text stringlengths 102 99.6k | url stringlengths 31 426 | crawl_date timestamp[us, tz=UTC]date 2022-04-01 00:29:49 2022-09-19 04:34:15 |
|---|---|---|
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) National Labor-Management Conference (NLMC), held virtually on July 12-13, once again demonstrated why it is considered the nation's premier labor-management event.
The NLMC is the largest labor-management conference in the country; this year, the more than 1,200 registered participants included leaders in business, labor, government, academia, mediation, arbitration, and, with this year's event, professional sports as well.
The conference opened with a welcome from FMCS Acting Director Gregory Goldstein and Deputy Director of Field Operations (and President Joseph Biden's nominee to lead the agency) Javier Ramirez, followed by a special pre-recorded message from President Biden.
National Labor-Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo presented during the NLMC's opening plenary session on July 12, highlighting the importance of building positive relationships between employers and workers in the workplace. She also updated conference attendees on NLRB initiatives and took a variety of questions submitted by members of the audience using the conference's Q&A function.
"Encouraging very productive labor-management relations…whether a union represents workers or not, is a crucial step towards promoting workplace and industrial stability," said Abruzzo. "When workers' voices are heard issues are addressed and workplace conflict diminishes. Then everybody wins – businesses, communities, workers - they will all flourish."
The workplace issues faced by professional athletes drew a large crowd for the closing plenary on Day 1: "How Collective Bargaining Can Help Achieve Gender Equity in Professional Sports & Beyond," which featured a panel discussion with National Women's Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) President Tori Huster, AFL-CIO Vice President and Executive Director of NWSLPA Meghann Burke, and attorney Deborah R. Willig, and was led by newly elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.
FMCS also welcomed back Dr. Peter Coleman, Executive Director of Columbia University's Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict and Complexity in the Earth. Professor Coleman's well-attended plenary session, "The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization" took a deep dive into what many consider one of the most significant crises facing modern America – both in the workplace and beyond.
The theme for this year's conference was "Future@Work: Reimagining the Workplace" with a focus on the twin impacts of pandemic and a challenging economy on industrial relations. The NLMC also focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) issues in the workplace, and featured a side-track on federal sector unionization during the Biden administration. Other notable sessions addressed challenges facing private, public, and federal sectors workplaces, such as hiring, the "Great Resignation," managing workplace conflict, utilization of dispute resolution processes, the effects of inflation on the U.S. workforce, and contemporary collective bargaining approaches.
In addition to the robust schedule of individual workshops and panel discussions, this year's NLMC offered six complimentary preconference sessions as a benefit to early registrants. These popular sessions covered a wide range of topics including cognitive bias in conflict dynamics, managing the integration of new bargaining units, and combating worker burnout in overstressed workplaces.
"FMCS strives to ensure that the NLMC provides engaging, informative, content that is useful to conference participants from all sectors of labor relations nationwide," said Ramirez.
"The NLMC also goes far beyond discussing best practices," Ramirez continued. "Our goal is to investigate emerging trends in American industrial relations, learn and share stories of success, and receive hard-nosed strategic insights from our country's leading experts."
At the close of the two-day event, U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh offered his remarks to the plenary, "I want to thank everyone from labor, management, government, academics, and the mediation/arbitration community, who are part of this important conference. Thank you for coming together to expand your knowledge and strengthen your relationships."
"Most of all, I want to say thank you [to FMCS]. The work you do is incredibly important to America's workers, America's businesses, and to our entire economy," Secretary Walsh said.
The FMCS National Labor-Management Conference was founded in 1982 and is generally held biennially as a showcase of FMCS services and programs for existing and prospective management and labor clients; the event attracted hundreds of attendees from the labor relations community in its early years and eventually expanding into a multi-day conference (and series of pre-conference events) that draws upwards of 1,000 - 1,500 attendees.
Though the 2022 conference has just concluded, planning is already underway for FMCS to combine the NLMC with the Labor and Employment Relations Association's (LERA) Annual Conference in New York in 2024. This co-sponsorship will not only bring efficiencies, but also allow for more collaboration between the various stakeholders in the labor-management community. To learn more about NLMC, or to receive updates for future conferences, visit https://www.fmcs.gov/nlmc-info/
The U.S. Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS) is the nation's premier public agency for dispute resolution and conflict management. FMCS was created by Congress as a neutral and independent government agency upon enactment of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act) and mandated to resolve industrial conflict and promote labor-management peace and cooperation, minimizing the impact of these disputes on the free flow of commerce. With headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices across the country, the agency has a proud track record of decades of effective dispute resolution and conflict management services for employers and unions across industries and work activities in the private, public, and federal sectors. FMCS is also recognized for its success facilitating negotiated rulemaking processes and for its robust employment mediation program in the federal sector as well as its global program, partnering with more than 60 countries to provide international consulting and training. For more on FMCS or to request services, visit www.fmcs.gov
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/14/labor-management-industry-sports-government-leaders-make-national-conference-virtual-all-star-event/ | 2022-07-14T16:28:13Z |
Unique retail strategy in automotive services
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven Brands announced the opening of a Take 5 Oil Change and Car Wash co-development in Edinburg, Texas. Driven Brands has at least 10 more of these innovative locations in the pipeline for this year planned for Tennessee, North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, Florida, Wisconsin, and Arkansas.
"With the Take 5 Car Wash brand, our goal is to be simply more convenient than our competition," said John Teddy, EVP and Group President of Car Wash North America. "We developed the Take 5 Oil Change and Car Wash concept with that goal in mind. Two category leaders, together under one brand, providing customers with a one-stop solution for the automotive services they need most often."
Take 5 Oil Change pioneered the "stay in your car model" for oil changes – focusing on an improved customer experience for car maintenance. With the co-development, Driven Brands has implemented a retail approach to the automotive aftermarket sector.
"We developed the Take 5 Oil Change model to be fast and friendly. We focus on providing just a few services to the customer, and doing them exceptionally well," said Danny Rivera, EVP and Group President of Maintenance. "We've always approached automotive care differently than our competitors. We look beyond automotive. We look to trends happening across many industries including retail as we continue to innovate car care for our customers."
In its first day, the location washed more than 800 cars and provided oil changes to 40 cars.
While this is the fifth such co-development, it's the first developed from ground up. "The traffic seen on the first few days confirms what we've known for a long time: customers love our fast, friendly, and convenient approach to their car care needs," added Rivera.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Driven Brands | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/12/driven-brands-opens-fifth-take-5-oil-change-car-wash-location-texas/ | 2022-04-12T13:09:10Z |
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Since the late 1990s, El Salvador has had a complete ban on abortion including in cases of rape, incest, fetal malformation or danger to a pregnant woman’s life.
Not only planned abortions but also miscarriages, stillbirths and other pregnancy complications can sometimes result in prosecution and lengthy prison terms. Often women who end up being targeted by authorities are poor and live in rural areas.
The Associated Press spoke with several women who served time in such cases. Some belong to Mujeres Libres — Spanish for “free women” — which offers support such as job assistance and small business workshops, and others to the nonprofit Citizen Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion.
Some asked to be identified by only their first names out of concerns over privacy, possible reprisals and the societal stigma surrounding abortion; one is a victim of sexual assault.
Here are their stories:
CINTHIA
Cinthia Rodríguez, 33, had a stillbirth at home in 2008. Her family called an ambulance but instead a police patrol took her to a hospital, where she was handcuffed to a gurney. Officers told her she was under arrest for allegedly inducing an abortion. She was later charged with aggravated homicide and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
“My dreams were to study, to work, to help my family, to take care of my baby,” she said. “All of that was thwarted when I heard, ‘30 years.’ My world stopped.”
In prison, guards advised her not to reveal why she had been convicted. When other inmates found out, they beat her up. “They used to call us the baby killers,” she recalled.
A tattoo on her hand reminds her of the date in 2014 when her father died while she was behind bars. She was released after 11 years when a court commuted her sentence in 2019.
Rodriguez hopes that telling her story publicly may help other women win their freedom and help bring about an end to the country’s strict abortion policy.
As she spoke, two friends who also served time in similar cases played with her young daughter.
“I’m always going to be there supporting her,” Rodriguez said. “And I also hope she joins me and my friends in this struggle. I hope she’s a courageous, independent woman — like her mom.”
ZULEYMA
Zuleyma Beltrán was expecting a second child in 1999 when she felt an intense pain and fainted. She lost the pregnancy. Police suspected abortion and interrogated her aggressively. She was ultimately convicted of aggravated homicide and sentenced to 26 years.
“It’s a lifetime,” she said. “I used to say to myself, ‘I’m never going to leave this place.’”
While in prison, one of her sisters took in her toddler daughter. The girl hardly recognized Beltrán when she was released more than a decade later.
Beltrán struggled to find a job at first and felt stigmatized, but her daughter encouraged her to persist. They fixed up a cart and sold hot dogs on the streets of the capital, San Salvador,
“She taught me a lot about how to face the world,” she said. The daughter recently died at age 22.
Beltrán joined Mujeres Libres years ago.
“We cry, we laugh, we talk about everything we’ve gone through,” she said.
Today she lives with another daughter, 8, at a house where the group meets. She sells perfume to get by, and dreams of owning a business.
“I want to show people that we can make it even though we’ve had a huge obstacle,” Beltrán said.
MARIANA
Mariana López was imprisoned in 2000 after losing her pregnancy and being arrested on suspicion of having an abortion. She was ultimately convicted of aggravated homicide and served 17 years before her 25-year sentence was commuted.
When she went to jail, she was already mother to a 4-year-old son. He is now 26. Since her release, she has been unable to repair their relationship.
“There’s resentment,” López said. “The fact that he didn’t live a normal life has been really tough.”
She lives with her mother and 7-year-old daughter in a modest home northwest of San Salvador. She learned how to bake bread in prison, and now earns a living selling baguettes that she prepares every day before dawn. One day she hopes to own her own bakery.
Her daughter takes violin lessons at Mujeres Libres. Recently the women and children in the group traveled to the beach in what has become an annual tradition.
“We see it as a family,” López said. “We see each other as sisters, because it was a family when our own blood was not around.”
KAREN
Karen was 21 and pregnant when she fainted alone in her grandmother’s home. She woke up handcuffed to a hospital gurney. She was convicted in 2015 and given 30 years for aggravated homicide for allegedly terminating her pregnancy.
“They told me that I was a murderer and that I was going to pay for what I had done,” she said, “that I was going to rot in jail.”
In prison, other inmates told Karen she didn’t deserve to live. She served seven years before being released last December.
Today she tries to make up for lost time by playing soccer with her 14-year-old son and cooking his favorite meals, refried beans and fried plantains.
“I never lost faith in God that I would recover my freedom, because I was innocent,” Karen said. “And I asked God every day to reunite me with my son.”
CINDY
Cindy’s son, Justin, was 4 when she was imprisoned in 2014 after a stillbirth in a shopping mall bathroom. It would be four years before she saw him again.
At the time she was studying tourism and taking English lessons. But all that was put on hold.
“What I reflect on the most is the losses,” she said. “Everything is lost. … How are you going to start over? How are you going to recover time with your family?”
Today she lives with her son and parents and is back in school. She and her mother make piñatas for children’s birthdays. She crafted one in the form of a dinosaur for Justin, who wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up.
Cindy hopes to work for a tourism agency and resume her English clashes. Mother and son dream of traveling abroad together.
“To forget everything,” Cindy said, “to start again in a new place.”
IMELDA
Imelda says she was repeatedly raped from age 8 to 18 by her mother’s partner and became pregnant by him. In 2017 she unexpectedly gave birth to the baby in a latrine and then lost consciousness.
The child survived, but Imelda was accused of attempted murder due to the circumstances of the birth. She was freed from prison in 2018 after a court determined that she had not tried to kill the baby.
Since her release she has been studying to become a nurse. She firmly believes that a woman should not be forced to carry to term a fetus conceived by rape.
“What young girl is going to want to be a mother? They’re innocent,” said Imelda, now 24. “Those 10-year-old girls who are raped, what they really want is to play, to study. I’ve always wanted to study, not be a mother.”
___
Associated Press writer Marcos Aleman in San Salvador contributed to this report.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/in-their-words-salvadoran-women-jailed-under-abortion-ban/ | 2022-06-10T20:42:17Z |
Mom wants justice for daughter allegedly shot by 9-year-old boy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) - A Baltimore mother is grieving the loss of her 15-year-old daughter, whom police say was shot by a 9-year-old boy allegedly playing with a loaded handgun.
Mother Nykerah Strawder is devastated after her 15-year-old daughter, Nykayla Strawder, was shot in the head Saturday on her porch in the Edmondson Village neighborhood.
“I hear it: ‘Boom!’ It shook my house. It shook my soul. I look over to the left. I see her laying there. I don’t see the blood at this time. I go to her. I said, ‘Kayla… wake up,’” she said.
Nykayla was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
“I gotta speak for her. I gotta be her voice. I got to let the world know that my daughter was everything to me. She was everything. I watched what I formed in my womb leave her body,” Strawder said.
Police say the person who pulled the trigger was a 9-year-old boy. Witnesses told investigators the boy was playing with a loaded handgun when it accidentally discharged.
He will not face charges because of his age.
Under a new Maryland juvenile justice law, children under the age of 13 can’t be charged with a crime. Anyone younger than 10 is outside the jurisdiction of juvenile courts.
“This is a child that was able to get to a Glock and shoot my baby right in the head on her porch. My soul, my heart knows that this is not right. This is no accident,” Strawder said.
Police say their investigation into how the boy was able to obtain the weapon remains open. The gun was registered to a relative of his who works as a security guard.
While the boy can’t legally be charged, detectives are working with the state attorney’s office to determine whether any charges will be handed down.
“I just want my daughter to get the justice that she deserves. I don’t want her to have to look down upon what’s going on right now and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m another statistic in my city. I ain’t getting no justice,’” Strawder said.
Police records show that Nykayla is the fifth teenager to be shot and killed in Edmondson Village within the past year.
Copyright 2022 WJZ via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/08/11/mom-wants-justice-daughter-allegedly-shot-by-9-year-old-boy/ | 2022-08-11T10:44:20Z |
New Album "Mission Peace" Dropped Friday August 26, 2022
ASPEN, Colo., Sept. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- It is Midterms Season! Staunch Moderates' Midterms Strategy is: 1) the recent dropping of our sophomore R & B hip hop album, "Mission Peace," available NOW on all major music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and SoundCloud, along with an additional 54 outlets globally; 2) the completion of our 90 Minutes Documentary Film and beginning of its marketing and distribution, and finally 3) the continued distribution of our BIGFOOTS FOOTBALL six-episode music video series, which started August 1st up to the kickoff of the NFL football season September 8th, a la HBO's Ballers distribution style, on Staunch Moderates News' YouTube Channel.
Staunch Moderates own Biggie Smalls, Casanova Ace, a former WWE wrestling star and current rapper is featured on our album, Mission Peace," along with special guest artists Jefferey Skunk Baxter of the Doobie Brothers & founding member of Steely Dan, plus CJ Vanston (Tears for Fears, Dali Lama, Joe Cocker, Ringo Star), E.P. Gregory T. Simmons. Our new band name that all members seem to dig is, "DJ Staunch & the Bigfoots."
When asked, "Who are our inspirations?" we like to say: Frank Sinatra, The Rat Pack, Ramsey Lewis, The Jacksons, Quincy Jones, Steelie Dan, and the Doobie Brothers. We hope you hear them in our tunes!
The complete track listing for Mission Peace is as follows:
Track Title Time
Love 6:05
Bali Girl 5:35
Bigfoots Football 4:23
Olympics & Peace 3:14
Bill Maher 2:48
SMN Remix 3:05
Elon Musk 6:12
DC Aliens 3:21
Peace 2:47
Genres of music within our music are: R&B, jazz, hip hop, rock n roll, classical, gospel, Olympics and Hawaiian.
2021 "The First Realm" Album: (Soundcloud link here)
2022 "Mission Peace" Album: (Soundcloud link here)
Many ask, "what's the rationale behind our Bigfoot Mascot, "Staunch?" Think of it, the "Bigfoot-print" of our country, say at least an 80 percentile all Moderates, the silent majority! Also, we Staunch Moderates are in the paradigm shifting business: from the most terrifying folklore character to the coolest beings on the planet, not human but Bigfoot. Well this is a paradigm shifting analogy to what we are really trying to do to change our socio-political Divide, from anger, aggression, and hate to love, moderation and peace through our music and various different forms of entertainment. It's a tall order, but we are trying!
We currently have over 38 million views and streams of our tracks and other content on our Old MTV-like, Staunch Moderates News YouTube Channel. That's roughly 10% of the U.S. population.
A Staunch Moderates quote we feel worth to remember: "Set our differences aside, find common middle ground, reach across the aisle, tell a joke, evaluate, negotiate, compromise and decide the most equitable solutions humanly possible, like in the 1787 drafting of our Constitution and many other democratic constitutions around the world like it. Checks and balances rather than winner take all!!!"
The pitch: Hey, have you heard of the Staunch Moderates? They're this hip, cool, trending Intellectual Movement of 2022 about addressing the Divide & to strive for National & World Peace, basically an intellectual movement about peace. They've got Bigfoots! They've got Bigfoots Football. They've got Bigfoots Baseball. They've got Staunch Moderates News! Last year they made a 14 track hip hop album, "The First Realm." Just now, they just dropped their second album, "Mission Peace." Listen in & join the Movement. You too can take part in addressing the Divide and striving for National and World Peace. The unthinkable has become the thinkable, because of the platform the Staunch Moderates are bringing to you, again a way that you can address the Divide and strive for National and World Peace. Tune in, tell your friends and dig the music. Peace!
Staunch Moderates are an Intellectual Movement that addresses our country's current intellectual and political divide and strives for both national and world peace. Formed in December of 2019, the Movement hit the ground running, campaigning for their messages throughout the 2020 Election Year. They actively campaigned at sixteen different state Primaries by hosting 35 vital societal issue forums and conducted polls and produced several interviews with different political celebrities during the conventions and debates. With Casanova Ace rapping, the team even hosted a live Election Day Show with a panel of ten of their closest political celebrity friends, including former Congressman Barry Goldwater, former bodybuilding champion Lou Ferrigno, Olympian Maggie Connor and former White House press office Edward P. Lozzi, among others. For fans, constituents and the curious, check it all out at StaunchModerates.org or any of their social media channels.
Website: http://www.staunchmoderates.org/ www.StaunchModerates.org
Facebook: Facebook.com/staunchmoderates
Instagram: staunch_moderates
Twitter: @SModerates
YouTube: Staunch Moderates News
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/staunchmoderates
View original content:
SOURCE Staunch Moderates | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/12/staunch-moderates-intellectual-movements-midterm-strategy-rapper-casanova-ace-dj-staunch-release-sophomore-album-mission-peace-doubling-down-movements-intellectual-political-philosophy-moderation-over-extremism/ | 2022-09-12T12:41:24Z |
ARLINGTON, Va., April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Tax & Accounting today announced the release of Workflow Automation, an enhancement to its Bloomberg Tax Fixed Assets solution that automates the challenging and error-prone process of manual data input for processing fixed assets transactions for both financial and tax accounting. For more information and to schedule a demo, visit http://onb-tax.com/Isi950IRhPE.
Workflow Automation for Bloomberg Tax Fixed Assets provides a streamlined process for the import of complex and high volumes of asset data in multiple formats and from different sources. A simple, wizard-like automated import process allows users to easily review fixed assets data and make quick and easy adjustments. This enhancement is configurable for both direct connections and file-based transfers and eliminates the need for third-party tools.
The new automated process reduces error by eliminating the need for manual entry. It exposes errors in the user interface and creates a traceable audit history for controls, all in a secure cloud environment.
Bloomberg Tax Fixed Assets is an enterprise capital asset management solution that reduces risk and saves users time and money accounting for and managing the full lifecycle of fixed assets.
"Tax professionals can spend an enormous amount of time entering and checking transaction data," said Evan Croen, Senior Vice President, Bloomberg Tax & Accounting. "Workflow Automation for Bloomberg Tax Fixed Assets automates this tedious process, saving practitioners time and greatly improving efficiency. This new enhancement also increases data accuracy and control while reducing risk."
About Bloomberg Tax & Accounting
Bloomberg Tax & Accounting provides practitioner-driven research and technology solutions that deliver timely, strategic insights to enable smarter decisions. From our unparalleled Tax Management Portfolios to technology designed to streamline the most complex planning and compliance scenarios, we deliver essential news and analysis, practical perspectives, and software that help tax and accounting professionals around the globe mitigate risk and maximize business results. For more information, visit Bloomberg Tax.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Bloomberg Tax & Accounting | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/new-workflow-automation-bloomberg-tax-fixed-assets-increases-efficiency-reduces-error/ | 2022-04-25T18:08:15Z |
BOULDER, Colo., June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LongPath Technologies co-founder and CTO Greg Rieker testified today before a House Science Committee hearing focused on efforts to monitor methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.
"You can't improve what you don't measure," said Rieker, offering the committee a key and unique perspective as LongPath is the only independent blind-tested and proven true-continuous leak monitoring platform.
"The action of emissions mitigation happens at the local level," said Reiker, "so continuous, specific-facility monitoring with instantaneous feedback directly to the oil and gas companies is critical."
LongPath provides multiple per day full-site-coverage (facility-wide) emissions measurements to operators, catching large leaks in real-time. LongPath's large-scale networks of laser sensors (akin to a methane radar) provide scalable and accurate data for rapid emissions mitigation and ESG/RSG accounting.
Rieker highlighted three key points for the committee: First, the savings realized when operators opt for continuous emissions monitoring systems like LongPath's more than pay for themselves in improved operational efficiency and rapid repair of leaks. Second, new policies and legislation (e.g. EPA's proposed methane rule and the SEC's proposed climate-related disclosures rule) must recognize that evolving technologies provide more and better information than older leak survey methods and calculation-based inventory values. And, Third, the cost of new methane technologies are well within reach, not only for operator adoption but for public good and public infrastructure considerations.
"LongPath can cover the Permian, one of the US' largest oil and gas basins, for less than the cost of the last James Bond Movie… or, in infrastructure terms, for less than the cost of 20 miles of interstate highway," said Reiker.
LongPath's foundational laser technology combines low system cost and field robustness with continuous long-distance emissions detection. LongPath is based in Boulder, CO. Learn more at www.LongPathTech.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE LongPath Technologies, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/longpath-testifies-methane-monitoring-house-science-committee/ | 2022-06-08T16:42:33Z |
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The House passed two bills on Friday to protect women’s access to abortion, but the votes were largely symbolic as it’s unlikely they will become law.
Democratic women in Congress vowed to continue fighting for women across the country too regain their reproductive freedom.
During a press conference, Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) said “if Republicans have their way this would be a country of forced birth, they’ve already openly discussed a national abortion ban.”
One of the bills House Democrats voted on would protect the right to travel to another state for an abortion and the other would restore federal abortion access.
“Democrats are honoring the basic truth, women’s most intimate health decisions are her own,” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said.
The second bill would protect abortion rights up to the point of viability and allow later abortions if a health care provider determines in good-faith that the mother’s life is in danger.
While the bills passed in the House, they are unlikely to become law. On Thursday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill from Nevada senator Catherine Cortez Masto to protect interstate travel for abortions.
“I rise today to oppose the uncontainable Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act,” Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) said.
Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) also spoke out against the bill saying “this bill allows the person doing the abortion to decides what qualifies as pre-viability and this is unacceptable.”
Because Democrats worry state bans will extend beyond abortion, they are planning another vote in the House next week to protect access to all forms of contraception. | https://cw33.com/news/washington-dc-bureau/house-democrats-pass-two-bills-aiming-to-protect-abortion-access/ | 2022-07-15T21:16:55Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Guru Sonpavde is the Bladder Cancer Director at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and a practicing physician. Dr. Sonpavde, along with the other members of Vial's Oncology CRO Scientific Advisory Board, will work hand-in-hand with the Vial team to launch and optimize the new CRO.
On joining the board, Dr. Sonpavde said, "The primary focus of my career has been to develop new drugs and combinations for urinary bladder cancer as well as prostate and kidney cancer through clinical trials. With new treatments like immunotherapies, antibody drug conjugates and targeted therapies, the field is accelerating towards improved cure rates. However, the clinical trials industry needs to be accelerating at that same pace, which is why I'm looking forward to working with Vial to ensure that Oncology trials are run with the utmost efficiency."
Vial has worked closely with Oncology sponsors and investigators to develop a deep understanding of the nuances of clinical trials and the current pain points in running them. The result of that research is a tech-enabled CRO offering that's "Built for Sponsors." The new Oncology CRO will leverage Vial's streamlined trial management system that integrates eSource, ePro, EDC, and CTMS into a seamless operating system. The CRO also offers additional best-in-class services to sponsors including more efficient study startup processes, a centralized pre-screening call center, and an unparalleled approach to patient recruitment.
Dr. Sonpavde joins Dr. Arati Rao, Dr. Antoni Ribas, and Dr. Neeraj Agarwal on Vial's Oncology CRO Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Sonpavde is a leading urological oncologist with a specialty in bladder cancer. He also has led translational projects and developed prognostic classifications and endpoints focused on bladder cancer. In addition to his roles at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Sonpavde is a member of the Genitourinary Committee of Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and the Bladder Cancer Task Force of the National Cancer Institute Genitourinary Steering Committee.
See the full release here.
About Vial: Vial's mission is to empower scientists to cure all human diseases. Vial has executed that vision by launching a next-generation Contract Research Organization (CRO) (with slated launches in Ophthalmology CRO, Oncology CRO, Gastroenterology CRO, and a Neurology CRO), a site network (Dermatology Clinical Trials, Ophthalmology Clinical Trials, Gastroenterology Clinical Trials, Women's Health Clinical Trials, Neurology Clinical Trials), and technology platform (VialConnect CTMS) to accelerate research. Vial has over 125 employees and is based in San Francisco, California, and has contributed to over 750 trials from Phase I through Phase IV.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Vial | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/31/vial-adds-dr-guru-sonpavde-dana-farber-cancer-institute-their-oncology-cro-advisory-board/ | 2022-07-31T19:38:56Z |
The OPEC oil cartel and its allies decided Wednesday to boost production in September by a much slower pace than in previous months at a time of high gasoline prices and unstable energy supplies exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, and its allies, led by Russia, said they will increase output to 100,000 barrels a day next month after raising it by 648,000 barrels per day in July and August. The group considered what effects staggering inflation and rising COVID-19 rates may have on global demand for fuel in the fall.
It comes after U.S. President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia last month, aiming to improve relations and encourage more oil production from the cartel to draw down high prices at the pump. While gasoline prices have been falling, they are still high and posing a political problem for him as inflation surges.
No oil production agreement was announced, but Biden said he expected OPEC to take steps to increase production in the coming weeks. Those hopes didn’t materialize.
As a result, “the U.S. may go looking for other sources of oil, whether it’s Venezuela or Iran,” said Jacques Rousseau, managing director at Clearview Energy Partners.
Biden’s administration also is encouraging the U.S. oil and gas industry to increase production.
“You’ve just seen the second-quarter results from some of these companies. They are record profits,” Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser for energy security at the State Department, said Wednesday on CNBC. “They should be investing those dollars right back into production increases.”
Despite the modest increase announced by OPEC+, the administration was trying to highlight that prices are already falling and could fall further with more domestic production.
“We’re pretty pleased with what we’re seeing” on prices for oil and gas down from highs, but “we know that this is not enough,” Hochstein said.
A senior Biden administration official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations, called the OPEC+ announcement a step forward. The official said the group has restored all the production cuts it made in 2020 during the depths of the pandemic, when oil prices and demand plummeted.
The group has been gradually adding more oil and gas to the market as economies recovered.
Some OPEC nations, such as Angola and Nigeria, have been producing less than the agreed-upon amount. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, have the capacity to increase production.
OPEC’s decision appears to be an attempt to appease those countries that can’t produce more, Rousseau said.
“Any time you increase the target, there’s countries that can’t participate,” he added. “If you only raise production by 100,000 barrels per day, that’s just a small piece for everybody.”
As a result, the amount of oil on the market might not keep up with demand, so high oil prices may persist for some time.
While the U.S. was probably hoping for a larger production increase, “in terms of overall supply/demand management, OPEC’s decision is logical,” Noah Barrett, research analyst for energy and utilities at Janus Henderson Investors, said in a note. “There’s still a great deal of uncertainty on oil demand in the back half of this year, driven by questions around Chinese demand, and the potential for U.S. or even a global recession.”
The price of oil rose sharply after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. It fell somewhat since OPEC+ last met but rose modestly Wednesday. A barrel of U.S. benchmark crude was selling for just over $94, compared with more than $105 per barrel a month ago. Brent crude, the international standard, was selling for just over $100 a barrel, also down about $110 from a month ago.
Russia’s oil and natural gas exports to the world have declined as many nations imposed sanctions or curtailed buying from the major supplier due to its invasion of Ukraine. Russia also has reduced or cut off natural gas to a dozen European countries, further driving up energy prices, squeezing people’s spending power and threatening to cause a recession if nations can’t stockpile enough natural gas to get through the winter.
It was the first official monthly meeting of the OPEC+ group since its leader, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, died at age 63 in his home country of Nigeria last month. Haitham al-Ghais, a veteran of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, took over as secretary general of OPEC this week.
In the U.S., a gallon of regular gasoline was selling for $4.16 on average Wednesday. That’s substantially lower than in June, when the nationwide average surpassed $5 a gallon, but it’s still painfully high for many front-line workers and families to afford and about 31% higher than what drivers were paying a year ago.
___
Associated Press writers Josh Boak and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/business/ap-business/opec-to-decide-oil-output-to-world-amid-high-inflation/ | 2022-08-03T21:52:32Z |
(The Hill) – A new virus has infected dozens of people in China, with researchers suggesting shrews might be a “natural reservoir” for the virus. Still, experts say the virus is likely not a major concern.
Research published in The New England Journal of Medicine last week said that the Langya henipavirus was found in 35 people in the Chinese provinces of Henan and Shandong.
Scientists said that 26 of those people had no other pathogen detected in their body besides Langya and had a range of symptoms, including nausea, fever, vomiting and cough.
“Among 25 species of wild small animals surveyed, [Langya] RNA was predominantly detected in shrews (71 of 262 [27%]), a finding that suggests that the shrew may be a natural reservoir of [Langya],” researchers said.
Researchers think there may be only “sporadic” infection among humans.
“There was no close contact or common exposure history among the patients, which suggests that the infection in the human population may be sporadic. Contact tracing of 9 patients with 15 close-contact family members revealed no close-contact [Langya] transmission, but our sample size was too small to determine the status of human-to-human transmission for [Langya],” they said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only two henipaviruses officials know of that cause disease in humans, the Hendra virus and the Nipah virus.
Humans can contract Hendra virus through direct contact with horses, or body fluids and tissues of infected horses, the CDC explains. Horses can only become infected through exposure to bat urine. Humans, however, cannot get the virus from bats and cannot transmit the virus to another human.
The CDC reports Nipah virus is transmitted through contact with pigs that are infected, or bats. The virus can be spread from person to person but only through close contact. Friends and family caring for an ill patient can facilitate transmission.
“Both Hendra and Nipah virus infections can cause a severe influenzalike illness with fever, myalgia, headache, and dizziness. This may progress to severe encephalitis with confusion, abnormal reflexes, seizures, and coma; respiratory symptoms may also be present,” according to the CDC. Neither virus has been reported in the U.S.
Francois Balloux, the director of the University College London (UCL) Genetics Institute said that because Langya henipavirus was first detected in humans in 2018, it was an indicator that virus is not rapidly contagious.
“Other Henipaviruses can infect humans. Nipah virus in particular is a cause of concern as it [is] known to transmit between humans, but it is so lethal that it doesn’t have ‘pandemic potential’. LayV looks far less lethal but probably doesn’t transmit easily from human to human,” he tweeted.
“At this stage, LayV doesn’t look like a repeat of Covid-19 at all, but it is yet another reminder of the looming threat caused by the many pathogens circulating in populations of wild and domestic animals that have the potential to infect humans,” he added in a separate tweet. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/what-is-the-new-langya-virus-that-has-infected-35-people-in-china/ | 2022-08-11T05:02:01Z |
Which lightsaber toys are best?
The lightsaber is an iconic part of all Star Wars movies. It’s an inventive weapon created by writer and director George Lucas and is used by both Jedis and their enemies on the Dark Side. In the films, the lightsabers are sword-like weapons that use a powerful beam of plasma energy that can cut through almost anything it touches. Every Star Wars film features a lightsaber duel and it’s become one of the most well-known tropes of the franchise.
Given the simplistic design of the lightsaber, it’s become a very popular toy for children of all ages. Obviously, plasma isn’t a safe or practical material for kids toys, so most utilize plastic and LED lights to create fun replicas of the lightsaber. The best Star Wars lightsaber toy is the Star Wars Lightsaber Academy Interactive Lightsaber that includes Bluetooth technology for in-app integration.
What to know before you buy a lightsaber toy
Lightsaber styles
Over the years, lightsabers have gone through changes based on which new characters are introduced. There are different styles and colors that represent each character, many of which have become synonymous with their stories. When Darth Maul was introduced in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” fans were blown away by his double-sided red lightsaber, just as they were with Kylo Ren’s unique crossblade lightsaber in “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.” You can find both Kylo Ren and Darth Maul lightsabers toys that look exactly like the ones from the films.
Lightsaber colors
Many different characters from the Star Wars universe use lightsabers as their preferred weapon. The most iconic of them all is Luke Skywalker. Although his weapon was blue in the famous “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” movie poster, it was later changed to green, which is the color it remains today. You can purchase different lightsabers depending on which character you want to represent. If you’re a classic fan, go with a green one to cosplay as Luke Skywalker. Or, if you want to experience the Dark Side, look for a red lightsaber.
Lightsaber materials
Lightsaber toys use plastic as their main material. It’s lightweight, fairly durable, can easily hold decals and stands up to the heat from the lights.
The handle of a lightsaber is called the hilt, and the plasma beam is emitted from the top. For lightsaber toys, the hilt is almost always made with plastic. You can find much higher quality lightsabers that use metal or aluminum, but these are more collectors’ items than toys.
The plasma beams for toys are made of a lightweight plastic material as well. Just be mindful that you don’t strike another person, lightsaber or object with it using an excessive amount of force.
What to look for in a quality lightsaber toy
LED lights
Be sure you’re purchasing a lightsaber toy with built-in LED lights. This type of lighting is more energy efficient compared to standard lights, which means you’ll be replacing the batteries far less often. LED lights are also brighter, so they’re able to light up the entirety of the lightsaber. This makes for fun, epic duels in the dark when all you can see is the light from your weapon.
Sound effects
Another feature of lightsabers that make them a high quality purchase is the addition of sound effects. There’s no reason with today’s technology that you should be forced to make a “pew pew” sound yourself. Most lightsabers come with built-in speakers that use sound effects to create an immersive experience. You can hear the clash of your lightsaber against another, the soaring sounds of TIE Fighters as they swoop around you, and even some familiar voice lines from Chewbacca, Yoda and Luke Skywalker himself. Some high-quality lightsabers even let you record your own voice to make your own personal sound effects.
App integration
The best lightsaber toys will be able to integrate with the Star Wars Lightsaber Academy app. This app is made for Apple and Android devices and is free of charge. Once you have your compatible lightsaber and the app is downloaded, you can begin your training. Connect your toy through its built-in Bluetooth and make sure it shows up on the app. Choose an instructor from either the Jedis or the Dark Side and watch as your skills improve. The lightsaber has internal devices that track your movement, speed and accuracy and the app shows all your data points in seconds. From there, your instructor will guide the way to become a lightsaber master.
How much you can expect to spend on lightsaber toy
Lightsaber toys typically cost between $25-$60. You can expect to pay more for collectables.
Lightsaber toy FAQ
How do lightsaber toys work?
A. Most every lightsaber will require a set of batteries to operate. This allows the light to turn on and the added sound effects to function. There are usually buttons on the hilt to turn the light on. Once on, simply flick out the lightsaber using a quick motion of your wrists. Additional buttons may be used to change colors and hear different effects.
What ages are lightsaber toys best for?
A. Children under the age of four should not use lightsaber toys. Although they usually don’t include small parts, they are very long and are made with sturdy materials that can cause damage to individuals or other objects.
What’s the best lightsaber toy to buy?
Top lightsaber toy
Star Wars Lightsaber Academy Interactive Lightsaber
What you need to know: From the Star Wars Lightsaber Academy, this smart lightsaber uses technology that lets you choose your training master.
What you’ll love: You can use the Star Wars Lightsaber Academy app to interact with your device, choose your master and play interactive games. The lightsaber itself has built-in Bluetooth technology and includes an accelerator, gyroscope and barometer to track your speed, accuracy and overall skills which can be seen in the app.
What you should consider: This lightsaber is not for beginners and best for children with experience using interactive toys.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top lightsaber toy for the money
Star Wars Scream Saber Lightsaber
What you need to know: Another interactive lightsaber from Star Wars, this model allows you to record your own noises and use them in battle.
What you’ll love: With multiple color options, like blue, red and yellow, you can portray any Star Wars character you’d like as you duel for control of the galaxy. Three sound options lets you either record your own voice for sound effects, play classic effects from the movie, or listen to voice lines and effects from Chewbacca, TIE Fighters or Yoda.
What you should consider: The sounds are loud and can be a nuisance in a small household.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Star Wars Luke Skywalker Lightsaber
What you need to know: This green lightsaber used by Luke Skywalker in the movies is the most iconic weapon in the entire franchise.
What you’ll love: This Jedi inspired lightsaber lights up a bright green and includes a replica handle straight from the film series. You can press a button to hear recorded lines from Luke Skywalker, as well as sound effects to make you feel like you’re really dueling Darth Vader.
What you should consider: It requires three AAA batteries, which are not included in the package.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Jordan Beliles 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/toys-games-br/theme-toys-br/best-lightsaber-toy/ | 2022-05-29T19:14:22Z |
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Communities, an affiliate of Madison Capital Group, has recently broken ground on 266 units located in Century Farms, a mixed-use master- planned development located in Antioch, TN. Located within Century Farms, the community will be called Madison Century Farms and construction will begin in September.
Madison Century Farms will feature 266 units with surface parking. Project amenities will include luxury unit finishes, integrated clubhouse with fitness center, outdoor lounge with summer kitchen, a resort style pool and pool deck with grilling stations and cabanas. The project will be delivered by Benco Construction, Madison's affiliate general contracting group.
"We remain very active in Nashville across both our Multifamily and Self- Storage platforms," said Ryan Hanks, CEO of Madison Capital Group. "We are excited to get this off the ground and look forward to starting our next apartment development in Q1 of next year located off of West Trinity near Germantown". Madison's Self-Storage platform, Go Store It, also has several new storage developments in planning between Downtown and Franklin.
Madison Communities is based in Charlotte, NC and focuses on the development and management of suburban garden apartment projects throughout the Sunbelt and has offices in Charlotte, Nashville, Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas, and Charleston.
CONTACT:
investors@madisoncapgroup.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Madison Capital Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/madison-communities-breaks-ground-madison-century-farms-suburban-nashville-tn/ | 2022-09-15T16:30:02Z |
OTSU, Japan, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd., headquartered in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, has developed a transparent antenna, which is made of a glass substrate, and a repeater (*1), which uses radio wave lenses and does not require power supply, for 5G millimeter-wave wireless communication technology. These products will be exhibited at the fifth 5G Technology Expo to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from June 29 to July 1, 2022.
Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106496/202206242931/_prw_PI1fl_Sgrm1ycY.jpg
Images: Product photos and usage
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106496/202206242931/_prw_PI3fl_UkYy35HI.jpg
Image: Expected usage location
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106496/202206242931/_prw_PI4fl_f6isBk7Z.jpg
5G uses radio waves of two frequency bands, Sub-6 (under 6 GHz) and millimeter wave (28 GHz). To achieve high-speed communication, it is necessary to use the millimeter-wave band, which can secure a wide bandwidth. However, millimeter waves are significantly attenuated in the atmosphere. Due to strong linearity of propagation, they do not diffract behind obstacles. To cover a wide area, a mechanism to resolve these issues is required.
The newly developed transparent antenna has a special antenna pattern on a glass substrate, whose dielectric constant (*2) (4.0) and loss tangent (*3) (0.002) are the smallest in the world (*4). This is a highly efficient transparent antenna. The size of glass substrates can be increased, making it possible to manufacture multiple products from a single substrate. This contributes to improving the antenna productivity and enables formation of antennas for multiple bands on a single substrate. By making the antenna transparent, the antenna functionality can be added without spoiling the design and landscape of an installation location. The antenna can be installed in various locations, such as windows, walls, displays, and vehicles.
The repeater, which is the other newly developed product, consists of two radio wave lenses and a waveguide. It receives and retransmits radio waves and changes the direction of radio waves without power supply even under circumstances where radio waves are blocked by walls and window glass. By changing the shape of the lens, radio waves can be transmitted in a certain direction or over a wide range. The lens is not subject to deterioration caused by ultraviolet rays because it is made of glass. It can be used stably over a long period in various places, both indoors and outdoors.
The Company will contribute to expanding and spreading the use of millimeter-wave radio waves by marketing the two newly developed products.
Notes:
(*1) Repeater: A relay to receive and retransmit radio waves.
(*2) Dielectric constant: An index of polarizability when a voltage is applied to a material. The lower the relative permittivity, the lower the signal attenuation.
(*3) Loss tangent: A measure of energy when a dielectric substance is polarized. The smaller the loss tangent, the lower the conversion of electromagnetic energy into heat, and as a result attenuation of signals is reduced.
(*4) Smallest in the world: Among multi-component glass substrates, in 28 GHz, based on a survey conducted by the Company in June 2022.
For more information, please visit: https://info.neg.co.jp/EN_220613
View original content:
SOURCE Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/nippon-electric-glass-develops-new-products-expanding-5g-wireless-communication-area/ | 2022-06-28T07:19:25Z |
Lauren Bloom Promoted to Head of Canada; Samantha Cleyn Promoted to Head of Institutional for Canada
BALTIMORE, July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- T. Rowe Price announced that Lauren Bloom has been named head of Canada. Bloom is responsible for leading and executing T. Rowe Price's distribution business strategy in Canada. In her new role, she will report to Chris Newman, head of Americas distribution for the firm.
Bloom was previously head of intermediary and defined contribution, Canada. Since joining T. Rowe Price in 2018, she has helped grow and diversify distribution of the firm's investment strategies through Canadian intermediary partners. In her new position, Bloom will focus on leveraging T. Rowe Price's global investment platform to best serve consultants, financial intermediaries, and institutional clients throughout Canada. Prior to her tenure at T. Rowe Price, Bloom spent 10 years in various roles with CI Institutional Asset Management. Her last position was vice president, strategic alliances, where she was responsible for institutional business development and client service for banks, insurance company platforms, pension plans, consultants, and multi-family offices.
"T. Rowe Price is committed to growing its business in Canada," said Newman. "Lauren brings many years of experience and is well positioned to take on the role of head of Canada. Under her leadership, continued attention will be given to providing clients with the full depth and breadth of T. Rowe Price's investment expertise, which encompasses strategies across every sector and region of the global financial markets – equities, fixed income, and alternative securities markets, as well as multi-asset, and specialty strategies."
"I am honored to take on this new role as we continue to grow and bring T. Rowe Price's investment capabilities to the Canadian market," said Bloom. "Since opening our Canadian office in 2007, we have been fortunate to partner with large Canadian institutional and intermediary clients from coast to coast. Today we manage over $22.9 billion CAD1 and offer strategies to Canadian clients via separate accounts' sub-advisory, Canadian pooled funds and model delivery."
Samantha Cleyn has been promoted to head of institutional for Canada. In this role she is responsible for developing and executing a business plan for serving institutional clients. Cleyn was previously head of Eastern Canada for T. Rowe Price's Americas division; this new position expands her responsibilities to the entire country. Throughout her 15-year career, Cleyn has worked exclusively with institutional investment clients and brings longstanding business relationships to her new role. Prior to joining T. Rowe Price in 2020, she was a senior investment consultant at Mercer in Montreal. Cleyn will report to Bloom.
These promotions follow a strategic business and organizational review following the retirement of Bruce Winch, previously head of Canada for T. Rowe Price, who retired from the firm on March 1, 2022. The team comprises seven people focused on serving the Canadian market; its office is in the TD North Tower in Toronto.
"In this highly relationship-driven business, our team has demonstrated their dedication to supporting distribution efforts across consultants, intermediaries, and institutional clients. They are committed to improving customer experience and engagement by pairing our global platform with a local presence," said Newman. "T. Rowe Price greatly values its client relationships in Canada, and Lauren and Sam's promotions highlight our continued commitment to client success."
1 As of May 31, 2022
Founded in 1937, Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price (NASDAQ-GS: TROW), is a global investment management organization with $1.40 trillion in assets under management as of May 31, 2022. The organization provides a broad array of mutual funds, subadvisory services, and separate account management for individual and institutional investors, retirement plans, and financial intermediaries. The organization also offers a variety of sophisticated investment planning and guidance tools. T. Rowe Price's disciplined, risk-aware investment approach focuses on diversification, style consistency, and fundamental research. For more information, visit troweprice.com, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
View original content:
SOURCE T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/t-rowe-price-announces-strategic-promotions-canada/ | 2022-07-06T16:44:20Z |
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Tuesday for a four-day “humanitarian pause” in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians’ Holy Week observances.
Noting that the Easter season is coming amid an intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. chief said the need for a “humanitarian pause” is all the more urgent.
“The onslaught and terrible toll on civilians we have seen so far could pale in comparison to the horror that lies ahead. This cannot be allowed to happen,” he told reporters, urging Russians and Ukrainians “to silence the guns and forge a path to safety for so many at immediate risk.”
Guterres said the proposed pause would allow for evacuating civilians from “current or expected areas of confrontation” and getting more humanitarian aid into desperately needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. More than four million people in those areas need assistance, Guterres said.
His remarks came a day after U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths suggested “maybe there will be some ripeness” for a cease-fire as the Orthodox Easter holiday approaches. Griffiths had traveled to Ukraine and Russia earlier this month to try to gauge the potential for a cease-fire and emerged saying he wasn’t optimistic at the time.
Griffiths on Tuesday broached the idea of a Holy Week pause with the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, an interfaith group, Guterres said.
“The four-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine,” Guterres said.
The proposal comes after the U.N. recently helped to foster a two-month truce in Yemen’s civil war,halting fighting as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/un-chief-urges-4-day-easter-pause-in-fighting-in-ukraine/ | 2022-04-19T16:19:07Z |
Defendant: Former Mississippi governor ordered payments to NFL’s Brett Favre
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A defendant in a Mississippi welfare fraud case said in a court document she directed $1.1 million in welfare money to former NFL star Brett Favre at the direction of former Gov. Phil Bryant.
Mississippi news outlets report that the accusation, which Bryant denies, is in a filing on behalf of defendant Nancy New, who, with her son, once ran a nonprofit group and an education company in Mississippi.
After pleading guilty in April to criminal charges, Nancy New, 69, and her son Zachary New, 39, agreed to testify against others in what the state auditor has called Mississippi’s largest public corruption case in the past two decades.
Her court filing is in a civil case filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services against Mississippi Community Education Center Inc., once run by the New family. In the 29-page document, her attorneys say she was acting at the direction of MDHS officials in the awarding of various contracts and allocation of funds.
The filing was dated Monday and was first reported by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit digital news operation that has reported extensively on the welfare scandal.
She specifically mentions Bryant regarding $1.1 million in money paid to Favre “in consideration for Favre speaking at events, keynote speaking, radio and promotional events, and business partner development.”
A spokesperson for the former governor released a statement denying the accusations, according to WAPT-TV.
“These allegations made against Gov. Bryant are false. Every claim against these individuals was discovered and prosecuted as a result of an investigation Gov. Bryant requested of the state auditor,” the statement said.
The state auditor has demanded repayment of $77 million of misspent welfare funds, including the $1.1 million paid to the retired NFL quarterback.
Favre has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing and has repaid the money. He has said that he didn’t know the money he received came from welfare funds, and has denied the auditor’s allegations that he was paid for events he didn’t attend. Favre also said his charity had provided millions of dollars to poor children in Mississippi, where he lives, and Wisconsin, where he was a star with the Green Bay Packers.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/07/14/defendant-former-mississippi-governor-ordered-payments-nfls-brett-favre/ | 2022-07-14T12:54:20Z |
SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadstone Atlas, developed by Alliance Residential and managed by Greystar, has applied for LEED Gold Certification for the newly completed 483-unit apartment home community which includes several green features.
"We are always looking at ways to develop projects that meet the needs of our residents while also being mindful of our environment," Jonas Bronk - Managing Director at Alliance Residential said. "We worked with Architect Orange, Hendy Interior Design and MJS landscape architects to incorporate several green features into this new community to ensure that Broadstone Atlas provides a modern, vibrant lifestyle while also being environmentally-conscious and energy-efficient."
Among Broadstone Atlas' green features include:
- A Life Source Water Filtration System that provides filtered water to every home.
- Water efficient plumbing fixtures including WaterSense certified toilets, showerheads, and lavatory faucets for indoor water savings.
- A high-efficiency irrigation system with native and/or adapted plant selections for outdoor water savings; and a cool roof that reflects heat away from the building.
- High-efficiency mechanical equipment that results in lower energy usage and higher indoor air quality.
- Building materials such as paint, flooring, adhesives, and sealants that contain low or zero VOC content.
- Onsite open space to promote a balanced lifestyle and encourage outdoor activities.
Additionally, the community is located within a half mile of community resources and transit stops to reduce the need for a car.
Broadstone Atlas has studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units as well as penthouse floorplans. Penthouses have a driven snow color scheme and herringbone flooring. Every apartment home includes a wine fridge and Dwelo smart home connectivity, which provides keyless and fobless entry to homes and amenities.
The Kings Canyon Podcast Studio for all residents to use, meditation studio, office space for multiple people with mini-trailer coffee bar and the Channel Islands pool headlines the community amenities. Additionally, Broadstone Atlas' Joshua Tree clubroom has a 220-inch TV and a fourth-floor deck with views of Tustin and custom murals — one by Carly Ealey and the other by Sasha Seyb.
The community is located less than 10 minutes from John Wayne Airport and 20 minutes from Disneyland and Newport Beach with easy freeway access. The Tustin Legacy shopping center is minutes away with restaurants, a movie theater and other shops. Directly across from Broadstone Atlas is the Tustin Legacy Park and Mess Hall.
For more information, or to book a tour, please visit www.broadstoneatlas.com or call 949-996-0051.
Alliance Residential Company is one of the largest and most active rental residential real estate developers in the United States. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona with 19 regional offices, Alliance is focused on the development, construction, and acquisition of residential communities across 17 states and 33 metropolitan markets. Alliance develops high-end Broadstone multifamily communities, Holden senior housing communities, and workforce housing properties through its Prose brand. To learn more visit www.allresco.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Greystar | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/newly-completed-broadstone-atlas-applies-leed-certification/ | 2022-08-09T17:26:23Z |
NEW YORK, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Practical Pain Management (PPM), a leading digital health brand that serves pain-treating clinicians and published by Remedy Health Media, is honored to be the establishing sponsor of the Fudin Award for Pain and Palliative Care Mentorship, presented by the Society of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacists Foundation (SPPCP Foundation).
With a particular focus on education, this award will be given annually to a mentor working to hone the skills of rising clinicians in the field of chronic pain management through palliative care, advanced pain practice, and/or clinical pharmacy. The Fudin Award for Pain and Palliative Care Mentorship will honor individual clinicians who have demonstrated a commitment to both medicine and purpose in their daily practice through remarkable mentorship, a devotion to patient-centered care and education as well as inter-professional collaboration, and a sense of practicality and humor – representing the legacy of Dr. Jeffrey Fudin, or what those who know him best call "the Fudin Factor."
The inaugural award and namesake will honor Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, FCCP, FASHP, FFSMB.
Dr. Fudin joined the PPM Editorial Advisory Board in 2014 and has served as Co-Editor-at-Large, with Jeff Gudin, MD, since the summer of 2018. Described as an icon and trailblazer throughout the pain management community, which he has served for more than 4 decades, Dr. Fudin is someone who always seeks to find an educational lesson in a case or treatment decision, including as part of his own healthcare, which took a turn in 2021 when he received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Full of what he calls "lemonade" posts from the past year of his journey with colon cancer, from initial diagnosis to medication management to insurance struggles – his personal blog exhibits relentless dedication to educating those on both the giving and receiving side of care.
SPPCP Foundation President Chris Herndon, PharmD, BCAPC, FASHP, FCCP, says, "Dr. Fudin has shaped the way many of us practice, teach, and advocate in our professional lives. I cannot think of a more fitting recognition."
Says Dr. Gudin, Dr. Fudin's Co-Editor and close colleague, "Dr. Jeffrey Fudin's passion and dedication to pain and palliative care education is unmatched. For the decades that I have known and worked with him, Dr. Fudin has strived not only to increase his knowledge in our field of chronic pain management but also has made it his life's work to pass on that knowledge to his students and peers. I have been fortunate enough to work closely with many of his former students and residents, and it is remarkable how his innate dedication to patient care and education has been imparted to those he mentored. He is a true icon in our field and 'the Fudin Factor' will live on through this legacy award."
Adds PPM Executive Managing Editor Angie Drakulich: "Dr. Fudin's determination to learn, uncover, and challenge the way that chronic disease care is delivered, even using his own experience to educate others, is unrivaled. He has shaped numerous lives and careers, even on the edges of his work, including mine."
When notified of PPM's plans for the award, Dr. Fudin shared: "I'm just overwhelmed by learning the impact I have had – one advantage of knowing your time on earth is limited…. I'm speechless and most appreciative."
About Dr. Jeffrey Fudin
Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD, FCCP, FASHP, FFSMB, has served as a clinical pharmacy specialist in pain management at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York, since 1982, where he also directed and founded the PGY2 Pharmacy Pain Residency. Dr. Fudin is a founding member and inaugural Trustee for the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists (SPPCP). Dr. Fudin has been a staunch advocate for patients with chronic pain and an educator to providers for appropriately monitoring and interpreting opioid risks. He earned his doctorate from the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and completed an American Cancer Society sponsored oncology/hematology fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University. View full bio.
About the SPPCP Foundation
The SPPCP Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists. Established in 2022, the aim of the SPPCP Foundation is to support and recognize clinicians providing high quality care, education, and advocacy for patients in pain, with serious illness, or at the end-of-life.
About PPM
Practical Pain Management (PPM) was founded in the year 2000 to provide in-depth clinical information on a variety of pain conditions and treatment approaches. Written and reviewed by pain experts and leaders in the field, PPM helps clinicians navigate the evolving landscape of pain management, from the latest research in assessment to novel approaches in care to bring about the best long-term outcomes for individual patients.
Media Contact:
Remedy Health Media
Carrie Kreiswirth
ckreiswirth@remedyhealthmedia.com
646-326-9691
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Practical Pain Management (PPM) | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/practical-pain-management-society-pain-amp-palliative-care-pharmacists-foundation-announce-inaugural-fudin-award-mentorship/ | 2022-05-18T20:20:07Z |
CHANDLER, Ariz., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced that it is supporting NTT DOCOMO, INC.'s 5G Open RAN Ecosystem (OREC). NTT DOCOMO has used the VIAVI TM500 Network Tester for base station testing from the early stages of 3G through to 5G, and has now adopted key elements of the company's leading test suite for end-to-end testing of the entire O-RAN. Both companies are also active contributors to specifications development in the O-RAN ALLIANCE.
NTT DOCOMO launched OREC in 2021, growing the ecosystem to 13 vendor partners. The initiative's ambition is not limited to advancements in its own 5G network, but extends to enabling ubiquitous connectivity for users around the globe. As such, NTT DOCOMO is committed to allowing overseas mobile operators to remotely access the Shared Open Lab in Yokosuka, Japan to validate their own virtualized RAN.
Based on its leading position validating network products for operators and manufacturers worldwide, the VIAVI test suite gave NTT DOCOMO confidence that it would support the requirements of operators from all over the globe. End-to-end testing of the O-RAN is enabled by the TM500 Network Tester, TM500 O-DU Tester, the TeraVM O-CU Tester and the TeraVM Core Emulator. Critical use cases include:
- Benchmarking performance: of a virtual O-DU and O-CU individually or in combination where the O-RU could be real or emulated. This provides the operator the ability to validate the performance of the virtual components against a real or emulated O-RU in a repeatable way.
- Super-high load testing: the combined use of the TM500, TM500 O-DU Tester, TeraVM O-CU Tester and TeraVM Core Emulator provides the operator the flexibility to stress test the O-DU/O-CU to near or exceeding full capacity to identify where there are performance bottlenecks.
- Flexible end-to-end scenario testing: all of the test elements have a single point of control, allowing the operator to do multiple combinations of traffic scenarios, over 1000's of emulated UEs, hundreds of emulated DUs, multiple 5G carriers, while exercising different aspects of the virtual O-RAN components across frequency ranges from sub 6GHz to millimeter wave frequencies.
VIAVI offers the most comprehensive test suite on the market for lab validation, field deployment and service assurance of O-RAN networks. With vast experience validating network products for operators and manufacturers worldwide, VIAVI allows any node – O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, RIC and Core – and complete end-to-end testing to be performed on premise, in the cloud or as a service.
"In response to the diversifying needs of the market, NTT DOCOMO is driving 5G Open and virtualized RAN solutions with its ecosystem partners, aiming to realize highly flexible networks globally," said Sadayuki Abeta, General Manager, Radio Access Network Development Dept., NTT DOCOMO, INC. "Our collaboration with VIAVI will ensure robust and comprehensive validation of virtualized base stations, and facilitate availability for operators around the globe."
"NTT DOCOMO's bold vision and exacting requirements have always raised the bar for our solutions, and their advancement of Open RAN is no exception," said Rajesh Rao, Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, VIAVI. "The disaggregation of the network places a heavy focus on interoperability as a third pillar of validation alongside conformance and performance. VIAVI's test suite has been proven to deliver all three."
About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for communications service providers, enterprises, network equipment manufacturers, government and avionics. We help these customers harness the power of instruments, automation, intelligence and virtualization to Command the network. VIAVI is also a leader in light management solutions for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, and defense applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
Media Inquiries:
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE VIAVI Solutions | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/viavi-enables-global-access-ntt-docomo-open-ran-ecosystem-lab/ | 2022-06-21T11:53:04Z |
Acquisition marks Spin Master's entrance into casual gaming with digital game for world-famous Rubik's Cube in development
TORONTO, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Spin Master Corp. ("Spin Master" or the "Company") (TSX: TOY) (www.spinmaster.com), a leading global children's entertainment company, announced today the acquisition of Nørdlight, a digital game studio based in Stockholm, Sweden. The acquisition supports Spin Master's plans to grow revenue and penetration within digital gaming as well as leverage its proprietary intellectual property across all three creative centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games.
Spin Master initially made a minority investment in Nørdlight in August 2021 through Spin Master Ventures, an initiative focused on investing in cutting-edge, early-stage start-ups, designed to accelerate growth in each of the Company's three creative centres. Twelve months later, this transaction marks the first minority investment to transition into an acquisition.
"The pace of innovation within the children's entertainment space is rapidly changing, and this acquisition is strategically aligned with our long-term target to grow our Digital Games creative centre to up to 20% of Spin Master's total revenue," said Max Rangel, Spin Master's Global President and CEO. "Leveraging our expanding capabilities and roster of valuable intellectual property, we are well positioned to build engaging, evergreen digital games properties as gaming continues to permeate entertainment time for children."
The Nørdlight team comes with over 50 years of combined experience in the mobile games industry, delivering some of the largest grossing mobile digital games in history including running the prototype team at King.com and leading the technology and art for digital games titles including Candy Crush Saga. During the past year, Nørdlight has been working on developing and evolving the world-famous Rubik's brand into the digital space by introducing a casual mobile puzzle game, a project that is now entrusted to this renowned team of "puzzle game kings".
"We are dedicated to developing great games that captivate audiences from all around the world with playful, inclusive content," said Fredrik Loving, Spin Master's President, Digital Games. "With the Nørdlight team now a part of our ecosystem, we can't wait to show the world how we can evolve one of the best-selling physical toys into the next mobile puzzle game phenomenon."
"For us, the indie feeling in studio construction is crucial, which is why we have chosen to do this with Spin Master who shares so many of our values and really sees the possibility of building a modern studio with the employees' creativity in focus," says Olle Bäck, CEO of Nördlight. "In addition, the access to IPs we can now work with is incredible and that together we make a digital version of one of the world's best-selling puzzle is, in short, a dream come true."
Spin Master's Digital Games creative centre operates a network of studios encompassing the award-winning Toca Boca and Noid, based in Stockholm, Sweden; Originator located in San Francisco, California; and Sago Mini, located in Toronto, Canada. Spin Master is focused on accelerating the growth of the Digital Games creative centre by increasing engagement and reach within current games, creating new intellectual property, leveraging existing brands and franchises in the digital realm and through acquisition.
Certain statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this Press Release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the Securities Act (Ontario), and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date on which the statements are made in this Press Release. The words "plans", "expects", "projected", "estimated", "forecasts", "anticipates", "indicative", "intend", "guidance", "outlook", "potential", "prospects", "seek", "strategy", "targets" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can", or negative versions thereof, "be taken", "occur", "continue" or "be achieved", and other similar expressions, identify statements containing forward-looking information. Statements of forward-looking information in this Press Release include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the Company's future growth expectations; drivers and trends for such growth and financial performance; and the successful execution of its strategies for growth.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date on which the statements are made in this Press Release, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being incorrect. In addition to any factors and assumptions set forth above in this Press Release, the material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: the Company will be able to expand and grow its portfolio of owned intellectual property, leverage and monetize its owned intellectual property across its three creative centres and successfully license it to third parties; the Company will be able to successfully identify and integrate strategic acquisition and minority investment opportunities; seasonality; ability of factories to manufacture products, including labour size and allocation, tooling, raw material and component availability, ability to shift between product mix, and customer acceptance of delayed delivery dates; the expanded use of advanced technology, robotics and innovation the Company applies to its products will have a level of success consistent with its past experiences; the Company will continue to develop entertainment content and digital games content that will have a level of success consistent with its past experiences; the Company will continue to successfully secure broader licenses from third parties for major entertainment properties consistent with past practices; the expansion of sales and marketing offices in new markets will increase the sales of products in that territory; the Company will be able to maintain its distribution capabilities; the Company will be able to leverage its global platform to grow sales from acquired brands; the Company will be able to recognize and capitalize on opportunities earlier than its competitors; the Company will be able to continue to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships; the Company will maintain its status as a preferred collaborator; the culture and business structure of the Company will support its growth; the current business strategies of the Company will continue to be desirable on an international platform; access of entertainment content and digital games on mobile platforms will expand; fragmentation of the market will continue to create acquisition opportunities; the Company will be able to maintain its relationships with its employees, suppliers, retailers and license partners; the Company will continue to attract qualified personnel to support its development requirements; and the Company's key personnel will continue to be involved in the Company products and entertainment properties will be launched as scheduled and that the risk factors noted in this Press Release, collectively, do not have a material impact on the Company.
By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this Press Release. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the factors discussed in the Company's disclosure materials, including the Annual or subsequent, most recent interim MD&A and the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). These risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company and investors are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Spin Master Corp. (TSX:TOY) is a leading global children's entertainment company, creating exceptional play experiences through its three creative centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. With distribution in over 100 countries, Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands PAW Patrol®, Bakugan®, Kinetic Sand®, Air Hogs®, Hatchimals®, Rubik's Cube® and GUND®, and is the global toy licensee for other popular properties. Spin Master Entertainment creates and produces compelling multiplatform content, through its in-house studio and partnerships with outside creators, including the preschool franchise PAW Patrol and numerous other original shows, short-form series and feature films. The Company has an established presence in digital games, anchored by the Toca Boca® and Sago Mini® brands, offering open-ended and creative game and educational play in digital environments. Through Spin Master Ventures, the Company makes minority investments globally in emerging companies and start-ups. With over 30 offices in close to 20 countries, Spin Master employs more than 2,000 team members globally. For more information visit spinmaster.com or follow-on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @spinmaster.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Spin Master Corp. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/spin-master-expands-digital-games-ecosystem-with-acquisition-nrdlight/ | 2022-08-10T11:47:46Z |
Today is the 155th day of 2022 and the 77th day of spring.
TODAY'S HISTORY:
-- In 1912, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to pass a minimum wage law.
-- In 1917, the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded.
-- In 1942, the Battle of Midway began as the Japanese navy launched a raid on Midway Island.
-- In 1989, Chinese government troops and tanks crushed a massive demonstration of pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
-- In 1998, Terry Nichols was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Robert Merrill (1917-2004), opera singer; Dennis Weaver (1924-2006), actor; Ruth Westheimer (1928- ), therapist/media personality; Bruce Dern (1936- ), actor; Mortimer Zuckerman (1937- ), publisher/real estate executive; Michelle Phillips (1944- ), singer-songwriter; Keith David (1956- ), actor; John Hockenberry (1956- ), journalist/author; Noah Wyle (1971- ), actor; Rob Huebel (1972- ), actor/comedian; Russell Brand (1975- ), comedian/actor; Angelina Jolie (1975- ), actress; T.J. Miller (1981- ), actor.
TODAY'S FACT: The AFL-CIO estimates that union members earn 27% higher wages than their nonunion counterparts.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1927, the United States won golf's first-ever Ryder Cup at the Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Before you build a better mousetrap, it helps to know if there are any mice out there." -- Mortimer Zuckerman
TODAY'S NUMBER: 21 -- Pulitzer Prizes normally awarded each year. Online-only news organizations were eligible for 14 journalism prizes for the first time in 2009.
TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (May 30) and first quarter moon (June 7).
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/entertainment/saturday-history/article_4d5c2fa4-e29d-11ec-8686-6f0ba32f29db.html | 2022-06-02T19:03:21Z |
SAN DIEGO, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIRX), a precision oncology company targeting virus-associated malignancies, today announced that company management is scheduled to present at the Jefferies Healthcare Conference on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investors section of the Viracta website under "Events and Webcasts" at https://viracta.investorroom.com/events-and-webcasts. The webcast will be archived for 30 days.
Viracta is a precision oncology company targeting virus-associated malignancies. Viracta's lead product candidate is an all-oral combination therapy of its proprietary investigational drug, nanatinostat, and the antiviral agent valganciclovir (collectively referred to as Nana-val). Nana-val is currently being evaluated in multiple ongoing clinical trials, including a pivotal, global, multicenter, open-label Phase 2 basket trial for the treatment of multiple subtypes of relapsed/refractory Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) lymphoma (NAVAL-1), as well as a multinational Phase 1b/2 trial for the treatment of EBV+ recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other EBV+ solid tumors. Viracta is also pursuing the application of its inducible synthetic lethality approach in other virus-related cancers.
For additional information please visit www.viracta.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Ashleigh Barreto
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.
abarreto@viracta.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/01/viracta-therapeutics-present-jefferies-healthcare-conference/ | 2022-06-01T21:48:54Z |
HOUSTON, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. (the "Company" or "ICD") (NYSE: ICD) was recognized with the top ranking for service and professionalism in EnergyPoint Research's 2022 Land Drilling Customer Satisfaction Survey published August 25, 2022. This independent annual survey is the industry benchmark for measuring customer satisfaction across the land contract drilling industry and is comprised of thousands of in-depth evaluations.
Anthony Gallegos, President & Chief Executive Officer, commented "This is the fifth year in a row we have earned the top ranking for service and professionalism in EnergyPoint Research's Land Drilling Customer Satisfaction Survey and the second year in a row that we have been one of the top three land drilling contractors recognized for overall customer satisfaction.
We are very proud of our Pad-Optimal, Super-Spec rig fleet and the value proposition it provides to all of our stakeholders. Earning this recognition from our customers again this year is a testament to each ICD employee's continued commitment to our Core Values and providing the safest and most reliable contract drilling services. It is intentional that we pursue and achieve high levels of customer satisfaction while providing fit-for-purpose equipment staffed by trained, motivated and dedicated ICD employees.
Since the pandemic trough, we have increased our operating rig count by more than 500%, the fastest percentage ramp up in our industry. I am very pleased that ICD continues to maintain the highest quality of operations in our customers' eyes in the face of this unprecedented growth, and we thank our customers for their trust and their business. With our refinancing completed earlier this year, we are adding more 300 Series rigs to our operating fleet and look forward to continuing to meet our customers' growing drilling rig requirements as this current upcycle unfolds."
About EnergyPoint Research
EnergyPoint Research provides independent research regarding the customer satisfaction of suppliers of products and services to the energy industry. Founded in 2003, the firm publishes annual customer satisfaction ratings and rankings in six industry segments, including: onshore drilling, offshore drilling, oilfield services, oilfield products, midstream services and gasoline retailers. For more information regarding EnergyPoint Research or its independent oilfield supplier surveys, visit the company's website at www.energypointresearch.com or contact the company at info@energypointresearch.com.
About Independence Contract Drilling, Inc.
Independence Contract Drilling provides land-based contract drilling services for oil and natural gas producers in the United States. The Company constructs, owns and operates a fleet of Pad-Optimal, Super-Spec ShaleDriller rigs that are specifically engineered and designed to accelerate its clients' production profiles and cash flows from their most technically demanding and economically impactful oil and gas properties. For more information, visit www.icdrilling.com.
INVESTOR CONTACTS:
Independence Contract Drilling, Inc.
E-mail inquiries to: investor.relations@icdrilling.com
Phone inquiries: (281) 598-1211
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/independence-contract-drilling-awarded-1-ranking-service-professionalism-energypoint-researchs-land-drilling-customer-satisfaction-survey-fifth-consecutive-year/ | 2022-08-29T12:20:54Z |
Cold with isolated snow showers for Friday
TODAY: Isolated snow showers will be present today. The morning hours will have these showers present everywhere except for central ID. Once we move into the afternoon, snow showers start to drift and focus farther east for just SE Idaho and western WY. Winds will be breezy between 10-20 mph for the Snake River Plain, but will just be slight breezes between 5-15 mph for everyone else. High temperatures get into the 30's and 40's.
TOMORROW: Scattered rain and snow showers will be found across the entire region tomorrow especially in the afternoon. Snow showers will only be found in the mountains and we can expect rain showers with possible thunderstorms for the valleys. Winds will be very gusty by getting up to 20-30 mph. High temperatures will slightly increase into the 40's and 50's.
LONG TERM: We will dry out for Sunday and Monday before the next round of rain and snow comes back on Tuesday. More rain and snow looks to come later in the work week next week again on Thursday or Friday. Winds will be breezy for Sunday too before calming down on Monday. Winds pick back up for Tuesday to be breezy between 20-30 mph. High temperatures will be doing up and down continually this coming week. We decrease temperatures back to the upper 30's to lower 50's for Sunday before warming up to the 50's and 60's for Monday. Tuesday brings in cooler temperatures back to the 40's before warming up into the 50's for the second half of the work week. | https://localnews8.com/weather/local-forecast/2022/04/15/cold-with-isolated-snow-showers-for-friday/ | 2022-04-15T11:33:08Z |
GUELPH, ON, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. ("Canadian Solar" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), today announced it signed an agreement with SPIC Brasil, a leading power generation company in Brazil, to sell 70% stake in the Company's 738 MWp solar projects, Marangatu and Panati-Sitia.
The Marangatu and Panati-Sitiá projects, 446 MWp and 292 MWp each in size, are located in Piauí and Ceará, the Northeastern states of Brazil, covering an area of 2,200 hectares. Both projects are at advanced stage of development and are expected to begin construction in late 2022 and reach commercial operation in late 2023.
Once in operation, Marangatu and Panati-Sitiá are expected to be two of the largest solar power plants in Brazil and the clean electricity generated will be equivalent to powering over 900,000 households in Brazil annually. Around 75% of Marangatu and Panati-Sitiá's assured energy is already committed through long-term PPAs (power purchase agreements), and the remaining will be sold in the free market.
Dr. Shawn Qu, Canadian Solar Chairman and CEO, commented, "We are pleased to partner with SPIC Brasil in this transaction for the Marangatu and Panati-Sitiá projects, which will meaningfully contribute towards Brazil's goal of obtaining 23% of its energy from non-hydro renewable energy sources by 2030. With the completion of this sale, Canadian Solar will have successfully monetized 2.3 GWp of utility-scale solar projects in Brazil. We will continue to execute and monetize our remaining backlog of 1.6 GWp of high-quality, contracted solar projects in Brazil. Canadian Solar is a leader in the Brazilian market, and we will expand our leadership across more Latin American markets, including Colombia and Chile".
Adriana Waltrick, CEO of SPIC Brasil, provided the following comment, "We know that solar energy is a fundamental source for the energy transition towards a low carbon economy. SPIC group already has an extensive experience in implementing solar projects, being one of the main competitors in the sector worldwide. This acquisition marks the company's first solar investment in Brazil and the partnership with Canadian Solar is strategic, given Canadian Solar's experience and pioneering spirit on solar projects implementation and manufacturing."
The closing of this transaction depends, among other precedent conditions customary for this kind of deal, on the approval of the competent anti-trust regulatory agencies.
About Canadian Solar Inc.
Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world's largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. Over the past 20 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered over 71 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Likewise, since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built and connected over 6.6 GWp in over 20 countries across the world. Currently, the Company has around 800 MWp of solar projects in operation, 5.3 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 18.5 GWp of projects in pipeline (mid- to early- stage). Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.
About SPIC Brasil
SPIC Brasil is a company that invests in safe energy generation with respect for the communities where it operates, enhancing energy throughout the country. It invests in innovation, generation and solutions focused on renewable sources and contribute to the energy transition, guided by a commitment to people and the environment. Globally, the Group has US$ 202.3 billion assets and a total installed capacity of 187 GW. With assets totaling more than 3 GW in Brazil, the company operates the São Simão Hydroelectric Power Plant, on the border between the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás; two wind farms in Paraíba – Millennium and Vale dos Ventos – and has a stake in the largest natural gas complex in Latin America, the GNA (Gás Natural Açu), in São João da Barra (RJ). It employs more than 235 professionals located in São Paulo (SP), Natal (RN), São Simão (GO) and Mataraca (PB). For more information, access the SPIC Brasil Annual Report available at www.spicbrasil.com.br.
Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business, regulatory and economic conditions and the state of the solar and battery storage market and industry; geopolitical tensions and conflicts, including impasses, sanctions and export controls; volatility, uncertainty, delays and disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic; supply chain disruptions; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Japan, the U.S., China, Brazil and India; changes in effective tax rates; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; changes in corporate responsibility, especially environmental, social and governance ("ESG") requirements; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in or failure to timely adjust average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features that customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange and inflation rate fluctuations; uncertainties related to the CSI Solar carve-out listing; litigation and other risks as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2022. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today's date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
Canadian Solar Inc. Investor Relations Contacts
Isabel Zhang
Investor Relations
Canadian Solar Inc.
investor@canadiansolar.com
David Pasquale
Global IR Partners
Tel: +1-914-337-8801
csiq@globalirpartners.com
View original content:
SOURCE Canadian Solar Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/canadian-solar-sells-spic-brasil-70-stake-738-mwp-solar-projects/ | 2022-06-06T12:41:32Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy announced today, International Overdose Awareness Day, the launch of a new effort to assist communities and states in investing opioid settlement funds to support local, sustainable community-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery infrastructure. Through a $365,000 grant from the Elevance Health Foundation, Duke researchers will work with their strategic partner, Third Horizon Strategies, to create a series of toolkits and playbooks for policymakers to maximize use of these funds in their communities.
"With billions of time-limited opioid settlement funds flowing over the next 18 years toward local decision-makers, this a unique opportunity for communities to design, scale, and support local infrastructure that is attuned to the chronic nature of addiction and can fill needed gaps," said Dr. Mark McClellan, Director of the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy. "However, only limited guidance and resources are currently available to help local and county officials make informed decisions on the substance use treatment needs in their communities. This important support from the Elevance Health Foundation will further the Center's work on opioids and substance use disorder, including the workshops and publications geared toward providing policymakers practical steps toward ending the opioid addiction crisis. Through this grant, we will be able to provide policymakers the critical tools they need to create sustainable prevention and treatment options to tackle substance use disorder."
Today, 9.5 million adults in the U.S. report having both a SUD and a mental illness, and SUD alone affect over 40 million Americans aged 12 and over. "The startling reality that millions of Americans are struggling with substance use disorder drives home our commitment to partner with organizations to deliver solutions on local, state, and national levels," said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., Chief Health Officer of Elevance Health. "By acknowledging the physical, behavioral, and social drivers of health as they relate to substance use disorders, this important work will provide meaningful solutions to achieve better health and advance health equity."
"In order to sustain the impact of settlement funds, policymakers need to be able to assess where specific gaps exist on the ground, in addition to the special needs of their population and local community," said Tym Rourke, Senior Director, Third Horizon Strategies and former Chair of New Hampshire Governor's Commission on Substance Use. "Our firm is thrilled to lend its consensus-building and market analytics skills to provide policymakers with actionable tools they need to make informed life-saving decisions."
To maximize the use of these settlement dollars, over the next two years the Duke-Margolis-led effort will inform best practices for community-level investments in sustainable, recovery-oriented infrastructure, including:
- Potential Need tool that will allow local officials to understand prospective demand for specific substance use and mental health prevention, treatment, and recovery support services in their community.
- Recovery Readiness measurement tool to signal the capacity for communities, counties and related regions to support individuals in recovery within the broad mental health/substance use disorder support system.
- Playbook for Local Officials for investing opioid settlement funding in sustainable SUD treatment and recovery infrastructure, highlighting best practices and potential areas of investment, along with case studies from around country.
- A measurement toolkit to allow local officials to measure progress in patient outcomes and community-level SUD infrastructure, providing decision-makers and healthcare stakeholders with specific metrics for evaluating the impact of opioid litigation settlement dollars have on their communities.
The mission of the Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health Policy at Duke University is to improve health, health equity, and the value of health care through practical, innovative, and evidence-based policy solutions. For more information, visit healthpolicy.duke.edu and follow us on Twitter @DukeMargolis.
Third Horizon Strategies is a Chicago-based strategic, boutique advisory firm focused on shaping a future system that actualizes a sustainable culture of health nationwide. Staff located in Colorado, Illinois, Virginia, Connecticut, and New Hampshire support and lead client engagements spanning the country – from Washington state to Washington, D.C. The firm offers a 360º view of complex challenges across three horizons – past, present, and future – to help industry leaders and policymakers interpret signals and trends; design integrated systems; and enact changes so that all communities, families, and individuals can thrive. Learn more at www.thirdhorizonstrategies.com.
Elevance Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Elevance Health, Inc. The Foundation works to advance health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal child health; substance use disorder; and food as medicine. Through its key areas of focus, the Foundation also strategically aligns with Elevance Health's focus on community health and becoming a lifetime, trusted health partner that is fueled by its purpose to improve the health of humanity. To learn more about Elevance Health Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation or follow us @ElevanceFND on Twitter and Elevance Health Foundation on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Patricia Green, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy
Patricia.S.Green@duke.edu
+1 301 520 6482
Jordana Choucair, Third Horizon Strategies
Jordana@thirdhorizonstrategies.com
+1 512 987 6493
Vanessa Stepanek, Elevance Health Foundation
vanessa.stepanek@elevancehealth.com
+1 765 412 2803
View original content:
SOURCE Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/new-tools-resources-aim-help-guide-local-county-state-policymakers-make-community-investments-opioid-settlement-funds/ | 2022-08-31T04:33:10Z |
ALBANY -- When Steven Belk applied for the city of Albany's vacant Recreation and Parks director's position in 2014, he wasn't even granted an interview.
Rather than pout over the rebuff by hometown officials, Belk "learned a valuable lesson" and went to work on what he found to be deficiencies in his application.
On Tuesday, Belk, newly hired for the position that "brings him full-circle" back to the program that played such a big part in his early life, unveiled his unique brand of enthusiasm to a department that city officials admit has become certainly less than it could be over the past few years.
Hired by City Manager Steven Carter to run the city's recreation program, Belk said Friday he's "already wide open" in his efforts to revive a program that at one time was recognized as one of the state's best.
"I'm so fired up, you have no idea," Belk said as he talked about the potential in the department. "I'm confident we're going to turn things around here, and the people of Albany deserve that. In fact, I'm asking the community to join us -- the businesses, the schools, the neighborhoods -- because this is the community's recreation department.
"I feel I'm getting the full support of the city manager, the assistant city managers, the city commissioners. Everybody's welcomed me with open arms. We've got a veteran staff here, many of whom have been here through good times and bad times. I think, like me, they're ready to return to the good times."
Belk knows a thing or two about the city recreation department. Born and raised in Albany, Belk as an 8-year-old joined his brothers Andrew, then 12, and Jason, 10, in integrating the city's recreation football program.
"We lived on Corn Avenue (in south Albany) until my parents separated," Belk said. "My mom, who was a victim of domestic violence, moved us to Seventh Avenue, and that's where I gained a lot of nourishing. The men in that neighborhood mentored the boys, and that had a big impact on me. That's where I started growing up, where I was taught to be a man, and it was just a stone's throw from outside this building we're in.
"I feel like I've come full-circle. In that rec football program -- I scored 36 touchdowns that first year -- I learned valuable lessons about teamwork, about being on time, being responsible. Playing rec football is something I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do, but it had a lasting impact on me."
Belk went on to star in athletics and academics at Albany High School, and he played college basketball at Morris College in Sumter, S.C.
"My mom always stressed academics, and one of the things I'm most proud of is being named to the NCAA All-Academic team," he said.
Belk went on to earn a master's degree in city and regional planning at Ohio State University and started his professional career as an adapted Physical Education instructor in the Dougherty County School System. He eventually became the city's Special Olympics coordinator, a job he said he loved.
"I live by the Special Olympics motto: 'Let me win, but if I can't win let me be brave in the attempt'," Belk said. "Mr. Hank McGarrity is the one who got me involved with Special Olympics. I was working with his son, who was one of my favorites -- and I didn't know it was his son -- and Mr. McGarrity approached me one day and said, 'I like the way you interact with these kids.' He got me involved."
Belk later worked as a field representative for Congressman Sanford Bishop and with the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. before taking a position running the largest recreation program in the Job Corps network at Turner Job Corps Center in Albany. He worked at Job Corps centers in Washington, D.C.; Gainesville, Fla.; and two in New York. He closed out his pre-Albany Rec career working with the Gainesville Police Department's re-entry intervention program for prisoners ages 18-26 who were released from incarceration.
"All of those things I've done in my life, all of the positions I've held, led to me to this place today," Belk said. "I understand now about working with and managing a budget, about managing major projects."
Count Albany Mayor Bo Dorough among citizens who are excited about Belk's hiring.
"I'm excited that Steve was selected for the position," the mayor said. "He's a native Albanian, and he was here when our recreation program was such a success. He knows where the challenges are and understands them.
"I think the city is in a position where it can replace the facilities that have outlived their usefulness, and Steven can help us prioritize that process."
Belk said his emphasis in the recreation program will center around a holistic approach.
"There is emphasis in sports when you talk about recreation, but I believe there has to be balance," he said. "We also need to look at the soft skills, the life skills of all the young men and women in our community. I think about the impact the department had when it was thriving in the past. That's where we want to get back to.
"I'm so excited about this opportunity. I don't feel that I'm under pressure; I feel I'm working with people who are confident I can do the jo. I'm home now. And I'm here to stay." | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/full-circle-steven-belk-returns-home-to-take-over-recreation-department/article_9bfc9d34-e422-11ec-a9f8-8beb9ea9d454.html | 2022-06-04T19:49:52Z |
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric bike company Vanpowers Bike builds high-end electric bikes that aim to make riding a breeze. Vanpowers Bike is pleased to announce their new fat tire eMTB Manidae this year. Manidae is the best all-rounder to help riders flee the city to enjoy more riding fun for beach and camping adventure.
The Manidae has a clean look and a stable 750W of rated power. The motor provides speed of up to 28 mph, with a 85 Nm torque on offer. It is easier to start from a stop, with plenty of assistance for the best climbs, range, and speed. The best all-rounders aren't just good at either taking on challenging trails or getting home quickly at the end of the workday; they perform equally well on extended rides as they do throughout your daily commute.
People can cruise with ease and ride with more power. Manidae has both thumb throttle and pedal assist modes. Switch between systems on the fly, enjoying the ride your way.
The removable 672Wh lithium-ion battery with premium LG cells provides up to 70 miles of range, which is suitable for traveling and has a long range. People can get along perfectly with Manidae and enjoy longer rides without fear of draining battery power during the journey. The battery seamlessly integrates into the frame, which is safer and more secure in the event of a crash.
The beefy, stiff hydraulic suspension fork provides 95 mm of travel. When conquering rugged muddy terrain, and exploring miles of backcountry trails, it helps riders absorb bumps and provides a more comfortable ride while staying light and efficient. The fork performs well in fast berms and challenging landings, offering strong traction and plenty of reserve. Suspension front forks and soft fat tires make this hardtail eMTB more comfortable and safe to ride.
The 26'' x 4.0" puncture-resistant fat tires can strike a good balance between rolling resistance and grip. Take on snow and sand, rough and rooted trails, or other loose or rocky terrains. Maximize ride comfort and improve the overall feel.
Manidae is also equipped with high-quality components that people need: Shimano® 8-speed drivetrain, central LCD display, Selle Royal® saddle. It also has a back rack to help people carry backpacks or supplies for BBQ and camping.
For more info, click here.
About Vanpowers Bike
Vanpowers Bike is an e-bike brand specializing in giving riders the smoothest possible riding experience no matter the terrain. Founded in 2022 on the values of ease, efficiency, and comfort, VPB is dedicated to designing e-bikes that allow you to stay on the cutting edge of technology while maintaining sleek, classic aesthetics and without spending hours of your day waiting for a full charge.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Vanpowers Bike | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/vanpowers-bike-launches-emtb-manidae-high-performance-off-road-all-rounder-e-bike-that-can-take-many-trails/ | 2022-08-23T13:46:00Z |
- DEADLINE EXTENDED to VOTE: 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on July 17, 2022
- VOTE NOW by phone at (855) 935-2562, if in North America, or 1-(207) 607-7123, if international
- VOTE NOW online at www.proxyvote.com
PHOENIX, July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy infrastructure solutions, has published a video message from Chief Executive Officer Mark Russell explaining the importance of Nikola stockholders voting now to approve Proposal 2. The video can be accessed https://vimeo.com/725813099 and is available on all Nikola social media channels.
In the video, Mark Russell states, "We greatly appreciate the support of our stockholders who have overwhelmingly voted in favor of Proposal 2. Thanks to your strong support, we are very close to securing the votes needed. As of June 30, we are less than 2% short of the outstanding shares we need to be voted in favor for Proposal 2 to pass. Approving this proposal would provide Nikola with flexibility to support the future growth and development of our business."
Every vote matters. Stockholders must ACTIVELY VOTE by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 17, 2022, for their vote to count.
VOTE NOW - it is quick and simple:
- BY PHONE: Please call Alliance Advisors, Nikola's proxy solicitor, toll-free, at (855) 935-2562. International voters can call 1-(207) 607-7123. You can also contact Alliance Advisors if you have any questions about voting.
- BY INTERNET: Vote at www.proxyvote.com using your control number by following the instructions shared by your broker, bank or other nominee.
The 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held virtually on Monday, July 18, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time at https://east.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/vsm/web?pvskey=NKLA2022 via live audio webcast.
About Nikola Corporation
Nikola Corporation is globally transforming the transportation industry. As a designer and manufacturer of zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and hydrogen station infrastructure, Nikola is driven to revolutionize the economic and environmental impact of commerce as we know it today. Founded in 2015, Nikola Corporation is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.nikolamotor.com or Twitter @nikolamotor.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Nikola Corporation | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/01/nikola-releases-message-ceo-mark-russell-updating-stockholders-new-voting-deadline/ | 2022-07-01T16:26:11Z |
New Report Details Economic Impact Across 43 States
Webinar on July 14th to Review Findings
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As many small towns and rural communities across America face shrinking populations and growing economic challenges, a new report finds that a positive economic contributor to these communities is the flow of benefit dollars from public pension plans. In 2018, public pension benefit dollars represented between one and three percent of GDP on average in the 2,922 counties in the 43 states studied.
These findings are detailed in a new study released today by the National Institute on Retirement Security, Fortifying Main Street: The Economic Benefit of Public Pension Dollars in Small Towns and Rural America. The report is authored by Dan Doonan and Tyler Bond from NIRS, along with Nathan Chobo from Linea Solutions Inc.
The research illustrates the impact of benefit dollars from public pension plans according to several different measures: as a percentage of GDP by county; as a percentage of total personal income by county; and by categorizing counties as metropolitan, small town (micropolitan), or rural. This study builds on previous research, adding significantly more states and examining data in 43 states from a majority of public pension plans in the states.
Download the research here.
Register here for a webinar on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM ET for a review of the findings with the report authors.
This newly-expanded report finds that public pension benefit dollars account for significant amounts of total personal income in counties across the 43 states studied. For all 2,922 counties in this study, pension benefit dollars represent an average of 1.25 percent of total personal income, while some counties experience more than six percent of total personal income derived from pension dollars.
The analysis indicates that less populated counties with smaller economies experience a greater relative economic benefit from the flow of public pension benefit dollars into the county as compared to more populated, urban counties. This larger relative impact helps to sustain the economies of small towns during this period of economic transition in rural America.
"National economic trends coupled with population declines have had a devasting impact on many small towns and rural areas across America. Often, the largest employer in these smaller towns is a public entity like a school system or municipality that employs teachers, nurses, firefighters, and public safety officials. These public employees spend their career serving their communities at a time when a growing number of young workers are leaving their hometowns for job opportunities in urban areas," said Dan Doonan, NIRS executive director.
"Eventually, public employees in rural and smaller communities retire and typically stay in their hometown. Retired public employees spend their pension income in their towns on goods and services like housing, food, medicine and clothing, which serves as a stable source of economic activity in smaller communities. Our analysis clearly indicates that pension spending provides a substantial economic impact on struggling small towns and rural communities across the nation," Doonan explained.
The report's key findings are as follows:
- Public pension benefit dollars represent between one and three percent of GDP on average in the 2,922 counties studied.
- Rural counties have the highest percentages of their populations receiving public pension benefits.
- Small town counties experience a greater relative impact in terms of both GDP and total personal income from pension benefit dollars than rural or metropolitan counties.
- Rural counties see more of an impact in terms of personal income than metropolitan counties, while metropolitan counties and rural counties see an equivalent impact in terms of GDP.
- Counties that contain state capitals are outliers from other metropolitan counties, likely because there is a greater density of public employees in these counties, most of whom remain in these counties in retirement.
- On average, rural counties have lost population while small town counties and metropolitan counties have gained population in the period between 2000 and 2018, but the connection between population change and the relative impact of public pension benefit dollars is weak.
To ensure accuracy, the data for this report was collected directly from each pension plan.
The National Institute on Retirement Security is a non-profit, non-partisan organization established to contribute to informed policymaking by fostering a deep understanding of the value of retirement security to employees, employers and the economy as a whole. Located in Washington, D.C., NIRS' diverse membership includes financial services firms, employee benefit plans, trade associations, and other retirement service providers. More information is available at www.nirsonline.org. Follow NIRS on Twitter @NIRSonline.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE National Institute on Retirement Security | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/public-pension-benefit-dollars-provide-substantial-economic-impact-rural-communities-small-towns-across-us/ | 2022-07-12T22:10:35Z |
Barnes, Mobley, Cunningham unanimous NBA All-Rookie picks
NEW YORK (AP) — Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, Cleveland forward Evan Mobley and Detroit guard Cade Cunningham were unanimously voted to the NBA All-Rookie first team. Orlando’s Franz Wagner and Houston’s Jalen Green were the other players chosen for the first team by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Barnes, the No. 4 pick by the Toronto Raptors, edged Mobley for the Rookie of the Year in the smallest margin under the current format that began in 2002-03. They both received 200 points in the All-Rookie balloting, along with Cunningham, the 2021 No. 1 pick. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/05/18/barnes-mobley-cunningham-unanimous-nba-all-rookie-picks/ | 2022-05-19T02:59:21Z |
MUMBAI, India, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shriram Transport Finance Company Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in the Republic of India (the "Company"), hereby announces an offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Tender Offer Memorandum dated July 29, 2022 (the "Tender Offer Memorandum"), any and all of the outstanding U.S.$750,000,000 5.950% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 issued by the Company (the "Notes") under the second amended and restated trust deed dated December 27, 2019, as modified, supplemented and amended from time to time, between the Company and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited and Axis Trustee Services Limited (the "Trust Deed").
Capitalised terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Tender Offer Memorandum, which is available on the Tender Offer Website
(https://projects.morrowsodali.com/stfc).
**SUMMARY OF THE TENDER OFFER**
(1) The Company will also pay accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer up to, but not including, the expected Payment Date pursuant to the Tender Offer.
**DETAILS OF THE TENDER OFFER**
Noteholders must validly tender and not validly withdraw the Notes (or deliver to the Information and Tender Agent a notice of guaranteed delivery) at or prior to the Expiration Time to receive the Consideration. Noteholders who validly tender their Notes may withdraw such Notes at any time prior to the Expiration Time by following the procedures described in the Tender Offer Memorandum. Except for guaranteed delivery tenders according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Tender Offer Memorandum, no tenders will be valid if submitted after the Expiration Time.
The Company is concurrently offering to purchase its outstanding U.S.$475,000,000 4.15% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (together with the Tender Offer, the "Concurrent Tender Offers"). The Company intends to unwind certain of its hedge transactions in connection with the Concurrent Tender Offers. The mark to market valuation of the hedge transactions expected to be unwound in connection with the Concurrent Tender Offers should not be negative (the "Hedge Unwind Condition"). If the Hedge Unwind Condition is not satisfied or waived by the Company in its sole discretion, the Company will not accept any validly tendered Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.
**PURPOSE OF THE TENDER OFFER**
The purpose of the Tender Offer is to is to optimize the Company's balance sheet and reduce debt.
**INDICATIVE TIMETABLE FOR THE TENDER OFFER** (all times are New York City time)
Commencement Date – July 29, 2022
Expiration Date and Time – 5:00 p.m. on August 11, 2022
Delivery date for tenders made via Notice of Guaranteed Delivery – 5:00 p.m. on or around August 17, 2022, which is the second business day following the Expiration Date
Payment Date – On or around August 17, which is the second business day following the Expiration Date
Payment Date for Notes tendered via Notice of Guaranteed Delivery – On or around August 19, which is the second business day following the delivery date for tenders made via Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
**DEALER MANAGERS**
Barclays (Tel: In Hong Kong: + 852 2903 3266 / In London: +44 20 3134 8515 / U.S. Toll-free: +1 (800) 438-3242 / U.S. Collect: +1 (212) 528-7581 // Email: NJASyndicate@barclays.com / liability.management@barclays.com)
Deutsche Bank (Tel: +852 2203 8652 // Email: asiasyn@list.db.com)
HSBC (Tel: +852 3941 0223 / +44 207 992 6237 / +1 212 525 5552 // Email: liability.management@hsbcib.com)
J.P. Morgan (Email: liability_management_asia@jpmorgan.com)
Standard Chartered Bank (Tel: +44 20 7885 5739 / +852 3983 8658 / +65 6557 8286 // Email: liability_management@sc.com)
**THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT**
Morrow Sodali Limited (Email: stfc@investor.morrowsodali.com / Tender Offer Website: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/stfc / +852 2319 4130 / +44 20 4513 6933 / +1 203 609 4910)
Questions and requests for assistance in connection with tendering Notes and participating in the Tender Offer and the submission of a tender instruction should be directed to the Information and Tender Agent. Questions and requests for assistance in connection with the Tender Offer should be directed to the Dealer Managers.
**DISCLAIMER**
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN OFFER OR AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TENDER OFFER. THE TENDER OFFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO A TENDER OFFER MEMORANDUM, A COPY OF WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE NOTEHOLDERS, AND WHICH SETS FORTH THE COMPLETE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TENDER OFFER. NOTEHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER MEMORANDUM CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THEIR NOTES.
TENDER OFFER WEBSITE: HTTPS://PROJECTS.MORROWSODALI.COM/STFC
NEITHER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT NOR THE TENDER OFFER MEMORANDUM CONSTITUTES AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DO SO, AND TENDERS OF NOTES FOR PURCHASE PURSUANT TO THE TENDER OFFER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FROM NOTEHOLDERS IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS WHERE THE SECURITIES, BLUE SKY OR OTHER LAWS REQUIRE AN INVITATION TO TENDER TO BE MADE BY A LICENSED BROKER OR DEALER AND THE DEALER MANAGER OR ITS AFFILIATE IS SUCH A LICENSED BROKER OR DEALER IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS, ANY INVITATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE ON BEHALF OF THE OFFER BY THE DEALER MANAGER OR SUCH AFFILIATE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AND NO INVITATION IS MADE IN ANY SUCH JURISDICTION WHERE THE DEALER MANAGER OR ITS RELEVANT AFFILIATE IS NOT SO LICENSED.
NEITHER THIS COMMUNICATION NOR ANY INFORMATION HEREIN NOR THE FACT OF ITS DISTRIBUTION SHALL FORM THE BASIS OF, OR BE RELIED ON IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY CONTRACT OR COMMITMENT OR INVESTMENT DECISION WHATSOEVER. ANY INVESTMENT DECISION SHOULD BE MADE SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF THE TENDER OFFER MEMORANDUM.
THE TENDER OFFER AND THE TENDERING OF NOTES (NOT BEING SECURITIES LISTED ON A STOCK EXCHANGE IN INDIA) WILL NOT BE REGULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA (BUY BACK OF SECURITIES) REGULATIONS, 2018, AS AMENDED. THE TENDER OFFER WILL NOT BE, AND HAS NOT BEEN, OFFERED IN INDIA BY MEANS OF ANY DOCUMENT AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ADVERTISEMENT, INVITATION, OFFER OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BACK ANY NOTES IN VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE INDIAN LAWS. ACCORDINGLY, ANY NOTEHOLDER PARTICIPATING IN THE TENDER OFFER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED, REPRESENTED AND AGREED THAT IT IS ELIGIBLE TO TENDER ITS NOTES PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
View original content:
SOURCE Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/shriram-transport-finance-company-limited-announces-usd-cash-tender-offer/ | 2022-07-29T13:31:25Z |
Second arrest made in South Carolina mall shooting
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Authorities on Monday announced the arrest of a second man in connection with Saturday’s shootout inside a busy shopping mall in South Carolina’s capital, one of two mass shootings that rocked the state over the Easter holiday weekend.
Marquise Love Robinson, 20, was taken into custody overnight and authorities are also seeking a third suspect, Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith, Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said during a news conference. Both men face charges of attempted murder and nine counts of aggravated assault and battery.
Nine people were shot and another six injured in the rush to exit Columbiana Centre in Columbia, authorities said, with no fatalities reported. Holbrook said one person remained in the intensive care unit Monday.
Police said they did not believe the shooting was a random attack and that the three identified suspects knew each other. Holbrook said the men brought guns into the mall, with police seizing two handguns believed to be used in the shootout.
“Emotions took over, you had firearms that were introduced into the dispute, gunfire was exchanged and innocent people got injured in the crossfire,” Holbrook said.
The first person arrested in the shooting, 22-year-old Jewayne M. Price, was one of three people initially detained by law enforcement as a person of interest. Price’s attorney, Todd Rutherford, told news outlets Sunday that his client fired a gun at the mall, but in self-defense. Rutherford said Price faces a charge of unlawfully carrying a pistol because he legally owned his gun but did not have a permit to carry a weapon.
Price now also faces an attempted murder charge and nine counts of aggravated assault and battery, police said. He was in the Lexington County jail as of Monday.
Columbia police previously said on Twitter that a judge agreed Sunday to let Price leave jail on a $25,000 surety bond if he remained on house arrest with an ankle monitor.
Robinson is scheduled for a bond hearing Tuesday morning, according to police. Authorities have asked the public for help locating Smith, 21, of Columbia, who is also facing a charge of unlawfully carrying a pistol.
“This is not an indictment on gun ownership,” Holbrook said. “This is an indictment on the availability of firearms on the street for people that have illegal intentions, nefarious intentions to use those firearms against others.”
Three mass shootings in the U.S. over the Easter holiday weekend — two in South Carolina and one in Pennsylvania — capped a monthlong spate of gun violence across the nation.
In South Carolina, at least nine people were shot early Sunday at Cara’s Lounge in Hampton County, according to South Carolina’s State Law Enforcement Division. No one was reported killed in the violence at the nightclub.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/18/second-arrest-made-south-carolina-mall-shooting/ | 2022-04-19T10:38:02Z |
ST. LOUIS, June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WILsquare Capital, a St. Louis-based private equity firm, announced today it has completed the acquisition of OuterBox Solutions, LLC ("OuterBox"), a leading, performance-driven digital marketing agency headquartered in Copley, Ohio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"OuterBox is an emerging leader in the rapidly-growing area of performance marketing, serving as a critical partner to clients' digital commerce and marketing strategies," said Andrew Scharf, Director at WILsquare Capital. "The company's core search expertise, demonstrated ability to drive client results and strong team orientation create a unique platform for continued growth in existing and adjacent channels and across various verticals."
OuterBox is a provider of search engine optimization ("SEO"), paid search ("pay-per-click" or "PPC") and website development services to B2B and B2C brands, with a specialization in eCommerce. Clients consistently recognize OuterBox for its ability to achieve measurable business outcomes, such as generating incremental website traffic, customer acquisition and purchase activity and improvement in return on marketing investment.
"We are excited to partner with WILsquare, as OuterBox embarks on its next phase of growth," said Justin Smith, Founder and CEO of OuterBox. "Early on, they exhibited a clear understanding of our business and the opportunities ahead. Our alignment around shared values and a commitment to supporting future growth make WILsquare an ideal partner." Following the transaction, Justin Smith, along with partners Jason Dutt and Nick Nolan, will continue to lead the business and serve on the company's board.
"OuterBox has built a tremendous reputation in the massive, fast-growing digital marketing services industry, where clients of all sizes look to stay current with an ever-changing digital landscape," said Jack Randazzo, Director at WILsquare Capital. "We are extremely pleased with the opportunity to partner with Justin, Jason and Nick and to invest in OuterBox's continued growth and evolution as a premier provider of digital marketing services."
The acquisition of OuterBox marks the third platform investment for WILsquare Capital in nine months, following the acquisitions of Rock Energy Systems, LLC in September 2021, and TekBrands, LLC in December 2021. OuterBox is the fourth platform investment in WILsquare Capital Partners Fund II.
WILsquare Capital is a St. Louis-based private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing lower-middle market businesses in the Midwest and Southern United States, with an emphasis on business services, niche manufacturing, distribution and technology companies. The firm is currently investing out of WILsquare Capital Partners Fund II, L.P.
View original content:
SOURCE WILsquare Capital LLC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/28/wilsquare-capital-acquires-outerbox-solutions-llc/ | 2022-06-28T14:34:15Z |
"Chain-to-Belt" movement accelerates with global growth in personal mobility and electrification of bicycle drivetrains
DENVER , May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gates Industrial Corporation plc (NYSE: GTES), a global manufacturer of innovative, highly engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions – and a pioneer in belt-driven micromobility – continues to invest in and has expanded its Carbon Drive™ product portfolio. The company is introducing next-generation belts and other components to enable advances in bicycle drivetrain design and meet growing global demand. Including all-new and improved components across its four key product lines (ST™, CDN™, CDC™, CDX™), the latest Carbon Drive product portfolio reinforces Gates' mission to bring low-maintenance, clean, quiet and strong belt-drive solutions to a broad spectrum of two-wheel and other micromobility applications.
"For many years we have been focused on converting chains to belt drives across a wide variety of applications, based on the many advantages that belt drives offer. Nowhere is this happening as quickly as in our mobility end-markets, given strong market drivers for alternative commuting and recreation options," said Tom Pitstick, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of strategic planning for Gates. "Bicycle – especially e-bike – demand is rising rapidly across the globe, and our latest innovations extend our coverage to an even wider range of applications. By adding all-new and significantly upgraded products to our Carbon Drive product lines, we're enabling manufacturers to continue advancing the state-of-the-art and empower cyclists of all kinds with clean, quiet, long-lasting belt drives."
As a result of its ongoing commitment to innovation and pioneering materials science capabilities, Gates' refreshed line-up of belt drive systems covers a wider variety of applications – entry-level to extreme, human-powered or electric, on-pavement or off.
Gates' premium CDX line meets the highest demands, including long distances in extreme settings, and it delivers unparalleled quality and performance. Offering three times the life of traditional chain drives, the quiet and essentially maintenance-free CDX system is perfect for rigorous bike and e-bike adventures. Adding to this flagship product line, Gates introduces a new CDX:BLACK sprocket line for high-torque applications, including the emerging field of geared mid-motor e-bikes and mid-gearbox bicycles. The sprocket line will feature a wide range of rear & front sprockets to accommodate a variety of interfaces, including Shimano Inter-5e, Enviolo, Kindernay, and Bafang hubs, as well as the Valeo geared mid-motor, Pinion gearbox, and more.
Gates CDC product line introduces a completely new belt designed specifically for mid-drive e-bikes typically found in commuting applications. Featuring a new combination of highly engineered carbon-fiber tensile cord, high-stiffness ethylene elastomer materials, and nylon tooth fabric, it offers all the belt-drive benefits of cleaner, quieter and more convenient operation plus two to three times the life span of traditional chain drives. This new belt line significantly expands Gates application coverage and market opportunity in mid-market bicycle applications.
Balanced between performance and value for urban/city bikes and hub-drive e-bikes, the CDN system is tailored to mid-range applications for seasonal on-road riding and occasional commuting.
The CDN system also welcomes a newly upgraded belt for recreational riders with up to twice the life span of a traditional chain drive. This next-generation CDN belt features carbon-fiber tensile cords, a new ethylene elastomer (EE) compound, and Gates signature debris-shedding CenterTrack™ design for improved durability and wider operating temperature range vs. the first-generation belt. In addition, the CDN family also features a newly designed CenterTrack rear sprocket set to provide a complete system solution.
The SideTrack (ST) portfolio also upgrades to the next generation ethylene elastomer and carbon cord technology and along with existing ST cranks & sprockets, delivers a solution targeted at the mainstream bicycle market and e-bikes with hub-drive motors.
Gates also unveils a new tensioner compatible with the CDX & CDC product lines, that accentuates the benefits of belt drives and makes it easier for manufacturers to convert from belt to chain. The tensioner features a simple, elegant design, streamlining assembly and adjustment and requiring little to no maintenance.
The expanded Carbon Drive product line will be on display and available for test rides near the Hangout at Golden Peak at the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, CO June 9-12.
Visit https://www.gatescarbondrive.com/products/MY23 to learn more.
Gates is a global manufacturer of innovative, highly engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions. Gates offers a broad portfolio of products to diverse replacement channel customers, and to original equipment manufacturers as specified components. For more than a century, Gates has pushed the boundaries of materials science to engineer products that exceed expectations in many sectors of the industrial and consumer markets. Our products play essential roles in a diverse range of applications across a wide variety of end markets including industrial on-highway, industrial off-highway, mobility and recreation, automotive, energy and resources as well as diversified industrial. Our products are sold in more than 30 countries across our four commercial regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Greater China; and East Asia & India. More about Gates can be found at www.gates.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are related to and based on management's current expectations regarding the performance of the Company's business and its plans, objectives, and intentions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in the Company's filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement should circumstances change, except as required by law.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Gates | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/gates-expands-upgrades-innovative-carbon-drive-product-line-deliver-leading-edge-belt-drive-technology-next-generation-bikes-e-bikes/ | 2022-05-25T16:05:38Z |
Retired nurse saves baby’s life on flight: ‘I’m glad I was there’
ORLANDO (WESH) - A retired nurse jumped into action and saved a 3-month-old infant who had stopped breathing during a flight.
Tamara Panzino was already in vacation mode 35 minutes into her Spirit Airlines flight Thursday night from Pittsburgh to Orlando.
“I was reading my book, not paying attention, had my ear buds in, and I heard a flight attendant say, ‘We have an infant not breathing,’” Panzino said.
Soon after, an announcement came over the speaker, asking if there was a doctor on board. Panzino, a retired registered nurse, got up and ran to the back of the plane to help the 3-month-old girl.
“I didn’t know what I was dealing with. I saw an infant. The head was back and blue lips, and my heart just dropped,” Panzino said.
Even though Panzino is retired, her years of nursing experience kicked in. A round of questions revealed the infant was just lying still when she stopped breathing.
“Gave daddy the baby, held it while I did a sternal rub, kind of an aggressive shake of the chest… trying to make it cry, take a deep breath,” Panzino said.
The group then moved to the front of the plane
“The baby’s color started looking better. I was so glad, but I kept shaking it aggressively,” Panzino said.
Panzino did not have to perform CPR and calls the response a team effort.
“Spirit Airlines had everything we needed right on board, and before we knew it, within a couple minutes, we were home free. The baby was going to be good. The color came back. I heard breathing sounds, a heartbeat. Total relief,” Panzino said.
She is pushing back on being called a hero.
“It’s not a hero thing. It’s a community coming together and everyone volunteering to do what their knowledge can help them do. I’m glad I was there,” she said.
After a day to decompress, Panzino was ready for her and her husband’s Caribbean cruise out of Port Canaveral over the weekend.
Spirit Airlines released a statement thanking Panzino and the crew for their quick response.
Copyright 2022 WESH via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/09/12/retired-nurse-saves-babys-life-flight-im-glad-i-was-there/ | 2022-09-12T08:47:25Z |
FAIRMONT, W.Va., April 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is teaming up with the West Virginia Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) to promote job opportunities to minority candidates and identify minority-owned businesses for its supplier diversity program.
FirstEnergy will coordinate with the state agency on a weekly basis to share employment opportunities at the company that will be disseminated by HHOMA to minority job seekers in West Virginia. The company currently has job openings in meter reading, engineering, transmission and at its regulated generation fleet.
"Becoming a more diverse and inclusive company is an important part of our strategic plan, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with HHOMA to increase awareness about job opportunities at FirstEnergy through this new initiative," said Jim Myers, president of West Virginia operations at FirstEnergy.
Last year, FirstEnergy announced a goal to increase the number of racially and ethnically diverse employees by 30% by 2025 to accelerate the company's efforts to build a diverse, high-performing and innovative workforce that better reflects the diversity of the customers it serves.
According to a 2021 study prepared for the National Association of State Energy Officials by BW Research Partnership, the energy sector has below-average representation of Hispanic or Latinx workers and Black or African American workers. Eight percent of energy workers are Black or African American compared to a 12% national workforce average. Similarly, Hispanic or Latinx individuals comprise 16% of energy workers despite representing 18% of the national labor force.
FirstEnergy also committed to achieving 20% of its supply chain spend with diverse suppliers by 2025. The company will work with HHOMA to identify minority-owned businesses in West Virginia that might qualify for its supplier diversity program, which is designed to strengthen economic development and viability for all businesses. FirstEnergy will participate in HHOMA's annual Minority Expo, taking place virtually on April 28, to provide minority-owned businesses with information on how they can become a supplier. For more information on FirstEnergy's supplier diversity program, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/supplychain.
In 2021, FirstEnergy was recognized by DiversityInc as one of the top utilities in the nation for its workforce diversity and inclusion initiatives for the third consecutive year. FirstEnergy was also included on DiversityInc's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Philanthropy lists.
Operating under the office of the Governor of West Virginia, the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs is committed to serving and assisting all underserved citizens across the state and developing innovative ways to address issues affecting minority populations through conversation, education, leadership and collaboration. To find out more, visit www.minorityaffairs.wv.gov.
Through its Mon Power and Potomac Edison subsidiaries, FirstEnergy serves about 546,000 customers in West Virginia. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following the potential liabilities, increased costs and unanticipated developments resulting from government investigations and agreements, including those associated with compliance with or failure to comply with the Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio; the risks and uncertainties associated with government investigations and audits regarding Ohio House Bill 6, as passed by Ohio's 133rd General Assembly ("HB 6") and related matters, including potential adverse impacts on federal or state regulatory matters, including, but not limited to, matters relating to rates; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation, and similar proceedings, particularly regarding HB 6 related matters, including risks associated with obtaining court approval of the definitive settlement agreement in the derivative shareholder lawsuits; weather conditions, such as temperature variations and severe weather conditions, or other natural disasters affecting future operating results and associated regulatory actions or outcomes in response to such conditions; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity, cybersecurity, and climate change; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from our FE Forward initiative and our other strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, overcoming current uncertainties and challenges associated with the ongoing government investigations, executing our transmission and distribution investment plans, greenhouse gas reduction goals, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, growing earnings, strengthening our balance sheet, and satisfying the conditions necessary to close the sale of the minority interest in FirstEnergy Transmission, LLC; the risks associated with cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our, or our vendors', information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; the extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related impacts to our business, operations and financial condition resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, disruption of businesses in our territories, supply chain disruptions, additional costs, workforce impacts and governmental and regulatory responses to the pandemic, such as moratoriums on utility disconnections and workforce vaccination mandates; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; changes in assumptions regarding factors such as economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, economic conditions, the impact of climate change, or energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes in national and regional economic conditions, including recession and inflationary pressure, affecting us and/or our customers and those vendors with which we do business; the potential of non-compliance with debt covenants in our credit facilities; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those related to climate change; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts, or causing us to make contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger, than currently anticipated; labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy Corp.'s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy Corp.'s filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy Corp. expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/26/firstenergy-teams-with-herbert-henderson-office-minority-affairs/ | 2022-04-26T19:59:08Z |
TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CropX Technologies, Inc., a digital farm management solutions company, is advancing European biodiversity goals by helping farmers adopt farming practices that protect important species. Through a longstanding partnership with BoerenNatuur, an organization of 40 farmer collectives across the Netherlands, CropX built and maintains the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) system that helps farmers voluntarily apply for subsidies to adopt conservation practices.
CropX has a history of working with clients to build digital tools that support sustainable farming practices. Using the digital system developed by CropX, farmers receive over 85 million euros yearly to adopt practices such as delaying the hay harvest to allow for nesting birds to complete their birthing cycle and creating borders with flowers to increase the available habitat for insects.
For BoerenNatuur, the digital recording and mapping system developed by CropX replaces time-consuming paperwork for the farmers and the collectives, the members of BoerenNatuur.
Evelien Verbij, director of BoerenNatuur: "We are very happy with the valuable input CropX provides on the different challenges we face. Together we are building a sustainable and efficient ICT system that supports collectives and farmers with their important work for biodiversity on farmland."
The relationship began in 2013 with a pilot of 300 farmer participants, and as the capabilities of the system grew, so did the participants, which now number over 11,000 farmers, or around 20% of the farms in the Netherlands.
"I am proud of our efficient collaboration with BoerenNatuur. This means that the available budget can be used for what it is intended: protecting biodiversity in the Netherlands," says Janneke Hadders, CEO of CropX Europe.
About CropX
CropX is one of the fastest growing providers of agribusiness farm management solutions in the world, deployed in over 50 countries and across all the arable continents. The CropX platform synthesizes data from the earth and sky to offer advanced soil and crop intelligence and a suite of digital decision and planning tools, all on an easy-to-use app capable of tracking multiple farms and fields. CropX is backed by the world's leading agribusinesses and VCs, who recognize that CropX's precision-ag technologies set new standards of best practices for environmental sustainability and greater farm productivity. Learn more at https://cropx.com
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1751720/CropX_Logo.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1893670/CropX_Dutch_farmers.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1893671/BoerenNatuur_CropX_Team.jpg
Media Contact
Hanna Day-Woodruff
Marketing & Communications Specialist
hanna.dw@cropx.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE CropX | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/cropx-boerennatuur-help-dutch-farmers-protect-biodiversity/ | 2022-09-07T16:28:27Z |
- Gary Rome Hyundai Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Local Dignitaries and Community Members in Holyoke, Massachusetts
HOLYOKE, Mass., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America's corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, and Gary Rome Hyundai recently donated a total of $25,000 to two local food banks in Holyoke, Massachusetts to combat food insecurity in the surrounding communities during Gary Rome Hyundai's 25th anniversary celebration. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts received $10,000 and the Thrive Center of Holyoke Community College received a $5,000 donation from Hyundai Hope. Gary Rome Hyundai donated an additional $5,000 dollars to the Thrive Center of Holyoke Community College and two lucky guests received $2,500 each to donate towards the charity of their choice.
"This is by far one of my proudest moments as a Hyundai dealer," said Gary Rome, dealer principal, Gary Rome Hyundai. "Providing financial support to Holyoke and its surrounding communities with the assistance from Hyundai Motor America reassures us there are institutions willing to give back. I look forward to another 25 years in providing high quality, beautiful and safe products for our community."
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts' independent pantries, meal sites and shelters are on the front lines of emergency food assistance to individuals, families, seniors, children and people with disabilities (including veterans) to lead healthy and meaningful lives. With this donation, the Food Bank will be able to provide 40,000 nutritious meals to neighbors facing food insecurity in Western Massachusetts.
The Thrive Center and Food Pantry at Holyoke Community College (HCC) provide necessities to students experiencing food insecurity, housing insecurity and other financial needs. They supply, at no charge, food staples, toiletries and much more including baby food, diapers and wipes to students raising families while getting an education. This donation will give access to resources to help students overcome these barriers so they can focus on their studies and find success.
"Hyundai recognizes the impact and comfort a guaranteed meal can provide," said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor North America. "We are inspired by our generous dealer partners like Gary Rome who also share this mission with Hyundai Hope to support the health and well-being of our local communities."
Hyundai Hope is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principal of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the wellbeing of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time and supplies resources to nonprofit organizations that support the health and safety of individuals and foster positive growth in communities.
Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.
Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Hyundai Motor America | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/hyundai-hope-gary-rome-hyundai-donate-25000-combat-hunger-dealerships-25th-anniversary-celebration/ | 2022-05-16T19:18:08Z |
Understandably determined not to mess with success, "Only Murders in the Building" returns with a second season that self-consciously plays to its strengths, while layering the new mystery laid out by its cliffhanger ending on top of the old one. It's every bit as breezy and fun, with lots of winking references to "Season 2" (the podcast, naturally, but you get the idea).
Having solved the murder that occupied their first adventure, the unlikely trio of Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) turn their attention to the next one of their neighbors to turn up dead. Plus, they have new cameos to spice up the proceedings, like Amy Schumer as Amy Schumer, who immediately pitches the beyond-receptive Oliver on the idea of transforming the podcast into a limited series, because, well, showbiz.
Being quirky can be harder than it looks, but the show nicely delivers on that -- employing shifting narrators, finding a new (and humiliating) acting job for Charles and extending odd flourishes like having Jane Lynch play his stunt double, or more work for Tina Fey's ruthless podcaster and her beleaguered assistant.
Once again, the mystery itself really doesn't matter all that much, as the episodes move along with various clues and revelations while deriving most of their pleasure from odd moments, like Short delivering an homage to the movie "Last of the Mohicans" while trapped in a stairwell during a power outage.
While the show perhaps inevitably doesn't feel quite as fresh this second time around, it gets plenty of mileage out of those small touches and the general obsession with true crime. Just practically speaking, the timing of its return seems designed to maximize its exposure with the next round of Emmy nominations due in a few weeks, which worked out pretty well for "Ted Lasso."
"You can tell it's our second season," Oliver says at one point, referring to the podcast, but like everything else here, providing a kind of meta commentary on the workings of Hollywood and the show itself.
You can indeed, which doesn't prevent "Only Murders" from living up to its modestly scaled ambitions and once again knocking 'em dead.
"Only Murders in the Building" begins its second season June 28 on Hulu.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/entertainment/only-murders-in-the-building-doesnt-miss-a-beat-in-getting-back-on-the-case/article_990a38e1-6d30-522f-89b3-383ab55c28ff.html | 2022-06-28T14:27:48Z |
PORTLAND, Ore., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestview Recovery, an accredited and evidence-based addiction treatment center in Portland, Oregon is now in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. This means that Crestview Recovery can provide high-quality addiction treatment services to more people in need. Blue Cross Blue Shield now joins Shasta, Moda and Providence Health Plan as In-Network Providers for Crestview Recovery.
Crestview Recovery is committed to providing accessible, affordable and high-quality addiction treatment services. This in-network partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield will help us continue to provide these services to those who need it most.
Our doctors, therapists and staff members are excited to be able to offer their services to even more people than ever before. Addiction is a disease that does not discriminate, and Crestview Recovery wants to be able to help as many people as possible get the treatment they need to recover.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a health insurance company that provides coverage to millions of Americans. It is one of the largest insurers in the United States and has a long history of providing quality health care coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a variety of plans and options, so individuals can find the right coverage for their needs. Whether people are looking for individual or family coverage, Blue Cross Blue Shield has a plan for them.
There are many benefits to being in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. First, it means that Crestview Recovery can provide its services to more people in need. Second, as an in-network provider, Crestview Recovery can offer its services at a lower cost to Blue Cross Blue Shield members. This is because Blue Cross Blue Shield has negotiated a contract with Crestview Recovery that gives its members a discounted rate.
In addition, as an in-network provider, Crestview Recovery is held to a higher standard of care. This means that Blue Cross Blue Shield members can be confident they are receiving quality addiction treatment services.
About Crestview Recovery: Crestview Recovery is a premier drug rehab in the Pacific Northwest. It offers a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities, including individual and group therapy, 12-step support groups, and experiential therapies. All of Crestview Recovery's programs are individualized to meet the unique needs of each client.
View original content:
SOURCE Crestview Recovery | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/crestview-recovery-now-in-network-with-blue-cross-blue-shield/ | 2022-06-15T22:18:36Z |
BALTIMORE, May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm and a leader in retirement services, announced today it has been ranked the highest in customer satisfaction according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Self-Directed Investor Satisfaction Study.
The U.S. Self-Directed Investor Satisfaction Study measures self-directed investors' satisfaction with their investment firm based on performance in seven factors, of which T. Rowe Price ranked the highest in all seven factors. In order of importance, these factors include: trust, digital channels, the ability to manage wealth how and when wanted (convenience), products and services, value for fees, people, and problem resolution. T. Rowe Price scored 768 on a scale of 1,000, which is 60 points above the segment average.
"This is a meaningful recognition for T. Rowe Price and our associates given our passion for providing the best possible service to our clients," said Phil Korenman, head of Individual Investors at T. Rowe Price. "This survey evaluates the attributes most important to investors, confirming our client-centric model is being well received."
The study is based on responses from 4,888 investors who make all their investment decisions without the counsel of a full-service dedicated financial advisor and was fielded from November 2021 through January 2022. For more information, visit jdpower.com/awards.
ABOUT J.D. POWER
J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (ai) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.
J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.
ABOUT T. ROWE PRICE
Founded in 1937, T. Rowe Price (NASDAQ-GS: TROW) is an independent global asset management company with $1.55 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2022. The firm is focused on delivering investment excellence and retirement services for institutional, intermediary, and individual investors. Our strategic investing approach, driven by independent thinking and guided by rigorous research, helps clients feel confident in pursuing financial goals. For more information, visit troweprice.com, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.
View original content:
SOURCE T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/04/t-rowe-price-ranks-1-customer-satisfaction-among-investors-seeking-guidance-jd-power-2022-us-self-directed-investor-satisfaction-study/ | 2022-05-04T14:17:04Z |
SINGAPORE, June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matrixport Group today announced the appointment of Anthony DeMartino as its US CEO as part of its ongoing international growth strategy.
Matrixport's expansion into the US demonstrates its firm commitment to better serve its clients and further develop the digital asset management industry.
Mr Anthony DeMartino, a financial industry veteran with global risk experience, joins the firm from Coinbase where he held several roles, including its head of risk strategies, institutional DeFi and derivatives trading. DeMartino has over two decades of experience running multiple financial services businesses with global banks such as HSBC, Barclays, and UBS. With an expertise in risk management, Anthony is well placed to lead Matrixport's operations in the US.
John Ge, Co-Founder & CEO of Matrixport, said, "Anthony brings a depth of experience and knowledge that will make all the difference as we seed and nurture our presence in North America as part of our global expansion plans. Despite dour market sentiment, our confidence in the industry's medium and longer term outlook hasn't wavered and Matrixport continues to invest in human capital as a commitment to our business and clients."
Matrixport believes that blockchain technologies will redefine what's possible in the financial network of tomorrow enabling value and ownership to flow freely. With strong operational risk management embedded across its teams and robust corporate financial governance, Matrixport is well positioned for the next wave of digital assets adoption.
About Matrixport
Matrixport is one of the world's largest and most trusted digital assets financial services ecosystem. With USD4B in assets under management, it provides one-stop crypto financial services to meet the emerging needs of generating long term wealth in digital assets. The company's services include Cactus Custody™, spot OTC, fixed income, structured products, lending and asset management. It also forges strategic collaborations with early stage Web3 innovators, helping them build, grow and scale.
With its mission to make crypto easy for everyone, Matrixport has a relentless focus on product innovation. It offers the industry's most comprehensive suite of market leading crypto investment products. In 2021, the fintech company achieved pre-money unicorn valuation within two years of its inception.
Headquartered in Singapore, Matrixport serves institutions and individuals across Asia, Europe and the US. The company holds licenses in Hong Kong and Switzerland. For more information, visit www.matrixport.com.
Instagram: @matrixport_
Twitter: @realMatrixport
LinkedIn: @Matrixport
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Matrixport | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/matrixport-appoints-anthony-demartino-ceo-lead-build-its-business-united-states/ | 2022-06-20T05:01:30Z |
George Floyd. For the last two years, his name has been echoed across the nation from the streets of Minneapolis where protesters marched, to the halls of corporate America where major brands publicly denounced racism. His name is a symbol for the racial equality fight, and a rallying cry for justice and an end to police brutality against Black people. But who was the 46-year-old father?
Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa decided that it was time to look deeper at Floyd's life by writing a biography titled, "His Name is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice."
The book, which was released May 17, details Floyd's experience with racism, oppression and inequality from growing up in Houston's impoverished Third Ward to living in Minneapolis as a Black man. Olorunnipa said he wanted the world to see Floyd as more than just a man who was killed by a White police officer.
"We wanted to look at Floyd as a full human being, not just as this person who everyone came to see through video of his death," Olorunnipa told CNN. "He had a full life before he died and that life included intersecting with barriers from housing segregation to underfunded schooling to a bias criminal justice system to an unfair healthcare system and many other institutions that he tried to navigate."
Olorunnipa said he and Samuels interviewed hundreds of people who knew Floyd, reviewed his diary entries, letters he wrote to friends and police reports where he was named.
"We left no stone unturned," Olorunnipa said.
And while Olorunnipa says the country has made some progress with racism since Floyd's death on May 25, 2020, he says the recent controversy over teaching about race and African American history in schools shows there is more work to be done.
CNN interviewed Olorunnipa about what he learned in his research about Floyd and his family roots, how racism impacted his life and what readers can gain from reading the book.
This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
What motivated you to want to write this book?
We saw Floyd die like so many other millions of people and we knew there was more to the story. So our colleagues at the Washington Post decided to do a series looking at Floyd's life and how he was impacted by systemic racism and that series was really powerful. We were inspired to tell more of that story by turning what we did into a book and by exploring who Floyd was on a deeper level. We wanted to restore some of his humanity for people who only got to see him through those nine minutes and let people know he was a full human being with his struggles, his high points, his good times and bad times.
Who was George Floyd as a person?
He was a complex and complicated man, someone who was always striving for a better life, he had a number of challenges starting with poverty. He was born in a poor neighborhood, he grew up in poverty in Houston's Third Ward and was always striving to find a way out, to make a way for his family, his mother and his siblings. But because of the way society was set up, it was difficult for him to escape, it was difficult for him to chart a pathway to stability. It came in the form of underfunded schools he attended, it came in the form of the criminal justice system that was waiting for him as soon as he finished school. He also didn't have good healthcare. Despite all those challenges he was always striving for a better life. He was a kind-hearted person who would go around telling people 'I love you' even if he didn't know them. He was also a large man and did not want to be seen as intimidating.
Was there anything that surprised you during your research about Floyd's life?
One of the things that I found surprising was that George Floyd's family history includes a period of great wealth. We researched his ancestry and seven generations of his family and his great great grandfather actually worked hard for 30 years with a big family and was able to buy 500 acres of land in eastern North Carolina. That made him one of the wealthiest Black men in his community. He unfortunately had all of that land stripped away during a period of racial terror where land loss among Black farmers was rampant and he was a victim of that and lost all of his land. Because of that, his children and grandchildren worked as sharecroppers. George Floyd came into the world as poor, Black boy from the South and not because his family hadn't worked hard, but because they were the victims of racism. As a result of that, he started life behind, he was born with two strikes and with the decks stacked against him.
What did you learn about Floyd's experiences with racism prior to being killed by a Minneapolis police officer?
In his own words, he felt that he was victimized by racist police. He was stopped by police more than 20 times over the course of his life. And at least six of the officers who stopped him were later charged with corruption or other crimes of their own. One of them was specifically charged with targeting poor, minority men for false drug charges because he knew they would not be able to afford a lawyer, he knew they would just have to take the charges and George Floyd often did just take the charges and plead guilty. We also found that while drug use is similar in Black communities and White communities, police enforcement is much higher in Black communities like the one where Floyd grew up. So he ended up with a long record while other people who were doing similar things were not arrested.
What do you hope readers gain from reading your book?
I hope they feel motivated as they read about his life and how he slowly died over several decades, suffocating under the systemic pressures he faced as a child as a young man and as an older man. I hope people feel that same level of motivation to do something whether it's to write their congressman or pay more attention to some of these systemic issues. There are millions of other George Floyds out there that might not be brutalized by police in the same way on camera but are still suffering from a number of different challenges. I hope people realize that we all have a responsibility to fix the broken systems.
Reflecting on the last two years, how do you think George Floyd's life has shaped how we view racism?
There are a lot of people who did not feel that systemic racism was an issue and now they are more willing to engage in some of these conversations whether it's the corporate world or cultural institutions. But at the same time, we are seeing a backlash from people upset that this conversation is shifting. They want to ban books and they are saying we should all be concerned about critical race theory. So it's a constant battle to make sure people are understanding the country's history and making an effort to put us on a better course. But it's a constant struggle and I think that's something that's going to be a part of George Floyd's legacy. We have the ability to shape how that legacy is remembered based on what we do today. We all have a role to play in deciding what this country will look like in the years to come.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/who-was-george-floyd-new-book-captures-full-scope-of-his-life-and-familys-legacy/article_6454174f-54d5-5ae9-9bbd-f8d3b9d39b0d.html | 2022-05-25T14:54:12Z |
CHICAGO, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Martin Luther King Drive will be filled with family entertainment as communities come together representing the start of a new school year. The 93rd year of the Bud Billiken® Parade will commence on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. and will be broadcast live on ABC7 Chicago from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The legendary Parade will bring the community together in celebration featuring a host of celebrity guests, the South Shore Drill Team, a signature mix of performing teams, extraordinary floats, marching bands, and more.
The Bud Billiken® Parade and Festival takes place in historic Bronzeville, on the second Saturday in August. It proceeds south on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive from Oakwood Boulevard to 51st Street and continues Ellsworth Drive through Washington Park to 55th Street where it disbands. The Parade is followed by the festival which is located in Washington Park near 52nd and Ellsworth Drive. The festival includes children's activities, vendors, entertainment, and competitions from 10 am to 4 pm.
Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder of the Chicago Defender Newspaper, started the Bud Billiken® Parade on August 11th, 1929. The first parade began with the goal to honor the hard work and dedication of the newsboys who sold the Chicago Defender Newspaper. Mr. Abbott then created the newsboy's band which included musical greats such as Nat King Cole and Lionel Hampton. Over the years, hundreds of thousands have lined the parade route with millions viewing the festivities on live television. Today, the parade features dozens of dance teams, drill teams, marching bands, floats and more. Many notable celebrities have appeared in the Bud Billiken® Parade throughout the years, including President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, L.L. Cool J, Spike Lee, Michael Jordan, Queen Latifah, Tyler Perry, Chance the Rapper, Chaka Khan, and actor/rapper T.I., just to name a few. Historically greats have attended such as Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, Lena Horne and President Harry S. Truman.
"After 93 years, the Bud Billiken® Parade continues to be the 2nd largest parade in the Nation next to the Rose Parade, featuring the talents of our youth throughout the Nation," says Myiti Sengstacke-Rice, Parade Chair and Chicago Defender Charities, CEO.
For further information visit www.budbillikenparade.org
Contact Information
La'Vonne Maston-Fisher
Bud Billiken® Parade - Chicago Defender Charities
lfisher@defendercharities.org
773-536-3710
View original content:
SOURCE Chicago Defender Charities | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/bud-billiken-365/ | 2022-05-16T17:14:03Z |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I'm a plumber and I wanted to create a simple way to elevate a water heater to make additional room for water in the drip pan," said an inventor, from Prattville, Ala., "so I invented the WATER HEATER BRIDGE. My design would increase the water capacity of the drip pan to avoid a quick fill and overflow."
The invention provides an improved base for a water heater. In doing so, it allows for additional water capacity in the drip pan. As a result, it helps to prevent water overflow and damage and it provides added peace of mind. The invention features a practical design that is easy to use so it is ideal for plumbers and homeowners. Additionally, a prototype/model is available upon request.
The original design was submitted to the Birmingham sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 21-BRK-4143, 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.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/16/inventhelp-inventor-develops-water-heater-base-prevent-drip-pan-overflow-brk-4143/ | 2022-09-16T20:15:08Z |
SaaS Veteran joins Blueprint Advisory with 12+ years of SaaS Sales and Business Development Experience.
AUSTIN, Texas, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blueprint Advisory, a global consulting and advisory firm for the Salesforce Ecosystem, today named Evan Paris Managing Director. Paris joins Blueprint Advisory from Able Software (formerly Employstream), where he served as VP of Business Development. Evan will focus on driving new business and customer acquisition while also providing advisory services to Blueprint's current customers.
Before joining Blueprint Advisory, Evan's tenure has been in B2B SaaS, focusing on Business Development and Go-To-Market Strategies. Evan's experience in the SaaS industry includes being a founding member of the business development team at Checkr (supporting their growth from $15M to $150M) and the Business Development Executive at Able Software (formerly Employstream), acquired by Bullhorn.
"We've known and been very impressed with Evan for years. The timing is right for him to join us, especially with the demand and opportunities within the Talent Service Industry," said Brandon Metcalf, Founder of Blueprint Advisory and former Founder of Talent Rover. "We are in a position to hire an executive to build out the team and capture a market that is exploding and he is absolutely the person to lead it."
Greg Symons, President and Founder of Blueprint Advisory, said, "Evan has a tremendous ability to curate and foster meaningful relationships with those that he engages with. Evan's vision and leadership at Able was a key driver in the overall success of developing the Able for Salesforce App and we are excited to have him share his story and experience with others that are looking to extract value from within the Salesforce Ecosystem."
"I am thrilled to join a team that is so focused on leading customers through their Salesforce journey and helping them find success," said Evan. "As a former client and partner of Blueprint, I look forward to now providing the same world-class experience to other organizations as they build companies or products on the Salesforce platform."
About Blueprint Advisory
Blueprint Advisory is a global consulting and advisory firm for the Salesforce Ecosystem. With a deep understanding of all aspects of the product development lifecycle, custom solution development, go-to-market, distribution, and customer success that can only have been gained through hands-on experience building software companies. For more information, visit www.blueprintadvisory.com.
CONTACT: Winter Green-Ike, wgreenike@blueprintadvisory.com
View original content:
SOURCE Blueprint Advisory | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/blueprint-advisory-names-evan-paris-managing-director/ | 2022-05-05T15:25:27Z |
First North American Drop After Being Exiled by Their Home Country
LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Viral hitmakers and one of the most popular Russian bands, Little Big, whose video count has more than 2 billion views with previous single Skibidi becoming their most popular video with more than 500 million views and UNO, also a record breaker for the band - becoming the most viewed video in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel with impressive 187 million views, is bringing to the United States for the first time their new single and music video Generation Cancellation. Recently exiled from their homeland for releasing a bold anti-war statement directed by Alina Pasok and Ilia Prusikin, the band is making a powerful stand with this new track.
Known for their apolitical position, Generation Cancellation comes at a time when being Russian and apolitical is simply impossible, indeed it's impossible not to react to the current state of things. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine many Russian citizens needed to choose a side and unfortunately those vocal against the war in Ukraine and Russia's external and internal politics had to escape the country for their own safety and safety of their families.
Generation Cancellation is the band's visual manifesto criticizing the war, the politics, the propaganda in their signature style through a series of scenes filled with socio-political references and easter eggs. Sonically, the track is a tribute to Ilia's favorite bands such as Nirvana and The Prodigy.
"We love our country, but we disagree so much with the war in Ukraine and we believe that any kind of war is unacceptable. We condemn the actions of the Russian government and we were so disgusted by the Russian war propaganda that we decided to leave everything behind and start our lives from scratch," shares Ilia Prusikin, the band's frontman.
Little Big is a Los Angeles-based punk-pop-rave band with a super-virus audio-visual project and a fanbase expanding through the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Canada, United Kingdom, France and more. Known for their collaborations with international artists such as Oliver Tree, Tommy Cash, Ghostemane, Clean Bandit, Sacha Baron Cohen and more.
Follow Little Big on Social:
YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Little Big | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/24/russian-pop-band-little-big-drops-new-single-generation-cancellation-an-anti-war-manifesto/ | 2022-06-24T19:26:47Z |
AMERIS BANCORP ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR SECOND QUARTER 2022
Published: Jul. 26, 2022 at 3:05 PM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
Highlights of the Company's results for the second quarter of 2022 include the following:
Net income of $90.1 million, or $1.30 per diluted share
Growth in tangible book value of $1.05 per share, or 15.7% annualized, to $27.89 at June 30, 2022
Adjusted total revenue grew $14.2 million, or 5.7%, when compared to last quarter
Improvement in net interest margin of 31bps, from 3.35% last quarter to 3.66% this quarter
Adjusted return on average assets of 1.40%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity of 17.18%
Adjusted efficiency ratio of 53.66%, compared with 56.95% last quarter
Organic growth in loans of $1.4 billion, or 35.1% annualized
Continued growth in noninterest bearing deposits, representing 41.98% of total deposits, from 40.18% at March 31, 2022 and 38.25% a year ago
ATLANTA, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameris Bancorp (Nasdaq: ABCB) (the "Company") today reported net income of $90.1 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared with $88.3 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. The Company reported adjusted net income of $81.5 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared with $87.5 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, for the same period in 2021. Adjusted net income excludes after-tax merger and conversion charges, servicing right valuation adjustments, gain on bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") proceeds and gain/loss on sale of bank premises.
For the year-to-date period ending June 30, 2022, the Company reported net income of $171.8 million, or $2.47 per diluted share, compared with $213.3 million, or $3.06 per diluted share, for the same period in 2021. The Company reported adjusted net income of $156.5 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2022, compared with $203.3 million, or $2.91 per diluted share, for the same period in 2021. Adjusted net income for the year-to-date period excludes the same items listed above for the Company's quarter-to-date period.
Commenting on the Company's results, Palmer Proctor, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our strong second quarter financial results are attributable to our solid banking fundamentals. We grew revenue, improved our margin, expanded our earning asset base and grew tangible book value by $1.05 per share this quarter. We are well positioned for future interest rate hikes, and we continue to monitor our loan growth and credit metrics very closely. Southeastern markets where we operate continue to provide opportunities for responsible growth. We remain focused on our core fundamentals going into the third quarter."
Increase in Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis (TE) increased to $192.3 million in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of $18.8 million, or 10.8%, from last quarter and an increase of $29.3 million, or 18.0%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. Interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased by $19.2 million, or 10.4%, in the current quarter while interest expense increased only $374,000, or 3.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2022.
The Company's net interest margin improved significantly to 3.66% for the second quarter of 2022, up from 3.35% reported for the first quarter of 2022 and 3.34% reported for the second quarter of 2021. While average earning assets remained consistent at $21.1 billion from the previous quarter, the mix of earning assets expanded the margin as the Company began to deploy excess liquidity through the investment portfolio and organic loan growth.
Yields on earning assets increased 32 basis points during the quarter to 3.88%, compared with 3.56% in the first quarter of 2022, and increased 30 basis points from 3.58% in the second quarter of 2021. Yields on loans decreased to 4.32% during the second quarter of 2022, compared with 4.37% for the first quarter of 2022 and 4.33% for the second quarter of 2021. Loan yields in the second quarter of 2022 were negatively impacted approximately four basis points by declines in fee income on Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans compared with the first quarter of 2022. In addition, the Company incurred net accretion expense in the second quarter of $379,000, compared with accretion income of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2022 and $4.5 million for the second quarter of 2021.
Loan production in the banking division during the second quarter of 2022 was $1.07 billion, with weighted average yields of 5.24%, compared with $805.5 million and 5.17%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2022 and $911.3 million and 3.75%, respectively, in the second quarter of 2021. Loan production in the lines of business (including retail mortgage, warehouse lending, SBA and premium finance) amounted to an additional $5.3 billion during the second quarter of 2022, with weighted average yields of 4.29%, compared with $4.7 billion and 3.63%, respectively, during the first quarter of 2022 and $6.4 billion and 3.36%, respectively, during the second quarter of 2021.
The Company's total cost of funds was unchanged at 0.22% in the second quarter of 2022 as compared with the first quarter of 2022. Deposit costs increased just one basis point during the second quarter of 2022 to 0.10%, compared with 0.09% in the first quarter of 2022. Costs of interest-bearing deposits increased during the quarter from 0.14% in the first quarter of 2022 to 0.17% in the second quarter of 2022.
Noninterest Income Noninterest income decreased $3.1 million, or 3.5%, in the second quarter of 2022 to $83.8 million, compared with $86.9 million for the first quarter of 2022, primarily as a result of decreased mortgage banking activity, which declined by $4.2 million, or 6.6%, to $58.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, compared with $62.9 million for the first quarter of 2022. Gain on sale spreads decreased to 2.36% in the second quarter of 2022 from 2.94% for the first quarter of 2022. Total production in the retail mortgage division increased to $1.73 billion in the second quarter of 2022, compared with $1.53 billion for the first quarter of 2022. The retail mortgage open pipeline was $832.3 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022, compared with $1.41 billion at March 31, 2022. Mortgage banking activity included a $10.8 million recovery of servicing right impairment recorded in the second quarter of 2022, compared with a recovery of $9.7 million for the first quarter of 2022.
Other noninterest income increased $683,000, or 5.7%, in the second quarter of 2022 to $12.7 million, compared with $12.0 million for the first quarter of 2022, primarily as a result of a $1.6 million impact from the recently acquired Balboa Capital. Also contributing to the increase were increases in swap income of $326,000 and BOLI income of $179,000, partially offset by a decrease in gains on sale of SBA loans of $1.2 million.
Noninterest Expense Noninterest expense decreased $1.6 million, or 1.1%, to $142.2 million during the second quarter of 2022, compared with $143.8 million for the first quarter of 2022. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company recorded a net gain of $39,000 related to bank premises, compared with a net gain on bank premises of $6,000 and merger and conversion charges of $977,000 during the first quarter of 2022. Excluding those charges, adjusted expenses decreased approximately $614,000, or 0.4%, to $142.2 million in the second quarter of 2022, from $142.8 million in the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in adjusted expenses resulted from cyclical payroll tax and 401(k) expenses in the first quarter of 2022, partially offset by an increase in advertising and marketing expenses.
Management continues to focus its efforts on improving the operating efficiency of the Company. The adjusted efficiency ratio decreased to 53.66% in the second quarter of 2022, compared with 56.95% in the first quarter of 2022.
Income Tax Expense The Company's effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2022 was 23.7%, compared with 25.3% in the first quarter of 2022. The decreased rate for the second quarter of 2022 was primarily a result of a discrete charge to the Company's state tax liability and nondeductible merger expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2022.
Balance Sheet Trends Total assets at June 30, 2022 were $23.69 billion, compared with $23.86 billion at December 31, 2021. While total assets have not materially changed, the Company improved the earning asset mix through a shift in reinvestment of excess liquidity to the securities portfolio and loans held for investment. Debt securities available-for-sale increased $459.6 million, or 77.6%, from $592.6 million at December 31, 2021 to $1.05 billion at June 30, 2022. Loans, net of unearned income, increased $1.69 billion, or 21.4% annualized, to $17.56 billion at June 30, 2022, compared with $15.87 billion at December 31, 2021. Organic loan growth in the second quarter of 2022 was $1.4 billion, or 35.1% annualized, which included managed growth in residential mortgage loans of $555 million and seasonal increases in mortgage warehouse and agricultural loans of $217 million and $40.5 million, respectively. As a result of the purposeful origination of residential mortgage loans into the portfolio, loans held for sale decreased $699.0 million from $1.25 billion at December 31, 2021 to $555.7 million at June 30, 2022.
At June 30, 2022, total deposits amounted to $19.68 billion, or 97.3% of total funding, compared with $19.67 billion and 95.8%, respectively, at December 31, 2021. At June 30, 2022, noninterest-bearing deposit accounts were $8.26 billion, or 42.0% of total deposits, compared with $7.77 billion, or 39.5% of total deposits, at December 31, 2021. Non-rate sensitive deposits (including noninterest-bearing, NOW and savings) totaled $13.06 billion at June 30, 2022, compared with $12.52 billion at December 31, 2021. These funds represented 66.3% of the Company's total deposits at June 30, 2022, compared with 63.6% at the end of 2021, which continues to positively impact the cost of funds sensitivity in a rising rate environment.
Shareholders' equity at June 30, 2022 totaled $3.07 billion, an increase of $106.9 million, or 3.6%, from December 31, 2021. The increase in shareholders' equity was primarily the result of earnings of $171.8 million during the first six months of 2022, partially offset by dividends declared, share repurchases and the impact to other comprehensive income resulting from rising rates on our investment portfolio. The Company repurchased 118,157 shares of the Company's common stock at a cost of $5.0 million during the second quarter of 2022. The Company recorded dilution of $0.16 per share, or less than 0.6%, to tangible book value this quarter from other comprehensive income related to the increase in net unrealized losses on the securities portfolio. Tangible book value per share was $27.89 at June 30, 2022, compared with $26.26 at December 31, 2021. Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets was 8.58% at June 30, 2022, compared with 8.05% at the end of 2021.
Credit Quality Credit quality remains strong in the Company. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $14.9 million, compared with a provision of $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2022. This provision was primarily attributable to the $1.4 billion in organic loan growth during the quarter. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets increased nine basis points to 0.56% during the quarter. The net charge-off ratio was four basis points for the second quarter of 2022, compared with nine basis points in the first quarter of 2022 and seven basis points in the second quarter of 2021.
Conference Call The Company will host a teleconference at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, to discuss the Company's results and answer appropriate questions. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-844-200-6205 (or 1-929-526-1599 for international participants). The conference call access code is 603616. A replay of the call will be available one hour after the end of the conference call until August 10, 2022. To listen to the replay, dial 1-866-813-9403. The conference replay access code is 568609. The financial information discussed will also be available on the Investor Relations page of the Ameris Bank website at ir.amerisbank.com.
About Ameris Bancorp Ameris Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The Company's banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank, had 164 locations in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina at the end of the most recent quarter.
This news release contains certain performance measures determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Company's management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance. These measures are useful when evaluating the underlying performance and efficiency of the Company's operations and balance sheet. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations, enhance comparability of results with prior periods and demonstrate the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period. The Company's management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company's financial performance without the impact of unusual items that may obscure trends in the Company's underlying performance. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.
This news release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by federal securities laws, including, among other forward-looking statements, certain plans, expectations and goals. Words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions, are meant to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on current expectations and are provided to assist in the understanding of potential future performance. Such forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such statements, including, without limitation, the following: general competitive, economic, unemployment, political and market conditions and fluctuations, including real estate market conditions, and the effects of such conditions and fluctuations on the creditworthiness of borrowers, collateral values, asset recovery values and the value of investment securities; movements in interest rates and their impacts on net interest margin; expectations on credit quality and performance; legislative and regulatory changes; changes in U.S. government monetary and fiscal policy; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general economy, our customers and the allowance for loan losses; the benefits that may be realized by our customers from government assistance programs and regulatory actions related to the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential impact of the phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or other changes involving LIBOR; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; the cost savings and any revenue synergies expected to result from acquisition transactions, which may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes if at all; the success and timing of other business strategies; our outlook and long-term goals for future growth; and natural disasters, geopolitical events, acts of war or terrorism or other hostilities, public health crises and other catastrophic events beyond our control. For a discussion of some of the other risks and other factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the Company's subsequently filed periodic reports and other filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.
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.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/ameris-bancorp-announces-financial-results-second-quarter-2022/ | 2022-07-26T21:20:14Z |
Proceeds from the coveted Jordan player exclusives will support participating student-athletes across sports at U of O.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GOAT, the global platform for products from the past, present and future, and Division Street, a sport venture company that develops creative and effective marketing programs to maximize revenue opportunities for University of Oregon student-athletes, announced today a partnership to auction exclusive Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Jordan VIII University of Oregon PEs to benefit participating U of O student-athletes.
Through its Offers feature, GOAT will auction off 200 pairs of coveted Air Jordan VIII University of Oregon PEs designed and developed for the men's basketball program, and 200 pairs designed and developed for the women's basketball team.
These exclusive Hatfield-designed Jordan PEs feature a Ducks-branded chenille patch, suede accents and chromed metallic hardware across two unique colorways — 'Gorge Green' and 'Pure Platinum.'
"We're thrilled to partner with GOAT to unlock another innovative way to benefit participating University of Oregon student-athletes," said Division Street CEO Rosemary St. Clair. "Tinker Hatfield-designed Jordan player exclusives are typically some of the most coveted sneakers in the community, and we look forward to working with GOAT to inspire the next generation while making a positive impact for U of O student-athletes."
"We're proud to support student-athletes and play a part in their athletic journey," said Eddy Lu, Co-Founder and CEO of GOAT Group. "Division Street is not only creating opportunities for student-athletes, but shedding light on the importance of these programs."
The auction will be hosted through GOAT's Offers feature on GOAT.com and in the GOAT app, from Wednesday, August 24 at 10 AM PT to Friday, August 26 at 11:59 PM PT. Proceeds from the auction go directly to the Division Street Fund, which supports student-athletes at the University of Oregon across sports.
GOAT is the global platform for the past, present and future. Since its founding in 2015, GOAT has become the leading and most trusted sneaker marketplace in the world, and has expanded to offer apparel and accessories from select emerging, contemporary and iconic brands. Through its unique positioning between the primary and resale markets, the company offers styles across various time periods on its digital platforms and in its retail locations, while delivering products to over 40 million members across 170 countries.
Division Street Inc. is a sport venture company founded by several University of Oregon alumni and donors -- including Pat Kilkenny, Ed Maletis, Jim Morse, the Papé Family, and NIKE co-founder Phil Knight -- that develops creative and effective marketing programs to maximize revenue opportunities for University of Oregon student-athletes.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE GOAT Group | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/22/division-street-goat-partner-auction-exclusive-tinker-hatfield-designed-air-jordan-viii-university-oregon-pes-benefit-ducks-student-athletes/ | 2022-08-22T17:53:42Z |
Overall Confidence Index Rises Slightly Despite Pandemic
Gap Still Exists Between Financial Priorities and Behaviors of Working Adults
NEW YORK, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Path to Prosperity: The Guardian Study of Financial and Emotional ConfidenceTM, first fielded in 2016, explores what drives and connects emotional and financial well-being among working adults. The overall Financial and Emotional Confidence IndexSM in 2021 measured 6.5, up from 6.3 in 2016.
"The study shows that income is not the sole driver of confidence," said Michael Ferik, Head of Individual Markets at Guardian. "The findings reinforce the need to pair behaviors with long-term planning to set a strong foundation linked to both financial and emotional confidence."
The research yielded several key insights. Three out of 4 respondents say they feel stressed and concerned, and 37% say they avoid dealing with their finances because it is too overwhelming. Two out of three say they are spenders, not savers. Only one out of three say they are focused on long-term financial strategies versus short term.
The study identifies four model behaviors for consumers to help improve their financial and emotional confidence, regardless of income level.
- Live within your means and have a long-term view. Creating a budget and writing down a long-term financial strategy sets a strong financial foundation
- Know how to balance risk. A combination of protection and investment products can help lead to higher confidence.
- Leverage relationships with financial professionals. Seek guidance from professionals who can implement strategies for creating income streams and discuss impending opportunities and risks.
- Pursue a financial education. Exploring online tools, attending personal finance webinars on your own or through your workplace will provide key economic trends and market news.
The model behaviors were developed after analyzing four financial profiles outlined in the study: Day-to-Day Decision-Makers, Retirement Realists, Ambitious Spenders, and Confident Planners. These four profiles were grouped based upon their approach to life and money, financial decision-making, sources of stress, drivers of happiness, and technology usage.
Each profile has a unique score based upon the Guardian Financial and Emotional Confidence IndexSM with a scale of one to 10, of overall financial and emotional confidence. The overall Financial and Emotional Confidence IndexSM score for all respondents was 6.5 out of 10, which is a slight increase from 2016 when the score was 6.3. Confident Planners had a mean Financial and Emotional Confidence IndexSM score of 8.2. When it comes to their finances, they have an optimistic outlook, a realistic set of expectations and they pair their priorities with highly effective habits.
"Examining the behaviors of those with high Financial and Emotional Confidence IndexSM scores reinforces that specific behaviors and attitudes resulted in greater well-being and heightened financial confidence," said Ferik. "Modelling the behaviors of Confident Planners – such as living within your means, setting a long-term financial plan, leveraging relationships with financial professionals, and proactively pursuing a financial education – can improve overall confidence."
To access the full report, click here.
Every day, Guardian provides Americans the security they deserve through our insurance and wealth management products and services. Since our founding in 1860, our long-term view has helped our customers prepare for whatever life brings whether starting a family, planning for the future or taking care of employees. Today, we're a Fortune 250 mutual company and a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits for individuals, at the workplace and through government sponsored programs. The Guardian community of over 9,000 employees and our network of over 2,500 financial representatives is committed to serving with expertise when, where and how our clients need us. Our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which at year-end 2021 included $10.7 billion in capital and $1.9 billion in operating income. For more information, please visit guardianlife.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
5,012 workers 18+ working full-time or part-time, never retired, with household incomes of $50K or more. This includes an oversample of 3,360 workers with household income of $100K+. The oversample was weighted down to naturally occurring proportions.
This Working Americans Study was conducted online July 1, 2021, through July 19, 2021. and is trended to the previous wave conducted in 2016 where comparable.
The attitudinal segmentation scheme that was developed in 2016 was applied to the 2021 data. It is based on the same methodology to identify any changes to the segments over the past five years.
Material discussed is meant for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Email: mediarelations@glic.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Guardian | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/05/guardian-announces-new-research-exploring-emotional-financial-confidence/ | 2022-04-05T14:25:06Z |
No More Testing and Insurance Requirements
BELIZE CITY, Belize, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) announced late last night that the Government of Belize has decided to remove all public health measures at every land and sea point of entry to the country.
Effective immediately, the following guidelines are now in place:
- Vaccination and testing: proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is no longer required for any persons traveling to Belize, at all official land and sea border points, regardless of their vaccination status.
- Belize Travel Health Insurance: purchase of the insurance is now optional, although still encouraged, as a form of protection against incurring medical and non-medical emergency expenses.
"With the emergence of weaker variants of COVID-19 and with the global trend of restrictions being relaxed, the time has come to take the pressure off of our health systems," said Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness for Belize. "We've reached a level where it's now everyone's personal responsibility to decide whether they want to be vaccinated or not."
The government of Belize cautions that in light of the presence of the BA.2 and BA.5 sub-variants in Belize, vaccines still remain the best form of protection against the virus. International visitors are also reminded that they must book their stay at a BTB Gold Standard-approved hotel.
For more up-to-date health and safety information related to COVID-19, please visit www.travelbelize.org.
About Belize Tourism Board
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The BTB works in conjunction with members of the private sector – including the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association and Belize National Tour Operators Association – and is dedicated to building tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner. As a part of its responsibilities, the BTB promotes Belize as a premier tourism destination to both in-country and international consumers. Among its outreach to the international travel market, the BTB markets the country's unique attractions to travelers, members of the travel trade industry and media outlets in key markets. The BTB is also dedicated to developing and implementing tourism programs that will help strengthen and grow the Belizean tourism industry; promote good destination stewardship; and instill high quality standards for accommodations and travel experiences. For more information on the BTB and its services, visit www.travelbelize.org.
CONTACT: belizepr@zimmerman.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Belize Tourism Board | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/belize-drops-all-covid-19-restrictions/ | 2022-07-15T18:17:29Z |
MADISON, Wis., Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, Sept. 2, nurses gave UW Health an official advanced notice of their strike for quality patient care, safe staffing, and recognition of their union.
On Labor Day, they will hold a press conference at the Madison LaborFest, where they will emphasize their need for a union voice on the job to solve the long-term, systemic crisis of understaffing, turnover, cuts, and burnout, which have been aggravated by the pandemic.
The press conference will be livestreamed on the SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SEIUHCWI.
"I'm striking to take a stand for quality patient care for my community and the well-being of frontline nurses," said Amanda Klinge, a six-year registered nurse in the orthopedic trauma unit at UW Health. "When my nurse colleagues and I see potentially preventable patient care problems occur day after day because of extreme understaffing, it is damaging to our psyche and our very soul. This is not how our healthcare system should be run, and we refuse to accept this as the 'new normal.'"
On Aug. 24, hundreds of UW nurses voted by 99% to strike. The strike is set to begin at 7 a.m. Sept. 13 and end at 7 a.m. Sept. 16. However, nurses are leaving the door open for dialogue, and the responsibility is on the UW Health Board and administration to come to the table and recognize their union in order to avoid the imminent strike. The purpose of the advanced notice is to ensure patient safety by allowing UW Health to make preparations such as hiring temporary staff.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, working people across industries from coast to coast have risen up to demand unions for all, respect, protections, and fair pay. They've been fighting together to check corporate power, to prioritize people over profits, and to ensure that every working person has the right to join a union no matter where they work or what they look like. And now, UW nurses who have sacrificed on the front lines for the last three years are at the forefront of a resurgent movement of healthcare workers throughout the country.
Dozens of elected officials and community leaders have called on UW Health to recognize the nurses' union. The UW nurses' press conference is taking place after Pres. Biden gives a major Labor Day address in Milwaukee supporting workers' rights to join unions.
Background
The strong majority of UW nurses have been calling for recognition of their union for nearly three years so they can advocate for their patients, their community, and themselves. Over 1,500 nurses have signed cards saying they want a union, and the size of the union would be about 2,600.
UW nurses once were members of SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, but when their last union contract expired in 2014, executives used Wisconsin Act 10 as an excuse not to negotiate a new agreement. The administration then implemented dozens of harmful cuts, including to nurses' staffing levels, health insurance, and continuing education benefits, resulting in severe difficulties with recruitment and retention.
In June, the Wisconsin Attorney General agreed with top labor law experts from around the country and officially declared once and for all that UW Health can recognize the nurses' union. Instead of engaging in dialogue with nurses, the UW Health administration launched a toxic anti-union campaign including threats to fire nurses for their union activity. Nurses fear that these scare tactics further undermine patient care by increasing stress on staff, which could lead to more turnover.
SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin is the state's largest and fastest-growing healthcare workers union, representing thousands of hospital, nursing home, home care, and social service workers united to win quality care and good jobs for all.
Contact: Carrie Jacobs, 316-889-5305, carrie.jacobs@hailstonecommunications.com
Dave Bates, 347-865-8038, dave.bates@hailstonecommunications.com
View original content:
SOURCE SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/03/uw-health-nurses-madison-deliver-official-notice-their-strike-quality-care-union-recognition-will-hold-labor-day-press-conference/ | 2022-09-03T04:20:21Z |
Caught on camera: Woman steals puppy from pet store
LAKE WORTH, Fla. (WPBF) - A pet shop owner in Florida is asking the public to help identify a woman who stole a puppy from her store in a theft caught on surveillance video.
Susan Minix is the owner of West Kisses Pet Company, a pet store in Lake Worth. She got a call from her employees last Saturday that a 9-week-old Peketese, or Pekingese-Maltese mix, puppy was stolen from the store.
“I was crying. I was so upset. We really, really love our puppies,” Minix said.
Surveillance video shows the suspect going back and forth in the store’s playpen area for about 20 minutes before taking the puppy with her a little after 4 p.m.
“She was playing with the puppy here in this area, and she then was out of the area, was told by a staff person to put the puppy back in the playpen, which she didn’t. She put the puppy underneath her jacket and walked out the door,” Minix said.
Staff members are concerned the puppy won’t survive because she is so young and needs special care.
“If they don’t eat, if they get stressed out, which, of course, a situation like this is going to stress the dog out, then if they don’t eat, they can have hypoglycemia. They can actually go into shock and die from that,” Minix said.
The puppy has been microchipped, and animal control, as well as all veterinarians in a 15-mile radius, are aware of the situation.
“Please bring our baby back. It’s a baby dog, and it needs special care. We want to be able to take care of it. We want to know that it’s safe,” Minix said.
To prevent something like this happening again, Minix says she will be putting enclosed Plexiglas in the playpen area and having anyone who would like to look at the puppies show their driver’s license.
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Copyright 2022 WPBF via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/27/caught-camera-woman-steals-puppy-pet-store/ | 2022-07-27T06:20:20Z |
Man jailed after sister awakens from two-year coma dies in police custody
JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ/Gray News) – A man who was arrested last week in connection with an attack that left his sister in a two-year coma has died, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Daniel Palmer of Cottageville was pronounced dead Thursday, a day after he was taken to a Charleston hospital, said the state’s Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Division of Corrections, in a news release.
Palmer, 55, was uncooperative while in custody and during booking procedures at the South Central Regional Jail, where he was taken July 15, the Associated Press said.
He was arrested July 15 and was facing charges of attempted murder and malicious wounding following an incident in June of 2020 near Cottageville.
His sister, Wanda Palmer, was discovered by lawn care workers at her home suffering from severe head injuries.
“They came that morning to mow her grass and found her in a pool of blood,” said Eileen Palmer, Wanda Palmer’s mother.
Daniel Palmer had been suspected in the attack, but authorities didn’t have enough evidence to arrest him until Wanda Palmer woke up from the coma this month and identified him as her attacker.
The cause of death for Daniel Palmer wasn’t disclosed, and state law only allows the agency to release autopsy information to relatives and law enforcement, the Associated Press reported.
Copyright 2022 WSAZ via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/22/man-jailed-after-sister-awakens-two-year-coma-dies-police-custody/ | 2022-07-22T17:49:05Z |
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ: HBAN) expects to report its 2022 second quarter earnings on Thursday, July 21, 2022, prior to the market opening. A news release and supporting financial data will be available at that time on the Investor Relations section of the company's website.
Huntington's management will host an earnings conference call the same day at 10:00 a.m. ET. The call, along with slides, may be accessed via a live Internet webcast in the Investor Relations section of Huntington's website or through a dial-in telephone number at (877) 407-8029 conference ID #13730639.
A replay of the webcast will be archived in the Investor Relations section of Huntington's website. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call through Thursday, July 28, 2022, at (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415; conference ID #13730639.
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ: HBAN) is a $177 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middle‐market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates more than 1,000 branches in 11 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Visit Huntington.com for more information.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/29/huntington-bancshares-incorporated-announce-2022-second-quarter-earnings-hold-earnings-conference-call-july-21-2022/ | 2022-06-29T12:37:51Z |
2022 List Highlights 50 Companies That Lead the Charge in True Selling Power, Post Pandemic.
INDIANAPOLIS, July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Spot, one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in North America, is proud to be recognized on Selling Power's 50 Best Companies to Sell For list for a fourth consecutive year.
Selling Power's 50 Best Companies to Sell For annual list includes 50 of the most deserving sales companies in the United States. The list, which will be published in the July/August 2022 issue of Selling Power magazine, includes companies leading the charge in perseverance and determination despite facing the worst inflationary period in decades.
"At Spot, everything we do goes back to our people. Their dedication and energy are unmatched," said Andrew Elsener, Co-founder of Spot. "This recognition once again exhibits how our passionate and proven team delivers for their customers, on time, every time."
Spot has grown to more than 500 employees across its locations in Indianapolis, Tempe, and Charlotte and has further plans for expansion into Tampa in Q3 of this year. Spot recently announced the expansion of its Indianapolis presence with an additional downtown office. Together these expansions will accommodate Spot's continued growth and plans to create more than 400 new jobs, nearly doubling its size.
"As companies are facing economic headwinds sales organizations are sharpening their focus on sales talent. The Best Companies to Sell For have mastered the alignment of people, processes, and technologies and created a sales organization that excels in hiring, onboarding, training, and compensation of their sales representatives. What attracts salespeople to work for these leading organizations is their great culture, their commitment to diversity, and their steady support of the sales team by servant leadership that focuses on creating customer value and a meaningful work environment that offers unlimited opportunities to win," says Gerhard Gschwandtner, founder and CEO of Selling Power. "These companies aim at a higher level of professionalism and trust, which in turn leads to increased sales and a lower turnover of the sales force" Gschwandtner continued.
Selling Power's research team created a thorough application where they gathered data across four key areas:
- Company Overview
- Compensation and Benefits
- Hiring, Sales Training & Sales Enablement
- Diversity and Inclusion
Companies were ranked in each of the categories above to determine the final list. The methodology is the product of years of research, and Selling Power continues to revise and refine the approach each year. The companies included are a mix of sizes ranging from medium to enterprise.
You can view the full list of the 50 Best Companies to Sell For in 2022 here: LINK
To learn more about Spot's open positions, visit spotinc.com/careers, and to learn more about open tech positions, visit Spot's technology company, Red Technologies, at redtms.com/careers.
About Spot
As one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in North America, Spot is built on relationships, combining 24/7 support with a proven, passionate, and dedicated team of logistics professionals. Spot provides custom, tailored logistics solutions for shipping challenges through relentless effort, industry knowledge, and advanced technologies. Established in 2009 with the vision that there is a better way to move freight, Spot has more than 500 employees across its U.S. locations in Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Tempe. For more information, visit Spot's website at spotinc.com and follow Spot on social media: Facebook (Spot), Twitter (SpotFreight), LinkedIn (Spot Freight), Instagram (spotfreight), and TikTok (spotfreight).
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brandon Evans
Communications Manager
bevans@spotinc.com | 317.550.7100
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Spot Freight | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/spot-recognized-selling-powers-50-best-companies-sell-list/ | 2022-07-12T16:43:28Z |
The bold design encases an ultra-high performing solid-state drive that can achieve up to a 3,126MB/s reading speed
SHENZHEN, China, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ORICO – Shenzhen-based innovative enterprise focusing on high-performance solutions for USB data transmission and charging – is proud to unveil the ORICO USB4 High Speed Portable SSD Montage 40Gbps series, with a striking and durable design inspired Dutch painter Piet Mondrian.
The bold and bright aesthetic draws from Mondrian's famous work Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, incorporating the thick black lines and blocks of color that immediately distinguish the device from the monochrome alternatives on the market. Loud, but not lurid, the design is applied with the durable in-mold labeling technique also found in automobile manufacturing for its resistance to corrosion.
However, the product engineers at ORICO do not pursue form over function and have invested in the right technology to make the Montage 40Gbps series one of the best-performing SSDs available. During performance testing, the drive achieved 3,126MB/s reading speed, a 2,832MB/s writing speed, and transferred 3GB files in just one second, matching, and even surpassing, many leading products currently on the market.
Accompanied by a versatile 2-in-1 data cable for USB type A and type C connections, the drive is widely compatible and able to be used with Mac OS, Windows, Android, and Linux operating systems without requiring a driver. Depending on user requirements, the Montage series offers capacity options ranging from 512GB to 2TB.
"We are so excited to launch the eye-catching Montage series, serving superior performance and carrying a timeless aesthetic that really transcends style trends," commented Xu Yeyou, CEO of ORICO. "We had in mind on-the-go creatives, such as photographers and video editors, when designing the product."
About ORICO
Shenzhen ORICO Technologies Co., Ltd. was established in 2009, and its brand ORICO is an innovative national high-tech enterprise focusing on USB data transmission and USB charging technology.
To learn more about the ORICO SSD Montage 40Gbps Series, click here.
Connect with ORICO
Website | Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Amazon
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Shenzhen ORICO Technologies Co., Ltd | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/orico-launches-high-performing-portable-ssd-inspired-by-mondrian/ | 2022-07-25T18:44:10Z |
Certification Demonstrates Company's Commitment to Reducing its Environmental Impact in the Production of Wearable Drug Delivery Devices
NETANYA, Israel, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eitan Medical, a global leader in advanced infusion therapy and drug delivery solutions across the care continuum, announced today it has earned International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification for the quality management system for production of its range of medical devices including its Sapphire infusion pumps and the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform solution. This accreditation certifies that the quality system related to the manufacture of these devices is in compliance with the required standards to reduce negative environmental impact.
ISO 14001 comprises a set of standards specifying the necessary requirements for organizations to establish effective environmental management systems. This standard provides guidelines for help in reducing environmental impact, including pollution and carbon footprint, in order to advance environmental conservation.
"Eitan Medical has made a concerted effort to assess and adapt our operations and manufacturing processes to meet these important industry standards. While we focus on developing solutions that heal people, we need to simultaneously ensure we aren't harming the health of the planet," said Igal Shany, CEO of Eitan Medical. "This certification reflects our dedication to creating a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem and exemplifies our core value of providing an environment in which people can live healthier and more enjoyable lives."
Eitan Medical develops connected, patient-centric drug delivery and infusion solutions that are designed to improve patient and clinician quality of life across the continuum of care, including hospital, ambulatory, pre-hospital and home care environments. Eitan Medical's product lines include the Sapphire™ infusion platform, providing connected infusion therapy systems in hospital and ambulatory settings; the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform, a patient-centric on-body injector for delivery of biologic treatments; and Eitan Insights™ a cloud-based platform providing remote treatment data visibility for Eitan Medical's devices.
"As a developer and manufacturer, we are proud that the materials used in our product lines, internal procedures and waste management processes are in-line with global sustainability standards and values," said Judith Antler, Chief Quality Officer at Eitan Medical. "Our commitment extends to our educational framework, through which we provide ecological and sustainability awareness instruction, as well as new manufacturing training programs for employees to increase their knowledge and understanding of this critical issue."
About Eitan Medical
Eitan Medical is reimagining drug delivery, with reliable innovations that put patients at the center of care, making drug delivery easier and safer than ever before. Patient safety and care are only the starting point, as Eitan Medical goes beyond- delivering connected, intuitive drug delivery and infusion solutions that are designed to improve patient and clinician quality of life across the continuum of care, including hospital, ambulatory, and home care environments.
For over a decade, Eitan Medical has provided safe, intuitive, and flexible solutions that meet evolving drug delivery needs. Eitan Medical's product lines include the Sapphire™ infusion platform*, providing connected infusion therapy systems in hospital and ambulatory settings; the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform, the patient-centric on-body injector for delivery of biologic treatments; and Avoset™ infusion pump, connected infusion systems for the home care market.
For more information, visit: https://www.eitanmedical.com/
- Eitan Medical Ltd is legal manufacturer of the Sapphire™ infusion pump, the Sorrel™ wearable drug delivery platform (FDA investigational device) and the Avoset™ (FDA investigational device)
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1699153/Eitan_Medical.jpg
Media Relations Contact:
Nicole Kaufman-Grubner
FINN Partners for Eitan Medical
nicole.grubner@finnpartners.com
@nicolegrubner
View original content:
SOURCE Eitan Medical | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/eitan-medical-receives-iso-14001-environmental-management-certification/ | 2022-08-01T12:26:43Z |
SAN DIEGO, Calif., and SUZHOU and SHANGHAI, China, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GRCL) ("Gracell"), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing highly efficacious and affordable cell therapies for the treatment of cancer, today announced that the management team will participate in BTIG 2022 Hybrid Biotechnology Conference in August 2022.
The Gracell team will conduct one-on-one meetings in person on August 8 and virtually on August 9.
About Gracell
Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. ("Gracell") is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing breakthrough cell therapies. Leveraging its pioneering FasTCAR and TruUCAR technology platforms and SMART CARTTM technology module, Gracell is developing a rich clinical-stage pipeline of multiple autologous and allogeneic product candidates with the potential to overcome major industry challenges that persist with conventional CAR-T therapies, including lengthy manufacturing time, suboptimal cell quality, high therapy cost and lack of effective CAR-T therapies for solid tumors. For more information on Gracell, please visit www.gracellbio.com. Follow @GracellBio on LinkedIn.
Media contact
Marvin Tang
marvin.tang@gracellbio.com
Investor contact
Gracie Tong
gracie.tong@gracellbio.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/gracell-biotechnologies-participate-btig-2022-biotechnology-conference/ | 2022-07-26T13:40:47Z |
Biden tests negative for COVID-19, will end ‘strict isolation’
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden looked forward to ending his COVID-19 isolation Wednesday after testing negative for the virus on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday morning.
He quickly arranged to deliver remarks in the Rose Garden around midday.
“Back to the Oval,” Biden tweeted after the White House released the latest daily update from his doctor confirming that he was clear to end the isolation period required after someone tests positive for the coronavirus. Biden, 79, tested positive last week.
Biden’s tweet included a photo of a rapid COVID-19 test with the line showing a negative result.
“Thanks to Doc for the good care, and to all of you for your support,” the president’s tweet said.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, wrote in Wednesday’s update that the president had completed a five-day course of Paxlovid, an anti-viral drug used to treat COVID-19. Biden remains free of fever and had not used Tylenol in the past 36 hours.
Biden’s symptoms were almost “completely resolved,” O’Connor reported.
“Given these reassuring factors, the president will discontinue his strict isolation measures,” the doctor wrote.
Biden will wear a “well-fitting” face mask for 10 days anytime he is around others, O’Connor said.
Biden tested positive for the coronavirus on July 21. He continued to work during isolation, holding meetings virtually and addressing groups through tape-recorded messages.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/07/27/white-house-biden-tests-negative-covid-19-will-end-strict-isolation/ | 2022-07-27T15:11:07Z |
PALO ALTO, Calif. and EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the ENCALS Conference (European Network to Cure ALS) Neuvivo presented an abstract titled: "Plasma biomarkers of microbial translocation are modulated in ALS patients clinically responsive to NP001".
Microbial translocation (MT) occurs when bacteria or bacterial products that should only be in the lumen of the intestine, travel across the epithelial barrier into systemic circulation, where they contribute to chronic inflammation and disease pathogenesis. This is a process known to occur in patients with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. NP001 is a regulator of innate immunologic function converting inappropriately activated macrophages that promote MT to a normal wound healing form that can reverse the MT process.
In phase 2 studies with NP001 in ALS patients, clinical signs of disease activity and respiratory vital capacity were positively affected compared to controls. Plasma specimens obtained during the phase 2A study were evaluated for levels of inflammatory markers related to MT at baseline and after 6 months and compared to placebos. Baseline markers of MT (LPS, LBP, sCD163, IL-18) all decreased significantly in the NP001 treatment arm as compared to placebos (p = 0.04, 0.006, 0.02, 0.02, respectively) whereas the plasma levels of wound healing epidermal growth factor (EGF) and neopterin increased in patients treated with NP001 (p = 0.04 and 0.02 respectively).
"NP001 treatment reduced inflammation and importantly, enhanced production of wound healing factors," said Michael McGrath, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Neuvivo. "The clear clinical improvement in patients as measured by ALSFRS-R and Vital Capacity scores, coupled with NP001's known mechanism of action targeting the immune system - suggests that reversal of MT may alter ALS pathogenesis. Taken together, the NP001 trial data links positive clinical outcomes with changes in biomarker levels supporting NP001 as a potentially effective therapy for ALS through regulation of MT."
About Neuvivo: Neuvivo is a private, late-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company committed to creating and delivering advanced treatments for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. The company was formed by industry leaders and scientists, committed to improving the prognosis for patients diagnosed with ALS and a range of diseases for which few current treatment options exist. For more information please visit: www.Neuvivo.com.
Contact:
Jennifer Larson
415 409 2729
Jennifer@neuvivo.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Neuvivo, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/neuvivos-np001-an-immune-system-regulator-has-effect-biomarkers-microbial-translocation-als-patients-responsive-treatment/ | 2022-06-02T12:54:42Z |
Shanghai to try to ease 7-week virus lockdown in a few days
BEIJING (AP) — An official says Shanghai will try again to reopen in a few days after it has eliminated COVID-19 transmission among the general population. An outbreak is waning in the city, which is in the seventh week of a strict lockdown that has been lifted and then reinforced at times to the frustration of residents. The lockdown is part of the ruling Communist Party’s “zero-COVID” policy that has exacted a mounting economic toll and that even the World Health Organization says may be unsustainable. Shanghai Vice Mayor Wu Qing says eliminating the virus in the community will allow for an “orderly opening” some time in mid-May. He didn’t specify a date or say how the reopening would occur. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/05/13/shanghai-will-try-to-ease-7-week-virus-lockdown-in-few-days/ | 2022-05-13T09:18:53Z |
Organ Procurement Organization Becomes Lifetime Trustee of Baldrige Institute
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CORE, the Center for Organ Recovery & Education, a leader in organ and tissue procurement for transplantation headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, became the ninth and newest member of the Mac Baldrige Society, the Trustees of the Baldrige Foundation's Institute for Performance Excellence.
"The Foundation established the Institute for Performance Excellence in June 2020," said Al Faber, President and CEO of the Baldrige Foundation, "to be a thought leader on performance excellence, leadership, and management."
"The Mac Baldrige Society is limited to 20 elite members," continued Faber, "they serve as the Trustees of the Institute, and by their commitment, demonstrate they recognize the importance of the Baldrige Foundation's mission: to promote organizational performance excellence in the United States and throughout the world by supporting the Baldrige Program."
CORE was founded for the purpose of saving and enhancing lives through organ, tissue, and cornea transplantation. CORE is one of 57 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations in the United States, and it serves a Donation Service Area assigned by the federal government that includes 150 donor hospitals and approximately 5.5 million people throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Chemung County, NY.
"CORE's Baldrige performance excellence journey has empowered us to focus successfully on the mantra, 'Every Donor, Every Time.' Today, a decade into this journey, CORE is a results-driven organization, thriving in a culture of transparency and innovation," said Susan Stuart, President and CEO of CORE. "The result: CORE is saving and healing more lives than ever before – the most significant indicator of performance excellence and proof that the Baldrige framework affects positive change."
2021 was CORE's third consecutive record-breaking year Saving and Healing lives through organ, tissue, and cornea donation. The organization made possible more than 700 life-saving organ transplants, thanks to the generosity of an unprecedented number of organ donors. That is a 150 percent increase since CORE began its performance excellence journey in 2012. Incredibly, ten of the donors in 2021 were over the age of 75, a group that is often overlooked for donation. The most notable of these donors was Cecil F. Lockhart of Welch, West Virginia, who in May 2021 became the oldest organ donor in U.S. history at 95. Also in 2021, the number of people healed because of tissue recovered by CORE was 133 percent more than in 2012.
"CORE is honored to become part of this distinguished group of Mac Baldrige Society trustees," Stuart said. "In doing so, CORE hopes to signify that our performance excellence journey is one without a destination. We will, now and in the future, continue to follow the Baldrige Framework and the roadmap it provides us on our mission: Saving and Healing lives through donation."
"The Institute Trustees," said Faber, "are making a commitment to preserve and promote the Baldrige Framework and to help ensure that Baldrige remains relevant for future generations of organizations across all sectors of the economy. We are grateful for their support."
For more information, contact: Mark Wayda, 614-600-0432 or at mwayda@baldrigefoundation.org.
The Baldrige Foundation was created as the private partner to the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program in 1988. Its mission is to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and to support organizational performance excellence throughout the U.S. and the world. The Baldrige Program located at NIST within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is a separate entity and is solely responsible for managing and administering the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. For more information on the Baldrige Award process please visit: https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/baldrige-award.
The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of 57 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States, serving more than five million people in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. CORE coordinates the recovery and matching of organs, tissues, and corneas for transplant within our service region, and works tirelessly to create a culture of donation within the hospitals and communities we serve. CORE's mission is to Save and Heal lives through donation, ultimately ending the deaths of those on the transplant waiting list, while maintaining integrity for the donation process, dignity for the donors, and compassion for their families. CORE is a winner of the 2019 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a presidential award that recognizes nonprofits for their innovation and excellence. For more information, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.
View original content:
SOURCE Malcolm Baldrige Foundation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/newest-member-mac-baldrige-society-center-organ-recovery-amp-education-core/ | 2022-07-07T13:57:39Z |
A standing ovation from the entire faculty and staff at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College greeted new President Tracy Brundage when she took the stage during the college's annual fall conference.
TIFTON — A standing ovation from the entire faculty and staff at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College greeted new President Tracy Brundage when she took the stage during the college's annual fall conference.
Brundage, the first female president in the history of ABAC, took office on Aug. 1 as the 11th president in ABAC’s history. She was sidelined her first week on the job due to a bout with COVID but has bounced back strong.
“I am honored and privileged to be your new president,” Brundage said. “Your talent, expertise, dedication, and resolve really speak volumes about the type of community that is here. I’m excited about the potential of what we can accomplish together.
“We all need to be rowing in the same direction. We are all on the same team. We need to support one another and remember our mission, vision, strategic initiatives, and understand how we are measuring success.”
Brundage served as the president of Keystone (Pa.) College for the last four years. She steps into the ABAC president’s role after the retirement of David Bridges, who was ABAC’s chief executive for a record 16 years and one month.
“I have known for a long time that my sense of purpose in this world is to make a difference in the lives of others,” Brundage said. “And the work we do does exactly that. Education provides amazing opportunities for our students.
“ABAC features an accessible, affordable education that leads to strong career pathways. We all have to be accountable, to the mission, to our goals, and to one another. ABAC has been a great institution for generations, and there’s no doubt in my mind that we can continue that legacy for generations to come.”
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/brundage-addresses-abac-faculty-staff-at-fall-conference/article_ebc04f14-1be0-11ed-b043-3f8547ffd712.html | 2022-08-14T16:25:16Z |
NEW YORK, July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As companies face increasing pressure to take stands on a variety of social and political issues, a new survey finds that only 10 percent of companies are responding publicly to the recent Supreme Court decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, on women's reproductive rights. And only 4 percent are publicly addressing the decision, New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen, on gun regulation.
But, The Conference Board survey reveals that a majority have either addressed or plan to address the decision on women's reproductive rights internally. Significantly fewer, however, are internally addressing the ruling on gun regulation. That may be due in part to the pressure companies are receiving: 26 percent of companies stated they have felt pressure to respond to the Dobbs ruling, and 13 percent felt pressure to respond to both decisions, but no firms stated that they had felt pressure to respond only to the Bruen decision.
"Companies should have a clear process and criteria for deciding whether, when, and how to respond to social issues," said Paul Washington, Executive Director of The Conference Board ESG Center. "The pressure to address these and other social issues is unlikely to abate. Having clear guidelines can help set expectations for how the company will respond in the future and ensure that the company is appropriately taking into account the divergent views of multiple stakeholders."
The survey polled nearly 300 US public, private, and nonprofit corporations, more than half with annual revenues over $1 billion (60 percent), from June 30-July 8. Respondents weighed in on how companies are responding to social issues, including those raised by two recent rulings: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization on women's reproductive rights, and New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen on gun regulation.
Key findings include:
Even when companies do not speak up publicly, they may address issues internally based on the nature of the subject.
- 10 percent of companies responded to Dobbs, or plan to respond, with public statements.
- Only 4 percent have made a public statement on Bruen.
- Racial, LGBTQ+, and gender equality—and COVID-related topics—have been the predominant focus of corporations' public statements on social issues in the past two years.
- A majority (51 percent) either have addressed, or plan to address, women's reproductive rights internally.
- Of those companies responding to Dobbs internally, the most common responses are to communicate existing healthcare benefits to employees or to offer travel expense benefits.
- Significantly fewer—9 percent—are addressing Bruen internally. 73 percent are not responding.
- Not all companies have been silent on gun issues. 22 percent addressed gun safety before Bruen in a variety of ways.
"These issues are amongst the hardest to tackle for those in Corporate Communications, both internally and externally. There is no right answer to what to say or what to do, but there is a right approach. This is based on a company's values, commitments to all its stakeholders, and its business. They should think deeply, act wisely, and stay connected to what other companies are doing," said Ivan Pollard, Leader of The Conference Board Marketing & Communications Center.
Similar types of events can lead to widely divergent responses.
- While 26 percent of companies stated they have felt pressure to respond to the Dobbs decision, and 13 percent to both decisions, no firms stated that they had felt pressure to respond only to Bruen.
- Almost half (47 percent) of companies report receiving no pressure to take a stand on either issue.
Companies need to ensure they have a consistent way to respond to employee pressure on social issues.
- Of the companies that have received pressure to respond to the Court's decisions on reproductive rights and guns, 78 percent said the pressure came from individual employees and 55 percent cited employee resource groups.
"Employees are not only a primary source of pressure for companies to take stands, but also a primary audience for the corporate response," said Rebecca Ray, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Human Capital at The Conference Board. "Companies should consider establishing a mechanism for employees to raise issues and should have consistent criteria and a process for management to decide whether and how to address those issues. For example, some firms have asked employee resource groups to provide regular input to the CEO; others have established a separate employee committee to raise issues for senior management and board consideration."
The criteria for deciding whether to address a social issue should include more than "company values."
- 61 percent of companies cited the issue's relationship "to the company's core values" as a criterion for deciding whether to take a stand on the issues raised by the Supreme Court's decisions.
- 29 percent cited the relationship to the company's business.
- 23 percent mentioned the ability to make a meaningful impact.
Senior management can take steps to avoid becoming an "echo chamber" in deciding the company's position on social issues.
- 75 percent of companies said the decision to take a stand on the two decisions rested with either the CEO or the CEO and senior management team, collectively.
- Many fewer included government relations, corporate citizenship/community relations, marketing, finance, and investor relations in the decision—despite the fact that these functions could help represent the views of the company's regulators, communities, consumers, and shareholders:
- While they seldom make the decision to take a stand, a majority of boards are being involved beforehand or informed at the time of decision.
"Americans' trust in business leadership unavoidably places CEOs and their C-suites at the nexus of public policy issues," said Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, President of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED). "Managing the growing expectations of multiple stakeholders will require new and evolving leadership skills, and consequently, broad engagement in the pursuit of knowledge and insights both inside and outside the company walls."
Companies need to prepare for ongoing pressure to address the issues of reproductive rights and gun safety through internal policies, political activities, and nonprofit contributions related to these issues.
- Few companies have decided to address the issues of women's reproductive rights and guns by making adjustments in their lobbying activities, political contributions, or nonprofit contributions. But these areas are not likely to escape employee scrutiny—or pressure—for long.
- For Dobbs:
- The factors considered in deciding whether to adjust lobbying, political contributions, or employee health benefits are likely to be more complicated than those involved in deciding whether to make a public or internal statement on an issue.
About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what's ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE The Conference Board | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/survey-one-ten-companies-publicly-responded-supreme-court-ruling-reproductive-rights/ | 2022-07-19T18:16:21Z |
PITTSBURGH, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a wonderful arts and crafts toy to encourage creative play for children," said an inventor, from Las Vegas, Nev., "so I invented DISCOVERY BOXES. My design enables children to decorate and redecorate, stack, build forts and play."
The invention provides a unique creative outlet for children. In doing so, it offers a surface for drawing and writing. It also enhances fun and imaginative play and it could provide a convenient storage accessory. The invention features a simple and user-friendly design that is easy to use so it is ideal for children, schools, etc. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.
The original design was submitted to the Las Vegas sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-LVT-330, 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.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/25/inventhelp-inventor-develops-creative-activity-children-lvt-330/ | 2022-05-25T17:37:32Z |
Second Quarter 2022 Revenue of $338 Million, an increase of 8% sequentially and YoY
Second Quarter 2022 Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $86 Million, an increase of 18% sequentially and 2% YoY
Generated $12 Million of Positive Operating Cash Flow for the First Half of 2022
WAKEFIELD, Mass., Aug. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis, today reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. All financial information is provided in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Earnings Call: Monday, August 8, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. ET
Conference ID # is 7759736
Replay ID # is 4470743
U.S. Callers: +1-844-763-8274
U.S. Replay: +1-877-344-7529
International Callers: +1-412-717-9224
International Replay (Toll): +1-412-317-0088
Canadian Callers: +1-416-639-5883
Canadian Replay: +1-855-669-9658
The teleconference will be rebroadcasted starting at 7:00 P.M. ET
on August 8, 2022 and will end at 7:00 P.M. ET on August 15, 2022
Boris Jordan, Executive Chairman of Curaleaf, commented, "Our record breaking second quarter got off to a great start with the launch of adult use in New Jersey and a historic 4/20. We bounced back from earlier headwinds to grow revenue 8%, and AEBITDA 18% sequentially, while continuing to execute on our growth strategy for Europe, a key differentiator for Curaleaf and a significant advantage over our competitors. I am also very pleased to report that thanks to our vertical penetration and operating efficiencies, Adjusted EBITDA margins expanded to 26%. The fundamentals of our business are strong, and our leadership team is moving with speed and discipline, continuing to set-up 2022 as another milestone year."
Matt Darin, Chief Executive Officer of Curaleaf, stated, "In the second quarter we made key adjustments and some bold decisions to focus on operational excellence, innovative products and brands, and leadership talent, and we are already seeing positive results as demonstrated by a 267 bps improvement in gross margin on cannabis sales. This quarter we continued to grow our retail footprint, expand our distribution partnerships and launch innovative new product lines that excite consumers and invigorate the industry. The power of our platform, our products and our people is undeniable, and we are now realizing the impact our long term strategy both in the U.S. and abroad. And with today's announcement of key hires in our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, I am more confident than ever that Curaleaf will continue to be the global leader in the cannabis industry."
Second Quarter Operating Highlights
- Added seven new retail dispensaries, closing the quarter with 135 total locations, and serviced nearly 2,200 wholesale partner accounts.
- Commenced adult-use sales in New Jersey, with BDSA estimating a $2.3 billion market by 2026.
- Executed historic 4/20 with net revenue increasing 45% year-over-year.
- Launched Endless Coast Cannabis-Infused Seltzers, a highly sociable line of low-calorie, low-sugar and low-carb beverages.
- Signed a distribution agreement with WB Canna Co. & Wellness which will launch Curaleaf's Hemp and Select CBD product lines in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Bermuda, Barbados, Cayman, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Saint Maarten, as well as additional markets in Latin America.
- Tyneeha Rivers joined as the Company's first Chief People Officer in June and has made an immediate impact on organizational dynamics and leadership culture.
Post Second Quarter Operating Highlights
- Opened Tampa Citrus Park dispensary, our 51st in Florida and 136th overall.
- Launched "The Farmer's Select" program, an ongoing series of limited-edition collaborations with licensed legacy farmers and diverse operators in California.
- Launched Plant Precision, a health and wellness line of products featuring the minor cannabinoids in combination with lower levels of THC to address a variety of need states for new consumer segments.
- Announced key hires in Ed Kremer as Chief Financial Officer, Camilo Lyon as Chief Investment Officer and Mitch Hara as Chief Strategy Officer.
Total revenue increased by 8% to $338 million during the second quarter of 2022, compared to $312 million in the second quarter of 2021. The Company's year-over-year revenue growth primarily reflects continued growth driven by new retail store openings and commencement of adult-use in New Jersey, the acquisition of Bloom Dispensaries, the addition of new wholesale partner accounts, product launches, and the expansion of cultivation and production facilities.
Retail revenue increased by 13% to $252 million during the second quarter of 2022, compared to $222 million in the second quarter of 2021, representing 75% of total revenue. Growth in retail revenue was primarily due to strong growth across Curaleaf's footprint and the opening of 28 new stores over the year, namely in Arizona (including the acquisition of Bloom Dispensaries), Florida, Maine, and Pennsylvania and the commencement of adult-use in New Jersey.
Wholesale revenue decreased 6% to $84 million during the second quarter of 2022, compared to $89 million in the second quarter of 2021, representing 25% of total revenue. Contraction in wholesale revenue during the quarter was largely due to the Company's continued assessment of the wholesale marketplace in California and Colorado.
Gross profit on cannabis sales was $175 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $155 million in the second quarter of 2021. Gross profit margin reached 51.9%, compared to 49.6% in the second quarter of 2021 largely resulting from the increase in vertically integrated products sold in its dispensaries and the mix of revenue from higher margin states.
For the second quarter of 2022, net loss attributable to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. was $28 million, compared to a net loss of $5 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increase in net loss was due to an unfavorable net change in fair value of biological assets coupled with the increase in operating expenses, which were partially offset by higher revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA was $86 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $84 million for the second quarter of 2021. The year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by solid revenue growth combined with operating leverage. The year-over-year decrease in Adjusted EBITDA margin reflects greater SG&A expenditures due to increased headcount in support of new store openings, higher levels of expenses related to research and development activities, as well as higher sales and marketing spend, and an increase in professional fees.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $187 million of cash and $587 million of outstanding debt net of unamortized debt discounts, which had a weighted average interest rate of 7.3% per annum.
During the first-half of 2022, Curaleaf invested $60 million net in capital expenditures mostly attributable to cultivation, processing, and retail sites development activities. The Company expects to invest approximately $125 million in capital expenditures for the full year 2022.
Shares Outstanding
As of June 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, the Company's weighted average subordinate voting shares outstanding amounted to 709,434,324 and 708,897,273 shares, respectively.
As of June 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, the Company's issued and outstanding subordinate voting shares plus multiple voting shares amounted to 710,136,421 and 708,812,195 shares, respectively.
Other
As disclosed in the Company's Consolidated Annual Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company made an immaterial restatement to the initial purchase accounting for the Select acquisition. Adjustments have been made to the comparative period financial statements presented herein, which reflect a decrease in amortization expense, as applicable. The net impact of the adjustment on the Company's Interim Consolidated Statements of Profits and Losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, was a positive $2.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively, to Net loss attributable to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
Non-IFRS Financial and Performance Measures
Curaleaf reports its financial results in accordance with IFRS and uses a number of financial measures and ratios when assessing its results and measuring overall performance. Some of these financial measures and ratios are not calculated in accordance with IFRS. Curaleaf refers to certain Non-IFRS financial measures and ratios such as "Gross Profit on Cannabis Sales", "Gross Margin on Cannabis Sales", "Adjusted EBITDA", and "Adjusted EBITDA Margin". These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company defines "Gross Profit on Cannabis Sales" as retail and wholesale revenues less cost of goods sold. "Gross Margin on Cannabis Sales" is defined by Curaleaf as gross profit on cannabis sales divided by retail and wholesale revenues. "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined by Curaleaf as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization less share-based compensation expense and other add-backs related to business development, acquisition, financing and reorganization costs. "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" is defined by Curaleaf as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue. Curaleaf considers these measures to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business. We believe the adjusted results presented provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these measures are not calculated in accordance with IFRS, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, our reported results as indicators of our performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly named measures from other companies. The tables provided in this press release contained in the sections "Gross Profit on Cannabis Sales" and "Adjusted EBITDA" (pg. 5) provide reconciliations of Non-IFRS measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures.
About Curaleaf Holdings
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to improve lives by providing clarity around cannabis and confidence around consumption. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf and Select, provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. In the United States, Curaleaf currently operates in 22 states with 136 dispensaries, 26 cultivation sites, and employs over 5,700 team members. Curaleaf International is the largest vertically integrated cannabis company in Europe with a unique supply and distribution network throughout the European market, bringing together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit https://ir.curaleaf.com.
Contact Information
Investor Contact:
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
ir@curaleaf.com
Media Contact:
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
Tracy Brady, SVP of Corporate Communications
media@curaleaf.com
Disclaimer
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on management's current beliefs, expectations or assumptions regarding the future of the business, plans and strategies, operational results and other future conditions of the Company. In addition, the Company may make or approve certain statements in future filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, in press releases, or in oral or written presentations by representatives of the Company that are not statements of historical fact and may also constitute forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, made by the Company that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as "assumptions", "assumes", "guidance", "outlook", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "intends", "anticipates", "targeted", "continues", "forecasts", "designed", "goal", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words and includes, among others, information regarding: its outlook for and expected operating margins, capital allocation, free flow cash and other financial results; growth of its operations via expansion, for the effects of any transactions; expectations for the potential benefits of any transactions; statements relating to the business and future activities of, and developments related to, the Company after the date of this press release, including such things as future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the Company's business, operations and plans; expectations that planned acquisitions will be completed; expectations regarding cultivation and manufacturing capacity; expectations regarding receipt of regulatory approvals; expectations that licenses applied for will be obtained; potential future legalization of adult-use and/or medical cannabis under U.S. federal law; expectations of market size and growth in the U.S. and the states in which the Company operates; expectations for other economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the Company or the cannabis industry generally; and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements may relate to future financial conditions, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments. These statements speak only as at the date they are made and are based on information currently available and on the then current expectations. Holders of securities of the Company are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, as applicable, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the available funds of the Company and the anticipated use of such funds; the availability of financing opportunities; legal and regulatory risks inherent in the cannabis industry; risks associated with economic conditions, dependence on management and currency risk; risks relating to U.S. regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws and regulation; other governmental and environmental regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; risks related to contracts with third-party service providers; risks related to the enforceability of contracts; reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management of the Company, and ability to retain such senior management; risks related to proprietary intellectual property and potential infringement by third-parties; the concentrated voting control of the Company's Chairman and the unpredictability caused by the capital structure; risks relating to the management of growth; increasing competition in the industry; risks inherent in an agricultural business; risks relating to energy costs; risks associated to cannabis products manufactured for human consumption including potential product recalls; reliance on key inputs, suppliers and skilled labor; cybersecurity risks; ability and constraints on marketing products; fraudulent activity by employees, contractors and consultants; tax and insurance related risks; risks related to the economy generally; risk of litigation; conflicts of interest; risks relating to certain remedies being limited and the difficulty of enforcement of judgments and effect service outside of Canada; risks related to future acquisitions or dispositions; sales by existing shareholders; limited research and data relating to cannabis; as well as those risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Management, Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year that ended December 31, 2021 (which has been filed on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and on its EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov/edgar/html) and as described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The purpose of forward-looking statements is to provide the reader with a description of management's expectations, and such forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for any other purpose. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, disclosure in this press release as well as statements regarding the Company's objectives, plans and goals, including future operating results and economic performance may make reference to or involve forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from what is projected in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The Company's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about the Company's prospective results of operations, production and production efficiency, commercialization, revenue and cash on hand, all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set second in the above paragraph. FOFI contained in this document was approved by management as of the date of this document and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about the Company's future business operations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this document should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein. The financial information reported in this news release is based on unaudited management prepared financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. Accordingly, such financial information may be subject to change. Financial statements for the period will be released and filed under the Company's profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com no later than August 15, 2022. All financial information contained in this news release is qualified in its entirety with reference to such unaudited financial statements. While the Company does not expect there to be any material changes, to the extent that the financial information contained in this news release is inconsistent with the information contained in the Company's unaudited financial statements, the financial information contained in this news release shall be deemed to be modified or superseded by the Company's unaudited financial statements. The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation for purposes of applicable securities laws.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this press release.
View original content:
SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/08/curaleaf-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/ | 2022-08-08T20:54:40Z |
SOSU to add women’s golf in 2023-24
DURANT, Okla (KXII) - Southeastern Director of Athletics Keith Baxter has announced that beginning with the 2023-24 season the Savage Storm athletic department will begin sponsoring women’s golf.
Women’s golf will become the 12th NCAA sponsored sport at Southeastern and expands the department athletic offerings to the 14 total sports. Of the 14 sports, golf will become the eighth women’s sport at the University. It will also become the 10th women’s golf program in the Great American Conference and will be eligible for the 2024 GAC championship.
Current Savage Storm men’s golf coach Sydney Youngblood will oversee both programs, with recruiting for the women’s program beginning this season. Youngblood won four state championships at Durant High School and played college golf at the University of Oklahoma.
”Southeastern has a rich tradition of successful student athletes,” said Southeastern President Dr. Thomas Newsom,” And we are proud to announce the addition of women’s golf to our portfolio of teams. Adding an additional opportunity for women is especially significant as we celebrate 50 years of Title IX. Our athletic teams are an important ingredient for the success of our residential campus, and I look forward to seeing this new group of ladies compete in Durant.“
”With the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX,” said Baxter, “We are excited to announce the addition of Women’s Golf to Southeastern Athletic Department. This is a great addition for our Department, there is a rich tradition of Women’s Golf in Southeast Oklahoma and North Texas and now we are looking forward to recruit these student-athletes to our campus.”
”Having a women’s collegiate golf team in my hometown,” said Youngblood, “Is a childhood dream come true for me. We have a talented group of female golfers in our region, and I am very excited and deeply honored to begin building a program and a team from the ground up. I am incredibly grateful for an administration and community that supports the addition of this women’s team to the Southeastern family.”
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/07/15/sosu-add-womens-golf-2023-24/ | 2022-07-16T00:22:42Z |
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), a global chemical and ingredient distributor and provider of value-added services, today announced that on August 1, 2022 it plans to report financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
After the market closes on Monday, August 1, Univar Solutions plans to issue its second quarter news release. At the same time, the Company will post a slide presentation in the investor relations section of its website at https://investors.univarsolutions.com. Following the release, at 9:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, August 2, the Company will host a webcast with investors to discuss the second quarter results. The webcast will be accessible through the investor relations section on the Univar Solutions' website.
Following the event, an archived version of the webcast and supporting materials will be available on the Univar Solutions' website at https://investors.univarsolutions.com.
About Univar Solutions
Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR) is a leading global commodity and specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and predictions for the future, which are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and assumptions. A detailed discussion of these factors and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Potential factors that could affect such forward-looking statements include, among others: the ultimate geographic spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and our customers and suppliers; the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition; other fluctuations in general economic conditions, particularly in industrial production and the demands of our customers; significant changes in the business strategies of producers or in the operations of our customers; increased competitive pressures, including as a result of competitor consolidation; significant changes in the pricing, demand and availability of chemicals; our levels of indebtedness, the restrictions imposed by our debt instruments, and our ability to obtain additional financing when needed; the broad spectrum of laws and regulations that we are subject to, including extensive environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; an inability to integrate the business and systems of companies we acquire, including of Nexeo Solutions, Inc., or to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; potential business disruptions and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents; an inability to generate sufficient working capital; increases in transportation and fuel costs and changes in our relationship with third party providers; accidents, safety failures, environmental damage, product quality and liability issues and recalls; major or systemic delivery failures involving our distribution network or the products we carry; operational risks for which we may not be adequately insured; ongoing litigation and other legal and regulatory risks; challenges associated with international operations; exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations; potential impairment of goodwill; liabilities associated with acquisitions, ventures and strategic investments; negative developments affecting our pension plans and multi-employer pensions; labor disruptions associated with the unionized portion of our workforce; and the other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek, "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Univar Solutions Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/05/univar-solutions-report-second-quarter-financial-results-august-1/ | 2022-07-05T13:13:31Z |
Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer Mark Touhey Announces Retirement at End of 2022
BOSTON, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Insurance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Long today announced that Damon Hart has been named Secretary, effective January 2023, in addition to his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. As Secretary, Hart will be responsible for overseeing governance for the company's Board of Directors. Hart, who has been part of the company's executive leadership team since 2021 will report to Tim Sweeney, who was appointed CEO of Liberty Mutual beginning in January 2023.
"Damon continues to move our organization forward with his dedicated leadership and passion for growing our business and employees," said Long. "As Secretary, his vast experience across a wide variety of legal disciplines will be a great value to our Board governance, policyholders and partners."
Hart joined Liberty Mutual in 2014 and was promoted to Deputy Chief Legal Officer in 2020 before his current appointment. Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for litigation and coverage, overseeing the interests of Liberty Mutual and providing enterprise-wide coverage advice and opinions. He also spent several years as Deputy General Counsel for Employment Legal.
Hart is actively involved in the company's Employee Resource Groups and throughout the community where he coaches youth sports and mentors rising professionals. He is a founding member of The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund – a coalition of Black and Brown executives in Massachusetts working to address and eliminate systemic racism and racial inequity. Hart is also on the Board of Directors of The Home for Little Wanderers, which is supported by the Liberty Mutual Foundation, and the New England Legal Foundation.
The company's current Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Chief of Staff to the CEO Mark Touhey announced he will retire at the end of 2022. He has worked at Liberty Mutual for 28 years, serving in multiple senior leadership positions across the Global Risk Solutions business unit, and talent and enterprise services and corporate finance departments.
Touhey has served in his current role since 2016, overseeing the company's Board of Directors engagement and corporate governance and community investments, which has become a model of philanthropic excellence and giving under his leadership. He has also led the organization's corporate strategy and research department.
He is actively involved as co-executive chairman of the organization's Employee Resource Group focused on employees of African descent and allies, and is passionate about Liberty Mutual's diversity, equity and inclusion journey. Touhey also serves on the Board of Directors of the Boston-based non-profit More than Words, a job training and youth development program that is supported by the Liberty Mutual Foundation, as well as The Partnership, Inc., an organization that works with client companies to deliver leadership training to diverse and multicultural professionals at all stages of their career.
"Mark has been an instrumental leader at our company and a great counsel to the Board of Directors, executive team and me over many years," said Long. "One of his many legacies is driving the Liberty Mutual Foundation's growth and strategic direction, increasing our thought leadership and recognition in the industry. I'd like to thank Mark for his tremendous contributions to the organization."
"It's been an honor to be part of this outstanding company for nearly 30 years and I'm truly grateful to my colleagues," said Touhey. "I'm extremely proud of the work we've done together to make our organization and communities stronger and am excited to see how it evolves in the years to come."
At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow.
In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2021 gross written premium. We also rank 78th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2021 revenue. As of December 31, 2021, we had $48.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue.
We employ over 47,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property.
For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/liberty-mutual-insurance-appoints-damon-hart-executive-vice-president-chief-legal-officer-secretary/ | 2022-06-13T20:20:44Z |
Blue River area trashed over Memorial weekend
TISHOMINGO, Okla. (KXII) - Memorial weekend is one of the busiest for lakes and camping grounds and now park employees are cleaning up the aftermath.
One of the most packed spots in southern Oklahoma over the holiday weekend was the Blue River fishing and hunting area.
Most of the holiday crowd has cleared out but a lot of their trash is still here.
“We want people to have fun, we want them to go out and enjoy themselves but we want to keep it a family friendly area,” said department of wildlife conservation biologist Matt Gamble.
Hundreds of guests arriving to enjoy the park is a sight the small park staff enjoys.
But the park after they leave is a less welcome sight.
“We had a lot of campsites that were trashed,” said Gamble. “People just left their stuff around fire pits, left mattresses, I believe we had an old grill that was left.”
Blue river employees a small staff to maintain the park but cleaning up after guests is not one of their duties.
They say it will take them all week to cleanup the mess from the weekend which affects every other part of the park.
“Our crew, we’re maintain access trails, we’re maintaining campground roads, we’re doing prescribed burns on the area, fish surveys,” said Gamble. “So any time we’re spending picking up trash, picking up after people, is time it takes away from other areas.”
It can also have a dangerous affect on the areas wild life as well as people who live near the river.
“You’re throwing things out there in the water that we drink,” said Gamble. “Blue river provides a lot of drinking water for south central Oklahoma.”
With Summer just getting started the grounds crews want the area to stay in good condition for all visitors, but they can’t do it without everyone’s help.
“If you bring it in you can take it out, its really pretty simple,” said Gamble. “Its not a huge burden on the camper because the brought the items in themselves.”
Park employees are simply asking that guests clean up after themselves and that if on site dumpsters and trash cans are full they take their trash with them to dispose of it somewhere else.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/01/blue-river-area-trashed-over-memorial-weekend/ | 2022-06-01T03:40:03Z |
Company Brings isolved People Cloud™ to Popular Collaboration Apps
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Conversational virtual assistants (VA) are becoming a standard means for how people now interact with technology, delivering much simpler, easier ways to access information and services. In a recent survey, 71 percent of full-time employees said they were willing to use a conversational VA to accomplish human resource (HR) tasks. As a key part of delivering the very best employee experience, isolved is announcing the next major addition to its intelligently connected human capital management (HCM) platform by launching an intuitive conversational artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbot initially for Microsoft Teams™ and planned for other collaboration and messaging apps where employees work together.
Available as a part of isolved People Cloud™, employees can use the conversational VA to ask questions, get answers and complete everyday HR tasks without needing to wait on their HR help desk or even log in to their HCM platform. This high level of accessibility means employees can quickly get up-to-date information for such things as reviewing time-off balance or benefits – all without the employee leaving the work tech app they are already in.
"Conversational virtual assistants are now a part of our everyday lives yet aren't widely available where we spend most of our time – at work," said James Norwood, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at isolved. "By bringing a conversational VA to common collaborative and messaging apps, employees can take care of HR tasks far more quickly and then get back to making an impact for their organization. At the same time, employers benefit from offering an intuitive consumer-like experience that reduces friction and improves retention."
In addition to freeing up valuable employee time by automating responses to frequently asked questions and completing tasks, employees get access to crucial information when and where they need it. Other top benefits for employers include the following workflows:
- Simplifying the onboarding process: Employers can help welcome employees via Microsoft Teams with a built-in interactive chat experience to kickstart the first days of work and make it easier for new employees to find what they need, feel connected and get productive faster.
- Makes employee communication easy and fun: With isolved's conversational VA, employees can find answers to common questions about their work schedule, timecard information, their elected benefits and even payroll matters they need quickly. The VA helps with requests in a fun, chat-like way even helping to book time-off and thus keeping basic HR service desk requests to a minimum.
In subsequent releases, isolved's conversational VA is expected to have even more use cases, broadening those available for HR, payroll, benefits and workforce management, to talent acquisition and talent management. For example, gathering employee feedback via regular "pulse" surveys, and helping HR and business leaders to schedule polls, quizzes and broadcasts while empowering them with analytics to drive better engagement and improve processes. Availability in-app as well as integrations to Slack™, WhatsApp™, Facebook Messenger™ and Viber™ are also planned under isolved's continuous release process.
See the conversational voice assistant in action by requesting an isolved demo.
About isolved
isolved is an employee experience leader, providing intuitive, people-first HCM technology. Our solutions are delivered directly or through our HRO partner network to more than five million employees and 145,000 employers across all 50 States — who use them every day to boost performance, increase productivity, and accelerate results while reducing risk. Our HCM platform, isolved People Cloud, intelligently connects and manages the employee journey across talent acquisition, HR & payroll, benefits, workforce management and talent management functions. No matter the industry, we help high-growth organizations employ, enable and empower their workforce by transforming employee experience for a better today and a better tomorrow.
Media Contact
Amberly Dressler
Director of Brand and Content
adressler@isolvedhcm.com
714.851.5794
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE isolved | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/isolved-debuts-conversational-virtual-assistant-hr-answers-assistance-wherever-whenever-employees-need-them/ | 2022-05-17T13:21:57Z |
WILMINGTON, Ohio (AP) — An armed man clad in body armor who tried to breach the FBI’s Cincinnati office on Thursday was shot and killed by police after he fled the scene and engaged in an hourslong standoff in a rural part of the state, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
The confrontation came as officials warned of an increase in threats against federal agents in the days following a search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The man is believed to have been in Washington in the days leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and may have been present at the Capitol on the day of the attack, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter. The official could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The suspect was identified as Ricky Shiffer, 42, according to the law enforcement official. He was not charged with any crimes in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, the official said. Federal investigators are examining whether Shiffer may have had ties to far-right extremist groups, including the Proud Boys, the official said.
Shiffer “attempted to breach” the visitor’s screening area at the FBI office at around 9:15 a.m. and fled when agents confronted him, according to federal authorities’ account of the incident. After fleeing onto Interstate 71, he was spotted by a trooper and fired shots as the trooper pursued him, said Lt. Nathan Dennis, a Ohio State Highway Patrol spokesperson, at a press conference.
Shiffer left the interstate north of Cincinnati with police in pursuit, and got out of his car on a rural road. He exchanged gunfire with police and sustained injuries, although no one else was hurt, Dennis said. A separate highway patrol statement said Shiffer had used his car for cover during the standoff.
Shiffer was shot after he raised a gun toward police at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Dennis said. The fatal encounter with police happened after negotiations failed and police tried unsuccessfully to use “less lethal tactics,” Dennis said, without providing details.
State highway workers blocked off roads leading to the scene as a helicopter flew over the area. Officials locked down a mile radius near the interstate and urged residents and business owners to lock doors and stay inside.
There have been growing threats in recent days against FBI agents and offices across the country after federal agents executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago. On Gab, a social media site popular with white supremacists and antisemites, users have warned they are preparing for an armed revolution.
Federal officials have also been tracking an array of other concerning chatter on Gab and other platforms threatening violence against federal agents. FBI Director Christopher Wray denounced the threats as he visited another FBI office in Nebraska on Wednesday.
“Violence against law enforcement is not the answer, no matter who you’re upset with,” Wray said Wednesday in Omaha.
The FBI on Wednesday also warned its agents to avoid potential protesters, and to ensure their security key cards are “not visible outside FBI space,” citing an increase in social media threats to bureau personnel and facilities.
The warning did not specifically mention this week’s search of Mar-a-Lago but attributed the online threats to “recent media reporting on FBI investigative activity.”
___
Welsh-Huggins reported from Columbus, Ohio. Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-us-headlines/armed-man-approaches-fbi-office-exchanges-gunfire-with-cops/ | 2022-08-12T03:24:56Z |
Which solutions for lower left back pain are best?
Lower back pain affects nearly everyone at some point, but having it on one side may unnerve you. It could be from sitting hunched over at a desk for long periods or from sleeping weirdly, but back pain can be debilitating and prevent you from being as active as you like to be. There are many different reasons your back may be hurting only on the left side. Still, unless it’s occurring in conjunction with symptoms like swelling or pain along the spinal column and trouble controlling the bowels and bladder, you’re likely experiencing muscle strain. It’s also possible that pain in the lower left back suggests a nerve issue like sciatica, as it usually only affects one side. Luckily, there are ways to treat the pain and make it manageable, from heat and over-the-counter medicines to tools for stretching or supporting your back.
7 solutions for lower back pain
What you need to know: The TOLOCO massage gun can deliver relief to the muscles in your lower back with its powerful engine. It produces consistent, strong vibration that helps loosen muscle strain.
What you’ll love: A TOLOCO massage gun has 20 different speed levels and 10 replaceable massage heads to pinpoint the knot in your lower back. Massaging can break up lactic acid and stimulate blood flow to increase healing.
What you should consider: The gun won’t break easily, but it seems to have problems keeping a charge eventually. After half a year, people report having to find a replacement for the battery.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Mighty Bliss Electric Heating Pad
What you need to know: A heating pad will encourage the muscles in your back to relax. Heat can also stimulate healing and blood flow for internal organs like your kidneys or liver that can cause left lower back pain.
What you’ll love: The heat pad immediately provides relief for the pain. Laying on the heating pad opens up blood vessels which can help break up lactic acid that causes soreness.
What you should consider: Heating pads are helpful to have and are good for all kinds of soreness and cramps, but you can’t leave it on for extended periods. This one has an auto-off feature, so you can turn it on and leave it with peace of mind.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Acumobility Foam Roller for Back
What you need to know: The foam roller will stretch you and apply pressure to your back. It will help you stretch and massage your back, even helping with chiropractic adjustment and relieving pressure on your vertebrate.
What you’ll love: The foam has give, but it’s firm, making it comfortable but effective. The raised bumps provide more focused pressure on the knots in your back.
What you should consider: Be careful not to be too intense with your stretching too quickly, as you might exacerbate the problem.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: An E-stim forces your muscles to contract by coursing controlled bursts of electricity through them. By forcing the muscle to contract repeatedly, you strengthen and repair muscle fibers that have stiffened or weakened.
What you’ll love: An E-stim is used by aching wires to patches and pacing the patches on the skin. The electricity repairs muscle and can even help with nerve pain.
What you should consider: This E-stim is affordable, but its trade-off is longevity. Customer reviews indicate the machine has problems operating consistently after a few months.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Aleve Muscle Relief for Back Pain
What you need to know: Over-the-counter medicine is effective for dealing with lower left back pain. Aleve works by blocking your body’s pain signals to the brain, effectively preventing you from feeling it.
What you’ll love: Aleve is widely available and works for up to 12 hours. All you need are two pills a day to block out your lower left back pain. It’s cheaper to buy online than in the store, and his box contains 250 tablets, so you’ll have enough Aleve to last you for years.
What you should consider: Overuse of Aleve can cause problems with your digestion and produce ulcers in the stomach. As long as you stick to the recommended doses, you won’t have to worry about it.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: These temporary patches stick to your back so that you can have relief even if you’re on the go. The patch numbs your back by delivering icy coolness and then helps to relax it and relieve soreness by heating up.
What you’ll love: The Icy Hot patch sticks fast to your back and stays secure even under clothes. It’s fast-acting and will start relieving pain by pinpointing the nerves almost immediately.
What you should consider: Some customers have reported that the patch can come loose if you move or stretch too much.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: A back brace can help treat the cause of your back pain. It provides structure and support to help prevent bad posture and the ensuing muscle strain.
What you’ll love: This back brace uses four memory-aluminum stays on the back and two springs along the side to keep your lower back stiff and unbent. The brace also compresses the muscles with its strong velcro. It doesn’t bunch up while you’re sitting, and the profile is nice and slim under your clothes. It won’t make you look bulky.
What you should consider: Customers report that this brace runs small, so order a size or a size up.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Sam Bramlett 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/health-wellness-br/first-aid-treatment-br/lower-left-back-pain-try-these-7-solutions/ | 2022-07-18T18:23:13Z |
Biden administration asks federal judge to deny request to immediately block end of Title 42
By Priscilla Alvarez, CNN
The Biden administration told a federal judge in Louisiana on Friday that the court should deny a request from more than 20 states to immediately block the end of a Trump-era pandemic restriction on the US-Mexico border.
In a court filing, the Justice Department argued: “Plaintiffs fail to show that they face a significant, non-speculative threat of injury. In fact, they cannot. DHS continues to prioritize Title 42 expulsions to the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.”
The administration is on track to end the public health authority, known as Title 42, on May 23, but in the interim, border authorities are still allowed to turn migrants away at the US-Mexico border.
Twenty-one states argued this week that the administration had begun releasing migrants into the US — as authorities have the discretion to do — and asked the court to intervene. Texas also filed a separate lawsuit Friday against the Biden administration to end Title 42. The Justice Department pushed back on that claim, saying that while it was deferring to traditional immigration protocols in some cases, numbers remain small.
“Use of expedited removal for amenable populations serves important law enforcement goals,” wrote Blas Nuñez-Neto, a senior Homeland Security official, in a declaration.
“Individuals from Northern Triangle countries that are placed into expedited removal and returned to their home countries are farther from the border than if they were simply expelled into Mexico pursuant to Title 42. And, as noted above, those who nonetheless seek to re-enter will face criminal sanction and be barred from lawful admission for a period of five years,” he added.
Nuñez-Neto argued that increasing the use of expedited removal is part of the preparation for the eventual end of Title 42. Still, the administration is leaning on the authority until its termination.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/22/biden-administration-asks-federal-judge-to-deny-request-to-immediately-block-end-of-title-42/ | 2022-04-22T19:00:49Z |
PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CherryRoad Technologies Inc., a leading integrator of enterprise software and digital technology solutions who is committed to building community engagement, has today announced, that the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (Port of Los Angeles) has awarded the company a contract for IT Staffing Services for Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation Project. Under the terms of the agreement, CherryRoad will assist with the migration of the Port of Los Angeles' existing, on-premises Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) applications to the Oracle Cloud ERP.
The Port of Los Angeles, who has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy and the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves, expects to transform its overall business processes related to accounting and fiscal management.
Once complete, the implementation will empower the Port of Los Angeles to build, innovate, automate, adapt with a self-updating ERP platform that gains new features every 90 days.
"Our partnership with Port of Los Angeles first began in 2016 when the Port of Los Angeles first engaged CherryRoad for technical support migrating from legacy applications," stated Tom Heldt, Executive Vice President at CherryRoad. "We are excited to continue in partnering with them as they engage in this important cloud modernization initiative."
At CherryRoad, our clients entrust us with the success of their IT solutions, whether we are delivering managed services and support for on-premise ERP, cloud-based application migration management, business intelligence, process optimization, strategic staffing, or change management consulting. Throughout our 38-year history, we have successfully partnered with hundreds of public sector and commercial clients to bridge communities through technology. Headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. with offices across the U.S., we have earned a solid reputation for combining technology, organizational, functional, and vertical market expertise into practical solutions that deliver results – on time and budget. For more information, visit www.cherryroad.com.
The Port of Los Angeles, Southern California's gateway to international commerce, is located San Pedro Bay, 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. This thriving seaport not only sustains its competitive edge with record-setting cargo operations, but is also known for its groundbreaking environmental initiatives, progressive security measures and diverse recreational and educational facilities.
The Port of
encompasses 7500 acres, covers 43 miles of waterfront and features 27 cargo terminals, including container, dry and liquid bulk, breakbulk, warehouse and automobile facilities. Combined, these terminals
handle approximately 176 million metric revenue tons of cargo annually. In 2020, the Port moved 9.2 million TEUs, the fourth busiest year on record despite being in the midst of a global pandemic.
The Port of Los Angeles has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy and the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 954,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars.
Trademarks
Oracle, Java and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE CherryRoad Technologies Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/city-los-angeles-harbor-department-port-los-angeles-awards-oracle-fusion-cloud-erp-staffing-support-services-cherryroad/ | 2022-06-23T22:03:33Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 5WPR, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the U.S., announced today the expansion of its Corporate Communications division with new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) team.
The Environmental, Social, and Governance team is increasingly being tapped to build dynamic PR campaigns for ESG companies who assess their clients' ESG risks and help them implement programs to strengthen their organizations and compete in the new corporate paradigm. The team is also relied upon by large companies to amplify their groundbreaking ESG initiatives and demonstrate their exemplary corporate stewardship.
"Companies are rightfully being held to higher standards and expectations, their consumers and investors are expecting the brands they love to more closely align with their personal values and be good corporate citizens," said 5WPR CEO, Matthew Caiola. "We're proud of our ESG clients and the work we do for them in sharing the value they bring to their clients and our society overall."
PR services offered to corporate clients include messaging and positioning, media relations, initial public offering media strategy, new market expansion campaigns, visibility programs, content creation, sponsorships/partnerships, digital media campaigns, event planning, thought leadership and speaking opportunities.
5W Public Relations is a full-service PR agency in NYC known for cutting-edge programs that engage with businesses, issues and ideas. With more than 275 professionals serving clients in B2C (Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, Nonprofit), B2B (Corporate Communications and Reputation Management), Public Affairs, Crisis Communications and Digital Marketing (Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, SEO). Founded by Ronn Torossian nearly 20 years ago, 5W was named to Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces 2022 list, awarded 2020 PR Agency of The Year, and brings leading businesses a resourceful, bold and results-driven approach to communication.
Media Contact
Matthew Caiola
mcaiola@5wpr.com / 212.999.5585
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE 5W Public Relations | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/01/5wpr-announces-expansion-corporate-communications-offerings-with-dedicated-environmental-social-governance-team/ | 2022-09-01T16:21:34Z |
Henry Silva, known for many tough-guy roles, dies at 95
NEW YORK (AP) — Henry Silva, a prolific character actor best known for playing villains and tough guys in “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Ocean’s Eleven” and other films, has died at age 95.
Silva’s son Scott Silva told Variety that he died Wednesday of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.
Silva was a New York City native who dropped out of school as a teenager, in the 1940s, and was accepted the following decade into the Actors Studio, where fellow students included Shelley Winters and Ben Gazzara. He went on to have a long and busy career in film and television, with hundreds of credits before retiring from acting in 2001.
He had a breakthrough role on stage and screen in the 1950s as a drug dealer in “A Hatful of Rain” and supporting parts in two of Frank Sinatra’s best known movies, both from the early 1960s: “Ocean’s Eleven,” the Las Vegas heist film that was a showcase for Sinatra, Dean Martin and other “Rat Pack” members; and “The Manchurian Candidate,” the Cold War thriller about brainwashing and the assassination of the president that starred Sinatra, Laurence Harvey and Janet Leigh. (In his last film appearance, Silva was cast in the “Ocean’s Eleven” remake from 2000 that starred George Clooney and Brad Pitt).
“Our hearts are broken at the loss of our dear friend Henry Silva, one of the nicest, kindest and most talented men I’ve had the pleasure of calling my friend,” Dean Martin’s daughter, Deana Martin, tweeted this week. “He was the last surviving star of the original Oceans 11 Movie.”
Silva was also seen on such television series as “Wagon Train” and “The F.B.I.” and in such film as Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy,” Jerry Lewis’ “Cinderfella” and “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,” in which he played a mobster in the 1999 release directed by one of his admirers, Jim Jarmusch.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/09/17/henry-silva-prolific-character-actor-dies-95/ | 2022-09-17T23:09:00Z |
Pushmataha Co. dispensary shooting sends one to the hospital
Published: Aug. 31, 2022 at 4:35 PM CDT|Updated: 17 minutes ago
ANTLERS, Texas (KXII) -A man in Pushmataha County is in critical condition after being shot in the head.
A spokesperson for the FBI tells News 12, the shooting happened on August 30, around 8:30 a.m. at the Southern Cannabis Company in Antlers.
The FBI says two men, possibly co-owners of the dispensary got into a fight.
One man pulled out a firearm and shot the other in the head; that person is in custody.
The other man was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/31/pushmataha-co-dispensary-shooting-sends-one-hospital/ | 2022-08-31T21:53:31Z |
- Aearo Technologies and related entities have voluntarily initiated chapter 11 proceedings
- 3M has committed $1 billion to fund a trust to resolve all claims determined to be entitled to compensation
ST. PAUL, Minn., July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) today announced it is taking action to resolve litigation related to Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2 ("Combat Arms Earplugs"). Aearo Technologies and related entities ("Aearo Technologies"), all of which are wholly-owned 3M subsidiaries, have voluntarily initiated chapter 11 proceedings seeking court supervision to help establish a trust – funded by 3M – to efficiently and equitably resolve all claims determined to be entitled to compensation.
3M and Aearo Technologies believe the Combat Arms Earplugs were effective and safe when used properly, but nevertheless face increasing litigation, including approximately 115,000 filed claims and an additional 120,000 claims on an administrative docket as of June 30, 2022. The well-established chapter 11 process is intended to achieve an efficient and equitable resolution, reduce uncertainty, and increase clarity for all stakeholders, while reducing the cost and time that could otherwise be required to litigate thousands of cases. 3M and its other businesses have not filed for chapter 11 and will continue to operate as usual. Aearo Technologies will also continue to operate in the ordinary course.
"We have great respect for the brave men and women who protect us, and remain committed to the military as an active partner and valued customer going forward," said 3M chairman and chief executive officer Mike Roman. "We determined that taking this decisive action now will allow 3M and Aearo Technologies to address these claims in a way that is more efficient and equitable than the current litigation."
The company believes that, absent the actions taken today, the claims could take years, if not decades, to litigate on a case-by-case basis. With this change in strategy, this process is intended to resolve claims related to Combat Arms Earplugs in a manner that is more efficient and equitable to all parties.
Announcement Details
- Aearo Technologies was acquired by 3M in 2008 and has since operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M.
- 3M has entered into a funding agreement with Aearo Technologies to establish a trust to resolve all claims determined to be entitled to compensation, and to support Aearo Technologies as it continues to operate during the chapter 11 process.
- The claims largely relate to the previous generation Combat Arms Earplugs manufactured by Aearo Technologies, as well as discontinued Aearo Technologies mask and respirator products utilized to reduce workplace exposure to asbestos, silica, coal mine dust or occupational dusts.
- Aearo Technologies has indemnified 3M for obligations related to the claims.
- 3M has committed $1 billion to fund the trust, based on the analysis of an experienced estimator of claims in chapter 11.
- 3M has also committed an additional $240 million to fund projected related case expenses.
- 3M will provide additional funding if required under the terms of the agreement.
As a result, 3M recorded a total pre-tax charge of $1.2 billion, or $1.66 per share, and reflected it as an adjustment in arriving at its results, adjusted for special items.
Additional Information
In conjunction with the chapter 11 process, Aearo Technologies will file customary first day motions with the bankruptcy court seeking authority to continue operating in the normal course of business, without interruption or disruption to its customers, vendors, and employees.
The Aearo Technologies chapter 11 cases were filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Additional information is available on resolvingearpluglitigation.com and www.3mearplugsfacts.com. Court filings and information about the chapter 11 cases are available on a separate website administered by Aearo Technologies' claims agent, Kroll; information is also available by calling (855) 639-3375 (Toll-Free US/Canada) or +1 (347) 897-3818 (International); or by emailing aearotechnologiesinfo@ra.kroll.com.
Advisors
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel and AlixPartners LLP is serving as restructuring advisor to Aearo Technologies. PJT Partners is serving as financial advisor and White & Case LLP is serving as legal counsel to 3M.
Planned Spin-Off of Health Care Business
In a separate press release issued today, 3M announced its intent to spin off its Health Care business, resulting in two world-class public companies well positioned to pursue their respective growth plans.
To access the press release, please visit our press release page here.
Q2 2022 Earnings Results and Conference Call
In a separate press release issued today, 3M announced its second-quarter 2022 results and updated its outlook for the full-year 2022. Please see the company's second-quarter earnings press release for more details.
3M will conduct an investor teleconference at 9 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. CDT) today. Investors can access this conference via the following:
- Live webcast at http://investors.3M.com.
- Live telephone:
- Go to 3M's Investor Relations website at http://investors.3M.com and click on "Quarterly Earnings."
- Telephone replay:
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information about 3M's financial results and estimates and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "aim," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "could," "target," "forecast" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance or business plans or prospects. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: (1) worldwide economic, political, regulatory, capital markets and other external conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control, including natural and other disasters or climate change affecting the operations of the Company or its customers and suppliers; (2) risks related to public health crises such as the global pandemic associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19); (3) foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; (4) liabilities related to certain fluorochemicals, including lawsuits concerning various PFAS-related products and chemistries, and claims and governmental regulatory proceedings and inquiries related to PFAS in a variety of jurisdictions; (5) legal proceedings, including significant developments that could occur in the legal and regulatory proceedings described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021, as updated by the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022, and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (the "Reports"); (6) competitive conditions and customer preferences; (7) the timing and market acceptance of new product offerings; (8) the availability and cost of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy (including oil and natural gas and their derivatives) due to shortages, increased demand or supply interruptions (including those caused by natural and other disasters and other events); (9) unanticipated problems or delays with the phased implementation of a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, or security breaches and other disruptions to the Company's information technology infrastructure; (10) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other unusual events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies, and possible organizational restructuring; (11) operational execution, including scenarios where the Company generates fewer productivity improvements than estimated; (12) financial market risks that may affect the Company's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans; (13) the Company's credit ratings and its cost of capital; (14) tax-related external conditions, including changes in tax rates, laws or regulations; (15) matters relating to the proposed spin-off of the Company's Health Care business, including whether the transaction will be completed, or if completed, will be on the expected terms; the risk that the expected benefits will not be realized; the risk that the costs or dis-synergies will exceed the anticipated amounts; the ability to satisfy the various closing conditions; potential business disruption; the diversion of management time; the impact of the transaction (or its pendency) on the Company's ability to retain talent; potential impacts on the Company's relationships with its customers, suppliers, employees, regulators and other counterparties; the ability to realize the desired tax treatment (including whether an Internal Revenue Service private letter ruling will be sought or obtained); the risk that any consents or approvals required will not be obtained; risks associated with financings that may be undertaken and indebtedness that may be incurred in connection with the transaction; and (16) matters relating to the voluntary chapter 11 proceedings of the Company's subsidiary Aearo Technologies and certain of its affiliates (the "Aearo Entities"), including legal risks related to the chapter 11 proceedings; potential impacts to the Company's reputation and its relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, regulators and other counterparties and community members; potential impacts to the Company's liquidity or results of operations, including risks related to the amount that will be necessary to fully and finally resolve all of the Company's obligations to make payments to resolve such claims under the terms of its funding and indemnification agreement with the Aearo Entities; and the Aearo Entities' ability to navigate the chapter 11 proceedings to obtain approval and consummation of a plan of reorganization. Changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. A further description of these factors is located in the Reports under "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results" and "Risk Factors" in Part I, Items 1 and 1A (Annual Report) and in Part I, Item 2 and Part II, Item 1A (Quarterly Reports). The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements discussed herein as a result of new information or future events or developments.
Investor Contact:
Bruce Jermeland
(651) 733-1807
Diane Farrow
(612) 202-2449
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE 3M | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/3m-subsidiary-aearo-technologies-takes-action-efficiently-equitably-resolve-litigation-related-combat-arms-earplugs/ | 2022-07-26T12:00:26Z |
Intelligent Names from Liaison International uses data science and analytics to help colleges and universities identify and re-engage adult learners
WATERTOWN, Mass., July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Liaison International, developer of the technology that has helped millions of students apply to academic programs at more than 1,000 colleges and universities over the last 30 years, today announced the release of a new analytics solution designed to help colleges and universities more effectively identify previously impossible to find adult learners. The new platform, called Intelligent Names, provides colleges and universities with a powerful new way to discover these sought-after potential students by leveraging scientific polling and advanced analytics.
More than two years since the pandemic began, colleges and universities continue to grapple with the effects of declining enrollment. These declines are driven both by systemic changes like test-optional admissions, in addition to rapidly changing student demographics.
"The disruption of the pandemic and its impact on admissions and enrollment management has only accelerated the need for colleges to reach and serve increasingly diverse demographics, including adult learners, transfers, and professional students who can often be hiding in plain sight," said Erin O'Brien, Chief Enrollment and Marketing Officer at the University at Buffalo School of Management. O'Brien believes that tapping into the power of predictive modeling and data science can help identify adult learners who are highly motivated to continue their education but have often been disconnected from higher education for long periods of time.
Intelligent Names helps colleges and universities identify and engage adults interested in returning to higher education, either to complete an undergraduate degree or continue with graduate, professional, and continuing education. Heads of enrollment management and admissions can now access interactive data visualization and use demographic data analysis to precisely target prospective adult students with a statistically high propensity to re-enroll based on key demographics, such as gender, ethnicity, income, educational attainment, household status, and geographic location.
Enrollment management and admissions teams at every type of institution can customize searches to identify high-propensity adult students and drill down based on their target student audiences and enrollment criteria. Powered by "living analytics"–models that are continuously updated as new data becomes available–the tool combines proprietary and publicly available data to match institutions with adult learner prospects based on their likelihood of enrolling in undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education.
"As our clients create new pathways to degree completion, graduate school, and career advancement, we at Liaison need to help these institutions connect to and build relationships with adult learners in the regions and communities that our clients serve," said Andy Hannah, president of Othot, the data-science division of Liaison International. "The traditional sources to replenishing enrollment pipelines continue to shrink, and institutions must find new ways to reach and engage with a generation of students who are more diverse in age, ethnicity, and professional background than any in history. Intelligent Names is a data science solution that addresses this need."
An initial cohort of colleges and universities—which includes private research university Brandeis University and the University at Buffalo, a SUNY system flagship—is currently piloting the new solution.
The new offering is the latest addition to Liaison's Total Enrollment product ecosystem, which enables institutions to integrate historically siloed products, applications, and workflow tools from other technology providers alongside those developed by Liaison. The features and functionality from across the Liaison family of products provide campus leaders with a unique set of planning, analytics, outreach, and communication tools and services needed to help institutions navigate complex enrollment and retention challenges—and tailor support for incoming and enrolled students.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Liaison | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/new-platform-leverages-advanced-analytics-surface-potential-adult-learners/ | 2022-07-21T15:58:18Z |
Korea Ginseng Corp., the top-selling ginseng brand globally, reminds women searching for wellness solutions to seek Korean Red Ginseng, which may boost blood circulation and support skin health
CERRITOS, Calif., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Women's Health Month, Korea Ginseng Corporation, the world's number one ginseng brand and leading manufacturer of Korean Red Ginseng, is reminding women of the power and science of Korean Red Ginseng and its benefits for a range of health issues important to women, including support for improved blood flow, reduction of inflammation in the body, management of menopause symptoms, stronger immunity, and better skin health.
"Women's Health Month is an important time of awareness for women and those who are dedicated to supporting women in their wellness journey. Increased stress, heightened burnout, disruptive allergies, less mobility, and long hours sitting while working remotely are factoring into inflammation, poor blood flow, and reduced immunity for women," said Rian (Heungsil) Lee, CEO of Korea Ginseng Corp. U.S.
"Research shows Korean Red Ginseng may play a role in supporting women in addressing many of these health concerns and supporting a wide range of wellness goals," adds Lee.
Through a set of time-consuming steps, unprocessed ginseng becomes red ginseng, and its healthful properties are enhanced. Within the ginseng family, Korean Red Ginseng reigns as the more efficacious, given its high levels of saponin and non-saponin ingredients (also known as what creates health benefits), which are not typically found in other types of ginseng.
To reach these high-standard properties, Korea Ginseng Corporation follows an optimal sourcing process, which requires two years to condition and prepare each field for planting. This meticulous process allows each plant to grow for six years to reach its optimal state of maturity, then rests and resets each field for ten years before replanting.
Korea Ginseng Corporation and its flagship ginseng brand, CheongKwanJang, represent the gold standard of Korean Red Ginseng, in part due to its thorough, high-quality sourcing process. KORESELECT by Korea Ginseng Corporation, which was recently launched in the U.S., is comprised of five benefit-focused Korean Red Ginseng products that provide targeted solutions to many of the health goals and concerns women are facing today.
Key health benefits of Korean Red Ginseng for women include:
Blood Circulation Support: Healthy blood circulation is integral to our overall health. Women face concerns from poor blood flow, including varicose veins, spider veins, and impact on heart and cognitive health.
Researchers at the Nutritional Sciences Department at the University of Toronto conducted a study with healthy adults, in which each consumed three grams of red ginseng powder, and after 180 minutes, their blood vessels (FMD test) were measured. The study found that majority of participants had improved vascular endothelial function (e.g., improved blood flow).
May Reduce Inflammation: Inflammation is the immune system's natural response to injury, illness, allergies, and increased stress. If inflammation is left untreated, the body's inflammatory response can eventually damage healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Powerful ginsenosides in Korean Red Ginseng target immune system pathways, which may reduce inflammation and aid in repairing the body.
Menopausal Relief: For many women, the menopause transition can be a long, hard journey afflicted by a range of symptoms, such as mood changes, hot flashes, sleep disruption, and impairment of mental acuity and focus. Korean Red Ginseng offers a natural solution to women looking to ease menopause symptoms by helping to reduce inflammation and irritability, enhance energy and productivity, and support memory and cognitive performance.
Skin Health Support: Our skin often mirrors our overall health. To combat skin health concerns, it's essential to take an inside-out approach to skincare. Nutrition factors into skin health. In addition to soothing inflammation that can cause puffiness and redness, Korean Red Ginseng may also reduce wrinkles and signs of aging and promote elasticity and collagen production.
"Taking the active lifestyle of many women today into consideration, our KORESELECT packaging features liquid sticks and traditional capsules, making it easy to consume a premium Korean Red Ginseng product anywhere, anytime," said Lee. "Our hope is that women everywhere will feel empowered to take control of their health and incorporate the time-tested, natural solution of ginseng into their daily routines."
To learn more about Korea Ginseng Corp., the health benefits of Korean Red Ginseng, KORESELECT or CheongKwangJang, visit kgcus.com.
About Korea Ginseng Corp.
Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC) is the world's number one ginseng brand. Established in 1899, Korea Ginseng Corporation is a highly trusted and reliable Korean Red Ginseng brand and the oldest and most reputable manufacturer in the category. The global ginseng leader provides the highest quality, traditionally-harvested Korean Red Ginseng—recognized as the more efficacious form of ginseng. KGC's family of brands include KORESELECT, CheongKwanJang, Good Base and Donginbi. KORESELECT products are a plant-based, time-tested, natural solution for core aspects of health and wellness and may support healthy blood circulation, natural energy, and immunity as well as cognitive function, skin health and reduction of inflammation. For more information visit, https://www.kgcus.com/.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Korea Ginseng Corporation | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/05/worlds-number-one-ginseng-brand-celebrates-womens-health-month/ | 2022-05-05T20:13:43Z |
HARTFORD, Conn., July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTS), which operates a multi-manager asset management business, has expanded its investment capabilities to include systematic quantitative investing and multi-asset allocation with the addition of two experienced portfolio management teams within Virtus Investment Advisers.
Virtus Systematic uses a state-of-the-art technology platform that is powered by artificial intelligence and natural language processing. The team's process incorporates a proprietary investment-return forecasting model that combines behavioral factors with intrinsic and valuation factors. Kunal Ghosh, chief investment officer and senior managing director, leads the team, working with three other experienced investment professionals, Lu Yu, managing director and lead portfolio manager, Jie Wei, director and senior portfolio manager, and Yang Zhang, assistant director and data scientist.
Virtus Multi-Asset assesses changing market, macroeconomic, and other factors to dynamically allocate across asset classes while incorporating environmental, social and governance factors into their investment process. The team consists of three experienced investment professionals, Paul Pietranico, CFA, chief investment officer and senior managing director, Heather Bergman, Ph.D., managing director and senior portfolio manager, and Michael Rothstein, director and portfolio manager.
"The Systematic and Multi-Asset teams further expand our investment capabilities, allowing us to continue to deliver individual and comprehensive investment solutions for our clients," said George R. Aylward, president and chief executive officer of Virtus. "The Systematic team's use of a quantitative, AI-based process to generate alpha, and the Multi-Asset team's specialization in asset allocation strategies that provide differentiated investment solutions, have proven to be distinguishing factors for their clients. We look forward to making these investment strategies available for institutional and individual investors and broadening their strategies into other asset classes and investment vehicles."
Virtus Systematic manages U.S. and non-US investment strategies across the market cap spectrum for institutional and retail clients. These strategies are available to clients in multiple investment vehicles including individually managed accounts as well as the Virtus Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (I: AOTIX), Virtus Small-Cap Fund (I: AZBIX), and Virtus International Small-Cap Fund (I: ALOIX).
Pietranico and Bergman of Virtus Multi-Asset are portfolio managers of Virtus Global Allocation Fund (I: PALLX), which they have managed since 2009 and 2017, respectively, with a previous subadviser, and the team provides asset allocation recommendations for the CollegeAccess 529 Plan. Ghosh is also a portfolio manager of the equity sleeve of the Global Allocation Fund.
About Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. We provide investment management products and services from our affiliated managers, each with a distinct investment style and autonomous investment process, as well as select subadvisers. Investment solutions are available across multiple disciplines and product types to meet a wide array of investor needs. Additional information about our firm, investment partners, and strategies is available at virtus.com.
Important Risk Considerations
Allocation: The risk that the portfolio's exposure to equities and fixed income securities, or to different asset classes, may vary from the intended allocation or may not be optimal for market conditions at a given time. Issuer Risk: The portfolio will be affected by factors specific to the issuers of securities and other instruments in which the portfolio invests, including actual or perceived changes in the financial condition or business prospects of such issuers. Underlying Fund Risk: The portfolio will be indirectly affected by factors, risks and performance specific to any other portfolio in which it invests. Debt Instruments: Debt instruments are subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk, may be speculative and may decline in value due to changes in interest rates or an issuer's or counterparty's deterioration or default. Interest Rate: The values of debt instruments may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, and this risk may be enhanced for securities with longer maturities. Derivatives: Derivatives may include, among other things, futures, options, forwards and swap agreements and may be used in order to hedge portfolio risks, create leverage, or attempt to increase returns. Investments in derivatives may result in increased volatility and the portfolio may incur a loss greater than its principal investment. Market Volatility: Local, regional, or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the portfolio and its investments, including hampering the ability of the portfolio manager(s) to invest the portfolio's assets as intended. Sustainable Investing: Because the portfolio focuses on investments in companies that the Manager believes exhibit strong environmental, social, and corporate governance records, the portfolio's universe of investments may be smaller than that of other portfolios and broad equity benchmark indices. Equity Securities: The market price of equity securities may be adversely affected by financial market, industry, or issuer-specific events. Focus on a particular style or on small or medium-sized companies may enhance that risk. Foreign & Emerging Markets: Investing in foreign securities, especially in emerging markets, subjects the portfolio to additional risks such as increased volatility, currency fluctuations, less liquidity, and political, regulatory, economic, and market risk.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so your shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The Program Manager and Underwriter for the CollegeAccess 529 Plan is VP Distributors LLC, One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103, 1-800-243-4361. The Plan is issued by the South Dakota Higher Education Savings Trust.
Please consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For this and other information about any Virtus Fund, contact your financial representative, call 800-243-4361, or visit virtus.com for a prospectus or summary prospectus. Read it carefully before investing.
Virtus Mutual Funds are distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/27/virtus-investment-partners-adds-systematic-multi-asset-portfolio-management-capabilities/ | 2022-07-27T13:57:56Z |
Twitter sued Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday, trying to force him to complete his $44 billion takeover of the social media company by accusing him of “outlandish” and “bad faith” actions that have caused the platform irreparable harm and “wreaked havoc” on its stock price.
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 Friday that he was backing away from his agreement to buy the company.
Twitter’s lawsuit opens with a sharply-worded accusation: “Musk refuses to honor his obligations to Twitter and its stockholders because the deal he signed no longer serves his personal interests.”
“Having mounted a public spectacle to put Twitter in play, and having proposed and then signed a seller-friendly merger agreement, Musk apparently believes that he — unlike every other party subject to Delaware contract law — is free to change his mind, trash the company, disrupt its operations, destroy stockholder value, and walk away,” the suit stated.
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.
As part of the April deal, Musk and Twitter had agreed to pay each other a $1 billion breakup fee if either was responsible for the deal falling through. The company could have pushed Musk to pay the hefty fee but is going farther than that, trying to force him to complete the full $44 billion purchase approved by the company’s board.
“Oh the irony lol,” Musk tweeted after Twitter filed the lawsuit, without explanation.
The arguments and evidence laid out by Twitter are compelling and likely to get a receptive ear in the Delaware court, which doesn’t look kindly on sophisticated buyers with highly-paid legal advisers backing off of deals, said Brian Quinn, a law professor at Boston College.
“They make a very strong argument that this is just buyer’s remorse,” Quinn said. “You have to eat your mistakes in the Delaware Chancery Court. That’s going to work very favorably for Twitter.”
Musk alleged Friday that Twitter has failed to provide enough information about the number of fake accounts on its service. Twitter said last month that it was making available to Musk a ″fire hose” of raw data on hundreds of millions of daily tweets.
The company has said for years in regulatory filings that it believes about 5% of the accounts on the platform are fake. Musk is also alleging that Twitter broke the acquisition agreement when it fired two top managers and laid off a third of its talent-acquisition team.
Twitter’s suit repeatedly emphasizes Musk’s contemplation of starting a Twitter competitor — an alternative option he sometimes aired publicly and sometimes privately to Twitter’s executives and board members. While the company has said it cooperated in providing the data he requested on fake “spam bot” accounts, the lawsuit suggests Twitter was concerned that disclosing too much “highly sensitive information” could expose the company to competitive harm if shared.
The biggest surprise for Quinn was how much evidence Twitter has — for instance, communications with Musk about whether to retain or lay off employees, as well as the billionaire’s own public tweets — to reject his arguments for backing out.
“They are marshaling many of Musk’s own tweets to hoist him on his own petard,” he said.
In a joint press release announcing the acquisition deal, Musk pledged to “unlock” the social media company’s potential by loosening restrictions on speech and rooting out fake accounts. Among his most attention-grabbing promises was to let former President Donald Trump back onto the platform. Musk argued that Twitter’s ban of Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was “morally bad” and “foolish in the extreme.”
But his confidence didn’t last long. Tesla’s stock — Musk’s primary source of wealth — plummeted amid a broader stock market selloff in May, and Musk soon seemed less enthusiastic about owning Twitter.
“For Musk, the best case is he pays the $1 billion breakup fee but that appears very unlikely,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives. “The irony is that Twitter as a fiduciary is clearly looking to enforce a deal that Musk doesn’t want to get done. It’s like buying a house you don’t want.”
Twitter’s suit calls Musk’s tactics “a model of hypocrisy,” noting that he had emphasized plans to take Twitter private in order to rid it of spam accounts. Once the market declined, Twitter said, “Musk shifted his narrative, suddenly demanding ‘verification’ that spam was not a serious problem on Twitter’s platform, and claiming a burning need to conduct ‘diligence’ he had expressly forsworn.”
Similarly, the company charges that Musk operated in bad faith, accusing him of requesting company information in order to accuse Twitter of providing “misrepresentations” about its business to regulators and investors.
Musk “has been acting against this deal since the market started turning, and has breached the merger agreement repeatedly in the process,” the suit charged. “He has purported to put the deal on ‘hold’ pending satisfaction of imaginary conditions, breached his financing efforts obligations in the process, violated his obligations to treat requests for consent reasonably and to provide information about financing status, violated his non-disparagement obligation, misused confidential information, and otherwise failed to employ required efforts to consummate the acquisition.” | https://cw33.com/technology/ap-technology/twitter-sues-to-force-musk-to-complete-his-44b-acquisition/ | 2022-07-13T21:08:41Z |
MELBOURNE, Fla., May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Young's Communications, LLC ("Y-COM" or the "Company"), a premier Florida-based construction services provider to telecommunications, utility, and power infrastructure companies, backed by Grain Management, LLC ("Grain"), announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Borecomm Solutions Inc. ("Borecomm"), an underground telecommunications construction business.
Headquartered in Florida, Borecomm focuses on fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) construction, using specialized assets, equipment, and a skilled team to meet growing network service needs in the region's residential market.
Y-COM CEO Chad Rasmussen said, "Our new partnership with Borecomm is another compelling catalyst for our business as we gain capacity in new markets with increased demand for residential broadband services. The assets this acquisition brings will expand our capabilities in underground construction and allow us to better service the companies meeting the FTTH market needs in our service area."
"The equipment used by Y-COM's growing business is in very high demand," said Nikola Trkulja, Managing Director at Grain, "making this acquisition very exciting for the team. Through partnerships like Borecomm, Y-COM has skillfully navigated around potential supply chain constraints to maintain the highest standard of quality for its clients. We look forward to continued work together targeting new markets and growing Y-COM's service offering."
Borecomm is the third acquisition for Y-COM since Grain acquired the business last year. Shutts & Bowen LLP served as legal advisor to Y-COM in this transaction.
About Y-COM
Young's Communications, LLC was founded in 1972 as a contractor for wiring CATV / TV coaxial cable lines, and today operates as a super regional provider of infrastructure services to the telecommunications, utility, and power sectors. The Company offers a full suite of capabilities, including underground, aerial, and emergency services to its customers. For more information, visit Y-COM's website at www.ycominc.com.
About Grain Management
Grain Management, LLC is a leading global investment firm that focuses on broadband infrastructure and technology companies that connect the world to the information economy. Founded in 2007, Grain invests exclusively in the global telecommunications sector, employing a rigorous, data-based process buoyed by deep industry expertise to identify investment opportunities in key areas of telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber networks, wireless spectrum and cell towers. For more information visit www.graingp.com.
Contacts:
Grain Management Public Relations
PR@graingp.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Grain Management, LLC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/grain-management-backed-y-com-acquires-borecomm/ | 2022-05-18T16:46:26Z |
Yelp to cover travel expenses for workers seeking abortions
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yelp will cover the travel expenses of employees who must travel out of state for abortions, joining the ranks of major employers trying to help workers affected by new restrictions in Texas and other states.
The benefit announced Tuesday covers all 4,000 employees at the online review service, but seems most likely to have its biggest immediate impact on its 200 workers in Texas, which has passed a law banning abortions within the state after six weeks of pregnancy.
“We’ve long been a strong advocate for equality in the workplace, and believe that gender equality cannot be achieved if women’s healthcare rights are restricted,” said Miriam Warren, Yelp’s chief diversity officer.
Other states, including Oklahoma, are also are clamping down on abortions, prompting Yelp, based in San Francisco, and several other companies to draw up policies aimed at helping their workers get reproductive health care in other states.
Last month Citigroup, based in New York, disclosed plans to cover the travel expenses of any of its more than 220,000 employees, thousands of whom work in Texas, who travel to another state for an abortion.
The two largest U.S. ride-hailing services, Uber and Lyft, last year announced they will pay the legal fees for drivers who could get sued under the new Texas law for transporting a passenger to an appointment for an abortion.
The policies expose companies to potential backlash from those who support abortion restrictions, but they could be an advantage for employers with a footprint in states like Texas in an increasingly competitive job market.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/12/yelp-cover-travel-expenses-workers-seeking-abortions/ | 2022-04-12T19:14:54Z |
LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental and land use law firm The Sohagi Law Group announced today that its Managing Partner Margaret Sohagi has been selected as an honoree in a Los Angeles Business Journal special supplement recognizing the city's most influential women attorneys. The "Women of Influence: Attorneys" list recognizes women lawyers "for exceptional legal skill and achievement across the full spectrum of responsibility, exemplary leadership as evidenced by the highest professional and ethical standards, and for contributions to the Los Angeles community at large," writes the publisher.
"Women make a unique impact every day throughout Southern California, the country and the world," said Sohagi. "I am truly grateful to be recognized alongside a group of such highly respected professional women."
Sohagi's practice for the last 30 years has focused on assisting cities, counties, and other public agencies navigate the legal complexities of land use, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Sohagi "provides constructive, practical legal advice, working directly with lead agency counsel, staff, appointed elected officials," says the publication. "When necessary, she zealously defends lead agencies' land use approvals and environmental determinations in judicial proceedings, and frequently heads mediation teams in settlement discussions."
As a longstanding CEQA instructor for California's Continuing Judicial Studies Program, Sohagi has the unique opportunity to instruct Superior Court judges, appellate justices and court attorneys. "Her land use and environmental law expertise, and ability to keep public agencies informed about the latest legal developments and trends, is also demonstrated through her frequent planning and legal conference presentations, extensive UCLA and USC teaching experience," the feature says.
Sohagi currently serves as the Chair of the Santa Monica College Foundation Board. In 2021, Sohagi was recognized as a nominee for the Los Angeles Times' "Inspirational Women Award" and by the Los Angeles Business Journal for the "Community Impact Advocate Award."
About The Sohagi Law Group
The Sohagi Law Group handles complex transactional and litigation matters for public agencies, including cities, counties, townships, state agencies, special districts, commissions and authorities. Its attorneys draw upon their extensive expertise in all areas of environmental and land use law to advise clients navigate existing laws and regulations and keep them up to date on emerging environmental issues such as climate change and greenhouse gas regulation.
View original content:
SOURCE The Sohagi Law Group | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/20/margaret-sohagi-sohagi-law-group-named-among-los-angeles-women-influence/ | 2022-04-20T02:35:13Z |
The largest wildfire burning in the United States was heading toward mountain resort towns in northern New Mexico on Wednesday, prompting officials to issue another set of warnings for more people to prepare to evacuate as the fast-moving fire picks up momentum.
Fire officials said the blaze was racing up slopes and along exposed ridge lines while tossing embers into the air that were carried ahead of the fire by gusting winds. After growing more than 50 square miles (130 square kilometers) in a single day, the fire has now charred more than 370 square miles (958 square kilometers) of tinder-dry forest since it started last month.
Two more days of windy and dangerously bone-dry conditions are predicted before the winds are expected to ease on Friday. The winds have often made it too dangerous for aircraft to dump water on the fire and lay retardant to slow its advance through extremely dry Ponderosa pine forests in Rocky Mountains foothills.
“This is tough firefighting business right here,” fire Incident Commander Dave Bales said in a briefing. “This is not easy, especially in the fuel types were in, in the Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, even down into the grass. When we can’t fly aircraft, when we can’t get people on the direct edge of the fire, when it’s spotting over us, that’s a huge concern for us.”
Crews were mostly concerned about the potential for the massive fire to spread farther north toward small villages in the Rincon Mountains and rural towns that include the skiing and outdoor resort communities of Angel Fire and Taos.
Firefighters were working to protect buildings overnight around the towns of Mora and Holman, where Highway 518 north to Taos was closed because of smoke and fire danger. Authorities stressed there was no immediate threat to communities near Taos but new alerts for evacuations were issued for some locations.
“Coming up toward Taos, Black Lake, Angel Fire, there is the possibility with the models we are running that those areas are going to see fire,” Todd Abel, a fire operations chief, said Tuesday evening.
Crews have been trying to direct flames around homes on the northern and southern ends of the fire — bulldozing firebreaks, putting up sprinklers, clearing trees and raking pine needles. More than 1,800 firefighters and support personnel are assigned to the blaze.
A federal disaster already has been declared because of the blaze, which is partly the result of a preventative fire that escaped containment after it was set in early April to clear brush and small trees so they could not serve as wildfire fuel. That fire merged with another wildfire several weeks later.
Crews also were battling smaller fires elsewhere in New Mexico and Arizona.
___
Associated Press writer Scott Sonner contributed to this report from Reno, Nevada. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-u-s-headlines/new-mexico-wildfire-advances-in-rocky-mountains-foothills/ | 2022-05-11T21:24:12Z |
BATESVILLE, Ind., July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI) will hold a conference call and simultaneous webcast Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. ET. They will discuss the results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, which ended June 30, 2022. The live webcast, including a slide presentation, will be available at http://ir.hillenbrand.com under the "News & Events" tab and will be archived on the company's investor relations website through Friday, September 2, 2022.
To access the conference call, listeners in the United States and Canada may dial +1 (877) 407-8012, and international callers may dial +1 (412) 902-1013. Please use conference call ID number 13731866. A replay of the call will be available until midnight ET, Thursday, August 18, 2022, by dialing +1 (877) 660-6853 toll free in the United States and Canada or +1 (201) 612-7415 internationally and using the conference ID number 13731866.
Hillenbrand will issue a press release reporting its results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. The full text of the release and financials will be available at http://ir.hillenbrand.com.
About Hillenbrand
Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) is a global industrial company operating in over 40 countries with over 10,000 associates serving a wide variety of industries around the world. Guided by our Purpose — Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ — we pursue excellence, collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that best serve our associates, customers, communities, and other stakeholders. Hillenbrand's portfolio includes brands such as Coperion, Milacron Injection Molding & Extrusion, and Mold-Masters, in addition to Batesville. To learn more, visit: www.Hillenbrand.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Hillenbrand, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/hillenbrand-schedules-third-quarter-2022-earnings-call-august-4-2022/ | 2022-07-21T22:02:27Z |
Since 2017, the philanthropy-backed impact fund has secured $800 million to capitalize its innovative financial model that supports excellent – and equitable – K-12 schools.
NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Equitable School Revolving Fund (ESRF) announced that it has closed over $230 million of A-rated "Social Bonds" to support its mission to provide affordable facilities access to high-performing, high-impact public charter schools across the U.S.
The funds will enable ESRF's program administrator, Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF), to expand its portfolio of school borrowers that currently provide excellent education options to more than 60,000 students, over 80% of whom are economically disadvantaged and identify as people of color.
The fourth round of bonds issued by ESRF will recapitalize EFF's philanthropy-backed impact fund, which since its launch in 2017 has provided over $800 million in financing to support 120 schools across 35 cities in 19 states. Each series has earned a Social Bond designation from Kestrel Verifiers, signifying the high social impact of the school portfolio.
In July, S&P Global Ratings also reaffirmed ESRF's 'A' rating, and revised its outlook from stable to positive, citing "ongoing diversification of the loan portfolio" and "good operating performance during the program's three-year history." The positive outlook for this latest offering resulted in high demand from both new and repeat investors, bringing the total investor count to 67.
While charter schools receive public funding per student, they often have inequitable access to quality school facilities. EFF is designed explicitly to level this playing field by using an innovative model to provide low-cost loans for schools to undertake their own facility projects. It is a strategy that has so far directed more than $160 million in savings back into EFF's portfolio schools, where 90% of students outperform their district peers.
"Parents have spoken loud and clear that they value high-performing public schools for their children. Now investors have spoken clearly that they, too, value investments that benefit families and communities," said EFF Founder and CEO Anand Kesavan. "Our portfolio schools are transforming communities. As we approach $1 billion in loan capital, it's now clear that investors also see this value," says Kesavan.
EFF's strong foundation creates the opportunity to innovate and expand to help more students and offers bold funders a more efficient use of their philanthropy. So far, EFF has raised $300 million of philanthropy buttressing the fund's credit structure and ability to provide outsized loan savings for schools. Now, the team is campaigning to raise an additional $200 million to seed a second fund, through which EFF will deploy a total of more than $2.5 billion in loans by the end of 2027.
In another innovation for the sector, EFF launched a Texas Facility Fund with over $20 million in philanthropic support from local foundations that will leverage over $200 million of school financing in the state. "We are pleased to see local foundations and social investors take note of EFF's innovative lending model. The strength of our national platform can now be unleashed to advance racial and educational equity in our most vulnerable regions," added Kesavan.
EFF plans to launch several state-based low-cost revolving loan funds. If you are interested in learning more about EFF's place-based initiatives or launching a revolving loan fund in your state, please contact Mike McGregor at mike@eqfund.org.
Equitable Facilities Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social impact fund created to provide long-term, low-cost facility loans that allow high-performing public charter schools to maximize the resources they dedicate to students. High-quality public charter schools promote bright futures for children across America, and EFF believes these schools should borrow under terms comparable to traditional public school districts. EFF administers an 'A' rated revolving loan fund, which recapitalizes using funds from Equitable School Revolving Fund's bond issuances, to offer high-credit, long-term, scalable bond investment opportunities. To learn more, visit www.eqfund.org or email info@eqfund.org.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Equitable Facilities Fund | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/30/equitable-facilities-fund-announces-fourth-bond-issuance-support-educational-equity/ | 2022-08-31T06:33:42Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trade show platform Ribbon has partnered with International Market Centers (IMC) to continue supporting their newly acquired home and lifestyle show, Shoppe Object. Ribbon will facilitate all registration, end to end e-commerce and order writing at the venue; continuing IMC's omni-channel approach to markets.
IMC is the world's largest operator of premier showroom space for the furniture, gift, home décor and apparel industries with locations in High Point, Las Vegas, Atlanta and the recently acquired, Shoppe Object in New York City.
"We share a common belief that the future of trade shows is omni-channel," explains Ribbon CEO Vinit Patil. "The physical show remains the focus, but buyers should be able to shop anywhere: at show booths, on their phones, even the metaverse if they choose to. We're thrilled to work closely with IMC on blending these physical and digital markets to optimize the trade show shopping experience while adding value for exhibitors."
Shoppe Object was launched in 2018 by Jesse James, founder of creative consultancy and sales agency Aesthetic Movement, along with Minya Quirk and Dierdre Maloney, founders of Capsule. They currently host biannual shows at Pier 36 in New York City featuring over 500 exhibitors and with all sales, registration and reporting powered by Ribbon. Furthermore, Ribbon built and will continue to maintain their e-commerce site, Shoppe Online, thereby amplifying the market's sales channel outside of show dates.
"Shoppe Object is a fast growing market that requires a nimble tech partner," explains Dorothy Belshaw, President and EVP at IMC. "Ribbon demonstrated that they could quickly adapt to the changing needs of their show partners. Our goal with this partnership is to take shows like Shoppe Object to the next level."
Ribbon has surpassed $110M in transactions since launching with various shows last year, and will be announcing new partnerships with fairs and showrooms in home, gift, art and apparel in the coming months.
About Ribbon: Ribbon, a San Francisco based tech company, offers a turn-key SaaS platform for powering specialized B2B marketplaces and hybrid trade shows. Ribbon has revolutionized trade shows in industries that traditionally only relied on in-person business by supporting face to face events with a complementary fully transactional e-commerce platform for exhibitors.
View original content:
SOURCE Ribbon | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/international-market-centers-appoints-ribbon-enhance-hybrid-show-experience/ | 2022-08-11T20:18:23Z |
Stark State College to create an artificial intelligence training program
Artificial intelligence training is coming to Stark State College.
The Jackson Township-based college with satellite locations in Akron and Canton is one of 15 community colleges nationwide — and the only Ohio college — to be awarded a $40,000 grant to create an AI incubator to give students the technical skills they need to use artificial intelligence in the workforce.
AI is the technology that can emulate aspects of human learning, such as a chatbot that can respond to a user's question like a human would.
"We were really surprised and really excited about the opportunity to start looking into this," said Rene Eneix, assistant dean of the Business, Engineering and Information Technologies division at Stark State who was part of the grant application process.
More about Stark State College:Let’s prepare residents for unprecedented career opportunities
Intel, Dell Technologies and the American Association of Community Colleges offered the grants to community and technical colleges as part of its efforts to make AI training accessible to novice learners. Intel, which recently announced plans to invest more than $20 billion to build two computer chip factories in Licking County, created the AI for Workforce program last year.
Intel and Dell officials, in a statement announcing the grants, emphasized the importance of preparing workers for jobs in the digital economy. The companies have cited a 2021 EdScoop survey that found 69% of the higher education officials and IT decision-makers surveyed sensed increasing demand for graduates with AI technical skills, but only 45% of the respondents said their institution offers any type of AI technical course, certification or degree program.
How will Stark State use the grant money?
Eneix, who has been with Stark State for 25 years, said the grant will allow the college of nearly 15,000 credit-seeking students to begin incorporating aspects of artificial intelligence training into its curriculum, particularly in its computer science and engineering programs where some courses already discuss the theory of AI.
She said the college plans to utilize Intel’s free AI training curriculum and will offer access to AI resources through a virtual lab. She said two faculty members already have undergone training that focused on using Intel’s AI curriculum and how to teach other trainers how to use it.
Eneix said Stark State has multiple meetings scheduled with officials from Intel and the American Association of Community Colleges over the next few weeks to finalize plans on how the college will structure its programming — whether artificial intelligence training will augment existing courses or be separated into its own course. She said the course material would not be ready for fall.
Stark State has until May to spend the grant money.
Other colleges receiving the grant were Austin Community College, Texas; BridgeValley Community and Technical College, West Virginia; Broward College, Florida; Edmonds College, Washington; Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan; Houston Community College/Houston Community College Foundation, Texas; Howard Community College, Maryland; Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mississippi; Ocean County College, New Jersey; Rockland Community College, New York; Southeast Community College, Nebraska; Tulsa Community College, Oklahoma; Umpqua Community College, Oregon and Wayne Community College, North Carolina.
Reach Kelli at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @kweirREP | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/education/2022/07/22/stark-state-wins-grant-intel-dell-create-ai-incubator/10107761002/ | 2022-07-22T11:47:54Z |
Marc Loewenthal Also Joins as Cybersecurity, Privacy Contract Attorney
NEW YORK, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran data privacy and cybersecurity attorney Brent Hoard (FIP, CIPP/US, and CIPM) has joined Troutman Pepper's national Privacy + Cyber Practice Group as a partner based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He joins the firm from Fenwick & West LLP. Hoard is the fourth privacy-focused partner to join the firm this year — Kamran Salour, Kim Phan, and Jim Koenig began in January, March, and April, respectively.
"As we continue to grow our Privacy + Cyber Practice to meet and anticipate client needs, we are excited to welcome Brent to the dynamic team," said John West, chair of the firm's Business Litigation Department. "His privacy expertise, particularly in healthcare, HIPAA, M&A, and global compliance program development, is highly sought after."
A Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP), Hoard is a recognized leader in the space. He has helped an array of clients — from Fortune 50 to early-stage innovators — to protect and maximize the value of their data through assessment, development, implementation and enhancement of their privacy, information security, risk management, and HIPAA programs. Hoard is also a trusted advisor on privacy and information security matters in M&A and investment transactions. His expertise spans a variety of industries, including technology, social media, healthcare, pharma and life sciences, digital health, internet, retail, insurance/reinsurance, fintech, and travel/hospitality.
"I am delighted to join Troutman Pepper, which has demonstrated a commitment to client service and leading capabilities to address complex and evolving privacy and data protection issues," Hoard said. "I look forward to partnering with my new colleagues to deliver comprehensive privacy, cybersecurity, and incident response services for our clients."
Hoard earned his JD from Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington and his bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University. Before the start of his professional career, he pitched in the Minnesota Twins organization from 1998 to 2004 and was a member of the Twins' 40-Man Major League Roster in 2003.
Consulting and industry veteran Marc Loewenthal also joins Troutman Pepper's expanding privacy practice this month. Loewenthal, who is based in Colorado, has served as an industry privacy and security officer and has extensive experience in compliance and operational risk management. He has advised major financial and technology institutions on a wide range of consumer compliance related matters including privacy and information/cybersecurity, mortgages and home equity loans, credit cards, payments and digital currency, bank secrecy act and anti-money laundering, and third-party outsourcing of operations related functions.
Troutman Pepper's Privacy + Cyber Practice Group applies a deep understanding of technology, the law, and its practical implications to help clients protect and manage the privacy and security of their data. Clients depends on the team for assistance with a full range of cybersecurity, information governance, and privacy matters, from the creation of data privacy and cybersecurity policies through major investigations and litigation.
The national practice effectively guides clients through the ever-evolving challenges involved with their use of technology in their businesses, including the collection and use of regulated information. Troutman Pepper combines its core strengths in regulatory compliance, litigation, and corporate law to work with clients to develop innovative and thoughtful frameworks to address potential and actual privacy issues as well as threats to the security of their data and to mitigate the impact of disputes and governmental investigations.
Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys strategically located in 23 U.S. cities. The firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from start-ups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients' most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/troutman-pepper-expands-national-privacy-practice-with-addition-partner-brent-hoard/ | 2022-06-02T19:32:27Z |
NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index Hits All-Time High of 388.83
WASHINGTON, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeowners 62 and older saw their housing wealth grow by 4.91 percent or $520 billion in the first quarter to a record $11.12 trillion from Q4 2021, according to the latest quarterly release of the NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index.
The NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index (RMMI) rose in Q1 2022 to 388.83, another all-time high since the index was first published in 2000. The increase in older homeowners' wealth was mainly driven by an estimated 4.4 percent or $563 billion increase in home values, offset by a 2.06 percent or $43 billion increase in senior-held mortgage debt.
NRMLA President Steve Irwin, said: "Inflationary fears, market volatility and concerns about a possible recession have created a great deal of anxiety for America's aging population. Now may be an appropriate time to consider the strategic use of home equity to help improve older homeowners' retirement security."
About Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners who are 62 and older with significant home equity. They are a versatile financial tool that seniors can use to borrow against the equity in their home without having to make monthly principal or interest payments as with a traditional "forward" mortgage or a home equity loan. Under a reverse mortgage, funds are advanced to the borrower and interest accrues, but the outstanding balance is not due until the last borrower leaves the home, sells or passes away.
To date, more than 1.21 million households have utilized an FHA-insured reverse mortgage to help meet their financial needs. For more information, please visit www.ReverseMortgage.org
About the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) is the national voice for the industry and represents the lenders, loan servicers, and housing counseling agencies responsible for more than 90 percent of reverse mortgage transactions in the United States. All NRMLA member companies commit themselves to a Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibility. Learn more at www.nrmlaonline.org.
About RiskSpan, Inc.
RiskSpan offers end-to-end solutions for data management, risk management analytics, and visualization on a highly secure, fast, and fully scalable platform that has earned the trust of the industry's largest firms. Combining the strength of subject matter experts, quantitative analysts, and technologists, the RiskSpan platform integrates a range of data-sets–including both structured and unstructured–and off-the-shelf analytical tools to provide you with powerful insights and a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.riskspan.com.
Contact:
Darryl Hicks, 202-939-1784, dhicks@dworbell.com
National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/26/senior-home-equity-exceeds-record-1112-trillion/ | 2022-07-26T16:47:54Z |
TACOMA, Wash., June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Banking System, Inc. ("Columbia" NASDAQ: COLB) expects to report second quarter 2022 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, July 21, 2022. Management will discuss these results on a conference call scheduled for Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time (2:00 p.m. ET).
Interested parties may register for the call here to receive dial-in details and their own unique PINs or join the webcast here. It is recommended you join 10 minutes prior to the start time.
A replay of the webcast will be accessible beginning Friday, July 22, 2022 here.
Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLB) is the holding company of Columbia Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank with locations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. The bank has been named one of Puget Sound Business Journal's "Washington's Best Workplaces," more than 10 times. Columbia was named on the Forbes 2022 list of "America's Best Banks" marking nearly 11 consecutive years on the publication's list of top financial institutions. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at www.columbiabank.com.
InvestorRelations@columbiabank.com
253-471-4065
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by words such as "may," "expected," "anticipate", "continue," or other comparable words. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts that address activities that Columbia expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Readers are encouraged to read the SEC reports of Columbia, particularly its form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2021, for meaningful cautionary language discussing why actual results may vary materially from those anticipated by management.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Columbia Banking System, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/columbia-banking-system-announces-second-quarter-2022-earnings-release-conference-call-date/ | 2022-06-30T20:14:23Z |
Family of children who disappeared in Miss. River heartbroken as search continues
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) - A terrifying night turned into a tearful morning as family members began to realize their little ones may not come home, WVUE reported.
Dozens of family members stayed near the Algiers levee hoping for good news from crews searching overnight and into the morning. Dive teams also combed the river bottom.
Nedra Berry says they had just buried another family member the night before when she got a call from her brother.
“My brother called me screaming, ‘Nedra I need you, my babies are in the water, I can’t get to my babies. Come.’ I’ve never heard a man cry out for his children the way my brother cried out for his children. Never,” Berry said.
They say this was the first time they let 14-year-old Brandy Wilson, her 8-year-old sister Ally Berry Wilson, and a 15-year-old male friend venture off from home believing they were playing near the river when they slipped in.
As the family waited through the rain, the girls’ mother, Octavia Wilson, rushed to the levee hoping for a better outcome.
“They said that my 14-year-old went under first and then her friend tried to save her and my 8-year-old tried to help her sister and went under. I need them,” said Wilson.
The family says their hearts are breaking.
“This is the hardest thing my family has ever had to deal with, to bury two of my nieces at one time. I just hope that we all can come back from it. I know they’re not breathing in that water, I just hope they can get their bodies out of there so we can do the proper things to give them a proper service. That’s the only hope we have,” said Sharon Johnson, the aunt of the two girls.
They say they’ll lean on each other and their family’s faith as they wait.
Copyright 2022 WVUE via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/25/family-children-who-disappeared-miss-river-heartbroken-search-continues/ | 2022-04-25T19:31:37Z |
Company to also host Maren Hassinger's Pyramid as presenting sponsor of Sculpture Milwaukee for fifth consecutive year
MILWAUKEE, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual is dedicated to supporting public art, internationally acclaimed artists, and Milwaukee's exceptional arts scene. Enriching the cultural vitality of Milwaukee, the company has acquired Roxy Paine's Cleft and will host Maren Hassinger's Pyramid as part of Sculpture Milwaukee's 2022 exhibit.
"Sculpture Milwaukee shares Northwestern Mutual's belief that we can build stronger communities by leveraging the power of art to create connections and inspire imagination," said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "Milwaukee is home to a thriving arts environment, and bringing these unique pieces to our city will create more opportunities to spark meaningful conversations within the community."
Recognized as one of his generation's most inventive conceptual artists, Paine's art focuses on the impact modern technologies have on nature. Part of his "Dendroid" series, Cleft is one of the only pieces the artist has created for himself. The 37-foot-tall stainless steel structure was installed in the Northwestern Mutual Gardens in 2019 and will be relocated to its permanent location in the Gardens this year.
For the fifth consecutive year, Northwestern Mutual is the presenting sponsor of Sculpture Milwaukee. As part of the 2022 exhibit, the company will also host Hassinger's Pyramid, which will be assembled on-site by Hassinger and students enrolled in University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin's Peck School of the Arts.
Inspired by the Northwestern Mutual Gardens and the surrounding ecosystem, Hassinger's design will be built with sustainable, locally-sourced materials. The materials will be gathered in partnership with Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps, which leverages natural resources in communities along the Great Lakes to help train and educate underserved youth and close the opportunity gap, while also improving water quality and building habitats.
"We are deeply grateful for the support of Northwestern Mutual, which has been our strongest partner since the inception of Sculpture Milwaukee," said Wayne Morgan, board chairman of Sculpture Milwaukee. "We are thrilled Cleft will permanently remain on Northwestern Mutual's campus for all who visit and live in downtown to enjoy. Maren Hassinger's new sculpture is the perfect symbol of the intersection of art, community, and nature as it was installed and fabricated with the help of our community partners at the Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. We look forward to welcoming the many employees and visitors to Northwestern Mutual's campus to experience both works this summer and beyond."
Northwestern Mutual has a decades-long history of collecting original museum-quality fine artwork and leveraging it to enrich its physical and cultural environment, while supporting local creative communities. Today, the Northwestern Mutual art collection includes a spectrum of contemporary artwork by noted diverse artists who are also educators, mentors, innovators and leaders. The collection of artwork, which includes paintings and prints, textiles, sculptures, glass, digital, assemblage and more, is on display throughout Northwestern Mutual's Milwaukee, Franklin, and New York City campuses.
Sculpture Milwaukee is a non-profit organization transforming downtown Milwaukee's cultural landscape every year with an outdoor exhibition of world-renowned sculpture that serves as a catalyst for community engagement, economic development, and creative placemaking.
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $400 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $570 billion in combined company and client assets, $34 billion in revenues, and $2.1 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to nearly five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 90 on the 2021 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2022.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Northwestern Mutual | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/northwestern-mutual-enriches-milwaukees-art-scene-with-acquisition-roxy-paines-cleft/ | 2022-07-07T15:41:19Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Corporation of America, on behalf of Sony Group Corporation ("Sony") and its affiliates in the Americas, announced today a $1 million donation to support UNICEF's Learning Passport, helping millions of children and their families affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries access education.
UNICEF's Learning Passport provides children, young people and teachers with online and offline quality, portable educational resources. The program first launched in Ukraine in 2020 and rapidly expanded in February 2022 in response to the crisis and its impact on children's learning.
Sony's funds will help ensure children and teachers have access to educational and supplemental content, including curated and localized mental health content and social-emotional learning via the Learning Passport. These resources help children, young people and their families cope with stress and trauma caused by emergencies.
"More countries are gripped by conflict today than at any time in the past thirty years," said Karen Kelso, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Impact, Sony Corporation of America. "We are proud to further support UNICEF and the Learning Passport, which provides crucial support to children and young people impacted by emergencies that threaten or destroy access to food, shelter, social support, health care and education."
"UNICEF is on the frontlines to ensure children whose education has been disrupted by conflict, natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies can continue to learn," said Mac Glovinsky, UNICEF Learning Passport Global Program Chief. "Thanks to our continued partnership with Sony, we will be able to provide innovative digital solutions like the Learning Passport to respond to the immediate educational needs of those impacted by the war in Ukraine."
The crisis in Ukraine is having a dramatic impact on the lives and futures of Ukraine's 5.7 million school-aged children. The estimated 2.2 million Ukrainian children who have sought refuge in neighboring countries require support to integrate into new education systems to continue their education. Access to digitally-enabled learning solutions has been one of the key interventions to ensure continuous access to formal and non-formal education, enabling students in Ukraine and refugee children in neighboring countries to continue and complete their education based on the Ukrainian curriculum, while facilitating integration into education systems of hosting countries.
"Getting children back to learning is a critical step in restoring normalcy in their lives — and in recovering their learning after months of war and years of COVID-19 disruption," said Alberto Biancoli, UNICEF's interim Regional Chief of Education for Europe and Central Asia. "For some children, this may mean a traditional classroom. For many others, it may mean online learning at home, or non-formal learning centers. Reaching every child, assessing their learning gaps, and ensuring they can catch up on lost learning is one of UNICEF's top priorities for Ukraine's children."
The impacts of school closures, compounded with the challenges of adapting to new school environments, are likely to affect the learning outcomes of Ukraine's children and force countless students out of education. It is urgent to act now and ensure a rapid education response through the Learning Passport ahead of the upcoming school year 2022-2023.
Launched in 2018, the Learning Passport currently reaches more than 2.3 million learners in 26 countries and territories including Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Egypt, Jordan, Kosovo, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe. Plans to roll the program out in an additional 25 countries and territories are currently underway. The platform underwent significant expansion in 2020 to respond to the disruption to children's learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2020, Sony Corporation of America, on behalf of Sony's affiliates in the Americas, supported the rollout of the Learning Passport in Latin America and the Caribbean to ensure access to high-quality education, both online and offline, for children and young people across the region.
In November 2020, the Learning Passport was recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Projects of 2020 by The Project Management Institute, and in 2021 TIME named the Learning Passport one of the best 100 inventions of the year.
About Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America, located in New York, NY, is the U.S. headquarters of Sony Group Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing LLC and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. With some 900 million Sony devices in hands and homes worldwide today, a vast array of Sony movies, television shows and music, and the PlayStation Network, Sony creates and delivers more entertainment experiences to more people than anyone else on earth. To learn more: www.sony.com/en.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world's most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.
View original content:
SOURCE Sony Corporation of America | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/sony-corporation-america-donates-1-million-support-unicefs-learning-passport-ukraine-surrounding-countries/ | 2022-08-03T14:50:29Z |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.