quarter 2021, and operating loss of $2.2 million for the first quarter 2022. GAAP net income for the second quarter 2022 was $2.3 million, or net income of $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $11.5 million, or net earnings of $0.40 per diluted share for the second quarter 2021, and net loss of $1.6 million, or net loss of $0.06 per diluted share for the first quarter 2022.
Non-GAAP gross margin for the second quarter 2022 was 48.9%, compared to 50.0% for the second quarter 2021, and 47.8% for the first quarter 2022. Non-GAAP operating income for the second quarter 2022 was $6.3 million, compared to $17.5 million for the second quarter 2021, and $1.0 million for the first quarter 2022. Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter 2022 was $5.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $12.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share for the second quarter 2021, and $0.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2022. For the second quarter 2022, adjusted EBITDA was $7.8 million or 11.3% of revenues, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $18.4 million or 19.9% of revenues for the second quarter 2021, and $1.9 million or 3.1% of revenues for the first quarter 2022.
Cash provided by operating activities was $10.0 million for the second quarter 2022, compared to $20.1 million cash provided by operating activities for the second quarter 2021, and $19.2 million cash used in operating activities for the first quarter 2022. Cash totaled $45.9 million as of June 30, 2022, $5.5 million lower than June 30, 2021, due primarily to higher inventories, offset by earnings during the past year. The increase in cash balance of $7.5 million from March 31, 2022, was primarily the result of higher earnings, and improved working capital management.
Second Quarter 2022 Highlights
- Revenues of $69.3 million, increased 12% sequentially, and was lower by 25% year-over-year.
- Received a multi-million agreement for 28 GHz millimeter wave solutions for cnWave™ Fixed 5G technology.
- GAAP net income of $2.3 million or $0.08 per diluted share, non-GAAP net income of $5.0 million or $0.18 per diluted share.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $7.8 million or 11.3% of revenues, compared to $18.4 million or 19.9% of revenues for the second quarter 2021.
- Net cash provided by operating activities of $10.0 million, compared to $20.1 million provided by operating activities for the second quarter 2021.
- Increased new channel partners by approximately 1,600 year-over-year, an increase of 15%.
- Devices under cnMaestro® Cloud management increased 36% year-over-year.
Third Quarter 2022 Financial Outlook
Taking into account our current visibility, the financial outlook as of August 4, 2022, for the third quarter ending September 30, 2022, is expected to be as follows:
- Revenues between $72.0-$76.0 million
- GAAP gross margin between 47.9%-48.9%; and non-GAAP gross margin between 48.5%-49.5%
- GAAP operating expenses between $32.0-$33.0 million; and non-GAAP operating expenses between $28.9-$29.9 million
- GAAP operating income between $2.5-$4.2 million; and non-GAAP operating income between $6.1-$7.8 million
- Interest expense, net of approximately $0.5 million
- GAAP net income between $1.6-$2.9 million or between $0.06 and $0.10 per diluted share; and non-GAAP net income between $4.5-$5.8 million or between $0.16 and $0.20 per diluted share
- Adjusted EBITDA between $7.0-$8.7 million; and adjusted EBITDA margin between 9.8%-11.5%
- GAAP and non-GAAP effective tax rate of approximately 18.0%-20.0%
- Approximately 28.2 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding
Cash requirements are expected to be as follows:
- Paydown of debt: $0.7 million
- Cash flow interest expense: approximately $0.5 million
- Capital expenditures: $2.4-$2.6 million
Full Year 2022 Financial Outlook
- Revenues between $280.0-$300.0 million
- GAAP net income between $3.2-$14.1 million or between $0.11 and $0.50 per diluted share; and non-GAAP net income between $13.1-$25.1 million or between $0.46 and $0.89 per diluted share
- Adjusted EBITDA margin between 7.8%-12.5%
Cambium Networks financial outlook does not include the potential impact of any possible future financial transactions, acquisitions, pending legal matters, or other transactions. Accordingly, Cambium Networks only includes such items in the company's financial outlook to the extent they are reasonably foreseeable; however, actual results may differ materially from the outlook.
Conference Call and Webcast
Cambium Networks will host a live webcast and conference call to discuss its financial results at 4:30 p.m. ET today, August 4, 2022. To access the live conference call by phone, listeners should dial +1(833) 634-2275 in the U.S. or Canada and +1(412) 902-4143 for international callers, referencing the Cambium Networks conference call. To join the live webcast and view additional materials, listeners should access the investor page of Cambium Networks website at https://investors.cambiumnetworks.com/. Following the live webcast, a replay will be available on the investor page of Cambium Networks website for a period of one year. A replay of the conference call will be available for 48 hours soon after the call by phone by dialing +1(877) 344-7529 in the U.S. or Canada and +1(412) 317-0088 for international callers, using the conference ID number 3054204.
In addition, Cambium Networks President and CEO, Atul Bhatnagar, and Andrew Bronstein, CFO, will present and hold one-on-one meetings with investors including Wednesday August 10, 2022, at Oppenheimer Technology, Internet & Communications Conference held virtually; on Wednesday August 31, 2022, at the Jefferies 2022 Semiconductor, IT Hardware and Communications Infrastructure Summit in Chicago, Ill.; on Thursday September 1, 2022, Cambium will host a tour at our Rolling Meadows, Ill. headquarters with Barrington Research; and on Wednesday September 14, and Thursday September 15, 2022, Cambium will hold one-on-one meetings and present at the Goldman Sachs Communacopa + Technology Conference in San Francisco, Calif. To join the live webcasts for the Oppenheimer and Goldman Sachs conferences, listeners should access the investor page of Cambium Networks website https://investors.cambiumnetworks.com/. Following the live webcasts, a replay will be available in the event archives at the same web address.
About Cambium Networks
Cambium Networks delivers wireless communications that work for businesses, communities, and cities worldwide. Millions of our radios are deployed to connect people, places and things with a unified wireless fabric that spans multiple standards and frequencies of fixed wireless and Wi-Fi, all managed centrally via the cloud. Our multi-gigabit wireless fabric offers a compelling value proposition over traditional fiber and alternative wireless solutions. We work with our Cambium certified ConnectedPartners to deliver purpose-built networks for service provider, enterprise, industrial, and government connectivity solutions in urban, suburban, and rural environments, with wireless that just works.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements concerning our expected next quarter revenues, net income and cash. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this document, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this document are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including those described in the "Risk factors" section of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2022, and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2022. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations include: the unpredictability of our operating results; the impact of the global shortage of certain components including semiconductor chipsets; the constraint in global shipping and logistics; risks presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic, including new or continued government shutdowns such as the recent shutdowns in China that caused some of our manufacturing operations as well as our third-party logistics and warehousing provider to shutdown, which has and could continue to significantly disrupt our manufacturing, supply chain, sales and other operations and negatively impact our financial results; our inability to predict and respond to emerging technological trends and network operators' changing needs; the impact of the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have resulted in our cessation of sales to Russia, Belarus and select regions of Ukraine, and may continue to disrupt our sales and product design activities in these regions; our reliance on third-party manufacturers, which subjects us to risks of product delivery delays and reduced control over product costs and quality; our reliance on distributors and value-added resellers for the substantial majority of our sales; the inability of our third-party logistics and warehousing providers to deliver products to our channel partners and network operators in a timely manner; the quality of our support and services offerings; our or our distributors' and channel partners' inability to attract new network operators or sell additional products to network operators that currently use our products; the technological complexity of our products, which may contain undetected hardware defects or software bugs; our channel partners' inability to effectively manage inventory of our products, timely resell our products or estimate expected future demand; our inability to manage our growth and expand our operations; unpredictability of sales and revenues due to lengthy sales cycles; our inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls, produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations; our reliance on the availability of third-party licenses; risks associated with international sales and operations; current or future unfavorable economic conditions, both domestically and in foreign markets and political tensions among the U.S. and China; and our inability to obtain intellectual property protections for our products.
Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.
Use of non-GAAP (Adjusted) Financial Measures
In addition to providing financial measurements based on generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), we provide additional financial metrics that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP (non-GAAP), including Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP pre-tax income, non-GAAP provision for income taxes, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP fully weighted basic and diluted shares. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, for financial and operational decision making, for planning and forecasting purposes, to measure executive compensation and to evaluate our financial performance. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures help us to identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude in the calculations of the non-GAAP financial measures.
We believe that these financial measures reflect our ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in the business and provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects. Although the calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may vary from company to company, our detailed presentation may facilitate analysis and comparison of our operating results by management and investors with other peer companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results in their public disclosures. These non-GAAP financial measures are discussed below.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income as reported in our consolidated statements of income excluding the impact of (i) interest expense (income), net; (ii) income tax provision (benefit); (iii) depreciation and amortization expense; (iv) nonrecurring legal expenses, (v) share-based compensation expense, (vi) secondary offering expenses, (vii) one-time acquisition costs, and (viii) restructuring expenses. EBITDA is widely used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate the profitability of companies. EBITDA eliminates potential differences in performance caused by variations in capital structures (affecting net finance costs), tax positions (such as the availability of net operating losses against which to relieve taxable profits), the cost and age of tangible assets (affecting relative depreciation expense) and the extent to which intangible assets are identifiable (affecting relative amortization expense). We adjust EBITDA to also exclude nonrecurring legal expenses since this is one-time in nature and does not reflect our ongoing operations. We adjust EBITDA for share-based compensation expense which is a non-cash expense that varies in amount from period to period and is dependent on market forces that are often beyond Cambium Networks control. As a result, management excludes this item from Cambium Networks internal operating forecasts and models. We also adjust EBITDA to exclude one-time acquisition costs and restructuring expenses and secondary offering expenses as these relate to events outside of the ordinary course of continuing operations and to provide a more accurate comparison of our ongoing business results.
Non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP effective tax rate and non-GAAP net income are used as a supplement to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP measures are the most meaningful for period-to-period comparisons because they exclude the impact of share-based compensation expense, restructuring expenses and secondary offering expenses, nonrecurring legal expenses, write-down of debt issuance costs upon prepayment of debt, amortization of acquired intangibles, and amortization of capitalized software costs as we do not consider these costs and expenses to be indicative of our ongoing operations.
Share-based compensation expense and associated employment taxes paid are excluded. Management may issue different types of awards, including share options, restricted share awards and restricted share units, as well as awards with performance or other market characteristics, and excludes the associated expense in this non-GAAP measure. Share-based compensation expense is a non-cash expense that varies in amount from period to period and is dependent on market forces that are often beyond Cambium Networks control while the associated employment taxes are cash-based expenses that vary in amount from period-to-period and are dependent on market forces as well as jurisdictional tax regulations that are often beyond Cambium Networks control.
Secondary offering expenses were incurred by Cambium Networks associated with the registration and sale in June 2021 of 2,000,000 ordinary shares held by Vector Capital and during December 2020 of 2,500,000 ordinary shares held by Vector Capital. Cambium Networks did not raise any additional capital in the offering and the expenses are excluded as not part of continuing operations.
Amortization of acquired intangibles includes customer relationships, unpatented technology, patents, software, and trademarks, and are excluded since these are not indicative of continuing operations.
Amortization of capitalized software costs include capitalized research and development activities amortized over their useful life and included in cost of revenues and are excluded since these are not indicative of continuing operations.
Restructuring expenses consist primarily of severance costs for employees which are not related to future operating expenses. Cambium Networks excludes these expenses since they result from an event that is outside the ordinary course of continuing operations. Excluding these charges permits more accurate comparisons of Cambium Networks ongoing business results.
Our non-GAAP tax adjustments include the tax impacts from share-based compensation expense including excess or decremental tax benefits available to the company that are recorded when incurred and impacts from the company's income tax valuation allowance initially recognized in the quarter ended June 30, 2019, and as reversed in the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Cambium Networks excludes these amounts to more closely approximate the company's ongoing effective tax rate after adjusting for one-time or unique reoccurring items. The associated non-GAAP effective tax rate is also applied to the gross amount of non-GAAP adjustments for purposes of calculating non-GAAP net income in total and on a per-share basis. This approach is designed to enhance the ability of investors to understand the company's tax expense on its current operations, provide improved modeling accuracy, and substantially reduce fluctuations caused by GAAP adjustments which may not reflect actual cash tax expense.
Non-GAAP fully weighted basic and diluted shares are shown as outstanding during the entire period presented and include dilutive shares if their effect to earnings per share is dilutive. We also use non-GAAP fully weighted basic and diluted shares to provide more comparable per-share results across periods.
These non-GAAP financial measures do not replace the presentation of our GAAP financial results and should only be used as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations in the use of non-GAAP measures because they do not include all the expenses that must be included under GAAP and because they involve the exercise of judgment concerning exclusions of items from the comparable non-GAAP financial measure. In addition, other companies may use other measures to evaluate their performance, or may calculate non-GAAP measures differently, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial measures as tools for comparison. We present a "Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in the tables below.
The following table reconciles net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA, the most directly comparable financial measure, calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP (in thousands):
The following table reconciles all other GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures (in thousands):
Investor Inquiries:
Peter Schuman, IRC
Vice President Investor & Industry Analyst Relations
Cambium Networks
+1 (847) 264-2188
peter.schuman@cambiumnetworks.com
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SOURCE Cambium Networks | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/cambium-networks-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-08-04T20:52:23Z |
American Lung Association, Ad Council raise awareness among parents and their kids about vaping with new PSAs created by Hill Holliday
CHICAGO, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association and the Ad Council today launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) encouraging parents to proactively talk to their kids about the dangers and health effects of vaping. The new PSAs, created pro bono by advertising agency Hill Holliday, are part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with youth vaping and help parents with kids aged 10-14 initiate important conversations with their kids to prevent their kids from starting.
"These new PSAs address the need for parents to educate themselves about the dangers of vaping in a way that feels relevant and timely," said Michelle Hillman, Chief Campaign Development Officer of the Ad Council. "We know that stress and peer pressure are the main motivators for kids to start vaping. With the beginning of a new school year and a host of pressures youth are facing, we're providing parents with critical resources and encouragement to have important conversations with their kids about vaping."
Rates of e-cigarette use by teens increased 73% from 2016 to 2020.[1] Currently 2.1 million kids use e-cigarettes[2] and thousands of kids start vaping every day.[3] Despite the growing number of youth who are vaping, many parents with children between ages 10-14 don't fully realize the risks associated with youth vaping. E-cigarettes contain harmful and addictive ingredients including nicotine, formaldehyde, which is known to cause cancer, and acrolein, and can also cause irreversible lung damage. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm the developing brain and lead to a lifetime of addiction to tobacco products. In addition, kids who use e-cigarettes are 4 times more likely to try a traditional cigarette and 3 times more likely to become addicted to nicotine.[4]
"Educational campaigns, and conversations that parents have with their pre-teens about issues like vaping are critical. We know from more than 50 years of efforts to end tobacco use that these educational programs make a difference to deter youth from using these very addictive products," said Harold Wimmer, National President and CEO for the American Lung Association. "While we are seeing historically low smoking rates, youth e-cigarette use is still unacceptably high. Collaboration, like our partnership with the Ad Council and Hill Holliday, is integral to ending the youth vaping epidemic."
Developed pro bono by creative agency Hill Holliday, the new PSAs use pop culture and viral dance video trends to connect parents and their kids as a lead-in to more serious conversations about the dangers of vaping. The spots feature dancer, social media influencer and anti-vaping activist Russell Horning, "The Backpack Kid," who gained fame after his "Flossing" dance video went viral.
"We are proud to launch this important and timely campaign, which will help protect kids' health as they head back to school," said Karen Kaplan, Chair and CEO, Hill Holliday. "We are deeply passionate about our partnership with the American Lung Association and the Ad Council; this ongoing collaboration has had a tremendous positive impact on Americans' health and continues to save lives."
"Young people don't always think about how the choices we make now can really hurt us when we get older," said the now 20-year-old Horning. "I'm proud to use my platform to encourage kids to never start vaping so they can reach their dreams without the health risks of vaping holding them back."
The campaign encourages parents to visit TalkAboutVaping.org for resources to empower parents to talk to their kids about vaping, such as a youth vaping "Get the Facts" page and Conversation Guide.
The "#DoTheVapeTalk" PSAs will appear nationwide in time and space donated by the media, across all advertising formats: broadcast, radio, digital, social, out-of-home and print. TikTok has committed to additional support of the campaign, collaborating with some of the platform's influential creators on the development of custom content, and providing significant donated media to reach parents with the campaign's critical message. Meta has also committed to providing donated media space to reach parents. Since the campaign's 2020 launch, the Lung Association and Ad Council's youth vaping prevention effort has received more than $35.4 million in donated media support across television, radio, print, out-of-home and digital media, receiving over 2.7 billion impressions.
For more information about #DoTheVapeTalk, or to access resources on talking to kids about the dangers of vaping, please visit TalkAboutVaping.org.
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.
The Ad Council is where creativity and causes converge. The non-profit organization brings together the most creative minds in advertising, media, technology and marketing to address many of the nation's most important causes. The Ad Council has created many of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history. Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk. Smokey Bear. Love Has No Labels.
The Ad Council's innovative social good campaigns raise awareness, inspire action and save lives. To learn more, visit AdCouncil.org, follow the Ad Council's communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.
Hill Holliday is proud to be one of the top creative marketing agencies in the country, with over 600 employees across our network. Since 1968, Hill Holliday has built its business on winning the daily share battle for clients in the noisiest and most competitive categories. Blending communications planning, media, and technology with superior creative, the agency delivers game-changing ideas for industry leaders like BMW Motorrad, Frontier Communications, Valvoline, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Regeneron, and Intra-Cellular Therapies. For more about Hill Holliday's people, work, and culture, visit http://www.hhcc.com.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes from the Field: E-Cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. October 1, 2021; 70(39): 1387-1389.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes from the Field: E-Cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. October 1, 2021; 70(39): 1387-1389.
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2018. Analysis by the American Lung Association Epidemiology and Statistics Unit using SPSS software.
[4] Barrington-Trimis JL, et al. E-cigarette Use and Subsequent Smoking Frequency Among Adolescents. Pediatrics, 2018; 142(6):e20180486
Ad Council
Ben Dorf
bdorf@adcouncil.org
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SOURCE American Lung Association | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/dothevapetalk-new-youth-vaping-prevention-campaign-uses-dance-challenge-address-serious-topic/ | 2022-08-09T11:17:47Z |
Seasons at Mason Trails showcases five floor plans from sought-after Seasons™ Collection
ROSEVILLE, Calif., July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of California, a subsidiary of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC), is pleased to announce that Seasons at Mason Trails (RichmondAmerican.com/SeasonsAtMasonTrails) is now selling from nearby Windsong at Winding Creek. This idyllic new addition to the popular Mason Trails masterplan in Roseville showcases four inspired ranch-style floor plans and one two-story floor plan from the builder's sought-after Seasons™ Collection (RichmondAmerican.com/SeasonsSac)—designed to put homeownership within reach for a variety of buyers.
- Five ranch-style floor plans from the upper $500s
- 3 to 5 bedrooms and approx. 1,590 to 2,080 sq. ft.
- Gourmet kitchens, lofts, studies and detached casitas available
- Casitas, 3-car and RV garages available on select plans
- Master-planned amenities including equestrian trails and greenbelts
- Easy access to downtown Sacramento and Lake Tahoe via I-80
- Close proximity to parks, golf courses and recreation
- Ask about special offers and interest rates under 5%!
Those who choose to build a new home from the ground up at Seasons at Mason Trails will have the opportunity to work with professional design consultants at the builder's Home Gallery™ to select colors, textures, finishes and fixtures for their new living spaces—a complimentary service!
Seasons at Mason Trails is located at 9480 Preservation Street in Roseville. Its temporary Sales Center is located at 501 Silver Cloud Court in Roseville. Call 916.472.7383 or visit RichmondAmerican.com for more information. View health and safety updates at RichmondAmerican.com/COVID-19.
Operating under the name Richmond American Homes, MDC's homebuilding subsidiaries have built more than 220,000 homes since 1977. Among the nation's largest homebuilders, MDC's subsidiary companies have operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, plus insurance and title services are offered by the following MDC subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDC." For more information, visit MDCHoldings.com.
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SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/new-richmond-american-community-now-selling-roseville/ | 2022-07-05T22:13:19Z |
- MSC Seascape, the second ship in the Seaside EVO class, enters final phase of preparation for inaugural season in the Caribbean in four months
- The innovative ship will feature elegant dining venues and immersive entertainment options, all while bringing guests closer to the sea
GENEVA, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MSC Seascape successfully completed her first intensive systems tests at sea during a multi-day trial from August 17-20. This will be MSC Cruises' fourth Seaside-class ship and second in the Seaside EVO subclass built by Fincantieri in Italy, which is one of the world's largest ship building groups.
The Seaside EVO ships are an evolution of the innovative and popular Seaside class with striking design features, stunning public spaces, and exciting new experiences for guests. MSC Seascape pays tribute to the beauty of the ocean and is designed to help guests enjoy new horizons at sea.
Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: "Seeing our new U.S. flagship achieve another major milestone on the way to delivery is incredibly exciting for all of us here at MSC Cruises. Guests love our ongoing commitment to bring the newest and most advanced ships to the U.S. because it gives them access to the very best cruising has to offer. MSC Seascape takes everything that's fantastic about our Seaside-class ships and makes it even better, and sending her to gorgeous destinations like Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve creates an unbeatable vacation experience—on land and at sea."
The 169,400 GT ship will be delivered to MSC Cruises in late November and will come into service in December 2022, sailing year-round from Miami to the Caribbean. Following MSC World Europa, MSC Seascape will be the second MSC Cruises ship to launch this year.
Cruise lovers can be first on board by sailing MSC Seascape's delivery trip across the Atlantic. The MSC Grand Voyage will depart Civatavecchia (Rome) on Saturday, November 19 and make stops in Spain, Portugal and Bermuda prior to arriving in New York City on Monday, December 5—making it a memorable way to spend Thanksgiving at sea.
The naming ceremony for MSC Seascape will take place in New York on December 7, 2022, at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The new ship will offer two different seven-night itineraries:
- Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic
- Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica
As with her sister ship, 65 percent of MSC Seascape's public spaces have been completely reimagined from the original Seaside class design. These spaces will bring the guest experience to the next level and offer beautiful venues and locations to discover new horizons at sea:
- 98 hours of live entertainment per cruise, 7,567 square feet of dedicated kids' space, and cutting-edge amusement options
- 2,270 cabins with 12 different types of staterooms and suites with balconies, including coveted aft suites
- 11 dining venues—plus 19 bars and lounges—with plenty of options for dining and drinking outdoors
- Six swimming pools, including a stunning aft infinity pool with incredible ocean views
- The MSC Yacht Club will be one of the largest and most luxurious in MSC Cruises' fleet, offering more than 32,000 square feet of space with sweeping ocean views from the foredecks of the ship
- An expansive waterfront promenade even closer to the water, stretching nearly 1,800 feet
- A spectacular glass-floored Bridge of Sighs on deck 16 with a unique view of the ocean
The ship will feature the latest environmental technologies, which include selective catalytic reduction systems on each of the four Wartsila 14V 46F engines to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 percent by converting the gas into harmless nitrogen and water. MSC Seascape's hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system will remove 98 percent of Sulphur Oxide from its emissions.
MSC Seascape is fitted with best-in-class wastewater treatment systems with purification standards higher than most wastewater treatments facilities on land. The vessel is equipped with advanced waste management systems, ballast water treatment systems approved by the United States Coast Guard, the latest-technology systems for the prevention of oil discharges from machinery spaces, and various energy-efficiency improvements – from heat recovery systems to LED lighting able to save energy.
The ship will feature an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce and isolate the potential effects on marine mammals.
To find out more about MSC Seascape, please visit here.
MSC Cruises is the world's third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa, with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is one of the two brands that sit within the Cruises Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises – the contemporary brand - has a modern fleet of 19 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025, with options for six more vessel orders in place through 2030.
MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company's European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs, and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about MSC Cruises' itineraries and experience on board its ships, click here.
The Company's number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve. In August 2020, MSC Cruises implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to sea. To learn more about MSC Cruises' health & safety protocol, click here.
MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship, with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company's environmental commitment, click here.
Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group's own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments, click here.
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SOURCE MSC Cruises USA | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/upcoming-us-flagship-msc-seascape-completes-successful-sea-trials/ | 2022-08-23T16:13:39Z |
- Executive Chairman of the Board, Jeremy Frommer will assume the CEO seat.
- Creatd's board significantly amplifies its capabilities with the addition of Justin Maury, Creatd's COO and Co-founder.
NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Creatd, Inc. (Nasdaq CM: CRTD) ("Creatd" or the "Company"), a creator-first holding company, and the parent company of Vocal, is pleased to announce a new appointment to its board of directors, Justin Maury, Creatd COO and co-founder, as well as the appointment of current Executive Chairman, Jeremy Frommer to the position of Chairman and CEO.
Justin Maury is Creatd's Chief Operating Officer and co-founder. Maury is a full-stack designer and product developer by training who first partnered with Creatd's Executive Chairman of the Board, Jeremy Frommer, in 2013 after building a decade of experience at numerous global creative agencies. Maury is credited with leading the early vision, design, and architecture of Vocal, the Company's flagship platform, which he brought to launch in 2016. Beyond Vocal, Maury oversees Creatd's broader technology roadmap and is instrumental in the creation and scale of Creatd's subsequent business segments, which encompass technology, agency partnership, e-commerce, and production activities.
Commented Creatd Executive Chairman Jeremy Frommer, "This addition to our board marks a significant boost to our company's collective strength on both a professional and personal level. As head of product, COO, and now, a member of Creatd's board, Justin has remained instrumental in leading the platform and the entire company. Our board will greatly benefit from his unique product perspective, and his direct input will be invaluable as we refine our technology roadmap and progress our Web 3.0 strategy."
Creatd, Inc. (Nasdaq CM: CRTD) is a company dedicated to unlocking creativity for creators, brands, and consumers. We accomplish this through Creatd's four business pillars: Creatd Labs, Creatd Partners, Creatd Ventures, and Creatd Studios.
Creatd: https://creatd.com;
Creatd IR: https://investors.creatd.com;
Vocal Platform: https://vocal.media;
Investor Relations Contact: ir@creatd.com
Any statements that are not historical facts and that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, indicated through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimated," "intends," "plans," "believes" and "projects") may be forward-looking and may involve estimates and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. We caution that the factors described herein could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. This press release is qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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SOURCE Creatd, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/executive-chairman-jeremy-frommer-assume-chairman-ceo-position-additionally-creatd-inc-welcomes-founder-coo-justin-maury-board-directors/ | 2022-09-06T13:02:34Z |
State trooper, sheriff’s deputy killed in helicopter crash, authorities say
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - A helicopter crash in Tennessee resulted in the deaths of a sheriff’s deputy and a state trooper, according to authorities.
The helicopter crash occurred Tuesday afternoon in Marion County, temporarily shutting down an interstate highway, WVLT reported.
Tennessee Highway Patrol officials confirmed the deaths of one of their troopers and a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in a press conference Tuesday night.
“While the investigation is ongoing, please give the families their privacies,” a THP spokesperson said. “Today is a very tragic day for law enforcement.”
Officials identified the trooper in the crash as Sergeant Lee Russell.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Bell 206 helicopter struck a power line and crashed in a wooded area on Aetna Mountain near Whiteside, Tennessee, around 4:00 p.m. on Aug. 23.
Dan Hostetler witnessed the incident as he was heading back to Chattanooga on the interstate. He said he saw a black helicopter flying in circles, describing it as moving “erratically.”
Hostetler said the helicopter then “dipped” and “waggled” before it hit a power line that crossed over the highway. He said the power line started gliding down towards him as he was on the highway and he was afraid it would land on him.
“I slammed on the brakes and stopped about two car lengths from the line,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation confirmed to WVLT that the helicopter struck the power lines and caused them to fall across the roadway, resulting in its temporary closure.
Officials intend to further investigate the crash.
Copyright 2022 WVLT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/24/state-trooper-sheriffs-deputy-killed-helicopter-crash-authorities-say/ | 2022-08-24T19:50:23Z |
Don't forget to look up this weekend to see the start of a rare, five-planet alignment grace the night sky.
Beginning in the early morning hours of Friday, June 3, the five planets of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will align in planetary order.
This rare phenomenon has not occurred since December 2004, and this year, the distance between Mercury and Saturn will be smaller, according to Sky & Telescope.
Stargazers will need to have their binoculars handy along with a clear view of the eastern horizon to spot Mercury near the start of the month, the space magazine said. As June progresses, Mercury will become brighter and easier to see, according to Diana Hannikainen, observing editor of Sky & Telescope.
The rest of the planets should be consistently visible to the naked eye, she added.
The best time to view the five planets is in the 30 minutes before sunrise, she said. The night before you plan to view the alignment, check when the sun will rise in your area.
Some stargazers are especially excited for the celestial event, including Hannikainen. She flew from her home west of Boston to a beachside town along the Atlantic Ocean to secure an optimal view of the alignment.
"I'll be out there with my binoculars, looking towards the east and southeast and crossing all my fingers and toes that it is going to be clear," Hannikainen said.
You don't have to travel to catch a glimpse of the action because it will be visible to people around the globe.
Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can see the planets from the eastern to southeastern horizon while those in the Southern Hemisphere should look along the eastern to northeastern horizon. The only requirement is a clear sky in the direction of the alignment.
If you wake up and the weather blocks the sky, don't worry, Hannikainen said.
"Just keep looking throughout the month of June and as soon as you have a clear morning, go out and enjoy that view," she said.
The moon joins the party
In addition to the five planets, the waning crescent moon will also be in alignment between Venus and Mars on June 24.
Unlike on the days leading up to it, this special celestial alignment can be viewed in the hour before sunrise, Hannikainen said.
By the next day, the moon will have continued its orbit around the Earth, moving it out of alignment with the planets, she said.
If you miss the five-planet alignment in sequential order, the next one will happen in 2040, according to Sky & Telescope.
There will be seven more full moons in 2022, according to The Old Farmers' Almanac:
- June 14: Strawberry moon
- July 13: Buck moon
- August 11: Sturgeon moon
- September 10: Harvest moon
- October 9: Hunter's moon
- November 8: Beaver moon
- December 7: Cold moon
These are the popularized names associated with the monthly full moons, but the significance of each one may vary across Native American tribes.
Lunar and solar eclipses
There will be one more total lunar eclipse and a partial solar eclipse in 2022, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Partial solar eclipses occur when the moon passes in front of the sun but only blocks some of its light. Be sure to wear proper eclipse glasses to safely view solar eclipses, as the sun's light can be damaging to the eye.
A partial solar eclipse on October 25 will be visible to those in Greenland, Iceland, Europe, northeastern Africa, the Middle East, western Asia, India and western China. Neither of the partial solar eclipses will be visible from North America.
A total lunar eclipse will also be on display for those in Asia, Australia, the Pacific, South America and North America on November 8 between 3:01 a.m. ET and 8:58 a.m. ET -- but the moon will be setting for those in eastern regions of North America.
Meteor showers
Check out the remaining 11 showers that will peak in 2022:
- Southern delta Aquariids: July 29 to 30
- Alpha Capricornids: July 30 to 31
- Perseids: August 11 to 12
- Orionids: October 20 to 21
- Southern Taurids: November 4 to 5
- Northern Taurids: November 11 to 12
- Leonids: November 17 to 18
- Geminids: December 13 to 14
- Ursids: December 21 to 22
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that isn't littered with city lights to get the best view.
Find an open area with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight up. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes -- without looking at your phone or other electronics -- to adjust to the darkness so the meteors will be easier to spot.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/a-rare-5-planet-alignment-will-take-over-the-sky-this-month/article_0ef5ad23-9e64-509f-b83e-b7a5e1006a21.html | 2022-06-02T22:06:37Z |
LANCASTER, Ca. (AP) — Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $44 million to the Oregon-based mentoring organization, Friends of the Children, which supports children at risk of entering the welfare system by pairing them with a longtime mentor.
The unrestricted gift, announced Thursday, provides $15 million to the organization’s national headquarters and splits $29 million in direct donations to 12 of the organization’s chapters from Tampa Bay to Detroit to Los Angeles.
Terri Sorensen, the CEO of Friends of the Children, said Scott sent word through intermediaries about why she’d chosen her organization.
“She said that they were doing this because they really hoped more people would find out about Friends of the Children,” said Sorensen, adding that she worked with The Bridgespan Group as part of the vetting process for several months before the amount was finalized.
That reflects what Scott has often said about her donations, writing in a 2020 Medium post that she and her team rigorously study organizations, in part, “to pave the way for unsolicited and unexpected gifts given with full trust and no strings attached.”
“Because our research is data-driven and rigorous,” Scott wrote, “our giving process can be human and soft.”
Sorensen recalled the “surreal” moment in June when she learned of Scott’s gift. She was visiting the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where there was limited cell phone service, and had to drive around to get a signal to take the call.
“I was actually in a ditch when I got the word,” she said.
Scott’s donation nearly doubles the organization’s overall resources, since the national network’s budget for 2022 was $50 million. Founded in 1993, Friends of the Children pays a professional mentor to befriend and support children and their families for 12 years starting in kindergarten.
In 2020, the latest year federal figures are available more than 631,000 children passed through the foster care system. Often families who come in contact with the foster care system have encountered some kind of trauma and have, for whatever reason, not been able to get support at a less critical moment, Sandra Gasca-Gonzalez, a vice president at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said.
The foundation previously supported Friends of the Children and Gasca-Gonzalez said she hopes one of the outcomes of philanthropic support is to produce evidence and research so that it can qualify for evidence-based government funding.
“The ones that wrap around the whole family are the ones that are really showing some promise,” she said.
In the past eight years, the network expanded from having five chapters to 26, with the help of a $4 million grant in 2016 from the Corporation for National and Community Service, a U.S. government agency. That grant was meant to help the organization expand its program and study the impact it had on children living in poverty.
The chapters plan to use Scott’s donation to pay higher wages to mentors, who they call “friends,” and expand to serve more children, Sorensen said, though she emphasized that each chapter is run independently.
The national headquarters will add staff to increase the administrative support like grant writing and accounting they provide to chapters and establish an impact fund for chapters seeking grants.
The gift is the latest from Scott to be made public and extends the pattern of her giving to other organizations that provide mentorship and support to children like Junior Achievement USA, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Like nearly all of her more than $12 billion in giving since 2019, Scott’s donation to Friends of the Children was unrestricted and Sorensen said they intend to spend the funds within five years. Scott’s large gifts have challenged other wealthy donors and foundations to assess their own giving strategies.
Scott and her husband, Dan Jewett, donate in relative secrecy. Giving as individuals and not through a foundation means their donations are known only when the recipients disclose them or through her occasional blog posts. She’s written previously that she doesn’t respond to press inquiries in an effort not to overshadow the work of the organizations to which she donates.
Los Angeles, which has one of the highest number of children in foster care than anywhere in the country, is one of the chapters of Friends of the Children that will receive the gifted funds. The organization has two locations there, including one that opened in 2019 in Antelope Valley, located about an hour north of the city. That office won funding from the county mental health department to divert children at risk of being separated from their parents or guardians from entering foster care.
“We’re getting reports from there, the parents and their caregivers, that not only do they have hopes and dreams for their children, but they have their own hopes and dreams and don’t feel so alone by having a friend by their side,” Sorensen said, referring to the mentor assigned to the family.
Their chapters now partner with a range of local organizations to identify children most at risk of being involved in the welfare system and to match them with a long term mentor.
“Perhaps the parents experienced foster care, didn’t graduate from high school, have been incarcerated. Let’s get to those families before they enter the system and keep them out,” Sorensen said. “So that’s really where we like to be on the side of prevention.”
___
Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/ap-mackenzie-scott-supports-child-mentors-with-44-million-gift/ | 2022-08-25T19:41:59Z |
The DealMaker Meter - Summer 2022, The Resiliency of Dealmaking, Spotlights Strategic Change from Growth to Profitability and Due Diligence
CHICAGO and NEW YORK, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite global inflation, the war in Ukraine, and the threat of a recession and increased regulations, a new survey from Donnelley Financial Solutions (NYSE: DFIN), a leading risk and compliance company, predicts strong M&A activity for the next six months. Comprised of a panel of key industry experts, including investment bankers, private equity professionals and attorneys, The DealMaker Meter - Summer 2022, The Resiliency of Dealmaking* report, is designed to help executives understand the drivers of the global economy and make strategic decisions about potential mergers and acquisitions.
According to the report, 73 percent of those surveyed said the record-breaking trends of 2020 and 2021 are likely to continue in 2022. The report also suggests a change in strategy, with 88 percent of respondents indicating that they are prioritizing profitability over growth. Based on that approach, 58 percent believe this will spur larger deals from established organizations; a slightly smaller number (56 percent) expect a shift toward smaller, strategic deals.
Other important insights, include:
- Go privates predicted to rise: Seventy-six percent of respondents believe that in 2022, going private will be the best strategic alternative for more companies—and sponsors will have the upper hand in making these deals
- Geopolitical Impact: Russia's invasion of Ukraine has directly impacted many operations, from supply chains to raw material production, leaving its mark on dealmaking. Thirty-nine percent of respondents say the war has directly impacted their ability to get deals done, while another 31 percent feel an indirect impact
- Politics play into the deal: While 37 percent of respondents noted regulatory and legislative environments can play a factor in getting a deal done, 67 percent said that the upcoming mid-term elections should have no impact on deal making
- Benefits of Remote: While two-thirds of dealmakers believe Wall Street will eventually fully return to the office, many continue to enjoy the benefits of a remote environment, such as no suits or dress shoes, working in socks (28 percent) and protected Saturdays (55 percent)
"The global upheaval we've experienced over the past year because of COVID, the war in the Ukraine, and other socioeconomical and geopolitical factors has led corporate leaders to reexamine and update their M&A strategy," said Craig Clay, president of global capital markets at DFIN. "Our report confirms that dealmakers are resilient, and despite these challenges, hopeful about the future. Companies that leverage the insights in our report will be well-equipped to make faster, better decisions in a very competitive marketplace."
DFIN has deep expertise in M&A, providing relevant advisory services and software solutions — including ActiveDisclosure and Venue® Virtual Data Room**— that help guide dealmakers as they go through the M&A process, allowing for the sharing of sensitive documents in a safe and secure environment.
*Published semiannually by DFIN, the nation's leading compliance company, the DealMaker Meter report provides answers to questions about everything from activities in sectors/industries to geographies and impacts. A blue-ribbon panel made up of top global DFIN dealmakers/partners (advisors, corporate clients, lawyers, and bankers) provide this free global market outlook.
**Venue® by DFIN Virtual Data Room (VDR) is an industry-leading platform designed to facilitate due diligence and eliminate risks that can compromise deals. It is continually optimized for security, productivity, and usability, and leverages AI technology and machine learning to accelerate deal closing.
The complete The DealMaker Meter - Summer 2022, The Resiliency of Dealmaking report is available for download on the DFIN website at https://info.dfinsolutions.com/Q2-22-DMM-Thank-You
About Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
DFIN is a leading global risk and compliance solutions company. We provide domain expertise, enterprise software and data analytics for every stage of our clients' business and investment lifecycles. Markets fluctuate, regulations evolve, technology advances, and through it all, DFIN delivers confidence with the right solutions in moments that matter. Learn about DFIN's end-to-end risk and compliance solutions online at DFINsolutions.com or you can also follow us on Twitter @DFINSolutions or on LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Donnelley Financial Solutions | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/dfin-report-predicts-strong-mampa-activity-2022/ | 2022-06-23T14:38:45Z |
HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE: ZTR) previously announced, on May 25, 2022, the following monthly distribution:
Under the terms of its Managed Distribution Plan, the Fund will seek to maintain a consistent distribution level that may be paid, in part or in full, from net investment income and realized capital gains, or a combination thereof. Shareholders should note, however, that if the Fund's aggregate net investment income and net realized capital gains are less than the amount of the distribution level, the difference will be distributed from the Fund's assets and will constitute a return of the shareholder's capital. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's Managed Distribution Plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income'.
The Fund provided this estimate of the sources of the distributions:
Information regarding the Fund's performance and distribution rates is set forth below. Please note that all performance figures are based on the Fund's NAV and not the market price of the Fund's shares. Performance figures are not meant to represent individual shareholder performance.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates only and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the distributions for tax purposes will depend on the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund or your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you what distributions to report for federal income tax purposes.
About the Fund
Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. is a diversified closed-end fund whose investment objective is capital appreciation, with income as a secondary objective. Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. is the investment adviser, and Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. and Newfleet Asset Management are the subadvisers to the Fund.
For more information on the Fund, contact shareholder services at (866) 270-7788, by email at closedendfunds@virtus.com, or through the closed-end fund section of www.virtus.com.
Fund Risks
An investment in a fund is subject to risk, including the risk of possible loss of principal. A fund's shares may be worth less upon their sale than what an investor paid for them. Shares of closed-end funds may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. For more information about each Fund's investment objective and risks, please see the Fund's annual report. A copy of the Fund's most recent annual report may be obtained free of charge by contacting "Shareholder Services" as set forth at the bottom of this press release.
About Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. pursues investment strategies with exceptional depth of resources and expertise. With more than 35 years of experience managing investment portfolios, Duff & Phelps has earned a reputation as a leader in investing in global listed infrastructure, global listed real estate, clean energy, and diversified real asst in institutional separate accounts and open- and closed-end funds. For more information, visit www.dpimc.com.
About Newfleet Asset Management
Newfleet Asset Management provides comprehensive fixed income portfolio management in multiple strategies. The Newfleet Multi-Sector Strategies team that manages the Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. employs active sector rotation and disciplined risk management in portfolio construction, avoiding interest rate bets, and remaining duration neutral to each strategy's stated benchmark. Newfleet Asset Management is a division of Virtus Fixed Income Advisers, LLC, which is a registered investment adviser affiliated with Virtus Investment Partners. For more information, visit www.newfleet.com.
About Virtus Investment Partners
Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. The company provides investment management products and services through its affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, and individual brand. For more information, visit www.virtus.com.
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SOURCE Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/virtus-total-return-fund-inc-discloses-sources-distribution-section-19a-notice/ | 2022-08-03T21:29:54Z |
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nominations for the 2022 American Association for Justice (AAJ) Paralegal of the Year Award are now open. We are proud to sponsor this prestigious award that recognizes the key role paralegals play in our civil justice system.
The AAJ Paralegal of the Year Award, sponsored by Advocate Capital, Inc., is granted to one exceptional individual who consistently makes contributions to the paralegal profession and acts as an inspiration to other paralegals through their knowledge of the law, perseverance in cases, and superior skill set. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a commitment to continuing legal education and their community through volunteering.
Any AAJ Paralegal Affiliate who has been a member for a minimum of one year is eligible to receive the 2022 Paralegal of the Year Award, but they must be nominated by another AAJ Paralegal Affiliate or an AAJ Attorney member in good standing. If you have someone you would like to nominate; please submit a completed entry form to Jennifer Rafter at Jennifer.Rafter@Justice.org. Entries will be accepted through Friday, May 26, 2022.
To download the 2022 Paralegal of the Year Award nomination form, click here.
The winner of the 2022 Paralegal of the Year Award will be notified on June 6, 2022, and will receive the award at AAJ's 2022 Annual Convention on July 16-19th in Seattle, Washington. Complimentary airfare, hotel accommodations, and registration will be provided.
Advocate Capital, Inc. is the premier provider of strategic financial products and accounting services for successful trial law firms. It has served the plaintiff bar for over 22 years from its headquarters in Nashville, TN, and enjoys a client base that extends nationwide. For more information, visit www.AdvocateCapital.com or call 1.877.894.9724.
CONTACT:
Rachel Minyard
Advocate Capital, Inc.,
advocatecapital.com/rachel-minyard.html
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SOURCE Advocate Capital, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/nominations-open-2022-aaj-paralegal-year-award-sponsored-by-advocate-capital-inc/ | 2022-05-04T06:21:04Z |
Capper celebrates founder’s 157th birthday with ice cream
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Capper Foundation celebrated the birth of its founder the same way he always did -- with ice cream.
Senator Arthur Capper was a publisher and politician, who founded the Capper Foundation back in 1920 to help children with disabilities. Arthur Capper was born on Thursday, July 14, 157 years ago.
To celebrate its founder, the organization invited clients and supporters for a hot dog lunch with Sheridan’s Frozen Custard for dessert. 13′s Melissa Brunner was at the celebration to help serve some ice cream for the attendees.
The party continues a tradition Capper had when he was alive, when the celebration featured pony rides, games, a carnival, and of course, free ice cream.
The Capper Foundation president, Zach Ahrens, said the celebration was to celebrate Arthur Capper, the Foundation, and the community.
“It’s a chance to celebrate individuals building abilities,” said Ahrens. “Really, it’s about community. Capper foundation, since its beginning 100 years ago, has been about serving and supporting individuals in or community.”
Senator Capper was a publisher of the Topeka Daily Capital, and owned WIBW radio, which later became WIBW-TV.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/14/capper-celebrates-founders-157th-birthday-with-ice-cream/ | 2022-07-15T00:10:34Z |
Ronaldo scores on return to United team after death of son
LONDON (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has scored on his return to the Manchester United team after missing a game while grieving the death of his newborn son. Ronaldo scored his 100th Premier League goal at Arsenal after the home fans had risen to applaud United’s No. 7 when the clock hit the seventh minute in a show of solidarity. The Portugal star and partner Georgina Rodriguez announced on Monday that one of their newborn twins had died. He was left out of the squad that lost 4-0 at Liverpool on Tuesday. Saturday’s goal in the 34th minute cut Arsenal’s lead to 2-1. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/23/ronaldo-scores-on-return-to-united-team-after-death-of-son/ | 2022-04-23T13:24:11Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Segway Powersports Inc. (SPI), of McKinney, Tex., has been assessed a $5 million civil penalty. The settlement resolves CPSC's charges that SPI knowingly imported ATVs without a CPSC-approved ATV action plan in violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).
CPSC charged that SPI knowingly imported into the United States approximately 152 ATVs that were not subject to a CPSC-approved ATV action plan, as required by federal law. ATV action plans promote the safe and responsible use of ATVs, particularly for children under age 16.
In addition to imposing a monetary penalty, the settlement agreement requires SPI to maintain a compliance program to ensure that the company complies with the CPSA and maintains internal controls designed to ensure timely, complete, and accurate reporting to CPSC. SPI has also agreed to file annual reports with the agency on the efficacy of these programs for three years.
CPSC has agreed to suspend all but $1.25 million of the $5 million penalty based on SPI's sworn representations that paying a penalty exceeding that amount would cause the company financial hardship and compel SPI to cease business operations.
SPI's settlement of this matter does not constitute an admission by SPI, or a determination by the Commission, that SPI knowingly violated the CPSA.
The settlement agreement has been accepted provisionally by the Commission by a 4-0-1 vote.
CPSC Chair & Commissioner Statements:
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
- Contact a media specialist.
Release Number: 22-204
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/segway-powersports-assessed-5-million-civil-penalty-unlawfully-importing-atvs/ | 2022-08-24T17:16:22Z |
Shanghai Port out of Champions League due to COVID lockdown
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation says Chinese club Shanghai Port has been forced by the city’s COVID-19 lockdown to withdraw from the Asian Champions League. The city has imposed travel restrictions due to record levels of infection in recent weeks. Port had been due to make the trip to Thailand for six Group J games. It’s first game was due to be on Saturday against Vissel Kobe of Japan. Port will not be replaced in its group, leaving Kobe, Kitchee of Hong Kong and Chiangrai United of Thailand competing to reach the second round. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/11/shanghai-port-out-of-champions-league-due-to-covid-lockdown/ | 2022-04-11T09:54:29Z |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jorge Polanco delivered another key hit and the Minnesota bullpen combined for 6 2/3 innings of shutout work as the Twins sent the Oakland Athletics to their ninth straight loss, 4-3 Sunday.
The Twins have swept three of their last five series and won 14 of 17 since beginning the season 4-8.
Minnesota star outfielder Byron Buxton didn’t play for the AL Central leaders a day after an early exit. He is day-to-day with a very low-level right hip strain.
The Twins have continued to win despite shortstop Carlos Correa being out with an injured finger.
“It’s been different guys stepping up and that’s a little bit of our identity right now,” said Minnesota bench coach Jayce Tingler, who is acting manager while Rocco Baldelli is out with COVID-19.
“We know nobody’s going to feel sorry for you. Other teams have guys that are out, whether it’s pitching or in the lineup and so we kind of understand task at hand and everybody’s got a role to do and they’re doing a great job of doing their jobs right now,” he said.
Polanco, who homered in a 1-0 win Saturday night, hit a two-run single in the third inning for a 4-3 lead.
The Twins allowed only four runs over three games against the Athletics. The Minnesota bullpen didn’t permit any runs in 11 2/3 innings during the series, much of it coming after starter Chris Paddack left in the third inning with right elbow inflammation.
From there, Cody Stashak (3-0), Caleb Thielbar, Joe Smith, Tyler Duffey and Emilio Pagán combined for two-hit relief.
The A’s put runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth, but Pagán retired Christian Pache on a popup for his fourth save.
“They came in and shut us down,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said.
Gio Ursehla drove in Gary Sanchez with a sacrifice fly in the Twins second to make it 1-all.
Minnesota scored three times in the third against Daulton Jeffries (1-5) on Jose Miranda’s RBI double and Polanco’s single. Gilberto Celestino had a hit during the rally and finished 3 for 3 with a double.
Seth Brown had two hits for Oakland, including a two-run single in the second.
“We’re just going through it right now,” Jeffries said. “We’ve just got to keep swinging it and it will fall come the next couple series.”
LAUREANO RETURNS
Oakland OF Ramón Laureano went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in his return from an 80-game suspension imposed last year after he tested positive for a banned drug.
Laureano declined to expand on the details of his ban but said, “I know what happened. I know who I am. Everybody knows who I am, so I’m not worried.”
TWINS COVID UPDATE
Baldelli, INF Luis Arráez and RHP Dylan Bundy are expected to fly back to Minnesota on Sunday. The three have been isolating in Baltimore after testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday prior to Minnesota’s series finale against the Orioles.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: INF Jed Lowrie was a late scratch Sunday with lower back tightness. He was available off the bench but did not play. … OF Steven Piscotty was officially added to the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 calf strain that he sustained during Friday’s game.
Twins: Tingler said Buxton was available off the bench. … OF Trevor Larnach was added to the 10-day injured list with a right groin strain. Larnach played in 22 games for the Twins this season, hitting .313 (21 for 67) with nine doubles, seven RBIs, a .365 on-base percentage and an .813 OPS. C José Godoy was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to replace Larnach.
“I think we kind of take the news at almost a blessing and understand it could have been worse so in a way. We’re pretty thrilled that you’re really only looking – if everything continues to progress and go right – really only a week more,” Tingler said of Larnach.
UP NEXT
Athletics: Travels to Detroit for a five-game series beginning Monday against the Tigers. Oakland is set to start RHP Paul Blackburn (3-0, 2.22 ERA) while Detroit is countering with RHP Michael Pineda (1-1, 3.27 ERA).
Twins: Minnesota has a day off before hosting the Houston Astros for a three-game series starting Tuesday.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/polanco-twins-bullpen-send-athletics-to-9th-straight-loss/ | 2022-05-09T07:26:10Z |
New York City FC, Montreal play to scoreless tie
MONTREAL (AP) — Romell Quioto’s point-blank shot went high in the 55th minute for Montreal in a scoreless tie with New York City FC on Saturday night. Montreal is 11-8-3. New York is 12-4-6.
MONTREAL (AP) — Romell Quioto’s point-blank shot went high in the 55th minute for Montreal in a scoreless tie with New York City FC on Saturday night. Montreal is 11-8-3. New York is 12-4-6.
KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.
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If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/07/30/new-york-city-fc-montreal-play-to-scoreless-tie/ | 2022-07-31T09:49:47Z |
Supreme Court tackling case about praying football coach
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court will tackle a dispute between public school officials and a former high school football coach who wanted to kneel and pray on the field after games.
The case before the justices on Monday involves Joseph Kennedy, a former football coach at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Washington. For years, the coach would kneel at the center of the field following games and lead students in prayer. The school district eventually learned what he was doing and asked him to stop.
Kennedy’s lawyers say the Constitution’s freedom of speech and freedom of religion guarantees allow him to pray on the field, with students free to join. But the school district says Kennedy’s religious speech interfered with students’ own religious freedom rights, could have the effect of pressuring students to pray and opened the district itself to lawsuits. The school district says it tried to work out a solution so Kennedy, who is Christian, could pray privately before or after the game, including on the field after students left, but Kennedy’s lawsuit followed.
The case comes to the court at a time when conservative justices make up a majority of the court and have been sympathetic to the concerns of religious individuals and groups, such as groups that brought challenges to coronavirus restrictions that applied to houses of worship.
But cases involving religion can also unite the court. Last year, for example, the court unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency that said its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. Already this term in an 8-1 decision the justices ruled for a Texas death row inmate who sought to have his pastor pray aloud and touch him while his execution was carried out.
The case from Bremerton, meanwhile, has already caught the justices’ attention. In 2019 the justices declined to get involved in the case at an earlier stage. But four justices were critical of lower court rulings for the school district, writing that an appeals court’s “understanding of the free speech rights of public school teachers is troubling.”
Kennedy started working at Bremerton High School in 2008, and it was his practice at the end of games — after the players and coaches from both teams would meet at midfield to shake hands — to pause and kneel to pray. Kennedy said he wanted to give thanks for what his players had accomplished and for their safety, among other things.
Kennedy initially prayed alone on the 50-yard line at the end of games, but students started joining him and over time he began to deliver a short, inspirational talk with religious references. Kennedy says he never required players to join or asked any student to pray. He also led the team in prayer in the locker room before games, a practice that predated him.
The school district didn’t learn of Kennedy’s practice until 2015. It told him then that he needed to stop praying with students or engaging in overtly religious activity while still “on duty” as a coach. After Kennedy continued to pray on the field, he was placed on paid leave. His contract expired and he didn’t reapply to coach the following year, the school says.
A decision is expected before the court begins its summer recess.
The case is Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, 21-418.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/25/supreme-court-tackling-case-about-praying-football-coach/ | 2022-04-25T10:23:31Z |
ISTANBUL (AP) — Annual inflation in Turkey hit 78.62% in June, the highest rate since 1998, according to official data released Monday.
The Turkish Statistical Institute, or TurkStat, released the monthly figures as Turkey is experiencing a deepening cost-of-living crisis. Consumer prices rose by 4.95% on a monthly basis, the institute reported.
While many countries are seeing rising consumer prices, critics blame Turkey’s problems on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s economic policies.
The Turkish leader insists that high borrowing costs cause inflation — a position that contradicts established economic thinking — and advocats lowering interest rates to boost growth and exports.
Turkey’s central bank had cut rates by 5 percentage points since September, to 14%, before pausing the cuts in January. The Turkish lira lost 44% of its value against the U.S. dollar last year.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to a surge in gas, oil and grain prices, has compounded the situation in import-reliant Turkey.
The sharpest increases in annual prices were in the transportation sector, at 123.37%, followed by food and non-alcoholic drinks prices at 93.93%, according to official data.
TurkStat’s figures have been questioned by economists, who allege the agency is subject to political pressure. The dismissals and resignations of senior TurkStat officials in recent months have added to claims of government interference.
The Inflation Research Group, which is made up of independent economists, on Monday said Turkey’s true level of annual inflation for June was 175.55%. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/data-puts-turkeys-annual-inflation-at-78-6-a-24-year-high/ | 2022-07-04T19:30:53Z |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California is poised to set a 2035 deadline for all new cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the state to be powered by electricity or hydrogen, an ambitious step that will reshape the U.S. car market by speeding the transition to more climate-friendly vehicles.
The California Air Resources Board will vote Thursday on the policy, which sets the most aggressive roadmap in the nation for moving away from gas-powered cars. It doesn’t eliminate such vehicles, however.
People can continue driving gas-fueled vehicles and purchasing used ones after 2035. The plan also allows for one-fifth of sales after 2035 to be plug-in hybrids that can run on batteries and gas.
But it sets a course for ultimately ending the era of filling up at the local gas station. The switch from gas to electric cars will drastically reduce emissions and air pollutants. The transition may be painful in parts of the state that are still dominated by oil; California remains the seventh-largest oil producing state, though its output it falling as the state pushes forward with its climate goals.
“The climate crisis is solvable if we focus on the big, bold steps necessary to stem the tide of carbon pollution,” Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. He announced the 2035 goal two years ago and regulators have spent the time since then working out the details of what Newsom termed “the action we must take if we’re serious about leaving this planet better off for future generations.”
There are practical hurdles to overcome to reach the goal, notably enough reliable power and charging stations. California now has about 80,000 stations in public places, far short of the 250,000 it wants by 2025. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents many major car makers, flagged the lack of infrastructure, access to materials needed to make batteries, and supply chain issues among the challenges to meeting the state’s timeline.
“These are complex, intertwined and global issues well beyond the control of either (the California Air Resources Board) or the auto industry,” John Bozella, the group’s president, said in a statement.
Though the state makes up 10% of the U.S. car market, it’s home to 43% of the nation’s 2.6 million registered plug-in vehicles, according to the air board.
California climate officials say the state’s new policy will be the world’s most ambitious because it sets clear benchmarks for ramping up electric vehicle sales over the next dozen years. By 2026, for example, one-third of new cars sold must be electric. About 16% of cars sold in California in the first three months of this year were electric.
The European Parliament in June backed a plan to effectively prohibit the sale of gas and diesel cars in the 27-nation bloc by 2035, and Canada has mandated the sale of zero-emission cars by the same year. The Chinese province of Hainan said this week it would do the same by 2030.
In the U.S., Massachusetts, Washington and New York are among states that have set goals to transform their car markets or have already committed to following California’s new rules.
California has historically been granted permission by the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to set its own tailpipe emissions rules for cars, and 17 other states follow some or all of its policies.
The new electric vehicle rules will also require federal approval, which is considered likely with President Joe Biden in the White House. A future Republican president, though, could challenge California’s authority to set its own car standards, as the Trump administration did.
Indeed, the new commitment comes as California works to maintain reliable electricity while it moves away from gas-fired power plants in favor of solar, wind and other cleaner sources of energy. Earlier this year, top energy officials warned the state could run out of power during the hottest days of summer, which happened briefly in August 2020.
That hasn’t happened yet this year. But Newsom is pushing to keep open the state’s last-remaining nuclear plant beyond its planned closer in 2025, and the state may turn to diesel generators or natural gas plants as a backup when the grid is strained.
Adding more car chargers will put a higher demand on the energy grid.
Ensuring access to charging stations is also key to ramping up electric vehicle sales. The infrastructure bill passed by Congress last year provides $5 billion for states to build charges every 50 miles (80 kilometers) along interstate highways. Newsom, meanwhile, has pledged to spend billions to boost zero-emission vehicle sales, including by adding chargers in low-income neighborhoods.
Driving an electric vehicle long distances today, even in California, requires careful planning about where to stop and charge, said Mary Nichols, former chair of the California Air Resources Board. The money from the state and federal government will go along way to boosting that infrastructure and making electric cars a more convenient option, she said.
“This is going to be a transformative process and the mandate for vehicle sales is only one piece of it,” she said.
Though hydrogen is a fuel option under the new regulations, cars that run on fuel-cells have made up less than 1% of car sales in recent years.
Both the state and government have rebates for thousands of dollars to offset the cost of buying electric cars, and the rules have incentives for car makers to make used electric vehicles available to low- and middle-income people. Over the past 12 years, California has provided more than $1 billion in rebates for the sale of 478,000 electric, plug-in or hybrid vehicles, according to the air board. | https://cw33.com/technology/ap-technology/ap-california-poised-to-phase-out-sale-of-new-gas-powered-cars/ | 2022-08-25T12:09:56Z |
June 2022 quarter: net sales up 13% and up 6% on a comparable constant currency basis; GAAP operating income of $252 million; Adjusted EBIT up 9% on a comparable constant currency basis
Fiscal 2022 Full Year Highlights
- Net sales of $14,544 million, up 13%;
- GAAP Net Income of $805 million; GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of 52.9 cps;
- Adjusted EPS of 80.5 cps, up 11% on a comparable constant currency basis, at the top end of guidance range;
- Adjusted EBIT of $1,701 million, up 7% on a comparable constant currency basis;
- Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $1,066 million in line with guidance;
- Significant increase in cash returns to shareholders: annual dividend increased to 48.0 cents per share; $600 million of shares repurchased (approximately 3% of outstanding shares); and
- Fiscal 2023 outlook: Adjusted EPS growth on a comparable constant currency basis of 3-8% including an adverse impact of approximately 4% from higher interest expense (adjusted EPS of 80-84 cents per share on a reported basis). Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $1.0-$1.1 billion and approximately $400 million of share repurchases.
ZURICH, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor CEO Ron Delia said:
"Fiscal 2022 was another outstanding year for Amcor. Our financial performance accelerated throughout the year as we delivered our strongest quarter in June with organic sales growth of 6% and adjusted EBIT growth of 9%. For the full year, strong execution resulted in 11% adjusted EPS growth, at the top end of our guidance range and supported by organic sales growth of 4%. We generated over $1 billion in adjusted free cash flow, supporting $600 million in share repurchases and an increase in what we believe is a very compelling dividend."
"This is our third consecutive year of accelerating top line growth, and we expect to sustain this momentum including by stepping up investments in areas such as higher value-add priority segments. This gives us confidence the business will deliver another year of strong underlying EPS growth in the range of 7% to 12%. We also plan to continue returning capital to shareholders while actively exploring opportunities for value-creating acquisitions across our portfolio."
"Amcor has consistently delivered on our investment case and in fiscal 2022 we added further to the company's strong track record for long-term shareholder value creation. The many opportunities we see for continued underlying growth give us confidence in our outlook and we look forward to continuing to deliver on our strategic and financial objectives."
Key Financials(1)
Cash Returns to Shareholders
Amcor generates significant cash flow, maintains strong credit metrics and is committed to an investment grade credit rating. This annual cash flow provides substantial capacity to simultaneously reinvest in the business for organic growth, pursue acquisitions and return cash to shareholders through a compelling and growing dividend as well as regular share repurchases.
Dividend
The Amcor Board of Directors today declared a quarterly cash dividend of 12.0 cents per share. Combined with the last three quarterly dividends, this increases the annual dividend for fiscal 2022 to 48.0 US cents per share. The quarterly dividend declared today will be paid in US dollars to holders of Amcor's ordinary shares trading on the NYSE. Holders of CDIs trading on the ASX will receive an unfranked dividend of 17.26 Australian cents per share, which reflects the quarterly dividend of 12.0 cents per share converted at an average AUD:USD exchange rate of 0.6951 over the five trading days ended August 8, 2022.
The ex-dividend date will be September 7, 2022, the record date will be September 8, 2022 and the payment date will be September 28, 2022.
Share repurchases
$600 million was used to repurchase shares in fiscal 2022, which reduced the total number of shares issued and outstanding by approximately 3%.
Amcor expects to allocate approximately $400 million of cash towards share repurchases in the 2023 fiscal year.
2022 financial results
Segment Information
Full year net sales for the Amcor Group increased by 13% on a reported basis, which includes price increases of approximately $1,530 million (representing 12% growth) related to the pass through of higher raw material costs and a combined unfavorable impact of 3% related to items affecting comparability and currency.
Full year net sales were 4% higher than the same period last year on a comparable constant currency basis largely reflecting favorable price/mix. Full year volumes were also higher than the prior year.
Full year adjusted EBIT of $1,701 million was 7% higher than last year on a comparable constant currency basis. Adjusted EBIT margins of 11.7% remained strong despite an adverse impact of 140 basis points related the pass through of higher raw material costs and return on average funds employed expanded by 90 basis points to 16.3%.
For the June quarter, net sales for the Amcor Group of $3,909 million increased by 13% on a reported basis and 6% on a comparable constant currency basis mainly reflecting strong price/mix benefits. June quarter volumes were also higher than the prior year. Adjusted EBIT for the June quarter of $505 million was 9% higher than the same quarter last year on a comparable constant currency basis.
On a reported basis, full year net sales of $11,151 million were 11% higher, which includes price increases of approximately $1,091 million (representing 11% growth) related to the pass through of higher raw material costs and a combined unfavorable impact of 4% related to items affecting comparability and currency. Full year net sales were 4% higher than the prior period on a comparable constant currency basis reflecting favorable price/mix.
On a reported basis, net sales for the June quarter of $2,967 million were 10% higher than the same quarter last year and 6% higher on a comparable constant currency basis, reflecting favorable price/mix. Adjusted EBIT was 11% higher than the same quarter last year on a comparable constant currency basis.
Amcor continues to successfully execute its long-term strategy of driving growth in priority high value segments and end markets which has driven strong mix benefits in each quarter of fiscal 2022. Persistent supply chain disruptions had a dampening effect on volume growth in some categories through the year, and in parts of the business actions were taken to direct constrained materials to their highest value use, which also had a favorable impact on mix. As a result, overall volumes for the June quarter and full year were broadly in line with the same period last year.
In North America, full year net sales grew in the mid single digit range driven by a balance of favorable mix and higher volumes. Volumes were higher in the medical, condiments, liquid beverage and confectionary end markets, partly offset by lower coffee and frozen food volumes.
In Europe, full year net sales grew in the mid single digit range driven by strong mix. Higher volumes across a broad range of end markets including pet food, healthcare, premium coffee, meat and confectionary were more than offset by lower film and foil rollstock volumes.
Full year net sales and volumes grew at mid single digit rates across the Asian emerging markets. In Latin America, net sales grew at mid single digit rates and while volumes were lower than the same period last year, this was more than offset by price/mix which continued to strengthen through the year.
Full year adjusted EBIT of $1,517 million was 9% higher than in the prior period on a comparable constant currency basis reflecting growth in priority high value segments, inflation recovery and strong cost performance.
Adjusted EBIT margins of 13.6% remained strong despite an adverse impact of 150 basis points related the pass through of higher raw material costs.
On a reported basis, full year net sales of $3,393 million were 20% higher than the prior year, which includes price increases of approximately $439 million (representing 16% growth) related to the pass through of higher raw material costs. Full year net sales were 5% higher than the prior period on a comparable constant currency basis reflecting volume growth of 3% and a favorable price/mix benefit of 2%.
On a reported basis, net sales for the June quarter of $942 million were 23% higher than the same quarter last year, and 5% higher on a comparable constant currency basis reflecting volume growth of 3% and a favorable price/mix benefit of 2%. In line with expectations, adjusted EBIT was 5% higher than the June quarter last year on a comparable constant currency basis.
In North America, full year beverage volumes were 1% higher than the prior year. Full year hot fill container volumes were up 2% against a strong prior year of 13% growth (up 4% in the June quarter, also against a strong prior year June quarter) reflecting continued growth in key categories. Specialty container volumes continued to improve sequentially in the June quarter, but on a full year basis volumes were lower than last year which benefited from a strong first half in the home and personal care category.
In Latin America, full year volumes grew at a double digit rate with higher volumes in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. The business achieved its strongest volume growth for the year in the June quarter, led in part by strength in Brazil.
Full year adjusted EBIT of $289 million reflects lower earnings in North America, partly offset by higher earnings in Latin America. Through the first half of the year, the business in North America was adversely impacted by industry wide supply chain disruptions and shortages of key raw materials. Operating conditions and financial performance improved sequentially with adjusted EBIT for the June 2022 quarter increasing by 5% compared to the prior year period, building on 4% adjusted EBIT growth delivered in the March 2022 quarter.
Net interest and income tax expense
Net interest expense for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022 was $135 million compared with $139 million in the same period last year. GAAP Income tax expense was $300 million compared with $261 million last year. Excluding amounts related to non-GAAP adjustments, adjusted tax expense for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022 was $332 million compared with $312 million in the same period last year. Adjusted tax expense represents an effective tax rate of 21.2% (21.1% in the same period last year).
Free Cash Flow
Adjusted Free Cash Flow for fiscal 2022 was $1,066 million and compares with $1,099 million last year. EBITDA growth was offset by the adverse working capital impact from higher inventory levels and higher raw material costs. Capital expenditure increased by $59 million, or 13%, to $527 million as the Company increased investments in strategic organic growth opportunities. Working capital performance remained stable through fiscal 2022 with Amcor's twelve month average working capital to sales ratio below 8%.
Net debt was $5,715 million at June 30, 2022, and leverage, measured as net debt divided by adjusted trailing twelve month EBITDA, was 2.7 times.
Update on Businesses in Russia and Ukraine
After a thorough review of all strategic options, Amcor has made the decision to pursue the sale of its three factories in Russia. While it is difficult to determine the exact timing for finalization, the Company is working towards completion during the second half of the 2023 fiscal year.
Until that time, Amcor remains committed to supporting its employees and customers, while preserving value for shareholders through an orderly sale process. The Company is also undertaking proactive initiatives to help offset the future impact of divested earnings.
Assets and liabilities of the Russian business have been classified as held for sale at June 30, 2022. Impairment and restructuring charges related to the Russia and Ukraine operations of approximately $200 million were recognized in the June 2022 quarter and have been excluded from adjusted earnings.
Fiscal 2023 Guidance
For the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2023, the Company expects:
- Adjusted EPS of approximately 80 to 84 cents per share on a reported basis which includes:
◦ Growth of approximately 3-8% on a comparable constant currency basis comprising approximately 5-10% growth from the underlying business performance and a benefit of approximately 2% from share repurchases, partially offset by a negative impact of approximately 4% related to higher estimated net interest expense;
◦ A negative impact of approximately 2% related to the scale down and planned sale of the Company's three plants in Russia; and
◦ A negative impact of approximately 2% related to a stronger US dollar, assuming current foreign exchange rates prevail through the balance of fiscal 2023.
- Adjusted Free Cash Flow of approximately $1.0 to $1.1 billion.
- Approximately $400 million of cash to be allocated towards share repurchases.
Amcor's guidance contemplates a range of factors which create a degree of uncertainty and additional complexity when estimating future financial results. Further information can be found under 'Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' in this release.
Conference Call
Amcor is hosting a conference call with investors and analysts to discuss these results on Wednesday August 17, 2022 at 5:30pm US Eastern Daylight Time / Thursday August 18, 2022 at 7:30am Australian Eastern Standard Time. Investors are invited to listen to a live webcast of the conference call at our website, www.amcor.com, in the "Investors" section.
Those wishing to access the call should use the following toll-free numbers, with the Conference ID: 8080870
- US & Canada – 888 440 4149
- Australia – 1800 953 093
- United Kingdom – 0800 358 0970
- Singapore – +65 3159 5133 (local number)
- Hong Kong – +852 3002 3410 (local number)
From all other countries, the call can be accessed by dialing +1 646 960 0661 (toll).
A replay of the webcast will also be available on www.amcor.com following the call.
About Amcor
Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other products. Amcor works with leading companies around the world to protect their products and the people who rely on them, differentiate brands, and improve supply chains through a range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services. The company is focused on making packaging that is increasingly lighter weight, recyclable and reusable, and made using an increasing amount of recycled content. In fiscal year 2022, 44,000 Amcor people generated $15 billion in annual sales from operations that span 220 locations in 43 countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC
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Contact Information
UK Overseas Company Number: BR020803
Registered Office: 3rd Floor, 44 Esplanade, St Helier, JE4 9WG, Jersey
Jersey Registered Company Number: 126984, Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN): 630 385 278
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains certain statements that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identified with words like "believe," "expect," "target," "project," "may," "could," "would," "approximately," "possible," "will," "should," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "commit," "estimate," "potential," "ambitions," "outlook," or "continue," the negative of these words, other terms of similar meaning, or the use of future dates. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Amcor and are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties. None of Amcor or any of its respective directors, executive officers, or advisors provide any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements will actually occur. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to: changes in consumer demand patterns and customer requirements; the loss of key customers, a reduction in production requirements of key customers; significant competition in the industries and regions in which Amcor operates; failure by Amcor to expand its business; challenging current and future global economic conditions, including inflation and supply chain disruptions; impact of operating internationally, including negative impacts from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ability to sell assets in Russia; price fluctuations or shortages in the availability of raw materials, energy, and other inputs; disruptions to production, supply, and commercial risks, which may be exacerbated in times of economic volatility; global health outbreaks, including COVID-19; an inability to attract and retain key personnel; costs and liabilities related to current and future environment, health, and safety laws and regulations; labor disputes; risks related to climate change; failures or disruptions in information technology systems; cybersecurity risks; a significant increase in indebtedness or a downgrade in the credit rating; foreign exchange rate risk; rising interest rates; a significant write-down of goodwill and/or other intangible assets; failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; inability of the Company's insurance policies to provide adequate protections; challenges to or the loss of intellectual property rights; litigation, including product liability claims; increasing scrutiny and changing expectations with respect to Amcor Environmental, Social and Governance policies resulting in increased costs; changing government regulations in environmental, health, and safety matters; changes in tax laws or changes in our geographic mix of earnings; and other risks and uncertainties identified from time to time in Amcor's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including without limitation, those described under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Amcor's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. You can obtain copies of Amcor's filings with the SEC for free at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). Forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof and Amcor does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, or any other information in this communication, as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or to correct any inaccuracies or omissions in them which become apparent, except as expressly required by law. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Presentation of non-GAAP information
Included in this release are measures of financial performance that are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures include adjusted EBIT (calculated as earnings before interest and tax), adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted free cash flow and net debt. In arriving at these non-GAAP measures, we exclude items that either have a non-recurring impact on the income statement or which, in the judgment of our management, are items that, either as a result of their nature or size, could, were they not singled out, potentially cause investors to extrapolate future performance from an improper base. While not all inclusive, examples of these items include:
- material restructuring programs, including associated costs such as employee severance, pension and related benefits, impairment of property and equipment and other assets, accelerated depreciation, termination payments for contracts and leases, contractual obligations, and any other qualifying costs related to the restructuring plan;
- material sales and earnings from disposed or ceased operations and any associated profit or loss on sale of businesses or subsidiaries;
- consummated and identifiable divestitures agreed to with certain regulatory agencies as a condition of approval for those acquisitions;
- impairments in goodwill and equity method investments;
- material acquisition compensation and transaction costs such as due diligence expenses, professional and legal fees, and integration costs;
- material purchase accounting adjustments for inventory;
- amortization of acquired intangible assets from business combination;
- significant property impairments, net of insurance recovery;
- payments or settlements related to legal claims;
- impacts from hyperinflation accounting; and
- impacts related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Amcor also evaluates performance on a comparable constant currency basis, which measures financial results assuming constant foreign currency exchange rates used for translation based on the average rates in effect for the comparable prior year period. In order to compute comparable constant currency results, we multiply or divide, as appropriate, current-year U.S. dollar results by the current year average foreign exchange rates and then multiply or divide, as appropriate, those amounts by the prior-year average foreign exchange rates. We then adjust for other items affecting comparability. While not all inclusive, examples of items affecting comparability include the difference between sales or earnings in the current period and the prior period related to acquired, disposed, or ceased operations. Comparable constant currency net sales performance also excludes the impact from passing through movements in raw material costs.
Management has used and uses these measures internally for planning, forecasting and evaluating the performance of the Company's reporting segments and certain of the measures are used as a component of Amcor's Board of Directors' measurement of Amcor's performance for incentive compensation purposes. Amcor believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful to enable investors to perform comparisons of current and historical performance of the Company. For each of these non-GAAP financial measures, a reconciliation to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure has been provided herein. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as an alternative to results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company provides guidance on a non-GAAP basis as we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome and timing of certain significant forward-looking items without unreasonable effort. These items include but are not limited to the impact of foreign exchange translation, restructuring program costs, asset impairments, possible gains and losses on the sale of assets, and certain tax related events. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on U.S. GAAP earnings and cash flow measures for the guidance period.
Dividends
Amcor has received a waiver from the ASX's settlement operating rules, which will allow the Company to defer processing conversions between its ordinary share and CDI registers from September 6, 2022 to September 7, 2022 inclusive.
U.S. GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
U.S. GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
U.S. GAAP Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Reconciliation of adjusted Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA),
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), Net income, and Earnings per share (EPS)
Reconciliation of adjusted EBIT by reporting segment
Reconciliations of adjusted Free Cash Flow
Reconciliation of net debt
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SOURCE Amcor | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/amcor-reports-strong-fiscal-2022-financial-results-provides-outlook-fiscal-2023/ | 2022-08-17T21:16:39Z |
- Pilot Company makes a strategic investment in Kodiak and will join Kodiak's Board of Directors.
- The companies are working together to bring autonomous truck inspections, maintenance, refueling, data offloading and load pick-up and drop-offs to commercial trucking customers.
- The partnership furthers Pilot Company's commitment to providing best-in-class service to its customers both today and in the future.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilot Company, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, announced today a strategic partnership with Kodiak Robotics, Inc., a leading self-driving trucking company. Through this partnership, Pilot Company and Kodiak are collaborating to develop autonomous truck services at Pilot and Flying J travel centers.
Pilot Company and Kodiak are in the process of creating an autonomous truckport in the Atlanta area to evaluate potential service offerings and explore scalable solutions. These services will include spaces to pick-up and drop-off autonomous trucking loads; conduct inspections; maintain and refuel trucks; and the ability to transfer data for processing, such as feature development and mapping. To strengthen the ability to work together to develop a solution that works best for its customers, Pilot Company has made a strategic investment in Kodiak and will join the company's Board of Directors.
"Pilot Company is committed to providing best in class service to its customers today and going forward," said John Tully, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Pilot Company. "In making this strategic investment, we understand that our customers have a need for real solutions that help address the growing demand to move goods and Kodiak is a strong leader in the autonomous trucking space. As we explore the future of autonomous trucks and how we can best support these customers, we will continue to be the travel center network that the trucking industry and professional drivers can count on for the services and care they need."
Combining Pilot Company's nationwide network of travel centers and services with Kodiak's technology will play a crucial role in the deployment of autonomous trucks. Kodiak will lend its expertise as Pilot Company looks to integrate autonomous truck services into its operations. The partnership will further define service and maintenance requirements, operational necessities, facilities planning, and more to meet the needs of autonomous trucks.
"Pilot Company's industry-leading network of highway-adjacent travel centers provides unprecedented geographic reach for the launch and scale of Kodiak's fast-growing network of autonomous trucking lanes," said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO of Kodiak Robotics. "Their customer first approach, with a focus on technology, scale, and infrastructure, makes Pilot Company an ideal partner to support the service and maintenance of self-driving trucks nationwide. We are honored to have Pilot Company as an investor, strategic partner, and supporter of our continued commercial footprint growth."
Kodiak entered a hyper-growth phase in 2022, significantly expanding its service footprint and partner network. In July, the company announced a partnership with 10 Roads Express, a provider of time sensitive surface transportation for the U.S. Postal Service, expanding the company's service to Florida. Earlier this year, Kodiak announced a new route between Dallas and Oklahoma City with CEVA Logistics and a route between Dallas and Atlanta with U.S. Xpress. The company has been delivering freight commercially since 2019 and currently has six routes that run regularly between Dallas and Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Jacksonville, Florida.
About Kodiak Robotics, Inc.
Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 to develop autonomous technology that carries freight forward — so people, partners, and the planet thrive. The company is developing an industry-leading technology stack purpose-built specifically for long-haul trucks, making the freight industry safer and more efficient. Kodiak's unique modular hardware approach integrates sensors into a streamlined sensor-pod structure that optimizes for perception, scalability, and maintainability. The company delivers freight daily for its customers along six routes in Texas and Oklahoma, operating autonomously on the highway portions of the routes. Learn more about Kodiak on the web at kodiak.ai, and on LinkedIn and Twitter. You can find the company press kit HERE.
About Pilot Company
Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot Company") keeps North America's drivers moving as one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company has grown its network to more than 800 retail and fueling locations and supplies more than 14 billion gallons of fuel per year to the market. Pilot Company has the fourth largest tanker fleet with more than 1,600 trucks that supply DEF, bio and renewable fuels, and provides hauling and disposal services to the oil field sector. Pilot Company serves 1.3 million guests per day and provides over 70,000 fleet customers with solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, services and rewards. Its Pilot and Flying J travel center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel Network connects a variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets and independent professional drivers with everyday value, convenience, credit and perks. More information on locations and rewards are available in the myRewards Plus™ app.
Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 30,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.
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SOURCE Pilot Company | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/pilot-company-kodiak-robotics-partner-bring-self-driving-truck-services-pilot-flying-j-travel-centers/ | 2022-08-23T19:47:43Z |
Of the 7.6 companion animals who end up in U.S. shelters each year, 3.4 million are cats. Also annually, 2.7 million animals are euthanized in shelters; 1.4 million of them are cats. With an estimated 3,500 physical shelter locations around the country, odds are good you’re within close proximity to a shelter with cats looking for a home.
Stacker compiled a list of cats available for adoption in Dallas on Petfinder, ranging in age, breed composition, temperament, and needs. Be sure to do your research on any cat you’re interested in taking home to ensure a good fit with your own lifestyle to ensure the animal you select will be enjoying a forever home with you.
Keep reading to meet some amazing felines available for adoption in Dallas, Texas.
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Majorca
– Gender: Female
– Age: Young
– Breed: Siamese, Domestic Short Hair (mixed)
– Read more on Petfinder
SHEBA
– Gender: Female
– Age: Adult
– Breed: American Shorthair
– Read more on Petfinder
MELLOW YELLOW
– Gender: Male
– Age: Adult
– Breed: Tabby
– Read more on Petfinder
Rosalee
– Gender: Female
– Age: Young
– Breed: Calico, Domestic Short Hair (mixed)
– Read more on Petfinder
DENVER
– Gender: Male
– Age: Young
– Breed: Tabby
– Read more on Petfinder
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BERLIN
– Gender: Male
– Age: Young
– Breed: Tabby
– Read more on Petfinder
BABY
– Gender: Female
– Age: Young
– Breed: Tabby
– Read more on Petfinder
RED
– Gender: Female
– Age: Adult
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
QUINCY
– Gender: Male
– Age: Young
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
FancyPants
– Gender: Female
– Age: Baby
– Breed: Domestic Long Hair, Maine Coon (mixed)
– Read more on Petfinder
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TABITHA
– Gender: Female
– Age: Baby
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
Brooke
– Gender: Female
– Age: Adult
– Breed: American Shorthair (mixed)
– Read more on Petfinder
FOX
– Gender: Female
– Age: Young
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
BIA
– Gender: Female
– Age: Adult
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
GOZYOK
– Gender: Female
– Age: Baby
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
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CLEOCATRA
– Gender: Female
– Age: Young
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
Bat
– Gender: Female
– Age: Baby
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
COOKIE
– Gender: Female
– Age: Adult
– Breed: Tabby
– Read more on Petfinder
BECKLEY
– Gender: Female
– Age: Adult
– Breed: Tuxedo
– Read more on Petfinder
GEORGE
– Gender: Male
– Age: Young
– Breed: Domestic Medium Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
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William
– Gender: Male
– Age: Adult
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
KENA
– Gender: Female
– Age: Baby
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair
– Read more on Petfinder
Enola
– Gender: Female
– Age: Young
– Breed: Domestic Short Hair, Tabby (mixed)
– Read more on Petfinder | https://cw33.com/news/local/cats-available-for-adoption-in-dallas-4/ | 2022-06-16T19:00:47Z |
Marketing Maven and Award-Winning Leader to Focus on Growing Core Business
DALLAS, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced that George Felix will join the company as Chief Marketing Officer to provide overall vision, leadership, strategy and execution of all marketing programs and initiatives for Chili's® Grill & Bar. With a reputation for building and repositioning brands, Felix has a track record of success taking legacy brands and making them exciting again. His marketing career has taken him from Procter & Gamble to Yum! Brands to Tinder.
During his time at P&G, Felix focused on brand management, mobile strategy and innovation, and led award-winning advertising campaigns, including the famous "Smell Like a Man" brand relaunch for Old Spice. While at Yum! Brands, he served as Director of Marketing for KFC and CMO for Pizza Hut, where he helped lead and launch campaigns – including KFC's "Return of Colonel Sanders" and Pizza Hut's "Newstalgia" campaign. Both campaigns modernized the brands and drove sustained sales growth. Felix most recently was CMO at Tinder, where he led the development of the company's new global brand positioning and redefined its mission statement.
"George has a track record of driving sales quickly and rebuilding big brands over time," said Kevin Hochman, President and CEO of Brinker. "He is also a servant leader with a focus on growing people – which makes him a perfect fit for our Chili's culture. I am confident George will bring a fresh perspective to serving our Guests and our Team Members."
Felix will begin his new role on Thursday, July 21.
"Chili's is such an iconic brand that's not only culturally relevant, but also known for its irreverent approach to advertising and marketing," Felix said. "I'm excited to lean on my brand positioning and advertising experience to find new opportunities for building momentum and accelerating growth for this great brand."
In 2018, Ad Age named Felix its "Brand Marketer of the Year" and in 2016 he made the outlet's 40 Under 40 list. During his career, he has been at the helm of several award-winning campaigns including 14 Cannes Lions, four Effies and an Emmy for Best Commercial.
During Felix's tenure with the brand, KFC was also named to Ad Age's 2016 Marketer A-List as one of the top 10 brands of the year.
About Chili's® Grill & Bar
Hi, welcome to Chili's! We're a leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). We're known for our big mouth burgers, Texas-sized ribs, full-on sizzling fajitas and hand-shaken margaritas. We take our food seriously — but not ourselves — because dining out should feel like a celebration even if there is nothing to celebrate. Our passion is making every Guest feel special, and every day, our ChiliHeads make it their job to spread #ChilisLove across our more than 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories. And Chili's cares. We host local Give Back Events to support kids, education and hunger and have raised more than $88 million benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® through generous guest donations. Find more information about us at chilis.com, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, like us on Facebook @Chilis or join us on TikTok @chilisofficial.
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SOURCE Brinker International Payroll Company, L.P. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/chilis-grill-amp-bar-names-george-felix-new-chief-marketing-officer/ | 2022-07-19T16:42:09Z |
Are low-impact or medium-impact sports bras better?
When it comes to choosing between a low-impact or medium-impact sports bra, there are a few factors to consider, such as support, size, fit, material and design. A bra with medium-impact support is best for those who engage in moderately strenuous activities such as cross-training. But a low-impact sports bra is better for casual exercise such as walking, Pilates or lifting weights.
Low-impact sports bras
Low-impact sports bras are primarily designed to support the wearer during light exercises that don’t result in a lot of bounce or unwanted movement in the chest area. These undergarments provide gentle compression and are semisupportive.
They’re usually lightweight and have minimal to no padding. Most come with narrow shoulder straps that are comfortable enough for lounging around or participating in light activities such as strength training, weightlifting, walking, yoga or Pilates. Some people with a smaller cup size can wear a low-impact sports bra during more intense exercises such as jogging or cycling since they require less support.
Most basic pullover style bras are low-impact. They’re commonly found online or at most major clothing retailers for $10-$35.
Low-impact sports bra pros
- They provide minor compression and support, so they don’t restrict the wearer very much.
- The straps are usually more relaxed than higher-impact options, so they don’t dig into the shoulders or cause chafing.
- Some come with no padding, which is best for low- to medium-impact activities.
- Many feature built-in cups, which give the wearer targeted support, a contoured form, additional support and more protection.
- Some have removable cups, making them more versatile since the wearer can choose to use them or not depending on their activity level.
- These undergarments come in nearly any design and often have adjustable straps.
Low-impact sports bra cons
- They’re not as supportive to those with a medium or larger bust size.
- Ones with removable inserts can be tricky to wash and may lose their shape more easily than those with built-in or no padding.
- These bras are not recommended for more intense exercises such as hiking, running or snowboarding.
Best low-impact sports bras
Klvee Crisscross Low-Impact Sports Bra
Available in either a two-pack or three-pack, these sports bras have an elastic closure and cross-back design that prevents sagging and reduces unwanted movement during activities such as yoga or weightlifting. They have removable pad inserts for extra support.
Sold by Amazon
Kindred Bravely Sublime Support Low-Impact Sports Bra
Made for both nursing and light exercise, this racerback sports bra doesn’t have snaps or hooks, making it easy to pull on and take off. It’s stretchy and comfortable enough for all-day wear. It also has clips and cups that fold down for easy breastfeeding.
Sold by Amazon
Evercute Cross-Back Sports Bras
Offered in packs of three and five, these undergarments are elastic and seamless, making them ideal for light exercises. The fabric is moisture-wicking and they have four-way stretch for maximum comfort. These bras also come with removable pads and are designed to contour the chest while providing support with a wide band underneath.
Sold by Amazon
DKNY Sport Strappy Low-Impact Sports Bra
With a strappy back design and scoop neckline, this sports bra is perfect for lounging, Pilates or yoga. It features moisture-wicking technology to keep the wearer dry. And it provides moderate coverage. It comes in black and light green.
Sold by Macy’s
Medium-impact sports bras
Similar to any other sports bra, medium-impact sports bras come in nearly every fit, size and style imaginable. They provide more coverage, control and support than low-impact bras, though. At the same time, they’re great for individuals with a small to medium bust size. This makes them ideal for activities such as running, cycling, skiing, hiking or cross-training.
These bras generally have a wider band and built-in or removable cups for extra support, shaping and modesty. They offer less compression than high-impact options. Most standard sports bras are medium-impact.
Expect to spend $20-$50 on a medium-impact sports bra.
Medium-impact sports bra pros
- Many have a pullover design, making them easy to put on and take off.
- They bind the chest in place without feeling too restrictive.
- Some provide extra coverage (encapsulation) while letting the chest keep its natural shape.
- Most provide optimal support, coverage and contouring.
Medium-impact sports bra cons
- Medium compression styles aren’t that comfortable for those with a larger bust, though some are designed to support the chest without causing discomfort or chafing.
- The rigid cups and bands restrict movement but can be uncomfortable for those with a larger chest.
- This style of bra is less common than low-impact and high-impact options.
Best medium-impact sports bras
Yianna Cross Back Padded Sports Bra Medium Support
This medium-support sports bra features crisscross back straps and moisture-wicking material that keeps the wearer dry while exercising. It’s stretchy enough to be comfortable while still supporting the chest.
Sold by Amazon
Powerreact Training Medium-Support Bra
Available in black, gray, white and blue, this undergarment consists of moisture-absorbing materials. It has breathable mesh and is comfortable for activities such as running and cross-training.
Sold by Adidas
Champion Freedom Seamless Racerback Sport Bra
With a thick bottom band, seamless design and four-way stretch, this sports bra provides optimal support during moderately intense activities such as running, skiing and cycling. It also features mesh for extra breathability.
Sold by Amazon
Adidas Women’s Believe This Bra
This pullover-style, compression-fit sports bra wicks moisture to keep the wearer dry and comfortable. It has removable pads for extra support and an inner mesh lining for added breathability.
Sold by Amazon
Should you get a low-impact or medium-impact sports bra?
You need the right sports bra for optimal performance, support, coverage and comfort. This means choosing one that fits well and suits your needs. If you don’t need a lot of extra padding or protection and want to participate in light exercises such as weightlifting or yoga, a low-impact sports bra is best. But if you’re interested in moderate exercises such as running or cross-training, choose a medium-impact sports bra with extra compression and support.
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/apparel-br/loungewear-undergarments-br/low-impact-vs-medium-impact-sports-bras/ | 2022-04-15T07:40:14Z |
ATLANTA, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), (the "Company"), will announce second quarter 2022 financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, July 26th, with a conference call to discuss results at 10:00 a.m. ET.
The conference call will be webcast and can be accessed from the investors section of the Graphic Packaging website at www.graphicpkg.com. Participants may also listen via telephone by using the following dial-in numbers:
- 844-200-6205 from the United States,
- 833-950-0062 from Canada, and
- 929-526-1599 from outside the United States and Canada.
Telephone participants are required to provide the conference ID 798328 and should call at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. The webcast will be archived and available for replay beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on July 26th.
The Company has also set Tuesday, October 25, 2022 as the tentative date for the release of third quarter 2022 financial results.
Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions to the world's most widely-recognized food, beverage, foodservice and other consumer products companies and brands. The Company operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and fiber-based foodservice products in the United States and Europe, and holds leading market positions in coated recycled paperboard, coated unbleached kraft paperboard and solid bleached sulfate paperboard. Additional information about Graphic Packaging, its business and its products is available at www.graphicpkg.com.
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SOURCE Graphic Packaging Holding Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/graphic-packaging-holding-company-host-second-quarter-earnings-conference-call-july-26/ | 2022-06-27T13:06:54Z |
SHENZHEN, China, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meten Holding Group Ltd. ("Meten Holding Group" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: METX), an omnichannel training company headquartered in China providing language and workplace training services, today provided updates on the Company's metaverse vocational education courses (the "Courses").
As previously announced, in December 2021, Meten Holding Group launched the trial of its metaverse vocational education courses, which cover various subjects, such as video post-production, game rendering, architectural visualization, interior design, UI/UX design, and Building Information Modeling ("BIM") application. Amid the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic early in 2022 in China, the Company achieved a gross billing of RMB10 million (approximately US$1.57 million) from the Courses in the first quarter of 2022, and is anticipating growth potential in the near future, as the Courses have been launched in a limited number of cities, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Nanjing.
The Courses are customized for both individuals with no knowledge in visual design who wish to start their careers in this field and visual designing professionals looking for advanced training. The Company is committed to helping students with different backgrounds meet their individual learning needs and master professional skills to reach industry standards with unique creativities.
Mr. Alan Peng, Chief Executive Officer of Meten Holding Group, commented, "We are excited to achieve significant progress in launching the metaverse vocational education courses in the face of the challenging environment. With the rapid development of vocational education and increasing demand for talents, we believe vocational education is an integral part of the education industry and wish to help more students achieve their career goals. We will continue to launch the Courses in major cities in China, once the number of COVID-19 cases decline sufficiently. We expect to achieve a gross billing of RMB50 million (approximately US$7.86 million) from the Courses in the full year 2022, with the goal of cultivating 2000 visual design talents."
About Meten Holding Group Ltd.
Meten Holding Group Ltd., formerly known as Meten EdtechX Education Group Ltd., is an omnichannel training company headquartered in China providing language and workplace training services. In addition to its training services, Meten Holding Group actively develops metaverse, blockchain and cryptocurrency mining businesses to align with its future business development strategy. Meten Holding Group engages in blockchain related businesses in North America and Southeast Asia (excluding China), including cryptocurrency mining, mining farm construction, and mining pool and data center operation. Meten Holding Group actively explores metaverse business, such as Metaverse vocational education courses, with its competitive advantages and technology.
For more information, please visit: https://investor.metenedu-edtechx.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the future development of and the Company's ability to succeed in its new line of business in cryptocurrency and the blockchain industry; the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants; our ability to attract students without a significant decrease in course fees; our ability to continue to hire, train and retain qualified teachers; our ability to maintain and enhance our brands; our ability to effectively and efficiently manage the expansion of our school network and successfully execute our growth strategy; the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration, including those relating to copyright and other intellectual property rights; competition in the English language training sector in China; changes in our revenues and certain cost or expense items as a percentage of our revenues; the expected growth of the Chinese English language training and private education market; Chinese governmental policies relating to private educational services and providers of such services; health epidemics and other outbreaks in China; and general economic conditions in China. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
+1 917-609-0333
tina.xiao@ascent-ir.com
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SOURCE Meten Holding Group Ltd. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/13/meten-holding-group-ltd-provides-updates-its-metaverse-vocational-education-courses/ | 2022-04-13T12:32:49Z |
Eight businesses will each receive up to $300,000 in funding and support to pilot solutions addressing sea level rise and flooding in coastal Virginia
NORFOLK, Va., May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RISE today announced the winners in its Rural and Urban Coastal Community Resilience Challenges, designed to identify, validate and scale novel solutions to sea level rise and flooding. Eight winning small businesses – four for each Challenge – were selected from more than 70 submissions. Each business will receive up to $300,000 in funds and services to test their next-generation products in the living lab of coastal Virginia. Winners also receive technical, government, and business mentorship, investor matchmaking, customized accelerator curriculum and ongoing support to get to the next level.
"These winning businesses represent some of the most innovative thinking in climate adaptation," said RISE Executive Director, Paul Robinson. "By providing one-stop shop resources to expedite their success, RISE provides the cutting-edge tools our own region needs to address climate challenges now, and a launchpad to help other coastal communities faster."
The Rural Coastal Community Resilience Challenge marks the first time RISE has extended its successful model to find innovative solutions to problems that are often distinct from those encountered by coastal cities. In partnership with the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission and Virginia Sea Grant, and with funding from GO Virginia, four winning businesses will receive up to $200,000 in grants and services to develop next-generation solutions surrounding topics such as septic system redesign and upcycling dredge materials. Rural Challenge winners will also receive project support from regional community colleges and universities and the unique opportunity to test and develop their products on dedicated public properties and buildings in the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority.
"We know small businesses have the ability to solve problems faced by our coastal communities," said Virginia Sea Grant Director, Troy Hartley. "The Rural Challenge gives entrepreneurs access to an entire innovation ecosystem — collaborative R&D with universities, funding, workforce development — all the resources they need to turn ideas into real-world solutions."
"Why are we building our communities the same way we built them 100 years ago when we know Mother Nature isn't operating the same way she did 100 years ago? It makes no sense, we need to reimagine and design our communities differently and the Challenge allows us to bring innovative solutions to longstanding problems," said Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Executive Director, Lewie Lawrence.
The four winners of the RISE Urban Coastal Community Resilience Challenge will each receive up to $300,000 in grants and loans to address the needs of coastal cities. Businesses will pilot solutions in Hampton Roads to issues such as re-establishing critical utilities after a severe weather event and tidal backflow prevention in stormwater systems.
With support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Virginia's Department of Housing and Community Development, RISE has launched six Challenges and deployed over $5 million to more than 30 businesses. Winners of the Urban and Rural Challenges join more than 20 pilot projects currently underway.
For more information, please visit https://riseresilience.org/.
Contact:
Betsy Hnath
RISE Communications Director
(757) 513-7550
betsyhnath@riseresilience.org
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SOURCE RISE Resilience Innovations | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/12/rise-announces-winners-3m-rural-urban-coastal-community-resilience-challenges/ | 2022-05-12T21:23:57Z |
(NewsNation) — Despite multiple baby formula shipments being flown into the United States from overseas, some parents continue to struggle to find formula on store shelves.
Some doctors say the shortage in the U.S. is not getting worse, but it’s not getting better. Hospitals are running out of samples of formula for parents, and there’s still a concern for babies with specific medical conditions.
According to data from IRI, a market research company, 28.3% of powdered baby formula products were out of stock in U.S. stores this month — up from 23.7% in May.
The Biden administration has taken steps to fix the formula shortage, launching Operation Fly Formula in May to speed up imports from overseas formula producers. The U.S. flew in millions of pounds of formula from Europe.
Yet, a big issue that remains is Abbott Nutrition’s production of baby formula. The company’s Michigan factory, which closed in February over contamination, contributed to the national shortage. Production resumed earlier this month.
Dr. Mark Corkins, nutrition chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said he’s not hopeful things will get better immediately.
“We’ve given out a lot of samples, and what we have is pretty much gone at this point. It’s not like we’re on the manufacturers anytime soon because they’re running out, too,” Corkins said.
He continued: “I would love to say, OK, they’re cleaning up the factory, they’re gonna get production rolling. I’d love to say four weeks but I don’t think that’s realistic. I think it’s going to be more at least eight, probably 12. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Recently, the FDA said it would help foreign manufacturers stay on the U.S. market for the long term, in an effort to diversify the formula supply here.
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf previously predicted the formula shortage could last until July. He said Tuesday that retail data show that supplies have improved with increases in both U.S. production and imports.
“What you’re going to see is a gradual climbing out of the current situation as more and more formula becomes available,” Califf said.
In the meantime, any parents continue to turn to alternatives to buying baby formula by turning to Facebook groups and ordering online.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/why-is-baby-formula-still-so-hard-to-find/ | 2022-07-20T21:47:07Z |
ASHBURN, Va., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Clark Construction Group has broken ground on a new 24MW data center (VA6) in Ashburn, Virginia for NTT Ltd., a world-leading IT infrastructure and services company.
Sitting on NTT's 78-acre data center campus, the 188,000-square-foot VA6 data center will feature 24MW of critical IT load and will be NTT's sixth data center on-site. The two-story steel structure will feature an efficient data hall layout for NTT's customers. The facility will also provide front and back-of-house support spaces for facility management and customer use.
"We are excited to partner with NTT to deliver this critical infrastructure project for the region and help them support their customers' needs," said Louie Sarracino, a vice president at Clark Construction who oversees the company's mission-critical project portfolio. "Data centers are a key sector for Clark, and we look forward to accelerating our growth in the data infrastructure sector in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond."
VA6 is slated for completion in Q1 2024.
About Clark Construction Group
For more than a century, Clark Construction Group has been transforming the ideas and visions of its clients into world-class projects that make the United States a stronger, safer place. As one of the nation's largest asset creators, Clark has offices strategically located across the country to serve the needs of its clients. For more information, visit www.clarkconstruction.com.
Media Contact:
Carly Thayer
carly.thayer@allisonpr.com
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SOURCE Clark Construction Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/clark-construction-breaks-ground-ntt-data-center-ashburn/ | 2022-07-18T16:17:56Z |
Atlanta prosecutor: Gang targeted celebrities, influencers
ATLANTA (AP) — A prosecutor on Monday announced a sprawling indictment targeting members of what she said is a violent street gang that has been targeting the Atlanta area homes of famous athletes, entertainers and others who flaunt expensive possessions on social media.
Singer Mariah Carey, Marlo Hampton of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Atlanta United player Brad Guzan and the Atlanta Falcons’ Calvin Ridley all had their homes broken into, the indictment says. The 220-count indictment was filed Aug. 22 and charges 26 people, most of whom are accused of violating Georgia’s anti-gang and racketeering laws.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said the crimes alleged in the indictment — carjacking, kidnapping, armed robbery, shootings, home invasions — were committed by members of the Drug Rich gang, which she said began to emerge in 2016 in a neighboring county. In addition to the celebrity targets, social media influencers were also victimized in home invasions and burglaries, Willis said.
“What they do is target people who show their wealth on social media,” she said. “So I do have a message for the public: Where it is kind of fun to put your things on social media and show off, unfortunately these gangs are becoming more savvy, more sophisticated in the way that they target you.”
But Willis also had a message for the alleged gang members: “If you thought Fulton was a good county to bring your crime to, to bring your violence to, you are wrong and you are going suffer consequences and today is the start of some of those consequences.”
Willis said the indictment, filed last week, represented a collaboration between different law enforcement agencies working together. Cracking down on gangs is a priority for Willis, and she said she intends to pursue tough penalties for people involved with violent gang activity.
“I am not going to negotiate with gang members. I am not going to allow pleas,” she said. “We are going to find you, we are going to convict you and we’re going to send you to the prison for the rest of your days, and I’m not apologizing for that.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/29/atlanta-prosecutor-gang-targeted-celebrities-influencers/ | 2022-08-29T20:47:52Z |
PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the preeminent privately owned financial planning and wealth management firms in the Northeast, Summit Financial announced that Joseph Spada, CFP® was named the firm's 2021 Leading Financial Advisor.
The award recognizes Mr. Spada as head of Summit Financial's most productive wealth management practice for a record 24 consecutive years.
A financial advisor for over 35 years, Joe specializes in providing clients with a range of services, including investment management, retirement, insurance, tax and estate planning. Integrating his client's wealth with their life goals along with reducing their income/estate taxes are at the core of his advisory services.
Spada's enduring success as the firm's front-runner goes hand-in-hand with his unflagging passion for continuous innovation of the Summit platform to enhance the client experience. Joe is also fiercely committed to mentorship and collaboration with the firm's next-generation talent. Eager to teach and learn with equal enthusiasm, Spada commands the respect of his peers and stokes the firm-wide drive for excellence that has come to define the Summit client experience.
"Joe is the heart and soul of our business," said Summit CEO Stan Gregor. "His leadership and the hard work and dedication of the entire Summit team are directly responsible for Summit's* phenomenal growth over the past year, in which our assets under advisement nearly doubled to $7.8 billion."
Mr. Spada is also Chairman of the Tri-County Scholarship Fund. His insights and personal financial advice have been featured in The New York Times, Worth, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and other national publications. He resides in Mendham, NJ with his wife Tamara and four sons.
With 55 advisors across 19 locations (as of March 31), Summit has grown considerably in the last five years, strategically adding talent and resources to support the firm's growing advisor and client base.
Summit is committed to ongoing collaboration among its advisors, building on a 40-year legacy of client-first service and a modern, comprehensive planning experience. "We are thrilled to celebrate our milestone 40th anniversary this year," Gregor added. "Our history affords us a strong foundation so we can be nimble in the ever-evolving financial services industry. We leverage our homegrown insights - specifically through our top advisors - while paving a clear path forward, powered by the technology, solutions and resources advisors need to drive success for our clients."
Summit Financial Holdings, LLC's ("Summit Financial" or "Summit") affiliated firms include, but are not limited to, Summit Financial, LLC*, Summit Risk Management, LLC, Summit Advisory Services, LLC, Summit Services IT, LLC, and Summit Growth Partners, LLC.
As an independent financial services firm for 40 years through its predecessors Summit Equities, Inc., and Summit Financial Resources, Inc., Summit and its affiliates are proud to continue their legacy of guiding clients toward financial success by aligning extensive experience with a forward-thinking philosophy, adapting to industry changes for the sake of best serving our clients now and well into the future. With customized, holistic and hands-on advice, we turn life's aspirations into success stories. Our financial advice focuses on individual needs and values, not industry norms. To learn more about our firms, please visit our website at www.SummitFinancial.com.
CONTACT: Jenna Bloomgarden, jbloomgarden@sfh11.com
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SOURCE Summit Financial | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/summit-financial-names-joseph-spada-cfp-2021-leading-financial-advisor/ | 2022-06-08T16:52:39Z |
Council members are pledging their commitment to creating an actionable plan around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the web3 ecosystem
LOS ANGELES, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, BFF, an open-access community with a mission to help women and non-binary people get educated, connected, and empowered in web3, proudly announces the Belonging and Mattering Council (BMC) and web3 pledge as part of its ongoing commitment to uplift and spotlight opportunities for underrepresented communities in collaboration with multicultural multimedia communications agency Skai Blue Media.
"With a community of more than 100,000 members, we've made it a priority to actively support the multitude of individuals represented in BFF," said BFF co-founders Brit Morin and Jaime Schmidt. "We want to amplify our community and leaders to showcase the diverse talent within the web3 space and beyond. We're proud to work with such a renowned and experienced council and excited to keep expanding on it as we enter BFF's next chapter to ignite change."
The stage is set for the overdue acknowledgment, acceptance and celebration of diversity and inclusion within web3, from the faces that represent web3 communities and the consumers who reflect global identities to the artists that create NFTs and set industry standards. The BMC is a hand-selected group of individuals who will respond to and suggest strategies on public-facing initiatives. Each council member will sign the web3 pledge that delineates BFF's commitment to pursuing and upholding exceptional DEI standards for the brand.
The first iteration of the BMC members includes Emmy-nominated actress and Founder of Big Hattie Productions, Natasha Rothwell, who has also joined BFF as a founding member. Additional members include BFF's Community Inclusion Coordinator, Riley Blackwell, Senior Vice President and Channel Chief at Unstoppable Domains, Sandy Carter; Founder and Publisher of Because of Them We Can™, Eunique Jones Gibson; and civil rights lawyer, entrepreneur, and American Disabilities Act Activist, Alexis Kashar.
"I'm excited to be joining the web3 community as one of the founding BFF and Belonging and Mattering council members," said Rothwell. "I look forward to sharing my experience in arts education and as a creative in entertainment as an expression of my commitment to the advocacy for marginalized groups in order to create more opportunities and ensure an equitable future for underserved communities in web3."
The BMC will work to drive opportunities for the BFF brand to be an active participant in equitable causes and inform the BFF community with proper tools, lexicon, and cultural insights to adequately support under-resourced communities. Initiatives will include professional development programs, fundraising to support other initiatives, partnerships with BIPOC organizations, and more.
The BMC will continue to grow in membership as recruitment is ongoing. Members should have positive personal brands and reputations that align with the council goals in advancing web3 standards and developing conversation around critical issues for dialogue (web3, race, gender, LGBTQIA+, religion, veteran status, etc.)
For media and interview requests, please contact Skai Blue Media at Teambff@skaibluemedia.com.
About BFF
Co-founded by Brit Morin and Jaime Schmidt, BFF is an open-access community with a mission to help women and non-binary people get educated, connected, and empowered in web3. Launched in January 2022, they aim to create one of the largest decentralized brands on the internet. To learn more, visit https://www.mybff.com/, as well as Twitter, Instagram, and Discord
About Skai Blue Media
Skai Blue Media is a full-service multimedia communications and marketing agency based in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia. Our experience knows no bounds in the fields of public relations, journalism, video/TV production, talent management, brand development, retail and non-profit. Our secret sauce is the close relationships we maintain with the media, social influencers, business networks, entrepreneurs and key decision-makers. To learn more, visit https://www.skaibluemedia.com/.
PRESS CONTACT
Skai Blue Media
Teambff@skaibluemedia.com
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SOURCE BFF | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/web3-community-bff-announces-belonging-mattering-council-web3-pledge/ | 2022-07-26T15:01:53Z |
DALLAS, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MedCore Partners, a healthcare and senior living commercial real estate company, announces the hiring of twelve new employees within the past twelve months. MedCore's newest team members, Amber Ashford, Matt Batcher, Brett Flaten, Mike Galindo, David Hua, Sundeep Jeste, Neil Naiser, Court Powell, Jordan Sibley, Melissa Thaxton, Scott Walker, and Leah Yates, further strengthen the company's ability to deliver exceptional service to clients and maximize returns to investors.
"We are so excited to be experiencing this continued growth and to be fortunate enough to add such high-quality team members," said Nick Farris, Partner at MedCore. "Our company culture is extremely important, and we are thankful to have people who are committed to exemplifying that as we take the next steps."
- Amber Ashford brings a wide range of experience in accounting, management, and business operations. Since joining, she has successfully launched the company's investor portal and is continuously working on partner initiatives to support MedCore with its extensive growth.
- Matt Batcher is an experienced senior accountant who began his career in public accounting as an auditor at BDO, where he gained invaluable exposure to a broad range of clients and technical accounting issues. This role expanded his knowledge and skillsets in dealing with the day-to-day and complex accounting/reporting challenges.
- Brett Flaten joined MedCore to oversee and direct all design and construction activities from site selection through the final licensing and commissioning of our healthcare and senior living projects. Brett has over 25 years of development and construction experience including healthcare, senior living, and mixed-use developments across 20 states, totaling over $700 million in assets.
- Mike Galindo joined MedCore to oversee and direct the development of healthcare and senior living projects from inception to completion. Mike began his career in architecture and transitioned to healthcare development in 2016. Since then, he has development projects throughout Texas and Florida with over 2.5 million square feet of real estate, valued at over $600 million.
- David Hua brings extensive accounting knowledge to the MedCore accounting team as Assistant Controller for the Senior Living division. David began his career in public accounting and later transitioned into private accounting, working for international, mid-size, private equity backed and Fortune 500 companies in Corporate and Structure/M&A accounting roles.
- Sundeep Jeste brings a successful track record in both operations and asset management to MedCore's Senior Living platform. Sundeep has 20+ years of experience in the senior living industry. Sundeep works alongside the rest of the senior living team on business plan and strategy creation, monitoring performance, and partnering closely with operators to deliver the desired results.
- Neil Naiser joined MedCore with a primary focus of overseeing all asset management activities at the company. Bringing nearly ten years of senior living experience, Neil has successfully directed the oversight of business plan implementation and refinance of more than 45 bridge loans, mezzanine loans, and preferred equity investments on value-add multifamily, healthcare, and senior living projects, comprising nearly $1.9 billion in total asset value.
- Court Powell joined MedCore's brokerage team and brings over 12 years of experience in commercial real estate and commercial finance throughout the state of Texas. He has completed over $200 million in commercial debt and equity transactions including retail development, multifamily, and medical office building investments.
- Jordan Sibley joined MedCore as General Counsel and brings over a decade of legal experience in real estate, finance, and corporate matters. He has extensive transactional experience in real estate development, acquisitions, dispositions, and complex joint ventures. Prior to joining MedCore, Jordan was employed by both national and regional law firms after having served as General Counsel for a family office in Dallas, Texas.
- Melissa Thaxton joined MedCore's accounting team to assist with corporate and construction accounting. Melissa has spent over 12 years in progressive accounting roles in both small and large multi-entity organizations with the DFW nonprofit sector.
- Scott Walker is a healthcare real estate project management and construction veteran. He has directed the design and construction of over 2 million square feet of hospitals, medical office buildings, outpatient facilities, and senior living projects.
- Leah Yates oversees all aspects of facilities management and administrative duties to maintain positive productivity of MedCore operations. Leah has over six years of experience in sales and team support.
Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, MedCore Partners is a full-service real estate company dedicated exclusively to the healthcare and senior living industry. By leveraging off both its intimate knowledge of the dynamics of the medical sector and its comprehensive platform of real estate services, MedCore is uniquely qualified to identify and capitalize on healthcare projects around the nation and to maximize the potential profits returned to its investors. Over their careers, the principals of MedCore have led the development and investment efforts for healthcare projects around the country that have been valued in excess of $1 billion in addition to executing brokerage transactions for over 1,500 physicians. This level of experience within the medical real estate industry has allowed MedCore's principals to build trusted relationships with both healthcare providers around the United States as well as numerous capital sources.
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SOURCE MedCore Partners | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/medcore-partners-announces-hiring-new-employees-continued-growth-over-past-year/ | 2022-08-17T21:19:57Z |
XIAMEN, China, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Qudian Inc. ("Qudian" or "the Company" or "We") (NYSE: QD), a consumer-oriented technology company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Operational Highlights:
- Number of outstanding borrowers[1] from loan book business as of March 31, 2022 decreased by 3.5% to 2.6 million from 2.7 million as of December 31, 2021, as a result of the Company's deployment of a conservative and prudent strategy
- Total outstanding loan balance from loan book business[2] decreased by 41.3% to RMB1.5 billion as of March 31, 2022 from RMB2.6 billion as of December 31, 2021
- Amount of transactions from loan book business for this quarter decreased by 29.8% to RMB2.1 billion from the fourth quarter of 2021
- Weighted average loan tenure for our loan book business was 2.3 months for this quarter, compared to 3.9 months for the fourth quarter of 2021
First Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights:
- Total revenues were RMB201.8 million (US$31.8 million), compared to RMB515.7 million for the same period of last year
- Net loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB142.8 million (US$22.5 million), compared to an income of RMB478.4 million for the same period of last year, or net loss of RMB0.56 (US$0.09) per diluted ADS
- Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders[3] was RMB144.5 million (US$22.8 million), compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to Qudian's shareholders of RMB488.3 million for the same period of last year, or Non-GAAP net loss of RMB0.57 (US$0.09) per diluted ADS
"During the first quarter of 2022, we maintained our stringent approach toward our cash credit business amid the complex macro-environment, funding all transactions by our on-balance sheet capital," said Mr. Min Luo, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qudian. "Furthermore, our new ready-to-cook meals business, QD Food, has made steady progress since it launched in March 2022 in Guangdong province. We expect to expand its footprint across the nation and will provide more details on the development of this business as we continue to build it. Moving forward, we will maintain our prudent operating strategy for the cash credit business, focus on advancing our ready-to-cook food business and strive to create new engines for sustainable development."
"Driven by our consistent efforts to control credit risk, our asset quality has remained stable, evidenced by the D1 delinquency rate[4] maintaining a steady level at around 5% as of the end of May 2022. In parallel with our efforts to reinforce the health of our balance sheet, we keep persevering with safeguarding the interests of our stakeholders. We will continue implementing our share repurchase program, reflecting our confidence in the robustness of our financial position. As always, we are committed to driving sustainable value for all of our stakeholders in the long run," said Ms. Sissi Zhu, Vice President of Investor Relations of Qudian.
First Quarter Financial Results
Total revenues were RMB201.8 million (US$31.8 million), representing a decrease of 60.9% from RMB515.7 million for the first quarter of 2021.
Financing income totaled RMB177.9 million (US$28.1 million), representing a decrease of 50.8% from RMB361.8 million for the first quarter of 2021, as a result of the decrease in the average on-balance sheet loan balance.
Loan facilitation income and other related income decreased by 96.1% to RMB0.5 million (US$0.1 million) from RMB12.2 million for the first quarter of 2021, as a result of the reduction in transaction volume of off-balance sheet loans during this quarter.
Transaction services fee and other related income decreased to RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million) from RMB50.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, mainly as a result of the winding down of the transaction service business.
Sales income and others decreased to RMB4.1 million (US$0.7 million) from RMB62.5 million for the first quarter of 2021, mainly due to the decrease in sales related to the Wanlimu e-commerce platform, which we are in the process of winding down.
Total operating costs and expenses increased to RMB285.5 million (US$45.0 million) from RMB63.3 million for the first quarter of 2021.
Cost of revenues decreased by 64.7% to RMB32.1 million (US$5.1 million) from RMB91.0 million for the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to the decrease in cost of goods sold related to the Wanlimu e-commerce platform.
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 38.5% to RMB23.1 million (US$3.6 million) from RMB37.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to the decrease in marketing expenses related to the Wanlimu e-commerce platform.
General and administrative expenses increased by 77.6% to RMB118.4 million (US$18.7 million) from RMB66.7 million for the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to the increase in the milestone payments relating to construction contracts for the WLM Kids business which were signed in 2021. We are in the process of downsizing the WLM Kids business.
Research and development expenses decreased by 50.0% to RMB19.6 million (US$3.1 million) from RMB39.2 million for the first quarter of 2021, as a result of the decrease in staff salaries.
Provision for receivables and other assets was RMB11.9 million (US$1.9 million) for the first quarter of 2022, mainly as a result of the impairment of current assets related to the WLM Kids business compared to a reversal of RMB106.8 million regarding on-balance sheet loan book business for the same period of last year.
Impairment loss from long-lived assets was RMB113.5 million (US$17.9 million) for this quarter, as the results of the downsizing of the WLM Kids business.
As of March 31, 2022, the total balance of outstanding principal and financing service fee receivables for on-balance sheet transactions for which any installment payment was more than 30 calendar days past due was RMB154.7 million (US$24.4 million), and the balance of allowance for principal and financing service fee receivables at the end of the period was RMB230.9 million (US$36.4 million), indicating M1+ Delinquency Coverage Ratio of 1.5x.
The following charts display the "vintage charge-off rate." Total potential receivables at risk vintage charge-off rate refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated under the loan book business during a specified time period, the total potential outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 180 days up to twelve months after origination, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.
Current receivables at risk vintage charge-off rate refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated under the loan book business during a specified time period, the actual outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 180 days up to twelve months after origination, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.
Total potential receivables at risk M1+ delinquency rate by vintage refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated under the loan book business during a specified time period, the total potential outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 30 days up to twelve months after origination, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.
Current receivables at risk M1+ delinquency rate by vintage refers to, with respect to on- and off-balance sheet transactions facilitated under the loan book business during a specified time period, the actual outstanding principal balance of the transactions that are delinquent for more than 30 days up to twelve months after origination, divided by the total initial principal of the transactions facilitated in such vintage. Delinquencies may increase or decrease after such 12-month period.
Loss from operations was RMB66.4 million (US$10.5 million), compared to income from operations of RMB464.8 million for the first quarter of 2021.
Net loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB142.8 million (US$22.5 million), or net loss of RMB0.56 (US$0.09) per diluted ADS.
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Qudian's shareholders was RMB144.5 million (US$22.8 million), or Non-GAAP net loss of RMB0.57 (US$0.09) per diluted ADS.
Cash Flow
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB2,245.4 million (US$354.2 million) and restricted cash of RMB229.1 million (US$36.1 million). Restricted cash mainly represents security deposits held in designated bank accounts for the guarantee of on-and-off balance sheet transactions. Such restricted cash is not available to fund the general liquidity needs of the Company.
For the first quarter of 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was RMB567.2 million (US$89.5 million), mainly due to the cash withdrawal from third-party payment service providers. Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB43.1 million (US$6.8 million), mainly due to the net proceeds of loan principal and partially offset by the payments of deposit pledged as collateral for derivative instruments. Net cash used in financing activities was RMB377.8 million (US$59.6 million), mainly due to the repurchase of ordinary shares and convertible senior notes.
Update on Share Repurchase and Convertible Bond Repurchase
As of the date of this release, the Company has repurchased and cancelled a total principal amount of convertible senior notes of US$297.5 million. The Company has cumulatively completed total share repurchases of approximately US$581.2 million.
About Qudian Inc.
Qudian Inc. ("Qudian") is a consumer-oriented technology company in China. The Company historically focused on providing credit solutions to consumers. The Company is exploring innovative consumer products and services to satisfy Chinese consumers' fundamental and daily needs by leveraging its technology capabilities. In March 2022, it launched a ready-to-cook meal business catering to working-class consumers in China.
For more information, please visit http://ir.qudian.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use adjusted net income/loss, a Non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. We believe that adjusted net income/loss helps identify underlying trends in our business by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges, and convertible bonds buyback income, which is non-cash and non-recurring. We believe that adjusted net income/loss provides useful information about our operating results, enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Adjusted net income/loss is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This Non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing our operating performance, cash flows or our liquidity, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for net loss / income, cash flows provided by operating activities or other consolidated statements of operation and cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
We mitigate these limitations by reconciling the Non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.
For more information on this Non-GAAP financial measure, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB6.3393 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2022 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
Statement Regarding Preliminary Unaudited Financial Information
The unaudited financial information set out in this earnings release is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company's year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited financial information.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency, contain forward-looking statements. Qudian may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Qudian's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Qudian's goal and strategies; Qudian's expansion plans; Qudian's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Qudian's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products; Qudian's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers, business partners and other parties it collaborates with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Qudian's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Qudian does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
Qudian Inc.
Tel: +86-592-596-8208
E-mail: ir@qudian.com
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: qudian@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: qudian@tpg-ir.com
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SOURCE Qudian Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/qudian-inc-reports-first-quarter-2022-unaudited-financial-results/ | 2022-06-13T09:21:09Z |
Invasive lizard threatens Georgia wildlife
By TRACYE HUTCHINS
Click here for updates on this story
ATLANTA, Georgia (WGCL) — Georgia’s population continues to grow. But now there’s something else that wants to call the Peach State home, it’s an invasive lizard called tegu.
Daniel Sullenberger, a Georgia Department of Natural Resources Senior Wildlife Biologist, tells CBS46, “if you see one it will be the biggest lizard you’ve ever seen in your life.”
Tegus grow as long as 4 feet and live close to 20 years. The invasive lizard is native to South America, but now it’s threatening Georgia wildlife.
Sollenberger says, “they’ll eat plants and animals, fruits, insects, small mammals, and they really really like eggs. We have a lot of things here that lay eggs that we don’t want them eating.”
The lizards will eat hatchlings of protected species, including the gopher tortoise and American alligators.
So far, tegus have been spotted in southeast Georgia in Toombs and Tattnall counties. They were likely once kept as pets. Georgia DNR officials say they’re not sure how the lizards got into our state, but they want to make sure their population has not spread.
Georgia DNR is asking all Georgians to watch out for tegus now during their most active season.
“Right now, they’re coming out of their burrows. They want to mate and they want to find food, so they’re moving around a lot, particularly the males will travel around a lot looking for other females, ” Sollenberger says.
You can spot tegus by their distinctive tail, which is black to dark gray with white speckled bands across the back. Tegu hatchlings have bright green on their heads, a coloration that fades at about one month old.
Sollenberger says, “they take up too much space in the food web, and there’s not really room for anything else without displacing some animals that we have here already that we’d like to keep around.”
Georgia DNR says if you see a tegu, take a picture and send it to them. And if you can, trap it legally.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/11/invasive-lizard-threatens-georgia-wildlife/ | 2022-04-11T23:40:12Z |
9 puppies rescued from collapsed garage during extreme heat
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - If dogs really are man’s best friend, a fire department in Ohio just earned nine new pals.
According to the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, fire department crews rescued nine puppies Thursday from an abandoned, collapsed garage in East Cleveland during extreme heat.
The shelter said a concerned resident had called to report a dog exploring the potentially-dangerous structure.
When the shelter staff responded, they discovered the mother dog was checking in on her litter of puppies.
With help from the East Cleveland Fire Department, the puppies were all saved and are now safe, WOIO reports.
“It was a lot of teamwork in 90-degree heat, and we couldn’t be more appreciative,” the shelter wrote in a Facebook post.
The shelter said staff is continuing to search for the mother dog.
The puppies are still too young for adoption, but the shelter said fostering options may be available.
Copyright 2022 WOIO via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/19/9-puppies-rescued-collapsed-garage-during-extreme-heat/ | 2022-06-19T19:50:01Z |
LONDON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTRIBUTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A. ANNOUNCES A TENDER OFFER TO PURCHASE ITS USD 1,000,000,000 3.875% NON-PREFERRED SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023 (ISINS: US74977RDE18 (144A) and US74977SDE90 (REG S)) AND USD 250,000,000 FLOATING RATE NON-PREFERRED SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023 (ISINS: US74977RDD35 (144A) and US74977SDD18 (REG S)) FOR CASH
Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (the "Offeror") has today launched its invitation to holders of its USD 1,000,000,000 3.875 per cent. Non-Preferred Senior Notes due 2023 (ISINs: US74977RDE18 (144A) and US74977SDE90 (Reg S)) and USD 250,000,000 Floating Rate Non-Preferred Senior Notes due 2023 (ISINs: US74977RDD35 (144A) and US74977SDD18 (Reg S)) (collectively, the "Notes") to tender such Notes for purchase by the Offeror for cash (such invitation, the "Offer"). The Offer is being made on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the tender offer memorandum dated 15 August 2022 (the "Tender Offer Memorandum") and is subject to the offer restrictions set out below and as more fully described in the Tender Offer Memorandum.
Copies of the Tender Offer Memorandum are (subject to offer restrictions) available from Kroll Issuer Services Limited (the "Tender Agent") on their website https://deals.is.kroll.com/rabobank. Capitalised terms used and not otherwise defined in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the Tender Offer Memorandum. In the event of discrepancies between this announcement and the provisions in the Tender Offer Memorandum, the Tender Offer Memorandum will prevail.
Summary of the Offer
THE OFFER COMMENCES ON 15 AUGUST 2022 AND WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M. (NEW YORK CITY TIME) ON 19 AUGUST 2022 (THE "EXPIRATION DEADLINE"), UNLESS EXTENDED, RE- OPENED, WITHDRAWN OR TERMINATED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE OFFEROR AS PROVIDED IN THE TENDER OFFER MEMORANDUM. TENDER INSTRUCTIONS, ONCE SUBMITTED, MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME AT OR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DEADLINE, BUT NOT THEREAFTER, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
Custodians, Direct Participants and Clearing Systems will have deadlines for receiving instructions prior to the Expiration Deadline and holders of Notes ("Holders" and each a "Holder") should contact the Intermediary through which they hold their Notes as soon as possible to ensure proper and timely delivery of instructions.
Purpose of the Offer
The Offer is being made as part of the Offeror's continual review and proactive management of its outstanding funding and MREL (minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities) base.
Notes purchased by the Offeror pursuant to the Offer will be cancelled and will not be re-issued or re-sold. Notes which have not been validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer will remain outstanding after the Tender Offer Settlement Date (as set out below) in accordance with their terms.
Fixed Rate Notes
Subject to the Minimum Denomination in respect of the Fixed Rate Notes, the Fixed Rate Purchase Price will be an amount per USD 1,000 in principal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes (rounded up to the nearest USD 0.01 with half a cent rounded upwards), determined at or around the Pricing Time on the Pricing Date by reference to the sum of (i) the Fixed Spread and (ii) the Reference Yield, calculated in accordance with the pricing formula set out in Appendix B (Formula to Determine Fixed Rate Purchase Price) of the Tender Offer Memorandum. Specifically, the Fixed Rate Purchase Price will equal (i) the value of all remaining payments of principal and interest on the Fixed Rate Notes up to and including the scheduled maturity date of the Fixed Rate Notes, discounted to the Settlement Date, at a discount rate equal to the Repurchase Yield, minus (ii) any Accrued Interest.
Floating Rate Notes
Subject to the Minimum Denomination in respect of the Floating Rate Notes, the Floating Rate Purchase Price will be an amount per USD 1,000 in principal amount of the Floating Rate Notes equal to the purchase price for the Floating Rate Notes set out in the table above.
The Offeror will pay accrued and unpaid interest in respect of all Notes validly tendered and delivered and accepted for purchase by the Offeror pursuant to the Offer, from and including the interest payment date for the relevant Series of Notes immediately preceding the Settlement Date to but excluding the Settlement Date, determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Notes. For avoidance of doubt, Holders whose Notes are tendered and accepted for purchase which are the subject of a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will not receive payment in respect of any interest for the period from and including the Settlement Date to the Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date.
If the Offeror accepts any Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer, the Offeror proposes to accept all of the validly tendered Notes for purchase on the terms and conditions contained in the Tender Offer Memorandum.
The total consideration payable to each Holder in respect of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase by the Offeror will be an amount equal to (i) the Purchase Price for such Notes (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest USD 0.01 with half a cent rounded upwards) and (ii) the Accrued Interest Payment in respect of such Notes.
The Offeror is not under any obligation to accept for purchase any Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer. The acceptance for purchase by the Offeror of Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer is at the sole discretion of the Offeror and tenders may be rejected by the Offeror for any reason.
The Offeror reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to extend, re-open, withdraw or terminate the Offer and to amend or waive any of the terms and conditions of the Offer at any time following the announcement of the Offer, as described in the Tender Offer Memorandum. Details of any such extension, re-opening, withdrawal, termination, amendment or waiver will be notified to the Holders as soon as possible after such decision.
To tender Notes in the Offer, a Holder should deliver, or arrange to have delivered on its behalf, via the relevant Clearing System and in accordance with the requirements of such Clearing System, a valid Tender Instruction that is received in each case by the Tender Agent by the Expiration Deadline.
Tender Instructions must be submitted in respect of a principal amount of Notes of no less than the Minimum Denomination, and may be submitted in integral multiples of USD 1,000 thereafter.
Holders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other Intermediary through which they hold Notes when such Intermediary would require to receive instructions from a Holder in order for that Holder to be able to participate in, or (in the limited circumstances in which revocation is permitted) revoke their instruction to participate in, the Offer before the deadlines specified in the Tender Offer Memorandum. The deadlines set by any such Intermediary and each Clearing System for the submission of Tender Instructions will be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified in the Tender Offer Memorandum.
Any questions or requests for assistance in connection with the Offer and the Tender Offer Memorandum may be directed to the Dealer Managers (as set out below) and any questions or requests for assistance in connection with the delivery of Tender Instructions or requests for additional copies of the Tender Offer Memorandum or related documents, which may be obtained free of charge, may be directed to the Tender Agent, in each case at the telephone number or e-mail address provided below.
Indicative Timetable
Please refer to the Tender Offer Memorandum for full details of the timetable for the Offer. Announcements will be made by (i) the issue of a press release to a Notifying News Service and (ii) the delivery of notices to the Clearing Systems for communication to Direct Participants. Copies of all such announcements, press releases and notices can also be obtained from the Tender Agent, the contact details for whom are on the last page of this announcement. Significant delays may be experienced where notices are delivered to the Clearing Systems and Holders are urged to contact the Tender Agent for the relevant announcements relating to the Offer.
The communication of the Tender Offer Memorandum, this announcement and any other documents or materials relating to the Offer is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorised person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Financial Promotion Order")) or persons who are within Article 43(2) of the Financial Promotion Order or any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (together, "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which the Tender Offer Memorandum relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons (and is subject to other restrictions referred to in the Financial Promotion Order).
The Tender Offer Memorandum, this announcement and any other document or material relating to the Offer have only been and shall only be distributed in France to qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129. The Tender Offer Memorandum has not been and will not be submitted for clearance to nor approved by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers.
None of the Offer, the Tender Offer Memorandum, this announcement or any other documents or materials relating to the Offer have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedure of the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations.
The Offer is being carried out in the Republic of Italy as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended.
Holders, or beneficial owners of the Notes that are located in Italy, can tender some or all of their Notes pursuant to the Offer through authorised persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.
Each Intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-à-vis its clients in connection with the Notes or the Offer.
The contents of the Tender Offer Memorandum or this announcement have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. Holders should exercise caution in relation to the Offer. If a Holder is in any doubt about any of the contents of the Tender Offer Memorandum or this announcement, such Holder should obtain independent professional advice.
The Offer has not been made and will not be made in Hong Kong, by means of any document other than: (i) to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of the laws of Hong Kong (the "SFO") and any rules made under the SFO; or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the "CWUMPO") or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CWUMPO.
Further, no person has issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Offer, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Offer which is or is intended to be made only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO. The Tender Offer Memorandum, this announcement and the information contained herein may not be used other than by the person to whom it is addressed and may not be reproduced in any form or transferred to any person in Hong Kong.
The Offer is not intended to be made to the public in Hong Kong and it is not the intention of the Offeror that the Offer be made to the public in Hong Kong.
None of the Offeror, the Dealer Managers or the Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should participate in the Offer and any Holder who is unsure of what action to take in respect of the Offer should consult their own professional advisers. None of the Dealers Managers or the Tender Agent accepts any responsibility for the contents of this announcement or the Tender Offer Memorandum.
Neither the Tender Offer Memorandum, this announcement nor the electronic transmission thereof constitutes an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Notes (and tenders of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer will not be accepted from Holders) in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and the Dealer Managers or any of its affiliates is such a licensed broker or dealer in any such jurisdiction, the Offer shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Managers or such affiliate, as the case may be, on behalf of the Offeror in such jurisdiction.
Each Holder participating in the Offer will be deemed to give certain representations in respect of the jurisdictions referred to above and generally as set out in the section entitled "Procedures for Participating in the Offer" in the Tender Offer Memorandum. Any tender of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer from a Holder that is unable to make these representations will not be accepted.
Each of the Offeror, the Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to investigate, in relation to any tender of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer, whether any such representation given by a Holder is correct and, if such investigation is undertaken and as a result the Offeror determines (for any reason) that such representation is not correct, such tender or submission may be rejected.
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SOURCE Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/coperatieve-rabobank-ua-tender-offer-launch-announcement/ | 2022-08-15T14:18:05Z |
Department of Transportation worker stabbed to death by ex-wife at worksite, authorities say
MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (KFVS/Gray News) - The ex-wife of an Illinois Department of Transportation worker is accused of stabbing him to death at a work zone, according to authorities.
Illinois officials said IDOT worker Edward Stallman was in an altercation with his ex-wife, 41-year-old Alexis Stallman, when she stabbed him, resulting in his death.
In a release, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said it had investigated what was first thought to be a crash death at a work zone in Murphysboro, Illinois, on July 20.
The officers reportedly determined Edward Stallman’s death was a murder later based on the injuries to the victim’s body.
Jackson County State’s Attorney Joseph Cervantez told KFVS both Alexis and Edward Stallman had reportedly been in a virtual family court hearing before the ex-husband’s death.
Cervantez said the evidence shows that Alexis Stallman drove out to the worksite, where she and her husband got into an altercation. He said there was some confusion in whether it happened in the vehicle or at the job site.
What’s not confusing, Cervantez says, is how Edward Stallman died. An autopsy revealed he’d been stabbed in the chest with some kind of blade.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said Alexis Stallman has been charged with three counts of first degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery.
She is being held at the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $2 million.
Alexis Stallman is scheduled to make a first appearance before the court on July 22.
If convicted, she faces up to 60 years in prison.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/25/department-transportation-worker-stabbed-death-by-ex-wife-worksite-authorities-say/ | 2022-07-25T21:49:22Z |
NINGDE, China, Aug. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 27, CATL and ZEEKR jointly announced ZEEKR as the first car brand to be powered by mass-produced Qilin batteries. ZEEKR 009 will be the world's first car with Qilin inside, and ZEEKR 001 will be the world's first model equipped with Qilin batteries of 1,000 km range. The two companies have reached five-year strategic partnership, and based on deep cooperation, agreed to strengthen interaction of supply and demand so as to promote the technological advancement of the new energy industry.
The Qilin batteries are based on CATL's third-generation CTP technology. With a record-breaking volume utilization efficiency of 72% and an energy density of up to 255 Wh/kg, it achieves the highest system integration level worldwide so far, capable of delivering a range of over 1,000 km. Moreover, by adopting the trail-blazing large-surface cell cooling technology, Qilin supports a hot start in 5 minutes and fast charging in 10 minutes. With the same chemical system and the same pack size, it can deliver 13% more power than the 4680 battery, accomplishing an all-round improvement in range, fast-charging, safety, service life, efficiency and low-temperature performance.
Bearing in mind the market demand and user experience, Qilin batteries will be able to bring into full play its energy efficiency with the support of the open and leading Sustainable Experience Architecture (SAE), providing perfect pure electric driving solution. Models with Qilin inside will free customers from anxiety about range, charging and safety of EV batteries, enabling them to enjoy comfortable driving experience.
"ZEEKR 009 with Qilin inside will be delivered to our customers in Q1 2023, and ZEEKR 001 Qilin edition will be rolled out in Q2 2023. Supported by the world-leading SEA and the cutting-edge Qilin batteries, we will be able to offer absolute driving pleasure to our customers," said An Conghui, CEO of ZEEKR.
"Upholding the principle of delivering solutions with joint efforts, we are dedicated to enabling automakers to build global high-end car brands with leading EV battery technologies and solutions, thus promoting global e-mobility transition," said Dr. Robin Zeng, founder and Chairman of CATL.
It takes only 65 days for CATL to unveil the mass-produced models with Qilin inside following the release of the battery, which epitomizes CATL's commitment to the demand for long-range, ultra-fast charging and high-safety battery products by the market and customers. It is another milestone in the development of intelligent electric vehicles, which will accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.
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SOURCE Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/27/catl-zeekr-sign-five-year-strategic-cooperation-agreement-first-volume-qilin-batteries-power-zeekr-models/ | 2022-08-27T12:50:29Z |
The Great Retention helps organizations improve the employee experience through educational podcasts, live events, and online community.
ATLANTA, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In late March, Cooleaf launched The Great Retention, a community and podcast series focused on employee experience. The series, aimed at bringing people-first organizations together and highlighting employee engagement leaders, has featured ten high-profile guests from diverse backgrounds since its debut. Recent guests include Donald Knight, Chief People Officer of Greenhouse Software, and Nigel Zelcer, CoFounder and Managing Partner at Jabian Consulting.
With years of experience in the human resources space, Donald Knight holds advanced degrees in business and HR from Cornell and Virginia Commonwealth University. Knight's passion and sole mission is helping organizations empower top talent to do their best work. Knight credits a people-first mentality as the secret to unlocking talent in today's world globally through Greenhouse, the hiring software company on a mission to improve employee retention at every company.
In his role as CPO, Knight provides global strategy and leadership in developing and administering talent management programs.
Knight joined Cooleaf co-founder, John Duisberg for episode 8 of TGR to discuss Greenhouse's growing commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and allyship, sharing that an increased sense of belonging across its distributed, global workforce serves as a driver of growth.
"70% of our workforce is geographically distributed globally across the world, and we want our entire team to feel celebrated and engaged," Knight said. "We represent what the world really looks like. Our workforce diversity goals are a constant improvement on how we can continue to evolve and have even more nationalities represented. At the same time, we want people to feel like they belong here. Our goal is to curate these experiences where we bring people together very intentionally so that when you go back out, and you're distributed, you're still a part of Greenhouse."
Episode 9 found Duisburg joined by Nigel Zelcer of Jabian Consulting. Jabian, a top business consulting firm specializing in strategic management and IT consulting, encourages 100% of its staff to find their passion by employing their skill set in the community. Company culture is structured around a belief that layoffs are avoided at all costs and that people are valued first.
Since founding Jabian in 2006, Zelcer has grown the consulting firm into one of the industry's most respected organizations, while developing an equitable work culture designed around the principles of "conscious capitalism."
Zelcer sat down with Duisberg to share his vision for Jabian's growth as a "conscious capitalist" organization. Among Zelcer's principles for maintaining a phenomenal work environment? Safety, empathy, and embracing change.
"There are things we've done since day one to create the culture that we have," shared Zelcer. "For example, we do employee surveys about once a year and they take about an hour to do – that's a long commitment. About 94% of all employees will complete it and most of the questions are open-ended and say, what can we do better? What we take from that is 2-3 initiatives every year that we make into employee strategic initiatives for the following year. We're a continuous improvement organization and this is just one example of cultural change. It changes daily, but how can you improve that culture?"
Episodes 1-10 of The Great Retention Podcast are available now for streaming on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, Stitcher, and The Great Retention's website. Subscribe for a free monthly update with the latest episodes and news on The Great Retention and the future of work.
Contact
Melissa Perry, Senior Marketing Manager at Cooleaf
marketing@cooleaf.com
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SOURCE Cooleaf | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/great-retention-podcast-highlights-industry-leaders-donald-knight-greenhouse-jabian-consultings-nigel-zelcer-among-others/ | 2022-08-03T14:24:11Z |
FINDLAY, Ohio, August 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
- Reported second-quarter net income attributable to MPLX of $875 million and
adjusted EBITDA attributable to MPLX of $1.5 billion - Generated $1.5 billion in net cash provided by operating activities
- Returned over $750 million of capital to unitholders through distributions and unit repurchases
- Announces incremental $1 billion repurchase authorization for units held by public
- Renewed transportation services agreements with MPC for 10 years
MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX) today reported second-quarter 2022 net income attributable to MPLX of $875 million, compared with $706 million for the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) attributable to MPLX was $1,457 million, compared with $1,374 million in the second quarter of 2021.
The Logistics and Storage (L&S) segment income from operations was $811 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared with $787 million for the second quarter of 2021. Segment adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2022 was $966 million, compared with $947 million for the second quarter of 2021.
The Gathering and Processing (G&P) segment income from operations was $306 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared with $144 million for the second quarter of 2021. Segment adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2022 was $491 million, compared with $427 million for the second quarter of 2021.
During the quarter, MPLX generated $1,487 million in net cash provided by operating activities, $1,237 million of distributable cash flow, and free cash flow after distributions of $614 million. MPLX announced a second-quarter 2022 distribution of $0.7050 per common unit, resulting in a coverage ratio of 1.69x for the quarter. The leverage ratio was 3.5x at the end of the quarter.
"In the second quarter, we returned over $750 million of capital to unitholders through both distributions and unit repurchases, renewed certain of our transportation service contracts with MPC through 2032, and advanced several expansions and de-bottlenecking projects supporting the growth of MPLX," said Michael J. Hennigan, MPLX chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "Since the inception of our repurchase program, we have repurchased approximately $800 million of units. And today, as part of our long-term commitment to return capital, we announced an incremental $1 billion unit repurchase authorization."
L&S segment income from operations for the second quarter of 2022 increased by $24 million compared to the same period in 2021, while segment adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2022 increased by $19 million compared to the same period in 2021.
Total pipeline throughputs were 5.9 million barrels per day (bpd) in the second quarter, 6% higher than the same quarter of 2021. The average tariff rate was $0.82 per barrel for the quarter, a decrease of 7% versus the same quarter of 2021. Terminal throughput was 3.1 million bpd for the quarter, an increase of 4% versus the same quarter of 2021.
G&P segment income from operations for the second quarter of 2022 increased by $162 million compared to the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2022 increased by $64 million compared to the same period in 2021, primarily as a result of higher natural gas liquids prices and increased volumes.
In the second quarter of 2022:
- Gathered volumes averaged 5.6 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d), an 11% increase from the second quarter of 2021.
- Processed volumes averaged 8.5 bcf/d, a 1% increase versus the second quarter of 2021.
- Fractionated volumes averaged 536 thousand bpd, a 2% decrease versus the second quarter of 2021.
In the Marcellus:
- Gathered volumes averaged 1.3 bcf/d in the second quarter, a 1% decrease versus the second quarter of 2021.
- Processed volumes averaged 5.4 bcf/d in the second quarter, a 3% decrease versus the second quarter of 2021.
- Fractionated volumes averaged 471 thousand bpd in the second quarter, a 1% decrease versus the second quarter of 2021.
MPLX continues to advance several projects focused on expansions and de-bottlenecking of existing assets.
In the L&S segment, MPLX continues to expand natural gas long-haul and crude gathering pipelines supporting the Permian and Bakken regions. Specifically in the Permian, working with our partners, MPLX continues to progress its natural gas strategy with the expansion of the Whistler pipeline from 2.0 bcf/d to 2.5 bcf/d, as well as the laterals into the Midland basin and Corpus Christi domestic and export markets.
In the G&P segment, MPLX remains focused on the Permian and Marcellus basins in response to producer demand. In the Permian, construction advanced on the 200 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) Torñado ll processing plant, which is expected to come online in the second half of 2022. MPLX is also planning to build its sixth 200 mmcf/d processing plant in the basin, Preakness ll, which is expected online in the first half of 2024. In the Marcellus, the 68,000 bpd Smithburg de-ethanizer continues to progress and is expected to come online in the third quarter to meet incremental in-basin demand. MPLX is also planning to build Harmon Creek ll, a 200 mmcf/d processing plant expected online in the first half of 2024.
MPLX's growth capital spending outlook for 2022 remains at $700 million.
Financial Position and Liquidity
As of June 30, 2022, MPLX had $298 million in cash, $3.5 billion available on its bank revolving credit facility, and $1.5 billion available through its intercompany loan agreement with Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC). MPLX's leverage ratio was 3.5x.
Effective July 7, 2022, MPLX entered into a new five-year credit facility to replace the previously existing credit facility. The new credit facility has a capacity of $2 billion and the term was extended to July 2027.
The partnership repurchased $35 million of common units held by the public in the second quarter of 2022. As of June 30, 2022, MPLX had approximately $202 million remaining available under the initial $1 billion unit repurchase authorization.
Today we announced that the board of directors of MPLX's general partner has authorized a unit repurchase program for the repurchase of up to an additional $1 billion of the outstanding publicly traded common units. MPLX may utilize various methods to effect the repurchases, which could include open market repurchases, negotiated block transactions, tender offers, accelerated unit repurchases, or open market solicitations for units, some of which may be effected through Rule 10b5-1 plans. The timing and amount of repurchases, if any, will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, and repurchases may be initiated, suspended, or discontinued at any time. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date.
At 9:30 a.m. ET today, MPLX will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss the reported results and provide an update on operations. Interested parties may listen by visiting MPLX's website at www.mplx.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on MPLX's website for two weeks. Financial information, including this earnings release and other investor-related materials, will also be available online prior to the conference call and webcast at www.mplx.com.
MPLX is a diversified, large-cap master limited partnership that owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets and provides fuels distribution services. MPLX's assets include a network of crude oil and refined product pipelines; an inland marine business; light-product terminals; storage caverns; refinery tanks, docks, loading racks, and associated piping; and crude and light-product marine terminals. The company also owns crude oil and natural gas gathering systems and pipelines as well as natural gas and NGL processing and fractionation facilities in key U.S. supply basins. More information is available at www.MPLX.com.
Investor Relations Contact: (419) 421-2071
Kristina Kazarian, Vice President
Jamie Madere, Manager
Isaac Feeney, Analyst
Media Contact: (419) 421-3312
Jamal Kheiry, Communications Manager
In addition to our financial information presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management utilizes additional non-GAAP measures to facilitate comparisons of past performance and future periods. This press release and supporting schedules include the non-GAAP measures adjusted EBITDA; consolidated debt to last twelve months adjusted EBITDA, which we refer to as our leverage ratio; distributable cash flow (DCF); distribution coverage ratio; and free cash flow (FCF) and free cash flow after distributions. The amount of adjusted EBITDA and DCF generated is considered by the board of directors of our general partner in approving the Partnership's cash distribution. Adjusted EBITDA and DCF should not be considered separately from or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, or cash flow as reflected in our financial statements. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA and DCF are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income adjusted for (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) provision/benefit for income taxes; (iii) interest and other financial costs; (iv) impairment expense; (v) income/loss from equity method investments; (vi) distributions and adjustments related to equity method investments; (vii) noncontrolling interests and (xiii) other adjustments as deemed necessary. In general, we define DCF as adjusted EBITDA adjusted for (i) deferred revenue impacts; (ii) sales-type lease payments, net of income; (iii) net interest and other financial costs; (iv) net maintenance capital expenditures; (v) equity method investment capital expenditures paid out; and (vi) other adjustments as deemed necessary.
The Partnership makes a distinction between realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives. During the period when a derivative contract is outstanding, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When a derivative contract matures or is settled, the previously recorded unrealized gain or loss is reversed and the realized gain or loss of the contract is recorded.
Adjusted EBITDA is a financial performance measure used by management, industry analysts, investors, lenders, and rating agencies to assess the financial performance and operating results of our ongoing business operations. Additionally, we believe adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors for trending, analyzing and benchmarking our operating results from period to period as compared to other companies that may have different financing and capital structures.
DCF is a financial performance measure used by management as a key component in the determination of cash distributions paid to unitholders. We believe DCF is an important financial measure for unitholders as an indicator of cash return on investment and to evaluate whether the partnership is generating sufficient cash flow to support quarterly distributions. In addition, DCF is commonly used by the investment community because the market value of publicly traded partnerships is based, in part, on DCF and cash distributions paid to unitholders.
FCF and free cash flow after distributions are financial performance measures used by management in the allocation of capital and to assess financial performance. We believe that unitholders may use this metric to analyze our ability to manage leverage and return capital. We define FCF as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for (i) net cash used in investing activities; (ii) cash contributions from MPC; (iii) cash contributions from noncontrolling interests and (iv) cash distributions to noncontrolling interests. We define free cash flow after distributions as FCF less base distributions to common and preferred unitholders.
Distribution coverage ratio is a financial performance measure used by management to reflect the relationship between the partnership's financial operating performance and cash distribution capability. We define the distribution coverage ratio as the ratio of DCF attributable to GP and LP unitholders to total GP and LP distributions declared.
Leverage ratio is a liquidity measure used by management, industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies to analyze our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding MPLX LP (MPLX). These forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, MPLX's expectations, estimates and projections concerning its business and operations, financial priorities, including with respect to positive free cash flow and distribution coverage, strategic plans, capital return plans, operating cost reduction objectives, and environmental, social and governance ("ESG") goals and targets, including those related to greenhouse gas emissions, diversity and inclusion and ESG reporting. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "commitment," "could," "design," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "intend," "may," "objective," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "policy," "position," "potential," "predict," "priority," "project," "prospective," "pursue," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "would" or other similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. MPLX cautions that these statements are based on management's current knowledge and expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the control of MPLX, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made herein. Factors that could cause MPLX's actual results to differ materially from those implied in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the continuance or escalation of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and related sanctions and market disruptions; general economic, political or regulatory developments, including inflation, changes in governmental policies relating to refined petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas or NGLs, or taxation; the magnitude, duration and extent of future resurgences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects; the adequacy of capital resources and liquidity, including the availability of sufficient free cash flow from operations to pay distributions and to fund future unit repurchases; the ability to access debt markets on commercially reasonable terms or at all; the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and demand for crude oil, refined products, feedstocks or other hydrocarbon-based products; changes to the expected construction costs and timing of projects and planned investments, the availability of desirable strategic initiatives to optimize portfolio assets and the ability to obtain regulatory and other approvals with respect thereto; our ability to successfully implement our sustainable energy strategy and principles, achieve our ESG goals and targets and realize the expected benefits thereof; accidents or other unscheduled shutdowns affecting our machinery, pipelines, processing, fractionation and treating facilities or equipment, means of transportation, or those of our suppliers or customers; the suspension, reduction or termination of MPC's obligations under MPLX's commercial agreements; other risk factors inherent to MPLX's industry; the impact of adverse market conditions or other similar risks to those identified herein affecting MPC; and the factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in MPLX's and MPC's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021, and in other filings with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the applicable communication and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except to the extent required by applicable law.
Copies of MPLX's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, MPLX's website at http://ir.mplx.com or by contacting MPLX's Investor Relations office. Copies of MPC's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, MPC's website at https://www.marathonpetroleum.com/Investors/ or by contacting MPC's Investor Relations office.
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SOURCE MPLX LP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/mplx-lp-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-08-02T11:52:10Z |
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Creature Hunters is a blockchain-based online defensive game based on the original animation created by Hitoshi Mogi and Chstudio in Seoul, Korea. Create your greatest team, combat other players, and users can have multiple ways to easily and efficiently earn rewards with your NFTs!
The first Airdrop NFT event in Creature Hunters took place on June 14th, 2022. Each member of the Creature Hunters NFTs Community group must complete all tasks on Telegram and be the most active on Telegram and Discord to be eligible for the top 10,000 winners.
1. 10,000 NFT MUSIC HIT GIVE-AWAY EVENT
NFTs aren't just cat GIFs and JPEGs of cartoon apes, they can also represent immutable ownership of music clips too.
This is what a music NFT's "non-fungible" section really means. While fungible tokens (such as Bitcoin (BTC) or a dollar coin) are mass-produced and extremely liquid, non-fungible tokens cannot be instantly exchanged for an asset of agreed-upon equivalent value.
The first Airdrop NFT event in Creature Hunters took place on June 14th, 2022. Each member of the Creature Hunters NFTs Community group must complete all tasks on Telegram and be the most active on Telegram and Discord to be eligible for the top 10,000 winners.
Step-by-step instructions : We'll retweet this event if you follow our Twitter page: Join Telegram and Discord communities to learn a lot of things. Then, join Facebook and Instagram as a fan. You also have a YouTube subscription.
Visit our official website at: https://creaturehunters.world/ to get in touch with us.
Timeline of event has opened: 1:00 a.m, June 14th, 2022 (UTC) and Close: 23:00 p.m, July 11th, 2022 (UTC). Winners will be revealed later on our official global Telegram and Discord channels.
2. OPEN BETA TEST GAME
The event will be held from June 28th to July 25th, 2022 with reward is $10,000 in prize money. Read detail about Prize Pool, Regular, Top Ranking more and more at: https://creaturehunters.medium.com/testing-campaign-creature-hunters-6ecc1042c628
Become a member with 4 steps:
Step 1: To take part in our campaign, please fill out the following form: Fill out the form and submit it.
Step 2: Participate in the Close Beta Test
Step 3: Look for bugs and report them using this form.
Step 4: Stay active and check Telegram channels frequently. Following your submission, our staff will examine your responses more closely. Spreadsheet allows you to keep track of the progress and outcomes.
You can participate in the weekly Creature Hunter event while searching for bugs. We'll compile the results and rankings at the end of the four weeks.
● GAME MODE
Creature Hunters challenges users every day with a range of game modes based competition. It offers consumers a new NFT gaming experience, as well as rewards form.
Physical strength, speed, defense, and attack power are the four basic attributes of any robot, with the character displaying power based on the value of each skill. There are three skill options to choose from and the player's skill level can be improved by purchasing items for each skill.
Creature Hunters provides a variety of incentives and giveaways to players Free Token campaigns abound at Creature Hunters, with a total prize pool of thousands of CHTS drawing a large attendance. Players will get the nicest feelings if they participate in appealing projects.
Website | Telegram | Discord | Medium | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Tiktok | Linkedin
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SOURCE Creature Hunters | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/10000-music-nfts-give-away-bump-ground-airdrop-event-creature-hunters/ | 2022-06-16T08:01:35Z |
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arkansas-based cannabis financial technology firm Abaca has expanded coverage bringing digital-first banking, payment and treasury management solutions to Mississippi's cannabis industry.
Integral in banking 95 percent of Arkansas's cannabis industry since day one and hundreds of cannabis clients across the country, Abaca is uniquely positioned to support Mississippi.
"We've been with Abaca for two years now, since the beginning of the Arkansas cannabis industry," said Brian Renk of Natural Relief Dispensary. "We couldn't imagine a better partner for our Mississippi expansion. Abaca's online dashboard makes it easy to view our cash position, pay and get paid, and manage our finances in one place. We've never had a disruption in service, and they are very proactive about compliance."
Founded in 2017, Abaca enables traditional banking services in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota – and now Mississippi – through its bank partners. Additionally, the company's online banking platform offers lending and payment processing. To date, Abaca has compliantly processed more than $2.5 billion in total transactions.
"We're passionate about delivering cutting-edge banking, payments and treasury management to the cannabis industry, enabling our clients to streamline operations and reduce cash," said CEO Dan Roda. "Our Arkansas-based team ensured that our state's industry was banked from day one, avoiding the public safety risks experienced in other regions still operating in cash. We're excited to do the same for our neighbors in Mississippi."
Only a small portion of banks and credit unions serve the cannabis industry. Financial institutions cite the heavy compliance burden created by the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering laws, as well as complications stemming from the conflict between federal and state laws over the legality of cannabis as the reason for not serving the industry.
As a result, the cannabis industry remains significantly underbanked. Many operators experience difficulty processing payments, accessing capital, and opening ordinary bank accounts. Abaca solves these problems by normalizing access to modern financial services for the cannabis industry.
About Abaca
Abaca provides state-legal cannabis businesses with compliant bank accounts, lending, electronic payments, and other financial services through its financial technology-powered cannabis banking platform. The company's fintech banking platform also offers lending and payment processing services to cannabis and hemp/CBD businesses nationwide. Learn more at GoAbaca.com.
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SOURCE Abaca | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/24/cannabis-fintech-abaca-announces-mississippi-expansion/ | 2022-05-24T14:17:28Z |
Sabres raise banner honoring longtime broadcaster Jeanneret
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Hockey Writer
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres paid tribute to longtime broadcast Rick Jeanneret with a banner-raising ceremony in honor of his 51st and final year. The first sold-out crowd of the season chanted “RJ! RJ! RJ!” as the banner was raised to the rafters of the KeyBank Center during a ceremony before the Sabres game against the Nashville Predators. Jeanneret became the third non-player honored with a banner, joining team founders, brothers Seymour and Northrup Knox. The 79-year-old Jeanneret has been a part of the Sabres broadcast on either radio or TV since 1971-72, the franchise’s second season. He earned the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2012. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/01/sabres-raise-banner-honoring-longtime-broadcaster-jeanneret/ | 2022-04-02T03:15:02Z |
SAN JOSE, Calif. , July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantum Corporation (NASDAQ: QMCO) announced today it will release financial results for its fiscal first quarter 2023 ended June 30, 2022 on Thursday, August 4, 2022, after the close of the market.
Jamie Lerner, Chairman and CEO, and Mike Dodson, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss the financial results.
Analysts and investors are invited to dial into the conference call using the following information:
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2022
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)
Live Conference Call Number: 1-866-424-3436
International Call Number: +1-201-689-8058
Conference ID: 13731301
Webcast link (listen only) and presentation slides: http://investors.quantum.com
A telephone replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conference call and will be available through August 11, 2022. To access the replay dial 1-877-660-6853 and enter the conference ID 13731301 at the prompt. International callers should dial +1-201-612-7415 and enter the same conference ID. Following the conclusion of the live call, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for at least 90 days.
About Quantum
Quantum technology, software, and services provide the solutions that today's organizations need to make video and other unstructured data smarter – so their data works for them and not the other way around. With over 40 years of innovation, Quantum's end-to-end platform is uniquely equipped to orchestrate, protect, and enrich data across its lifecycle, providing enhanced intelligence and actionable insights. Leading organizations in cloud services, entertainment, government, research, education, transportation, and enterprise IT trust Quantum to bring their data to life, because data makes life better, safer, and smarter. Quantum is listed on Nasdaq (QMCO). For more information visit www.quantum.com.
Quantum and the Quantum logo are registered trademarks of Quantum Corporation and its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Investor Relations Contact:
Shelton Group
Leanne K. Sievers | Brett Perry
P: 949-224-3874 | 214-272-0070
E: sheltonir@sheltongroup.com
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SOURCE Quantum Corp. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/quantum-release-fiscal-first-quarter-2023-financial-results-thursday-august-4th/ | 2022-07-13T20:41:47Z |
Princess Diana’s death stunned the world — and changed the royals
LONDON (AP) — Above all, there was shock. That’s the word people use over and over again when they remember Princess Diana’s death in a Paris car crash 25 years ago Wednesday.
The woman the world watched grow from a shy teenage nursery school teacher into a glamorous celebrity who comforted AIDS patients and campaigned for land mine removal couldn’t be dead at the age of 36, could she?
“I think we need to remind ourselves that she was probably the best known woman in the English-speaking world, aside from perhaps Queen Elizabeth II herself,’’ said historian Ed Owens.
“And, given this massive celebrity persona that she had developed, to have that extinguished overnight, for her to die in such tragic circumstances, at such a young age, I think really came as a massive shock to many people.”
It was that disbelief that cemented Diana’s legacy as the woman who brought lasting change to Britain’s royal family, helping bridge the gap between centuries of tradition and a new, multicultural nation in the internet age.
First, there was the outpouring of grief from the public who streamed to the princess’ home at Kensington Palace to mourn the loss of a woman most had never met. That alone forced the royals to recognize that Diana’s common touch had connected with people in ways that hadn’t yet occurred to the House of Windsor.
Those lessons have since inspired other royals, including Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, to be more informal and approachable. For proof, look no further than the glitzy concert that was a centerpiece of June’s Platinum Jubilee celebrating the queen’s 70 years on the throne.
There were rock bands and opera singers, dancers and lasers painting pictures of corgis on the sky. But the biggest applause was for Elizabeth herself, who appeared in a short film to share a pot of tea with British national treasure Paddington Bear. She then solved a longtime mystery and revealed what’s inside her famous black handbag: A marmalade sandwich — just for emergencies.
It wasn’t obvious Diana would be a royal rebel when she married Prince Charles.
A member of the aristocratic Spencer family, Diana was known for flouncy bows, sensible skirts and a boyish blond bob when she started dating the future king. After leaving school at 16, she spent time at a finishing school in the Swiss Alps and worked as a nanny and preschool teacher while living in London.
But she blossomed, becoming an international style icon the moment she walked down the aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral shrouded in lace and followed by a 25-foot train on July 29, 1981.
From that moment on, reporters and photographers followed Diana wherever she went. While Diana hated the intrusion, she quickly learned the media was also a tool she could use to bring attention to a cause and to change public perceptions.
That impact was seen most famously when the princess opened the U.K.’s first specialized ward for AIDS patients on April 9, 1987.
Such ribbon-cutting ceremonies are a staple of royal duties. But Diana realized there was more at stake. She reached out and took the hands of a young patient, demonstrating the virus couldn’t be transmitted by touch. The moment, captured by photos beamed worldwide, helped combat the fear, misinformation and stigma surrounding the AIDS epidemic.
A decade later, Diana was even more media savvy.
Seven months before she died, Diana donned a protective visor and flak jacket and walked down a path cleared through a minefield in Angola to promote the work of The HALO Trust, a group devoted to removing mines from former war zones. When she realized some photographers didn’t get the shot, she turned around and did it again.
The images brought international attention to the campaign to rid the world of explosives that lurk underground long after wars end. Today, a treaty banning land mines has been signed by 164 countries.
But that public platform came at a price.
Her marriage disintegrated, with Diana blaming Charles’ continuing liaison with longtime mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles. The princess also struggled with bulimia and acknowledged suicide attempts, according to “Diana: Her True Story — In Her Own Words,’’ published in 1992 based on tapes Diana sent to author Andrew Morton.
“When I started my public life, 12 years ago, I understood the media might be interested in what I did,’’ Diana said in 1993. “But I was not aware of how overwhelming that attention would become. Nor the extent to which it would affect both my public duties and my personal life, in a manner that’s been hard to bear.”
In the end, it contributed to her death.
On Aug. 30, 1997, a group of paparazzi camped outside the Hotel Ritz in Paris in hopes of getting shots of Diana and boyfriend Dodi Fayed pursued their car to the Pont de l’Alma tunnel, where their driver lost control and crashed.
Diana died Aug. 31, 1997.
A stunned world mourned. Bouquets of flowers, many including personal notes, carpeted the grounds outside Diana’s home in Kensington Palace. Weeping citizens lined the streets outside Westminster Abbey during her funeral.
The public reaction contrasted with that of the royal family, who were criticized for not quickly appearing in public and refusing to lower the flag over Buckingham Palace to half-staff.
The mourning prompted soul-searching among members of the House of Windsor. They set about to better understand why Diana’s death had prompted such an overwhelming spectacle, said Sally Bedell Smith, a historian and author of “Diana in Search of Herself.’’
“I think her legacy was something that the queen in her wisdom (sought) to adapt in the early years after her death,’’ Smith said of focus groups and studies the monarchy used to grasp Diana’s appeal.
“The queen was more likely to interact with people, and I think you see the informality magnified now, particularly with William and Kate,” she said.
William, his wife, Kate, for example, made improving mental health services a primary goal, going so far as to publicly discuss their own struggles. Harry also is a champion for wounded military veterans.
The rehabilitation of Charles’ reputation had to wait until public anger over his treatment of Diana began to fade. That’s now well under way, helped by his 2005 marriage to Camilla, who softened his image. The queen earlier this year said she hoped Camilla would become queen consort when Charles ascends the throne, trying to heal old wounds.
But there are lessons for the monarchy to learn as it struggles with the fallout from the scandal over Prince Andrew’s links to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Beyond that, there’s the decision of Harry and his wife, Meghan, to give up royal duties for life in Southern California.
Meghan, an American biracial former actress who grew up in Los Angeles, has said she felt constrained by palace life and that a member of the royal family even inquired about the potential skin color of her first child before he was born.
This episode shows the royals haven’t fully learned the lesson of Diana, said Owens, author of “The Family Firm: Monarchy, Mass Media and the British Public 1932-1953.’’
“Once again, not enough room was created,’’ Owens said of Meghan.
Diana had her own struggles with the palace, airing her grievances in a 1995 BBC interview that continues to make headlines. The BBC was forced to apologize last year after an investigation found reporter Martin Bashir used “deceitful methods” to secure the interview.
Diana’s brother said this year that the interview and the way it was obtained contributed to Diana’s death because it led her to refuse continued protection from the palace after her divorce.
But her words about how she wished to be viewed remain firmly in memory.
“I’d like to be a queen of people’s hearts, in people’s hearts, but I don’t see myself being queen of this country,” Diana said in the interview. “I don’t think many people will want me to be queen.”
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For more stories on Princess Diana: https://apnews.com/hub/princess-diana
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/31/princess-dianas-death-stunned-world-changed-royals/ | 2022-08-31T12:32:51Z |
TORONTO, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published a new research-driven, step-by-step blueprint for implementing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. As companies invest more into data and AI solutions, this timely guide, Drive Business Value With Off-the-Shelf AI, details a holistic approach to ensuring implementation success.
According to the new research guide, organizations are faced with multiple challenges when trying to adopt an AI solution, including data issues, ethics and compliance considerations, business process challenges, and misaligned leadership goals. When choosing the right product to meet business needs, organizations should know what questions to ask vendors to ensure they fully understand the implications of buying an AI or machine learning (ML) product.
In the blueprint, Info-Tech considers two main types of off-the-shelf AI products and solutions. The first type has AI/ML capabilities built into the product and might require training as part of the implementation. These solutions include AI-powered search engines, chatbots, and business intelligence or visualization tools.
"When choosing an AI-powered tool, there's no need to reinvent the wheel and build a product you can buy," says Irina Sedenko, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "However, when using off-the-shelf solutions, be prepared to work around tool limitations and make sure you understand the data and the model the tool is built on."
The second type includes off-the-shelf ML/AI models, which are pre-built, pre-trained, and pre-optimized for a particular task. Examples include language models or image recognition models that can be used to speed up and simplify ML/AI systems development.
"When choosing an ML/AI model, using off-the-shelf models enables an agile approach to systems development," explains Sedenko. "This allows for faster proof of concept and validations of ideas and approaches, but the model might not be customizable for your requirements."
The research blueprint outlines how organizations can successfully implement an off-the-shelf AI solution. To ensure it delivers value, they must start with a clear definition of the business case and an understanding of their data. Info-Tech recommends having a solid grasp of the following considerations before considering an off-the-shelf AI solution:
- Business Goals – A clearly defined problem statement and business requirements for the tool or model will help organizations select the right solution to deliver business value even if it does not have the latest features.
- Data Requirements – Determining the expected business outcome defines data requirements for implementation. Organizations should know if they have the right data required to train and run the model.
- Skills Training – New skills and expertise are required through all the implementation phases, including design, build, deployment, support, and maintenance activities as well as post-production support, scaling, and adoption.
- Data Architecture and Infrastructure – A new tool or model will impact an organization's cloud and integration strategy. It will need to be integrated with existing infrastructure, whether in the cloud or on-premises.
- Product, Tool, or Model Selection – Consider the questions organizations will need to ask when choosing a solution. These include questioning what model is powering the AI tool, the data that was used to train the tool, and what data is required to run the solution.
- Measure Impact on Processes – Business processes need to be defined or updated to incorporate the output of the tool back into the business processes to deliver value. IT governance and support processes need to accommodate the new AI-powered tool.
- Realize and Measure Business Value – Organizations should have a clear understanding of the value that AI will bring and measure revenue impacts and operational efficiency.
View and download the complete Drive Business Value With Off-the-Shelf AI blueprint.
To learn more about Info-Tech Research Group and to download the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Media professionals are encouraged to register for Info-Tech's Media Insiders Program for trending research and insights. This program provides unrestricted, on-demand access to IT, HR, and software industry content and subject matter experts from a group of more than 200 research analysts. To apply for access, contact pr@infotech.com.
About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/successful-adoption-off-the-shelf-ai-depends-tight-business-alignment-says-info-tech-research-group/ | 2022-05-16T22:24:57Z |
Allows Lenders to Track, Manage Fee Cures at the Loan Level and to Aggregate by Source
- The Black Knight Fee Cures Suite is an analytic tool that enables lenders to compare loan estimates and closing disclosures from closed loans to help minimize mandatory 0% and 10% tolerance fee cures
- A single dashboard combines loan information from the lender's LOS with Ernst fee data and analytics from the Actionable Intelligence Platform (AIP) to help the lender remediate costly trends and practices
- Lenders can quickly identify trends and drill down to causes by loan attribute, including city, state, county, loan type, fee type, loan officer, vendor, and number and size of cures
- Seamless integration with Empower provides Black Knight LOS clients with inline workflow access, putting the right information in front of the right person at the right time, helping to avoid costly cures
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE:BKI), a leading provider of integrated software, data and analytics solutions, announced today it has combined the powerful analytics of its Actionable Intelligence Platform (AIP) with Ernst Fee Service data and the Empower LOS loan information to create the industry's first fee cure assessment tool integrated directly within the LOS workflow to help minimize mandatory 0% and 10% tolerance fee cures.
"As lenders struggle to maintain profit margins, fee cures are a preventable expense that can be addressed with better, more timely data," said Rich Gagliano, president of Black Knight Origination Technologies. "We have seen fee cures average hundreds of dollars per loan and over time, can add up to millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars at the portfolio level. Our new Fee Cures Suite allows lenders to identify trends, as well as drill down to loan-level data to reduce fee cures."
The AIP is a unified framework for analyzing data from multiple data sets to deliver strategic and actionable intelligence across the loan life cycle. It solves the industry challenge of leveraging "big data" from multiple, segmented databases to improve performance. Ernst Fee Service is used by lenders to minimize costly fee cures by providing accurate recording fees, transfer taxes, property tax, title, settlement, inspection data, and lender and appraisal fees. The new Fee Cures Suite combines these two industry-leading resources with LOS loan data into a powerful dashboard, allowing lenders to compare loan estimates with closing disclosure fees from closed loans, identify inconsistencies and implement checks and balances to increase efficiency and accuracy in helping mitigate future cures. Cures can be aggregated by the number and size of cures, as well as location (e.g., city, state, country), vendor, loan officer, loan type, fee type and more, to zero in on causes and facilitate timely corrective action.
"The integration of actionable intelligence and fee data in Empower is exactly the kind of innovation Black Knight has become known for," Gagliano continued. "By addressing lenders' urgent need for profitability and accountability in real time and at scale, the Fee Cures Suite helps lenders unlock previously inaccessible value in data they already work hard to collect and report."
Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE:BKI) is an award-winning software, data and analytics company that drives innovation in the mortgage lending and servicing and real estate industries, as well as the capital and secondary markets. Businesses leverage our robust, integrated solutions across the entire homeownership life cycle to help retain existing customers, gain new customers, mitigate risk and operate more effectively.
Our clients rely on our proven, comprehensive, scalable products and our unwavering commitment to delivering superior client support to achieve their strategic goals and better serve their customers. For more information on Black Knight, please visit www.blackknightinc.com.
For more information:
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SOURCE Black Knight, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/11/black-knight-launches-new-fee-cures-suite-within-actionable-intelligence-platform/ | 2022-07-11T13:02:42Z |
GERMANTOWN, Md., June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Precigen, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGEN), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative gene and cell therapies to improve the lives of patients, today announced that Helen Sabzevari, PhD, President and CEO of Precigen, will participate in a virtual panel discussion titled, "Targeted T Cell Therapies, Including Autologous CAR T, TCR and More" on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 1:00 PM ET at the Stifel 2022 Virtual Cell Therapy Summit.
Event details can be found on Precigen's website in the Events & Presentations section at investors.precigen.com/events-presentations.
Precigen: Advancing Medicine with Precision™
Precigen (Nasdaq: PGEN) is a dedicated discovery and clinical stage biopharmaceutical company advancing the next generation of gene and cell therapies using precision technology to target the most urgent and intractable diseases in our core therapeutic areas of immuno-oncology, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Our technologies enable us to find innovative solutions for affordable biotherapeutics in a controlled manner. Precigen operates as an innovation engine progressing a preclinical and clinical pipeline of well-differentiated therapies toward clinical proof-of-concept and commercialization. For more information about Precigen, visit www.precigen.com or follow us on Twitter @Precigen, LinkedIn or YouTube.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and generally relate to plans, objectives, and expectations for the development of the Company's business, including the timing and progress of preclinical studies, clinical trials, discovery programs and related milestones, the promise of the Company's portfolio of therapies, and in particular its CAR-T and AdenoVerse therapies. Although management believes that the plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including the possibility that the timeline for the Company's clinical trials might be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and actual future results may be materially different from the plans, objectives and expectations expressed in this press release. The Company has no obligation to provide any updates to these forward-looking statements even if its expectations change. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. For further information on potential risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the Company's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor Contact:
Steven M. Harasym
Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (301) 556-9850
investors@precigen.com
Media Contacts:
Donelle M. Gregory
press@precigen.com
Glenn Silver
Lazar-FINN Partners
glenn.silver@finnpartners.com
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SOURCE Precigen, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/precigen-participate-stifel-2022-virtual-cell-therapy-summit/ | 2022-06-27T21:37:29Z |
ARF to deliver 18 tons of pet food, a Microsoft-backed tech platform, a NFT blockchain-powered pet reconnection database, and M*A*S*H-style clinics to shelters nationwide, starting with Kyiv.
NEW YORK, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Nearly seven million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At least 30% of Ukrainians were forced to leave behind their pets, which results in millions of domesticated animals without homes wandering the streets of Ukraine alone and vulnerable to bomb and missile attacks.
Ukrainian Animals War Relief (ARF) announced today a relief fund to:
- Provide a technology platform powered by Microsoft's not-for-profit social initiative to get food, medicine, and supplies to Ukrainian animal shelters and groups. The platform will:
- Create an NFT of each of the abandoned dogs and cats to catalog Ukraine's animals and raise funds for food, medicine, and supplies.
- Run mobile spay, neuter, and vaccination M*A*S*H clinics to prevent the problem from getting worse.
- Build the nation's most comprehensive database of abandoned Ukrainian pets and reduce the chaos that volunteers helping over 1,000 animal shelters and group homes in Ukraine are facing today.
Founded by Seattle native and Dot Com serial tech entrepreneur Dan Fine, proceeds from the relief fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/UWARF) will go towards ARF's first major Ukraine initiative in early July 2022. As many local and international animal nonprofits abandon Ukrainian animals due to the human risk of warfare, ARF will deliver 18 tons of pet food in cooperation with DogsnHomes Rescue and M*A*S*H style medical clinics providing flea treatment, vaccination, and spay and neuter care to shelters nationwide.
"We are proud supporters and partners of ARF with boots on the ground in Ukraine," says Gary Baxter, Co-founder of the UK nonprofit DogsnHomes Rescue, who has been delivering aid for dogs and cats since the war began.
The initiative will start in two locations. One will be in a village outside of Kyiv capturing animals and treating them. The other will be at a bombed shelter north of Kyiv with 3,000 animals. The Sirius Shelter in Ukraine took in 200 new animals just this week.
"You're probably asking, 'how could someone leave their animal behind?'," says Fine.
"Imagine missiles dropping around you and making a beeline with your children for the bus or train station. Airplanes are grounded and roads and bridges destroyed. Once there, you're told to leave your luggage to make more room for people and pets are absolutely not allowed. You have no choice but to either let your dog or cat loose at the station or try to find a nearby shelter that is open, overcrowded, and understaffed. We were wondering what we could do to help these innocent animals, so we put our heads together and formulated ARF."
"We are proud supporters of ARF's mission at Microsoft,"says Justin Spelhaug, Vice President and Global Lead of Tech for Social Impact. "As Ukrainian pet owners endure heartbreaking decisions, ARF is providing real relief and compassion in the form of food, medical care, and shelter to these innocent animals. We are honored to be ARF's technology partner and are happy to provide nonprofit grant support."
"When Russia invaded, the Ukrainian government stopped the spay and neuter program to go fight the war," says Fine. "There are millions of animals wandering loose around Ukraine or stuffed into shelters that were designed for a fraction of the size they are currently handling. Here's the problem: if one pair of dogs or cats have a litter of six, and those litters have a litter, in six years, 67,000 animals will be produced alone. This will have catastrophic consequences."
ARF will start with mobile M*A*S*H style clinics offering spay and neuter care in Kyiv and then roll out additional units to treat 1,000 animals a month.
Fine and ARF advocate for stricter animal legislation in Ukraine and globally during times of war.
"Russian soldiers are committing war crimes against civilians and animals," says Olga Orda, Hypemachine founder and ARF's Ukrainian Liaison. "Why can they walk away with no consequences when they commit crimes against innocent animals whereas they wouldn't be able to get away with this when committing war crimes against humans? ARF is standing up for the lives and dignity of these cherished family pets."
"We spent 8000 years domesticating our pets and now, as we choose between leaving our child or our dog, we need to leave them behind to face landmines and bullets on war-ravaged streets," says Fine. "We are at fault here and we need to take responsibility for their lives. That's what ARF is here for."
To learn more about ARF, visit https://uwarf.com. To help Ukrainian animals in dire need of assistance, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/UWARF to donate to ARF's relief fund.
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SOURCE Ukrainian War Animals Relief Fund | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/ukrainian-animals-war-relief-arf-announces-fund-support-million-dogs-cats-ukraine-left-behind-during-war/ | 2022-06-22T17:24:28Z |
New dispensary expands patient access to medical cannabis; grand opening specials available
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the grand opening of a new medical dispensary in Morgantown-Granville, WV. Located at 525 Granville Square, the doors open at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2022.
The 5,100 square-foot dispensary is situated in a highly trafficked area of Morgantown, adjacent to University Town Center and within the Granville Square Shops outlet mall. The Company's fifth retail location in West Virginia will be open seven days a week from 10am – 6pm and features enhanced visual elements and robust product offerings.
Grand opening festivities will be held on Saturday, July 9 throughout the day to include partner giveaways, deals and specials, and all registered patients will receive a 25% discount. On-site medical care specialists will be available to assist with medical card registration and certification for West Virginia patients.
"In the past year, West Virginia's medical cannabis program has added nearly 10,000 patients, and we are thrilled to serve this flourishing community through our newest location," said Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers, "Trulieve's growing retail footprint demonstrates our ongoing commitment to provide the best quality services and products for the state's registered medical cannabis patients. We look forward to supporting our patients throughout their cannabis journey and strengthening community connections in this developing market."
Trulieve patients across West Virginia can choose from a large selection of THC and CBD products available in a variety of consumption methods, including flower, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, ingestibles, and more. Designed to meet every patient's needs, our portfolio of in-house brands includes Cultivar Collection, Momenta, Muse, TruFlower and more.
Last November, Trulieve opened West Virginia's first dispensary and has since expanded its store hours to welcome patients seven days a week. This will be Trulieve's second location in Morgantown. The Company has already opened three new dispensaries in the state this year, with plans to open four additional dispensary locations by the end of the year in Milton, Hurricane, Huntington and Belle.
For more information on store locations, please visit https://www.trulieve.com/dispensaries/west-virginia.
About Trulieve
Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S. operating in 11 states, with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.
Facebook: @Trulieve
Instagram: @Trulieve_
Twitter: @Trulieve
Investor Contact
Christine Hersey, Executive Director of Investor Relations
+1 (424) 202-0210
Christine.Hersey@Trulieve.com
Media Contact
Rob Kremer, Executive Director of Corporate Communications
+1 (404) 218-3077
Robert.Kremer@Trulieve.com
MATTIO Communications
Trulieve@Mattio.com
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SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/trulieve-opening-morgantown-wv-medical-dispensary/ | 2022-07-01T12:54:15Z |
Jewish man shelters refugees to honor those who saved his own family from the Holocaust
By Kyung Lah, Sarah Boxer and Rachel Clarke, CNN
Jan Gerber handed his apartment keys to the family he had just met. The Ukrainian mother wanted to pay. No, insisted Gerber, this is free.
It was days after Russia invaded Ukraine and one of the countless acts of kindness being shown to those fleeing danger and reaching safety in Poland. But for Gerber, 42, it was very, very personal.
“My family survived the war because someone helped them. They were refugees. That’s the reason why I’m here,” he said. “Thanks to that time, I can help other people.”
Gerber is descended from Holocaust survivors, some of the few who lived through Hitler’s obliteration of Warsaw’s Jewish community, which was then the largest in Europe.
To not help others now is unthinkable to him, so he and his girlfriend repeatedly invite refugees to stay until they have somewhere more permanent. As a third family arrives, Gerber and his girlfriend inflate a mattress for themselves and give the bedroom of their 400-square-foot Warsaw apartment to their new guests.
“It is not a big apartment,” he told them, apologetically, though the refugees replied it was just the shelter they needed from the war.
Gerber said he hoped the woman from Kyiv and her young son would finally be able to rest.
“Everything which I own and have in my life is in this apartment,” Gerber told CNN. “I don’t know if it’s faith or tradition. But I have to.”
History repeating, and changing
A few city blocks from Gerber’s home is the site of the Warsaw Ghetto, where Nazis first imprisoned Jews behind a high wall topped with barbed wire and then deported them to death camps during World War II.
Almost daily, he walks past the building where his great-grandmother, Zofia Poznańska, lived before the war. He has a few photographs of her — as a toddler with a large bow holding back curly tendrils from her wide eyes; as a girl; a teenager, and finally as a mother with her own daughter, who would become Gerber’s grandmother.
With the Nazis in charge of the city, Zofia became separated from her husband Julian Poznański and Krystyna, their daughter. Krystyna was evacuated to Siberia, Gerber said. His great-grandfather was taken in and hidden by non-Jews in Poland. But Zofia was falsely told both were dead and, overcome with grief and believing she had nothing to live for, she handed herself to the Nazis, according to Gerber family history.
That’s the last they ever heard of her for certain, Gerber said. They believe she was taken to the Nazis’ Treblinka death camp, northeast of Warsaw, where she died, though the exact details, like the fates of many of the more than six million Jews murdered in the war, were never unearthed by the generations who followed.
One great-grandparent was sheltered and survived. One had no help and died.
That reality was always in Gerber’s mind when the refugees from neighboring Ukraine started to flood into Poland.
“My entire family is involved in helping refugees,” Gerber explained. His father has given up his apartment. His sisters have ferried Ukrainians from the Polish border into Warsaw. “We are living because my ancestors were in hiding in Poland,” said Gerber.
And this time, unlike in the 1940s, there are many in Poland willing to help when the need is so clear, even though the country has resisted waves of recent exiles from Middle Eastern countries like Syria.
‘It’s our time’
Poland’s Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich told CNN there was no comparison between the bravery of those who sheltered Jews against the Nazis and civilians supported by their government opening their doors to help Ukrainians. But it was still doing what needed to be done.
“We’re doing nothing compared to what these truly righteous people did during the war,” he said.
“It’s our time to do what we needed to have done for us 80 years ago … If we still have, somewhere in our hearts, a sadness that more people didn’t help, it needs then to push us to do more to help now, rather than becoming angry or turning inwards, it needs to motivate us to even do more.”
Most Polish Jews who survived the Holocaust left the country after the war. Today, there are fewer than 10,000 Jews in Poland, according to the World Jewish Congress. Schudrich said the Ukrainian refugee crisis hit home differently to members of the Jewish diaspora, including those of Polish origin, because of that history in addition to the Jewish tenet of helping those in need at any cost. He said global Jewish philanthropies, mainly in the US, have raised about $100 million to help Ukrainian refugees.
Even though he is surrounded by his family’s sometimes painful history, Gerber says he tries not to dwell on the past. But asked what life could have been like if more of his relatives had been saved from the Nazis, he sounds almost wistful.
“If someone had helped those, my ancestors, my cousins, during the Holocaust, I will have much greater family next to me,” he said.
“That would be wonderful — to have a great big family in Warsaw, a Jewish family which survived the war, that would be the most beautiful, beautiful thing.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Kyung Lah and Sarah Boxer reported and wrote this story in Warsaw, and Rachel Clarke wrote in Atlanta. | https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-europe-mideast-africa/2022/04/11/jewish-man-shelters-refugees-to-honor-those-who-saved-his-own-family-from-the-holocaust-2/ | 2022-04-12T01:16:19Z |
First on CNN: Republican operatives launch new group to elect GOP female governors
By Gabby Orr, CNN
A group of veteran political operatives has launched a new organization to help recruit and support Republican women seeking to run for governor in 2022 and beyond, CNN has exclusively learned.
The group, called Right Direction Women, has set its sights on elevating GOP women to governor’s mansions across the country at a time when only three are currently occupied by Republican women: Kay Ivey of Alabama, Kim Reynolds of Iowa and Kristi Noem of South Dakota.
Chaired by former New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, who broke barriers as the first Hispanic female governor in US history, the organization boasts a leadership roster of women who have prior experience recruiting and advising female GOP officeholders. Its national co-chairs, Annie Dickerson and Marie Sanderson, have been involved in candidate recruitment previously — Dickerson as founder of the Winning for Women Action Fund, which has worked to elect Republican women to federal office since the 2018 cycle, and Sanderson as onetime policy director of the Republican Governors Association.
“2022 holds a crucial opportunity for Republicans to not only flip the House and Senate, but also elect conservative women as chief executive of their states,” Sanderson said in a statement. “The women we are looking to support are talented and credentialed, and Right Direction Women is excited to get involved in these critically important campaigns.”
People familiar with the effort said the group will jump right into the 2022 cycle with two upcoming endorsements in Wisconsin and Arkansas, where former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and former Trump White House press secretary Sarah Sanders are competing in their respective primaries. One of the people familiar with the group said it will evaluate candidates on a case-by-case basis and could endorse both moderate Republican women and ultra-conservative women who have embraced former President Donald Trump‘s falsehoods about the 2020 election.
“At the end of the day, we are looking for candidates with leadership abilities, common-sense policies and positions. As has always been the case, there are districts and states where Trump has always been more popular than others,” said a person involved with efforts to elect Republican women, who requested anonymity because they are not directly affiliated with Right Direction Women.
In a statement to CNN, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley commended the group’s desire to “take on the good ole boys’ club across the country.” Haley does not have a formal role with the group.
“I’ve personally seen the power of a great team, and know we must do more to support strong women leaders in their races for governor,” Martinez added in a statement. “Right Direction Women will quickly become a key player in continuing to break glass ceilings for conservative women across the country and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
At a time when Republicans are looking to reverse the party’s weak appeal for college-educated suburban women, the group hopes its efforts to recruit female candidates at the statewide level will work against that trend by presenting female voters with candidates who are more relatable and who face many of the same challenges and decisions that are front and center in these voters’ minds — especially when it comes to education.
“Women who are running for office and have school-age kids, it gives them a unique way to relate to voters,” said the person involved with efforts to elect Republican women.
The emergence of Right Direction Women illustrates a directional shift for the Republican Party, whose leaders have often condemned identity politics, as it looks to diversify and broaden its appeal ahead of this fall’s midterm contests. At a House GOP retreat last month, for example, Republicans gathered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to discuss a policy plan called “Commitment to America” that they have developed with the goal of broadening the party’s appeal beyond its predominantly White male base.
“In a lot of ways, what we identified was a vacuum in the Republican ecosystem where electing women just wasn’t a priority and for many cycles it was a problem identified, but not a problem solved,” said one of the people familiar with the new group.
Still, past efforts by Republicans to add more women to the party’s ranks haven’t always brought positive returns. Two freshman members of the House GOP caucus — Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado — who were elected last cycle in GOP districts — have repeatedly stirred controversy for their offensive comments about minorities and bitter attacks on fellow lawmakers.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2022/04/05/first-on-cnn-republican-operatives-launch-new-group-to-elect-gop-female-governors/ | 2022-04-06T05:46:37Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — The storms are gone and it’s about time for Memorial Day Weekend to get underway in North Texas and if you didn’t know, the heat is back in action.
Before the weekend takes off taking care of Thursday is still in order and it’s going to feel good. North Texas can expect a sunny day with highs ranging from the upper 70s to upper 80s. As night falls, it will be seasonably cool with lows from the mid 50s to mid 60s.
Then, Friday arrives and the temps will slowly turn back up. It’ll be a sunny and warm day with highs ranging from the lower 80s to the mid 90s. “A nice end to the work week can be expected with mostly sunny days, clear, cool nights, and seasonable temperatures,” NWS Fort Worth said.
As the weekend truly gets started on Saturday, so does the 90-degree weather! The center says, “It will be dry through this coming Memorial Day Weekend with abnormally warm temperatures in the 90s to around 100 degrees far west Saturday and Sunday.”
North Texas shouldn’t see any rainfall thanks to an upper high keeping showers and storms deflected well to the west and north of the region. “So if you’re planning outdoor activities, you’re in good shape, just remember to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in the shade or air-conditioning!” | https://cw33.com/news/local/one-things-for-sure-expect-hot-weather-over-memorial-day-weekend-in-north-texas/ | 2022-05-26T16:32:55Z |
U.S. Business receives employee-driven honor
HERSHEY, Pa., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is proud that its U.S. business has been Certified™ by Great Place to Work®. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Hershey. This year's survey of current Hershey employees noted justice, pride and leadership as particular strengths for the company. Hershey's U.S. business joins operations in Brazil and India in earning this certification honor.
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.
"Great Place to Work Certification™ isn't something that comes easily – it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience," said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. "It's the only official recognition determined by employees' real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that The Hershey Company is one of the best companies to work for in the country."
"Being named a Great Place to Work-Certified company further validates our culture and our 128-year legacy of making moments of goodness," said Michele Buck, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. "Inspired by our remarkable people who bring our purpose to life, we are committed to living our values every day and ensuring our company remains a great place to work."
The certification underscores Hershey's on-going commitment to foster a positive employee experience, with inclusivity, equity and mentorship initiatives driving tangible results. Hershey empowers people to be themselves while owning and growing their own careers to their full potential. In 2022, the company launched an enterprise-wide career development program so employees could learn and practice new ideas, behaviors and skills. Additionally, Hershey is committed to supporting employees through a set of competitive and wide-ranging benefits to help them be well, plan for their future, and balance work and life. To continue supporting employees and their growing families, Hershey will increase salaried parental leave to up to 20 weeks in 2023.
"This honor directly reflects the thoughts and opinions of our employees, which is the highest praise we could receive," added Chris Scalia, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, The Hershey Company. "To address the challenges of the past two years, our leadership team has harnessed the power of continuous and active listening, created a safe and open workplace through public acts of vulnerability, and fostered value creation through putting our employees' well-being first. These initiatives are making a difference, and we will continue to engage our people to create a workplace that's welcoming, inclusive and reflective of our purpose and values."
According to Great Place to Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company's profits and have a fair chance at promotion.
We're hiring!
Looking to grow your career at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at: careers.thehersheycompany.com.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 19,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 100 brand names in approximately 80 countries around the world that drive more than $8.9 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers, and fast-growing salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels.
For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.
About Great Place to Work Certification™
Great Place to Work® Certification™ is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place to Work-Certified.
About Great Place to Work®
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All™. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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SOURCE The Hershey Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/hershey-company-earns-great-place-work-certification/ | 2022-08-02T19:25:05Z |
Competition enables young, creative thinkers to learn, shine
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SME, the professional association committed to advancing manufacturing and developing a skilled workforce, and global additive manufacturing leader Stratasys, announced the winners of their cosponsored 2022 Additive Manufacturing Competition, conducted as part of the 58th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, held in Atlanta. The competition was supported this year by partners nTopology Inc. and Allegheny Education Systems.
Three high school and three college teams received top honors in the additive manufacturing competition, created in 2013 by SME and Stratasys. The contest is intended to both educate high school and postsecondary students about additive manufacturing technologies and its design and to provide them with real-world, hands-on experience that they can apply to a commercial product.
"The partnership between SME and Stratasys makes perfect sense," said Robert Willig, executive director and CEO of SME. "With our collaborative efforts, we're changing the world one student at a time through manufacturing. The finalists competing in this year's additive manufacturing competition blew me away. The sky is the limit for these young innovators."
In addition to the additive manufacturing competition, all 70 students participated in a certification. The Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals Certification Exam was administered to all students free of charge and was included as a percentage of the total points for each competing team. This exam is the first and only certification validating an individual's knowledge of industry-standard concepts in additive manufacturing, based on revisions to the Additive Manufacturing Body of Knowledge by the Additive Manufacturing Leadership Initiative (AMLI) in 2016.
Despite the challenging nature of this portion of the competition, an impressive 23 students of the 70 in attendance passed the Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals Certification Exam, and 12 students missed by only 1 point. This portion of the competition displayed the extraordinary knowledge that these students have (and continue to develop) for additive manufacturing.
"It's really important for Stratasys to attend challenges like SKillsUSA mainly because the young kids that attend are going to be the kids in 5 to 10 years who come work at Stratasys," said Thomas Whiting, Application Engineer at Stratasys. "The more we can do now to prepare them, the better off they'll be – and we as a manufacturer will be – in the future."
The competition this year challenged students to design a 3D-printed enclosure that would house three key components including a circuit board, a small motor, and a fan. Willig said the diversity of creative designs was outstanding and the innovative problem solving was on full display throughout the three-day competition. It was truly impressive to watch these young competitors collaborate, problem-solve, and work their way through difficult situations to find an ultimate solution, he added. More than 300 parts were printed during the competition, all on Stratasys 3D-Printers.
Both levels of the winning teams received gold, silver and bronze medals from SkillsUSA, as well as scholarships of $1,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively, from the SME Education Foundation. Both levels also received a one-year subscription for Tooling U-SME classes and a one-year SME membership, plus post-secondary winners received RAPID + TCT full-conference conference passes. Gold-medal-winning teams in both categories won a professional-grade Sketch 3D printer as well.
2022 winners of the SME/Stratasys SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing Competition
In all, more than 6,500 career and technical education students – all SkillsUSA state contest winners – competed in 108 different hands-on trade, technical and leadership fields during the national conference.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of education and industry to strengthen our nation's skilled workforce. Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. This SkillsUSA Framework empowers every student to succeed at work and in life, while helping to close the "skills gap" in which millions of positions go unfilled. Through SkillsUSA's championships program and curricula, employers have long ensured schools are teaching relevant technical skills, and with SkillsUSA's new credentialing process, they can now assess how ready potential employees are for the job. SkillsUSA has more than 360,000 annual members nationwide in high schools, colleges and middle schools, covering over 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, and is recognized by the U.S. departments of Education and Labor as integral to career and technical education. For more information: https://www.skillsusa.org/
About Stratasys
Stratasys is leading the global shift to additive manufacturing with innovative 3D printing solutions for industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products and healthcare. Through smart and connected 3D printers, polymer materials, a software ecosystem, and parts on demand, Stratasys solutions deliver competitive advantages at every stage in the product value chain. The world's leading organizations turn to Stratasys to transform product design, bring agility to manufacturing and supply chains, and improve patient care. To learn more about Stratasys visit www.stratasys.com, the Stratasys blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
About SME
SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. With nearly 90 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training and development, and also through the SME Education Foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing. Learn more at sme.org, follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.
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SOURCE SME | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/11/sme-stratasys-announce-winners-2022-skillsusa-additive-manufacturing-competition/ | 2022-07-11T17:40:18Z |
Dispatcher who didn’t send ambulance charged in woman’s 2020 death
(AP) - A Pennsylvania 911 operator faces a rare charge of involuntary manslaughter for failing to send an ambulance to the rural home of a woman who died of internal bleeding a day later, despite a plea from the woman’s daughter that without medical help “she’s going to die.”
A Greene County detective last week filed charges against Leon “Lee” Price, 50, of Waynesburg, in the July 2020 death of Diania Kronk, 54, based on Price’s reluctance to dispatch help without getting more assurance that Kronk would actually go to the hospital.
“I believe she would be alive today if they would have sent an ambulance,” said Kronk’s daughter Kelly Titchenell, 38.
Price, who also was charged with reckless endangerment, official oppression and obstruction, questioned Titchenell repeatedly during the four-minute call about whether Kronk would agree to be taken for treatment.
Price was arraigned June 29 and released on bail. He did not reply to messages left at a home number listed in his name, and officials said a defense lawyer has not contacted district court.
“It has to be very clear throughout the entire state, that when you call it’s not going to be conditioned on somebody on the other end of the phone saying there’s going to be a service provided or not,” said Lawrence E. Bolind Jr., who represents Titchenell in a federal lawsuit filed last month. “What we’re trying to do here is make this never happen to somebody else.”
In the 911 recording, an operator identified by police as Price replied to Titchenell’s description of her mother as needing hospital treatment by asking if she was “willing to go” to the hospital about a half-hour away from where she was living in Sycamore.
“She will be, ‘cause I’m on my way there, so she’s going, or she’s going to die,” Titchenell told Price as she drove from her home in Mather.
Price said he would send an ambulance but then added that “we really need to make sure she’s willing to go.”
“She’s going to go, she’s going to go,” Titchenell said. “Cause if not, she’s going to die, there’s nothing else.” She said that Kronk was not thinking clearly and that she was her mother’s closest relation. When Price again asked if Kronk would in fact go, Titchenell replied: “OK, well, can we just try?”
After Titchenell told Price she was about 10 minutes from her mother’s home, Price asked if Titchenell would call 911 back once she made sure Kronk was willing to go in an ambulance.
“I’m sorry,” Titchenell said, and Price replied: “No, don’t be sorry, ma’am. Just call me when you get out there, OK?”
When Titchenell and her three children arrived at the house, she said, Kronk was nude on the front porch and talking incoherently. She got her mother to put on a robe.
“She just kept saying she was OK, she’s fine,” Titchenell said. “She’s the mom, you know — she doesn’t listen to her children.”
Titchenell said she could not call from the home because her mother’s landline could not be located and there was not cell service. She also did not call on her way home, believing that her uncle would soon check on her and that another contact with 911 would be pointless.
“This is unheard of, to me. I mean, they’ll send an ambulance for anything,” Titchenell said. “And here I am telling this guy that my mom’s going to die. It’s, like, her death, and she doesn’t get an ambulance.”
Her brother found the next day that their mother had died.
The prosecutor, Greene County District Attorney Dave Russo, said he is also investigating whether there was any policy or training under which the county’s 911 dispatchers were allowed to refuse services to callers.
“We all deserve equal protections, and we all deserve access to medical services,” Russo said in an interview. “I have a major concern as to the safety of the community in regards to this.”
John Kelly, a Naperville, Illinois, lawyer who is general counsel to the National Emergency Number Association, said criminal charges against dispatchers for failing to send help are very rare but have happened.
In a case Kelly teaches in dispatcher training, a 911 operator in Detroit received a year of probation in 2008 and lost her job after, authorities said, she did not take seriously a boy’s calls to report his mother had collapsed. The 5-year-old boy testified that the dispatcher accused him of playing games and hung up on him, while the dispatcher testified that she could not hear the child.
Titchenell, on behalf of her mother’s estate, sued Price and Greene County in Pittsburgh federal court last month, along with two 911 supervisors. The lawsuit accuses Price of “callous refusal of public emergency medical services.”
Marie Milie Jones, a lawyer for the county and 911 supervisors in the federal case, said her clients plan to vigorously defend the lawsuit and do not believe they are liable for Kronk’s death. She said there are “personnel matters that are ongoing” regarding Price but declined to elaborate.
“It’s unfortunate that this woman had died. Certainly, from a personal standpoint, that’s very difficult,” Jones said. “I’m not going to comment on the details of her circumstances.”
Titchenell told Price that her mother had been drinking heavily for some weeks before she died and that Titchenell had noticed she was losing weight and was “turning yellow.” She said the autopsy concluded Kronk, who worked in home health care, died of internal bleeding.
She said she thinks about her late mother every day — how the former longtime sub shop manager loved to cook, to help people and to spoil her five grandchildren, how she would pile a mountain of presents under the tree every Christmas.
“She had the biggest heart,” Titchenell said. “If someone didn’t have a place to live, she was going to take them in, give them a bed. That was Mom.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/08/dispatcher-who-didnt-send-ambulance-charged-womans-2020-death/ | 2022-07-08T15:54:56Z |
SUGAR GROVE, Ill. (AP) — Dustin Johnson already is approaching $10 million in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series and he’s playing like that number is going to keep soaring.
Johnson ran off nine birdies Friday, none longer than about 12 feet, and posted a 9-under 63 at Rich Harvest Farms to build a three-shot lead after the first of three rounds in the LIV Golf Invitational-Chicago.
Johnson is coming off a playoff win two weeks ago outside Boston, and with his team having won the last two events, his earnings in four starts already is just over $9.9 million. That’s more than his best season on the PGA Tour over 22 starts.
British Open champion Cameron Smith rediscovered his putting form toward the end of the round and finished with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 second hole for a 66.
Matthew Wolff had a 67, while the group at 66 includes Charles Howell III, whose round was marred by a double bogey, and Henrik Stenson, who missed the Boston event while coping with vertigo.
Phil Mickelson had five birdies and might have been a little closer to Johnson except for his one mistake, and it was a big one. He took triple bogey on the par-3 fifth hole, his sixth of the day in the shotgun start. He shot 70.
Johnson closed out the front nine with four straight birdies, three of the from 8 feet or closer. He put on a clinic on Rich Harvest Farms, built in the southwest suburbs and best known for hosting the Solheim Cup in 2009.
Even with a week off — and playing for only the sixth time in four months — Johnson kept the groove in his swing.
His one miss was on the par-5 18th and that only kept him from reaching in two. He missed a 10-foot birdie putt.
“I didn’t hole a lot of putts outside 10 feet. I didn’t have many long putts,” Johnson said with a smile.
“I’ve got my swing in a nice groove,” he said. “As long as I hit a couple of balls every other day, I can keep it there. Fortunately, I’m keeping it going right now.”
Smith made only two birdies on his opening nine holes until changing his approach and seeing more birdies go in.
“I made an adjustment out there the last five or six holes. I just wasn’t quite hitting them into the back of the hole,” he said. “A little speed adjustment and a few started to go in.”
Johnson and Talor Gooch, who birdied his first three holes and was 1 over the rest of the way for a 70, are the only players to have finished in the top 10 in all four LIV Golf Invitational events.
Twenty-seven players from the 48-man field broke par on a pleasant day in the suburbs. David Puig, who gave up his senior year at Arizona State to turn pro this week, had a 73.
Patrick Reed also struggled, posting a 74 despite making three birdies and an eagle.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-dustin-johnson-stays-in-groove-opens-with-63-at-liv-chicago/ | 2022-09-17T23:10:11Z |
ATLANTA, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation's supply chain challenges continue, one Georgia company is quietly expanding its footprint to help calm the chaos. CargoBarn, a proven logistics innovator in freight brokerage, recently tripled its Atlanta footprint as the company sprints to 1,000 employees across multiple offices nationwide.
"Customers need worry-free freight solutions, especially right now," said Cameron Baird, CargoBarn's founder and chief executive officer. "We create shipping solutions you don't have to think about, giving every shipper a positive experience."
CargoBarn was founded in Fresno, Calif., in 2008 with a small infusion of capital from Baird's savings account and a focus on relationships. Its new Atlanta headquarters spans an entire floor of a high-rise – more than 24,000 s.f. – and will accommodate 200 employees at full capacity. CargoBarn's offices in Dallas, Jacksonville and Fresno also are expanding.
The company's explosive growth began in 2018, when Baird moved the company headquarters to Atlanta and began building out its proprietary technology platform. "We wanted to be in a city known for its talent, technology and logistics," Baird said. "Thanks to UPS, Roadie and other Atlanta companies, the logistics talent here is unlike anywhere else in the U.S."
CargoBarn specializes in full truckload, refrigerated, drayage, expedited and intermodal shipping. "With the challenges at the nation's ports, drayage has become an important part of our service offerings," Baird said. In 2021, CargoBarn's annual revenue grew by more than 70 percent. The company is on pace for similar growth in 2022.
Growth in Georgia, Florida, Texas, California
"With CargoBarn's growth scaling upwards, our hiring team is focused on finding elite candidates to help continue our success," said Jessica Peres, CargoBarn's VP-People Operations. "We have advanced technology, a fun, learning culture, and an incredible benefits package that includes paid training, paid parental leave, sales incentives, monthly team-building outings and more. We're attracting the best talent in the best logistics markets in the country."
Pioneering Technology
CargoBarn's proprietary technology, using machine learning, pricing algorithms and other advanced tools, creates a competitive advantage for its shipping customers and carriers. New AI technologies being developed by CargoBarn will expand the Customer Portal to provide enhanced pricing, visibility and tracking for customers, efficient load delivery for carriers, and frictionless sourcing for employees. "We are revolutionizing the third-party logistics (3PL) industry again," Baird said.
Media Contact:
Patrick Hill, 770.380.3015
pathill@lakehousemarketing.com
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SOURCE CargoBarn | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/cargobarn-triples-atlanta-footprint-supply-chain-woes-spur-growth-logistics-freight-brokerage/ | 2022-05-18T15:38:13Z |
Annual survey reveals economic uncertainty tied to rising inflation, retirement concerns and market volatility leading to sizable increase in stress
SAN JOSE, Calif., May 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BrightPlan, a leader in Total Financial Wellness, today announced the results of its 2022 Wellness Barometer Survey on the state of employee well-being. Among its key findings is a significant increase in employee financial stress since 2021, with 72% of employees reporting they are stressed about their finances—which in turn has affected workers' mental and physical health as well as workplace productivity.
Rising inflation (79%) is employees' top financial concern, followed by adequate retirement planning (59%), with employees currently contributing significantly more to retirement. In addition, market volatility (56%), having sufficient emergency savings (55%), and paying off debt (44%) rank high.
With an 11% increase over the past year, employee financial stress is at an all-time high. Deteriorating financial health is impacting both mental health (77%) and physical well-being (52%). Those reporting financial stress state they lose, on average, 11.4 hours in productivity every week—this translates into over $4 billion in lost productivity weekly for U.S. employers.*
"As the pandemic's impact on the workplace lessens and economic uncertainty increases, financial wellness is top of mind," said Marthin De Beer, BrightPlan founder and CEO. "Employees are more concerned and stressed about their finances than ever before. Fortunately, companies have gained trust among their workforce. By offering innovative wellness benefits, employers can leverage that trust to attract, retain and engage their best workers."
Increased financial stress is shifting employee priorities. Financial wellness-related benefits are now the most desired innovative benefit, rising from No. 3 (29%) in 2021 to No. 1 (54%) this year. The desire for financial wellness benefits is followed by mental health benefits (33%) and flexible time off (30%). Nearly 9 out of 10 employees (88%) expect their employers to provide tools and resources to help them with their finances. The effect of offering enhanced benefits is strong, with 95% of workers saying they have a positive impact:
- 60% say they would work harder
- 59% would feel more financially secure
- 58% would be more engaged and productive
- 34% would be more committed and stay longer
The waning of the global pandemic has presented a new set of priorities and challenges for employers. 86% of HR leaders say their biggest challenge is attracting or retaining talent; engaging employees is also high on the list (65%). The continuing Great Resignation is causing employees to reassess their priorities:
- 78% seek better work/life balance
- 38% are seeking greater mission and purpose (52% among Black respondents)
- 1 in 4 wish to take a break from work altogether (40% among ages 18-25)
In terms of trust, safety and belonging, 89% of employees feel their company is doing a good job with diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives. Yet one-third feel only somewhat safe and accepted. Groups most likely to feel only somewhat safe include Asian-Americans (49%), those working in healthcare (42%), LGBTQIA workers (42%) and females (36%, versus 28% of males).
"Two years of COVID-19 upheaval have caused employees to reexamine the influence that work is having on their life, and whether that influence is a positive or negative one," said Danielle Posa, founder of Workplace Wellbeing Advisors. "As a result, it is understandable that well-being, in all its forms, has emerged as a C-suite priority. Companies can lessen the negative impact of the Great Resignation by putting well-being front and center and making it a part of the entire employee experience. In fact, when well-being is strategically ingrained into the fabric of the culture, it can be a real competitive advantage in today's market."
Access the full 2022 BrightPlan Wellness Barometer Survey report and infographic with additional data here. Register for this May 25 webinar hosted by HR Daily Advisor for a live walk through of the findings.
About BrightPlan
BrightPlan is a leader in Total Financial Wellness. BrightPlan provides a comprehensive solution that addresses all aspects of employees' financial health at every stage of life, and empowers HR teams to enhance the employee experience and better attract, retain and engage talent. Its unique combination of digital platform and financial planners enables employers to deploy at scale while delivering personalization for employees. The company is the first financial wellness solution certified for fiduciary excellence by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX). For more, visit brightplan.com.
Media Contact: brightplan@nextpr.com
CITE Research on behalf of BrightPlan surveyed 1,500 knowledge workers at companies with 1,000+ employees in the U.S. between April-May, 2022. This included a mix of HR decision-makers and employees in various industries including technology, healthcare, financial services, education, manufacturing and energy.
*Disclosure: Assumes there are 97,983,000 knowledge workers in the U.S. with an hourly wage of $36.68. Source: Federal Reserve Economic Dataset. For more information, see the full report.
BrightPlan LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training nor does it imply endorsement by the SEC.
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SOURCE BrightPlan | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/24/72-us-employees-are-stressed-about-their-finances-according-brightplan-2022-wellness-barometer-survey/ | 2022-05-24T14:16:16Z |
Addition of distributor enhances company's position as global supplier of synthetic diamond and cBN
WORTHINGTON, Ohio, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyperion Materials & Technologies, a leading global materials science company that specializes in developing advanced hard and super-hard materials for a variety of industries and applications, today announced the acquisition of Premium Diamond Solutions SA, a company that sells synthetic and industrial diamond superabrasives.
Premium Diamond Solutions SA is a European distributor of diamond and cBN products, recently spun-off from Premium Diamond Selection SA, widely known in the industry as Predias. The transaction will expand Hyperion's position as a leading global provider of synthetic diamond and cBN products, creating a larger and stronger organization that is better equipped to support global customers with an extensive portfolio of products and services across many industries, including stone & construction, general industrial, aerospace, electronics, medical & dental, and automotive.
"Premium Diamond Solutions is led by a dynamic team that provides first-class service and a wealth of knowledge in helping customers select optimal super-hard materials for a variety of applications," said Ron Voigt, Chief Executive Officer of Hyperion. "Bringing their team into the Hyperion Materials & Technologies family enhances the value, reach and experience we can offer to customers around the world."
Daniel Cascioli, Director of Premium Diamond Solutions, commented, "We have worked closely with our superabrasives supply partner NanoDiamond Products (NDP) over many years to provide our customers with the right products for their applications and excellent customer service. Following the acquisition of NDP by Hyperion, we are excited to also become part of the Hyperion family to further strengthen our value proposition. Joining Hyperion gives us the means to both expand our product portfolio and service, as well as ensure the longevity of the business that we have built to help our customers continue to get the best diamond and cBN solutions for their applications."
The Premium Diamond Solutions team will continue to market and distribute its existing range of products while expanding its offering to include the full portfolio of Hyperion products.
Hyperion was advised on this transaction by Backs M&A Advisory, LLC.
David Means
Corporate Communications Professional
David.Means@HyperionMT.com
Hyperion Materials & Technologies, headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, USA, is a global leader in hard and super-hard materials. Visit HyperionMT.com, LinkedIn or YouTube to learn more.
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SOURCE Hyperion Materials & Technologies | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/hyperion-materials-amp-technologies-acquires-premium-diamond-solutions-sa/ | 2022-08-02T19:58:41Z |
Snowflake awards Alteryx with four competency badges for its proven analytics automation success
IRVINE, Calif., June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alteryx, Inc. (NYSE: AYX), the Analytics Automation Company, today announced that it has been awarded four Snowflake Competency badges for its proven success automating analytics for customers across several verticals. These badges reinforce that customers in financial services, healthcare and life sciences, media, retail/CPG, and beyond can confidently turn to the Alteryx integration with Snowflake to unlock insights and improve analytics automation at scale.
"By leveraging Alteryx and Snowflake's integrated offerings, we're able to provide more comprehensive insights faster, and we're helping the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our business," said Steven Konkol, data, analytics and reporting leader at CUNA Mutual Group. "Plus, the capabilities that Snowflake and Alteryx provide enable us to better serve clients."
"Together, Alteryx and Snowflake help democratize analytics by enabling all users across the enterprise to make data-driven decisions," said Nitin Brahmankar, vice president, strategic technology partnerships, Alteryx. "As a result, we've seen joint customers achieve top-line growth, bottom-line returns, efficiency gains, workforce upskilling, risk reduction, and improved customer experiences."
The Snowflake Partner Network Competency Program, unveiled at Snowflake Summit 2022, rewards and validates Snowflake partners for the depth of their Snowflake expertise and commitment to driving customer impact across the Data Cloud ecosystem. Alteryx provides users of all skill levels in any industry an easy-to-use platform to solve analytic and data challenges of any complexity, while the Snowflake Data Cloud makes data management and processing flexible, scalable, and highly secure.
"Snowflake and Alteryx's partnership is reimagining what's possible with data across multiple industries, helping our joint customers recognize the full potential of their data while maintaining security and governance standards," said Philip Larson, senior director, worldwide partner programs, Snowflake. "Alteryx earning four Competency badges is a testament to their overall expertise and continued innovation in the Data Cloud, further mobilizing the world's data to enable transformational outcomes through analytics."
About Alteryx:
Alteryx, the Analytics Automation company, is focused on enabling every person to transform data into a breakthrough. Alteryx unifies analytics, data science and business process automation in one, end-to-end platform to accelerate digital transformation and shape the future of analytics automation. Organizations of all sizes, all over the world, rely on Alteryx to deliver high-impact business outcomes and the rapid upskilling of their modern workforce. For more information visit www.alteryx.com.
Alteryx is a registered trademark of Alteryx, Inc. All other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
To become a Snowflake partner, get access to Snowflake's self-service partner resources and apply for the Powered by Snowflake program, please visit www.snowflake.com/partners/poweredbysnowflake.
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SOURCE Alteryx, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/alteryx-accelerates-customer-innovation-snowflake-data-cloud/ | 2022-06-14T19:21:28Z |
NEW YORK, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRCA) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: May 28, 2021 to May 24, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 5, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in VRCA:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/verrica-pharmaceuticals-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28448&from=4
Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NEWS - VRCA NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Inc. made 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.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Verrica you have until August 5, 2022 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Verrica 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 VRCA lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/verrica-pharmaceuticals-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28448&from=4.
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/vrca-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-5-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-verrica-pharmaceuticals-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-06-14T10:30:28Z |
Care navigation program also in development designed to help members find access to services
CANTON, Mass., July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Point32Health and its family of companies, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, has developed a comprehensive travel benefit to support its members and employees who are unable to obtain access to covered services in their state of residence due to state laws restricting or prohibiting providers from providing such covered benefits. This action is in response to the recent Supreme Court decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned the long-standing precedent of Roe v. Wade, as well as gender affirming surgeries prohibited by certain state laws. The new travel benefit will be immediately available to fully-insured commercial accounts with more than 50 members that have coverage for these benefits,1 as well as offered to all self-funded commercial accounts. The travel benefit is also available to Point32Health employees who have health insurance benefits through the Company.
In addition to the travel benefit, Point32Health is also developing a comprehensive care navigation program aimed at helping its members find access to reproductive health care services, gender affirming surgeries, and support. The program, when developed, will apply across the Company's product lines.
"The health and well-being of our members is always our top priority, and we remain committed to ensuring our members have access to all the benefits and services that are part of their health plan," said Cain Hayes, president and CEO of Point32Health. "This is not only the right thing to do, but an important step in our journey in having a real impact on health equity for our members and the broader community."
Members may contact the Member Services team listed on their health plan member ID cards. Commercial employer groups and brokers should contact their sales executive and/or account manager for additional details on these enhancements.
Point32Health is a leading health and wellbeing organization, delivering an ever-better health care experience to everyone in our communities. Building on the quality, nonprofit heritage of our founding organizations, Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, we leverage our experience and expertise to help people find their version of healthier living through a broad range of health plans and tools that make navigating health and wellbeing easier.
Our programs take a 360-degree view of health for our members—no matter their age, health, race, identity or income. Our Institute works to improve population health—and our Foundation works with communities to support, advocate and advance healthier lives for everyone. We use empathy to understand what's important to those we serve, always making their priorities our own. And we work to guide and empower people by bringing together wide-ranging partners and perspectives to create new approaches that make a real difference for our community, our industry and our 2.2 million members across New England.
1 Pending regulatory approval
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SOURCE Point32Health | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/13/point32health-adds-travel-benefit-harvard-pilgrim-health-care-tufts-health-plan-members-impacted-by-dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization-supreme-court-decision-well-state-laws-preventing-gender-affirming-surgeries/ | 2022-07-13T20:42:42Z |
Partners Coupa, Gusto, and Workato to Integrate into Brex Empower, Connecting Spend Management into Existing HRIS and ERP Systems and Driving Connectivity and Automation of Financial Workflows
SAN FRANCISCO, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brex, the company reimagining finance for growing companies, today announced it is expanding Brex Empower's ecosystem. The new integrations from Coupa, Gusto, and Workato are designed to make it easy for finance teams to connect the Brex Empower spend management platform to existing systems to increase the speed at which they operate while maintaining financial discipline. Brex's integrations and APIs enable customization, control, and compliance in functions such as employee management in HRIS, ERP integration, data synchronization, and procurement.
"Companies spend too much time translating data between multiple systems," said Henrique Dubugras, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Brex. "After surveying finance leaders, we found that 68% of their teams spend over 30 hours reconciling data for their month-end close. Those are hours that should be spent on more important priorities, and it is our goal to help teams run their business more effectively. That is why we are excited to expand our ecosystem of integrations available through the Brex Empower platform."
Brex, which already enables over 1,000 integrations to help companies automate manual work, has partnered with Coupa, Gusto and Workato to enable:
- Better, faster decisions with real-time financial data. Brex is building a universal ERP integration which will enable companies to gain a real-time view of their finances by synchronizing any ERP system with Brex in a matter of clicks.
- Continuous close. Brex Empower will enable a continuous close across financial systems so journal entries can be categorized, prepared, and posted in real-time and automatically reconciled without manual intervention.
- Manage employees faster and more securely. Brex integrates with the top 35 HR systems, including Gusto (now with next-day payroll), to automatically onboard employees, sync org chart data for expense approvals, and issue corporate cards automatically.
- Approve and pay vendors faster and more securely with Coupa Pay. Brex customers that use Coupa Pay can leverage the packaged integration to preauthorize spend for more control and visibility, securely automate payments, and eliminate the need for one-time vendor onboarding. Vendor payments and cards sync with budgets to keep company-wide spending aligned with policies.
- Drive financial accountability with custom transaction alerts. Brex Empower connects with leading integration automation platform Workato so companies can set up custom transaction or payment alerts through any system they already use, including email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp.
To learn more, please visit brex.com/empower/ecosystem
Brex is a powerful financial stack designed to serve the next generation of growing businesses. By integrating software, services, and products into one experience, we help customers effortlessly extend the power of every dollar, so they're free to focus on big dreams and fast growth. We proudly serve tens of thousands of businesses, from small private companies to many of America's most beloved public brands. Learn more.
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SOURCE Brex | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/14/brex-expands-ecosystem-partners-seamlessly-integrate-automate-accelerate-financial-systems/ | 2022-06-14T13:34:09Z |
Funding backed by Arcadia Funds
MIAMI, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OppZo, Inc. a mission driven financial technology company focused on unlocking access to capital for small and medium sized businesses, announces over $260M in debt and equity funding. The equity portion of the funding, worth $5M, was led by Arcadia Funds, LLC. The debt portion of the funding, worth $255M, was led by Arcadia Funds.
Leveraging OppZo's proprietary AI-driven origination and servicing platform, SMBs focused on government contracting can finally access working capital in a cost-effective and operationally efficient way. OppZo is assisting in the revitalization of distressed communities across the United States by offering a new transformative impact asset class to institutional investors. OppZo's platform provides institutional investors with the opportunity to gain an attractive risk-adjusted return that has a positive and sustainable social and economic impact on the funded communities.
"We built OppZo with one mission in mind: to help build thriving communities," said Warren Reed, Co-Founder & CEO, OppZo. "Every business owner needs access to capital on terms that are fair and affordable. We understand first hand the impacts of disparity in funding, and we're delivering the optimal solution to the market."
"Our top priority is supporting the communities we serve and seeing them thrive, '' said Randy Garrett, Co-Founder & President, OppZo. "We are building an ecosystem that drives both public and private capital to businesses in these distressed communities, and we do so by focusing on building relationships and understanding first."
The funding from Arcadia Funds will enable OppZo to continue connecting small businesses to public and private capital sources, so they can grow their business, ultimately creating jobs.
"OppZo is solving the conundrum the financial services industry has long faced: how do we pursue impact without sacrificing a sustainable business model?" said Andrew Hallowell, Managing Director at Arcadia Funds, LLC. "Arcadia Funds is proud to welcome OppZo to our portfolio and help achieve its mission of providing access to capital while helping to build a new era of wealth generation for small businesses and distressed communities."
For more information on OppZo, visit https://www.oppzo.com.
OppZo is a financial technology company that makes affordable asset based working capital loans available to small to medium sized businesses (SMB) in Opportunity Zones, which are economically-distressed areas of the U.S. that investors can earn a tax benefit when they are invested in. OppZo funds SMBs through its investors and balance sheet partners, which offers a new transformative impact asset class to provide investors with a risk-adjusted return that has a positive and sustainable social and economic impact on the communities funded.
Arcadia Funds, LLC is a registered investment manager focused on identifying, partnering with and providing balance sheet capital to fintech and specialty finance originators. Since its inception in 2012, Arcadia-advised entities have purchased over $5.5 billion of unsecured consumer loans, secured and unsecured small business loans and secured specialized auto loans. For more information about Arcadia Funds, please visit www.arcadiafunds.com.
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SOURCE OppZo, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/oppzo-raises-260m-funding-drive-capital-distressed-communities/ | 2022-06-30T16:07:34Z |
2-month-old finds donor heart, transplant surgery successful
LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) – Parents Franky and Esmeralda Garcia were stunned Friday when they received a call saying a donor’s heart had been located for their two-month-old daughter, Amelia.
The infant underwent an eight-hour surgery the next day, and now the heart beats strongly in Amelia’s body.
“As a mom, we’ve had some really dark days where we wondered what was going to happen to our baby. Are we going to have our child at Christmas? And you think there’s a mom out there, parents, that in their sorrow said yes, said yes to giving our child life,” Esmeralda Garcia told FOX5.
The couple knew before Amelia was born that she would have to undergo surgery for a heart problem, but were shocked to learn she’d need a new heart.
Amelia made it on the transplant list about four weeks ago and had no idea how long it would take for a donor heart.
The donor is anonymous, and the Garcias said, “thank you,” is a huge understatement for what they did for their baby. They want to raise Amelia the best they can for the donor.
“We’ll probably spend the rest of our lives trying to do good for others because so many people have done good for us. I mean, our daughter got the ultimate gift of life,” Esmeralda Garcia said.
The transplant surgery happened at UCLA in Southern California.
The Garcia family said Amelia will remain in the hospital for at least a few weeks, but they plan to stay for three months to ensure everything goes OK before they return home to Las Vegas.
Copyright 2022 KVVU via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/09/2-month-old-finds-donor-heart-transplant-surgery-successful/ | 2022-08-09T20:23:17Z |
VIDEO: Woman smashes cars, objects with child in car in frightening gas station incident
DETROIT (WXYZ) - Video from a gas station near Detroit caught a frightening encounter that put an infant’s life in danger.
Van Buren police report the incident started with an argument between two women, but it quickly escalated to involve one of them smashing items with her car.
Surveillance video from the gas station shows a woman appearing to go on a tirade smashing into not one but two cars with a 7-month-old infant in her back seat.
The child was able to be rescued from one of the cars, but the incident wasn’t over.
One of the women, who police later identified as 26-year-old Ariyah Bennet, grabbed a bat out of the trunk of her car and smashed a windshield.
But what led up to the attack?
Van Buren police said the two women involved knew each other, and were meeting up for a child’s clothing exchange.
However, Bennett was allegedly called “a burnt piece of toast” by the other woman, and the two got into a physical fight. But it wasn’t long before fists weren’t enough.
Kim Lulow, a witness, was caught questioning what she was seeing.
“How somebody can do that with a baby in their car, I just cannot believe it,” Lulow said.
But she’s thankful no one was seriously hurt.
Van Buren police arrived at the scene, and Bennett was arrested and is facing three felonies.
The other woman involved in the altercation has not been charged, and police confirmed the 7-month-old child was not injured.
If Bennett is convicted, officials said she could face up to 14 years in prison.
Copyright 2022 WXYZ via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/30/video-woman-smashes-cars-objects-with-child-car-frightening-gas-station-incident/ | 2022-04-30T22:08:53Z |
CNN's inaugural "Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom" concert is off to a roaring start: Live from the Hollywood Bowl, Black legends of music are bringing audiences to their feet in a joyful commemoration of the holiday.
The concert celebrates Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the US. Black artists who will take the stage Sunday night include Earth, Wind & Fire Khalid and Bell Biv Devoe and more.
Gospel star Yolanda Adams opened the show with a rousing performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a historical rallying cry that's also considered the Black National Anthem. A beaming Chaka Khan, backed by the Roots, followed with her hits "Ain't Nobody" and "I'm Every Woman," dedicating the latter song to the "powerful women" in the audience at the Hollywood Bowl.
Country phenom Mickey Guyton covered Marvin Gaye's protest anthem "What's Going On" and sang her original, Grammy-nominated single, "Black Like Me." Poet Amir Sulaiman performed a powerful piece with a message to viewers: "You will be someone's ancestor. Act accordingly."
Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in a recorded message, as did former first lady Michelle Obama, who called on viewers to vote.
And yes, that was Beyoncé making a vocal cameo in a prerecorded segment on Opal Lee, the 95-year-old activist who worked to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. (More on Lee below.) Still to come is a message from President Joe Biden.
The entire creative team behind the concert is Black, CNN's Sara Sidner reported ahead of the show, including creator Shawn Gee of Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment. The night also marks the first time an all-Black orchestra, Re-Collective Orchestra, will play the Hollywood Bowl, Sidner said.
The Re-Collective Orchestra performed with members of the Debbie Allen Dance Company, who performed a vibrant dance piece (and were introduced by Allen herself).
This is the second year the US has recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday, but many Black Americans have honored the date for years with parades, parties and family gatherings. The holiday is also an opportunity to reflect on the persisting systemic inequalities that Black Americans face.
The event honored the 'grandmother of Juneteenth'
In a pre-show special, 95-year-old Lee told CNN's Don Lemon that she was "pinching [herself]" at the fact that her life's work of making Juneteenth a federal holiday had succeeded.
Earlier this Juneteenth, Lee, considered the "grandmother of Juneeteenth," walked 2.5 miles to symbolize the two-and-a-half years that the enslaved African Americans of Galveston, Texas, lived in slavery after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Lee said Americans should spend the holiday celebrating, learning and continuing to advocate for change.
"I advocate that we celebrate from the 19th of June to the 4th of July," she said. "That would be celebrating freedom."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/entertainment/cnns-juneteenth-a-global-celebration-of-freedom-kicks-off-with-chaka-khan/article_de4f875f-9807-5c0c-951e-4bfb949bdf5b.html | 2022-06-20T01:57:39Z |
SÃO PAULO, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- You are invited!
Sept., 1st from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m (EDT)
By participating in the latest edition of our virtual gathering, you will get a first-hand update about Itaú Unibanco's strategic vision for the future, which is anchored on client-centricity.
Register and join the event here
CONTACT: Itaú Unibanco – Comunicação Corporativa
Telefone: (11) 5019-8880 / 8881
E-mail: imprensa@itau-unibanco.com.br
Telefone: (11) 5019-8880 / 8881
E-mail: imprensa@itau-unibanco.com.br
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SOURCE Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/ita-day-2022-save-date/ | 2022-08-17T17:33:06Z |
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsville-based Hometown Lenders has announced nine new branches across the U.S., continuing the company's consistent boon of strategic growth.
HTL has recently acquired the Chris Rodgers Team, a group of experienced Mortgage Advisors led by Chris Rodgers. The group consists of four locations across the Pacific Northwest, including: Portland, Oregon, managed by Tanya Elder; Seattle, Washington, managed by Kieth Hobart; Eugene, Oregon, managed by Jennifer Nunley; and Kennewick, Washington, managed by Christian Albrecht.
Additionally, HTL recently acquired four more branch locations: Lake Oswego, Oregon, managed by Doug Jacobson; Albany, Oregon, managed by Tammi Austin; Anchorage, Alaska, managed by Tabitha Scott; and Greenville, North Carolina, managed by Jessica Rutchka Smith.
A swiftly growing mortgage lender, HTL said it meticulously selects and reviews established, well-respected mortgage lenders across the U.S. who have earned the trust of families in their respective local communities over time. Utilizing this rigorous vetting process, HTL decides which existing lenders are ideal fits to become new branches of Hometown Lenders.
"We're excited to welcome the teams in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and North Carolina to our growing Hometown Lenders family," said HTL president John Taylor. "We emphasize development not only with volume but also with the right people, and we're pleased to partner with professionals of the highest caliber who share Hometown Lenders' core value of people over profits."
Each additional branch reinforces "HTL's fundamental commitment to best serve the local hometowns where we live and work across the country. We appreciate our customers who continue to trust HTL with their mortgage lending needs, and our hardworking team looks forward to serving them long into the future," Taylor added.
HTL now has over 100 branch locations and is doing business in more than 40 states.
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SOURCE Hometown Lenders | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/20/hometown-lenders-add-new-branches-washington-oregon-alaska-north-carolina/ | 2022-05-20T15:50:17Z |
Company is Fundamentally Changing How Health Coverage is Distributed Across the US
AUSTIN, Texas, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Spot, the tech startup offering on-demand injury insurance, today announced it has raised $33 million in funding, including $25 million in equity and $8 million in debt. The round was led by Ensemble VC, with participation from Sozo Ventures and all existing investors. Collin West, Managing Partner at Ensemble VC, will be joining Spot's Board of Directors, along with Zach Abrams, former Chief Product Officer of Brex, who will be joining as Spot's first outside board member. Kevin Tsui will join the company as Chief Revenue Officer. Spot will use the new capital to ramp up their strategic partnership approach.
The company is embracing this new momentum to continue building an amazing digital experience for partners and their customers. Instead of navigating complex and comprehensive health coverage, customers can buy coverage through Spot's partners when they sign up for activities or memberships. Tens of millions of people will now have access to simpler, more affordable coverage.
Some of the biggest names in the active lifestyle space partner with Spot, including Ikon Pass, USA Cycling, Powder Mountain, USA BMX, National Ski Patrol, athleteReg, and more. Spot also covers top pro athletes like snowboarder Travis Rice, cyclist Ayesha McGowan, mountaineer Adrian Ballinger, skateboarder Monica Torres, and skier Julian Carr.
"Less than half of Americans have enough savings to cover $1,000 in sudden medical expenses. We're building the alternative to a broken US health insurance system by making it easier for people to access affordable coverage," said Matt Randall, co-founder and co-CEO of Spot. "By distributing through partners, customers will not only be able to buy insurance in the moments they need it most; they'll also know exactly what they're covered for—so they can live life to the fullest without the fear of going into debt from medical bills."
When bad things happen, dealing with insurance can make it worse. Spot believes their community deserves something better. With Spot, customers can receive treatment at any licensed physician, hospital, or urgent care clinic. The policy works with or without traditional health insurance, and has no insurance network restrictions. A dedicated claim advocate is available to guide customers every step of the way—simplifying the experience so the claim can be resolved as quickly as possible.
"Spot is the solution to an outdated US health coverage system that's just not working for most people anymore," said Collin West, Managing Partner at Ensemble VC. "Spot makes it easier for more people to get affordable coverage, so they can chase what they love knowing they're protected if things go wrong. You just can't get that level of peace of mind anywhere else, and I couldn't be more excited to support their vision."
To learn more about Spot, visit GetSpot.com.
Spot partners with businesses and organizations across the active lifestyle space to cover their customers' out-of-pocket medical bills, regardless of health insurance status. Launched by a team with experience at both insurance industry giants and groundbreaking tech startups, the company provides affordable accidental injury coverage, which can be used with or without traditional health insurance. Spot is fully digital, conveniently allowing customers to sign up in just one minute for immediate coverage at any time. Partners including Ikon Pass, USA Cycling, Chicago Triathlon (via LifeTime), USA BMX, Powder Mountain, National Collegiate Rugby, and athleteReg trust Spot to protect their communities. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has raised $50 million from GreatPoint Ventures, Montage Ventures, Ensemble VC, Mutual of Omaha, Silverton Partners, and MS&AD Ventures.
Contact: Greg Rossi
VP, Marketing
press@getspot.com
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SOURCE Spot | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/spot-announces-33-million-funding-ramp-up-partnerships-offer-affordable-coverage-tens-millions-customers/ | 2022-06-29T21:18:07Z |
NEW YORK, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tephra Digital LLC ("Tephra Digital"), a privately held investment firm that focuses on Digital Assets, today announced the appointment of Kadian Tinto as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Tinto joins June 1st, 2022 and brings over a decade of experience in global fund operations at leading asset management firms, with a track record of leadership, execution and process excellence.
Previously, Ms. Tinto was an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, where she was instrumental in the launch of their Private Capital division, within Alternatives. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at BlackRock and Goldman, Sachs & Co. across a range of traditional and alternatives markets and products.
Tinto holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (summa cum laude) from Howard University and hails from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
"Kadian brings deep and broad experience in asset management, business operations, trading and accounting systems and relationship management. We are excited to welcome her as Tephra Digital formally launches. Kadian will be essential in defining and managing Tephra Digital's operations, and in allowing us to efficiently scale the business," said Ryan Price and Raghav Chopra, founding Managing Partners of Tephra Digital.
Tinto said, "I am excited to join Tephra Digital and engage in the dynamic and evolving Digital Assets landscape. I look forward to working with the entire team and the firm's industry-leading service providers to best serve the firm's clients."
Tephra Digital LLC ("Tephra Digital") is a privately held investment firm that focuses on Digital Assets. The firm employs a long-term investing philosophy and has partnered with best-in-class service providers.
Media contact:
Media Relations
media@tephradigital.io
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SOURCE Tephra Digital LLC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/tephra-digital-names-kadian-tinto-chief-operating-officer/ | 2022-05-31T21:15:46Z |
BROOKLYN, N.Y., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First Street Foundation today released the First Street Foundation Wildfire Model, the only nationwide, probabilistic, climate adjusted, peer reviewed, property specific wildfire risk model for properties in the contiguous United States. Detailed in the 5th National Risk Assessment: Fueling the Flames, the model provides a first of its kind analysis of the risk individual properties face from damaging wildfires today, and up to 30 years in the future as a result of climate changes.
Nationwide, the report finds nearly 20 million properties face "Moderate" risk, (up to a 6% chance of experiencing a wildfire over 30 years); 6 million properties face "Major" risk (up to 14% risk over 30 years); nearly 3 million face "Severe" risk (up to 26% over 30 years); and approximately 1.5 million face "Extreme" risk (greater than 26% risk over 30 years). Over 49 million properties face less than 1% chance of experiencing a wildfire over a 30-year period, or "Minor" risk in the model.
Wildfire has become one of the most common and dangerous climate perils, increasingly spreading from heavily forested areas to more populous urban and suburban environments. According to NOAA, damage associated with wildfires has grown substantially, with $81.7 billion, or 66% of all direct losses since 1980, occurring in the last five years. Yet today, neither the public nor private sector have developed a simple methodology or tool to help homeowners, buyers or renters understand a property's wildfire risk, and make informed decisions to protect them.
Existing tools like USDA Forest Service's wildfire risk assessment are designed to help fire officials understand how risk varies across a state, region, or county; it is explicitly not meant to help homeowners understand their personal risk. To address this gap, First Street Foundation will make this critical wildfire risk information available to users for free through Risk FactorTM, where Fire FactorTM data will be presented alongside Flood Factor® and other future perils, giving users a comprehensive understanding of their homes from physical climate risk today and 30 years into the future. Like Flood Factor, Fire Factor data will be integrated into Realtor.com®, providing visitors to the site a property-level wildfire risk assessment in the form of a risk ranking from 1 (Minimal) to 10 (Extreme) for each property on the site. Users interested in commercial real estate can also find this data integrated with Crexi®.
"The lack of a property specific, climate adjusted wildfire risk for individual properties has severely hindered everyone from the federal government to your average American," said Matthew Eby, Founder and Executive Director of First Street Foundation. "As a changing climate drives more frequent and severe wildfire events, Fire Factor will prove critical in ensuring everyone has the insights they need to understand their personal risk to avoid and protect against the devastating impact of a wildfire."
"According to a recent Realtor.com® survey, seven out of ten recent homebuyers considered the risk of natural disasters when deciding where to live. Realtor.com® is adding Fire Factor to maps and properties to help home shoppers and homeowners make informed decisions," said Sara Brinton, Lead Product Manager, Realtor.com®. "Wildfire risk information empowers consumers to protect their homes against the increasing threat of wildfire damage."
Building the model brought together top climate and data scientists, technologists, and modelers from other leading organizations; the Spatial Informatics Group, Reax Engineering, and Eagle Rock Analytics who are members of the Pyregrence Consortium as well as the USGS, and architectural design & engineering consulting group Arup. This group combined decades of peer reviewed research and expertise in next-generation modeling techniques to create an open source, freely available wildfire model that accounts for current and future climate conditions.
First Street Foundation First Street Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and technology group working to define America's growing climate risk.
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SOURCE First Street Foundation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/first-street-foundation-finds-over-304-million-properties-have-1-or-greater-chance-experiencing-wildfire-during-course-mortgage/ | 2022-05-16T05:31:01Z |
Transaction expands services across 36 counties
LAFAYETTE, La., Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LHC Group (NASDAQ: LHCG) today announced an agreement to purchase Three Rivers Home Health, a provider headquartered in Eastman, Ga. The acquisition includes nine total locations – expanding LHC Group's service footprint in 36 counties in the Certificate of Need state of Georgia.
The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. LHC Group expects annualized revenue from this purchase of approximately $12 million and that it will not materially affect its 2022 diluted earnings per share.
Three Rivers Home Health will continue operating under its current name and from its present locations. There will be no interruption in the care provided to patients.
Three Rivers Founder and President for the last 43 years, Kaye B. Smith, RN, said: "It is time for us to step aside and allow Three Rivers to become part of a larger organization. This transaction will make it possible for our employees to have greater opportunities and to continue providing the high-quality care they do every day."
LHC Group is a leading national provider of in-home healthcare services. In addition to expanding LHC Group's service area, this acquisition aligns with the company's co-location strategy to provide multiple in-home healthcare services in certain markets, as well as its strategy of retaining and operating under a family of well-known local brands.
"This is a great opportunity to serve more patients and families in Georgia with the quality in-home healthcare they want and deserve," said Keith G. Myers, LHC Group's chairman and CEO. "Our new team members at Three Rivers have earned an outstanding reputation for the service they provide. Together, we will help ensure greater access to care in the patient's preferred setting – their home."
About LHC Group, Inc.
LHC Group, Inc. is a national provider of in-home healthcare services and innovations for communities around the nation, offering quality, value-based healthcare to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their home or place of residence. The company's 29,000 employees deliver home health, hospice, home- and community-based services, and facility-based care in 37 states and the District of Columbia – reaching 68 percent of the U.S. population aged 65 and older. Through Imperium Health, the company's ACO management and enablement company, LHC Group helps partners improve both savings and patient outcomes with a value-based approach. As the preferred joint venture partner for more than 400 leading U.S. hospitals and health systems, LHC Group works in cooperation with providers to customize each partnership and reach more patients and families with an effective and efficient model of care.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements and information in this press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our objectives, plans and strategies, and all statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future. These statements are often characterized by terminology such as "believe", "hope", "may", "anticipate", "should", "intend", "plan", "will", "expect", "estimate", "project", "positioned", "strategy" and similar expressions, and are based on assumptions and assessments made by LHC Group's management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and LHC Group undertakes no duty to update or revise any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results, developments, and business decisions to differ materially from forward-looking statements are described in LHC Group's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including the sections entitled "Risk Factors", as well LHC Group's current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SOURCE LHC Group, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/16/lhc-group-acquire-home-health-provider-georgia/ | 2022-08-16T21:45:08Z |
Includes Exclusive New Flavor, GFUEL Watermelon Limeade!
NEW YORK, April 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- G FUEL, The Official Energy Drink of Esports®, has announced that their 16 oz ready-to-drink cans are now available for sale in nearly 400 Target stores throughout the United States. G FUEL is also unveiling a brand-new flavor exclusive to Target: Watermelon Limeade!
Give your taste buds a refreshing sweet and citrus blast with G FUEL's new Target-exclusive flavor, Watermelon Limeade, now available in 16 oz cans! Get energized and enjoy summertime favorites all year long as tangy lime flavor collides with candy-sweet watermelon. Zero Sugar. Zero Calories. Zero Seeds!
Fans will also be able to find three fan-favorite G FUEL flavors at Target stores: Sonic's Peach Rings, a candied peach flavor inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog; Tetris™ Blast, the ultimate rainbow candy taste inspired by the iconic puzzle game Tetris®; and Hype Sauce, a truly mind-bending raspberry lemonade blend.
Each 16 oz G FUEL can has zero calories and 300 mg of caffeine along with proprietary energy and focus-enhancing complexes.
"We at G FUEL are beyond excited to bring our ready-to-drink products to Target stores across the U.S.," said G FUEL Founder and CEO Cliff Morgan. "Partnering with Target and their incredible network of retail stores has us all truly excited! Not only will our fans be able to pick up four of our amazing flavors in-store, but they are going to absolutely love Watermelon Limeade."
Try all of Target's G FUEL offerings – including the all-new Watermelon Limeade – by using G FUEL's Store Locator to find a participating Target near you.
About G FUEL
As The Official Energy Drink of Esports®, G FUEL provides gamers with a performance-driven alternative to standard energy drink products. With an ever-expanding, sugar-free product lineup that includes a powdered energy formula, ready-to-drink cans, a Hydration Formula, and edible Energy Crystals, G FUEL has firmly established itself as the market leader in the gamer energy drink industry.
With over 324,000 5-star Shopper Approved Ratings, a shipping network that spans over 125 countries, a nationwide retail campaign, and a global social media footprint of over 1 billion followers, G FUEL maintains the industry's largest and most passionate community of fans, customers, content creators, and partners. Content creators and partners who include the likes of Ninja, Sentinels Esports, Logic, NoisyButters, Luminosity Gaming, PewDiePie, David Dobrik, Summit1G, xQc, KSI, Roman Atwood, Activision, SEGA of America, CAPCOM®, Bethesda Game Studios, Warner Bros., HYPEMAKER, DXRacer, Scuf Gaming, SteelSeries, and Digital Storm.
Join the movement today at GFUEL.com and follow us on social media @GFuelEnergy.
Press Contact:
media@gfuel.com
Distribution and Wholesale Contact:
dluks@gfuel.com
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SOURCE G FUEL | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/22/g-fuel-debuts-target-stores-nationwide-with-variety-ready-to-drink-cans/ | 2022-04-22T23:51:00Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA playoffs have begun with no clear championship favorite, and that appears to be good news for ABC and ESPN.
The opening-round schedule of five games last weekend on the networks had more viewers than any playoff start since 2011, and its average of 4.17 million was up 32% over last year, the Nielsen company said.
Leading the way was the instant classic between the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics, with 6.9 million viewers Sunday afternoon, making it the most-watched first round game since 2016, Nielsen said. Viewership peaked at 9.8 million when the Celtics hit a last-second layup to win 115-114.
Among the broadcast networks, CBS led the way last week with an average of 4.5 million viewers in prime time. ABC had 3.5 million, NBC had 3 million, Fox had 2.8 million, Univision had 1.4 million, Ion Television had 1 million and Telemundo had 800,000.
Fox News Channel led the cable networks with a prime-time average of 2.24 million viewers. TNT had 1.59 million, ESPN had 1.23 million, MSNBC had 1.16 million and HGTV had 977,000.
ABC’s “World News Tonight” led the evening news ratings with an average of 8 million viewers last week. NBC’s “Nightly News” had 6.6 million and the “CBS Evening News” had 4.6 million.
For the week of April 11-17, the top 20 most-watched prime-time programs, their networks and viewerships:
1. “FBI,” CBS, 7.39 million.
2. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 7.12 million.
3. “Chicago Fire,” NBC, 7.11 million.
4. “Young Sheldon,” CBS, 6.85 million.
5. “Chicago Med,” NBC, 6.77 million.
6. “The Equalizer,” CBS, 6.64 million.
7. “Ghosts,” CBS, 5.96 million.
8. “Chicago PD,” NBC, 5.92 million.
9. “FBI: International,” CBS, 5.79 million.
10. “NCIS: Los Angeles,” CBS, 5.64 million.
11. “FBI: Most Wanted,” CBS, 5.43 million.
12. “CMT Music Awards,” CBS, 5.33 million.
13. “American Idol” (Monday), ABC, 5.31 million.
14. “American Idol” (Sunday), ABC, 5.27 million.
15. “Survivor,” CBS, 5.08 million.
16. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” ABC, 5.07 million.
17. “911,” Fox, 5.06 million.
18. “United States of Al,” CBS, 4.91 million.
19. NBA Playoffs: Chicago at Milwaukee, Turner, 4.77 million.
20. “Law & Order: SVU,” NBC, 4.74 million. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/opening-of-nba-playoffs-gives-ratings-win-to-abc-espn/ | 2022-04-20T16:16:23Z |
The new leading-edge design reimagines the kitchen faucet
KOHLER, Wis., June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kohler, a global leader in the manufacture and innovation of kitchen and bathroom products, launches the new, Purist Suspend Kitchen Faucet. The Purist Suspend pushes the boundaries of traditional kitchen faucet design by mounting from the ceiling for a striking aesthetic and unrivaled performance. Consistent with the existing Purist product family, Purist Suspend is minimalist, sleek, and continues to expand the possibilities of innovative design.
The faucet's hose is mounted on the ceiling with a precise pivoting arm that can be adjusted to any preferred hanging height for 8' to 10' ceilings and stays at the height previously used. A swing arm offers 180 degrees of rotation, allowing for easy and convenient placement over the sink. The spray head is weighted to help eliminate excess swaying or splashing.
The Purist Suspend is controlled by a wireless and water-resistant remote puck with an intuitive interface. The puck can be placed anywhere in the kitchen, maintains a battery life of one month, and can be used while charging. Kohler marries this stunning form with the functionality synonymous with the brand's kitchen faucet offerings. The Purist Suspend offers various spray options to enhance the user experience including Sweep Spray, a powerful prep and cleaning spray, Pause Technology, a button that allows users to pause the water flow to move the spray head without a mess, Boost Technology, a boot of faster water for filling pots and cleaning, and MasterClean spray face, and easy-to-clean spray face that withstands mineral buildup.
The faucet is available in Polished Chrome, Vibrant Stainless, Matte Black, and Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass to complement a variety of home styles. For more information, please visit kohler.com.
About Kohler Co.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is one of America's oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of more than 40,000 associates. With more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide, Kohler is a global leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile, and lighting; engines, generators, and clean energy solutions; and owner/operator of two, five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, and St. Andrews, Scotland. Kohler's Whistling Straits golf course recently hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup. The company also develops solutions to address pressing issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. For more details, please visit kohlercompany.com.
Media Contact
Jillian Rosone
Kohler Public Relations
Jillian.rosone@kohler.com
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SOURCE Kohler Co. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/kohler-launches-purist-suspend-ceiling-mount-kitchen-faucet/ | 2022-06-30T15:46:18Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection is expected to focus part of its first hearing Thursday on far-right extremists who broke into the building that day, with testimony from a documentary filmmaker who recorded the riot and a Capitol Police officer who was one of the first people injured in the attack.
British filmmaker Nick Quested, who recorded members of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group as they stormed the building, told The Associated Press on Monday that he will be among the witnesses in Thursday night’s prime-time hearing.
The committee is also expected to hear testimony from Caroline Edwards, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who was seriously injured as the rioters, including members of the Proud Boys, shoved past police officers and forced their way into the Capitol. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss the committee’s plans.
The panel has not yet announced a full list of witnesses for the hearing, which is expected to be a broad, multimedia overview of the committee’s findings and a reminder to the public of the violence of the day. The committee is expected to hold multiple hearings this month, with other hearings in the coming weeks diving into more specifics of the planning behind the attack.
Lawmakers are focused not only on the extremist groups that were among the rioters, but also on President Donald Trump’s actions at the White House while the mob of his supporters beat law enforcement officers and broke into the building.
Quested, a British filmmaker who also witnessed some of the Proud Boys’ planning before the attack on the Capitol, was present for some of the most extraordinary events that took place that day, accompanying members of the extremist group as they walked to the Capitol from Trump’s morning speech in front of the White House, as they broke through police barriers and eventually into the building, and as hundreds of Trump’s supporters moved through the Capitol to protest his defeat.
He also filmed Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, then the leader of the Proud Boys, the night before when Tarrio met in an underground Washington garage with Elmer “Stewart” Rhodes, the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, another extremist group present at the riot. His video did not record the conversation but shows the two meeting in the garage with other members of the groups.
Tarrio and other members of the group were charged on Monday with seditious conspiracy for what federal prosecutors say was a coordinated attack to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. Rhodes was indicted on similar charges earlier this year.
Quested, who was filming the group as part of a documentary about extremism in America, was interviewed by the committee behind closed doors in recent weeks and has turned over some of his video to the panel. He said he was also interviewed by the Justice Department, which is prosecuting hundreds of cases related to the insurrection.
He is expected to describe his experiences that day, and potentially what he witnessed behind closed doors, as the Jan. 6 panel begins the series of hearings to explain to the American public what happened and how it occurred. The committee has conducted more than 1,000 interviews since last summer as it has attempted to create the most comprehensive record yet of the insurrection.
Edwards was one of the first officers to be injured on the West front of the Capitol as the crowd began to push inside. She suffered a head injury and said afterward that officers need better support.
Federal authorities have linked more than three dozen people charged in the Capitol siege to the Proud Boys. Its members describe it as a politically incorrect men’s club for “Western chauvinists.”
The expected testimony from Quested and Edwards was first reported by the The New York Times. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/proud-boys-documentarian-to-be-among-first-jan-6-witnesses/ | 2022-06-07T17:31:56Z |
Retailers and Ecommerce Merchants Align with Evolving Consumer Purchasing Preferences by Increasing Acceptance of Mobile Wallet, Buy Now Pay Later and Social Media Payments
ATLANTA, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis® Risk Solutions unveiled the results of its 13th annual True Cost of Fraud™ Study: Retail and Ecommerce, which examines current transactional fraud trends in the U.S. and Canadian ecommerce and retail markets.
The LexisNexis Fraud Multiplier™ – an estimate of the total amount of loss a firm occurs based on the actual dollar value of a fraudulent transaction – estimates that every $1 lost to fraud costs U.S. and Canadian merchants an average of $3.75 and $3.19, respectively. The study, a survey of 791 risk and fraud executives, shows that the cost of fraud for U.S. merchants increased 19.8% since 2019, rising from $3.13 to $3.75, with that figure reaching $3.36 in early 2020.
A similar trend followed for Canadian merchants, with costs increasing from $2.87 to $3.19 and fraud rising 11.1% since early 2020, which was the first year the study included Canada. Ecommerce merchants have the highest Fraud Multiplier at $3.85 for the U.S. and $3.45 for Canada.
Survey respondents also indicated that mobile commerce (mcommerce) continues to be associated with an increase in fraud attacks. Year-over-year changes in average monthly attack volume are relatively unchanged for those that do not allow mcommerce, but that figure is 52% higher in the U.S. and 101% in Canada among those that do.
More retailers and ecommerce merchants have implemented mobile channel transactions since the start of the pandemic to meet changing consumer behaviors and preferences. Many merchants indicated they now follow a mobile-first strategy of designing the consumer shopping experience around a consumer's mobile web journey. Mobile wallets, buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps and social media payments enhance the customer experience. However, with that comes increased fraud risk.
Key Findings and Trends from the Study:
- Attack of the Bots: U.S. retailers and ecommerce merchants were hit hardest by malicious bot attacks. Forty percent (40%) of U.S. retailers said they have experienced an increase in bot attacks over the past 12 months. U.S. ecommerce merchants identified a significantly higher percent of transactions as malicious (35%) compared to other segments.
- Fraud Through the Customer Journey: Identity fraud is a leading reason for fraud losses across the customer journey. Many merchants indicated that new account creation and/or the point of purchase were most susceptible to fraud. However, the percentage of fraud costs attributed to account logins or compromises is fairly similar to the amount attributed to other customer journey points.
- Bringing Together Security and Customer Experience: Roughly half of merchants indicated that they have fully integrated their digital customer experience operations with fraud prevention strategies. A sizeable minority of the remaining half are at least partially moving towards this objective, including deploying solutions that work behind the scenes to uncover digital attribute and behavior anomalies while minimizing customer friction.
The LexisNexis Fraud Multiplier estimates that every $1 lost to fraud costs $4.24 for organizations that neither integrate customer experience operations with fraud prevention strategies nor focus on optimizing fraud risk-to-friction levels. However, the estimated cost of fraud for those companies that do invest in that approach falls to $3.66.
"Businesses should take a multi-layered solution approach unique to different customer journey phases, which assesses the risks and behaviors within various digital channels," said Maanas Godugunur, director, fraud and identity, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "Study findings show that firms that follow this approach are likely to realize a lower cost of fraud, experience fewer successful fraud attacks per month and have challenges with identity verification, bot attacks and customer friction."
LexisNexis® True Cost of Fraud™ Study: Ecommerce and Retail, U.S. and Canada Edition Methodology
This is the 13th annual extensive research study on U.S. merchant fraud and the second year surveying Canadian merchants. The study surveyed 791 risk and fraud executives in retail and ecommerce companies in the U.S. (689) and Canada (102) from November through December 2021. Respondents represented a wide spectrum of retail merchants. Findings provide a current snapshot of key pain points related to adding new payment mechanisms, transacting through online and mobile channels and expanding internationally, amongst other topics. The study also reflects activity, fraud risks, challenges and costs associated with pandemic impacts. The margin of sampling error for findings reported at an overall level is +/-3.5 at the 95% confidence interval.
Download a copy of the 13th annual True Cost of Fraud™ Study: Ecommerce and Retail – U.S. and Canada Edition.
About LexisNexis Risk Solutions
LexisNexis® Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data and advanced analytics to provide insights that help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. We provide data and technology solutions for a wide range of industries including insurance, financial services, healthcare and government. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit www.risk.lexisnexis.com and www.relx.com.
Media Contact:
Marcy Theobald
678.694.6681
Marcy.Theobald@lexisnexisrisk.com
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SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/02/lexisnexis-risk-solutions-true-cost-fraud-study-finds-198-increase-retail-fraud-us-since-2019/ | 2022-08-02T13:24:03Z |
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