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A Website and Backend Solution to Streamline & Simplify Booking Bands & Services While Offering Full Pricing Transparency, Availability & Customization
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Evan Tyler, the CEO of a top national live music production company Starlight Music, has launched the company's new platform featuring proprietary technology that promises to be a disruptor in the wedding industry.
Budgeting for a wedding is one of the most challenging parts of getting married and finding the perfect entertainment at the right price can seem overwhelming. The new Starlight Music website gives clients instant access to the availability and pricing of the Starlight bands.
This new online platform provides total pricing transparency and gives users access to hundreds of newly accessible live video samples. Starlight's customers take control of their entire live entertainment experience by deciding when and if they would like to speak with a team member. They can view all of the bands' content, customize the acts, download proposals, watch FAQs answered by the Bandleaders and even book bands at the click of a button, prior to contacting the office. Or, they can choose to have a demo presentation via Zoom with the CEO.
www.StarlightMusic.com features 6 elite dance bands with over 100 performers, along with specialty acts and string performers, and the opportunity for new acts to join. For the first time, users will have instant access to nationwide pricing and can customize their entertainment in real-time.
Clients having an event requiring the bands to travel, will immediately be shown the price of the act, including all expenses such as hotels, airfare, food, sound, etc.
"I wanted to create a new technology to save customers money and time, while providing them a digital way to access all their wedding band needs," said Evan Tyler, who has produced weddings and events for VIP names including Billy Joel, Kevin Hart, Sean P-Diddy Combs, and more. "Our new platform puts clients and event planners in charge, streamlines the booking process, eliminates price gouging and allows for the entire experience of hiring a live band to be done at your pace, from the comfort of your computer."
To learn more please visit: www.StarlightMusic.com. For additional information or to set up interviews with Evan Tyler, please contact Sarah Gartner at R. Couri Hay Creative PR T: 1-212-580-0835 / Email Sarah@rcourihaycpr.com.
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SOURCE Starlight Music
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/starlight-music-introduces-website-amp-technology-revolutionize-wedding-industry/
| 2022-04-19T20:04:45Z
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STN's latest release enhances digital video player performance, simplifies publisher workflow, and increases earning potential with diverse monetization opportunities.
NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - STN Video, creator of the industry's leading online video platform, is excited to announce the launch of the industry's only fully configurable video player. STN's next generation player marks the release of new features that STN's publishers can use to simplify their workflows and go beyond the basics into easily customizable aesthetics, an unparalleled level of player configurations based on desired user experience, and more STN monetization options than ever before, all in a faster player further optimized for on-page performance, viewability, and search ranking.
STN is offering their publishers unlimited player configurability via one embed code, giving them the power to deliver video in the manner they deem best at any given time. Publishers who utilize STN's player via multiple locations across their site(s), including mobile and desktop, can tailor each experience based on their unique needs for the ultimate combination of engagement, performance and monetization. With this next generation player, publishers will be able to seamlessly configure any combination of:
- Content delivered
- Player functionality by template type
- Player functionality by geo-location
- User experience for subscribers versus anonymous visitors
- Player position by template and viewport
- Functionalities and settings
- Custom look and feel
- And much more…
Initial tests of STN's NextGen player have seen cases of marked improvement in both performance and revenue metrics including a:
- 14% increase in impressions delivered
- 20% increase in viewability
- 9% increase in page load speed
- 16% increase in player loads
Their latest release will be instantly upgraded across STN's entire platform.
Other features:
- Increased revenue and optimized implementation to minimize blockage from third parties such as browsers and/or browser extensions
- Enhancements to mobile player functionality resulting in better user experience, higher viewability and longer watch times
- Ability for player to work seamlessly in any format and viewport (landscape, portrait, full-width etc)
THE LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF PUBLISHER-FOCUSED PLAYER TECHNOLOGY
Publisher needs have always been at the core of STN's video solutions architecture. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, STN's publishing partners have OVP features and functionalities that save them resources and time. AI-based tools native to the next generation player include:
- Smart Match®,, which was built to enable publishers to integrate contextually relevant, premium video in every article at scale.
- STN's Recirculation Tool that reads a publisher's article to build contextually relevant video that complements the publisher's editorial content.
- STN's AI-Created Local Stories Tool creates unique content based off of story level data assets to deliver previously unavailable video for nearly every article on a publishers site.
All the video player tools take only moments to install on publisher web properties for desktop and mobile viewing. Other exciting updates to STN's digital video player are in beta testing with a full roll-out of new features expected mid-year.
"We're able to configure a different experience in each section of our publishers' sites to enhance user experience and improve engagement while bringing publishers new, optimized revenue opportunities," stated Matthew Watson, CEO of STN Video. "Video has become necessary in today's publishing world. Publishers choose STN's turnkey OVP to access premium, exclusive content and technology along with robust monetization opportunities. Our rollout of STN's next generation OVP gives publishers unsurpassed control of every bit of the online video experience, tailored for their unique audiences. Video can be any way a publisher wants it on their site(s), leveraged from any combination of 5,000+ daily videos from over 250 content providers; publisher-produced content; recirculation video; AI-produced local video; and livestream content."
This update will be live across all STN partner sites on April 19th, 2022. To learn how you can implement STN's next generation player and premium video content on your website, please visit stnvideo.com or email publishers@stnvideo.com for more info. And join STN for a Zoom webinar on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 11am Pacific Time where STN's product, engineering, and client success teams will showcase the next generation player redesign, features, and what it means for you.
About STN Video
STN Video is North America's largest independent online video platform, helping digital publishers, content providers and advertisers thrive with online video. STN Video delivers brand safe video from over 250 providers including MLB, Rolling Stone, Variety, Associated Press, the NBA and Bloomberg and in contextually relevant environments across 1,900+ trusted, local publishers including the New York Post, The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald and more.
STN Video has a library of 1 million+ videos spanning sports, business, technology, entertainment, lifestyle and more. Using Smart Match® AI-powered technology, publishers simply place an embed code on their website and relevant video content gets matched with their articles.
STN offers advertisers a premium environment for their brands combining an industry leading scale of over 1.5 billion monthly available impressions with the granularity of local and diverse audiences across North America.
For more information, visit stnvideo.com or follow them on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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SOURCE STN Video
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/stn-video-launches-industrys-only-fully-configurable-ovp-with-release-next-generation-video-player/
| 2022-04-19T20:04:52Z
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NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JOY is sunshine, color, optimism, and it radiates in a small pop-up gallery in New York City.
It shines in many mediums: oil on canvas, photography, mixed media, sculpture, art fashion, poetry, and NFTs. The new commissions were created by 12 women artists in answer to a simple question: what is JOY?
Surfergirl represents a diverse international roster: Fares Micue, Audrey Amelie Rudolf, Adaeze Okaro, Rain Moises, Constanza Laguna, Shana Roark, Candace Ceslow, Jimena Sánchez-Roselly, Erika Ehrman, Irene Marzo, Toni Miller, Patricia Sánchez-Lozano, and Marcia Lorente Howell.
Surfergirl's misson is to get more women artists into museums in our lifetime, change the fact that women only represent 14% of museum wall space and 2% of top auctions.
About Surfergirl
Founded by two women entrepreneurs Marcia Lorente and Carol Murphy, Surfergirl offers emerging women artists from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to showcase in a leading art market.
An artist and granddaughter of two women painters, Marcia began renting gallery space in Manhattan's Lower East Side to circumvent high commissions and an opaque system. She soon discovered hers was the first gallery in New York to only show women artists.
"It wasn't intentional, but once we realized no gallery is exclusively supporting women, we simply had to do it" says Marcia. "I'm doing this for every little girl who wants to make a living in the arts."
Surfergirl can pass most sales proceeds to the artists because it's also a marketing consulting firm for sustainable brands. Its founders are ex-advertising veterans who saw the opportunity for brands to collaborate with artists in creating content and visualizing purpose through a 6-8 week process they call Brand Poetry.
"The world doesn't need more ads, what we do is art-vertising", says Carol. "We believe art has social currency, we're making art accessible while advancing women."
Surfergirl has worked with sustainability pioneers Vital Farms, Tiesta Tea, and Overflow. Companies value how women artists offer a fresh take on marketing communications, and the unique opportunity to sponsor shows and fill their own wall spaces with art while supporting a great cause.
Next, Surfergirl expects to ramp up collaborations with organizations and individuals who share its values to make art accessible and advance women artists.
Contact: aloha@surfergirlgallery.com
Web: https://www.surfergirlny.com
LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/surfergirl-inc
Instagram/Twitter: @SurfergirlNY
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/surfergirl-gallery-presents-joy-an-exhibit-by-12-women-artists-opening-reception-may-19-2022-6-8pm-2-rivington-street-manhattan/
| 2022-04-19T20:04:59Z
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New partnership with APIC and ISO 9001:2015 certification with TÜV Rheinland® of North America signals Synexis® commitment to healthcare industry and quality assurance
LENEXA, Kan., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Synexis® LLC announced two strategic initiatives that highlight the company's focus and future growth in the healthcare market. Synexis has entered a strategic partnership with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), a key professional organization in infection prevention and the healthcare industry. Synexis also recently completed ISO 9001:2015 certification with TÜV Rheinland® of North America. This certification is recognized and adopted within many industries, including healthcare. This effort highlights the company's commitment to consistency of service, quality assurance, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
"Our strategic partnership with APIC and our procurement of ISO 9001:2015 certification both represent Synexis' deep commitment to raising the bar in our industry and delivering the highest quality of our cutting-edge BioDefense System to make air and surfaces cleaner for our partners and customers," said Eric Schlote, Synexis chief executive officer.
APIC Strategic Partnership
Synexis has joined the APIC Strategic Partner Program for 2022. The APIC Strategic Partner Program establishes long-term relationships with industry partners united in the common goal of advancing the science and practice of infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities and beyond. APIC Strategic Partners play an important role in supporting many of the educational initiatives and services that benefit APIC's membership, which is comprised of nurses, physicians, epidemiologists, microbiologists, public health professionals and other individuals dedicated to preventing the spread of infection. APIC is the leading association for infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals, with more than 15,000 infection preventionist (IP) members.
"We are excited to welcome Synexis as an APIC Strategic Partner and look forward to their expertise in indoor air quality and microbial reduction in occupied spaces," said APIC Chief Executive Officer Devin Jopp, EdD, MS. "As we work toward advancing the science and practice of infection prevention and control, our hope is that together, we can create a safer world through the prevention of infection."
ISO 9001:2015 Certification
Synexis has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification with TÜV Rheinland® of North America. ISO 9001:2015 is an internationally recognized standard that ensures customers receive consistent, good-quality products and services through an effective quality management system.
"Certification provides an opportunity to expand our business to new sectors, like the healthcare industry, and clients that require this level of quality management," said Schlote. "By earning the ISO 9001:2015 certification, our customers and partners know they will receive high quality products and services when working with Synexis."
The ISO 9001:2015 standard is based on quality management principles, including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. To become ISO 9001:2015 certified, Synexis underwent two stages of auditing, including documentation and evaluation of its quality management system with TÜV Rheinland® of North America. The foundation of ISO 9001:2015 is continual improvement and requires organizations to define their objectives and evaluate processes for any necessary improvements or efficiencies.
ABOUT THE APIC STRATEGIC PARTNER PROGRAM
The APIC Strategic Partner Program is a formal partnership between APIC and industry partners united in the common goal of reducing the risk of infection. APIC's partners play an important role in supporting many of the programs and services that make APIC membership so valuable. More information is available at apic.org/strategic-partners.
ABOUT SYNEXIS
Synexis develops cutting-edge BioDefense systems designed to transform the air to make the air and surfaces cleaner. Synexis BioDefense systems are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state governments as antimicrobial devices. Accordingly, Synexis BioDefense systems are produced in an EPA-registered facility and packaged and labeled in accordance with EPA regulations appearing at 40 CFR 152.500. The Synexis system is Underwriters Laboratories (UL2998) Certified to produce no ozone and works continuously without disruptions in normal operations or workflow.1 Synexis currently holds numerous U.S. patents. In addition, Synexis DHP™ Technology is supported by data from seven peer-reviewed studies.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Founded in 2008, Synexis LLC is the leader in microbial reduction and the sole developer of patented technology that creates and continuously disperses DHP™ (Dry Hydrogen Peroxide) to help reduce the presence of microbes in indoor spaces around the clock, without the need for occupants to evacuate the space. Synexis has set the bar in the industry and continues to educate current and future customers on indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
For more information, visit Synexis.com.
1 Synexis. Efficacy of the Synexis Sphere against SARS-CoV-2 Delta. October 20, 2021. Accessed December 2021. https://synexis.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/sars-cov-2-delta-variant-12-8-final93.pdf.
2 Sanguinet, J., Edmiston, C. Evaluation of dry hydrogen peroxide in reducing microbial bioburden in a healthcare facility. American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.03.004.
3 Huang, Y., Bilyeu, A., Hsu, W., Hettenbach, S., Willix, J., Stewart, S., Higgs, S., Vanlandingham, D., Treatment with Dry Hydrogen Peroxide Accelerates the Decay of Severe Acute Syndrome Coronavirus-2 on Non-porous Hard Surfaces, AJIC (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.07.006.
4 Sanguinet, J., Lee, C. An effective and automated approach for reducing infection risk from contaminated privacy curtains. AJIC (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.06.004.
5 Herman, C.K., Hess, J., Cerra, C. Dilute Hydrogen Peroxide Technology for Reduction of Microbial Colonization in the Hospital Setting. AJIC (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2015.04.064.
6 Melgar, M., et al. Effectiveness of dry hydrogen peroxide on reducing environmental microbial bioburden risk in a pediatric oncology intensive care unit. AJIC (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.08.026.
7 Melo, E.F., McElreath, J.S. & Wilson, J.L. & Lara, Leonardo & Cox, N.A. & Jordan, Brian. Effects of a dry hydrogen peroxide disinfection system used in an egg cooler on hatchability and chick quality. Poultry Science (2020). Vol. 99, Nov. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.050.
8 Melgar MD, M., Ramirez RN, M., Chang MD, A., Antillon MD, F., Impact of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide on Hospital-Acquired Infection at a Pediatric Oncology Hospital, AJIC (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.12.010.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/synexis-sharpens-focus-healthcare-market-announces-key-strategic-partnership-quality-certification/
| 2022-04-19T20:05:06Z
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Certified TARS Application Developer exam from the TARS Foundation and The Linux Foundation tests knowledge of developing and maintaining microservices
SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, and TARS Foundation, an open source microservices foundation under the Linux Foundation, have announced the Certified TARS Application Developer (CTAD) exam has completed Beta testing, and is now generally available for registration.
CTAD consists of a multiple-choice certification exam testing entry-level skills and knowledge around developing microservices and other components within a TARS Framework. This exam demonstrates to employers that certification holders understand the resources available to support continuous development.
The new certification, which consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and allows candidates 90 minutes to complete, was developed to enable cloud native professionals to demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain microservices within the TARS Framework. Some of the topics covered on the exam include installing and operating TARS in Docker, Kubernetes, or from source code; creating a microservices application using the TARS Framework in a chosen programming language; and awareness of the functions/plugins available to maintain or scale up microservices applications in TARS.
"We are excited to offer a new credential focused on the field of microservices, which has become one of the most important areas of technology today," said Clyde Seepersad, SVP, and general manager of training & certification at The Linux Foundation. "The hope is that this exam will help grow the talent base for professionals using TARS and microservices technology generally."
"With the increased use of microservices technology, companies today are looking for more qualified talent to support digital transformation," said Mark Shan, Board Chair of the TARS Foundation. "The TARS Community is excited to see that the CTAD exam will be a credible source of qualification for aspiring microservices developers."
The exam was developed in partnership with Certiverse. As demonstrated with The Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate (LFCA) and Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) exams, the company's online exam development platform brings high-quality certifications to market with the speed required to keep IT content current and relevant.
For more information about the exam and to register, visit https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/linux-foundation-certified-tars-application-developer/.
The TARS Foundation is a nonprofit, open source microservice foundation under the Linux Foundation umbrella, dedicated to supporting rapid growth of contributions and membership in the TARS community, which is focused on building an open microservices platform. The TARS Foundation focuses on open source technology that helps businesses to embrace microservices architectures as they innovate into new areas and scale their applications. For more information, please visit tarscloud.org.
Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation is supported by more than 1,000 members and is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. Linux Foundation's projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org.
The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Media Contact:
Dan Brown
The Linux Foundation
415-420-7880
dbrown@linuxfoundation.org
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/tars-certification-testing-microservices-expertise-now-available/
| 2022-04-19T20:05:13Z
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BENSALEM, Pa., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against TaskUs, Inc. ("TaskUs" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: TASK).
Class Period: June 11, 2021 – January 19, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 25, 2022
Investors suffering losses on their TaskUs investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) TaskUs was experiencing severe financial strain and business challenges, particularly with its most important customer Facebook; (2) the Content Security market was smaller than Defendants represented and Defendants' representations were based on outdated market data; (3) TaskUs improperly recognized revenue from certain key contracts; (4) Defendants overstated the size of TaskUs' workforce as well as employee retention rates, and understated attrition rates; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
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 Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com, or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contacts
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
Howard G. Smith, Esquire
215-638-4847
888-638-4847
howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com
www.howardsmithlaw.com
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SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/task-investors-have-opportunity-lead-taskus-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit/
| 2022-04-19T20:05:20Z
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Self-Made Billionaire Launches Multimillion-Dollar Nationwide TV Ad Campaign To Ban Tesla's Full Self-Driving Technology
Dan O'Dowd: "Elon Musk is pushing Tesla's defective Full Self-Driving technology, and it's threatening people across the country. The government continues to allow Tesla to put unregulated, dangerous, and defective software on the street in the hands of 60,000 untrained drivers. This is a public safety threat and Congress must take immediate action."
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today tech billionaire Dan O'Dowd, founder and CEO of Green Hills Software, a company which specializes in software reliability and security, launches his U.S. Senate campaign to make computers safe for humanity, including calling for a ban on Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology.
Starting today, Dan is running a multimillion-dollar nationwide television advertising campaign, with an ad showing actual videos of shocking safety defects in Tesla's Full Self-Driving software.
Titled "Unsafe at Any Speed" – a tribute to consumer advocate Ralph Nader's famous crusade against the auto industry's resistance to safety measures – the ad features harrowing moments where Tesla's FSD software malfunctions and frightened Tesla passengers and drivers can be heard swearing and gasping in fear.
Click here to watch Dan O'Dowd's ad on the dangers of Tesla's Full Self-Driving cars:
Dan has built operating systems for some of the world's most trusted organizations and companies such as NASA, Boeing, Airbus, and the U.S. military's fighter jets. He recently founded The Dawn Project to campaign for better software in safety-critical computer systems.
Now Dan is applying his expertise in fail-safe technology to stand up to Elon Musk's reckless deployment of unsafe Full Self-Driving cars on our roads.
A Dawn Project study of Tesla's Full Self-Driving cars showed they malfunction on average every 8 minutes in city driving. "If a person drove that recklessly, they would fail their driver's test, and if Full Self-Driving can't pass the test, it should not be allowed to be driving on our roads," said Dan O'Dowd.
Dan O'Dowd commented: "My mission in life is to make computers safe for humanity. Connecting the power grid, hospitals, and millions of cars to the Internet with software riddled with bugs and security defects has turned these systems into potential weapons of mass destruction in the hands of hackers. Ordinary commercial software was never intended to be used in systems which people's lives depend on.
"The first danger I am tackling is Elon Musk's reckless deployment of unsafe Full Self-Driving cars on our roads. Tesla's FSD software is the most unreliable safety-critical computer system I have ever seen. Tesla warns their drivers that FSD 'might do the wrong thing at the worst time.' This is completely unacceptable for a vehicle on public roads.
"Tesla Full Self-Driving should be banned from our roads immediately. We did not sign up our families to be Tesla crash test dummies."
About Dan O'Dowd
Dan O'Dowd is an engineer, entrepreneur, CEO, and expert in safety-critical software and cyber security. Dan has over 40 years of experience designing and writing the operating system for hundreds of the world's most safety-critical computer systems. In 2021, Dan founded The Dawn Project, to ensure all software in safety-critical infrastructure is secure and reliable. Now Dan is launching a campaign for a safer country by calling out Tesla's' Full Self-Driving cars. Dan founded Green Hills Software in 1982, and has served as President and CEO for the past 40 years. O'Dowd is a 1976 graduate of the California Institute of Technology and is a recipient of the Caltech Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor which Caltech bestows upon a graduate. Dan lives with his wife in Santa Barbara, California, and they have two grown sons.
A link to Dan's Senate campaign website can be found here.
Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1800029/Dan_ODowd.mp4
Media inquiries: press@odowdforsenate.com
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SOURCE Dan O’Dowd for a safer country
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/tech-ceo-dan-odowd-launches-us-senate-campaign-make-computers-safe-humanity/
| 2022-04-19T20:05:28Z
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CONCERT-ONLY TICKETS ON SALE BEGINNING APRIL 22; GENERAL ACCESS AND VIP ALL ACCESS TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
HIGHLIGHT OF TEXAS RESTAURANT SHOW INVITES GUESTS TO EAT AND DRINK TEXAS' BEST AS THE STATE'S MOST-RECOGNIZED CHEFS AND MIXOLOGISTS COMPETE FOR PEOPLE'S FAVORITE, ALL BENEFITING THE TEXAS RESTAURANT FOUNDATION AT THE LEGENDARY GILLEY'S DALLAS
DALLAS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Restaurant Foundation (TRF), the workforce development arm of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), cordially invites you to this year's Lone Star Bash featuring the Texas Restaurant Awards, set for July 10, 2022 at Gilley's Dallas. A highlight of the Texas Restaurant Show––the largest restaurant industry trade show and educational conference in the Southwest––this year's Lone Star Bash will feature signature dishes and cocktails from more than 30 celebrated Texas chefs and 12 mixologists, each respectively competing for the title People's Choice for Best Dish and Craft Cocktail, followed by a live performance by Red Dirt rocker Stoney LaRue, with proceeds benefiting the important work of the TRF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Tickets to the 2022 Lone Star Bash are on sale now. Concert-only tickets go on sale Friday, April 22. Tickets and information are available HERE.
Stoney LaRue is a hard-charging, philosophical troubadour who has delivered his expansive take on Hill Country honky-tonk boogie for 20 years. A charismatic storyteller who draws from soul, folk, and rock-and-roll, LaRue is the perfect musical pairing to an evening celebrating food and culture that is rooted in—and reimagining—the very best Texan traditions.
Now in its seventh year, the Lone Star bash will be held July 10, 2022, at the one-and-only Gilley's Dallas. For VIP All Access ticket holders, the big night begins at 5:30 p.m., with the Texas Restaurant Awards pre-event, celebrating industry leaders, including inductees to the Hall of Honor, Restaurateur of the Year, Educator of the Year, Philanthropist of the Year, and the 23 local TRA Chapter Restaurateur of the Year winners, as well as special award categories for Rising Star, Deep in the Heart, and Community Impact. The kick-off features full-service samples of all signature dishes and cocktails, VIP views of Stoney LaRue's performance, and VIP-only access to the exclusive rooftop after party.
General access ticket holders will be welcomed at 6:30 p.m. to experience the food and drinks and special dessert stations, as well as sponsored attractions that include photos with a live longhorn and mechanical bull-riding for charity, before the performance. There are also concert-only access tickets, which include dessert and drinks, with doors opening at 8:00 p.m.
"This is always a night to remember," said Dr. Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., President & CEO of the TRA. "Not only will this year's Lone Star Bash be bigger and better than ever—thanks to Stoney LaRue and our extraordinary chefs and mixologists—but it also will continue to provide critical support to the Texas Restaurant Foundation's programs, including ProStart, our 2-year high school culinary and hospitality management program that is taught in nearly 200 school districts across Texas. It has been an extremely challenging few years, during which the people of this industry have shown incredible grit, creativity and tenacity. It's wonderful to gather together now to celebrate our greatest while we invest in the next generation of our best and brightest. Get ready to party with a purpose, and we will see you at Gilley's!"
Full details about this year's Lone Star Bash and ticket purchasing can be found HERE.
Lone Star Bash featuring the Texas Restaurant Awards
Sunday, July 10
Gilley's Dallas, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215
VIP ALL ACCESS TICKET – 5:30pm admission
This ticket at $225 includes:
- The Texas Restaurant Awards pre-event, celebrating the leaders of our industry, including inductees to the Hall of Honor, Restaurateur of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Philanthropist of the Year (see website for full list of awards).
- VIP area with access to special chefs and premium bar, as well as service staff to conveniently deliver your samples from the 30 chefs and 12 mixologists in the main room
- VIP view of the Stoney LaRue concert with special dessert stations
- VIP-only access after party on the top floor of Gilley's, including special attractions, DJ music, more food, continued premium bar, and few more surprises to come
GENERAL ACCESS TICKET – 6:30pm admission
This ticket at $175 includes:
- Access to signature dishes and cocktails from 30 chefs and 12 mixologists
- Open bar
- General admission view of the Stoney LaRue concert
- Special dessert stations
- Attractions throughout the area including photo booths, mechanical bull, and more
CONCERT-ONLY ACCESS TICKET – 8:00pm admission
This ticket at $75 includes:
- General admission view of the Stoney LaRue concert
- Open bar
- Special dessert stations
ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. As a leading business association, the TRA represents the state's $70 billion restaurant industry, which comprises approximately 50,000 locations and a workforce of 1.3 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 85th anniversary year. For more information, please visit www.txrestaurant.org.
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| 2022-04-19T20:05:38Z
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NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kent Global LLC has built strategic partnerships with some of the world's most influential sovereign wealth funds. Mr. Kent goes on to say that with the new alliance, we a have a better scope of funding for projects from real estate to oil and gas companies. The funding range is almost endless. A sovereign wealth fund is a state or nation owned investment fund that invests in real and financial assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, precious metals or alternative investments. Mr. Kent has launched several joint ventures in the last 12 months but feels this is one of the most important ones he has forged as of date. He further states that with the wealth funds partnerships this truly makes him an international banker. Mr. Kent continues on to say that he looks forward to the next 5 years of growth with all funds involved.
About Kent Global LLC
Kent Global LLC is a New York-based Private International Consultancy and Investment firm.
With clients around the world from startups to governments. Kent Global LLC has assembled strategic contacts which include money managers and angel investors throughout the world.
Media Contact
Back Office:
Kent Global LLC
Info@kentgloballlc.net
646-207-6801
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| 2022-04-19T20:05:48Z
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Geoff Starr and Abe Kwon to Join Firm as it Continues to Build World-Class Team
PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Troutman Pepper has added two partners with decades of experience working with leading emerging growth companies and investors operating in the life sciences, health care, and technology industries. Geoff Starr and Abe Kwon join from Cooley where Starr was a corporate partner and Kwon was a senior associate.
"The arrival of this team is significant on many levels, not least for its immediate and substantial impact on our emerging companies and venture capital practice and all-round corporate capabilities," said Partner Rachael Bushey, chair of Troutman Pepper's Heath Sciences department.
"Our corporate practice is thriving," added Partner John W. Jones Jr., who leads Troutman Pepper's Health Care Transactions and Regulatory practices. "We are excited for Geoff and Abe to help us build on that success as we look to create a world-class, market-leading team of advisors dedicated to serving those in the life sciences, health care, technology, and other high-growth industries."
Starr advises companies throughout their lifecycle – from formation to exit and beyond. He represents a diverse, global base of clients operating in technology-focused industries, including life sciences, digital health, medtech, software, and data analytics. He also has a very active M&A practice, having advised clients on several billion dollars-worth of transactions in the past few years alone.
Kwon also works with high-growth companies on a global scale. He is a trusted advisor to some of today's most exciting life sciences, health care, and technology companies. He also has worked closely with several of the world's leading strategic and financial investors in connection with their investment activities.
"This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining Troutman Pepper," Starr said. "The firm is on a rocket trajectory. That's a testament to the leadership and the vision they have developed, in addition to the unmatched quality of the people and the culture they are creating together."
"Troutman Pepper has a gold mine of resources, particularly in health care and financial services," Kwon added. "As emerging digital health, fintech, blockchain, and web3 companies continue to push into these heavily regulated industries, having these capabilities will be critical. Many firms claim to have these resources, but few actually do. Troutman Pepper has them in spades."
Troutman Pepper's strengths also were recently bolstered by the addition of Jonathan Ishee, a leading health care regulatory partner. Last year, the firm's 200-member strong corporate team handled hundreds of transactions – from venture capital financings, to PE-sponsored deals to IPO, SPAC, and investment grade debt offerings – having a combined value close to $30 billion, across multiple industries including life sciences, health care, financial services, energy, and insurance.
About Troutman Pepper
Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys strategically located in 23 U.S. cities. The firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients' most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.
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| 2022-04-19T20:05:55Z
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ELLSWORTH, Maine, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul® has purchased two former Maine Storage Plus facilities to better meet the moving and self-storage demands of Hancock County residents. The properties were acquired on Feb. 28.
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Northwest Ellsworth is located at 349 Bangor Road and will be managed by on-site personnel. U-Haul Moving & Storage of West Ellsworth at 255 Bucksport Road will be operated remotely by the Northwest Ellsworth staff.
Between the two facilities, U-Haul customers now have access to 532 self-storage rooms with climate-controlled options and high-tech security features at affordable price points. Extended-hours storage access is available.
"These locations were already self-storage facilities, so it's a seamless transition for us to bring U-Haul products and services here," said Shawn Goldrup, U-Haul Company of Maine president. "We're pleased to put our trusted name behind these locations and offer more storage solutions to the Ellsworth community."
Contact U-Haul of Northwest Ellsworth at (207) 610-6452. Hours of operation at the Ellsworth facilities are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. Reserve equipment at uhaul.com or contact Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL.
"Our ultimate goal is to save U-Haul customers time and money," Goldrup added. "We're going to provide a clean, secure and well-maintained storage product for our neighbors' belongings."
U-Haul dealers in Maine continue to be available to serve DIY movers. U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment since 1945. During these challenging times for small businesses, more than 21,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada are generating supplemental income through their U-Haul affiliation. When customers rent from U-Haul dealers, they are directly supporting small businesses in their community. Because no financial investment is required, dealers are not U-Haul franchises. They are simply small businesses that have committed lot space for U-Haul equipment and time to help meet the mobility needs of their neighbors. Learn more about the dealer program by visiting uhaul.com/dealer.
Goldrup plans to hire for a number of jobs, and will look to hire locally to promote employment in the Ellsworth community. U-Haul, honored as a "Best for Vets 2020" leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com.
About U-HAUL
Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 176,000 trucks, 126,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 855,000 rentable storage units and 73.6 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading "Best for Vets" employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America.
Contact:
Andrea Batchelor
Jeff Lockridge
E-mail: publicrelations@uhaul.com
Phone: 602-263-6981
Website: uhaul.com
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| 2022-04-19T20:06:02Z
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Arizona Forward honors the DIY moving industry leader with its Award of Distinction
PHOENIX, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul® is the recipient of Arizona Forward's 2022 Award of Distinction in the Healthy Communities category, recognizing the DIY moving industry leader's commitment to the health and well-being of its employees and the surrounding community.
In the last year, the U-Haul Midtown Campus in Phoenix expanded to include the Shoen Family Conference and Fitness Center – a gorgeous 54,208-square-foot facility steps away from the desks of 1,800 Team Members, offering endless exercise options and next-door accessibility to medical and dental services.
The corporate towers at 2727 N. Central Ave. have served as the base of U-Haul International operations since 1967. U-Haul is currently hiring for many positions at the Midtown Campus. Search uhauljobs.com for career opportunities.
"The health of our Team Members and their families is our priority," said Jessica Lopez, U-Haul Chief of Staff. "Our wellness benefits and programs continue to grow with a focus on mindset, nutrition, fitness, overall health and financial security. We listen to the needs of our team. The Shoen Center is a vital resource to helping them conquer their health and wellness goals."
The Shoen Center, named for the founding family of U-Haul, was a passion project for U-Haul Chairman Joe Shoen as well as Lopez, who toured 52 corporate campuses to evaluate the overall wellness and professional development options other employees were being presented. Lopez blended the best ideas with some trailblazing initiatives for a sprawling two-story complex that now hosts one of the finest corporate gyms in the country.
Team Members can access the Shoen Center every day at no charge. The complex includes:
- U-Haul Wellness and Recruiting departments
- Premise Health® clinic featuring primary care, acute care and physical therapy
- Onsite Dental® mobile office with a wide scope of dental and hygiene services
- Eight conference rooms with state-of-the-art technology and retractable projector screens
- U-Haul Arena, a full-size basketball court with seating, six goals and a jumbo screen TV
- The Playground, an expansive workout area with free weights, weight machines, cardio equipment and resistance training
- Upstairs 152-meter two-lane indoor track
- Spin room and cardio/strength room for group classes led by professional instructors
- Golf simulator with clubs
- Deluxe locker rooms with private showers, changing rooms and towel service
- Oversized elevator and stairs
- Retractable garage doors for open-air experience during cooler months
- Turfed and shaded outdoor space for classes, stretching, workouts and meetings
- Public lobby with Anna Mary's Fuel 4 U, a self-checkout refreshment station
- Remote classes and telehealth for non-Phoenix and work-from-home employees
- Sustainable, energy-efficient features like glass and natural lighting, LED lighting with sensors, an insulated scrim ceiling and high-efficiency HVAC with optimized ductwork; self-powered exercise equipment; FloWater® refill stations; recycling options; and a new home for the Midtown Farmers Markets supporting local farmers and healthy eating
"So many Team Members have made lifestyle changes since the Shoen Family Conference and Fitness Center opened in July 2021," Lopez said. "From weight loss, to reducing blood pressure medication due to improved physical fitness, to going to the medical clinic and seeing a doctor for the first time in years … the list goes on.
"The Shoen Center is also a big reason why many job applicants have decided to start a career here at U-Haul International. People want to work for a company that cares and 'walks the walk.' At U-Haul, we are doing that."
U-Haul was one of two honorees from the 14 finalists in the Healthy Communities category. Liberty Wildlife, a conservation nonprofit, received the Crescordia Award for its Non-Eagle Feather Repository project. Read more at arizonaforward.org.
Arizona Forward hosted its Environmental Excellence Awards gala on March 19. A panel of judges comprised of prominent leaders and experts in the community select projects to receive the Crescordia Award and Award of Distinction. Projects are reviewed on the sustainability impact to communities, cities, regions or all of Arizona. Projects that promote the health and wellness of urban or rural communities could include neighborhood revitalization, community redevelopment and cross-sector collaborations.
About U-HAUL
Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 176,000 trucks, 126,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 855,000 rentable storage units and 73.6 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading "Best for Vets" employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America.
Contact:
Jeff Lockridge
Sebastien Reyes
E-mail: publicrelations@uhaul.com
Phone: 602-760-4941
Website: uhaul.com
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| 2022-04-19T20:06:09Z
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PHOENIX, AZ, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Dignity Health Global Education (DHGE) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are announcing their partnership to provide high-quality, accessible, and affordable education to the entire HHS workforce, through the Department of Health and Human Services' University Partnership Program (UPP), its 11 operating divisions, agencies, offices, and their extended network including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
As a cabinet-level executive branch of the U.S. federal government, the HHS sets out to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Americans. After over two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, HHS looks to the future of educating their workforce with top-quality programs from nationally recognized institutions such as Duke CE, American University, and Santa Clara University. DHGE's programs are uniquely positioned to provide expertise in the healthcare sector.
"The Department of Health is one of the most essential and vital organizations in the entire country. The whole nation turned to the Public Health Service and CDC for guidance, clarity, and support when COVID-19 started. HHS and its divisions continue to provide necessary information on how Americans proceed in leading healthy and safe lives. DHGE will help the HHS workforce advance their education, earn a degree, and learn new skills to continue their important work. As the world continues to change rapidly, it's especially critical for those in healthcare to progress their knowledge and training," says Andrew Malley, Chief Executive Officer of DHGE.
By fostering sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services, HHS employees are responsible for not only providing but enhancing effective health and human services for all Americans. In their efforts to continuously improve the delivery of essential services, continuing education helps employees work through project management challenges, provide innovative solutions, re-think their leadership strategies, and investigate their organization's analytics.
HHS's commitment to growing an engaged and knowledgeable workforce is reflected through its University Partnership Program (UPP). Through the UPP, HHS enables its employees to achieve their professional and educational goals. As a partner, DHGE offers its online certificates and degree programs with world-leading academic institutions to the over 80,000 employees of HHS. DHGE joins a host of private and public universities committed to supporting HHS employees in their continuous professional and educational development. In the fall, DHGE will provide an information session led by Nejla Turdiu, Senior Director of Business and Workforce Development, on November 8, 2022.
"We invest heavily in our human capital and offer talent development at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We seek to ensure the effectiveness of individual employees, teams, and organizations. In our educational partnerships, we offer special incentives and benefits for our workforce. In this unique partnership with DHGE, we hope to offer even more educational and professional growth opportunities that are specialized to the industry in which we work." Dr. Alvin Steward, Acting Deputy Director, Human Capital Programs Division and Chief, Talent Development Branch
About DHGE
Dignity Health Global Education (DHGE) is the leading healthcare workforce development company. Dedicated to providing customized educational opportunities and a student-centric experience, we develop online programs and workforce development solutions with industry, for industry. We achieve this goal by partnering with top-ranked academic institutions and thought-leading professionals.
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| 2022-04-19T20:06:16Z
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5-year extension ensures ELCA congregations have access to the best giving and virtual church tools.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanco, an industry leader in donation and virtual church technology, announces a 5-year extension to our longstanding Preferred Vendor relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Vanco is excited to offer the best electronic giving and our new Vanco Live virtual church solution to ELCA congregations. With Vanco Live, a complete streaming tool, congregations can reshape their online worship experience, and drive meaningful engagement, outreach, and electronic giving, all within a single unified interface.
"We've worked closely with the ELCA for many years, and we're excited to extend our partnership well into the future," said Dan Gretz, Vanco Vice President for Strategic Partnerships. "As congregations and their members continue shifting toward attending church online, it's never been more important to offer online giving and a seamless virtual church experience. Aligned with the core value of serving our mutual communities, Vanco is excited to deliver the best giving and virtual service solution for ELCA congregations around the country."
Vanco helps nearly 4,000 ELCA congregations share their complete story online. Congregants stay connected with easy communication tools. Vanco offers a variety of plans designed to fit individual ELCA congregations' needs, and Vanco technology integrates with many church management software providers, making adoption at ELCA congregations seamless.
Congregations that use Vanco Faith see an average increase in giving of 26%. Vanco is committed to making contribution allocation easier without requiring churches to change their software.
"We've seen the benefits Vanco provides ELCA congregations over the years," said Jonathan Beyer, ELCA Executive for Information Technology. "We encourage our congregations to explore Vanco's services and learn how their technology improves giving, communications and online church streaming."
For more information on Vanco's online giving and church member engagement services, contact: sales@vanco.com, or 800.675.7430. For more information regarding Vanco's partnership with the ELCA, contact Ben Palosaari at 952.352.8097 or Ben.Palosaari@Vanco.com
At Vanco, we know how convenience impacts giving. Our online giving tools increase donations by an average of 26%. That's why we designed our software to simplify donations, making it the best online giving for churches. More than 25,000 churches and counting trust Vanco to help their ministries thrive. Schedule a customized demonstration today to see our tools in action and see how Vanco helps churches nationwide.
About Vanco
Based in Minneapolis and Atlanta, Vanco serves those who enrich our communities. Vanco provides community engagement capabilities, electronic payment and donation processing solutions, as well as software that enables educational organizations to operate more efficiently. Today, more than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools and educational organizations trust Vanco to simplify administrative processes, organize events and securely complete transactions every day. Visit vancopayments.com to learn more.
Vanco.com
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/vanco-amp-elca-extend-partnership-bring-online-giving-virtual-church-technology-congregations/
| 2022-04-19T20:06:23Z
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LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Volta Inc. ("Volta" or the "Company") (NYSE: VLTA).
Class Period: August 2, 2021 – March 28, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: May 31, 2022
If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Volta had improperly accounted for restricted stock units issued in connection with the Business Combination; (2) that, as a result, the Company had understated its net loss for third quarter 2021; (3) that there were material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that resulted in a material error; (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company would restate its financial statements; (5) that, as a result of the foregoing, Legacy Volta's founders would imminently exit the Company; (6) that, as a result, the Company's financial results would be adversely impacted; and (7) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/FRC_LAW.
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 Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to info@frankcruzlaw.com, or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.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 The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, Los Angeles
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/vlta-investors-have-opportunity-lead-volta-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit/
| 2022-04-19T20:06:31Z
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MINNEAPOLIS , April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood) At Westwood's annual leadership and associates meetings this month, leaders from across the organization celebrated the firm's continued expansion of leadership with the appointment of 22 new shareholders and 32 new associates.
"This class of shareholders and associates is the largest in Westwood's history and represents the depth of Westwood's talent companywide," says CEO, Paul Greenhagen, PS. "It is their dedication to providing great service to our clients and growing strong teams at Westwood that helps us advance the organization and strengthen our position in the marketplace. We are very proud to have them on our team."
The newly appointed shareholders and associates include individuals across Westwood's Power and Land Divisions, corporate service teams, and professional disciplines. Several new shareholders and associates come from Westwood's recently acquired team, Pacheco Koch.
Westwood selects shareholders and associates annually for their outstanding contributions, notable support for growth and company culture, and remarkable client service.
About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)
Westwood is a leading and award winning, full-service, multi-discipline professional civil engineering firm specializing in public infrastructure, private development, wind, solar, and power delivery projects. Westwood was established in 1972 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Through a focus on its people, culture, and clients, Westwood has quickly expanded to serve clients across the nation from multiple U.S. offices. View more Westwood facts.
Awards
In 2021, Westwood placed #4 and #21 respectively on Zweig Group's national Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists and received two 2nd place Zweig Marketing Excellence awards. Westwood also ranked consistently higher on the Engineering News Record (ENR) 500 four years in a row as one of the country's leading design firms. The firm consistently ranks on industry top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement on award-winning projects nationwide.
Source:
Westwood Professional Services, Inc.
12701 Whitewater Drive, Suite 300
Minnetonka, MN 55343
888-937-5150
www.westwoodps.com
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| 2022-04-19T20:06:38Z
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Collaboration between Vuzix and Zoom will enhance the overall awareness and distribution of smart glasses to Zoom's enterprise customers
ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vuzix® Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI), ("Vuzix" or, the "Company"), a leading supplier of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology and products, today announced the introduction of the Zoom for smart glasses application by Vuzix on the Zoom App Marketplace.
As the only Zoom for smart glasses application listed on the Zoom App Marketplace, the app allows Vuzix smart glasses users to start or join a meeting with face-to-face or see-what-I-see video, screen sharing and more. Zoom for Smart Glasses by Vuzix brings video conferencing, online meetings and other features of the Zoom service into one easy-to-use application on your Vuzix smart glasses.
Zoom is one of the fastest growing cloud video conferencing applications for end-to-end enterprise communications and has more than 191,000 enterprise customers that have at least 10 users. Vuzix has deployed Zoom's HIPAA/PIPEDA-compliant conferencing application with Vuzix smart glasses in numerous hospitals and healthcare organizations to help streamline their day-to-day business operations.
Interested Zoom users can simply search for 'smart glasses' on the Zoom App Marketplace https://marketplace.zoom.us/ or shortcut the following URL: https://marketplace.zoom.us/apps/exz7FlBxQg-Q1M9GFMsLAw.
"After months of collaboration with the Zoom team, it is great to see Zoom for Smart Glasses app being added to the Zoom app marketplace to enhance the overall awareness and distribution of Vuzix smart glasses to Zoom's enterprise customers," said Paul Travers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vuzix.
About Vuzix Corporation
Vuzix is a leading supplier of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and products for the consumer and enterprise markets. The Company's products include personal display and wearable computing devices that offer users a portable high-quality viewing experience, provide solutions for mobility, wearable displays and augmented reality. Vuzix holds 246 patents and patents pending and numerous IP licenses in the Video Eyewear field. The Company has won Consumer Electronics Show (or CES) awards for innovation for the years 2005 to 2022 and several wireless technology innovation awards, among others. Founded in 1997, Vuzix is a public company (NASDAQ: VUZI) with offices in Rochester, NY, Oxford, UK, and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, visit the Vuzix website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
Certain statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements contained in this release relate to Vuzix Smart Glasses, ongoing certifications of this use case, our current and future business relationships and opportunities with Zoom and among other things the Company's leadership in the Smart Glasses and AR display industry. They are generally identified by words such as "believes," "may," "expects," "anticipates," "should" and similar expressions. Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are based upon the Company's beliefs and assumptions as of the date of this release. The Company's actual results could differ materially due to risk factors and other items described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Reports and MD&A filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian securities regulators (copies of which may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). Subsequent events and developments may cause these forward-looking statements to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise these forward-looking statements as a result of changed events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release, except as required by applicable law.
Media and Investor Relations Contact:
Ed McGregor, Director of Investor Relations
Vuzix Corporation
ed_mcgregor@vuzix.com
Tel: (585) 359-5985
Vuzix Corporation, 25 Hendrix Road, West Henrietta, NY 14586 USA,
Investor Information – IR@vuzix.com www.vuzix.com
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| 2022-04-19T20:06:45Z
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Disney World lifts mask requirement for all guests
Published: Apr. 19, 2022 at 4:21 PM EDT|Updated: 8 minutes ago
ORLANDO, Fla. (Gray News) - Walt Disney World has updated its face mask policy for all guests.
The website for the theme park says that masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors for guests, regardless of vaccination status.
The park’s policy change comes a day after a federal judge threw out mask requirements on public transportation Monday.
Disney recommends that unvaccinated visitors continue to wear masks in indoor attractions, theaters and transportation.
It also notes that masks are not allowed on water slides or in the water at Disney World.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/disney-world-lifts-mask-requirement-all-guests/
| 2022-04-19T20:29:35Z
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High school teacher’s drag performance for students draws controversy
MADISON, Wis. (WKOW) – A video of a drag performance has gone viral and is drawing both support and criticism from people across the country.
The performance wasn’t at a club or venue; it was at a Wisconsin high school staff talent show.
When Middleton High School teacher Matt Kashdan heard the school was bringing back their staff talent show this year, he says he knew a drag performance was what he wanted to do.
“I’m like, this opportunity could be cool to show my art, my version of art,” he said. “But it’s also a cool opportunity for me to show students like, who cares, just go be yourself.”
While the performance was fun, and the crowd ecstatic, not everyone was happy.
Kashdan said a concerned parent emailed the school about the performance shortly after and shared it on social media with a conservative media outlet, which drew criticism from all over.
“People were calling me a groomer, people were calling me a pedophile, people were calling me a narcissist,” Kashdan said. “It was homophobic.”
Kashdan said he had received the OK on the performance from an organizer ahead of time.
After the criticism, an official with the school district said that “going forward, staff performances will be vetted by a team, including an administrator.”
Even after loads of hate mail from people across the country, Kashdan said the amount of support he received from his students and the school district went beyond anything he could ever have imagined.
“The coolest thing was that when I went back to school after all of this media stuff had happened, all around the school there were these signs posted saying, ‘We support you, LGBTQ rights matter.’”
Kashdan said even after the ups and downs, he has no regrets.
“This whole experience honestly made me want to do drag more,” he said. “All this has done has, like I said before, just showed me the power of drag and how important it is for our community.”
Kashdan said he’ll continue to perform in drag at local venues going forward. He won’t be teaching at Middleton High School next year for reasons unrelated to the performance.
Copyright 2022 WKOW via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/high-school-teachers-drag-performance-students-draws-controversy/
| 2022-04-19T20:29:42Z
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Livestock contractor charged with inhumane slaughter of animal, deputies say
SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (Gray News) - Authorities in Florida have arrested a man in the death of an animal after they say he was initially called to help them with a roaming donkey.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida reports deputies responded to an animal complaint of a donkey who was roaming unattended near a local bridge on April 12.
They called Philip Hayes, an independent livestock contractor, for assistance. However, the sheriff’s office said the donkey was shot and killed by Hayes.
Investigators found that Hayes committed an act that resulted in the cruel death of the donkey and did not use humane methods to prevent needless suffering.
Witnesses told the sheriff’s office that before the killing, Hayes was observed hand-feeding the animal and refused to use equipment provided by the witness to facilitate the capturing of the animal. Hayes then proceeded to his vehicle to obtain a firearm.
Hayes is being charged with the inhumane slaughter of livestock and torture-inflict pain and serious injury/death charges.
The sheriff’s office said Hayes turned himself in during the overnight hours.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/livestock-contractor-charged-with-inhumane-slaughter-animal-deputies-say/
| 2022-04-19T20:29:48Z
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Parking lot puddle dubbed ‘Lake Chipotle’ becomes popular tourist spot
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Minnesota residents take great pride in their 10,000 lakes, so when a new one popped up in Minneapolis, it got people talking.
But this so-called lake isn’t like the rest, it’s actually a massive puddle in a Chipotle restaurant.
At the entrance to the parking lot, there is a sign that says “Slow: No Wake Zone.”
“It’s become kind of a staple. I’ve been here for a couple of years,” resident Joey Sansa said. “So yeah, it’s kind of an attraction.”
“Lake Chipotle” has its own website, social media accounts and even is on Google Maps.
“I have seen it on social media and people are making Facebook accounts for it and Facebook pages,” another resident Dan Dolan said.
An occasional paddle boarder can even be caught on its waters.
Customers said on a bad day the puddle tends to be smaller, but oftentimes it can cover most of the parking lot.
“Sometimes, it’s even worse. When it’s rained or snowed … usually I have to go around it,” Sansa said.
When it’s really cold, Elavontay Patterson, an employee at the Chipotle, insisted he gets out his skates.
“Sure, I was out on there skating,” Patterson said. “I liked it. I felt it was cool.”
However, not everyone is a fan of the “lake.”
“It’s definitely something that needs to go,” resident Amy Cruz said. “I drive by it once a week ... Sometimes it’s closed, and they have everybody parking out here.”
The mystery manager of the lake’s own website, who goes by Father Hennepin, emailed WCCO, encouraging people to come to see the massive puddle.
“As we exit a long winter, we encourage everyone to go out for a walk, or hop on the bike and find the lake chipotles in their community,” the email said.
Lake Chipotle has even now been dubbed “the tiniest member of the city of lakes. "
Copyright 2022 WCCO via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/parking-lot-puddle-dubbed-lake-chipotle-becomes-popular-tourist-spot/
| 2022-04-19T20:29:55Z
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Raleigh County man stands trial for sexually assaulting teen
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA) - A Raleigh County man is on trial this week for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Barry Willey is accused of sexually assaulting the teen at his home in June of 2019.
During opening statements on Tuesday afternoon, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Morgan Spolarich laid out her case against Willey, informing the jury that the teen’s mother, Rebecca Mills, had already pleaded guilty as a co-conspirator in the case.
According to the complaint, Mills asked her daughter to lose her virginity to Willey in June of 2019. When the teen refused, the complaint said she was awakened that night by Willey sexually assaulting her.
The teen’s guidance counselor at school confirmed during her testimony on Tuesday that the teen had confided to her that she had been sexually assaulted.
“(Now) she’ll tell you she battles bouts of depression. The relationship with her mother has changed forever. Who is Rebecca Mills? A couple words come to mind -- weak, vulnerable, and neglectful,” said Spolarich during opening statements.
Meanwhile, Willey’s defense counsel Ben Olsen attempted to punch holes in the prosecution’s version of events, saying there are enough inconsistencies in the testimony of witnesses to result in an acquittal.
“We’ll show you how the actions of every single person involved in this case are completely inconsistent with a sexual assault having taken place. We believe by the end of this trial, there is only one reasonable conclusion and that is that Barry Willey has been falsely accused.”
Testimony is expected to continue into Wednesday.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/raleigh-county-man-stands-trial-sexually-assaulting-teen/
| 2022-04-19T20:30:02Z
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Episode 98: Kathy Laborde Talks Affordable Housing in Central City
Kathy Laborde, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Housing Partnership, is helping spearhead an $80 million affordable housing and healthcare development in Central City. With partial support from health insurance company Aetna, the project aims to demonstrate that onsite, accessible care improves health outcomes at a lower cost, and it’s expected to bring more foot traffic to Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, a once-bustling commercial corridor that’s been a nexus of investment and rehabilitation since Hurricane Katrina.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/episode-98-kathy-laborde-talks-affordable-housing-in-central-city/
| 2022-04-19T20:44:49Z
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Infinity Science Center Marks 10 Years as Gulf Coast Attraction
PEARLINGTON, Miss. — From NASA:
A 10-year anniversary celebration at the Infinity Science Center marks a decade of growth and tens of thousands of visitors for the facility that serves as the official visitor center for NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. It also comes as Infinity is poised to emerge from pandemic status to take its place as a premier tourist attraction, said Michelle Anderson, chief executive officer and executive director of the center.
“We really are a hidden jewel for many people,” she said. “But I look around at similar facilities across the country and see Infinity Science Center growing as big and popular as any of them in the days ahead.”
The belief is not a mere sentiment for Anderson. She proved her faith in the possibilities for the facility by leaving a position with the Mississippi Development Authority and moving her family to the Gulf Coast to join the Infinity team as the director of business services in August 2020, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I just fell in love with the center and its ‘dream team’ of staffers,” she said.
The original plan was for Anderson to work and learn about the center for two to three years, then possibly assume the executive director role, should the center’s board of directors approve her as a suitable candidate. However, staff changes within a matter of months resulted in the Infinity board elevating Anderson to the top leadership position, responsible for steering the science center through the trying pandemic period.
The COVID-19 outbreak forced Infinity to close its doors in December 2020. At the time, the facility was drawing thousands of visitors each month. Infinity reopened five months later at the end of May 2021. “We survived the pandemic and now are working to recover our fiscal footing,” Anderson said.
In that sense, April 30 marks a dual celebration for the 72,000-square-foot facility.
Infinity opened in April 2012 as a front-door attraction for the state of Mississippi. Located on I-10 Exit 2, just inside the Mississippi state line from Louisiana, the center is visible to multiple thousands of eastbound travelers each day.
In its first decade, the center has established itself as a popular destination spot for school and organizational groups. The facility is perfectly suited for the former groups, Anderson said. “Infinity is just an awesome experience for school groups,” she explained. “It is all hands-on. So, they get to learn and play at the same time.”
Infinity features several “galleries” of exhibits and activities, including a Natrium that features carnivorous plants, both a science and an Earth gallery, a Little Learner’s Lab for children from birth through five years old. Each area includes interactive exhibits and features.
“We are all things STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics),” Anderson said. “You can find some of everything here.”
As the official Stennis visitor center, Infinity has strong ties to rocket propulsion test site and includes a variety of NASA and space-related items. Featured exhibits include a pair of Apollo-era rocket engines; the Apollo 4 command module that flew to space in 1967; a full-sized, walk-through mockup of the International Space Station’s Destiny module; and the Saturn V S-IC-15 stage built to launch the Apollo 19 mission before it was canceled.
Fred Haise, a native of Biloxi, Mississippi, was scheduled to command the Apollo 19 mission. In 1970, he also flew as lunar module pilot on the Apollo 13 mission, which experienced an in-flight explosion and a perilous return to Earth. Although he has relocated from the Gulf Coast area, Haise has been a strong supporter of Infinity since the beginning, and memorabilia from his astronaut career is featured at the facility.
Haise also continues to participate in Infinity Science Center activities from time to time and will be a featured virtual guest for the April 30 celebration. The showcase of the day’s activities will be a viewing of an Apollo 13 documentary produced by Mississippi State University.
The documentary recounts the mission, which captured worldwide attention at the time and still is remembered as one of NASA’s finest moments. Following the showing on April 30, Haise will join Infinity Science Center visitors virtually to answer questions about the 1970 mission.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/infinity-science-center-marks-10-years-as-gulf-coast-attraction/
| 2022-04-19T20:44:55Z
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Jefferson Chamber’s Black & Gold Gala Returned to the Field
METAIRIE — The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Black & Gold Gala fundraiser on April 8 on the turf of the Saints training field at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
“It was wonderful to welcome everyone back to our most anticipated signature event after not having it for two years,” said Jefferson Chamber of Commerce President Ruth Lawson. “It was my first gala serving as president, and we delivered an event that exceeded the expectations of our guests. The atmosphere was energetic and the support from the regional business community was amazing.”
Hosting nearly 700 guests and sponsored by Ochsner Health, the Black & Gold Gala provided attendees the chance to bid on auction items and test their luck with a “punch wall” for gift certificates ranging from $25 to $100 donated by local businesses. A variety of hors d’oeuvres and cajun favorites were provided by Legends Catering, along with an open bar, casino games and live entertainment by the Mixed Nuts.
Proceeds from the event will help the chamber “support business growth, provide resources and strengthen partnerships to support a thriving community,” said a spokesperson.
To learn more about the Jefferson Chamber, visit jeffersonchamber.org.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/jefferson-chambers-black-gold-gala-returned-to-the-field/
| 2022-04-19T20:45:01Z
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Lawmakers Advance Bill That Could Allow Trucks to Haul Tandem Shipping Containers
BATON ROUGE (The Center Square) — Louisiana lawmakers are considering legislation to create a special “tandem load” permit for trucks hauling shipping containers from the state’s ports in an effort to relieve issues with the supply chain.
The Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee approved Senate Bill 477, sponsored by Sen. Gary Smith, D-Norco, without objection to allow trucks to haul two shipping containers at a time to and from the Port of New Orleans and other ports.
The restriction, coupled with a shortage of truck drivers, has caused congestion and forced officials to divert loads to other ports along the Gulf Coast, such as Houston, Texas; Savannah, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Florida, according to Ronnie Mains, owner of CRC Global Solutions who testified in favor of the bill on Thursday.
“Senate Bill 477 seeks to eliminate the problem by allowing tandem loads to go out,” Smith said. “Because of the weight of these containers, we need to allow a weight limit exception and a length exception because they’re going to be about five feet longer than what is standardly allowed in the law on the roads right now.”
Smith explained that Louisiana currently allows a maximum regular tandem load restricted to 37,000 pounds per axle and 40,000 pounds per axle for logging trucks.
The bill would create a special permit to allow the higher threshold for tandem loads hauling shipping containers on designated routes, to ensure the trucks do not violate federal restrictions for interstate highways.
“One driver, two containers,” Mains said. “That would solve the problem overnight.”
Mains contends his motivation for pursuing the legislation is to keep jobs in Louisiana, his home state, rather than diverting work to ports in neighboring states.
“The industry needs help, and if we want to hold on to these great companies that we have here. They’re going to stay here, but they’re going to produce their product and send it to the other markets,” he said. “They have to get their product out.”
Mains explained that an on-site driving school at his facility is aimed at increasing the number of drivers, but the process takes years and the industry is in dire need of more immediate relief.
Smith noted that reducing the traffic from ports would also provide benefits with reducing emissions and transport time.
“It’s about that efficiency in the shipping world,” he said. “You’re helping reduce congestion on the road” in addition to the ports.
Eric Kalivoda, deputy secretary for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), expressed concerns about the potential impact on the state’s roadways.
“We just keep ratcheting things up every year with more and more overweight permits,” he said. “Where does it stop?
“It ultimately has an impact on the infrastructure in the state, and that’s got to be paid for,” Kalivoda said.
Kalivoda said he was especially concerned about the toll 135,000-pound loads — two containers and the truck — will have on bridges, noting that current heavy load permits issued for individual circumstances require special bridge analysis.
Lawmakers on the committee noted that two trucks with full loads would be about 14,000 pounds heavier than one truck with two full loads, which means the bill would reduce wear and traffic on roadways. They also cited provisions in the legislation to allow DOTD to designate the routes before moving to send SB 477 to the full Senate for consideration.
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/lawmakers-advance-bill-that-could-allow-trucks-to-haul-tandem-shipping-containers/
| 2022-04-19T20:45:07Z
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Mackie Receives President’s Award from Louisiana Association of Educators
NEW ORLEANS – Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder of STEM Global Action and STEM NOLA, received the Louisiana Association of Educators President’s Award last week at the organization’s 45th annual Representative Assembly in Baton Rouge.
LA said it honored Mackie for his commitment to “serving children and creating opportunities for them to access a robust STEM Education regardless of their circumstances.” The organization represents teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, psychologists, librarians, food service personnel and others working in Louisiana’s K-12 public school system.
“I am who I am today because of teachers like you,” said Mackie at the awards ceremony. “My parents made sure that I was prepared to learn. And they turned me over to the trusted hands of amazing teachers like you.”
Mackie is a former tenured engineering professor at Tulane University who holds a BS in mathematics from Morehouse College and a PhD in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. He launched STEM Global Action to promote science, technology, engineering and math education in Black and Brown communities. In 2013, he founded STEM NOLA. He hosts a podcast titled “Let’s Talk STEM with Dr. Calvin Mackie.”
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https://www.bizneworleans.com/mackie-receives-presidents-award-from-louisiana-association-of-educators/
| 2022-04-19T20:45:14Z
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ROCK SPRINGS -- The Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency (URA) is announcing three upcoming events for National Small Business Week, May 1 – 7, 2022:
· Tuesday, May 3 –15 Offline Marketing Ideas for Your Small Business (12 noon lunch-time webinar) in partnership with the Wyoming Women's Business Center (WWBC)
· Wednesday, May 4 – Claiming Your Google Listing (12 noon lunch-time webinar) in partnership with Sweetwater Joint Travel and Tourism Board
· Thursday, May 4 – Business After Hours Networking Event, Sidekicks Book & Wine Bar, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m (no host cocktails)
While the events are hosted by the Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency, ANY businesses in Sweetwater County are encouraged and welcome to participate. There is no cost for either of the lunch-time workshops and snacks will be provided at the Business After Hours Networking Event.
“Small businesses are the key to our community’s success so we wanted to celebrate them even more during Small Business Week,” said Rock Springs Main Street/URA board chairwoman Maria Mortensen. “We encourage anyone in Sweetwater County to participate,” Mortensen added.
“We’re all in this together so let’s lift everyone up, especially during this weeklong celebration,” she concluded.
About each event:
15 Offline Marketing Ideas for Your Small Business – (May 3, 12 noon, virtual workshop)
While online content is a valuable piece of any marketing plan, rural Wyoming’s small businesses benefit greatly from careful attention to an offline strategy.
In this free, 30-minute webinar, we will explore 15 offline marketing ideas for your small business that will complement your online strategy and engage your community of customers off the web.
Register for this FREE workshop at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vCyGIRgPSouKmQhyhv-xsA
All registrants will receive a link to a recording of the webinar.
This webinar is hosted by the Wyoming Women's Business Center (WWBC). The WWBC empowers entrepreneurs, especially women, through our counseling, training, and micro-finance programs to start, expand, and sustain small businesses in the state of Wyoming. Learn more and become a client at no cost at wyomingwomen.org.
The workshop is being taught by Jessica Brauer.
Brauer is a communications consultant, community cheerleader, marketer and writer. She is passionate about capturing the authentic stories of people and their places; dedicated to celebrating humanity through her work, forever exploring, learning, and sharing.
Her work has allowed her to champion for local neighborhoods with economic development agencies, non-profits, and small businesses since starting her first business in 2011. She ardently believes in the power of play, a shared narrative, a heart-centered approach, and a small-town dive.
She previously worked with community organizations, non-profits, and small businesses throughout the country on strategic marketing and digital outreach as a freelance marketer. She joined WWBC as an Outreach Counselor for the COVID-19 Support Program in the Spring of 2020, where she was able to offer one-on-one support to over 150 women-owned businesses within the year.
Currently, she manages the marketing efforts of the WWBC’s programs, directs the Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) Program, and creates educational content for the, always free, webinar series for entrepreneurs and artists. She holds a degree in Communications and Journalism, an unshakeable entrepreneurial spirit, and love for the West.
Claiming Your Google Listing – (May 4, 12 noon, virtual workshop)
Presented in association with the Sweetwater County Joint Travel and Tourism Board, this workshop will walk business owners through the process of claiming their google listing.
Traveler sentiment research is aligning around one particular theme: inspiring consumer confidence that destinations and businesses are open and following best practices for health and safety.
Your Google business profile is the single largest source of organic (non-paid) exposure for your business online and better business profiles ultimately drive more visits, resulting in more customers.
The great news is that having a great Google business profile is not that hard, if you know how.
This workshop will present the key takeaways - including simple, easily-actioned quick tips.
It’s crucial to any business to manage the information that appears on their Google business profile, for the sake of both current and future customers. It doesn’t require hours of your time or a degree in Digital Marketing, just some insider knowledge on how to claim your listing, complete it and update it so you can be in that top 10% of businesses too.
This workshop will be taught by Chezney Goglio, MBA, CTA. Chezney is the Marketing and Operations Specialist for Sweetwater County Travel & Tourism. She’s worked with Sweetwater Tourism for two years. One of the first projects during her tenure was working on the Google Destination Marketing Organization Program and updating listings around the community. She’s excited to share her knowledge with everyone and help them claim and update their businesses listing.
Register for this FREE workshop by calling the Rock Springs Main Street/URA office at 307-352-1434 or email info@downtownrs.com
Business After Hours Networking Event – (May 5, 5 to 6:30 p.m, Sidekicks Book and Wine Bar)
Conclude Small Business Week with a fun, social event where you can network with fellow business leaders. Share ideas, commiserate and celebrate! This no-host cocktail hour will feature snacks and a low-key environment.
“We’re excited to be able to offer these programs to the Sweetwater County business community, free of charge,” said Rock Springs Main Street/URA manager Chad Banks. “We hope everyone will take advantage of this unique opportunity,” Banks concluded.
The Rock Springs Main Street/URA is charged with the redevelopment of Downtown Rock Springs. As part of their mission, there are four standing committees – Economic Restructuring, Organization, Promotions and Design. For more information on the program, contact the Rock Springs Main Street/URA at 307-352-1434 or visit their website at DowntownRS.com
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/community-prepares-for-small-business-week/article_aa73ff89-7493-59a9-bc93-83ca23d93a34.html
| 2022-04-19T20:57:52Z
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ORLANDO, FL -- The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs, announced the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics will be a multi-city, two week tour. Making its way to Orlando, Florida this iconic symbol of hope will be lit during the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. It was also announced six Special Olympics athletes will join the Final Leg of the Run. Each athlete, together as a Unified Final Leg team, will join the Law Enforcement Torch Runners, and all will serve as Guardians of the Flame® as they carry the Flame of Hope, spreading the message of acceptance and inclusion while creating excitement for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.
"The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games are just a few short months away from kicking off in Orlando, and we are honored to have such a tremendous team carrying the Flame of Hope to its final destination where it will shine bright during the entirety of the USA Games,” said Joe Dzaluk, President and CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. “The torch will serve as a symbol of inclusion and hope during the USA Games, and we invite everyone to follow the torch and join in the excitement as it makes its way through their cities to ours.”
For over 40 years, the law enforcement community has served as a dedicated legion of protectors and supporters for Special Olympics. During the Final Leg Torch Run event, the Final Leg team members will ensure the Flame of Hope is delivered safely to the USA Games. The LETR Final Leg will begin its two-week journey in Chicago, IL., on Friday, May 20. The Flame of Hope will be lit at Soldier Field, the birthplace of Special Olympics, from the eternal flame that burns there honoring the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The LETR Final Leg will stop in multiple cities along the East Coast, including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Annapolis, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Tampa, and more. During the Final Leg, six Special Olympics athletes will join the Unified Final Leg team to safely deliver the Flame of Hope to Exploria Stadium on Sunday, June 5, The Flame of Hope will ignite a custom-made, never-before-seen cauldron during the Opening Ceremony, which will then reside at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the duration of the USA Games.
There were only six out of a pool of nearly 30 Special Olympics athletes who were nominated from across the United States to run the final leg.
Izzy Vijiila from Gillette, WY has been chosen as one. Vijiila, has been involved for 14 years and is currently participating in track and field, and basketball. She has also tried her hand at soccer, snowshoe, softball, and cycling. Her sporting highlight was her selection for the Wyoming team at the 2010 Special Olympics USA Games. She considers being chosen to be part of the final leg as an honor. She has “so much respect for law enforcement and is excited to make this journey with them.” She is “excited to meet the rest of the team and make many new friends from around the country.”
Law Enforcement officer Randy Davis of Cody, WY has been selected as part of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Final Leg team, serving as a Guardian of the Flame.
“I am honored, humbled and excited to be running the LETR Final Leg in Florida," said Davis. "I'm looking forward to running with the other men and women in law enforcement and the athletes that will be running alongside us. This truly is a lifetime experience and I cannot wait to see the faces of the athletes as the torch is carried in!”
Jen Haines, President and CEO Special Olympics Wyoming said, “We’re so pleased that Izzy and Randy will represent Wyoming during the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. This pair embodies the spirit of Special Olympics and they are champions for acceptance and inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities.”
The LETR is Special Olympics' largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. Nearly 100,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. States, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 44 countries annually contribute to LETR Guardians of the Flame®, ensuring the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and national/regional Games.
The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs, will bring 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean to Florida for one of the country’s most cherished sporting events. The USA Games is hosted once every four years and, for the first time in its history, will have 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports and 30 events throughout the event. These USA Games will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Florida.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/participants-will-represent-wyoming-at-special-olympics-games/article_14b7bb47-c39a-5443-bbca-04168a862296.html
| 2022-04-19T20:57:58Z
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ROCK SPRINGS – Summer is around the corner and food trucks are sprouting up around Sweetwater County.
The Snak Shak, LLC has been serving Wyoming communities since 2014. They sell ice cream, shaved ice, popcorn and cotton candy.
“I was working at the school district and did not generate an income in the summer,” Owner Ranae Johnson said. “I thought it would be fun.”
It has grown into a side business they operate roughly from mid-April through ugh mid-October each year.
“Our main seller is shaved ice so it's not something most people want during the winter months so we don't operate while it's cold,” she shared.
Since Johnson and her family live in Green River, they do most of their events in Green River and Rock Springs but they park their truck in towns outside of Sweetwater County as well.
Her husband works at Tata Chemicals and she is a notary signing agent in addition to being a coach at Green River High School for the speech and debate team.
“I keep pretty busy!”
She said that she enjoys the food truck business because “it's a great way to meet people in the community.”
“I see people I already know as well,” she mentioned. “I enjoy interacting with people and providing a product that they love.
“I won't sell something that I wouldn't buy. I make sure my products are high quality and we try to be as reasonable as possible with our prices too.”
She added, “That has become more challenging this year since all of our costs have gone up significantly due to inflation and gas prices. Unfortunately, we end up passing some of that on to the consumer.”
According to Johnson, they have also made some great friends who are in the food truck industry as well and they help each other.
The Snak Shak will be operating the concession stands at Veterans Park and Stratton Myers Park in Green River again this year. They will be in the concession's buildings during baseball season almost every evening Monday through Friday and some Saturdays from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Locals and visitors can catch Snak Shak at many of the events during the summer including Swingin’ in the Springs on Saturday, May 7th. Swingin’ in the Springs takes place at Bunning Hall. Music will be provided by the Green River High School Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Choir.
Snak Shak will also be at the Green River Overland Stampede Rodeo June 3-4, the car show at Whisler Chevrolet on June 25th, and Sweetwater Speedway in Rock Springs.
They will sell treats at The Outlaw Derby Car Show on July 16th at Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs, River Festival in August, and the downtown Green River Street Fair as well as the Green River Farmers Market.
“I'm sure we'll add more to our schedule,” Johnson said. “We like to leave some time to enjoy the summer ourselves too.”
“We'd like to participate in the events as patrons and vendors but you can't do both!” she laughed. “One day we’ll hang up our ‘closed’ sign for good to enjoy some of these same events as a patron and support someone else's truck.
“For now, we'll continue to enjoy serving the people of this community. We've been in business since 2014 and don't have plans for retiring yet.”
Johnson pointed out that before becoming a food truck operator, it’s important to do the homework first.
“There are a TON of requirements and regulations that you have to abide by within your trailer or truck, as well as specific business licensing and insurance requirements,” she revealed. “Know what is needed before jumping in so you have all the information and can make the decision with eyes wide open, so to speak.
“It can be a great adventure but it's also a huge commitment. It's been a fun adventure that will continue for a while.”
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/snak-shak-mobile-food-truck-offers-sweet-choices/article_8101aaea-97a7-5ffd-b3b9-d03f4d3c6e68.html
| 2022-04-19T20:58:05Z
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Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan speaks during the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Friday, March 4, 2022, at The Metropolitan Downtown. Buchanan spoke about elections and what to expect during the 2022 election in Cheyenne. Rhianna Gelhart/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
CHEYENNE – Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan announced Monday that he plans to seek re-election this year.
"I am asking for your continued support, as there is more to be done," he stated in his announcement press release. "I have some great ideas on how we can continue to give our customers world-class service, and how we can ensure our elections remain secure and efficient."
Buchanan was appointed to the position in 2018 by former Gov. Matt Mead following the resignation of Ed Murray. Buchanan ran for re-election that November and won the general election.
During the past four years, Buchanan said he has met the goals he set out to achieve. He shared that his team saw a year-to-year revenue increase of more than 9% annually out of the Business Division, helping the state to remain tax-friendly. He said they also deployed secure and efficient election equipment for the 2020 election season and updated election codes, culminating in the passage of a voter identification measure.
"My office participated in a major update to the notary laws in Wyoming, as well as a rewrite of our security laws that were over 40 years old, which brought both areas into the 21st century," he said. "This was essential to Wyoming business and commerce, and protecting Wyoming citizens."
The official said he hopes to keep the momentum going if he is re-elected, and told constituents he is ready to hear their ideas during the campaign.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/government_and_politics/state-secretary-ed-buchanan-to-seek-re-election-in-2022/article_393af112-c007-11ec-a187-0790e47a2496.html
| 2022-04-19T20:58:11Z
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Cheyenne Transit vehicles sit in their garage Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in east Cheyenne. The Cheyenne Transit Program had received a $3.3 million federal grant as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which will go toward funding the transit program’s operations and preventive maintenance. Michael Cummo/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Cheyenne is using just over $1 million in grant funding already in its transit fund to purchase a property at 1800 Westland Road from V&M Properties LLC. This will be the new home of the Cheyenne Transit Program. Photo captured via screenshot on April 18, 2022. Source: Google.
Cheyenne Transit vehicles sit in their garage Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in east Cheyenne. The Cheyenne Transit Program had received a $3.3 million federal grant as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which will go toward funding the transit program’s operations and preventive maintenance. Michael Cummo/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
The logo for the Cheyenne Transit Program.
Cheyenne is using just over $1 million in grant funding already in its transit fund to purchase a property at 1800 Westland Road from V&M Properties LLC. This will be the new home of the Cheyenne Transit Program. Photo captured via screenshot on April 18, 2022. Source: Google.
CHEYENNE — A new home for the Cheyenne Transit Program will allow space for an indoor waiting area and a safer bus transfer station, according to CTP Director Renae Jording.
The city will use just over $1 million in grant funding already in its transit fund to buy property at 1800 Westland Road from V&M Properties LLC. While the move will not take place for several months, eventually the transit system office and transfer station for the city’s six buses will be moved from its current location on 17th Street between Carey and Pioneer avenues to Westland Road.
“The reason that we are relocating in the first place is safety,” Jording said in an interview Monday. She added that the city began looking for a new facility several years ago.
“Our six buses come together there on the hour, and even prior to COVID, we started looking at this,” Jording said. “Our passengers got off one bus and transferred to another bus there, and they had to cross in front of the entrance and exit to a parking structure.”
The current location means it can be very difficult for automobiles entering and exiting the parking structure to see riders crossing the street, going from one bus to another, she said.
“When the sun is bright, you can’t see them, and when it is slick, it is hard to stop,” Jording said. “It is just unsafe.”
The new location has a large parking lot out front, so there will be a protected transfer point for riders, as well as an indoor waiting area.
“If the weather is really bad, we will have enough room at the new location for a passenger waiting area,” Jording said.
Public transportation is most often used in Cheyenne by senior citizens, people with disabilities and those who can’t afford their own vehicle, but that is changing, Jording said. The transit program has been looking at making its services more efficient, direct and timely, especially in light of rising gas prices and people looking for alternative options for transportation, she said.
“We are asking, how do we make it more comparable for people who do have vehicles to use the bus?” Jording said. “We’re definitely looking at increasing ridership and, at least, attractability. We are talking about how to make the bus more attractive to those of us who have cars, but want to ride the bus or have those other options.”
Carrie Haderlie is a longtime freelance reporter from Saratoga. She writes for several publications in Wyoming, including newspapers in Cheyenne, Laramie, Rawlins and Sheridan, as well as the Wyoming Business Report. She can be reached by email to news@wyomingnews.com.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/transportation/cheyenne-transit-program-to-get-new-home-with-space-for-waiting-indoors-and-increased-pedestrian/article_266ccf6a-c007-11ec-b22a-5b2a7950bd32.html
| 2022-04-19T20:58:17Z
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Laramie Regional Airport canceled commercial flights this week after an important piece of weather monitoring equipment malfunctioned. Materials for the repairs are expected to be on site by Friday, according to a statement from the airport.
After a week of commercial flight cancellations, a crucial piece of equipment has been repaired and is operational again at Laramie Regional Airport.
Known as an automated surface observation system, the equipment helps pilots monitor the weather to ensure safe landing conditions. The cancellations began last Monday after it malfunctioned.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that the airport use an automated surface observation system or a trained weather observer to facilitate safe commercial flights.
The FAA, which owns the equipment, contracted the National Weather Service to fix the broken sensor. While originally all the necessary repair materials were expected to arrive Friday, the equipment wasn’t fixed until Monday afternoon, said airport Executive Administrator Rachael Mrozinsky.
Prior to the repairs, travelers posted on the airport’s Facebook page expressing frustration with a lack of communication from the airport and United Express and confusion over whether or not their upcoming flights will be canceled.
Some travelers have opted to change their flights to Cheyenne or Denver and rent a car to make it to and from the airport.
“We are thankful for the diligence of the National Weather Service and the FAA for getting this back into service for us and getting commercial flights back on their way in and out of Laramie,” Mrozinsky said in an email Monday afternoon.
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/transportation/equipment-back-up-and-running-at-lra/article_4e505eb6-c007-11ec-ba4b-cb40d508aaba.html
| 2022-04-19T20:58:23Z
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https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyosports/university_of_wyoming/womens_basketball/uw-ezell-agree-to-contract-through-2026/article_b09467a0-242a-51c2-bbe1-1be2d8a09c19.html
| 2022-04-19T20:58:29Z
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Americans are going to church less, poll finds
(Gray News) - Americans’ church membership is at its lowest numbers in years.
According to a recent poll from Gallup, memberships to houses of worship continued to decline last year and dropped below 50% for the first time in Gallup’s eight-decade trend.
In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.
Researchers with Gallup said U.S. church membership was 73% when they first measured such numbers in 1937. Church membership remained near 70% for the next six decades, before beginning a steady decline around the turn of the 21st century.
Gallup reports the decline in church membership is primarily a function of the increasing number of Americans who express no religious preference.
Over the past two decades, the percentage of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown from 8% in 1998-2000 to 13% in 2008-2010 and 21% over the past three years.
Gallup also reported it found declines in church membership when it comes to the younger generations but less of a drop among Republicans, as well as married adults and college graduates.
Church membership was found to be the highest among those groups, people who live in the South and Black adults.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/americans-are-going-church-less-poll-finds/
| 2022-04-19T21:59:49Z
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Biden launches $6B effort to save distressed nuclear plants
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is launching a $6 billion effort to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing, citing the need to continue nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of power that helps to combat climate change.
A certification and bidding process opened Tuesday for a civil nuclear credit program that is intended to bail out financially distressed owners or operators of nuclear power reactors, the U.S. Department of Energy told The Associated Press exclusively, shortly before the official announcement. It’s the largest federal investment in saving financially distressed nuclear reactors.
Owners or operators of nuclear power reactors that are expected to shut down for economic reasons can apply for funding to avoid closing prematurely. The first round of awards will prioritize reactors that have already announced plans to close.
The second round will be opened up to more economically at-risk facilities. The program was funded through President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure deal, which he signed into law in November.
“U.S. nuclear power plants contribute more than half of our carbon-free electricity, and President Biden is committed to keeping these plants active to reach our clean energy goals,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. “We’re using every tool available to get this country powered by clean energy by 2035, and that includes prioritizing our existing nuclear fleet to allow for continued emissions-free electricity generation and economic stability for the communities leading this important work.”
A strong majority of states — about two-thirds — say nuclear, in one fashion or another, will help take the place of fossil fuels. A dozen U.S. commercial nuclear power reactors have closed in the past decade before their licenses expired, largely due to competition from cheaper natural gas, massive operating losses due to low electricity prices and escalating costs, or the cost of major repairs.
This has led to a rise in emissions in those regions, poorer air quality and the loss of thousands of high-paying jobs, dealing an economic blow to local communities, according to the DOE. A quarter or more of the fleet is at risk, the DOE added. The owners of seven currently operating reactors have already announced plans to retire them through 2025.
Most U.S. nuclear plants were built between 1970 and 1990 and it’s costing more to operate an aging fleet. The only nuclear plant under construction in the United States is in Georgia. Costs have ballooned and another delay was announced in February.
The shuttered reactors include Indian Point Energy Center in New York, Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Massachusetts, Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station in Nebraska and Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa. Entergy cited low natural gas prices and increased operating costs as key factors in its decision to close Indian Point last year. New York officials sought the shutdown, saying the plant 24 miles (39 kilometers) north of Manhattan posed too great a risk to millions of people who live and work nearby.
Twenty more reactors faced closure in the last decade before states stepped in to save them, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute, the industry’s trade association. Illinois is spending nearly $700 million to keep three plants open while additional renewable resources come online.
Low electricity prices are the main cause of this trend, though federal and state policies to boost wind and solar have contributed as well, the NEI added.
There are 55 commercial nuclear power plants with 93 nuclear reactors in 28 U.S. states. Nuclear power already provides about 20% of electricity in the U.S., or about half the nation’s carbon-free energy.
If reactors do close before their licenses expire, fossil fuel plants will likely fill the void and emissions will increase, which would be a substantial setback, said Andrew Griffith, acting assistant secretary for nuclear energy at DOE.
While natural gas may be cheaper, nuclear power hasn’t been given credit for its carbon-free contribution to the grid and that has caused nuclear plants to struggle financially, Griffith added.
The bailout for the nuclear industry is reminiscent of assistance the auto and airline industries received after the 2008 economic collapse and the coronavirus pandemic, respectively.
With barely a month left in office, former President George W. Bush authorized $25 billion in loans to General Motors and Chrysler from a $700 billion bailout fund initially intended to save the largest U.S. banks. After President Barack Obama took office in 2009, he appointed a task force to oversee GM and Chrysler, both of which eventually declared bankruptcy. The companies took an additional roughly $55 billion in aid and were forced to close factories and overhaul operations before recovering and adding jobs. Most of the industry’s bailout loans have been repaid.
More recently, airlines received $54 billion in taxpayer money to keep people employed through the pandemic, but they eliminated tens of thousands of jobs anyway by offering incentives for employees to quit or retire early.
David Schlissel, at the Ohio-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said he wishes the federal government, before it allocated the $6 billion, had analyzed whether that money might have been better spent on ramping up renewables, battery storage and energy efficiency projects, which can be done quickly and cheaply to displace fossil fuels.
Now that the money is already set aside for nuclear plants, the federal tax credits for renewables should be extended and more should be invested in energy efficiency, he said, because the faster that’s done, the faster the nation reduces its dependence on fossil fuels and its emissions. Also, the nuclear plants are going to eventually retire, some sooner than later, so carbon-free sources of energy need to be in place for when they do, he added.
The Sierra Club has a nuclear free campaign that says nuclear is not a solution to climate change, and “every dollar spent on nuclear is one less dollar spent on truly safe, affordable and renewable energy sources.”
California is slated to close its last remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, in 2025. Officials there think they can replace it with new solar, wind and battery storage resources, though skeptics have questioned whether California’s all-in renewable plan can work in a state of nearly 40 million people.
The Energy Department intends to accept annual applications for the civil nuclear credit program through fiscal 2031, or until the $6 billion runs out. Nuclear plant owners or operators can bid on credits for financial assistance to keep operating. To qualify, plant owners or operators have to show the reactors are projected to retire for economic reasons and emissions would increase. The department would also determine, with input from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, that they can operate safely.
Maria Korsnick, president and chief executive officer of NEI, said she thinks the federal program will level the playing field for nuclear energy and help clear a path to pass even more intensive policies, such as a nuclear production tax credit proposed in Biden’s now-stalled Build Back Better plan.
Democrats have said they hope to resuscitate parts of the social and environmental package and win over voters weary of the two-year-old pandemic and coping with the worst inflation in decades.
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McDermott reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/biden-launches-6b-effort-save-distressed-nuclear-plants/
| 2022-04-19T21:59:55Z
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Body of young boy found dead in Indiana was inside suitcase, troopers say
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ind. (WAVE/Gray News) - Indiana State Police said the body of a young boy who was found dead in the woods in eastern Washington County was found inside of a suitcase.
The new detail was confirmed to WAVE by Sgt. Carey Huls Tuesday evening. Troopers released a picture of the suitcase to the public with the hope that someone brings new information to investigators.
Officials said the boy’s autopsy was also completed on Tuesday afternoon.
The boy’s body was found Saturday around 7:30 p.m. by a person who was mushroom hunting in the area, according to investigators.
Huls said the child is described as a Black boy between the ages of 5 and 8. The boy had short hair, a slim build and was around 4 feet tall.
“This obviously could be a national thing,” Huls said on Monday. “It could be a child from any location. We’re not going to preclude anybody, and we’re going to look at any information that comes in that could answer the question of the identity of this child.”
Police said they requested the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s forensics services team in the case.
ISP created a tip line specifically for any information in relation to the death investigation at (888) 437-6432.
Copyright 2022 WAVE via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/body-young-boy-found-dead-indiana-was-inside-suitcase-troopers-say/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:04Z
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Bus driver fired for drinking beer during elementary school field trip, company says
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY/Gray News) - A bus driver who admitted to drinking beer while elementary students were on a field trip has been fired.
On Monday, fourth and fifth grade students boarded a bus with Lamers Bus Lines at Lincoln Elementary in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to go on a field trip to Madison, Wisconsin. On the way back, a student noticed an open can of beer under the driver’s seat.
Once the bus arrived at the school, the district requested Green Bay police investigate, WBAY reports.
Upon investigating, the district says the driver admitted to police that he drank beer earlier in the day while students were involved in activities on the field trip.
The driver’s name was not released by the bus company.
In a statement, Lamers’ said its office staff and supervisor interacted with the driver before the trip, as they say they typically do, and did not observe any impairment before the driver left.
While at the school, Green Bay police processed the driver. Lamers said in a statement they have a “zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol” and fired the driver “effective immediately.”
Copyright 2022 WBAY via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/bus-driver-fired-drinking-beer-during-elementary-school-field-trip-company-says/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:10Z
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Eastern Iowa honor flight carries 89 veterans to Washington
Veterans who fought in World War II, Vietnam, Korea, and other conflicts visited the memorials in the nation’s capital on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - After two years of groundings from the coronavirus pandemic, it was wheels up Tuesday for a group of veterans from Iowa.
The honor flight carried 89 veterans who fought in World War II, Vietnam, Korea and other conflicts.
For Vietnam veteran Randy Heubner, he still carries the trauma of war six decades later.
“Flashbacks, memories, bitterness,” said Heubner, “You know, that anger which I’d love to get over sometime. I still live with anger. Shouldn’t be that way.”
For fellow Vietnam veteran Carl Williams, the day was bittersweet.
“It brings up every possible memory of relationships that I had,” said Williams, “Without going into detail, I lost some friends.”
The day’s oldest honoree, 97-year-old Earl Hendrick who fought in World War II, said it’s a day for honoring the living, and remembering those who never made it home.
“I guess I’m the oldest one here today, but I do enjoy it” said Hendrick.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/eastern-iowa-honor-flight-carries-89-veterans-washington/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:16Z
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Endangered Bornean orangutan gives birth to baby at Oregon Zoo
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - The Oregon Zoo has a new member of the primate family after an endangered Bornean orangutan gave birth.
Kitra, the first-time mom, welcomed the newborn April 13 at around 11 a.m. In a release, the zoo said the 20-year-old mom and her new arrival, who does not yet have a name, are doing well in their behind-the-scenes maternity den.
“We’re all pretty excited about it,” said Kate Gilmore, who oversees the zoo’s primate area. “It’s great to see Kitra taking such good care of her baby. There’s still a lot that could happen, so we’re being very cautious and giving her as much quiet time as possible. But so far she seems to be taking to motherhood quite well.”
The zoo said Kitra’s care team worked with her throughout her pregnancy to help her prepare for motherhood, including training her for voluntary ultrasounds so vet staff could closely monitor her progress, according to KPTV. Using orangutan stuffies made by zoo volunteers, they taught her how to hold her baby properly to nurse, and how to present her baby to care staff once she feels ready, so they can check on the young orangutan’s health and well-being.
Kitra and her baby are off-view in a private maternity area to allow the new family a comfortable place to bond. The zoo said animal-care staff have taken a hands-off approach, but are closely monitoring the pair to make sure everything continues to go well.
“We will be watching to assess their progress,” Gilmore said. “The first few days are especially critical. Our care staff and veterinary team have been dedicated to giving Kitra everything she needed for a successful birth. Thankfully, she hasn’t needed much help from us so far. She’s been doing a great job by herself.”
Once the pair are feeling comfortable and healthy, the zoo said animal-care staff will determine whether they are ready for a public debut.
Kitra moved to the Oregon Zoo in 2015 from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, joining male orangutan Bob, the baby’s father, who had arrived from South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo the previous year.
Copyright 2022 KPTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/endangered-bornean-orangutan-gives-birth-baby-oregon-zoo/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:24Z
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Infant dies after father put alcohol in baby bottle, deputies say
ATLANTA, Ga. (WGCL/Gray News) – A mother and father in Georgia have been charged with murder in the death of their 4-week-old infant, according to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office, deputies were called to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon after the infant was brought to the hospital unresponsive. Hospital employees were suspicious of the circumstances surrounding the baby’s condition and called the police.
Deputies said the child’s mother, 24-year-old Sydnei Dunn, admitted that she consumed a large amount of alcohol the day before and then breastfed the child. She also told detectives that the child’s father, 25-year-old Marquis Colvin, put alcohol in the baby’s bottle. They decided go to the hospital after the baby became unresponsive.
During a search warrant of their home, detectives said they found evidence of the crime and a firearm. Colvin is a convicted felon and not allowed to own or be close to a gun.
The following day, the hospital informed the sheriff’s office that the child had died. Doctors said the infant had a blood alcohol count that was well over four times the legal limit for an adult.
The parents, who are being held at Paulding County Jail, are both facing numerous charges, including malice murder, second-degree murder, first-degree cruelty to children, and reckless conduct. Colvin was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and parole violation.
Detectives encourage anyone who may have additional information to call the Criminal Investigations Tip Line at 770-443-3047.
Copyright 2022 WGCL via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/infant-dies-after-father-put-alcohol-baby-bottle-deputies-say/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:31Z
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Mom shoots, kills child’s grandmother at Starbucks during custody visit, police say
RICHARDSON, Texas (Gray News) – A woman shot and killed her child’s grandmother at a Texas Starbucks during a custody visit on Tuesday, according to police.
The Richardson Police Department said Tranisa Octavin Trana Watts, 23, is charged with capital murder for the death of Kentoria Nicole Edwards, 52.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Starbucks, about 15 miles north of Dallas, just after 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said upon arriving at the scene, officers saw Watts trying to flee the location with a child, but they were able to apprehend her. Other officers immediately began CPR on Edwards. She was taken to the hospital where she died.
Richardson police said Edwards was the grandmother of Watt’s child and had full custody of the child. Investigation revealed that Watts requested to see her child, and Edwards agreed they could meet up at Starbucks for a visit.
According to police, during the visit, Watts pulled out a gun and shot Edwards multiple times and then attempted to leave with the child.
Police said the child was unharmed.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/mom-shoots-kills-childs-grandmother-starbucks-during-custody-visit-police-say/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:38Z
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Netflix shares drop 26% after it loses 200K subscribers
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix suffered its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, causing its shares to plunge 26% in extended trading amid concerns that the pioneering streaming service may have already seen its best days.
The company’s customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers during the January-March period, according to a quarterly report released Tuesday. It’s the first time that Netflix’s subscribers have fallen since the streaming service became available throughout most of the world outside of China six years ago.
Worse, Netflix is now projecting a loss of another 2 million subscribers during the April-June period.
If the stock drop extends into Wednesday’s regular trading session, Netflix shares will have lost more than half of their value so far this year.
Netflix also lost 800,000 subscribers in 2011 after it unveiled plans to begin charging separately for its then-nascent streaming service, which had been bundled for free with its traditional DVD-by-mail service. The customer backlash to that move elicited an apology from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings for botching the execution of the spin-off.
The service also saw a decline in U.S. subscribers in 2019.
But the latest subscriber loss was far worse than a forecast by Netflix management for a conservative gain of 2.5 million subscribers. The news deepens troubles that have been mounting for the streaming since a surge of signups from a captive audience during the pandemic began to slow.
It marks the fourth time in the last five quarters that Netflix’s subscriber growth has fallen below the gains of the previous year. Now investors fear that its streaming service may be mired in a malaise that has been magnified by stiffening competition from well-funded rivals such as Apple and Walt Disney.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/netflix-shares-drop-23-after-it-loses-200k-subscribers/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:46Z
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Oklahoma woman makes stop in W.Va on mission to see all 63 National State Parks
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. (WVVA) - Mandy Bourne is a long way from home. She’s made her way from Wagoner, Oklahoma, to West Virginia.
“I’ve never been to West Virginia before.” Bourne shared. “It’s beautiful; It’s overwhelming. Everything is just large. I love it.”
New River Gorge is one of five National Parks Bourne and her friends are visiting this week alone. So far, she’s seen 17.
But her goal is to travel to all 63 of America’s National Parks.
“I’ve always loved nature, but when I found out that National Parks were a thing, I knew that I had to accomplish it- I had to visit every single one. So, I started a bucket list and started visiting.”
Since its National Park designation in December of 2020, New River Gorge (NRG) has seen an influx of visitors, much like Bourne, who are traveling from far and wide to see a piece of “Almost Heaven.”
“...there’s everything from the wildflowers blooming down by the river to people getting out on trails and visiting the historic sites,” Park Ranger Jodi French-Burr said of NRG. “So, no matter what your cup of tea is, there’s probably something here for everyone.”
From debuting its archive collection online to restoring an eighty-year-old mural in Mount Hope, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve’s efforts are fueled by community help.
Now more than ever since it is National Park Week.
The country-wide celebration of National Parks kicked off on Saturday, April 16. Alongside this commemoration, parks in every state are increasing their programming and activities.
Jessica Lynch, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Museum Technician, says it also inspires park officials to continue their work in protecting history.
“It really calls on us to celebrate our parks by sparking collaboration and innovation and preservation,” she stated.
As for Bourne, she’s leaving New River Gorge with plenty of new memories. Next, she and her posse will be headed to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee.
And she hopes that others can visit some of the sites she’s seen as well.
“Everyone needs to get out and enjoy it,” Bourne shared. “It’s beautiful.”
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve will host National Park Week activities until Sunday, April 24, 2022. But, don’t worry, if you miss out on events this week, the park is also hosting Spring Fling programs until Mid-May.
To learn more, visit www.nps.gov.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/oklahoma-woman-makes-stop-wva-mission-see-all-63-national-state-parks/
| 2022-04-19T22:00:53Z
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Study: Redlining tied to more oil, gas wells in urban areas
(AP) - Minority neighborhoods where residents were long denied home loans have twice as many oil and gas wells as mostly white neighborhoods, according to a new study that suggests ongoing health risks in vulnerable communities are at least partly tied to historical structural racism.
Black and Latino residents have complained that they are disproportionately exposed to health risks — including heart and lung problems and premature births — from urban oil and gas wells, some located just a few dozen feet from homes and schools. Some studies have found hazardous chemicals near oil and gas operations at levels above what is considered safe.
But researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University wanted to determine if there was a connection to redlining — when Black and immigrant neighborhoods in the 1930s were shaded red on maps developed by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation. Residents in those areas often found it difficult to find homes anywhere else.
“These are critical questions,” said David J. X. Gonzalez, an epidemiologist at UC-Berkeley and one of the study’s authors. “If we want to reduce health disparities, if we want environmental justice, these are the kinds of questions that we want to understand.”
Researchers compared the maps of 33 U.S. cities to records of oil and gas wells dating to the late 1800s. The maps graded neighborhoods A to D. Overall, redlined, or D-graded, neighborhoods not only had more wells before the maps were created, but many more wells were developed in those areas afterward, the researchers found.
The study was published last week in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
Gonzalez, who grew up in a community with oil wells and a refinery, said many policies led to race- and class-based segregation, not only redlining. The findings don’t prove that wells were intentionally located in neighborhoods because residents were Black or Latino, and there also are wells in wealthier areas.
Even so, the higher concentration in minority areas “doesn’t seem to have happened by accident,” said Gonzalez.
In Los Angeles, Black and Latino residents often were forced to live in neighborhoods with oil wells because of racially restrictive covenants, said Martha Dina Argüello, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Even more drilling got pushed into Black and Latino neighborhoods when housing developers wanted land in more affluent areas, she said.
The study “is one more piece of evidence that really bears out what the community has been saying: that having oil wells in our communities is treating us like a sacrifice zone,” she said.
Recently, some states and communities have started restricting new wells by limiting how close they can be to homes and schools.
Last fall, supervisors in Los Angeles County — home to some of the largest urban oilfields in the U.S. — voted unanimously to phase out oil and gas production and ban new wells in unincorporated areas following longstanding complaints from residents about health problems blamed on air pollution from the sites. The Los Angeles City Council voted in January to do the same, and Argüello said advocates are pushing for the state to take similar action in other urban areas.
Colorado last year required new wells to be located at least 2,000 feet from homes and schools. California has proposed a distance of 3,200 feet.
In Arlington, Texas, city officials in January refused to let a major energy company locate more gas wells near a daycare center playground. A statistical analysis by The Associated Press showed the density of Total Energies’ wells is higher in neighborhoods where people of color live, and wells are often just a few hundred feet from homes.
Longxiang Li, a postdoctoral research fellow in environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study, said it showed a moderately strong connection between redlining and well location, and strengthens evidence that disadvantaged communities have fewer legal resources to defend themselves against drilling expansion. But he cautioned that historic redlining maps are not perfect indicators of past structural racism.
That is because discriminatory practices by private lenders and the Federal Housing Administration did not rely on the HOLC maps, and the HOLC itself did lend to Black homeowners in redlined areas, according to a recent paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Li also noted that many newer wells that use a technique called hydraulic fracturing are often clustered in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas because land leasing is inexpensive. Fracking uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to released trapped oil and gas and is combined with horizontal drilling to reach formerly inaccessible reserves.
A report by Physicians for Social Responsibility and Concerned Health Professionals of New York, which reviewed dozens of scientific studies, found that the public health risks associated with these sites include cancers, respiratory diseases, rashes, heart problems and mental health disorders.
Even older plugged wells may pose risks because they can leak benzene and other volatile organic compounds, as well as methane, a potent greenhouse gas, Gonzalez said.
“I think we’ve known for a long time that people of color are more likely to live near oil wells,” Gonzalez said, “It’s important... so we can make sure that as we shift the economy away from fossil fuels, that we prioritize communities” that have borne the brunt of pollution.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/study-redlining-tied-more-oil-gas-wells-urban-areas/
| 2022-04-19T22:01:03Z
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Warden at Epstein jail quietly retires amid federal probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — The warden who ran the federal jail where disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself was allowed to quietly retire from the Bureau of Prisons in February. His retirement came in the midst of an investigation examining how one of the government’s highest profile inmates could take his own life in custody.
Lamine N’Diaye retired from the Bureau of Prisons on Feb. 26, agency spokesperson Kristie Breshears told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He was most recently the warden at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in Burlington County, New Jersey.
He had been put in that position despite the ongoing federal probe and in direct contradiction of a public pronouncement from the Bureau of Prisons that it would delay N’Diaye’s transfer to run any prison until the inquiry by the Justice Department’s inspector general was finished.
FCI Fort Dix, located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is the largest single federal prison by population, with just under 3,000 inmates. An adjacent prison camp has 231 minimum-security inmates.
Under N’Diaye’s watch as warden, an inmate at Fort Dix was stabbed in the eyeball by a fellow prisoner, exemplifying the gruesome chronic violence that plagues the Bureau of Prisons and quickly added to calls from congressional lawmakers for the Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal to resign from his position. Carvajal announced in January he was resigning but has remained in place while the Justice Department searches for a replacement.
A handful of inmates — some of whom were believed to be friends and associates of the suspected attacker — have been held in segregated housing units for more than four months and some were threatened with transfers if they didn’t cooperate with the investigation into the stabbing, two people familiar with the matter told The AP. The people could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
N’Diaye was previously the warden at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the now-closed federal lockup in Manhattan. He was removed from that position after Epstein killed himself at the jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Prosecutors say the guards who were supposed to be monitoring Epstein were instead sleeping and browsing the internet. The Bureau of Prisons closed the jail in October for much-needed repairs after years of decay, though it may never reopen.
The Bureau of Prisons named N’Diaye as warden at Fort Dix in February 2021 despite an ongoing federal investigation into lapses that led to Epstein’s death and in contradiction of its pronouncement that the agency would delay any move until the inquiry was finished.
The bureau attempted to place N’Diaye in the Fort Dix job a year earlier, but the move was stopped by then-Attorney General William Barr after the AP reported the transfer.
The Justice Department’s inspector general has yet to complete the investigation. A spokesperson for Inspector General Michael Horowitz said Tuesday that the probe was still ongoing.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/warden-epstein-jail-quietly-retires-amid-federal-probe/
| 2022-04-19T22:01:11Z
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We’ve got a frigid night ahead, but seasonable weather returns Wednesday!
Sub-freezing temps are expected for most overnight
We’re drying out as low pressure moves away and high pressure begins to take over, but we’ll be cold tonight as NW wind flow keeps us company. Winds will gradually lighten up overnight, but temps will drop to around or below freezing for most. Low temps (which usually occur around sunrise the following AM), will drop into the mid-20s to low 30s late tonight-early Wednesday. While the growing season hasn’t started yet for most of our area, if you do have any sensitive plants outdoors, remember to cover them or bring them inside!
A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR BUCHANAN COUNTY TONIGHT (WHERE THE GROWING SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN). Areas of frost look likely overnight, especially in those deeper sheltered valleys. Bundle up and crank the heat!
High pressure will move more directly overhead Wednesday. This will allow for a lighter southerly wind flow and A RETURN OF SPRING WEATHER!
We’ll see a mix of sun and clouds Wednesday with highs in the low to mid-60s. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy and seasonable, with low temps in the 40s for most.
A weak system could bring a few showers Thursday morning, but this won’t be a wash-out. High temps will continue to push further into the mid to upper 60s then, and by this weekend we will actually feel more like SUMMER!
Highs could reach the upper 70s and low 80s come Saturday and Sunday...stay tuned!
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) -
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wvva.com/2022/04/19/weve-got-frigid-night-ahead-seasonable-weather-returns-wednesday/
| 2022-04-19T22:01:18Z
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Oregon voters, you’re about to benefit from a novel effort to report on the governor’s race.
Between the Republicans and the Democrats, more than two dozen candidates are on the primary ballot for governor.
Most news organizations don’t have the reporters, the space or the time to report on them all.
Yet voters deserve to know something about them besides what they see in mailers, campaign ads and Voters’ Pamphlets.
Journalists found a way to provide at least some useful information once ballots go out April 27. Soon, you can expect to start seeing news outfits large and small publish answers the candidates gave to common questions.
This media approach results from a determined effort to consult voters. Earlier this year, a series of listening sessions – “Let’s Talk – provided voters across the state a chance to talk to the media. Our job was to listen.
We wanted to know what voters would like to get from the press. Two vital “asks” emerged. One was that voters wanted the press to avoid picking winners based on volume and type of coverage. They didn’t want Oregon journalists to just key in on those who could raise a lot of money. Let the voters decide who warrants consideration, they said.
The second “ask” was for more information about issues and topics that matter to Oregonians. Campaign contributions? Not much. Political scandals? Yawn.
From that emerged the idea of pulling together newsrooms in common cause to deliver more information that Oregonians want. We had to act fast.
We settled on this approach just last month. Journalists around the state would first pick broad topics of importance to Oregon and its people. Then they would work to craft questions to be presented to every candidate, no matter how they were polling, regardless of how much money they had or had not raised.
In a matter of days, reporters and editors settled on the topics: climate change and the environment, crime and safety, education, economy and housing.
Questions under each topic flowed in from newsrooms all over the state. A corps of editors tackled the job of reducing the list to just three questions per topic and revising the questions for clarity and uniformity.
That work was undertaken by Joe Beach of Capital Press, Erik Neumann of Jefferson Public Radio in Ashland, Rachael McDonald of KLCC in Eugene, Danielle Jester of the Lake County Examiner in Lakeview, John Schrag of Pamplin Media Group, K. Rambo of Street Roots, Andrew Cutler of the East Oregonian in Pendleton and Dana Haynes of Portland Tribune. I joined in as well.
The Agora Journalism Center in Portland, part of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, kept the communications flowing and finally took on the task of getting the 15 questions out to all the candidates.
A sampling:
The Oregon governor’s office is usually reactive when it comes to dealing with drought – sending relief money to affected counties or providing water deliveries in communities after wells have gone dry. What specific steps would you take to provide long-term solutions for years of increasing drought?
Some rural counties with small populations and small tax bases struggle with adequate law enforcement funding. What steps would you take to address this chronic problem?
Coming out of the pandemic, we are seeing unprecedented stress levels in educators, students and parents. As governor, what steps would you take to address this stress and keep our public K-12 schools from imploding?
Once candidates respond (they have until Friday, April 22), all the answers to each question will be placed together, question by question. They will be edited only for length for those who exceed the limit. (If you are backing a particular candidate, nudge them to respond.)
The state’s largest news organizations, including The Oregonian and Oregon Public Broadcasting, elected not to participate. That’s fine – they have far more resources than the rest of us.
But the lineup of media organizations that so far are partners in the project represent newsrooms large and small, from big cities to rural outposts. Pamplin Media Group has 26 newspapers all over the state, from Forest Grove to Prineville. EO Media is participating, and has 15 newspapers from Astoria to Baker City. Other newsrooms include Jefferson Public Radio, KLCC, Lake County Examiner, Portland Record, Street Roots, Columbia Gorge News, Grants Pass Daily Courier, Keizertimes, KGW, Portland Monthly, Willamette Week, Malheur Enterprise, Salem Reporter, Seaside Signal, The Way by OR360, The Times-Journal, Yachats News and the Herald & News.
Voters, I hope, will be eager to read the results. I know I am. There may be political gems out there that aren’t obvious from campaign finance reports and headline counts. And if we succeed in getting more voters interested and engaged, then all those newsrooms have done their duty to provide the kind of public service so vital to our state.
Les Zaitz is a veteran editor and investigative reporter, serving Oregon for more than 45 years. He reported for The Oregonian for 25 years and owns community newspapers and a digital news service. He is a national SPJ fellow, two-time Pulitzer finalist, including for a lengthy investigation of Mexican drug cartels in Oregon and five-time winner of Oregon’s top investigative reporting award. He has investigated corrupt state legislators, phony charities, and an international cult that moved to Oregon, and the biggest bank failure in Oregon history. He also has been active in reforming the state’s public records law and was appointed by the governor to the Oregon Public Records Advisory Council. In his spare time, he operates a ranch nestled in a national forest, feeding horses and assorted animals.
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/oregon-journalists-experimenting-with-new-way-to-report-on-governor-s-race/article_a0ae6d96-df25-5bdd-bec1-781b9237f0a1.html
| 2022-04-19T22:46:56Z
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A Hillsboro man facing federal criminal charges for his involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has ended his campaign for governor.
Reed Christensen shared a press release dated April 14 about his decision to end his campaign in response to a Capital Chronicle article about Republican gubernatorial candidates who defended the incident.
Christensen said in a statement that he experienced a stroke on April 11 that hospitalized him. It was his second stroke in two years, he said.
“It is clear that my health is not strong enough for Oregonians to depend on,” he continued.
He told the Capital Chronicle on Monday that he doesn’t plan to endorse any other candidates.
Christensen will still appear on Republican primary ballots and in the government-issued Voters’ Pamphlet. The platform he presented in the pamphlet calls for ending Oregon’s decades-old mail voting system, banning abortions and abolishing the Oregon Education Department.
Christensen has pleaded not guilty to eight federal crimes, including assaulting, resisting or impeding two Capitol police officers and a Washington, D.C. Metropolitan police officer and engaging in physical violence and disruptive conduct in a restricted building. He’s scheduled to appear via video before a federal judge in a Washington, D.C., U.S. District Court on May 10.
His arrest warrant describes Christensen trying to remove a set of bike racks that officers used as a barrier to prevent the crowd from moving closer to the Capitol. A police officer sprayed him in the face with pepper spray, causing him to temporarily back away, according to the report.
Officers then gave him water to rinse the spray from his face, according to the report, but a few minutes later he joined a group of rioters who succeeded in removing the bike rack barriers. He burst through and hit or pushed three police officers, the warrant said.
The FBI identified him using surveillance cameras and cameras worn by officers, with help from witnesses who knew Christensen was in Portland and recognized him from footage aired on television. While Christensen pleaded not guilty to the charges, he readily admits to being present at the Capitol.
He said attending the event caused him to stop watching conservative networks because they referred to it as a “riot.” Recent polling indicated that a plurality of Republicans in Oregon believe Jan. 6 is best described as a “riot out of control,” while a majority of Democrats consider it an “attempted coup or insurrection.”
Christensen didn’t report raising any money for his campaign, according to state campaign finance records.
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/oregon-man-facing-charges-for-jan-6-ends-campaign-for-governor/article_effc054d-bb97-5ffb-a2de-7426783bb506.html
| 2022-04-19T22:47:03Z
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Farmworkers in Oregon will get overtime pay next year with the adoption of the contentious farmworker bill.
Gov. Kate Brown signed House Bill 4002 without any fanfare on Friday. Instead of holding a media event, as she has with other high-profile bills, she notified legislative leaders that she was signing it and called on them to track the bill’s impact and make adjustments as needed.
“It is incumbent upon the stakeholders and policymakers alike to closely monitor the impacts of this legislation, and remain open to making adjustments based on the data and information we collect through the implementation process,” Brown wrote on Friday to Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, and Speaker Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis. “As these factors shift over time, it is important for our approach to follow suit.”
The bill phases in overtime pay for more than 40 hours a week of work over five years, starting in 2025. It gives employers tax credits to cushion the extra cost, phasing them out over six years. The Oregon Farm Bureau and many farm owners predicted the proposal would have a disastrous effect on farm finances and would force some of the state’s 37,000 farms to close or sell to larger operations.
Brown called the tax credits “vital” and commended lawmakers for their work on the issue, the most contentious of the February session.
“I view this bill as an important step in the right direction, to correct a historic wrong,” Brown said in her letter. “It has the potential to improve health, safety and overall the quality of life for these workers.”
The Farm Bureau, which opposed the legislation, asked Brown to veto the bill. Her spokeswoman, Liz Merah, said Brown discussed the bill with Farm Bureau officials last month.
On Monday, Mary Ann Cooper, the Farm Bureau’s vice president of government affairs, said Brown’s decision to sign the bill would change Oregon’s agriculture landscape.
“We remain committed to finding a workable legislative solution, and we hope future legislatures will work with all parties to find a workable compromise,” Cooper said in an email.
Reyna Lopez, executive director of the farmworkers union, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste or PCUN, welcomed Brown’s signature.
“We’re grateful the governor has moved forward with ratifying the hard work of the Oregon Legislature,” Lopez said in a text message. “Leading up to it taking effect, PCUN will be working on educating farm laborers about the phased implementation.”
Oregon employs about 87,000 farmworkers, more than most other states, experts say. Only seven states require overtime pay for farmworkers. California started paying farmworkers overtime pay this year and Washington is phasing in that requirement, which takes full effect in 2024.
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/overtime-pay-for-oregon-s-farmworkers-will-start-phasing-in-next-year/article_e34bb7b6-27c6-5668-aa57-293863994261.html
| 2022-04-19T22:47:09Z
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/klamath/rotary-club-donates-to-healthy-klamath/article_cf68c767-4710-5550-8ff9-88e27cec860b.html
| 2022-04-19T22:47:15Z
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Legalized marijuana generated $3.7 billion in tax revenue in 2021 in U.S. states where recreational use of cannabis is allowed.
State governments’ tax revenue haul from legal pot is up 34% from 2020, according to the Marijuana Policy Project which favors legalization.
In Oregon, legal pot sales generated $177.8 million in tax revenue in 2021, according to MPP. That is up from $158.3 million in tax money from marijuana sales in 2020 and $115.9 million in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic.
Oregon legalized recreational pot in 2016. Cannabis is taxed at 20% rate in Oregon with a 17% state levy and 3% local tax. That is compared to a 37% marijuana tax in Washington state along with a 6.5% sales levy.
California has a 15% state marijuana excise taxes along with additional levies on plants, leaves, flowers and cultivation, according to the Tax Foundation.State and local recreational marijuana levies in California can total as much as 45%.
High state tax rates and regulations continue to help sustain black market and illegal marijuana sales and illegal grows which continue to dot the landscape in southern Oregon and northern California.
Legal weed sales generated $1.3 billion in California in 2021 and $3.4 billion since 2018 when recreational cannabis was approved.In Washington state, recreational weed generated $630.9 million 2021 and $3 billion since 2014, according to MPP.
Legal cannabis has generated $11.2 billion in tax revenue for states nationally since 2014 when Colorado and Washington state were the first states to pass legalization measures. Some of the state’s where pot is now legal for recreational use have not yet started sales.
Eighteen states have legalized cannabis for recreational use with more considering reforming drug laws, including Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island, and South Dakota. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a federal bill April 1 that decriminalizes marijuana nationally. The push faces a tougher challenge in the U.S. Senate and President Joe Biden has historically not backed drug law
“Our report is further evidence that ending cannabis prohibition offers tremendous financial benefits for state governments. The legalization and regulation of cannabis for adults has generated billions of dollars in tax revenue, funded important services and programs at the state level, and created thousands of jobs across the country. Meanwhile, the states that lag behind continue to waste government resources on enforcing archaic cannabis laws that harm far too many Americans,” said Toi Hutchinson, president and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project.
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/legal-marijuana-generates-3-7-billion-in-taxes-for-states-178m-in-oregon/article_dd717976-8438-586a-ade4-698b5c5d01f5.html
| 2022-04-19T22:47:21Z
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https://www.heraldandnews.com/sunrise-rotary-donates-to-tech-dental-hygiene-program/article_e9298f49-5347-5031-8c40-cc12c5432fb0.html
| 2022-04-19T22:47:27Z
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Amber Alert canceled; Arkansas teen found safe
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KAIT/Gray News) - Arkansas State Police have inactivated an Amber Alert for a missing teen believed to have been kidnapped.
According to Hot Springs Police Officer Omar Cervants, 17-year-old Trynytee Case of Hot Springs was found safe Tuesday afternoon, KAIT reported.
She was alone, but he did not say where she was found.
Police said they were interviewing her Tuesday afternoon.
This Amber Alert began when Case left work at approximately 9:15 p.m. Monday.
According to Tuesday’s news release, she and a coworker were walking to their vehicles parked a block away when an unknown white female asked if she could use Case’s phone.
The woman claimed she was “lost and her parents were staying in a condo in Hot Springs.”
The woman then said she needed to use the GPS coordinates and asked Case to move closer to her car.
While this was going on, ASP said Case’s friend went to get her car parked at a nearby parking garage.
When the friend returned, Case was nowhere to be found.
After several unsuccessful attempts to contact Case by phone, ASP said her mother finally got through to her.
According to the news release, Case told her mother “everything is fine,” when a man got on the phone and demanded “$10,000 dollars for her return or they would kill and cut up the victim.”
The phone line then went dead and no one has heard from Case since.
Police pinged her cellphone which was last reported headed south on U.S. Highway 7, south of Hot Springs.
According to an updated report from ASP, police are searching for a white Nissan Versa with Tennessee license plate number 59B-D82.
Anyone with additional information can contact Sgt. Scott Lampinen with the Hot Springs Police Department at 501-651-7711.
Copyright 2022 KAIT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/amber-alert-issued-missing-arkansas-teen-believed-be-kidnapped/
| 2022-04-19T23:01:32Z
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Americans are going to church less, poll finds
(Gray News) - Americans’ church membership is at its lowest numbers in years.
According to a recent poll from Gallup, memberships to houses of worship continued to decline last year and dropped below 50% for the first time in Gallup’s eight-decade trend.
In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.
Researchers with Gallup said U.S. church membership was 73% when they first measured such numbers in 1937. Church membership remained near 70% for the next six decades, before beginning a steady decline around the turn of the 21st century.
Gallup reports the decline in church membership is primarily a function of the increasing number of Americans who express no religious preference.
Over the past two decades, the percentage of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown from 8% in 1998-2000 to 13% in 2008-2010 and 21% over the past three years.
Gallup also reported it found declines in church membership when it comes to the younger generations but less of a drop among Republicans, as well as married adults and college graduates.
Church membership was found to be the highest among those groups, people who live in the South and Black adults.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/americans-are-going-church-less-poll-finds/
| 2022-04-19T23:01:40Z
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Biden launches $6B effort to save distressed nuclear plants
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is launching a $6 billion effort to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing, citing the need to continue nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of power that helps to combat climate change.
A certification and bidding process opened Tuesday for a civil nuclear credit program that is intended to bail out financially distressed owners or operators of nuclear power reactors, the U.S. Department of Energy told The Associated Press exclusively, shortly before the official announcement. It’s the largest federal investment in saving financially distressed nuclear reactors.
Owners or operators of nuclear power reactors that are expected to shut down for economic reasons can apply for funding to avoid closing prematurely. The first round of awards will prioritize reactors that have already announced plans to close.
The second round will be opened up to more economically at-risk facilities. The program was funded through President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure deal, which he signed into law in November.
“U.S. nuclear power plants contribute more than half of our carbon-free electricity, and President Biden is committed to keeping these plants active to reach our clean energy goals,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. “We’re using every tool available to get this country powered by clean energy by 2035, and that includes prioritizing our existing nuclear fleet to allow for continued emissions-free electricity generation and economic stability for the communities leading this important work.”
A strong majority of states — about two-thirds — say nuclear, in one fashion or another, will help take the place of fossil fuels. A dozen U.S. commercial nuclear power reactors have closed in the past decade before their licenses expired, largely due to competition from cheaper natural gas, massive operating losses due to low electricity prices and escalating costs, or the cost of major repairs.
This has led to a rise in emissions in those regions, poorer air quality and the loss of thousands of high-paying jobs, dealing an economic blow to local communities, according to the DOE. A quarter or more of the fleet is at risk, the DOE added. The owners of seven currently operating reactors have already announced plans to retire them through 2025.
Most U.S. nuclear plants were built between 1970 and 1990 and it’s costing more to operate an aging fleet. The only nuclear plant under construction in the United States is in Georgia. Costs have ballooned and another delay was announced in February.
The shuttered reactors include Indian Point Energy Center in New York, Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Massachusetts, Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station in Nebraska and Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa. Entergy cited low natural gas prices and increased operating costs as key factors in its decision to close Indian Point last year. New York officials sought the shutdown, saying the plant 24 miles (39 kilometers) north of Manhattan posed too great a risk to millions of people who live and work nearby.
Twenty more reactors faced closure in the last decade before states stepped in to save them, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute, the industry’s trade association. Illinois is spending nearly $700 million to keep three plants open while additional renewable resources come online.
Low electricity prices are the main cause of this trend, though federal and state policies to boost wind and solar have contributed as well, the NEI added.
There are 55 commercial nuclear power plants with 93 nuclear reactors in 28 U.S. states. Nuclear power already provides about 20% of electricity in the U.S., or about half the nation’s carbon-free energy.
If reactors do close before their licenses expire, fossil fuel plants will likely fill the void and emissions will increase, which would be a substantial setback, said Andrew Griffith, acting assistant secretary for nuclear energy at DOE.
While natural gas may be cheaper, nuclear power hasn’t been given credit for its carbon-free contribution to the grid and that has caused nuclear plants to struggle financially, Griffith added.
The bailout for the nuclear industry is reminiscent of assistance the auto and airline industries received after the 2008 economic collapse and the coronavirus pandemic, respectively.
With barely a month left in office, former President George W. Bush authorized $25 billion in loans to General Motors and Chrysler from a $700 billion bailout fund initially intended to save the largest U.S. banks. After President Barack Obama took office in 2009, he appointed a task force to oversee GM and Chrysler, both of which eventually declared bankruptcy. The companies took an additional roughly $55 billion in aid and were forced to close factories and overhaul operations before recovering and adding jobs. Most of the industry’s bailout loans have been repaid.
More recently, airlines received $54 billion in taxpayer money to keep people employed through the pandemic, but they eliminated tens of thousands of jobs anyway by offering incentives for employees to quit or retire early.
David Schlissel, at the Ohio-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, said he wishes the federal government, before it allocated the $6 billion, had analyzed whether that money might have been better spent on ramping up renewables, battery storage and energy efficiency projects, which can be done quickly and cheaply to displace fossil fuels.
Now that the money is already set aside for nuclear plants, the federal tax credits for renewables should be extended and more should be invested in energy efficiency, he said, because the faster that’s done, the faster the nation reduces its dependence on fossil fuels and its emissions. Also, the nuclear plants are going to eventually retire, some sooner than later, so carbon-free sources of energy need to be in place for when they do, he added.
The Sierra Club has a nuclear free campaign that says nuclear is not a solution to climate change, and “every dollar spent on nuclear is one less dollar spent on truly safe, affordable and renewable energy sources.”
California is slated to close its last remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, in 2025. Officials there think they can replace it with new solar, wind and battery storage resources, though skeptics have questioned whether California’s all-in renewable plan can work in a state of nearly 40 million people.
The Energy Department intends to accept annual applications for the civil nuclear credit program through fiscal 2031, or until the $6 billion runs out. Nuclear plant owners or operators can bid on credits for financial assistance to keep operating. To qualify, plant owners or operators have to show the reactors are projected to retire for economic reasons and emissions would increase. The department would also determine, with input from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, that they can operate safely.
Maria Korsnick, president and chief executive officer of NEI, said she thinks the federal program will level the playing field for nuclear energy and help clear a path to pass even more intensive policies, such as a nuclear production tax credit proposed in Biden’s now-stalled Build Back Better plan.
Democrats have said they hope to resuscitate parts of the social and environmental package and win over voters weary of the two-year-old pandemic and coping with the worst inflation in decades.
___
McDermott reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/biden-launches-6b-effort-save-distressed-nuclear-plants/
| 2022-04-19T23:01:47Z
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Body of young boy found dead in Indiana was inside suitcase, troopers say
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ind. (WAVE/Gray News) - Indiana State Police said the body of a young boy who was found dead in the woods in eastern Washington County was found inside of a suitcase.
The new detail was confirmed to WAVE by Sgt. Carey Huls Tuesday evening. Troopers released a picture of the suitcase to the public with the hope that someone brings new information to investigators.
Officials said the boy’s autopsy was also completed on Tuesday afternoon.
The boy’s body was found Saturday around 7:30 p.m. by a person who was mushroom hunting in the area, according to investigators.
Huls said the child is described as a Black boy between the ages of 5 and 8. The boy had short hair, a slim build and was around 4 feet tall.
“This obviously could be a national thing,” Huls said on Monday. “It could be a child from any location. We’re not going to preclude anybody, and we’re going to look at any information that comes in that could answer the question of the identity of this child.”
Police said they requested the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s forensics services team in the case.
ISP created a tip line specifically for any information in relation to the death investigation at (888) 437-6432.
Copyright 2022 WAVE via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/body-young-boy-found-dead-indiana-was-inside-suitcase-troopers-say/
| 2022-04-19T23:01:56Z
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BRITE Transit shifts masking guidance after ruling
STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) - Since the start of the pandemic, passengers on public transportation have been asked to wear a mask, but now those masks can come off.
After a ruling from a federal judge out of Florida, many bus systems and airlines are making changes to their masking policies. Devon Thompson with the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) said BRITE Transit is no different.
“We’ll operate under the assumption that new messaging has superseded previous messaging so they won’t technically be required, but we will support those who wish to still wear their masks and when we get further guidance we can know how to move forward more properly,” said Thompson.
The ruling says anyone riding on public transportation has the choice to wear a mask. Brian Smith, a driver for BRITE, said he’s looked forward to this day.
“Having to talk to riders about, well, you have to wear a mask if you want to ride, you need to wear a mask. There was always a little bit of a controversy there, a struggle a little bit. After a long time, they’re using them,” Smith said.
The change comes as BRITE sees a 3,000 passenger increase from February to March when gas prices rose significantly. In February, CSPDC reported 11,738 passenger trips. In March, that number increased to 15,201.
In March 2021, they reported 13,282 passenger trips. Thompson said they continue to monitor ridership now that gas prices have leveled off a bit.
Even with all the changes on public transportation, Thompson said riders can still make choices that make them feel comfortable.
“We’ll still offer masks on the bus for free if people want that, so we’ll just respect everyone’s wishes, no matter how they feel,” said Thompson.
Smith said there’s plenty of space to continue social distancing, too.
“Let’s say we have a 24-passenger bus. We might have ten on it at a time. If you want to, you can be up close to the driver, in the very back, you can still spread out,” he said.
Though masking is optional, the CDC continues to recommend it on indoor public transportation.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/brite-transit-shifts-masking-guidance-after-ruling/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:02Z
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Bus driver fired for drinking beer during elementary school field trip, company says
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY/Gray News) - A bus driver who admitted to drinking beer while elementary students were on a field trip has been fired.
On Monday, fourth and fifth grade students boarded a bus with Lamers Bus Lines at Lincoln Elementary in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to go on a field trip to Madison, Wisconsin. On the way back, a student noticed an open can of beer under the driver’s seat.
Once the bus arrived at the school, the district requested Green Bay police investigate, WBAY reports.
Upon investigating, the district says the driver admitted to police that he drank beer earlier in the day while students were involved in activities on the field trip.
The driver’s name was not released by the bus company.
In a statement, Lamers’ said its office staff and supervisor interacted with the driver before the trip, as they say they typically do, and did not observe any impairment before the driver left.
While at the school, Green Bay police processed the driver. Lamers said in a statement they have a “zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol” and fired the driver “effective immediately.”
Copyright 2022 WBAY via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/bus-driver-fired-drinking-beer-during-elementary-school-field-trip-company-says/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:09Z
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Churchville church hosts town hall meeting about planned community center
CHURCHVILLE, Va. (WHSV) - A Valley church is hosting a meeting Tuesday, April 19 to talk about plans to build a community center in Churchville.
When Jerusalem Chapel Church started developing plans for a youth building, they decided they wanted it to be part of the community. They shifted to the mindset of building a space anyone could use.
Now, they said the community needs to get in on the planning.
Tuesday night, the church will host a town hall at Churchville Elementary School at 7 p.m. to discuss their plans and to hear from the community on what they want to see.
“Anything like this involves a tribe. It’s not just a few people doing something. If we want something to take off, a large group of people, the larger community needs to be involved, so we want them to get involved starting tonight,” said Senior Pastor Mark Tinsley.
Tinsley said there aren’t many shared spaces, like community centers, in western Augusta County.
“We want this to be a place where the Churchville western Augusta County community can come and share in our facilities and share in what we have. Right now, I can’t think of a significant facility in western Augusta County where community can meet, where things can happen,” said Tinsley.
He said there’s been time for the church community to get excited about it, but there haven’t been major opportunities to spread the word.
“We want to get the word out, get the buzz started, so when we open this thing hopefully in winter 2023, so not too far in the future, that people know about it, they know it’s here and available and they can start using it,” Tinsley said.
The building will be on church grounds, on Jerusalem Chapel Road.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/churchville-church-hosts-town-hall-meeting-about-planned-community-center/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:21Z
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Dayton’s Redbud Festival returns this weekend
DAYTON, Va. (WHSV) - After being canceled in 2020 and held later in 2021, the annual Redbud Festival returns to its normal spring condition in Dayton this Saturday.
The festival returns with the annual tradition of giving away free redbud saplings to those who arrive early.
“I think we’re definitely going to get a lot more people, especially early in the morning,” said Meggie Roche, Economic Development Coordinator for the town of Dayton. “The redbud saplings are first come, first serve. With the festival starting at 10 o’clock, I think we are going to see a lot of people right at 10 o’clock to get their saplings.”
Attendees can expect the festival’s usual handmade arts and crafts, food trucks, and carriage rides. The festival will take place along College Street in Dayton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/daytons-redbud-festival-returns-this-weekend/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:27Z
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Disney World lifts mask requirement for all guests
Published: Apr. 19, 2022 at 4:21 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
ORLANDO, Fla. (Gray News) - Walt Disney World has updated its face mask policy for all guests.
The website for the theme park says that masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors for guests, regardless of vaccination status.
The park’s policy change comes a day after a federal judge threw out mask requirements on public transportation Monday.
Disney recommends that unvaccinated visitors continue to wear masks in indoor attractions, theaters and transportation.
It also notes that masks are not allowed on water slides or in the water at Disney World.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/disney-world-lifts-mask-requirement-all-guests/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:33Z
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Eastern Iowa honor flight carries 89 veterans to Washington
Veterans who fought in World War II, Vietnam, Korea, and other conflicts visited the memorials in the nation’s capital on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - After two years of groundings from the coronavirus pandemic, it was wheels up Tuesday for a group of veterans from Iowa.
The honor flight carried 89 veterans who fought in World War II, Vietnam, Korea and other conflicts.
For Vietnam veteran Randy Heubner, he still carries the trauma of war six decades later.
“Flashbacks, memories, bitterness,” said Heubner, “You know, that anger which I’d love to get over sometime. I still live with anger. Shouldn’t be that way.”
For fellow Vietnam veteran Carl Williams, the day was bittersweet.
“It brings up every possible memory of relationships that I had,” said Williams, “Without going into detail, I lost some friends.”
The day’s oldest honoree, 97-year-old Earl Hendrick who fought in World War II, said it’s a day for honoring the living, and remembering those who never made it home.
“I guess I’m the oldest one here today, but I do enjoy it” said Hendrick.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/eastern-iowa-honor-flight-carries-89-veterans-washington/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:41Z
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Endangered Bornean orangutan gives birth to baby at Oregon Zoo
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - The Oregon Zoo has a new member of the primate family after an endangered Bornean orangutan gave birth.
Kitra, the first-time mom, welcomed the newborn April 13 at around 11 a.m. In a release, the zoo said the 20-year-old mom and her new arrival, who does not yet have a name, are doing well in their behind-the-scenes maternity den.
“We’re all pretty excited about it,” said Kate Gilmore, who oversees the zoo’s primate area. “It’s great to see Kitra taking such good care of her baby. There’s still a lot that could happen, so we’re being very cautious and giving her as much quiet time as possible. But so far she seems to be taking to motherhood quite well.”
The zoo said Kitra’s care team worked with her throughout her pregnancy to help her prepare for motherhood, including training her for voluntary ultrasounds so vet staff could closely monitor her progress, according to KPTV. Using orangutan stuffies made by zoo volunteers, they taught her how to hold her baby properly to nurse, and how to present her baby to care staff once she feels ready, so they can check on the young orangutan’s health and well-being.
Kitra and her baby are off-view in a private maternity area to allow the new family a comfortable place to bond. The zoo said animal-care staff have taken a hands-off approach, but are closely monitoring the pair to make sure everything continues to go well.
“We will be watching to assess their progress,” Gilmore said. “The first few days are especially critical. Our care staff and veterinary team have been dedicated to giving Kitra everything she needed for a successful birth. Thankfully, she hasn’t needed much help from us so far. She’s been doing a great job by herself.”
Once the pair are feeling comfortable and healthy, the zoo said animal-care staff will determine whether they are ready for a public debut.
Kitra moved to the Oregon Zoo in 2015 from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, joining male orangutan Bob, the baby’s father, who had arrived from South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo the previous year.
Copyright 2022 KPTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/endangered-bornean-orangutan-gives-birth-baby-oregon-zoo/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:49Z
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Infant dies after father put alcohol in baby bottle, deputies say
ATLANTA, Ga. (WGCL/Gray News) – A mother and father in Georgia have been charged with murder in the death of their 4-week-old infant, according to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office, deputies were called to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon after the infant was brought to the hospital unresponsive. Hospital employees were suspicious of the circumstances surrounding the baby’s condition and called the police.
Deputies said the child’s mother, 24-year-old Sydnei Dunn, admitted that she consumed a large amount of alcohol the day before and then breastfed the child. She also told detectives that the child’s father, 25-year-old Marquis Colvin, put alcohol in the baby’s bottle. They decided go to the hospital after the baby became unresponsive.
During a search warrant of their home, detectives said they found evidence of the crime and a firearm. Colvin is a convicted felon and not allowed to own or be close to a gun.
The following day, the hospital informed the sheriff’s office that the child had died. Doctors said the infant had a blood alcohol count that was well over four times the legal limit for an adult.
The parents, who are being held at Paulding County Jail, are both facing numerous charges, including malice murder, second-degree murder, first-degree cruelty to children, and reckless conduct. Colvin was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and parole violation.
Detectives encourage anyone who may have additional information to call the Criminal Investigations Tip Line at 770-443-3047.
Copyright 2022 WGCL via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/infant-dies-after-father-put-alcohol-baby-bottle-deputies-say/
| 2022-04-19T23:02:55Z
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Mac Miller: Man sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison in rapper’s overdose death
LOS ANGELES (Gray News) - An Arizona man has been sentenced in connection with the fatal overdose of rapper Mac Miller in 2018.
Ryan Michael Reavis, 38, was sentenced Monday to 131 months in federal prison.
Previously, the Justice Department reported Reavis agreed to plead guilty to a federal criminal charge for supplying counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl to a drug dealer accused of selling them to Miller, who suffered a fatal overdose soon after.
Reavis was one of three men charged in October 2019 for distributing the drugs that caused Miller’s death.
According to the Justice Department, Reavis admitted in his plea agreement knowing that the pills contained fentanyl or some other controlled substance.
The 26-year-old rapper Malcolm James McCormick, who recorded and performed under the name Mac Miller, suffered a fatal drug overdose in Los Angeles on September 7, 2018.
Officials said the case investigation was conducted by the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Opioid Response Team with the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/mac-miller-man-sentenced-nearly-11-years-federal-prison-rappers-overdose-death/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:05Z
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Mom shoots, kills child’s grandmother at Starbucks during custody visit, police say
RICHARDSON, Texas (Gray News) – A woman shot and killed her child’s grandmother at a Texas Starbucks during a custody visit on Tuesday, according to police.
The Richardson Police Department said Tranisa Octavin Trana Watts, 23, is charged with capital murder for the death of Kentoria Nicole Edwards, 52.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Starbucks, about 15 miles north of Dallas, just after 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said upon arriving at the scene, officers saw Watts trying to flee the location with a child, but they were able to apprehend her. Other officers immediately began CPR on Edwards. She was taken to the hospital where she died.
Richardson police said Edwards was the grandmother of Watt’s child and had full custody of the child. Investigation revealed that Watts requested to see her child, and Edwards agreed they could meet up at Starbucks for a visit.
According to police, during the visit, Watts pulled out a gun and shot Edwards multiple times and then attempted to leave with the child.
Police said the child was unharmed.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/mom-shoots-kills-childs-grandmother-starbucks-during-custody-visit-police-say/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:11Z
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Moving beyond masks: Biden toils to put pandemic behind him
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration has been working for months to prepare people to rethink their personal risk calculations as the nation gets used to the idea of living with an endemic COVID-19.
But that measured approach disappeared abruptly when a federal judge on Monday threw out the federal requirement to mask up when using mass transit. The ruling added to the urgency of the messaging challenge as the administration tries to move past the virus in the lead-up to midterm elections.
After the government last month eased indoor mask-wearing guidelines for the vast majority of Americans – even in schools — masking on planes was one of the last redoubts of the national COVID-19 restrictions. Now, as the policy falls, the administration turns to accelerating its efforts to provide the best advice for millions making their own personal safety decisions in the still-dangerous pandemic.
It’s both a public health imperative and an important shift in emphasis for Biden’s political future.
“There is an opportunity now, instead of saying this is a disappointing ruling, they could say this is a good time to have a conversation about how we move forward in this pandemic about risk calculation,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja an infectious disease physician and a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
“With COVID-19, I think we’re at a point with immunity from prior infections, vaccines, home tests and treatments that we can start to manage this the way we manage other infectious diseases,” he said.
Biden himself went all-in on flexibility Tuesday when asked if Americans should mask up on planes.
“That’s up to them,” Biden declared during a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But his own White House nonetheless continues to require face coverings for those traveling with him on Air Force One, citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The shift toward less formal regulation was actually previewed in a 100-page plan released by the White House coronavirus response team in February. Back then, administration officials had hoped that children under 5 would be eligible for vaccination by now — a move that would have eased the concern of millions of parents and provided the umbrella of protection to nearly everyone in the U.S. who wanted it.
Monday’s court order lifting the mask mandate came at a crossroads in the nation’s pandemic response, just shy of a year to the day from when all American adults were eligible for vaccination against COVID-19. The ruling sent government agencies and the White House scrambling to comply, but that didn’t stop momentary confusion among travelers as airlines and airports dropped their mask requirements — in some cases mid-flight.
The administration stressed that Americans should still comply with CDC recommendations to wear face coverings, even in the absence of the mandate. Biden’s press secretary, Jen Psaki, said as much just an hour before his “up to them” comment.
“The CDC continues to advise and recommend masks on airplanes. We’re abiding by the CDC recommendations, the president is, and we would advise all Americans to do that,” she said.
Psaki on Tuesday indicated that while the administration was disappointed with the ruling, it didn’t rank with Congress’ inability to reach a compromise on additional COVID funding to purchase booster shots and antiviral treatments.
“Those are our biggest concerns,” she said.
Face-covering requirements, which have proven to lower the risks of infection, have grown increasingly political in the U.S. over the last year, particularly as cases and severe outcomes have fallen.
The lingering mandate for public transit and air travel served as a daily reminder for many people that the pandemic they badly wanted to be over was still affecting their lives, even if vaccinations and antiviral treatments had dramatically lowered their risk. For others who are still fearful of the virus, each roll-back of pandemic restrictions has sparked fresh disquiet — and in some cases criticism of the Biden administration.
“There are still a lot of people in this country who still want to have masks in place — either they have immunocompromised relatives, they have kids under 5, whatever it may be,” said Psaki.
Monday’s court ruling hastened an outcome that was likely coming in weeks anyway. Many administration officials believed that last week’s 15-day extension of the mask order to May 3 would be the last. The public health agency had asked for the additional time to monitor whether a recent rise in infections would result in increased hospitalizations or deaths. So far it hasn’t.
The court’s order caught the administration by surprise and left it struggling to grasp its impact — both on the requirement’s end and on CDC’s authorities going forward.
“CDC scientists had asked for 15 days to make a more data-driven durable decision,” Dr. Aashish Jha, the new White House COVID-19 coordinator, tweeted on Tuesday. “We should have given it to them.”
The uptick in cases and a recent spate of positive cases in Biden’s orbit — including second gentleman Doug Emhoff and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — was a potent reminder that the virus isn’t going away.
Biden, 79, was never identified as a “close contact” under CDC guidelines, the White House said, and officials emphasized that he is strongly protected against the virus by being vaccinated and twice-boosted.
Controlling the virus that has killed 986,000 Americans has been a priority for Biden since taking office. The U.S. now averages about 35,000 confirmed cases per day, down from a high of more than 806,000 during January’s omicron surge, but up slightly from lows of about 26,000 a month ago. Those figures are surely an undercount since many people don’t report the results of at-home tests to public health authorities.
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AP writer Chris Megerian in Portsmouth, New Hampshire contributed.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/moving-beyond-masks-biden-toils-put-pandemic-behind-him/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:18Z
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Netflix shares drop 26% after it loses 200K subscribers
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix suffered its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, causing its shares to plunge 26% in extended trading amid concerns that the pioneering streaming service may have already seen its best days.
The company’s customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers during the January-March period, according to its quarterly earnings report released Tuesday It’s the first time that Netflix’s subscribers have fallen since the streaming service became available throughout most of the world outside of China six years ago. The drop this year stemmed in part from Netflix’s decision to withdraw from Russia to protest the war against Ukraine, resulting in a loss of 700,00 subscribers.
Even so, Netflix acknowledged its problems are deep rooted by projecting a loss of another 2 million subscribers during the April-June period.
If the stock drop extends into Wednesday’s regular trading session, Netflix shares will have lost more than half of their value so far this year — wiping out about $150 billion in shareholder wealth in less than four months.
Netflix also lost 800,000 subscribers in 2011 after it unveiled plans to begin charging separately for its then-nascent streaming service, which had been bundled for free with its traditional DVD-by-mail service. The customer backlash to that move elicited an apology from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings for botching the execution of the spin-off.
The service also saw a decline in U.S. subscribers in 2019.
But the latest subscriber loss was far worse than a forecast by Netflix management for a conservative gain of 2.5 million subscribers. The news deepens troubles that have been mounting for the streaming since a surge of signups from a captive audience during the pandemic began to slow.
It marks the fourth time in the last five quarters that Netflix’s subscriber growth has fallen below the gains of the previous year. Now investors fear that its streaming service may be mired in a malaise that has been magnified by stiffening competition from well-funded rivals such as Apple and Walt Disney.
The setback follows the company’s addition of 18.2 million subscribers in 2021, its weakest annual growth since 2016. That contrasted with an increase of 36 million subscribers during 2020 when people were corralled at home and starved for entertainment, which Netflix was able to quickly and easily provide with its stockpile of original programming.
Netflix has previously predicted that it will regain its momentum, but is now starting to acknowledge that needs to take action. Among other things, Netflix signaled that it will likely crack down on the sharing of subscriber passwords that has enabled multiple households to access its service from a single account.
The Los Gatos, California, company estimated that about 100 million households worldwide are watching its service for free by using the account of a friend or another family member, including 30 million in the U.S. and Canada. To stop the practice and prod more people to pay for their own accounts, Netflix indicated it may expand a test introduced last month in Chile, Peru and Costa Rica that allows subscribers to add up to two people living outside their households to their accounts for an additional fee.
“Account sharing as a percentage of our paying membership hasn’t changed much over the years, but, coupled with the first factor, means it’s harder to grow membership in many markets — an issue that was obscured by our COVID growth,” Netflix said Tuesday in a letter to its shareholders.
Netflix ended March with 221.6 million worldwide subscribers.
With the pandemic easing, people have been finding other things to do, and other video streaming services are working hard to lure new viewers with their own award-winning programming. Apple, for instance, held the exclusive streaming rights to “CODA,” which eclipsed Netflix’s “Power of The Dog,” among other movies, to win Best Picture at last month’s Academy Awards.
Escalating inflation over the past year has also squeezed household budgets, leading more consumers to rein in their spending on discretionary items. Despite that pressure, Netflix recently raised its prices in the U.S., where it has its greatest household penetration — and where it’s had the most trouble finding more subscribers. In the most recent quarter, Netflix lost 640,000 subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, prompting management to point out that most of its future growth will come in international markets.
Netflix also is trying to give people another reason to subscribe by adding video games at no extra charge — a feature that began to roll out last year.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/netflix-shares-drop-23-after-it-loses-200k-subscribers/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:25Z
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Reenactors disappointed with discontinuation of New Market reenactment
NEW MARKET, Va. (WHSV) - Some civil war reenactors around the Valley are expressing their disappointment after the Virginia Museum of the Civil War made the decision to discontinue its annual reenactment of the Battle of New Market.
“This being canceled is upsetting to a lot of people because it’s a tradition, big time. It’s a tradition that really connects them to their personal and the history of this area,” said Mike Schiebe, a civil war reenactor living in New Market.
Schiebe has been a reenactor for 35 years and has participated in the Battle of New Market reenactment many times. He says he was saddened by the news of the reenactment being discontinued, but he wasn’t shocked as many people who have reenacted for years are now in their 60s and 70s.
“They have stopped doing events and with them, the numbers have diminished. Young people are not coming into the hobby at the rate they used to be,” said Schiebe.
The drop in reenactors is not unique to New Market. It’s something affecting living history events and reenactments across the U.S.
“I’m getting ready for an event here in Gettysburg this weekend and there used to be thousands of reenactors there, and now we’re lucky if we get a couple hundred on each side. It’s kind of sad to see how things are going,” said Trevor Ingram, a reenactor from Pennsylvania.
Ingram said he believes one reason for the decline in participation is the misconceptions surrounding reenactments.
“A major misconception is that anyone who dresses in Confederate gray is a racist of some sort or anything of the kind. We’re not out to glorify slavery, we’re there to tell a story and tell it properly the best we can,” he said.
The drop in participants, combined with safety concerns and rising costs, were the primary reasons for the end of the reenactment.
“If you have an event with more than 1,000 people you often have to carry very high levels of terrorism insurance. So if something happens there, if there’s some sort of an issue. There was a bomb at Cedar Creek a few years ago, if you have horses now the level of liability of someone getting hit with a horse drives the prices way up,” said Schiebe.
The ending of the reenactment is a disappointment for some who travel from all over the U.S. to participate.
“A lot of reenactments can get out of hand and the scenarios not be true to historical form but every time I’ve been to New Market it’s been on point. Very much the historic realism of this is what happened, this is how it happened,” said Trevor Ingram.
The annual event has also brought in a steady flow of visitors to the Town of New Market.
“Economically, exposure-wise, marketing-wise, and tourism-wise that reenactment is what drew everyone here in a big number all at once,” said Schiebe.
The event has also consistently been one of the busiest weekends of the year for businesses in the town.
“The local businesses and especially the businesses that count on these reenactments and living history are gonna get hurt. And in a time when we need more commerce, to be canceling these all over the country probably does more damage than good,” said John Krotec, a Civil War reenactor who lives in New Market.
One business that always saw a boost from the event was Southern Kitchen, a restaurant in the town.
“In the years before it was a really good thing for this business. It brought us a lot of return business because when people knew the battle was coming to town they prepared for it to come in,” said Cindy Reamer, a manager at Southern Kitchen who has worked at the restaurant for 42 years.
“It draws people from all over they get to see what we have to offer here, they get to see the battle, they get to see what the town offers. So it’s gonna be missed,” said Reamer.
John Krotec has been reenacting for over 20 years, but only recently moved to the Valley and was disappointed he won’t get a chance to be a part of the New Market reenactment.
“This Valley holds a special place in my heart because it was destroyed completely during the civil war and to see how the people have come back, generations of families. To see how much they respect their history is extraordinary and now not to be part of that at the level I thought, it makes it sad,” said Krotec.
Schiebe said while reenactor numbers are decreasing, public interest is not. He said that living history isn’t dying but it is changing.
“I stress for people if you miss the big reenactments go to some smaller events. You’re gonna get more hands-on history and you’ll learn more about what the civil war was really like at a smaller event than you will with all of the inaccuracies the big events sometimes bring,” he said.
For guys like Krotec, reenactments are about more than preserving Civil War history, it’s a display of what being an American is all about.
“Loving the country that you live in, fighting for something that’s much greater than yourself. To lose those reenactments is to lose a part of our history,” he said.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/reenactors-disappointed-with-discontinuation-new-market-reenactment/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:33Z
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Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport still seeing most passengers wear masks
WEYERS CAVE, Va. (WHSV) - The travel mask mandate has been lifted on planes and public transportation.
United Airlines and Skywest which fly out of Shenandoah Regional Airport in Weyers Cave have followed those guidelines and allowed mask wearing to be optional on their airlines.
Although it was a change seemingly anticipated by many, SHD said as of Tuesday morning, not much had shifted from before the mandate was lifted.
”We did have a majority of passengers show up with masks on, a couple unmasked but it seems that both employees and travelers ... I think everyone has been very respectful which has been great,” Heather Ream, director of marketing and communications at SHD, said.
After two years with the mandate in place, SHD acknowledges some passengers may not adapt to the lifted mandate so quickly.
”We understand that people may be at different comfort levels when it comes to traveling so obviously masks are still welcomed if that’s your preference.”
SHD still offers masks to those who want to wear one but may have forgotten theirs at home, along with multiple sanitation stations throughout the terminals.
Along with staying up to date with your vaccines, there are several travel safety guidelines that can be used as the busy summer travel season approaches.
“If you test positive for COVID-19 make sure that you don’t travel until a full 10 days have passed since your symptoms started or since the positive test date,” Jordi Shelton of Central Shenandoah Health District said.
Even if you are asymptomatic but have a positive test, experts ask that you wait to travel those 10 days as well.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/shenandoah-valley-regional-airport-still-seeing-most-passengers-wear-masks/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:39Z
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Study: Redlining tied to more oil, gas wells in urban areas
(AP) - Minority neighborhoods where residents were long denied home loans have twice as many oil and gas wells as mostly white neighborhoods, according to a new study that suggests ongoing health risks in vulnerable communities are at least partly tied to historical structural racism.
Black and Latino residents have complained that they are disproportionately exposed to health risks — including heart and lung problems and premature births — from urban oil and gas wells, some located just a few dozen feet from homes and schools. Some studies have found hazardous chemicals near oil and gas operations at levels above what is considered safe.
But researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University wanted to determine if there was a connection to redlining — when Black and immigrant neighborhoods in the 1930s were shaded red on maps developed by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation. Residents in those areas often found it difficult to find homes anywhere else.
“These are critical questions,” said David J. X. Gonzalez, an epidemiologist at UC-Berkeley and one of the study’s authors. “If we want to reduce health disparities, if we want environmental justice, these are the kinds of questions that we want to understand.”
Researchers compared the maps of 33 U.S. cities to records of oil and gas wells dating to the late 1800s. The maps graded neighborhoods A to D. Overall, redlined, or D-graded, neighborhoods not only had more wells before the maps were created, but many more wells were developed in those areas afterward, the researchers found.
The study was published last week in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
Gonzalez, who grew up in a community with oil wells and a refinery, said many policies led to race- and class-based segregation, not only redlining. The findings don’t prove that wells were intentionally located in neighborhoods because residents were Black or Latino, and there also are wells in wealthier areas.
Even so, the higher concentration in minority areas “doesn’t seem to have happened by accident,” said Gonzalez.
In Los Angeles, Black and Latino residents often were forced to live in neighborhoods with oil wells because of racially restrictive covenants, said Martha Dina Argüello, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Even more drilling got pushed into Black and Latino neighborhoods when housing developers wanted land in more affluent areas, she said.
The study “is one more piece of evidence that really bears out what the community has been saying: that having oil wells in our communities is treating us like a sacrifice zone,” she said.
Recently, some states and communities have started restricting new wells by limiting how close they can be to homes and schools.
Last fall, supervisors in Los Angeles County — home to some of the largest urban oilfields in the U.S. — voted unanimously to phase out oil and gas production and ban new wells in unincorporated areas following longstanding complaints from residents about health problems blamed on air pollution from the sites. The Los Angeles City Council voted in January to do the same, and Argüello said advocates are pushing for the state to take similar action in other urban areas.
Colorado last year required new wells to be located at least 2,000 feet from homes and schools. California has proposed a distance of 3,200 feet.
In Arlington, Texas, city officials in January refused to let a major energy company locate more gas wells near a daycare center playground. A statistical analysis by The Associated Press showed the density of Total Energies’ wells is higher in neighborhoods where people of color live, and wells are often just a few hundred feet from homes.
Longxiang Li, a postdoctoral research fellow in environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study, said it showed a moderately strong connection between redlining and well location, and strengthens evidence that disadvantaged communities have fewer legal resources to defend themselves against drilling expansion. But he cautioned that historic redlining maps are not perfect indicators of past structural racism.
That is because discriminatory practices by private lenders and the Federal Housing Administration did not rely on the HOLC maps, and the HOLC itself did lend to Black homeowners in redlined areas, according to a recent paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Li also noted that many newer wells that use a technique called hydraulic fracturing are often clustered in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas because land leasing is inexpensive. Fracking uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to released trapped oil and gas and is combined with horizontal drilling to reach formerly inaccessible reserves.
A report by Physicians for Social Responsibility and Concerned Health Professionals of New York, which reviewed dozens of scientific studies, found that the public health risks associated with these sites include cancers, respiratory diseases, rashes, heart problems and mental health disorders.
Even older plugged wells may pose risks because they can leak benzene and other volatile organic compounds, as well as methane, a potent greenhouse gas, Gonzalez said.
“I think we’ve known for a long time that people of color are more likely to live near oil wells,” Gonzalez said, “It’s important... so we can make sure that as we shift the economy away from fossil fuels, that we prioritize communities” that have borne the brunt of pollution.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/study-redlining-tied-more-oil-gas-wells-urban-areas/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:46Z
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Ukrainian helps locals with #Bake4Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (WHSV) - As the war in Ukraine continues, many Ukrainians are struggling with finding where their next meal will come from. But with one hashtag and a love for baking, one man is trying to help.
Andriy Vasylenko and a group of volunteers have been baking bread as well as preparing other kinds of meals such as soup to distribute to those in need. On his Facebook page, Vasylenko has been posting daily updates on their efforts with the hashtag #Bake4Ukraine.
“When we saw the reaction of people, we saw how important it was for the smell of fresh prep to people,” said Vasylenko during a phone interview from Ukraine. “And then we understood we were at the right place.”
Vasylenko adds that he’s had the feeling that he never felt more in the right place to help out and will continue posting updates.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/ukrainian-helps-locals-with-bake4ukraine/
| 2022-04-19T23:03:55Z
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VDOT to hold public hearing on widening I-81 South near Strasburg
STRASBURG, Va. (WHSV) - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a public hearing concerning improvements to a portion of Interstate 81 southbound near the Town of Strasburg and the Shenandoah/Warren County line.
The meeting will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Strasburg High School, 250 Ram Drive, Strasburg, VA 22657.
This will be an open forum public hearing. Citizens can come in during the meeting hours and discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to Ms. Pamela Bowman, Project Manager.
The hearing will be held at Virginia Department of Transportation, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA 24401-9029. Oral comments can be recorded at the meeting with the assistance of a court reporter.
This project, part of the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program, will widen a portion of I-81 southbound near the Town of Strasburg and the Shenandoah/Warren County line. The project will construct an additional southbound lane between mile markers 295.4 and 299.6.
The additional lane will be 12-feet wide with a 10 to 12-foot wide paved shoulder constructed on the median side of the highway.
This project will connect to a SMART Scale project on I-81 southbound, which extends the acceleration lane at exit 300, taking traffic from I-66 westbound to I-81 southbound. The exit 300 project, scheduled for construction between late summer 2022 and summer 2024, ends just south of (Route 840) Water Plant Road.
The I-81 southbound Strasburg project is anticipated to begin when the exit 300 construction concludes.
As part of the I-81 southbound Strasburg project, the bridge over the CSX rail line will be widened and the existing substructure will remain. The entire bridge will receive a new deck and superstructure. The new superstructure includes beams, a bridge deck, handrails, curbs and a floor system.
The I-81 southbound bridge over Cedar Creek will be entirely replaced.
Overpass bridges at I-81 exit 296, Route 55 (John Marshall Highway), and at I-81 exit 298, Route 11 (Old Valley Pike), are within the project limits, in good condition, and not currently in need of replacement.
Under these bridges, the I-81 left-side paved shoulder width will be three feet at the exit 296 overpass and two feet at the exit 298 overpass. A pier protection system in front of the bridge piers will be installed at each of these locations.
The project may include approximately one mile of sound barriers along the I-81 northbound lanes. A final determination for sound barrier construction will be made once the design is further along. The final sound barrier location and length is yet to be determined.
Several battlefields, historical easements, and a cemetery are adjacent to the project. Work is anticipated to be within the existing variable-width right-of-way to avoid impacts to these protected resources.
In 2019, I-81 southbound had an average daily traffic count of 29,000 vehicles per day. By the design year of 2047, the estimated average daily traffic volume is 42,000 vehicles per day.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/vdot-hold-public-hearing-widening-i-81-south-near-strasburg/
| 2022-04-19T23:04:01Z
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Warden at Epstein jail quietly retires amid federal probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — The warden who ran the federal jail where disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself was allowed to quietly retire from the Bureau of Prisons in February. His retirement came in the midst of an investigation examining how one of the government’s highest profile inmates could take his own life in custody.
Lamine N’Diaye retired from the Bureau of Prisons on Feb. 26, agency spokesperson Kristie Breshears told The Associated Press on Tuesday. He was most recently the warden at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in Burlington County, New Jersey.
He had been put in that position despite the ongoing federal probe and in direct contradiction of a public pronouncement from the Bureau of Prisons that it would delay N’Diaye’s transfer to run any prison until the inquiry by the Justice Department’s inspector general was finished.
FCI Fort Dix, located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is the largest single federal prison by population, with just under 3,000 inmates. An adjacent prison camp has 231 minimum-security inmates.
Under N’Diaye’s watch as warden, an inmate at Fort Dix was stabbed in the eyeball by a fellow prisoner, exemplifying the gruesome chronic violence that plagues the Bureau of Prisons and quickly added to calls from congressional lawmakers for the Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal to resign from his position. Carvajal announced in January he was resigning but has remained in place while the Justice Department searches for a replacement.
A handful of inmates — some of whom were believed to be friends and associates of the suspected attacker — have been held in segregated housing units for more than four months and some were threatened with transfers if they didn’t cooperate with the investigation into the stabbing, two people familiar with the matter told The AP. The people could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
N’Diaye was previously the warden at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the now-closed federal lockup in Manhattan. He was removed from that position after Epstein killed himself at the jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Prosecutors say the guards who were supposed to be monitoring Epstein were instead sleeping and browsing the internet. The Bureau of Prisons closed the jail in October for much-needed repairs after years of decay, though it may never reopen.
The Bureau of Prisons named N’Diaye as warden at Fort Dix in February 2021 despite an ongoing federal investigation into lapses that led to Epstein’s death and in contradiction of its pronouncement that the agency would delay any move until the inquiry was finished.
The bureau attempted to place N’Diaye in the Fort Dix job a year earlier, but the move was stopped by then-Attorney General William Barr after the AP reported the transfer.
The Justice Department’s inspector general has yet to complete the investigation. A spokesperson for Inspector General Michael Horowitz said Tuesday that the probe was still ongoing.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/warden-epstein-jail-quietly-retires-amid-federal-probe/
| 2022-04-19T23:04:07Z
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Warmer air makes a return
Cold and windy Tuesday with snow squalls
TUESDAY: Clearing for the evening but winds continue. Chilly for the evening with temperatures in the 40s. Still breezy for most of the evening with winds letting up overnight. As winds let up overnight and skies clear, this will allow for a widespread freeze overnight with frost. Overnight lows in the mid to upper 20s. Some low spots and at the base of any terrain, low valleys likely into the low 20s.
WEDNESDAY: Plenty of sunshine to start the day and chilly with temperatures rising into the 30s. Staying sunny and pleasant, warmer with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. More clouds arriving for the night and chilly with overnight lows in the upper 30s to low 40s.
THURSDAY: Plenty of clouds in the morning and cool with temperatures rising into the 50s. Mostly cloudy throughout the day and warming up with highs in the mid to upper 60s. Warm but breezy for the day. Pleasant for the evening, staying cloudy with temperatures in the 60s.
Mostly cloudy for the night with lows in the mid to upper 40s.
FRIDAY: Some clouds for the morning and mild with temperatures quickly rising into the 60s. More sun for the rest of the day and warm with highs in the low to mid 70s. A beautiful spring day. A fair amount of clouds for the night and pleasant with overnight lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.
SATURDAY: A mix of sun and clouds to start the day and turning mild with temperatures rising into the 60s. Plenty of sunshine in the afternoon and very warm with highs in the mid to upper 70s. A few clouds overnight and pleasant with lows in the low to mid 50s.
SUNDAY: Another pleasant start with temperatures rising into the 60s with sunshine. Very warm once again with highs low to mid 80s and plenty of sun for the day. A warm evening with temperatures in the 70s and pleasant overnight with lows in the low to mid 50s.
MONDAY: A few clouds to start and temperatures quickly rising into the 60s. Another very warm day with highs in the low to mid 80s and plenty of sunshine. Warm in the evening with temperatures in the 70s and comfortable overnight with lows in the low to mid 50s.
As always, you can get the latest updates by downloading and checking the WHSV Weather App.
**A reminder that spring wildfire season is underway for both Virginia and West Virginia. No outdoor burning before 4pm in Virginia until April 30th. No outdoor burning in West Virginia before 5pm through May 31.**
Copyright 2021 WHSV. All rights reserved.
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https://www.whsv.com/2022/04/19/warmer-air-makes-return/
| 2022-04-19T23:04:15Z
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NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 21Shares AG ("21Shares"), a Swiss-based issuer of crypto Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), and the leading ETF provider, ETF Securities have launched two funds that offer simple, cost-effective and direct access to cryptocurrency investments. ETFS 21Shares Bitcoin ETF is the first Australian ETF to invest directly in bitcoin, and ETFS 21Shares Ethereum ETF is the first to invest directly in ether. Both funds will go live on April 27.
ETF Securities has partnered with 21Shares, the world's largest issuer of crypto ETPs. 21Shares has over $2.5billion in Assets under Management (AUM) and has a current valuation of more than USD 700 million. In total, 21Shares offers over 130 listings with more than 30 products, including the world's only ETP tracking Binance, four crypto index baskets, and two ETP with investor staking rewards (Tezos and Solana). Its products are listed on ten regulated European and Swiss trading exchanges.
Both funds will list on CBOE Exchange (formerly Chi-X). ETFS 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (Code: EBTC) will track the price of bitcoin in Australian dollars. It is fully backed by bitcoin held in cold storage by Coinbase. ETFS 21Shares Ethereum ETF (Code: EETH) will track the Australian dollar price of ether, which is the cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain. It is fully backed by ether held in cold storage by Coinbase.
Graham Tuckwell, Executive Chairman of ETF Securities Australia says EBTC and EETH give investors a way of trading cryptocurrency in a tightly regulated environment, without the need to establish and maintain their own bitcoin or Ethereum wallets, or manage the risks. "Once we decided to build a range of crypto ETFs for the Australian market, there was only one partner we wanted to work with, and that's 21Shares. Its pioneering approach to secure investment in cryptocurrency has been emulated by other fund managers around the world," Tuckwell says.
Four years ago, Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder founded 21Shares to make crypto safe and accessible for all investors, including their mothers. Since then, the company has been on a tremendous journey to stay at the forefront of the market by providing investors with the most innovative crypto Exchange Traded Products (ETP), the broadest token solutions, and more forward-thinking solutions. Today, the company continues to drive rapid, targeted growth through first-of-their-kind products, key markets expansion, and strategic talent additions – all powered by free institutional-grade research to educate investors about the evolving industry.
Hany Rashwan, CEO and co-founder of 21Shares, said: "We're so incredibly excited to be able to offer the first direct exposure Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF in Australia. Australian investors clearly want and deserve an affordable, easy, and professional way to access the growing crypto asset class and we're delighted to continue building accessible bridges into the crypto world. We're starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum but have even more exciting plans for Australian investors".
ETF Securities Head of Distribution Kanish Chugh says bitcoin has been the best performing asset over the past 10 years and ether has been one of the top performing assets over the past five years. "They may be used as an alpha tilts or side bets in a portfolio. They can also be bought as portfolio diversifiers, as they are completely different asset and uncorrelated to shares, bonds and commodities."
Chugh says that for investors looking for exposure to cryptocurrencies, investment via EBTC and EETH overcomes the pitfalls of the cryptocurrency market, including low exchange quality, weak custody arrangements, vulnerability to hacking and the loss of private keys and passwords.
The net asset value of EBTC and EETH units is calculated by multiplying the coin entitlement of every unit by the price of underlying cryptocurrency as measured by CryptoCompare at 3pm Central European Time, converted into Australian dollars.
Press Contacts:
Arielle Sobel
press@21shares.com
Simrita Virk
Shed Connect
simrita.virk@shedconnect.com
About 21Shares:
21Shares takes innovation to the next level with the largest suite of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) in the world. In 2018 it pioneered the world's first cryptocurrency index listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange, and it continues powering its cryptocurrency franchise with cutting-edge research and groundbreaking approaches to product strategy. 21Shares aims to provide all investors with an easy, secure, and regulated way to buy, sell, and short cryptocurrency through existing bank and brokerage accounts. 21Shares is a Swiss company registered in Zug, Switzerland with offices in Zurich and New York City. For more information, please visit www.21shares.com.
Disclaimer:
This document is communicated by Shed Connect on behalf of ETFS Management (AUS) Limited (ETFS)(AFSL: 466 778). Under no circumstances is this document to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, investments or other financial instruments and any investments should only be made on the basis of the relevant product disclosure statement which should be considered by any potential investor including any risks identified therein.
This document does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances. You should seek independent financial, legal, tax and other relevant advice having regard to your particular circumstances. Although we use reasonable efforts to obtain reliable, comprehensive information, we make no representation and give no warranty that it is accurate or complete.
Investments in any product issued by ETFS are subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested. Neither ETFS, ETFS Capital Limited nor any other member of the ETFS Capital Group guarantees the performance of any products issued by ETFS or the repayment of capital or any particular rate of return therefrom.
The value or return of an investment will fluctuate and investor may lose some or all of their investment. Past performance is not an indication of future performance.
This document has been prepared by ETFS from sources which ETFS believes to be correct. However, none of ETFS, ETFS Capital Limited, 21Shares nor any other member of the ETFS Capital Group, nor any third party supplier of any data or index (including CC Data Ltd), nor any of their respective directors, employees or agents make any representation or warranty as to, or assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, or any errors or omissions in, any information or statement of opinion contained in this document or in any accompanying, previous or subsequent material or presentation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, ETFS, CC Data Ltd and each of those persons disclaim all any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may be suffered by any person relying upon any information contained in, or any omissions from, this document.
CryptoCompare's Crypto Coin Comparison Aggregated Index ("CCCAGG") is used with the permission of CC Data Ltd and has been licensed for use by ETFS Management (AUS) Limited ("ETFS") in connection with the EBTC (the "Product"). Neither ETFS nor the Product, as applicable, is sponsored, endorsed, sold or Promoted CC Data Ltd. CC Data Ltd make no representations or warranties regarding the advisability of investing in the Product. Past performance of a Product is not an indicator of or a guarantee of future results. YOUR USE OF CCCAGG, AND ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED IN, RELATED TO, OR DERIVED THEREFROM, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CC DATA LTD MAKES THE CCCAGG AVAILABLE ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND EXCLUDES ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS AND/OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE.
Disclaimer:
This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act and not a prospectus. This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful. This document does not constitute an offer of securities to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase in or into the United States, Canada, Australia, or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The Securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. In any EEA Member State (other than the France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Lichtenstein) that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, together with any applicable implementing measures in any Member State, the "Prospectus Regulation") this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. Exclusively for potential investors in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Liechtenstein the 2021 Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer's website under www.21Shares.com. The approval of the 2021 Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the 2021 Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities.
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| 2022-04-19T23:04:21Z
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CHICAGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Endodontists (AAE), the specialty dental association that represents more than seven thousand root canal dentists, is proud to recognize the winners of its prestigious awards during AAE22, the group's annual meeting to be held in Phoenix.
"The endodontic specialty consists of thousands of amazing, specialized dentists dedicated to saving patients' natural teeth and relieving their tooth pain," AAE President Dr. Alan S. Law said. "I'm thrilled to help present these awards recognizing particular members for their outstanding achievements in the areas of professional development, academics, research and service."
John S. Olmsted, D.D.S, M.S., F.A.G.D., F.I.C.D., F.A.C.D., F.P.F.A., will receive the Edgar D. Coolidge Award. This award is AAE's highest honor, and it's meant to recognize him as a part of an elite group of role models for the entire endodontic community. Dr. Olmsted has been active in practice, teaching, lecturing, and professional dental organizations for the past 46 years. He is emeritus in a group endodontic practice in Greensboro, North Carolina. He received his DDS from the University of Iowa in 1975 and was awarded OKU. He earned his MS from the University of North Carolina in 1977, and he has presented over 600 days of lectures, seminars, workshops, with travel in 63 countries and all 50 states, including presentations at multiple international dental schools. He served in a variety of leadership roles within the dental community, including President of the AAE from 2006-2007.
Al Reader, D.D.S., M.S., will receive the I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award for his contributions to the educational fields of endodontics and inspiration he instills in his students. Dr. Reader received his DDS from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and completed his endodontic training at OSU earning his certificate in endodontics and an MS. He is currently professor emeritus, past director of the Advanced Endodontic Program, and holds an Endowed Professorship in the Division of Endodontics. He has advised or was a committee member for 168 Master Theses and has authored more than 170 scientific articles, 13 chapters in the leading endodontic texts, and a book. He also taught graduate endodontic residents for over 42 years.
Kent A. Sabey, D.D.S., will receive the Edward M. Osetek Award for being an outstanding educator that earned the esteem and respect of students and faculty. Dr. Sabey is an Associate Professor and served nine years as the Director of Advanced Education in Endodontics at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. There, he impacted residents from both the LSU and Keesler Air Force Base programs. Students at all levels benefitted from his dynamic teaching style, frequently citing his energy and effectiveness as an educator. He also currently serves as a Director of the American Board of Endodontics.
Mohamed I. Fayad, D.D.S., M.S., P.H.D., will receive the Calvin D. Torneck Part-time Educator Award. He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Fayad received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the College of Dentistry, Cairo University in 1985. He received his Masters in Oral Sciences in 1994 and his PhD in 1996 from the University of Buffalo at New York. He had two years of Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Eastman Dental Center, University of Rochester at New York, and received his certificate of Specialty in Endodontics at the University of Illinois. He has served in a variety of roles within the dental community, is a Diplomate of the ABE and authored numerous studies, abstracts and articles.
Scott Fehrs will receive the Honorary Membership Award for his significant contributions which have furthered the advancement of endodontics. Mr. Fehrs is a third-generation business owner of Treloar & Heisel, a family-owned enterprise focused on the financial services needs of dental specialists and general dentists. Since its inception in 1958, the firm has assisted thousands of dental professionals at critical financial junctures as they move from training through practice to retirement. Mr. Fehrs has led as the CEO of the company since 2005. The firm represents more than 18,000 dental specialists and is recognized nationally as a leader in its field.
About the American Association of Endodontists:
The AAE is headquartered in Chicago and represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of 12 dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association's website at aae.org. For more patient focused information, visit aae.org/patients.
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| 2022-04-19T23:04:29Z
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LAS VEGAS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AXES.ai ("AXES" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has formed a strategic alliance with Cyprus-based Fintech Blueberry Payment Solutions to offer the AXES European client base an integrated Open Loop cashless eWallet. The Blueberry Payment Solutions eVoucher, eWallet, Card, and IBAN Cloud Account is already integrated with the AXES Butler Closed Loop eWallet, Loyalty, Rewards and Engagement APP, for Merchants and Clients.
"AXES has the most advanced, secure and complete closed loop cashless platform in the global land-based gaming industry," stated Rhyan Bridle, Founder & CTO of Blueberry Payment Solutions. "The Blueberry Payment Solutions platform, technology, licenses, IP and certifications will empower AXES European Clients to instantly transfer funds to their AXES closed loop wallet and to AXES Casino Float Accounts. This powerful partnership will rapidly evolve the fintech performance and possibilities of the land-based gaming industry, and we are very excited to offer the power of the Blueberry Payment Solutions to the AXES client base."
"Blueberry Payment Solutions is a perfect fit for AXES," stated Earle G. Hall, President & CEO of AXES.ai. "Blueberry Payment Solutions truly understands that a casino eWallet is a personal player to casino relationship based on loyalty, engagement and rewards. We are grateful to Blueberry Payment Solutions for having customized their product offering to align with our strategy to support our European AXES clientele to ensure they have the most powerful engagement strategy in the global land-based casino gaming market. We look forward to evolving our product base with Blueberry Payment Solutions as we integrate multiple forms of payment, funding and financial instruments"
ABOUT Blueberry Payment Solutions
Blueberry Payment Solutions is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorized for the distribution of e-Money. Offering an alternative banking platform, Blueberry Payment Solutions, allows the community a safe place to send, receive, hold and invest, with absolute confidence and reliability. The all-encompassing platform empowers merchants, corporations, and end-user clients to perform their day-to-day payments and banking operations. Blueberry Payment Solutions draws on the adroitness of cloud technology to guarantee the highest security and availability of its solution. Currently, in 11 countries, Blueberry Payment Solutions has an offering for both land-based and online merchant services, ensuring the power of personalized banking is not compromised.
For more information, contact https://blueberrycard.eu/
ABOUT AXES.ai
AXES is the Global Gaming Industry's land-based cashless pioneer and FinTech disruptor. AXES empowers governments, casinos and route/street with highly secure, real-time data collection to fuel alerts, events, analytics, cashless and infinite other apps in the AXES APP Store. AXES harnesses the power of blockchain cloud technology to ensure the highest security, speed and availability of any platform in the Global Gaming Industry. With offices in seven countries and clients in more than 40 countries, AXES is the only 100% independent system provider in the land-based gaming industry, providing quantitative actionable intelligence and applications. AXES is the future of casino information management TODAY.
For more information, contact info@AXES.ai
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/axes-chooses-blueberry-payment-solutions-open-loop-cashless-provider-european-union/
| 2022-04-19T23:04:36Z
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Consumers should visit babyganicsbubblebathrecall.com to check product status
RACINE, Wis., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Babyganics is voluntarily recalling two lots of 20-ounce bottles of babyganics® 20oz chamomile verbena bubble bath, due to the presence of the bacterium Pluralibacter gergoviae.
During internal testing related to product shelf life across the Babyganics bubble bath line, it was discovered that two specific lot numbers of this product contained the bacterium. While infants may be more susceptible than adults, Pluralibacter gergoviae does not usually cause healthy individuals to become sick. However, it may pose a risk of infection to those who are immunocompromised or have broken or irritated skin, such as diaper rash.
The only products affected are babyganics® 20oz chamomile verbena bubble bath UPC 8 13277 01375 4 with lot codes Y314 and Y315 found at the bottom of the packaging and contained in a white plastic bottle with a green plastic lid. The products were sold in the last two months only at select retailers in the U.S. Our testing confirmed that no other Babyganics products contained this bacterium.
Babyganics takes pride in its commitment to vigorous consumer safety standards and providing peace of mind for parents, which is why the decision was made to voluntarily recover these bottles from retailers and to proactively reach out to consumers. Consumers with the affected product will be provided a full refund after submitting their product and contact information at babyganicsbubblebathrecall.com. This website will also provide instructions to consumers for how to dispose of the product.
Consumers who have come into contact with the affected product and aren't feeling well should contact their doctor. The Babyganics health and safety team is also available 24/7 at 833-359-6304. Additionally, any adverse events with the use of this product should be reported via the FDA's MedWatch Program by one of the following methods:
By phone at 888.463.6332
By mail:
MedWatch
The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program
US Food and Drug Administration
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville MD 20857-0001
On the MedWatch Web site at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/babyganics-issues-voluntary-recall-select-lots-babyganics-20oz-chamomile-verbena-bubble-bath-bottles-due-possible-bacterium-contamination/
| 2022-04-19T23:04:42Z
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- Net income of $10.2 million and earnings per common share of $1.34 for the three months ended March 31, 2022
- Annualized return on average assets of 1.27% for the three months ended March 31, 2022
- Annualized return on average common equity of 12.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2022
- Quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share declared, matching prior quarter and an increase of 4.8% from prior-year first quarter
MANITOWOC, Wis., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank First Corporation (NASDAQ: BFC) ("Bank First" or the "Bank"), the holding company for Bank First, N.A., reported net income of $10.2 million, or $1.34 per share, for the first quarter of 2022, compared with net income of $11.5 million, or $1.49 per share, for the prior-year first quarter.
Net interest income during the first quarter of 2022 was $22.3 million, down $0.9 million from the previous quarter but up $0.2 million from the first quarter of 2021. Interest income on loans originated through the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") totaled $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared to $1.3 million during the previous quarter and $2.4 million during the first quarter of 2021.
During the first quarter of 2022 the Bank engaged in a strategy to enhance net interest income, utilizing $300.0 million in short-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and investing these funds in short-term, liquid, interest-earning assets. This strategy increased net interest income during the quarter by $0.1 million.
Interest income related to purchase accounting entries, resulting from our acquisitions of other institutions over the last several years, increased net interest income during the first quarter of 2022 by $0.3 million, or $0.03 per share after tax, compared to $0.7 million and $0.5 million, or $0.07 and $0.05 per share after tax, for the fourth and first quarters of 2021, respectively.
Excluding income from PPP loans and the impact of purchase accounting entries, net interest income increased $2.1 million in the first quarter year-over-year. Excluding income from PPP loans, the impact of purchase accounting entries, and the impact of two fewer earning days in the current quarter, net interest income increased $0.6 million quarter-over-quarter.
Net interest margin was 3.06% for the first quarter of 2022, compared to 3.47% for the previous quarter and 3.57% for the first quarter of 2021. The aforementioned short-term net interest income enhancement strategy decreased net interest margin by 0.29% during the quarter. Purchase loan accounting entries added 0.04%, 0.11% and 0.09% to net interest margin for each of these periods, respectively.
Bank First recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.2 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared to $0.6 million and $0.9 million during the fourth and first quarters of 2021, respectively. Significant first quarter loan growth, as discussed later in this release, led to the need for a higher provision for loan losses. Through the first three months of 2022, recoveries of previously charged-off loans exceeded current charge-offs by $0.2 million. This compared favorably to negligible net charge-offs during the first three months of 2021.
Noninterest income was $5.2 million during the first quarter of 2022, compared to $5.5 million and $6.3 million during the fourth and first quarters of 2021, respectively. Income from our investment in Ansay & Associates LLC increased $0.4 million from the prior quarter, and $0.1 million from the prior-year first quarter. A slowdown in residential mortgage lending, experienced across the banking industry, led to a decline in gains on sales of mortgage loans to the secondary market of $0.5 million from the prior quarter, and $2.1 million from the prior-year first quarter. Finally, gains on sales of other real estate owned during the quarter totaled $0.2 million, comparing favorably to losses of $0.2 million in the prior quarter and gains of $0.1 million in the prior-year first quarter. The Bank ended the first quarter of 2022 with no other real estate property owned.
Noninterest expense was $12.7 million in the first quarter of 2022, compared to $13.4 million and $12.4 million during the fourth and first quarters of 2021, respectively. Personnel expense totaled $7.2 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared to $7.3 million and $7.1 million for the fourth and first quarters of 2021, respectively. Outside service fees totaled $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2022, compared to $0.8 million for the fourth and first quarters of 2021. Outside service fees included $0.5 million in expenses related to the pending acquisition of Denmark Bancshares, Inc. Finally, other noninterest expense during the first quarter of 2022 declined by $1.1 million from the prior quarter. During the fourth quarter of 2021, Bank First incurred a one-time expense when it purchased a domain name from another institution for $0.8 million as part of a rebranding initiative. No similar expense was incurred during the current quarter, leading to the positive variance quarter-over-quarter.
Total assets were $2.92 billion at March 31, 2022, a $12.6 million decrease from December 31, 2021, but up $78.7 million from March 31, 2021. Total loans were $2.32 billion at March 31, 2022, up $81.2 million from December 31, 2021, and up $87.8 million from March 31, 2021. Excluding PPP originations and repayments or forgiveness, loans grew by 12.7% over the trailing twelve months. Annualized loan growth during the first quarter of 2022 net of these same items amounted to 17.6%. Total deposits, nearly all of which remain core deposits, were $2.56 billion at March 31, 2022, up $28.7 million from December 31, 2021, and up $109.1 million from March 31, 2021. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits comprised 31.4% of the Bank's total core deposits at March 31, 2022.
Nonperforming assets at March 31, 2022, totaled $5.4 million, down from $8.2 million and $14.7 million at the end of the fourth and first quarters of 2021, respectively. Nonperforming assets to total assets ended the first quarter of 2022 at 0.19%, down from 0.28% at the end of the prior quarter and down from 0.52% from the end of the prior-year first quarter.
Stockholders' equity totaled $318.3 million at March 31, 2022, a decrease of $4.4 million from the previous quarter but an increase of $14.9 million from March 31, 2021. Interest rate movements during the current quarter significantly impacted the value of investments in the Bank's available-for-sale investment portfolio, creating a loss in other comprehensive income which reduced stockholders equity by $8.2 million. Dividends totaling $1.7 million and share repurchases totaling $5.0 million further reduced capital. Strong earnings served to partially offset these items, increasing capital by $10.2 million.
Bank First's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per common share, payable on July 6, 2022, to shareholders of record as of June 22, 2022.
For further information, contact:
Kevin M LeMahieu, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (920) 652-3200 / klemahieu@bankfirst.com
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SOURCE Bank First Corporation
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| 2022-04-19T23:04:49Z
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Developed by Riot Games, League of Legends is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game that consistently ranks as one of the most popular eSports games globally
VANCOUVER, BC, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - BBTV Holdings Inc. (TSX: BBTV) (OTCQX: BBTVF) (Frankfurt: 64V) ("BBTV" or the "Company"), the leading creator monetization company with a mission to help creators become more successful, today announced it has signed an agreement to provide Content Management solutions to League of Legends Champions Korea, the primary competition for League of Legends eSports in South Korea.
- As part of the Company's world class Content Management Solutions, BBTV will provide Rights Management to League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK).
- Developed by Riot Games and published in 2009, League of Legends is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game (MOBA) that consistently ranks as one of the most popular eSports games globally, with annual revenue that exceeded $1.75 billion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2020.1
- eSports, which describes the world of highly competitive and organized video gaming, saw an increase in revenue to the amount of $1.1 billion in 2021, a year-over-year growth rate of 14.5%, up from $947 million in 2020.2
- Content Management is a key and growing component of BBTV's Plus Solutions and continues to represent one of the Company's key growth areas and highest gross margins.
"Fan communities rally around great content, sharing and engaging with their favorite moments across a wide range of platforms. This creates a big opportunity for brands and media companies to not only capture and learn from fan engagement, but also drive new revenue in the process," commented Lewis Ball, Chief Strategy Officer, BBTV. "Fan uploaded content is arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, as it presents a much more complete outlook on what content is performing across all corners of the digital landscape. We're proud and excited to work alongside Riot Games Korea to provide our solutions for one of the premier esports titles on the planet, League of Legends."
Developed by Riot Games and published in 2009, League of Legends is a free-to-play MOBA that consistently ranks as one of the most popular eSports games globally with an annual revenue that exceeded $1.75 billion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2020.2 The LCK is considered one of the highest profiled leagues in the world for the popular esports game, is contested by ten teams and serves as a direct route to qualification for the annual League of Legends World Championship where teams compete for the champion title, the 70-pound Summoner's Cup, and a multi-million-dollar championship prize. In 2021, the League of Legends World Championships peaked at almost 74 million concurrent viewers.3
"LCK is global content that many fans around the world enjoy, and we are excited to establish a meaningful partnership with BBTV," says Aiden Lee, Secretary-General, LCK. "Through this partnership with BBTV, we hope to create a more dynamic LCK community."
Footnotes
1 Statista; League of Legends (LoL) revenue worldwide from 2015 to 2020
2 Newzoo; Global Esports & Live Streaming Market Report 2021
3 Statista; Number of unique viewers of League of Legends eSports championship finals from 2013 to 2020
BBTV is a global media and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Company's mission is to help content creators become more successful. With creators ranging from individuals to global media brands, BBTV provides comprehensive, end-to-end Solutions to increase viewership and drive revenue powered by its innovative technology, while allowing creators to focus on their core competency – content creation. In December 2021, BBTV had the fourth most unique monthly viewers among digital platforms with more than 600 million globally, who consumed more than 35 billion minutes of video content [1]. (www.bbtv.com)
[1] Calculations and classifications made by BBTV based on data from Comscore's "Top 12 Countries = December 2021 comScore Video Metrix Media Trend – Multi-Platform – Top 100 Video Properties Report"; Top 12 countries represent ~50% of world's digital population.
Since 2012, the LCK has established itself as one of the top League of Legends (LoL) professional esports regions across the world. A single season is divided into Spring (January-April) and Summer (June-September) splits, with a total of 10 teams competing for the title (total prize money of USD 370K). The LCK has recorded unprecedented achievements, winning a total of six LoL World Championships. About 4 million people tune in every day, and more than half of them are overseas viewers, labeling the LCK as premium global content. For more information, follow LCK on our Instagram (@lckofficial), Facebook, and Twitter (@LCK_Global).
Riot Games was founded in 2006 to develop, publish, and support the most player-focused games in the world. In 2009, Riot released its debut title, League of Legends, to worldwide acclaim. League has gone on to be the most-played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. As League enters its second decade, Riot continues to evolve the game while delivering new experiences to players with Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, VALORANT, League of Legends: Wild Rift, and multiple work-in-progress titles. Riot is also expanding the world of Runeterra through multimedia projects across music, comic books, board games, and the animated series Arcane. Founded by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, and led by CEO Nicolo Laurent, Riot is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and has 3,000+ Rioters in 20+ offices worldwide.
For further information please contact:
Media Relations: pr@bbtv.com
Investor Relations: ir@bbtv.com
BBTV-C
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SOURCE BBTV Holdings Inc.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/bbtv-signs-agreement-provide-content-management-solutions-league-legends-champions-korea/
| 2022-04-19T23:04:56Z
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EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Beachbody Company, Inc. (NYSE: BODY) ("Beachbody" or the "Company"), a leading subscription health and wellness company, today announced that Sue Collyns, President and Chief Financial Officer, will leave the Company and transition to a new chapter of opportunities in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Marc Suidan, a former Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer, effective May 10, 2022, following the company's first quarter earnings call. To ensure a smooth transition, Suidan has joined the Company effective immediately as a senior advisor, and Collyns will remain with the Company through May 31, 2022. Ms. Collyns will then provide advisory services under a consulting agreement through May 31, 2023.
Collyns' departure is not related to any disagreement with the company's accounting principles, practices, or financial statement disclosures. The Company will announce its first quarter financial results on May 9, 2022 and anticipates reporting revenue and Adjusted EBITDA to be slightly ahead of its previous guidance.
"I'd like to thank Sue for the substantial contributions she has made in her over seven years at Beachbody. Her strong leadership has been integral to our success, playing a key role in many important milestones in our Company's history, including the transformation to a subscription-based, digital-first model, eight successful capital raise and M&A transactions and our transition to a newly public company," said Carl Daikeler, Beachbody's Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO. "Sue elevated our finance organization and strengthened the team, and I am extremely grateful for Sue's partnership and leadership. Her career with Beachbody will be reflected in every aspect of our ongoing success."
Collyns said, "It has been a privilege to work alongside Carl and our leadership team, the many talented individuals at Beachbody and to be part of its successful transition into a digital subscription model. I am so proud of what we have accomplished and the strong foundation we've created together. With Beachbody now established as a public company, the time is right to transition to the next chapter in my personal and professional life and I want to thank Carl and the Board of Directors for their support. I'm excited about the Company's future and wish the team continued success."
Suidan joins Beachbody with extensive financial consulting and transformation experience in the global technology sector. He has helped companies enhance shareholder value by spearheading digital and financial transformation initiatives. Suidan has served as a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2011 and was most recently the Global Tech, Media and Telecom Leader. Previously, he served as Co-Founder and CFO of several startups. His early career also included controller and senior auditor roles. Suidan holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a Bachelor of Management from McGill University, and is an active CPA in Canada.
"We are excited to welcome Marc to Beachbody," Daikeler said. "Marc brings an entrepreneurial spirit for building businesses and a passion for how technology can transform every aspect of our lives, alongside deep experience aligning finance functions with high growth technology to drive business transformation across many companies. This experience, combined with his proven, trusted advisor and strategic leadership qualities, make him a great addition to our leadership team."
In addition, the Company announced today that Kathy Vrabeck, Chief Strategy Officer of the Company, has taken over the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective as of April 15.
Headquartered in Southern California, Beachbody is a leading digital fitness and nutrition subscription company with over two decades of creating innovative content and powerful brands. The Beachbody Company is the parent company of the Beachbody On Demand streaming platform (BOD) including its the live digital streaming subscription BODi, and the Beachbody Bike powered by MYXfitness, the Company's connected indoor bike. For more information, please visit TheBeachbodyCompany.com.
Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements other than historical fact or in the future tense. These statements include but are not limited to, statements regarding our future performance and our market opportunity, including anticipated appointment and election of our officers and directors, guidance regarding our anticipated future financial results, our business strategy, our plans, and our objectives and future operations.
Forward-looking statements are based upon various estimates and assumptions, as well as information known to us as of the date hereof, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially due to a variety of factors, including: our ability to effectively compete in the fitness and nutrition industries; our ability to successfully acquire and integrate new operations; our reliance on a few key products; market conditions and global and economic factors beyond our control; intense competition and competitive pressures from other companies worldwide in the industries in which we operate; and litigation and the ability to adequately protect our intellectual property rights. You can identify these statements by the use of terminology such as "believe", "plans", "expect", "will", "should," "could", "estimate", "anticipate" or similar forward-looking terms. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements as they involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements. For more information regarding the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to our business in general, we refer you to the "Risk Factors" section of our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including those risks and uncertainties included in the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the Investor Relations page of the Beachbody website at https://investors.thebeachbodycompany.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
All forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release or to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/beachbody-company-announces-leadership-transitions/
| 2022-04-19T23:05:02Z
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TEMPE, Ariz., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) will announce its first quarter 2022 results on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results later that day at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The live webcast of the call and accompanying reference materials will be accessible on the Company's website at www.bench.com. Following the live call, a replay will be available under the investor events section of the Company's website.
About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
Benchmark provides comprehensive solutions across the entire product life cycle; leading through its innovative technology and engineering design services; leveraging its optimized global supply chain; and delivering world-class manufacturing services in the following industries: commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next generation telecommunications, complex industrials, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. Benchmark's global operations include facilities in seven countries and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.
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| 2022-04-19T23:05:10Z
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CLEVELAND, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is pleased to announce the financial closing of the new corporate headquarters for CBIZ, Inc. (CBIZ). BGL's Real Estate Advisors team served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Welty Development Company in the transaction, with ERIEBANK and PACE Equity financing the approximately 137,000 square-foot building.
"Welty Development is excited to bring this Independence office building to market in early 2023, already having a terrific anchor in CBIZ, Inc. We believe the remaining leasable space will fill up quickly, as companies are looking for best-in-class office space as people return to the office," remarked Tom Charek, President of Welty Development.
Located at the I-77/Rockside Road interchange, the development will be the first Class A office building constructed in Independence, Ohio, in more than 20 years. CBIZ plans to grow its headquarters operations, including adding new jobs and utilizing advanced technology, in the new office space.
"CBIZ has called Independence home for over 25 years and with this project, we are excited to make an investment here for our future. Financing is a key step in this process, and we appreciate the Brown Gibbons Lang & Company team's efforts to orchestrate the needed funding for the Welty Development project. Our new space is designed with the future in mind, including the latest in technology and features that will engage and support our team. We look forward to moving into our new space in early 2023," stated Ware Grove, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CBIZ.
The development financing consisted of: (i) senior construction debt with ERIEBANK, (ii) Property Assessed Clean Energy financing with PACE Equity, and (iii) sponsor equity.
"ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, is pleased to participate in the financing for Welty Development to build the new headquarters for CBIZ, Inc. right here in Independence, just minutes away from our ERIEBANK Regional Headquarters in Seven Hills. It gives us great pride to know that ERIEBANK has a role in the economic development in the city of Independence and surrounding cities. We hope this new Class A office building spurs additional real estate development around the I-77/ Rockside Road interchange, and ERIEBANK is here to provide support," commented Wesley Gillespie, ERIEBANK Regional President, Northeast Ohio.
BGL's Real Estate Advisors Group offers comprehensive real estate investment banking services tailored to the middle market. It provides client-focused solutions with an emphasis on real estate advisory, debt, preferred and private equity placement, financial restructuring, recapitalizations, sale-leasebacks, structured finance, and asset acquisitions and dispositions across all asset classes. The team assists real estate owners and developers looking to form alliances and joint ventures with single-source capital providers to gain local and institutional access for all capital needs.
About Welty Development
Welty Development is a full-service developer focused on multi-family, corporate and healthcare opportunities. Welty differentiates itself through the strength provided by their unique, horizontally integrated organizational structure and delivery system. Their team is accustomed to taking on the major legwork that comes with developing a vision for a project. Welty Development brings an emotional intelligence to their work that is unlike anything else in the construction industry. Their approach is founded on a willingness to defy doing the way that always been done, in favor of doing what is the smartest, most efficient and ultimately, the most beneficial for their customers and the communities that they serve. For more information, please visit www.thinkwelty.com.
About CBIZ, Inc.
Over 25 years, CBIZ has grown to be one of the largest accounting, insurance brokerage and advisory service providers in the country. With over 100 offices nationwide and a team of more than 6,000 professionals, CBIZ offers a breadth of professional services and depth of expertise unmatched in our industry to businesses and clients of all sizes. Shares of CBIZ common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "CBZ." For more information, please visit www.cbiz.com.
About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/bgl-real-estate-advisors-completes-development-financing-new-headquarters-cbiz-inc/
| 2022-04-19T23:05:17Z
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CHARLESTON, S.C., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world's leading cloud software company powering social good, will report its first quarter 2022 financial results on Tuesday, May 3, after the U.S. financial markets close for trading. In conjunction with this announcement, Blackbaud will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 4, at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the company's financial results.
A webcast will be available and archived on Blackbaud's investor webpage following the call.
About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world's leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, higher education institutions, K–12 schools, healthcare organizations, faith communities, arts and cultural organizations, foundations, companies and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through cloud software, services, expertise and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG), school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing and analytics. Serving the industry for four decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Blackbaud Investor Contact
Steve Hufford
Director, Investor Relations
IR@blackbaud.com
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/blackbaud-announces-date-first-quarter-2022-financial-results/
| 2022-04-19T23:05:24Z
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HOUSTON, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Callon Petroleum Company (NYSE: CPE) ("Callon" or the "Company") plans to host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2022 financial and operating results.
Webcast:
Date: May 5, 2022
Time: 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time)
Webcast: www.callon.com
Select "News/Events" under the "Investors" section of the website.
An archive of the conference call webcast will be available at www.callon.com under the "Investors" section of the website.
The Company plans to release first quarter 2022 results after market close on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
Callon Petroleum Company is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of high-quality assets in the leading oil plays of South and West Texas.
Kevin Smith
Director of Investor Relations
Callon Petroleum Company
ir@callon.com
(281) 589-5200
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/callon-petroleum-company-schedules-first-quarter-2022-conference-call-may-5-2022/
| 2022-04-19T23:05:31Z
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- Growing demand in Poland for medical cannabis
- Population of over 40 million open to natural medicine
- Over 90% of Polish pharmacies can fill medical marijuana prescriptions
WROCLAW, Poland, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Can4Med, a licensed wholesale specializing in medical products containing THC and cannabinoids has obtained Polish authorization to supply medical products and raw materials for cannabis pharmaceutical sales. The company has signed supply agreement term sheets for up to 100kg a month of high THC oil and flower at competitive rates and is in the process of registering the products in Poland.
According to Maximilian Weinberg, Founder of Can4Med, "Demand for medical cannabis products is rapidly growing in Poland. While supply constrains and a lack of authorized products has stifled growth in the Polish market, Can4Med can now quickly satisfy doctor and patient demand throughout the country. With an ageing population of over 40 million and openness to natural medicine, Poland is the perfect growth opportunity for medical cannabis in Europe."
Can4Med's experienced and qualified management provides comprehensive and professional supporting the work of pharmacists and doctors for the benefit of patients, focusing on ensuring supplies of high-quality certified products and innovation.
Can4Med will offer a variety of variety of products, tailored to the needs of its contractors and patients. Over 90% of pharmacies in Poland are ready to dispense medical cannabis prescription to patients for indications such as pain management, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Poland's doctors, however, have freedom to use their own judgement in prescribing cannabis medicine, greatly expanding its usage to treat a wide range of medical problems including mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. It is estimated that well over 300,000 patients will be eligible to obtain cannabinoid medicine in various forms.
All Can4Med products are approved for sale in Poland and manufactured under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) conditions and are subject to constant quality control.
About Can4Med
Can4Med is a fully licensed narcotic wholesaler in Poland specializing in trading cannabis medications in Europe. The company provides comprehensive services in the pharmaceutical and medical market, supporting the work of pharmacists and doctors for the benefit of patients. We focus on ensuring supplies of high-quality certified products and innovation tailored to the needs and requirements of our contractors and assists companies to register products in Poland.
Media contact: Laura Kam, laura@kamgs.com, +972-54-806-8613
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SOURCE Can4Med
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/can4med-licensed-wholesale-medical-cannabis-products-poland/
| 2022-04-19T23:05:38Z
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MASSAPEQUA, N.Y., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: CDR) announced today that its Board of Directors has formally approved the payment of a cash dividend of $0.453125 per share on the Company's 7¼% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock payable on May 20, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 10, 2022.
The Company also announced that the Board has approved payment of a cash dividend of $0.40625 per share on the Company's 6½% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock payable on May 20, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 10, 2022.
About Cedar Realty Trust
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. is a fully-integrated real estate investment trust which focuses on the ownership, operation and redevelopment of grocery-anchored shopping centers in high-density urban markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston. The Company's portfolio (excluding properties treated as "held for sale") comprises 50 properties, with approximately 7.3 million square feet of gross leasable area.
For additional financial and descriptive information on the Company, its operations and its portfolio, please refer to the Company's website at www.cedarrealtytrust.com.
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SOURCE Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/cedar-realty-trust-declares-dividends-preferred-stock/
| 2022-04-19T23:05:45Z
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- Upgrades expected to generate net savings of $20 million over 20 years after funding the $69 million project
- Project aligns with Colorado's building performance standards by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from 2021 baseline; will conserve 1.8 billion gallons of water over the project term
- Johnson Controls OpenBlue platform will be integrated to manage utility spend, assist with operational excellence and provide students and community with increased visibility of sustainability measures
AURORA, Colo., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) and Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, are embarking on a sustainability initiative expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 25%, water usage by 1.8 billion gallons and provide net savings to the school district of $20 million over the next 20 years – all while creating a more improved learning environment throughout Colorado's fourth-largest school district.
"Cherry Creek Schools is dedicated to excellence in all aspects of public K-12 education. A key component is aligning our facility operations with our values," said Superintendent Christopher Smith. "Our partnership with Johnson Controls will make our buildings more environmentally friendly, lower utility costs and improve the learning environment for our 60,000 students and staff members."
This $69 million project will generate savings that will fund the entire project, in addition to generating net savings of $20 million over the 20-year term. While emissions reduction will be top of mind throughout the project, CCSD and Johnson Controls carefully considered how these upgrades will support the district's efforts to achieve equity within the communities the district serves. In support of this effort, 10% Minority- and Women- Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) are contracted to work on the project.
Groundbreaking upgrades
The overall CCSD initiative includes several innovative technologies and solutions integrated by Johnson Controls, including:
- LED light fixtures and controls to enhance learning environments and reduce energy consumption
- Water plumbing and irrigation control upgrades with expected total annual cost savings of nearly 20% and 1.8 billion gallons saved over the project term
- HVAC systems to address deferred maintenance and improve indoor air quality
- Computer power management to reduce computer-related energy use by 25-35%
Johnson Controls' OpenBlue technology platform is at the heart of the updates to ensure operational excellence and manage utility spend. This comprehensive, AI-enabled solution provides advanced data insights in a single-source dashboard to help CCSD develop an energy use intensity roadmap and optimize its operations across facilities while providing new educational opportunities to students. The solution also offers full transparency to the community via GreenHub, a powerful public-facing module that enables CCSD to showcase its energy conservation and sustainability measures.
"We're making LED lighting, water and controls upgrades the centerpiece of the project because of their immediate impact on occupant health, student productivity and utility costs," said Jenny Stentz, Johnson Controls vice president and general manager, HVAC & Controls. "These enhancements, powered by the implementation of the OpenBlue technology platform, will supercharge Cherry Creek's healthy building efforts, so it can stay on the cutting edge even as sustainability targets shift. These are solutions with immediate impact that can grow and adapt with the district's evolving needs."
Powerful impact
Passed by the Colorado legislature in 2021, HB21-1286 establishes a building energy performance standard for buildings over 50,000 square feet. According to the Act, building owners must collect and report on energy-use benchmarking data and comply with energy and GHG emissions reduction requirements of 7% by 2026 and 20% by 2030 from a 2021 baseline. This project expects to outperform these targets with an anticipated annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 25% from its 2021 baseline, six years earlier than the compliance date.
"The key to building a successful sustainability program is to think beyond requirements," said Chief Financial and Operating Officer Scott Smith. "The steps that Cherry Creek is taking today will have long-term positive benefits, not only for its students and staff but for the communities it serves. This project and partnership with Johnson Controls will allow CCSD to ensure that its facilities aren't just meeting new regulations but surpassing them — and ensure that CCSD keeps its classroom environments clean, healthy and comfortable for years to come."
To learn more about how Johnson Controls develops healthy, sustainable and connected K-12 environments, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/k12.
About Johnson Controls
At Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.
With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering, OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of building technology, software and service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Kari Pfisterer
Director, Public Relations and Media
Johnson Controls
Direct +1 414 217 1488
kari.b.pfisterer@jci.com
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SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc
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https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/04/19/cherry-creek-school-district-johnson-controls-pave-way-colorados-healthy-sustainable-future/
| 2022-04-19T23:05:51Z
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CLEVELAND, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite developed manufacturing industries, the US and China are expected to account for half of all packaging equipment sales growth through 2026, finds a new Freedonia Group analysis. Rising demand for more advanced equipment will be a key driver of growth in both countries:
- In the US, increased spending on advanced packaging technologies will boost productivity, reduce labor costs, and allow for greater customization of packaging. Strong interest in providing packaging that is viewed as sustainable will also encourage companies to invest in new machines.
- In China, greater mechanization of packaging processes and intensifying competition globally for a number of export-oriented industries will support sales of more advanced machinery.
Global Packaging Equipment Demand to Grow Nearly 6% Annually Through 2026
The Freedonia Group projects global demand for packaging equipment to increase 5.8% per year through 2026 to $71.1 billion. Multiple trends will drive market growth, including:
- advances in world durable and nondurable goods production, as well as the associated construction of new factories and expansion of existing sites
- the continuing shift away from manual packaging techniques by small- and mid-sized industrial enterprises around the world
- the more intensive use of packaging materials in developing nations, particularly as they increasing export to other countries
- rising demand for state-of-the-art packaging technologies in markets with established manufacturing industries because of concerns about workforce issues and the desire to reduce costs
- the adoption of new product standards and health and safety regulations that will spur demand for new packaging materials and equipment
- the growing use of green packaging materials – which often require operators to purchase new equipment – in light of mounting concerns about pollution and waste
Want to Learn More?
Global Packaging Machinery is now available from The Freedonia Group. This study provides historical data for 2011, 2016, and 2021, and forecasts for 2026 and 2031 for global packaging machinery shipments, demand by product type, and net exports on a country-by-country basis, valued in millions of current US dollars, including inflation.
Products:
- filling equipment
- case forming, packing, and sealing machinery
- labeling and coding machinery
- wrapping equipment
- other types of packaging machinery
- packaging machinery parts
Demand is also analyzed by the following markets:
- food
- beverage
- pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- chemicals
- other markets
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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| 2022-04-19T23:05:58Z
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Shareholders with $400,000 losses or more are encouraged to contact the firm
LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Cerence Inc. ("Cerence" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CRNC).
Class Period: February 8, 2021 – February 4, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 26, 2022
If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Cerence lawsuit, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/cerence-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: (1) that the global semiconductor shortage had a materially negative impact on demand for Cerence's software licenses; (2) that Defendants masked the impact of the semiconductor shortage on demand for the Company's software licenses by pulling forward sales; and (3) 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.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contacts
Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, Los Angeles
Charles Linehan, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224
shareholders@glancylaw.com
www.glancylaw.com
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:05Z
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New and upgraded models offer more flexibility for users in workholding applications
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Destaco, part of Dover (NYSE: DOV), announced that it continues to expand the options within its Manual Clamp product family through the creation of new models and the upgrade of existing versions. These expanded offerings are designed to give users additional flexibility when outfitting their workholding systems.
Here is a closer look at three of these latest innovations:
- Front-Mount-Base Manual Clamps: Designed with a vertical mounting base that reduces interfering contours, and available with both vertical (models 2002-UF and 2007-UF) and horizontal (models 225-UF and 235-UF) handle action, these clamps help improve safety by providing more space for larger hand clearances. They also use the same mounting-hole pattern, spindles, washers and bolt retainers as existing models. All models have hardened bushings at key pivot points for longer cycle life and higher holding capacities.
- Toggle Lock Plus Manual Clamps: The new 503-MLBR and 533-LBR models are extensions of Destaco's 503-MLB and 533-LB vertical toggle-lock clamps and feature the patented Toggle Lock Plus locking system. The space-saving Toggle Lock Plus uses a locking disc to secure the position. This solution requires no welding and provides additional protection against unintentional opening and closing. The 503-MLBR and 533-LBR clamps are fully interchangeable with models having the same specifications. Other models are available upon request.
- 800 Series Manual Clamps: Quality enhancements have been completed for three models within the 800 Series clamp family. The Model 802-U now includes an upgraded air cylinder that helps ensure the clamp's exerting force is less than the maximum holding capacity; new composite bearings on the trunnion mount and cylinder pivot point; and a redesigned clevis bolt, along with increased rivet and pre-stop diameters. The Model 807-U is offered with lubrication- and maintenance-free composite bearings on the trunnion mount, a redesigned clevis bolt and a reconfigured base that improves the unit's open/close performance. New composite bearings that eliminate metal-to-metal contact while requiring no lubrication or maintenance are the upgrades for the Model 810-U.
"Our number one mission is to provide our customers with safe, cutting-edge products that help them optimize performance in all of their critical workholding applications," said Thomas Stimac, Destaco Regional Sales Manager, Automotive. "The introduction of the expanded Front-Mount and Toggle Lock Plus Manual Clamp portfolio, along with the updates to the 800 Series models, delivers on that mission, further strengthening our offerings to meet our customers' evolving needs."
To learn more about Destaco or any of its high-performance automation, workholding or remote-handling solutions, please visit www.destaco.com or call (888) Destaco (888-337-8226).
About Destaco:
Destaco, a Dover Corporation company, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance automation, workholding and remote-handling solutions. The company serves customers in a variety of end-markets, including the automotive, life sciences, consumer packaged goods, aerospace, industrial and nuclear sectors.
Built on a legacy of more than 100 years, Destaco offers a comprehensive portfolio of products designed to engineer precise movement, placement and control solutions that drive productivity and uptime for manufacturers around the world. The Destaco family of products consists of industry-leading brands such as Destaco Manual Clamps, Power Clamps, and End Effectors; Camco™ and Ferguson™ Indexers; Robohand™ Grippers; and CRL™ Manipulators and Transfer Ports. Destaco is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.A. The company has more than 800 employees with 13 locations, in 9 countries, across the Americas, Europe and Asia. More information is available at destaco.com.
About Dover:
Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $8 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 25,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com.
Destaco Contact:
Kristen Fairbrother
(248) 836-6674
kfairbrother@destaco.com
Dover Media Contact:
Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications
(630) 743-5039
asakowicz@dovercorp.com
Dover Investor Contact:
Jack Dickens, Senior Director, Investor Relations
(630) 743-2566
jdickens@dovercorp.com
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:12Z
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CHICAGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Donnelley Financial Solutions (NYSE: DFIN) will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its first-quarter fiscal year 2022 financial results, provide a general business update and respond to analyst questions.
A live webcast of the call will also be available on the Company's investor relations website. Please visit investor.dfinsolutions.com at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the event to register, download and install any necessary audio software.
If you are unable to participate live, a replay of the webcast will be available following the conference call on the Company's investor relations website, along with the earnings press release, and related financial tables.
DFIN's financial report for the first-quarter will be released before the market opens on Thursday, May 5, 2022 via a filing with the SEC on Form 8-K and will also be posted on the Company's investor relations website.
About Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
DFIN is a leading global risk and compliance solutions company. We provide domain expertise, enterprise software and data analytics for every stage of our clients' business and investment lifecycles. Markets fluctuate, regulations evolve, technology advances, and through it all, DFIN delivers confidence with the right solutions in moments that matter. Learn about DFIN's end-to-end risk and compliance solutions online at DFINsolutions.com or you can also follow us on Twitter @DFINSolutions or on LinkedIn.
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:18Z
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SEATTLE, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines' 100 dispatchers, who are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), have ratified a new five-year contract. The contract was approved by 81% of those employees who voted. The new contract includes increased pay with a mid-term market review to ensure wage rates stay competitive, along with enhanced benefits and streamlined training.
Alaska's dispatchers are responsible for flight planning and tracking to ensure the safety and progress of each flight conducted by the airline from origin to destination. They are the carrier's primary command and control link with Alaska pilots, providing en route weather, airport facility and other flight safety information.
"Our dispatchers play a critical role in our operation with responsibility for every single flight throughout the system," said Jenny Wetzel, vice president of labor relations at Alaska Airlines. "I'm glad we were able to reach an agreement that works for dispatchers and our company's long-term success. This means, even amid an uncertain economy, we can increase pay and enhance their benefits today."
"TWU was impressed with the logic-based approach taken in these negotiations by the Alaska negotiators," said Gary Peterson, TWU international vice president and air division director. "Early on both groups agreed on the industry analysis each of us had independently performed, which helped us reach an agreement in-line with our amendable date."
The previous contract became amendable on March 24, 2022. Contracts in the airline industry do not expire. Once they become amendable, the current contract remains in effect until a new agreement is ratified.
Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize providing low fares for our guests, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:25Z
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PSEG Elects Susan Tomasky as Lead Director; Adds New Board Seat; Elects Jamie Gentoso, Valerie Smith to Board
NEWARK, N.J., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) announced today that Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson will retire from the board, effective April 19. Susan Tomasky, retired president of AEP Transmission, a division of American Electric Power Corp., and a member of the PSEG Board of Directors since 2012, has been elected lead director. Tomasky is a member of the board's audit, corporate governance, executive, and organization and compensation committees, serving as chair of the audit committee since 2016.
In addition, the company has expanded the number of seats on the PSEG Board of Directors to 11, and has elected Jamie M. Gentoso, global head of Solutions and Products at Holcim, and Valerie Smith, president of Swarthmore College, to the board, also effective April 19. Details of the changes effective today were made available in the proxy statement filed on March 10, 2022.
Jackson was the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and began her career in the Theoretical Physics Department at Bell Labs in New Jersey. She first joined the PSEG Board of Directors in 1987, but departed in 1995 when she was appointed by President Bill Clinton to chair the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. She left that role in 1999, when she was named president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and eventually rejoined the PSEG Board of Directors in 2001.
Jackson is the company's longest tenured independent director since PSE&G was incorporated in 1924. On the PSEG Board of Directors, Jackson has chaired the corporate governance, finance, nuclear generation and organization and compensation committees and was a member of several others including executive, audit, industrial operations to name a few. She was elected lead director in 2019. Also in 2019, the NJ Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) awarded Jackson with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Governance award. During her tenure as lead director, PSEG received the 2021 public company board of the year award from the NJ Chapter of the NACD.
"I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson for many years, and I am extremely proud to call her my colleague and mentor, as well as my friend," PSEG Chairman, President and CEO Ralph Izzo said. "Dr. Jackson has been a trailblazer for women and for people of color and, as a scientist, she has been an inspiration and role model for a generation of physicists such as myself. Her leadership, experience and commitment to the PSEG Board of Directors have been invaluable to our company. On behalf of the board of directors and the 12,500 employees of PSEG, we wish Dr. Jackson well as she moves on to the next chapter in her storied career. Her counsel and her friendship will be sorely missed."
"Susan is a tremendously experienced director and her leadership will continue to help enhance PSEG's excellent governance practices and reputation," Izzo said. "Susan's guidance and perspective are ideal to help navigate our company's continued evolution and growth."
Gentoso was appointed global head of the Solutions & Products Business Unit of Holcim, a leading global manufacturer of building materials such as cement, insulation and roofing, in March 2021. Prior to this role, Gentoso was CEO of U.S. Cement Operations for Holcim and had also served as Senior Vice President of Concrete at Sika Corporation U.S. Gentoso is passionate about sustainability and the drive to achieve net-zero, especially in the construction industry as buildings are responsible for 40% of the world's CO2 emissions. She is very focused on enhancing our contributions to society while reducing impact to the environment by putting sustainability at the core of business strategy. She sits on the Board of Directors for several industry organizations and advisory groups, where the focus is developing future leaders and advocating for the climate.
Gentoso is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and received both her bachelor's degree in civil engineering and MBA from the University of Michigan.
Smith, a scholar of African American literature, is president of Swarthmore College, a renowned liberal arts college in suburban Philadelphia. During her seven-year tenure, Smith has prioritized expanding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and strengthened Swarthmore's commitment to access and affordability, ensuring the college continues to admit students regardless of their ability to pay tuition. Her other areas of focus include supporting curricular innovation; improving campus facilities and infrastructure; and ensuring the college fulfills its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.
Smith is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the boards of the American Council on Education, the Consortium on Financing Higher Education, and the National Museum of the American Indian. Previously, she was a professor of English and African American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature, founding director of the Center for African American Studies, and dean of the College at Princeton University.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bates College, Smith earned her master's and Ph.D. at the University of Virginia.
"Jamie and Valerie each bring a track record of strategic leadership and commitment to the principles of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and ethical governance that will be a tremendous asset to our board," Izzo said. "In addition, their contributions to building diverse, equitable and inclusive organizations will be extraordinarily beneficial as we continue forward as an infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future, and powered by a diverse, dedicated and highly skilled workforce."
In a separate announcement today, PSEG announced Chairman, President and CEO Ralph Izzo plans to retire at the end of 2022 and the board of directors elected PSEG COO Ralph LaRossa as his successor. Jackson led a long and robust leadership succession planning effort that culminated in unanimous support for LaRossa as the next president and CEO, effective September 1st. Ralph Izzo will continue to serve as Executive Chair of the Board through a transition period until the end of 2022. His last day with the company will be December 31, 2022. Ralph LaRossa will assume the additional responsibilities of chair on January 1, 2023.
With the addition of Gentoso and Smith, the makeup of PSEG's Board of Directors remains diverse, as illustrated in the graphic.
About PSEG
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future. Guided by its Powering Progress vision, PSEG aims to power a future where people use less energy, and it's cleaner, safer and delivered more reliably than ever. PSEG's commitment to ESG and sustainability is demonstrated in our net-zero 2030 climate vision, our pursuit of science-based emissions reductions targets and participation in the U.N. Race to Zero, as well as our inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and the list of America's most JUST Companies. PSEG's principal operating subsidiaries are Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island. (https://corporate.pseg.com).
Visit PSEG at:
www.pseg.com
PSEG on Facebook
PSEG on Twitter
PSEG on LinkedIn
PSEG blog, Energize!
From time to time, PSEG, PSE&G and PSEG Power release important information via postings on their corporate website at http://investor.pseg.com. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to visit the corporate website to review new postings. The "Email Alerts" link at http://investor.pseg.com may be used to enroll to receive automatic email alerts regarding new postings.
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:32Z
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DALLAS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EnLink Midstream, LLC (NYSE: ENLC) (EnLink) today announced a quarterly distribution for the first quarter of 2022 and announced it will host a webcast and conference call on Wednesday, May 4, at 8 a.m. Central time to discuss its first quarter 2022 earnings.
First Quarter Distribution Declaration
EnLink's Board of Directors declared a cash distribution of $0.1125 per common unit for the first quarter of 2022, which is unchanged from the fourth quarter 2021 distribution. The first quarter 2022 cash distribution will be paid on May 13, 2022, to unitholders of record on April 29, 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call Details
EnLink will host a webcast and conference call on Wednesday, May 4, at 8 a.m. Central time to discuss first quarter 2022 earnings. The dial-in number for the call is1-855-656-0924. Callers outside the United States should dial1-412-542-4172. Participants can also register for the webcast and conference call by navigating to https://dpregister.com/sreg/10164645/f20209667a, where they will receive dial-in information upon completion of registration. Interested parties can access an archived replay of the webcast and conference call on the Investors page of EnLink's website at www.EnLink.com.
EnLink's quarterly report and earnings press release will be posted on the Investors page of EnLink's website at www.EnLink.com after market close on Tuesday, May 3.
All dates and times are subject to change. Any timing updates, along with participation instructions for the webcasts and conference calls, will be provided via press release prior to the event.
About EnLink Midstream
EnLink Midstream reliably operates a differentiated midstream platform that is built for long-term, sustainable value creation. EnLink's best-in-class services span the midstream value chain, providing natural gas, crude oil, condensate, NGL capabilities, and carbon capture, transportation, and sequestration. Our purposely built, integrated asset platforms are in premier production basins and core demand centers, including the Permian Basin, Oklahoma, North Texas, and the Gulf Coast. EnLink's strong financial foundation and commitment to execution excellence drive competitive returns and value for our employees, customers, and investors. Headquartered in Dallas, EnLink is publicly traded through EnLink Midstream, LLC (NYSE: ENLC). Visit www.EnLink.com to learn how EnLink connects energy to life.
Investor Relations: Brian Brungardt, Director of Investor Relations, 214-721-9353, brian.brungardt@enlink.com
Media Relations: Jill McMillan, Vice President of Strategic Relations & Public Affairs, 214-721-9271, jill.mcmillan@enlink.com
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:39Z
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CHICAGO, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Enova International (NYSE: ENVA), a leading financial technology company powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence, today announced the company's first quarter 2022 financial results will be released after the market close on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Enova will host a conference call to discuss its results at 4 p.m. Central Time / 5 p.m. Eastern Time the same day. The live webcast of the call can be accessed at the Enova International Investor Relations website at http://ir.enova.com, along with the company's earnings press release and supplemental financial information.
The U.S. dial-in for the call is 1-855-560-2575 (1-412-542-4161 for non-U.S. callers). Please ask to join the Enova International call. A replay of the conference call will be available until May 10, 2022, at 10:59 p.m. Central Time / 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, while an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Enova International Investor Relations website for 90 days. The U.S. dial-in for the conference call replay is 1-877-344-7529 (1-412-317-0088). The replay access code is 9886757.
Enova International (NYSE: ENVA) is a leading financial technology company providing online financial services through its artificial intelligence and machine learning powered lending platform. Enova serves the needs of non-prime consumers and small businesses, who are frequently underserved by traditional banks. Enova has provided more than 7 million customers with over $40 billion in loans and financing with market leading products that provide a path for them to improve their financial health. You can learn more about the company and its brands at www.enova.com.
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:46Z
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New Strategic Relationship Delivers the Deeper Data Insights Required by Organizations in a Digital Commerce-Driven Economy
ATLANTA and BROOKFIELD, Wis., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax® (NYSE: EFX), the global data, analytics and technology company, and Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions, are partnering to deliver the data-driven insights organizations need to succeed in a digital economy. The companies are collaborating on new offerings that deliver a more holistic picture of businesses and their data and enable financial institutions and businesses of all sizes to embrace the power of real-time data insights.
Equifax and Fiserv are targeting late 2022 to deploy joint commercial solutions that leverage new analytics to help strengthen business verification, accelerate account acquisition and enhance risk assessment for small-to-medium sized businesses. The two companies plan to expand innovation efforts into the consumer ecosystem in the future.
"Equifax understands that more data enables better decisions. We are energized about partnering with Fiserv to expand our differentiated data assets - leveraging our new Equifax Cloud capabilities to deliver smarter insights at a greater velocity than ever before," said Mark W. Begor, CEO of Equifax. "In a digital economy, speed matters. To keep up, organizations have to be able to leverage real-time data insights to help them say 'yes' to more customers with greater speed and confidence."
"Equifax and Fiserv have a shared vision for how timely, detailed data can transform the financial services ecosystem, helping to better inform decision makers with the right knowledge at the right time," said Frank Bisignano, Fiserv President and Chief Executive Officer. "Together we will empower financial institutions and businesses to operate in new ways as they benefit from data-enabled insights."
Equifax maintains a powerful suite of differentiated data assets on which its business customers rely to drive more informed decisions and deliver exceptional outcomes across the customer lifecycle. Through the company's cloud native data fabric and scalable platforms, Equifax brings decision intelligence to a wide spectrum of global customers. Fiserv enables money movement for thousands of financial institutions and millions of people and businesses worldwide, enabling 12,000 financial transactions every second. Insights gleaned from these transactions can provide timely and detailed visibility into business activity and vitality, or signal suspicious activity.
The integration of Fiserv information with Equifax differentiated data and solutions will enable analytics that can help increase the predictiveness of business credit scores and help support smarter growth through new prospect identification, cash flow trends, propensity to spend models, and share-of-wallet analysis.
"Customers expect that financial institutions with which they have relationships understand them and understand what they want," said Prasanna Dhore, Chief Data Officer at Fiserv. "Insights gleaned from real-time data can empower financial institutions to initiate and build relationships and deliver personalized, positive experiences that open the door to future growth and new revenue opportunities."
For more information, please visit Equifax.com or Fiserv.com.
At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 25 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com.
Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud- based point-of-sale and business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index, the FORTUNE® 500, and has been recognized as one of FORTUNE World's Most Admired Companies® for 11 of the past 14 years and named among the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company for two consecutive years. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Kate Walker for Equifax
mediainquiries@equifax.com
Ann Cave for Fiserv
ann.cave@fiserv.com
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| 2022-04-19T23:06:53Z
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- Broad agreement aims to increase convenience and expand affordable access to valuable health benefits and high-quality care to millions more Americans
- Kaiser Permanente members will benefit from access to Cigna's physician and provider network while traveling, and Evernorth's wide-ranging health services, including its industry-leading Accredo specialty pharmacy
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., and OAKLAND, Calif., April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Evernorth, Cigna Corporation's health services business, and Kaiser Permanente, one of the nation's leading integrated health care organizations, announced a new, five-year collaboration aimed at delivering increased convenience, affordability and expanded access to high-quality care for Kaiser Permanente members.
"Evernorth and Kaiser Permanente share a passion for improving health care in the U.S., with a focus on affordable, high-quality care for their members and the communities they serve," said Eric Palmer, president and CEO of Evernorth. "Together, we have the opportunity to unlock meaningful savings, while ensuring patients have expanded access to best-in-class providers and treatments."
Initially, the agreement will focus on bringing greater convenience, affordability and access to Kaiser Permanente and its members in two areas: 1) access to Cigna's PPO provider network for Kaiser Permanente members who need urgent or emergency care and are traveling outside of Kaiser Permanente's service areas, and 2) specialty pharmacy services. The collaboration has the potential to extend in additional areas during the course of the agreement.
Beginning in August, Kaiser Permanente commercial HMO and exclusive provider organization (EPO) members who need urgent care when they are traveling outside of areas served by Kaiser Permanente will have access to Cigna's national PPO network of more than one million physicians and other providers. This will significantly expand Kaiser Permanente's ability to provide more affordable and convenient access to valuable, high-quality health care and services for current and future members.
"We are excited to work with Evernorth to offer our members convenient, expanded access to high-quality care when they are traveling, through Cigna's provider network," said Arthur M. Southam, M.D., executive vice president of health plan operations and chief growth officer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and Hospitals. "This will provide our members an improved experience, added convenience, and greater confidence that if they get sick or are injured while traveling, they will have access to great care."
In the area of specialty pharmacy services, the agreement seeks to deliver overall value and savings to Kaiser Permanente and its commercial plan members. Accredo, Evernorth's specialty pharmacy, will become Kaiser Permanente's preferred external pharmacy for limited distribution drugs, and Evernorth's CuraScript SD will be a preferred distributor for purchasing certain other specialty products.
The broad agreement between Evernorth and Kaiser Permanente is effective immediately.
Evernorth creates and connects premier health services offerings, including benefits management, pharmacy, care solutions, insights and intelligence. With an open approach to partnering across the health care landscape, we deliver innovative and flexible solutions for health plans, employers and government programs. Evernorth capabilities are powered by our family of companies, including Express Scripts, Express Scripts® Pharmacy, Accredo, eviCore and MDLIVE, along with holistic Evernorth platforms and solutions that elevate health and drive progress for people and businesses. All Evernorth solutions are serviced and provided by or through operating affiliates of Evernorth Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI), or third-party partners. Learn more at Evernorth.com.
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org
Justine Sessions
Evernorth
(860) 810-6523
media@evernorth.com
Steve Shivinsky
Kaiser Permanente
(925) 393-3911
Stephen.Shivinsky@kp.org
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| 2022-04-19T23:07:02Z
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