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BEIJING, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "Hello, everyone. I'm out of the module. I'm feeling good," Chinese Taikonauts Chen Dong said when he kicked off his spacewalk last week.
Chen and fellow Shenzhou-14 crew member Liu Yang completed all six-hour-long extravehicular tasks on Friday (September 2), marking the fifth spacewalk outside China's space station and the first out of the newly-launched Wentian lab module.
Since 2020, China has successfully carried out a series of flight mission, including the space station core module Tianhe, the Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13 manned spacecraft, and the Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft, achieving remarkable progress in China's space program.
Not only in aerospace, for the past decade, Chinese scientists are striving for breakthroughs in core technologies echoing President Xi Jinping's call for resolute efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields.
On Tuesday, Xi stressed improving a new system for mobilizing the resources nationwide to the core technologies research and development (R&D) while presiding over the 27th meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform.
China should optimize the allocation of innovation resources based on the country's strategic needs, strengthen the country's strategic scientific and technological strength, greatly improve the systematic ability to tackle key scientific and technological problems, and cultivate competitive advantages and seize the strategic initiative in a number of important areas, Xi noted.
Mastering core technologies
"Core technologies cannot be purchased, or obtained by asking a favor from others or by begging," Xi said during an inspection tour at Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics in 2015.
Since 2012, the Chinese president has highlighted the importance of scientific innovation and mastering core technology. Inspired by Xi, a large number of core technologies have made breakthroughs, making great strides toward the grand goal of China becoming a global leading power in science and technology.
The R&D in core technologies addresses major national needs. Cutting-edge solutions supported the implementation of major infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. The clean and efficient utilization of seabed oil and gas resources and coal, as well as the development of new-generation nuclear technologies, are vital to guaranteeing national energy security.
During COVID-19 epidemic, China has achieved a number of breakthroughs in vaccines, drugs and testing reagents. The number of approved new Class-I drugs in China has increased from five before 2012 to the current 79.
There are also a number of achievements with global influence. For instance, China has made the world's first observation of the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect and the controlled folding of graphene with atomic-level precision, and developed the world's first heterogeneous fusion brain-like computing chip "Tianji."
Opening wider to the world
Last year, China announced to open its Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), the world's largest filled-aperture and most sensitive radio telescope, to all scientists. Till June, the FAST has provided observation service to 27 scientific projects in 14 countries around the world.
The opening of FAST is one of the examples demonstrating that China is seriously expanding the circle of friends in science and technology.
Addressing a meeting conflating the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the national congress of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) last year, Xi has called on Chinese sci-tech workers to promote openness, trust and cooperation with the international sci-tech community, actively participate in solving the major challenges facing mankind, and strive to promote the achievements of science and technology innovation to benefit more countries and people.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, China has built cooperative relations in the sci-tech field with 161 countries and regions, signed 115 intergovernmental agreements and joined more than 200 international organizations and multilateral mechanisms.
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SOURCE CGTN | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/cgtn-why-china-is-speeding-up-research-core-technologies/ | 2022-09-07T14:52:03Z |
Two Vietnam vets share story of friendship and how they honor the fallen
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Fifty-three years ago, Jimmy Mosconis saved Jan Scruggs’ life in Vietnam.
“My right arm stopped working. I was filled with shrapnel, and I needed somebody to rescue me,” Scruggs recounted being injured in Vietnam. “And Jimmy was the guy who came along. He was our platoon sergeant at the time.”
Mosconis, who lives in Apalachicola, Fla., came to see Scruggs this Memorial Day weekend at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“It was worth just seeing him, and seeing somebody I was with 53 years ago,” said Mosconis. “It’s hard to believe. It’s hard to believe we’re getting old.”
In the late 1970s, Scruggs decided he wanted to make a memorial for the fallen in Vietnam. He began the fund that led to the memorial wall that exists today.
“I just believe we all need healing in our lives. And particularly people who have been through wars. This is for them,” said Scruggs.
The two vets caught up near a Vietnam soldier statue by the memorial wall. Mosconis helped bring a similar statue to Florida, with a little advice from Scruggs.
“The only reason we have the one in Apalachicola is because of him,” said Mosconis. “He talked me into it.”
Scruggs says all these decades later, it’s always nice to see the man responsible for getting him home.
”When you see somebody who you haven’t seen for decades and decades, within five minutes it’s like, nothing ever happened. The 50 years didn’t go by. You’re just completely bonded,” said Scruggs.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/28/two-vietnam-vets-share-story-friendship-how-they-honor-fallen/ | 2022-05-28T21:37:46Z |
3-year comparable sales growth of 2% with significant slowdown in April; Q1 EPS loss of $0.39
3-year comps for May to date running up mid-teens as promotions drive compelling value proposition
Company remains confident in long-term value creation opportunity as it helps customers live BIG and save LOTS
For the Q1 Results Presentation, Please Visit: https://www.biglots.com/corporate/investors
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported a net loss of $11.1 million, or $0.39 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 ended April 30, 2022, which compares to the company's guidance, as provided on March 3, 2022, of $1.10 to $1.20 net income per diluted share. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $94.6 million, or $2.62 per diluted share.
Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 totaled $1.37 billion, a 15.4% decrease compared to $1.63 billion for the same period last year, and an increase of 6.1% compared to the first quarter of 2019. The decline to last year was driven by a comparable sales decrease of 17.0%, as the company lapped an 11.3% comparable sales increase last year. Net new stores and relocations contributed approximately 160 basis points of sales growth.
Commenting on today's results announcement, Bruce Thorn, President and CEO of Big Lots stated, "Our business has grown significantly over the past two years as we benefitted not only from home-related spending but from the positive growth fueled by our Operation North Star initiatives. We have greatly improved our customer shopping experience, evidenced by an all-time high Net Promoter Score of 85% in Q1. E-commerce remains a standout, and now accounts for over 7% of our sales, with same-day deliveries growing 20% over last year. Our Broyhill and Real Living private label brands reached close to 30% of our sales, positioning us well to pursue consumer trade-down opportunities ahead.
These accomplishments helped get 3-year comparable sales growth off to a solid start in February and March, but trends materially slowed in April, resulting in a need to increase markdowns. We believe the slowdown was caused by the spending pressure our consumers felt from higher gas prices and broader inflation, which is affecting discretionary purchases across the retail industry. As a result, we missed our sales plan by approximately $100 million, the vast majority in April, while supply chain impacts across gross margin and SG&A continued to be significant headwinds."
Mr. Thorn continued, "We have reacted quickly to the changes in consumer demand by increasing value offerings to our customers, resulting in a significant acceleration to three-year comparable sales growth in the mid-teens in May. We expect the environment to remain challenging and we remain highly focused on managing the business prudently, which includes aggressively right-sizing our inventories over the course of Q2. We are focused on opening price points that drive traffic and improving gross margin rates through capitalizing on significant close-out opportunities, more targeted pricing and promotions, minimizing supply chain charges, and reducing shrink. We are also accelerating SG&A cost reductions to generate over $70 million in additional savings this year. Further, we are strengthening our balance sheet by temporarily scaling back capital expenditures associated with new store openings and remodels.
I am thankful to our talented team of 35,000 associates, who remain committed to our noble purpose of helping our customers Live BIG and Save LOTS, as they manage through increasingly tighter budgets buffeted by inflation. Continuing to delight our customers, regardless of economic conditions, is key to unlocking the full potential of Operation North Star, which we continue to believe will drive long-term sales potential of $8 to $10 Billion with a 6% to 8% operating margin."
Inventory and Cash Management
Inventory ended the first quarter of fiscal 2022 at $1,338.7 million compared to $901.5 million for the same period last year, with the 48.5% increase encompassing significantly higher unit costs and a significant increase in in-transit inventory.
The company ended the first quarter of fiscal 2022 with $61.7 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $270.8 million of Long-term Debt, compared to $613.3 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $32.1 million of Long-term Debt as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The company expects both inventory levels and borrowings to reduce significantly during the second quarter.
Dividend and Share Repurchases
As also announced in a separate press release, on May 24, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. This dividend payment of approximately $8.7 million will be payable on June 24, 2022, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 10, 2022. The company did not execute any share repurchases during the quarter. The company has $159 million remaining under its December 2021 $250 million authorization.
Company Outlook
For the second quarter, the company expects three-year comps to accelerate to positive mid to high-single digits, equating to mid-to-high single digit negative comps versus 2021. Net new stores will add about 150 bps of growth versus 2021. The company expects that promotional activity will drive its second quarter gross margin rate into the low-30's and that SG&A dollars will be slightly up to 2021. Given an atypically wide range of outcomes, the company is not providing EPS guidance at this point. The company expects a share count of approximately 28.6 million for Q2. The company is taking aggressive actions to improve gross margin rate in the back half of the year, and expects to achieve significant sequential improvement in Q3, with a Q4 that is approximately in-line with the prior year quarter. In addition, the company will continue to take actions to reduce expenses.
Conference Call/Webcast
The company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. A webcast of the conference call is available through the Investor Relations section of the company's website http://www.biglots.com. An archive of the call will be available through the Investor Relations section of the company's website http://www.biglots.com/ after 12:00 p.m. ET today and will remain available through midnight ET on Friday, June 10, 2022. A replay of this call will also be available beginning today at 12:00 p.m. ET through June 10 by dialing 877.660.6853 (Toll Free) or 201.612.7415 (Toll) and entering Replay Conference ID 13729931.
About Big Lots, Inc.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a leading home discount retailer and a Fortune 500 company, operating 1,438 stores in 47 states, as well as a best-in-class ecommerce platform with expanded capabilities via BOPIS, curbside pickup, Instacart and same day delivery across thousands of items. The company's product assortment is focused on home essentials: Furniture, Seasonal, Soft Home, Food, Consumables and Hard Home. Ranked one of the fastest-growing eCommerce businesses by Digital Commerce 360 and the recipient of Home Textiles Today's 2021 Retail Titan Award, Big Lots' mission is to help people Live BIG and Save Lots. The company strives to be the BIG difference for a better life by delivering exceptional value to customers through the ultimate treasure hunt shopping experience, building a "best places to grow" culture, rewarding shareholders with consistent growth and top-tier returns and doing good in local communities. For more information about the company, visit biglots.com.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "approximate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Forward-looking statements that the company makes herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, developments related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, the inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on customers and the company, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the company makes on related subjects in public announcements and SEC filings.
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SOURCE Big Lots, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/big-lots-reports-q1-results/ | 2022-05-27T11:37:45Z |
Win weekly giveaways all month long and a chance to meet Chris Lane
CHRIST CHURCH, Barbados, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gildan®, a leading apparel brand of quality, affordable basics from t-shirts to underwear, is celebrating National Underwear Day (Aug. 5) with a prize-packed sweepstakes. Participants can win weekly giveaways all month long, plus an ultimate prize featuring concert tickets and a personal meet and greet with country music star, Chris Lane. This is Gildan®'s third annual National Underwear Day celebration, which provides the perfect platform to surprise and delight customers and the community.
"Whether I'm on tour, performing on stage or at home with my wife and son, I want to feel comfortable and confident," said Lane. "What is great about Gildan is they have all the basics you need for a quality and classic look, including my favorite underwear. I'm excited to celebrate National Underwear Day with Gildan® as they offer families and those in need quality everyday basics."
Every Friday in August, Gildan® will award five lucky winners an exclusive men's prize pack of underwear, undershirts, tanks and socks via its Instagram channel. Interested participants can enter to win by completing three simple steps:
- Follow @gildanonline on Instagram
- Like the weekly Friday Instagram post
- Tag a friend on the weekly Friday Instagram post
Gildan is also offering the chance to win concert tickets and a personal meet and greet with Chris Lane. This ultimate prize includes a roundtrip airfare, accommodations, exclusive Lane merchandise and a Gildan® prize pack of assorted products for the winner and one guest. For full entry details, visit gildanmusic.com, starting Friday, August 5, 2022. Participants can enter up to once per day through Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
Beyond connecting with fans across America, Gildan® is extending its National Underwear Day celebration to support neighbors in need. They are donating 3,000 pieces of essential underwear, undershirts and socks to The Laundry Stop, a charity important to Lane. This charity provides free laundry services and apparel to those without access in Nashville, Tennessee.
"On National Underwear Day, and every day, we are committed to helping supply communities with clean everyday essentials many of us take for granted," said Chuck Ward, President of Sales, Marketing and Distribution of Gildan. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Chris Lane for our favorite holiday to support a community in need while surprising our customers and giving one fan a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
For more information on Gildan, visit gildanbrands.com, and for a full list of sweepstakes rules and regulations, visit gildanmusic.com.
Gildan® is a market leading brand with an unbeatable collection of casual essentials in sizes, silhouettes and an array of colors to suit any need. Gildan® is a brand committed to quality you can trust, value you can depend on. The Gildan® product line includes t-shirts, sport shirts, fleece, socks and underwear in a variety of fabrications, from ring spun cotton to 100% polyester. Whether you're looking for core colors or fashionable antiques and heathers, Gildan's palette offers tons of opportunities to match any color scheme. Gildan® makes it easy to find the right garments to fit your needs.
Gildan® is a brand owned by Gildan, which is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Gildan Company owns and operates vertically integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America and Bangladesh. The Company operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labor, environmental and governance practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in its long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its ESG practices and initiatives can be found at gildancorp.com.
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SOURCE Gildan | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/gildan-launches-national-underwear-day-campaign-partnership-with-chris-lane/ | 2022-08-04T15:04:34Z |
PITTSBURGH, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a simple way to facilitate dog washing procedures," said an inventor, from Tampa, Fla., "so I invented the WASH-A PUP. My design would reduce stress for a pet dog and pet owner."
The patent-pending invention provides an improved tub for washing a pet dog. In doing so, it eliminates the need for the dog to stand in a volume of water. As a result, it enhances comfort and safety and it helps to relieve anxiety and nervousness for pets. The invention features a practical design that is easy to use so it is ideal for pet dog owners and pet grooming centers. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.
The original design was submitted to the Tallahassee sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-TLS-150, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-tub-washing-pet-dog-tls-150/ | 2022-05-16T18:18:26Z |
Kansas ranks as one of most financially literate states
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - With the pandemic tightening most wallets, a recent report indicates Kansans’ financial literacy may be a saving grace.
With April deemed National Financial Literacy Month, along with a litany of other designations, and less than half of adults setting a budget, WalletHub.com says it released its report on 2022′s Most and Least Financially Literate States.
To find which states fared better than others, WalletHub said it looked at the results of its WalletLiteracy Survey - which includes data sets that range from high school financial literacy grade to share of adults with a rainy-day fund.
According to the report, Kansas ranked 25th with an overall financial literacy score of 61.48. The Sunflower State ranked 27 for WalletLiteracy, 34 for Financial Planning and Habits, and 14 for Financial Knowledge and Education.
Kansas’s neighbors to the east, west and north seem to have it figured out though. Nebraska ranked 1 with a total score of 69.44, Colorado ranked 4 with a total score of 67.55 and Missouri ranked 16 with a total score of 64.12.
However, the state’s neighbor to the south, Oklahoma, seems to need a little more help with a rank of 48 and total score of 56.02.
The report also found that males tend to be more WalletLiterate than females do.
The study also indicated the more money an individual makes, the more financially literate they are.
Married people also seem to be more financially literate than their single counterparts.
Lastly, the study found those in the 55-64 age range tend to be the most financially literate.
The most financially literate states according to the study are as follows:
- Nebraska
- Utah
- Virginia
- Colorado
- New Hampshire
The least financially literate states according to the study are as follows:
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- South Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Alaska
For more information or to see where other states fall, click HERE.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/08/kansas-ranks-one-most-financially-literate-states/ | 2022-04-08T19:03:29Z |
BOSTON, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A team from Analysis Group, one of the largest international economics consulting firms, supported WilmerHale LLP and its client Intuit in their successful bid to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) attempts to halt the marketing of Intuit's popular tax filing software, TurboTax Free Edition, in California.
In the case (Federal Trade Commission v. Intuit Inc.), the FTC alleged that Intuit was deceptively advertising the software as free while concealing disclosures that only simple tax filings qualified for the free service, in violation of Section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The FTC filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a preliminary injunction.
An Analysis Group team led by Managing Principals Aaron Yeater and Rebecca Kirk Fair, and Vice Presidents Kris Comeaux, Tracy Offner, and Elizabeth Milsark, supported Professor Peter Golder, Professor of Marketing at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and Professor John Hauser, Kirin Professor of Marketing at the MIT Sloan School of Management, in their expert submissions to the court rebutting claims made by the FTC and its marketing and surveys expert.
The motion was denied by the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
To learn more about Analysis Group's capabilities, visit AnalysisGroup.com.
About Analysis Group:
Analysis Group is one of the largest international economics consulting firms, with more than 1,000 professionals across 14 offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since 1981, we have provided expertise in economics, finance, health care analytics, and strategy to top law firms, Fortune Global 500 companies, and government agencies worldwide. Our internal experts, together with our network of affiliated experts from academia, industry, and government, offer our clients exceptional breadth and depth of expertise.
Contact:
Analysis Group
Eric Seymour
978 273 6049
eric.seymour@analysisgroup.com
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SOURCE Analysis Group | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/analysis-group-supports-intuits-defeat-emergency-motion-deceptive-advertising-matter/ | 2022-05-03T16:44:04Z |
Which lacrosse cleats are best?
It takes a lot of skill to play lacrosse at a high level, but wearing the proper gear can help you every step of the way. Protective equipment is crucial, but don’t underestimate the importance of a reliable pair of cleats. Lacrosse cleats are necessary for grip and let players move swiftly.
The Nike Alpha Huarache 8 Elite Lacrosse Cleats are the top choice if you’re looking for a high-quality pair. They have a lightweight and breathable construction that provides sufficient protection and traction.
What to know before you buy lacrosse cleats
Size and fit
Everybody has a unique foot shape, so it’s up to you to decide which lacrosse cleats you find comfortable. Some players have a slim foot shape, making most lacrosse cleats suitable, while others have a wide foot, meaning they have to look a little harder to find something that doesn’t constrict their feet too much. In any case, leaving some room in the toe box is paramount for a comfortable fit.
Type of cleat
There are three kinds of lacrosse cleats:
- Molded cleats have rubber or rigid plastic studs sculpted right onto the outsole plates, meaning they can’t be replaced if damaged. However, they’re more durable and versatile than metal cleats.
- Metal cleats offer the most grip and are ideal for soft or wet field conditions where additional grip is needed. They’re usually more expensive than molded cleats, but some have replaceable studs.
- Turf shoes are usually the cheapest and acceptable for training and playing on artificial surfaces. They have several small rubber nubs for traction and typically don’t wear out as fast as molded or metal cleats.
Ankle length
Although lacrosse requires players to be quick on their toes, you should look for shoes that provide enough stability to help prevent ankle rolling. Lacrosse cleats with a mid-cut or high-cut ankle length offer more support than low-cut ones, but their bulkier build can be a turnoff for agile players who want to maximize their speed at all times.
What to look for in quality lacrosse cleats
Cushioning
Lacrosse cleats must have sufficient foam cushioning in the midsole. Cushioning in the midsole makes them more comfortable by adding a protective layer between the bottom of your feet and the studs. It also makes shoes flexible, adds support and creates more efficient energy transfer, which is crucial for moving with agility.
Spike length
If you play indoor lacrosse, turf shoes are your best bet, but cleats with shorter studs are ideal for short grass or dry surfaces. Cleats with longer spikes are suitable for playing on wet or muddy fields where extra traction is beneficial.
Color
Most lacrosse cleats have a straightforward color design consisting of base white, gray or black colors, but some are available in more colorful patterns and designs. You can choose a color style that suits your preference or complements your uniform or equipment, such as your helmet or stick.
How much you can expect to spend on lacrosse cleats
If you’re an experienced player, you can expect to pay $100-$140 for a pair of lacrosse cleats. However, casual players can find a durable pair for $40-$100.
Lacrosse cleats FAQ
Are metal or molded cleats ever acceptable to wear on turf?
A. Metal or molded cleats can damage turf, but you can check with your league to find out if they’re suitable. Some newer artificial fields can handle traditional cleats without damage.
How long does it take to break in lacrosse cleats?
A. It depends on the cleats, but generally, you’ll have to wear them for several hours before they’re flexible enough to provide elite performance.
What are the best lacrosse cleats to buy?
Top lacrosse cleats
Nike Alpha Huarache 8 Elite Lacrosse Cleats
What you need to know: These cleats are lightweight and breathable but offer plenty of protection and traction, making them ideal for players of all skill levels.
What you’ll love: They have a no-slip tongue for less interference and a durable textile upper with thermoplastic polyurethane zones that help keep the feet secure. The toe box is sturdy, and Nike React foam technology increases responsiveness on strides.
What you should consider: Some customers find them difficult to put on because of the sock-like extension bootie. Also, they have a slim build, particularly on the sides.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Top lacrosse cleats for the money
New Balance Freeze LX 2.0 Lacrosse Cleats
What you need to know: These shoes have a retro lacrosse style and are designed for aggressive players.
What you’ll love: The upper is made with synthetic leather and has a woven saddle for support. The rigid TPU plate provides excellent stability and traction, and the full-bootie tongue offers a locked-down fit. The Fresh Foam cushioning makes for a comfortable feel and more efficient energy transfer.
What you should consider: These are not the best for those looking for wide-fit shoes, as it has a narrower build than other New Balance lacrosse cleats.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
Worth checking out
Adidas Adizero Natural 1.0 Mid Lacrosse Cleats
What you need to know: These lightweight shoes have a basic look but offer elite performance and stability.
What you’ll love: The synthetic upper is durable but lightweight enough to facilitate agility during quick movements. The TPU molded outsole has 13 metal spikes strategically positioned to maximize traction and boost acceleration. The heel is pronounced for a secure fit and increased stability, and the mid-cut offers extra ankle support.
What you should consider: Some customers complained about the heel digging into the foot. Also, they only come in white, which is harder to clean than dark-colored cleats.
Where to buy: Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods
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Kevin Luna writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/sports-fitness-br/lacrosse-br/best-lacrosse-cleats/ | 2022-08-05T13:19:06Z |
New online dashboard to help flyers on delays, cancellations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid months of mass flight cancellations and delays, the Department of Transportation has launched a customer service dashboard to help vacationers ahead of the travel-heavy Labor Day weekend.
Starting Thursday, travelers will be able to check the dashboard and see what kinds of guarantees, refunds or compensation the major domestic airlines offer in case of flight delays or cancellations. It’s designed to allow travelers to shop around and favor those airlines that offer the best compensation.
The dashboard is part of an extended pressure campaign from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has publicly challenged the major carriers to improve service and transparency after a summer marred by cancellations and flight delays. As summer travel returned to nearly pre-coronavirus pandemic levels, airlines struggled to keep pace, with mass cancellations being blamed on staffing shortages, particularly among pilots.
“Passengers deserve transparency and clarity on what to expect from an airline when there is a cancelation or disruption,” Buttigieg said in a statement Wednesday. The new tool, he said, will help travelers to “easily understand their rights, compare airline practices, and make informed decisions.”
The dashboard compares all the major domestic airlines’ policies on issues such as which offer meals for delays of more than three hours and which offer to rebook flights on the same or different airlines at no additional charge. It focuses on what it calls “controllable” cancellations or delays — meaning those caused by mechanical issues, staffing shortages or delays in cleaning, fueling or baggage handling. Delays or cancellations caused by weather or security concerns do not count.
The Department of Transportation is hoping that the dashboard will encourage competition among airlines to offer the most transparency and the best protections for customers.
So far this year, airlines have canceled about 146,000 flights, or 2.6% of all flights, and nearly 1.3 million flights have been delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. The rate of cancellations is up about one-third from the same period in 2019, before the pandemic, and the rate of delays is up nearly one-fourth.
Federal officials have blamed many of the disruptions on understaffing at airlines, which encouraged employees to quit after the pandemic started. The airlines have countered by blaming staffing problems at the Federal Aviation Administration, which employs air traffic controllers.
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Associated Press writer David Koenig in Dallas contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s coverage of air travel at https://apnews.com/hub/air-travel.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/01/new-online-dashboard-help-flyers-delays-cancellations/ | 2022-09-01T11:26:29Z |
Members of the far-right Oath Keepers’ extremist group charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol will face jurors this fall after a judge on Tuesday denied defense attorneys’ bid to delay the high-profile trial until next year.
Lawyers for Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers, and other associates of the antigovernment group argued a trial beginning in September would be tainted by publicity surrounding recent Jan. 6 House committee hearings and that attorneys still have too much evidence to sort through.
But U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said he is confident the court will find a fair jury for the Oath Keepers’ case in Washington next month and that he’s obligated to oversee a speedy trial for the defendants, who have been locked up for months. Moving the trial would also “wreak havoc” on the court’s calendar, which is filled with trials into next year, he said.
“This is a court of law, we cannot wait on the legislative process to unfold,” Mehta said.
Rhodes and four co-defendants are heading to trial on Sept. 26 on charges including seditious conspiracy, a rarely used Civil War-era charge that calls for up to 20 years in prison. They are accused of plotting for weeks to block the peaceful transfer of power and keep President Donald Trump in office.
Defense attorneys have argued there was no plan to storm the Capitol and that any plans they made were only about providing security at the rally before the riot or protect themselves against possible attacks from far-left activists.
Mehta suggested Tuesday that he believes the defense has a strong case, saying he didn’t believe it was a “laydown” case for prosecutors and he’s “not sure jurors in the District of Columbia will either.”
A different judge overseeing the other major case stemming from the Jan. 6 riot — involving members of the Proud Boys extremist group — agreed to postpone the start of that trial from Aug. 8 to Dec. 12 after attorneys for several of the men argued that their clients couldn’t get a fair trial in the midst of the committee’s hearings. The committee has said it’s public hearings will resume in September.
In a separate matter on Tuesday, Mehta rejected Trump’s request to dismiss lawsuits filed by four Capitol police officers seeking damages arising from injuries they sustained while defending the Capitol from the violent mob.
Mehta cited an earlier February ruling denying Trump’s bid to dismiss other lawsuits filed by lawmakers and two Capitol police officers. In that ruling, Mehta said Trump’s words during a rally before the storming of the Capitol were likely “words of incitement not protected by the First Amendment.”
“Only in the most extraordinary circumstances could a court not recognize that the First Amendment protects a President’s speech,” Mehta wrote at the time. “But the court believes this is that case.”
Trump’s lawyers are appealing that ruling, saying in court papers filed last week that the Supreme Court has “made clear that when acting in his official capacity, a President of the United States is immune from civil suit.” | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/judge-wont-delay-oath-keepers-trial-over-jan-6-hearings/ | 2022-08-03T14:40:43Z |
Although more than $1 million in delinquent property taxes are still owed to Temple ISD, Superintendent Bobby Ott noted how the district — like other taxing entities in the region — anticipate collection rates below 100%.
“When school districts go into their budget process they do projected revenues … and that’s based on a lot of different things,” he told the Telegram. “It’s based on the number of students, the average daily attendance, the (property) values and the taxes collected. So we take a conservative approach.”
That approach relies on an assumed property tax collection rate of 98% to 98.5%, according to Temple ISD.
“Taking a conservative approach when you’re adopting a budget, to me, is no different than having contingencies built into certain areas, because it allows you to handle unforeseen circumstances that come up,” Ott said. “That’s a pretty standard practice in school districts. I don’t think you will find a school district that goes 100%.”
The fourth-year superintendent highlighted how this practice is one of the many reasons why Temple ISD was recently recognized by the Association of School Business Officials with a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.
“Once again TISD is recognized as a leader in financial transparency and accounting practices at the state, national and international levels,” he said. “The combination of having the lowest tax rate of any surrounding school district and providing quality services is recognized for a third year in a row. Taking care of our taxpayers as well as our students is a responsibility that we take very seriously.”
Delinquent property taxes due by tax year, as of Dec. 31, 2021, included $293,210 for 2020, $202,017 for 2019, $123,023, for 2018, $90,547 for 2017, and $64,358 for 2016 — taxes that Round-Rock-based MVBA Law assists Temple ISD in collecting.
“The older the taxes are for, the more of them that we have collected,” Matthew Tepper, an attorney with MVBA Law, said during a Temple ISD school board meeting on Monday. “But these collection numbers don’t just happen. We have a staff of people and three full-time employees who are working inside the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County, and what they do is mail out letters to people to try to get them to pay.”
Although property tax collection rates initially dropped when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Bell County, Tepper noted how they ultimately bounced back.
“We saw a period of three, four, five months where collections dropped down pretty significantly,” he said. “But as the world started to come back a little bit, we saw it pick up, and it almost made up for that time.”
Tepper — who noted that 13,943 total delinquent property tax notices were mailed to Temple ISD residents between July 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2021 — credited the distribution of federal stimulus money and lockdowns related to COVID-19 for that recovery.
“If you were fortunate enough to have a job or an income that stayed relatively flat — even during the lockdowns — your cost of living probably dropped significantly,” he said. “You weren’t going out to eat as much, you weren’t traveling and you weren’t taking vacations. So there was a period where it looked very, very poor, but I really felt like it was covered quite quickly.”
Ott thanked Tepper and his colleagues for their efforts.
“I did want to thank you and your firm for supporting TISD,” he said during the Monday meeting. “I know this is not a fun process … but we were very grateful for your service that allows us to do the things that we need to do.”
Residents can contact the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County by phone at 254-939-5841 for information on how to make a payment or to set up a payment plan. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central_texas_news/article_086db3b0-bac8-11ec-a397-2f51ef08216a.html | 2022-04-13T02:47:18Z |
NEW YORK, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 80% of women aged 18-29 say the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade has made them more interested in voting in the 2022 midterm elections, a 26-point increase since September 2021, according to a new poll by the nonpartisan women's political leadership group All In Together and administered by Emerson College.
The increase in voting interest because of the SCOTUS decision crosses all demographics, most notably among Democratic women (14-point increase), Black women (21-point increase), Hispanic women (21-point increase) and college-educated women (12-point increase). Among all voters who say the decision makes them much more interested in the 2022 elections, 68% support a generic Democratic congressional candidate on the ballot. Among Independents, women are also much more interested in voting because of the Supreme Court decision (39%), compared to September 2021 (23%).
"The SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade may very well be the game changer in the 2022 mid-terms and beyond, especially among female and young voters," said Lauren Leader, AIT co-founder and CEO. "Moreover, the Democrats have been searching for an issue to galvanize their base and stem what had been a rising Republican advantage. Our data suggests that this is that issue."
The survey was administered by Emerson College Polling. The national poll was conducted June 28-29, 2022. The sample consisted of registered voters, n=1,271, with a Credibility Interval (CI) similar to a poll's margin of error (MOE) of +/- 2.7 percentage points. The data sets were weighted by gender, region, age, education, and race/ethnicity, based on 2022 turnout modeling. It is important to remember that subsets based on gender, age, education, and race/ethnicity carry with them higher margins of error, as the sample size is reduced. Data was collected using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system of landlines and an online panel provided by CloudResearch.
More information is available at https://aitogether.org/ Crosstabs and additional data can be made available on request. Interviews with AIT CEO Lauren Leader can also be arranged upon request.
About All In Together (AIT) is a non-partisan, non-profit women's civic education and mobilization organization.
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SOURCE All In Together | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/all-togetheremerson-college-poll-finds-26-point-increase-2022-midterm-voter-interest-among-young-women-due-roe-v-wade-decision/ | 2022-07-01T14:34:36Z |
PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (AP) — Nearly a month after deadly flooding engulfed their houses, some eastern Kentuckians sheltering at state parks continue to wrestle with the same life-defining question — whether to rebuild at the place they call home or start over somewhere else.
Ivallean Smith, who awoke to rising floodwaters when her chihuahua licked her hand, hopes to return to the parcel of land she owns and loves. If she stays put, she says she’ll have to elevate her new home with blocks to try to protect against the kind of terror she lived through late last month, when the rain never seemed like it would stop.
Cynthia Greathouse has already made up her mind — she and her husband hope to leave soon for Florida. Greathouse was nearly swept away by surging floodwaters. Starting over elsewhere just seems easier.
John Bailey, meanwhile, still isn’t sure what comes next. His family’s home was ruined by the water, and his kids don’t want to go back.
For now, they’re all being lodged in hotel-style rooms at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, a vacationer’s retreat tucked into the Appalachian mountains. Late last week, 455 people were still being housed in Kentucky state parks, churches, schools and community centers, Gov. Andy Beshear said.
For those displaced by the flood, decisions on whether to stay or leave will be crucial for the future of eastern Kentucky, where the coal industry’s decline has added to the region’s hardships.
Despite his indecision, Bailey sounded upbeat Tuesday, knowing things could have been worse. The catastrophic flooding caused at least 39 deaths in eastern Kentucky.
“We’re a lot better off than some people,” he said. “Some people lost their family.”
Flood victims said they’ve been treated with kindness at Jenny Wiley, known for towering pines, elk-viewing tours and fishing on Dewey Lake. The state parks, American Red Cross and communities have provided meals. But for displaced families, the focus is on the future.
Federal emergency management personnel have been on site. Other services included crisis counseling and help to replace lost driver’s licenses and seek disaster unemployment assistance.
Those at Jenny Wiley lauded the park’s staff for the hospitality extended to them. And they praised Beshear for taking up their cause. The Democratic governor has pushed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to accelerate its approval of requests for help.
In his latest move, Beshear called Kentucky’s legislature into a special session starting Wednesday to take up a relief package for eastern Kentucky. In his video announcement, Beshear talked about efforts to provide intermediate lodging for people displaced by the flooding.
“We’re working to stabilize our people through a travel trailer program, where we already have nearly 100 travel trailers full and more on the way,” he said.
By Tuesday, Smith, 60, had spent four days at Jenny Wiley, making her and her adult son relative newcomers. Since her home collapsed, she spent time with relatives and one night in a car wash.
Her vehicle was destroyed by floodwaters. She was hoping a friend would take her to the courthouse to obtain documents requested by FEMA. Her decision isn’t final but she’d like to return to the land she owns — though she knows she won’t find much there.
“We lost everything,” Smith said.
For Bailey’s family, some normalcy returns Wednesday, when his three children start a new school year. A school bus will pick them up and drop them off at the park, he’s been told.
Asked if he’d like to rebuild on the place he owns, Bailey’s thoughts turned to his 16-year-old son.
“He won’t even go back right now to even look at it,” Bailey said.
He’s not sure where they might move, though he mentioned West Virginia as a possibility. But he won’t do anything without thinking about what the weather might do.
“I definitely want out of the flood zone,” he said.
Floodwaters wrecked Bailey’s home, shifting it at the foundation and leaving the floors looking like “a roller coaster.” When he checked around 4:30 a.m. on the fateful morning, the nearby creek was within its banks, he said. By 7:10 a.m., the water was up to his ankles. About 20 minutes later, it reached his stomach.
Bailey, his girlfriend, her sister and his children made a run for it. They’ve been living at the park ever since.
Bailey said he’s awaiting a decision from FEMA on his request for aid. His family has a “little bit” in savings to fall back on, he said, but “it’s going quick.” Bailey said he used to work in the oil and gas fields but is now disabled.
Greathouse, 54, has no intention of returning to live at her rental trailer. During the deluge, she said, she was rescued by men who attached a chain to her vehicle and pulled it out of the surging floodwaters with their truck.
Unable to get back home, she said she spent several nights sleeping in her car until a church pointed her to Jenny Wiley. She’s been there about three weeks.
Greathouse’s husband is getting out of the hospital Thursday after being treated for a hernia, she said. They’re awaiting approval for FEMA aid, but once that happens they’re planning to move to the Daytona, Florida, area. She has family there, she said.
“Start a new journey and get out of here,” said the lifelong Kentuckian. “There’s nothing really here to offer any of us.”
Reflecting further on the thought, she softened at the notion of cutting ties to her home state.
“I’ll always come home,” she said. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/one-month-later-kentucky-flood-evacuees-weigh-cloudy-future/ | 2022-08-24T12:01:01Z |
Ecolution's patented technology will address one of the State of Texas's most pertinent energy challenges
AMARILLO, Texas, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Amarillo, Texas has entered into a partnership with Ecolution Power Company, an innovative green-tech company that turns kinetic energy from trains and trailers into renewable electricity. The stored kinetic energy will power electric vehicles throughout the city fleet.
According to the 2021 U.S. Census, Amarillo has roughly 201,234 residents. The city is rapidly becoming an innovation hub in the southwest, as a major transit focal point for rail as well as highway cargo. Amarillo is perfectly situated to be a center for alternative power generation. The city has been working with Melissa Ashurst, the owner of Impact Broadband, on smart city initiatives. During this effort Melissa connected Ecolution with the city in hopes of helping with ongoing energy efforts.
"The city is constantly exploring opportunities to use new technology that can enable us to offer new services or enhance efficiency," said City of Amarillo Chief Information Officer Rich Gagnon. "As the world moves toward electric vehicles, the city is developing a strategy ahead of the change. It is important that we do the work now to be as efficient as possible with city resources."
Amarillo is looking to explore multiple use cases that could greatly reduce cost of fuel and move the city to clean energy by using Ecolution's patented kinetic energy technology. Amarillo's goal is to generate power to serve the citizens of the city every day.
"We set out to help communities all around the world. Our team is thrilled to bring our technology to the great city of Amarillo and provide their community with efficient and clean energy," said Ecolution Power Company's Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, Craig Bouchard.
Ecolution Power Company will be supplying Amarillo with the technology for waste vehicles. By exploring the benefits of this technology it will allow Amarillo to become more efficient and be able to service its people's needs.
Ecolution is seeking to become the global transportation industry's largest source of clean energy. Since its inception in 2016, the minority-owned company's experienced team of entrepreneurs developed and patented an innovative method of recycling 'wasted' kinetic energy from moving vehicles entitled MARS, invented by Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder Johnny Then-Gautier. Unlike regenerative braking, this technology requires no engine. The development of the prototype will enable municipalities, power, and logistics companies to assess the benefits of the invention. A lead investor in Ecolution Power Company is Brown Venture Group, LLC, a venture capital firm exclusively for Black, Latino, and Indigenous technology startups. For more information, visit www.ecokwh.com
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SOURCE Ecolution Power Company | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/ecolution-power-company-delivers-revolutionary-mobile-grid-city-amarillo/ | 2022-06-15T15:26:13Z |
VAUGHAN, ON, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - GFL Environmental Inc. ("GFL") (TSX: GFL) (NYSE: GFL) has been awarded the National Waste & Recycling Association ("NWRA") 2022 Recycling Facility of the Year for its Multi Material Recovery Campus in Toronto, Ontario. The award recognizes leading material recovery facilities ("MRFs") in North America based on key factors such as innovation, partnership, public education and environmental impact.
"We are proud to receive the NWRA 2022 Recycling Facility of the Year award," said Patrick Dovigi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "This is the second time in the last three years that one of our MRFs has received this honor. We have always invested heavily in technology to provide the best in sustainable solutions to our customers. This award supports our vision of always remaining entrepreneurial, investing in leading technology and providing our customers with the very best in recycling services."
GFL's Toronto Multi-Material Recovery Campus is located on a 27-acre site that houses two single stream MRFs that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
122 Arrow Road was the first MRF developed at the Campus. It began operations in 2010, processing mainly commercial material, and has since been modified to house an advanced single stream processing system. 124 Arrow Road was built in 2013 for the City of Toronto single stream processing contract, with excess capacity for future opportunities. As one of the largest, most technologically-advanced single stream facilities in North America, this facility was designed with sustainability and future needs at the forefront of all decision making.
Both facilities are designed with state-of-the-art technology including elliptical fiber separation, optical sorting, fully automated high-speed sorting robots and other mechanical separation processes. This design not only maximizes recovery, it also allows GFL to adapt to changing material composition and ensure the end production of high-quality processed recyclables. A dedicated material composition analysis center is also located on site to facilitate the sorting and analysis of inbound and outbound material.
The Campus has proven to be an overwhelming success for GFL. The Campus serves the material recovery needs of approximately 4 million municipal households and has processed over 3.5 million tons of material from municipal and commercial sources since its inception in 2010.
About GFL
GFL, headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario, is the fourth largest diversified environmental services company in North America, providing a comprehensive line of solid waste management, liquid waste management and soil remediation services through its platform of facilities throughout Canada and in more than half of the U.S. states. Across its organization, GFL has a workforce of more than 19,000 employees.
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SOURCE GFL Environmental Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/gfl-environmetnal-awarded-nwra-2022-recycling-facility-year/ | 2022-09-06T11:31:03Z |
Another independent voice chooses to use the cancel culture-free platform
LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Rumble announced that journalist and podcaster Tim Pool has moved hosting for his company, Timcast Media, to the Rumble Cloud. Pool, a successful podcaster and journalist famous for covering the Occupy Wall Street protests, has amassed millions of subscribers on YouTube and other streaming platforms. Pool's Timcast Media covers breaking news, politics, and culture. Timcast's movement to the Rumble Cloud follows Rumble's successful hosting of Truth Social.
"Tim Pool's decision to migrate to the Rumble Cloud is further proof that the Rumble Cloud is the preeminent free speech alternative to AWS and Google," said Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski. "Rumble provides cutting-edge cloud service to independent and diverse voices without the threat of censorship or cancellation."
"I'm excited to join the Rumble Cloud," said Pool. "This is step one in utilizing and building more resilient infrastructure for communication amid the culture war and mass censorship."
About Rumble
Rumble is a high-growth neutral video platform that is creating the rails and independent infrastructure designed to be immune to cancel culture. Rumble's mission is to restore the Internet to its roots by making it free and open once again. Additionally, the company announced in December 2021 the execution of a definitive business combination agreement with CF Acquisition Corp. VI (NASDAQ: CFVI). See the announcement here: https://corp.rumble.com.
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SOURCE Rumble | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/journalist-tim-pool-chooses-rumble-cloud-over-aws/ | 2022-05-05T15:38:02Z |
Chris Brock and Nick Eschenheimer to Bring Expert Support to Financial Advisors and Their Clients
DRESHER, Pa., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascensus—whose technology and expertise helps millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcare—announced that industry veterans Chris Brock and Nick Eschenheimer have been appointed Regional Vice Presidents on the firm's retirement plan sales team.
Brock joins Ascensus as Regional Vice President in the Northern Florida region, reporting to Anthony Bologna, Eastern Division vice president.
Brock has served in the financial services industry for 25 years, most recently as Regional Vice President at Securian Financial. He earned a B.B.A. in Marketing at Texas Tech University and holds Series 6, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses.
Nick Eschenheimer joins the Ascensus retirement sales team as Regional Vice President serving Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, reporting to Lori Zeman, Western Division vice president.
Eschenheimer most recently held the role of Director, Retirement Services/External Wholesaler at Principal Financial Group.
His accreditations and licenses include Series 24, 7, 63 and 65, Accredited Investment Fiduciary Designation, and Oklahoma Registered Investment Advisor. He earned a B.A. in Economics at the University of Missouri.
"We're confident that Chris and Nick will contribute greatly to our experienced team, enhancing expert support to our partners and their clients," said Jason Crane, Ascensus' head of retirement distribution. "This is a crucial time for our industry, and both Chris and Nick bring outstanding backgrounds and reputations for excellence to Ascensus."
About Ascensus
Ascensus is a market-leading enabler of tax-advantaged savings—providing technology, services, and expertise that help more than 15 million people save for retirement, education, and healthcare.
We are a premier savings program service provider, third-party administrator, and government savings facilitator. Our platforms, industry knowledge, and data-based insights enhance the growth and success of our partners, their clients, and savers through co-branded, private-labeled, and governmental partnerships.
Ascensus offers comprehensive qualified and non-qualified retirement plan solutions, third-party retirement plan administration, 529 education and ABLE savings program administration, health savings and COBRA administration, corporate- and bank-owned life insurance solutions, and fiduciary and total rewards services.
The company's brands include Ascensus; Newport, an Ascensus company; PAi, an Ascensus company; and FuturePlan by Ascensus. Ascensus has more than $706 billion in assets under administration and employs more than 5,600 associates as of June 30, 2022.
For more information, visit ascensus.com and newportgroup.com.
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SOURCE Ascensus | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/ascensus-appoints-two-new-regional-vice-presidents/ | 2022-08-17T15:18:26Z |
MONTREAL, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Alithya Group inc. (TSX: ALYA) (NASDAQ: ALYA) ("Alithya" or the "Company"), a leader in strategy and digital transformation employing approximately 3,900 highly qualified professionals and offering enterprise cloud solutions across Canada, the United States and internationally, is pleased to announce today that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") has accepted the notice filed by the Company of its intention to renew its normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") program.
Under the NCIB, the Company will be allowed to purchase for cancellation on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and NASDAQ, or through alternative Canadian trading systems, if eligible, or outside the facilities of the TSX pursuant to exemption orders issued by securities regulatory authorities, up to 2,491,128 Class A subordinate voting shares ("Class A Shares"), representing 5% of the Company's public float (49,822,567 Class A Shares) and 2.86% of the total number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares (87,137,376 Class A Shares) as of the close of markets on September 8, 2022. The amount of purchases on any given day will not exceed 7,813 Class A Shares, which represents 25% of the average daily trading volume on the TSX for the six-month ended August 31, 2022, being 31,255 Class A Shares, calculated in accordance with the rules of the TSX. All Class A Shares purchased under the NCIB will be cancelled.
Purchases under the NCIB may commence on September 20, 2022 and will end on the earlier of September 19, 2023 and the date on which the Company will have acquired the maximum number of Class A Shares allowable under the NCIB or otherwise decided not to make any further purchases. All purchases of Class A Shares will be made by means of open market transactions at their market price at the time of acquisition, plus brokerage fees, except for purchases that could be effected pursuant to exemption orders issued by securities regulatory authorities, which would be at a discount to the prevailing market price as per the terms of the order.
The decisions regarding the timing and size of purchases under the NCIB are subject to management's discretion and are based on a variety of factors, including market conditions. The Company believes that the purchase of Class A Shares from time to time can be undertaken at prices that do not fully reflect their value. The Company believes that, in such circumstances, the purchase for cancellation of such Class A Shares represents an appropriate use of the Company's available funds to support shareholder value.
The Company entered into an automatic share purchase plan ("ASPP") with a designated broker in connection with its NCIB. The ASPP will allow for the purchase for cancellation of Class A Shares, subject to certain trading parameters, by its designated broker during times when Alithya would ordinarily not be active in the market due to applicable regulatory restrictions or self-imposed blackout periods. Outside of these periods, the Class A Shares will be purchased by Alithya at its discretion under the NCIB.
Under its current NCIB that commenced on September 20, 2021 and will expire on September 19, 2022, the Company is authorized to purchase for cancellation up to 5,462,572 Class A Shares. As at September 8, 2022, Alithya had purchased 633,286 Class A Shares by means of open market transactions, through the facilities of the TSX, other markets and through alternative Canadian trading systems, at a weighted average price of $3.15 per Class A Share, for a total consideration of $1,993,667.
This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable U.S. safe harbours (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Statements that do not exclusively relate to historical facts, as well as statements relating to management's expectations regarding the future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects of Alithya, and other information related to Alithya's business strategy and future plans or which refer to the characterizations of future events or circumstances represent forward-looking statements. Such statements often contain the words "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "could," "would," "will," "may," "can," "continue," "potential," "should," "project," "target," and similar expressions and variations thereof, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among other things, information or statements relating to potential future purchases by Alithya of its Class A Shares pursuant to the NCIB and the ASPP.
Forward-looking statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding Alithya's objectives, strategies and business outlook as well as its anticipated operating environment and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Although management believes the expectations reflected in Alithya's forward-looking statements were reasonable as at the date they were made, forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management and, as such, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Alithya's control, and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those discussed in the section titled "Risks and Uncertainties" of Alithya's annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and other materials made public, including documents filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities from time to time and which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Alithya or that Alithya currently deems to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on its financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.
There can be no assurance that Alithya will purchase for cancellation all or any of the numbers of Class A Shares referred to in this press release that are subject to the NCIB.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this press release. Alithya expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since actual results may vary materially from them.
Alithya is a trusted leader in strategy and digital transformation, employing a dedicated and highly skilled workforce of approximately 3,900 professionals in Canada, the United States and internationally. Alithya's strategy is based on a plan of accelerated organic growth and complementary acquisitions to create a global leader. The Company's integrated offer is based on four pillars of expertise: business strategies, enterprise cloud solutions, application modernisation services, and data and analytics. To learn more about Alithya, visit www.alithya.com.
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SOURCE Alithya | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/alithya-renews-its-normal-course-issuer-bid/ | 2022-09-15T00:03:29Z |
myDigitalOffice continues its rapid momentum with 1,047% 3-year growth, earning a top spot on the 2022 Inc. 5000 List.
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- myDigitalOffice (MDO), the world's fastest growing hotel performance management platform, today announced its rank on the annual Inc. 5000 List, which highlights the fastest-growing private companies in America. Following a three-year run where the company grew by over 1,000%, MDO came in at #608 overall, and is the sixth fastest growing private company in all of Travel and Hospitality.
"The accomplishment of building one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S, especially in light of the economic headwinds that continues to impact our industry, is a testament to our team's dedication and the resiliency of our amazing customers," says MDO Founder & CEO, Ali Moloo. "We are honored to be part of this list of innovative companies, and I congratulate the entire myDigitalOffice family on this momentous achievement."
Over the past few years, MDO has continued to expand within forward-thinking REITs, global hospitality brands, hotel owner & operator groups such as Highgate, Hotel Equities, Commonwealth, and many others. With over 5,000 hotels using MDO's platform today, the momentum is a testament to the company's people, product, and process, and to the business results achieved by its customers.
To be selected as one of the 5,000 fastest growing companies out of over six million privately held companies in the U.S. speaks volumes regarding the capabilities of myDigitalOffice. This year's list is particularly special because it showcases organizations that have flourished amidst a highly challenging and unprecedented economic landscape.
"We're excited to build on this momentum and continue to provide our customers with best-in-class hotel software that solves real-world problems." Moloo shared.
myDigitalOffice (MDO) is the world's fastest growing hotel data platform, providing customers with centralized, digital access to all of their hotel's most critical documents and cross-functional performance metrics. The visibility, connectivity, and control delivered by our award-winning cloud-based dashboards, document management software and integrated data feeds allow teams to reach greater levels of productivity, budget and forecast, and reduce environmental impact while optimizing profitability. Learn more at www.mydigitaloffice.com.
Contact:
Brenna Sansing
+1-678-763-4793
brenna@mydigitaloffice.com
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SOURCE myDigitalOffice | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/mydigitaloffice-top-12-fastest-growing-private-companies-us/ | 2022-08-17T17:33:30Z |
- Together Credit Union will use the Black Knight Empower loan origination system (LOS) to support the credit union's growth and elevate its member experience
- The credit union needed an LOS that would streamline the loan process for its loan officers and members alike
- Empower offers "lights out" automation and features an integrated suite of origination solutions to increase efficiencies
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE: BKI) announced that Together Credit Union, a St. Louis-based credit union with 27 branches nationwide, has selected the Empower loan origination system (LOS) to help drive expected business growth and elevate the member experience.
"As a growing mid-size lender, we needed a loan origination system that could scale with our needs as our business expands," said Doc Dougherty, chief lending officer, Together Credit Union. "The suite of solutions fully integrated with Empower will be a game changer for how we do business, and the system's web-based portals will make the loan process even easier for both our loan officers and our members."
The Empower LOS offers a digital, "lights out" ecosystem built using cloud-based architecture to drive business growth while cutting operational costs. Together Credit Union has also selected a suite of integrated web-based origination solutions that will help the credit union better support members' home financing needs.
These additional offerings include an industry-leading product and pricing engine from Optimal Blue, a division of Black Knight; machine-learning technology for document classification and indexing; and a digital point-of-sale solution that enhances the mortgage application process for members and loan officers. Together Credit Union will also use Black Knight's digital close solution with eDelivery and eSigning capabilities; a home equity and regulatory assistance solution suite; tax and title services; professional flood zone determinations; and a comprehensive fee service to help mitigate fee cures.
"Empower is the right loan origination system to support Together Credit Union with building member relationships that last a lifetime," said Rich Gagliano, president of Origination Technologies at Black Knight. "By integrating multiple value-add solutions with Empower, Together Credit Union will be even better equipped to provide its members faster, easier access and advanced digital tools."
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.
Since 1939, Together Credit Union, formerly known as Anheuser-Busch Employees' Credit Union, American Eagle Credit Union, and Purina Credit Union, has striven to serve as a trusted financial partner for its members and communities. As a result, the credit union has earned national recognition for its direct financial benefits to its membership, and youth and adult financial wellness programming.
With more than 136,000+ members nationwide and $2.3 billion in total assets, Together Credit Union provides full-service banking and financial solutions, including financial wellness programming, at 27 branches nationwide and through 24/7 Member resources and amenities.
As a member-owned, community-focused, not-for-profit financial institution, Together Credit Union is chartered by Missouri and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Together Credit Union is not a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., or its affiliates. Learn more at https://www.togethercu.org/.
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SOURCE Black Knight, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/together-credit-union-selects-empower-black-knights-loan-origination-system-drive-growth-streamline-lending-process-loan-officers-members/ | 2022-08-10T14:09:55Z |
LAKEWOOD, Colo., April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) today announced that the Company will release its second quarter fiscal year 2022 financial results after the market close on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Following the release via the wire services, the Company will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time). To participate in the conference call, dial 1-888-347-6606 (U.S.); 1-855-669-9657 (Canada); or 1-412-902-4289 (International). The conference ID is "Natural Grocers Q2 FY 2022 Earnings Call." Please dial in at least five minutes before the start of the conference call.
Investors and other parties may listen to the webcast of the conference call by logging on via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.naturalgrocers.com/ or directly at https://app.webinar.net/04pkP56JY9V.
An audio recording of the conference call will be archived for a minimum of 20 days on the Company's website at http://investors.naturalgrocers.com/.
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based nutrition education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 162 stores in 20 states.
Visit www.NaturalGrocers.com for more information and store locations.
Investor Contact:
Reed Anderson, ICR, 646-277-1260, reed.anderson@icrinc.com
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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/21/natural-grocers-by-vitamin-cottage-inc-announces-second-quarter-fiscal-year-2022-earnings-conference-call-webcast/ | 2022-04-21T20:35:51Z |
FORT WORTH (STACKER) — This past Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by half a percentage point, in effort to curtail the current rate of inflation, which as of March 2022 is up 8.5% year over year. This marks the first time in more than 20 years that the Fed has raised interest rates to such a degree, and it follows swiftly on the heels of a quarter-percentage point raise this past March.
While this move exhibits a measure of confidence in the job market, it nonetheless marks a growing concern over a continually rising cost of living. As to how this rate hike will affect potential homebuyers, the effects of the Fed’s March rate increase are already being felt, and the expectation is that those effects will only strengthen as 2022’s homebuying season progresses. The Mortgage Banker’s Association reported on May 4, that mortgage applications were up slightly (2.5%) over last week; however, this was based on survey data for the week ending April 29, well in advance of the Fed’s announcement. With the average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate at 5.48%—up from 5.37% last week and still the highest since 2009—it is anticipated that application rates will drop in the coming weeks, continuing a downward trend in both new and existing home sales since March of last year.
To help you stay current on the market, ZeroDown compiled a weekly real estate market report in Fort Worth, TX metro area using data from Redfin. Statistics are as of the four weeks ending May 1, 2022. Metros with more than 50 homes sold during this time period were considered for metro-level rankings for each statistic.
Median sales price
Fort Worth, TX metro area:
– Median sales price: $381,230
– One-year change: +28.7%
Metros with highest median sales price
#1. San Francisco, CA metro area: $1.7 million
#2. San Jose, CA metro area: $1.6 million
#3. Santa Cruz, CA metro area: $1.3 million
Metros with lowest median sales price
#1. Cumberland, MD metro area: $111,312
#2. Davenport, IA metro area: $120,125
#3. Peoria, IL metro area: $120,238
Median sales price per square foot
Fort Worth, TX metro area:
– Median sales price per square foot: $193
– One-year change: +27.7%
Metros with highest median sales price per square foot
#1. San Francisco, CA metro area: $1,126
#2. San Jose, CA metro area: $948
#3. Kahului, HI metro area: $938
Metros with lowest median sales price per square foot
#1. Carbondale, IL metro area: $71
#2. Cumberland, MD metro area: $76
#3. Peoria, IL metro area: $84
Sales to list price ratio
Fort Worth, TX metro area:
– Average sales to list price ratio: 1.04
– One-year change: +0.03
Metros with highest sales to list price ratio
#1. Oakland, CA metro area: 1.15
#2. San Jose, CA metro area: 1.14
#3. San Francisco, CA metro area: 1.13
Metros with lowest sales to list price ratio
#1. Carbondale, IL metro area: 0.96
#2. Cape Girardeau, MO metro area: 0.97
#3. Beaumont, TX metro area: 0.97
Homes sold with price drops
Fort Worth, TX metro area:
– Homes sold with price drops: 8.3%
– One-year change: -0.8%
Metros with most homes sold with price drops
#1. New York, NY metro area: 28.5%
#2. Utica, NY metro area: 28.5%
#3. Kingston, NY metro area: 26.8%
Metros with least homes sold with price drop
#1. Carbondale, IL metro area: 0.0%
#2. Lake Charles, LA metro area: 0.0%
#3. Davenport, IA metro area: 0.0%
Off market in two weeks
Fort Worth, TX metro area:
– Off market in two weeks: nan%
– One-year change: +nan%
Metros with the most homes off market in two weeks
#1. Rochester, NY metro area: 89.9%
#2. Seattle, WA metro area: 88.9%
#3. Olympia, WA metro area: 88.7%
Metros with the least homes off market in two weeks
#1. Morristown, TN metro area: 0.0%
#2. Urban Honolulu, HI metro area: 4.0%
#3. Appleton, WI metro area: 4.7%
Months of supply
Fort Worth, TX metro area:
– Months of supply: 5.4 months
– One-year change: -0.4 months
Metros with the most months of supply
#1. Atlantic City, NJ metro area: 18.1 months
#2. New York, NY metro area: 17.7 months
#3. Beaumont, TX metro area: 16.2 months
Metros with least months of supply
#1. Lewiston, ME metro area: 2.7 months
#2. Portland, ME metro area: 2.9 months
#3. Seattle, WA metro area: 3.3 months
This story originally appeared on ZeroDown and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. | https://cw33.com/news/local/fort-worth-weekly-real-estate-update-5/ | 2022-05-09T22:59:29Z |
CALGARY, AB, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Intermap Technologies Corporation (TSX: IMP) (OTCQX: ITMSF) ("Intermap" or the "Company") held its annual shareholders meeting (the "Meeting") on June 15, 2022, at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, 400, 3rd Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta. A total of 10,960,199 Class A common shares of Intermap ("Common Shares"), representing 32.79% of the total Common Shares outstanding, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.
Intermap's shareholders voted in favor of all items of business put forward at the Meeting, being the election of all nominated directors and the reappointment of KPMG LLP as the auditors of the Company, as more fully described in the Company's management information circular dated May 16, 2022, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com.
The votes in respect of the election of directors are as follows:
More information about the results of the Meeting can be found in the Company's report on the voting results, which has been filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR.
About Intermap Technologies
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP) (OTCQX: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions. The Company's proprietary 3D NEXTMap® elevation datasets and value-added geospatial collection, processing, analytics, fusion and orthorectification software and solutions are utilized across a range of industries that rely on accurate, high-resolution elevation data. Intermap helps governments build authoritative geospatial datasets and provides solutions for base mapping, transportation, environmental monitoring, topographic mapping, disaster mitigation, smart city integration, public safety and defense. The Company's commercial applications include aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. For more information, please visit www.intermap.com.
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SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/intermap-technologies-announces-voting-results-annual-meeting-shareholders/ | 2022-06-16T00:26:09Z |
Wife shoots husband after allegations he molested kids at the daycare she owns, police say
BALTIMORE (WJZ) – A retired Baltimore police officer remains hospitalized after authorities say his wife shot him to get justice for the children he is accused of molesting at her daycare.
According to court documents, Shanteari Weems shot James Weems Jr. after she learned of allegations that he molested at least three children at Lil Kidz Kastle, the daycare that she owns.
James Weems Jr., 57, retired from the Baltimore Police Department in 2005, but has worked at the daycare as a bus driver for at least two years.
Court documents say that Shanteari Weems reported the abuse to police, but kept getting calls from parents. That’s when she confronted her husband about the alleged abuse shortly after the two checked into the upscale Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. last Thursday.
Police said Shanteari Weems told officers the argument got heated, saying her husband rushed toward her and she shot him.
Baltimore County Police Spokeswoman Joy Lepola-Stewart said James Weems Jr. remains hospitalized in Washington, D.C. pending extradition. Authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest and said he will face multiple charges in relation to the reported child sex abuse.
Shanteari Weems was taken into custody after a standoff at the hotel. She faces multiple charges including assault with intent to kill and possession of an unregistered firearm, among other counts.
Police said officers found Shanteari Weems’ notebook with details on her plan to shoot her husband, along with an informal will. Officers said the notebook revealed that Shanteari Weems did not want to kill her husband, just hurt him, to get justice for the children.
Kathy Scherr, who works nearby the daycare, said the whole situation is horrible, but expressed sympathy for Shanteari Weems.
“I mean everyone knows she shouldn’t have taken the law into her own hands, but you didn’t have your life upended,” Scherr said. “Her whole entire business is gone. Her reputation is gone. Her marriage is gone. Those kids are hurt. She obviously cared about them. So, who knows if it was one of us what you’d be driven to [do].”
Supporters of Shanteari Weems are using the #freeshanteari hashtag online, with some even calling her a hero.
Supporters also packed the courtroom Monday where Shanteari Weems’ initial hearing was postponed. She is now due in court on Friday.
Activist Qiana Johnson said Shanteari Weems is not to blame.
“She’s made complaints to the proper authorities before. Her cries for help had went unanswered,” Johnson said. “Our government did not keep her or the children in the situation safe.”
The daycare has been shut down in recent days amid the investigation.
Copyright 2022 WJZ via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/27/wife-shoots-husband-after-allegations-he-molested-kids-daycare-she-owns-police-say/ | 2022-07-27T22:45:49Z |
Webcast to be held at 08.30 CEST on Wednesday 6 July
OSLO, Norway, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordic Nanovector ASA (OSE: NANOV) today provides an update on PARADIGME, its Phase 2b trial of Betalutin® (177Lu lilotomab satetraxetan) in 3rd-line relapsed and anti-CD20 refractory follicular lymphoma (3L R and R FL). Following a comprehensive review and independent data evaluation of PARADIGME and a subsequent request for regulatory agency interaction, the Board of Directors (Board) has taken the difficult decision to discontinue the study. No further patients will be enrolled into PARADIGME.
The PARADIGME trial enrolled a total of 109 patients. The Company will now ensure a wind-down of PARADIGME in a structured manner ensuring patients receive the best possible care during this period.
While Betalutin®, at the selected dose of 15 MBq/kg after a pre-dose of 40 mg lilotomab (40/15), has continued to display an attractive safety profile and positive signs of efficacy in some patients, the Board considers that the observed profile does not fully meet the objectives set out for the PARADIGME study. Only one out of three patients responded to the treatment with the average duration of the response of approximately six months. As a result, the Board is of the opinion that the demonstrated profile is no longer sufficiently competitive to bring Betalutin® to the market in the third line relapsed and refractory FL indication, within a timeframe that makes financial and commercial sense for the Company.
The Company still believes there could be a market for Betalutin® in light of its safety profile, promising efficacy in earlier lines of therapy and unique feature of being delivered as a one-time dose. However, a potential new development programme would need to be conducted in a different patient population and line of treatment. The Company will therefore explore potential partnerships and will also seek advice from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss if there could be a possible way forward for Betalutin® in an alternative setting.
The Company will now focus its efforts and resources on developing its pipeline of proprietary CD37-targeting products from which Nordic Nanovector believes it can create value for shareholders over the longer term. These pipeline opportunities include:
· Humalutin®, a radioimmunotherapy candidate based on a chimeric anti-CD37 antibody and the beta-emitting radionuclide lutetium-177 for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
· Alpha37, an alpha-emitting radioimmunotherapy candidate based on a chimeric anti-CD37 antibody conjugated to lead-212, currently being explored with partner OranoMed for relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
· A portfolio of fully humanized anti-CD37 antibodies with potential in haematological cancers and autoimmune diseases.
· A CD37 DOTA CAR-T cell opportunity in haematological cancers, which is the subject of a research collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania.
Following the decision to discontinue PARADIGME, the Board has also decided to implement a restructuring of the Company with immediate effect with the purpose of reducing costs where necessary to enable support of essential activities associated with development of the pipeline.
The Company's cash position at the end of Q2 2022 was approximately NOK 280m (end of Q1 NOK 356.3m). Full Q2 results will now be reported on 31 August.
Chairman, Jan H. Egberts commented: "The decision to discontinue PARADIGME is extremely disappointing not only for the Nordic Nanovector team, but also for patients, healthcare providers and our shareholders as there continues to be an unmet medical need in frail and elderly patients with Follicular Lymphoma. The new independently reviewed data from PARADIGME, in an increasingly competitive market and with the slow speed of recruitment makes progressing PARADIGME further very difficult. Consequently, the Board no longer sees a viable path to commercialisation in the current indication that would make sense for the Company and its shareholders. We are extremely grateful to all the clinical investigators and patients who have participated in PARADIGME."
CEO, Erik Skullerud commented: "Our focus will now shift to our pipeline of other CD37-targeting assets, which give us multiple shots on goal, including Humalutin®, Alpha37, a portfolio of fully humanized anti-CD37 antibodies and the CD37 CAR-T. We look forward to communicating our development plans for these assets in more detail in the coming months."
Nordic Nanovector will host a webcast at 08.30 CEST on Wednesday 6 July, elaborating on the strategic decision to stop PARADIGME and including a Q&A session. To join the webcast please sign up via our website www.nordicnanovector.com.
For further information, please contact:
IR enquiries
Malene Brondberg, CFO
Cell: +44 7561 431 762
Email: ir@nordicnanovector.com
Media Enquiries
Mark Swallow/Frazer Hall (MEDiSTRAVA Consulting)
Tel: +44 203 928 6900
Email: nordicnanovector@medistrava.com
About Nordic Nanovector:
Nordic Nanovector is committed to develop and deliver innovative therapies to patients to address major unmet medical needs and advance cancer care. The Company aspires to become a leader in radionuclide therapy of cancer. In addition to Betalutin®, for which Nordic Nanovector retains global marketing rights, the Company's novel pipeline includes Humalutin®, a radioimmunotherapy candidate based on a chimeric anti-CD37 antibody and the beta emitter lutetium-177 for NHL; Alpha37, a based on a chimeric anti-CD37 antibody and the alpha emitting radionuclide lead-212, currently being explored with partner Oranomed for relapsed refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; a portfolio of fully humanized anti-CD37 antibodies with potential in haematological cancers and autoimmune diseases; and a CD37 DOTA CAR-T cell opportunity in haematological cancers, which is the subject of a research collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania.
Further information can be found at www.nordicnanovector.com.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances, since they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and which, by their nature, will have an impact on Nordic Nanovector's business, financial condition and results of operations. The terms "anticipates", "assumes", "believes", "can", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "may", "might", "plans", "should", "projects", "targets", "will", "would" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology are used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historic facts. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, risks associated with implementation of Nordic Nanovector's strategy, risks and uncertainties associated with the development and/or approval of Nordic Nanovector's product candidates, ongoing and future clinical trials and expected trial results, the ability to commercialise Betalutin®, technology changes and new products in Nordic Nanovector's potential market and industry, Nordic Nanovector's freedom to operate (competitors patents) in respect of the products it develops, the ability to develop new products and enhance existing products, the impact of competition, changes in general economy and industry conditions, and legislative, regulatory and political factors. No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Nordic Nanovector disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This information is subject to a duty of disclosure pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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SOURCE Nordic Nanovector | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/nordic-nanovector-discontinue-paradigme-its-phase-2b-trial-with-betalutin-3l-r-r-follicular-lymphoma/ | 2022-07-05T21:05:56Z |
What to know about the stunning disclosure of a draft Supreme Court opinion that could spell the end of national abortion rights
By Tierney Sneed
The Supreme Court appears to be on the cusp of ending its 49-year-old legal precedent that protects abortion rights nationwide if the majority signs on to a draft opinion obtained and published by Politico on Monday.
The revelation of the draft opinion does not have an immediate effect on abortion access. If the apparent majority willing to overturn Roe v. Wade stays firm, the precedent would not be overturned until the formal release of the court’s ruling, which is likely to come in June.
But the ruling previewed in the draft authored by Justice Samuel Alito would upend abortion access by giving states the ability to decide how aggressive to restrict access to the procedure. Here’s what to know.
What is the draft opinion?
Politico obtained and published what it described as a draft Supreme Court majority opinion striking down Roe v. Wade. It was written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito and circulated among the justices in February.
Notably, the opinion is a draft and the court’s votes are not final until the formal opinions are officially released. Drafts are often amended and changed based on the input of the other justices. In some instances, justices have switched sides before an opinion is issued, such as when Chief Justice John Roberts flipped and saved Obamacare in 2012.
The opinion in the case in question, Dobbs v. Jackson, is a challenge to Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban. The state had asked the justices to use the case to reverse the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling — and the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling upholding Roe — that together guarantee a right to an abortion before a fetus is viable.
What does the draft mean immediately for abortion rights?
Until a final opinion is released, Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land. Justices can, and have in the past, changed their votes after initial draft opinions are circulated.
But the revelation of where the court is likely headed will undoubtedly supercharge what have been contentious fights in state legislatures over how to prepare for a ruling that overturns Roe and put abortion at the forefront of the national political discourse as the country awaits the final ruling.
What does the draft signal about where the court is going on Roe?
The draft signals that there were at least five votes for overturning Roe when the justices privately convened after the case’s oral arguments, which were held in December.
Under normal procedures, by the end of that week, the justices would have met in their private conference to take a preliminary vote on the issue.
They would have gone around the table in order of seniority discussing their views on the case. Roberts, as chief justice, would have gone first. After that initial tally, if the chief was in the majority, he would assign the majority opinion. Otherwise, the most senior justice would have that responsibility. After that, drafts go between justices’ chambers. In the past, justices have changed their votes and sometimes a majority opinion ultimately becomes a dissent.
It appears, according to Politico’s report, that five justices were willing to vote to overturn Roe. Roberts did not want to completely overturn Roe v. Wade, sources tell CNN. At the same time, he wants to uphold the Mississippi law. That would leave the four justices willing to join an Alito opinion overturning Roe outright to be Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
What will happen to abortion access if the court overrules Roe?
Abortion access would depend on where you live in the country. In the draft opinion, Alito writes that the Constitution makes no reference to abortion and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision: “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s representatives.”
That would mean state legislatures could choose for themselves how much to restrict abortion access. Several states are poised to implement extreme limits or outright bans on the procedure. Some states have on their books so-called trigger bans, which would put into effect prohibitions on abortion if and when the Supreme Court releases a formal opinion overturning Roe.
Activity around passing restrictive laws in red states picked up after the Dobbs case was taken up for review and after oral arguments suggested the conservative wing may have had five voters to overturn Roe.
For instance, Kentucky and other states passed 15-week bans, like the Mississippi law before the Supreme Court, while other state legislatures sought to bar abortion earlier in the pregnancy. Some of those laws, including Kentucky’s, have already been blocked by federal courts that cited the existing Supreme Court abortion precedent that has not yet been overturned.
On the other side of the spectrum, Democratic-led states are considering proposals to shore up abortion rights. Connecticut’s legislature recently approved legislation to make abortions easier to obtain in the state and that would protect their abortions provider from the anti-abortion laws of other states. Similar proposals are under consideration in New York, California and elsewhere.
Some purple states might take a middle ground approach, stopping short of banning abortion outright, but limiting at earlier points in the pregnancy than what was previously allowed under the line current precedent draws at viability, a point around 23 weeks into pregnancy.
What would the patchwork system mean for abortion seekers?
According to one analysis by a think tank that favors abortion rights, many abortion seekers would have to travel hundreds of miles. The analysis — done last year by the Guttmacher Institute, which assumed that ultimately 26 states would ban the procedure — anticipated that states where abortion access is maintained would host the nearest clinics for millions of women who would see the procedure outlawed in their states.
Those distances would mean that abortion access could also depend on one’s socioeconomic status, given costs that include not just the procedure itself, but travel logistics, time taken off work, child care and other considerations.
There could also be knock-on consequences — at least in the short term — for abortion seekers in blue states whose clinics see a surge in out-of-state patients. The fallout of Texas’ six-week ban, which the Supreme Court refused to block due to its novel enforcement mechanism, is a preview of the potential impacts. Clinics in neighboring states saw waits for abortion appointments increase by days and weeks due to the flood of Texas patients.
Another complicating factor is how medication abortion has grown in use. That method, a two-pill regimen, now makes up more than half of abortions obtained nationwide. Many Republican state lawmakers are already exploring ways to limit access to medication abortion, but are still weighing how to target abortion pills obtained from unregulated international sources.
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CNN’s Joan Biskupic and Ariane de Vogue contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/02/what-to-know-about-the-stunning-disclosure-of-a-draft-supreme-court-opinion-that-could-spell-the-end-of-national-abortion-rights/ | 2022-05-03T05:49:01Z |
Dear Annie: I have been with my girlfriend for three years. She and her physically disabled son have lived with me for almost two years. I’ve been very unhappy in this relationship for a while now. I don’t think she treats me very well. She trashes my house and interrupts me every time I speak. Her jealousy is over the top. She smokes in the house and drops ashes all over my bed.
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K-State STEM research could have large impacts on Kansas, Missouri
MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - A new study by researchers at Kansas State University could have a large impact on the STEM field in Kansas and Missouri.
Kansas State University says education researchers from Kansas and Missouri have collaborated on a National Science Foundation-funded project that may have important impacts on the economic growth of their states.
K-State said that armed with a longitudinal understanding of the need for a STEM-ready workforce, Tuan Nguyen, principal investigator and assistant professor in the College of Education, was awarded a $500,000 grant from NSF to analyze employment patterns and trends of teachers in science, technology, engineering and math - or STEM fields.
The University noted that J. Cameron Anglum, assistant professor at Saint Louis University School of Education, is the co-principal investigator.
K-State indicated that the title of the study is “Preparing for the Future of the STEM Teacher Workforce in the 21st Century: Leveraging Multi-contextual Evidence.”
“We endeavor to shed light on the evolution of the STEM teacher labor force and the factors that influence STEM teacher turnover as this analysis is crucial to inform actionable recruitment and retention practices, particularly in high-needs school contexts,” Nguyen said. “This proposal identifies a crucial area of research aimed to inform educational policies and interventions in support of student growth in STEM fields, which is the detailed identification of trends in the demographics and turnover behaviors of the STEM teacher workforce.”
The researchers said that jobs in STEM fields are projected to grow disproportionately over the next decade - which means more STEM teachers are crucial.
“If educators and administrators have the data they need to craft key policies and can use that information to mitigate factors that contribute to teacher attrition, that is not only good for students and schools, it seems reasonable to conclude it is equally good for economic growth,” Nguyen said.
K-State noted that the project includes two complementary studies that leverage distinct sources of data. The first relies on nationally representative data using the Schools and Staffing Survey and its updated version - the National Teacher and Principal Survey - to examine how STEM teacher characteristics have changed. The second uses longitudinal data from Kansas and Missouri to see trends in teacher mobility over time and how the pandemic may have affected STEM teachers.
“Teaching is the parent of all professions,” said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. “We need highly qualified, engaged teachers leading classrooms who can inspire every iteration of the next generation of veterinary and food scientists, medical researchers, engineers and tech innovators to open the doors of our future.”
Mercer said Nguyen’s research is the college’s most recent effort to support STEM in Kansas. For more than a decade, she said the college has hosted the Summer STEM Institute, which brought over 300 middle school students to campus.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/29/k-state-stem-research-could-have-large-impacts-kansas-missouri/ | 2022-08-29T19:26:39Z |
WILLOW PARK, Texas and HOUSTON, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ProFrac Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: PFHC) ("ProFrac" or the "Company") announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire U.S. Well Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: USWS) ("USWS") in a stock-for-stock transaction with an exchange ratio of 0.0561 shares of ProFrac Class A common stock for each share of USWS Class A common stock. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the approval of USWS stockholders.
The combination creates a market leader in NextGen frac solutions and a combined company with an expected 44 active fleets by the end of 2022:
- Transaction expected to expand ProFrac's fleet to 44 active fleets by year end, including 12 electric fleets, 13 Tier IV dual fuel fleets, and 3 Tier IV diesel fleets
- Combined company expected to be the largest provider of electric frac services with 12 electric fleets
- Accelerates ProFrac's ESG strategy of reducing fuel costs and minimizing its emissions footprint
- Marries leading edge efficiency and cost structure from ProFrac with the largest electric fleet platform in the industry to deliver exceptional value for the combined company and substantial cost savings to customers
- ProFrac would acquire USWS' industry leading intellectual property portfolio that gave rise to electric frac technology with the market's first e-fleet deployment in 2014, which includes over 110 patents
- USWS Convertible Senior Notes and Series A Redeemable Preferred Shares to be converted into shares of ProFrac Class A common stock at closing
- Combined company expected to maintain a conservative balance sheet; ProFrac expects to separately finance remaining USWS debt at closing
- Expected to result in approximately $35 million of annual cost synergies and eliminate ProFrac's expected license fees to USWS of approximately $22.5 million per year over the next four years
- Expected to be accretive to 2023 Adjusted EBITDA
Matt Wilks, ProFrac's Executive Chairman, commented, "The acquisition of U.S. Well Services solidifies ProFrac's position as an industry leader in electric hydraulic fracturing, which we believe represents the future of the industry. In today's environment, we believe electric frac fleets provide improved efficiency, lower R&M costs, greater value, and a lower overall cost of completion to our customer. It is a true win-win scenario for us, our customers, the environment and the communities in which we operate."
Ladd Wilks, ProFrac's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are excited to welcome the U.S. Well Services team to the ProFrac family. We recognize the hard work of everyone to get to this point and I am excited to join forces and build upon the foundation this team has established. By leveraging our scale and capabilities along with U.S. Well Services' Clean Fleet® technology, we intend to make ProFrac THE electric fleet provider in the U.S."
Kyle O'Neill, U.S. Well Services' President and CEO, added, "We are thrilled to join forces with ProFrac. ProFrac is a best-in-class operator, and we believe the combined company will be well positioned to capitalize on the growing opportunity for electric fracturing services. This combination provides value for U.S. Well Services shareholders, employees and customers, and we look forward to working with the ProFrac team to realize our shared vision for the business."
ProFrac has scheduled a conference call on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time / 10:00 a.m. Central time. Please dial 412-902-0030 and ask for the ProFrac Holding Corp. call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time of the call, or listen to the call live over the Internet by logging on to the website at the address https://ir.pfholdingscorp.com/news-events/ir-calendar. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through June 29, 2022 and may be accessed by calling 201-612-7415 using passcode 13730894#. A webcast archive will also be available at the link above shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 90 days.
Piper Sandler & Co. and Paul Hastings LLP are serving as exclusive financial and legal advisor, respectively, to the Special Committee of U.S. Well Services' Board of Directors. Porter Hedges LLP is serving as legal advisor to U.S. Well Services. Jefferies LLC and Kirkland & Ellis LLP are serving as exclusive financial and legal advisor, respectively, to the Special Committee of ProFrac's Board of Directors. Brown Rudnick LLP and Lowenstein Sandler LLP are serving as legal advisor and merger clearance counsel, respectively, to ProFrac.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, USWS stockholders will receive 0.0561 shares of ProFrac Class A common stock for each share of USWS Class A common stock they own, which, based on the ProFrac closing price of $21.49 on June 21, 2022, the last trading day prior to announcement of the deal, represents aggregate stock consideration of approximately $93 million and a consideration per share of USWS Class A common stock of $1.21.
Effective immediately prior to the closing of the merger, each holder of USWS Series A Preferred Stock will be given the opportunity to convert their shares into USWS Class A common stock at a conversion price of $1.22 and receive the merger consideration for such shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock not converted at such conversion price will automatically convert into shares of USWS Class A common stock at the then-effective conversion rate as calculated pursuant to USWS' organizational documents, and such shares will be converted into the merger consideration. Effective immediately prior to the closing of the merger, each Convertible Senior Secured (Third Lien) PIK Note will automatically convert into a number of shares of USWS Class A common stock at a conversion price of $1.22 and such shares will be converted into the merger consideration. After giving effect to these conversions, the total stock consideration payable to USWS stockholders and holders of USWS equity awards, based on the June 21, 2022 closing price, would be approximately $270 million.
Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, the holders of USWS' Term C Loan Warrants entered into a Warrant Purchase Agreement with ProFrac pursuant to which, immediately prior to and conditioned upon the closing of the merger, such warrant holders will sell to ProFrac all of the Term C Loan Warrants for a total of $2.6 million.
USWS' other outstanding warrants will become exercisable for ProFrac common stock in accordance with their terms.
In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, certain stockholders of USWS entered into a voting agreement, pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to, among other things, support and vote in favor of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
The transaction is subject to approval of USWS stockholders as well as customary closing conditions and anti-trust approvals, including expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. The transaction does not include a financing condition and is expected to close in the fourth calendar quarter of 2022.
ProFrac Holding Corp. is a growth-oriented, vertically integrated and innovation-driven energy services company providing hydraulic fracturing, completion services and other complementary products and services to leading upstream oil and gas companies engaged in the exploration and production ("E&P") of North American unconventional oil and natural gas resources. Founded in 2016, ProFrac was built to be the go-to service provider for E&P companies' most demanding hydraulic fracturing needs. ProFrac is focused on employing new technologies to significantly reduce "greenhouse gas" emissions and increase efficiency in what has historically been an emissions-intensive component of the unconventional E&P development process. For more information, please visit the ProFrac's website at www.pfholdingscorp.com. The information on ProFrac's website is not part of this press release.
U.S. Well Services, Inc. is a leading provider of electric pressure pumping services and a market leader in electric pressure pumping. USWS' patented electric pressure pumping technology provides one of the first fully electric, mobile well stimulation systems powered by locally supplied natural gas including field gas sourced directly from the wellhead. USWS' electric pressure pumping technology dramatically decreases emissions, sound pollution and truck traffic while generating exceptional operational efficiencies including significant customer fuel cost savings versus conventional diesel fleets. For more information visit USWS' website at www.uswellservices.com. The information on USWS' website is not part of this press release.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, the reader can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "expect," "intend," "will," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," or similar words. Forward-looking statements relate to future events, or ProFrac's, USWS' or the combined company's future financial or operating performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding: the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, including any resulting synergies and positive impact on earnings, competitive advantages, expanded active fleet and electric fleet portfolio, increased value, improved efficiency, cost savings including fuel cost savings, access to and rights in acquired intellectual property, emissions minimization and other expected advantages of the transaction to the combined company; the anticipated timing of the proposed transaction; the likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully consummate the proposed transaction; the services to be offered by the combined company; the markets in which ProFrac and USWS operate; business strategies, debt levels, industry environment and growth opportunities; and the projected value of operational synergies, including value expected to result from license fee savings; and expectations regarding ProFrac's ability to financing USWS' debt. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions made by ProFrac and USWS as of the date hereof and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of ProFrac and USWS securities; the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the approval of the proposed transaction by the stockholders of USWS, and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals; the failure by ProFrac to obtain any financing it may need to complete the proposed transaction on favorable terms or at all; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on ProFrac's and USWS' business relationships, performance, and business generally; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans of ProFrac or USWS and may cause potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against ProFrac or USWS or any of their affiliates related to the agreement and the proposed transaction; changes to the proposed structure of the transaction that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the proposed transaction; the impact on the price of ProFrac's and USWS' securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which ProFrac and USWS operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting ProFrac's and USWS' businesses and changes in the combined capital structure; the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities; the ability to integrate acquired assets and personnel into ProFrac's existing business model and realize the expected value of resulting operational synergies; the ability to successfully and sustainably execute on current business strategies and plans for growth; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in ProFrac's final prospectus relating to its initial public offering (File No. 333-261255) declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 12, 2022, and in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of USWS' annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022, and in the other filings ProFrac and USWS make with the SEC. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. There may be additional risks that neither ProFrac nor USWS presently know or that ProFrac or USWS currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the Proxy Materials (as defined below), including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and other documents filed by ProFrac and USWS from time to time with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward looking statements will be achieved, including without limitation any expectations about ProFrac's, USWS' or the combined company's operational and financial performance or achievements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and ProFrac and USWS assume no obligation and, except as required by law, do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither ProFrac nor USWS gives any assurance that either ProFrac or USWS will achieve its expectations, including that the transaction will be consummated.
This press release contains financial forecasts with respect to the combined company's projected financial results. Neither ProFrac's nor USWS' independent auditors have audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the projections for the purpose of their inclusion in this press release, and accordingly, they did not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpose of this press release. These projections should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results. The assumptions and estimates underlying the prospective financial information are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the prospective financial information. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the prospective results are indicative of the future performance of ProFrac, USWS or the combined company or that actual results will not differ materially from those presented in the prospective financial information. Inclusion of the prospective financial information in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results contained in the prospective financial information will be achieved.
In connection with the proposed transaction, ProFrac and USWS will jointly prepare, and ProFrac will file with the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4, which will include a joint proxy statement/prospectus (the "Proxy Statement") and an information statement (the "Information Statement" and together with the Proxy Statement, the "Proxy Materials"). PROFRAC AND USWS URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE PROXY MATERIALS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROFRAC, USWS AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors may obtain free copies of the Proxy Materials (when available) as well as other filed documents containing information about ProFrac and USWS at www.sec.gov, the SEC's free website. Free copies of ProFrac's SEC filings including the Proxy Materials (when available) are also available on ProFrac's website at https://www.pfholdingscorp.com/ under "Investor Relations." Free copies of USWS' SEC filings including the Proxy Materials (when available) are also available on USWS' website at www.uswellservices.com under "Investor Relations."
ProFrac and USWS and their respective executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of ProFrac is included in ProFrac's final prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) with the SEC on May 16, 2022. Information regarding the officers and directors of USWS is included in USWS' Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 20, 2022, as amended from time to time, with respect to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of USWS and in USWS' Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 4, 2022. More detailed information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Proxy Materials and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of ProFrac, USWS or the combined company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release includes certain projections of financial measures not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), including Adjusted EBITDA. These non-GAAP financial measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgements by management about which expense and income are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss) or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our profitability or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure utilized by ProFrac's management and other users of ProFrac's financial statements such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others, to assess ProFrac's financial performance because they allow ProFrac to compare its operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of ProFrac's capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation and amortization) and items outside the control of its management team (such as income tax rates). ProFrac views Adjusted EBITDA as an important indicator of performance. ProFrac defines Adjusted EBITDA as its net income (loss), before (i) interest expense, net, (ii) income tax provision, (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization, (iv) loss on disposal of assets and (v) other unusual or non-recurring charges, such as costs related to its initial public offering, non-recurring supply commitment charges, certain bad debt expense and gain on extinguishment of debt. ProFrac believes that its presentation of Adjusted EBITDA will provide useful information to investors in assessing its financial condition and results of operations. Net income (loss) is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss). Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. You should not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in ProFrac's industry, ProFrac's definition of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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SOURCE ProFrac Holding Corp.; US Well Services | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/profrac-holding-corp-acquire-us-well-services-inc/ | 2022-06-21T22:31:00Z |
Police call 2-year-old’s drowning at resort “a horrible accident”
BILOXI, Miss. (WAFB/WLOX/Gray News) – A 2-year-old boy in Mississippi drowned in a resort pool over the weekend in what police are calling “a horrible accident.”
The toddler was found in a pool at the Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi. He and his family were vacationing from Port Allen, WLOX reported.
The boy was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead just after Sunday evening, according to WAFB.
Other guests who were at the pool on Sunday described the scene as chaotic, according to WLOX. One visitor said the pool area was packed all weekend with adults and children.
Biloxi police called the incident a horrible accident, saying the investigation found no indication of any criminal activity. Security video of the pool was reviewed as part of the investigation.
Margaritaville managers issued a statement saying they are “deeply saddened by this tragic accident.”
“We are heartbroken and our prayers are with the parents and family in this difficult time,” the statement read.
A spokesperson with Margaritaville also clarified to WLOX that the pool has attendants, not lifeguards, who are certified in CPR.
Copyright 2022 WAFB/WLOX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/23/police-call-2-year-olds-drowning-resort-horrible-accident/ | 2022-05-23T23:36:35Z |
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tesla CEO Elon Musk fired back Friday at Twitter’s lawsuit seeking to force him to complete his $44 billion acquisition of the platform, according to multiple news reports.
In a filing with the Delaware Court of Chancery, Musk’s lawyers accused Twitter of withholding information about fake accounts — a longtime preoccupation for Musk — and of creating delays, providing evasive responses and putting up technical obstacles. The filing also disputed Twitter’s request for an expedited trial, claiming that it would take months to obtain information from Twitter and to depose numerous witnesses on the subject of fake accounts.
Back in April, Musk pledged to pay $54.20 a share for Twitter, which agreed to those terms after reversing its initial opposition to the deal. But the two sides have been bracing for a legal fight since the billionaire said a week ago that he was backing away from his agreement to buy the company.
The filing repeated several other accusations Musk has lodged previously, including the claim that Twitter violated the acquisition agreement when it fired two high-level managers without first informing Musk.
Twitter filed its lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery, which frequently handles business disputes among the many corporations, including Twitter, that are incorporated there. | https://cw33.com/technology/ap-technology/reports-musk-demands-months-for-trial-prep-in-twitter-suit/ | 2022-07-16T09:13:48Z |
NEW YORK, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Unity Software Inc. (NYSE: U).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/unity-software-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=30350&from=4
The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for shareholders who purchased Unity between March 5, 2021 and May 10, 2022.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until September 6, 2022 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Unity Software Inc. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) deficiencies in Unity's product platform reduced the accuracy of the Company's machine learning technology; (ii) the foregoing was likely to have a material negative impact on the Company's revenues; (iii) accordingly, Unity had overstated the Company's commercial and/or financial prospects for 2022; (iv) as a result, the Company was likely to have to reduce its fiscal 2022 guidance; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
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SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/u-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-unity-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-6-2022/ | 2022-07-29T10:20:12Z |
Actor Cary Elwes bitten by rattlesnake
(Gray News) - Though it wasn’t a “Rodent of Unusual Size,” or ROUS, it still delivered a fearsome bite.
Actor Cary Elwes said he was hospitalized after he was bitten by rattlesnake, he revealed in an Instagram post showing his injured finger.
Warning: The wounded finger looks pretty nasty.
Elwes is best known for his work in the ‘80s movie “The Princess Bride,” which included the oversized rodents he referenced in his post.
Elwes said he was “grateful to the staff of Malibu Urgent Care, LA County Fire Dept. and the staff and medical professionals at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for their great care.”
The bite happened Saturday as Elwes was working in the yard of his Malibu home, KABC reported.
Elwes said he’s “recovering well.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/26/actor-cary-elwes-bitten-by-rattlesnake/ | 2022-04-26T12:38:49Z |
ENOLA, Pa., July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National healthcare leader PAM Health announced plans today to build a freestanding 42-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in Central Pennsylvania in Mechanicsburg. The new hospital will be PAM Health's first inpatient rehabilitation hospital in the state.
"Central Pennsylvania is an ideal location for a PAM Health hospital," says Anthony Misitano, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of PAM Health. "We look forward to adding a hospital where our employees and their families live and work so we can provide high-quality inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation option to our friends and neighbors in the region."
The new hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, strokes and other neurological disorders, amputations, and other orthopedic and post-surgical conditions. "Our location, situated directly between the area's two newest hospitals, and in the heart of the growing healthcare center of the Capitol region, will enable us to work seamlessly with those hospitals in transitioning patients who need inpatient rehabilitation," says Misitano. Construction of the hospital is expected to begin in early 2023, with opening slated for 2024.
Once completed, the Mechanicsburg hospital will be the fourth PAM Health hospital in Pennsylvania, in addition to three long-term acute care specialty hospitals in Wilkes-Barre, Pittsburgh, and Beaver areas.
PAM HEALTH (PAM) based in Enola, Pennsylvania, provides specialty healthcare services through more than 70 long-term acute care hospitals and physical medicine and rehabilitation hospitals, as well as wound clinics and outpatient physical therapy locations, in 17 states. PAM Health is committed to providing high-quality patient care and outstanding customer service, coupled with the loyalty and dedication of highly trained staff, to be the most trusted source for post-acute services in every community it serves. Its mission is to serve people by providing compassionate, expert care, and to support recovery through education and research.
Learn more at www.PAMHealth.com.
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SOURCE Post Acute Medical | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/pam-health-build-rehabilitation-hospital-central-pennsylvania/ | 2022-07-21T11:10:42Z |
Plans to give parents a bigger say on what’s happening inside their children’s classrooms with new national council
The U.S. Department of Education has launched what it’s calling the ‘National Parents and Families Engagement Council.’
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - As debate continues nationwide over classroom safety and the COVID-19 recovery, the U.S. Department of Education is seeking to give parents a bigger voice in the decisions made for their child’s classroom.
Secretary Miguel Cardona has announced the creation of what the department is calling the National Parents and Families Engagement Council. Its goal is to combine a diverse group of parents, families and caregivers to discuss policies that will impact public, private, charter, and home schools.
“Look, things have changed. Things are changing a lot. And we need to make sure that our schools are evolving to meet the needs of our communities. And who better than our parents?” said Cardona.
The members of the council will include representatives from national organizations that can work with communities to identify solutions at the local level.
“We know parents have been instrumental partners in education. And during the pandemic, we saw even more of that. And we feel like, you know, we tell districts to reimagine how they reopen schools and how they engage stakeholders differently,” said Cardona. “We want to model the same. So, this group will help us hear from parents from all over the country. They’re going to serve in an advisory capacity, bringing in the perspective, the diverse perspectives of families as families recover from the pandemic and really hopefully set a higher bar for what our education system can provide for their children.”
The department said the council will be used to gather input on policies, funding, enrichment opportunities, summer learning, and school safety. It will also be used, the department said, to educate parents on the rights they have and create a ‘feedback loop’ to shape how American Rescue Plan dollars are spent.
“As a father, nothing is more important than my child safety. So that’s one of the topics that we want to hear from parents what they want to see, what they think is working and what areas need attention so that we can address it nationwide,” said Cardona.
Among the organizations partnering with the Department for the council are Fathers Incorporated, Generations United, Girls, Inc., League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Mocha Moms, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), National Action Network, National Military Family Association (NMFA), National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), National Parents Union (NPU), The National Center for Parent Leadership, Advocacy, and Community Empowerment (PLACE), United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN), and UnidosUS.
“The folks that are coming to the table have a track record also of having tentacles to reach out to to parents in their communities, right? So we do want their voices, but we also want them to serve as an avenue through which other parent voices can be heard as well,” said Cardona.
The council plans to meet in the coming weeks. It will then hold local listening sessions for the public.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/15/plans-give-parents-bigger-say-whats-happening-inside-their-childrens-classrooms-with-new-national-council/ | 2022-06-15T18:03:29Z |
ALBANY — While it’s no surprise that COVID-19 backed up the country’s court system, the numbers in Dougherty County are staggering.
Currently there are 10,000 pending felony cases in the county, and a quarter of those involve some of the most heinous charges imaginable, from murder to aggravated child molestation, Chief Dougherty Judicial Circuit Judge Willie Lockette told Dougherty County Commissioners on Monday.
Lockette said some 175 defendants who are either denied bail or cannot afford it have been in the county jail for two years at a cost of millions of dollars to taxpayers.
“Over two years, it cost $6 million to keep these individuals (jailed) that we ought to be able to dispose of cases more efficiently,” the judge said. “It costs $18,000 to keep an inmate in jail for one year, $36,000 for two years.
COVID kept courts closed for more than a year after the pandemic hit in spring 2020, but the three Superior Court judges’ workload would be among the highest in the state even without the COVID factor.
A state study, which filtered out the impact of the pandemic, estimated that each of the Dougherty judges shoulders the workload of 1.8 judges.
One factor that weighted the load for Dougherty County is the number of violent cases on local court dockets. The 2,500 violent felony cases awaiting disposition also include rape, armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated sodomy.
“I have two cases that involve eight to 12 defendants, all of them accused of murder,” Lockette said. “It’s unsafe for them to be out in the community, even under house arrest. There are 38 defendants in a RICO (racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations) involving the Purps gang.”
A fourth judge would not only allow innocent defendants to have their day in court and convict the guilty or approve plea deals so that they leave Dougherty County and go into the state system, but the addition also will make for a safer community overall, the judge said.
If legislation is approved and signed by the governor assigning a fourth judge to the county circuit, it also would receive an additional public defender, assistant district attorney, judicial and law clerk, with nearly all of the cost picked up by the state, he said. The county’s cost would be about $200,000 per year.
“So you’d be looking at adding another $200,000, but if a judge eliminates 11 cases that are in jail for two years, it will easily pay for itself,” Lockette said. “Even though we are losing population, we are increasing in violent crimes at a brisk rate.”
One concern raised by Commissioner Russell Gray is that judges are only a part of the solution. Currently the district attorney’s office has six or seven vacant prosecutor positions, he said, and those personnel are needed to move cases into the courtroom.
“(That) only brings a DA’s position, it doesn’t provide a body,” Gray said. “It’s about getting the cases prepared and getting them to you. If we don’t have enough people to get these cases to you, it doesn’t get them to you.”
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SOC 2 certification confirms that Apploi meets the highest standards of information privacy
NEW YORK, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Apploi, a New York-based human capital management software company specializing in healthcare recruitment, has successfully attained System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) Type II certification.
This certification designates Apploi as a secure platform. Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the SOC 2 information security standard is an audit report on security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. A SOC 2 Type II report describes a service organization's systems and whether specified controls meet all relevant security standards. The report assesses the effectiveness of those controls over a specified period of time.
"Security has been a focus of the Apploi platform from the beginning," said Rob Wright, Senior Director of Engineering at Apploi. "As Apploi rapidly scales, it's important that we formalize our internal and external protections. Not only does the platform need to be impervious to cyberattacks, it also has to let administrators instantly adjust levels of access for other users. We have robust security measures in place to manage this. User and role-based permissions are part of that, along with our standard encryption and periodic security testing. We are very proud that our high security practices were formally validated."
SOC 2 audits examine information security practices that could affect third-party users. Apploi's successful completion guarantees that the software company protects information belonging to or stored by its customers. Apploi was issued a "clean" audit opinion from Sensiba San Filippo LLP (SSF), a leading CPA and business advisory firm based on the West Coast.
Apploi has a longstanding commitment to data privacy. The company offers applicant tracking and digital recordkeeping, two tools that employers frequently use to store sensitive information associated with candidates and employees. To protect this information, the platform must be secure, encrypted, and offer different levels of access to different users.
This certification comes at an important moment for Apploi. This March, the company reached $38 million in total raised after completing a $25 million round of Series B funding. In the same month, Apploi was recognized by Inc. magazine as the 10th fastest-growing private software company and 53rd fastest-growing private company of any industry in the Northeast. Apploi's successful SOC 2 audit shows investors and customers that the company is maintaining top security standards as it continues to grow.
About Apploi
Apploi is the leading human capital management specializing in high-volume people hiring within the healthcare industry, working with 7,000+ organizations today. Apploi streamlines the hiring process from candidate acquisition to hired. To learn more about Apploi, visit: http://www.apploi.com.
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SOURCE Apploi | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/apploi-successfully-completes-soc-2-type-ii-certification-further-guaranteeing-privacy-users/ | 2022-06-15T16:46:50Z |
Yesterday’s deal featured a dummy reversal (and triple squeeze) sent to me by a reader. Today’s came from a friend, Karen Allison of Las Vegas. She made a textbook play that worked better than it might.
Allison was sitting East. How did she defend against three no-trump after taking the first trick with her spade ace?
West opened with a modern weak two -- you need a six-card suit but little else! South ought to have balanced with two no-trump, but, hoping his partner could show a four-card (or longer) major, he instead made a takeout double. North’s three-diamond advance promised some values. With a weak hand (0-6 points), he would have bid an artificial two no-trump, the Lebensohl convention.
What did Allison do at trick two? Right -- she shifted to the club king. She was trying to dislodge dummy’s entry in case South had slightly better (longer) diamonds. (In the ideal layout, dummy would have had only ace-doubleton of clubs.)
South eventually went down but could have taken three spades, three hearts, one diamond and two clubs. The third spade comes by endplaying West in diamonds. At trick 12, West could have been forced to lead from the J-9 of spades into South’s Q-10. Declarer would have read the ending correctly because of the bidding.
That play, leading an unsupported honor to remove an opponent’s entry card, is called the Merrimac Coup, after the ship that was intentionally sunk in Santiago de Cuba harbor to bottle up the Spanish fleet during the Spanish-American War.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/bridge/article_0ef3fcba-2258-11ed-8d61-172b63018cf8.html | 2022-08-22T21:30:40Z |
Tesla CEO Elon Musk offers to buy Twitter in cash deal
NEW YORK (AP) — Elon Musk is offering to buy Twitter, just days after the Tesla CEO said he would no longer be joining the social media company’s board of directors.
Twitter Inc. said in a regulatory filing on Thursday that Musk, who currently owns slightly more than 9% of its stock and is the company’s biggest shareholder, provided a letter to the company on Wednesday that contained a proposal to buy the remaining shares of Twitter that he doesn’t already own. Musk offered $54.20 per share of Twitter’s stock.
“I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy,” Musk says in the filing. “However, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company.”
Shares of Twitter jumped nearly 12% before the market open.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/14/elon-musk-offers-buy-twitter/ | 2022-04-14T10:51:56Z |
New "C-Suite Intelligence" podcast episode from @TheMilesGroup features Stephen Miles and Taylor Griffin on the ever-evolving, expanding role of the C-Suite Leader – from running the company to defending its very right to operate
NEW YORK, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "The CEO's role has shifted from the 'traditional diplomatic leader' to somebody who can align multiple constituencies, and constantly absorb new information and context about the world around us," says Stephen Miles, Founder and CEO of The Miles Group and host of the popular C-Suite Intelligence business leadership podcast.
In today's new episode, "The Leader of the Future – And You Thought COVID-19 Was Hard," Miles joins Taylor Griffin, COO of The Miles Group, to discuss an ever-evolving list of responsibilities for the 'Top Jobs' and what it will take for C-suite leaders of the future to succeed.
Reflecting on the challenges of COVID-19, the episode delves into how leaders quickly mobilized to combat a "singular health issue" with tact, immediacy, and shrewd resolve. "Now we've got a multivariate problem that not everybody's experiencing in the same way. CEOs and executives have to flex some different muscles now to mobilize their leadership teams, show flexibility, share insights, and absorb," explains Miles. "There is a thrive opportunity here."
"Amidst instability in geopolitics and shocks to the global economy, we have to figure out a way to use the flow of goods throughout the world to come together in some way," Miles posits. But there's no simple solution. In fact, the strategies leaders set out today have multi-year time horizons. "We're used to having very easy, near-term solutions and working at amazing efficiency. We're not in that period anymore," says Griffin.
Future-ready leaders "need a world-class team around them to respond to so many different threats," asserts Griffin. "The severity and volume of issues facing senior leaders today is just unprecedented."
As CEO coaches, Miles and Griffin explain how some of their clients are focusing on cultivating more specialized, high-performing leadership teams to deal with the increasing complexity of stakeholder management. Griffin observes, "You're seeing new C-suite roles that we've never seen before: Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Health Officer…," depending on the business, its mission, or its goals. Miles adds, "We need specialization – people who are gold medalists in terms of the content in their lane… then you can prioritize and sequence to achieve alignment across the company, making you better, faster, smarter, and more flexible."
To hear more from top executive coaches at The Miles Group about how CEOs and leaders are bracing themselves for new challenges, listen to "The Leader of the Future – And You Thought COVID-19 Was Hard," released today on the C-Suite Intelligence podcast, available everywhere, including Apple, Google, and Spotify.
For more information, please contact Davia Temin or Trang Mar of Temin and Company at 212.588.8788 or news@teminandco.com.
About the C-Suite Intelligence podcast
CEOs running the world's top companies don't start out that way – they pull ahead of their peers with behaviors and practices that make them the "best of the best." Stephen Miles and the team at TMG coach some of the world's most successful executives, helping them continuously up their game even as business conditions grow more complex every day. Learn the secrets of the highest performers and use this intelligence to power your career. New episodes are released bi-weekly on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
About The Miles Group/TMG
TMG develops talent strategies for organizations, teams, and individuals – focusing on high-performance, world-class leadership. Through assessments and development, coaching, leadership transition planning, and organizational design, TMG helps clients cultivate exceptional talent from the C-suite to the next generation of leaders throughout the organization. Clients include many of the Fortune 100 as well as VC portfolio companies, firms in transition, and organizations around the globe and across industries. TMG has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, C-Suite, Entrepreneur, and Chief Executive. The firm is headquartered in New York City and operates globally. For more information, visit https://miles-group.com. Follow TMG on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE The Miles Group/TMG | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/leader-future-you-thought-covid-19-was-hard/ | 2022-07-26T15:08:17Z |
Conference Showcased Advances in AR/VR, Auto, Signage, TV and Wearables from 150 Exhibitors
CAMPBELL, Calif., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society for Information Display (SID) hosted its 59th International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition, known as Display Week 2022. After a two-year all-virtual show, the event returned as an on-site event that was held May 8-13 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. This year's global event drew more than 7,500 attendees from more than 40 countries. Display Week perennially attracts the brightest minds in the display industry, providing insight into new display technologies in development, as well as affording a sneak peek at new products that will be hitting the shelves within the next few years.
"Display Week 2022 was a resounding success," said Dr. Achin Bhowmik, the new president of SID. "More than 150 hours of content were presented in our Technical Symposium and Business Conference, and attendees had the opportunity to meet with 150+ exhibiting companies and research organizations through both our onsite and virtual trade show. We kept the show a hybrid event for those that couldn't attend to view virtually. Even then, there were over 5,000 in-person attendees in San Jose with close to 32 percent of the audience being international. The virtual component allowed our international display enthusiasts to participate as we saw 60 percent of the audience from China."
Display Week continues to be a premier showcase for global information display companies and researchers to unveil cutting-edge developments in display technologies, some of which include microLED, OLED, LCD, quantum dots and e-paper.
Display Week 2022 featured hundreds of leading display research papers from both industry and academia around the world in multiple technical sessions. It included 15 seminars, five short courses, a special display metrology session, 41 business conference presentations, 291 symposium oral presentations, and 145 poster presentations.
The symposium and exhibition kicked off with keynote presentations by top executives both within and outside the display industry. Other highlights included the Women in Tech panel discussion and CEO Forum; as well as the annual SID/DSCC Business Conference, which takes a supply chain approach to addressing the market outlook for displays, smartphones and TVs, including forecasts on supply, demand, pricing, 5G, OLED, 8K, foldable, dual displays, miniLEDs quantum dots, new phosphors, microLEDs and TADF.
SID also announced the winners of its annual Display Industry Awards. The recipients reflect the ever-evolving display product landscape and represent a wide range of technological advancements with products designed to make devices that are more sustainable, economical, and engaging while providing users with a more dynamic visual experience.
I-Zone Award winners and the People's Choice Awards were also announced. The I-Zone awards honor never-before-seen display technology shown by small companies, start-ups, and academic research laboratories. The People's Choice Awards were introduced to Display Week several years ago to enable attendees to vote for the best technology, components, demonstrations, and booths on the show floor via a survey in the virtual platform. For a full list of award winners, visit www.displayweek.org.
For information about exhibiting at Display Week 2023, contact Julia Son at julia@sid.org.
About Display Week
Display Week is the world's leading event focused on emerging electronic display and visual information technologies from concept to market. Display Week attracts attendees from the entire ecosystem of R&D, engineering, design, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, sales and financial, as well as commercial and consumer end-user markets. It delivers unparalleled learning opportunities, market-moving trends, sourcing, roadmaps-to-market, and connections for career and business growth. For more information on Display Week, visit www.displayweek.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter @DisplayWeek, or the Display Week YouTube Channel.
About SID
The Society for Information Display (SID) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022. SID is the only professional organization focused on the electronic display and visual information technology industries. In fact, by exclusively focusing on the advancement of electronic display and visual information technologies, SID provides a unique platform for industry collaboration, communication and training in all related technologies while showcasing the industry's best new products. The organization's members are professionals in the technical and business disciplines that relate to display research, design, manufacturing, applications, marketing and sales. To promote industry and academic technology development, while also educating consumers on the importance of displays, SID hosts more than 10 conferences a year, including Display Week, which brings industry and academia all under one roof to showcase technology that will shape the future. SID's global headquarters are located at 1475 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 114, Campbell, CA 95008. For more information, visit www.sid.org.
CONTACT: press@sid.org
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SOURCE SID | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/display-week-2022-worlds-leading-event-electronic-display-innovation-draws-7500/ | 2022-05-16T19:17:22Z |
(KTLA) – A retired cross-country truck driver has been charged in the cold-case killing of a young mother whose body was found near an interstate in Riverside County, California, nearly 30 years ago, officials announced Friday.
The suspect, 67-year-old Douglas Thomas, is already in custody in Texas, where he was arrested in late May on suspicion of killing a woman in 1992.
Now, the recently retired truck driver has been linked to the killing of Sherri Herrera, a 30-year-old mother of four from Tulare, California, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office said.
On March 30, 1993, Herrera’s body was found on an eastbound interstate onramp in the Desert Center area of Riverside County.
Thomas, meanwhile, had already been arrested in Texas on suspicion of murdering a separate woman. He was tied to the 1992 Texas killing after authorities found a DNA match to evidence from the crime scene.
Investigators from a Riverside County then found that Thomas’ DNA was also connected to evidence gathered during the investigation into Herrera’s murder, officials said.
Thomas had also worked as a truck driver during the early ’90s. He held the job for four decades, traveling “extensively throughout the United States” during this time, according to the DA’s office.
Riverside County investigators questioned Thomas about Herrera’s killing. He was ultimately charged with murder, as well as a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a rape.
Thomas is scheduled to stand trial in Texas for murder of the Texas woman before being extradited to California to be prosecuted for Herrera’s murder.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have any information about the victim or suspect to contact the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team at 951-955-2777. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/truck-driver-charged-in-1993-killing-of-young-mom-in-california-and-the-1992-murder-of-a-woman-in-texas/ | 2022-06-11T20:14:10Z |
The state-of-the-art screener bolsters IXL's industry-leading suite of assessments to help educators quickly identify at-risk students and provide interventions
SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IXL, the personalized learning platform used by more than 13 million students, announced the launch of its first-ever universal screener that flags at-risk students and helps administrators quickly plan personalized interventions. The new assessment is complimentary during the 2022-23 school year with an IXL math site license. The universal screener enhances the platform's first-of-its-kind assessment suite, which includes the Real-Time Diagnostic, and works in concert with IXL's PK-12 curriculum to give teachers everything they need to make a bigger impact on learning.
"IXL's universal screener is our most advanced assessment yet and is truly in a class of its own. It is highly adaptive, precise, and can be completed in just 20 minutes, enabling educators to quickly determine which students need additional support and begin planning for it," said Kate Mattison, Vice President of Curriculum at IXL Learning. "When combined with IXL's comprehensive curriculum and Real-Time Diagnostic, the universal screener helps provide an end-to-end educational experience that improves outcomes for all learners."
IXL's universal screener is the perfect assessment for schools to use at the beginning of the year to flag at-risk students and help teachers implement effective interventions. Every question has been statistically analyzed by IXL Learning's highly experienced curriculum development team to ensure an appropriate level of difficulty. To ensure maximum reliability and validity, IXL's education experts built the universal screener using the most modern assessment principles and frameworks. Additionally, an independent panel of subject-matter experts vetted and approved the screener.
The universal screener employs an advanced algorithm that adapts to each student's abilities after they answer questions, allowing for the most accurate and reliable placement into proficiency levels. The assessment aligns to grade-level standards, all state standards and the Common Core, to focus on the most critical concepts and skills for students. By combining the universal screener with IXL's learning platform, teachers receive personalized action plans and specific instructional resources that will help them fill student knowledge gaps more effectively.
The universal screener is part of IXL's seamless educational experience—a complete and versatile solution for every educational need. IXL's teaching and learning platform comprises a comprehensive PK-12 curriculum and personalized guidance, instructional resources and classroom engagement tools, a first-of-its-kind assessment suite and actionable analytics for districts, schools, classrooms and individual learners. Additionally, IXL offers district partnership, professional learning and implementation services. All integrated into a single offering, each component is designed to work together seamlessly to give educators the tools and insights they need to maximize learning for every single student.
Media, please note: Screenshots of IXL may be downloaded at www.ixl.com/press. For demos and access to IXL, contact press@ixl.com.
Currently used by 13 million students and in all of the top 100 U.S. school districts, IXL is an all-inclusive educational platform that provides a comprehensive PK-12 curriculum and instructional resources, actionable analytics and a state-of-the-art assessment suite. IXL's end-to-end teaching and learning solution supports personalized instruction in math, English language arts, science, social studies and Spanish. With more than 100 billion questions asked and answered around the world, IXL is helping schools and parents successfully boost student achievement. The IXL Learning family of products also includes Rosetta Stone, Wyzant, Education.com, ABCya, Vocabulary.com and Curiosity Media. To learn more about IXL, visit www.ixl.com, facebook.com/IXL and twitter.com/IXLLearning.
Eric Bates
IXL Learning
press@ixl.com
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SOURCE IXL Learning | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/ixl-unveils-its-powerful-new-universal-screener/ | 2022-08-11T18:26:33Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering efforts to help renters balance their paychecks and landlords to collect rent on time, letus (previously RentMoola), an award-winning FinTech platform, announces its partnership with MRI Software, a global leader in real estate technology. The partnership enables commercial and residential real estate companies to streamline the payments process and offer an innovative, flexible payment experience for customers.
"MRI's partnership with letus will give our Canadian community of renters and landlords easier access to a world-class payments platform," shared Sean Slack, VP of Partner Connect at MRI. "The integration will enable flexible payments, which can be a key differentiator in today's market."
letus integrates with MRI LivingTM residential management suite and MRI @WorkTM commercial management suite of products to improve the payment experience by reducing manual entry to increase reliability and security. MRI clients now enjoy enhanced experiences through:
- Streamlined experience with MRI Resident Connect and Tenant Connect
- Real-time transaction reconciliation
- Flexible payments and credit reporting to increase credit scores
- Automated SMS messaging and payments via TXT2PAY
- Auto-schedule synchronizations
The partnership is a step forward in delivering comprehensive and simple solutions that empower landlords to get real-time transaction information while providing flexible payment solutions to customers. Now, MRI clients can access more payment options, financial tools, enhanced communication, and more.
"Modern property management requires real-time management," shares Karthik Manimozhi, CEO of letus. "This integration brings ultimate convenience to landlords, providing them automation and data-driven insight to provide value to their tenants."
A disruptive cloud platform offering flexible rent payments with credit reporting that empowers renters to better balance their paychecks while landlords achieve predictable and scalable on-time revenue streams. letus has processed $2Billion transactions with 2Million+ individual transactions.
A leading provider of real estate software solutions that transform the way communities live, work and play. MRI's open and connected, AI-first platform empowers owners, operators and occupiers in commercial and residential property organizations to innovate in rapidly changing markets. MRI has been a trailblazer in the PropTech industry for over five decades, serving more than two million users worldwide. Through innovative solutions and a rich partner ecosystem, MRI gives real estate companies the freedom to realize their vision of building thriving communities and stronger businesses.
CONTACT: Missy Galang, missy.galang@rentmoola.com
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SOURCE letus (previously RentMoola) | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/letus-announces-strategic-partnership-with-mri-software-expand-flexible-rent-commercial-residential-real-estate/ | 2022-06-02T00:43:04Z |
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, pop star Ricky Martin and award-winning actress/singer Michaela Jae Rodriguez joined the Hispanic Federation Tuesday to launch an advocacy initiative to serve Latinx LGBTQ+ communities.
The Advance Change Together initiative will provide 20 Latinx nonprofits grants of $25,000 to $50,000 to support their efforts and infrastructure in those communities. The Hispanic Federation, the national nonprofit dedicated to Latino empowerment, will fund the initiative with a $1 million grant for the first two years. But it hopes to encourage other donors to support and expand the program, which will also convene a summit to set a national agenda for LGBTQ+ groups.
Frankie Miranda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Federation said the initiative, announced Tuesday in Florida, is a necessary expansion of the group’s existing work with the LGBTQ+ community.
“We have been identifying all this anti-LGBTQ legislation popping up around the country,” he said. “It’s an indication that once certain groups that have been focusing on abortion get the result they want from the Supreme Court, we’re forecasting that the next frontier is to intensify anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country. We’re seeing it right now.”
Miranda points to the recently passed so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida, which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade, as well as the Pulse shooting in 2016, when 49 were killed at the Orlando LGBTQ+ nightclub, as examples of why the community needs more support.
“It is estimated that less than 1% of foundation funds go to Latinx organizations,” Miranda said. “When we apply that to LGBTQ-oriented organizations, we see that it’s much, much less. So this is our call for action. We are not going to wait.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda (no relation) said the Pulse shooting feels as though it happened yesterday. It’s a tragedy that he will always be connected to, because he immortalized it in his Tony acceptance speech for “Hamilton” — a sonnet remembered for the line “And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love, cannot be killed or swept aside.”
“One of the deadliest shootings in our nation’s history was an act of hate against this community in Florida,” the “Encanto” composer told The Associated Press, calling the “Don’t Say Gay” law a “dispiriting” development. His Miranda Family Fund, as well as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, made additional contributions to the ACT initiative Tuesday.
“It’s such an important reminder that the hate that led to the Pulse shooting is not in the past,” he said. “And that laws like this do nothing but encourage and allow that hate to proliferate. So we just keep having to fight.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda credits his father — Luis Miranda Jr., co-founder of the MirRam Group, a political consulting firm that has worked on campaigns for Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand — with encouraging him to speak out on social issues and show his support through actions.
“The way the world affects me is it makes me want to write and makes me want to make things,” he said, adding that the surprise No. 1 hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was his response to the COVID-19 lockdowns. “When it’s something like this – this horribly discriminatory law – and the question is ‘How do we help? How do we put our shoulder into it in a way that’s meaningful?’ I’ve got a dad who has dedicated his life to organizing and protests and putting that feeling of wanting to do something into practice.”
Ricky Martin said he wanted to become involved to battle those in power who he said look to create hate and division in the United States and Puerto Rico.
“There’s never been a more important time for communities and organizations to come together to empower one another,” Martin said in a statement. “With the ACT initiative, we’re uniting to remind Latinx LGBTQ+ organizations that they have the support they need to serve and empower their communities.”
The Hispanic Federation’s Miranda said the initiative will help Latino nonprofits reach their communities in their own way. At the launch event Tuesday, Lin-Manuel Miranda and his friend “In the Heights” actress Stephanie Beatriz, joined “Pose” actress Rodriguez and performer Valentina to bring attention to the initiative.
“We need to work very intentionally to insert our voices and our stories in the debate,” said Miranda, the federation’s first openly gay president. “I think that we need to give ourselves the opportunity to come together and create a strategy based on the new reality.”
____
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/lin-manuel-miranda-helps-launch-latinx-lgbtq-support-program/ | 2022-06-15T01:01:47Z |
NEW YORK, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: December 30, 2019 to April 22, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 12, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in AXSM:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/axsome-therapeutics-inc-loss-submission-form?id=27818&from=4
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. NEWS - AXSM NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Axsome's chemistry, manufacturing, and control ("CMC") practices were deficient with respect to AXS-07, the Company's medicine for the acute treatment of migraine, and its manufacturing process; (ii) as a result, Axsome was unlikely to submit the AXS-07 New Drug Application ("NDA") on its initially represented timeline; (iii) the foregoing CMC issues remained unresolved at the time that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") reviewed the AXS-07 NDA; (iv) accordingly, the FDA was unlikely to approve the AXS-07 NDA; (v) as a result of all the foregoing, Axsome had overstated AXS-07's regulatory and commercial prospects; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Axsome you have until July 12, 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 Axsome 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 AXSM lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/axsome-therapeutics-inc-loss-submission-form?id=27818&from=4.
ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/axsm-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-12-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-axsome-therapeutics-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-05-31T19:55:29Z |
HUNTINGTON, Ind., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. (OSV) has named Gretchen R. Crowe Editor-in-Chief of OSV News, the new Catholic news agency launching January 1, 2023, to fill the void created by the closure of the U.S. bishops' Catholic News Service.
"I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to pioneer OSV News as we build on the foundation of the long legacy of exemplary Catholic journalism provided by Catholic News Service," Crowe said. "As I begin to assemble a dedicated team of Catholic professionals committed to quality journalism, I look forward to working with them to share information, spread the Gospel, and promote the common good.
"The creation of OSV News further expands the vision of OSV founder Archbishop John Francis Noll, who sought to serve the Catholics of the early to mid-20th century by informing them about the events of the day through a Catholic lens, while also forming them in their faith. At OSV News, that mission will continue as we strive to report the news accurately and completely, within the bounds of justice and charity, at the service of truth," Crowe said.
"From the moment we considered creating OSV News," OSV Publisher Scott P. Richert said, "Gretchen Crowe was the clear choice to lead this new effort. In her two decades of work in the Catholic press, Gretchen has proved that no one has a greater heart for Catholic news, nor a better understanding of the vital role that the Catholic media must play in bringing the truth to a world desperately in need of it. As one of the leaders of OSV's Content Team, Gretchen also understands the changing landscape of all Catholic publishing and knows what the Catholic media must do to engage new generations of readers, listeners, and viewers."
Crowe began her tenure at OSV in 2013, when she was appointed by former publisher Greg Erlandson as Editor of Our Sunday Visitor newspaper, OSV's flagship publication founded in 1912 by Archbishop Noll. Crowe led the newspaper's efforts to respond to an ever-changing media landscape with an increased emphasis on daily content on the web and responding to news as it happens. She spearheaded strategy and market research efforts that led to a redesign of the newspaper in 2018 and its website in 2019. She helped lead efforts to move Our Sunday Visitor to its current state as a content-first publication, allowing for nimble production of content across multiple channels.
During her nearly 10 years at OSV, Crowe's position expanded with promotion to editorial director for periodicals. Under her leadership and direction, OSV launched four new publications: The Deacon magazine (a companion publication to OSV's nearly century-old magazine, The Priest), OSV Kids magazine, SimplyCatholic.com and RadiantMagazine.com. She also oversees TeachingCatholicKids.com. In addition to growing periodicals, Crowe serves on OSV's Publishing Committee and Book Acquisitions teams, and she assists with content creation for OSV's parish solutions division.
Crowe currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Media Association, for which she is chair of the Education Committee. Since 2013, she has been the national media representative to the Catholic Media Association's CNS liaison committee. She also is leading OSV's efforts in producing "Heart of the Revival," the weekly newsletter for the U.S. bishops' National Eucharistic Revival.
In addition to her work at the national level, Crowe has experience in diocesan newspapers. From 2004-2013, Crowe worked for the Diocese of Arlington's "Arlington Catholic Herald," under the mentorship of Catholic press veterans Michael F. Flach and Ann M. Augherton. In that capacity, her work was regularly used by Catholic News Service.
Crowe has received numerous recognitions for her writing, editing and photography from the Catholic Media Association. She is the author of two books, "Why the Rosary, Why Now?" (OSV, 2017) and "Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II" (OSV, 2019). Her third book, "Legacy of Mercy: A True Story of Murder and a Mother's Forgiveness," is forthcoming from OSV Books this fall.
Crowe is an alumna of the inaugural class of "The Church Up Close" program offered for members of the international media by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross' School of Church Communications in Rome. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Crowe is married to writer and editor Michael R. Heinlein, and the couple have three children. Crowe and her husband currently are in formation for the Association of Pauline Cooperators, under the direction of the Daughters of St. Paul.
ABOUT OSV
As the leading Catholic publisher in the United States, OSV provides products and solutions to more than nine of every ten Catholic parishes and every Catholic diocese in the country. Founded in 1912 by Fr. John Francis Noll, OSV's team of over 350 people continues to champion the Catholic Church through a wide range of products and services. From weekly and monthly publications to software solutions, fundraising and consulting services, curriculum products, trade books, and parish publications, OSV helps individual Catholics, families, parishes, and dioceses grow closer to Christ and contribute to the growth and vitality of his Church in the world. A not-for-profit Catholic organization, OSV has been supporting the needs of the Church for over a century. Learn more at www.osv.com.
Contact: Scott P. Richert
Email: srichert@osv.com
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SOURCE Our Sunday Visitor | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/our-sunday-visitor-names-editor-in-chief-osv-news/ | 2022-08-03T14:27:00Z |
The new resource comes on the heels of the May launch aimed at connecting Black community members with jobs on the CareerBuilder site that provide stability, important benefits, and a higher income.
CHICAGO, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CareerBuilder announced a new career coaching service that will provide Black Information Network (BIN) listeners with a free 45-minute coaching session. This comes following the announcement that CareerBuilder joined forces with BIN: Black Information Network to launch the 100,000 Careers platform created to connect 100,000 BIN listeners who are looking to advance their careers with current and future employers.
As part of this initiative, job seekers now have access to personalized career guidance via a complimentary coaching session to help unlock their professional potential. The offering provides the chance for BIN listeners to meet with an expert within their industry and receive individually tailored advice and actionable feedback to help promote their career growth. During the one-on-one session, job seekers can ask questions, identify strengths, and work to define a career path that fits their needs. Participants will receive an individualized report that includes actionable advice and a video recording following the online session.
"We see the value and unlimited potential of Black workers and are thrilled to offer this hyper-customized experience in hopes that the community will receive practical feedback relevant to their industry to help them either find a job filled with purpose or grow into their current role," said Kristin Kelley, Chief Marketing Officer at CareerBuilder. "Careers start with mentors and support which is why expert coaching is one of the many ways that the 100,000 Careers initiative can transform the way job seekers find a role."
The free service is meant to help individuals leverage their skills and overcome professional challenges. Exclusively offered to BIN listeners, job seekers will be matched with more than 5,000 coaches available using AI technology and responses from an initial questionnaire.
"The Black Information Network and CareerBuilder are committed to giving job seekers the tools and resources they need to stand out from the crowd," said Tony Coles, Division President for iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group and President for BIN: Black Information Network. "These sessions help match job seekers and experts to help you prepare for your interview. We are excited to offer this service to get one step closer to helping 100,000 listeners find the career of their dreams."
Other useful tools in the program include job listings, resume building tips, as well as CoLab where job seekers can maximize their earning potential and achieve desired schedule flexibility. For more information on the 100,000 Careers initiative and the latest coaching service, visit www.careerbuilder.com/BIN.
About CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is a global talent marketplace that provides talent acquisition solutions to help employers find, hire and onboard great talent, and helps job seekers build new skills and progressive careers as the modern world of work changes. CareerBuilder has 25 years of experience as a talent company using technology to place people in jobs, and it is the only company with both the technology, through its online platform, and the candidates via its job site, to create a connected end-to-end experience. CareerBuilder also owns Broadbean and Workterra companies and operates in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia serving the majority of the Fortune 500 across five specialized markets. CareerBuilder is majority-owned by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. For more information, visit careerbuilder.com, and to learn more about our solutions for employers, visit hiring.careerbuilder.com.
About BIN: Black Information Network
BIN: Black Information Network is the first and only 24/7 national and local all-news audio service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective. BIN is enabled by the resources, assets and financial support of iHeartMedia and the support of its Founding Partners: Bank of America, CVS Health, GEICO, Lowe's, McDonald's USA, Sony, 23andMe and Verizon. BIN is focused on service to the Black community to help foster communication, accountability and deeper understanding.
Media Relations:
CareerBuilder: Sara Skirboll | Alexia Lopez
media@careerbuilder.com
Sunshine Sachs:
careerbuilder@sunshinesachs.com
BIN: Alison Hemmings
AlisonHemmings@iheartmedia.com
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SOURCE CareerBuilder | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/careerbuilder-expands-100000-careers-program-by-offering-free-career-coaching-services-black-information-network-bin-listeners/ | 2022-07-26T14:53:03Z |
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 11, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against LifeStance Health Group, Inc. (NasdaqGS: LFST), if they purchased or acquired the Company's Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's June 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
LifeStance investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nasdaq-lfst/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.
LifeStance and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information in its IPO Registration Statement, violating federal securities laws.
The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company's out-patient/virtual revenue growth was negatively affected by a decrease in virtual visits after COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted; (ii) an increasing number of in-person visits post-lockdown resulted in substantial increases to operating expenses; (iii) its physician retention rate had fallen significantly below the 87% highlighted in the IPO's registration statement leading to additional costs to bring on new physicians, who were less productive than the outgoing physicians they were replacing; and (iv) as a result, LifeStance Health's business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as the IPO's registration statement represented.
The case is Nayani v. LifeStance Health Group, Inc., No. 22-cv-06833.
ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.
To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
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SOURCE ClaimsFiler | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/13/lifestance-health-shareholder-alert-claimsfiler-reminds-investors-with-losses-excess-100000-lead-plaintiff-deadline-class-action-lawsuit-against-lifestance-health-group-inc-lfst/ | 2022-08-13T04:09:19Z |
TODD MISSION, Texas, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all actors, performers, and entertainers! The nation's largest Renaissance theme park is holding auditions to join the cast of the Texas Renaissance Festival on Saturday, May 7 and Saturday, May 14 in Todd Mission, Texas.
In its 48th season, Texas Renaissance Festival has more than 4,000 actors, artists, and merchants throughout the nearly 60-acre park. The King's royal subjects travel from all over the state, and country, to celebrate during eight exciting, themed weekends.
"Our entertainment department at Texas Renaissance Festival is a huge part of what creates the atmosphere to the Texas Renaissance Festival" says Jeffrey L. Baldwin, General Manager of the Texas Renaissance Festival. "We are looking for people who have the right mix of personality and talent, with the ability to seamlessly provide a most unique experience to tens of thousands of visitors every weekend, October 8 through November 27th."
Multi-talented and adaptable people are needed due the eight themed weekends which make up the festival. Themes this year include Oktoberfest, 1001 Dreams, Pirate Adventure, All Hallows Eve, Roman Bacchanal, Barbarian Invasion, Highland Fling, and the Celtic Christmas.
About Texas Renaissance Festival
The Texas Renaissance Festival is the nation's largest and most acclaimed Renaissance themed event. Established in 1974, the event attracts over half a million visitors each year to its 55-acre New Market Village and Fields of New Market Campgrounds in Todd Mission, Texas. This immersive experience features world renowned live entertainment works by master artists and craftspeople, award winning food and drink, hand-powered rides, and games, and over 100 interactive characters during its eight themed weekends from October 8 through November 27, 2022. For more information, please visit www.texrenfest.com.
Media Contact
Carl Foy, Marketing Director
cfoy@texrenfest.com
Office: 800-458-3435
Cell: 281-900-5744
Texas Renaissance Festival
Audition Information
Auditions will be held during morning and afternoon sessions through improvisational and prepared performances. Appointments are required. All performance positions are paid.
Audition Dates: Saturday, May 7 and Saturday, May 14, 2022
Audition Location: Texas Renaissance Festival grounds
21778 FM 1774
Todd Mission, Texas 77363
Audition Times:
Morning Session:
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Check-in
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Specialty Acts Auditions
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Character Auditions
Afternoon Session:
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Check-in
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Specialty Acts
1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Characters Audition
Audition Time Commitment:
Specialty Acts- 1 1/2 hours
Character Actors- 3 hours
General Information:
Specialty Acts can be groups or individuals who perform music, magic, juggling, storytelling, dance, etc. Each act will have 10 minutes (max!) to showcase their talent. Content is up to performers, costumes and props encouraged.
Performance Company Character Actors will be auditioned in a workshop format featuring improvisational exercises. Photo, resume and prepared audition pieces are appreciated, but not required. Monologues should be of the period and no longer than two minutes. Songs must be performed a cappella. Movement oriented clothing is recommended- no costumes, please.
To make an appointment call (800) 458-3435, Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 PM or email lcroft@texrenfest.com
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SOURCE Texas Renaissance Festival | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/kings-call-entertainers-actors-are-here-by-summoned-texas-renaissance-festival-auditions-may-7th-may-14th/ | 2022-04-12T16:22:51Z |
1 in 3 new COVID cases caused by new omicron subvariant, CDC data shows
(CNN) - There is new information on a variation of omicron that is causing more COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
The omicron variant offshoot, a highly contagious spinoff of BA.2, is gaining steam in the U.S., caused more than one in three new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. last week.
That is up from one in four the week before, according to the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We’re set up for another big wave in the summer. I think that’s quite possible,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College School of Medicine.
Cases of the variant spinoff are not evenly spread through the U.S. Last week, the CDC estimated it caused around 62% of cases in the region that includes New York and New Jersey, as well as in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The CDC estimated it caused about 40% of cases in the mid-Atlantic states and more than 36% of cases in the South.
It’s least common in the Pacific Northwest.
Researchers believe several omicron subvariants have a mutation that helps the virus bind more tightly to our cells and hide from the antibodies that try to block the virus from infecting us.
“The incubation period, the period from when you become infected with the virus to when you start showing symptoms with these omicron subvariants, is pretty quick,” Hotez said. “It’s around two to four days.”
In a paper published in the medical journal JAMA, Food and Drug Administration officials say current vaccines could be updated yearly to target specific coronavirus variants going around.
They said COVID-19 shots could be administered every year and decisions will need to be made by this summer on future vaccine composition and who should be eligible for another COVID-19 shot in the fall.
The FDA officials wrote that this coming fall and winter, three factors may put the U.S. at an additional risk of COVID-19: waning immunity, seasonal waves of more coronavirus spread, and the virus further mutating and leading to new variants.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/04/1-3-new-covid-cases-caused-by-new-omicron-subvariant-cdc-data-shows/ | 2022-05-04T20:13:39Z |
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Local homelessness service organization The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) has recently expanded its Board of Directors by three new individuals. Flavia de la Fuente, Rhie Azzam Morris, and Chris Turnley bring a wide array of expertise to the table that will help bolster TOOF's mission to welcome Austin's unhoused neighbors into engaged communities through shelter, opportunity, and support.
"As a formerly homeless youth in Austin, I have a deep commitment to seeing an end to homelessness for all," said Rhie Azzam Morris. "I served in the inaugural slate of the Austin Homeless Response System Leadership Council for close to a year before stepping down due to the nature of working within a system where I once received services. I am excited to continue the work of ending homelessness in Austin, serving alongside others with a passion and commitment to see a more just and equitable world.
Flavia de la Fuente, formerly a technology investor and now serving on the leadership team at Skimmer, an early stage software company headquartered in Austin, shares her perspective: "As I've spent more time following these issues, including recent ballot initiatives related to criminalizing homelessness, I'd like to be a part of a group of people who are approaching the issue from a constructive perspective."
Finally, Chris Turnley, a leader in the business, nonprofit, and faith-based communities of Austin, weighs in: "I've watched our city grow and prosper over the last 15 years, and it is so clear to me that with that growth is coming friction and division. People who are currently living without shelter are on the front end of it. We can do better. Let's make Austin known for how we take care of others, especially marginalized members of our community!"
About TOOF: The Other Ones Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers low-barrier work opportunities, case management and humanitarian aid to people experiencing homelessness in Austin, Texas. TOOF has helped 250 clients move into stable housing, paid out over $1,800,000 in earned income to people experiencing homelessness, and removed more than 2,000,000 pounds of trash from green spaces in Austin. TOOF's latest endeavor is to offer services and build a transformational shelter complex at The Esperanza Community, a sanctioned encampment in East Austin.
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SOURCE The Other Ones Foundation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/other-ones-foundation-expands-board-directors-with-focus-community-engagement-relationship-building/ | 2022-09-16T19:53:22Z |
Veriff technology enables seamless, scalable verification capabilities for Certific and supports international expansion
NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veriff, a global identity verification provider, today announced a partnership with Certific, a remote medical testing platform. The partnership will enhance and streamline Certific's remote medical diagnostics capabilities and support the company's global expansion - Veriff can verify over 10,200 different identity documents from more than 190 different countries and in over 45 languages.
Veriff's streamlined, AI-powered identity verification technology will provide Certific customers with a simpler and faster identity verification process, mitigating fraud risks and building trust within remote medical testing.
The partnership follows Certific's announcement that it has raised €7.4M of investment, led by European investment platform Plural, to advance remote medical diagnostics, support product expansion and entry into new markets.
As the use of telehealth and other digital health services continues to rise across the globe, there is a growing need for patients to digitally validate their identities. This ensures patients are linked to the correct medical history, their privacy is protected, and medical providers can avoid instances of malpractice and fraud. Cases of medical identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rose from approximately 6,800 in 2017 to nearly 43,000 in 2021, a trend that is being replicated globally.
"The COVID-19 crisis forced companies to go digital overnight to remain competitive. As a result, the demand for secure, remote identity verification has continued to grow globally across industries, including health services," said Kaarel Kotkas, founder and CEO of Veriff. "Veriff's solution, combined with Certific's remote medical testing platform, enables users to more securely and effectively access their personal medical records and telehealth services through advanced biometric identity verification technology, helping to significantly reduce security risk in digital health processes."
Liis Narusk, CEO of Certific, said: "Demand for remote medical services is rising and Veriff's technology will enable us to expand globally and securely, reducing the risk of identity fraud and malpractice on a grand scale. It will make the identity verification process quicker and more convenient for our customers and protect the data and integrity of the platform."
About Certific:
Founded in September 2020 by Taavet Hinrikus, Liis Narusk and Dr Jack Kreindler, Certific is the digital disruptor in healthcare. Providing pioneering and scalable technology that enables remote testing, diagnostics and monitoring for multiple conditions, Certific was created to radically improve the cost and convenience for patients and healthcare providers alike. To ensure quality and compliance, Certific works with leading organizations and independent, internationally recognised academic institutions to validate its processes and professional standards. By empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to safely self-test, Certific enables people to become co-contributors to their health, improving patient outcomes by providing technology that enables self-testing at scale, which helps detect illnesses at an earlier stage. Certific provides a safe, certified service that will ease the burden on routine services, so that healthcare professionals can focus on more complex tasks.
About Veriff
Veriff is an industry leader in online identity verification, helping businesses to build trust with their customers. Veriff's intelligent decision engine analyzes thousands of technological and behavioral variables in seconds, matching people to more than 10,200 government-issued IDs from over 190 countries. Founded in 2015, Veriff serves a global portfolio of organizations across financial services, crypto, gaming and mobility sectors. Veriff's clients include Blockchain, Bolt, Deel, Starship, Trustpilot, Uphold, Wise and others. Veriff's latest $100 million investment round brings its total funding to $200M and its valuation to $1.5B. The investors include Tiger Capital, Alkeon, IVP, Accel, Mosaic Ventures, Y Combinator, and others. With offices in the U.S., UK, Spain and Estonia, Veriff employs over 550 people from 60 different nationalities who are dedicated to helping businesses to build a more secure world. To learn more, visit www.veriff.com.
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1875368/Veriff_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE Veriff | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/veriff-certific-partner-enhance-identity-verification-services-remote-medical-testing/ | 2022-09-06T11:37:27Z |
1 dead after crash with deputy who was responding to armed robbery call
By WLOS Staff
Click here for updates on this story
ANDERSON, South Carolina (WLOS) — One person is dead after a crash with an Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
The sheriff’s office said the crash happened Sunday, April 3, at about 3:30 p.m. in Anderson County.
The deputy was responding to an armed robbery when the crash happened.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the driver of a Nissan was entering the road from a private drive when the deputy struck the vehicle.
Both the deputy and the driver of the other vehicle were taken to the hospital.
The driver of the Nissan later died. The person’s identity has not been released.
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/2022/04/04/1-dead-after-crash-with-deputy-who-was-responding-to-armed-robbery-call/ | 2022-04-04T17:34:55Z |
First source of electronic health record data available on platform provides life science organizations with deeper clinical insights for therapy optimization
BOSTON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadia, the leading data analytics platform for healthcare and life sciences, today announced its availability through Prognos Marketplace. Prognos is solving for disconnected, siloed data that cannot interoperate and leaves an incomplete view of the patient, including lab results, prescription information, and medical claims. Arcadia is the first source of electronic health record (EHR) data to be included in the platform, delivering deeper clinical insights that will enable Prognos' life science customers to optimize and accelerate therapy strategies.
Arcadia Research Data is built on an active EHRs and claims-based patient population data that feature comprehensive visibility across payers, multiple sites of care, and the entire clinical patient journey.
Prognos Marketplace will enable linking and access to Arcadia's de-identified RWD data to drive insights for life sciences research to improve health/patient outcomes.
"We are pleased to democratize access to health data at scale by joining Prognos' data partner ecosystem," said Jim Robbins, SVP of Life Sciences at Arcadia. "The clinical information available in our EHR data will enable these organizations to gather deeper, more accurate medical assessments that can accelerate the advancement of new, life-saving therapies to millions of patients."
"Prognos' life science customers can now include Arcadia's data in their cohort searches and purchase record-level data to inform therapy targeting, map the patient journey, and support therapy launch and commercialization efforts," said Sundeep Bhan, CEO at Prognos Health. "Providing the ability to combine patients' data across all data types including lab, claims, pharmacy, EHR, mortality, and SDoH data is critical to improving patient outcomes."
Connect with Arcadia at ICPE in Copenhagen to learn more about how their data can support biopharmaceutical research. Learn more at arcadia.io/rwd.
About Prognos
Prognos Marketplace houses harmonized lab test results from trusted sources integrated with large sources of prescriptions and medical claims. There are more than 200 billion health records for 325 million de-identified patients, with new data sources being added continually. Users can create and refine patient cohorts and then buy healthcare data through a single contract. All data purchased is available on the Datavant token, making it interoperable with other patient-level data that has been tokenized using Datavant. To learn more, visit prognoshealth.com
About Arcadia
Arcadia is dedicated to happier, healthier days for all. We transform data into powerful insights that deliver results. Through our partnerships with the nation's leading health systems, payers, and life science companies, we are growing a community of innovation to improve care, maximize value, and confront emerging challenges. For more information, visit arcadia.io.
Media Contact:
Marcia Rhodes
Amendola Communications for Arcadia
mrhodes@acmarketingpr.com
Ashley Triscuit
Prognos Health
atriscuit@prognoshealth.com
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SOURCE Arcadia | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/arcadia-research-data-now-available-prognos-marketplace/ | 2022-08-15T15:47:48Z |
Weinberg Also Secures Largest Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice Settlement in California for 2021
PALM DESERT, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Partner Steven J. Weinberg of McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP, (MWA) – a national law firm specializing in Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, and Elder Abuse matters – has been elevated within the ranks of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) to the rank of Diplomate, a highly-exclusive level reserved for the most experienced attorneys and judges nationwide.
ABOTA is an invitation-only national organization of attorneys and judges designed to further the ethical and technical improvement of legal professionals. This prestigious organization seeks out experienced plaintiff and defense attorneys to who have demonstrated the utmost integrity and dedication to providing ethical representation to their clients. Made up of more than 7,300 professionals nationwide, each attorney or judge is sorted into ranks by experience – Member, Associate, Advocate, Diplomate, and Judge. With this latest elevation, Steven Weinberg has reached the highest rank for attorneys in ABOTA. There are only approximately 250 Diplomates nationwide.
This promotion comes on the heels of a year of major success for Weinberg, securing him the ninth spot on TopVerdict's annual list of the Top Ten Wrongful Death Settlements in California and the single largest wrongful death medical malpractice settlement in California for 2021. He has successfully obtained multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of harmed individuals and their loved ones in medical malpractice, wrongful death, and elder abuse and neglect cases, including a $2.8 million settlement for a local Special Education teacher who suffered as a result of a misdiagnosis.
With 47 years of experience, Steven Weinberg is a highly accomplished and respected Partner of MWA. He has dedicated his career to seeking justice for harmed individuals against negligent parties. "No one deserves what my clients have had to go through, especially not from people and institutions they trust," states Weinberg, "That's why I do what I do – to help people defend their right to health and life." In addition to ABOTA, Steven Weinberg is also listed in the Best Lawyers in America – Personal Injury and Southern California Super Lawyers – Medical Malpractice.
About McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP: McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP has a deep history of success for its clients, including a $203 million verdict against Wells Fargo Bank, recovery of over $1 billion for its clients, and over 100 contingency cases with recovery of $1 million or more. MWA maintains California offices in Ontario, San Bernardino, Palm Desert, and Irvine and supports its national practice with offices in Illinois and New Jersey. For over 30 years, MWA has successfully represented clients involved in general complex and commercial litigation, as well as personal injury and class action matters. Visit mccunewright.com for more information.
Media Contact: Devin Texeira, dct@mccunewright.com
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SOURCE McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/mccune-wright-arevalo-llp-partner-steven-j-weinberg-elevated-coveted-diplomate-ranking-american-board-trial-advocates/ | 2022-06-09T13:46:59Z |
President Biden, in a speech at the Detroit Auto Show Wednesday, confirmed that the federal government is releasing a first round of funding to 35 states to start installing EV charging hardware on the way to a 500,000-charger U.S. network.
As Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed out in a release, the 35 states given the green light are represented by a mix of Republican and Democratic governors.
Surprisingly, all 50 states turned in their homework on time. By August 1, states had to submit plans for their spending on the project to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy. The DOT confirmed on August 2 that every state had submitted plans.
The $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program essentially has two facets: the deployment of EV charging infrastructure, and the formation of “an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability” of charging.
NEVI is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in November 2021, and it’s one of the two big funding buckets that adds up to the initial $7.5 billion for the project. The other $2.5 billion is a discretionary grant program aiming to tackle rural charging and underserved/disadvantaged communities.
As the federal government laid out in June for the $5 billion program, states needed to draw out their initial routes primarily along highway routes designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Built-out networks specify an interoperable charging station with four 150-kw connectors, every 50 miles.
Initially, some states had some preliminary homework to do in designating more Alternative Fuel Corridors. That led to plans with widely varied levels of detail.
The program funnels $1.46 billion in funding over five calendar years—2022 through 2026. Each state gets allocated a different amount toward the EV infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, based around a federal funding formula. Due to that, state amounts range up to California’s nearly $384 million total and Texas’ $407 million over the five years. Under the program, Puerto Rico gets nearly $13.7 million total.
It requires some level of state commitment, too, as the federal funds are intended to cover 80% of EV charger costs, with either private or state funds making up the balance.
The only states that haven’t yet been approved are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Officials noted that the approval of these state charging plans is being made quickly and ahead of schedule. After this first large batch, states will get approved “on a rolling basis,” according to the Department of Energy.
“We are reviewing the remaining plans and on track to finish the process by our target date of September 30, if not sooner,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack, in a release. “Our shared work to bring President Biden’s vision for a national electric vehicle network to communities across America is too important to wait.”
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- Communities of color affected by air pollution lag in EV adoption; study looks at how to fix this | https://cw33.com/automotive/internet-brands/35-states-get-the-green-light-for-7-5-billion-national-ev-charging-network/ | 2022-09-15T14:59:32Z |
Four New Grease Monkey Openings Pave Way for Midwest Development; Bringing Company Closer to Goal of 1,000 Units by End of 2023
CHICAGO, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FullSpeed Automotive®, one of the nation's largest franchisors and operators of automotive aftermarket repair facilities and home to flagship brands Grease Monkey® and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service®, has announced the opening of four new corporate locations. These new stores will be operating under the Grease Monkey brand, bringing the brand's total to almost 500 locations across the U.S. and internationally, inching closer to FullSpeed's target development goal of 1,000 units by the end of 2023.
Last month, Grease Monkey opened two locations in Minnesota in White Bear Lake (4561 Lake Ave.) and Stillwater (1674 Market Drive). Coming this month, the company will be opening two Illinois locations in South Elgin (225 S. Randall Rd.) and Kankakee (1650 W. Court Street).
With soon to be 30 total open facilities across both states, there is vast whitespace for continued development. The FullSpeed leadership team sees prime opportunity for both Grease Monkey and SpeeDee in Minnesota and Illinois, looking to add 20 new locations to these markets over the next two years, aiming to grow both brands through qualified franchise partners and strategic acquisitions.
"The Midwest continues to prove ideal for our strategic expansion," said Kevin Kormondy, Chief Executive Officer of FullSpeed Automotive. "We have seen strong performance and brand awareness throughout the Midwest, which will allow us to better penetrate these additional markets. These four corporate openings will further promote the need for quick lube services and solidify FullSpeed's position as one of the nation's largest automotive aftermarket services operators and franchisors."
Looking forward to the rest of 2022, FullSpeed has some big initiatives planned, including an exciting announcement coming up later this year. In an effort to continue to innovate the automotive aftermarket industry and create a better experience for customers, FullSpeed will soon unveil its "Store of the Future" that will use all-new technology, hone in on the customer-experience, and create an environment the industry has not yet seen before.
FullSpeed Automotive is looking to bring on qualified and engaged individuals seeking single, multi-unit, and conversion opportunities. When franchisees invest with FullSpeed Automotive brands, they're investing in an organization with a strong culture, solid systems, and proven business model
backed with 70+ years of experience in providing quality car care in the industry. FullSpeed Automotive's acquisition strategy has also played a key role in nationwide expansion and remains a strong business focal point for growth.
For more information on FullSpeed Automotive and the company's flagship brands, visit fullspeedautomotive.com or call 800-364-0352.
About FullSpeed Automotive®
FullSpeed Automotive® is a leading automotive aftermarket services platform offering oil changes, tire sales and rotations, brake services, car washes, and other ancillary services through multiple brand formats that target several desirable segments of the service market. The company's strategic geographic footprint of 730-plus franchised and company-owned locations provide density in high growth markets. The company's flagship brands include Grease Monkey® and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service®. In 2022, both Grease Monkey and SpeeDee were included in Entrepreneur's prestigious Franchise 500 ranking. FullSpeed is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. For more information, go to fullspeedautomotive.com.
About Grease Monkey®
Founded in 1978 and part the FullSpeed Automotive® family of brands, Grease Monkey has over 40 years of expertise in oil changes and automotive maintenance. There are over 490 Grease Monkey auto centers in the United States and international locations in China, Colombia, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. In 2022, Grease Monkey was named to Entrepreneur's Fastest-Growing Franchises list as well as included in the prestigious Franchise 500 ranking for the sixth consecutive year. Grease Monkey is also proud to have received the VetFran 5–Star rating demonstrating its extraordinary commitment to "provide access and opportunities in franchising to our Nation's Veterans and their Spouses." For more information, go to www.greasemonkeyfranchise.com.
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SOURCE FullSpeed Automotive | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/fullspeed-automotive-announces-opening-new-corporate-locations-minnesota-illinois/ | 2022-06-15T13:56:16Z |
MINNEAPOLIS , June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 27, 2022, a lawsuit was filed against high-profile victims' rights advocate Jeffrey Anderson and his namesake law firm Jeff Anderson and Associates, P.A. (JAA) in Ramsey County District Court on behalf of the firm's former Human Resources Director, Cherise Salim. The lawsuit alleges Salim experienced discrimination on the basis of her pregnancy and then retaliation for speaking out against acts of sexual harassment perpetrated by a fellow employee who worked closely with Anderson.
Prior to going out on maternity leave, Salim was described as "an inspired and natural leader." However, upon her return, Salim alleges she was demoted on account of claimed performance issues, none of which had been previously raised. The Complaint further states that Salim was terminated after seeking disciplinary action against an employee alleged to have engaged in sexual harassment while with the Firm. Salim's investigation uncovered a pattern of repeated sexual harassment by this individual, none of which had been previously addressed, states the Complaint. Salim recommended that JAA terminate the individual, or at least place him on extended unpaid leave during the pendency of the Firm's investigation. In response, according to the Complaint, Salim was told the employee was "going nowhere" because of his working relationship with Anderson. Discipline was imposed, but then reduced. Salim was subsequently terminated.
Halunen Law attorney Charles Horowitz stated, "the Complaint alleges that our Client experienced both pregnancy discrimination and retaliation for opposing what was seen to be a pattern of sexual harassment. We are committed to challenging conduct of this nature wherever it occurs and look forward to presenting our Client's case to a jury of her peers."
The Complaint can be viewed here:
https://minnesota.tylerhost.net/ViewDocuments.aspx?FID=da740e62-ed01-40e9-a10f-125c133fe192
With offices in Minneapolis, Chicago and Phoenix, Halunen Law offers experienced legal representation to employees, whistleblowers, and those who have been wrongfully injured. Halunen Law has achieved a reputation as a fearless, tenacious and successful plaintiffs' law firm, with a laser focus on achieving justice for its clients. For more information visit halunenlaw.com.
Contact:
Carol Schuler
carol@cschuler.com
612-281-7030
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SOURCE Halunen Law | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/halunen-law-lawsuit-challenges-discriminatory-retaliatory-conduct-jeff-anderson-associates-pa/ | 2022-06-28T17:30:17Z |
PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: WH) announced today its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share on its common stock, payable June 29, 2022 to shareholders of record as of June 15, 2022.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with over 8,900 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 813,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 22 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 94 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company's website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company's website in addition to following the Company's press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements related to the Company's quarterly dividend. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management's expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time the Company makes the statements. Forward-looking statements involve 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 such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions; the continuation or worsening of the effects from COVID-19, its scope, duration, resurgence and impact on the Company's business operations, financial results, cash flows and liquidity, as well as the impact on the Company's franchisees and property owners, guests and team members, the hospitality industry and overall demand for travel; the success of the Company's mitigation efforts in response to COVID-19; the Company's performance during the recovery from COVID-19 and any resurgence or mutations of the virus; various actions governments, businesses and individuals continue to take in response to the pandemic, including stay-in-place directives (including, for instance, quarantine and isolation guidelines and mandates), safety mitigation guidance, as well as the timing, availability and adoption rates of vaccinations, booster shots and other treatments for COVID-19; concerns with or threats of other pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, including the effects of COVID-19; the performance of the financial and credit markets; the economic environment for the hospitality industry; operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses; the Company's relationships with franchisees and property owners; the impact of war, terrorist activity, political instability or political strife; risks related to restructuring or strategic initiatives; the Company's ability to satisfy obligations and agreements under its outstanding indebtedness, including the payment of principal and interest and compliance with the covenants thereunder; risks related to the Company's ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing, including access to liquidity and capital; and the Company's ability to make or pay, plans for, and the timing and amount of any future share repurchases and/or dividends, as well as the risks described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
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SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/11/wyndham-hotels-amp-resorts-declares-quarterly-cash-dividend/ | 2022-05-11T21:35:54Z |
PHOENIX, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluum, North America's leading education technology solutions provider, recently announced the launch of a comprehensive cybersecurity offering to schools. Cybersecurity needs and solutions for schools have evolved in recent years – even beyond those brought about by hybrid and remote learning – so Bluum responded with security solutions for people, processes and technology.
According to the SecurityScorecard 2018 report, education ranks last out of 17 industries in terms of cybersecurity, demonstrating that a legacy solution that only includes a first-generation firewall and antivirus software has long been rendered obsolete. Since 2016, there have been more than 1,300 publicly disclosed attacks in the U.S., which averages out to more than one K-12 cyber incident per school day. More than three million students have been affected by cybersecurity breakdowns since February 2018, with education institutions spending an average of $2.73 million to address the impact of a ransomware attack.
"With limited budgets, highly skilled IT personnel and time, K-12 organizations are hard-pressed to create a solid cybersecurity plan," Bluum Vice President of Product Strategy and Growth Andre Vashilko said. "Cybersecurity is an incredibly technical and extensive area in IT that is rapidly evolving and needs to stay ahead of ever-evolving attack methods. Historically, school IT budget constraints have resulted in ineffective and outdated systems, so Bluum has developed comprehensive countermeasures to fill that void."
Whether cybersecurity incidents are caused externally or self-inflicted, Bluum can assist in preventative measures before, during and after the incidents and attacks. To get started, Bluum has debuted easy-to-use services to help schools assess their cybersecurity needs and identify immediate and future solutions.
Vulnerability scans and penetration testing will detect critical areas of concern and exposure in the infrastructure, while a complementary customer survey will provide further insights into a school's specific needs. Please get in touch with Bluum for your complimentary self-assessment today at https://www.bluum.com/solutions/cybersecurity.
About Bluum
Bluum empowers educators with technology solutions that improve learning and make it more accessible, assisting more than 27 million students grow and flourish. Cultivate possibility with us at bluum.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Media Contact
Stefan Swiat
Director of Communications
O: 602-809-7028
stefan.swiat@bluum.com
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SOURCE Bluum | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/bluum-launches-comprehensive-cybersecurity-offering-schools/ | 2022-06-13T17:32:33Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — At Inside DFW, we LOVE getting our Food Fix on. Today, we’re heading into the kitchen with a familiar face, food influencer Turtle Creek Foodie.
This time, we’re going on this savory and oh-so-cheesy food adventure to learn how to create some double cheesy chicken enchiladas! Watch the full video to get an inside look at this recipe.
Want more from Turtle Creek Foodie? Check out his new video cookbook called The Millennial’s Guide to Hosting and Entertaining brunches and BBQs on the Feasty app! | https://cw33.com/news/inside-dfw/food-fix-double-cheesy-chicken-enchiladas-from-food-influencer-turtle-creek-foodie/ | 2022-06-21T17:22:11Z |
TORONTO, May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - WatServ, a leading IT solutions provider of cloud technologies and services, is pleased to announce that it's been recognized as a Top 100 Solution Provider for the third year in a row. The company received the news at the 2022 CDN Channel Innovation Awards Conference on April 26, presented by Channel Daily News.
"Once again, I'm incredibly proud of our team for this achievement. It's been another exciting year at WatServ, and this ranking reflects that," said Dave Lacey, CEO of WatServ. "Over the past year, we've grown our team, added key leadership positions, welcomed new clients, and enhanced our service offerings. I can't wait to see what the coming year brings."
Some of WatServ's recent achievements, which have contributed to this growth, include:
- Earning an Advanced Specialization for Microsoft Windows Server & SQL Server Migration to Microsoft Azure (read more)
- Achieving SOC 2 Type II compliance for the second year in a row (read more)
- Welcoming Rob Ljubisic to WatServ's executive team as SVP, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Each year, Channel Daily News (CDN) creates a detailed snapshot of Canada's leading IT solution providers based on revenue figures provided by managed service providers, cloud solution providers, system integrators, and IT consultants from across the country.
The annual awards ceremony celebrates solution providers who are industry leaders in their channel. Learn more by visiting: https://channeldailynews.com/channel-innovation-awards.
About WatServ
WatServ is an IT solutions provider that helps clients digitally transform their business through cloud technologies and services. Founded in 2006, WatServ specializes in providing hybrid and multi-cloud solutions and hosting complex, high-availability environments for enterprise-level applications. WatServ's unique approach to planning, migrating and managing multi-cloud environments, plus premium 24x7x365 support, enables its global customers to focus on their core business. For more information, please visit www.watserv.com.
WatServ is an affiliate of Brookfield Business Partners (BBU), a public company with majority ownership by Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchange. More information about BBU is available at www.brookfield.com/.
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SOURCE WatServ Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/04/watserv-is-recognized-one-canadas-top-100-solution-providers-2022/ | 2022-05-04T12:59:13Z |
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Several announcements were made during the Ohio Valley Banc Corp. Annual Shareholders Meeting, which took place Wednesday, May 18.
Thomas E. Wiseman, chairman of the board of Ohio Valley Bank and Ohio Valley Banc Corp. (Nasdaq: OVBC), announced the promotion of Larry E. Miller, II, to the position of chief executive officer (CEO) of both Ohio Valley Bank and OVBC. As president and CEO, Miller will be responsible for all business units in the company and its subsidiaries.
Wiseman, who previously served as CEO, will remain as chairman. Ryan J. Jones was promoted to chief operating officer of both Ohio Valley Bank and OVBC. Jones will continue to hold the title of risk officer in both Ohio Valley Bank and OVBC as well. In these roles, Jones will oversee the company's enterprise risk management efforts while also managing the company's operational units.
"As a company, we are committed to remaining an independent, community bank. To help achieve this goal, we are continually preparing for the future by adhering to our succession plan, which is approved annually by the board of directors. The promotions of Larry Miller and Ryan Jones are in accordance with the company's previously approved plan," Wiseman said. "Both Mr. Miller and Mr. Jones are prepared to take on their new roles as the company continues to move forward."
Prior to being named CEO, Miller served as chief operating officer. He began his career at OVB in 1986 by working as a teller. Over the past three decades, he held the positions of internal auditor, treasurer and secretary. In addition, Miller also has held several officer and senior management roles. Miller is a native of Gallia County and is a graduate of Ohio Valley Christian School. He holds a bachelor's degree in business finance from Cedarville University. He is also a graduate of the Ohio School of Banking and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Miller is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Gallipolis, where he previously served many years as a youth Sunday school teacher. He also served on the board at his alma mater, Ohio Valley Christian School, for 24 years.
Jones began his career in banking with The Milton Banking Company in 1999. He worked in the proof processing/computer department and later was named the compliance officer and secretary of the board. Throughout his career he held numerous titles and was named to the board of directors of the Milton Banking Company in 2012. When the Milton Banking Company merged with Ohio Valley Bank in 2016, Jones was named senior vice president. Jones is a Jackson County native and graduated from Jackson High School. He holds a business management degree from the University of Rio Grande. In addition, he is an Ohio Bankers League (OBL) Leadership Institute graduate. He has also attended several leadership and training schools based in different banking areas.
Community is very important to Jones as he is the current parade band chairman of the Jackson County Apple Festival. He also is a member of Jackson Area Festivals and Events (JAFE) along with numerous other local organizations. Jones also previously served as a coach for all youth organizations in Jackson, including Jackson Pee Wee Football and Jackson Area Recreation baseball.
Also during the meeting, Wiseman announced that the OVBC Board of Directors declared a 150th Anniversary Special Dividend of $0.15 per common share payable on June 10, 2022, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 31, 2022. The special dividend is in celebration of Ohio Valley Bank's 150th anniversary, which will take place this fall and has been celebrated throughout 2022 through various events and giveaways, including cash giveaways. The special dividend is in addition to the regular quarterly dividends already paid out this year.
"We are beyond thrilled to see the return of many events after pandemic restrictions. We were especially pleased to once again host our annual shareholders meeting in person. After two years of not being able to gather, it was a wonderful time to catch up with our shareholders – the folks who continually help us achieve our goal of remaining a strong, independent community bank. The bank's 150th anniversary, which will take place this fall, is yet another reason to celebrate. The 150th Anniversary Special Dividend is just one more way we can extend our gratitude to those who have made our longevity as a company a success," Wiseman said.
Ohio Valley Banc Corp. is based in Gallipolis, Ohio. The primary subsidiaries of the company are: Ohio Valley Bank and Loan Central. Ohio Valley Bank is an FDIC-insured, state member bank of the Federal Reserve operating 16 offices in Ohio and West Virginia. Loan Central, specializing in tax preparation and loans, is a finance company with six offices in southern Ohio. Ohio Valley Banc Corp. stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol OVBC. For more information, visit www.ovbc.com or www.myloancentral.com.
Contact: Hope Roush, Ohio Valley Bank, 740-578-3452, hdroush@ovbc.com or Bryna Butler, Ohio Valley Bank, 740-578-3400, bsbutler@ovbc.com
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SOURCE Ohio Valley Banc Corp. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/ovbc-announces-new-ceo-special-dividend/ | 2022-05-19T19:07:03Z |
Hill Will Bring His Unique Perspectives to All Allen Media Group Platforms Including theGrio Television Network, theGrio Free-Streaming App,
theGrio Website, and theGrio Black Podcast Network
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Byron Allen's Allen Media Group (AMG) is proud to announce that veteran academic, author, activist, and television host, Marc Lamont Hill, will join AMG's Black news/entertainment media platform, theGrio (www.thegrio.com). Hill will bring his unique perspectives on culture, politics, race, sports, and education to all of theGrio media platforms: theGrio television network, theGrio free-streaming app, theGrio news/entertainment website, and the recently-launched theGrio Black Podcast Network (TGBPN). Hill will begin by hosting a daily one-hour television show for theGrio and a weekly podcast for TGBPN.
Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning journalist, author, scholar, commentator, and television host. Hill has garnered numerous awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, and GLAAD for his journalism. He has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Black Leaders by Ebony magazine and The Root 100. As a social activist, he has led numerous campaigns to free political prisoners and stop executions. For more than 16 years, Hill has been a staple in mainstream media, offering incisive political commentary on television outlets including CNN, BET, and Fox News Channel. Hill has also been the host of multiple programs, including BET NEWS, OUR WORLD WITH BLACK ENTERPRISE, UPFRONT, VH1 LIVE, and HUFFPOST LIVE. He is the author of seven books, including the New York Times bestseller NOBODY. As a trained scholar, Hill holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a professor of media studies at Temple University.
"Marc Lamont Hill is exceptionally smart and talented, which makes him a great addition to our platforms," said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of theGrio parent company, Allen Media Group. "TheGrio is one-hundred percent Black-owned, which gives us a unique perspective. TheGrio's mission is to inform, amplify, entertain, and empower Black America. This is why theGrio is relevant, reliable, and now available everywhere and everyday forever."
"I couldn't be more honored to join theGrio family at a moment when the stakes are so high for our community--economically, politically, socially, and culturally," said Marc Lamont Hill. "I'm excited to be part of the most trustworthy and innovative Black news team in the world. Together, we will create and expand spaces for engaging the most vital voices, issues, and perspectives."
In 2016, Byron Allen and Allen Media Group purchased theGrio, a highly-rated digital video-centric news community platform devoted to providing African-Americans with compelling stories and perspectives currently underrepresented in existing national news outlets. TheGrio features news and opinion pieces on lifestyle, politics, health, business, and entertainment. The digital platform informs more than 100 million visitors annually. Month over month, theGrio is the number one Black news site in its competitive set. TheGrio is available everywhere you watch—as an over-the-air television network, on the web, a mobile app, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, streaming on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, AppleTV, and now as a cable television network, TheGrio network. TheGrio network is now available on Charter/Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Vizio, AT&T U-verse, FreebieTV, TiVo, IMDB.tv and Redbox, as well as select local over-the-air broadcast television stations. TheGrio is also streaming on Amazon Prime Video, DirecTV STREAM, Fire TV, Freevee (IMDB), Freecast (SelectTV), Local Now, PlutoTV, TiVo and XUMO. TheGrio is everywhere you watch, anyway you want to watch, no paywall, free. Check your local listings.
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SOURCE Allen Media Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/05/byron-allens-allen-media-group-signs-veteran-news-amp-political-television-host-marc-lamont-hill-grio/ | 2022-08-05T22:54:07Z |
DALLAS, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brazos Residential, LLC, a Dallas-based real estate private investment firm specializing in multifamily investments, announces the $41M acquisition of the Wilson Woods Townhomes located in Wilson, NC. The transaction marks the firm's tenth acquisition in 2022.
Constructed in 1974, Wilson Woods Townhomes is situated on an expansive 31 acres at 1706 Vineyard Dr. in Wilson, NC, about 40 miles from eastern Raleigh. The community has 376 units and presents a desirable combination of generous one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans, with an average unit size of over 1,000 square ft.
"Wilson Woods has an exceptionally unique story," explains James Roberts, Managing Partner, and Cofounder. "The asset has been owned by the seller for over twenty-five years. This type of long-term, privately owned property is very rare, especially in highly sought-after markets in North Carolina."
The community is the firm's seventh North Carolina acquisition this year and highlights the company's investment strategy of purchasing value-add opportunities with significant operational upside in growing cities near well-established markets like Raleigh-Durham.
"This investment continues to support our thesis of targeting strong emerging markets with immense potential. Given its proximity to Raleigh-Durham, the property provides strategic synergies to Brazos' expanding portfolio in eastern North Carolina," proclaims William Hancock, Managing Partner, and Cofounder. "We are excited to reposition this asset and capitalize on its operational inefficiencies to maximize returns to our investor partners and improve the living experience of the tenants."
Founded in 2022, Brazos Residential owns over 1,700 multifamily units across the American sunbelt, predominately located in Texas and North Carolina. Brazos employs a dynamic team of real estate, private equity, accounting, and capital market professionals and controls over $215 million in multifamily real estate investments.
For more information, please contact Taylor Leander, Director of Investor Relations, at (214) 432-8065, Investors@BrazosResidential.com.
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SOURCE Brazos Residential | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/02/brazos-residential-expands-footprint-north-carolina-with-41m-acquisition/ | 2022-09-02T14:20:01Z |
Rights group: Russians tortured people in C.African Republic
By CARLEY PETESCH
Associated Press
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Human Rights Watch has accused Russian mercenaries of executing, torturing and beating civilians in Central African Republic since 2019. Dozens of witnesses who spoke to the international rights organization outlined incidents of violence, including in July 2021 when Russian-speaking men carrying military-grade weapons set up a roadblock near the town of Bossangoa, stopped men to beat them and shot at least eight dead. The accusations by the international rights group come after United Nations experts in October called on the government in Central African Republic to end all relationships with the private military company. France and the United States also accused Wagner “mercenaries” of massacres and executions of civilians in January. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/05/04/rights-group-russians-tortured-people-in-c-african-republic/ | 2022-05-04T18:03:45Z |
Ukrainians cheer nation’s EU candidacy amid wartime woes
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The European Union’s decision to make Ukraine a candidate for EU membership offered war-weary Ukrainians a morale boost and hope of a more secure future Friday as the country’s military ordered its fighters to retreat from a key city in the eastern Donbas region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the decision of EU leaders as vindication of his nation’s four-month fight against Russia’s aggression and said he was determined to ensure Ukraine retained the ability to decide if it belonged in Europe or under Moscow’s influence.
“This war began just when Ukraine declared its right to freedom. To its choice of its future. We saw it in the European Union,” Zelenskyy told the nation in a televised address late Thursday. “That is why this decision of the EU is so important, motivates us and shows all this is needed not only by us.”
Others recalled the 2014 revolution that ousted Ukraine’s pro-Moscow president, sparked in part by his decision not to complete an association agreement with the EU. Russian President Vladimir Putin opposed that agreement, just as he demanded before he sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 that NATO never accept Ukraine as an alliance member.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, an opposition leader who became prime minister after the revolution, expressed joy at the country’s candidate status but also “bitterness” over the “terrible price that Ukraine pays for the desire to be a free, independent European state.”
“Thank you to our soldiers - they won this decision,” Yatsenyuk tweeted. “Ukraine is a great country that will inevitably become a member of the EU and, just as inevitably, a member of NATO.”
Ukraine applied for membership less than a week after Russia invaded the country and must undergo a complicated process of many months to be eligible to join the 27-nation bloc.
The EU also granted candidate status to the small nation of Moldova, another former Soviet republic that borders Ukraine and also has territory controlled by pro-Russia separatists.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the European Union - and its potential expansion - do not pose a “threat or risk” to Russia because the bloc is not a military alliance like NATO. But he said the Kremlin thinks the EU’s stance and outlook have become more anti-Russian.
“We are well aware that the EU evolved over the past few years, getting an aggressive ideological background, first of all a Russophobic background,” Lavrov said.
In Pokrovsk, a small town close to the four-month-old war’s frontline in eastern Ukraine, few residents wanted to discuss the EU candidacy as they hurried to collect their daily aid handouts. Some of those who shared their thoughts said the decision would send a strong message to the Russians trying to seize cities and villages a few miles away.
“The next stop is NATO. There is no way back now. I was born during the USSR, but there is no return (to that),” Pokrovsk resident Valerii Terentyev said. “Ukraine wanted a different thing, and in my opinion it is the right thing.”
The chairman of Ukraine’s parliament said that a path toward EU membership would remind the country’s soldiers that their fight, which has won international admiration, is worth the hardship.
“This is a powerful political message. It will be heard by soldiers in the trenches, every family that was forced to flee the war abroad, everyone who helps bring our victory closer. But it will also be heard in the bunker,” Ruslan Stefanchuk said.
Encouragement aside, the reality remains that the European Union sometimes is long on words of solidarity and support but short on the kind of concerted action that might deter outside threats, even though a treaty obligates EU countries to assist a fellow member facing armed aggression.
To gain EU membership, countries must meet a detailed host of economic and political conditions, including a commitment to the rule of law and other democratic principles. The EU’s executive arm has indicated that Ukraine also will have to curb entrenched corruption and adopt other government reforms.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the EU’s embrace of Ukraine was “an important symbolic signal, but it’s the beginning of the beginning.”
Some Ukrainians understood that their country still has much to do in order to meet the tough membership criteria.
“We still need to grow,” said Yevhen Zaitsev, another Pokrovsk resident. “There is much corruption. There are a lot of lies.”
While the EU fast-tracked its consideration of Ukraine’s application for membership, the ongoing war could complicate the country’s ability to fulfill the entry criteria. Russian forces in recent weeks have slowly advanced in their offensive to capture the Donbas region, where pro-Russia separatists have controlled much of the territory for eight years.
Ukrainian forces were ordered to retreat from the besieged city of Sievierodonetsk, one of the last Ukrainian-held areas of Luhansk province, to avoid being completely surrounded.
The city has faced relentless Russian bombardment while Ukrainian troops fought the Russians in house-to-house battles before retreating to a huge chemical factory on the city’s edge.
Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai said the retreat order was given to prevent encirclement by Russian forces that made gains around Sievierodonetsk and the neighboring city of Lysychansk in recent days.
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Ebel reported from Pokrovsk, Ukraine.
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Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/24/ukrainians-cheer-nations-eu-candidacy-amid-wartime-woes/ | 2022-06-24T15:22:27Z |
Whole Body Digital Twin Technology Enables Personalized Approach to Help Improve Disrupted Metabolism for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
NEW ORLEANS, June 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study powered by artificial intelligence (AI), Whole Body Digital Twin, reveals the highest reported rate of remission of type 2 diabetes to date. The findings were presented as a late-breaking poster session at the 82nd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) in New Orleans, LA.
For individuals with type 2 diabetes, remission is defined as sustaining normal blood glucose (blood sugar) levels for at least three months without taking diabetes medication.
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial designed to determine the effect of Twin Precision Treatment technology (TPT) versus standard care (SC) on change in A1C and type 2 diabetes remission at 90-day intervals. The TPT intervention uses the Whole-Body Digital Twin Platform, with AI and Internet of Things, to integrate multi-dimensional data to give precision nutrition, sleep, activity, and breathing guidance via the TPT app and coaches.
Baseline mean age, diabetes duration, and A1C obtained in 319 patients were 45 years old (±9.7y), 3.9 years (±2.9 years), and 9% (±1.9%), respectively. Interim analysis of 262 patients (TPT n=199; SC n=63) who reached 180 days showed 94.9% (189/199) of TPT patients achieved an A1C less than 6.5% on no medications or metformin only; 83.9% (167/199) achieved diabetes remission based on ADA criteria. All nine insulin-using patients stopped insulin before 90 days. The TPT intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes allowed for significant reduction in A1C, diabetes remission (~84%), and improvement in multiple metabolic parameters at six months.
"Our results demonstrate the potential of Whole Body Digital Twin technology to change the conventional, medication-driven management of type 2 diabetes to achieving remission of type 2 diabetes with a life free of medication," said Paramesh Shamanna, MD, lead author on the study. "The impact of the program on patient satisfaction, quality of life, and total cost of care is substantial and holds significant promise for large populations suffering from metabolic disease globally."
Whole Body Digital Twin is a predictive model that provides individualized nutrition, sleep, activity, and breathing guidance to patients and their health care providers, with the potential to help reverse diabetes and metabolic diseases. The technology was built from thousands of data points collected daily via non-invasive wearable sensors, providing a personalized representation of each individual's unique metabolism.
The authors note that future long-term studies are needed to support these initial findings.
Research presentation details:
- Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and Improvement in Metabolic Markers with the Twin Precision Treatment Technology (TPT)—A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial
- Presented on Sunday, June 5 at 12:00 p.m. CT
For more information or to request an interview, please contact the ADA Scientific Sessions media team at SciSessionsPress@diabetes.org.
About the ADA's Scientific Sessions
The ADA's 82nd Scientific Sessions, the world's largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention, and care, will be a hybrid event held June 3–7, 2022 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. Leading physicians, scientists, and health care professionals from around the world will unveil cutting-edge research, treatment recommendations, and advances toward a cure for diabetes. We are eager to get back to safely participating in person and networking with colleagues while hearing the latest scientific advances and groundbreaking research presentations. Learn more and register at scientificsessions.diabetes.org and join the Scientific Sessions conversation on social media using #ADA2022.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 81 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 133 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
Contact: Daisy Diaz, 504-670-4902
SciSessionsPress@diabetes.org
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SOURCE American Diabetes Association | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/04/artificial-intelligence-offers-significant-rate-remission-type-2-diabetes-compared-standard-care/ | 2022-06-04T16:40:25Z |
NFL’s Washington Commanders may have broken financial laws, House panel says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission saying it found evidence the NFL’s Washington Commanders engaged in potentially unlawful financial conduct for more than a decade by withholding ticket revenue from visiting teams and refundable deposits from fans.
In the letter obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, the committee outlined through the testimony of former employees and access to emails and documents a pattern of financial impropriety by owner Dan Snyder and team executives. At one point in 2016, the committee said the team retained up to $5 million from 2,000 season-ticket holders while also concealing sharable revenue from the league.
One former employee testified before Congress saying the team had two separate financial books — one with underreported ticket revenue that went to the NFL — and the full, complete picture. According to testimony, Snyder was aware of the numbers shared with the league while also being privy to the actual data.
The business practice was known as “juice” inside Washington’s front office. And, if correct, it could spell significant trouble for Snyder and the Commanders.
Ticket revenue is shared among all 32 NFL teams, with 40% of it deposited in a visiting team fund. Such money is among the pillars of the league’s revenue-sharing commitment.
A team spokeswoman said there was no new comment and referred to the statement from March 31: “The team categorically denies any suggestion of financial impropriety of any kind at any time.”
“We adhere to strict internal processes that are consistent with industry and accounting standards, are audited annually by a globally respected independent auditing firm, and are also subject to regular audits by the NFL. We continue to cooperate fully with the Committee’s work.”
The league did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
The committee is sharing documents with the FTC while requesting the commission take any action necessary to make sure the money is returned to its rightful owners.
Congress launched an investigation into the team’s workplace misconduct after the league did not release a report detailing the findings of an independent probe into the matter. After testimony from former employees, that investigation expanded to the organization’s finances.
Lawyers Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, who represent more than 40 former employees, including some who testified, called the letter “damning.”
“It’s clear that the team’s misconduct goes well beyond the sexual harassment and abuse of employees already documented and has also impacted the bottom line of the NFL, other NFL owners, and the team’s fans,” they said in a statement. “We are proud of our many clients who have come forward at great personal risk to reveal the truth and bring us closer to total transparency about the full extent of the dysfunction at the Washington Commanders.”
___
Associated Press reporter Farnoush Amiri contributed.
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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/12/nfls-washington-commanders-may-have-broken-financial-laws-house-panel-says/ | 2022-04-12T17:43:43Z |
Chicago to launch permanent shared electric scooter program in May
By Todd Feurer
Click here for updates on this story
CHICAGO, Illinois (WBBM) — Shared electric scooters will return to Chicago in May, following two test runs in 2019 and 2020.
City officials announced Thursday three companies have been chosen to operate shared scooter programs in Chicago – Lime, Spin, and Superpedestrian. Three other companies that applied to bring their e-scooters to Chicago – Bird, Helbiz, and Veo – were not awarded licenses.
The new e-scooter program is expected to launch in early May, according to the mayor’s office.
Lime, Spin, and Superpedestrian each will be allowed to provide 1,000 shared e-scooters across the city initially, although the ordinance creating the permanent scooter program could allow them to eventually expand to 2,000 scooters each.
In addition, the Divvy bike sharing system will add 1,000 scooters at 230 docking stations in and near downtown. They will be available under existing Divvy membership programs.
Divvy also will be implementing a simplified pricing structure, according to the mayor’s office. Divvy and D4E members will continue to receive unlimited free unlocks, free rides up to 45 minutes on Divvy bikes, and significant discounts for e-bikes and e-scooters through existing memberships. Additionally, for the next 12 months, the Chicago Department of Transportation and Lyft, which operates the Divvy program, will add a monthly credit of $10 to D4E member accounts to be redeemed for up to 200 e-bike minutes. New pricing will take effect with the launch of Divvy scooters
To start, only Divvy’s scooters will be available downtown, while Lime, Spin, and Superpedestrian will be allowed to deploy their scooters throughout the rest of the city, with at least half of them supplied in designated “Equity Priority Areas” on the South Side and West Side, where residents have fewer public transportation options.
If those three scooter vendors meet certain performance goals by mid-summer, they would be able to begin deploying scooters downtown.
“A scooter program offers another easy way for residents and visitors to choose active transportation to get around Chicago,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. “As transportation costs go up, it is critical that we support micromobility solutions like shared bikes and scooters, which provide affordable ways to travel in Chicago without needing a car.”
The City Council approved a permanent citywide shared scooter program last October, allowing licenses for up to three companies.
That followed two shared scooter pilot programs in 2019 and 2020. While those pilot programs limited shared scooters to only specific neighborhoods, the permanent program will allow shared scooters to be used on streets throughout the city, but not on sidewalks, the Lakefront Trail, the Bloomingdale Trail (also known as The 606), the Chicago Riverwalk, at Navy Pier, or in the area of O’Hare Airport.
Rules for the permanent scooter program require that they be locked to bike racks, street signs, light poles, or other fixed objects when they’re not being used. That followed widespread complaints during the first pilot program that users left scooters blocking sidewalks when they were done with them.
The scooters also will be equipped with “sidewalk-riding detection” technology to help prevent people who rent the devices from riding them on sidewalks. The rules for shared scooters require they be used only on city streets.
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/2022/04/07/chicago-to-launch-permanent-shared-electric-scooter-program-in-may/ | 2022-04-07T19:53:02Z |
Mullin wins US Senate GOP runoff in deep-red Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin won Tuesday’s GOP primary runoff for one of Oklahoma’s U.S. Senate seats, making him a likely favorite to win the seat U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe is leaving early after nearly 30 years in office.
Mullin, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, defeated former Speaker of the Oklahoma House and banking executive T.W. Shannon after the two advanced from a 13-candidate Republican primary field in June. Because Inhofe is retiring early, Mullin will serve the remaining four years left on Inhofe’s term.
Mullin, who topped the primary field with nearly 44% of the vote, earned former President Donald Trump’s endorsement shortly after the primary.
Mullin and Shannon were both seeking to replace Inhofe, a fixture in Republican politics in Oklahoma since the 1960s who has held the U.S. Senate seat since being elected in 1994.
Mullin will be heavily favored in November’s general election against former Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn, along with an independent and a Libertarian. Oklahoma hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in more than 30 years.
In a state where nearly 10% of the population identifies as American Indian, both Mullin and Shannon are members of Native American tribes — Mullin a Cherokee citizen and Shannon, who is also African American, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
Campaign finance reports show that Mullin raised about $3.6 million, which is nearly three times the $1.3 million that Shannon reported he raised.
In campaign ads and on the stump, both men touted their positions on hot-button issues and vowed to fight President Joe Biden’s policy agenda. Shannon launched an anti-abortion ad in which he labeled Planned Parenthood the “true face of white supremacy,” while Mullin in an ad featuring two of his own children and a montage of transgender collegiate swimmer Lia Thomas, said: “Democrats can’t even tell us what a woman is.”
Also on Tuesday, in the Democratic primary runoff for Oklahoma’s other U.S. Senate seat, cybersecurity expert Madison Horn defeated Jason Bollinger, an Oklahoma City attorney. Horn, who is not related to Kendra Horn, will face incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. James Lankford, who will be the heavy favorite in November, along with a Republican and an independent.
In the race for an open U.S. House seat in eastern Oklahoma, Republicans Josh Brecheen, a former state senator from Coalgate, and state Rep. Avery Frix, of Muskogee, face off in the GOP runoff after emerging as the top two candidates in June’s 14-candidate primary. The winner will face Democrat Naomi Andrews, of Tulsa, and independent Ben Robinson, of Muskogee, in November.
Also on the ballot Tuesday will be Republican primary runoffs for several statewide offices, including state superintendent of public instruction, state treasurer, labor commissioner and corporation commissioner.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/24/mullin-wins-us-senate-gop-runoff-deep-red-oklahoma/ | 2022-08-24T01:39:16Z |
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: SIM) ("Simec") announced today its results of operations for the sixth-month period ended June 30th, 2022.
Comparative first six months of 2022 vs. first six months of 2021
Net Sales
Net sales of the Company increased from Ps. 28,613 million in the first half of 2021 to Ps. 30,579 million in the first half of 2022. Shipments decreased 14% from 1,369 thousand tons in the first half of 2021 to 1,179 thousand tons in the first half of 2022. Total sales outside of Mexico in the first half of 2022 decreased 1% to Ps. 14,252 million compared to Ps. 14,458 million in the first half of 2021. Mexican sales increased 15% from Ps. 14,155 million in the first half of 2021 to Ps. 16,327 million in the first half of 2022. Sales increased for the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021, is due to the combined of increase in the average sales price of 24% and decrease in the volume of shipments approximately of 190 thousand tons that represent an 14%.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales increased 5% from Ps. 20,909 million in the first half of 2021, to Ps. 21,972 million in the first half of 2022. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales represented 72% in the first half of 2022 while in the first half of 2021 represented 73%. Cost of sales increased due to mix products and a higher volume of products shipped, and scrap steel cost.
Gross Profit
Gross profit of the Company for the first half of 2022 increased 12% from Ps. 7,704 million in the first half of 2021, to Ps. 8,607 million in the first half of 2022. Gross profit as percentage of net sales in the first half of 2022 was of 28%, while in the first half of 2021 was of 27%. The gross profit between both periods is given by better mix products shipped and higher average price.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense increased 15%, from Ps. 984 million in the first half of 2021 to Ps. 1,130 million in the same period 2022, selling, general and administrative expense represented 3% of the net sales in the second quarter of 2021 and 4% in the second quarter of 2022.
Other Income (Expenses,) net
The Company recorded other income net for Ps. 2 million in the first half of 2022 million compared to other expense Ps. 30 million in the same period of 2021.
Operating Income
Operating income increased 12% from Ps. 6,690 million for the first half of 2021 compared to Ps. 7,479 million in the first half of 2022. Operating income as percentage of net sales was 24% in the first half of 2022 compared to 23% in the same period of 2021. The increase in operating profit is mainly due to the mix of products shipped and higher sales prices.
Ebitda
The Ebitda amounted to Ps. 7,283 million in the first semester of 2021 as a result of a net income of Ps. 4,977 million, plus minority stake of Ps. 1 million, plus income taxes of Ps.1,631 million, plus comprehensive financial cost of Ps. 81 million, plus depreciation of Ps. 593 million to Ps 8,029 million in the first semester of 2022 as a result a net income of Ps. 6,098 million, plus minority stake of Ps. 1 million, plus income taxes of Ps. 1,152 million, plus comprehensive financial cost of Ps. 228 million, plus depreciation of Ps. 550 million.
Comprehensive Financial Cost
Comprehensive financial cost for the first half of 2022 represented an expense of Ps. 228 million compared with an expense of Ps. 81 million for the first half of 2021. The comprehensive financial cost is comprised by the exchange loss of Ps. 227 million in the first half of 2022 compared with an exchange loss of Ps. 55 million in the first half of 2021. Likewise, the Company recorded a net expense interest of Ps. 1 million for the first half of 2022 compared with a net expenses interest of Ps. 26 million in 2021.
Income Taxes
The Company recorded an expense of Ps. 1,152 million for the net income tax during the first half of 2022, (comprised for a current expense tax of Ps. 1,165 million and income for deferred tax of Ps. 13 million) compared with an expense of Ps. 1,631 million to the first half of 2021 (comprised for a current expense tax of Ps. 1,610 million and expense for deferred tax of Ps. 21 million).
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing, the Company recorded an increase in net income of 23% to pass of Ps. 4,977 million in the first half of 2021 to Ps. 6,098 million in the same period of 2022.
Comparative second quarter of 2022 vs. first quarter of 2022
Net Sales
Net sales of the Company increased 3% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of the same period, to pass of Ps. 15,032 million during the first quarter of 2022 to Ps. 15,547 million in the second quarter of 2022. Shipments of finished steel products decreased from 623 thousand tons in the first quarter of 2022 to 556 thousand tons in the second quarter of the same year. Total sales outside of Mexico in the second quarter of 2022 increased 4% to get to Ps. 7,276 million compared to Ps. 6,976 million of the first quarter of the same year. Domestic sales increased from Ps. 8,056 million in the first quarter of 2022 to Ps. 8,271 million in the second quarter of the same year. The sales increased mainly a lower shipped by 67 thousand tons compared with the first quarter that represent a 11% and an income sales price in 16%.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales decreased 4% from Ps. 11,190 million in the first quarter of 2022 to Ps. 10,783 million in the second quarter of 2022. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales represented 74% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 69% in the second quarter of the same year, the average cost of sales by ton record an increase between both quarters of 8%.
Gross Profit
Gross profit of the Company for the second quarter of 2022 increased 24% to pass of Ps. 3,842 million in the first quarter of 2022 to Ps. 4,764 million in the second quarter of same year. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales represented 26% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 31% in the second quarter of the same year. The gross profit in the second quarter of 2022 it originates from a higher average sale.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense increased 18%, from Ps. 518 million in the first quarter of 2022 to Ps. 612 million in the second quarter of the same year, and as percentage of net sales represented 3% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 4% in the second quarter of the same year.
Other (Expenses) Income, net
The Company recorded other income net for Ps. 2 million during the second quarter of 2022 compared to other income net for Ps. 1 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Operating Income
Operating income increased 25%, of Ps. 3,325 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to Ps. 4,154 million of the second quarter of the same year. Operating income as percentage of net sales was 22% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 27% for the second quarter of the same year. The operating income is due mainly to a better average sale price.
Ebitda
The Ebitda amounted to Ps. 3,605 million in the first quarter of 2022 as a result of a net income of Ps. 2,494 million, plus income taxes of Ps. 460 million, plus comprehensive financial cost of Ps. 371 million, plus depreciation of Ps. 280 million to Ps 4,424 million in the second quarter of 2022 as a result of a net income of Ps. 3,604 million, plus income taxes of Ps. 693 million, less comprehensive financial cost of Ps. 143 million, plus depreciation of Ps. 270 million.
Comprehensive Financial Cost
Comprehensive financial cost of the Company in the second quarter of 2022 represented an income of Ps. 143 million compared with of Ps. 371 million an expense for the first quarter of 2022. The comprehensive financial cost is comprised for the net interest expense of Ps. 29 million in the second quarter of 2022, while in the first quarter was a net income of Ps. 29 million. Likewise, we recorded a net exchange income of Ps. 172 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared a net exchange loss Ps. 400 million in the first quarter of the same year.
Income Taxes
The Company have been recorded an expense of Ps. 693 million of income tax during the second quarter of 2022, (comprised for an expense by current tax of Ps. 698 million and an income for deferred tax of Ps. 5 million) compared with the Ps. 460 million of expense for the first quarter of the same year, (comprised for an expense by current tax of Ps. 467 million and income for deferred tax of Ps. 7 million).
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing, the Company recorded an increase of 45% from a net income of Ps. 2,494 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to a net income of Ps. 3,604 million for the second quarter of 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30th, 2022, Simec's total consolidated debt consisted of U.S. $302,000 of 8 7/8% medium-term notes ("MTN's") due 1998, or Ps. 6.1 million (accrued interest on June 30th, 2022 was U.S. $684,000, or Ps. 13.8 million). As of December 31, 2021, Simec's total consolidated debt consisted of U.S. $302,000 of 8 7/8% medium-term notes ("MTN's") due 1998, or Ps. 6.2 million (accrued interest on December 31, 2021 was U.S. $671,000, or Ps. 13.8 million).
Comparative second quarter of 2022 vs. second quarter of 2021
Net Sales
Net sales of the Company increased 2% from Ps. 15,258 million during the second quarter of 2021 to Ps. 15,547 million in the second quarter of 2022. Sales in tons of finished steel decreased 19% from 687 thousand tons in the second quarter of 2021 compared with 556 thousand tons in the second quarter of 2022. Sales outside of Mexico in the second quarter of 2022 decreased 6% from Ps. 7,767 million in the second quarter of 2021 to Ps. 7,276 million in the second quarter of 2022. Domestic sales increased 10% from Ps. 7,491 million in the second quarter of 2021 to Ps. 8,271 million in the second quarter of 2022. The increase in sales in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 is due to an increase in the average sales price of 26% and an decrease in the volume of shipments approximately of 131 thousand of tons that represents 19%.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales decreased 1% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 from Ps. 10,854 million in the second quarter of 2021 to Ps. 10,783 million in the second quarter of 2022. With respect to sales, the cost of sales of the second quarter of 2022 represented 69% compared to 71% for the second quarter of 2021. The average cost of sales by ton of steel products increased 23% in the second quarter of 2022 versus the second quarter of 2021, due to the cost of certain raw materials mainly scrap and the volume shipped.
Gross (Loss) Profit
Gross profit of the Company for the second quarter of 2022 amount to Ps. 4,764 million compared to Ps. 4,404 million in the second quarter of 2021, this represented an increase of 8% between both periods. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the second quarter of 2022 was 31% compared to 29% of the second quarter of 2021. The increase in gross profit is mainly due to a higher average sales price and a lower volume shipped, in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
The selling, general and administrative expenses increased 20% in the second quarter of 2022 from Ps. 509 million in the second quarter of 2021 to Ps. 612 million in the second quarter of 2022. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales represented 4% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 3% of the second quarter of 2021.
Other Income (Expenses), net
The company recorded other income net of Ps. 2 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared with other expense net of Ps. 17 million for the second quarter of 2021.
Operating (Loss) Income
Operating income amounted to Ps. 4,154 million in the second quarter 2022 compared to Ps. 3,878 million in the second quarter of 2021, this represented 7% of increase between both quarters. The operating income as a percentage of net sales was 27% for the second quarter of 2022, compared to 25% of the second quarter of 2021. The increase in operating profit is due to a higher average sale price.
Ebitda
The Ebitda amounted to Ps. 4,170 million in the second quarter of 2021 as a result of a net income of Ps. 2,333 million, plus minority stake of Ps. 1 million, plus income taxes of Ps. 1,240 million, plus comprehensive financial cost of Ps. 304 million, plus depreciation of Ps. 292 million to Ps 4,424 million in the second quarter of 2022 as a result of a net income of Ps. 3,604 million, plus income taxes of Ps. 693 million, less comprehensive financial cost of Ps. 143 million, plus depreciation of Ps. 270 million.
Comprehensive Financial Cost
Comprehensive financial cost of the Company for the second quarter of 2022 represented a net income of Ps. 143 million compared with a net expense of Ps. 304 million for the second quarter of 2021. The comprehensive financial cost is comprised for the net interest expense of Ps. 29 million in the second quarter of 2022, compared to a net interest expense of Ps. 9 million for the same period of 2021. Also record an exchange income of Ps. 172 million in the second quarter of 2022 and an exchange loss of Ps. 295 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Income Taxes
The company recorded an expense of Ps. 693 million of expense tax in the second quarter of 2022, (comprised by current expense tax of Ps. 698 million and an income for deferred tax of Ps. 5 million) compared to an expense accrual of Ps. 1,240 million for income tax for the second quarter of 2021, (comprised by current expense tax of Ps. 1,210 million and an expense for deferred tax of Ps. 30 million).
Net Income (Loss)
As a result of the foregoing, the Company recorded a net income of Ps. 3,604 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to Ps. 2,333 million for the second quarter of 2021, an increase of 54% between both quarters.
Any forward-looking information contained herein is inherently subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions which, if incorrect, may cause actual results to vary materially from those anticipated, expected or estimated. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained herein.
Contact: José Luis Tinajero
Mario Moreno Cortez
Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V.
Calzada Lázaro Cárdenas 601
44440 Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
52 55 1165 1025
52 33 3770 6734
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SOURCE Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/grupo-simec-announces-results-operations-first-six-months-2022/ | 2022-07-20T21:28:48Z |
BELTON — Services for W. A. Dossey, 77, of Moody will be 2 p.m. today in North Belton Cemetery.
Mr. Dossey died Thursday, April 21, at a Temple hospital.
He was born Dec. 14,1944, in Gatesville to Weldon “Fuzzy” and Ollie Bruton Dossey. He worked for Chafin Enterprises Turkey Farm.
Survivors include a brother, Wesley “Buster” Dossey; and two sisters, Shirley Hall and Mirtes Marie Dossey Emmons.
Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Belton is in charge of arrangements. | https://www.tdtnews.com/obituaries/article_99d18560-cd9d-11ec-a237-d3a27cfc2af9.html | 2022-05-07T02:59:16Z |
Now accepting students in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Texas
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, formerly known as Ameritech College, announced its recent expansion of the institution's Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science program. The expansion permits students from Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Texas to receive their OTA degree from Joyce University.
The accredited program requires no prerequisites, provides a flexible format for local and distance learners, and prepares graduates to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), upon completion of the program.
"We're thrilled to extend Joyce University's talented faculty to these eight states and expand our OTA program to new students," said Sherry Jones, president of Joyce University. "The flexibility of distance learning paired with the robust curriculum makes this an ideal program for students seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree."
Joyce launched their OTA program in 2016 with a focus on meeting the needs of clients of all ages, from pediatric treatment to geriatric rehabilitation. Students learn evidence-based approaches to help clients improve their quality-of-life through a holistic view (physical, cognitive, social, and spiritual) of the individual. Occupational therapy assistant graduates will be prepared to work in variety of practice settings including school-based, home health, mental health, and rehab/hospital settings. The expansion accommodates distance education students with the majority of course work done synchronously online through virtual classrooms. In-person labs occur during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters and take place at Joyce University in Draper, Utah. Learn more about OTA residency requirements.
For more information about Joyce University and its innovative programs, please visit joyce.edu.
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, formerly known as Ameritech College of Healthcare, is one of the largest OTA schools in Utah. Founded in 1979, Joyce University's mission is to prepare students to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning. Located in Draper, Utah, Joyce University is proud to have helped thousands of students graduate and launch lasting healthcare careers.
Media Contact:
Raphael@mythcommunications.com
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SOURCE Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/joyce-university-nursing-health-sciences-expands-occupational-therapy-assistant-program/ | 2022-08-17T14:32:06Z |
Seasoned health technology executive Lakshmi Gudapakkam to become CEO and former HCA Healthcare, Inc. executive Dr Rick Abramson appointed as Chief Medical Officer.
New leadership team to drive expansion of world's first comprehensive AI radiology platform globally and entry into the US.
CADt FDA approvals for Annalise Enterprise CXR to bring new opportunities for US clinicians.
SYDNEY, July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- annalise.ai, the global radiology AI company with rapidly growing presence in Asia- Pacific, Europe and the United Kingdom, today announced the appointment of accomplished healthcare technology executives Lakshmi Gudapakkam as Chief Executive Officer and clinical strategist Dr Rick Abramson as Chief Medical Officer. With the new appointments, annalise.ai expects to further accelerate its global market presence and entry into the US market following recent FDA approvals for part of its comprehensive radiology AI product.
With a mission to help one million patients every day, annalise.ai combines cutting-edge AI with clinical expertise to bring comprehensive AI products to market quickly, with state-of-the-art performance and a focus on clinical success. Formed in 2019 as a joint venture between healthcare AI platform harrison.ai and I-MED Radiology Network, Australia's largest diagnostic imaging network, the company is focused on rapidly developing and commercialising comprehensive AI products to advance patient care.
annalise.ai products have been used to help more than one million patients since launch. Annalise Enterprise CXR, the world's first comprehensive decision-support AI solution for chest X-rays, is already in clinical use at over 400 sites in Australia and the UK and accessible by one in four Australian radiologists. A recent peer-reviewed diagnostic accuracy study published in The Lancet Digital Health found Annalise Enterprise CXR improved radiologists' diagnostic accuracy across 102 chest X-ray (CXR) findings*.
The company has clearance for clinical use for Annalise Enterprise CXR in Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, South-East Asia, and New Zealand, and is expanding its products to new geographies. Earlier this year, Annalise Enterprise CXR received CADt FDA clearance for use in triage and notification of pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax on chest X-rays.
The appointment of Lakshmi Gudapakkam as CEO will help accelerate expansion plans globally and into the US along with the development of new AI radiology tools. Mr Gudapakkam brings a wealth of healthtech expertise, serving in senior global technology and business leadership roles for more than 20 years in GE Healthcare & Philips Healthcare and for the last four years with Quest Diagnostics, as their Vice President and General Manager for their East Region.
During his time with GE Healthcare, Mr Gudapakkam led large global teams across US, Canada, Europe, India, China and Australia in large, breakthrough product development for radiology imaging, cardiology imaging and healthcare informatics.
At Philips Healthcare, he oversaw breakthrough products in CT & Advanced Visualization Imaging. Later, Mr Gudapakkam moved into global business leadership roles, building up the Philips Healthcare footprint across China, India and rest of Asia. Mr Gudapakkam led large global businesses including the Global Value Segment business, Global X-ray & Mammography business and later a portfolio of global businesses including CT, Molecular Imaging, X-ray & Mammography.
During his time at Quest Diagnostics, Mr Gudapakkam oversaw expansion of the company's diagnostic services through lab management partnerships, managing the scaling of the testing through the COVID pandemic period while leading major transformational programs including standardising IT systems and building out a mega lab in Clifton, New Jersey and consolidating lab testing in the East region.
Across his career, Mr Gudapakkam has dealt closely with both technologists and clinical experts in radiology and imaging, providing a broad network and the perfect mix of skills and business acumen to help translate complex technologies into specialist healthcare.
Strengthening its global leadership bench even further, Rick Abramson, MD, MHCDS, FACR, joins the annalise.ai team as CMO and will be responsible for guiding the company's clinical roadmap for international expansion. A US-based physician leader and board-certified radiologist, Dr Abramson brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare including prior roles in clinical practice, academic research, policy development, and management. Previously corporate vice-president over the radiology service line at HCA Healthcare, Inc., Dr Abramson led enterprise strategic development for radiology and artificial intelligence across HCA's network of 185 hospitals in the US and the UK.
In his new role with annalise.ai, Dr Abramson will help advance stakeholder partnerships with healthcare providers, technology developers and regulatory bodies across the world.
Both Mr Gudapakkam and Dr Abramson will be based in the United States, supported by a strong global team of several hundred annalise.ai staff across Australia, the UK, Europe and now US with expected growth in other locations aligned with projected business growth.
Having played an integral role in the formation and success of the joint venture, annalise.ai Founding CEO Dimitry Tran will continue to serve as Director of the Board and part of the harrison.ai team. Dr Aengus Tran, Co-Founder and CEO of harrison.ai, will also continue as annalise.ai's Chief AI Officer.
Dimitry Tran, Founding CEO and Board Director of annalise.ai, said: "We set out nearly three years ago to create a cutting-edge AI solution that empowers clinicians to make faster, more accurate decisions on radiology diagnosis. With the hard work of our global team, we've built an extremely strong and sustainable business with a proven model and global roadmap. To truly achieve our goals, and grow globally, we must move into the next phase of our maturity and strategy. I'm excited to welcome Mr Gudapakkam and Dr Abramson to the annalise.ai team to lead the company through this next phase of expansion and to help deliver on our mission to help one million people every day."
Clare Battellino, Chair of annalise.ai, said: "Lakshmi is an exceptional executive and someone we are thrilled to have to help drive annalise.ai's vision and strategy forward into our next phase of growth as a company. His approach to innovation, deep expertise in the healthtech space and established network will help to catapult annalise.ai into the future. Dimitry's contribution to annalise.ai cannot be overstated, having tirelessly shepherded the formation and growth of annalise.ai from the beginning. We're delighted that he will continue to have crucial input in the future of annalise.ai as a director of the Board."
Dr Aengus Tran, Co-Founder and CEO of harrison.ai, said: "Leveraging harrison.ai's AI capability and its leading clinical partners I-MED, annalise.ai has gone from strength to strength in taking its breakthrough radiology AI products to market. Having achieved sustainable momentum, annalise.ai is on track to help create a more equitable healthcare system for everyone. Lakshmi is well-positioned to help us achieve those goals and will ensure we have the right skills and global connections to expand our reach into new countries, new regulatory areas and new radiology products."
Lakshmi Gudapakkam, Chief Executive Officer of annalise.ai, said: "To meet the growing demands on our global healthcare system, we need smart tools that help specialists diagnose and treat patients more effectively and accurately. The team at annalise.ai have shown an astounding ability to not only provide this capability quickly, but do so with clinical experts and patients at the forefront. I'm excited to join the team and contribute to achieving our goal of helping one million patients every day."
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SOURCE annalise.ai | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/breakthrough-radiology-ai-provider-annaliseai-appoints-proven-global-healthcare-leader-ceo-officially-launches-us-team-following-fda-clearances/ | 2022-07-05T05:26:23Z |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amazon has complained to federal regulators that they are hounding company founder Jeff Bezos and senior executives, making “impossible-to-satisfy demands” in their investigation of Amazon Prime, the popular streaming and shopping service with free delivery and an estimated 200 million members around the globe.
The Federal Trade Commission has been investigating the sign-up and cancellation practices of Amazon Prime starting in March 2021 with the issuance of civil subpoenas, the biggest online retailer and tech giant disclosed in a petition to the agency filed earlier this month.
The petition asks the FTC to cancel, or extend the deadline for answering, subpoenas sent last June to Bezos, Amazon’s former CEO, and current CEO Andy Jassy. It says the FTC “has identified no legitimate reason for needing their testimony when it can obtain the same information, and more, from other witnesses and documents.”
Jassy took over the top position at Amazon from Bezos, one of the world’s richest individuals, in July 2021. Bezos became executive chairman.
The FTC investigation has widened to include at least five other subscription programs, according to Amazon: Audible, Amazon Music, Kindle Unlimited, Subscribe & Save, and an unidentified third-party program not offered by Amazon. The regulators are asking the company to identify the number of consumers who were enrolled in the programs without giving their consent, among other customer information. In June, agency staff sought to serve subpoenas on nearly 20 current and former Amazon employees, at their homes, with dates for them to give testimony in coming weeks, the petition says.
Amazon says in the petition it has worked “diligently and cooperatively” with FTC staff for more than a year to provide information relevant to the probe, offering up some 37,000 pages of documents. It calls the information demanded in the subpoenas “overly broad and burdensome.”
Amazon blames the standoff on “unexplained pressure placed on staff to complete the investigation hastily, by an arbitrarily chosen deadline.”
FTC spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
With an estimated 150 million U.S. subscribers, Amazon Prime is a key source of revenue, as well as a wealth of customer data, for the Seattle-based company, which runs an e-commerce empire and ventures in cloud computing, personal “smart” tech and beyond. Amazon Prime costs $139 a year. The service added a coveted feature this year by obtaining exclusive video rights to the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football.”
Last year, Amazon asked unsuccessfully that FTC Chair Lina Khan step aside from separate antitrust investigations into its business, contending that her public criticism of the company’s market power before she joined the government makes it impossible for her to be impartial. Khan was a fierce critic of tech giants Facebook (now Meta), Google and Apple, as well as Amazon. She arrived on the antitrust scene in 2017, writing an influential study titled “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox” when she was a Yale law student.
Amazon’s latest petition to the FTC was first reported Monday by Business Insider.
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This story has been corrected to show that Amazon’s petition to the FTC was first reported Monday by Business Insider. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/amazon-ftc-probe-hounding-bezos-execs-subpoenas-too-broad/ | 2022-08-17T16:07:21Z |
NICB Report Finds Watercrafts Thefts Decreased 13% in 2021 but the Recovery Rate Remained Steady at 42%
DES PLAINES, Ill., Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As many Americans enjoy their remaining summer days on the water, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has some good news for watercraft owners. According to the latest NICB Vehicle Type Theft Report, the number of watercrafts stolen in 2021 decreased by 13%, dropping from 5,310 in 2020 to 4,644 last year. Florida led the nation with the highest number of watercraft thefts, totaling 791, followed by California with 671.
"Watercrafts are a significant purchase for many Americans," said NICB president and CEO David Glawe. "Though they provide great family entertainment during the warmer months, there is nothing fun about having your watercraft stolen. Buying marine insurance and storing your watercraft in a safe, secure storage facility in the winter are just a couple of simple and effective measures owners can take to protect their investments from theft."
Watercraft thefts rise and fall with the weather, peaking in the summer and falling steadily as it gets colder. Thefts in the U.S. were lowest in February with 233, and highest in July with 606. Watercraft owners in coastal states who are not as impacted by cold, wintry weather are encouraged to remain vigilant all year long. NICB analysis of watercraft theft trends found that the faster owners contact law enforcement, the faster their property may be recovered. The NICB report indicates that 54% of watercrafts are recovered within one week of theft and 30% were recovered within a day.
Personal watercrafts, like jet-skis, were the most stolen type of watercraft in 2021, with 1,292 thefts. Unfortunately for personal watercraft owners, this type of watercraft also had the lowest recovery rate with 37%. Cruisers and sailboats were recovered at the highest rate with 50% of thefts for each type of watercraft being recovered in 2021.
In partnership with Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Florida, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) encourages all watercraft owners to "Dock It and Lock It". Taking the necessary steps to make sure your watercraft is properly docked and locked with a steel cable and trailer hitch lock can help prevent theft. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and the Collier County Sheriff's Office in Florida and NICB also encourages owners to consider the following tips:
- Install a kill switch in the ignition system.
- Install an alarm system especially designed for boats. Use a hidden tracking device on your boat.
- Park your trailer in a locked garage, secured boat storage facility or well-lit fenced area.
- Park the trailer so that the hitch and engines are difficult to reach.
- Consider removing the battery and steering wheel when stored.
- Be sure your marine insurance policy includes not only the boat, but also your equipment and trailer.
- Keep a copy of your registration and boat title in a safe place.
- Identify and report any suspicious activity. Criminals may scout areas days before stealing items.
- Photograph your boat, all valuable items with it, and their serial numbers.
- Partner with others in your community to actively target criminals and reduce crime.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB. For additional information, visit NICB's website, WWW.NICB.org.
REPORT FRAUD: Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU: Headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combating and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $582 billion in insurance premiums in 2021, or more than 82% of the nation's property-casualty insurance. That includes more than 96% of the nation's personal auto insurance. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.
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SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/watercraft-thefts-drop-2021-nicb-encourages-owners-remain-vigilant/ | 2022-08-29T12:24:25Z |
NEW YORK, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Future FinTech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FTFT) ("hereinafter referred to as "Future FinTech", "FTFT" or "the Company"), a blockchain application technology developer and fintech service provider, announced today that Nice Talent Asset Management Limited ("NTAM"), its 90%-owned Hong Kong-based asset management company, has become eligible to manage virtual assets under certain conditions and the asset class is below 10% of gross asset value of its portfolio. In order to engage in the management of virtual assets, NTAM shall comply with the regulatory requirements issued by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong ("SFC"). Currently, NTAM is exploring and analyzing the feasibility of managing virtual assets but there has been no change in its investment mandate as of the date of this announcement.
NTAM is licensed under the SFC to carry out regulated activities in 'Type 4: Advising on Securities' and 'Type 9: Asset Management' with eligibility in managing virtual assets based upon the recent change of regulations in Hong Kong to include virtual assets in asset management services, given certain conditions are met. NTAM's current business partners include major international banks and its clients are high net worth customers. Hong Kong is widely recognized as a leading asset management center in Asia with a large concentration of international fund managers.
Mr. Shanchun Huang, CEO of Future FinTech, stated, "We are pleased that NTAM is exploring opportunities that meet the needs of the investment community since virtual assets are becoming an increasingly essential and sophisticated asset class across a wide spectrum of investors. We believe that this strategic asset will further bolster NTAM's ability to offer investment opportunities and best-in-class asset management and investment consulting services for institutional investors and high net worth investors in Hong Kong."
About Future FinTech Group Inc.
Future FinTech Group Inc. is a blockchain application technology developer and fintech service provider incorporated in Florida. The Company's operations include a blockchain-based online shopping mall platform, Chain Cloud Mall ("CCM"), supply chain financing services, and cryptocurrency market data services. The Company is also engaged in the development of blockchain based e-Commerce technology and cryptocurrency mining, cryptocurrency investment management as well as financial service technology businesses. For more information, please visit http://www.ftft.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain of the statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning and protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance, capital, ownership or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "assume," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "point to," "project," "could," "intend," "target" and other similar words and expressions of the future.
All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and our other reports and filings with SEC. Such reports are available upon request from the Company, or from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including through the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date hereof, or after the respective dates on which any such statements otherwise are made.
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SOURCE Future FinTech Group Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/ftfts-asset-management-business-eligible-manage-virtual-assets/ | 2022-06-13T12:58:18Z |
3 taken to hospital after car driven by 12-year-old crashes in Colby
COLBY, Kan. (WIBW) - Three people were taken to the hospital after a car driven by a 12-year-old boy crashed Sunday night in Thomas County in western Kansas, authorities said.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash was reported at 8:05 p.m. Sunday just north of the intersection of Country Club Drive and Veterans Memorial Drive, on the north side of Colby.
According to the patrol’s online crash log, a four-door Hyundai Elantra car was traveling north on County Club Drive when the vehicle accelerated swiftly, causing the driver to lose control.
The car left the roadway to the right, struck a dirt embankment and went airborne to the northwest.
While the car was airborne, the patrol said, it overturned counterclockwise and came to rest on its passenger side in the middle of Country Club Drive facing northeast.
The driver, identified as Jarett J. Adelman, of Colby, along with passengers Brandon L. Butters, 27, and Janiya Valdez Castell, 11, all of Colby, were transported to Colby Medical Center with suspected minor injuries.
The patrol said none of the Hyundai’s occupants was wearing a seat belt.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/11/3-taken-hospital-after-car-driven-by-12-year-old-crashes-colby/ | 2022-04-11T12:38:47Z |
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Lawsuits filed to stop the removal of memorials to Confederate leaders and a pro-slavery congressman in a South Carolina city have been dropped.
The Post and Courier reports that the American Heritage Association helped fund one of the lawsuits. It had been filed by descendants of John C. Calhoun, a former congressman and vice president who died before the Civil War, opposing the city of Charleston’s removal of Calhoun’s statue.
The association also had filed a lawsuit opposing the removal of a Robert E. Lee Memorial Highway marker from the campus of a charter school in Charleston, and the renaming of an auditorium that had been named after Christopher Memminger, a treasury secretary of the Confederacy.
The stone-and-metal monument to Confederate Gen. Lee, was removed in July 2021 and placed in storage.
The city made a deal with the South Carolina State Museum to take the statue of Calhoun.
Both suits had been filed in state court. The highway marker and auditorium lawsuit was dropped Sept. 13. The Calhoun lawsuit was dropped Sept. 15, the newspaper reported.
AHA President Brett Barry declined to comment on the status of the Calhoun case, despite the descendants’ request for dismissal.
“Charleston monuments are an integral part of the city’s historical and artistic American landscape,” Barry told The Post and Courier. “Both the American Heritage Association and members of the Calhoun family look forward to commenting on the destruction of U.S. Vice President Calhoun’s monument and the associated lawsuit in the coming weeks.”
Opponents of the removal of the Lee memorial had accused the city of violating the state Heritage Act, which protects certain monuments.
“As city attorneys have made clear from the start, there was never a violation of the Heritage Act,” Charleston city spokesman Jack O’Toole told The Post and Courier on Sept. 16. “And now that these lawsuits have been dropped, the city can start moving forward once again with plans for these historical items to be displayed in an appropriate public setting here in our state.” | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/ap-suits-to-save-confederate-icons-dropped-in-south-carolina/ | 2022-09-18T22:48:54Z |
In a major research study, 4,000 participants collected their own blood samples to test for COVID-19 antibodies; 99.9% of samples received successfully processed
NEW YORK, May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thorne HealthTech, Inc. ("Thorne HealthTech" or "Thorne") (NASDAQ: THRN), a leader in developing innovative solutions for a personalized approach to health and well-being and majority owner of Drawbridge Health, shared the results of a large-scale surveillance study conducted by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, to assess the prevalence of previous infection with COVID-19 using remote blood samples collected with the novel patient-administered OneDraw™ Blood Collection Device. In addition to the ease of self-administration and near-pain-free experience for the user, 99.9% of the samples taken with the OneDraw device received by the laboratory were successfully processed, demonstrating the reliability of this approach in remote collection of blood samples.
Over the 12-month study period, 4,000 U.K. participants collected a total of more than 10,000 blood samples remotely for repeated COVID-19 serologic testing. In the device feasibility study of 21 participants, participant acceptability was high, with 76% of participants preferring the OneDraw device over other blood collection methods. The study results were published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare on May 10, 2022.
"We are pleased with the results of this study, as the ability for participants to collect their own blood samples remotely without guidance from a healthcare practitioner and no specialized training is essential to the future growth of telehealth," said Co-CEO of Drawbridge Health, Jerome Scelza. "The pandemic has shed light on the power of telehealth, and this study further shows the importance of both patients and the public having access to high-quality testing and care on their own schedule. OneDraw has the potential to greatly advance the ability of individuals to easily, reliably, and conveniently collect blood samples remotely for a variety of laboratory tests."
In the study, the OneDraw Blood Collection Device was placed on the lateral upper arm or thigh and 150 µL of blood was collected onto two volumetrically controlled matrices in a removable cartridge. Unlike traditional blood sampling, or even other at-home blood-sampling methods, the OneDraw samples can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days through proprietary cold-chain free-storage technology, making it ideal for patients or research participants in remote areas or for a multi-site clinical trial. The OneDraw device is already cleared by the FDA as a Class II medical device and has a CE (European Conformity) mark for the supervised use by health-care professionals to collect blood samples for the quantitative measurement of HbA1c for monitoring the long-term control of blood sugar (glucose) in individuals with diabetes.
"Even before the pandemic, individuals were reluctant to go to a doctor's office for a blood sample – be it a fear of needles, a busy schedule, or a lack of transportation," said Paul Jacobson, CEO of Thorne HealthTech. "OneDraw removes the obstacles preventing individuals from taking better control of their health, ultimately offering an improved experience. Those who use OneDraw report significantly less pain and greater ease of capturing a high-quality blood sample. At Thorne HealthTech, we are committed to creating a better consumer experience through our data-driven approach to personalized health and wellness tests and solutions."
"The OneDraw device allowed us to conduct population-based studies remotely during the pandemic at a time when blood sample collection by trained health-care workers was not possible," said Dr. Kirsten Rennie at the MRC Epidemiology Unit. "This technology could increase the reach of health research studies in the future, making participation more accessible to those who previously would have been difficult to recruit and those who might struggle to attend an in-person clinic visit."
Building off the success of this trial, Thorne HealthTech is currently studying additional applications of the OneDraw device, including the use of its new plasma separation cartridge, which will expand Thorne HealthTech's portfolio of lab tests, while preserving convenient sample transport. Long term, Thorne HealthTech anticipates the device will contribute to its core focus in healthy aging, longevity, and precision wellness by working with lab partners to develop the next generation of blood tests. Thorne also plans to pilot the OneDraw device in its new Thorne Lab clinic.
About the study
The development, validation and application of remote blood sample collection in telehealth programmes trial enrolled 4,000 participants who used 12,000 OneDraw devices to collect at-home blood samples. It tested: (1) feasibility of participants using the device at-home with minimal instruction by the study investigator on upper arm and thigh sites (2) stability of the dried blood sample collected remotely (3) participant acceptability of the device compared with finger-prick and venous blood samples and the validity of SARS-CoV-2 virus antibody measurement versus venous blood sample (4) application to the Fenland-COVID19 study in 4,023 participants at 3 timepoints across 6-months. Participant acceptability was high, with a significantly lower median perceived pain score and 76% preferring the OneDraw device over the other blood collection methods. There was high level of agreement in SARS-CoV-2 virus antibody results with venous blood samples in 120 participants (Cohen's kappa 0.68 (95% CI 0.56, 0.83). In Fenland COVID-19 study, 92% of participants returned a sample at baseline (3,702/4,023), 89% at 3 months (3,492/3,918) and 93% at 6 months (3,453/3,731), with almost all samples received successfully processed (99.9%).
Forward Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this news release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the conditions of our industry, business strategy, development plans, regulatory strategy, product and service development, timing and likelihood of success, as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are current only as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in the section titled "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Thorne HealthTech's filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2022, and other SEC filings, copies of which are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. 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. 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.
About Thorne HealthTech:
Thorne HealthTech is a leader in developing innovative solutions for delivering personalized approaches to health and well-being. As a science-driven wellness company that empowers individuals with the support, education, and solutions they need to achieve healthy aging – living healthier for longer – Thorne utilizes testing and data to create improved product efficacy and to deliver personalized solutions to consumers, health professionals, and corporations. Predicated on the power of the individual, Thorne leverages artificial intelligence models to provide insights and personalized data, products, and services that help individuals take a proactive and actionable approach to improve and maintain their health over a lifetime. Thorne is the only supplement manufacturer that collaborates with Mayo Clinic on wellness research and content and is trusted by more than four million customers, 45,000 health professionals, thousands of professional athletes, more than 100 professional sports teams, and 12 U.S. National teams. For more information, visit Thorne.com.
About Drawbridge Health
Drawbridge Health is a healthcare technology company focused on reinventing the blood draw experience, enabling comfortable convenient blood sample collection anytime and anywhere. By integrating engineering, chemistries and modular design, Drawbridge Health has developed a people-friendly system for collecting and stabilizing blood samples, opening new doors to enable access to important health information. For more information, please visit www.drawbridgehealth.com.
Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit
The MRC Epidemiology Unit is a department at the University of Cambridge. It is working to improve the health of people in the UK and around the world. Obesity, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders present a major and growing global public health challenge. These disorders result from a complex interplay between genetic, developmental, behavioural and environmental factors that operate throughout life. The mission of the Unit is to investigate the individual and combined effects of these factors and to develop and evaluate strategies to prevent these diseases and their consequences. www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk The Fenland COVID-19 study is funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC). Founded in 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now invests taxpayers' money in some of the best medical research in the world across every area of health. Thirty-three MRC-funded researchers have won Nobel prizes in a wide range of disciplines, and MRC scientists have been behind such diverse discoveries as vitamins, the structure of DNA and the link between smoking and cancer, as well as achievements such as pioneering the use of randomised controlled trials, the invention of MRI scanning, and the development of a group of antibodies used in the making of some of the most successful drugs ever developed. Today, MRC-funded scientists tackle some of the greatest health problems facing humanity in the 21st century, from the rising tide of chronic diseases associated with ageing to the threats posed by rapidly mutating micro-organisms. The Medical Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation. https://mrc.ukri.org/
About the University of Cambridge
The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. To date, 109 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize. Founded in 1209, the University comprises 31 autonomous Colleges and 150 departments, faculties and institutions. Cambridge is a global university. Its 19,000 student body includes 3,700 international students from 120 countries. Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and the University has established larger-scale partnerships in Asia, Africa and America. The University sits at the heart of the 'Cambridge cluster', which employs more than 61,000 people and has in excess of £15 billion in turnover generated annually by the 5,000 knowledge-intensive firms in and around the city. The city publishes 316 patents per 100,000 residents. www.cam.ac.uk
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SOURCE Thorne HealthTech, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/11/large-scale-surveillance-study-confirms-reliability-onedraw-blood-collection-device-remote-blood-sample-collection-home/ | 2022-05-11T21:30:03Z |
NEW TITLE SLATED FOR RELEASE ON OCTOBER 18 VIA HARPERCOLLINS LEADERSHIP AVAILABLE NOW FOR PREORDER
Download Hi-Res Cover Art: HERE
LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Author, speaker and passive income expert Brian Page shares what it takes for anyone, regardless of position or industry, to work less, earn more, and live free in his latest book, "Don't Start a Side Hustle!" Slated to release on Oct. 18, 2022 via HarperCollins Leadership, the highly anticipated title is currently available for preorder here and includes a free eBook download, introduction, and first two chapters of the book.
In "Don't Start a Side Hustle!," Page helps readers navigate their journey to becoming a "Passivepreneur" – a new wave of entrepreneurs who are able to create "passive" income revenue streams without having to take on multiple side jobs.
"Don't trade your 40-hour workweek for an 80-hour a week side hustle," says Page. "The promise of entrepreneurship is to create a lifestyle of freedom - but the pursuit often leads to a time bankrupt life. If you're an overworked employee who's done with the 9-to-5, a serial entrepreneur who has yet to realize the American dream, or a burned outside hustle owner who's tired of the grind, this book was written for you!"
Page realized early on that a "J-O-B" was something he didn't want. He knew he wanted to work hard, but he also wanted to work for himself. He made it his mission to figure out a way to make money while living the life he wanted to live. Over the last 20 years, Page has worked with such heavyweights as Grant Cardone, Tai Lopez, and Kevin Harington, and is best known as the creator of the BNB Formula, the world's #1 bestselling Airbnb™ coaching program with over 25,000 students in 47 countries. Having built an empire of passive income that allows him the freedom that most people crave, Page is dedicated to sharing the secrets to his success so others can follow in his footsteps.
In his upcoming title, Page provides context on why it's possible to own your own time and walks readers through the process of how to pivot out of a traditional job, be prepared to make the change, create a plan for yourself and make it happen. Page guides readers step-by-step through 38 bitesize chapters teaching them how to ditch the rat race, and enjoy the "Passivepreneur" lifestyle. In "Don't Start a Side Hustle," you will learn how to:
- Trade working your ass off in exchange for hard-working assets.
- Create cash flow from products, services, and properties you don't own.
- Become an "income producer" instead of an "income earner."
- Live a lifestyle of freedom by building a passive income empire.
- Follow in Page's footsteps as he quit his job and earned a 7 figure automated income - in just 47 days.
Page has been unemployable for years. While traveling the world and spending tons of time with his family, he's been building stream after stream of passive income, allowing him to own every moment of his life. Even through the 2008 market crisis and COVID-19, he has been able to build his passive income empire by creating, controlling, and owning assets that do the work for him.
Says Page, "My number one goal is for you to have a life where you have more time. More money. And most importantly, freedom."
About Brian Page
Brian Page is an author and speaker focused on passive income creation. He has worked with such heavyweights as Grant Cardone, Tai Lopez, Dean Graziosi, and Kevin Harington from Shark Tank and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Inc., MSNBC, and Forbes. Page is best known as the creator of the BNB Formula, the world's #1 bestselling Airbnb™ coaching program with over 25,000 students in 47 countries. He is the host of the Digital Titans Podcast and the star of the reality show House Hackers. His current Passive Income Vehicles™ include digital products, short-term rentals, online coaching, affiliate offers, commercial real estate, mortgage notes, dividend stocks, and cryptocurrency staking, to name a few. Learn more at https://brian.page/ or by searching @bpagester on any of the socials.
About HarperCollins Leadership
HarperCollins Leadership feeds your inner drive to grow as a leader. With integrated, values- based development experiences, including books, video courses and business tools, HarperCollins Leadership guides individuals to activate the leadership potential that's already in them. For additional information, please visit www.harpercollinsleadership.com.
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SOURCE Brian Page | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/passive-income-expert-brian-page-teaches-us-how-we-can-make-more-money-reclaim-our-time-upcoming-book-dont-start-side-hustle-work-less-earn-more-live-free/ | 2022-07-29T14:54:14Z |
One taken to hospital after illegal U-turn on I-70 leads to 3 vehicle crash
GEARY CO., Kan. (WIBW) - One person was taken to the hospital after a driver from Wisconsin attempted to make an illegal U-turn on I-70 in Geary Co. and was hit by two oncoming vehicles.
The Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Log indicates that just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, emergency crews were called to the area of mile marker 297.3 on westbound I-70 - about 3 miles east of U.S. Highway 77 - with reports of a 3-vehicle crash.
According to the report, a 2014 Ford Mustang driven by Robert Collins, 21, of Sarona, Wis., was headed west on the interstate when the driver attempted an illegal U-turn.
During the illegal U-turn, the log notes that the Mustang was hit by both a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek driven by Leah Henderson, 43, of Salina, and a 2012 Ford Fusion driven by Patrick Dye, 47, of Marion.
Neither Collins nor either of the two Maryland passengers in his car reported injuries, nor did Henderson or Dye, however, Dye’s passenger, Sarah Dye, 38, of Marion, was taken to Geary Co. Hospital with a possible injury.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/18/one-taken-hospital-after-illegal-u-turn-i-70-leads-3-vehicle-crash/ | 2022-09-18T17:32:56Z |
Bell County will have seven polling locations for early voting in the May 7 election, which starts Monday and continues until May 3.
Locations will include the Temple Independent School District Administration Building, 401 Santa Fe Way in downtown Temple; the Bell County Courthouse Annex, 550 E. Second Ave. in Belton; and the Salado Church of Christ, 217 N. Stagecoach Road in Salado. The Parks & Recreation Center in Harker Heights, 307 Miller’s Crossing, also will be used.
Killeen will have three polling locations: the Bell County Annex, 304 Priest Drive; the Jackson Professional Learning Center, 902 Rev. R.A. Abercrombie Drive; and the Senior Center at Lions Club Park, 1700 E. Stan Schlueter Loop.
Polls at Bell County’s early voting sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday as well as May 2 and May 3.
Milam County voters will have five early voting locations across the county.
Polling locations are the Milam County Clerk’s Office, 107 W. Main St. in Cameron; the Buckholts Community Center, 110 W. Main St.; Rockdale Hospital, 1700 Brazos Ave.; the Thorndale VFW, 304 E. Moerbe; and the Bartlett ISD Administration Building, 404 N. Robinson St.
The Milam County sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Friday, and on May 3. The sites will stay open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and May 2. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central_texas_news/article_c0597904-c375-11ec-952d-df030f04a14b.html | 2022-04-24T04:21:29Z |
HOUSTON, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ: WFRD) ("Weatherford," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our") announced today the release of its inaugural Sustainability Report, which details its strategic approach to advancing environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") objectives and highlights its recent accomplishments.
Sustainable operations have always been at the core of how Weatherford runs its business. We invite you to explore the following sections to learn more about our collective impact in 2021 and continued focus areas:
- About Weatherford: Learn about our approach to ESG and sustainability.
- Environment: We aspire to be stewards of the environment through technologies, products, and services that enable our customers and our business to operate in ways that minimize the impact on the environment, mitigate risks, and increase sustainability.
- Social: Our One Weatherford team is our most critical asset, and vital to our sustained long-term success. Fostering an environment where team members can thrive both individually, and as part of the Company is a top priority for the organization.
- Governance: Our commitment to responsible governance is grounded in our core values, which begins with the Board and permeates throughout the organization. To ensure a responsible Weatherford, we have established a strong culture of ethics, compliance, and risk management policies and processes across our value chain.
Girish Saligram, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We believe energy matters more than ever, and we are committed to building a more sustainable future with greater focus on transparency and the responsible management of ESG priorities. We are actively building the new Weatherford, and with it, our contribution towards a more sustainable world. I invite you to learn about our commitment in the 2021 Sustainability Report and we look forward to keeping our valued stakeholders informed of our progress in this space."
The 2021 Sustainability Report is available on the Company's website.
About Weatherford
Weatherford is a leading global energy services company. Operating in approximately 75 countries, the Company answers the challenges of the energy industry with its global talent network of approximately 17,000 team members and approximately 350 operating locations, including manufacturing, research and development, service, and training facilities.
Contacts
For Media:
Kelley Hughes
Director, Global Communications
+1 713-836-4193
Media@weatherford.com
For Investors:
Mohammed Topiwala
Director, Investor Relations and M&A
+1 713-836-7777
investor.relations@weatherford.com
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SOURCE Weatherford International plc | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/weatherford-releases-2021-sustainability-report/ | 2022-05-25T21:13:37Z |
Reaffirms 2022 Production and Expense Guidance
Updates Full-Year Capital Spending Forecast to Incorporate Increase in Service Costs
Increases Adjusted Free Cash Flow Outlook for 2022 to Over $900 Million
Secures Multi-Year Firm Transportation Agreements for Permian Natural Gas Production
Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences
HOUSTON, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Callon Petroleum Company (NYSE: CPE) ("Callon" or the "Company") today announced an updated operational capital budget range of $790 to $810 million in 2022, compared to the initial forecast of $725 million provided in February. This revised guidance is the product of inflationary service cost pressures that have resulted in average price increases of approximately 20% related to key drilling and completion items over 2021 levels. This represents incremental inflation of approximately 10% over the 10% inflation rate assumed for the initial 2022 budget. The Company also increased its expectations for adjusted free cash flow to over $900 million in 2022 based on prevailing commodity prices and reaffirmed guidance for production and all expense categories.
"As we have worked with our oilfield services partners over the last few months to amend and extend several key agreements, visibility into our capital cost structure for the remainder of 2022 has dramatically improved," said Joe Gatto, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have taken multiple steps to ensure reliable access to top-tier service and consumables providers for all of 2022 and are extending these contracts into 2023. While service costs have increased as the industry faces significant inflationary pressures, we remain committed to a disciplined spending program with an expected capital reinvestment rate that is now tracking at less than 50%. Additionally, our free cash flow outlook continues to strengthen, and we now expect to generate over $900 million in adjusted free cash flow during the year, accelerating the path to attaining our near-term financial goals of a leverage ratio of 1x and an absolute debt level of $2 billion."
Full Year 2022 Guidance Updates
Callon is updating full year 2022 guidance to reflect updates to total capital expenditures. Additional details are provided in the updated table below.
In addition, previously provided guidance related to production and operational capital for the second quarter is reaffirmed.
Operational Update
Callon recently completed a ten-well project in the Eagle Ford Shale and a seven-well co-development project in the Midland Basin. Remaining completion activity for the quarter will be focused on the Delaware Basin and will include continued testing of larger completion designs that have produced favorable results in wells placed online earlier this quarter. Callon's drilled, uncompleted well inventory is expected to reach over 50 wells at quarter end at which time the Company will reduce its drilling rig count to six rigs.
Financial Update
Callon's execution of its operational program has driven strong cash flow generation over the past several quarters and enabled the Company to consistently exceed its financial goals. For the quarter ended June 30, 2022, current expectations are for a total debt to last twelve months pro forma adjusted EBITDA ratio below 1.6x, calculated pursuant to our credit facility, and a credit facility balance of approximately $550 million.
Natural Gas Marketing Update
The Company has advanced its natural gas offtake strategy in the Permian Basin and recently entered into multiple agreements for firm transportation to the Gulf Coast for approximately 75,000 MMBtu/d which are expected to be in effect beginning in mid-2023. Callon plans to use this capacity for its "take-in-kind" residue gas volumes, providing additional flow assurance and reduced pricing exposure to Waha basis.
Upcoming Investor Conferences
- RBC Global Energy, Power & Infrastructure Conference in New York on June 7th and 8th: President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Gatto will be meeting with investors.
- Bank of America Energy Credit Conference in New York on June 8th: SVP and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Haggard will be meeting with investors.
- Stifel 2022 Cross Sector Insight Conference on June 9th: President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Gatto and SVP and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Haggard will present and will also be meeting with investors.
About Callon Petroleum
Callon Petroleum Company is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of high-quality assets in the leading oil plays of South and West Texas.
Contact Information
Kevin Smith
Director of Investor Relations
Callon Petroleum Company
ir@callon.com
(281) 589-5200
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include all statements regarding wells anticipated to be drilled and placed on production; future levels of development activity and associated production, capital expenditures and cash flow expectations; the Company's production and expenditure guidance; estimated reserve quantities and the present value thereof; future debt levels and leverage; and the implementation of the Company's business plans and strategy, as well as statements including the words "believe," "expect," "plans," "may," "will," "should," "could," and words of similar meaning. These statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. No assurances can be given, however, that these events will occur or that these projections will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of certain factors. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Some of the factors which could affect our future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include the volatility of oil and natural gas prices; changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and various governmental actions taken to mitigate its impact or actions by, or disputes among members of OPEC and other oil and natural gas producing countries with respect to production levels or other matters related to the price of oil; our ability to drill and complete wells; operational, regulatory and environment risks; the cost and availability of equipment and labor; our ability to finance our development activities at expected costs or at expected times or at all; our inability to realize the benefits of recent transactions; currently unknown risks and liabilities relating to the newly acquired assets and operations; adverse actions by third parties involved with the transactions; risks that are not yet known or material to us; and other risks more fully discussed in our filings with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, available on our website or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release refers to non-GAAP financial measures. These measures, detailed below, are provided in addition to, and not as an alternative for, and should be read in conjunction with, the information contained in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP (including the notes), included in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and posted on our website.
- Callon calculates adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, depletion and amortization, (gains) losses on derivative instruments excluding net settled derivative instruments, impairment of evaluated oil and gas properties, non-cash share-based compensation expense, merger, integration and transaction expense, (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, and certain other expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly, it should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss), operating income (loss), cash flow provided by operating activities or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, the Company believes that adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it provides additional information with respect to our performance or ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Because adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income (loss) and may vary among companies, the adjusted EBITDA presented above may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
- Adjusted free cash flow is a supplemental non-GAAP measure that is defined by the Company as adjusted EBITDA less operational capital expenditures (accrual), capitalized cash interest, capitalized cash G&A (which excludes capitalized expense related to share-based awards), and cash interest expense, net. We believe adjusted free cash flow provides useful information to investors because it is a comparable metric against other companies in the industry and is a widely accepted financial indicator of an oil and natural gas company's ability to generate cash for the use of internally funding their capital development program and to service or incur debt. Adjusted free cash flow is not a measure of a company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities, or as a measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to net income (loss).
- Adjusted G&A is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that excludes certain non-cash incentive share-based compensation valuation adjustments and non-recurring expenses. Callon believes that the non-GAAP measure of adjusted G&A is useful to investors because it provides a meaningful measure of our recurring G&A expense and provides for greater comparability period-over-period.
- Callon is unable to reconcile the projected adjusted free cash flow (non-GAAP) metric included in this release to projected net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) because components of the calculation are inherently unpredictable, such as changes to current assets and liabilities, the timing of capital expenditures, movements in oil and gas pricing, unknown future events, and estimating future certain GAAP measures. The inability to project certain components of the calculation would significantly affect the accuracy of the reconciliation. Additionally, Callon does not provide guidance on the items used to reconcile forecasted Adjusted G&A and forecasted G&A due to the uncertainty regarding timing and estimates of certain items. Therefore, Callon cannot reconcile forecasted Adjusted G&A to forecasted G&A without unreasonable effort.
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SOURCE Callon Petroleum Company | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/callon-petroleum-company-provides-operational-update-increases-its-free-cash-flow-outlook/ | 2022-06-06T23:30:46Z |
18-year-old arrested after recording video of himself killing kittens, police say
OXFORD, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - An 18-year-old is facing a felony count of aggravated animal cruelty after investigators said he recorded video of himself killing kittens.
WLBT reports police in Oxford, Mississippi took a report related to Carl Travis Jr.’s recordings near an apartment complex.
Animal advocacy group In Defense of Animals said the videos were posted on Snapchat and depicted four kittens being tortured and killed.
Travis was arrested in his hometown of Grenada on Tuesday before having his bond set at $5,000.
“We’re grateful for the officers in Grenada and Oxford who worked together to arrest the person responsible for this horrific crime and for the concerned person who brought this to our attention,” In Defense of Animals campaign director Doll Stanley said. “Since any vulnerable member of our community could be the next victim of an animal abuser, we urge the presiding justice to apply the law thoroughly and assess the perpetrator for psychological treatment.”
Additional counts will be presented during a grand jury session in August.
Copyright 2022 WLBT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/29/18-year-old-arrested-after-recording-video-himself-killing-kittens-police-say/ | 2022-07-29T17:45:47Z |
Yosemite wildfire moving east into Sierra National Forest
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire that threatened a grove of California’s giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park was burning eastward into the Sierra National Forest on Wednesday.
The Washburn Fire is one of dozens of blazes chewing through drought-parched terrain in the Western U.S. It has increased in size to more than 5.8 square miles (15 square kilometers), pushing containment from 22% down to 17%.
“As the fire grew our containment went down,” said Nancy Philippe, a fire information spokesperson.
Firefighting preparations had already been underway in the national forest.
“We’ve brought in Sierra National Forest folks from the get-go, kind of anticipating that this may happen,” Philippe said.
Containment lines within the park, including along the edge of the grove, were holding, firefighting operations official Matt Ahearn said in a video briefing.
The fire had been entirely within the national park since breaking out July 7, when visitors to the Mariposa Grove of ancient sequoias reported smoke.
Authorities have not said how the fire started and whether it involved a crime or some type of accident.
Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon told a community meeting this week that it was considered a “human-start fire” because there was no lightning that day.
Philippe said a park ranger who is a trained investigator was on the scene almost immediately when the fire was reported, and a law enforcement team continues to investigate.
Philippe said she believed they had found the point of ignition, but declined to release further information, citing the active investigation.
The fire in the southern portion of Yosemite forced evacuation of hundreds of visitors and residents from the small community of Wawona, but the rest of the park has remained open to summer crowds.
One firefighter suffered a heat injury and recovered, but no structures have been damaged.
Flames mostly skirted the Mariposa Grove, though it did leave its mark on some of the trees.
The Galen Clark tree, named for the park’s first custodian, and three trees that greet visitors when they arrive at the popular destination, were partly charred but none were expected to die because their canopy didn’t burn, said Garrett Dickman, a park forest ecologist who toured the site.
Dickman credited periodic intentional burns in the undergrowth beneath the towering trees with helping the grove survive its first wildfire in more than a century.
Small, targeted fires lit over the past 50 years essentially stopped the fire in its tracks when it hit the Mariposa Grove and allowed firefighters to stand their ground and set up sprinklers to further protect the world’s largest trees, Dickman said.
“We’ve been preparing for the Washburn Fire for decades,” said Dickman, who works for the park. “It really just died as soon as it hit the grove.”
The sequoias are adapted to fire — and rely on it to survive. But more than a century of aggressive fire suppression has left forests choked with dense vegetation and downed timber that has provided fuel for massive wildfires that have grown more intense during an ongoing drought and exacerbated by climate change.
So-called prescribed burns — most recently conducted in the grove in 2018 — mimic low intensity fires that help sequoias by clearing out downed branches, flammable needles and smaller trees that could compete with them for light and water. The heat from fires also helps cones open up to spread their seeds.
While intentional burns have been conducted in sequoias since the 1960s, they are increasingly being seen as a necessity to the save the massive trees. Once thought to be almost fireproof, up to 20% of all giant sequoias — native only in the Sierra Nevada range — have been killed in the past two years during intense wildfires.
Fighting fire with fire, which is used in limited applications to reduce threats to property or landmarks, is a risky endeavor and has occasionally gotten out of control.
In New Mexico, firefighters were working Tuesday to restore mountainsides turned to ash by the largest wildfire in the state’s recorded history that broke out in early April when prescribed burns by the U.S. Forest Service escaped containment following missteps and miscalculations.
The Santa Fe County Commission in an afternoon meeting blasted federal officials and unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Forest Service to conduct a more comprehensive environmental review as it looks to reduce the threat of wildfire in the mountains that border the capital city.
So far in 2022, over 35,000 wildfires have burned nearly 4.7 million acres (1.9 million hectares) in the U.S., according to the National Interagency Fire Center, well above average for both wildfires and acres burned.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/13/yosemite-wildfire-moving-east-into-sierra-national-forest/ | 2022-07-13T20:37:32Z |
‘So every family feels welcome’: Royals to add sensory rooms in Kauffman Stadium
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - As hundreds of staff works to ready Kauffman Stadium for Opening Day, two rooms, in particular, are under construction just off the lower level.
And while they currently are made up of little more drywall and some lighting, the rooms will be finished in a matter of days.
“We’ll have an interactive room so the parents can watch the game and their kids can go to a quiet room if they need to get away from the game really quick, " said Amanda Grosdidier, executive director of Royals Charities.
Sensory rooms are useful for reducing and managing stress and aggression, according to National Autism Resources. They can promote self-organization, be a calming area, provide leisure, help with sensory integration, or act as skill training centers.
Grosdidier said the rooms will accommodate a couple of families at a time, with Kulturecity-trained attendants on staff ready to assist.
“They will be trained to help families, to be able to relate to children, to be able to be there so every family feels welcome here at Kauffman Stadium,” Grosdidier said.
Each Royals-themed room will contain bean bags, a textured wall, a Nanoleaf panel, a sensory panel, bubble walls and activity panels.
The rooms will be located on the first base side and the third base side of the second base concourse on the lower level of the stadium.
Grosdidier said families are asked to contact Royals Guest Services or call ahead of the game if they are interested in using the sensory rooms.
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Copyright 2022 KCTV. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/01/so-every-family-feels-welcome-royals-add-sensory-rooms-kauffman-stadium/ | 2022-04-01T23:23:58Z |
GREENWICH, Conn. and NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gramercy Funds Management, LLC (Gramercy), a dedicated emerging markets investment firm, and Kudu Investment Management, LLC (Kudu), an independent provider of permanent capital solutions to asset and wealth managers, today announced that Kudu has acquired a minority interest in Gramercy. The majority of the proceeds will be reinvested into Gramercy's investment strategies, further aligning the firm with its limited partners. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Gramercy manages approximately $5.4 billion for a global client base in emerging market strategies including multi-asset, private credit, public credit, and special situations. Founded in 1998 and based in Greenwich, Conn., Gramercy is led by Robert Koenigsberger, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer and Scott Seaman, Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer. Its management committee has been chaired by Mohamed El-Erian since 2020. The firm has offices in London, Buenos Aires and Mexico City, and dedicated lending platforms in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, and pan-Africa.
"Kudu has an established track record as a supportive and steadfast permanent capital partner," Koenigsberger said. "This transaction will allow us to infuse additional capital into our investment strategies as well as bolster our balance sheet at an opportune time for the firm and our investors. In doing so, we strengthen our bond with limited partners as more of our capital will be working alongside theirs as we pursue a broader range of attractive investment opportunities."
"Gramercy's investment strategies are uniquely positioned in the current era of heightened volatility and geopolitical tension, both contributing to continued growth and expanding opportunities," El-Erian said. "Kudu's important and timely partnership will enhance what already is a leading emerging markets investment platform."
Since 2018, New York-based Kudu has acquired minority stakes in 18 asset and wealth managers headquartered in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. Kudu-affiliated asset and wealth managers now collectively invest more than $70 billion on behalf of individual and institutional investors worldwide in traditional and alternative strategies and market segments. To date, Kudu has raised more than $800 million in equity and debt capital from White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual).
"Kudu continues to seek out specialized, high-quality active asset and wealth managers worldwide, and we're thrilled to add the market-leading Gramercy team to our portfolio of partner firms," said Kudu CEO Rob Jakacki.
Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor and Dechert LLP was legal counsel to Gramercy. Seward & Kissel LLP served as legal advisor to Kudu.
Gramercy is a dedicated emerging markets investment manager based in Greenwich, Conn., with offices in London, Buenos Aires and Mexico City. Founded in 1998, Gramercy serves a global institutional client base and seeks to provide investors with superior risk-adjusted returns through a comprehensive approach to emerging markets supported by a transparent and robust institutional platform. Gramercy offers both alternative and long-only strategies across emerging markets asset classes including multi-asset, private credit, public credit, and special situations. Gramercy is an SEC-registered firm and a Signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Gramercy Ltd, an affiliate, is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority in London. For more information, please visit www.gramercy.com
Kudu provides long-term capital solutions—including generational ownership transfers, management buyouts, acquisition and growth finance, as well as liquidity for legacy partners—to asset and wealth managers globally. Kudu was founded in 2015 and is backed by capital partners White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM) and MassMutual. For more information, please visit www.kuduinvestment.com
Media Contacts
For Gramercy:
Steve Bruce/Taylor Ingraham/Keely Gispan
ASC Advisors
+1 203-992-1230
sbruce@ascadvisors.com
tingraham@ascadvisors.com
kgispan@ascadvisors.com
For Kudu:
Richard Chimberg/Margaret Kirch Cohen
Newton Park PR
+1 617-312-4281/+1 847-507-2229
rich@newtonparkpr.com
margaret@newtonparkpr.com
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SOURCE Kudu Investment Management, LLC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/emerging-markets-specialist-gramercy-funds-management-adds-kudu-investment-management-strategic-investor/ | 2022-06-09T17:10:45Z |
Published: Aug. 3, 2022 at 4:01 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) announced its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Q2'22 reported net income of $785 million decreased 13% and underlying net income(1) of $892 million increased 1% from Q2'21.
Q2'22 reported EPS(2) was $1.34 and underlying EPS(1)(2) was $1.52.
Q2'22 reported ROE(1) was 13.1% and underlying ROE(1) was 14.9%.
"Sun Life's second quarter results reflect the strength and resilience of our diversified business mix in the face of market volatility and a challenging external environment," said Kevin Strain, President and CEO of Sun Life.
"We're helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives through several strategic initiatives. In the U.S., we completed our acquisition of DentaQuest, a values-driven industry leader. In Canada and Malaysia, we announced new Shariah-based products that provide our Clients with more choice when it comes to their wealth-solution needs. We also renewed our bancassurance partnership with RCBC in the Philippines for an additional 10 years. And capital raising of $5.7 billion at SLC Management during the quarter reflects strong demand for our alternative investment capabilities."
Financial and Operational Highlights - Quarterly Comparison (Q2 2022 vs. Q2 2021)
Our strategy is focused on key business segments, where we aim to be a leader in the markets in which we operate.
Reported net income of $785 million decreased $115 million or 13% from prior year, reflecting unfavourable market-related impacts and DentaQuest acquisition costs, partially offset by fair value changes on MFS' share-based payment awards(1) and a gain on the sale-leaseback of our Wellesley office in the U.S. Underlying net income of $892 million(2) was up slightly, driven by business growth, new business gains, contribution from the DentaQuest acquisition, and lower incentive compensation expenses. This was largely offset by Asset Management results reflecting a decline in global equity markets driving lower average net assets ("ANA"), lower available-for-sale ("AFS") gains and morbidity experience in the U.S.
Canada: A leader in insurance and asset management
Canada reported net income of $160 million decreased $244 million or 60% from prior year, reflecting lower equity markets and rising interest rates, partially offset by an increase in underlying net income of $54 million. Underlying net income of $344 million increased 19%, driven by business growth, higher new business gains and experience-related items. Experience in the quarter included favourable credit, investment gains and morbidity. Sun Life Health morbidity reflected improved disability experience in the quarter, driven by lower claims volumes and shorter claims durations.
Canada insurance sales were $218 million, up 11% year-over-year, driven by large case group benefits sales in Sun Life Health. Canada wealth sales were $4 billion, up 16%, driven by defined contribution(3) and defined benefit solutions sales in Group Retirement Services ("GRS"), partially offset by lower individual wealth sales.
We continue to innovate and provide Clients with wealth solutions that are tailored to their personal needs. This quarter, SLGI Asset Management announced the launch of the Sun Life Crescent Specialty Credit Private Pool fund, providing Clients access to an alternative yield source. Group Retirement Services also launched its first Shariah-based pool fund(4), which gives Canadian plan members an option that reflects Islamic principles while providing diversified access to equity markets.
U.S.: A leader in health and benefits
U.S. reported net income of $213 million increased $56 million or 36% from prior year, driven by a gain on the sale-leaseback of our Wellesley office and favourable market-related impacts, partially offset by DentaQuest acquisition costs. Underlying net income of $154 million decreased $11 million or 7%, reflecting experience-related items and lower AFS gains, partially offset by business growth including contribution from the DentaQuest acquisition. Experience in the quarter included favourable medical stop-loss margins, investment gains and favourable credit, partially offset by long-term disability claims. Mortality experience in Group Benefits improved driven by lower COVID-19-related claims.
Foreign exchange translation led to an increase of $8 million and $6 million in reported net income and underlying net income, respectively.
U.S. insurance sales were $213 million, up 12% year-over-year, driven by higher dental(5) and medical stop-loss sales.
On June 1, we completed our acquisition of DentaQuest, the second-largest dental benefits provider in the U.S(6). The transaction advances our strategy of being a leader in health and benefits in the U.S. With this acquisition, Sun Life U.S now serves more than 50 million Americans, and is expected to generate more than US$7 billion in total annual benefits revenues(7).
This quarter, we released our 10th annual medical stop-loss research report on high-cost medical claims. As the largest independent stop-loss provider in the U.S., we leveraged our extensive data, analytics, and health expertise to highlight current medical trends. The findings in the report help employers make better health plan decisions for their employees, leading to improved outcomes.
Asset Management: A global leader in both public and alternative asset classes through MFS and SLC Management
Asset Management reported net income of $296 million increased $75 million or 34% from prior year, driven by fair value changes on MFS' share-based payment awards. Underlying net income of $270 million decreased $41 million or 13%, due to lower results in MFS reflecting a decline in global equity markets driving lower ANA.
Foreign exchange translation led to an increase of $10 million in reported net income and $9 million in underlying net income.
Asset Management ended Q2'22 with $905 billion in AUM, consisting of $712 billion (US$553 billion) in MFS and $194 billion in SLC Management. Total Asset Management net inflows of $0.3 billion in Q2'22 reflected SLC Management net inflows of approximately $7.3 billion, largely offset by MFS net outflows of approximately $7.0 billion (US$5.5 billion).
In the second quarter of 2022, 98%, 71% and 49% of MFS' U.S. retail mutual fund assets ranked in the top half of their Morningstar categories based on ten-, five- and three-year performance, respectively. The MFS pre-tax net operating profit margin(1) was 36% for Q2'22, compared to 39% in the prior year, driven by the decline in ANA. The SLC Management fee-related earnings margin(1)(2) was 23%, down from 25%.
Our Asset Management businesses built on their commitment to integrating climate strategies as we continue our sustainability journey. In July 2022, MFS set an interim target to align 90% of in-scope assets(3) with the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative(4). During the second quarter, BentallGreenOak ("BGO") was also awarded the 2022 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") for the 12th consecutive year, and received Gold Recognition in the 2022 Green Lease Leaders program organized by the Institute for Market Transformation and the DOE's Better Buildings Alliance.
Asia: A regional leader focused on fast-growing markets
Asia reported net income of $131 million decreased $12 million or 8% from prior year. Underlying net income of $148 million decreased $4 million or 3% from prior year, reflecting policyholder behaviour experience primarily in Vietnam, and new business strain in Hong Kong as COVID-19 restrictions drove lower sales, partially offset by new business gains in International.
Foreign exchange translation led to a decline of $1 million in reported net income and underlying net income.
Asia insurance sales were $305 million, down 6% year-over-year, reflecting lower sales in International and Hong Kong, partially offset by sales growth in all other markets. Asia wealth sales were $3 billion, down 18%, reflecting lower sales in India and Hong Kong, partially offset by higher sales in the Philippines.
We continue to leverage Sun Life's global asset management capabilities and execute on our growth strategy through strategic partnerships. In India, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited ("ABSLAMC") partnered with BGO, a subsidiary of SLC Management, to form a real estate-focused investment vehicle. This collaboration brings together two leading investment managers with extensive track records in both the domestic and international markets, to create new investment opportunities for Clients.
In the Philippines, our joint venture, Sun Life Grepa Financial, renewed its bancassurance partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation ("RCBC"), one of the country's leading commercial banks. The 10-year renewal, through to 2033, allows more Filipinos to access financial protection products, leveraging the strength of RCBC's extensive sales network of over 430 branches and almost 2 million customers.
Corporate
Corporate reported net loss of $15 million improved $10 million from prior year. Underlying net loss of $24 million improved by $11 million, driven by lower expenses, partially offset by losses on seed investments and AFS assets.
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts ("IFRS 17") and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments ("IFRS 9") to be Adopted in 2023
For periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, we will be adopting IFRS 17, which replaces IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts. IFRS 17 establishes the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of insurance contracts. Effective January 1, 2023, we will also be adopting IFRS 9, which replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
The adoption of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 has no material implication on our business strategies, however, upon transition at January 1, 2022, the changes in measurement of insurance contract liabilities and timing of recognition of earnings would have resulted in the following impacts:
A net transfer of approximately $4.5 billion from shareholders' equity, primarily driven by the establishment of the contractual service margin ("CSM") on the balance sheet, among other items.
As we restate the comparative year on an IFRS 17 basis, we expect a mid-single digit decrease in our 2022 underlying net income.
The CSM balance will qualify as Tier 1 available capital. On July 21, 2022, OSFI finalized the LICAT guidelines to reflect the IFRS 17 adoption, effective January 1, 2023. We expect our LICAT ratio to improve on adoption and we also expect capital generation and capital volatility to be relatively unchanged under the new regime.
Our medium-term financial objectives following the adoption of IFRS 17 and 9 will be:
Underlying EPS growth: 8-10%
Underlying ROE: 18%+ (an increase from 16%+ prior to transition)
Underlying Dividend payout ratio: 40-50%
We continue to assess the impact that the adoption of IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and estimates of the financial impacts are subject to change as we continue to assess the implications of adopting both standards. For additional details, refer to Note 2 in the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Earnings Conference Call The Company's Q2'22 financial results will be reviewed at a conference call on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET. To listen to the call via live audio webcast and to view the presentation slides, as well as related information, please visit www.sunlife.com and click on the link to Quarterly reports under Investors – Financial results & reports 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Individuals participating in the call in a listen-only mode are encouraged to connect via our webcast. Following the call, the webcast and presentation will be archived and made available on the Company's website, www.sunlife.com, until the Q2 2023 period end. The conference call can also be accessed by phone by dialing 412-902-4130 (International) or 1-833-634-2605 (toll–free within North America) and referencing the Sun Life Q2 earnings call. A replay of the conference call will be available from Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. ET until 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 18, 2022 by calling 412-317-0088 or 1-877-344-7529 (toll–free within North America) using access code: 2586651.
Forward-looking Statements From time to time, the Company makes written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements contained in this document include statements (i) relating to our strategies; (ii) relating to our growth initiatives and other business objectives; (iii) relating to our targets and commitments (including with respect to net zero emissions); (iv) relating to the plans we have implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic conditions and their impact on the Company, (v) that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and (vi) that include words such as "achieve", "aim", "ambition", "anticipate", "aspiration", "assumption", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "goal", "initiatives", "intend", "may", "objective", "outlook", "plan", "project", "seek", "should", "strategy", "strive", "target", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. These statements represent our current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events and are not historical facts, and remain subject to change, particularly in light of the ongoing and developing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy and its uncertain impact on our business.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Future results and shareholder value may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to, among other factors, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic conditions on our operations, liquidity, financial conditions or results and the matters set out in the Q2'22 MD&A under the headings C - Profitability - 5 - Income taxes, E - Financial Strength and H - Risk Management and in SLF Inc.'s 2021 AIF under the heading Risk Factors, and the factors detailed in SLF Inc.'s other filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, which are available for review at www.sedar.comandwww.sec.gov, respectively.
Important risk factors that could cause our assumptions and estimates, and expectations and projections to be inaccurate and our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this document, are set out below. The realization of our forward-looking statements, essentially depends on our business performance which, in turn, is subject to many risks, which have been further heightened with the current COVID-19 pandemic given the uncertainty of its duration and impact. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to: market risks - related to the performance of equity markets; changes or volatility in interest rates or credit spreads or swap spreads; real estate investments; and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; insurance risks - related to policyholder behaviour; mortality experience, morbidity experience and longevity; product design and pricing; the impact of higher-than-expected future expenses; and the availability, cost and effectiveness of reinsurance; credit risks - related to issuers of securities held in our investment portfolio, debtors, structured securities, reinsurers, counterparties, other financial institutions and other entities; business and strategic risks - related to global economic and political conditions; the design and implementation of business strategies; changes in distribution channels or Client behaviour including risks relating to market conduct by intermediaries and agents; the impact of competition; the performance of our investments and investment portfolios managed for Clients such as segregated and mutual funds; shifts in investing trends and Client preference towards products that differ from our investment products and strategies; changes in the legal or regulatory environment, including capital requirements and tax laws; the environment, environmental laws and regulations; operational risks - related to breaches or failure of information system security and privacy, including cyber-attacks; our ability to attract and retain employees; legal, regulatory compliance and market conduct, including the impact of regulatory inquiries and investigations; the execution and integration of mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments and divestitures; our information technology infrastructure; a failure of information systems and Internet-enabled technology; dependence on third-party relationships, including outsourcing arrangements; business continuity; model errors; information management; liquidity risks - the possibility that we will not be able to fund all cash outflow commitments as they fall due; and other risks - COVID-19 matters, including the severity, duration and spread of COVID-19; its impact on the global economy, and its impact on Sun Life's business, financial condition and or results; risks associated with IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts and IFRS 9 Financial Instruments; our international operations, including our joint ventures; market conditions that affect our capital position or ability to raise capital; downgrades in financial strength or credit ratings; and tax matters, including estimates and judgements used in calculating taxes.
The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2022, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.26 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/sun-life-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-03T22:05:25Z |
Estimates now show that roughly 30% of wild caught adult white seabass may have origins back to the hatchery program. California must act now to make the Carlsbad based white seabass hatchery a priority in light of new study. Full Story Here.
SANTA ANA, Calif., May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The new study by the Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) used a genetic-marker methodology for identifying fish-stocking efforts. When applied to white seabass, this process has convincingly shown that previous estimates of Southern California's Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP) contribution to the once-depleted white seabass population have been greatly underestimated.
Validation of success for the white seabass hatchery was shared on April 25, 2022, with a press release from HSWRI and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). HSWRI is the entity in charge of the hatchery itself. The results show that the hatchery's contribution to wild stock are far different than previously understood. The new analysis based on archived tissue samples show that 30 percent of adults sampled were hatchery fish. This is in sharp contrast to the less than 1 percent previously estimated by the state of California. Additionally, 46 percent of smaller fish caught in the wild sample surveys of fish less than two years old were also hatchery fish.
These results provide critical information for understanding OREHP's success. The California fishing public strongly supports the CDFW hatchery program. In addition to volunteering at local grow-out facilities through conservation groups like CCA California, anglers contribute an estimated $1.7 million to OREHP annually. That work is now being celebrated by the fishing community. WON News highlighted the hatchery success here, as did Sportfishing Magazine in their coverage on Genetics Study Sheds New Light on California's White Seabass Hatchery Program.
"With new genetic information and the 99.99% confidence level that the results are able to distinguish between the hatchery and wild fish, anglers feel vindicated for their long-term support of the seabass hatchery program. Now a wider range of advocates both inside and outside of California government entities should emerge in support of OREHP," says AFTCO Chairman Bill Shedd.
Yet, challenges for the program remain. It's now time for CDFW to better match their priorities with the high priority and focus California anglers have long placed on the hatchery program. For example, the CDFW should reinstate the $434,000 yearly Sport Fish Restoration Account (SFRA) funds they previously removed from OREHP. The list of potential fixes is long and will not take place until there is a newfound commitment to the hatchery. The new genetics study will help drive that commitment. The time is now for California to support the Hatchery program. Learn more about the groundbreaking study and what more is needed to help fish populations thrive in California here
Family owned and operated, the American Fishing Tackle Company (AFTCO) represents unparalleled quality, performance, and reliability when it counts most. Worn across the globe, AFTCO's performance fishing clothing and best fishing rain gear is designed to handle the harshest elements. Our passion for the outdoors goes beyond our product offering because of an unwavering commitment to help protect our fishing resources and angler rights. Through our 10% Pledge to Protect and Conserve, your purchase of any AFTCO product directly supports conservation initiatives.
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SOURCE AFTCO company | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/groundbreaking-genetics-study-proves-california-white-seabass-hatchery-success/ | 2022-05-27T23:29:00Z |
XSET, the first gaming brand launched with a focus on diversity and culture, celebrates its two-year anniversary with the opening of their west coast office, gaming and content studio in Compton, CA
BOSTON, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- XSET, the world's fastest-growing gaming and lifestyle organization, announced today it has closed a $15 million Series A funding round. The capital will be used to invest in new executive talent, marketing, and content creation. The funding is led by LightWork Worldwide llc, a global streetwear and lifestyle brand holding company, incubator and fund who has recently backed social media livestream commerce app Ezze as well as streetwear brands such as 424, Round Two, Pyschworld, No Vacancy Inn and Supervsn in the bid to take them global with a spotlight on key Asian markets such as China.
"The gaming lifestyle market has tremendous potential globally and we see XSET as the next big youth culture brand driven by a top notch team. Not only do they have many differentiating qualities from their competitors, they also completely align in terms of our strategic vision towards creating a formidable lifestyle brand that transcends markets," said Edward Zhou, Chairman of LightWork Worldwide. "We are excited to partner with XSET as they continue to build a bridge between gaming, fashion and lifestyle. This will be a key strategic alliance as we will be actively engaging with the executive team to drive new revenue streams and to tap our strength and resources in investments, sourcing, development, licensing and stores activations as they continue to build what we have no doubt is going to become Gen Z's defining gaming lifestyle brand."
Other investors in this round with XSET include Alpha Sigma Capital, Apex Capital Partners, Baron Davis Enterprises, Breakaway Ventures, Concept Art House, Gaingels, Gee Roberson Management, GuildFi, Quality Control, TheAlliance, Swae Lee, Mind Melt Media, Whitwell & Co, Worldwide Wes, Young Money, and six NFL athletes: Ezekiel Elliott, Justin Simons, Adrian Colbert, Alkho Witherspoon, Ndamukong Suh, and Kyle Van Noy.
Celebrating its 2nd anniversary this month, XSET CEO Greg Selkoe credits their success in securing this round despite a challenging economic environment to the company's focus on fundamentals and key milestones including: building nearly 130M followers in aggregate across its social channels, signings with Ozuna, Swae Lee, Tee Grizzley, and Ezekial Elliot, opening gaming cabanas as Drai's Nightclub in Las Vegas, securing partnerships with HyperX, SCUF Gaming, Interscope and Mavix, winning "Merch Collab of the Year" at the Tempest Awards, and building eight competitive esports teams at the top of their respective games.
"XSET's approach from the beginning has been to build a revenue and profit focused brand while still leaning into our values of diversity and inclusion," said Selkoe. "We are leveraging our amazing team's unrivaled experience in building content, fashion, music, gaming and lifestyle allowing XSET to scale but for a fraction of the spend as our competitors."
Selkoe added, "XSET is going to be the dominant brand in gaming lifestyle, and we believe we can grow something massive without burning huge amounts of capital or compromising our values. We do this by being authentic and showing up everyday to innovate and providing value across everything our fans love from gaming to streetwear. We will always put the XSET fans first."
Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder Wil Eddins added, "As XSET enters our third year, we will be putting heavy focus into ramping up our apparel drops and content strategy." He concluded with, "the sauces and style we are about to bring to gaming is going to be totally different, watch."
XSET also opened a west coast office in Compton, CA (just south of downtown Los Angeles) within LightWorks Worldwide's 45,000-square foot space that will serve as a home for corporate offices, training facility for its esports teams, and studio for content creation. The new facility will be open for public events to make gaming more accessible.
One of its flagship teams, XSET Valorant, recently beat FaZe Clan and Optic at the VCT NA Stage 2 Challengers Grand Final to become the North American Champions. The win secured XSET the number one seed at Masters Copenhagen on July 10-24 and marks its first international LAN appearance. XSET's seed placement for Masters Copenhagen has also qualified the team for Valorant Champions in Istanbul, the biggest and final Valorant tournament of the year on September 2-18.
Founded in 2020 in Boston by gaming and pop culture veterans Greg Selkoe, Marco Mereu, Clinton Sparks and Wil Eddins, XSET is the fastest growing gaming organization and lifestyle brand in history. XSET fields some of the world's top competitive esports teams in titles including Valorant, Rocket League, Rainbow Six, Fortnite, Warzone, Apex Legends, eNASCAR and more. Built on a foundation of a diverse and inclusive gaming culture, XSET is building the preeminent brand for today's growing Gen Z audience of gamers. The organization continues to grow at a breakneck pace, partnering with high-profile brands such as Ghost Lifestyle, SCUF Gaming, Roots Canada, HyperX, Quality Control Music, Respawn, Fanshark and Wahlburgers and is working with socially positive causes including Big Brother Big Sister of America. Since its launch, XSET has attracted top-tier, world famous talent across music, sports and entertainment to its shared vision, including Grammy-nominated hip-hop artists Swae Lee and Ozuna, NFL superstar Ezekiel Elliot, BMX legend Nigel Sylvester, Rapper and GTA streamer Tee Grizzley, 14-year-old female Olympic skateboarding phenom Minna Stess, and professional athletes such as NFL star Ezekiel Elliot of the Dallas Cowboys. Sitting at the intersection of gaming and culture, XSET's robust merchandise offerings are some of the most sought-after in the industry, featuring high-profile collaborations and exclusive pieces fans can't find anywhere else. XSET is defining what it means to be cultural leaders in the space for future generations to come. For more information visit XSET.com #reptheset
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SOURCE XSET | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/xset-completes-15m-series-funding-led-by-lightwork-worldwide-continue-their-growth-leading-gaming-lifestyle-brand/ | 2022-07-19T15:19:40Z |
DUBAI, UAE, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Webb Fontaine, a leading provider of advanced and innovative trade and Customs services, has announced it's Customs Webb solution has been chosen by Benin as their new Customs system, in replacement of ASYCUDA World.
The project strengthens Webb Fontaine's long-standing partnership with Benin Government, who has ambitions to expand and develop into one of the region's most technologically advanced trade environments.
The project continues towards a fully integrated approach to trade, interconnecting all major trade platforms such as the Single Window, the Port Community System, the e-Tracking solution and now through Customs Webb the Customs System. As a central and critical part of the trade environment, it is crucial and urgent for Governments to operate modern and efficient Customs Systems.
"Customs Webb, Webb Fontaine's Customs system, based on artificial intelligence, was chosen by Benin to continue the modernization of customs and optimize the trade environment.
Webb Fontaine's ability to provide cutting-edge technology and digital solutions is a guarantee of success. With this new system, the objective of the public authorities to make Benin an exemplary platform in the simplification and transparency of Customs clearance procedures has taken a major step forward.
All economic players are supported by Customs as part of a successful partnership with the entire industrial, commercial and logistics community."
Alain HINKATI, Director General of Customs, Benin
"We are honoured to have been selected by Benin Customs for such an important project. The longevity of our partnership is a true testament to Benin's commitment to trade digitalization. Customs Webb is a powerful system that uses AI technology to fully digitise the entire clearance process. To implement Customs Webb will be a huge step forward in their mission and the impacts of such will be felt by the entire trade community."
Samy Zayani, Chief Commercial Officer Webb Fontaine
For Webb Fontaine, a successful track record demonstrates its ability to use AI to facilitate trade, secure revenue and reduce clearance times and costly congestion while greatly improving trade governance.
About Webb Fontaine
Webb Fontaine is an AI company re-shaping the future of trade through technology. Trusted by governments globally, Webb Fontaine provides industry wide solutions to accelerate trade development and modernization. The company uses unique technology including Artificial Intelligence to enable countries to emerge as leaders in the future of trade.
Knowledge transfer is at the core of Webb Fontaine; comprising a team of experts who work across the world, empowering local communities and governments.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1866589/Romuald_Anicet.jpg
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SOURCE Webb Fontaine | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/webb-fontaine-awarded-contract-with-benin-government-implementation-new-customs-system-replacement-asycuda-world/ | 2022-07-26T15:17:51Z |
Best non-Wyze security cameras
In January, the original Wyze Cam was pulled from shelves across the country without a clearly stated reason. A few weeks later, respected security firm Bitdefender dropped a bombshell on consumers, exposing a serious oversight that potentially offered would-be hackers access to improperly secured wireless networks. While the offending firmware has been updated and the Wyze Cam v1 is no longer sold, many consumers are avoiding the purchase of new Wyze security cameras.
What happened with Wyze cameras?
Bitdefender has a glowing reputation among security-minded tech enthusiasts and professionals, and for good reason. It has been in the industry for over three decades and works with Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre to investigate illegal activities online. So, when its March 29 white paper went live, consumers took notice.
The paper brought to light three main security holes. Bad actors could have bypassed authentication (i.e., gotten around the camera’s login security), forced the camera to execute code remotely and gained access to SD card storage. In simpler terms, if someone was able to log into your home Wi-Fi network, the Wyze camera bug could have allowed them to essentially install backdoor access that could then be activated remotely at a later date.
If that sounds shady, that’s because it is, even if it wasn’t a realistic worry for most consumers. What was even less reassuring was Wyze’s response to the incident.
The worrying truth is that Wyze knew about the potential exploits for as long as three years. The whole time, Wyze appears to have suppressed the information and offered no warning of or insight into the risk. Indeed, that sudden discontinuation of the original version of the Wyze Cam is telling, as it wasn’t until Bitdefender’s shocking discovery that experts were certain that the Wyze Cam v1 was pulled for security reasons.
What has Wyze done to fix it?
For starters, it pushed a firmware update to the Wyze Cam v2 and v3 generations. Ostensibly, that means there isn’t any vulnerability worry with either of the most recent versions. However, that leaves the Wyze Cam v1 hanging out to dry. Wyze claims that it won’t support the firmware update, so it’s no longer selling the camera.
While a fix is well and good, and any reasonable consumer will appreciate it, the fact remains that Wyze sat on this information for three years without telling owners. Conscious consumers are left to wonder if they can continue to trust Wyze and its security cameras, and rightly so.
Savvy homeowners who once swore by Wyze cameras are now ditching them in favor of other, more reliable brands with no history of shady cover-ups. Luckily for consumers, there’s no shortage of high-definition security cameras to choose from.
Best alternatives to Wyze security cameras
The Arlo Pro 3 beats much of the competition from a technical standpoint, as it offers a 2,560 by 1,440 resolution, high dynamic range contrast, full-color night vision and wireless connectivity. In addition to its clear image, bold colors and dependable storage, the two-camera package is currently available at a discount.
Sold by Amazon
To keep tabs on an outdoor space with impressive clarity and particularly easy configuration, it’s hard to top the SoloCam E40. An IP65 rating means it’s safe from the elements, it doesn’t require any kind of base or hub and, unlike most, it offers 8 gigabytes of integrated storage.
Sold by Amazon
For the ultimate in home surveillance, nothing delivers quite the peace of mind as Ring’s Floodlight Pro. A 110-decibel alarm, a pair of motion-activated lights and 3D motion detection ensure nothing gets past it. Dual-band Wi-Fi support and two-way audio give you complete control of the situation at all times.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
There aren’t many outdoor security cameras that are as compact, affordable and easy to use as this popular model from Blink. It boasts a two-year battery life, doesn’t require any cables or wires and can store photos and videos on the cloud or a USB flash drive. There’s also a version with an attached floodlight for increased security.
Sold by Amazon and Home Depot
If you’re willing to make a sizable investment, you won’t find anything with better image quality than Arlo’s Ultra 2, which captures 4K video and has an industry-leading 180-degree field of view. It allows for manual and automatic zoom and lets you store data using a microSD card or cloud storage subscription.
Sold by Amazon
Put simply, it’s about as small and affordable as a full HD home security camera gets, and it’s perfect for monitoring pets or kids. It has surprisingly good image quality given its price and size and works swimmingly with Alexa voice control.
Sold by Amazon
To use this appropriately named camera, simply stick it up on the wall, connect with a smartphone or Alexa-enabled device and start recording. To that end, it’s one of the most straightforward and convenient options.
Sold by Amazon
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Chris Thomas writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/with-wyze-security-cameras-trending-for-all-the-wrong-reasons-here-are-seven-alternatives/ | 2022-04-19T10:56:58Z |
Creator of the Revolutionary FasciaBlaster® Wins in Woman of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Categories
HOUSTON, Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashley Black, inventor of the FasciaBlaster® self-use tools, was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Woman of The Year and Lifetime Achievement categories in The 19th Annual International Business Awards®.
The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2022 IBAs received entries from organizations in 67 nations and territories.
Winners will be celebrated during a gala banquet at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel, in London, England, on Saturday, 15 October – the first live IBA awards ceremony since 2019.
More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Company of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Startup of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year, and Executive of the Year, among others. This year's competition also featured a number of new categories to recognize organizations' and individuals' achievements in social media and thought leadership.
Of these extensive categories, Ashley Black won two Silver Stevie® Awards under the Management Umbrella - Lifetime Achievement Award in Consumer Products Industries and Woman of the Year.
"I am humbly honored to be recognized by the International Business Awards" says Ashley Black. "I am thrilled to see myself and all the women who won awards being recognized for their efforts – to see more and more women stepping into their power makes me happy," Black adds. "For me, I love the Stevie Awards because there are hundreds of judges from all over the world, voting with a number system. It's not a popularity contest, we earn these awards. I am grateful."
Judges of the 2022 International Business Awards were extremely impressed by Ashley's fight to overcome her diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and how her experience inspired her to transform her weakness into a business. One judge even said, "Ashley Black has changed the world through her contributions to the non-invasive consumer medical devices industry." They were equally impressed by her businesses' increase in revenue, growth on social media channels and encouragement of other female entrepreneurs. Black has expanded her successful DTC model to the UK, Europe and Australia, and launched a BTB partnership in Latin and South America. She also formed her training certification, Fascia Advancement Academy, which is exploding globally. Black says, "This was a nose to the grindstone year, with hyper growth and new opportunities."
Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 300 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process in June and July.
"We're thrilled that we're able to return to celebrating Stevie winners in person this year," said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. "This year's class of honorees are as innovative, adventuresome, persistent, and successful as we've ever had. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with them during our 15 October awards banquet in London."
Details about The International Business Awards and the lists of Stevie Award winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/IBA. For more information on Ashley Black please visit www.AshleyBlackGuru.com.
About Ashley Black
Ashley Black is a two time #1 National Bestselling Author of The Cellulite Myth, and "BE…From Passion and Purpose to Product and Prosperity". She Co- authored of the scientific paper "The Effects of Fascia manipulation with Fascia Devices on Myofascial Tissue, Subcutaneous Fat and Cellulite in Adult Women" and is the Inventor of the FasciaBlaster® product suite of tissue regenerating tools. After suffering from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a bone eating infection and a total hip replacement, she had no choice but to look for answers that would defy her medical prognosis of a life of pain management and debilitation. She discovered that limitations and pain in her body were due to thickening and scarring of fascia, the "sheets" of connective tissue that connect, penetrate, envelope, and surround every organ, joint, muscle, and system of the body. This contributed to the creation of a new field of science: Fasciology™ – the study of fascia. Since 1999 Ashley forged a career as a fascia authority with personal clients in pro sports and Hollywood. The lack of tools to manipulate the fascia of her personal clients inspired her to invent the FasciaBlaster® tools in 2014. She has invented 16 new tools as well as complimentary products and she is dedicated to helping the masses and making FasciaBlaster a household name. Her mission in life is to bring evidence based body hacks to reverse aging and improve health naturally to market. Her moto is "if it doesn't exist, invent it" which has led to her creating products that empower users take care of themselves and teach her knowledge to progressive health care practitioners and healers. The world is listening and responding, and Ashley couldn't be more thrilled about the shift. For more information www.AshleyBlackGuru.com.
About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.
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SOURCE Ashley Black | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/ashley-black-wins-two-silver-stevie-awards-2022-international-business-awards/ | 2022-08-25T14:27:09Z |
Family whose house destroyed by fire needs help rebuilding
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A family is asking for the public’s help after a fire broke out in their home after reigniting a second time.
The fire broke out at the home in the 1900 block of Rain Forest Trail at 7 p.m. last Thursday. There were flames in the loft of the home but the scene was cleared but crews were called back to the home at about 12:45 a.m. Friday; crews found the home on fire. The fire was extinguished at 3 a.m., officials said.
One firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital. He has since been released.
Andrea Verier-Taylor and D. Scott Verier-Taylor say before the fire first started, they heard and felt a huge jolt of what they believe to be lightning. After the fired was extinguished the first time, the family left to stay with family. They received a call later saying that the fire had reignited somehow and the home was a loss.
If you would like to donate to help them, click here.
Copyright 2022 WWSB. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/08/family-whose-house-destroyed-by-fire-needs-help-rebuilding/ | 2022-07-08T20:27:51Z |
Monday forecast: Dry today, rain chances the rest of the week
Freeze tonight for several areas, warming up by mid-week
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - This week will feature several chances for showers and t-storms but no particular day where it’s going to be an all day washout. It’s going to be one of those weeks where we’ll have to take it on a day by day basis with details like timing and how much rain to expect each day.
The other concern will be the freeze for several areas Monday night. This potentially could be the last freeze of the season as we’re getting toward the end of the month which is typically the time of year when we would get our last freeze of spring. It’s not a guarantee that tonight’s the last freeze but it’s looking like a high probability. Just be mindful of that as you consider tending to your garden with the warmer temperatures after tonight and several rain chances in the forecast.
Today: Decreasing Clouds. Highs in the mid-upper 50s. Winds N 5-15, gusts around 25 mph.
Tonight: Mostly Clear. Lows in the upper 20s-low 30s. Winds become light to calm.
Tomorrow: Clouds quickly increase after sunrise and the chance for showers/storms will exist. Highest chance for rain will be around midday. Models differ on how much rain to expect though so we’ll fine-tune the details tomorrow. HIghs in the mid 50s to low 60s. Winds SE 10-20, gusts around 25 mph.
While on and off showers/storms exist the rest of the week, the highest rain chance does look to be Wednesday with model differences Thursday and Friday before an increased chance Friday night into Saturday. While the risk for severe weather is low this week, Friday afternoon/Friday night is the night to focus on for the highest probability of severe storms.
Taking Action:
- Most areas will be near or below freezing Monday night.
- Most of this week will have at least a chance of rain with Wednesday the highest probability of rain affecting any outdoor plans you have. Even with that said this weather pattern will need to be taken on a day by day basis for specifics. It’s still not to the point (even Wednesday) where you should cancel any outdoor plans you have because they still won’t be all day washouts. There will still be times it will be dry.
- The severe weather threat is highest Friday into Friday night.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/18/monday-forecast-dry-today-rain-chances-rest-week/ | 2022-04-18T09:28:38Z |
VIVE Mars CamTrack makes virtual production more efficient, portable, and affordable
SEATTLE, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HTC VIVE today announces the launch of its first ever turnkey virtual production product, VIVE Mars CamTrack, which makes virtual production fast, easy, and affordable by consolidating the entire camera tracking workflow into a compact, plug-and-play module with professional-grade features. VIVE Mars CamTrack lets actors jump into any number of virtual backdrops in real-time during production, in many cases eliminating the need to shoot onsite and empowering filmmakers to unleash their full creative potential.
Historically, one of the biggest cost contributors to virtual production has been its lengthy setup process. VIVE Mars CamTrack greatly simplifies virtual production setup, thus reducing overall production time and expense. By leveraging industry-leading lighthouse tracking technology, VIVE Mars CamTrack shrinks a complicated workflow into a compact box, delivering a simple, accurate camera-tracking solution. Mars' portability makes it easy to shoot in many different scenarios—from small studios to large sets.
"Virtual production is the future of content creation," said Raymond Pao, SVP Business Solutions at HTC VIVE. "It lets filmmakers unleash their imagination, beyond the constraints of our physical environment. With Mars, HTC has applied its years of experience developing VR tech to the world of virtual production. Film professionals no longer need to balance time, cost, and quality. Now, their virtual production setup can fit into a backpack and deliver professional-grade results."
"Virtual production opens creative opportunities to filmmakers and storytellers to explore new approaches in productions with solutions like VIVE Mars CamTrack," said Jim Geduldick, Director, Virtual Production & SVP Dimension Studio N.A. "Time saved in pre-production and on-set because of the robustness of the Mars system will make it a sought-after tool in any virtual production project. Being able to have a small footprint tracking system that can travel in a small production case with features like Genlock sync, camera and lens calibration, multi-camera support and its integration into Unreal Engine via LiveLink provides a solution the virtual production community has been needing."
VIVE Mars CamTrack includes the following highlight features:
- Multi-cam tracking, with support for up to three cameras
- Highly accurate tracking with VIVE Tracker
- Automated calibration for camera offset and lens distortion
- Lens encoder compatibility, allowing filmmakers to change the depth of field as they would on a traditional camera
- Plug and play compatibility, with no additional software required
- One-click origin reset
- Genlock synced to UE LiveLink, offering synchronized output between real and virtual actors
- Robust wiring to reduce latency
- Offloads computing of the tracking to a dedicated hub
"Up until recently, the resource-intensive nature of virtual production was one of the biggest issues preventing its widespread adoption," said Norman Wang, CEO of Glassbox Technologies. "We have collaborated with HTC VIVE since day one to streamline virtual production and we believe VIVE Mars CamTrack to be a major step in the right direction." Glassbox's upcoming release of the DragonFly virtual camera system will ship with support for VIVE Mars CamTrack.
The benefits of virtual production go beyond its convenience and cost savings. In addition to empowering filmmakers to realize their creative vision more fully, virtual production is also more environmentally friendly than traditional methods. The traditional production process generates a significant carbon footprint – including transporting cast and crew to locations around the world, building and powering sets, and eventually disposing of unneeded props and other materials. By leveraging virtual production, the creative industry plays an active role in environmental sustainability.
To learn more about VIVE Mars CamTrack, visit the product website here. For the full press kit, click here.
About HTC
HTC VIVE is the premier virtual reality (VR) platform and ecosystem that creates true-to-life VR experiences for businesses and consumers. The VIVE ecosystem is built around premium VR hardware, software, and content. The VIVE business encompasses best-in-class XR hardware; VIVEPORT platform and app store; VIVE Enterprise Solutions for business customers; VIVE X, a US$100M VR business accelerator; and VIVE ARTS for cultural initiatives. For more information, please visit www.vive.com.
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SOURCE HTC VIVE | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/htc-vive-announces-vive-mars-camtrack-its-first-turnkey-virtual-production-solution/ | 2022-04-25T13:37:21Z |
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