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—Revolutionary & Elevated Technology Disrupts Traditional Blending—
SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vejo, the flourishing health and wellness brand, today launched its new state-of-the-art blender system featuring advanced, cutting-edge technology. Made to shift conventional wellness paradigms and meet the needs of busy lives on the go, the company's mission is simple: to reinvent blending. Challenging convention with a revolutionary nutrition innovation, Vejo energizes and inspires consumers to live happier, healthier lives anywhere, any time.
Vejo begins with a patented, sleek high-speed portable blender which features the most advanced blending technology on the market. Easily transportable—in an elegantly designed palette of colors and artful designs that is charged via USB-C—the 12-ounce blender receives your personally selected nutritious recipe. The process is simple: pick your blend, add liquid of choice, press start, and 30 seconds later, voila! Convenient and quick, a great tasting personalized blend filled with dense nutrients is ready to enjoy.
"Vejo is the combination of innovative technology and a persistent dedication to health and wellness," said Christoph Bertsch, founder of Vejo. "We realized the need for accessible, personalized and convenient nutrition and emerged to fill a gaping hole in the wellness market. After consulting with an expert team of doctors, nutritionists, and pharmacists, we developed a blending system that is made to sustain your daily life."
Designed for busy lifestyles, Vejo's one-of-a-kind blending system pairs with 12 uniquely crafted blends. With Vejo, consumers can take their fresh blends to the office, gym, or anywhere in the world. Lightweight and compact, the blender easily fits into a fitness bag, purse or backpack and does not require a kitchen or table set up to process. From fresh fruit favorites to wellness boosters, power greens and energy pleasers, there's something for everyone.
"Being intentional about what we put into our bodies is not merely a badge of honor—but a smarter way of taking care of ourselves, at every age and every stage," added Bertsch. "At a time of enhanced focus on health and wellness, Vejo is uniquely positioned and dedicated to helping individuals live their best lives. We are thrilled to release this new product and its advanced blending technology to the market, and are confident consumers will notice the Vejo difference."
Vejo's recipes are science-based, eco-friendly, great tasting and uniquely designed for wellness impact:
- For blends with fruit and vegetables, produce is picked at the peak of freshness and freeze-dried to lock in nutrients.
- Free of pesticides and preservatives, no product on the market nutritionally compares.
- Each recipe is 100% natural, organic, gluten free, non-GMO, and has no added sugar. There are also several vegan options to choose from.
With a track record of success and an entrepreneurial eye for innovation, Bertsch founded Vejo after going through a personal journey to improve his health and nutrition. Vejo is supported by a roster of A-list athletes and celebrities who understand the brand's values and have been part of the Vejo journey from the beginning.
A $99 limited time Welcome Sampler containing the state-of-the-art blender and 8 delicious blends as a complimentary gift is currently available for nationwide shipping, visit www.vejo.com.
About Vejo
Vejo is a one-of-a-kind health and wellness brand born in Santa Monica, with roots in Germany. Vejo is focused on developing new and innovative approaches to personalized nutrition through advances in blending technology. With a portable yet powerful state of the art blender, and eco-friendly, great tasting nutrient rich blends. Well funded by a notable list of investors, Vejo is reinventing the art and science of personal blending. Patented technology, sustainability standards, food science expertise and first to market blend innovations ensure Vejo remains at the forefront of this emerging fast growth category across the globe. Learn more at Vejo.com. Follow along @vejo and join our big, beautiful, blended community #vejoblends
Contact: Sabrina Christiansen
sabrina@rosengrouppr.com / 801.836.0789
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SOURCE Vejo | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/blend-healthier-live-happier-vejo-launches-new-innovative-blender-system/ | 2022-05-16T14:47:09Z |
Using Patient Data Collected from Belong's Global Cancer App, Study Shows Need for Further Research into Understanding Pathway Intersections of COVID and Cancer
NEW YORK, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Belong.Life, a leading global tech provider of high-engagement patient communities and care platforms, today announced that the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has published a Belong.Life abstract in its 2022 Annual Meeting Abstract Book providing new insight into cancer diagnosis and reactivation following COVID-19 infection. The study was based on anonymized data aggregated from the Belong - Beating Cancer Together app, which is used by almost 1 in 10 U.S.-based cancer patients.
"Belong.Life connects patients with their peers and healthcare experts to help navigate and manage their treatments and improve their care journey. Through our trove of anonymized patient generated data, we can share essential information and insight that benefits the entire ecosystem—patients, caregivers, health professionals, providers, and pharma," said Belong.Life CTO, Irad Deutsch. "This information brings real value to the cancer community, which is a key element of the work we do at Belong. We are grateful to all the doctors and our engaged Belongers who participated in this study."
The study (abstract e18775) examined the possible role of COVID-19 in a diagnosis of a primary cancer following the viral infection, as well as the subsequent diagnosis of a recurrence. Of the 124 participants who fulfilled the criteria to be surveyed for the study, 109 (88%) had a primary diagnosis of cancer following a COVID-19 infection and 15 (12%) had a recurrence. Among the most prevalent cancers diagnosed were breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancer. Additionally, the timeframe from COVID-19 infection to a new diagnosis or recurrence was less than 6 months in 46% of the participants.
This study highlights the need for further analyses to understand the intersection pathways of COVID-19 infection and cancer development or reactivation.
"Understanding the role that COVID-19 may play in cancer diagnosis can help doctors prepare for the effect that future viruses may have on the immune system and cancer diagnosis or reoccurrence," said Belong.Life Medical Director and PI of the study, Dr. Daniel Vorobiof. "This study, and others we have conducted in the past, demonstrate the important role social networking and digital health platforms play in better understanding an individual's treatment journey, together with the collective journey towards improved diagnosis and care for patients."
ASCO's annual meeting is taking place in Chicago from June 3 – 7.
About Belong.Life
Belong.Life is a leading global tech provider of high-engagement patient communities and care platforms, supporting millions of patients worldwide. Among Belong.Life's brands are the world's largest social and professional networks for cancer patients (Belong - Beating Cancer Together) and multiple sclerosis patients (BelongMS), as well as i-Belong, BelongIBD, BelongPSO, CoronApp (select countries), and more. Belong.Life's mission is to improve quality of life and quality of care around the world through technology, engagement, data and AI. For more information visit https://belong.life.
Follow Belong on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
FINN Partners for Belong.Life
Lior Feigin
lior.feigin@finnpartners.com
@LiorFeigin
+1 929 588 2016
+972-54-282-4503
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SOURCE Belong.Life | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/belonglife-real-world-patient-research-analyzes-impact-covid-19-cancer-diagnosis-asco-2022-abstract/ | 2022-05-27T00:02:44Z |
Hakuhodo DY Media Partners Co., Ltd selects Augmind's unique and cutting-edge Extended Reality & AI technologies to build a one-of-a-kind AI Content Production System
HERZLIYA, Israel , June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hakuhodo DY Holdings Co., Ltd. (HQ: Minato-ku, Tokyo. President: Masayuki Hishima), one of the largest advertising and public relations companies in Japan, and its cross-sectional R&D organization [Creative Technology Lab, Beat ("Beat")] selected Augmind, an Israeli-based deep-tech company specializing in inventing new XR & AI technologies, as their technology enabler. This came after a lengthy process of evaluating multiple other well-known and global companies.
Hakuhodo is soon to launch an exclusive and innovative AI-tech service called H-AI UPRES, that automatically restores low-resolution, dated, damaged or compressed footage and content, and converts it to fully remastered, 4K resolution (and higher), digital assets, using cutting-edge AI technology. Additional key aspects of this service entail face-swapping and AI-Teleshopping, ready to be streamed in ultra-high resolution as never seen before. The service is said to target media related stakeholders and other IP holders (incl. NFTs).
Ken Matsuzaki, Creative Director at Hakuhodo Inc., stated that "Through Augmind's ground-breaking specialties we are able to expand our services for our clients and provide them with a true next-level quality content and assets at a very competitive cost."
Hakuhodo DY Holdings Co., Ltd.'s H-AI UPRES service is only the beginning of the two companies' cooperation and talks about additional potential joint ventures are at hand. These include the potential for the adaptation of this content into AR & VR experiences, which will ultimately enable a swift integration into the Metaverse.
In parallel, Augmind is now gearing to launch its new flagship, MaxScene, a superior and holistic developers suite, promising to revolutionize the entire process of creating Extended Reality (XR) graphics, and empowering even novice developers with the tools to easily create state-of-the-art high-res realistic 3D content within a few simple clicks. Previously, this could only be seen on powerful PCs and consoles. This 3D content is automatically created to be performance-ready and presented smoothly on all web and mobile platforms. Augmind's goal is to ultimately clear the path for global metaverse adoption.
"Augmind is honored to be joining forces with one of the most reputable agencies in Japan, representing some of the strongest brands across the continent and we look forward to servicing their clients via this collaboration," says Augmind's CEO, Ran Kern
About Augmind Ltd.
Augmind is a future-oriented company at the forefront of 3D, AR, VR, and MR visualization. Its proprietary technology uses the latest developments in AI to produce fast-loading, staggeringly life-like XR content that runs on all web and mobile platforms and is cost-effective to produce.
By deploying advanced AI systems, Augmind slashes content-creation time without any compromise in quality, reduces costs, and delivers superior results in days, rather than weeks.
Follow Augmind on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Contact
Sharon Segal
VP Business development & Marketing
sharon@augmind.me
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SOURCE Augmind | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/hakuhodo-dy-media-partners-co-ltd-augmind-ltd-collaborate-providing-new-groundbreaking-ai-driven-technology-services-japan/ | 2022-06-22T12:47:09Z |
Biden to sign US approval for Sweden, Finland to join NATO
WASHINGTON (Gray News) - President Joe Biden will deliver remarks and sign a ratification, giving the United States’ approval for previously unaligned Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Tuesday.
Vice President Kamala Harris will also be on hand for the signing in the East Room of the White House.
The Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of NATO’s expansion by a 95-1 vote Wednesday. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, cast the only no vote.
The two nations in north Europe were propelled into the organization by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow,” Biden said in a statement Wednesday evening.
Each member government in NATO must give approval for new members to join.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/09/biden-sign-us-approval-sweden-finland-join-nato/ | 2022-08-09T17:30:53Z |
Orbital Energy Group Reports Record Revenues in First Quarter 2022 of $70.3 Million
Published: May. 16, 2022 at 6:30 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hours ago
Records Positive Adjusted EBITDA of $3.8 Million and Reiterates Full-Year 2022 Financial Guidance
HOUSTON, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Orbital Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: OEG) ("Orbital Energy" or the "Company") today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.
First Quarter Summary
Revenues of $70.3 million, compared to $41.0 million in the prior quarter and $5.6 million for the first quarter of 2021;
Gross profit of $11.6 million compared to a gross loss of $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2021;
Operating loss of $1.8 million, an improvement of $13.8 million from the first quarter of 2021;
Loss from continuing operations, net of income taxes of $36.7 million, including a non-cash charge of $26.0 million. Excluding this charge, loss from continuing operations would have been $10.4 million, a $5.3 million improvement from the prior quarter and a $5.9 million improvement from the first quarter of 2021;
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was a positive $3.8 million compared to a loss of $1.2 million in the prior quarter and a loss of $9.6 million in the first quarter of 2021;
Backlog of $513.5 million as of March 31, 2022, with $294.6 million expected to be recognized in the next twelve months.
Items Subsequent to the End of First Quarter
Named Robert Burns as President of Orbital Solar Services
Extended maturity on portion of seller notes to December 31, 2022
Completed a registered direct offering of $21 million;
Completed the sale of Orbital Gas Systems Ltd.
"Our first quarter results reflect the continued progress of building out our infrastructure services platform, and we accomplished a significant milestone in achieving positive adjusted EBITDA for the first time since I joined the company," said Jim O'Neil, Vice Chairman and CEO of Orbital Energy Group. "Our backlog and end market drivers remain strong, as well as customer demand for our services and we believe we are well positioned to achieve our 2022 financial guidance provided on our year end call, which we are reiterating today."
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Total revenue was $70.3 million, compared to $41.0 million in the previous quarter and $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2021. The sequential and year-over-year improvement is primarily due to the acquisitions of GTS and Front Line Power last year.
Electric Power revenue for the first quarter was $39.7 million, compared to $23.3 million in the prior quarter and $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Front Line Power. Telecommunications revenue for the first quarter was $16.1 million, compared to $13.0 million in the prior quarter and zero revenue in the first quarter of 2021. Renewables revenue for the first quarter was $14.5 million, compared to $4.8 million in the prior quarter and $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Gross profit in the first quarter was $11.6 million, compared to gross profit of $7.4 million in the prior quarter and gross loss of $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. Total operating expenses in the first quarter were $13.4 million, compared to $16.1 in the prior quarter and $13.1 million in the first quarter of 2021. Loss from continuing operations before taxes in the first quarter was $36.4 million, including a $26.0 million non-cash charge. Excluding this charge, loss from continuing operations would have been $10.4 million, compared to a loss of $15.2 million in the prior quarter and a loss of $16.3 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Full Year 2022 Outlook
The Company expects full year consolidated revenue to be in the range of $375M to $425M and adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $38M to $43M. This reflects year-over-year revenue growth of 382% and an improvement of $67.5 million in Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2022 compared to 2021 from the midpoint of the Company's guidance. This revenue growth and improvement in adjusted EBITDA is expected to be led by strong double-digit organic growth in the Company's electric power and telecommunications segments largely due to projects under contract and the unprecedented demand for the Company's services in these segments.
Conference Call
Management will host a conference call today, May 16, 2022 at 8:30 am ET to discuss these results and recent corporate developments. After management's opening remarks, there will be a question-and-answer period. To access the call, please dial (678) 894-3054 and provide conference ID 3716707. A live webcast of the conference call and accompanying slide presentation can be accessed via the Investor Relations/Events & Presentations section of the Orbital Energy website (http://www.orbitalenergygroup.com).
For those unable to attend the live call, a telephonic replay will be available until June 1, 2022. To access the replay of the call dial (404) 537-3406 and provide conference ID 3716707. An archived copy of the webcast and slide presentation will also be available via the link referenced above.
About Orbital Orbital Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: OEG) is a diversified infrastructure services platform, providing engineering, design, construction, and maintenance services to customers in the electric power, telecommunications, and renewable industries.
Orbital Energy Group is dedicated to maximizing shareholder value, by striving to exceed our customers' expectations, building a diverse workforce and making a positive difference in the lives of our employees and the communities in which we operate, and contributing to reducing the carbon footprint through the services we provide.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures The financial measures not prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) that are utilized in this press release are provided to enable investors, analysts and management to evaluate Orbital Energy's performance excluding the effects of certain items that management believes impact the comparability of operating results between reporting periods. In addition, management believes these measures are useful in comparing Orbital Energy's operating results with those of its competitors. These measures should be used in addition to, and not in lieu of, financial measures prepared in conformity with GAAP. Please see the accompanying tables for reconciliations of the following non-GAAP financial measures for Orbital Energy's current and historical results (as applicable): EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations (non-GAAP financial measures) to loss from continuing operations, net of income taxes.
Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the expected use of proceeds. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include the risk factors set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2021, its periodic reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K filed in 2021 and 2022, as well as the risks identified in the shelf registration statement and the prospectus supplement relating to the offering. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Orbital undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/orbital-energy-group-reports-record-revenues-first-quarter-2022-703-million/ | 2022-05-16T13:14:13Z |
- Data presented at EuroPCR 2022 reinforce the impact of Abbott's minimally invasive heart devices on patient outcomes and quality of life
- Findings demonstrate TriClip™ transcatheter edge-to-edge (TEER) repair is effective at reducing tricuspid regurgitation across a broad range of anatomies
- One-year outcomes for Navitor™ transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system show the safety and effectiveness of this therapy and durable performance of the sealing cuff in minimizing paravalvular leak for patients with severe aortic stenosis
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced two late-breaking data presentations highlighting both TriClip™, a first-of-its kind minimally invasive tricuspid heart valve repair device, and Navitor™, the company's latest-generation transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system. The company also showcased new data for MitraClip™ and Amplatzer™ Amulet™, two key components of the company's industry-leading structural heart portfolio.
All data were presented at EuroPCR, the annual meeting of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, held in Paris from May 17-20, 2022.
30-Day Results from the TriClip bRIGHT Study
New real-world outcomes highlighted in a late-breaking data presentation showed that the TriClip and TriClip G4 transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) systems significantly reduce tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and substantially improve quality of life across a wide range of anatomically diverse patients, with data through 30 days showing:
- High implant success rate (98%)
- Significant TR reduction (71% moderate or less compared to 3% as baseline) with a strong safety profile (99% freedom from major adverse events)
- Life-changing clinical improvements including 78% of patients achieving New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class I/II (a classification of functional limitations resulting from cardiac disease), an improvement by 57% from baseline of 21%, and an 18-point improvement in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score (a self-assessment of social abilities, symptoms and quality of life)
"Historically, people suffering from severe tricuspid regurgitation had extremely limited treatment options despite being very ill. Many were ineligible for surgery and were limited to symptom management," said Philipp Lurz, M.D., Ph.D., professor and deputy head of cardiology, Heart Center Leipzig at University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. "The late-breaking data show a high rate of implant success and significant reduction in regurgitation. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using TriClip has a huge potential to improve patients' quality of life and has entered the clinical stage with widespread use in Europe."
One-Year Results from Study on the Next-Generation Navitor TAVI System
Data from the multi-center, international, single arm study of the Navitor TAVI system with an active sealing cuff to minimize paravalvular leak (PVL) demonstrated improved one-year outcomes for patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis who were at high or extreme surgical risk. Key findings include:
- High procedural success rate of 97.5%
- High rate of no/trace PVL (70.2%) and low rate of mild PVL (28.8%) through one year, indicating the active sealing cuff is effective in mitigating PVL
- Low rate of all-cause mortality (4.2%) at one year
- Single-digit gradients (average 7.5 mmHg) through one year
"Patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis are often at high risk of complications from open-heart surgery due to their old age, frailty or having multiple other diseases and conditions," said Dave Smith, M.D, professor and consultant cardiologist, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales. "The one-year results from the study demonstrate that a minimally invasive TAVI procedure with a Navitor valve offers a safe and effective treatment option for these patients."
Other data sets presented at EuroPCR included positive findings from the EXPAND study which showed MitraClip therapy in heart failure patients with mitral regurgitation experience improved symptoms and quality of life. Additionally, although women have higher rates of early complications with LAA closure than men, results from the Amulet IDE trial found that both women and men implanted with Abbott's Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluder experienced similar long-term benefits from LAA closure.
"At Abbott, we're dedicated to delivering innovative technologies to help people with debilitating heart conditions live better lives through better health," said Michael Dale, senior vice president of Abbott's structural heart business. "The data presented during this year's EuroPCR meeting underscore our unwavering commitment to providing structural heart solutions, supported by clinical evidence, that surpass existing standards of care."
The TriClip Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair System and Navitor Transcatheter Aortic Valve are approved for investigational use only in the U.S.
For U.S. important safety information on MitraClip, visit http://abbo.tt/MitraClipG4ISI.
For U.S. important safety information on the Amplatzer Amulet LAA Occluder, visit https://abbo.tt/AmuletISI.
About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
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SOURCE Abbott | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/19/new-late-breaking-data-highlight-abbott-structural-heart-transcatheter-valve-therapies/ | 2022-05-19T14:11:45Z |
String lights can make your party last
With the warmer weather arriving, it’s time to start thinking about backyard parties again. Afternoons are great for barbecues, games, swimming and more. But just because the sun begins to fall from the sky, it doesn’t mean the fun has to end. And with the right patio decor, it doesn’t have to. Your party can wind down and turn into a relaxing event that extends well beyond dusk.
String lights are the key. They are affordable, easy to install and great at setting a mood. String lights can illuminate your backyard, allowing guests to remain late in the evening when all those deep conversations occur and the bond of friendship is strengthened.
Why a backyard party is better
You always have the option of having an indoor party. However, to be honest, that’s just not the same. As long as the weather remains agreeable, there are several reasons why outdoor parties are better.
More space
The obvious reason to have a party outside is there is more space. Your guests won’t be confined to one room. People can more easily meander about to create their own conversation circles, and the volume won’t escalate to the point where you have to shout to be heard.
Less stress
If you decide to have your party in the backyard, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the house so thoroughly — people don’t even have to go inside except to use the bathroom. You won’t have to worry about stains and things getting accidentally broken. Just mow the lawn and use a leaf blower on the patio, and you’re all set.
More entertainment options
When you are outside, you can do everything you do inside … and more. You can play cards, swim (if you have a pool), play Jenga, have relay races, play badminton and even watch sports on the side of your house with an outdoor projector. Having a party outside just gives you more options.
Family-friendly
When the festivities are outside, guests can bring their entire family, including kids and pets. Instead of worrying about child- and pet-proofing your house before the event, you can let them run wild in your backyard.
Opportunity to grill
When the party is outside, that’s where the cooking should take place. A backyard party is the perfect time to show off not only that new grill but your peerless grilling skills as well.
Less clean up
If you are entertaining outside, chances are you won’t be using fine china and your best cutlery. You won’t even be using glasses. Paper plates, plastic sporks and red solo cups are the answer. This way, when the party’s over, no dishes need to be done. Your guests just drop everything in the trash or recyclable bin.
Better environment
The best reason for having a backyard party is the atmosphere is just better. You can enjoy nature and get some fresh air. Then, once it’s dark, turn on your string lights and create a magical environment.
Tips for having an outdoor party
Create a mood
Atmosphere isn’t just created by decor — although that is essential. It is set by any element that involves the senses. Theme parks use music and smells to entice people to feel festive and travel to different areas. As it gets dark, the right lighting can make the difference between guests staying and leaving.
Be prepared for changing weather
The thing with weather is it changes. A beautiful afternoon could turn blustery or even begin to rain as evening approaches. Make sure you are prepared. Secure table coverings and lighter items in case the wind picks up. Have a plan in place, such as umbrellas, for light rain. However, if the weather turns extreme or hazardous, know when to cut your losses and head inside for safety.
Define the space
Even if it’s just the edge of the patio, the railing of your deck or a few strategically placed plants, define a space where the main part of the party will take place. Set up social areas, so people are encouraged to engage with each other, and create stations so people instinctively know where to get drinks, snacks and food.
Prepare activities
Most people are great at joining in the fun. However, only a few are comfortable suggesting and starting an activity. Whether it is croquette, cornhole, volleyball, yard dominoes or some other fun outdoor game, make the gear visible and easily accessible to encourage engagement.
Remember the bugs
Don’t forget, you are outside. There are going to be bugs. Consider fans, repellents, traps, zappers and other methods to keep the pests in your yard at bay.
Best string lights for your backyard party
Brightown Outdoor String Lights
This string of 100 warm white glass bulbs is dimmable so you can create the perfect outdoor atmosphere. The string and bulbs are waterproof and can withstand extreme temperatures and wind.
Sold by Amazon
Smart Living Gala 20-Light LED Solar String Lights
If you want a festive look, these solar-powered string lights are encased in colorful and decorative metal cages. When they are fully charged, these lights can last for up to eight hours.
Sold by Kohl’s
Semilits Simulation Honey Bees String Lights
Charge these solar lights during the day and enjoy them at night. The unique honey bee design makes them a great addition to the plants in your garden. They are made with durable plastic and come with one stake for charging.
Sold by Amazon
Lumabase Nylon Electric String Lanterns
These decorative lantern lights immediately create atmosphere. Each string comes with 10 nylon lanterns, and you can connect up to 50 strings together to adorn your entire backyard space. They are easy to clean and come in a variety of colors.
Sold by Macy’s
Ankway Solar String Fairy Lights
This 72-foot string contains 200 fairy lights that can quickly transform your patio into a magical outdoor space. The durable copper wire lets you form these lights into any shape you desire. There are eight lighting modes, ranging from twinkle to steady on, that can be used to set the perfect mood.
Sold by Amazon
Hampton Bay Color-Changing LED String Lights
If you prefer color-changing lights, this high-quality string from Hampton Bay will do the trick. You can choose warm lighting, cool lighting or select from millions of colors, which makes these lights ideal for themed parties and holidays. There are 12 bulbs on a string, and you can connect up to five strings together for over 100 feet of lighting.
Sold by Home Depot
EGP Bistro String Light and Poles
While this set is admittedly a little pricey, purchase includes four durable black powder-coated poles so you can string these lights anywhere to enhance the ambience of your backyard space. Each pole extends to 10 feet and is suitable for installation on a flat space, such as a patio or a deck. If you want to place the poles in your yard, they also come with 10-inch stakes for ground installation.
Sold by Wayfair
Hampton Bay Incandescent String Lights
These incandescent lights have small covers that provide a classic element to your yard decor. Each strand has 10 lights, and the purchase includes two strings.
Sold by Home Depot
Lumabase Electric Cafe String Lights
If you want to make a memorable statement, this string of 10 lights is what you need. Each bulb has a beautiful bronze shade that can add a rustic charm to your patio. The domes are easy to clean, and the bulbs last up to 3,000 hours.
Sold by Kohl’s
Twinkle Star Curtain String Lights
Sometimes, a string isn’t enough. This curtain of string lights can help define your outdoor space. It measures 6 feet wide and 9.8 feet tall. It has eight modes and features 300 lights.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/home-br/lighting-br/these-string-lights-will-keep-your-backyard-party-going-late/ | 2022-06-15T15:58:24Z |
- The Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tire offers drivers a spirited and sporty driving experience no matter the season.
- The successful INDYCAR Firestone Firehawk rain race tire served as inspiration for the tread design of the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tire to ensure confident wet handling.
- Bridgestone's launch of the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tire will help deliver the "Ease" and "Emotion" values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced the launch of the all-new Firestone Firehawk AS V2 all-season ultra-high performance tire designed to deliver exciting, sporty performance. Inspired by the INDYCAR Firestone Firehawk rain race tire, the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tire also delivers relentless performance in inclement weather, delivering faster lap times2 than the tire's predecessor.
"When designing the Firestone Firehawk AS V2, our goal was to produce an ultra-high performance tire without trading off its performance in inclement weather," said Ian McKenny, Senior Product Manager, Bridgestone Americas. "Our INDYCAR rain tires use a braided tread to help deliver exhilarating performance even in a downpour. We've applied that pattern technology directly to the new Firehawk AS V2 to give drivers the chance to experience a sporty drive in any weather condition."
The Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tire is backed by a 50,000-mile limited warranty1, featuring a combination of interlocking lugs and full-depth 3D sipes providing consistent wear and performance throughout the tire's life. The interlocking lugs and large outboard tread blocks ensure confident wet handling and hydroplaning resistance. Plus, the 3D full-depth sipes allow the Firehawk AS V2 to excel in snow throughout the life of the tire. Its INDYCAR-inspired tread pattern also gives the Firehawk AS V2 the signature sport grip and responsive handling through corners that Firehawk tires are known for.
Key performance advancements offered by the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tire include:
- Increased speed rating (H, V, W) over the previous generation Firehawk AS tires (H, V)
- Lap times 2.11 seconds faster in wet conditions than the previous generation Firehawk AS tires2
- Lap times .6 seconds faster in wet conditions than the BFGoodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S+ tires and the General G-Max AS-05 tires3
- Stops 5 feet shorter in snow than the previous generation Firehawk AS tires2
- Stops 15 feet shorter in snow than the General G-Max AS-05 tires4
The new Firestone Firehawk AS V2 is developed for popular sports and muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang but is also designed to help enhance the sporty feel of popular sedans and crossovers like the Honda Civic, Nissan Altima, and Toyota RAV4. Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tires are available now at all Bridgestone authorized tire dealers in the U.S. and Canada.
The introduction of the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment that serves as the axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of 8 Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment) that Bridgestone has committed to creating together with employees, society, partners and customers to realize a sustainable society. By developing an all-season ultra-high performance tire, the Bridgestone Group is delivering its "Ease" and "Emotion" commitment.
For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.
1 Conditions apply. See BridgestoneTire.com/warranty for details.
2 Comparison based on the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tires vs. the Firestone Firehawk AS tires from internal testing. Results may vary depending on proper tire and vehicle maintenance, road conditions and driving habits.
3 Comparison based on the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tires vs. the BFGoodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S+ tires and the General G-Max AS-05 tires from internal testing. Results may vary depending on proper tire and vehicle maintenance, road conditions and driving habits.
4 Comparison based on the Firestone Firehawk AS V2 tires vs. the General G-Max AS-05 tires from internal testing. Results may vary depending on proper tire and vehicle maintenance, road conditions and driving habits.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
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SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/bridgestone-launches-firestone-firehawk-v2-an-indycar-inspired-all-season-ultra-high-performance-tire/ | 2022-09-07T14:55:47Z |
Pence says he didn’t leave office with classified material
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that he didn’t take any classified information with him when he left office.
Pence made the comment during an interview with The Associated Press in Iowa a week and a half after the FBI seized classified and top secret information during a search at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Asked directly if he retained any classified information upon leaving office, Pence said, “No, not to my knowledge.”
The disclosure — which would typically be unremarkable for a former vice president — is notable given that FBI agents took 11 sets of classified records from his former boss’s estate on Aug. 8 while investigating potential violations of three different federal laws. Trump has claimed that the documents seized by agents were “all declassified” and argued that he would have turned them over if the Justice Department had asked.
But although Pence said he and his team complied with rules requiring the submission of classified material to the National Archives, the former vice president raised the possibility that the investigation was politically motivated and called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to disclose more details on what led authorities to conduct the search.
“The concern that millions of Americans felt is only going to be resolved with daylight,” he added. “I know that’s not customary in an investigation. But this is unprecedented action by the Justice Department, and I think it merits an unprecedented transparency.”
His comments come just days after he urged his fellow Republicans to stop lashing out at rank-and-file members of the FBI over the search of Mar-a-Lago. Speaking at a political breakfast in New Hampshire on Wednesday, he sought to tamp down on some of the increasing threats against the FBI by ardent Trump supporters who are angry that Trump’s home was searched.
“The Republican Party is the party of law and order,” Pence said Wednesday. “Our party stands with the men and women who stand on the thin blue line at the federal and state and local level, and these attacks on the FBI must stop.”
Pence was in Iowa on Friday as part of a two-day trip to the state, which is scheduled to host the 2024 leadoff Republican presidential caucuses. Pence said Friday that he would make a decision early next year about whether to run for the White House, a move that his aides have said will be independent of what Trump decides to do.
Having visited the Iowa State Fair on Friday afternoon, Pence also headlined a fundraiser earlier in the day for Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley and was scheduled to speak to a Christian conservative group and a northern Iowa county Republican party fundraiser before leaving Saturday.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/20/pence-says-he-didnt-leave-office-with-classified-material/ | 2022-08-20T00:36:16Z |
SAN DIEGO, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union has provided four $2,500 college scholarships to local students in partnership with the North County African American Women's Association (NCAAWA). In the second year of the partnership, the North Island Credit Union 2022 Scholarships were awarded through the NCAAWA's Scholarship Program, created to assist young African American women in acquiring higher education from an academic institution.
North Island Credit Union 2022 Scholarship recipients through the NCAAWA Program include:
- Hannah Campbell, a 2022 graduate of Surfside Educational Academy in Oceanside, planning to attend Mira Costa College with a major in Environmental Science.
- El Camino High School graduate Lauryn Hall attending Sam Houston University with a major in Forensic Science in the fall.
- Mira Costa College student Skye Lebreton, who will attend San Diego State University Global Campus with a major in Global Studies.
- San Marcos resident Arianna White, who is pursuing a degree in Economics at Harvard University.
"We are honored to continue our partnership with the North County African American Women's Association in providing an essential support network to empower young women in our communities," said North Island Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "We commend and congratulate each of these outstanding scholarship recipients and wish them the best of luck in pursuing their educational and career goals."
The North Island Credit Union Scholarships, along with all of the NCAAWA 2022 scholarships, were presented during its 2022 Salute to Scholars Celebration on June 8th at the Boys and Girls Club of Oceanside.
"I'm excited for what these scholarships can bring to the lives of these women. It will not only reduce the financial burden associated with higher education, but ultimately change the trajectory of their lives forever," said Linda Berry, President of North County African American Women's Association.
Through its annual scholarship program, North Island Credit Union has worked to support the educational goals of outstanding students within its local communities since 2005. Now in its second year, the credit union's partnership with NCAAWA extends its educational assistance to specifically support North County female students of African American descent. The credit union also provides financial literacy training for upper class high school girls in NCAAWA's Global Ambassadors Mentoring Program. This program aims to empower young girls of color with leadership development skills, increased understanding of financial literacy and global issues that impact social and career development. The first group of Global Ambassadors are working with other young high school women students in Bermuda and soon South Africa and Dominican Republic.
The NCAAWA Vision is to provide a support network through education, health awareness, and life skills programs for women and girls in North San Diego County. To date, the organization has provided over $300,000 in scholarship awards and grants to help young women further their education.
About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union
California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of over $4 billion, California Credit Union has 24 branches throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Please visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram® or Facebook® @northislandcu.
About North County African American Women's Association
Established in 1995, the North County African American Women's Association (NCAAWA) is an all-inclusive non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization located in North San Diego County. Its mission is to provide a support network through education, health awareness, and life skills programs for women and girls in San Diego's North County to increase their self-sufficiency. Maintaining its charitable, educational, and recreational objectives, the organization, through its mission, has opened support to all women in San Diego's North County, celebrating ethnic and racial pride.
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SOURCE North Island Credit Union | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/north-island-credit-union-partners-with-north-county-african-american-womens-association-award-four-college-scholarships/ | 2022-06-16T17:16:11Z |
BANGKOK, April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Athena Mentor, a new blockchain startup just emerging from stealth, is introducing today its core mentor-to-earn service. The key feature is "wisdom mining": users can transform their wisdom into crypto tokens, with the goal of distributing skills and experience from mentors to mentees worldwide. To build the wisdom mining protocol, Athena constructed a one-on-one video conference platform that rewards those who participate with our new Athena tokens. Anyone can use the platform and it is free to get started. The company plans to reach 100,000 users by the year end and a million by the end of next year.
Dr. Supachai "Kid" Parchariyanon, the CEO and Co-founder of RISE, states that "Athena is one of the most important puzzle pieces in helping us achieve our goal of contributing 1% growth to Southeast Asia's aggregated GDP. Because of the work that RISE has done over the last five years with corporates, startups, executives, and innovators, we can launch Athena with over 300 mentors from 27 industries and 30 countries." He also reiterated the goal for Athena is to attain 100,000 users by the end of this year and 1 million users by the end of next year.
Paramee Intarachumnum, the Product Lead at Athena, says, "Research on mentorships from Sun Microsystems indicates that those who have mentors are promoted five times faster than those who don't. Nevertheless, workers face two major obstacles to establishing a fruitful mentorship experience: access and sustainability. Not only will we help solve the problem of mentor access, but we also ensure sustainability via the use of tokenomics. Ultimately, the exchange of skills, knowledge, and wisdom that Athena enables will help democratize wisdom worldwide."
The heart of the platform is wisdom mining, whereby a user can receive Athena tokens by contributing as a mentor or participating as a mentee. Either form of engagement with the platform provides tokens. Anyone can start receiving tokens and using the platform for free by scheduling 'Coffee Chat, which is15-minute session. If a mentee would like a longer meeting, Premium Mentorship services are available for a fee. The reason that Athena rewards all types of user engagement is to build a high level of sustainability; starting today, anyone can use the platform and receive tokens under our mentor-to-earn model.
Viriya Reungwai, the Technology Lead, says, "Athena Mentor is only the starting point of our whole vision to democratize wisdom across the planet. Our long-term goal is to democratize wisdom across many areas, including hiring and coaching. Right now, however, our focus is on building the platform infrastructure, which is a blockchain-based economy allowing us to serve as the bridge from Web2 to Web3. First, users who hold and stake our Athena tokens will be able to access premium services and events exclusive only to token holders. Second, the mentoring fee will be lowered for token holders. Lastly, to fulfill the promise of mentor-to-earn, we will partner with other entities to enable the exchange of Athena tokens for fiat currencies, other cryptocurrencies, and goods and services."
To celebrate the launch of the world's first mentor-to-earn platform, users who join Athena will receive three times the usual number of Athena tokens on all their activities from today until May 31, 2022. Anyone can register for free and start wisdom mining today.
If interested, please visit https://mentor.athenaglobal.co/
About Athena Mentor
Athena Mentor is a Mentor-to-Earn blockchain startup with the core concept of "Wisdom Mining". Users can transform their wisdom into crypto tokens, with the goal of distributing skills and experience from mentors to mentees worldwide. Athena Mentor is a spin-off startup from RISE Corporate Innovation Powerhouse based in Southeast Asia which supports Athena Mentor by bringing in the top-notch mentors worldwide.
To build the wisdom mining protocol, Athena constructed a one-on-one video conference platform that rewards those who participate with our new Athena tokens. Anyone can use the platform and it is free to get started. For more information about Athena Mentor, please visit our official website at https://mentor.athenaglobal.co
About RISE
RISE is a leading Corporate Innovation Powerhouse based out of Southeast Asia. With the mission to lift up 1 percent of GDP of this region, we work closely with Fortune 500, large family businesses, and government agencies across the region to help set up and scale innovation initiatives from outside and within the organization. We are known for Global Accelerator Program, Intrapreneur University, Venture Building Services, and Corporate Innovation Summit - Asia's Largest Experiential Conference. We have been creating the global ecosystem for corporate innovation with a network of more than 500 corporations, 4,000 startups, and over 20,000 corporate innovators and partners in 40 countries around the world, contributing to a combined impact of over US$2 billion.
For more information about RISE, check out riseaccel.com.
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SOURCE Athena | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/27/athena-mentor-launches-worlds-first-mentor-to-earn-platform-by-building-novel-wisdom-mining-crypto-based-economy/ | 2022-04-27T14:51:40Z |
MIAMI, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Laureate Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAUR) (the "Company") today announced that its management team will host one-on-one and small group meetings at the Morgan Stanley Latin America Virtual Conference taking place on September 15 - 16, 2022 and the BTG Pactual LATAM CEO Conference taking place on October 11 - 13, 2022 at the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel.
Additionally, Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and CEO of the Company, will speak at the Credit Suisse 2022 CEO Brazil Education Conference on October 13, 2022 at the Credit Suisse office in Sao Paulo at approximately 1:15 PM EST.
Conference participation is by invitation only and registration is mandatory. For more information on the conferences or to schedule a one-on-one or small group meeting with the Company's management, please contact a Morgan Stanley, BTG Pactual or Credit Suisse representative.
Laureate Education, Inc. operates five higher education institutions across Mexico and Peru, enrolling more than 375,000 students in high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and specialized degree programs through campus-based and online learning. Our universities have a deep commitment to academic quality and innovation, strive for market-leading employability outcomes, and work to make higher education more accessible. At Laureate, we know that when our students succeed, countries prosper, and societies benefit.
Adam Smith
Laureate Education, Inc.
adam.smith@laureate.net
U.S.: +1 (443) 255 0724
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SOURCE Laureate Education, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/29/laureate-education-participate-upcoming-conferences-september-october/ | 2022-08-29T22:58:00Z |
INDIANAPOLIS, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Force Indy race team is excited to be sponsored by Lear Corporation, the presenting sponsor of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. The Indianapolis-based team heads to Detroit to compete in the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship as Lear Corporation's sponsored team. Haitian American Ernie Francis, Jr. will drive the #99 Force Indy car from May 12 – May 14th. On January 27, 2022, Indianapolis African American business leader and Force Indy co-owner Rod Reid announced the team's ascension to the Indy Lights series. During the team's inaugural season in the 2021 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship, Force Indy made history as the first African American-owned race team to win an INDYCAR-sanctioned race.
"Force Indy entered the 2022 Indy Lights Championship with the expectation of being consistent and competitive," says Team Principal Rod Reid. "The Force Indy Race team has a strong commitment to developing diverse talent. We are excited to be sponsored by Lear that shares the same values and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion."
Force Indy Driver Ernie Francis, Jr., 24, has three wins under his belt from his Formula Regional Americas Championship and a second-place finish in the inaugural season of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), with a win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. He's a seven-time class champion in the Trans Am Series (2014-2020). His 47 career victories are the most of any driver in Trans Am history. His 24 wins in the premier TA category trail only Paul Gentilozzi (31), Mark Donohue (29) and Tommy Kendall (28).
The Force Indy team looks to benefit from the relationship with the legendary Roger Penske, winners of a record 18 Indianapolis 500's and 16 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships. Team Penske will continue to offer mentorship for Force Indy, as the initiative also falls under Penske Entertainment Corp.'s "Race for Equality & Change" announced in July 2020. In December 2020, Team Principal Rod Reid formed Force Indy with a focus on recruiting and developing a diverse workforce throughout all levels of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, ultimately creating a community that fundamentally transforms the sport.
Force Indy is a race team created specifically to develop talent with a diverse group of individuals, outside as well as inside the cockpit. The foundation of Force Indy is the racing background of Team Principal, Rod Reid and a mentorship alliance with Team Penske—the most successful team in motorsports history. The team leadership brings years of experience from grassroots racing to the Road to Indy ladder system. The organization concentrates on developing skills that promote success at the highest level. Force Indy's vision is to see motorsports grow ethnically, educationally and across gender. The team's #99 was selected in honor of the roadster driven by the late Dewey "Rajo Jack" Gatson, who never received an opportunity to race in the Indianapolis 500. www.forceindy.com
CONTACT: Tracey Royal, (615)-540-3649, tracey@traceyroyal.com
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SOURCE Force Indy Race Team | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/force-indy-race-team-announces-lear-corporation-their-2022-detroit-grand-prix-sponsor/ | 2022-06-02T22:26:42Z |
PITTSBURGH, May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to provide outdoor birdwatchers with an attractive overhead enclosure for bird feeders and hanging flower baskets that has a unique elegant design," said an inventor, from Salem, Ore., "so I invented the BIRDELLA WEATHERPROOF BIRDFEEDING STATION. My design would prevent bird feeders from getting wet, clogged and dirty and it would prevent spoiled/wasted seed."
The patent-pending invention provides a protective device for outdoor hanging bird feeders and flower baskets. In doing so, it ensures that feeders stay clean and dry, it prevents clogging, it gives birds a dry place to feed, it provides shade, it protects feeders from damaging UV rays and it protects flower baskets from hot mid-day sun. The invention features an attractive design that is easy to set up and use so it is ideal for households, birdwatchers, etc. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Portland sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-PTA-107, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/inventhelp-inventor-develops-protective-device-outdoor-bird-feeders-pta-107/ | 2022-05-27T16:09:56Z |
After another strong quarter, CVS raises outlook for 2022
By TOM MURPHY
AP Health Writer
COVID-19 vaccines and tests for the virus continue to boost CVS Health and the health care giant raised its annual forecast after a strong first quarter. The drugstore chain and pharmacy benefit manager said Wednesday that it now expects earnings of $8.20 to $8.40 per share this year. The new range mostly eclipses Wall Street projections. CVS Health shares slipped in February when the company reported fourth quarter results that easily topped expectations but didn’t hike the annual forecast that it first laid out in December. Shares are rising before the opening bell. | https://localnews8.com/news/ap-national-business/2022/05/04/after-another-strong-quarter-cvs-raises-outlook-for-2022/ | 2022-05-04T12:18:07Z |
Hayley Orrantia grew up on TV as Erica Goldberg on ABC’s “The Goldberg’s” and the show is still going strong, running into its tenth season later this year. She not only acts but this star has since gone on to do shows like the “Masked Singer” and even writes and composes her own music. Even with all the excitement going on in her life, to add to the list, this talented singer just got engaged.
The actress touched on the new season of “The Goldberg’s” coming up and the big changes Erica is about to go through. She and her husband just got married, so essentially they are moving on to the next phase of their life and have a baby. This brings the family much joy and a lot of hilarious story lines will arise, so it will definitely be upping the ante of the family dynamic.
Hayley talked today about her single “Open Your Mouth,” that dropped back in May and how her and her fiancé produced and directed it all on their own and with exclusive intel we were able to get the scoop on Orrantia’s newest single “Gasoline.” This song has not even come out yet and today viewers got a sneak peak at what is to come from the song about a toxic relationship.
The single “Open Your Mouth” is out now and “Gasoline” drops on August 12.
“The Goldberg’s” return for season 10 on ABC this September.
This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on July 20 2022. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/hayley-orrantia-on-her-thriving-career-and-the-release-of-her-latest-singles-open-your-mouth-and-gasoline/ | 2022-07-20T19:26:47Z |
Covalent completes installation of a new, cutting-edge JEOL JEM-F200 microscope with a cold-field-emission gun (CFEG) source and a Gatan Imaging Filter for EELS and EFTEM.
SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Covalent Metrology, a leading North-American analytical services provider, announced today that it has significantly expanded its capacity and capabilities for (Scanning) Transmission Electron Microscopy (S/TEM). The JEM-F200 S/TEM from JEOL, a leading manufacturer of analytical instruments based in Japan, streamlines analysis and permits more flexible sample types, including beam-sensitive and magnetic materials. Clients working with semiconductors, batteries, nanomaterials, and more will benefit from atomic-scale imaging and EDS mapping, along with new energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM) and high-resolution EELS services that can help to design, optimize, and accelerate manufacturing processes.
The CFEG and advanced optics in the tool provide exceptional beam stability and performance. High spatial resolution, high current, and narrow energy spread on the tool produce atomic-scale resolution for both imaging and spectroscopic analysis.
The narrow energy spread additionally facilitates high energy resolution (0.3 eV) for EELS and EFTEM on the equipped Gatan GIF Continuum ER system. EELS enables elemental composition mapping, low-loss and plasmon resonance analysis, and fine-structure/oxidation state determination for nanoelectronic materials. EFTEM provides significant benefits for analyzing light-element materials, allowing Covalent to address many common challenges in battery and memory devices.
The JEM-F200 also substantially improves Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX/EDS), with paired detectors working simultaneously to accelerate collection times. Rapid spectroscopic analysis and high current from the CFEG preserve high spatial resolution at low-dose conditions (below 2 Angstroms at 80kV) for beam-sensitive materials, such as those used in photovoltaics.
"Covalent is thrilled to enhance our S/TEM microanalysis capabilities and to better serve clients in advanced research communities, which demand atomic resolution for complex device structures, light element analysis, and nanoscale defects," says Dr. Yihung Lin, Vice President and Head of Analytical Services at Covalent Metrology. "Bringing EELS in-house and expanding our TEM capacity will reduce turnaround time and expand our solutions for clients working with semiconductors, batteries, or nanomaterials."
The JEM-F200 installation marks another step forward in Covalent's partnership with JEOL. Covalent has already installed the JCM-IT800HL high-resolution SEM, a JCM-7000 benchtop SEM, and an IB-19520CCP ion-mill cross-section polisher in its Silicon Valley lab.
Bob Pohorenec, President of JEOL USA, noted, "The installation of the JEM-F200 in our joint demo facility with Covalent positions JEOL to better showcase the breakthrough capabilities of the tool throughout the West Coast of North America. This location and the unique applications development at Covalent allow us to demonstrate the microscope's potency in a variety of industries based in the Silicon Valley and beyond."
About Covalent Metrology
Covalent Metrology is a disruptive analytical services laboratory and platform based in Sunnyvale, California. Its mission is to help companies accelerate product development with deeper insights and better analytical data. Covalent offers comprehensive solutions and services that integrate state-of-the-art lab infrastructure, world-class experts in a wide array of analytical techniques, and modern data management and analysis.
About JEOL USA
JEOL is a world leader in electron optical equipment and instrumentation for high-end scientific and industrial research and development. Core product groups include electron microscopes (SEMs and TEMs), instruments for the semiconductor industry (electron beam lithography and a series of defect review and inspection tools), and analytical instruments, including mass spectrometers, NMRs and ESRs.
JEOL USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of JEOL, Ltd., Japan, was incorporated in the United States in 1962. The company has 13 regional service centers that offer unlimited emergency service and support in the U.S.
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SOURCE Covalent Metrology | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/covalent-metrology-installs-new-cfeg-tem-equipped-high-resolution-eels-eftem/ | 2022-06-21T09:17:21Z |
Which Leica binoculars are best?
For centuries, explorers, hunters and pirates have all looked through a steel tube with lenses, mirrors and knobs to bring objects closer. But while their contraptions better resemble telescopes, they nonetheless paved the way for the modern binoculars we know today.
It wasn’t until the 1850s that technology improved on the initial idea when Italian optician Ignazio Porro patented his image erecting system design. The Porro prism binoculars were eventually refined by the Zeiss company, which still makes optics today.
But one of the best-known companies to manufacture optical devices is Leica. Since 1869, the German maker has produced lenses for everything from microscopes to camera accessories, which naturally includes its own line of binoculars. If you don’t want to miss anything, then the Leica Noctivid 10×42 Robust Waterproof Nitrogen-Filled Binoculars are an excellent choice.
What to know before you buy Leica binoculars
Magnification
On any set of binoculars, you’ll see a series of numbers. This can seem nonsensical if you don’t understand what it represents, but the numbers refer to magnification and focal length. Depending on what you want to look at, a higher magnification is best. The most common Leica binoculars are 8-times and 10-times magnification. This means that an object is eight times larger than viewed with the naked eye.
Focal length
The numbers indicating the focal length measure how wide the lens is. The larger the number, the wider the front lens will be. This lets in more light, so you’ll have a brighter image. When you combine the magnification with the focal length, it indicates how large and clear the object will be. For example, binoculars with a rating of 8 x 42 make objects appear eight times closer, and the lens diameter is 42 millimeters.
They aren’t cheap
There is usually a lot of debating, going over financials and working out the next five years’ budget when deciding to buy Leica binoculars. It’s no secret that they are not the cheapest available, but many can justify the retail price when compared to their longevity and components. Leica uses Schott optical glass and phase-corrected roof prisms with HighLux System mirror coating, making them some of the best binoculars in the world.
What to look for in quality Leica binoculars
Comfortable weight and size
After you’ve settled on the right magnification versus focal length, consider the weight and size of your chosen binoculars. Unfortunately, the weight is often directly linked to the magnification and lens diameter, but there are tripods or monopods to help you prop them up. But with that said, any binoculars should be light enough that they can be held comfortably and don’t put excessive strain on your arms.
Field of view
The farther something is, the more magnification you’ll need to see it. But that comes at the price of your available field of view, or FoV. To get up close, you’ll have a narrow FoV, where binoculars with a lower magnification let you see a broader image. It’s a delicate balance between seeing objects clearly or being able to spot the most intricate details from 1,000 yards away.
Twilight factor
You don’t want to be restricted to the sun’s position when looking for birds or wildlife. That’s why a pair of good-quality Leica binoculars have a high twilight factor. Simply put, the higher the number, the better you can view objects in low-light conditions. Twilight is often the best time to head out into the woods, so you must ensure that your equipment can cope too. Another option is to look for binoculars that have built-in night vision.
How much you can expect to spend on Leica binoculars
Leica binoculars are expensive when compared to other models, but that’s not to say some won’t fit into your budget. An entry-level pair of Leica binoculars with good magnification costs $500-$800. However, professional bird-watching binoculars with a large field of view cost $1,500-$3,000.
Leica binoculars FAQ
What’s the difference between a telescope and binoculars?
A. While both devices bring faraway objects much closer, the key is in the name. Binoculars refer to the viewer using both eyes to see an object, as it essentially uses two small refracting telescopes mounted side-by-side.
Does an anti-reflective coating help?
A. When viewing through binoculars, some light that enters the chambers will bounce around and scatter. This causes some light loss that can affect the clarity. An anti-reflective coating prevents this loss and lets more light travel through to the prisms.
What are the best Leica binoculars to buy?
Top Leica binoculars
Leica Noctivid 10×42 Robust Waterproof Nitrogen-Filled Binocular
What you need to know: One of the best binoculars Leica has to offer, this pair has 10-times magnification with a 42-millimeter lens diameter and 19-millimeter eye relief.
What you’ll love: As with most Leica models, this pair uses Schott glass for the prisms with an anti-reflective coating. Through complex internal mechanics, the binoculars focus incredibly fast with a clear image.
What you should consider: The binoculars weigh just over 3 pounds, so they are a bit on the hefty side.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top Leica binoculars for the money
Leica Ultravid BR 10×25 Robust Waterproof Compact Binocular
What you need to know: Small enough to carry around your neck with ease, these binoculars use a unique single-knob diopter for focus correction.
What you’ll love: With 10-times magnification and a focal length of 25 millimeters, these binoculars are perfect for casual birdwatching. The prisms suppress stray light, minimizing glare off reflective surfaces.
What you should consider: Even at the affordable end for Leica binoculars, this might still be a bit pricy for most.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Leica Geovid Robust Waterproof Nitrogen-Filled Range Finding Binocular
What you need to know: Perfect for spotting wildlife and calculating their distance, these binoculars have 10-times magnification with a lens diameter of 42 millimeters.
What you’ll love: When peering through the eye reliefs, the range-finding LED display adjusts automatically to the ambient light. The gadget is certified to be accurate up to 1,200 yards and has a built-in horizontal range for projectile arcs when hunting.
What you should consider: It is waterproof up to a depth of 16.5 feet.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://cw33.com/reviews/br/camping-outdoors-br/gear-br/best-leica-binoculars/ | 2022-07-07T17:33:45Z |
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Dozens of people were stuck for hours on top of the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, New Mexico, after taking the tramway to the peak Sunday night.
Roxanne Scheuer was one of the passengers stuck through the early hours of the morning. After only 10 minutes of exploring the top of the mountain, lightning forced her to run inside for safety.
“It’s terrifying. It’s terrifying to feel like your options of getting down are so minimal,” said Scheuer.
A thunderstorm led to a power outage in the northeast heights region of Albuquerque, knocking out power to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway and leaving 210 people, including visitors and employees, stuck at the top where the weather was colder.
“Got to the top and immediately, right off the bat, [an employee] starts yelling ‘lighting’ and starts telling us to get indoors for your safety,” said Scheuer.
Scheuer, who went up with her family at around 6 p.m., said the lightning worsened and she was stuck at the top for over seven hours. The tram cars weren’t able to go up or down.
Scheuer said shuttle buses started to bring people back down to the city after about four hours, but she took the tramway back down once it was up and running again. She described it as a very scary 45-minute ride.
“It was kind of terrifying. We were just praying that ‘I hope it doesn’t stop,'” said Scheuer.
Many passengers weren’t prepared for the colder weather. Most didn’t have blankets or jackets with them.
“Every time a lightning struck and you heard it, people would get scared and gasp or feel terrified, like what’s next?” said Scheuer.
She said she thinks the company could improve on how they deal with these situations, including with better employee training.
“I just feel like if they were better equipped, whether it meant they had snacks in the emergency … or blankets like I had mentioned before or any number of those things to keep people better situated in that event. I feel like it could have gone a little bit better,” said Scheuer.
The general manager of Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway told KRQE that circumstances were out of their control, and the company did all it could to make sure guests were out of harm’s way while working with the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM).
According to PNM, the power outage in the northeast heights was caused by lightning damage to a power pole.
Sandia Peak did not offer the passengers refunds. | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/over-200-stranded-on-top-of-new-mexico-mountains-after-storm-cuts-power-to-tram/ | 2022-08-09T21:57:34Z |
CEDARHURST, N.Y., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The securities litigation law firm of Kuznicki Law PLLC issues this alert to shareholders of Pegasystems Inc. (NasdaqGS: PEGA), if they purchased the Company's shares between May 29, 2020 and May 9, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Shareholders have until July 18, 2022 to file lead plaintiff applications in the securities class action lawsuit.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact us at https://kclasslaw.com/cases/securities/nasdaqgs-pega/https://kclasslaw.com/cases/securities/nyse-hmlp/, by calling toll-free at 1-833-835-1495 or by email (dk@kclasslaw.com).
Kuznicki Law PLLC is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a Company lead to artificial inflation of the Company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Kuznicki Law PLLC
Daniel Kuznicki, Esq.
445 Central Avenue, Suite 344
Cedarhurst, NY 11516
Email: dk@kclasslaw.com
Phone: (347) 696-1134
Cell: (347) 690-0692
Fax: (347) 348-0967
https://kclasslaw.com
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SOURCE Kuznicki Law PLLC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/16/filing-deadline-kuznicki-law-pllc-announces-class-action-behalf-shareholders-pegasystems-inc-pega/ | 2022-06-16T03:28:57Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East Division last year behind a heck-of-a regular season before losing to the talented San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round. Now, the offseason is in full swing as training camp is alive and well for teams across the league.
America’s Team wants its fans to mark their calendars in order to know when it’s time to join the team for its offseason festivities as it’s set to host them during practices at The Star in Frisco.
The team tweeted, “Mark your calendars for Training Camp presented by @AmericanAir at @thestarinfrisco! Join us for back-to-back nights of #CowboysCamp, Opening Ceremony, DCC performances & more!”
From August 23-24 for free at the Ford Center, you’ll be able to attend open practices on back-to-back nights in the heart of Frisco. Here’s what you need to know:
August 23
- Festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. on Tostitos Championship Plaza with a performance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, live DJ and Host, Rowdy, interactive games, giveaways and more on Tostitos Championship Plaza.
- Doors to Ford Center will be open to the public starting at 4:45 p.m.
- The opening ceremony will take place at 5:15 p.m. which will include a performance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and remarks from Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones before the 6:00 p.m. open practice session.
- Cowboys Night will be broadcast live from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on TXA 21
August 24
- Open practice begins at 6 p.m. | https://cw33.com/news/local/dallas-cowboys-to-host-fans-at-the-star-for-training-camp-practices-in-late-august/ | 2022-08-08T20:09:51Z |
The company announces initial investment of $6 million with an additional estimated $8 million expected over 5 years
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Conterra Ultra Broadband Holdings, Inc. ("Conterra Networks") today announced its continued investment in fiber network growth across Rapides Parish with its initial investment of $6 million and an additional estimated $8 million expected over 5 years.
Conterra designs and builds its 100% fiber network with symmetrical service, speeds of up to 10 Gbps, and 99.99% network reliability. The local team manages the all-fiber network, which is now available to approximately 3,646 Rapides Parish businesses and growing.
"We're committed to enabling limitless communications opportunities throughout Rapides Parish, providing ultra-high-capacity broadband networks to local businesses," said Craig Gunderson, President and CEO of Conterra Networks. "Our teams live and work in Rapides Parish, so we believe in investing in the community and allowing businesses to succeed through access to our innovative fiber network, custom solutions, and local customer support."
Conterra Networks is expanding and investing in communities in Louisiana, including Iberia Parish, Vermilion Parish, St. Landry Parish, Ouachita Parish, Calcasieu Parish, Bossier Parish, and Natchitoches Parish.
The expansion is part of the company's growing network infrastructure across the United States. To date, Conterra Networks has 13,250 fiber miles, 2,700 schools served, and over 7,500 on-net locations.
To learn more about Conterra Networks and the expansion efforts in Louisiana, visit www.conterra.com.
Founded in 2001, and now operating 13,250 fiber miles, Conterra Networks is one of the largest remaining independent broadband infrastructure companies in the United States based on its optical fiber and fixed wireless network assets and annual recurring revenues. The company is owned by affiliates of APG and Fiera, along with significant participation by the company's senior management team. For more information about Conterra Networks, please visit www.conterra.com.
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SOURCE CONTERRA ULTRA BROADBAND, LLC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/conterra-networks-continues-invest-fiber-network-growth-across-rapides-parish/ | 2022-08-26T19:23:56Z |
Gas prices in the Temple area have topped $4 a gallon as prices continue to rise.
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Temple is $4.11 this week, according to AAA Texas. That price is up drastically from the $2.69 per gallon cost a year ago.
The cheapest gas price recorded in Temple on Monday was $3.98 per gallon. That price for regular unleaded gas was seen at Sam’s Club, 1414 Marlandwood Road in Temple, as well as at Triangle Drive-In, 2701 S. General Bruce Drive.
The 7-Eleven stores at 4110 S. 31st St. and 3805 S. General Bruce in Temple had the second-lowest price at $3.99 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.
In Belton, the cheapest gas prices were recorded at the Shell station at 921 E. Sixth Ave. at $4.09, the same price also seen at the Cefco station at 912 E. Central Ave, GasBuddy.com showed.
The cheapest gas price in Killeen was $4.19, recorded at the Exxon station at 907 N. Gray St.
AAA said the national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.48, citing the increase due to the high cost of crude oil, which is hovering near $110 a barrel.
“The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers,” Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, said in a news release. “Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no effect this year.”
Customers in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Washington are seeing the highest gas prices in the country.
The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in California is $5.98 a gallon while Hawaii is at $5.31 a gallon. Nevada motorists are seeing an average of $5.17 a gallon with Washington at $5.03 a gallon. Oregon rounds out the top five with an average of $4.99 per gallon. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/business/article_372a8d14-d56b-11ec-ab66-db52820eae47.html | 2022-05-16T23:37:52Z |
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s longtime parliament speaker who has held the post for 30 years, was reelected Tuesday for a seventh four-year term with the minimum number of votes needed and despite multiple crises plaguing the nation.
Still, the slim majority in favor of Nabih Berri was a reflection of a significant shift in public opinion in the crumbling economy on the verge of bankruptcy. His reelection was practically guaranteed — even though more than a dozen new lawmakers won seats running on a reform platform.
The new legislature is being ushered in as Lebanon remains in the grip of the worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history, rooted in decades of corruption and mismanagement by the ruling class, which has been running the country since the end of the 1975-90 civil war.
To most Lebanese, Berri, an 84-year-old former warlord, is a symbol of this entrenched sectarian-based political system and ruling class, which continues to hold despite rising discontent and the newly elected, reform-minded lawmakers.
As leader of the Shiite Amal movement, which is closely allied with the militant Hezbollah group, Berri is virtually untouchable – always running uncontested. The two parties hold all 27 seats allotted to Shiites in parliament under Lebanon’s power-sharing system.
In a reflection of the divisions and polarization in the new assembly, Tuesday’s session was characterized by tense back-and-forth shouting and arguing between Berri and indignant lawmakers.
The May 15 election was the first since Lebanon’s economic crisis began in late 2019 with nationwide mass protests against the political class. Since then, the Lebanese currency has collapsed, banks have clamped down on depositors’ money and the country’s foreign currency reserves have dwindled to barely enough to purchase essentials such as fuel and medicine amid severe shortages.
The new parliament is deeply divided with no coalition holding a majority. Hezbollah and its allies lost the dominance they had held since 2018, and now hold 61 seats — four short of an absolute majority in the 128-seat chamber.
Berri was elected with 65 votes in favor — the lowest number he has ever received over the past three decades. There were 23 blank ballots and 40 were annulled. In 2000, Berri received 124 votes in the assembly and in 2018, he got 98.
“My hand is extended to everyone who wants to cooperate with good faith to save Lebanon,” Berri said as celebratory gunfire by his supporters rang out across parts of Beirut. He had issued a statement on Monday calling on his supporters to abstain from the traditional firing in the air.
“Mr. Speaker, shooting is ongoing outside,” quipped legislator Sammy Gemayel, interrupting Berri as he spoke. Berri responded: “I issued a statement, what can I do?
The 13 independent candidates, drawn from the 2019 protest movement, and some of the Christian parties in parliament had said they would not vote for Berri, leaving him with a much slimmer margin of support, mainly from Shiite parties belonging to the Hezbollah-led coalition. The powerful Berri was the only candidate for the post of speaker, which under Lebanon’s power-sharing agreement is held by a Shiite.
Ahead of the session, some of the independents and new legislators gathered outside Beirut’s port — the scene of a massive explosion in August 2020 that killed more than 200 people — and met with families of the victims who perished in the blast. After the meeting, they walked to Parliament, surrounded by hundreds of supporters chanting “revolution.”
Independent legislator Mark Daou, a newcomer, entered the parliament building carrying a large poster with photographs of those killed in the blast. Two of the politicians charged in connection with the blast are members of Berri’s parliamentary bloc. They have legally challenged the investigative judge’s order and were present in the assembly Tuesday after being reelected on May 15.
“This is a moment of change in Lebanon. There is a new political group that represents a big part of Lebanese society that has taken a sizable bloc in parliament and will change the dynamics that we’ve had and that destroyed the country since the Civil War,” he told The Associated Press ahead of the session.
The investigation into the port explosion, when hundreds of tons of improperly stored ammonium nitrate detonated, has been stalled for months amid legal challenges by officials charged by the investigative judge.
“Beirut has the right to know who killed her,” said independent legislator Yassin Yassin, in a reference to the bungled probe.
Reflecting the divisions in parliament, many of the annulled ballots Tuesday had slogans written on them such as “justice for the victims of the port blast” and “justice for Lokman Slim,” an anti-Hezbollah Shiite political activist who was found shot in his car last year.
The presence of the independent lawmakers in the legislature is a major achievement — they went into the vote fragmented and faced intimidation and threats by entrenched mainstream parties.
It sent a strong message to politicians who have for decades held on to their seats and continue to do so despite the economic meltdown, which has impoverished Lebanon and triggered the biggest wave of emigration since the 1975-90 civil war. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/lebanons-new-parliament-narrowly-elects-longtime-speaker/ | 2022-06-01T02:00:52Z |
BELTON — A new partnership between Bell County and United Way of Central Texas aims to help those affected by the Cedar Valley tornado.
The Commissioners Court unanimously approved the agreement at their meeting Monday. The agreement will allow Temple-based United Way of Central Texas to accept checks for the benefit of the Salado tornado disaster fund.
The non-profit will hold the funds collected until the county can decide on how to distribute the money, which the group will also help with.
Commissioner Bobby Whitson said this process will give some peace of mind to those interested in helping, but are concerned about possible scams.
“The intent of this also is to allow those different entities, who are rightfully so are trying to collect money to help those involved with the storms, to have the avenue of sending that money to United Way so they can be controlled through the county and be dispersed appropriately,” Whitson said. “But again, that doesn’t mean that somebody can’t start a GoFundMe anytime they want.”
County officials said the partnership between the two entities was something suggested by the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
Bell County Judge David Blackburn said the county still needs to decide who will be eligible to receive the funds and how they will be given out.
To decide who would receive the funds, Blackburn suggested the creation of a special board to screen each request. He initially suggested that Commissioner Whitson, who represents the Salado area, Emergency Management Director Bob Reinhard and County Auditor Tina Entrop be on the board.
County officials did suggest focusing aid on those residents directly affected by the tornado.
Blackburn said the county could look at keeping a similar agreement to this one in place moving forward, to make it easier if another disaster hits.
“I would like a sustaining agreement set up so that going forward, from the moment of a disaster or a declaration … we’ve got a way to funnel monetary donations or a place to fund those to,” Blackburn said. “I think that would have been one of the beneficial things to have at the beginning of the effort.”
County officials said a method to donate has not been set up yet, but an announcement would be sent out once it is.
Tornado tax relief
At the Commissioners workshop meeting, Billy White, chief appraiser for the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County, spoke about the district’s work to help those affected by the tornado.
Due to both state and county disaster declarations regarding the tornado, the district started accepting applications for property tax relief. The applications only apply to those whose homes received at least 15% of their value in damages from the tornado.
White said the district has so far only received 15 applications for the tax exemption, but anticipates more in the coming weeks.
Officials said residents with homes or structures affected by the tornado only have until July 27 to apply, with proof of damages able to be added afterwards.
White said the district will take steps to make sure those who deserve the tax breaks know about them and have the opportunity to apply.
“Our plan is to, after we get them all in, start targeting mail to the people who haven’t applied and we think should be applying,” White said. “I have the list of properties the judge gave me. We will try to investigate those that do qualify that did not apply.”
Whitson thanked White for his efforts in helping residents receive the tax breaks that they deserve, so they don’t have to pay more taxes than they legally have to pay. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/central_texas_news/article_6a9f5ca2-c5b6-11ec-9016-ff6bafbf11ed.html | 2022-04-27T02:27:46Z |
Biden, Obama mark 12 years under Obama’s health care law
WASHINGTON (AP) — With hugs, laughs and good-natured ribbing, Barack Obama on Tuesday returned to the White House for the first time in more than five years to savor the 12th anniversary of his signature health care law and give a boost to President Joe Biden’s efforts to expand it.
The Affordable Care Act has survived repeated repeal attempts by Republicans.
Biden, who was Obama’s No. 2 when “Obamacare” became law in March 2010, wants to extend the law’s reach to even more than the current millions. He gave all the credit for the original law to the former president.
“It’s because of you,” Biden said after good-naturedly introducing himself as Obama’s vice president. Biden said the law “shows hope leads to change,” a play on Obama’s “hope and change” campaign slogan.
Obama was last at the White House on Jan. 20, 2017, when he left to escort Donald Trump, the successor bent on overturning the law, to the Capitol to be inaugurated. He spent more than four hours Wednesday meeting with Biden and greeting White House staff in what was hoped would be a morale boost for the administration.
“It’s good to be back in the White House. It’s been awhile,” he said after Vice President Kamala Harris introduced him in the East Room. Obama opened by referring to Biden as “vice president” before acknowledging that was a “set up” joke and embracing his former No. 2.
Obama said he and Biden accomplished “a lot” in their eight years but “nothing made me prouder than providing better health care and more protections to millions of people across this country.”
“The ACA was an example of why you run for office in the first place,” Obama said, calling it the “high point of my time here.”
Biden called the Affordable Care Act the most consequential legislation since Medicare and Medicaid were created in 1965, and insisted it must be expanded to more people.
“We can do this. We should do this. We have to do this,” Biden said. He said the law has been called a lot of things, “but Obamacare is the most fitting.”
Biden and Obama marked the 12th anniversary of the law, which back in 2010 the then-vice president had memorably whispered to Obama was a “big (expletive) deal” -- words captured on an open microphone.
At Tuesday’s event, Biden signed an executive order directing federal agencies to look for ways to continue to expand the availability and quality of affordable health care. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to close a “family glitch” in implementation of the 2010 law that his administration believes will help 200,000 more people gain affordable coverage.
Before signing the order, Biden jokingly warned Obama, “Let me remind you, it’s a hot mic.”
Obama warmed up the crowd with a few deadpan jokes about how things around the White House had changed under Biden, leaning into the current occupant’s affinity for sunglasses and ice cream and his taste in pets.
He quipped that Secret Service agents now have to wear aviator sunglasses, the White House mess has been replaced by a Baskin-Robbins and “there’s a cat running around.”
“I guarantee you Bo and Sunny would have been very unhappy about it,” Obama added, referencing the his family’s dogs.
As for “Obamacare,” the law’s staying power has been enhanced by three Supreme Court victories and the late Sen. John McCain’s emphatic thumbs-down vote that took the wind out of then-President Trump’s efforts to repeal and replace it.
The law was such a bugaboo in 2010 that Democrats rarely invoked it as they went into a midterm election that turned out to be, in Obama’s own words, a “shellacking.” Now, Democrats are hoping the political equation will work to their advantage, and that a focus on shoring up the law can help them avoid a debacle at the polls this November.
Harris, in her remarks, called on Congress to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and to make permanent subsidies for the Affordable Care Act that were included in Biden’s pandemic relief bill. Harris also called out 12 states that have not expanded eligibility for Medicaid.
Obama referred to the health care law as a “starter home” that Americans can build upon, gradually reducing the 9% share of the population that remains uninsured. The rate was nearly 15% in 2013, before the coverage provisions of the law took effect. Between the health law’s Medicaid expansion and its health insurance markets, more than 30 million people are now estimated to be getting coverage.
Biden opened up the health insurance markets to anyone seeking coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his coronavirus relief bill provided a significant, though temporary, increase in financial assistance. The result was a record 14.5 million people signing up for subsidized private coverage.
People tripped up by the “family glitch” are dependents of workers who have an offer of employer coverage that the government interprets as being affordable. As a rule, people with affordable employer coverage are not eligible for taxpayer-subsidized ACA plans.
But the issue with the current interpretation is that affordability is determined by the cost for employee-only coverage, and not more expensive family policies. Workers able to afford their own share may not be able to cover premiums for the entire family. So the family is cut out of ACA coverage.
A Biden administration regulation addressing the issue recently cleared White House review. The intent of the original policy was to prevent people with employer coverage from going into the health law’s subsidized markets, but advocates say it has proven too restrictive.
There are more fundamental issues for the two presidents to consider as well, both policy-wise and politically.
Unless Democrats in Congress finally coalesce around a version of Biden’s social legislation, his enhanced financial assistance for millions purchasing ACA plans will expire at the end of this year. A return to higher premiums would likely trigger an increase in the number of uninsured people, a problem for them and a political embarrassment for Democrats committed to expanding coverage.
The Biden legislation, which passed the House but sputtered in the Senate, also includes a mechanism for providing coverage to as many as 4 million uninsured low-income adults in states that have refused the health law’s Medicaid expansion. It would deliver on Biden’s campaign promise to build on existing government programs to move the U.S. closer to coverage for all.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/05/biden-obama-white-house-reunion-celebrate-health-law/ | 2022-04-06T05:55:32Z |
‘I feel he is a hero’: Dedicated donor Pete Clouthier reaches milestone
By Natalie Shepherd
Click here for updates on this story
KENOSHA, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Pete Clouthier can help save a life in less than two hours, and it’s something he’s been doing since the 1980s. He has donated platelets more than 400 times, which puts him on a very short list of donors in Wisconsin.
“I’m ready,” Clouthier said as he made his way into the Versiti Blood Center in Kenosha.
After all these years, Clouthier knows the drill. About twice a month, he visits the blood center to give a life-saving gift.
“See? Nice and easy,” he said, as a staff member gets the donation going.
He’s done it so many times, he has scar tissue built up in his arm.
“Hilda’s been stabbing me for years,” he said with a laugh. “If I have my druthers I always use my left.”
Each time, Clouthier donates platelets, and he’s donated a lot.
“They tell me 410,” he said about the number of times. “I started back in the late ’80s.”
The machine takes Clouthier’s blood and separates out the platelets before returning the blood to his body. With an A-positive blood type, his donation is often matched ahead of time, so he has an idea of where his platelets are going. On this day, he said they’ll be given to a woman in Waukesha.
“This is part of her chemotherapy, and you never know what happens to them,” he said of the patient.
That small connection, though, is one of the many things that keeps him going.
“Oh, I like that,” he said. “You know, they don’t give you much information. They say these are going up to Froedtert, or St. Luke’s or whatever.”
Clouthier’s efforts have gotten noticed.
“We treasure all of our donors, but we consider Pete a superhero,” said Chris Miskel.
Miskel is Versiti’s president and CEO, and a platelet donor himself.
“So as the leader of the organization, I wanted to lead from the front, and there aren’t many things that you can do that with two hours you can save a life,” Miskel said.
Miskel has got a ways to go to catch up to Pete, but he has donated platelets more than 70 times himself. Miskel explained why platelets are so needed.
“Platelets are really used for clotting. So, if you think about a patient that’s a burn victim, a premature baby, maybe someone with cancer, platelets can help jump start the immune system,” he said.
It’s an important resource that only lasts outside of the body for five days.
“The need is great. Donation is an easy way to help the community,” Miskel said.
Clouthier got his start donating platelets by registering to be a bone marrow donor. Instead, though, he got a different call.
“This guy says, ‘we have a 3-year-old girl who needs platelets. Can you come?’ And ‘you’re a match,'” Cloutier remembered. “I’ve been going up ever since. The rest is history.”
Clouthier’s contribution was celebrated last fall when he hit 400 donations.
“I still have the balloons. The one is pretty flat, but the 400 is still pretty good,” Pete’s wife, Kathleen Clouthier, said with a laugh.
The couple has been married 48 years.
“I feel he is a hero. That he donates these platelets, if he can, every couple of weeks,” she said.
She’s not surprised he’s kept it up all these years.,
“Knowing him, yeah. He’s a giving sort of person,” she said.
To give you an idea how many platelets are in 410 donations, Versiti said it is more than 50 gallons worth. Clouthier has also donated bone marrow to a cousin, and he’s gotten other family members involved in donating, too.
“I mean, I got my brother donating platelets out in the Seattle area, my brother-in-law up in Rhinelander,” he said.
Less than two hours after his donation started, Clouthier was wiggling his fingers to get the feeling back. A little tired, and ready for a nap, but his good deed done for the day.
“It’s something worth doing,” he said. “You get a very good feeling when you do it, and you quite literally save lives.”
Versiti said the summer months are always a time of high demand for donations.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/29/i-feel-he-is-a-hero-dedicated-donor-pete-clouthier-reaches-milestone/ | 2022-05-29T16:37:28Z |
HOUSTON, May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL), the global leader in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, today announced it will release financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2022 after market close on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. In connection with the release, Bristow has scheduled a conference call for Wednesday, June 1, 2022, to begin at 10 a.m. ET (9 a.m. CT).
Investors may participate in the call by dialing 800-289-0571 for domestic or +1 856-344-9290 for international, at least 10 minutes before the call, using the access code 3580940. A telephone replay will be available through June 10, 2022, by dialing 888-203-1112 and utilizing the access code above. The accompanying investor presentation will be available on June 1, 2022, on the investor section of Bristow's website at www.bristowgroup.com.
Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent energy companies. Bristow provides commercial search and rescue (SAR) services in several countries and public sector SAR services in the United Kingdom (U.K.) on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Additionally, the Company also offers fixed wing transportation and other aviation related solutions. Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, Guyana, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the U.K. and the U.S. To learn more, visit our website at www.bristowgroup.com.
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SOURCE Bristow Group | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/bristow-group-announces-fourth-quarter-full-fiscal-year-2022-earnings-release-call/ | 2022-05-27T13:39:58Z |
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the Commitment with America, U.S. House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), House Select Committee on Climate GOP Leader Garret Graves (R-LA), and others from their Energy, Climate, and Conservation (ECC) Task Force rolled out a six-part plan to tackle the ongoing energy crisis and the global climate challenge.
"Conservatives have real solutions to solve the climate challenge and make energy more affordable," said ClearPath Action CEO Rich Powell. "Here's a comprehensive plan that works –- it reduces carbon emissions, creates jobs, eliminates dependence on foreign adversaries resources, and will be well-received in every single Congressional district in America according to our research."
The Republican plan includes the following policy pillars:
- Unlock American Resources
- Let America Build
- American Innovation
- Beat China and Russia
- Conservation with a Purpose
- Build Resilient Communities
ECC Task Force Member Yvette Herrell (R-NM) hosted an event in Hobbs, New Mexico this week to launch "Unlock American Resources" by highlighting innovative technologies and clean energy solutions producers are deploying in the Permian Basin. Also participating in the event were ECC Task Force Lead Graves, ECC Task Force Member Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA).
In conjunction with the Republican energy, climate and conservation plan roll-out, ClearPath Action launched an online resource, clearpathaction.org, going deeper on policy solutions, a menu of existing legislation, public opinion polling, and news.
"Conservatives are pulling up a seat at the table to solve the climate challenge with real solutions. These ideas unleash the power of entrepreneurship and free markets," said Powell.
The site features a video narrated by Greg Walden, former Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and current ClearPath Advisory Board member. "The climate is changing, and global industrial activity is contributing. We hear that from the oil and gas industry, power companies, and our friends in agriculture. Everyone is clear: it's time to talk about solutions."
Walden added, "The GOP plan contrasts sharply with the failed liberal policies of the past, such as the Green New Deal. House Republicans are making a clear distinction that they will lead on mitigating the global climate challenge with plans that will stabilize our economy and make energy more affordable. They know America must beat China and Russia, and regain our place as the global energy leader."
ClearPath Action has conducted extensive research on these policy priorities and how voters react to them. Public opinion polling with nationwide voters and in-depth focus groups from research institutions including Echelon Insights, Engagious, Public Opinion Strategies, Cygnal, North Star Opinion, and Frank Luntz have led to key insights.
"Our research shows that 84 percent of Americans think clean energy is an issue that Republicans in Congress should care about, but only 44 percent believe they do," said Kristen Soltis Anderson, Founding Partner of Echelon Insights, an opinion research and analytics firm. "There is clearly an appetite for Republicans to get out and talk to voters about their energy and climate solutions."
Members of the Energy, Climate and Conservation Task Force announced last summer include:
- Garret Graves (LA-06), chairman
- Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)
- Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)
- John Curtis (UT-03)
- Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
- David McKinley (WV-01)
- Dusty Johnson (SD)
- Randy Feenstra (IA-04)
- Blake Moore (UT-01)
- Pete Stauber (MN-08)
- Yvette Herrell (NM-02)
- Brian Mast (FL-18)
- Michael Burgess (TX-26)
- Glenn Thompson (PA-15)
- Stephanie Bice (OK-05)
- August Pfluger (TX-11)
- David Valadao (CA-21)
About ClearPath Action
ClearPath Action 501(c)(4) advocates for more clean energy innovation, modernized permitting and regulatory reform, America's global competitiveness for manufacturing, and unlocking more American resources — solutions drawn from our friends at ClearPath.
Media Contact:
Luke Bolar
(202) 355-3677
bolar@clearpathaction.org
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SOURCE ClearPath Action | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/02/house-republicans-launch-6-part-energy-climate-amp-conservation-policy-platform/ | 2022-06-02T12:52:25Z |
COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP) — In the three months since Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three of his congregants were held at gunpoint in their Texas synagogue, new carpet has been laid in the sanctuary, the walls have been repainted, the entry retiled and new doors installed. He said it has been healing to watch.
“Each time I came back in, I got to see us moving forward,” Cytron-Walker said.
Congregation Beth Israel in the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville will be rededicated on Friday, and members will celebrate Shabbat in their own building for the first time since the attack.
After the 10-hour standoff on Jan. 15 ended with the escape of the remaining hostages and an FBI tactical team rushing in and killing the gunman, the synagogue was left with broken doors and windows, bullet holes and shattered glass.
Anna Salton Eisen, a founder of the synagogue, said the scene reminded her of abandoned synagogues in Poland still marked with bullets from World War II that she saw while visiting that country in 1998 with her parents — both Holocaust survivors.
“I was standing in my synagogue this time and it was just empty and silent and it showed the marks of the violence that had occurred,” Eisen said.
Eisen said the return will help the healing process.
“We are not defeated and we are not going to live in fear,” she said.
Leaders of the congregation made up of about 160 families said that as they return after holding services at a Methodist church during the repairs, they’ve been struck by the outpouring of love and support they’ve received. They also want to focus on fighting antisemitism, which led the gunman to their synagogue.
“It’s my hope and my prayer that there’s greater awareness about how damaging hate can be,” said Cytron-Walker, who starts a new job in July at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
He was preparing for a morning service on Jan. 15 at when a stranger came to the synagogue’s door. Cytron-Walker welcomed the man who said he’d spent the winter night outside, chatting with him and making him tea.
Then, as Cytron-Walker and three of his congregants prayed — and others watched online — a click from a gun could be heard. During the standoff, British national Malik Faisal Akramdemanded the release of a Pakistani woman serving a lengthy prison sentencein nearby Fort Worth after being convicted of trying to kill U.S. troops.
The hostages have said Akram cited antisemitic stereotypes, believing that Jews wield the kind of power that could get the woman released.
One hostage, 85-year-old Lawrence Schwartz was released after about six hours. At about 9 p.m., the remaining hostages made their escape as Cytron-Walker threw a chair at Akram and the hostages ran out a side door.
Cytron-Walker has credited past security training for getting them out safely, including training he received from the Secure Community Network, founded in 2004 by Jewish organizations.
The hostage-taking in Texas came just over three years after America’s deadliest antisemitic attack, when a gunman killed 11 worshippers from three congregations meeting at Pittsburg’s Tree of Life synagogue.
“We believe the training is absolutely critical,” said Michael Masters, Secure Community Network’s national director and CEO. “You very rarely rise to an occasion in a critical incident, you fall back to your level of training.”
He said that last year they trained over 17,000 people, and that number was surpassed in the first three months of this year.
Congregation Beth Israel President Michael Finfer said Thursday that it will continue to do security training and that going forward it will have “far more police security than we’ve had in the past.”
Jeff Cohen, one of the four hostages, said he’s excited about the return.
“That’s part of that processing, it’s to look at where we’re going to be,” said Cohen, the synagogue’s vice president and security director. | https://cw33.com/news/ap-top-headlines/repaired-texas-synagogue-reopens-months-after-hostage-crisis/ | 2022-04-09T14:06:57Z |
The 2022 edition of the Nut Roll, the 18th year for the ride through southwest Georgia, is expected to draw 300 or more cyclists to Albany on Saturday.
ALBANY – The Pecan City Pedalers' Nut Roll is rolling again in 2022, with numbers this year set to match or exceed the number of cyclists who attended the last pre-COVID ride held in 2019.
The 2020 edition was canceled due to the pandemic, and COVID kept numbers down in 2021. Saturday's18th year for the ride includes courses that take cyclists to Leesburg or as far as Plains or Bronwood and back, depending on the length of the course selected.
Riders will gather on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Pretoria Fields Brewery for a pre-race bash and to pick up registration packets. The ride starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, departing from Chehaw Park & Zoo. Late-comers also can register the morning of the race up until 7:15 a.m.
The courses, which range from a century trip of 100 miles to a half-century of 50 miles to a metric century of 64 miles and a 30-mile route, are made to order for riders of all levels. Registration is $55 up until the day of the event.
“We have 297 riders currently registered,” Roger Haggerty, the race director. “Typically we have 26 riders that sign up the night before and the day of. We’ll have close to 325 cyclists coming this year. Before COVID we were at 300, so we’re back to where we were.”
The registered participants are coming from the local area as well as Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. The race director said the event also is a boost to the county’s economy.
“We have 196 riders who live 75 miles or farther from here,” Haggerty said. “That means (at least) 196 will be staying in hotels, eating in restaurants. There will be family members, too. That shows the economic impact this event has.”
Like marathon runners, the flat course has an appeal for riders, but Haggerty said he thinks it is the scenery that is the biggest lure.
“I think it’s the beauty of southwest Georgias,” he said. “We’re going from Chehaw up to Plains, a lot of nice countryside. They’re not stuck in the city, not stuck in the mountains.
“What we hear is they like seeing the cotton fields, the corn fields. I think the whole attraction of cycling in south Georgia is we have great roads, great scenery.
Riders will be able to fuel and top off on water at the halfway point of each ride. Area law enforcement and other first-responders will be patrolling and on hand to help ensure safety. Motorists are asked to be aware of the presence of cyclists and to share the road amicably.
“We couldn’t do it without the law enforcement and rescue squad,” Haggerty said. “Just be aware of cyclists. Cyclists have the right of 3 feet of the road from the side. We just ask you to treat cyclists like a vehicle.”
Kent Rock Manor is a luxury estate in Loganville which was made famous by the CW series, “Legacies” as the Salvatore Boarding School, and was once featured on MTV's Teen Cribs. Click for more.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/18th-nut-roll-to-bring-cyclists-from-at-least-five-states-to-albany-this-weekend/article_0b987688-2ee5-11ed-b21e-ebf44fa4896b.html | 2022-09-07T20:48:13Z |
LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Inotiv, Inc. ("Inotiv" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: NOTV).
Class Period: September 21, 2021 – June 13, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 22, 2022
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Inotiv lawsuit, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/inotiv-inc/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Envigo and Inotiv's Cumberland, Virginia facility (the "Cumberland Facility") engaged in widespread and flagrant violations of the AWA; (2) Envigo and Inotiv's Cumberland Facility continuously violated the AWA; (3) Envigo and Inotiv did not properly remedy issues with regards to animal welfare at the Cumberland Facility; (4) as a result, Inotiv was likely to face increased scrutiny and governmental action; (5) Inotiv would imminently shut down two facilities, including the Cumberland Facility; (6) Inotiv did not engage in proper due diligence; and (7) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
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To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
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SOURCE Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/22/notv-investors-have-opportunity-lead-inotiv-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit/ | 2022-07-22T19:22:03Z |
Latest development from ESL planned to break ground in Naples, Fla. in Q4 2022
DENVER, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Experience Senior Living (ESL) is creating communities with purpose across the U.S. and will soon break ground on a new luxury community in Naples, Fla. located at 8480 Rattlesnake Hammock Road. The Gallery at Naples is 169,327 square feet consisting of 158 homes with 125 assisted living apartments and 33 memory care suites for seniors. ESL plans to break ground in Q4 2022.
With more than 50% of the population in the market over 65, it is the ultimate destination for those seeking sugar-sand beaches, warm weather year-round, and Gulf Coast living at its best. Amenities to be offered in the four-story community include a professional beauty salon, fitness room, pickleball court, saltwater outdoor pool, screened-in patios, movie theater, steak house, a full bar as well as multiple other dining venues and activities areas. Our concierge floor will have full kitchens and a dedicated lounge providing a unique offering in the market. 24/7 nursing staff is available on-site as well as services such as moving coordination, concierge assistance and chauffeured transportation. The Gallery collection of communities by ESLD commissions local artists to produce pieces that are unique to the area.
"We are very intentional about the locations we select for Experience Senior Living developments," Phill Barklow, president of ESL, said. "Naples is an ideal retirement community and residents desire to stay in the area. Through our well-suited amenities and services, we allow people to continue to make Naples their home. Our vision is simple, to disrupt the experience of aging. Through this lens, we are proud to bring The Gallery at Naples to market with the very best offerings so our residents and their families can celebrate life together."
For more information about ESL as well as existing and future properties, visit ExperienceSRLiving.com.
Experience Senior Living is a full-service, vertically integrated owner-operator of active adult, independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. We are reimaging seniors housing based on our extensive experience serving in a variety of areas, implementing strategic, operational, and human objectives. We translate those experiences to create new and inspiring models of care, focused on hospitality, which are responsive to residents' needs, centered around holistic wellness and engagement with a broader community. Experience drives everything we do, and our team of dynamic professionals are fueled by their passion to empower individuals to live a full and well life now and as they grow older. Experience Senior Living is based in Denver, CO with communities either active or under development in six states: California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington.
News Media Contact:
Kirstin Barbour
303.293.0693
pr@esl5280.com
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SOURCE Experience Senior Living | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/experience-senior-living-community-naples-will-meet-need-housing-fast-growing-city/ | 2022-09-07T19:26:18Z |
NEW YORK, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ascend, a modern insurance payments platform, announced a partnership with Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC), which has named Ascend as its preferred premium payments company for its members.
Ascend is the first modern insurance payments platform that provides automated all-in-one financing, collections, and payables. They are modernizing agency workflow by creating a streamlined process for operational and payment procedures. IIANC is a statewide trade association that empowers independent agents to rise above the competition by offering them the tools and resources to succeed in today's insurance industry.
The two have come together to provide value specific to payments for IIANC's independent agency channel. Through this partnership, IIANC members will have affiliate referrals to Ascend's finance solutions. They are providing the best solutions for the best startup agencies that continue to improve and develop their own internal processes, now streamlined with Ascend's technology and automated funds flow.
"The IIANC is an incredible advocate for the independent agency channel, providing extensive resources and tools for their members to be successful, and we're excited to partner in support of this effort," says Chris Peabody, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Ascend. "At Ascend, we believe in empowering the IA channel with a modern payments solution while creating a modern checkout process for their clients and by doing so, enabling agencies to do what they do best, be a trusted advisor. Through this partnership, we are able to empower agents across the state of North Carolina."
This partnership will reduce the workload for IIANC agents and provide them with a modern white-labeled checkout experience that is tailored specifically for the agencies. Additionally, this partnership will unlock a series of webinars and resources for agents to utilize in the growth and development of their business.
"We believe in advocating on behalf of independent agents everywhere, and this includes offering them the best possible tools and resources for success," says Rebecca Shigley, COO at IIANC. "Aligning ourselves with companies like Ascend opens our community up to a whole new world of streamlined and modern workflow and payments solutions – the necessary tools for our independent agents to compete and differentiate themselves from major players in insurance. To be the best possible version of themselves, they need the best possible tools, and Ascend is offering them just that."
This is one of many partnerships and alignments Ascend has been a part of this year, as they deepen their relationships with other insurtechs, MGAs, AMS, and carriers to complement the innovations being made by companies in the insurance market. To learn more, please visit https://useascend.com/.
Ascend is the modern insurance payments platform that provides automated all-in-one financing, collections, and payables. Founded by two-time insurtech entrepreneurs Andrew Wynn and Praveen Chekuri, Ascend helps distributors sell more by eliminating labor-intensive, expensive processes while providing customers with the great online checkout and financing experience they've come to expect. To learn more, please visit https://useascend.com/.
The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina ("IIANC") is a statewide trade association representing nearly 900 independent insurance agencies in North Carolina, with more than 7,000 employees, who work to protect the insurance and financial needs of the state's citizens. IIANC members are Trusted Choice independent insurance agencies that can represent more than one insurance company. As a result, independent agents can offer clients a wider choice of auto, home, business, life, and health coverages. Trusted Choice independent agents not only advise clients about insurance, they recommend loss-prevention ideas, and if a loss occurs, the independent agent will work with the client until the claim is settled.
Contact:
Kathy Osborne
press@useascend.com
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SOURCE Ascend | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/ascend-partners-with-independent-insurance-agents-north-carolina-preferred-payments-amp-financing-platform-their-independent-agency-channel/ | 2022-07-15T13:43:29Z |
NEW YORK, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGA).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/pegasystems-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=29829&from=4
This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased PEGA common stock between May 29, 2020 and May 9, 2022, inclusive.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until July 18, 2022 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Pegasystems Inc. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) PEGA had engaged in corporate espionage and misappropriation of trade secrets to better compete against Appian, a principal competitor; (2) defendants' product development and associated success was, in significant part, not the result of its own research and product testing but rather the result of such corporate espionage and trade secret theft; (3) defendants had engaged in a scheme to steal Appian trade secrets, which was not only known to, but carried out through, the personal involvement of the Company's CEO; (4) the Company's CEO and other officers and employees did not comply with the Company's written Code of Conduct, including its express prohibition on "stealing" confidential information from a competitor and "misrepresenting your identity in hopes of obtaining confidential information"; (5) the Company was "unable to reasonably estimate damages" in the lawsuit filed by Appian as a result of the foregoing misconduct (the "Appian Litigation"); and (6) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' statements about PEGA's business, operations, prospects, legal compliance, and potential damages exposure in the Appian Litigation were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis when made.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
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SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/15/pega-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-pega-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-18-2022/ | 2022-07-15T10:42:19Z |
McKannay bridges past to future in Fort Riley address
FORT RILEY, Kan. (WIBW) - Fort Riley Garrison Commander Col. William B. McKannay linked the heroism of the past to what it means to be an American now, and in the future.
“This Memorial Day I hope we can remember the link we all have to the generations that have gone before us, selflessly served our country and payed the ultimate price,” McKannay said at a late-morning Memorial Day gathering at the Fort Riley Post Cemetery.
“Ever since eight members of the Lexington Militia lost their lives in the first battle of the American Revolution, nearly 1.2 million service members -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Col. McKannay.
Of the more than 58,000 casualties of Vietnam, McKannay took a moment to pay tribute to one of the first army nurses to lose her life, 2nd Lt. Carol Ann Drazuba.
“She and other nurse, 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Jones were killed on February 18, 1966 when their helicopter crashed,” McKannay said.
“There was a soldier in Vietnam, Johnny Williams, who credited her with saving his life. When she was killed, he sent a bouquet of flowers to her mother every year on Mother’s Day,” he said.
In his address, McKannay said many of the 8,000 nurses who served in Vietnam did so without protective equipment issued to the soldiers.
Col. McKannay was joined by Fort Riley Garrison Command Sergeant Major Timothy V. Speichert by placing a wreath at the base of the memorial monument within the installation’s oldest property.
McKannay said the cemetery was established in 1853.
“In the army we consider our greatest asset to be our people,” McKannay said as he paid tribute to those lost and still living. “Our all-volunteer army is a credit to all races, genders and creeds, and our common commitment to defense and love of our country binds us together and unifies us. That goes to the heart of what it means to be an American. The motivation to put aside our differences and do something for the common good.”
McKannay also recognized Gold Star Families in attendance during the ceremony.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/30/mckannay-bridges-past-future-fort-riley-address/ | 2022-05-30T19:30:53Z |
TRUMBULL, Conn., May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Up to 28 percent of reported corporate and federal spending with minority and women-owned firms is actually being channeled to enterprises run by White males and large public companies, according to a new study by BJM Solutions.
The study defines these "front" companies as minority passthroughs where minority and women entrepreneurs are paid a commission to bill large corporations. But the bulk of the revenue goes to White-owned and public companies that are the primary beneficiaries of these schemes taking advantage of public and private dollars.
"We found that minority passthroughs (MPs) exist across the U.S. industrial landscape and that a significant portion of total minority spend may be with these types of firms," the study said. "Twenty-eight percent of spending was attributed to MPs by supplier diversity professionals taking the survey. This was an amount larger than we had expected and significantly larger than the amounts thought to exist."
Further, Fred McKinney, Ph.D., the study's author, added: "Front organizations were a major problem in the early days of programs designed to promote minority and women businesses. With both federal and corporate dollars flowing to address equity issues in communities of color, this unethical practice is growing rapidly."
In February 2022, McKinney sent a survey with a link to 14 questions to over 400 supplier diversity professionals. Thirty-eight supplier diversity professionals completed the survey and their responses are included in the study. He also conducted interviews with 12 supplier diversity professionals, diverse business owners, and representatives from supplier diversity third-party certifying organizations.
BJM Solutions, LLC., an economic consulting firm, is certified by the NMSDC, CAMSC and the State of Connecticut as minority owned and operated. The study makes several targeted recommendations that would curb front organizations.
(Dr. McKinney is available for media interviews by contacting Imani Elam at imanielam@gmail.com/202-607-3009 or Michael K. Frisby at mike@frisbyassociates.com/202-625-4328)
Contact:
Imani Elam
imanielam@gmail.com/202-607-3009
Michael K. Frisby
mike@frisbyassociates.com/202-625-4328
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SOURCE BJM Solutions | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/26/new-study-minority-fronts-are-clogging-supply-chains-taking-business-legitimate-firms/ | 2022-05-26T16:32:14Z |
VALLETTA, Malta (AP) — Pope Francis said Saturday he was considering a possible visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and blasted the leader who launched a “savage” war, delivering his most pointed denunciation yet of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In his remarks in Malta, Francis didn’t cite President Vladimir Putin by name, but the reference was clear when he said “some potentate” had unleashed the threat of nuclear war on the world in an “infantile and destructive aggression.”
“We had thought that invasions of other countries, savage street fighting and atomic threats were grim memories of a distant past,” Francis told Maltese officials on the Mediterranean island nation at the start of a weekend visit.
Francis has to date avoided referring to Russia or Putin by name, in keeping with the Vatican’s tradition of not calling out aggressors to keep open options for dialogue. But Saturday’s criticism of the powerful figure responsible for the war marked a new level of outrage for the pope.
“Once again, some potentate, sadly caught up in anachronistic claims of nationalist interest, is provoking and fomenting conflicts, whereas ordinary people sense the need to build a future that will either be shared or not be at all,” he said.
Francis told reporters en route to Malta that a possible visit to Kyiv was “on the table,” but no dates have been set or trip confirmed. The mayor of the Ukrainian capital had invited Francis on March 8 to come as a messenger of peace along with other religious figures, but has recently warned even healthy city residents who fled that the city is still endangered by Russian hostilities.
Francis also said the war had pained his heart so much that he sometimes forgets about the pain in his knees. Francis has been suffering for months from a strained ligament in his right knee. The inflammation got so bad that the Vatican arranged for a tarmac elevator to get him on and off the plane for Saturday’s flight to Malta, and his limp was more pronounced Saturday.
The Malta visit, originally scheduled for May 2020, was always supposed to focus on migration, given Malta’s role at the heart of Europe’s migration debate. The issue took on more import with the forced exodus of over 4 million Ukrainian refugees. Francis focused his remarks on the perilous Mediterranean migration route and Europe’s flawed migration policies in welcoming people fleeing war, poverty and conflict.
Speaking with Malta’s president by his side, Francis denounced the “sordid agreements” the European Union has made with Libya to turn back migrants and said Europe must show humanity in welcoming them. He called for the Mediterranean to be a “theater of solidarity, not the harbinger of a tragic shipwreck of civilization.”
Francis was referring to the EU’s program to train Libya’s coast guard, which patrols the North African country’s coast for migrant smuggling and brings the would-be refugees back to shore. The program was strongly backed by Italy and other front-line Mediterranean countries to try to stem the flow of hundreds of thousands of desperate migrants each year.
But human rights groups have condemned the EU-funded program as a violation of the migrants’ rights and documented gross abuses in the Libyan detention camps. Just this week, German said its military would no longer provide training to the Libyan coast guard given its “unacceptable,” and in some cases illegal, treatment of migrants.
Francis has condemned the Libyan detention facilities as concentration camps, but he went further Saturday to shame the EU for its complicity in the abuses there.
“Civilized countries cannot approve for their own interest sordid agreements with criminals who enslave other human beings,” he said.
Malta, the European Union’s smallest country with a half-million people, has long been on the front lines of the flow of migrants and refugees across the Mediterranean and often has come under fire for refusing to let rescue ships dock. Just this week a German aid group sought port for 106 migrants rescued at sea and, by Saturday, the ship was heading to Sicily instead.
Malta has frequently called upon its bigger European neighbors to shoulder more of the burden receiving would-be refugees.
Francis has frequently echoed that call, and linked it on Saturday to the welcome the Maltese once gave the Apostle Paul, who according to the biblical account was shipwrecked off Malta around A.D. 60 while en route to Rome and was shown unusual kindness by the islanders.
Later Saturday, Francis travelled by catamaran ferry to the island of Gozo, making his own the Mediterranean seafaring tradition to celebrate a prayer meeting at Malta’s national shrine. Flanked by two Maltese churchmen who are key aides at the Vatican, Francis sat on a white chair on deck for the hour-long trip and was welcomed by thundering canons as the ship came in Gozo’s port.
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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/pope-heads-to-malta-migration-ukraine-war-top-his-agenda-2/ | 2022-04-02T18:43:05Z |
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison's corporate leadership will make an Environmental, Social, and Governance presentation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29. Previously, the presentation was going to take place in October.
The team, led by Chairman and CEO Timothy Cawley, will discuss Con Edison's environmental, social and governance practices and the path forward to a clean energy future that provides opportunities for everyone.
Con Edison will provide additional details, including a link, before the event.
Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy-delivery companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $65 billion in assets. The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY), a regulated utility providing electric service in New York City and New York's Westchester County, gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and parts of Westchester, and steam service in Manhattan; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile-area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey; Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc., the second-largest owner of solar electric projects in North America, which, through its subsidiaries develops, owns and operates renewable and sustainable energy infrastructure projects and provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., which falls primarily under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and through its subsidiaries invests in electric transmission projects supporting its parent company's effort to transition to clean, renewable energy. Con Edison Transmission manages, through joint ventures, both electric and gas assets while seeking to develop electric transmission projects that will bring clean, renewable electricity to customers, focusing on New York, New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and the Midwest.
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SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc. | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/updated-con-edison-webcast-environmental-social-governance-presentation-nov-29/ | 2022-09-14T17:38:33Z |
Letter to the editor: Pregnant women are caretakers of growing lives
There are many agencies to aid and advise young adults and women in need when they are unable to care for their baby after birth. Babies who cannot defend themselves.
There is a need to focus on more education for girls and boys about respect for all life. Truth in knowledge. Not a debate when a life is at risk at any age. No nationality is left out. Our Lord loves us unconditionally.
Our airways are filled with a deception to demoralize morality: The word "fetus" deters a female from guilt. A baby is not just tissue, but a growing life who strives to be alive. Anyone who becomes pregnant does not mean she accepts to be a mother. What she is is a caretaker of an innocent tiny human being, a baby.
The word "abortion" is a thin layer between a woman's choice to give their baby a life or death sentence. A trial only in the eyes of a female's conscious mind.
To love a baby with her or someone else who is not able to carry their own. An unselfish decision.
Where is the responsibility of the fathers, when so many single mothers are raising two or more children? Hardworking parents are footing their bill.
These tiny lives whose hearts are beating as they develop. Little ears that hear their mother's voice. With each stage, a baby feels safe, secure, depending on her for nourishment and reassurance. A mother can feel them clearly as they move inside her. A baby's silent voice becomes a sweet whisper in a mother's heart.
Each baby is unique with so much to offer, share and love. When a mother sees and holds this little life, she will feel a love as no other.
Jeanie Wilson, Canal Fulton | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/opinion/2022/07/28/letter-editor-pregnant-women-caretakers-growing-lives/10145518002/ | 2022-07-28T11:34:27Z |
NEW YORK, April 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for AAL, ACB, RIVN, NCLH, and SPCE.
To see how InvestorsObserver's proprietary scoring system rates these stocks, view the InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alert by selecting the corresponding link.
- AAL: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=AAL&prnumber=040120223
- ACB: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=ACB&prnumber=040120223
- RIVN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=RIVN&prnumber=040120223
- NCLH: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=NCLH&prnumber=040120223
- SPCE: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-stocks-lp-2/?symbol=SPCE&prnumber=040120223
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver's PriceWatch Alerts are based on our proprietary scoring methodology. Each stock is evaluated based on short-term technical, long-term technical and fundamental factors. Each of those scores is then combined into an overall score that determines a stock's overall suitability for investment.
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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SOURCE InvestorsObserver | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/01/thinking-about-buying-stock-american-airlines-aurora-cannabis-rivian-automotive-norwegian-cruise-line-or-virgin-galactic/ | 2022-04-01T14:01:55Z |
NEW YORK, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Joshua Pearl, Co-author of Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A, and IPOs and The Little Book of Investing Like the Pros and Founder of Hickory Lane Capital Management will participate in the closing bell ceremony at the Nasdaq Stock Market on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. He will be joined by co-authors Joshua Rosenbaum and Joseph Gasparro alongside publisher Wiley, partners from Nasdaq, Latham & Watkins, Datasite, and Altrum, and key book contributors.
The event marks the celebration of the book publications and collaborations with Nasdaq, the leading U.S. exchange and technology provider for IPOs and new listings; global law firm Latham & Watkins, the #1 IPO adviser and #1 public M&A adviser; Datasite, the #1 provider in M&A lifecycle software, and Altrum, the global leader in custom deal toys and financial tombstones.
"It's an incredible honor to be granted this opportunity by Nasdaq," said Mr. Pearl. "I am thrilled to share this moment with my co-authors, publisher, and partners and so pleased that our books have helped numerous individuals land their dream jobs in investment banking and corporate finance."
Where: Nasdaq MarketSite – 4 Times Square – 43rd & Broadway – Broadcast Studio
When: July 7, 2022 – 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Webcast: A live stream of the Nasdaq Closing Bell will be available at:
https://www.nasdaq.com/marketsite/bell-ringing-ceremony
Nasdaq MarketSite Media Contact:
Sophia Weiss
(646) 483-6960
Sophia.weiss@nasdaq.com
Social Media:
For multimedia features such as exclusive content, photo postings, status updates and video of bell ceremonies, please visit Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/nasdaq
For photos from ceremonies and events, please visit Instagram page: http://instagram.com/nasdaq
JOSHUA PEARL is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Hickory Lane Capital Management, a long/short equity asset manager. From 2011-2020, he served as a Managing Director and Partner at Brahman Capital. Previously, he structured high yield financings, leveraged buyouts, and restructurings as a Director at UBS Investment Bank. Prior to UBS, he was an investment banker at Moelis & Company and Deutsche Bank. He received his BS in Business from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. He is also the co-author of Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A, and IPOs and The Little Book of Investing Like the Pros.
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SOURCE Hickory Lane Capital Management LP | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/joshua-pearl-investment-banking-book-author-hickory-lane-founder-ring-nasdaq-closing-bell/ | 2022-07-07T22:59:37Z |
LONDON (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths are still falling globally after peaking in January, the World Health Organization said.
In its latest weekly assessment of the pandemic, the U.N. health agency said there were more than 3.7 million new infections and 9,000 deaths in the last week, drops of 3% and 11% respectively. COVID-19 cases rose in only two regions of the world: the Americas and the Western Pacific. Deaths increased by 30% in the Middle East, but were stable or decreased everywhere else.
WHO said it is tracking all omicron subvariants as “variants of concern.” It noted that countries which had a significant wave of disease caused by the omicron subvariant BA.2 appeared to be less affected by other subvariants like BA.4 and BA.5, which were responsible for the latest surge of disease in South Africa.
Salim Abdool Karim, an infectious diseases expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said it appeared that South Africa had passed its most recent wave of COVID-19 caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants; the country has been on the forefront of the pandemic since first detecting the omicron variant last November.
Karim predicted that another mutated version of omicron might emerge in June, explaining that the large number of mutations in the variant meant there were more opportunities for it to evolve.
Meanwhile in Beijing, authorities in the Chinese capital ordered more workers and students to stay home and implemented additional mass testing Monday as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. Numerous residential compounds in the city have restricted movement in and out, although lockdown conditions remain far less severe than in Shanghai, where millions of citizens have been under varying degrees of lockdown for two months.
China is vowing to stick to a “zero-COVID” policy despite the fact that the WHO describes the policy as “unsustainable,” given the infectious nature of omicron and its subvariants.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/who-covid-19-cases-mostly-drop-except-for-the-americas/ | 2022-05-26T16:32:42Z |
Greater Canton High School Football: What you need to know for the 2022 season
High school football is set to return this week in Ohio.
In the Stark County area, two games kick off the season Thursday before the rest of the area's teams jump into action Friday night.
For all of the teams in the area, and around the state, their ultimate goal is a trip to Canton for the OHSAA state championship games in December.
Our sports writers will be there over the next four months to share the stories of our teams in their journeys to league titles, rivalry games and the state playoffs.
To get ready for the 2022 season, we've been talking to area coaches and players over the last month and sharing stories not found anywhere else.
Each team's schedule can be found here.
Read on to find breakdowns of all of our area's teams. But before that, let's look at some of the players we expect to be among the best in the area this season.
- Who are Greater Canton's top high school football quarterbacks? Here are 10 to watch
- Who are Greater Canton's top high school football running backs? Here are 10 to watch
- Who are Greater Canton's top high school football receivers? Here are 10 to watch
- Who are Greater Canton's top high school football offensive linemen? Here are 10 to watch
- Who are Greater Canton's top high school football linebackers? Here are 10 to watch
- Who are Greater Canton's top high school football defensive backs? Here are 10 to watch
Find out more about some of those top players.
- At McKinley, senior Cynceir McNeal is 'that guy' who is ready to lead the Bulldogs in every way.
- In North Canton, Hoover's Luke Roach looks for more after breakout football season.
- Read about about Lake's Matt Sollberger, Ty Miller, who are pushing each other to make plays and grades for the Blue Streaks.
- At Green, some new faces are eager to write new story after the program's memorable 2021 season.
- Massillon seeks another deep playoff run and the Tigers make it clear 'We think we got a gem': in young quarterback Jalen Slaughter.
- Alliance is looking to turn things around in the EBC and make its return to the playoffs led by Kayden and K'vaughn Davis, who seek advice from their uncle, a former Alliance star and Michigan State Spartan.
- Also in the EBC, a coach quite familiar with the area, Phil Mauro, makes his debut as coach of Marlington. The Dukes likely will be led by Beau Himmelheber,who is set to follow in the footsteps of older brothers.
- In the PAC-7, the Fairless Falcons aim for that 'next level' after their historic 2021 season.
- The PAC-7, which featured five playoff teams a year ago, adds another 2021 playoff team to the mix, as Canton South joins the league and Poochie Snyder returns at QB to lead the Wildcats through their new journey.
Federal League football previews
Canton McKinley:Bulldogs football preview
GlenOak:Golden Eagles football preview
Green:Bulldogs football preview
Jackson:Polar Bears football preview
Lake:Blue Streaks football preview
North Canton Hoover:Vikings football preview
Perry:Panthers football preview
Stark County Parochials / independents
Canton Central Catholic:Crusaders football preview
Louisville:Leopards football preview
Massillon:Tigers football preview
St Thomas Aquinas:Knights football preview
PAC-7 football previews
Canton South:Wildcats football preview
Fairless:Falcons football preview
Northwest:Northwest football preview
Tuslaw:Mustangs football preview
Eastern Buckeye Conference football previews
Alliance:Aviators football preview
Carrollton:Warriors football
Marlington:Dukes football preview
Minerva:Lions football preview
Inter-Valley Conference football previews
East Canton:Hornets football preview
Malvern:Hornets football preview
Sandy Valley:Cardinals football preview
2021 Stark County-area final regular season standings
Federal League Football Standings
- x-Hoover ..............6-0...... 8-2
- McKinley ..............5-1..... 6-4
- Jackson .............. 4-2...... 8-2
- Green ...................3-3...... 7-3
- Lake .....................2-4...... 5-4
- GlenOak .............. 1-5..... 3-6
- Perry .................... 0-6...... 2-8
- x-Wins outright league title
Stark County Independents / Catholic Football Standings
- Massillon .................... 8-2
- Central Catholic.......... 4-6
- Louisville .................... 2-8
- St. Thomas Aquinas ... 0-7
PAC-7 Football Standings
- x-Fairless .................6-1..... 9-1
- x-Triway....................6-1..... 7-1
- Northwest .............5-2..... 6-4
- Manchester ...........5-2..... 6-4
- CVCA.....................3-4..... 6-4
- Orrville....................2-5..... 2-8
- Loudonville.............1-6..... 1-9
- Tuslaw ...................0-7..... 1-9
- x-Share league title
Inter-Valley Conference Football Standings
North Division
- Malvern .................5-0..... 8-2
- East Canton ..........3-1..... 5-3
- Buckeye Trail ....... 2-2 .... 4-5
- Tusc. Cent.Cath. .. 2-3 .... 3-7
- Newcomerstown .. 1-3 .....1-5
- Strasburg ............. 0-4 .... 1-8
- x-Wins outright division title
South Division
- Garaway ............... 5-0 .... 10-0
- Ridgewood ........... 4-1 .... 9-1
- Indian Valley ......... 3-2 .... 6-2
- Sandy Valley ........ 2-3..... 6-4
- Claymont .............. 1-4 .... 1-8
- Tusky Valley .......... 0-5..... 1-9
- x-Wins outright division title
Eastern Buckeye Conference Football Standings
- x-West Branch ........ 6-0..... 10-0
- Carrollton ................ 4-2..... 7-3
- Salem ...................... 3-3..... 7-3
- Canton South .......... 3-3..... 7-3
- Alliance ................... 3-3..... 3-7
- Marlington ............... 2-4..... 3-7
- Minerva ................... 0-6..... 0-10
- x-Wins outright league title
Want to look back at the 2021 regular season? Visit our Week 10 scores from last year, which also includes scores and info from the entire regular season. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/high-school/fridaynightohio/2022/08/16/canton-ohio-high-school-football-guide-2022-mckinley-massillon-perry-jackson-alliance-louisville/10150669002/ | 2022-08-16T13:00:02Z |
39 million Americans expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend
Published: May. 24, 2022 at 10:14 AM EDT|Updated: 16 minutes ago
(CNN) - If you are heading out of town for the Memorial Day weekend, you are going to have lots of company.
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and AAA estimates that 39.2 million people will be traveling this weekend. That is up 8.3% over 2021.
It is especially good news for the airline industry with estimates that air travel will be up by 25% over last year, which is pretty close to what it was in 2019.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/24/39-million-americans-expected-travel-this-memorial-day-weekend/ | 2022-05-24T14:32:38Z |
PHOENIX (AP) — Officials in an Arizona county that was plagued with issues during Tuesday’s primaries have fired their elections director and said he is no longer employed.
Pinal County officials had promised swift changes during a Wednesday news conference where they did not assign blame directly on Elections Director David Frist, who was just hired in March. In a Thursday news release, they said elected Pinal County Recorder Virginia Ross had resigned and agreed to become the new elections director “in order to restore confidence for voters.”
Ross has been the county recorder since being elected in 2012. The office oversaw elections until county supervisors separated the Elections Department from her office in 2017. There have been at least three election directors since then.
Hundreds of voters complained Tuesday that they were unable to immediately vote at the polls because the county had run out of some ballots. One polling place was opened hours late because keys were not available.
At Wednesday’s news conference, Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer and Jeffrey McClure, chair of the Board of Supervisors, both blamed the problems on human error. McClure called it “a major screw-up.”
Frist’s county cell phone was disconnected.
The problems were the second in the primary. When mail ballots were sent out early in July, many were missing city races and the county — a growing suburban area south of metro-Phoenix and home to over 425,000 residents — was forced to send supplemental ballots to those voters.
On Tuesday, that earlier issue played a role during in-person voting at some of the county’s 95 polling sites. Each site may have had as many as 10 ballot styles.
A surge of people going to the polls led to some sites either running short or out of ballots. The county tried to print new ballots but old printers were limited and it took a long time in some cases to get new ballots to the affected polling sites.
At most, about 750 voters could have been affected, out of about 50,000 total mail and in-person votes tallied from Tuesday’s election, but that is “purely a guess,” Volkmer said. Many likely did vote.
“Quite frankly, we underestimated,” he said of the ballot shortage. “There were more people who showed up than we thought were going to show up.”
County officials were questioned by at least two state lawmakers at Wednesday’s news conference. A voting rights group and the state and national Republican Party both complained about voters possibly losing their right to vote and the GOP called for Frist to resign. The party called his removal “an important step towards restoring Arizonans’ faith in their elections.”
McClure said in a statement that the Board of Supervisors was “deeply embarrassed and frustrated” by the mistakes and were taking immediate action to ensure November’s general election runs smoothly.
“It is vital that we restore trust with Pinal County voters, and I can assure the community that there is no better leader to take control of our Elections Department than Virginia Ross,” McClure said,
The board plans to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Ross’ term on Friday. County recorders handle voter rolls and early ballot mailing and record and maintain documents like property records. | https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/arizona-county-replaces-elections-boss-after-ballot-problems/ | 2022-08-05T13:15:17Z |
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (AP) — Throngs of tourists gleefully watched the legendary Old Faithful geyser shoot towering bursts of steaming water while others got stuck in “bison jams” on picturesque valley roads as visitors returned Wednesday for the partial reopening of Yellowstone National Park after destructive floods.
Park managers raised the gates at three of Yellowstone’s five entrances for the first time since June 13, when 10,000 visitors were ordered out after rivers across northern Wyoming and southern Montana surged over their banks following a torrent of rainfall that accelerated the spring snowmelt. The cost and scope of the damage is still being assessed, Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly said Wednesday.
Empty roads and parking lots quickly grew busier by mid-morning as about 5,000 vehicles entered the park after getting through long lines that stretched for several miles (kilometers) at one gate in the early morning. The backups were gone by early afternoon, though, and visitation numbers were less than a normal summer day that draws about 10,000 vehicles, park officials said in a news release.
Paul Nithyanand of Chennai, India, gathered around Old Faithful along with 1,500 people in the afternoon to see it erupt. Nithyanand was touring the western U.S with his brother and had already seen the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, but said nothing on his trip compared with Old Faithful.
“It’s awesome,” said Nithyanand, who was so impressed he waited around 80 minutes to it erupt again. “I’ve been seeing it in movies and on YouTube but seeing it live is amazing.”
Lonnie and Graham Macmillan of Vancouver, Canada, were among those at a so-called “bison jam” where a group of the burly animals crossed the road. The bison sighting capped a successful morning in which they’d already seen two moose and numerous deer.
They showed up at the park last week, only to get turned away as it was under evacuation. They diverted to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a few days and then to Wyoming’s Big Horn mountains before returning to Yellowstone as soon as the chance arose.
“The whole purpose of our trip was to come here,” Lonnie Macmillan said. “We weren’t going to go home until we got here.”
The record floods reshaped the park’s rivers and canyons, wiped out numerous roads and left some areas famous for their wildlife viewing inaccessible, possibly for months to come. It hit just as a summer tourist season that draws millions of visitors was ramping up as the park celebrated its 150th anniversary a year after it tallied a record 4.9 million visits.
Some of the premier attractions at America’s first national park were again viewable, including Old Faithful, which shoots bursts of steaming water almost like clockwork more than a dozen times a day.
But the bears, wolves and bison that roam the wild Lamar Valley and the thermal features around Mammoth Hot Springs will remain out of reach. The wildlife-rich northern half of the park will be shuttered until at least early July, and key routes into the park remain severed near the Montana tourist towns of Gardiner, Red Lodge and Cooke City.
Muris Demirovic, 43, of Miami and his 70-year-old mother arrived at the east entrance at about 5:30 a.m. and were second in a line of dozens of cars. He and his mother, who is from Bosnia, were on a cross country trip visiting national parks and Yellowstone was at the top of their list.
However, when they arrived, it was closed due to flooding. Demirovic and his mother toured Cody, Wyoming, went to a rodeo, walked some trails and visited a museum. They had planned to leave the Yellowstone area on Monday, but stayed when they learned the park would reopen.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me and my mom, so I had to make sure she sees this,” he said.
To keep visitor numbers down while repairs continue, park managers are using a system that with few exceptions only allows cars with even-numbered last digits on their license plates to enter on even days, while vehicles with odd-numbered last numbers can come on odd days.
Park rangers had to turn away fewer than 1% of the people lined up due to license plate issues, and they were turning them away before they got in long lines to enter the park, Sholly said.
If traffic along the park’s 400 miles (644 kilometers) of roads becomes unmanageable, Sholly said officials will impose a reservation system for entrance.
Along the road to Yellowstone’s south entrance in Wyoming, a long, slow-moving line of cars snaked along a road with a sign that for days had been flashing “Yellowstone closed” but now alerted drivers that the park was open with restricted access.
Gracie Brennan of Kentucky and two of her friends were going to Yellowstone as part of a tour of national parks.
“Old Faithful was the main thing I wanted to see, so if we can get there, which ever way we got to go, it doesn’t really matter,” Brennan said.
The reopening comes as officials in Yellowstone are still tallying the extent of the damage. Based on other national park disasters, it could take years and carry a steep price tag to rebuild. It’s an environmentally sensitive landscape with a huge underground plumbing system that feeds into the park’s geysers, hot springs and other thermal features. Construction season only runs from the spring thaw until the first snowfall, a narrow window that means some roads could receive only temporary fixes this year.
That’s turned some Montana communities into dead ends instead of being gateways to Yellowstone, a blow to their tourism-dependent economies. They’re also still struggling to clean up damage to several hundred homes and businesses that were swamped by flooding.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, who received criticism last week for not disclosing he was out of the country until two days after the flooding, was not at the park for Wednesday’s reopening. Spokesperson Brooke Stroyke said Gianforte was scheduled to meet with Cabinet members and be briefed on flood response and recovery.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon also wasn’t in the park, said his spokesperson Michael Pearlman.
Tiffany Jahn from Kenosha, Wisconsin, who was with her husband and daughter in the line at the south entrance in Wyoming, said she was excited to see anything that was still open and especially hoping to glimpse the park’s wildlife.
“We were actually coming last week and we were getting messages … saying ‘Don’t come, don’t come,’” she said. “But we were already out here so we kind of just altered our plans and made it work. ”
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Hanson reported from Helena, Montana. Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana at Yellowstone National Park’s south entrance in Wyoming contributed to this report. | https://cw33.com/news/ap-top-headlines/yellowstone-park-reopening-after-changes-wrought-by-flood/ | 2022-06-23T00:09:55Z |
BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of congratulation to Britain’s King Charles III on his accession to the throne, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.
“I am willing to work with King Charles III to enhance mutual understanding and friendship … and strengthen communication on global issues, so as to benefit the two countries,” Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
The Chinese president also commemorated the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations. The message comes amid strained relations over trade, human rights and China’s crackdown on the democratic opposition in the former British colony of Hong Kong.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
— Former British colonies conflicted over Queen Elizabeth II
— Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin begins journey through Scotland
— What’s next for the UK as Queen Elizabeth II laid to rest
— King Charles III is officially proclaimed monarch in London
— What will happen to all the currencies that feature the queen?
— Explainer: The formal rules around Charles’ accession
— Mourners in the street: Sincere grief flows out across Britain
— Will Charles be loved by his subjects, like his mother was?
— Find more AP coverage here: https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii
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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
King Charles III has been formally proclaimed the monarch in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The moves Sunday in the rest of the United Kingdom came a day after the same proclamation was made in London at a pomp-filled accession ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism.
In Belfast, bells chimed and a bugler played before the proclamation was read. It was followed by a 21-gun salute and a military band playing the anthem, “God Save the King.” In Wales, a regimental mascot goat accompanied the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh regiment at the ceremony at Cardiff Castle.
Earlier, proclamations were held in other parts of the Commonwealth — the group of former British Empire colonies — including Australia and New Zealand.
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ABERDEEN, Scotland — Mourners are quietly paying tribute as a hearse carrying Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin passes through the Scottish countryside on a final journey back to London.
Crowds are lining the streets Sunday and some have tossed flowers as the hearse passes through villages and towns a six-hour road journey to Edinburgh. The queen died Thursday at her beloved summer estate Balmoral Castle.
The late queen’s coffin was draped in the Royal Standard for Scotland and topped with a wreath made of flowers from Balmoral, including sweet peas, one of the queen’s favorites.
The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, tweeted that “as she makes her journey to Edinburgh, Scotland will pay tribute to an extraordinary woman.”
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LONDON — King Charles III will attend a reception Sunday with commissioners from Commonwealth nations.
The commissions maintain and develop relationships with the group of countries that grapple with affection for the queen and lingering bitterness over their own colonial legacies.
Charles became king after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died Thursday at her summer retreat in Scotland. Her coffin has left her beloved Balmoral Castle on Sunday for a six-hour road journey to Edinburgh, with people lining the streets in some places to pay their respects.
The king will meet with the secretary-general of the Commonwealth at Buckingham Palace before a reception with the foreign secretary and commissioners from countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Belize, Canada and New Zealand.
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BALMORAL CASTLE, Scotland — A hearse carrying the late Queen Elizabeth II’s oak coffin has left her beloved Balmoral Castle.
The coffin of the late monarch is beginning a six-hour road journey to Edinburgh on Sunday. She died Thursday at Balmoral after a 70-year reign and is starting her last journey back to London for a state funeral Sept. 19.
Crowds are lining parts of the route as the nation mourns its longest-reigning monarch. Early Sunday, flowers and other tributes — a small Paddington Bear toy, a hand-drawn picture of the queen — were piled up outside the gates of Balmoral.
Also Sunday, King Charles III will be formally proclaimed king in the other nations of the United Kingdom — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — after a similar ceremony in Britain a day earlier.
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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Britain’s King Charles III has been officially proclaimed Australia’s monarch during a ceremony in Canberra.
Australian Governor General David Hurley made the proclamation Sunday at Parliament House. At the end of the service there was a 21-gun salute.
Charles automatically became king when the queen died on Thursday.
But like the accession ceremony in London on Saturday, the proclamation in Australia was a constitutional and ceremonial step in introducing the new monarch to the country.
Charles is now is the head of state in Australia, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.
Similar ceremonies will be held in each Australian state and territory.
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Britain’s King Charles III was officially proclaimed New Zealand’s monarch in a ceremony in Wellington.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday and spoke of the strong bond her son and successor had with New Zealand.
Charles automatically became king when the queen died on Thursday.
Like the accession ceremony in London on Saturday, the proclamation in New Zealand was a constitutional and ceremonial step in introducing the new monarch to the country.
To mark the occasion, the army’s 16 Field Regiment fired a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham in Wellington.
Charles is now is the head of state in New Zealand, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.
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NEW DELHI — India is observing a day of state mourning on Sunday as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II.
The national flag has been lowered to half-staff on all government buildings throughout the country. India was a British colony before gaining independence in 1947.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability across much of a turbulent century, died Thursday after 70 years on the throne.
King Charles III was officially proclaimed Britain’s monarch on Saturday. He automatically became king when his mother died Thursday. | https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-live-updates-queens-coffin-set-to-leave-scottish-estate/ | 2022-09-11T15:48:35Z |
NEW YORK (AP) — Since her breakthrough role as Vanessa in the film adaptation of “In The Heights,” Melissa Barrera has been working non-stop on the big and small screen. Only this year, she appeared in “Scream 5” and is filming a sequel, and stars in the upcoming Benjamin Millepied’s reimagining of the opera “Carmen” and Lori Evans Taylor’s “Bed Rest,” which she also produced.
Starting Thursday, the Mexican actress can be seen in “Keep Breathing,” a Netflix miniseries about the lone survivor of a plane crash in the middle of the Canadian wilderness.
Barrera — along with Ana de Armas — is among the few Hispanic actresses given a wide variety of roles, far beyond the characters Latinas have been allowed to play, while the discussion about the lack of representation continues in Hollywood.
“It’s so easy for the industry to just keep us in the corner and keep us on a side lane and just give us these certain opportunities that they have designated are for us,” Barrera said in a recent interview with The Associated Press from Montreal, where she is shooting “Scream 6.” “If we don’t fight to come to the center lanes, they’re going to keep us on the sidelines the entire time.”
“I crave the kind of representation where my identity is not the center and the most important part about the story that we’re telling,” she added. “I know it’s necessary, and we do need the Latino and Latina stories to be getting told, and I want to do that. But I also just want to tell stories.”
In “Keep Breathing,” Barrera, 32, plays New York lawyer Liv, a cold, work-oriented woman who has to battle an unforgiving wilderness and past personal traumas to survive. It was a very demanding role that got her to the point of exhaustion fast, but the actress says she pushed through and used that in her performance, which she also fueled with traits of her younger self.
Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
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AP: The series starts with the plane crash. Have you ever had a nerve-racking experience in the air?
BARRERA: I’m pretty chill in planes. Literally, do not have a care in the world. I have never had bad turbulence. I’ve never had an air pocket where the plane drops. I’ve never had an experience where the plane like touches and goes back, you know, like those kinds of things that would make your stomach drop. Never had that! So, I’m not scared of planes at all.
AP: How did you handle that scene then?
BARRERA: I mean, I’ve had dreams of plane crashes. I have this recurring dream where I’m on a plane and I look out the window and there’s another plane that’s coming straight towards us, and right before they’re going to crash into us, I wake up, every time. It’s terrifying. I don’t know, you just channel some other fear. I channel the idea of dying and not getting to see my family ever again, and my loved ones. That’s usually what I go to. And also it helped that they built this incredible rig, and they put a plane on it. It was like a Disneyland ride. The plane would move and shake, and that helps also.
AP: It looks like a very demanding role, both physically and emotionally. Was it as hard as it seems?
BARRERA: It was harder. (Laughs.) I knew going into it, because of the nature of the show — you’re outside, I’m alone most of the time, it’s very physical and also the emotional arc is so intense. I feel like it’s actually a survival show about surviving your mind, surviving your insecurities, your childhood traumas. It’s all about mental survival, and I knew that it was going to be hard, so I prepared myself emotionally, mentally. That normally works in every single thing that I do: I don’t get tired, I can do the whole shoot and then, at the end, I need to be in bed for a week. This time, two weeks into the shoot I couldn’t get up from bed. I was like, “What did I get myself into? How am I going to survive another two and a half months of this?” And then you just do it! You use the exhaustion and you put it into the character and let it fuel the frustration and the anxiety and the panic and all of that.
AP: Liv is a lawyer, you are an artist. Did you find any common ground between the two of you?
BARRERA: A lot! I found that we were similar in a lot of ways. We’re both very work-oriented, we like to keep ourselves busy. I used to be more like Liv in that I have trouble communicating feelings. I’d rather just keep moving and stay distracted so I don’t have to deal with emotional stuff, so it was easy for me to revert to how I used to be and put that into her.
AP: What made you change in real life?
BARRERA: My husband (Mexican singer and entrepreneur Paco Zazueta.) My husband taught me a lot about communicating and letting people in and trusting and being expressive and all of that. He’s changed me a lot in the time that we’ve been together, I’ve learned a lot from him.
AP: By the amount of work you’ve been doing since “In the Heights,” it seems like it opened many doors for you. How do you feel about your career at this point?
BARRERA: I feel good. I feel like every single thing is a step up the ladder. Definitely, “In the Heights” opened a lot of doors for me — that was my first big movie, so that was the first time that a lot of people saw me. I love being able to show different sides of me with different characters. I strive to always move to a project that’s going to be completely different, or very different from what I just did. And I feel like I have been lucky that I’ve been able to do that so far. But I still feel like I’m just starting.
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Sigal Ratner-Arias is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sigalratner. | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/qa-melissa-barrera-survives-on-screen-and-in-hollywood/ | 2022-07-29T02:39:23Z |
LAS VEGAS, May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kanpai Panda NFT team is sending the LUCKY WINNER of our upcoming online poker tournament to play in the WSOP Main Event in Vegas, all expenses paid! Register to play our online poker tournament for FREE (you must be a Kanpai Panda NFT holder to register)! Our online tournament will be played on June 4th at noon EST.
Rub elbows with Poker pros and bounce from table to table for a once-in-a-lifetime high roller experience.
The Winner of the Kanpai Panda tournament gets:
- PAID entry to the World Series of Poker Main Event (WSOP). (Costs $10k)
- PAID Travel Accommodations (from anywhere in the world)
- PAID Hotel Accommodations (two days before the main event and two days after the contestant wins/loses; choose among any MGM property)
- Kanpai Panda merchandise to rep while they play in the WSOP Main Event!
The WSOP Main Event runs from Jul. 3rd to Jul. 26, we want to see our tournament winner represent the Kanpai Panda family. The Kanpai Panda poker tournament is FREE to enter for Kanpai Panda holders. Follow the required steps:
- Own a Kanpai Panda NFT (mint one (buy) at http://www.kanpaipandas.io or on OpenSea)
- Register to play here (you need a Discord ID if you don't have one)
- Join the Kanpai Pandas Discord
- Win the Online Poker Tournament Saturday at noon EST. Hang around the discord a little earlier than 12 PM EST to be assigned to a table.
- Bring home the bag, you lil degen!
The KP poker tournament winner will rock Kanpai Panda merchandise when they compete during the WSOP main event. We will work to have our Kanpai Panda WSOP contestant live-streamed for the entirety of his/her play so that all Kanpai Panda holders can watch and root for their fellow panda!
Best of luck to all Kanpai Panda contestants on Sunday. Kanpai!
MINTING LIVE at kanpaipandas.io
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KanpaiPandas
Discord: discord.gg/kanpaipandas
OpenSea: https://opensea.io/collection/kanpai-pandas
Media Contact:
Cedric Guerin
info@kanpaipandas.io
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Kanpai Pandas | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/31/kanpai-panda-will-win-an-all-expense-paid-trip-play-world-series-poker/ | 2022-05-31T14:12:29Z |
Bell County gas prices are dropping — with some prices below $4 a gallon.
“As expected, and for the third straight week, average gasoline prices have fallen to their lowest level in over a month. The price of wholesale gasoline has plummeted, providing price relief as millions of Americans hit the road for the holiday weekend,” Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, said in a news release. “While we may see prices decline into this week, the drop could fade soon if oil prices reverse, especially with strong demand over the holiday. For the time being, Americans are spending nearly $100 million per day less on gasoline than when prices peaked a few weeks ago, and that’s well-needed relief at a time when gas prices remain near records.”
QuikTrip at 806 E. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen had regular unleaded gas priced at $3.98 Tuesday morning. Other gas stations in the area were selling gas at $3.99 for a gallon of regular unleaded Tuesday morning.
In Harker Heights early Tuesday, the cheapest place to get gas was Sam’s Club, at $3.98 per gallon. In Copperas Cove, the cheapest gas was selling for $4.06 per gallon at Murphy USA on Business Highway 190.
Prices were higher in Temple where the cheapest gas was found for $4.19 per gallon at the Valero station at 1608 W. Adams Ave. H-E-B, 1206 W. Adams, had gas for $4.24 per gallon on Tuesday.
In Belton, Cefco at 614 Holland Road has gas at $4.19 per gallon.
GasBuddy, a website that tracks the cheapest places to get gas, said the average price of gasoline in Texas has dropped close to 16 cents from last week. The average price in the state is $4.36, which is 19 cents lower than last month but still higher than prices last year where the average was $1.55.
The national average price of gas is $4.80, which is 8 cents cheaper than last week but $1.67 more than last year.
FME News Service contributed to this report. | https://www.tdtnews.com/news/business/article_81f02cc8-fcb2-11ec-b363-1f778cb9c61b.html | 2022-07-05T23:26:42Z |
OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2022, which ended June 30, 2022.
Fourth-Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Summary
The following is a summary of key fourth-quarter results. All comparisons are with the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 unless otherwise stated.
- Net sales of $1.8 billion were flat versus the year-ago quarter, as lower shipments were offset by the benefit of pricing. Organic sales1 were up 1%. The three-year average growth rate for net sales was 3%.
- Gross margin of 37.1% was flat versus the year-ago quarter, due mainly to ongoing elevated commodity costs and manufacturing and logistics costs, offset by the benefits of pricing and cost savings initiatives.
- Diluted net earnings per share (diluted EPS) increased 4% to 81 cents from 78 cents in the year-ago quarter, reflecting the previous year's 17-cent noncash charge in connection with investments and related arrangements made with a Professional Products business unit supplier. This was partially offset by a 12-cent charge in the current period related to investments in the company's long-term strategic digital capabilities and productivity enhancements.
- Adjusted EPS1 decreased 2% to 93 cents versus 95 cents in the year-ago quarter, driven mainly by a higher effective tax rate, partially offset by lower advertising.
"Over this quarter and the fiscal year, we navigated through challenging operating conditions by taking pro-active steps to rebuild margin and invest in the areas of the business that would best position Clorox for long-term success. This has allowed us to report results in line with our expectations and deliver another quarter of sequential margin improvement," said CEO Linda Rendle. "The streamlined operating model we announced today to create a faster, simpler company is designed to increase efficiency, move decision-making closer to consumers and customers, and enable us to better meet their needs. This is another important step in implementing our IGNITE strategy of reimagining how we work, complementing the digital transformation initiative that's already underway.
"Looking to fiscal year 2023, the environment remains difficult, with consumer behaviors adapting to ongoing inflation as well as continued normalization in our cleaning and disinfecting portfolio. We're addressing these challenges head-on while taking steps to keep our categories healthy and offer superior consumer value. Guided by our IGNITE strategy, we're confident that, despite these headwinds, our actions will position us well to deliver profitable growth over time and build a stronger, more resilient company."
This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" at the end of this press release for more details.
Strategic and Operational Highlights
The following are highlights of business and ESG achievements in the fourth quarter:
- Delivered net sales growth in three of four reportable segments.
- Continued to execute cost-justified pricing actions across the vast majority of the portfolio.
- Launched first direct-to-consumer online platform for the Clorox brand in July.
- Expanded Brita partnership program — which provides products to municipalities as a short-term solution to lead in drinking water — to include 25 municipalities, reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottled water.
- Launched Healthy Parks Project, a multiyear investment in environmental justice through a partnership with city parks in communities where Clorox operates.
- Named to 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by 3BL Media, 2022 50 Out Front list of the Best Places to Work for Women & Diverse Managers by Diversity MBA (ranking No. 10) and Best Employers for Diversity 2022 list by Forbes and Statista (ranking No. 8 out of 500 companies).
Key Segment Results
The following is a summary of key fourth-quarter results by reportable segment. All comparisons are with the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, unless otherwise stated.
Health and Wellness (Cleaning; Professional Products; Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements)
- Net sales decreased 5%, with lower sales in all three businesses. The decrease was driven by 18 points of lower volume, which was partially offset by 13 points of favorable price mix.
- Segment pretax earnings increased 650%, driven by the previous year's noncash charge to the Professional Products business. On an adjusted basis2, segment pretax earnings increased 206%, primarily reflecting lower advertising investments.
Household (Bags and Wraps; Grilling; Cat Litter)
- Net sales increased 4%, reflecting increases in two of three businesses. Growth was driven primarily by 8 points of favorable price mix, which was partially offset by 4 points of lower volume.
- Segment pretax earnings decreased 12%, primarily due to higher manufacturing and logistics costs and higher commodity costs, partially offset by the benefits of pricing and cost savings initiatives.
Lifestyle (Food; Natural Personal Care; Water Filtration)
- Net sales increased 1%, reflecting growth in two of three businesses. The increase was driven primarily by 4 points of favorable price mix, which was partially offset by 3 points of lower volume.
- Segment pretax earnings decreased 33%, mainly due to higher commodity costs and manufacturing and logistics costs.
International (Sales Outside the U.S.)
- Net sales increased 4%, driven by 13 points of favorable price mix, which was partially offset by 8 points of unfavorable foreign exchange rates and 1 point of lower volume. Organic sales growth was 12%.
- Segment pretax earnings were flat, driven by the benefit of pricing, which was offset by higher commodity costs and higher manufacturing and logistics costs.
Fiscal Year 2022 Summary
The following is a summary of key fiscal year 2022 results. All comparisons are to fiscal year 2021.
- Net sales decreased 3% (2% organic sales decrease) primarily due to 5 points of lower volume and 1 point of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by 3 points of favorable price mix. The three-year average growth rate for net sales was 5%.
- Gross margin decreased 780 basis points to 35.8% from 43.6% in the year-ago period. The decrease was driven by higher manufacturing and logistics costs, increased commodity costs, and unfavorable mix, which were partially offset by the benefits of pricing and cost savings initiatives.
- Diluted EPS decreased 33% to $3.73 from $5.58 due to lower sales and gross margin, the one-time, noncash remeasurement gain recognized on the previously held equity interest in the Saudi joint venture in the prior period and investments in the company's long-term strategic digital capabilities and productivity enhancements. These factors were partially offset by the noncash impairment charges on assets held by the VMS business in the prior period.
- Adjusted EPS decreased 43% to $4.10 from $7.25, mainly driven by lower sales and gross margin, partially offset by lower advertising investments.
- Net cash provided by operations was $786 million, compared to $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2021, representing a 38% decrease.
Streamlined Operating Model to Improve Margins and Drive Growth
As part of its journey to Reimagine Work — one of the key pillars of its IGNITE strategy — Clorox is announcing a streamlined operating model to create a simpler, faster company. The operating model, which the company will begin implementing in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, is designed to increase efficiency as well as move decision-making closer to consumers and customers in order to better anticipate and meet their needs.
The new operating model is expected to generate ongoing annual savings of approximately $75 million to $100 million, with benefits beginning in fiscal year 2023. The company expects selling and administrative expenses to be approximately 13% of sales over time as a result of the changes and its ongoing productivity efforts. It also expects to take a charge in connection with the new operating model of approximately $75 million to $100 million over fiscal years 2023 and 2024, with approximately $35 million, or about 20 cents, to be recognized in fiscal year 2023, mostly in other income and expense.
Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook
- Net sales are expected to be down 4% to up 2% compared to the prior year. Organic sales are expected to be down 3% to up 3%.
- Gross margin is expected to increase by about 200 basis points, primarily due to the combined benefit of pricing, cost savings and supply chain optimization, offset by continued cost inflation.
- Selling and administrative expenses are expected to be between 15% and 16% of net sales, which includes about 1.5 points of impact from the company's strategic investments in digital capabilities and productivity enhancements.
- Advertising and sales promotion spending is expected to be about 10% of net sales, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to invest behind its brands.
- The company's effective tax rate is expected to be about 24%, with the year-over-year increase primarily reflecting lower excess tax benefits from equity compensation.
- Diluted EPS is expected to be between $3.10 and $3.47, or a decrease between 17% and 7%, respectively.
- Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $3.85 and $4.22, or a decrease of 6% to an increase of 3%, respectively. It reflects continued normalization of demand in parts of the portfolio that saw the most significant surge over the last two years and progress rebuilding gross margin. It also reflects the company's long-standing commitment to continue investing in its brands as well as a return to more normalized levels of incentive compensation and a higher effective tax rate. To provide greater visibility into the underlying operating performance of the business, adjusted EPS outlook excludes the long-term strategic investment in digital capabilities and productivity enhancements, estimated to be about 55 cents, and an estimated 20-cent charge related to the streamlined operating model announced today.
Clorox Earnings Conference Call Schedule
At approximately 4:15 p.m. ET today, Clorox will post prepared management remarks regarding its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2022 results.
At 5 p.m. ET today, the company will host a live Q&A audio webcast with CEO Linda Rendle and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Jacobsen to discuss the results.
Links to the live (and archived) webcast, press release and prepared remarks can be found at Clorox Quarterly Results.
For More Detailed Financial Information
Visit the company's Quarterly Results for the following:
- Supplemental unaudited volume and sales growth information
- Supplemental unaudited gross margin driver information
- Supplemental unaudited cash flow information and free cash flow reconciliation
- Supplemental unaudited reconciliation of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and adjusted EBIT
- Supplemental unaudited reconciliation of adjusted earnings per share
Note: Percentage and basis-point, or point, changes noted in this press release are calculated based on rounded numbers, except for per-share data and the effective tax rate.
The Clorox Company
The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with about 9,000 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2022 sales of $7.1 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol® cleaners; Liquid-Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Fresh Step® cat litter; Glad® bags and wraps; Kingsford® grilling products; Hidden Valley® dressings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products; Burt's Bees® natural personal care products; and RenewLife®, Rainbow Light®, Natural Vitality CALM™, and NeoCell® vitamins, minerals and supplements. The company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxPro™ and Clorox Healthcare® brand names. More than 80% of the company's sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories.
Clorox is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The company has been broadly recognized for its corporate responsibility efforts, included on the Barron's 2022 100 Most Sustainable Companies list, 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, the Human Rights Campaign's 2022 Corporate Equality Index and the 2022 Parity.org Best Places for Women to Advance list, among others. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com and follow the company on Twitter at @CloroxCo.
CLX-F
Forward-Looking Statements
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, including, among others, statements related to the expected or potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the related responses of governments, consumers, customers, suppliers, employees and the company, on our business, operations, employees, financial condition and results of operations, and any such forward-looking statements, whether concerning the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Except for historical information, statements about future volumes, sales, organic sales growth, foreign currencies, costs, cost savings, margins, earnings, earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, foreign currency exchange rates, tax rates, cash flows, plans, objectives, expectations, growth or profitability are forward-looking statements based on management's estimates, beliefs, assumptions and projections. Words such as "could," "may," "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," "predicts," and variations on such words, and similar expressions that reflect our current views with respect to future events and operational, economic and financial performance are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management's expectations are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, as updated from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These factors include, but are not limited to: intense competition in the company's markets; the impact of the changing retail environment, including the growth of alternative retail channels and business models, and changing consumer preferences; the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of, and efficiency of the supply, manufacturing and distribution systems for, the company's products, including any significant disruption to such systems; on the demand for the company's products; and on worldwide, regional and local adverse economic conditions, including increased risk of inflation; volatility and increases in the costs of raw materials, energy, transportation, labor and other necessary supplies or services; risks related to supply chain issues and product shortages as a result of increased supply chain dependencies due to an expanded supplier network and a reliance on certain single-source suppliers; risks relating to the significant increase in demand for disinfecting and other products due to the COVID-19 pandemic continuing; dependence on key customers and risks related to customer consolidation and ordering patterns; risks related to the company's use of and reliance on information technology systems, including potential security breaches, cyber-attacks, privacy breaches or data breaches that result in the unauthorized disclosure of consumer, customer, employee or company information, or service interruptions, especially at a time when a large number of the company's employees are working remotely and accessing its technology infrastructure remotely; the ability of the company to drive sales growth, increase prices and market share, grow its product categories and manage favorable product and geographic mix; risks relating to acquisitions, new ventures and divestitures, and associated costs; and the ability to complete announced transactions and, if completed, integration costs and potential contingent liabilities related to those transactions; risks related to the ability of the company to achieve anticipated results and cost savings from the streamlined operating model; the company's ability to maintain its business reputation and the reputation of its brands and products; lower revenue, increased costs or reputational harm resulting from government actions and compliance with regulations, or any material costs imposed by changes in regulation; the ability of the company to successfully manage global political, legal, tax and regulatory risks, including changes in regulatory or administrative activity; the operations of the company and its suppliers being subject to disruption by events beyond the company's control, including work stoppages, cyber-attacks, weather events or natural disasters, political instability or uncertainty, disease outbreaks or pandemics, such as COVID-19, and terrorism; risks related to international operations and international trade, including foreign currency fluctuations, such as devaluations, and foreign currency exchange rate controls; changes in governmental policies, including trade, travel or immigration restrictions, new or additional tariffs, and price or other controls; labor claims and civil unrest; inflationary pressures, particularly in Argentina; impact of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union; potential negative impact and liabilities from the use, storage and transportation of chlorine in certain international markets where chlorine is used in the production of bleach; widespread health emergencies, such as COVID-19; and the possibility of nationalization, expropriation of assets or other government action; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events, including the unfolding situation in Ukraine and its regional and global ramifications and effects on inflation; the ability of the company to innovate and to develop and introduce commercially successful products, or expand into adjacent categories and countries; the impact of product liability claims, labor claims and other legal, governmental or tax proceedings, including in foreign jurisdictions and in connection with any product recalls; implement and generate cost savings and efficiencies, and successfully implement its business strategies; the accuracy of the company's estimates and assumptions on which its financial projections, including any sales or earnings guidance or outlook it may provide from time to time, are based; risks related to additional increases in the estimated fair value of The Procter & Gamble Company's interest in the Glad business; the performance of strategic alliances and other business relationships; the company's ability to attract and retain key personnel; the impact of environmental, social, and governance issues, including those related to climate change and sustainability on our sales, operating costs or reputation; environmental matters, including costs associated with the remediation and monitoring of past contamination, and possible increases in costs resulting from actions by relevant regulators, and the handling and/or transportation of hazardous substances; the company's ability to effectively utilize, assert and defend its intellectual property rights, and any infringement or claimed infringement by the company of third-party intellectual property rights; the effect of the company's indebtedness and credit rating on its business operations and financial results and the company's ability to access capital markets and other funding sources; the company's ability to pay and declare dividends or repurchase its stock in the future; the impacts of potential stockholder activism; and risks related to any litigation associated with the exclusive forum provision in the company's bylaws.
The company's forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's current views, beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
- This press release contains non-GAAP financial information related to organic sales growth/(decrease) and adjusted EPS for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 and for fiscal year 2022; Health and Wellness adjusted segment pretax earnings increase for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022; and organic sales growth/(decrease) and adjusted EPS outlook for fiscal year 2023.
- Clorox defines organic sales growth/(decrease) as GAAP net sales growth/(decrease) excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate changes and any acquisitions or divestitures.
- Organic sales growth/(decrease) outlook for fiscal year 2023 excludes the impact of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate changes, which the company currently expects to reduce GAAP net sales growth/(decrease) by about 1.5 percentage points.
- Management believes that the presentation of organic sales growth/(decrease) is useful to investors because it excludes sales from any acquisitions and divestitures, which results in a comparison of sales only from the businesses that the company was operating and expects to continue to operate throughout the relevant periods, and the company's estimate of the impact of foreign exchange rate changes, which are difficult to predict and out of the control of the company and management. However, organic sales growth/(decrease) may not be the same as similar measures provided by other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation or differences in which items are incorporated into these adjustments.
- Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted earnings per share that excludes or has otherwise been adjusted for significant items that are nonrecurring or unusual. The income tax effect on non-GAAP items is calculated based upon the tax laws and statutory income tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction(s) of the underlying non-GAAP adjustment.
- Adjusted EPS is supplemental information that management uses to help evaluate the company's historical and prospective financial performance on a consistent basis over time. Management believes that by adjusting for certain items affecting comparability of performance over time, such as asset impairments, charges related to the streamlined operating model, charges related to digital capabilities and productivity enhancements investment, significant losses/(gains) related to acquisitions, and other nonrecurring or unusual items, investors and management are able to gain additional insight into the company's underlying operating performance on a consistent basis over time. However, adjusted EPS may not be the same as similar measures provided by other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation or differences in which items are incorporated into these adjustments.
- Adjusted segment pretax earnings increase is defined as an increase in earnings (losses) before income taxes excluding the impact of certain nonrecurring or unusual items. Adjusted segment pretax earnings increase of the Health and Wellness segment for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 was 206%, which reflects a deduction of 444% related to the impact of $28 noncash impairment charges in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 from the 650% GAAP pretax earnings increase of the Health and Wellness segment for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. The percentage changes are versus the year-ago period. Management believes that the presentation of the adjusted segment pretax earnings increase for the Health and Wellness segment is useful to investors to assess operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of charges it believes do not directly reflect the performance of the segment's underlying operations.
- The reconciliation tables below refer to the equivalent GAAP measures adjusted as applicable for the following items:
Digital Capabilities and Productivity Enhancements Investment
As announced in August 2021, the company plans to invest approximately $500 million over a five-year period in transformative technologies and processes. This investment, which began in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, includes replacement of the company's enterprise resource planning system and transitioning to a cloud-based platform as well as the implementation of a suite of other digital technologies. Together it is expected that these implementations will generate efficiencies and transform the company's operations in the areas of supply chain, digital commerce, innovation, brand building and more over the long term.
Of the total $500 million investment, approximately 55% is expected to represent incremental operating costs primarily recorded within selling and administrative expenses to be adjusted from reported EPS for purposes of disclosing adjusted EPS over the course of the next five years. Approximately 70% of these incremental operating costs are expected to be related to the implementation of the ERP, with the remaining costs primarily related to the implementation of complementary technologies.
Due to the nature, scope and magnitude of this investment, these costs are considered by management to represent incremental transformational costs above the historical normal level of spending for information technology to support operations. Since these strategic investments, including incremental operating costs, will cease at the end of the investment period, are not expected to recur in the foreseeable future, and are not considered representative of the company's underlying operating performance, the company's management believes presenting these costs as an adjustment in the non-GAAP results provides additional information to investors about trends in the company's operations and is useful for period-over-period comparisons. It also allows investors to view underlying operating results in the same manner as they are viewed by company management.
Streamlined Operating Model
As announced today, Clorox will begin to implement a streamlined operating model in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023. As a result, the company expects to incur costs of approximately $75 million to $100 million over fiscal years 2023 and 2024, with approximately $35 million, or about 20 cents, to be recognized in fiscal year 2023, primarily within other income and expense.
The following tables provide reconciliations of organic sales growth/(decrease) (non-GAAP) to net sales growth/(decrease), the most comparable GAAP measure:
The following tables provide reconciliations of adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) to diluted earnings per share, the most comparable GAAP measure:
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SOURCE The Clorox Company | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/clorox-reports-q4-fy22-results-provides-fy23-outlook-announces-streamlined-operating-model/ | 2022-08-03T20:33:29Z |
FREMONT, Calif., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- THINK Surgical, Inc., an innovator in the field of orthopedic surgical robots, today announced its entry into a development and distribution agreement with Curexo, Inc., a medical robotics specialist company based in South Korea. THINK and Curexo have a strong working relationship based on historical development collaboration and Curexo distributes THINK's TSolution One™ platform in Korea and Vietnam.
Under the development and distribution agreement, THINK and Curexo will work together to include certain existing THINK technology and certain newly developed technology in Curexo's CUVIS-Joint orthopedic surgical robot platform. THINK will have exclusive rights to distribute the CUVIS-Joint robotic platform, including the additional technology, in the United States and other countries, including the United Kingdom and certain countries in the European Union.
The CUVIS-Joint robotic platform is currently being used by surgeons in Korea and India with great success. To date over 4,000 procedures have been performed. Curexo will continue to commercialize the CUVIS-Joint robotic platform, including new technology developed with THINK, outside of the countries in THINK's distribution territory. Curexo will also continue to distribute THINK's TSolution One™ platform in Korea and Vietnam.
The CUVIS-Joint robotic platform is not yet cleared for sale in the United States. THINK will be responsible for seeking 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States with support from Curexo to allow such sales. The companies will work together to seek regulatory clearance in other countries for the CUVIS-Joint robotic platform including additional technology.
"We are excited to deepen our relationship with Curexo and look forward to bringing the CUVIS-Joint platform to the United States and other markets," said Stuart Simpson, president and chief executive officer of THINK Surgical. "CUVIS-Joint is the next generation of active robot for joint replacement featuring an open implant library. As an open system that works with implants from multiple manufacturers, CUVIS-Joint is an outstanding fit within THINK's portfolio of products and services. THINK's open systems, including the CUVIS-Joint, offer a compelling alternative to closed systems which are limited to one manufacture's implants."
"We are more than pleased to enter into this agreement with THINK, a long-standing financial and business collaborator of Curexo," said JJ Lee, chief executive officer of Curexo. "THINK is well positioned to successfully launch the CUVIS-Joint platform in these key markets, and Curexo has great confidence in the new leadership of THINK, led by CEO Stuart Simpson, given Stuart's deep experience in the orthopedic surgical robot business. We look forward to cooperating with THINK to obtain FDA clearance, develop new technology, and deliver new experiences with this next generation of active robot, thereby proving the value of the CUVIS-Joint platform to hospitals and surgeons in these important markets."
About THINK Surgical®, Inc.
THINK Surgical, Inc., a privately held U.S.-based medical device and technology company, develops, manufactures, and markets active robotics for orthopedic surgery. The TSolution One® Total Knee Application includes the only commercially available, active robot for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) utilizing an open implant library, supporting a variety of implant options. The core technology of the TSolution One has been used in thousands of successful total joint replacements worldwide.
THINK Surgical actively collaborates with healthcare professionals around the globe to refine our orthopedic products, improving the lives of those suffering from advanced joint disease with precise, accurate, and intelligent technology. Please refer to the instructions for use for the TSolution One Total Knee Application for a complete list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. For additional product information, please visit www.thinksurgical.com.
THINK Surgical and TSolution One are registered trademarks of THINK Surgical, Inc. ©2022 THINK Surgical, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Curexo, Inc.
Curexo Inc. is dedicated to developing cutting edge medical robots with the aim to provide value in life beyond treatment for a healthier tomorrow. Curexo manufactures two surgical robots, CUVIS-joint and CUVIS-spine, along with one rehabilitation robot, Morning Walk S200. Listed in the Korean Stock market, Curexo plans to increase its scale by growing internationally and working with global partners. Find out more at www.curexo.com/english/.
Media Contact:
Allissa Tran
atran@thinksurgical.com
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SOURCE THINK Surgical, Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/think-surgical-curexo-announce-entry-into-development-distribution-agreement/ | 2022-08-01T16:24:26Z |
LENEXA, Kan. and CENTENNIAL, Colo., July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolution Digital and the National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc., ("NCTC") today announced a new multi-year agreement that will continue to make Evolution Digital's robust suite of broadband and Android TV products available to more than 700 independent service providers across the U.S.
As part of the deal, NCTC's member operators may access Evolution Digital's leading OpenSync™-certified devices which, in combination with Plume's award-winning SaaS Experience Platform, enable service providers to deploy a new bundle of cloud-driven Smart Home Services.
The deal also provides the option for NCTC members to offer to end-user customers Evolution Digital's line of Android TV hardware including EVO FORCE 1™ and EVO PRO™.
"This new agreement further builds upon the trusted and long-standing relationship between Evolution Digital and NCTC," said Marc Cohen, Chief Revenue Officer. "We are excited to continue our close partnership to enable best-in-breed services for the connected whole-home ecosystem. Evolution Digital's acumen for delivering the latest innovative technology at a competitive price point, coupled with NCTC's reliability and efficiency for managing materials and transactions, breeds reliability and promptness with the service providers that we jointly serve. We look forward to working closely with NCTC."
Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC said," Evolution Digital is simply a great NCTC partner. They are offering our members the Western Hemisphere's leading Android TV hardware and terrific software products to our members at the best prices. This is a win-win for all."
NCTC members and companies interested in learning more about Evolution Digital's offerings should contact their NCTC representative.
Evolution Digital L.L.C. is a leading provider of a broad portfolio of integrated video products and whole-home Wi-Fi offerings for the global industry. Our customers include service providers and their subscribers who use our products daily to enhance their lives. We take an aggressive approach to product innovation to embrace new technologies and ever-evolving connected lifestyles that require high-performance, reliable and user-friendly solutions. Visit www.evolutiondigital.com.
The National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc. (NCTC) is a Kansas-based, not-for-profit corporation that operates as a programming, broadband solutions and hardware purchasing organization for its member companies serving 40 million broadband and video customers throughout the U.S. and its territories. NCTC seeks to maximize current and future opportunities to ensure the profitability, competitive stature and long-term sustainability of its member companies. NCTC represents more than 700 independent cable and broadband operators across the U.S., in programming and technology acquisition. NCTC is actively engaged in helping network providers and suppliers evolve their business models to deploy new video/data solutions to match the changes in the media landscape. For more information, visit www.nctconline.org
Contacts:
NCTC
Pam Gillies
pgillies@nctconline.org
(720) 594-8085
Evolution Digital
Emily O'Donnell
eodonnell@evolutiondigital.com
(949) 683-0243
Bob Gold & Associates
Robert Brownlie
robert@bobgoldpr.com
(310) 320-2010
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SOURCE NCTC | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/20/evolution-digital-nctc-reach-agreement-wi-fi-android-tv-products/ | 2022-07-20T15:33:29Z |
Jackson Christian hires Tony Shutes to be new girls basketball coach
Jackson Christian hired Tony Shutes to be their next girls basketball coach.
Shutes coached at USJ from 1991-2021, comes over after one season with Jackson Central-Merry.
The Lady Cougars its returned to the court after the school shut down in 2016. They went 12-12 reaching the District 12-1A championship game.
Shutes has 591 career wins, 22 district titles, seven region titles and five state semifinal appearances. He replaces Bryon Freeman, who led the Lady Eagles to a 15-11 record and the Division II-A West quarterfinals this season.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Shutes into the Jackson Christian family,” Athletic Director and Dean of Students Jason Shelton said in a press release. “His record and ability to teach the game speaks for itself. More importantly, we believe he will coach our young ladies in all aspects of their lives on and off the court, as he has done for so many others in his career.” | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/06/06/tssaa-girls-basketball-tony-shutes-jackson-christian-head-coach/7537856001/ | 2022-06-07T05:23:49Z |
ST. LOUIS, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) announced today that Leonard "Lenny" Singh, an executive with more than 30 years of utility experience, will be the next chairman and president of Ameren Illinois, an electric and natural gas delivery utility subsidiary of Ameren Corporation.
Singh joins Ameren July 1 and will assume the role when Richard Mark retires on Aug. 1.
Singh has extensive experience in both electric and natural gas operations. He most recently served as senior vice president for Consolidated Edison Company of New York.
"Lenny's deep experience and industry knowledge is well-suited to lead service to our 1.2 million electric customers and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in the state of Illinois," said Marty Lyons, chief executive officer of Ameren. "He has a proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans as well as demonstrating a steadfast focus on safety, customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, action and accountability. He is also known as a highly effective coach and mentor, skilled in motivating teams to produce positive results and reliable service for customers.
"We look forward to his strategic input as a member of Ameren's Executive Leadership Team. Richard and Lenny will work closely together throughout July, meeting with team members and key stakeholders to execute a smooth transition."
During his time at Con Edison, Singh served in a variety of roles, including leading Customer Energy Solutions, Manhattan Electric Operations as well as serving as chief engineer and general manager of Gas Operations.
He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master's degree in electrical engineering from Polytechnic University, and a master of business administration degree from Columbia University.
"I am thrilled to join Ameren," Singh said. "This is an exciting time of change and transition in the energy industry, and I am ready to draw on my many experiences in the industry to help the company prepare for the future as we power the quality of life for our electric and natural gas customers. I look forward to building on the work that's been done at Ameren Illinois by helping to drive the success of the business in the next phase of the energy transition – for the benefit of communities across the state."
Singh is married and has two children. A native of Guyana in South America, Singh immigrated to the New York vicinity in the 1980s. He and his family are now looking forward to relocating to southern Illinois.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. Our mission is to power the quality of life. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com, find us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.
About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000- square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois operates a rate- regulated electric transmission business in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.
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SOURCE Ameren Corporation | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/27/ameren-announces-industry-veteran-new-chairman-president-ameren-illinois/ | 2022-06-27T20:40:55Z |
‘Homegrown campaign’: Mother uses billboards to ask for kidney in hopes of reaching donor
By KCRA Staff
Click here for updates on this story
SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — Some 90,0000 people in the United States are awaiting a kidney donation. One Sacramento mother took it into her own hands to try and get a donor, and you’ve probably already seen her plea for help.
Along northbound Interstate 5 by the Sacramento International Airport stands a billboard.
“I need a kidney transplant,” said Cynthia Hall.
Hall hopes that with her billboard she will reach the right person.
“Six years ago, I got a call from my doctor that my kidneys are severely damaged,” Hall said.
Her husband Art said they knew they would reach the point where they needed to expand their outreach one day.
“We have been doing a homegrown campaign, if you will,” Art said. “Making flyers, putting them up at businesses. We have done social media campaigns. I thought I need to take this to the next level to see what’s possible to do and that’s where I thought I would try a billboard.”
That’s when Marquee Media received a call from a friend who heard about the Hall family.
“When we formed our company, we wanted to have business with purpose. This is the highest purpose we can probably do,” said Jeff Joaquin with Marquee Media.
There are 11 billboards across the Sacramento region, reaching about 2 million people every week. There are also dozens of billboards across the country.
“We help companies and brands sell products, help their businesses along, but we can have a higher calling to help somebody get a kidney and save a life, it’s just something immeasurable,” Joaquin said.
The Hall family hopes it raises more awareness about kidney diseases.
“There are millions of people out there with this disease and they do not know they have it,” Cynthia said.
“If anything comes of all this, besides her getting a kidney donor, is raising the awareness of kidney disease out there,” Art said.
The hope is that on their four-year wedding anniversary, they will get the call that will give Cynthia a second chance at life.
“It means the world to us and my son, he’s 14. I want to see him go to college, I want to see him get married, I want to be with him and this will give me a chance to live my life to the fullest,” Cynthia said.
If you would like to help you can reach the Hall family at akidneyforcynthia@gmail.com or at 916-276-7603.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. | https://localnews8.com/cnn-regional/2022/05/27/homegrown-campaign-mother-uses-billboards-to-ask-for-kidney-in-hopes-of-reaching-donor/ | 2022-05-27T20:17:00Z |
The OnePlus 10T 5G is OnePlus' second global flagship smartphone of 2022, offering ultimate performance and enabling users to Evolve Beyond Speed. OxygenOS 13 is the latest version of OnePlus' signature operating system that delivers fast and smooth performance with a stellar design and enhanced safety features.
NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, global technology brand OnePlus officially launched its newest flagship smartphone – the OnePlus 10T 5G – alongside the next generation of its signature operating system – OxygenOS 13. Both products were launched at Gotham Hall in New York City – marking OnePlus' first in-person launch event in more than two years.
"We're incredibly excited to have launched the OnePlus 10T 5G and OxygenOS 13 with our fans and partners in New York City," said Pete Lau, Founder of OnePlus. "The OnePlus 10T takes our signature fast and smooth performance to the next level at an extremely competitive price point. Additionally, OxygenOS 13 demonstrates our commitment to burdenless design, all while expanding features requested by our users – like an improved selection of always-on displays."
The OnePlus 10T offers ultimate performance thanks to its combination of a powerful chipset, the largest and most powerful cooling system ever in a OnePlus smartphone, super-fast charging, and much more.
The OnePlus 10T takes fast and smooth performance to the next level with the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform. It offers faster CPU and GPU speeds with improved efficiency, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and the largest, most advanced, and most powerful cooling system ever in a OnePlus device. Combined, these technologies empower you to perform intensive and everyday actions – like playing mobile games or scrolling through social media feeds. In fact, OnePlus 10T users can have more than 35 apps suspended in the background at once so you can jump between them at rapid speed, picking up exactly where you left off.
With support for 150W SUPERVOOC Endurance Edition, the OnePlus 10T lets you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time using the device. 150W SUPERVOOC Endurance Edition delivers up to a day's power after just 10 minutes of charging, with a full charge – from 1-100% – taking only 19 minutes.
In North America, the OnePlus 10T charges with 125W SUPERVOOC Endurance Edition that similarly provides a day's power with only a 10-minute charge.
The OnePlus 10T's charging system is made safe and efficient by a series of technical innovations, including ourBattery Health Engine, which extends the lifespan and preserves the capacity of the device's large 4,800 mAh battery. The OnePlus 10T's charging system boasts two charging pumps, instead of one like many other smartphones, to deliver faster charging speeds with greater safety, improved efficiency, and reduced heat.
A total of 15 antennas form the OnePlus 10T's 360° antenna system, providing stronger Wi-Fi and cellular signals no matter how the device is oriented. A feature called Smart Link works in tandem with the OnePlus 10T's antenna system to improve upload signals and speed, particularly in areas with high levels of network congestion.
The OnePlus 10T advances OnePlus' burdenless design philosophy with a unibody build – offering an excellent in-hand feel and beautiful Moonstone Black and Jade Green colorways.
A 6.7-inch display covers the front of the OnePlus 10T and provides an exceptional viewing and user experience. The device's adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate also preserves battery life, so you can use it for longer on a single charge. The OnePlus 10T's display is HDR10+ certified and has native support for 10-bit color; this achieves a richer and more realistic viewing experience.
The OnePlus 10T comes with a triple camera system on its rear, headlined by the 50 MP Sony IMX766 sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), Nightscape 2.0, and improved HDR performance, so you can take beautiful shots in bright and low-light conditions.
Accompanying the OnePlus 10T's main camera is an ultra-wide camera and macro camera, ensuring you can capture more in every scene and get up close to subjects respectively.
The OnePlus 10T comes pre-installed with OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android™ 12, and will receive three major Android updates and four years of security updates.
In North America, the OnePlus 10T will go on sale on September 29, with pre-orders starting September 1 on Amazon, Best Buy and OnePlus.com. Carrier availability will be announced at a later date.
OxygenOS 13 delivers OnePlus' signature fast and smooth software experience with a stellar Aquamorphic design and enhanced safety, and takes some of the OnePlus community's most adored features even further. The latest version of OxygenOS brings an upgraded experience across the board – including improved customization, gaming, and connectivity.
OxygenOS 13 will launch first on the OnePlus 10 Pro, followed by the OnePlus 10T later this year. Other OnePlus devices that will receive OxygenOS 13 include the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8T, OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, OnePlus 9R, OnePlus 9RT, OnePlus 10R, OnePlus Nord 2, OnePlus Nord 2T, OnePlus Nord CE, OnePlus Nord CE 2, and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite.
The OnePlus SUPERVOOC 80W Car Charger combines industry-leading SUPERVOOC charging technology with exceptional portability, enabling you to quickly recharge your devices on the go. The car charger can power the OnePlus 10T from 1-50% in 11 minutes and from 1-100% in 29 minutes. The OnePlus SUPERVOOC 80W Car Charger can power all OnePlus devices, along with other Android handsets and iPhones. It also supports PD charging – allowing you to quickly charge laptops, tablets, mobile gaming consoles, and more.
To ensure the highest levels of charging safety, the OnePlus SUPERVOOC 80W Car Charger has a cut-off system that ensures the charger only functions in temperatures at 40°C or cooler. A white ring light displays throughout the charging process to indicate charging is taking place safely.
In North America, the OnePlus SUPERVOOC 80W Car Charger will go on sale on September 1 at oneplus.com for USD$39.
OnePlus is a global mobile technology brand challenging conventional concepts of technology. Created around the "Never Settle" mantra, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high-performance hardware. OnePlus thrives on cultivating strong bonds and growing together with its community of users and fans.
For more information, please visit OnePlus.com or follow us on:
Instagram - https://instagram.com/oneplus
Facebook - https://facebook.com/oneplus
Twitter - https://twitter.com/oneplus
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oneplus
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SOURCE OnePlus | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/oneplus-launches-oneplus-10t-5g-oxygenos-13-new-york-city/ | 2022-08-03T16:15:54Z |
Business Activity Index at 60.9%; New Orders Index at 61.8%; Employment Index at 50.2%; Supplier Deliveries Index at 54.5%
TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic activity in the services sector grew in August for the 27th month in a row — with the Services PMI® registering 56.9 percent — say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Services ISM® Report On Business®.
The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, CPSM, C.P.M., A.P.P., CFPM, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Services Business Survey Committee: "In August, the Services PMI® registered 56.9 percent, 0.2 percentage point higher than July's reading of 56.7 percent. The Business Activity Index registered 60.9 percent, an increase of 1 percentage point compared to the reading of 59.9 percent in July. The New Orders Index figure of 61.8 percent is 1.9 percentage points higher than the July reading of 59.9 percent.
"The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 54.5 percent, 3.3 percentage points lower than the 57.8 percent reported in July. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® Report On Business® index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.)
"The Prices Index decreased for the fourth consecutive month in August, down 0.8 percentage point to 71.5 percent. Despite an improvement in inventory levels, services businesses still continue to struggle to replenish their stocks, as the Inventories Index contracted for the third consecutive month; the reading of 46.2 percent is up 1.2 percentage points from July's figure of 45 percent. The Inventory Sentiment Index (47.1 percent, down 3 percentage points from July's reading of 50.1 percent) moved back into contraction territory in August."
Nieves continues, "According to the Services PMI®, 14 industries reported growth. The composite index indicated growth for the 27th consecutive month after a two-month contraction in April and May 2020. Growth continues — at a slightly faster rate — for the services sector, which has expanded for all but two of the last 151 months. The services sector had a slight uptick in growth for the month of August due to increases in business activity, new orders and employment. Based on comments from Business Survey Committee respondents, there are some supply chain, logistics and cost improvements; however, material shortages remain a challenge. Employment improved slightly despite a restricted labor market."
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
The 14 services industries reporting growth in August — listed in order — are: Mining; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Utilities; Construction; Educational Services; Information; Transportation & Warehousing; Wholesale Trade; Health Care & Social Assistance; Public Administration; Finance & Insurance; Management of Companies & Support Services; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; and Other Services. The two industries reporting a decrease in the month of August are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation.
WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING
- "Starting to see some cost pressures relief; the overall supply environment is healthy." [Accommodation & Food Services]
- "Some pullback on projects by clients, but activity is still strong for our company. This has alleviated some labor availability issues. Generally, there has been improvement in lead times and prices, but still longer and higher, respectively, than in 2021." [Construction]
- "Supply chain issues continue to significantly extend lead times, with a shortage of materials to build scientific equipment and machinery contributing to the issue. Purchases need to be made three to six months in advance, in addition to the normal lead time. As for the higher education industry, it is breaking records for student applicants." [Educational Services]
- "The supply chain and labor continue to be significant issues. Repair parts are nonexistent. Lead times for durable goods are extended, and the less-expensive, mass-produced products are breaking at increased rates — no QC (quality control). The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) must be reeling because we have been reporting sometimes daily. I'm concerned that a certain percentage of faulty products are probably discarded, which adds to the cost of doing business. Surgery and other hospital products cannot be culled, so it's a complete loss — if they are red-bagged, that is another cost." [Health Care & Social Assistance]
- "The supply chain challenges affect a portion of our buys as they include products and components made outside of the U.S. that are subject to shipping delays and other issues." [Management of Companies & Support Services]
- "COVID-19 still affecting many businesses. Also, there is a labor shortage." [Professional, Scientific & Technical Services]
- "Lingering concerns about inflation and price increases. Still having difficulties hiring staff to fill many positions." [Public Administration]
- "No major changes. Concerns about the macroeconomic climate and consumer confidence." [Retail Trade]
- "Very long lead times from major equipment — Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Commodity price escalation appears to be leveling." [Utilities]
- "Business is pretty steady month to month, but we expect seasonal supply increase by September that will moderate prices." [Wholesale Trade]
Services ISM® Report On Business® data is seasonally adjusted for the Business Activity, New Orders, Employment and Prices indexes. Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® data is seasonally adjusted for New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes.
*Number of months moving in current direction.
COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE, AND IN SHORT SUPPLY
Commodities Up in Price
Chemicals (5); Chicken; Diesel Fuel* (21); Electrical Components (19); Fuel* (20); Hotel Rates (4); Labor (21); Labor — Construction; Labor — Contingent (2); Labor — Skilled; Labor — Temporary; Medical Gases; Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies; Medical Supplies (2); Natural Gas; Paper; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Safety Products; Soybean Oil; Steel Products* (20); and Travel (4).
Commodities Down in Price
Aluminum Products (2); Beef; Dairy Products; Diesel Fuel*; Fuel* (2); Gasoline; Ocean Freight; and Steel Products*.
Commodities in Short Supply
Blood Collection Tubes; Electrical Components (5); Electronic Components; Electronic Parts; Fiberglass Door Slabs; IV Products; Lab Supplies; Labor (13); Labor — Construction; Labor — Skilled; Medical Supplies; Microchips (4); Paper; Potato Products; Tires; Tubing; and Vehicles (2).
Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item. *Indicates both up and down in price.
AUGUST 2022 SERVICES INDEX SUMMARIES
Services PMI®
In August, the Services PMI® registered 56.9 percent, a 0.2-percentage point increase compared to the July reading of 56.7 percent. The 12-month average is 59.7 percent, reflecting consistently strong growth in the services sector, which has expanded for 27 consecutive months. A reading above 50 percent indicates the services sector economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates the services sector is generally contracting.
A Services PMI® above 50.1 percent, over time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the August Services PMI® indicates the overall economy has followed the same path as the services sector: expansion for 27 straight months following two months of contraction and a preceding period of 122 months of growth. Nieves says, "The past relationship between the Services PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the Services PMI® for August (56.9 percent) corresponds to a 2.5-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis."
SERVICES PMI® HISTORY
Business Activity
ISM®'s Business Activity Index registered 60.9 percent in August, an increase of 1 percentage point from the reading of 59.9 percent in July, indicating growth for the 27th consecutive month. Comments from respondents include: "Customer demand has increased" and "Activity is up due to material receipts that have allowed us to schedule and work more projects than last month."
The 11 industries reporting an increase in business activity for the month of August — listed in order — are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Utilities; Information; Educational Services; Construction; Wholesale Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Public Administration; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; and Finance & Insurance. The three industries reporting a decrease in business activity for the month of August are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Accommodation & Food Services; and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation.
New Orders
ISM®'s New Orders Index registered 61.8 percent, up 1.9 percentage points from the July reading of 59.9 percent. New orders grew for the 27th consecutive month after two months of contraction and a preceding period of 128 months of expansion. Comments from respondents include: "Economic situation is getting better, and the supply chain is improving" and "Large capital expenditure investments in renewable energy space."
Twelve industries reported growth of new orders in August, in the following order: Educational Services; Mining; Information; Utilities; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Public Administration; Wholesale Trade; Retail Trade; Health Care & Social Assistance; Management of Companies & Support Services; Finance & Insurance; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. The only industry reporting a decrease in new orders in August is Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting.
Employment
Employment activity in the services sector grew in August after two months of contraction. ISM®'s Employment Index registered 50.2 percent, up 1.1 percentage points from the July reading of 49.1 percent. Comments from respondents include: "Unable to hire enough people to fill jobs" and "(Head count) would be higher but there's some churn, as some employees transfer to other departments or leave for perceived better opportunities."
The eight industries reporting an increase in employment in August — listed in order — are: Mining; Construction; Transportation & Warehousing; Accommodation & Food Services; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Other Services; Information; and Wholesale Trade. The seven industries reporting a decrease in employment in August — listed in order — are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Finance & Insurance; Public Administration; Health Care & Social Assistance; Educational Services; and Utilities.
Supplier Deliveries
The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 54.5 percent, down 3.3 percentage points from the 57.8 percent registered in July. A reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, while a reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries. Comments from respondents include: "Still experiencing delays in some commodities" and "Constraints at U.S. ports and in highway transportation."
The 12 industries reporting slower deliveries in August — listed in order — are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Mining; Finance & Insurance; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Accommodation & Food Services; Construction; Utilities; Transportation & Warehousing; Educational Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. The three industries reporting faster supplier deliveries for the month of August are: Retail Trade; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Information.
Inventories
The Inventories Index contracted in August for the third consecutive month after four straight months of growth preceded by an eight-month period of contraction. The reading of 46.2 percent was a 1.2-percentage point increase from the 45 percent reported in July. Of the total respondents in August, 39 percent indicated they do not have inventories or do not measure them. Comments from respondents include: "Long lead times are causing us to eat up existing inventory" and "Dipping into inventory purchased earlier in the year to avoid price increases."
The eight industries reporting an increase in inventories in August — listed in order — are: Mining; Accommodation & Food Services; Utilities; Other Services; Transportation & Warehousing; Educational Services; Wholesale Trade; and Public Administration. The seven industries reporting a decrease in inventories in August — listed in order — are: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Retail Trade; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Information; Management of Companies & Support Services; and Construction.
Prices
Prices paid by services organizations for materials and services increased in August for the 63rd consecutive month, with the index registering 71.5 percent, 0.8 percentage point lower than the 72.3 percent recorded in July. In the aftermath of July's month-over-month plunge of 7.8 percentage points, the Prices Index continues to indicate an approach toward equilibrium, with a second consecutive reading near 70 percent, following nine straight months of readings above 80 percent.
Seventeen services industries reported an increase in prices paid during the month of August, in the following order: Mining; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Other Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Transportation & Warehousing; Public Administration; Utilities; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Educational Services; Finance & Insurance; Management of Companies & Support Services; Information; Construction; Retail Trade; Wholesale Trade; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. The only industry to report a decrease in prices in August is Accommodation & Food Services.
NOTE: Commodities reported as up in price and down in price are listed in the commodities section of this report.
Backlog of Orders
The ISM® Services Backlog of Orders Index grew in August for the 20th consecutive month. The index registered 53.9 percent, a 4.4-percentage point decrease compared to the July reading of 58.3 percent. Of the total respondents in August, 39 percent indicated they do not measure backlog of orders. Respondent comments include: "More orders for future work and not many starting up, resulting in an increased backlog" and "Long lead times on products; our backlog continues to grow steadily."
The six industries reporting an increase in order backlogs in August — listed in order — are: Information; Mining; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Educational Services; Transportation & Warehousing; and Public Administration. The five industries reporting a decrease in order backlogs in August are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Management of Companies & Support Services; Retail Trade; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; and Health Care & Social Assistance. Seven industries reported no change in order backlogs for the month of August.
New Export Orders
Orders and requests for services and other non-manufacturing activities to be provided outside of the U.S. by domestically based companies grew in August for the seventh consecutive month. The New Export Orders Index registered 61.9 percent, a 2.4-percentage point increase from the 59.5 percent reported in July. Of the total respondents in August, 77 percent indicated they do not perform, or do not separately measure, orders for work outside of the U.S.
The six industries reporting an increase in new export orders in August — listed in order — are: Construction; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Utilities; Public Administration; Information; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. The three industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in August are: Educational Services; Transportation & Warehousing; and Wholesale Trade. Nine industries indicated no change in new export orders in August.
Imports
The Imports Index contracted in August for the third consecutive month, registering 48.2 percent, up 0.2 percentage point from July's reading of 48 percent. Sixty-six percent of respondents reported that they do not use, or do not track the use of, imported materials.
The six industries reporting an increase in imports for the month of August — listed in order — are: Public Administration; Information; Utilities; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; and Wholesale Trade. The five industries that reported a decrease in imports in August are: Retail Trade; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Educational Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; and Construction. Seven industries reported no change in imports in August.
Inventory Sentiment
The ISM® Services Inventory Sentiment Index contracted in August, the latest of several moves above and below the 50 percent breakeven line during the last two years. The index registered 47.1 percent, a 3-percentage point decrease from July's figure of 50.1 percent. This reading indicates that respondents feel their inventories are too low when correlated to business activity levels.
The seven industries reporting sentiment that their inventories were too high in August — listed in order — are: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Retail Trade; Mining; Wholesale Trade; Management of Companies & Support Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. The seven industries reporting a feeling that their inventories were too low in August — listed in order — are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Other Services; Accommodation & Food Services; Transportation & Warehousing; Educational Services; Information; and Utilities.
About This Report
DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report's information reflects the entire U.S., while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of August 2022.
The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of supply executives in the services sector based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.
Data and Method of Presentation
The Services ISM® Report On Business® (formerly the Non-Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®) is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. Membership of the Services Business Survey Committee (formerly Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee) is diversified by NAICS, based on each industry's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). The Services Business Survey Committee responses are divided into the following NAICS code categories: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Mining; Utilities; Construction; Wholesale Trade; Retail Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Information; Finance & Insurance; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Educational Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Accommodation & Food Services; Public Administration; and Other Services (services such as Equipment & Machinery Repairing; Promoting or Administering Religious Activities; Grantmaking; Advocacy; and Providing Dry-Cleaning & Laundry Services, Personal Care Services, Death Care Services, Pet Care Services, Photofinishing Services, Temporary Parking Services, and Dating Services). The data are weighted based on each industry's contribution to GDP. According to the BEA estimates for 2020 GDP (released December 22, 2021), the six largest services sectors are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Government; Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Information; and Finance & Insurance. Beginning in February 2020 with January 2020 data, computation of the indexes is accomplished utilizing unrounded numbers.
Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For each of the indicators measured (Business Activity, New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Inventory Change, Inventory Sentiment, Imports, Prices, Employment and Supplier Deliveries), this report shows the percentage reporting each response and the diffusion index. Responses represent raw data and are never changed. Data is seasonally adjusted for Business Activity, New Orders, Prices and Employment. All seasonal adjustment factors are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The remaining indexes have not indicated significant seasonality.
The Services PMI® is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes for four of the indicators with equal weights: Business Activity (seasonally adjusted), New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted) and Supplier Deliveries. Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. An index reading above 50 percent indicates that the services economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. Supplier Deliveries is an exception. A Supplier Deliveries Index above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries and below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries.
A Services PMI® above 50.1 percent, over time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 50.1 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 50.1 percent is indicative of the strength of the expansion or decline.
The Services ISM® Report On Business® survey is sent out to Services Business Survey Committee respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to ONLY report on U.S. operations for the current month. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the third business day of the following month.
The industries reporting growth, as indicated in the Services ISM® Report On Business® monthly report, are listed in the order of most growth to least growth. For the industries reporting contraction or decreases, those are listed in the order of the highest level of contraction/decrease to the least level of contraction/decrease.
ISM ROB Content
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You shall not create, recreate, distribute, incorporate in other work, or advertise an index of any portion of the Content unless you receive prior written authorization from ISM. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute ISM ROB Content can be made by contacting in writing at: ISM Research, Institute for Supply Management, 309 W. Elliot Road, Suite 113, Tempe, AZ 85284-1556, or by emailing kcahill@ismworld.org; subject: Content Request.
ISM shall not have any liability, duty, or obligation for or relating to the ISM ROB Content or other information contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in providing any ISM ROB Content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall ISM be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the ISM ROB. Report On Business®, Manufacturing PMI®, Services PMI®, and Hospital PMI® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management®. Institute for Supply Management® and ISM® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management, Inc.
About Institute for Supply Management®
Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) serves supply management professionals in more than 90 countries. Its 50,000 members around the world manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 as the first supply management institute in the world, ISM is committed to advancing the practice of supply management to drive value and competitive advantage for its members, contributing to a prosperous and sustainable world. ISM leads the profession through the ISM® Report On Business®, its highly regarded certification programs and the ISM® Advance™ Digital Platform. This report has been issued by the association since 1931, except for a four-year interruption during World War II.
The full text version of the Services ISM® Report On Business® is posted on ISM®'s website at www.ismrob.org on the third business day* of every month after 10:00 a.m. ET.
The next Services ISM® Report On Business® featuring September 2022 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
*Unless the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
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SOURCE Institute for Supply Management | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/06/services-pmi-569-august-2022-services-ism-report-business/ | 2022-09-06T14:35:42Z |
Police in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, have launched a homicide investigation after finding the body of 10-year-old Illiana "Lily" Peters in the woods Monday, the morning after her father reported her missing, police say.
Peters' father called the police Sunday night when she did not come home from visiting her aunt's house, Chippewa Falls Police Department (CFPD) said in a news release Monday. Later that night, officers found a bicycle in a wooded area by a walking trail close to her aunt's house, CFPD said.
Around 9:00 a.m. Monday morning, her body was found in the woods near the walking trail, according to CFPD. The Chippewa County Coroner's Office confirmed the remains were Peters'.
Officers believe Peters was last seen by family members the night of her disappearance, according to the CFPD release. She was supposed to be headed home from her aunt's house when she disappeared, CFPD said.
Overnight, local authorities searched for Peters by going door-to-door and using K9 teams, the release said. They also used a drone to search the wooded area where her bike was found.
During a news conference Monday, CFPD Chief Matthew Kelm did not elaborate on how the girl was killed or what evidence was found at the scene.
Police are investigating Peters' death as a homicide and do not currently have anybody in custody, Kelm said, adding police have set up a tip line for members of the community.
Kelm warned there may still be a danger to the public as authorities do not have a suspect in custody.
"The simple fact is that we have not made an arrest in this case, so the suspect is still at large," he said. "So in that case, we just want to be extra vigilant and make sure that if there are any tips, anyone has any information, to go ahead and call that tip line."
Multiple agencies are assisting CFPD in their investigation including the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Kelm said.
Peters' family is working with victim advocates, according to Kelm, and the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, where Peters attended fourth grade, said in a Facebook post they are "working closely with the police."
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/after-finding-a-10-year-old-girls-body-in-the-woods-wisconsin-police-launch-a/article_f8138fff-eab5-5d25-a2f3-5389cae95941.html | 2022-04-26T03:23:05Z |
Internal audit and finance leaders need to modernize their SOX compliance approaches to mitigate costs and retain talent
MENLO PARK, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The thirteenth annual Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance Survey, conducted by global consulting firm Protiviti, finds that hours devoted to SOX compliance increased for 53% of companies across most industries, company sizes and reporting types. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the passage of the U.S Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act, the 2022 survey results illustrate the need for companies to explore alternative delivery models and automation for SOX compliance to drive a more effective and efficient execution strategy in the face of continued cost pressures, intensifying scrutiny from external auditors (due to guidance from the U.S. PCAOB), labor shortages, remote and hybrid working models, and other challenges.
The survey found that for companies that are beyond their second year of SOX compliance, average annual costs for SOX compliance went up 18% from 2021 to 2022. Thirty percent of surveyed companies beyond their second year of SOX compliance spent more than $2 million in their most recent fiscal year, versus 24% the prior year. While companies are increasing their use of automation and external resources, there is still significant opportunity to moderate cost increases for SOX compliance.
"Today internal audit and finance leaders have a menu of options available to innovate and streamline their SOX compliance programs and lessen internal burdens, from technology tools that support automation, provide workflow capabilities and support document management, to alternative delivery models, such as centers of excellence managed internally or by an external outsourcing partner," said Andrew Struthers-Kennedy, a Protiviti managing director and global leader of the firm's Internal Audit and Financial Advisory practice. "The ongoing war for talent underscores the urgency for internal audit leaders to explore the staffing and retention advantages that alternative service delivery models can yield. Delivery center organizational structures offer internal audit teams the ability to focus on strategic contributions and avoid burnout and turnover related to certain repetitive and routine SOX program activities."
To demonstrate the potential for savings from automation, for an organization with 200 controls, a reduction of one hour in, for example, testing for operating control effectiveness can result in 200 saved person hours and yield significant benefits in effectiveness and population coverage.
In addition to increasing their investment in supporting automation, survey respondents signaled increasing interest in leveraging internal shared services models and partnerships with third parties that operate external centers of excellence for controls testing. On average, 41% of surveyed organizations' SOX compliance costs are for outsourced resources, either onshore or offshore, up from 37% in 2021. Fifty-four percent of surveyed companies are leveraging audit management and GRC platforms; two out of five organizations are using data analytics and visualization platforms; and one in three are using segregation of duties analysis tools and continuous monitoring. However, companies utilize technology tools on an average of 25% of their overall SOX compliance program activities, leaving significant room for improvement.
The Protiviti report, titled "SOX Compliance Amid Rising Costs, Labor Shortages and Other Post-Pandemic Challenges," is based on a survey of more than 560 audit, compliance and finance leaders and professionals, representing a wide range of industries. The survey was conducted with support from AuditBoard, a leading cloud-based audit, risk and security compliance management platform, in March and April of 2022.
Survey Resources Available
The annual Protiviti SOX Compliance Survey benchmarks compliance costs, hours, processes and improvements, including how these areas are affected by current business conditions. The survey report is available for complimentary download here. Additionally, an infographic and a podcast featuring Protiviti Managing Directors Clint McPherson and Seth Schrank discussing the advantages of alternative delivery models are available on the web page. Protiviti and AuditBoard will conduct a free one-hour webinar on June 16 at 10:00 a.m. PDT with Struthers-Kennedy and Scott Madenburg, market advisor, AuditBoard, along with Protiviti's Keith Kawashima, a managing director, and Kristen Kelly, director, to further explore the study's results and implications. To attend the webinar, please register here.
About Protiviti
Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned Member Firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, digital, legal, governance, risk and internal audit through its network of more than 85 offices in over 25 countries.
Named to the 2022 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, Protiviti has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index.
About AuditBoard
AuditBoard is the leading cloud-based platform transforming audit, risk, and security compliance management. More than 30% of the Fortune 500 leverage AuditBoard to move their businesses forward with greater clarity and agility. AuditBoard is top-rated by customers on G2, Capterra, and Gartner Peer Insights. To learn more, visit: AuditBoard.com.
Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services.
Editor's note: photos available upon request.
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SOURCE Protiviti | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/09/20-years-after-passage-sarbanes-oxley-act-companies-face-continuing-struggle-moderate-compliance-costs-finds-new-protiviti-survey/ | 2022-06-09T15:28:39Z |
Under strain from sex abuse suits, Scouts sell off camps
KILLINGWORTH, Conn. (AP) — As the financially struggling Boy Scouts sell off a number of campgrounds, conservationists, government officials and others are scrambling to find ways to preserve them as open space.
A $2.6 billion proposed bankruptcy settlement designed to pay thousands of victims of child sexual abuse has added pressure to an organization beset by years of declining enrollment, and the Scouts and their local councils have been cashing in on their extensive holdings, including properties where some of the abuse took place. Developers have bought up some. Preservation groups said they hope others can be protected, and some legislators have taken notice.
“I am emphasizing to my colleagues that there is a clear urgency here,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who thinks there may be federal funds available to buy Scout properties. “We have no time to waste.”
For over a century, the Scouts and their local councils have acquired properties across the country where generations have learned to appreciate the outdoors through camping, swimming and canoeing.
In Blumenthal’s state of Connecticut, the Scouts’ Yankee Council is considering a $4.6 million offer from developers for a 252-acre property, Deer Lake, near Long Island Sound that offers camping, fishing, and hiking. The council has rejected offers from two conservation groups but is negotiating with one of them that offered a revised bid.
Sen. Blumenthal has said he’s looking into the possible use of money from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund to help in the purchase of the Connecticut camp and the other Boy Scout properties for sale across the nation. Individual states decide which projects to pay for with that money.
Other properties targeted for preservation include 96 acres of what was the Boy Scouts’ Camp Barton, on the west shore of Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region. It includes woodlands, streams, trails and a 75-foot (23-meter) waterfall.
“They are not making any more lakefront property,” said Fred Bonn, regional director for the Finger Lakes State Parks system. “Access to the lake is challenging, both with its topography and what is owned privately.”
Several local towns and New York state’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is working with the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts to try to preserve the land. A nearby 41-acre parcel already was sold by the Scouts to private interests.
It’s unclear exactly how much land across the United States belongs to the Boy Scouts, partly because it is owned by local scout councils. But evidence in the bankruptcy trial indicated the local councils own close to 2,000 properties that could be worth between $8 billion and $10 billion, said Timothy Kosnoff, an attorney who represents more than 12,000 claimants in the bankruptcy.
The proposed bankruptcy settlement with Boys Scouts of America would have its more than 250 councils contribute at least $515 million in cash and property and a $100 million interest-bearing note. Kosnoff said the Scouts will need to sell much of their land to contribute to the national settlement or, if it fails, to pay for continuing legal battles.
“I can’t predict how long it will take for all these properties to be liquidated, but I think it’s inevitable,” he said.
Some abuse victims have mixed feelings about the camps’ sale.
Joe, a victim who did not want his last name used because his family is unaware of his experience, was abused by his scout master starting at the age of 8 in the 1970s at a Connecticut camp that was sold years ago to make way for housing on Candlewood Lake. He’s not sure he wants people camping on land where scouts were once abused.
“I don’t have those warm feelings about those places,” he said. “It’s almost like ‘Poltergeist.’ Do you want your house on land where those things happened? So, I don’t know what to do with those places.”
The Boy Scouts of America said in a statement that selling the camps may be necessary in some instances to compensate victims.
“Every decision must take into account the finances, viability of potential buyers, sustainability and meeting the obligations to provide the best service to youth within their respective council,” the organization said.
Councils in states including Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have all recently sold or announced plans to sell camps.
Sen. Blumenthal said selling camps to developers goes against the tenants of an organization that is supposed to teach environmental stewardship.
“Unfortunately, local Boy Scout councils are selling to the highest bidder,” he said. “So I think it is a national challenge, but it goes to the core of what scouting means and the ethos and ethic of scouting, which they may be betraying.”
In Michigan, a consolidation of local Boy Scout councils that began a decade ago has led to the sale of numerous properties, including Silver Trails, a 269-acre camp about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Port Huron. A group called the Thumb Land Conservancy tried to buy it in 2019, but lost out when the scouts sold it to a gravel-mining company.
“They’ve sold off, I think 15 camps statewide,” said Bill Collins, the conservancy group’s executive director and a former Boy Scout, who used to camp at Silver Trails. “So, people now have to drive sometimes a couple of hundred miles across the state to go to camp. Well, that makes most of day camp activities unfeasible and things like weekend camp outs much more of a chore for everyone involved.”
In Maine, the Androscoggin Land Trust has a purchase agreement to buy the 95-acre Boy Scout Camp Gustin near Lewiston, which includes a large pond and a bog that is filled with wildlife. Aimee Dorval, the trust’s executive director, said the state government’s Land for Maine’s Future program has agreed to chip in half of the $415,000 appraised value of the property. The rest is being raised through private donations.
The purchase would be part of the trust’s larger effort to preserve about 1,000-acres of open space along the Androscoggin River near Lewiston, land that also has been targeted by developers. The trust plans to continue allowing Boy Scouts to use the land while opening it up to the larger community for camping and other activities.
Dorval said it’s important for groups like hers to step up as these camps are put up for sale.
“There are accredited land trusts all across the nation that can take this on,” she said. “I think it would be foolish if people stayed away from this because of the (Boy Scout abuse) controversy. To us, it’s not about that. It is about conservation and about trying to preserve an area for youth and nature-based activities and historic scouting access.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/04/under-strain-sex-abuse-suits-scouts-sell-off-camps/ | 2022-06-04T12:51:15Z |
LONDON (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases rose in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe last week, while the number of deaths globally dropped by 16%, according to the World Health Organization’s latest weekly pandemic report issued Wednesday.
The WHO said there were 3.3 million new COVID-19 infections last week, marking a 4% decrease, with more than 7,500 deaths. But cases jumped by about 45% in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and by about 6% in Europe. Southeast Asia was the only region to report a slight 4% increase in deaths, while figures fell elsewhere. Globally, the number of new COVID-19 cases has ben falling after peaking in January.
Salim Abdool Karim, an epidemiologist and vice-chancellor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, said the recent fall in COVID-19 numbers had reached “trough” levels and had not been seen much in the last two and a half years. He warned, however, that some countries, including Britain, were starting to see a slight resurgence in cases.
British health officials said last week there were early signs the country could be at the start of a new wave of infections driven by omicron variants, although hospitalization rates have so far remained “very low.”
The country dropped nearly all of its COVID restrictions months ago. Last week, the U.K. recorded a 43% rise in cases following the street parties, concerts and other festivities celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee earlier this month, that marked her 70 years as monarch.
Meanwhile in the U.S., officials began rolling out vaccines for the littlest children late last week, with shots for kids aged six months to five years.
Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control authorized vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna on Saturday, saying they helped prevent severe disease, hospitalization and deaths in young children.
While young children generally don’t get as sick from COVID-19 as older kids and adults, their hospitalizations surged during the omicron wave and American experts determined that benefits from vaccination outweighed the minimal risks.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic | https://cw33.com/health/ap-health/covid-cases-rise-in-southeast-asia-middle-east-and-europe/ | 2022-06-23T00:08:55Z |
FIFA rivals streaming companies with own soccer platform
LONDON (AP) — FIFA is getting into the streaming platform business with a soccer version of Netflix and Amazon Prime. The service is free and largely featuring documentaries and some live games at the launch but it could eventually be a way for FIFA to broadcast World Cup matches itself at a cost. While increasingly positioning itself up as a rival to existing media companies, FIFA+ will also be used by the governing body to promote its sponsors. Geo-blocking can be used to limit matches broadcast on FIFA+ to specific territories. | https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/12/fifa-rivals-streaming-companies-with-own-soccer-platform/ | 2022-04-12T13:37:58Z |
MIAMI, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OnPost the fashion tech platform, has made a name for itself by fusing its 360 services to fashion designers in need of expansion. As a brand aggregator, OnPost offers services that include access to their marketplace, an integration with a digital wholesale platform, a physical experience through popups and also access to the Web 3.0 ecosystem. Its newest agenda addition includes a proud participation at the most important trade shows worldwide such as: Joor, Coterie, Destination Miami and Magic Las Vegas - aiming to empower for the Latin American designers and create more opportunities to sell their products through new B2B channels.
Founded by Ex-Harvard Business School alumni and Marketing mogul, Gabriel De La Serna, OnPost has gained an immense traction since its launch in 2019 - being called the one stop destination for up and coming LATAM designers. OnPost offers shoppers a thoughtfully edited selection of the most sustainable contemporary women's products from Latin America. Featuring both cult favorite brands as well as exciting new up-and-comers. OnPost is committed to championing brands that have a truly unique story to tell and take them to the next level.
Through participating in the best trade shows, trunk shows and pop-ups in the world, OnPost offers a unique access to their brands to be discovered each time one visits the physical and also the online destination. The platform is committed to shedding a spotlight on the designers creations and creators themselves through meaningful storytelling that engages the shopper and allows them to truly connect with the brands on the site as well as the people behind them.
The debut selection of brands on trade shows includes industry insider favorites such as Denise Kuri, Concepción Miranda, Malau, Padova, among others. In addition to the core debut offering at Coterie in New York on September 18-20, ONPOST will be showcasing a digital showroom powered by Joor all year long, as well as having a physical presence at Destination Miami on July 16-18 and Magic Las Vegas on August 8-10.
Few platforms exist at the unique intersection of beauty, fashion, sustainability and phygital fashion - four categories that are so intertwined in our daily lives. ONPOST bridges the gap between these worlds, bringing sustainable cult favorites, the new & noteworthy, and the truly unique access on the the digital Fashion world.
TRANSFORMING POSSIBILITIES INTO OPPORTUNITIES.
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SOURCE ONPOST, INC | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/04/25/onpost-digital-phygital/ | 2022-04-25T16:35:59Z |
New funding will advance ESG Book's next-generation technology, enabling clients to meet increasingly complex sustainability requirements.
- Energy Impact Partners led the round alongside Meridiam and Allianz X, as ESG Book responds to growing demand for technology-enabled ESG data solutions.
- The company's cloud-based platform makes ESG data accessible, consistent, and transparent, enabling financial markets to allocate capital towards more sustainable and higher impact assets.
- Investment and global reach of strategic partners will enable ESG Book to expand services worldwide in $5 billion ESG data market.
LONDON, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ESG Book, a global leader in sustainability data and technology, today announced it has closed $35 million in Series B funding. The new capital will be used to advance ESG Book's next-generation technology capabilities, enabling clients to meet increasingly complex sustainability requirements, and accelerate the company's expansion as it responds to growing demand for technology-enabled ESG data solutions. The round was led by Energy Impact Partners (EIP), a global investment firm leading the transition to a sustainable future, alongside global sustainability leader Meridiam and Allianz X, the digital investments arm of leading global insurer and asset manager Allianz.
With the ESG data and services market expected to grow to $5 billion globally by 20251, the Series B investment will be used to fuel adoption of ESG Book's industry-leading data platform, and further the company's continued expansion into new products areas.
The company's cloud-based platform makes ESG data accessible, consistent, and transparent, enabling financial markets to allocate capital towards more sustainable and higher impact assets. Covering over 25,000 companies globally, ESG Book enables companies to be custodians of their own data, provides framework-neutral sustainability information in real-time, and promotes transparency.
Dr Daniel Klier, CEO of ESG Book, said: "Investors, companies, and all market participants are today demanding better, technology-enabled solutions in order to direct capital towards more sustainable and higher impact assets. ESG Book is disrupting how sustainability is integrated and measured on a global scale by using next-generation technology that makes ESG data accessible, comparable and transparent. By partnering with three of the world's leading sustainability-conscious investors, EIP, Meridiam, and Allianz X, we are excited about the next chapter of our company's growth as we scale ESG Book's platform and services worldwide."
Nazo Moosa, Managing Partner, Europe, at Energy Impact Partners, said: "We are delighted to welcome ESG Book to our family of companies that empower the transition to net zero and support the principles of sustainability. ESG Book marks the tenth investment by Energy Impact Partners in Europe, and this partnership is driven by a shared vision for radical transparency in sustainability data. We look forward to supporting the tremendous momentum of the company as it builds the world's leading ESG data platform."
Thierry Deau, Founder and CEO of Meridiam, said: "ESG Book is a platform with the potential to transform the way ESG data is processed by the financial world. We believe it will substantially increase the quality and availability of ESG information to direct financing flows in accordance with sustainable development goals and the Paris Agreement. As impact investors since inception, Meridiam has been confronted with the lack of data transparency and has developed strong expertise in impact measurement. Through this investment by the Green Impact Growth Fund, we will further contribute to the field by helping ESG Book become the reference player in the sustainability data field."
Carsten Middendorf, Head of Platforms & Acquisitions at Allianz X, said: "As an investor, we know how important data is for making decisions. Sustainability isn't just a fad or a phase. It's our necessary present if we are to have a future. That's why it's so important to ensure transparency, quality, and comparability in ESG data. We at Allianz X invest in the future, which is why we're supporters of ESG Book."
About ESG Book
ESG Book is a global leader in sustainability data and technology. Incubated by Arabesque in 2018, ESG Book combines cutting-edge technology and proprietary research. ESG Book's wide range of cloud-based sustainability products and solutions are used by many of the world's leading financial organisations. The company has offices in London, Frankfurt, Boston, Singapore, Delhi and Tokyo and serves clients worldwide from offices in Asia, Europe and North America. www.esgbook.com
About Energy Impact Partners
Energy Impact Partners LP (EIP) is a global venture capital firm leading the transition to a sustainable future. EIP brings together entrepreneurs and the world's most forward-looking energy and industrial companies to advance innovation. With over $2.5 billion in assets under management, EIP invests globally across venture, growth, credit, and infrastructure – and has a team of nearly 70 professionals based in its offices in New York, San Francisco, Palm Beach, London, and Cologne. www.energyimpactpartners.com
About Meridiam
Meridiam was founded in 2005 by Thierry Déau, with the belief that the alignment of interests between the public and private sector can provide critical solutions to the collective needs of communities. Meridiam is an independent investment Benefit Corporation under French law and an asset manager. The firm specializes in the development, financing, and long-term management of sustainable public infrastructure in three core sectors: sustainable mobility, critical public services and innovative low carbon solutions. With offices in, Addis Ababa, Amman, Dakar, Istanbul, New York, Luxembourg, Paris, Toronto, Vienna, Libreville and Johannesburg, Meridiam currently manages US$18 billion and more than 100 projects to date. Meridiam is certified ISO 9001: 2015, Advanced Sustainability Rating by VigeoEiris (Moody's), ISO 37001 Anti-Corruption certification by AFNOR and applies a proprietary methodology in relation to ESG and impact based on United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). www.meridiam.com
For more information on Meridiam, please contact Eric Rey, Managing Director and Head of GIGF, Meridiam, at e.rey@meridiam.com, or Xavier Ploquin, Senior Associate, Meridiam, at x.ploquin@meridiam.com.
About Allianz X
Allianz X invests in digital frontrunners in ecosystems relevant to insurance and asset management. In just a few years, its portfolio has grown to more than 25 companies and AuM of over 2 billion euros. Allianz X has counted 10 unicorns among its portfolio so far. The heart and brains behind it all is a talented team of around 40 people. As one of the pillars of Allianz Group's digital transformation strategy, Allianz X provides an interface between Allianz Operating Entities and the broader digital ecosystem, enabling collaborative partnerships in insurtech, fintech, and beyond. As an Investor, Allianz X supports mature digital growth companies to take the next bold leap and reach their full potential. www.allianzx.com
References:
1). UBS -Future Reimagined: Will ESG Data and Services Demand Accelerate Post-COVID & Who Will Win? 2020
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1825453/ESG_Book_Logo.jpg
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SOURCE ESG Book | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/esg-book-closes-35-million-series-b-build-worlds-leading-esg-data-platform/ | 2022-06-23T06:47:20Z |
Why these Democrats think 25 state legislative races are the key to securing the 2024 presidential election
By Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN
Sitting at the Gee Whiz Diner in Brooklyn last summer, Daniel Squadron and Vicky Hausman cooked up a simple plan they believed could save American democracy.
On Tuesday, they’re putting it into action, announcing a $20 million investment in state legislative races in what they think are three key states.
Squadron, a former New York state senator who resigned to start a group called The States Project (formerly Future Now), and Hausman, a despondent liberal who’d left a career in business to co-found the super PAC Forward Majority, were worried about one thing: preventing another attempt to overthrow the presidential election after seeing former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the election he lost in 2020.
Before Trump falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen from him, the perfunctory process of states sending their votes to the Electoral College had rarely been questioned. The Electoral Count Act of 1887 was a musty piece of legislation only discussed in academic circles.
Squadron and Hausman walked out of the diner with a plan to prevent the Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania legislatures — all of which are currently controlled by the GOP — from ignoring the popular vote results in future presidential elections, sending their own electors and mounting a slow-motion, legalized coup. Those three states were among those with the smallest margins of victory for Joe Biden in 2020, and all quickly became hotspots for GOP legislative leaders championing attempts to overturn their states’ results.
Those efforts ultimately failed, but they were enough to push these two Democrats to try to stop GOP-led legislatures from ever having the power that some Republicans wished they’d had in 2020.
The aim is to flip at least one legislative chamber in each of those three states this fall. Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania are among the states with the narrowest Republican majorities in chambers in the state legislature. To Squadron and Hausman, that’s reason for hope.
They’re prioritizing 40 races, with the aim of winning just 25 that could flip at least one chamber of the legislature in each state, with their organizations putting up $10 million each. That’s a level of spending on state legislative races that Democrats have never had from outside groups before. In the 2020 cycle, the anti-gerrymandering group led by former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder, All on the Line, spent several million, spread across many more states.
“If we don’t make progress in state legislatures through this work, there’s a question whether the Democratic presidential candidate should spend a dime in these states in 2024,” Squadron said.
Money can go far in these small, local races, but the fights have grown ever more intense. Democrats spent about $20 million in Pennsylvania races in 2020 in a failed attempt to take the majority in either chamber, fighting in districts gerrymandered by Republican majorities.
Jessica Post, the executive director of the state legislature-focused Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said she’s happy to have the help, but is hopeful that the money will be spent building the kind of party infrastructure she thinks wins races over time, whether in this year’s elections or beyond. She noted that her group is expecting to exceed the already record-breaking 2020 cycle total of $51 million in spending, which itself pales in comparison to the roughly $100 million in spending that the comparable Republican group invested in largely holding onto power in those state races in 2020.
But, Post said, given how little attention state legislative campaigns tend to get from Democrats, “We’re excited to have allies in this fight.”
It’s all about 2024
Squadron and Hausman have only one agenda: securing the 2024 election results — regardless of which party wins. They’re particularly worried with Trump making moves to position himself as the Republican nominee and supporting state politicians committed to overturning elections in his favor, although they fear that kind of anti-democratic behavior may exist for any GOP presidential candidate.
In addition to donating money either directly to Democratic candidates or to caucuses and other Democratic legislative election groups in the states, the States Project is recruiting and training candidates and campaign staff, buying ads online and providing operational resources and guidance for the largely less experienced candidates, down to the details of how many doors to knock on and how. Squadron has a team of state legislative campaign veterans on staff for the newer candidates and their aides to call on for advice and tips.
The $10 million from Forward Majority, the super PAC Hausman co-founded to boost Democrats running for state legislatures, will be spent on tactics not directly coordinated with campaigns, mostly focused on its own local level ads to combat disinformation, build targeted partisan voter registration drives and fund independent expenditures to boost Democratic turnout. Some Democrats remain skeptical of the super PAC because of big promises to raise $100 million over the 2018 and 2020 cycles and its focus on winning state legislative seats in Florida and Texas, where majorities were far out of reach. But Hausman said the group is already well on its way to raising the money committed to this particular effort.
State legislative races tend to come cheap, with low turnout and tiny margins despite how state capitals have taken on an ever larger role amid legislative stalemate in Washington, DC. In 2020, a combined total of 46,000 votes determined which party was in majority control in 13 different state legislature chambers across the country.
Even as Democrats have stepped up their efforts to win these races over the past several cycles so that they’d have more control in the redistricting process this year, they’re far behind generations of Republican efforts to dominate state legislative campaigns.
“The idea that Trump, Trumpism and anti-democratic authoritarianism are separate, or emanate from the Oval Office is the crisis,” Squadron said, holding up three fingers on one hand tight together to illustrate. “They’re the same thing. And they’ve been alive and well in state legislatures, going back, certainly going back 40 years.”
Redistricting creates opportunities
November is shaping up to be a tough environment for any Democratic candidate, but the countervailing reason for optimism, Squadron and Hausman believe, is in new district maps. In Michigan, the 38-member state senate heads into elections with 22 seats held by Republicans and 16 held by Democrats. But by Forward Majority’s analysis, the state’s new nonpartisan redistricting process produced a map with 20 seats won by Biden and 18 won by Trump.
After redistricting, they now need just four net gains in Arizona to give Democrats the majority in the state House, and new maps have created multiple opportunities for both the state House and Senate in the Phoenix metro area. Enough state legislative districts in the new Pennsylvania maps were carried by Biden, according to Forward Majority, that they alone contain a path to the majority in the state’s general assembly if Democrats can carry all of them.
Now that Democrats have analyzed these numbers and maps, “there’s a real moment when everyone who’s felt paralyzed and scared and concerned can actually start to get to work and start to strategically invest,” Hausman said.
Carol Glanville is certainly hoping so. A first-time state legislative candidate in West Michigan, she’s already gotten her first $5,000 check from the States Project for what will first be a special election for the seat in May and then move immediately into another campaign in the fall. Just a few weeks in to being part of the States Project’s focus, she said she’s also already seeing the benefits. “Even knowing what to ask for and expect is new to me,” she said.
Glanville said she never would have expected for a sleepy state House special election to be caught up with the fate of American democracy. But her Republican opponent, RJ Regan, has spent much of his candidacy baselessly talking about how the 2020 election was stolen and how, if he wins, he’ll come up with a way to “decertify” election results.
“We need people who are going to go to the state legislature and guarantee democracy,” Glanville said. “If we’re looking ahead all the way to 2024, we have 2022 to see where we land with the majority.”
‘We all know how important this is’
Squadron, Hausman and the Democratic candidates and operatives they’re working with know that talking about preserving democracy doesn’t seem to be moving many voters for the moment.
“Depending on the districts, there are some candidates that talk about it more, and there are some candidates that stick a lot more to the kitchen table issues,” said Trevor Southerland, the executive director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. But, he added, “it’s in the back of everybody’s mind, even if we’re not talking about it. We all know how important this is.”
The way Squadron tells the story, when he told a major figure in the Democratic Party, whose name he won’t reveal, his fear in the summer of 2020 that state legislatures could potentially mess with Electoral College results, this person “suggested I take off my tinfoil hat.”
Then, after the 2020 election was called for Biden and most Democrats were celebrating, Squadron said he had “a sinking feeling” that many in his party were letting their exuberance blind them to just how deep a problem remained. By the time fake alternate electors were being sent to the National Archives and rioters were storming the US Capitol, he felt like he was seeing what he’d heard about for years in conversations in state capitals relayed to him by friends in the legislatures.
These days, when Squadron goes on about election results potentially being overturned, he says he gets a different response.
“This isn’t just about Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania — because it certainly won’t end there. If the voters of Arizona are overruled by state lawmakers, it will signal the end of free and fair elections for every American, in each and every state,” Squadron said. “This is about saving democracy in America.”
He’s spoken recently to that person who told him to take off his tinfoil hat in 2020. Feelings have changed.
“They’re totally focused on this thing,” Squadron said. “It’s an absolutely top-tier concern.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/05/why-these-democrats-think-25-state-legislative-races-are-the-key-to-securing-the-2024-presidential-election/ | 2022-04-05T17:27:28Z |
DALLAS (KDAF) — If you’ve got plans from June 10-12 that don’t involve the Taste of Dallas there might need to be some cancellations or workarounds to ensure you can enjoy the 36th annual celebration.
Taste of Dallas will be celebrating its 36th year alongside the ever-so vibrant and delicious DFW food scene with tens of thousand expected attendees and dozens of things to do.
“This year, we’re debuting a host of new food attractions including Smoke & Sauce, Veggie Paradise, Global Flavors, It’s So Fair, Baconland and more! A Texas tradition since 1986, this is one of the largest and most anticipated events of the year, showcasing the best of what this larger than life city has to offer!”
When? Friday, June 10, noon-9 p.m., Saturday, June 11, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, June 12, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where? Dallas Market Hall on North Stemmons Freeway.
Tickets? Click here for full ticket information. | https://cw33.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/36th-annual-taste-of-dallas-scheduled-for-june-10-12/ | 2022-05-12T23:34:20Z |
New Offering Delivers Comprehensive Credit and Financial Monitoring Along With Identity Protection and Restoration as a Standalone Service or via Bitdefender Ultimate Security Suite
BUCHAREST, Romania and SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bitdefender, a global cybersecurity leader, today unveiled Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection, a new U.S. consumer service delivering identity threat detection and alerts, 24/7 credit and financial account monitoring, and dedicated recovery services in the event of successful identity takeover. The service helps prevent criminals from stealing or using personal information to drain financial accounts, open new lines of credit, commit medical or tax fraud among other identity-based offenses.
Identity theft remains a significant risk for consumers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported consumers losing nearly $6 billion due to fraud in 2021, an increase of more than 70% over the previous year. Additionally, a recent Bitdefender survey of more than 10,000 consumers found many to practice what is considered high-risk behavior when it comes to data protection and digital identities, including 50% stating use of a single password for all online accounts and regular sharing of personal identification details including name (43%), email address and birthdate (40%) and home address (29%).
"As consumers conduct more personal business and finances online, they need complete cybersecurity protection that not only blocks threats like malware and phishing attempts, but also protects digital privacy and actively secures personal data against theft and misuse," said Ciprian Istrate, vice president, Bitdefender Consumer Solutions Group. "Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection service enables consumers to enjoy online shopping, banking, social media and other activities with peace of mind knowing their financial identity, privacy and personal data is safeguarded around the clock and credit quickly repaired if ever needed."
Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection, developed in collaboration with IdentityForce (a TransUnion brand), is available as a standalone subscription service or through Bitdefender Ultimate Security, a comprehensive cybersecurity suite that incorporates Bitdefender Total Security antivirus, Bitdefender Premium VPN and Bitdefender Password Manager to protect computers and mobile devices across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Key Features of Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection Include:
- Continuous Identity and Credit Monitoring -- Bitdefender combines advanced threat detection capabilities and dark web threat intelligence with 24/7 identity, privacy and credit monitoring to protect users against the theft, sale or illegal trade of their personal, financial and credit information. Monitoring is correlated with data dumps and known breaches to notify users with specifics on what information was compromised such as passwords, addresses or credit card numbers.
- Real-Time Fraud Alerts -- Bitdefender Identity Theft instantly alerts users when personal and financial data is compromised or identity details are used to apply for new lines of credit, mortgages, car loans, wireless devices, check reorders and more. Fraud attempts are stopped in the moment, not after the financial damage has occurred.
- Complete Identity Theft Restoration Services -- Bitdefender Identity Theft delivers 24/7 support services, personalized mitigation strategies and identity theft restoration if an incident occurs. Certified U.S. protection experts do the heavy lifting of freezing compromised accounts, contacting third parties and completing necessary paperwork to restore identity removing the burden from consumers.
- Identity Theft Insurance -- Bitdefender Identify Theft guarantees insurance covering certain out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages and funds stolen from financial accounts, up to $2 million (USD) if a user falls victim to successful identity theft.
- Credit Score Simulator -- A unique credit score simulator helps users foresee how certain financial decisions may impact their credit score. Users can experiment with different credit balances, credit card payments, balance transfers and more, to understand how and why their score changes to make the best financial decision for their situation.
Availability
Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection is available now as an annual subscription or through the Bitdefender Ultimate Security suite. For more information or to purchase, visit https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/identity-theft-protection.html.
About Bitdefender
Bitdefender provides cybersecurity solutions with leading security efficacy, performance and ease of use to small and medium businesses, mid-market enterprises and consumers. Guided by a vision to be the world's most trusted cybersecurity solutions provider, Bitdefender is committed to defending organizations and individuals around the globe against cyberattacks to transform and improve their digital experience. For more information, visit https://www.bitdefender.com.
Contact:
Steve Fiore
Bitdefender
+1-954-776-6262
sfiore@bitdefender.com
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SOURCE Bitdefender | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/bitdefender-launches-identity-theft-protection-service-us-consumers/ | 2022-05-17T13:39:22Z |
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Service Express, a leader in global data center and infrastructure solutions, today announced the acquisition of third-party maintenance (TPM) provider Sherlock Services based in Ohio. The acquisition complements Service Express' current third-party maintenance offerings and brings expanded data center solutions to existing Sherlock Services customers.
Founded in 1991, Sherlock Services provides multivendor data center maintenance and hardware solutions for server, storage and network systems. In addition to over 30 years of industry experience, the company brings a talented team of US-based Level 2 and Level 3 Engineers to Service Express.
"We've offered similar solutions and worked alongside Service Express for many years and have been impressed with the level of service the company provides," said Ron Pollard, Co-Owner and President of Sherlock Services. "We look forward to offering our customers a widened portfolio of services and end-to-end data center support."
The acquisition of Sherlock Services strengthens Service Express' technical team, brings additional OEM expertise and builds upon the company's comprehensive third-party maintenance offerings.
"Our primary goal throughout the acquisition is to ensure our people have the resources they need to develop skills and explore potential career opportunities," said Greg Brumbaugh, Co-Owner & VP Operations of Sherlock Services. "We anticipate a seamless transition and look forward to what's next with Service Express."
Data center solutions delivered by Service Express offer Sherlock Services customers new options for their day-to-day needs beyond third-party support, including Hybrid Cloud and Managed Infrastructure solutions. Service Express continues to expand its offerings to provide customers with one source for end-to-end data center and infrastructure needs.
"Sherlock Services has great reputation, and they serve their customers and employees well – making them a great fit for Service Express," said Ron Alvesteffer, President and CEO of Service Express. "We're thrilled to welcome Sherlock Services' skilled team to Service Express and offer the company's existing customers more depth and expertise for their data center!"
For more information on Service Express, visit serviceexpress.com.
About Service Express
Service Express is an industry-leading data center solutions provider specializing in global multivendor maintenance, hybrid cloud, managed infrastructure services, hardware solutions and more. Companies around the globe trust Service Express to deliver reliable end-to-end support. Service Express' flagship technology, ExpressConnect®, helps IT teams automate support with monitoring, ticketing, integrations and account management. For more information, visit serviceexpress.com.
About Sherlock Services
Sherlock Services is a data center solutions provider specializing in multivendor third-party maintenance (TPM) and hardware for server, storage and network systems. Since 1991, Sherlock Services has delivered data center support for its global customers. The company resolves hardware failures quickly and cost-effectively with local technicians and onsite parts. For more information, visit sherlockservices.com.
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SOURCE Service Express | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/service-express-acquires-third-party-data-center-maintenance-provider-sherlock-services/ | 2022-09-13T09:34:11Z |
HANGZHOU, China, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VenusP-Valve™, an in-house developed novel medical device of Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc. (2500.HK, hereinafter referred to as "Venus Medtech"), recently completed its first compassionate use at University of Virginia Advanced Cardiac Valve Center in the U.S.
The procedure was performed at the Center by Professor Scott Lim's team under on-site guidance from Professor Yuan Feng and remote guidance from Professor Mao Chen, who are both from Cardiology Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University in China. As the first-ever clinical application of a Chinese-developed heart valve product in the U.S., the case corroborates not only the unique clinical value of VenusP-Valve™ but also the significance of global-oriented innovation.
Although there are several transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement (TPVR) products available in the U.S. market, such as Melody™ TPV and Harmony™ TPV by Medtronic and the SAPIEN series by Edwards, they do not work for the considerable number of patients with dilated right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). As a large-diameter product, VenusP-Valve™ can satisfy the clinical needs of 85% of patients in the case of large RVOT. In May 2022, VenusP-Valve™ was approved by the FDA for compassionate use in two patients.
This first patient was a 21-year-old man who suffered from severe pulmonary regurgitation, right ventricular dilation, pulmonary artery dilation, and left ventricular dysfunction after transannular patch (TAP) repair of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The procedure was performed under local anesthesia where the patient remained conscious. Upon preoperative CT, intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and balloon measurement, a P34-25 (valve diameter 34mm, straight length 25mm) VenusP-Valve™ that precisely fit the patient's anatomy was delivered through the right femoral vein. On the first postoperative day, ultrasound scan indicated a marked decrease in right ventricle volume with no pulmonary regurgitation. Left ventricular function also returned to normal. Making a sound recovery according to postoperative assessment, the patient was discharged on June 18 (within 24 hours of the procedure) local time.
"It was a great honor to work with Professor Chen and Professor Feng on the first compassionate use of VenusP-Valve™ in the United States", commented Professor Scott Lim after the procedure. "The product was very easy to handle as it's designed to facilitate precise positioning and delivery. The patient demonstrated significant improvement after the procedure. For the benefit of more patients, I really look forward to formal clinical trials of VenusP-Valve™ here as soon as possible."
Professor Chen congratulated on the first compassionate use of VenusP-Valve™ in the U.S. As he noted, VenusP-Valve™ has gained broad recognition from the global cardiology community since its first implantation in 2013. In particular, the product is a lifesaver for patients with dilated RVOT. Its transcatheter approach reduces trauma and speeds recovery, enhancing quality of life for patients in various dimensions.
Professor Feng said "VenusP-Valve™ is an excellent TPVR product. Its unique double flared-end design enables one-time delivery of stent and valve and simplifies the procedural workflow, making it a powerful tool for transcatheter treatment of pulmonary regurgitation. It is a pride of China to launch such a self-developed innovation in the U.S."
In April 2022, VenusP-Valve™ became the first Chinese-developed self-expanding TPVR product to receive CE marking under the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR). Uniquely designed with both flared ends, the product ensures the blood flow of branchial artery with bare stents at the outflow end. It provides a stable multi-point anchoring system and enables easy delivery, with no need for pre-stenting before the procedure. Available in a variety of specifications with extensive applicability, the product is able to meet the needs of 85% of patients. VenusP-Valve™ is also undergoing review and approval with the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and is expected to be marketed within 2022.
During its nine-year clinical use since 2013, VenusP-Valve™ has been applied to nearly 300 cases for humanitarian reasons, spanning more than 20 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. In March 2021, VenusP-Valve™ received special use authorization from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in designated medical institutions.
VenusP-Valve™ has impressive clinical data backing up its long-term safety and efficacy. According to two-year follow-up result of the clinical study in Europe, the product demonstrated 100% procedural success, with no reoperation or death observed in two years. In addition, moderate and severe pulmonary regurgitation plunged from 16.88% and 83.12% preoperatively to 0%. The data suggest excellent performance, robust safety and reliability, and drastic and steady improvements in patients' cardiac function.
"The first compassionate use of VenusP-Valve™ accentuates the urgent clinical need and high regulatory recognition of the product", said Eric Zi, Founder, Executive Director, and General Manager of Venus Medtech. "VenusP-Valve™ is undergoing clinical trials or marketing application in many mainstream countries. It is an exemplar for Chinese-developed innovative medical devices to reach global markets. We have full confidence in the rapid global launch of the product as well as the benefits it brings to patients worldwide."
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SOURCE Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/first-american-patient-treated-with-venusp-valve-under-compassionate-use/ | 2022-06-22T11:10:13Z |
NEW YORK, July 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Inotiv, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOTV) between September 21, 2021 and June 13, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 22, 2022 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action commenced by the firm.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Inotiv securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Inotiv class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6426 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 22, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (1) Envigo RMS, LLC ("Envigo") and Inotiv's Cumberland, Virginia facility (the "Cumberland Facility") engaged in widespread and flagrant violations of the Animal Welfare Act ("AWA"); (2) Envigo and Inotiv's Cumberland Facility continuously violated the AWA; (3) Envigo and Inotiv did not properly remedy issues with regards to animal welfare at the Cumberland Facility; (4) as a result, Inotiv was likely to face increased scrutiny and governmental action; (5) Inotiv would imminently shut down two facilities, including the Cumberland Facility; (6) Inotiv did not engage in proper due diligence; and (7) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Inotiv class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=6426 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/22/rosen-national-trial-lawyers-encourages-inotiv-inc-investors-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-first-filed-by-firm-notv/ | 2022-07-22T23:55:05Z |
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I have been doing hauling jobs with my dad for the last 40 years. I have learned working smarter not harder is the best way to unload a truck" said the inventor from Milpitas, CA, "This is a device for quickly and easily dumping a load from a pickup truck bed down onto the ground so I invented the Fortune Portable Dump Bed."
This product would enable large amounts of heavy brush, garbage bags, firewood, leaves, or other debris to be removed from the vehicle without any physical effort. This innovative idea would simplify the unloading process while also saving the truck owner a significant amount of time and effort. This would greatly reduce the time required to unload firewood, garbage bags, old appliances, and other loose loads.
The original design was submitted to the California sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-SFO-350, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/07/inventhelp-inventor-develops-portable-dump-bed-sfo-350/ | 2022-09-07T15:12:29Z |
(NEXSTAR) – A driver in Washington state fled the scene of an accident after getting an expensive McLaren 600LT sports car wedged underneath a guard rail earlier this week.
Trooper Robert Reyer of the Washington State Patrol shared news of the collision early on Tuesday morning on Twitter, confirming an investigation into a “hit and run” involving the 2020 luxury vehicle.
Included with Reyer’s tweet were several photos of the car, which appeared to have gotten stuck directly under a guard rail on State Road 512, near Tacoma. The car also looked to be totaled.
When asked if there were any known injuries, Trooper John Dattilo said Friday morning that the WSP could not confirm one way or the other.
“We aren’t sure on injuries since we haven’t spoken to the driver,” Trooper Dattilo told Nexstar.
WSP officials did not say whether they believed the McLaren was the only vehicle involved in the accident.
Speaking with The Oregonian earlier this week, Dattilo said these kinds of accidents — where drivers abandoned their cars because they don’t want to “get in trouble” — are very common.
“But it’s not necessarily common for it to be a $200,000 McLaren, though,” Dattilo told the outlet.
Police added that the car had dealer plates and was registered to a resident of Washington state. It was not reported stolen.
Dattilo told Nexstar that officials had yet to make contact with the driver of the McLaren as of Friday and were still working to contact the owner.
A McLaren 600LT sold for upwards of $259,000 during its 2020 model year, according to Car & Driver. McLaren, a British auto manufacturer, describes its 600LT models as “not [cars] for the faint-hearted” on its official website.
“This is a track animal let loose on the road. Our new sportscar benchmark. The fastest, most powerful and most extreme – yet road legal – Sports Series. Ever.” | https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/driver-abandoned-250000-mclaren-sports-car-on-side-of-road-after-accident-police-say/ | 2022-06-24T18:23:02Z |
Biden set to boost America’s semiconductor production with signing of CHIPS & Science Act
The president signed the legislation into law on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - President Joe Biden says he’s giving the nation a $280 billion dollar boost to make key products right here in America.
On Tuesday, Biden signed the CHIPS & Science Act into law at a ceremony at the White House in front of lawmakers from across the country.
“This law funds the entire semiconductor supply chain for research and development,” said Biden.
The president says it will amplify the United States competitiveness over China specifically when it comes to semiconductor chip production.
Two plants by Intel are already under construction near Columbus, Ohio. The White House says more manufacturing companies are announcing plans for increased chip production.
“This will allow us to not only be secure, but leap ahead,” said Gina Raimondo, U.S. Commerce Secretary.
The legislation funds training in engineering and technology sectors, which the White House says will mean more high paying jobs.
Raimondo worked with federal lawmakers since February to get the bill to the president’s desk.
She talks about the one sticking point that brought them to the table.
“I think it was national security concerns,” said Raimondo. “So right now, we buy all of our semiconductors from Asia, specifically Taiwan, and those are the chips that are in every piece of military equipment.”
The CHIPS Act easily passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support, but some Republicans remained opposed saying it was just a green light for higher taxes and further corporate welfare.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/09/biden-set-boost-americas-semiconductor-production-with-signing-chips-science-act/ | 2022-08-10T01:07:54Z |
Three huge matchups to kick off the college football season, a new Australian Open agreement and two new “30 for 30” documentaries will be announced Tuesday by ESPN as part of its presentation to advertisers in New York.
ABC has a doubleheader on Sept. 3 to kick off the season. Georgia will face Oregon in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game in Atlanta at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Besides the Bulldogs opening their national title defense, it marks the first game for Ducks coach Dan Lanning, Georgia’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons.
New Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman makes his debut on the road against Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. The day will begin with ESPN’s “College GameDay” originating from Columbus, Ohio, for its first on-campus show of the season.
Former Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly also gets ABC’s prime-time spotlight the following night when LSU takes on Florida State in New Orleans.
Many thought ABC might have to give up the Notre Dame-Ohio State game as a way for Fox to let Joe Buck out of his contract early to join Troy Aikman in the “Monday Night Football” booth. But ESPN executive vice president of programming Burke Magnus said that wasn’t considered.
“Fox has the No. 1 overall pick with the Big 10. That has historically and appropriately every year been Ohio State-Michigan. We knew that Notre Dame-Ohio State was going to come to us at No. 2, and then we weren’t going to let that go,” Magnus said. “That’s just an enormous matchup to kick off the season. Labor Day weekend has become such a franchise for us. It’s clear of NFL competition, and there are so many meaningful college football games played.”
ABC will have the Sept. 24 game between Wisconsin and Ohio State, Texas vs. Oklahoma in Dallas on Oct. 8, and Florida at Florida State on Nov. 25. The faceoff between Sunshine State rivals will take place on the day after Thanksgiving for the first time.
ESPN has renewed its deal for the Australian Open through 2031. It extended its deal with Wimbledon through 2035 last year and has the rights to the U.S. Open through 2025.
The nine-year agreement with Tennis Australia will include increasing hours on ESPN and ESPN2. Viewers complained about the decrease in coverage for this year’s tournament on the linear channels, especially during the overnight hours, which are the night matches in Australia. Those matches were on the ESPN+ streaming service.
“Frankly, we have the availability so we’re going to add back in some overnight coverage on the linear networks. I think that will even out the balance between linear and direct to consumer,” Magnus said. “There will still be hundreds of matches on ESPN+, but the mix between linear and digital will tilt back more in the direction of linear.”
ESPN+ will continue to have exclusive coverage of all matches not on ESPN or ESPN2, along with on-demand replays of completed matches and a daily highlights show. A one-hour highlights show will also air on ABC during the middle and final weekends of the tournament.
Among other ESPN announcements Tuesday:
ESPN Films will have two “30 for 30” documentaries air sometime this year on pool great Jeanette Lee, nicknamed “The Black Widow,” and the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, who beat the New York Giants in Super Bowl 35.
The “Black Widow” documentary will be executive produced by ESPN Films in association with Words + Pictures with Ursula Liang (“9-Man,” “Down a Dark Stairwell”) directing and Cora Atkinson (“Summer of Soul”) as producer.
The Ravens film is in association with NFL Films, with Ken Rodgers and Jason Weber as co-directors.
Peyton’s Places on ESPN+ will expand with new shows hosted by Sue Bird (college basketball), John McEnroe (tennis) and P.K. Subban (hockey).
Manning’s production company, Omaha Productions, will have its first UFC Megacast on July 2 with UFC 276 from Las Vegas. It is headlined by the middleweight championship bout between titleholder Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier.
Peyton and Eli Manning will host ESPN’s portion of the Disney Upfront, which also features the “Monday Night Football” crew of Buck, Aikman and Lisa Salters.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://cw33.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/college-football-australian-open-headline-espn-schedule/ | 2022-05-17T20:13:56Z |
Samsung will employ Ansys' electromagnetic simulation tool suite to develop state-of-the-art designs, including 5G/6G, on the most advanced process technologies
Key Highlights
- Ansys' simulation solutions will provide Samsung developers with a comprehensive electromagnetics-aware design flow to improve productivity and reduce design risk
- Samsung designers will benefit from Ansys' advanced capacity, speed, and integration capabilities to accelerate electromagnetic design cycle times by a factor of 10 and reduce time to market
- Ansys' cutting-edge design features, such as automatic annotation, will optimize Samsung's on-chip design through faster, more predictively accurate calculations and modeling
PITTSBURGH, July 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Foundry will engage Ansys' (NASDAQ: ANSS) industry-leading electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools to develop ultramodern designs, including 5G/6G, on the most advanced chips, nodes, and process technologies. Ansys' simulation solutions will deliver a comprehensive EM-aware design flow with greater capacity, speed, and integration capabilities for Samsung's most advanced semiconductor technology, accelerating on-chip design cycle times to boost high-speed connectivity while helping to reduce design error and risk.
Samsung designers will leverage Ansys' EM design tools, Ansys RaptorX, Ansys VeloceRF, and Ansys Exalto, to help reduce time to market by two to three weeks on smaller designs and up to two months for complex designs. With automation capabilities that optimize calculations and modeling, coupled with larger capacity, Ansys' software will allow the Samsung team to design at faster speeds with higher fidelity.
"Electronic systems and process technologies are constantly evolving and therefore require leading-edge EM design capabilities," said Sangyun Kim, corporate vice president of the Foundry Design Technology Team at Samsung Electronics. "We believe that Ansys' simulation solutions meet these challenges and will deliver the highest level of proficiency for our design needs, while reducing design time, cost, and risk."
By integrating Ansys' EM solutions, Samsung designers can model complex on-chip scenarios, including dummy tiles, which comprise millions of metal pieces in a fraction of the time. Additionally, Ansys' near real-time modelling capabilities safeguard designs from EM interference, which helps significantly lower the risk of chip failure.
"EM is a primary challenge for chip designers as connectivity demands increase and technologies advance worldwide," said John Lee, vice president and general manager of the electronics, semiconductor, and optics business unit at Ansys. "At Ansys, we ensure that our simulation solutions not only meet these rising demands but remain ahead of them. We are confident that Ansys' EM design portfolio is well-equipped to serve the Samsung team with the tools they need to optimize their on-chip designs."
Ansys and Samsung have a long history of collaboration that delivers advanced solutions, including power integrity and electromigration signoff solutions for low-power mobile and high-performance computing applications.
When visionary companies need to know how their world-changing ideas will perform, they close the gap between design and reality with Ansys simulation. For more than 50 years, Ansys software has enabled innovators across industries to push boundaries by using the predictive power of simulation. From sustainable transportation to advanced semiconductors, from satellite systems to life-saving medical devices, the next great leaps in human advancement will be powered by Ansys.
Take a leap of certainty … with Ansys.
Ansys and any and all ANSYS, Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of ANSYS, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other brand, product, service and feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
ANSS–T
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SOURCE Ansys | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/07/samsung-adopts-ansys-simulation-portfolio-create-semiconductor-designs-optimize-high-speed-connectivity/ | 2022-07-07T12:26:25Z |
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brentwood Capital Advisors ("BCA"), one of the nation's premier independent investment banks serving growth-oriented, middle-market Healthcare Services, Healthcare Technology, and Business Services companies, is pleased to announce the hiring of Dan Beuerlein as Managing Director. In his role, he will provide strategic advice and M&A advisory services across several sectors, focusing on autism services, women's health/fertility, outpatient surgical facilities, and physician practices.
Mr. Beuerlein brings over 20 years of experience in multi-state, multi-site healthcare operations with an emphasis on building and scaling mission-driven Private Equity backed companies in the ambulatory/acute care, women's health/fertility, and behavioral health/autism industries. His growth-focused skillset has driven his success in various business development and operations executive roles.
Before joining Brentwood Capital, Mr. Beuerlein was responsible for strategic growth initiatives as Chief Development Officer for a range of healthcare providers, including Agape Care Group, BlueSprig, Vivere Health (now Inception Fertility), and Springstone, preceded by eight years in business development and operations leadership at Symbion (now Surgery Partners).
"We are so proud to have Dan join our team," states L.A. Galyon, Partner. "Dan's experience, reputation, and track record of success perfectly fit our culture and strategic initiatives."
"It's an honor and privilege to join a firm known for its expertise and commitment to quality client service," remarks Dan Beuerlein, Managing Director. "I look forward to helping BCA expand into new markets while strengthening existing relationships."
About Brentwood Capital Advisors
Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, Brentwood Capital Advisors is one of the nation's premier independent investment banks, specializing in providing innovative, actionable, and no-conflict strategic and financial advice on mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures, and growth capital to growth-oriented, middle market Healthcare Services, Healthcare Technology, and Business Services companies since 1999. For more information, visit www.brentwoodcapital.com.
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SOURCE Brentwood Capital Advisors | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/13/brentwood-capital-advisors-taps-dan-beuerlein-managing-director/ | 2022-09-13T15:40:02Z |
Key Points -
- TVA has priced $500 million of new 30-year maturity global power bonds carrying an interest rate of 4.25%, which locks in historically low-cost funding.
- The rate on the new bonds ties as the second lowest ever for a TVA bond 30-years or longer.
- This is TVA's first 30-year bond offering since 2012.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The Tennessee Valley Authority priced $500 million of new 30-year maturity global power bonds today, with an interest rate of 4.25 percent. Today's offering marked TVA's first 30-year bond since 2012, and the 4.25 percent rate is tied as the second lowest ever for a TVA bond of 30 years or longer in maturity.
Despite an increase in interest rates in the first half of the year, long-term rates remain at historically low levels, creating an opportunity for TVA to secure long-term funding at attractive levels.
"We were pleased to see a window of stability develop in recent weeks, and an opportunity for TVA to take advantage of still historically low long-term rates," said TVA's Treasurer and Chief Risk Officer, Tammy Wilson. "With one of the nation's largest electric power systems, TVA is a natural issuer of longer-maturity bonds, and the success of this transaction shows the confidence investors have in TVA and the strength of the public power model."
Strong demand for high quality investments of longer duration contributed to the success of the offering. The bonds drew interest from a variety of investors including asset managers, pension funds, and insurance companies, among others.
"The new 30-year bond fits well in TVA's debt profile, which has a low number of bonds maturing in the early 2050s. TVA debt levels remain at the lowest levels in over 30 years, and the new bonds will help TVA maintain stable interest costs for decades to come," added Wilson.
Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, RBC Capital Markets, and TD Securities served as joint book-running managers for the transaction. The proceeds of the bonds will be used to refinance existing debt and for general power system purposes. The new bonds will mature on September 15, 2052, and are not subject to redemption prior to maturity. Interest will be paid semi-annually each March 15 and September 15. Application has been made to list the bonds on the New York Stock Exchange.
The bonds will be issued, maintained and transferred through the book-entry system of the Federal Reserve Banks. Transactions may be cleared and settled by international participants through Clearstream and Euroclear. The bonds can be identified by the CUSIP number 880591EY4 (ISIN number US880591EY48).
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.
Media Contact:
Jim Hopson, Knoxville, 865-632-8860
TVA Media Relations, Knoxville, 865-632-6000
www.tva.com/news
Follow TVA news on Facebook and Twitter
Investor Relations:
Tammy Wilson, Knoxville, 865-632-3366 or 888-882-4975
Josh Carlon, Knoxville, 865-632-4133 or 888-882-4975
http://www.tva.com/investors
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SOURCE Tennessee Valley Authority | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/09/tva-prices-500-million-new-30-year-bonds/ | 2022-09-09T16:07:19Z |
Illness interrupts O’Rourke campaign for Texas governor
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O’Rourke said Sunday that he had cleared his campaign schedule after receiving treatment at a San Antonio hospital for an unspecified bacterial infection.
In a statement tweeted Sunday by his campaign, O’Rourke said he sought treatment at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio after feeling ill Friday.
Intravenous antibiotic infusions improved his symptoms, O’Rourke said.
“While my symptoms have improved, I will be resting at home in El Paso in accordance with the doctors’ recommendations,” he said. “I am sorry to have had to postpone events because of this, but (I) promise to be back on the road as soon as I am able.”
O’Rourke continues to trail Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in opinion polls before the Nov. 8 general elections.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/28/illness-interrupts-orourke-campaign-texas-governor/ | 2022-08-28T22:45:58Z |
HOUSTON (AP) — Nearly half of the jurors who sentenced a Texas woman to die for the 2007 death of one of her 14 children have called for her upcoming execution to be halted and for her to get a new trial.
Melissa Lucio, 52, is set to be executed Wednesday for the death of her 2-year-old daughter Mariah in Harlingen, a city of about 75,000 in Texas’ southern tip.
Her lawyers say new evidence shows that Mariah’s injuries, including a blow to the head, were caused by a fall down a steep staircase, and many lawmakers and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, an advocate for criminal justice reform, and Amanda Knox — an American who was convicted of murderinga British student in Italy and whose conviction was overturned — have rallied to Lucio’s cause. Prosecutors, though, maintain that the girl was the victim of child abuse.
Lucio’s lawyers have filed various legal appeals seeking to stop her execution. She also has a clemency application before the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, which is set to consider her case on Monday. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott could also play a role in deciding Lucio’s fate. If put to death, Lucio would be the first Latina ever executed by Texas and the first woman the state has put to death since 2014.
Here’s what to know as Lucio’s execution approaches:
WHAT ISSUES ARE BEING DEBATED IN THE CASE?
Lucio’s attorneys say her capital murder conviction was based on an unreliable and coerced confession that was the result of relentless questioning and her long history of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. They say Lucio wasn’t allowed to present evidence questioning the validity of her confession.
Her lawyers also contend that unscientific and false evidence misled jurors into believing Mariah’s injuries only could have been caused by physical abuse and not by medical complications from a severe fall.
“I knew that what I was accused of doing was not true. My children have always been my world and although my choices in life were not good I would have never hurt any of my children in such a way,” Lucio wrote in a letter to Texas lawmakers.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz, whose office prosecuted the case, has said he disagrees with Lucio’s lawyers’ claims that new evidence would exonerate her. Prosecutors say Lucio had a history of drug abuse and at times had lost custody of some of her 14 children.
During a sometimes contentious Texas House committee hearing on Lucio’s case this month, Saenz initially pushed back on requests to use his power to stop the execution, before later saying he would intervene if the courts didn’t act.
“I don’t disagree with all the scrutiny this case is getting. I welcome that,” Saenz said.
Armando Villalobos was the county’s district attorney when Lucio was convicted in 2008, and Lucio’s lawyers allege that he pushed for a conviction to help his reelection bid. In 2014, Villalobos was sentencedto 13 years in federal prison for a bribery scheme related to offering favorable prosecutorial decisions.
WHO IS CALLING FOR LUCIO’S EXECUTION TO BE STOPPED?
More than half the members of the Texas House and Senate have asked that her execution be halted. A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers traveled this month to Gatesville, where the state houses female death row inmates, and prayed with Lucio.
Five of the 12 jurors who sentenced Lucio and one alternate juror have questioned their decision and asked she get a new trial. And Lucio’s cause also has the backing of faith leaders and was featured on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.”
Lucio’s family and supporters have been traveling throughout Texas and holding rallies and screenings of a 2020 documentary about her case, “The State of Texas vs. Melissa.”
WHERE DO EFFORTS TO HALT HER EXECUTION STAND?
Appeals seeking to stop Lucio’s execution are pending in state and federal courts.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is considering a request to either commute her death sentence to life imprisonment or grant her a 120-day execution reprieve.
Any decision by the parole board to commute her sentence or grant the reprieve would need Abbott’s approval. The governor, who has granted clemency to only one death row inmate since taking office in 2015, could also unilaterally issue a 30-day execution stay. Abbott commuted a death sentence to life without parole for Thomas “Bart” Whitaker, who was convicted of fatally shooting his mother and brother. Whitaker’s father was also shot but survived and led the effort to spare his son’s life.
HOW FREQUENTLY ARE WOMEN EXECUTED?
It’s rare in the U.S. for a woman to be executed, according to the Washington-based Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit that opposes capital punishment. Women have accounted for only 3.6% of the more than 16,000 confirmed executions in the U.S. dating back to the colonial period in the 1600s, according to the group’s data.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, there have been 17 women executed throughout the nation, according to the data. Texas has put more women to death — six — than any other state. Oklahoma is next, with three, and Florida has executed two.
The federal government has executed one woman since 1976. Lisa Montgomery, of Kansas, received a lethal injection in January 2021 after the Trump administration resumed executions in the federal system following a 17-year hiatus. The Justice Department has halted executions again under the Biden administration.
___
Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-u-s-headlines/explainer-concern-mounts-as-melissa-lucios-execution-nears/ | 2022-04-25T05:35:57Z |
LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court called on the California Assembly Select Committee on Gasoline Supply and Pricing to look to the recent extreme profit taking by California's consolidated oil refiners and consider the strongest possible responses, including taking back excess profits.
"Consolidation in the industry has allowed five oil refiners to control 96% of the gasoline produced in California," Court wrote to the Assembly committee. "When the opportunity arises to squeeze us, they can and do."
"The cause of the current gap between California gas prices and US prices is clear: extreme profit-taking by California's big oil refiners," Court continued. "The proof is in the profit reports from the first quarter of 2022. California oil refiners' margins – the difference between the crude they purchase and the gasoline they sell – are at historic highs based on the reports provided to investors. Second quarter profit reports due out the end of the month could be even more revealing."
"This committee can either accept that this is an unrestrained commodities market that will allow for extreme profit-taking by oil refiners or it can propose new restraints on that market," Court cautioned. "The high cost of gasoline affects every Californian. In order to address this issue, dramatic steps must be taken."
Read Court's full testimony: https://consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/LtrAssemGasPricingTaskforce%207-22-22_0.pdf
Court noted one solution already pending in the California Assembly. Senate Bill 1322 (Allen) requires the oil refiners to report monthly their actual crude oil costs and actual refining margins (gross and net) to the CEC and for the CEC to publish information about the margins. The bill has passed the Senate and the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
"To protect consumers, more information about California refiner operations needs to be made public so that market watchers and others are in a position to monitor and hold the market accountable," Court said. "SB 1322 is a small step
Consumer Watchdog also made the following recommendations for new laws.
Excess Profits Tax: A limit on excess profits needs to be set for California oil refiners. When their profits per gallon exceed a certain amount or are a certain percentage more than their profits from operations elsewhere in the country, those profits need to be taken back in the form of a tax on excess profits. In response to excess profits by Shell, the British government has instituted such an excessive profits tax.
New oversight: "History has shown the California Energy Commission is ill-equipped to watch this industry, let alone regulate it, which it doesn't have current authority to do in any case. We have allowed our biggest market, the one that drives inflation in all others, to go unregulated.
"California needs a new Gas Pricing Czar with the power to look at the oil refiners' books, be granted full subpoena power, and be able to obtain real-time information about profits, supply, costs, etc. We have just spent $9.5 billion in give-back to the public for the high price of gasoline. It's time to create new oversight to make sure we get the money back if we have been ripped off."
New price-gouging standard: "Price-gouging laws only apply after a state of emergency," Court noted. "They state that no price increase shall exceed a certain percentage unless justified by the cost. A new gasoline price-gouging law could be enacted to prohibit such similar price spikes at the pump if not justified by the cost regardless of the declaration of a state of emergency."
Collusion and updating anti-trust law: "When the Big Five refiners want to squeeze us, they can. Absent proof of a tacit agreement among them to do so, there is no anti-trust case against them. California needs to update its anti-trust laws to create a new standard for the type of tacit collusion that exists in the gasoline market.
"The refiners do share gas pricing information among themselves in the form of the Lundberg survey, a detailed, corner by corner gas station price survey that is not available to those outside of the industry. This allows the companies to know what its competitor is charging every gas station owner for gasoline. This type of information sharing among refiners should be considered a tacit agreement that constitutes an anti-trust violation under the law. In addition, refiners have shared storage facilities and terminals. When they know how much supply their competitors have and how much they are charging for that supply, they can collude. This shared information allows competitors to act as a cartel even if there is no smoky back room where they have agreed to a set price. This type of information sharing among companies should be severely restricted under penalty of anti-trust prosecution."
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SOURCE Consumer Watchdog | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/22/watchdog-tells-ca-assembly-select-committee-states-pain-pump-requires-new-oversight-excess-profits-tax-new-price-gouging-standards-update-anti-trust-laws/ | 2022-07-22T19:04:20Z |
Snakes in cool places: What to do when you find one in your home
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - When it gets too hot outside, most creatures like to find a cool spot to beat the heat. That includes snakes.
Snakes will hide in places like basements or porches, trying to stay cool. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s received a 911 call when a woman found a snake in the wreath on her front door. Thankfully Detective Gibbs came to the rescue. Once he arrived, he removed the four-foot snake.
“I’ve dealt with them before,” said Det. Gibbs. “I’m one of those guys that since a kid, I’ve been catching them and everything else, and looking at them and release them elsewhere. My partner that day was afraid of them. I just walked up, grabbed it, and started getting untangled from the wreath.”
He then placed the creature in a cooler and drove it to a different location so it could be free and would not scare the woman again.
“He did enjoy the car ride because a little cooler we had with him they had him in was just like a little lunchbox cooler,” said Gibbs. “While driving, I looked over at the side to make sure everything was still good with him, and he just had his head at the side of the cooler, just looking around wasn’t trying to get out or anything.”
Francis Skalicky with the Missouri Department of Conservation shared some advice on what to do if you find a snake in your home.
“If you find the snake in your home, in your garage, somewhere close to your house where you don’t want it to be, the most important thing to do is the hardest thing to do, stay calm,” said Skalicky. “If you get frantic, if you get overly excited, you will probably make some bad decisions. You will get the snake excited, and you won’t accomplish what you want to do. Remove the snake.”
Yard maintenance will also help keep snakes away from your home.
“Mow your lawn, weed eat, all that kind of stuff,” said Skalicky. “To a wild animal that’s called disturbance and wild animals, such as snakes, they don’t like disturbance, the more disturbance you can have around your house, but that mowing weed Ed moving woodpile around, that’ll get the snake to move on.”
If you find a snake in or around your home, you’ll want to be careful when removing it. Even nonvenomous snakes will bite. You’ll want to make sure it doesn’t return.
“Think about why that snake was there, too,” said Skalicky. “There are two things you’re looking at here is number one, how it got in through a crack through a door that’s not quite shutting, something like that. A woodpile around your house, a debris pile, you know, try to get rid of those reasons why the snake was around your house.”
Now, let’s say you find a snake in your garage. One way you can get rid of it is to open the door and create a path for the snake to get out. You can use a broom to nudge it along. If you feel brave enough, pick up the snake by the head or tail, carry it outside, or place it in a bucket. Make sure you have a plan on where you are taking the snake before you pick it up so you can release it quickly.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com
Copyright 2022 KY3. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/29/snakes-cool-places-what-do-when-you-find-one-your-home/ | 2022-06-29T18:24:16Z |
Housekeepers struggle as US hotels ditch daily room cleaning
HONOLULU (AP) — After guests checked out of a corner room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort on Waikiki beach, housekeeper Luz Espejo collected enough trash, some strewn under beds, to stuff seven large garbage bags.
She stripped the linens from the beds, wiped built-up dust off furniture and scrubbed away layers of grime on the toilet and bathtub. She even got on her hands and knees to pick confetti from the carpet that a heavy-duty vacuum failed to swallow up.
Like many other hotels across the United States, the Hilton Hawaiian Village has done away with daily housekeeping service, making what was already one of the toughest jobs in the hospitality industry even more grueling.
Industry insiders say the move away from daily cleaning, which gained traction during the pandemic, is driven by customer preferences. But others say it has more to do with profit and has allowed hotels to cut the number of housekeepers at a time when many of the mostly immigrant women who take those jobs are still reeling from lost work during coronavirus shutdowns.
Many housekeepers still employed say their hours have been cut and they are being asked to do far more work in that time.
“It’s a big change for us,” said Espejo, a 60-year-old originally from the Philippines who has cleaned rooms at the world’s largest Hilton for 18 years, minus about a year she was laid off during the pandemic. “We are so busy at work now. We cannot finish cleaning our rooms.”
Before the pandemic there were 670 housekeepers working at Espejo’s resort. More than two years later, 150 of them haven’t been hired back or are on-call status, spending each day from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. waiting for a phone call saying there’s work for them. The number not hired back or on call stood at 300 just a few weeks ago.
“This is all about more money in the owners’ pocket by putting a greater workload on the frontline workers and eliminating jobs,” said D. Taylor, president of UNITE HERE, a union representing hotel workers.
While some hotels started experimenting with less frequent cleaning in the name of sustainability, it became far more widespread early in the pandemic, when to promote social distancing and other safety protocols, many hotels switched to offering room cleaning only if a guest requested, and sometimes only after staying a certain number of days. Guests were instructed to leave trash outside their door and call the front desk for clean towels.
But even as safety restrictions fade and demand picks up as the country enters peak travel season, many hotels are keeping their new cleaning policies in place.
A spokesperson for the Hilton Hawaiian Village said no Hilton representative was available for an interview about such policies at any Hilton property. Representatives for several major hotel chains, including Marriott and Caesars Entertainment, either declined to be interviewed or didn’t respond to Associated Press requests for comment.
Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, a trade group whose members include hotel brands, owners and management companies, said it was the demands of guests — not hotel profits — that guided decisions about pandemic housekeeper services.
“A lot of guests, to this day, don’t want people coming into their room during their stay,” he said. “To force something onto a guest that they don’t want is the antithesis of what it means to work in the hospitality industry.”
The pandemic changed the standard of most hotel guests wanting daily cleaning, he said, adding it’s not yet clear if that will result in a permanent shift.
Housekeeping policies vary based on the type of hotel, Rogers said, with luxury hotels tending to provide daily housekeeping unless guests opt out.
Ben McLeod, of Bend, Oregon, and his family didn’t request housekeeping during a four-night stay at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island in March.
“My wife and I just have never really understood why there would be daily housekeeping ... when that’s not the case at home and it’s wasteful,” he said.
He said he expects his kids to tidy up after themselves.
“I’m a Type-A, so I get out of bed and I make my bed, so I don’t need someone else to make my bed,” he said.
Unionized hotel workers are trying get the message out that turning down daily room cleaning is hurting housekeepers and threatening jobs.
Martha Bonilla, who has spent 10 years working at the Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino in New Jersey, said she wants guests to ask for daily cleaning, noting it makes her job less difficult. Even though hotels in New Jersey are required by law to offer daily cleaning, some guests still turn it down.
“When I come home from work now, the only thing I want to do is go to bed,” said Bonilla, originally from the Dominican Republic and a single mother of a 6-year-old daughter. “I am physically exhausted.”
It’s not just partying guests like the ones who threw confetti around in Hawaii that leave behind filthy rooms, housekeepers say. Even with typical use, rooms left uncleaned for days become much harder to restore to the gleaming, pristine rooms guests expect when they check in.
Elvia Angulo, a housekeeper at the Oakland Marriott City Center for 17 years, is the main breadwinner in her family.
For the first year of the pandemic, she worked a day or two a month. She has regained her 40 hours a week, but with rooms no longer cleaned daily the number of people working each shift has been cut in half, from 25 to 12.
“Thank God I have seniority here so I now have my five days again, and my salary is the same,” said Angulo, 54, who is from Mexico. “But the work really is now harder. If you don’t clean a room for five days you have five days of scum in the bathrooms. It’s scum over scum.”
Many housekeepers still aren’t getting enough hours to qualify for benefits.
Sonia Guevara, who has worked at a Seattle Hilton for seven years, used to really enjoy the benefits at her job. But since returning to work after being laid off for 18 months, she hasn’t qualified for health insurance.
“At first I was thinking to get a new job, but I feel like I want to wait,” she said. “I want to see if my hours change at the hotel.”
She said there are few other job options with hours conducive for having two children in school.
Now politicians are picking up on the issue, including Hawaii state Rep. Sonny Ganaden, who represents Kalihi, a Honolulu neighborhood where many hotel workers live.
“Almost every time I talk to people at their doors, I meet someone who works in a hotel and then we talk about how they are overworked and what is happening and working conditions,” he said. “You’ve got a lot of first- and second-generation immigrant folks that are kind of left high and dry by these non-daily room cleaning requirements.”
Ganaden is among the lawmakers who introduced a resolution requesting Hawaii hotels “immediately rehire or recall employees who were laid off or placed on leave” because of the pandemic.
If that’s not enough, Ganaden said he would be open to more forceful measures like some other places have taken.
Washington, D.C.’s city council in April passed emergency legislation requiring hotels in the district to service rooms daily unless guests opt-out.
Amal Hligue, an immigrant from Morocco, hopes the rules mean more hours at the Washington Hilton where she has worked for 22 years. She needs them so her husband can get health insurance.
“I hope he has this month because I worked last month,” she said.
At 57 years old, she doesn’t want to find a new job. “I’m not young, you know,” she said. “I have to stay.”
___
Snow reported from Phoenix.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/05/26/housekeepers-struggle-us-hotels-ditch-daily-room-cleaning/ | 2022-05-26T11:50:17Z |
Innovative, upcycled fruit brand sees significant increase in distribution of its sustainable, peel-powered snacks to 10,000+ locations across the U.S.
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RIND® Snacks, the sustainable snack brand on a mission to maximize nutrition and minimize waste, is proud to announce its national expansion with The Kroger Co., the nation's largest grocery chain. As a continuation of RIND®'s success in key regional markets over the last three years, this move significantly increases the upcycled snack brand's overall footprint, bringing healthier-for-you options to the fruit snack aisle across more than 10,000 stores nationwide.
An early pioneer in the upcycled food movement, RIND® recognizes sustainable snacking as more than just a trend but a lifestyle. The brand's increased distribution will make its wholesome, single-ingredient products more widely accessible, a-peel-ing to today's snackers seeking convenient and nutritious options that support a healthy lifestyle.
"The fruit snack category was ripe for disruption and our partnership with America's leading grocer is a huge milestone for RIND® and our 'Keep it Real, Eat the Peel' approach to snacking," said Matt Weiss, RIND®'s founder & CEO. "We're thrilled to partner with Kroger to answer consumers' growing desire for delicious, nutrient-rich snacks—ones that also align with their interest to support mission-driven brands that promote sustainable snacking."
RIND's award-winning snacks will be available in 1,900 U.S. Kroger stores beginning August, including its best-selling Straw-Peary Blend as well as Organic Coconut Crisps, an online fan favorite.
"From our first retail launch in 2018 to now crossing our 10,000th store with the largest grocer in America, we are incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to bring the benefits of RIND®'s whole fruit snacks to more families nationwide," added Weiss.
Earlier this year, RIND launched into regional market leaders H-E-B and Metropolitan Market, and leading travel and convenience chains such as Hudson News, Sheetz and Royal Farms. With back-to-school season in full swing, RIND® is further expanding with new and existing partners this fall, including CVS and Whole Foods Market as well as select Costco and Target stores.
About RIND®
RIND® is a line of functional and sustainable whole-fruit snacks that encourage consumers to 'Keep it Real & Eat the Peel.' Launched in 2018, RIND® is the result of a multigenerational family focus on delicious, all-natural foods that sustain personal and planetary health. By gently dehydrating whole fruit with its nutrient-rich skins intact, RIND® is packed with fiber and vitamins and helps fight food waste by using upcycled produce that would otherwise go to waste. RIND® products are non-GMO Verified, Kosher, naturally vegan and gluten free. For more info, visit rindsnacks.com or follow @rindsnacks on social.
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SOURCE RIND Snacks | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/rind-snacks-peels-onto-shelves-kroger-stores-nationwide/ | 2022-08-23T13:16:30Z |
A successful sale of value-add property at Northern Arizona University highlights the historical resilience of the student housing category in a post-pandemic economy
ALISO VIEJO, Calif., June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Versity Invest, LLC, (Versity) a nationally recognized real estate investment firm specializing in student housing and conventional multifamily housing, has sold a 194-door property located half a mile from Northern Arizona University, generating 86.5% total return for investors.
"We're very proud of what we were able to accomplish with the Commons at Sawmill. We created a strategy early on and were fortunate enough to implement that strategy by overcoming a variety of hurdles along the way. Ultimately, it proves once again that a strategic value-add plan has the potential to be very effective in student housing, in the right hands of the operator," said Blake Wettengel, CEO of Versity Invest.
The property known as The Commons at Sawmill is located at 901 South O'Leary Street in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Commons at Sawmill is situated half a mile from Northern Arizona University and includes 194 doors with 392 beds. Through Versity, the property has generated an 86.5% total return for investors.
For more information about Versity Invest, LLC, please contact Tanya Muro at 877-827-6272 or by email at tanya@versityinvest.com.
Versity Invest, LLC, offers individual investors indirect ownership interests in institutional quality, professionally managed real estate. The company focuses on what we believe to be well-positioned, currently income producing properties, targeted development opportunities and potential value-added investments for its clients through strategies targeting capital improvements, cost efficiency, and revenue maximization. Versity specializes in the acquisition, financing, management, and ownership of real estate investments in student housing, multifamily and niche specialty categories. Versity, and its subsidiaries, currently manages over $1.6BN in real estate.
All loss of some or all principal invested. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Securities offered through Emerson Equity, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. www.finra.org and www.sipc.org. Versity and Emerson Equity, LLC are not affiliated.
- There is no guarantee that any strategy will be successful or achieve investment objectives;
- Potential for property value loss – All real estate investments have the potential to lose value during the life of the investments;
- Change of tax status – The income stream and depreciation schedule for any investment property may affect the property owner's income bracket and/or tax status. An unfavorable tax ruling may cancel deferral of capital gains and result in immediate tax liabilities;
- Potential for foreclosure – All financed real estate investments have potential for foreclosure;
- Illiquidity – Because 1031 exchanges are commonly offered through private placement offerings and are illiquid securities. There is no secondary market for these investments.
- Reduction or Elimination of Monthly Cash Flow Distributions – Like any investment in real estate, if a property unexpectedly loses tenants or sustains substantial damage, there is potential for suspension of cash flow distributions;
- Impact of fees/expenses – Costs associated with the transaction may impact investors' returns and may outweigh the tax benefits
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tanya Muro, COO
877-827-6272
tanya@versityinvest.com
versityinvest.com
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SOURCE Versity Invest, LLC | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/versity-invest-generates-865-total-return-with-northern-arizona-university-property-sale/ | 2022-06-24T01:25:42Z |
MIAMI (AP) — Police in Miami arrested a 41-year-old woman in the deaths of her two children, aged 3 and 5, after officers responded to repeated hang-up 911 calls from her apartment where they found their tied-up bodies.
“Come get them, I don’t want them anymore,” Odette Lysse Joassaint told officers who responded to the scene on Tuesday night, according to the arrest report. Police said she appeared to be irrational.
The officers entered the apartment and found a 3-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. The children were lying in a prone position on the bed with their arms, legs and neck tied, a police report said.
They tried to resuscitate the children until a Miami Fire Rescue crew arrived and pronounced them dead. The woman has been charged with two counts of murder.
Police have not said how many calls were made to 911 or whether she spoke to a dispatcher.
No other details were immediately released. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-u-s-headlines/police-find-2-dead-kids-in-miami-apartment-mother-arrested/ | 2022-04-13T19:53:58Z |
The moments resonating from the Jan. 6 hearings (so far)
NEW YORK (AP) — By the numbers, the Jan. 6 committee hearings attracted 20 million live viewers on opening night, 11 million for the first daytime session and nearly 9 million for Thursday’s third installment.
Yet those traditional Nielsen company yardsticks don’t begin to measure the true reach of what is being said there.
Memorable moments from each hearing are sliced for quick consumption on countless news programs, comedy shows and online, to the point where some have been seen more times later than when they were live.
In many respects, it’s the first congressional hearing in memory that seems specifically designed with modern media needs in mind, said Jeff Jarvis, a City University of New York journalism professor and frequent blogger on the media.
“That has already worked,” he said.
While it’s impossible to know what — if anything — covered in the initial stages of the hearing will stick much beyond the week’s news, there are already breakout moments and characters.
GIULIANI AND ALCOHOL
Receiving wide circulation: snippets where President Donald Trump’s former political director, Bill Stepien, aide Jason Miller and committee member Liz Cheney say that lawyer Rudy Giuliani had too much to drink before advising Trump on election night 2020.
Hours after the allegation had been made, the clips were featured in the monologues of top-rated late-night comics Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel. The shows are typically seen by a combined audience of nearly 5 million people each night, with many more people watching online the next morning. Kimmel accompanied it with a film package of times when Giuliani acted oddly in defense of Trump.
The episode resonated in part because it was a connectable moment in an otherwise very serious story, said Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture.
“Having people who are major figures in a national political setting outed for being wasted is something that people can find immediately understandable,” Thompson said.
BARR’S REALITY
Former Attorney General William Barr’s recorded testimony that he found Trump “detached from reality” with some of his claims about election fraud was the lead in several news stories about Monday’s hearing. It was a vivid and disturbing image of a former president from the man who ran Trump’s Justice Department.
The ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts that night all featured the clip of Barr’s comment, and together the three programs typically reach more than 20 million viewers — or double the amount of people who saw the hearing live.
There’s no count of how many times it was repeated on cable news, or estimate of how many people saw it that way.
Two anecdotal examples illustrate the extent to which it was seen online. A clip of the moment posted by Reuters on Facebook was watched 928,000 times, and the clip posted on The New York Times’ Instagram account was seen 404,000 times.
DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW
Filmed testimony from Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner has been particularly potent, in large part simply because they come from the family of a man who prizes loyalty.
A clip of Ivanka Trump saying she trusted Barr’s assessment of the fraud allegations amassed more than 1.6 million views in an Instagram post published by The Shade Room, a media outlet that focuses on celebrity entertainment, and 1 million when Bloomberg shared it on Twitter. Twitter posts of the video uploaded by MSNBC and the committee itself got more than 900,000 views together.
A video of her recollection of a phone call her father made to Vice President Mike Pence on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021 was shown on each of the three evening newscasts on Thursday, sometimes accompanied by the colorful descriptions of his language.
Kushner’s halting response when asked about what he had said to his father-in-law about Giuliani — as if he was weighing in real time what it meant to be under oath — became fodder for jokes.
NEW STAR
Previously little-known, former White House attorney Eric Herschmann has become a breakout star this past week for his filmed testimony concerning his conversations with John Eastman, architect of Trump’s failed maneuvering to hold onto power.
Editing his own colorful language, Herschmann recalls saying “are you out of your effing mind?” when Eastman talks the day after the Capitol riot about a potential appeal of Georgia election results. Like a stern parent, he tells Eastman that the only words he wants to hear from him are “orderly transition” and advises him to “get a great f-ing criminal defense lawyer. You’re going to need it.”
Recognizing the testimony’s potential impact, Cheney released it on Twitter the day before it was prominently featured in the hearing, giving it extra attention. That also served to highlight the committee’s finding that Eastman had unsuccessfully sought a presidential pardon.
Politico even did a story on the art hanging on the wall behind Herschmann during his testimony.
CHENEY’S PREDICTION
Cheney’s prosecutor-like outline of the committee’s case at the top of its only prime-time hearing drew wide attention, along with some advice that may live longer than her political career.
“Tonight, I say this to our Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone — but your dishonor will remain,” she said.
The Associated Press’ tweet with video of Cheney making that remark has been seen more than 1 million times.
Someday, depending on how history regards the events of Jan. 6, 2021, it may wind up the moment most recalled, like when it was revealed during the Watergate hearings that John Dean has warned Richard Nixon about a “cancer on the presidency,” Thompson said.
“I see that as the classic quote,” Thompson said.
___
Associated Press correspondent Arijeta Lajka in New York contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/20/moments-resonating-jan-6-hearings-so-far/ | 2022-06-20T11:53:02Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced its executives will be speaking at the following investor conferences:
June 6, 2022 Baird 2022 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference
June 7, 2022 Stifel 2022 Cross Sector Insight Conference
A live webcast and replay of the presentations will be available through Autodesk's Investor Relations Website at investors.autodesk.com. Please go to the Website 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software. For more information, please call Autodesk Investor Relations at 415-507-6373.
About Autodesk
Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Our technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media and entertainment, empowering innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small. From greener buildings to smarter products to more mesmerizing blockbusters, Autodesk software helps our customers to design and make a better world for all. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.
Autodesk uses its investors.autodesk.com website as a means of disclosing material non-public information, announcing upcoming investor conferences and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, you should monitor our investor relations website in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.
Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2022 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE Autodesk, Inc. | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/autodesk-present-upcoming-investor-conferences/ | 2022-05-27T13:39:31Z |
Biden to meet with Swedish and Finnish leaders after their nations apply to join NATO
By Maegan Vazquez, CNN
President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Finland and Sweden on Thursday as part of a show of support by the United States after the two nations submitted their formal applications to become NATO members.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Wednesday that the meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Washington will allow the three nations “to coordinate on the path forward” and “compare notes” on the move.
Sweden and Finland’s bids to join NATO come in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, which sparked security concerns across the region. Their bids to join the alliance mark a dramatic evolution in European security and geopolitics.
Sullivan called Finland and Sweden’s applications to join the alliance “a watershed moment in European security.”
“Two nations with a long tradition of neutrality will be joining the world’s most powerful defensive alliance, and they will bring with them strong capabilities and a proven track record as security partners,” he said.
The three leaders are expected to speak in front of the press on Thursday at the White House “to affirm our shared vision for a peaceful and secure Euro-Atlantic region,” Sullivan said.
Both Finland and Sweden already meet many of the requirements to be a NATO member, which include having a functioning democratic political system based on a market economy; treating minority populations fairly; committing to resolve conflicts peacefully; the ability and willingness to make a military contribution to NATO operations; and committing to democratic civil-military relations and institutions.
All 30 NATO members must give unanimous approval for a country to be accepted into the alliance.
But while many NATO members have expressed support for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, the move has been met with resistance by Russia and Turkey — a NATO member.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO would not create a threat to Russia, but the “expansion of military infrastructure into this territory will certainly cause our response.” And the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Russia “will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop the threats to its national security arising in this regard.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this week that he would not approve Sweden and Finland’s membership if they sanction Turkey, and that delegations from the nations should not bother coming to Turkey to try to convince that nation to approve their country’s NATO membership.
Sullivan said on Wednesday that the White House is “confident” that the applications for membership to NATO will be approved, despite Turkey’s concerns.
Both Sweden and Finland are both engaged with Turkey regarding its concerns, as well as top US officials, he said.
Biden on Wednesday also seemed optimistic that Turkey would come around.
When asked how he will convince Turkey to support Finland and Sweden’s bids for membership, Biden told reporters, “The leaders of Finland and Sweden are coming to see me on Thursday. I think we’re gonna be OK.”
Thursday’s White House meeting with the two northern European leaders will take place just before Biden is expected to depart for a four-day trip to South Korea and Japan — his first trip to Asia as President.
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CNN’s Kate Sullivan, Kevin Liptak, Betsy Klein and Sam Fossum contributed to this report. | https://localnews8.com/news/2022/05/18/biden-to-meet-with-swedish-and-finnish-leaders-after-their-nations-apply-to-join-nato/ | 2022-05-19T04:42:39Z |
– Year over Year Net Revenues increased 38.8% to $17.2 million, including one month contribution from Urbn Leaf and no contribution from Loudpack –
– Felicia Snyder appointed to board of directors –
OAKLAND, Calif. and TORONTO, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Harborside Inc. ("Harborside" or the "Company") (CSE: HBOR) (OTCQX: HBORF), a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, today filed its interim financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (collectively, the "Q1 2022 Financial Results") under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Q1 2022 Financial Results encompass a period reflecting only one month of contribution from UL Holdings Inc. ("Urbn Leaf"), which the Company acquired on March 1, 2022, and no contribution from LPF JV Corporation ("Loudpack"), which the Company acquired subsequent to quarter-end on April 4, 2022. The Loudpack and Urbn Leaf acquisitions have transformed the Company into one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis enterprises in California.
Board of Directors Appointment
Harborside also announced that Felicia Snyder has joined the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), effective immediately. An entrepreneur, corporate strategist, seasoned cannabis executive and brand builder, Ms. Snyder is currently Founder and co-CEO of Arcana, an experiential hospitality brand. She was a founding executive at Tokyo Smoke, one of Canada's most recognized cannabis brands and a leading Canadian cannabis retailer, where she helped to scale the business through its merger with Doja Cannabis and eventual sale to Canopy Growth Corporation. Post-acquisition, she was Vice President at Canopy Growth, managing a portfolio of premium cannabis brands across all product categories. Prior to Tokyo Smoke, she worked for several years in South Korea with Samsung Electronics, where she oversaw a variety of projects related to business strategy, acquisitions, investments, partnerships, and development of new products and services. She is also a Google alum and started her career in Financial Services Management Consulting at Oliver Wyman, a global consulting firm. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
"On behalf of the Board and management team of Harborside, I am delighted to welcome Felicia to the Harborside team," said Ed Schmults, Chief Executive Officer. "Her diverse skillset and significant cannabis industry experience are valuable additions to Harborside as we work to integrate our recent acquisitions and build the flagship California cannabis company."
The appointment of Ms. Snyder to the Board fills a vacancy created by the previously announced resignation of Michael Dacks.
Conference call
The Company intends to host a conference call for analysts and investors, during which it will review the ongoing progress of Harborside's business integration with Urbn Leaf and Loudpack:
Conference Call Date: May 31, 2022
Time: 11:00am ET
North American toll-free dial-in number: 1-888-664-6392
International dial-in number: 416-764-8659
Webcast: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1552975&tp_key=14131803f3
A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available through June 14, 2022.
North American toll-free replay number: 1-888-390-0541
International replay number: 416-764-8677
Replay entry code: 193421#
Harborside, a vertically integrated enterprise with cannabis licenses covering retail, major brands, distribution, cultivation, nursery and manufacturing, is one of the oldest and most respected cannabis companies in California. Founded in 2006, Harborside was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States. Today, the Company operates 14 dispensaries covering Northern and Southern California and one in Oregon, distribution facilities in San Jose and Los Angeles, California and integrated cultivation/production facilities in Salinas and Greenfield, California. Harborside is a publicly listed company, currently trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the ticker symbol "HBOR" and the OTCQX under the ticker symbol "HBORF". The Company continues to play an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California and Oregon consumers.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. To the extent any forward-looking information in this news release constitutes "financial outlooks" or "future-oriented financial information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to the integration of Harborside with Urbn Leaf and Loudpack, the Company becoming one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis enterprises in California, and the Company's future performance.
These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion and acquisitions; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the period ended December 31, 2021 and the Company's listing statement dated May 30, 2019, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.
The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is indirectly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.
While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The Company's securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE Harborside Inc. | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/27/harborside-inc-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results/ | 2022-05-27T06:19:44Z |
TORONTO (AP) — Changing a question on last year’s census has resulted in a snapshot of Canada’s transgender population, with data released Wednesday showing 0.33 per cent of the country’s 38.3 million people identify as a gender that differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
For the first time, Statistics Canada differentiated between “sex at birth″ and “gender″ in the census. While the agency and advocates agree the new numbers likely underestimate the true size of the population, they say the data will offer crucial insight into a marginalized community.
The data collected during last year’s national household survey shows about 100,815 people are transgender or non-binary, including 31,555 who are transgender women, 27,905 who are transgender men and 41,355 who are non-binary.
Fae Johnstone, a transgender advocate, said population-level data backing up trans people’s lived experience has thus far been slim, so this new information is important both symbolically and practically.
“It says something when our government is recognizing the existence of trans folks who have historically been kept out of these conversations and uncounted,″ Johnstone said. “But it also is useful to us to better understand how we can focus interventions and address health inequities experienced by trans folks across this country.″
While previous censuses asked only about sex, the 2021 edition asked about both “sex at birth,″ which it said is “determined by a person’s biological characteristics,″ and “gender,″ which it said could differ from what’s indicated on legal documents.
Under “gender,″ respondents were able to choose either male or female, or write in a third option.
The inclusion of transgender people in the census is part of a broader move by the Liberal government to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ community. | https://cw33.com/news/u-s-news/ap-u-s-headlines/canadian-census-shows-snapshot-of-transgender-population/ | 2022-04-28T19:02:07Z |
Half of US parents financially support their adult children, survey finds
(Gray News) - We all know that bills and other expenses can add up, especially since the start of the pandemic, and more young adults seem to be turning to their parents for some extra assistance.
A recent survey found that 50% of U.S. parents with a child 18 or older provide some sort of money to help them financially. And even up to 73% when their adult child is more than 30 years away from retirement.
Researchers said they surveyed about 1,000 adults who had at least one child 18 or older.
On average, parents who do support their adult children financially were found to be spending just over $1,000 per month. Costs like food, health insurance, rent and cell phone bills were some of the most common, according to the survey,
Parents of Gen Z adult children were also helping with tuition and other school fees, which were the most expensive among the categories at $631 per month on average.
Rent or mortgage payments were the second most expensive contribution, at $467 a month on average, according to the survey.
Researchers shared some other key findings from their survey:
- Half of the parents with an adult child provide them with at least some financial support. Twenty-six percent of these parents say they’ve had to provide more support since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Sixty-two percent of adult children living with their parents don’t contribute at all to the household expenses.
- On average, parents who financially support their adult children give them $1,000 per month for expenses like food, health insurance, rent, cell phones, tuition, and even travel.
- Parents who are still working and supporting their adult children spend 23% more on their children’s expenses ($605 per month) than they do contribute to their own retirement or savings ($490 per month).
- If their adult children needed financial help, one in four parents said they’d pull money from their retirement accounts and 22% said they’d delay their retirement in order to provide support.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/04/27/half-us-parents-financially-support-their-adult-children-survey-finds/ | 2022-04-27T04:01:41Z |
CLEVELAND, May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the pandemic-driven declines of 2020, the global security services market posted a strong rebound in 2021 and continues to post solid growth in 2022, finds a new Freedonia Group analysis. While the overall effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global security services industry was negative, the impact on a segment-by-segment basis was complex and varied:
- Spending on security guards was boosted in many countries by the need to enforce public health regulations.
- Falling occupancy rates in commercial real estate shrank the market base, but reduced in-person presence at many facilities also created security risks that required solutions.
- Concern about property crime – which is an important driver of security spending – broadly increased and was exacerbated by widespread rioting.
Many pandemic-driven restrictions have eased in the first half of 2022, and much of the world is transitioning public health policy to a more sustainable, non-emergency mode. However, some pandemic-era trends – such as the increased presence of security guards at facilities like grocery stores and more people doing remote work – have persisted, and the long-term effects on the security service market are complex. For example, more remote work increases building vacancy and the need for surveillance but could reduce the amount of space to monitor in the long term if companies abandon dedicated physical locations.
Global Security Services Market to Grow 4.4% Annually Through 2026
Global security service revenues are forecast to increase 4.4% per year to $295 billion in 2026, with most growth occurring in the first half of the forecast period due to strengthening economic environments as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic fades. Though the most significant recovery from the pandemic-driven downturn already occurred in 2021, long-term growth prospects for the industry are quite healthy, as companies work to respond to an evolving social environment and provide increasingly complex technology-aided solutions.
Want to Learn More?
Global Security Services provides historical data (2011, 2016, and 2021) and forecasts for 2022, 2026 and 2031 for global security services revenues by service and market in US dollars. Total revenues for individual countries are also presented in local currency terms.
Services covered include:
- guard and guard patrol services
- alarm monitoring services, including personal emergency response services (PERS)
- cash-in-transit and related services
- security systems integration services
- other security services, include consulting, private investigations, and such niche services as pre-employment screening , drug and contraband detection dog services, and private airline security services
Markets covered include:
- commercial and industrial
- government and institutional
- residential
About the Freedonia Group - The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is the premier international industrial research company, providing our clients with product analyses, market forecasts, industry trends, and market share information. From one-person consulting firms to global conglomerates, our analysts provide companies with unbiased, reliable industry market research and analysis to help them make important business decisions. With over 100 studies published annually, we support over 90% of the industrial Fortune 500 companies. Find off-the-shelf studies at https://www.freedoniagroup.com/ or contact us for custom research: +1 440.842.2400.
Press Contact:
Corinne Gangloff
+1 440.842.2400
cgangloff@freedoniagroup.com
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SOURCE The Freedonia Group | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/security-services-adapting-uncertainty-about-future-impact-pandemic-era-social-trends/ | 2022-05-17T22:11:23Z |
BreachQuest Wins Infosec Startup of the Year and Next Gen Security Team of the Year in 10th Annual Global InfoSec Awards at #RSAC 2022
DALLAS, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BreachQuest, the company revolutionizing incident response, is proud to announce that it was named Infosec Startup of the Year and Next Gen Security Team of the year by the Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM).
"We are very excited to receive these prestigious awards from Cyber Defense Magazine," said Shaun Gordon, CEO of BreachQuest. "We knew the competition would be tough and with top judges who are leading infosec experts from around the globe, we couldn't be more pleased."
"BreachQuest embodies three major features we judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrow's threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach," said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine.
BreachQuest was launched in 2021, with seed funding from Slow Ventures, Tinder Founders Sean Rad and Justin Mateen and Lookout Founder Kevin Mahaffey, to reimagine the incident response process and deliver, Priori, the first modern incident response platform. BreachQuest helps organizations exponentially improve on the industry standards of an average breach requiring 75 days to contain and costing an average of $4.24M. Compared to the current labor-intensive approach, Priori delivers speed and scale along with automation to incident response teams. Priori force multiplies the impact of every single responder.
BreachQuest is excited to be a member on this coveted group of winners, located here: http://www.cyberdefenseawards.com/
BreachQuest is reimagining incident response with an elite team of cybersecurity veterans, including former NSA, DoD and US Cyber Command operators that have serviced more than 40 percent of the Fortune 100. BreachQuest was founded in response to the growing threat of ransomware, offering organizations the ability to minimize the cost and downtime associated with breaches through a re-engineered approach to incident response and recovery. Built around the proprietary PRIORI Platform, BreachQuest improves organization's security posture with automated end-to-end readiness and response capabilities which enhances cyber resilience and reduces attacker dwell time. To learn more about BreachQuest, visit: https://breachquest.com/.
This is Cyber Defense Magazine's tenth year of honoring InfoSec innovators from around the Globe. Our submission requirements are for any startup, early stage, later stage, or public companies in the INFORMATION SECURITY (INFOSEC) space who believe they have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at www.cyberdefenseawards.com
The judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables. CDM has a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. CDM is always asking "What's Next?" so we are looking for best of breed, next generation InfoSec solutions.
Cyber Defense Magazine is the premier source of cyber security news and information for InfoSec professions in business and government. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products, and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and special editions exclusively for the RSA Conferences. CDM is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group. Learn more about us at https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com and visit https://www.cyberdefensetv.com and https://www.cyberdefenseradio.com to see and hear some of the most informative interviews of many of these winning company executives. Join a webinar at https://www.cyberdefensewebinars.com and realize that infosec knowledge is power.
Media Contact
Nathaniel Hawthorne for BreachQuest
Lumina Communications
(661) 965-0407
breachquest@luminapr.com
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SOURCE BreachQuest | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/07/breachquest-named-winner-coveted-global-infosec-awards-during-rsa-conference-2022/ | 2022-06-07T17:10:53Z |
Dear Heloise: For over seven years, I worked as a cook for a small hotel in Miami, and I’ve been cooking for my family of six for many years as well. I have a few hints of my own that I can share with a younger generation:
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The fight against an age-old effort to block Americans from voting
As a new wave of restrictions makes voting harder for people who struggle to read — now 1 in 5 Americans — people like Olivia Coley-Pearson have taken up the fight, even if it makes her a target.
Sign up for ProPublica’s User’s Guide to Democracy, a series of personalized emails that help you understand the upcoming election, from who’s on your ballot to how to cast your vote.
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InvestigateTV - For nearly 10 hours on Georgia’s primary day, Olivia Coley-Pearson tracked down every potential voter she could find, working two cellphones as she paced the parking lot outside the polls, repeating the same message: “You need to tell all your cousins, your brothers, your sisters, your aunts, your uncles — everybody you know — to come on down here to vote.”
A third of her neighbors in Coffee County struggle to read at a basic level, and she wanted to make sure they had help navigating their ballots. In the late afternoon, she slid behind the sparkly pink steering wheel of her SUV for her final push of the day, heading down a long stretch of road where buildings gave way to fields and thickets of pine. She turned in to the Kinwood Estates mobile home park and stopped at the edge of a familiar dirt driveway just as Shondriana Jones, 30, bounded down the steps of a trailer.
“I can’t find my ID and Mama, she’s still at work,” Jones said.
Coley-Pearson has helped the family vote for years — she’s known them since she and Jones’ mother, Sabrina Fillmore, were young. Now 60, Coley-Pearson serves as a city commissioner in Douglas, the majority-Black county seat. Fillmore, 54, works at the local poultry plant cutting chickens. Neither Fillmore nor her daughter can read beyond a first-grade level, but they rarely miss an election, believing their votes can influence everything from their electricity costs to the way police treat them.
Coley-Pearson urged Jones to track down a utility bill to prove her identity at the election office just as Fillmore returned from a 10-hour shift, exhausted. With the women aboard, Coley-Pearson started the car, anxiety brewing in her mind.
Even though federal law guaranteed the two women the right to have someone help them vote, Coley-Pearson knew too well that this right was under attack. For all of the recent uproar over voting rights, little attention has been paid to one of the most sustained and brazen suppression campaigns in America: the effort to block help at the voting booth for people who struggle to read — a group that amounts to about 48 million Americans, or more than a fifth of the adult population. “How the system is set up, it disenfranchises people,” said Coley-Pearson, who blames Southern political leaders for throwing up hurdles. “It’s by design, I believe, because they want to maintain that power and that control.”
ProPublica - How to Fix America’s Confusing Election System
Conservative politicians have long used harsh tactics against voters who can’t read — poor, often Black and Latino Americans who have been failed by the U.S. education system and who conservatives feared would vote for liberal candidates. Some states have required voters who needed help to sign an affidavit explaining why they need assistance; some have prevented voters who couldn’t read from bringing sample ballots to the polls and limited the number of voters that a volunteer could help read a ballot. Time and again, federal courts have struck down such restrictions as illegal and unconstitutional. Inevitably, states just create more.
Over the last two years, the myth of election fraud, supercharged by former President Donald Trump in the wake of his 2020 loss, has fueled a barrage of new restrictions. While they do not all target voters who struggle to read, they make it especially challenging for voters with low literacy skills to get help casting ballots.
Last year, Georgia passed a law limiting who can return or even touch a completed absentee ballot. Florida expanded the radius around election locations in which volunteers are prohibited from asking people if they need help. Texas passed a law prohibiting voters’ assistants from answering questions or paraphrasing complicated language on the ballot; a federal judge struck down several sections of the law in June. But the court left other provisions in place, including ones that increase penalties for helping voters who don’t qualify and require people who assist voters to fill out more paperwork. Texas did not appeal the decision.
To understand the impact of low-literacy voters going uncounted, ProPublica analyzed data on turnout from the three most recent national elections and compared it to average estimated literacy levels for over 3,000 counties. We found that as literacy rates decline, voter participation tends to decrease. (Read more about our analysis, and the data used, in our methodology.)
It is impossible to say precisely what role literacy plays in voter turnout. There are many other factors that contribute to lower participation, including some closely intertwined with literacy, such as income and education level. But to put the importance of reading ability in perspective, our analysis found that if low-literacy counties had turnout similar to high-literacy counties, they could have added up to about 7 million votes to the national total for each of those three elections.
This is meaningful, considering that some of the most consequential elections of our time have come down to the narrowest of margins:
Despite losing the popular vote, Trump secured the presidency in 2016 by winning Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan by a margin of just under 80,000 total votes.
President Joe Biden prevailed in 2020 by winning Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin by just over 40,000 votes combined.
ProPublica - How We Analyzed Literacy and Voter Turnout
Coley-Pearson recognizes the importance of this moment for Georgia, which is no stranger to close elections. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp faces another challenge from Democrat Stacey Abrams, and Sen. Raphael Warnock is attempting to hold on to his seat in a race that could tip the Senate back to Republican control. But to Coley-Pearson, helping people vote isn’t only about politics or even just about their rights as individuals. It is about the future of democracy at a time when it seems like the views of the majority are being marginalized by the actions of the few.
As a child in the 1970s, she’d watched as her mother, Gladys Coley — who stood just above 5 feet and had only an eighth grade education — rose to the helm of the local NAACP and challenged the discriminatory school system and police department. Her mother begged her not to return from college in Atlanta, but Coley-Pearson wanted to fight for the people of Coffee County, too. As she headed to the polls on primary day this past May, though, she couldn’t subdue her fear that by helping Jones and Fillmore, she was putting a target on her own back.
Over the course of several years, she’d become tangled in an investigation of supposed voter fraud, which took aim at her attempts to assist voters who requested help. She had pleaded her case to television cameras and at a hearing before the state’s highest election official. She had even wound up in jail.
“Intimidation is real,” Coley-Pearson said. “If we don’t continue to vote, they’re going to have us right back where it used to be.”
Coley-Pearson was born in an era when Southern states forced convoluted literacy tests on voters to keep Black people out of the polls. In those days, local voting officials often made exceptions for white people who couldn’t read. In 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act prohibiting racial discrimination at the polls. That didn’t stop white conservatives, especially in the South, from continuing to discriminate against voters with low literacy skills, who, due to centuries of oppression, were disproportionately Black.
Conservatives argued that removing barriers for voters who couldn’t read would allow the federal government to overrule states’ decisions on how to run local elections and would hand more votes to liberal candidates. Clearly, they said, voters with low reading skills would be easily swayed by anyone assisting them, leading to rampant fraud.
“Today the bureaucrats are issuing certificates to vote to people who cannot read the ballot nor even the instructions on a ballot or on a voting machine,” segregationist Alabama Gov. George Wallace declared in late 1965. “The left wing liberals need as many illiterates as they can get to vote in order to keep them in power.”
The Rev. Fred C. Bennette Jr., a civil rights movement organizer, right, instructs Black people in Atlanta how to fill out registration forms in 1963. (AP Photo/Horace Cort)
By 1981, voters of color, including those with low literacy levels, still faced “white resistance and hostility,” according to a U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report. “For many minority voters, the kind of assistance that they receive at the polls determines whether they will vote,” the report stated. “If minority voters who do not speak English or who are illiterate receive inadequate assistance, they may become too frustrated and discouraged to vote or they may mark their ballots in such a way that they will not be counted.”
Congress amended the Voting Rights Act in 1982 to affirm that voters who need help due to an “inability to read” could bring someone, other than their employer or union representative, to assist them in the voting booth. A string of subsequent lawsuits shows this federal action again failed to eradicate the discrimination.
In a 2001 case, the federal justice department claimed that white poll managers in Charleston County, South Carolina, were intimidating Black voters who requested assistance. According to testimony given in the case, the poll workers launched a barrage of questions at these voters, such as, “Can’t you read and write? And didn’t you just sign in? And you know how to spell your name, why can’t you just vote by yourself? And do you really need voter assistance?”
A federal judge found that there was “significant evidence of intimidation and harassment,” but said evidence of the mistreatment was too “anecdotal” to take direct action.
In 2012, the chairman of Coffee County’s board of elections filed a complaint against Coley-Pearson and three other residents, alleging that they’d assisted voters who didn’t legally qualify for help. Georgia law only allows voters to receive assistance if they are disabled or cannot read English. The secretary of state’s office, then under Kemp’s leadership, initiated an investigation.
The following summer, a 52-year-old line cook named Alvin Williams answered his phone to find a state investigator on the other end. The man had questions about the 2012 election. “It looks like you were assisted by Olivia Pearson,” said state investigator Glenn Archie, in a recording obtained by ProPublica. (Archie did not respond to a request for comment.) “It’s not marked why she assisted you and I was wondering why you needed assistance.”
The tone of the man’s voice made Williams nervous. “Because I can’t read. I’m illiterate,” Williams told Archie. He’d dropped out of school at 16 to work full time catching chickens and selling them to the local poultry plant, a job he’d skipped classes for since he was 11 to help support his family.
“I’m sure she read the candidates to you,” Archie said. “Did you get to pick the people you wanted to vote for?”
“Yes, sir,” Williams said. “I can’t read. That’s why she was helping me.”
“That’s no problem,” the investigator assured him. “She can assist you if you have problems reading.”
But the call left Williams humiliated and fearful of how his vote could be used against him or Coley-Pearson. “I don’t fool with the law,” he said in a recent interview. “And I don’t do nothing for them to fool with me.”
ProPublica - How to Vote: A Quick and Easy Guide
Some other voters told investigators that they had requested and received help even though they could read. The investigation found that Coley-Pearson and the other volunteers neglected to verify whether some voters qualified for help and incorrectly filled out forms indicating why voters needed assistance. It also found that election workers failed to include required information on many forms and turned them in without making sure they were accurate.
Testifying at a 2016 hearing chaired by Kemp, Coley-Pearson maintained that she hadn’t broken any laws. In response to a poll worker’s claim that she’d touched the voting machine, Coley-Pearson said she’d merely accompanied voters who had requested her assistance and stood by to answer questions about the process or read names on the ballot. She said she followed the instructions of the poll workers, signing forms when directed.
“If someone asks me for help, I felt an obligation to try to assist if I could,” she testified at the hearing, stressing that she never told anyone who to vote for. Coley-Pearson suspected there was a deeper significance to the investigation and told the board, “Sometimes things are done to try to maybe dis-encourage, or whatever, other people from voting, and I don’t feel like that is fair.”
The state election board chose not to recommend her case for criminal prosecution, but a local district attorney’s office prosecuted her anyway, which made national headlines in BuzzFeed. It charged her with two felonies for improperly assisting a voter and for signing a form that gave a false reason for why a voter needed assistance. The trial ended with a hung jury. One of two Black people on the jury told a local reporter that she was the only holdout; everyone else voted to find Coley-Pearson guilty. She was tried again in a nearby county and, after about 20 minutes of deliberations, the new jury acquitted her of all charges. The district attorney’s office did not respond to ProPublica’s emailed questions.
On the day of Georgia’s primary elections in May, ProPublica followed Olivia Coley-Pearson to capture what it takes to ensure that voters who need help can get it.
Three other volunteers took plea deals in which they admitted to making false statements on forms indicating the reason that a voter needed assistance; in exchange, they got probation, after which any fines would be waived. One of them, James Curtis Hicks, said that if he had fought his case and lost, he could have faced jail time or a mountain of fines. He didn’t want to take any risks. “Around here, to me, they target the leaders, the people that are standing up for the rights of the minority,” he said in a recent interview. “To shut me and Ms. Pearson down, it would stop a whole lot of people going to the polls.”
For years, the 59-year-old truck driver had kept tabs on Coffee County voters to see if they needed help reading the ballot. But after the settlement, he stopped. “I didn’t want a focus on me to suppress anyone else,” he said. “I really felt intimidated.”
But the charges didn’t deter Coley-Pearson.
****
Before Jones could vote that May afternoon, she needed to get temporary identification. Dodging the pouring rain, she and Coley-Pearson scuttled into the elections office shortly before it closed. At nearly 6 feet tall, Coley-Pearson towered over the woman sitting behind a plexiglass barrier.
“She needs a voter ID, sweetie,” Coley-Pearson said, leaning in. The woman handed Jones an application.
“You need me to do it, baby?” Coley-Pearson asked softly.
Jones nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”
The woman at the counter emphasized that Jones had to complete it on her own.
“She has trouble reading and writing,” Coley-Pearson said.
After a tense moment, the woman agreed that Coley-Pearson could fill out the form. She read the questions out loud and filled in Jones’ answers, pointing out which lines to sign and date.
Jones is in the third generation of her family that is not able to read. Her grandmother never learned how, and her mother, Fillmore, left high school in her sophomore year, after frequently being disciplined for fighting. As an adult, Fillmore briefly attended an education program to help her learn how to read, but she felt discouraged and left.
Jones graduated from high school in Coffee County but says she reads at the same first-grade level as her mother. She remembers attending special education classes with more field trips than written assignments and says teachers never diagnosed her with a learning disability or gave her one-on-one assistance. School administrators also frequently suspended her for fighting, she said. “They were trying to get rid of me.”
Coffee County has long failed to provide an equal education for students of color. In 1969, federal officials sued its school board for refusing to integrate white and Black schools. Even after the school system was integrated, Black students continued to receive fewer academic resources and harsher punishments than their white peers. A decade ago, the district acknowledged its shortcomings in reading instruction and the need to rectify its problems with literacy, which were more pronounced for Black students.
The county’s lower literacy rate is related to its high poverty rate, and since integration, the district has worked to increase opportunities for students of color, Coffee County School District Superintendent Morris Leis said in an email; he added that the district does not use discipline to “push out” children who have academic challenges, and it has reduced racial disparities in discipline after it initiated a new program in 2014. By that time, Jones had graduated.
She aspires to learn how to read through an adult education program and to eventually work at a child care center, but she cannot do so without steady transportation. She has not applied for a driver’s license; though she could take the written test orally like her mother did, she hasn’t been able to find someone who has time to help her study the examination booklet.
Ordinary tasks are often insurmountable for her. She owns a smartphone, but mining the web for information is daunting. After she fell several months behind on her electric payments, she could not read the notice that warned her lights would be cut off. She likely qualifies for low-cost internet, but she cannot navigate the instructions for accessing it. When she takes her son to the doctor’s office, she prints his first and last name on the forms but asks the staff for help with the rest. Unable to decipher her most valuable documents, like her birth certificate, she entrusts them to her aunt, who can read and helps determine what she needs for appointments and applications.
Jones worries most about keeping up with her 4-year-old son as he grows. She can read beginner books to him, but she knows his knowledge will soon surpass her own.
For Jones, the voting process itself is like a literacy test. If she changes her address, she cannot easily update her registration. If she enters the polling booth alone, she may recognize a few names on the ballot, but any unfamiliar words could confound her, particularly when it comes to the often-confusing constitutional amendments. She prefers voting by mail, which allows her more time to process her choices, but Georgia’s new election law is making that more difficult. The law has banned outside groups from mailing out absentee ballot applications that have the resident’s information already filled in, and it has limited who can submit the applications on voters’ behalf. The law does include exceptions for people helping “illiterate” voters, but experts say its limit on assistance could still discourage those voters from requesting help.
“Any law that limits assistance is going to have an impact on voters with limited literacy,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, acting director of voting rights at the Brennan Center for Justice. “Whether or not that’s the intention of the lawmakers, that’s always a difficult thing to say. But I do think sometimes it may very well be the intention.”
Across the country, people like Jones are stumbling through inscrutable election processes fraught with poor ballot design and rigid registration rules. Some are choosing not to vote at all. (Read more about how some states are trying to make voting more accessible.) “We know in general that the more barriers we put in front of people, the lower the participation rate,” said Donald Moynihan, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University. “Even if someone with lower literacy has the same desire to vote as someone reading this article, they have to overcome more barriers.”
In 2014, for example, Ohio legislators began requiring voters to fill out more complicated versions of absentee and provisional ballot forms while at the same time limiting the assistance they could get from poll workers. Minor errors in the paperwork could lead to people’s votes not being counted. In a lawsuit, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless claimed that the laws disproportionately harmed poor, nonwhite and low-literacy voters who would be more likely to have their ballots rejected for minor errors.
Data submitted as evidence shows that thousands of forms were tossed in the 2014 and 2015 general elections for simple problems such as incomplete addresses and birthdays. Poll workers refused one form because the street name “Cuthbert” was misspelled as “Cuthberth.” Several others were rejected because birth dates were listed as the current date, an indicator that voters may not have understood the instructions.
In 2016, a federal judge struck down the measures, concluding they disproportionately harmed Black voters. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that state rules requiring perfect completion of absentee ballot forms posed an undue burden to voters. But the panel said the other measures were minimally disruptive and left in place regulations that limited the assistance voters could get from poll workers and the amount of time voters were given to correct errors on absentee and provisional ballots.
“What the case demonstrates is the indifference of officials from one political party, and of unfortunately many federal judges, to voting rights and to the need to make voting not only secure, but relatively unburdensome,” said Subodh Chandra, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
A similar law in Georgia suspended voter registration applications when the information on the form didn’t exactly match a driver’s license or social security record. (If voters didn’t correct the information within 26 months, Georgia could cancel their registrations.) When then-Secretary of State Kemp ran for governor against Stacey Abrams in 2018, his office suspended the applications of an estimated 53,000 voters, most of them Black, due to these discrepancies. Kemp won the election by about 55,000 votes.
A federal judge ordered Georgia to ease the restrictive program, calling it a “severe burden” on some voters. Politicians, academics and advocates have accused Kemp of voter suppression not only for suspending registration applications over minor discrepancies, but also for purging tens of thousands of infrequent voters from the rolls — a more aggressive effort than is made in other states.
Kemp press secretary Katie Bryd disputed the allegations and noted that Kemp had implemented automatic voter registration through the state’s department of motor vehicles in 2016, which added hundreds of thousands of eligible voters to the rolls. “Politically driven, irresponsible accusations of voter suppression alleged at Governor Kemp have been repeatedly found void of basic facts and validity,” Byrd said in an email.
Today, voters flagged for minor discrepancies in their registration paperwork can no longer be removed from the rolls, but they do have to show a photo identification before they vote.
*****
As Coley-Pearson parked at the polling station, her thoughts flew back to a similar day not long ago when she wound up handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser.
In October 2020 — more than two years after she was cleared of the felony charges — she was standing in a voting booth helping a young woman with low literacy skills read a ballot, as is allowed by law, when the county’s election supervisor, Misty Martin, confronted her. Martin yelled at Coley-Pearson to not touch the machines and told her she was barred from returning to the polls. Coley-Pearson said she wasn’t touching any machines. “We’re done,” she told the young woman after she finished voting. “Let’s go.”
Martin, who also has used the last names Hampton and Hayes, called the police to report that Coley-Pearson was disruptive, and the department issued a trespass warning barring her from the polls indefinitely. Later that morning, when Coley-Pearson returned to drop off another voter, she was arrested in the parking lot and charged with criminal trespassing. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into election interference claims in Coffee County, including an incident in which Martin allowed several computer experts connected with Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 results into her offices, where they may have had access to election systems; Martin resigned from her county post under pressure last year. She did not respond to ProPublica’s questions related to either incident.
The charge hung over Coley-Pearson for nearly two years; this past June, a state judge agreed to drop the case if she signed a consent order agreeing to follow election law. “There was no evidence of any crime here,” Coley-Pearson said. “It feels like you’re fighting a losing battle.”
Her daughters see how the last several years have worn her down. AiyEsha Coley said she would sometimes wake up at 4 a.m. to feed her newborn and would find her mother on Facebook, reading through disparaging comments. Her daughters have long campaigned for her to retire from city commission, scared that the stress might eventually kill her. She’s starting to come around, and she plans to leave her post next year.
Now peering into her back seat, Coley-Pearson worried her presence could interfere with Jones and Fillmore’s ability to vote. “I did not want any type of confrontation, I did not want any kind of accusations, I just didn’t want any hassle,” she said.
She told them she would not be going in with them and instructed two close friends to help them instead. “When you get through, you all come down there to the tent,” she said, motioning to where her volunteers were sitting out of reach of the rain.
Coley-Pearson watched the women shuffle into the building and fretted as she waited, leaning on her mobile walker at the edge of the parking lot with a group of volunteer canvassers. She had reminded her friends of the rules, but she knew that sometimes, following them was not enough. “They might try to look for anything they could use against them,” she said.
After nearly an hour, Jones and her mother emerged, beaming.
Coley-Pearson’s nerves settled, at least for the moment.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wibw.com/2022/09/12/fight-against-an-age-old-effort-block-americans-voting/ | 2022-09-12T16:34:39Z |
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (IDX: BBRI) was named the largest public company in Indonesia on the 2022's Forbes Global 2000 Ranking. In addition, BRI's ranking amongst the other 2,000 largest global companies rose to 349th in 2022 from 362nd in the previous year.
Amongst seven Indonesian companies listed in the Forbes Magazine's list of 2,000 largest companies globally, BRI was at the top of the list. BRI has been named as Indonesia's largest public company for eight consecutive years.
Sunarso, President Director of BRI said that this achievement further proves BRI's capabilities of maintaining positive performances with highly measured and regulated risk management.
"Despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, BRI is continuously maintaining positive performances. This was achieved by focusing on the empowerment and assistance to Indonesia's MSMEs segment in difficult times, as well as becoming the Indonesian government's strategic partner in the national economic recovery programs. This achievement belongs all BRI customers and BRI employees, or known as BRILian Personnel, throughout Indonesia," said Sunarso.
Forbes Global 2000 ranks the largest companies globally using four metrics, namely sales, profits, assets, and market value. Each metric has minimum requirements such as sales of US$5.5 billion, profit of US$493 million, assets of US$13.7 billion and market value of US$7.6 billion. Companies must meet at least one requirement to be eligible for the final Forbes Global 2000 rankings.
According to Forbes, BRI's sales volume reached US$ 12.77 billion in 2022, with profit accumulating to US$2.17 billion, assets valued at US$117.74 billion and a market value of US$50.14 billion.
As Indonesia's economic conditions continue to rise and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, BRI aims to continue to bring out positive performances. In Q1 2022, BRI managed to record a profit of Rp. 12.22 trillion, growing 78.13% year on year (yoy). As for assets, BRI Group's assets grew by 8.99 percent yoy to Rp1,650.28 trillion.
"Through our positive performances, BRI is able to, not just maintain the top ranking amongst Indonesian companies, but also rank up on an international scale. This proves that state-owned companies are increasingly appreciated globally. We will continue to create best-value economic and social services for all Indonesian people," concluded Sunarso.
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SOURCE PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI) | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/20/bri-becomes-largest-public-company-indonesia-forbes-global-2000-ranking-2022/ | 2022-05-20T14:30:36Z |
NEW YORK, May 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention Riskified Ltd. ("Riskified Ltd.") (NYSE: RSKD) shareholders:
The Law Offices of Vincent Wong announce that a class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of investors. This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased Riskified Class A ordinary shares in or traceable to the Company's July 2021 initial public offering.
If you suffered a loss on your investment in Riskified Ltd., contact us about potential recovery by using the link below. There is no cost or obligation to you.
https://www.wongesq.com/pslra-1/riskified-ltd-loss-submission-form?prid=26909&wire=4
ABOUT THE ACTION: The class action against Riskified Ltd. includes allegations that the Company made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) as Riskified expanded its user base, the quality of Riskified's machine learning platform had deteriorated (rather than improved as represented in documents issued in connection with the July 2021 initial public offering), because of, among other things, inaccuracies in the algorithms associated with onboarding new merchants and entering new geographies and industries; (ii) Riskified had expanded its customer base into industries with relatively high rates of fraud – including partnerships with cryptocurrency and remittance business – in which Riskified had limited experience and that this expansion has negatively impacted the effectiveness of Riskified's machine learning platform; (iii) as a result, Riskified was suffering from materially higher chargebacks and cost of revenue and depressed gross profits and gross profit margins during its third fiscal quarter of 2021; and (iv) thus, the representations in documents issued in connection with the July 2021 initial public offering regarding Riskified's historical financial and operational metrics and purported market opportunities did not accurately reflect the actual business, operations, and financial results and trajectory of Riskified prior to and at the time of the July 2021 initial public offering, and were materially false and misleading, and lacked a factual basis.
DEADLINE: July 1, 2022
Aggrieved Riskified Ltd. investors only have until July 1, 2022 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. You are not required to act as a lead plaintiff in order to share in any recovery.
Vincent Wong, Esq. is an experienced attorney who has represented investors in securities litigations involving financial fraud and violations of shareholder rights. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Vincent Wong, Esq.
39 East Broadway
Suite 304
New York, NY 10002
Tel. 212.425.1140
E-Mail: vw@wongesq.com
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SOURCE The Law Offices of Vincent Wong | https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/09/class-action-alert-law-offices-vincent-wong-remind-riskified-ltd-investors-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-1-2022/ | 2022-05-09T10:01:26Z |
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 46,000 Americans died by suicide in one recent year. Even more alarmingly, for every one suicide death, there are four hospitalizations for suicide attempts, eight emergency room visits related to suicide, 27 self-reported suicide attempts, and 275 people who seriously considered suicide. Ninety percent of these individuals have an underlying—and potentially treatable—mental health condition. That is why Newport Healthcare, a national network of evidence-based treatment programs for teens and young adults with primary mental health disorders, is partnering with To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA), a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide, to raise funds that will help save lives.
"We are wholly dedicated to being part of the solution to our nation's mental health crisis and proudly support TWLOHA in their mission to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery," said Joe Procopio, Chief Executive Officer of Newport Healthcare. "The suicide rate for adolescents and young adults in particular has significantly grown, and millions continue to struggle with depression and suicidal ideation in the wake of the collective trauma and loss from the past two and a half years of COVID. We must take action now to share information and resources for people to get the help they need."
This is the sixth year of Newport's partnership with TWLOHA that includes a matching gift donation and, this year, a Newport employee and alumni Team Fundraising effort, participation in a TWLOHA roundtable event on September 14th, and suicide prevention awareness marketing efforts to both organizations' audiences. Funds raised for TWLOHA go toward counseling and group therapy sessions, as well as support and guidance to treatment resources for individuals struggling. The latter has become increasingly vital in light of a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Newport Healthcare that found that 69% of parents lack confidence in their knowledge of what to do if their teen is struggling with a mental health issue.
The theme for this year's TWLOHA Suicide Prevention Awareness Month campaign is "You Are Not A Burden" which centers around the idea that this false belief of being a burden on others that often drives those who experience suicidal thoughts to action can be disrupted.
"We want to remind people that your truth, your fears, your pain, and your doubts do not make you a burden—they make you human," said Lindsay Kolsch, Co-Executive Director of TWLOHA. "We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Newport Healthcare and their commitment to empowering lives and restoring families."
You can support the TWLOHA You Are Not A Burden campaign by visiting their website: TWLOHA.com.
Newport Healthcare offers a library of free mental health resources, supports the communities in which they operate, and is the leading provider of mental health treatment for youth, young adults, and families across the nation. For more information, visit NewportHealthcare.com
Newport Healthcare, including Newport Academy, Newport Institute, Center for Families, and the Center for Research and Innovation, provides evidence-based healing centers for teens, young adults, and families struggling with primary mental health issues. Newport offers a family-systems approach with individualized, integrated programs that combine clinical and experiential therapies with academic or career support. Newport's nationwide residential and outpatient treatment programs bring teens and young adults from self-destruction to self-esteem, addressing the underlying causes of high-risk behavior from a foundation of compassionate care, clinical expertise, and unconditional love. With a commitment to advocacy, Newport is creating a movement to shift our mental health culture from awareness to action, with the primary mission to empower lives and restore families.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery. Since its start in 2006, they have donated over $2.6 million directly into treatment and recovery and have answered over 210,000 emails from over 100 countries, and traveled more than 3.8 million miles to meet people face-to-face at nearly 3,000 events. Each month, they connect with 10 million people online through social media and their FIND HELP Tool fields 3,500 searches made by people seeking mental health resources.
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SOURCE Newport Healthcare | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/09/08/its-suicide-prevention-awareness-month-amp-newport-healthcare-is-partnering-with-write-love-her-arms-twloha-save-lives/ | 2022-09-08T15:20:07Z |
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