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BEIJING and HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd. ("Roan" or the "Company") (OTC Pink Sheets: RAHGF and RONWF), a comprehensive solution provider for industrial operations and capital market services, announced today that the Company has entered into a cooperation framework agreement (the "Agreement") with Guodiantou (Beijing) Integrated Energy Co. ("Guodiantou"), a subsidiary of State Power Investment Corporation Limited, for their future strategic cooperation on investing, constructing and operating new energy storage power stations (such projects, the "Energy Storage Station Projects") initially in the Yangtze River Delta region. Through this cooperation, Roan expects the Energy Storage Station Projects to promote and improve the ecological layout of the energy storage industry, enhance the core competitiveness of industrial projects, and expand business performance and scale.
Pursuant to the Agreement, the parties are to form a project company or companies for the Energy Storage Station Projects, in which the Company is expected to hold a minority interest. Guodiantou will be primarily responsible for making the investment in these energy storage stations and owning the power station assets. Roan has entered into another cooperation framework agreement and a letter of intent with other third parties to facilitate the development of two industrial parks, one to be focused on new energy storage and battery manufacturing and the other on new energy storage production, system equipment manufacturing, and new materials and semiconductor, with the intent for the parks to house companies that would develop energy storage industrial projects which the Company would consult for. The Company plans to facilitate the use of these energy storage industrial projects to supply equipment and provide services in energy storage power station construction and operation as part of its cooperation under the Agreement. In addition, the Company will use its expertise in industrial operation and capital market services, including initial planning and financial consulting, to support the Energy Storage Station Projects. Details will be included in the future agreements to be entered into by the parties with respect to the Energy Storage Station Projects.
Mr. Junfeng Wang, Chairman of the Board commented "We are very excited to announce the cooperation with Guodiantou. Guodiantou, an integrated energy infrastructure investment, construction and operation enterprise, mainly focuses on the development directions of power generation, user-side energy storage infrastructure, energy storage, technological innovation, technical services and other businesses, and undertakes the important task of investing, constructing and developing new integrated energy infrastructure in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta region and the central region. Guodiantou is an important strategic partner of our industrial operation strategy of 'whole process and life cycle'. This cooperation is another breakthrough and important milestone in the development of our new energy industrial operation business following our new energy projects. These new energy projects are the new energy storage and battery manufacturing industrial park project and the industrial park project for companies engaging in new energy storage production, system equipment manufacturing, new materials and semiconductor (collectively, the "Projects"). The cooperation with Guodiantou plays an important role in connecting the downstream resources of the energy storage battery industry for our Projects, and improving the overall industrial ecological layout of the energy storage material base, energy storage battery base and energy storage equipment manufacturing base. Additionally, we could provide market operation service solutions through this cooperation to bring stable and sizeable downstream orders from this cooperation for our Projects, which would enable us to accomplish the closed loop of the whole process service, covering the whole industrial chain of the new energy industrial operation. We believe that our recent strategic partnerships are enhancing our influence and reputation in the new energy industrial operation market, and will transform into considerable financial returns in the future for our shareholders."
About Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd.
Founded in 2009, Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd. (OTC Pink: RAHGF and RONWF) is a comprehensive solution provider for industrial operation and capital market services. Adhering to the platform strategy of "cross collaboration, technology empowerment, sustainability and stability, and combination of operation and finance resources", the Company's services focus on the new energy, new materials, and semiconductor industries. At the same time, the Company prioritizes on the application of innovative technologies in the consumer industry with respect to financial consumption, cultural and tourism consumption, and wellness ecosystem. Roan aims to provide comprehensive solutions and supporting services for diversified institutional and local government clients across the entire industry chain. Roan has offices in Hangzhou and Beijing and subsidiaries in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shaoxing and Tianjin. For more information, please visit: www.roanholdingsgroup.com.
About State Power Investment Corporation Limited
Established in July 2015, the State Power Investment Corporation Limited (hereinafter referred to as "SPIC") is a large key state-owned enterprise directly under the central government of China. As one of the five major power generation groups in China and the largest solar power generation enterprise in the world, SPIC ranked 293rd among the Fortune Global 500 in 2021 with its businesses covering 46 countries and regions. SPIC has 130,000 employees and 62 subsidiary entities. More information, please visit: http://eng.spic.com.cn/
About Guodiantou (Beijing) Integrated Energy Co.
Guodiantou is an integrated energy infrastructure investment, construction and operation enterprise formed by China's State Power Investment Corporation Limited. Its main development objective focuses on power generation, user-side energy storage infrastructure, photovoltaic power generation, wind power generation, integrated smart energy, hydrogen energy, energy storage, charging piles, technological innovation, technical services and other businesses. Based in Beijing and developing nationwide, it undertakes the important task of investing, constructing and developing new integrated energy infrastructure in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta region and the central region.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among others, the consummation of the proposed transaction, and can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Examples of such statements include our plan to help develop two industrial parks with the intent they would house companies that would develop energy storage industrial projects which the Company would consult for; through cooperation with Guodiantou, the Energy Storage Station Projects will promote and improve the ecological layout of the energy storage industry, enhance the core competitiveness of industrial projects, and expand business performance and scale; the parties are to form a project company or companies for the Energy Storage Station Projects, in which the Company is expected to hold a minority interest; Guodiantou intends to purchase the equipment and products to be used in the Energy Storage Station Projects from the energy storage companies that are located in the industrial parks in which the Company operates; the cooperation with Guodiantou plays an important role in connecting and improving the downstream resources of the energy storage battery industry for our projects in Jiaxing and Shangyu, which will not only bring stable and sizeable orders for our projects in Jiaxing and Shangyu as our market operation service solution, but also enable us to accomplish the closed loop of the whole process service, covering the whole industrial chain of the new energy industrial operation; and our belief that our recent strategic partnerships are enhancing our influence and reputation in the new energy industrial operation market and will transform into considerable financial returns in the future for our shareholders. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations of the consummation of the proposed transaction, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Examples of such risks include whether we and Guodiantou can successfully negotiate and enter into cooperation agreements to implement the framework provided by the Agreement, whether any project companies will be formed as part of such cooperation, whether the Station Projects will come to fruition, whether Guodiantou will fund the Station Projects, whether the Station Projects will have demand for substantial quantities of energy storage devices; whether our planned projects in Jiaxing and Shangyu result in industrial parks, and whether energy storage companies locate within such parks; whether we can connect such companies with the Station Projects and whether as a result such companies supply substantial amounts of energy storage products to the Station Projects; and whether any success in such projects would provide considerable financial returns in the future for our shareholders. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors are included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.
IR Contact:
At the Company:
Katrina Wu
Email: xiaoqing.wu@roanholdingsgroup.com
Phone: +86-571-8662 1775
Investor Relations Firm:
Sherry Zheng
Weitian Group LLC
Email: shunyu.zheng@weitian-ir.com
Phone: +1 (718)213-7386
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SOURCE Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/roan-holdings-group-co-guodiantou-beijing-integrated-energy-co-jointly-develop-energy-storage-power-stations-investment-operation-project/ | 2022-08-15T17:24:41Z |
Leading wellness provider launches services to support clients' health and wellbeing ahead of strep and flu season
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sameday Health, a world-class testing and wellness provider, announced today the rollout of strep and flu testing across participating Sameday Health clinics nationwide, including in California, New York, and Washington D.C. The new tests are offered individually and in bundles, giving clients the opportunity to receive strep, flu and COVID-19 tests together for a discounted price.
Each year, strep throat and the flu affect millions of Americans. According to the CDC, up to 25,000 cases of invasive "group A" strep disease occur annually in the United States. The CDC also estimates that last year's flu season caused up to 13 million related illnesses and 6.1 million medical visits.
Particularly with back-to-school season on the horizon, strep and flu testing services will become more critical to keep communities healthy.
"At Sameday Health, we've intentionally spent the past year bolstering our infrastructure to enable the expansion of our diagnostic testing services and further safeguard the health of our communities," said Felix Huettenbach, Sameday Health CEO and Founder. "We're proud to facilitate better health outcomes for our clients by offering services, now including strep and flu testing, that deliver peace of mind and the information they need to lead healthier, fuller lives."
"As common viruses and infections reemerge during the fall months – on top of new COVID-19 variants – it's important to quickly receive clarity on whether a condition is strep, flu, COVID-19, or another illness," Patrick Emad, Sameday Health's Executive Vice President of Clinics. "Our comprehensive testing helps to minimize the spread of illnesses, boost proper diagnoses, and expedite symptom relief."
Sameday Health's strep and flu testing joins their other reliable and convenient same-day medical services, including COVID-19 testing, panel testing, IV drip therapy, wellness injections, and urgent care.
Sameday Health is dedicated to healthcare as a complete experience, not simply a service. Our purpose is to create healthcare that centers around the client, combining a human approach with intuitive technology. We offer quality, personalized care wherever you are including in our clinics or at your door.
Inspired by the lotus flower's ability to grow in even the toughest terrains, Sameday Health is determined to create a sense of hope and help with our clients. Since opening our first clinic in Venice, CA at the height of the COVID 19-pandemic, the Sameday team has been focused on closing gaps in the healthcare system from testing to wellness to care. Devoted to responding immediately to our client's needs, we are providing expanded same day healthcare in our locations including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Miami, DC, Boston, and more.
Sameday Health serves its clients wherever and whenever it is most convenient for them. In most cases that is at home and same day.
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SOURCE Sameday Health | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/sameday-health-launches-strep-flu-testing-nationwide-clinics/ | 2022-08-15T17:24:49Z |
- SK Inc. and SK Innovation become a large investor in TerraPower, a next-generation SMR developer, founded by Bill Gates
- SMR has become a safe and economically viable option in the carbon-free energy mix
- The investment comes after SK's yearlong search for partnership opportunities to support SK Group's pledge to contribute to achieving the global carbon emission reduction target; The partnership is set to take SK a step closer to the completion of its green energy portfolio
- TerraPower also has technologies to produce medical radioisotopes, which have potential synergies with SK's biotech business
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SK Inc. and SK Innovation (collectively, "SK") invested in a next-generation small modular reactor (SMR) developer, stepping up their efforts to reduce global carbon emissions. The investment is likely to provide a boost to SK Group's strategy for the early achievement of net-zero emissions as well as group-wide efforts to build a green energy portfolio in an initiative proposed by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.
SK announced on August 16 that SK and Bill Gates co-led $750 million in fundraising for TerraPower, a US-based SMR developer. With the close of a $250 million investment, SK has become a large shareholder of TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates. The equity investment will enable SK to join TerraPower's nuclear reactor commercialization projects in Korea and Southeast Asia and supply carbon-free power, spearheading the shift to carbon neutrality.
Founded in 2008 by Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, TerraPower is a leading nuclear innovation company with the capability to design sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), a type of advanced nuclear reactors.
TerraPower's Natrium™ SFR technology transfers the heat released from nuclear fission caused by high-speed neutrons to liquid sodium coolant, during which steam is generated and used to produce electricity. The Natrium SFR, a fourth-generation nuclear energy technology, offers significant improvements in safety and economic performance compared to the previous generation of reactors, which are currently in use. Natrium also employs molten salt energy storage, allowing the reactor to quickly change its power, thus making it ideal for operating with renewable generation sources. TerraPower is recognized as a leader in the advanced SMR sector with technologies to dramatically reduce nuclear waste and secure a high level of safety. In addition, TerraPower is building a demonstration reactor in the United States, partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), with a goal to begin operation in 2028.
The transaction represents one of the largest-ever investments in a single company in the advanced nuclear power industry and will accelerate TerraPower's development of innovative technologies and ongoing projects.
SK's investment in TerraPower comes after a yearlong search for partners, since SK Group pledged to achieve a net-zero footprint as part of the global initiative to address climate change. In 2021, SK Group vowed to reduce 200 million tons of carbon emissions by 2030, which accounts for 1% of the global target, and has highlighted SMR as a competitive, safe, and carbon-free energy source. The longstanding commitment to carbon emission reduction and continued search for partnership opportunities have led to investments in a global energy pioneer, taking SK a step closer to completing its green energy portfolio.
Aside from SMR, TerraPower also has technologies to produce the medical radioisotope actinium-225 (Ac-225). Ac-225 is one of the most promising radionuclide raw materials that is being incorporated into investigational products by drug developers for targeted alpha therapy (TAT), which can kill targeted cancer cells while sparing normal cells. SK is set to identify a wide range of business opportunities in the bio pharmaceutical sector from drug discovery to contract manufacturing organization (CMO) by leveraging synergies with biotech firms that it has invested in.
"SK intends to amplify the synergies with TerraPower by bringing together TerraPower's innovative, next-generation nuclear technology and production capability for therapeutic radioisotopes with SK's diverse energy and biotech portfolios," said an SK spokesperson. Along with its investments in TerraPower, SK plans to continue its business innovation and technology development to contribute to reducing global carbon emissions.
Moohwan Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Green Investment Center at SK Inc. noted that, "SK is excited to expand our energy, technology and bioscience investments with leading companies in the U.S. We are committed to supporting TerraPower's global deployment of game changing products. We see important synergies in our businesses and this investment reinforces our strategic global carbon reduction goals."
"TerraPower is committed to solving some of the toughest challenges that face this generation through innovation," said TerraPower President and CEO Chris Levesque. "Whether it's addressing climate change with carbon-free advanced nuclear energy, or fighting cancer with nuclear isotopes, our team is deploying technology solutions and investors across the world are taking note."
*Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP acted as outside corporate and nuclear regulatory counsel to SK.
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SOURCE SK Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/sk-invests-bill-gates-terrapower-accelerate-transition-net-zero/ | 2022-08-15T17:24:56Z |
- Telispire, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), has integrated Splitit's Installments-as-a-Service platform into its technology stack and billing system.
- Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) can easily offer installments to their subscribers and clients without integrating new technology or managing complex lender relationships.
- Splitit's White-label installment platform gives Telispire customers the flexibility to offer installments on mobile device purchases, allowing them to compete more effectively with larger national carriers.
ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Splitit (ASX: SPT) (OTCQX: SPTTY) announced Telispire, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), has selected to integrate Splitit's Installments-as-a-Service into its PHOENIX state-of-the-art back office and billing system allowing Telispire's mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) customers to offer installment payments to its subscribers easily.
As one of the country's largest technology providers and aggregators for MVNOs, Telispire offers a turn-key mobile telecom service for local and regional operators, utilities, co-ops and cable companies. The growth of 5G and the success of larger operators and cable operators venturing into the MVNO market is driving even greater competition for subscribers.
The integration with Splitit means any Telispire MVNO can offer installments to their subscribers for devices and services by turning on the feature through PHOENIX. There is no need to integrate new technology or manage complex third-party lender relationships.
"Our number one goal is our resellers' success. Splitit's white-label installments gives us a valuable tool to offer our resellers that puts them on a more equal footing with larger competitors without having to manage the technical integration," said Telispire COO Craig Andrew. "The growth of 5G has many looking to upgrade devices, giving MVNOs a simple option to offer subscribers a great way to pay over time without the complexity of traditional financing options."
"We are excited to partner with a leading mobile telecommunications and device market platform. The large ticket size perfectly matches Splitit's flexible installment platform. Consumers can easily spread the cost of their devices or services over time without additional interest or hidden fees," said Splitit CEO Nandan Sheth. "Telispire is truly empowering innovative mobile retailers with a turn-key platform that will have embedded installment services via Splitit. Their clients will have zero implementation burden, and Splitit benefits from distribution to many fast-growing retailers through a single connection to PHOENIX."
Telispire's flexible turnkey solution enables operators to enhance their brand by selecting relevant products and services, including provisioning, billing, eCommerce, fulfillment, and customer support. Splitit's white-label installments solution provides a simple single-point API integration, ensuring Telispire can offer its customers the flexibility to nurture and retain their subscribers, driving loyalty and promoting brand consistency on their terms.
The installment experience is embedded into the existing purchase flow, with the flexibility to determine specific products or product categories to offer Splitit installments and the number of the installments provided. Any consumer with the available balance on their credit card is automatically pre-qualified to use Splitit. There's no application, registration or redirects and no additional interest, hidden fees and or credit checks.
To learn more about Splitit's Installments-as-a-Service platform, visit: www.splitit.com
Telispire has been helping companies enter the wireless business since 2000, making it among the longest-operating, most experienced mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United States. Telispire, acquired by NRTC in 2006, delivers our state-of-the-art PHOENIX back office and billing system by leveraging the power and reach of trusted national wireless carriers and positioning ourselves as the premier mobile virtual network aggregator/enabler/operator (MVNA/E/O). Our highly Flexible Turnkey Solution enables operators to enhance their brand by selecting relevant products and services (Provisioning, Billing, eCommerce, Fulfillment, and Customer Support) that meet your business needs.
Splitit powers the next generation of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) through its merchant-branded Installments-as-a-Service platform. Splitit is solving the challenges businesses face with legacy BNPL while unlocking BNPL at the point of sale for card networks, issuers and acquirers all through a single network API. Splitit's Installments-as-a-Service platform mitigates issues with legacy BNPL like the declining conversion funnel, clutter at the checkout and a lack of control of the merchant's customer experience while putting the power back in the hands of merchants to nurture and retain customers, drive conversion and increase average order value. Splitit's white-label BNPL is the easiest installment option for merchants to adopt, integrate and operate while delivering an uncluttered, simplified experience embedded into their existing purchase flow. Headquartered in Atlanta, Splitit has an R&D center in Israel and offices in London and Australia. Splitit is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under ticker code SPT and also trades on the US OTCQX under ticker SPTTY (ADRs) and STTTF (ordinary shares).
Contact Information
Brian Blank Michael McMullan Craig Andrew, Telispire
Splititbrian.blank@splitit.com Berns Communications Group, on behalf of Splitit candrew@nrtc.coop
+1 760 917 3321 mmcmullan@bcg-pr.com +1 940 397 9606
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SOURCE Splitit USA, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/splitit-teams-up-with-telispire-power-installment-plans-high-ticket-mobile-devices/ | 2022-08-15T17:25:02Z |
Plan filed to build on project's success through second phase of smart grid technology investments
TOLEDO, Ohio, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Toledo Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company, is wrapping up smart grid upgrades in Lucas County to help prevent or minimize the length of service disruptions, particularly during severe weather. The work includes installation of new, automated equipment and technology in substations and power lines serving more than 59,000 customers in parts of Toledo, Holland, Maumee and nearby areas. Upgrades began in 2020 under the company's initial three-year portfolio of grid modernization work and is on track to be completed this summer.
"Every project is customized and designed to address the particular reliability needs of each community," said Ed Shuttleworth, president of FirstEnergy's Ohio operations. "These upgrades will allow us to restore service to our customers faster following severe weather events as well as pave the way for a more robust power system that has advanced technology to support different types of energy sources in the years to come."
Utility personnel are finalizing electrical equipment upgrades in seven substations in the greater Toledo area and modernizing 31 power lines that deliver electric service to customers from those facilities. Thousands of homes and businesses in the area will benefit from the installation of 134 new automated reclosing devices in the substations and along power lines to help limit the frequency, duration and scope of service interruptions.
These electrical devices work like a circuit breaker in a home that shuts off power when trouble occurs, with the added benefit of automatically reenergizing a substation or power line within seconds for certain types of outages to keep power safely flowing to customers. This technology is safer and more efficient because it often allows utility personnel to automatically restore service to customers in lieu of sending a crew to investigate.
If the device senses a more serious issue, like a fallen tree on electrical equipment, it will isolate the outage to that area and limit the total number of affected customers. The device's smart technology will quickly pinpoint the location of the fault and help utility personnel better understand the cause of the outage to help speed restoration.
Additional power lines that tie together existing circuits are also being constructed to provide more flexibility in restoring service following outages. The new power lines will help reduce the length and overall number of customers impacted during an outage by switching them to a backup line for faster service restoration.
Lastly, nearly 140 capacitor banks were installed to help ensure all customers served by a single power line receive the same flow of safe, reliable power by evenly distributing electricity down the line. These devices are expected to reduce energy usage for customers served near the beginning of a power line because they will benefit from optimized power voltages being fed into their homes or businesses.
Beyond the company's investments in power lines and equipment, Toledo Edison has installed nearly 130,000 smart meters for customers in Lucas County since 2020. As the latest in metering technology, smart meters enable customers to better track their energy consumption and minimize estimated readings. Smart meters also can be leveraged by customers electing to enroll in programs like time-varying rates, which can provide price incentives to reduce electricity use during high demand periods throughout the day.
FirstEnergy's Ohio utilities, including Toledo Edison, recently filed a plan with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) that would expand smart grid technology investments. The filing, known as Ohio Grid Mod II, proposes a four-year, $626 million investment plan that builds upon system upgrades completed since the PUCO approved the utilities' Grid Mod I plan in 2019.
"The projects we've completed under the first phase of our grid modernization plan have proven to be successful in reducing many power interruptions," said Shuttleworth. "This has laid the foundation for us to further enhance service reliability across our entire service area in Ohio, including northwest Ohio."
In addition to power infrastructure upgrades, the proposed plan also includes several pilot programs that could provide enhanced customer benefits, such as installing automated devices in neighborhoods throughout Toledo Edison's service area that are prone to animal- or tree-related outages, implementing programs designed to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and installing a battery energy storage system designed to support increased EV charging load along the Ohio Turnpike.
Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of Toledo Edison crews completing the grid modernization work under the previously approved plan are available for download on Flickr. Video footage/B-Roll of utility crews completing grid modernization work can be viewed and downloaded here.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/toledo-edison-completing-three-year-grid-modernization-project-lucas-county-strengthen-local-power-system/ | 2022-08-15T17:25:09Z |
The RIA technology and custodial services provider ranked 13th among midsized companies in the Sunshine State.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. and TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TradePMR, a technology and custodial services provider for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), has been named as one of Florida's Best Companies to Work For. This is the first time the growing company has been named to the list featured in the August 2022 issue of Florida Trend magazine. TradePMR ranked 13th among mid-sized companies.
"At TradePMR, we keep it fairly simple. We want all of our team members to feel valued, and respected and to have pride in their purpose. From the day I hired my first employee, I wanted each employee to have a place to grow," said Robb Baldwin, Founder, and CEO of TradePMR. "I appreciate all of the team members that voiced their opinions and work to make TradePMR what it is today."
Most recently the company implemented an Education Assistance Program which
provides tuition reimbursement, as well as supports other certification and professional growth programs. In 2021, the firm formalized its employee-led philanthropy program, providing each employee with a dollar-for-dollar match-back program during the height of the pandemic. The monetary program was added to an existing Philanthropy Paid Time Off program that began in 2018.
"I am incredibly proud of our employee-led philanthropy programs at TradePMR," continued Baldwin. "We are clearly a service-led organization – both to our clients and our communities."
In 2020, TradePMR expanded its corporate footprint to the Greater Tampa Bay area to continue to attract and retain top talent in the technology and financial services industries. Since the expansion, the company has grown nearly 30 percent in employee size.
To participate, companies or government entities were required to have at least 15 workers in Florida and to be in operation for at least one year. Companies that chose to participate underwent an evaluation of their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. The process also included a survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking.
The Best Companies To Work For In Florida program is managed by Florida Trend and Workforce Research Group and is endorsed by the HR Florida State Council. Workforce Research Group managed the registration, survey and analysis and determined the final rankings. For a list of the 100 Best Companies To Work For In Florida, go to FloridaTrend.com/BestCompanies.
For more information about beginning your career at TradePMR visit TradePMR.com/careers. Resumes are accepted at hr@tradepmr.com.
For more than two decades, TradePMR has worked with growth-minded independent registered investment advisors (RIAs), providing innovative technology tools and support designed to transform their businesses. The privately-held brokerage and custodian services provider (Member FINRA/SIPC), based in Gainesville, Fla., works to streamline fee-only investment advisors' operations through comprehensive custodial, operational, and trading support. For more information, visit www.TradePMR.com.
Follow TradePMR on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest news, updates, and event information.
Florida Trend business magazine is read by 270,000 influential business executives, civic leaders and government officials each month. Its award-winning reporting covers regional and statewide business news, industry executives and the business sectors they represent, as well as information on Florida's lifestyle, arts and culture scene. FloridaTrend.com offers eNews alerts, covering daily morning and afternoon breaking news; Business Beat, a weekly video newscast highlighting Florida's top business news stories; and weekly eNewsletters providing information, insight and details on Florida's growing industry sectors including health care, education, real estate, small business and movers and influencers. FloridaTrend.com attracts nearly a million pageviews and over 140,000 unique visitors each month.
Workforce Research Group works with partners worldwide to establish and manage "Best Places to Work," "Best Companies" and "Best Employers" programs. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, WRG identifies and recognizes companies that have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence. For more information, visit www.WorkforceRG.com.
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SOURCE TradePMR | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/tradepmr-named-one-floridas-best-companies-work/ | 2022-08-15T17:25:16Z |
BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TransMedia Group to promote former convict William Steel now starring in new breakout reality TV series "Inmate to Roommate" to debut 10 PM EST Thursday, August 18 on A&E Network.
"We're so pleased to promote a guy just called "Bill' on the new TV series all about his amazing transition from bad to good as today he's an author of two books and now knocking on the door of celebrityhood that's about to swing open," said TransMedia Group CEO Tom Madden
Steel is a former prolific jewel and art thief who spent 18 years in prison for non-violent crimes, and today is a rising true crime author appearing on A&E network's groundbreaking docuseries.
TransMedia said it plans to include in publicity how grateful Steel is to Donald Trump's attorney Peter Ticktin and Francis Mota of The Ticktin Law Group for representing him and helping him to turn his life around.
Publicity program to also underscore how Steel today is a crime victim advocate who, along with his fiancée Dr. Mary Bass, advocates for those wrongfully convicted.
Madden said the PR campaign will focus on the true crime books Steel has written including the blockbuster insiders exposé of his unfortunate relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell titled "Ghislaine: Sensational and Impure" and how Steel has become a prolific true crime podcaster at OfficialWilliamSteel on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram across all social media.
TransMedia to alert media that Steel is available for interviews and speaking engagements about his reformed life and how he believes this A&E series will "shed light on the challenges newly released prisoners have finding an appropriate place to live and work," also how privileged and humbled he is to an example of going straight.
The documentary series, "Inmate to Roommate," follows recently released inmates as they re-enter society and move in with everyday people who are welcoming them into their homes. This practice has been the subject of re-entry programs aimed at stopping recidivism. America has one of the world's highest recidivism rates with approximately 76% of released prisoners being re-arrested after 5 years. One of the most significant factors in reducing recidivism rates is access to housing.
William Steel contact: Press@WilliamSteelAuthor. (934)600-1140
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/William-Steel/e/B09P1LYC9M. His Electronic Press Kit:
https://williamsteelauthor.com/uploads/1/3/6/7/136781184/updated_updated_2022_epk_william_steel.pdf.pdf
Media contact: Tom Madden tmadden@transmediagroup.com, 561-750-9800 (o) 561-702-4999 ©
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SOURCE TransMedia Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/transmedia-group-promote-former-convict-william-steel-now-rising-star-new-tv-series-launching-this-week-aampe/ | 2022-08-15T17:25:23Z |
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Cares (usacares.org) is responding to an urgent need with the Kentucky Army National Guard as well as the Kentucky Air National Guard members who have been negatively affected by recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. Many of these families have lost their homes, and USA Cares is working closely with both National Guard teams to see these families through this difficult time with financial resources to begin their recovery.
"The men and women of the Kentucky National Guard stand ready to help the state as needs arise. This is our opportunity to give back to these amazing families as they now need our assistance. USA Cares is honored to help get them back on their feet and invite everyone across the country to join us in this effort." said Matt Castor, Vice President of USA Cares.
100 percent of the funds given to this campaign will go to help the Kentucky National Guard families affected by flooding. Contributions are used quickly and entirely for this project. In several cases, the families needing assistance have had their homes destroyed and are looking at a total recovery. In other cases, they have taken a significant loss and will need help as they rebuild. USA Cares stands ready to support these families. Visit our flood donation page to make a donation and help the service members and their families.
USA Cares is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to provide post-9/11 military veterans, service members, and their families with emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training that will create a foundation for long term stability. Our services improve the quality of life of veterans and their families and reduce potential factors that contribute to veteran suicide.
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SOURCE USA Cares | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/usa-cares-stands-ready-assist-military-flood-victims-eastern-kentucky/ | 2022-08-15T17:25:30Z |
A Clinical Grade Line That Delivers Superior Absorption and Maximum Potency
ROSSVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hemp2Lab is thrilled to announce that its Precise THC-Free Liposomal CBD and Topical products are now available through The Vitamin Shoppe via their website at www.vitaminshoppe.com. To learn more about Precise CBD products visit www.precisecbd.com
Precise Liposomal THC-Free CBD offers a clinical grade, innovative delivery mechanism through its proprietary Element6 Liposomal technology which provides up to 10x the absorption rates and higher potency. Precise CBD products are doctor-formulated and made in the USA by a scientific team with 70 years of combined expertise who control the entire manufacturing process in a Food Grade Certified facility.
"A common problem with most CBD products is that about 85% of the nutrients get vaporized by our stomach and liver, and the oil is not quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, says Bill Margaritis, CEO of Hemp2Lab, the manufacturer of the Precise products. "Our products are delivered with liposomes that are made from organic sunflower lecithin and converted into a water-soluble solution, which protect the nutrients from breaking down," Margaritis added.
"The Precise Clinical Grade line is targeted for discerning consumers who want high performance products backed by science with uncompromised quality, safety, and consistency," said Margaritis
The following Precise CBD products are marketed and sold directly to consumers via The Vitamin Shoppe website at https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search?search=lipsomal%20CBD.
- CBD THC-Free Hemp Oil Tincture
- CBD THC-Free Immune Boost Tincture
- CBD THC-Free Sleep Improvement Tincture
- CBD THC-Free Muscle Relief Roll-On
- CBD THC-Free Muscle Relief Cream
The Vitamin Shoppe partnership is a reflection of the quality and reliability of Precise CBD products, which are exclusively sold only in healthcare and wellness outlets.
About Hemp2Lab:
Hemp2Lab is a premier manufacturer of premium wellness products, including a variety of CBD infused and nutraceutical products. Through its Food Grade Certified facility, the company adheres to the highest standards of safety, quality, and performance. The leadership team has over 100 years of combined scientific, engineering, and farming expertise. It's 10,000 square foot facility in Rossville, TN is cGMP compliant, and the extraction lab is C1D1 safety rated. Through its blockchain data capture platform, the company provides full transparency to customers about the entire life cycle of its manufacturing processes.
For further information: media inquiries: bill@hemp2lab.com
Sales inquiries: sales@hemp2lab.com
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SOURCE Hemp2Lab | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/vitamin-shoppe-begins-carrying-precise-cbd-liposomal-thc-free-products/ | 2022-08-15T17:25:36Z |
XGIMI's HORIZON series and Halo+ projectors are now available through specialty retailer B&H
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- XGIMI Limited, the leading global projection equipment manufacturer today announced the availability of their highly lauded Halo+ and HORIZON series of 4K & FHD projectors on B&H. XGIMI has enjoyed meteoric overseas market growth by over 40% year-over-year from 2021 to 2022, due to its user-centric product designs that deliver right-out-of-the-box performance with smartphone-like ease of use. The move to expand its distribution to new channels will give consumers more choices for purchasing XGIMI products from one of the most respected brands in high end consumer electronics retail, B&H.
B&H will carry the much praised HORIZON series, of which the 4K version won a coveted Best Buy award from EISA last year. Created to fit into family spaces, rather than conference rooms, the XGIMI HORIZON series is the smarter all-in-one entertainment choice for those wanting to enjoy more than just movies from the comfort of home. Offering users crisp images and powerful sound quality, the XGIMI HORIZON series enables consumers to build their own home theaters in any room they choose. XGIMI's Intelligent Screen Adaption (ISA) technology offers users the ability to set up their XGIMI device from almost any angle and in almost any environment with ease. Hassle-free functionality, for quick, plug and play set up, makes the XGIMI HORIZON series truly the premium home entertainment projector must-have.
The ultra-portable battery powered Halo+ boasts industry-leading native 1080p FHD and HDR10+ image quality, and its 900 ANSI lumens brightness combined with a hyper-focused LED, delivers lightning-fast image focusing and brightness adjustments to provide best-in-class picture quality with low latency image processing capabilities. Halo+ adds a low-latency gaming mode that drops lag to an imperceptible 26ms, taking gaming on Halo+ to the next level. A more powerful battery that lasts long enough for a full movie means users can enjoy their favorite content, wire-free, anywhere they go. Both Halo+ and HORIZON series have two purpose-built Harman Kardon speakers that pump out crystal clear sound that remains crisp all the way up to high volumes for the ultimate theater experience.
"B&H is the first national retailer that XGIMI anchored in the U.S market and could serve as our strategic channels to offer the best-in-class smart projectors to a broader base of local customers," says Tex Yang, VP of XGIMI's Global Business Unit.
For a limited time the HORIZON Pro will be discounted from $1899 to $1615, and Halo+ will be dropped from $849 to $749. For additional information, visit XGIMI's website, or connect with them on Facebook.
ABOUT XGIMI
Trusted by more than 1.5 million users, XGIMI designs and manufactures high-performance multi-functional smart projectors and laser TV" and is determined to improve viewers' audio-visual experience. XGIMI has created a series of game-changing giant screen projection products with critical partners like Harman/Kardon, Google, Texas Instruments. By constantly recreating its products, XGIMI optimizes its portfolio and provides the most technologically advanced and user-first experience for consumers. The small, compact devices are incredibly powerful to create an outstanding immersive home theater experience. In recent years, XGIMI has won international awards such as CES Best Innovation Award, iF Design Awards, Red Dot Design Award, EISA Best Buy Projector and Good Design Award 38 times
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SOURCE XGIMI | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/xgimis-award-winning-projectors-now-available-through-bamph/ | 2022-08-15T17:25:43Z |
Starbucks asks labor board to halt union votes temporarily
(AP) – Starbucks on Monday asked the National Labor Relations Board to temporarily suspend all union elections at its U.S. stores, citing allegations from a board employee that regional NLRB officials improperly coordinated with union organizers.
In a letter to the board chairman, Starbucks said the unnamed career NLRB employee informed the company about the activity, which happened in the board’s St. Louis office in the spring while it was overseeing a union election at a Starbucks store in Overland Park, Kansas.
The store is one of 314 U.S. Starbucks locations where workers have petitioned the NLRB to hold union elections since late last year. More than 220 of those Starbucks stores have voted to unionize. The company opposes the unionization effort.
The Seattle coffee giant alleges that St. Louis labor board officials made special arrangements for pro-union workers to vote in person at its office when they did not receive mail-in ballots, even though Starbucks and the union had agreed that store elections would be handled by mail-in ballot.
In its letter, Starbucks referred to memos the regional office sent confirming that workers were allowed to come to the office and vote in person after the union told the regional office that some workers had not received ballots in the mail. The memos, citing “board protocol,” said the workers voted alone in an empty office, according to Starbucks.
“Because observers were not present, no one can be sure who appeared to vote, whether NLRB personnel had inappropriate communications with the voters, told them how to vote, showed them how to vote or engaged in other undisclosed conduct,” Starbucks wrote in its letter.
Starbucks said regional board officials also disclosed confidential information to the union, including which workers’ ballots had arrived in the mail to be counted.
Starbucks Workers United, the group seeking to unionize U.S. Starbucks stores, accused the company of trying to “distract attention away from their unprecedented anti-union campaign, including firing over 75 union leaders across the country, while simultaneously trying to halt all union elections.”
“Workers have spoken loud and clear by winning 82 percent of union elections,” the group said in a statement. “Ultimately, this is Starbucks’ latest attempt to manipulate the legal process for their own means and prevent workers from exercising their fundamental right to organize.”
A spokesperson for the NLRB said Monday that the agency doesn’t comment on open cases.
Press secretary Kayla Blado said the NLRB will “carefully and objectively” consider any challenges that Starbucks raises through “established channels.” Starbucks can also seek expedited review in the case, Blado said.
Workers at the Overland Park store petitioned the NLRB to hold a vote in February. In April, workers voted 6-1 to unionize, but seven additional ballots were the subject of challenges from Starbucks or the union. A hearing on those challenges is scheduled for Tuesday; Starbucks has asked for that hearing to be delayed.
Starbucks said there is evidence of misconduct in other regions as well. The company wants the NLRB to thoroughly investigate other Starbucks union elections and make public a report on its findings. The company said the board should also implement safeguards to prevent regional officials from coordinating with one party or another.
Starbucks also asked the NLRB to issue an order requiring all pending and future elections to be conducted in person with observers from both sides.
“If the NLRB does not respond by investigating and remedying these types of actions, we do not see how the board can represent itself as a neutral agency,” the company said in the letter.
Starbucks has long opposed unionization, dating back to CEO Howard Schultz’s acquisition of the company in the late 1980s. The current unionization effort has been riddled with accusations and lawsuits on both sides.
Starbucks Workers United has filed 284 unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against Starbucks or one of its operators, according to the labor board. Starbucks has filed two charges against Workers United.
Earlier this month, the labor board dismissed one of the charges filed by Starbucks, saying the company failed to prove that pro-union workers blocked store entrances or intimidated customers during a spring rally.
In June, the NLRB asked a federal court in western New York to order Starbucks to stop interfering with unionization efforts at its U.S. stores. It also asked the court to order Starbucks to reinstate seven Buffalo employees it says were unlawfully fired for trying to form a union. That case is pending.
But the NLRB’s actions against Starbucks haven’t always been successful. In June, a federal judge in Phoenix ruled that Starbucks didn’t have to rehire three workers who claimed that the company had retaliated against them for organizing a union.
Starbucks isn’t the only large company facing a unionization effort that has attacked the voting process.
Amazon has also levied accusations of improper conduct against the NLRB’s regional office in Brooklyn in its attempt to re-do a historic labor win at a warehouse on Staten Island, New York. Among other allegations, Amazon said the agency tainted the voting process by seeking reinstatement of a fired Amazon worker in the weeks leading up to the March election.
Attorneys representing the e-commerce juggernaut argued their case in an agency hearing during the summer. Attorneys for the agency have pushed back. A regional director for an NLRB office in Phoenix is expected to issue a ruling on that case in the coming weeks.
___
Associated Press Business Writer Haleluya Hadero in New York contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/starbucks-asks-labor-board-halt-union-votes-temporarily/ | 2022-08-15T17:35:03Z |
After thousands of suggestions from across the world, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has named its baby hippo Fritz.
Fritz's sister is Fiona, who caught the world's attention in 2017 after she was born six weeks premature. Fans have continually supported the 5-year-old hippo, who became the Cincinnati Zoo's star animal ever since.
After Fritz was born, the zoo said they received over 90,000 submissions of name suggestions from all 50 U.S. states and over 60 different countries.
The zoo narrowed down the two name options to Fritz and Ferguson. Fritz received 56% of the over 200,000 votes cast, according to the zoo.
Say hello to Fritz! More than 200,000 votes were received via a Jotform poll, and 56% preferred Fritz over Ferguson. The hippo keepers love the name and think it’s fitting since Bibi's birth control was apparently on the fritz. 😂 It also sounds good with Fiona! @Jotform pic.twitter.com/jNr0PhhmLi
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) August 15, 2022
"We would have been happy with either name, but we really think the name Fritz fits this spunky little guy's personality," Wendy Rice, the Cincinnati Zoo's head hippo keeper, said in a news release Monday.
The pregnancy of Fiona's mom, Bibi, was a happy surprise for the zoo. In April, it announced that despite taking doses of contraceptives, Bibi was expecting. And that makes the name even more fitting.
"We also thought it was funny that it was suggested because 'Fritz' is here due to Bibi's birth control being 'on the fritz,'" Rice said.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/fiona-the-hippos-little-brother-has-a-name-after-a-worldwide-contest | 2022-08-15T17:39:28Z |
Tens of thousands of Michiganders have been told to boil their water due to an advisory implemented. The water advisory took place this weekend and remains in place.
Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee talks with Michigan Radio’s Briana Rice about the situation and when regular water service might return.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/in-michigan-thousands-remain-under-water-advisory | 2022-08-15T17:39:35Z |
NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya's electoral commission chairman has declared Deputy President William Ruto the winner of the close presidential election over five-time contender Raila Odinga, a triumph for the man who shook up politics by appealing to struggling Kenyans on economic terms and not on traditional ethnic ones.
Ruto received 50.49% of the vote, the chairman said, while Odinga received 48.85%.
But chaos emerged just before the declaration when the electoral commission's vice chair and three other commissioners told journalists they could not support the "opaque nature" of the final phase of the process.
"We cannot take ownership of the result that is going to be announced," vice chair Juliana Cherera said, without giving details. At the declaration venue, police surged to impose calm amid shouting and scuffles before electoral commission chair Wafula Chebukati announced the official results — and said the two commissioners still there had been injured.
The sudden split in the commission came minutes after Odinga's chief agent said they could not verify the results and made allegations of "electoral offenses" without giving details or evidence. Odinga didn't come to the venue for the declaration.
Now Kenyans wait to see whether Odinga will again go to court to contest the results of Tuesday's peaceful election in a country crucial to regional stability. This is likely the final try for the 77-year-old longtime opposition figure backed this time by former rival and outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, who fell out with his deputy, Ruto, years ago.
"ANY results IEBC Chairman Wafuka Chebukati announces are INVALID because he had no quorum of commissioners to hold a plenary and make such a weighty decision. The ongoing process at Bomas is now ILLEGAL," Odinga spokesman Makau Mutua tweeted.
Candidates or others have seven days to file any challenge over the election results. The Supreme Court will have 14 days to rule.
The 55-year-old Ruto, despite being sidelined by the president, fought back and told voters that the election was between "hustlers" like him from modest backgrounds and the "dynasties" of Kenyatta and Odinga, whose fathers were Kenya's first president and vice president. Odinga has sought the presidency for a quarter-century.
Ruto in his acceptance speech thanked Odinga and emphasized an election that focused on issues and not ethnic divisions, saying that "gratitude goes to millions of Kenyans who refused to be boxed into tribal cocoons." He added that people who had acted against his campaign "have nothing to fear ... There is no room for vengeance."
Turnout in this election dropped to 65%, reflecting the weariness of Kenyans seeing the same longtime political figures on the ballot and frustration with poor economic conditions in East Africa's economic hub. At the top, Kenyan politics are often marked less by ideological platforms than by alliances that create a path to power and the wealth that can come with it.
Some Kenyans also appeared wary after the Supreme Court earlier this year blocked an attempt by Kenyatta to make major changes to the constitution to, among other things, create a prime minister post that some feared Kenyatta would fill if Odinga won.
Odinga, famous for his yearslong detention while fighting for multiparty democracy decades ago and for supporting Kenya's groundbreaking 2010 constitution, now appeared to many Kenyans as part of the establishment for backing the proposed constitutional changes.
Ruto, meanwhile, portrayed himself as the brash outsider and played up his chicken-selling childhood despite his current post and wealth. Both men's careers were fundamentally marked by former President Daniel Arap Moi, who mentored a young Ruto and ruled over a one-party system that Odinga fought against.
The electoral commission improved its transparency in this election, practically inviting Kenyans to do the tallying themselves by posting online the more than 46,000 results forms from around the country. For the first time, the public could follow the election as sometimes skittish local media houses and even individuals compiled and shared findings as a check on the official process.
Such counts showed Ruto ahead, but the race remained so close that joyous supporters of each candidate gathered in their strongholds hours before the declaration in anticipation of victory. In parts of the capital, Nairobi, and other cities, streets emptied and businesses closed.
As Kenyans waited for almost a week for official results, both Odinga and Ruto appealed for peace, echoing calls by police, civil society groups and religious leaders in a country where past elections have been marked by political violence.
After the 2007 vote, more than 1,000 people were killed after Odinga claimed victory had been stolen from him in an election widely seen as compromised. Ruto, then Odinga's ally, was indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity for his role in the violence, but the case was terminated amid allegations of witness intimidation.
After the 2017 election results were overturned by the high court for irregularities, a first in Africa, Odinga boycotted the fresh vote that Kenyatta won and declared himself the "people's president" in a ceremony that led to accusations of treason. Following unrest in which dozens were killed, Odinga and Kenyatta publicly shook hands to establish calm.
Kenyans want that calm to continue. "Leaders are there to come and go," Richard Osiolo, a resident of the western Nyanza region, said over the weekend, dismissing the need to fight because rival candidates in the end make peace. "I should stay alive and see you lead, bad or good, and then I have another chance to choose another leader."
Both candidates vowed to help Kenya's poor. Odinga promised government cash handouts to families under the poverty line, and Ruto promised government spending of more than $1 billion a year to increase job opportunities in a country where more than a third of young Kenyans are unemployed.
Social media was not blocked during the election. Kenya is seen as a relatively democratic and stable country in a region where longtime leaders such as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are widely accused of overseeing votes that are not free and fair.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/kenyas-deputy-president-ruto-is-declared-the-election-winner | 2022-08-15T17:39:41Z |
A year ago Monday, the Taliban marched into Kabul, Afghanistan, taking over the city and country. The U.S. withdrew troops and began an evacuation that turned chaotic and deadly.
Associated Press correspondent Kathy Gannon has covered Afghanistan and Pakistan for three decades and talks to Here & Now‘s Scott Tong about the state of Afghanistan a year on.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/one-year-later-reflecting-on-the-state-of-afghanistan-since-the-taliban-takeover | 2022-08-15T17:39:48Z |
An institute in Poland has declared the household cat an invasive species. In Iceland, household cats have a curfew. What’s so dangerous about these cats?
Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee talks to Laura Helmuth, editor-in-chief at Scientific American about the damage that household cats do to nearby species when they’re let outside.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/poland-declares-that-household-cats-are-now-an-invasive-species | 2022-08-15T17:39:54Z |
Here & Now‘s Scott Tong gets the latest on Ukraine and the shelling around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant from John Hudson, a national security reporter at the Washington Post.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/shellings-continues-at-ukraine-nuclear-plant | 2022-08-15T17:40:00Z |
Starbucks is accusing National Labor Relations Board employees of secretly coordinated with union organizers in the Kansas City area — and it wants the agency to halt all mail-in votes nationwide until a full investigation has been conducted. But labor organizers immediately called the move an extension of a broader anti-union campaign.
The allegation is at the center of a 16-page letter Starbucks attorneys sent on Monday to NLRB Chairman Lauren McFerran and the agency's general counsel.
In the letter, which Starbucks shared with NPR, the company accuses NLRB personnel and the union of exploiting weaknesses in the mail-in ballot system to unfairly influence a vote over unionizing a store in Overland Park, Kansas, earlier this year.
Starbucks alleges that NLRB regional staff repeatedly crossed the line of neutrality, alleging that despite ordering a mail-in election, the agency arranged for some voters to cast their ballot in person without informing Starbucks representatives.
It also says NLRB workers shared real-time information with organizers about whether certain ballots had been received. And the company said it believes similar actions took place in at least two other NLRB regions.
The National Labor Relations Board was established in 1935, to protect workers' rights to organize and to collectively bargain with their employers over working conditions and other issues.
The NLRB and organizers respond to Starbucks' claims
When reached for comment, NLRB spokesperson Kayla Blado noted that the agency doesn't comment on open cases — but it seems that, for now at least, Starbucks' grievances are not in that category, as its wide-ranging letter doesn't follow the NLRB's long-formalized rules for handling challenges to elections and other circumstances.
"Those challenges should be raised in filings specific to the particular matters in question," Blado said. "The regional staff – and, ultimately, the Board – will carefully and objectively consider any challenges raised through these established channels, which include opportunities to seek expedited review in both representation and unfair labor practice cases."
The pro-union group Starbucks Workers United said the new accusations are part of the Seattle corporation's broader strategy to thwart organized labor.
"This is Starbucks yet again attempting to distract attention away from their unprecedented anti-union campaign, including firing over 75 union leaders across the country, while simultaneously trying to halt all union elections," the group told NPR via email. "Workers have spoken loud and clear by winning 82 percent of union elections."
Where do the Starbucks allegations come from?
Starbucks says the accusations originate with an "NLRB career professional" who it says "is aware of documents outlining with specificity a concerted effort to tip the scales in voting to favor the Union in a Kansas City area (Overland Park) store election." Starbucks did not name the person.
When asked in a follow-up conversation whether the NLRB worker had used federal whistleblower protocols or contacted the agency's inspector general about their concerns, the company said the person's supervisor had opted not to pursue their claims.
Despite Starbucks' insistence that its workers — known as "partners" — don't need a union, Starbucks Workers United says more than 200 of the company's stores in the U.S. are now unionized. The effort has rapidly gained momentum in the past year, but the unionized locations represent only a small fraction of the 15,650 U.S. stores Starbucks listed in its most recent earnings report.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/starbucks-asks-for-a-nationwide-pause-in-mail-in-union-votes-alleging-misconduct | 2022-08-15T17:40:07Z |
For the full story, click here.
Here & Now revisits host Scott Tong’s conversation with cookbook author and Youtube channel show host J. Kenji López-Alt about his book “The Wok: Recipes and Techniques,” which came out in March.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/wok-the-walk-food-guru-kenji-lopez-alt-on-his-must-have-pan-in-the-kitchen | 2022-08-15T17:40:13Z |
Sara Reyes, 36, knows she doesn’t want kids. For her, the choice was settled years ago, but then Roe v. Wade was overturned and Utah attempted to implement its trigger law.
While the abortion ban remains held up in litigation, Reyes, who gets the Depo-Provera shot for birth control, said she’s scared that the Supreme Court will come after contraceptives next.
In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas suggested the court revisit cases that have already been decided related to contraception and same-sex marriage.
Reyes, who lives in Salt Lake City, said she’s seeking more permanent solutions like tubal ligation, which involves tying or removing a person’s fallopian tubes. She and her partner have even discussed his option of also getting a vasectomy.
“That wouldn't protect me necessarily,” she said. “Right? So that's definitely a consideration for me. And I understand it's a much more complicated procedure for me than it would be for him to do this, but it's definitely weighing on my mind more, I need to protect myself [and] cover all my bases.”
More and more young women in the state are seeking sterilization in the new post-Roe world, according to Dr. Misha Pangasa, a board-certified OB-GYN. And Utah isn't alone, women in states where abortion access has already been restrictive, like Texas, are seeking these options. The same can even be said for states with reproductive choice protections, like Colorado.
“I've seen patients who are younger and younger seeking permanent options for contraception because they're afraid of what care might be restricted from them in the future,” Pangasa said. “There's less severe versions of that conversation where people want to replace their IUDs right now, even if they have more time on them because they don't know what the future looks like. People are afraid of not being able to control their reproduction. Controlling your own reproduction is so fundamentally important to women — being able to live their lives the way that they want to.”
Access to that kind of health care can also be difficult to come by. Many Utah providers are often uncomfortable providing that care to younger patients, Pangasa said. As a result, she sees many of those referrals.
“There are a lot of providers who just don't trust women's decisions,” Pangasa said. “Unfortunately, the whole field of medicine has been based on this idea of paternalism, of [doctors] knowing better what is right for people and obviously, we have medical expertise about safety and evidence and options. But when it comes to somebody deciding what they want for their reproductive future, that is something that no doctor can decide for them.”
Pangasa said even when there are doctors who are willing to provide this health care, there are still legal hoops like state forms that must be signed 30 days prior. The process becomes more complicated if people have state Medicaid.
Erica Fryer, 27, a mother of two from Kearns, said she is also terrified of the courts restricting contraception. She said she can’t risk getting pregnant again due to health concerns.
“‘Oh, the Utah trigger law, it will protect you if you're on your deathbed or if you're at risk of dying,’” she said. “But that's my question, is it when I'm on my deathbed? The things I've had to deal with during my pregnancies, I've had to deal with pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, I've had to deal with cholestasis. Both of those things can cause death. But at what point does the Utah law allow my doctor to perform an abortion on me?”
Fryer said she plans on meeting with her doctor in the next week to discuss getting her tubal ligation. She said she fears the state trigger law is too vague, and there hasn’t been a clear interpretation to give her peace of mind.
“I mean I had even thought of getting a hysterectomy. Just fully just getting everything taken out. But it's something that I am seriously going to discuss with my doctor, and with Roe v. Wade turning. I just can't risk [getting pregnant]. I can't risk it with my two kids and my husband.”
Copyright 2022 KUER 90.1. To see more, visit KUER 90.1. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/health/2022-08-15/in-a-post-roe-world-these-utah-women-are-considering-sterilization-as-a-form-of-protection | 2022-08-15T17:40:20Z |
News brief
As solar energy surges, wildlife biologists in Wyoming have published a paper highlighting the challenges utility-scale solar projects pose to big game, like elk and deer.
Beginning in 2018, the researchers monitored 20 GPS-collared pronghorn in southwest Wyoming before and after construction of the 80-megawatt Sweetwater Solar Facility, the first utility-scale solar development in the state. They found that the facility – which was enclosed with a chain-link fence as required – resulted in the direct loss of about 550 acres of habitat and a roughly 40% drop in pronghorn activity within 1 to 2 kilometers of the site.
Hall Sawyer is a research biologist with Western Ecosystems Technology and the lead author of the paper, which was published in April in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. He says the case study shows that fenced solar facilities can directly and indirectly affect habitat and create movement barriers.
“We really didn’t expect this sort of outcome,” he said during a recent webinar with The Wildlife Society in reference to the indirect loss of habitat. “Mainly because the amount of disturbance associated with the solar sites is really low, compared to other forms of disturbance, like oil and gas drilling. There’s not a bunch of traffic. There’s not a bunch of noise. There’s not a bunch of lights.”
Before the facility was constructed, 69% of resident pronghorn used the area, he said, and they subsequently had to modify daily and seasonal movement.
When possible, Sawyer suggests solar projects be built outside big game habitat, which can be ascertained by migration corridor maps. If it can’t be avoided, he advises facilities keep the area as small as possible, add wildlife paths through the fenced site, angle the corners of the fences and create buffers by roads.
“I think in general the better approach is to try and make these things permeable to wildlife, rather than trying to deter wildlife from them,” he said.
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Montana, KUNC in Colorado, KUNM in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Copyright 2022 KUNM. To see more, visit KUNM. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/natural-resources-energy/2022-08-15/wildlife-biologists-shed-light-on-how-solar-developments-affect-big-game | 2022-08-15T17:40:26Z |
1 killed, several injured in house explosion in Missouri
WYATT, Mo. (KFVS/Gray News) - Multiple first responders rushed to the 500 block of Pecan Street in Wyatt to a report of a house explosion on Monday morning.
Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker confirmed at least one person was killed in the blast.
Parker said the victim passed away at a Cape Girardeau hospital.
Their identity has not been released. Parker said his office is in the process of notifying family, KFVS reported.
According to the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, 10 people were injured in the explosion.
Charleston Department of Public Safety Chief Robert Hearnes said the injured include adults and children as young as 6 months old.
Hearnes said the house exploded around 7 a.m. and a second home caught on fire.
At least three ambulance districts, Charleston firefighters and ambulance and other first responders in Mississippi and Scott counties responded to the scene.
Hearnes said the explosion might have been caused by a faulty water heater. The State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate.
Copyright 2022 KFVS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/1-killed-several-injured-house-explosion-missouri/ | 2022-08-15T18:25:19Z |
Cheney and Murkowski: Trump critics facing divergent futures
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — They hail from their states’ most prominent Republican families. They have been among the GOP’s sharpest critics of former President Donald Trump. And after the Jan. 6 insurrection, they supported his impeachment.
But for all their similarities, the political fortunes of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming are poised to diverge on Tuesday when they’re each on the ballot in closely watched primary elections.
Cheney faces daunting prospects in her effort to fend off the Trump-backed Harriet Hageman, increasingly looking at a life beyond Capitol Hill that could include a possible presidential campaign. Murkowski, however, is expected to advance from her primary and is already planning to compete in the November general election.
The anticipated outcomes at least partially stem from the nuanced politics of each state. Wyoming is a Republican stronghold, delivering Trump his strongest victory of any state in the 2020 campaign. Alaska, meanwhile, has a history of rewarding candidates with an independent streak.
But Murkowski enjoys an additional advantage in the way elections are being conducted in Alaska this year. Winner-take-all party primaries, like the one Cheney is facing, have been replaced by a voter-approved process in which all candidates are listed together. The four who get the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election in which ranked voting will be used.
Murkowski benefits from avoiding a Republican primary, “which she would have had a zero percent — I mean zero percent — chance of winning,” said Alaska pollster Ivan Moore.
Murkowski has 18 challengers in her primary, the most prominent being Republican Kelly Tshibaka, whom Trump has endorsed. The Alaska Democratic Party, meanwhile, has endorsed Pat Chesbro, a retired educator.
In an interview, Murkowski insisted she would be among the candidates advancing from the primary and said her success requires, in part, coalition building.
“That’s kind of my strong suit, that’s what I do,” she said.
For his part, Trump has been harsh in his assessment of Murkowski. At a rally in Anchorage last month with Tshibaka and Sarah Palin, whom he’s endorsed for Alaska’s only House seat, he called Murkowski “the worst. I rate her No. 1 bad.”
Trump participated in a telerally for Tshibaka on Thursday while Murkowski mingled with supporters at a campaign office opening in Juneau, which boasted a spread that included moose chili and smoked salmon dip. Murkowski said Trump isn’t a factor in the campaign she’s running.
“He is going to do what he’s going to do,” she said. But she told supporters the campaign will be challenging.
Murkowski was censured by Alaska Republican Party leaders last year over numerous grievances, including the impeachment vote and speaking critically of Trump and her support of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s nomination.
Tuckerman Babcock, a former state Republican Party chair who is running for state Senate, said Murkowski has lost the support of many Alaska Republicans, which he called a “political reality over a record of many years.”
Republicans in Alaska are “almost unanimous in their opposition to Lisa Murkowski,” he said. “Are they divided on other issues? Of course.”
Babcock said the new elections system lets candidates “self-identify” with a party and is not an improvement over the old party primary process.
Chuck Kopp, a Republican former state legislator, is hopeful about the new system. Kopp lost his 2020 Republican primary after being part of a bipartisan state House majority composed largely of Democrats.
“It’s only the fringe that is clinging like a death grip on a failed paradigm, and that paradigm is extreme partisanship at all costs,” he said. “I think Alaska is going to take a leadership role in moving away from that. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Kopp said that while he has not always supported Murkowski, she has been “fearless when it counts for this country.”
“I think she has shown that personality cults aren’t conservative, conspiracy theories aren’t conservative and treating politics like a religion is not conservative,” Kopp said. He said he thinks Murkowski has more support throughout Alaska than party activists give her credit for.
The Senate seat has been held by a Murkowski since 1981; before Lisa Murkowski, it was her father, Republican Frank Murkowski. He appointed his daughter to succeed him in 2002 after he became governor. Murkowski won the seat in her own right in 2004.
Murkowski has not cracked 50% of the vote in a Senate general election, and needing to build a coalition of support is nothing new to her. She won a write-in campaign in 2010 after losing that year’s Republican primary to tea party favorite Joe Miller.
Murkowski overwhelmingly won her Republican primary against little-known opponents in 2016, the year Trump was elected.
Rosita Worl, an Alaska Native leader, referred to the 2010 primary as “the debacle” and said Alaska Natives rallied around Murkowski and her write-in bid. Worl, who attended Murkowski’s Juneau campaign event, said she is not a Republican herself but sees Murkowski as an Alaskan and said the senator has “always supported our issues.”
State Rep. Zack Fields, a Democrat seeking reelection to an Anchorage legislative seat, said there are yards in his district with signs for him and Murkowski. He said he doesn’t agree with Murkowski on the “majority of votes that she’s cast over her career.”
“But she has shown that she believes in democracy and will work with people to accomplish things that are the right thing for citizens. That actually is at risk right now,” he said.
Fields called the insurrection “horrifying.”
“But what was even frankly more terrifying than that is that so many elected officials and high-ranking so-called leaders would excuse it, justify it and otherwise embolden those who threaten democracy,” he said.
Cheney is the vice chair of the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot. The insurrection was a big issue during a June debate between Cheney and Republican challengers, including Hageman. Hageman said the committee was “not focused on things that are important to the people of Wyoming.”
Entering the final stretch of her primary campaign, Cheney hasn’t backed down. She released a video on Thursday with a closing message reinforcing her criticism of Trump.
“The lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen is insidious,” Cheney said. “It preys on those who love their country. It is a door Donald Trump opened to manipulate Americans to abandon their principles, to sacrifice their freedom, to justify violence, to ignore the rulings of our courts and the rule of law.”
She added, “This is Donald Trump’s legacy, but it cannot be the future of our nation.”
In the interview, Murkowski said Cheney has shown courage.
“I think she has looked at this and said, this is not about Liz Cheney,” Murkowski said. “This is about ... the difference between right and wrong. And she is doing her job under very challenging circumstances. But I think she’s doing it because she believes she has to.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/cheney-murkowski-trump-critics-facing-divergent-futures/ | 2022-08-15T18:25:25Z |
Defense Secretary Austin positive for COVID-19 for second time
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms and will quarantine at home. It’s the second time Austin has gotten the coronavirus.
In a statement, Austin, 69, said his is fully vaccinated and has received two boosters. He said he’ll quarantine for the next five days in accordance with CDC guidelines and “will retain all authorities and plan to maintain my normal work schedule virtually from home.”
Austin said his last in-person contact with President Joe Biden was on July 29.
In January, Austin also contracted COVID and had received a booster in October.
“Now, as in January, my doctor told me that my fully vaccinated status, including two booster shots, is why my symptoms are less severe than would otherwise be the case,” Austin said. “I will continue to consult closely with my doctor in the coming days.”
He added, “Vaccinations continue to both slow the spread of COVID-19 and to make its health effects less severe. Vaccination remains a medical requirement for our workforce, and I continue to encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated and boosted.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/defense-secretary-austin-positive-covid-19-second-time/ | 2022-08-15T18:25:32Z |
Frozen pizzas recalled for possible metal contamination
(Gray News) – A food company is recalling its frozen pizzas for potentially containing “extraneous materials,” specifically metal, after consumer complaints were made, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Home Run Inn Frozen Foods is voluntarily recalling about 13,099 pounds of frozen meat pizzas that were produced on June 6, 2022.
The 33.5-ounce cartons containing “Home Run Inn Chicago’s premium pizzeria deluxe sausage classic pizza” have a “best by” date of 12/03/22.
The pizza products being recalled bear the establishment number “EST. 18498-A” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The USDA says the items were shipped to a distributor in Illinois before being distributed to retailers.
After receiving complaints from customers, the company notified the Food Safety and Inspection Service about the problem.
The USDA says there have not been any reports of injuries or sicknesses caused by these products. Anyone who may be concerned about injury or illness from the product is encouraged to contact a health care provider.
If you have any of these pizzas in your freezer, you are urged to not eat them and instead return them to the place of purchase or throw them away.
For more information, visit the USDA’s website.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/frozen-pizzas-recalled-possible-metal-contamination/ | 2022-08-15T18:25:41Z |
Giuliani is a target of Georgia elections probe, his lawyers were told
ATLANTA (AP) — Prosecutors in Atlanta have told lawyers for Rudy Giuliani that he’s a target of their criminal investigation into possible illegal attempts by then-President Donald Trump and others to interfere in the 2020 general election in Georgia, his lawyer said Monday.
Special prosecutor Nathan Wade alerted Giuliani’s local attorney in Atlanta, Bill Thomas, on Monday morning, attorney Bob Costello said.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened the investigation last year, and a special grand jury was seated in May at her request. County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who’s overseeing the special grand jury, has instructed Giuliani to appear before the panel to testify on Wednesday.
McBurney had urged prosecutors during a hearing last week to tell Giuliani’s lawyers before his appearance whether he is a target of the investigation.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/giuliani-is-target-georgia-probe-into-possible-illegal-election-interference-lawyers-told/ | 2022-08-15T18:25:50Z |
Jury hears from key informant in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
(AP) - A crucial informant is on the witness stand in the trial of two men charged with scheming to kidnap the Michigan governor in 2020.
In a recording, jurors heard Adam Fox declare, “That’s it!” when he drove past Gretchen Whitmer’s vacation home in 2020.
Dan Chappel was driving the pickup truck and secretly recording conversations.
Fox and Barry Croft Jr. are on trial for the second time on conspiracy charges.
A jury in federal court in western Michigan couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict last April but acquitted two other men.
Fox, Croft and four other men were arrested in October 2020, just weeks before the presidential election.
The government said they were making plans to get money for an explosive.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/jury-hears-key-informant-gov-whitmer-kidnap-plot/ | 2022-08-15T18:25:56Z |
More than 2 million MamaRoos and RockaRoos recalled after reported death
(Gray News) – More than 2 million MamaRoo baby swings and 220,000 RockaRoo baby rockers in the U.S. have been recalled due to entanglement and strangulation hazards.
A 10-month-old reportedly died from asphyxiation after crawling under the seat of the swing and getting caught in the strap, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Another 10-month-old was reported to have suffered bruising to his neck before being rescued by a caregiver.
The CPSC said there have not been any reported incidents involving the RockaRoo at this time.
The MamaRoo is a baby swing that has several motions and speeds, while the RockaRoo is a rocker with a front-to-back gliding motion.
This recall includes MamaRoo models that use a 3-point harness - versions 1.0 and 2.0 (model number 4M-005), version 3.0 (model number 1026), and version 4.0 (model number 1037). The 5-point harness model is not included in the recall.
Only the RockaRoo with model number 4M-012 is included in the recall.
Anyone with crawling babies should stop using the swings immediately and put them in a place where the infants can’t reach them.
They were sold at Target and BuyBuy Baby stores nationwide and online at Amazon and 4moms.com from January 2010 through August 2022 for between $160 and $250.
Another 60,000 MamaRoo and 10,000 RockaRoo products under recall were sold in Canada.
Those with the recalled product can contact 4moms to register for a free strap fastener to prevent the strap from extending under the swing when not in use.
4moms CEO Gary Waters provided the following statement in response to the recall:
“Families put their trust in our company when they choose to bring our products into their homes. That’s why we take every precaution and make the extra effort to ensure that our baby gear products not only meet but exceed all applicable safety standards.
We are deeply saddened by the two incidents that occurred when babies crawled under the seat of unoccupied MamaRoo swings. After investigating the circumstances behind these two reported incidents, 4moms decided to conduct a voluntary recall in partnership with the CPSC.
The free strap fastener kit we have designed is an easy-to-install solution that we believe will prevent any other incidents from happening when a MamaRoo or RockaRoo is not in use and an infant crawls under the seat. We strongly urge our consumers, retailers, and re-seller partners to implement the strap fastener solution to ensure the complete safety of our products.
We will continue to hold ourselves to the highest quality and safety standards so that parents feel safe, secure, and confident in their decision to have 4moms support their family.”
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/more-than-2-million-mamaroos-rockaroos-recalled-after-reported-death/ | 2022-08-15T18:26:03Z |
Starbucks asks labor board to halt union votes temporarily
(AP) – Starbucks on Monday asked the National Labor Relations Board to temporarily suspend all union elections at its U.S. stores, citing allegations from a board employee that regional NLRB officials improperly coordinated with union organizers.
In a letter to the board chairman, Starbucks said the unnamed career NLRB employee informed the company about the activity, which happened in the board’s St. Louis office in the spring while it was overseeing a union election at a Starbucks store in Overland Park, Kansas.
The store is one of 314 U.S. Starbucks locations where workers have petitioned the NLRB to hold union elections since late last year. More than 220 of those Starbucks stores have voted to unionize. The company opposes the unionization effort.
The Seattle coffee giant alleges that St. Louis labor board officials made special arrangements for pro-union workers to vote in person at its office when they did not receive mail-in ballots, even though Starbucks and the union had agreed that store elections would be handled by mail-in ballot.
In its letter, Starbucks referred to memos the regional office sent confirming that workers were allowed to come to the office and vote in person after the union told the regional office that some workers had not received ballots in the mail. The memos, citing “board protocol,” said the workers voted alone in an empty office, according to Starbucks.
“Because observers were not present, no one can be sure who appeared to vote, whether NLRB personnel had inappropriate communications with the voters, told them how to vote, showed them how to vote or engaged in other undisclosed conduct,” Starbucks wrote in its letter.
Starbucks said regional board officials also disclosed confidential information to the union, including which workers’ ballots had arrived in the mail to be counted.
Starbucks Workers United, the group seeking to unionize U.S. Starbucks stores, accused the company of trying to “distract attention away from their unprecedented anti-union campaign, including firing over 75 union leaders across the country, while simultaneously trying to halt all union elections.”
“Workers have spoken loud and clear by winning 82 percent of union elections,” the group said in a statement. “Ultimately, this is Starbucks’ latest attempt to manipulate the legal process for their own means and prevent workers from exercising their fundamental right to organize.”
A spokesperson for the NLRB said Monday that the agency doesn’t comment on open cases.
Press secretary Kayla Blado said the NLRB will “carefully and objectively” consider any challenges that Starbucks raises through “established channels.” Starbucks can also seek expedited review in the case, Blado said.
Workers at the Overland Park store petitioned the NLRB to hold a vote in February. In April, workers voted 6-1 to unionize, but seven additional ballots were the subject of challenges from Starbucks or the union. A hearing on those challenges is scheduled for Tuesday; Starbucks has asked for that hearing to be delayed.
Starbucks said there is evidence of misconduct in other regions as well. The company wants the NLRB to thoroughly investigate other Starbucks union elections and make public a report on its findings. The company said the board should also implement safeguards to prevent regional officials from coordinating with one party or another.
Starbucks also asked the NLRB to issue an order requiring all pending and future elections to be conducted in person with observers from both sides.
“If the NLRB does not respond by investigating and remedying these types of actions, we do not see how the board can represent itself as a neutral agency,” the company said in the letter.
Starbucks has long opposed unionization, dating back to CEO Howard Schultz’s acquisition of the company in the late 1980s. The current unionization effort has been riddled with accusations and lawsuits on both sides.
Starbucks Workers United has filed 284 unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against Starbucks or one of its operators, according to the labor board. Starbucks has filed two charges against Workers United.
Earlier this month, the labor board dismissed one of the charges filed by Starbucks, saying the company failed to prove that pro-union workers blocked store entrances or intimidated customers during a spring rally.
In June, the NLRB asked a federal court in western New York to order Starbucks to stop interfering with unionization efforts at its U.S. stores. It also asked the court to order Starbucks to reinstate seven Buffalo employees it says were unlawfully fired for trying to form a union. That case is pending.
But the NLRB’s actions against Starbucks haven’t always been successful. In June, a federal judge in Phoenix ruled that Starbucks didn’t have to rehire three workers who claimed that the company had retaliated against them for organizing a union.
Starbucks isn’t the only large company facing a unionization effort that has attacked the voting process.
Amazon has also levied accusations of improper conduct against the NLRB’s regional office in Brooklyn in its attempt to re-do a historic labor win at a warehouse on Staten Island, New York. Among other allegations, Amazon said the agency tainted the voting process by seeking reinstatement of a fired Amazon worker in the weeks leading up to the March election.
Attorneys representing the e-commerce juggernaut argued their case in an agency hearing during the summer. Attorneys for the agency have pushed back. A regional director for an NLRB office in Phoenix is expected to issue a ruling on that case in the coming weeks.
___
Associated Press Business Writer Haleluya Hadero in New York contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/starbucks-asks-labor-board-halt-union-votes-temporarily/ | 2022-08-15T18:26:10Z |
1 killed, several injured in house explosion in Missouri
WYATT, Mo. (KFVS/Gray News) - Multiple first responders rushed to the 500 block of Pecan Street in Wyatt to a report of a house explosion on Monday morning.
Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker confirmed at least one person was killed in the blast.
Parker said the victim passed away at a Cape Girardeau hospital.
Their identity has not been released. Parker said his office is in the process of notifying family, KFVS reported.
According to the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, 10 people were injured in the explosion.
Charleston Department of Public Safety Chief Robert Hearnes said the injured include adults and children as young as 6 months old.
Hearnes said the house exploded around 7 a.m. and a second home caught on fire.
At least three ambulance districts, Charleston firefighters and ambulance and other first responders in Mississippi and Scott counties responded to the scene.
Hearnes said the explosion might have been caused by a faulty water heater. The State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate.
Copyright 2022 KFVS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/1-killed-several-injured-house-explosion-missouri/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:02Z |
Augusta County continues SRO hiring process, awarded SRO grant
VERONA, Va. (WHSV) - In June, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors decided to fund 12 additional school resource officer (SRO) positions, allowing every school to have an officer.
School started last week, and the district is working with their original SROs.
Augusta County Administrator Tim Fitzgerald said the hiring process is still in progress. Fitzgerald said they have about 20 applicants now, and four are already certified.
“We will have candidates that are hired that are not certified, so they will have to go to the Criminal Justice Academy more than likely starting in January, along with specialized training for SROs to make sure they have everything they need,” said Fitzgerald.
The county also received a grant worth $778,583.00 from the commonwealth to assistant in the hiring, training and deploying of the officers.
“We’re very excited about getting that funding because it does help us in providing funding for those salaries, at least for the four years that they’re here. It provides us an opportunity to plan for the fifth year and how we’re going to continue to fund them going forward,” he said.
On June 17, 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced more than $37.5M in Criminal Justice Grant Funding, including funding for 86 SRO positions and 15 school safety officer (SSO) positions for FY23 in school divisions throughout the commonwealth.
In July of 2022, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office submitted a proposal and grant application to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for this FY23 SRO/SSO Incentive Grant Program. This funding was made available for new SRO or SSO positions on a 4-year grant cycle, with this grant covering the first year of personnel costs for new positions, with follow-on continuing grant opportunities for funding positions over 4 years.
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/augusta-county-continues-sros-hiring-process-awarded-sro-grant/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:09Z |
Cheney and Murkowski: Trump critics facing divergent futures
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — They hail from their states’ most prominent Republican families. They have been among the GOP’s sharpest critics of former President Donald Trump. And after the Jan. 6 insurrection, they supported his impeachment.
But for all their similarities, the political fortunes of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming are poised to diverge on Tuesday when they’re each on the ballot in closely watched primary elections.
Cheney faces daunting prospects in her effort to fend off the Trump-backed Harriet Hageman, increasingly looking at a life beyond Capitol Hill that could include a possible presidential campaign. Murkowski, however, is expected to advance from her primary and is already planning to compete in the November general election.
The anticipated outcomes at least partially stem from the nuanced politics of each state. Wyoming is a Republican stronghold, delivering Trump his strongest victory of any state in the 2020 campaign. Alaska, meanwhile, has a history of rewarding candidates with an independent streak.
But Murkowski enjoys an additional advantage in the way elections are being conducted in Alaska this year. Winner-take-all party primaries, like the one Cheney is facing, have been replaced by a voter-approved process in which all candidates are listed together. The four who get the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election in which ranked voting will be used.
Murkowski benefits from avoiding a Republican primary, “which she would have had a zero percent — I mean zero percent — chance of winning,” said Alaska pollster Ivan Moore.
Murkowski has 18 challengers in her primary, the most prominent being Republican Kelly Tshibaka, whom Trump has endorsed. The Alaska Democratic Party, meanwhile, has endorsed Pat Chesbro, a retired educator.
In an interview, Murkowski insisted she would be among the candidates advancing from the primary and said her success requires, in part, coalition building.
“That’s kind of my strong suit, that’s what I do,” she said.
For his part, Trump has been harsh in his assessment of Murkowski. At a rally in Anchorage last month with Tshibaka and Sarah Palin, whom he’s endorsed for Alaska’s only House seat, he called Murkowski “the worst. I rate her No. 1 bad.”
Trump participated in a telerally for Tshibaka on Thursday while Murkowski mingled with supporters at a campaign office opening in Juneau, which boasted a spread that included moose chili and smoked salmon dip. Murkowski said Trump isn’t a factor in the campaign she’s running.
“He is going to do what he’s going to do,” she said. But she told supporters the campaign will be challenging.
Murkowski was censured by Alaska Republican Party leaders last year over numerous grievances, including the impeachment vote and speaking critically of Trump and her support of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s nomination.
Tuckerman Babcock, a former state Republican Party chair who is running for state Senate, said Murkowski has lost the support of many Alaska Republicans, which he called a “political reality over a record of many years.”
Republicans in Alaska are “almost unanimous in their opposition to Lisa Murkowski,” he said. “Are they divided on other issues? Of course.”
Babcock said the new elections system lets candidates “self-identify” with a party and is not an improvement over the old party primary process.
Chuck Kopp, a Republican former state legislator, is hopeful about the new system. Kopp lost his 2020 Republican primary after being part of a bipartisan state House majority composed largely of Democrats.
“It’s only the fringe that is clinging like a death grip on a failed paradigm, and that paradigm is extreme partisanship at all costs,” he said. “I think Alaska is going to take a leadership role in moving away from that. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Kopp said that while he has not always supported Murkowski, she has been “fearless when it counts for this country.”
“I think she has shown that personality cults aren’t conservative, conspiracy theories aren’t conservative and treating politics like a religion is not conservative,” Kopp said. He said he thinks Murkowski has more support throughout Alaska than party activists give her credit for.
The Senate seat has been held by a Murkowski since 1981; before Lisa Murkowski, it was her father, Republican Frank Murkowski. He appointed his daughter to succeed him in 2002 after he became governor. Murkowski won the seat in her own right in 2004.
Murkowski has not cracked 50% of the vote in a Senate general election, and needing to build a coalition of support is nothing new to her. She won a write-in campaign in 2010 after losing that year’s Republican primary to tea party favorite Joe Miller.
Murkowski overwhelmingly won her Republican primary against little-known opponents in 2016, the year Trump was elected.
Rosita Worl, an Alaska Native leader, referred to the 2010 primary as “the debacle” and said Alaska Natives rallied around Murkowski and her write-in bid. Worl, who attended Murkowski’s Juneau campaign event, said she is not a Republican herself but sees Murkowski as an Alaskan and said the senator has “always supported our issues.”
State Rep. Zack Fields, a Democrat seeking reelection to an Anchorage legislative seat, said there are yards in his district with signs for him and Murkowski. He said he doesn’t agree with Murkowski on the “majority of votes that she’s cast over her career.”
“But she has shown that she believes in democracy and will work with people to accomplish things that are the right thing for citizens. That actually is at risk right now,” he said.
Fields called the insurrection “horrifying.”
“But what was even frankly more terrifying than that is that so many elected officials and high-ranking so-called leaders would excuse it, justify it and otherwise embolden those who threaten democracy,” he said.
Cheney is the vice chair of the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot. The insurrection was a big issue during a June debate between Cheney and Republican challengers, including Hageman. Hageman said the committee was “not focused on things that are important to the people of Wyoming.”
Entering the final stretch of her primary campaign, Cheney hasn’t backed down. She released a video on Thursday with a closing message reinforcing her criticism of Trump.
“The lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen is insidious,” Cheney said. “It preys on those who love their country. It is a door Donald Trump opened to manipulate Americans to abandon their principles, to sacrifice their freedom, to justify violence, to ignore the rulings of our courts and the rule of law.”
She added, “This is Donald Trump’s legacy, but it cannot be the future of our nation.”
In the interview, Murkowski said Cheney has shown courage.
“I think she has looked at this and said, this is not about Liz Cheney,” Murkowski said. “This is about ... the difference between right and wrong. And she is doing her job under very challenging circumstances. But I think she’s doing it because she believes she has to.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/cheney-murkowski-trump-critics-facing-divergent-futures/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:17Z |
Couple finds out they own a road by getting $18,000 power bill for streetlights
MAILI, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow/Gray News) - A couple in Hawaii recently learned in a costly manner that they were the owners of a road they had bought a home on.
Halemaluhia Place in Maili, Hawaii, was built in the 1990s.
Resident David Carona said he wanted a street light fixed in front of his home and was told he needed to contact the owner of the road, according to HawaiiNewsNow.
“This street light was out so I called the city to have it repaired or have it corrected, and they told me that the street itself was private, and I had to contact the owner of the street to have it replaced and fixed,” he said.
It turned out the owners were Desha-Ann and Rashaan Kealoha, although they didn’t know it yet.
“When we first moved in, our other neighbor told us that we own the street,” Desha-Ann Kealoha said. “And we kinda just laughed it up because we thought, ‘We’re the new neighbor.’”
Carona did some research and then discovered that the road wasn’t conveyed to the city when the subdivision was completed. But he wasn’t able to find the original developer to find out why.
HawaiiNewsNow also tried to find out who the developer was, without success.
“Somehow, the original developer or owners of the lot that were supposed to dedicate it, conveyed it to the original owner of the property the Kealohas own now,” Carona said.
The Kealohas didn’t take it seriously until they got a letter from Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) asking for $18,000 for 20 years of streetlight use.
“As soon as I got it, I panicked,” Desha-Ann Kealoha said. “So, I started making all the phone calls necessary to find out why I should be held liable for it.”
The issue came before the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday.
HECO member Judy Hirashima said they’re not expecting the family to pay up.
“The intention I just want to share was not to collect the past due bill for over 20 years of electricity for the street lights,” Hirashima told the council. “That wasn’t the intention when we reached out.”
HECO said it just wants to determine who will pay the bill going forward, but couldn’t say why it took so long to discover the unpaid bill.
Councilmember Andria Tupola sponsored a resolution for the city to take possession of Halemaluhia Place and the responsibility for the light bill. Councilmembers adopted the resolution and Desha-Ann Kealoha testified in support of the measure.
“We definitely have an inside joke about this street being ours,” Kealoha said. “But you know, at the end of the day, I don’t want it to be ours.”
Copyright 2022 KHNL/KGMB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/couple-finds-out-they-own-road-by-getting-18000-power-bill-street-lights/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:18Z |
Doctor who sexually abused patients kills himself in jail, sources say
NEW YORK (AP) — A once-prominent neurologist convicted last month of sexually abusing patients killed himself Monday at a New York City jail, two people familiar with the matter said.
Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, 68, was found unresponsive in a shower area at the Eric M. Taylor Center, a jail at the notorious Rikers Island complex, the people said. They were not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity.
Cruciani’s lawyer, Frederick Sosinsky, confirmed in a statement that his client had died, but not the manner of death.
“Ricardo’s attorneys and family are shocked and saddened beyond belief to have learned of his violent death while in city custody this morning,” he said.
Sosinsky called for “an immediate and objective investigation” into the circumstances of Cruciani’s death, including whether jail officials complied with a court order, at the time of his conviction, to place him in protective custody and under suicide watch.
“Neither of these conditions were, to our knowledge, ever complied with,” Sosinsky said. “Had they been, we would not be having this terrible discussion.”
Cruciani died while awaiting sentencing next month in a New York state case in which he was convicted of 12 counts, including predatory sexual assault, rape and sex abuse, and acquitted on two other counts. He faced up to life in prison.
He was also scheduled to go on trial next January on federal charges accusing him of abusing multiple patients over 15 years at his offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Hopewell, New Jersey.
Prosecutors said Cruciani groomed vulnerable patients by overprescribing pain killers, sometimes to treat serious injuries from car wrecks and other accidents.
Six women testified the sexual abuse often occurred behind closed doors during appointments in 2013 at a Manhattan medical center, where the doctor would expose himself and demand sex.
“I take comfort knowing he now faces another judge,” said Terrie Phoenix, one of six women who testified against Cruciani at trial.
The AP does not typically identify people who say they are survivors of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Phoenix has done.
Cruciani denied abusing women. In court, his lawyer questioned the credibility of his accusers.
The fire department said it responded to a call of an inmate unconscious at the jail around 5:50 a.m. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the inmate but were unable, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the fire department said.
The city’s Department of Correction, which runs Rikers Island, confirmed that an inmate at the Eric M. Taylor Center died Monday, but did not release his name, citing pending family notification. The cause of death is under investigation, the Department of Correction said.
Jails commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the inmate’s death, and promised “a preliminary internal review to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones,” Molina said.
Cruciani is at least the 11th person to die in a city jail this year. Last year, 16 people died in city jails — the most since 2013.
The Daily News was first to report Cruciani’s death.
Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for women who say they were abused by him. A message was also left with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case that ended in his July 29 conviction.
Cruciani was out on bail during the trial but was sent to Rikers Island after the verdict.
The complex, troubled by years of neglect, has spiraled into turmoil since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with a spike in inmate deaths, violence, self-harm and staff absences. The city has said it will close Rikers Island by 2027, replacing it with four smaller jails located elsewhere.
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Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania.
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On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Michael Rubinkam at twitter.com/michaelrubinkam
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/doctor-who-sexually-abused-patients-kills-himself-jail-sources-say/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:19Z |
Giuliani is a target of Georgia elections probe, his lawyers are told
ATLANTA (AP) — Prosecutors in Atlanta on Monday told lawyers for Rudy Giuliani that he’s a target of their criminal investigation into possible illegal attempts by then-President Donald Trump and others to interfere in the 2020 general election in Georgia, one of Giuliani’s lawyers said Monday.
Special prosecutor Nathan Wade alerted Giuliani’s local attorney in Atlanta that the former New York City mayor could face criminal charges, another Giuliani attorney, Bob Costello said. News of the disclosure was first reported by The New York Times.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened the investigation last year, and a special grand jury was seated in May at her request. County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who’s overseeing the special grand jury, has instructed Giuliani to appear before the panel to testify on Wednesday.
Willis’s investigation was spurred by a phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. During that January 2021 conversation, Trump suggested that Raffensperger could “find” the votes needed to overturn his narrow loss in the state.
It has also become clear that the district attorney is interested in Georgia legislative committee hearings that were held in December 2020 where Giuliani appeared and spread false claims of election fraud in Atlanta’s Fulton County.
Willis last month filed petitions seeking to compel testimony from seven Trump associates and advisers. Because they don’t live in Georgia, she had to use a process that involves asking a judge in the states where they live to order them to appear.
In a petition seeking Giuliani’s testimony, Willis identified him as both a personal attorney for Trump and a lead attorney for his campaign. She wrote that he and others appeared at a state Senate committee meeting and presented a video that Giuliani said showed election workers producing “suitcases” of unlawful ballots from unknown sources, outside the view of election poll watchers.
Within 24 hours of that Dec. 3, 2020, hearing, Raffensperger’s office had debunked the video. But Giuliani continued to make statements to the public and in subsequent legislative hearings claiming widespread voter fraud using the debunked video, Willis wrote.
Evidence shows that Giuliani’s hearing appearance and testimony “was part of a multi-state, coordinated plan by the Trump Campaign to influence the results of the November 2020 election in Georgia and elsewhere,” the petition says.
Also Monday, a federal judge said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham must testify before a special grand jury in Atlanta that is investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws while trying to overturn his narrow 2020 general election loss in the state.
Attorneys for Graham, R-S.C., had argued that his position as a U.S. senator provided him immunity from having to appear before the investigative panel and asked the judge to quash his subpoena. But U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May wrote in an order Monday that immunities related to his role as a senator do not protect him from having to testify. Graham’s subpoena instructs him to appear before the special grand jury on Aug. 23, but his office said Monday he plans to appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prosecutors have indicated they want to ask Graham about phone calls they say he made to Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger and his staff in the weeks following Trump’s election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Graham had argued that a provision of the Constitution provides absolute protection against a senator being questioned about legislative acts. But the judge found there are “considerable areas of potential grand jury inquiry” that fall outside that provision’s scope. The judge also rejected Graham’s argument that the principle of “sovereign immunity” protects a senator from being summoned by a state prosecutor.
Graham also argued that Willis, a Democrat, had not demonstrated extraordinary circumstances necessary to compel testimony from a high-ranking official. But the judge disagreed, finding that Willis had shown “extraordinary circumstances and a special need” for Graham’s testimony on issues related to an alleged attempt to influence or disrupt the election in Georgia.
May, the judge, last month rejected a similar attempt by U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., to avoid testifying before the special grand jury. Former New York mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani had argued he couldn’t travel to Atlanta to testify because of health issues, but Fulton County Judge McBurney instructed him to appear on Wednesday.
Graham’s office said in a statement Monday that the senator disagrees with the judge’s interpretation of the provision of the Constitution he believes protects him from being questioned by a state official. His lawyers have said that he was making inquiries that were clearly part of his legislative duties, related to certification of the vote and to the proposal of election-related legislation.
But the judge wrote that that ignores “the fact that individuals on the calls have publicly suggested that Senator Graham was not simply engaged in legislative factfinding but was instead suggesting or implying that Georgia election officials change their processes or otherwise potentially alter the state’s results.”
In calls made shortly after the 2020 general election, Graham “questioned Raffensperger and his staff about reexamining certain absentee ballots cast in Georgia in order to explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump,” Willis wrote in a petition.
Graham also “made reference to allegations of widespread voter fraud in the November 2020 election in Georgia, consistent with public statements made by known affiliates of the Trump Campaign,” she wrote.
Republican and Democratic state election officials across the country, courts and even Trump’s attorney general found there was no evidence of any voter fraud sufficient to affect the outcome of his 2020 presidential election loss.
Trump-allied lawmakers were planning to challenge the tallies from several battleground states when Congress convened on Jan. 6, 2021, to certify the results under the Electoral Count Act, but after the Capitol attack that day Georgia’s tally was never contested.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has described his call to Raffensperger as “perfect.”
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Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C., and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed reporting.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/giuliani-is-target-georgia-probe-into-possible-illegal-election-interference-lawyers-told/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:22Z |
Harrisonburg man killed in crash in Richmond
Published: Aug. 15, 2022 at 2:06 PM EDT|Updated: 43 minutes ago
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A Harrisonburg man was killed in a crash in Richmond on Sunday night.
Officers were called shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 to North 5th Street for a single-vehicle crash.
Police said Garrett Long, 26, was driving a motorcycle when it hit a curb, went off the road and struck a pole.
Long died at the scene.
The RPD Crash Team continues to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to call RPD Crash Team Investigator J. Ozolins at (804) 646-8671 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
Copyright 2022 WWBT. All rights reserved.
Want NBC12’s top stories in your inbox each morning? Subscribe here. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/harrisonburg-man-killed-crash-richmond/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:42Z |
Riverheads tabbed as favorite in Shenandoah District
Published: Aug. 15, 2022 at 1:31 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Riverheads has been picked to win the Shenandoah District football title.
The Gladiators are the overwhelming favorite in a preseason poll conducted by WHSV. Head coaches in the district along with local media members voted in the poll.
Riverheads earned nine of ten first-place votes. The Gladiators have won six consecutive VHSL state championships and own the longest current winning streak in the nation.
Shenandoah District Football - WHSV Preseason Poll
1. Riverheads (9) - 98 points
2. Stuarts Draft - 72 points
3. Waynesboro (1) - 59 points
4. Buffalo Gap - 50 points
5. Wilson Memorial - 48 points
6. Staunton - 31 points
7. Fort Defiance - 22 points
Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/riverheads-tabbed-favorite-shenandoah-district/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:48Z |
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abrigo, the leader of compliance, credit risk, and lending solutions for financial institutions, purchased BankLabs' Construct and +Pay loan administration and funding solutions, expanding Abrigo's award-winning loan origination solution and creating an end-to-end construction origination, management, and administration platform.
The acquisition allows construction lenders to seamlessly integrate pre-closing origination with post-closing administration activities to automate workflows, streamline communications, and realize greater interest income through faster funding.
"Abrigo has always focused on delivering products created out of a deep understanding of the needs of U.S. financial institutions. In BankLabs, we found a partner that produced a robust loan administration tool, developed to cover all types of commercial and residential construction loans and borrower types," said Wayne Roberts, CEO of Abrigo.
Mike Montgomery, BankLabs' Founder and CEO noted "the acquisition realizes BankLabs' vision of partnering with financial technology leaders to help community-oriented financial institutions succeed faster than BankLabs can deliver alone. We could not have found a better partner to execute on our mission. I know Abrigo will take Construct and +Pay to new heights."
Using the integrated Abrigo loan origination and Construct administration suite, loan officers can unlock greater efficiency and focus on strengthening relationships instead of managing spreadsheets. Real-time reporting, alerts, and detailed audit trails provide improved visibility and mitigate risk. +Pay manages the construction payment process for builders, general contractors, financial institutions, or any company that pays subcontractors, adding speed and eliminating mountains of paperwork.
"In partnership with The Carlyle Group and Accel-KKR, we're doubling down on our efforts to Make Big Things Happen in the industry as we invest in our people, our products, and our service to customers. We're thrilled to have some of the BankLabs team members join the Abrigo family, and we share their commitment to service, product excellence, and innovation. We're equally excited about additional opportunities to collaborate with BankLabs in the future," said Roberts.
"We are grateful to our clients, associates, and distribution partners who helped us reach $70 billion dollars in construction loans across about 100,000 projects," said Matt Johnner, President and Co-Founder of BankLabs. "Transitioning Construct and +Pay to Abrigo will provide even greater efficiency and interest income gains to our lenders. Abrigo's technical and product investments will expand the commercial features, integration points, and user experiences for these products. Meanwhile, BankLabs will focus on creating new products that accelerate banks' capability to move money, credits, and payments while growing our patented Participate product as the digital balance sheet management tool of choice."
Construct and +Pay join a strong and growing portfolio and will continue to enhance the value Abrigo brings to both its customers and the industry.
The Construct product is an easy-to-use, web-based software solution that automates the construction loan management process for residential and commercial projects. Accessible from any mobile device or computer, it eliminates paper files and spreadsheets, improves loan officer and loan admin productivity, and improves the experience for the borrower, builder, and other stakeholders.
+Pay automates the construction payment stream for institutions paying subcontractors on behalf of their trusted builders. It improves efficiency through approval routing of invoices and eSignature for lien waivers, differentiating the institution with builders and subcontractors and creating new income opportunities.
Abrigo enables U.S. financial institutions to support their communities through technology that fights financial crime, grows loans and deposits, and optimizes risk. Abrigo's platform centralizes the institution's data, creates a digital user experience, ensures compliance, and delivers efficiency for scale and profitable growth. Abrigo has secured strategic growth investments from funds managed by Accel- KKR and Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG). Visit abrigo.com to learn more. Follow Abrigo on social media using @WeAreAbrigo.
BankLabs provides community banks with state-of-the-art technologies that help increase efficiency, improve profitability, and enhance in-market relationships. BankLabs is committed to creating platforms that streamline loan processes for banks so you can get back to what really matters – serving your customers and your community. BankLabs' latest product, Participate, is the first patented loan participation and balance sheet management tool for community banks that brings buyers and sellers of loan participations onto a single platform.
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SOURCE Abrigo | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/abrigo-expands-lending-automation-with-acquisition-banklabs-construct-pay-technologies/ | 2022-08-15T18:51:54Z |
ASTOUND, a next generation leader in brand experiences and architectural fabrication, announces Jay Verna will head client services and business development
LAS VEGAS, NV, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - ASTOUND Group is pleased to announce that Jay Verna has joined ASTOUND as Head of Client Experience. In this role, Verna will lead the client services and business development organizations. As a key member of the executive management team, he will shape long term account growth and client development strategies and identify immediate opportunities within existing accounts.
With 20+ years of global marketing expertise building brands, driving growth and leading people across diverse channels, Verna's breadth of agency experience has spanned across sponsorship, experiential, promotion, retail and content development for brands, including Diageo, Nike, PepsiCo, Google, Toyota, Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Pfizer and more. Most recently, Verna led global client partnerships at Dentsu International and MKTG.
"Jay is joining ASTOUND to enhance our strategic approach to client relationship management, while overseeing the client services and business development organization. His deep marketing background, agency leadership experience and commitment to client service make him an outstanding addition to our team," said Dale Morgan, CEO of ASTOUND.
"I am inspired by the opportunity to write the future of boundless experiences and multi-dimensional environments—propelled by strategic insights and big ideas and brought to life with thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship and amazing technology," noted Verna.
ASTOUND has spent over two decades producing brand experiences and delivering impactful results for some of the world's most recognizable brands, including Google, adidas, Tiffany, Nike, Microsoft, Amazon, Las Vegas Raiders, Polygon, Stryker and more.
Dedicated to partnership, ASTOUND crafts immersive experiences that build brands and drive business results. Our holistic approach seamlessly integrates strategy, creative, graphic and environmental design, digital, production, fabrication, and architectural services for temporary or permanent experiences. For over twenty years, ASTOUND has been connecting Fortune 500 brands to their audiences by delivering digitally integrated, human-centered experiences that build brand love. We have offices in Las Vegas, Toronto, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Portland with state-of-the-art production facilities on both coasts.
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SOURCE ASTOUND Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/brand-experience-innovator-astound-group-hires-industry-veteran-jay-verna/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:01Z |
Ardec Funding, LawCash®, and Momentum Funding® will now do business under a new unified brand, Cartiga.1
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cartiga looks to improve the product offering and customer service provided by three industry-leading legal funding companies. The company's goal is to transform the legal industry with groundbreaking funding, marketing, and technology solutions focused on speed, transparency, and excellent customer experience.
Cartiga provides consumer legal funding, attorney working capital, and is developing data and technology products that it hopes will change how law firms currently operate. Its mission is to map the way to a better future with fair and innovative solutions that help law firms, and their clients navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and optimize litigation outcomes.
"We think the legal industry isn't nearly as efficient as it can be." Says CEO Charlie Platt. "Lawyers work very hard to provide great results for their clients, but we think they could do better if they had better access to technology, analytics, and capital. If we can create large enough pools of information for lawyers to draw statistically reliable samples from, we can better help lawyers understand what cases to bring into their firm and what resources to allocate to them."
By using technology and historical aggregate data, Cartiga looks to help lawyers and their clients better understand the value of their claims at the beginning of cases, while delivering insights into optimal times to settle and whether or not to take them to trial.
Cartiga combines deep legal experience and expertise to provide industry-leading products for perennial needs like funding, as well as data-driven solutions that help law firms build stronger, more profitable business.
1 Consumer legal funding in Illinois will continue to be offered under Momentum Funding until further notice.
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SOURCE Cartiga | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/cartiga-launches-attorney-consumer-legal-funding-with-technology-focus-horizon/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:07Z |
GREENVILLE, S.C., August 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Life has its difficulties. It can be challenging to find the bright side when things go wrong, especially for kids. "Sometimes dark thoughts can overwhelm a child," says Dennis Gillan, Executive Director of Half a Sorrow Foundation. "But a kind word from another can really go a long way toward chasing off those negative thoughts."
In Nice Shoes! Derek is having a really bad day. Nothing is going right at home or at school, and nobody is noticing his awesome new shoes. His day is turning out so rough that he just wants this day—and all his days—to end. Then a random compliment from a popular kid changes everything.
This positive and inspirational story was based on Pihl's own experience at school. "In writing this book for kids, I want to show how easy it is to help others and how important doing so can be in someone's life."
The perfect book to help parents, teachers, and caregivers open a dialog with children about having a bad day and dark thoughts, and about how they can brighten the day of someone else who might really need it.
Nice Shoes! is available for purchase online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online retailers.
Nice Shoes! by Dennis Gillan and Stephen Pihl
Genre: Children's book for ages 4-10
ISBN: 978-1-68515-696-1
Launch Date: August 8, 2022
Dennis Gillan is a national thought leader and accomplished speaker on the topic of suicide prevention and has dedicated his life to mental health advocacy. Dennis did a TEDx talk on loneliness and is the executive director of the Half A Sorrow Foundation, whose mission is to improve mental health for individuals and organizations by promoting real conversations. Dennis resides in Greenville, SC, with his lovely wife. www.halfasorrow.org
Stephen Pihl is a graduate of the University of Delaware with degrees in biology and neuroscience. This story is about the lessons Stephen learned when he was younger and struggling with his mental health. Stephen plans to pursue a career in mental health research.
Dennis and Stephen met on April 15, 2018, at the University of Delaware. Dennis was brought in to speak at a fundraiser for suicide prevention, and he decided to incorporate students into his talk. Stephen was one of those students, and he told his story of having a rough day at school, and that became the inspiration for this book.
Name: Dennis Gillan
Email: Dennis@halfasorrow.org
Phone: 803-727-4301
www.HalfaSorrow.org
REVIEW COPIES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE
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SOURCE Half A Sorrow Foundation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/chance-meeting-leads-childrens-book-how-little-compliment-can-save-day/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:14Z |
The role deepens company's relationship with guests
ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH)—one of the world's largest lodging franchisors—has appointed Noha Abdalla to the role of chief marketing officer, reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Pacious. As a key member of the senior executive team, Abdalla will be a champion for the guest experience, leading the company's marketing, advertising, communications, and brand-building functions to advance Choice's corporate strategy across guest touchpoints. She will also help develop a future state technology and infrastructure roadmap for Choice's marketing vision, working closely with the leadership team and key organizations across the company to support future growth objectives.
"Enhancing the guest experience is a cornerstone of Choice's long-term growth strategy and a critical component of the leading value proposition we deliver for our franchisees daily," said Pacious. "Noha is an experienced leader with a successful track record of taking world-class brands to the next level. As the company continues to add new experiences and offerings for travelers, we're confident she is the best person to keep Choice's finger on the pulse of evolving consumer preferences while driving loyalty and innovation to support our diverse portfolio of brands."
Abdalla has more than 20 years of experience shaping business strategies and marketing solutions for several of the world's most well-known organizations. She joins Choice Hotels from MyEyeDr.—a Goldman Sachs-equity backed optical company with more than 800 locations nationwide—where she served as chief marketing officer. In this capacity, Abdalla led the company's first-ever marketing transformation to launch a new CRM (customer relationship management) system, online booking platform, patient portal and in-house media planning and buying function. Prior, Abdalla led all digital owned channels and oversaw all digital marketing communications as the global vice president of digital and content marketing for Hilton. Earlier in her career, Abdalla held roles of increasing responsibility on Capital One's digital brand strategy and social media team, as well as Discovery Inc.'s Animal Planet marketing department.
"Choice Hotels has a proud history of pioneering industry innovations to enhance guests' entire travel journey – from the initial shopping and booking experience to check-out and beyond," said Abdalla. "We know today's customer is more informed and has more choices available to them than ever before, and I am honored to work in lockstep with the company's key stakeholders to build on this rich legacy as we curate next-generation products and experiences that resonate with guests of today and tomorrow."
Abdalla earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in international economics from Georgetown University.
About Choice Hotels®
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. On August 11, 2022, Choice acquired Radisson Hotels Americas, adding nine brands, more than 600 hotels, and approximately 67,000 rooms in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada to its portfolio. With 22 brands, Choice Hotels has more than 7,500 hotels, and nearly 650,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories as of August 11, 2022. The Choice® family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travelers with a broad range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upper upscale, upper mid-scale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program offers members a faster way to rewards, with personalized benefits starting on day one. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.
© 2022 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/choice-hotels-appoints-noha-abdalla-chief-marketing-officer/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:20Z |
XI'AN, China, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ENTREPRENEUR UNIVERSE BRIGHT GROUP ("EUBG" or the "Company") (OTCBB: EUBG), a digital marketing consulting company, announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Mr. Guolin Tao, CEO of Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group commented, "Due to the government measures taken to contain COVID-19, the offline activities of the Company's PRC subsidiary were restricted from late January to May 2020, resulting in cancellations or postponements of the marketing efforts of our customers. Specifically, as a result of government mandated closures of non-essential business in China, many of the Company's customers' business were suspended while others permanently closed their businesses. From December 22, 2021 to January 24, 2022, Xi'an city, the PRC, went into lockdown following a coronavirus outbreak that officials attributed to the delta variant. From April 16, 2022 to April 19, 2022, the city was under temporary controls of social activities after reporting more than 40 infections in half month. This affected both the Company's digital marketing consulting services and our KOL Training Related Services."
Second Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results
- Revenue decreased by 3.7% to $840,868
- Gross profit increased by 8.0% to $727,536
- Net income increased by 117.8% to $265,850
Revenue and cost of revenue: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we generated revenue of $840,868 compared to $873,084 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $32,216 or 3.7% as compared with the prior period. For the three months ended June 30, 2022, our revenue from consultancy services and sourcing and marketing services were $680,606 and $160,262, respectively; while revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was wholly generated from our consultancy services. Cost of revenue was $113,332 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $199,451 for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease of cost of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due to our senior management no longer directly involved in performing the services but focused on management work. Therefore, less direct senior management costs were incurred in the consultancy services and souring and marketing service.
Selling expenses: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $8,319 selling expenses compared to $85,760 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $77,441 or 90.3% as compared with the prior period. The decrease of selling expenses was mainly due to the tightening of entertainment policies during the period and the staff costs incurred in selling activities were dropped by $42,974 or 90.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2022.
General and administrative expenses: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $331,385 general and administrative expenses compared to $351,935 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $20,550 or 5.8% as compared with the prior period. The slight decrease for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due to less audit fees and professional fees charged by the professional parties. Our general and administrative expenses consisted mainly of audit fees, professional fees, payroll expenses and consultancy fees.
Total other income, net: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we generated net other income of $58,099 compared to $32,392 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $25,707 or 79.4% as compared with the prior period. Our other income mainly consisted of bank interest income, exchange rate differences and certain sundry incomes.
Income tax expense: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred income tax expense of $180,081 compared to $146,289 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $33,792 or 23.1% as compared with the prior period. The income tax expenses were charged in China.
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, our income tax expenses comprised of current tax and deferred tax expenses of $131,409 and $48,672, respectively, compared to $122,745 and $23,544 for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Net income: As a result of the above, we generated a net income of $265,850 and $122,041 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, representing an increase of $ 143,809 or 117.8% as compared with the prior period.
Cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $7.64 million and $7.65 million of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, respectively were held at financial institutions located in the PRC and Hong Kong that management believes to be of high credit quality.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Unaudited Financial Results
- Revenue decreased by 28.2% to $2,049,872
- Gross profit decreased by 33.4% to $1,624,061
- Net income decreased by 39.7% to $657,023
Revenue and cost of revenue: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we generated revenue of $2,049,872 compared to $2,856,944 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $807,072 or 28.2% as compared with the prior period. The decrease was mainly due to our consultancy services income, generated from clients who engaged in online courses business, dropped by $1,950,347 as compared with last period. This was because the end customers became more patient and cautious in choosing online courses. We continued to seek for different business opportunities to stabilize our income streams. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we generated $272,962 from our new digital training related services and $576,582 from our consultancy services to a customer who engaged in live streaming business. However, these new income streams only compensated a part of the revenue reduction in current period. As of the date of this filing, the digital training related services with Jade Bird remain suspended. Therefore, we expected the new revenue will not be available to compensate the revenue reduction until further notice. Cost of revenue was $425,811 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $418,772 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the cost of revenue mainly represented the staff costs for our consulting services and the agency fees for our digital training related services.
Selling expenses: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $24,914 selling expenses compared to $170,014 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $145,100 or 85.3% as compared with the prior period. The decrease of selling expenses was mainly due to the tightening of entertainment policies during the period and the staff costs incurred in selling activities were dropped by $70,200 or 80.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
General and administrative expenses: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $642,673 general and administrative expenses compared to $579,301 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $63,372 or 10.9% as compared with the prior period. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due certain senior management no longer directly involved in performing the services but focused on management work. Therefore, more senior management costs were incurred during the period. Our general and administrative expenses consisted mainly of audit fees, professional fees, payroll expenses and consultancy fees.
Total other income, net: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we generated net other income of $159,921 compared to $70,094 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $89,827 or 128.2% as compared with the prior period. Our other income mainly consisted of bank interest income, exchange rate differences and certain sundry incomes.
Income tax expense: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred income tax expense of $459,372 compared to $670,274 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $210,902 or 31.5% as compared with the prior period. The income tax expenses were charged in China.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, our income tax expenses comprised of current tax and deferred tax expenses of $335,479 and $123,893, respectively, compared to $521,510 and $148,764 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease of the current tax and deferred tax was mainly aligned with the reduction of revenue and gross profit during the period.
Net income: As a result of the above, we generated a net income of $657,023 and $1,088,677 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
About ENTREPRENEUR UNIVERSE BRIGHT GROUP
ENTREPRENEUR UNIVERSE BRIGHT GROUP is a digital marketing consultation company with its main operation in China, providing marketing consulting services to Chinese start-up companies. The company provides consulting services, sourcing and marketing services in China through its PRC subsidiary with support from its HK subsidiary. Its PRC subsidiary provides services aimed at connecting businesses with e-commerce platforms. The integrated service platform focuses on strategic marketing and consulting. The company's mission is to help start-up companies and small-size companies and guide these companies' founders in utilizing the company's digital marketing consulting plan to reach their business goals. For more information about the Company, please visit: http://www.eubggroup.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Specifically, the Company's statements regarding trading on the OTCBB market and closing the initial public offering are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; financial condition and results of operations; product and service demand and acceptance; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; changes in technology; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward–looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
For more information, please contact:
The Company:
Jianyong Li
Email: lijianyong@eubggroup.com
Phone: +86-(029) 86100263
Investor Relations:
Janice Wang
EverGreen Consulting Inc.
Email: IR@changqingconsulting.com
Phone: +1-908-510-2351 (from U.S.)
+86 13811768559 (from China)
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SOURCE ENTREPRENEUR UNIVERSE BRIGHT GROUP | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/entrepreneur-universe-bright-group-announces-2022-q2-financial-results/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:27Z |
SINGAPORE, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EQONEX Limited (Nasdaq: EQOS) ("EQONEX" or the "Company"), a digital assets financial services company, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on August 15, 2022. The annual report can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at https://group.eqonex.com/ as well as the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request. Requests should be directed to EQONEX Investor Relations Department at ir@eqonex.com.
About EQONEX
EQONEX Limited (NASDAQ: EQOS) is a technology driven digital assets financial services group that provides institutional grade infrastructure and a full suite of trading, custody and asset management solutions to clients. The Group's digital assets ecosystem has been designed to accommodate the needs of institutions and individuals with the same degree of regulatory oversight and security they are accustomed to in traditional financial markets. EQONEX's ecosystem primarily encompasses Digivault, a FCA- registered custodian, Asset Management which encompasses investment products, and Bletchley Park, a fund of crypto-hedge funds, and Brokerage which includes Structured Products, OTC and lending services.
For more information visit: https://group.eqonex.com/
Follow EQONEX on social media on Twitter @eqonex, on Facebook @eqonex, and on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Information
Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on available current market material and management's expectations, beliefs and forecasts concerning future events impacting EQONEX. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they were to ever materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of EQONEX to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation, except as required by law, to provide updates, revisions or amendments to any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in our expectations or future events.
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SOURCE EQONEX | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/eqonex-files-annual-report-form-20-f-fiscal-year-2022/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:39Z |
Inspired by football, bright skies, adorable trick-or-treaters and more
KERRVILLE, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- James Avery Artisan Jewelry, a family-owned jewelry retailer based in Texas, announces the launch of its fall 2022 collection. The new collection offers classic designs customers know and love, including statement silver chains as well as designs inspired by faith, love and nature. New collection additions include 14K gold and sterling silver sunflowers, a new heart drops anklet that pairs perfectly with the necklace and earrings and more.
"We hope these designs remind our customers of their favorite fall activities – Friday night lights, exploring their scenic Texas surroundings, stargazing and celebrating the fall holidays with family and friends," says Sarah Herr, Director of Design at James Avery. "We're excited about this release, and we hope our customers are too!"
New charms include an adorable trick-or-treater in a pumpkin costume, an engravable football, a faith-based charm featuring Psalms 46:5 and a "Love my Clogs" Charm. The clog charm is a new version of an earlier, much-requested classic James Avery charm that was originally released in 2008. The company added hearts for an extra bit of connection to fond memories of wearing your clogs throughout the house, to work or school, and on adventures. Our designer was inspired by memories of rain showers and puddle walks with his daughter.
Shop our latest designs online or at your local James Avery retail store.
James Avery is a vertically integrated, family-owned company located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. We offer finely crafted jewelry designs for men and women in sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold, bronze and gemstones. James Avery jewelry is designed and crafted by our own skilled artisans in Kerrville, Comfort and Hondo, Texas, using the finest materials sourced worldwide. We are a multi-channel retailer with more than 110 James Avery stores in four states. Our jewelry is also available at JamesAvery.com, more than 220 Dillard's locations and on Dillards.com. You can also find our designs at airport stores in Austin, Houston and Nashville, as well as select Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) locations.
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SOURCE James Avery Artisan Jewelry | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/fall-love-with-new-designs-james-avery/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:45Z |
Supporters who raise $200 or more will enjoy Private Event on August 27, 2022 at Disney California Adventure® Park, Presented by Disneyland® Resort
ORANGE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gamers for CHOC, an initiative that rallies employees, players, and communities from local games-related studios, businesses, and groups, is back for its second year to support Children's Hospital of Orange County. The program raised nearly $200,000 in 2021, contributing to health care programs, education, and research for southern California's kids.
Gamers for CHOC invites members of the larger gaming community to get involved by donating on behalf of a participating team or signing up to join a team as a fundraiser on the CHOC Walk site. Top fundraisers across Gamers for CHOC teams can earn unique prizes and experiences from participating organizations. This year's companies includes some of the most notable names in the gaming industry:
Amazon Games
AWS for Games
Blue Silver Studios
BITKRAFT Ventures
Dreamhaven
Esports Arena
Frost Giant Studios
Gay Gaming Professionals
Humble Bundle
inXile entertainment
Konami
Mattering Lab
Obsidian Entertainment
Pragma Platform
Rally Cry
Riot Games
Second Dinner
Square Enix
UCI Esports
Unbroken Studios
Individuals who raise $200 or more can also attend "CHOC Adventure in the Park," where for one night only, Disney California Adventure® Park will come to life with exclusive experiences just for CHOC enthusiasts, including:
- Access to many of the park's attractions throughout the evening
- A special showing of the nighttime spectacular World of Color
- CHOC Walk swag based on fundraising levels
- DJ
- Special photo locations
- Sightings of beloved Disney® characters
- And much more!
"We are thrilled to partner with Gamers for CHOC again this year," said Zachariah L. Abrams, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement at CHOC Children's Foundation. "Last year's effort was extremely successful and we are so thankful to the community of gamers who support CHOC and the kids who we help. We look forward to seeing which teams rise to the top this year."
Gamers for CHOC will host a standalone hub on the CHOC Walk website that will aggregate information across all participating teams. It features a leaderboard to encourage friendly competition between companies and highlight the participating teams, how many members they have, and how much money they've raised. The hub will also feature a running total of how many dollars have been raised as a part of the overall initiative.
Sign-up information on Gamers for CHOC can be found HERE.
For more information, please visit: www.gamersforchoc.org
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SOURCE Gamers for CHOC | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/gamers-choc-invites-gaming-community-support-childrens-hospital-orange-countys-adventure-park/ | 2022-08-15T18:52:54Z |
— Fast-growing Franchise Expects to Approach 1,000 by End-of-Year and Continues to Expand Franchisee Network Nationwide —
TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Welcome, one of the fastest growing short-term vacation rental management franchise concepts, announces that it has surpassed 750 properties nationwide in its franchise network, representing a more than 200% year-over-year increase. Franchisee and revenue growth have doubled in 2022, as well, as the franchise has developed innovative operational strategies to aid franchisees effectively scale their businesses.
"In less than three years we have been able to launch the Grand Welcome franchise and have it become one of the fastest growing concepts in the market. We expect sustained growth over the next year, as we continue to address market needs in a manner unlike any other short-term vacation rental company," said Brandon Ezra, founder and CEO of Grand Welcome.
Grand Welcome now has franchisees and properties in 13 states. Each property is locally owned and operated, unlike other short-term vacation rental franchises. Grand Welcome exceeded 30 franchisees in July of this year and expects to double that number by the end of 2022.
Ezra points to three pillars for Grand Welcome's growth and appeal to franchisees:
- Community-based – By having each franchisee serve as a member of their community, Grand Welcome is giving back to the areas in which they manage properties. This aids in the long-term success of the franchisee and helps the respective communities prosper.
- Advanced Technology – Grand Welcome has developed a proprietary reservation and accounting system that helps franchisees operate efficiently from the first day of business. It also helps franchisees scale more efficiently for effective expansion.
- Support – Franchisees have access to a back office administrative support team of highly qualified and trained professionals skilled in reservations, customer service, marketing, and accounting. It allows the franchisees to better focus on the properties in their territories.
"Our vision is to grow Grand Welcome through a shared passion and innovation that recognizes opportunities and seizes them. That approach led us to recently introduce a Tier 1 program to best address an underserved part of the short-term vacation rental business efficiently. Additionally, our expansion plans include international properties, as we expect to continue to set the pace in our market segment," said Ezra.
About Grand Welcome
Named one of Entrepreneur magazine's Top New and Emerging Franchises of 2022, Grand Welcome has become one of the leading short-term rental property management businesses in the United States. Founded in 2009, the company is consistently growing the number of franchise locations, properties, and range of destinations it offers to valued and loyal customers.
To learn more about Grand Welcome franchise opportunities, visit www.grandwelcomefranchise.com or call 803.991.4297.
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SOURCE Grand Welcome | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/grand-welcome-announces-it-has-surpassed-750-short-term-vacation-rental-properties-us/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:00Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman urges Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA) investors who suffered significant losses to submit your losses now.
Visit: https://www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/AVYA
Contact An Attorney Now: AVYA@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895
The investigation focuses on Avaya's repeated claims to have made significant progress in its business model transformation to a cloud and SaaS business model.
On June 27, 2022, Avaya announced $600 million in aggregate financing commitments, including $350 million of new Senior Secured Term Loans and $250 million of Exchangeable Senior Secured Notes. Management claimed "[t]his funding supports and accelerates our business model transformation."
A month later, on July 28, 2022, Avaya announced its board fired CEO James M. Chirico, Jr. The company also announced disastrous preliminary Q3 2022 financial results that included expected revenues and adjusted EBITDA well below previously given guidance and an unquantified but "significant" impairment charge. In addition, the company withdrew its 2022 guidance. This news sent the price of Avaya shares crashing 57% lower the next day.
Then, on Aug. 9, 2022, Avaya announced: (1) it determined there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern; (2) it would not timely file its financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2022; (3) its Audit Committee commenced internal investigations into circumstances surrounding the company's financial results for the quarter; and, (4) the Committee also commenced an investigation into matters raised by a whistleblower. This news sent the price of Avaya shares crashing 45% lower that day.
"We're focused on investors' losses and whether Avaya lied about progress towards becoming a cloud and SaaS business," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.
If you invested in Avaya and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.
Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Avaya should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email mailto: AVYA@hbsslaw.com.
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Contact:
Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895
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SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/hagens-berman-national-trial-attorneys-encourages-investors-avaya-holdings-corp-avya-with-significant-losses-contact-firms-attorneys-firm-investigating-possible-securities-law-violations/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:07Z |
Debuts at Riviera Maya With up to 43% In Savings, up to $400 in Resort Credits and New Character Appearances At Both Locations
MIAMI, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nick Jr. Friends Event, the highly anticipated annual fall event uniquely crafted for preschoolers, is returning to Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana and launching for the first time at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya with exclusive discounts, dedicated programming, and special Nickelodeon character appearances at both locations. This top preschooler event gives guests the opportunity to meet some of their favorite Nick Jr. friends including Chase, Marshall and Skye from PAW Patrol, Blue from Blue's Clues & You!, Dora the Explorer, Shimmer and Shine, and for the first time ever, Santiago of the Seas. Having made its mark as a top event in the Caribbean for families with little ones over the last four years, this popular seasonal programming is back with brand new experiences and savings. Families looking for endless summers can level up their autumn vacation and take advantage of major savings with up to 43% off starting at $203 per person per night + up to $400 in Resort Credits when they book now through October 30 and travel September 8 through October 31, 2022.
While both resort locations will offer unforgettable experiences that are true to the heart of the Nickelodeon brand, each destination will welcome unique experiences that set the stage for an unmatched Nick Jr. Friends Event. Little guests staying at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hang out with Santiago from Santiago of the Seas, who is making a debut appearance just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, while those staying at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya will get the chance to play with Chase and Skye from PAW Patrol and Shimmer & Shine from Shimmer and Shine.
"We are beyond excited to bring back our Nick Jr. Friends Event to our resorts this fall after continued overwhelming success," said Daniel Lozano, Vice President of Operations at Karisma Hotels & Resorts. "Families can expect signature experiences coupled with new playful surprises that will make this year's event bigger and better than ever."
Families can enjoy a 5-star luxury all-inclusive vacation with gourmet dining, thrilling adventure at the Aqua Nick water parks, expansive accommodations, and all kinds of exclusive, limited edition events and experiences taking place throughout the week — from exciting character meet and greets to interactive activities including searching for clues left behind by Blue, making Dora's backpack and creating their own adventure map, dancing the Pup Pup Boogie with PAW Patrol, making their own Blue & Magenta ears, themed menus with fun mocktails and sweets, dance parties and much more. Little ones can even get inspired to help their friends, families and communities with Paw Patrol's "Calling All Heroes" program as they receive a Big Hero Book of hero tips when participating in the activities onsite.
With two locations, one in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the 5-star family experiential resorts are designed to ignite the spark of play for guests of all ages with signature seasonal events throughout the year including the Nick Jr. Friends Event this fall. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts offer spacious and themed family suites, Nickelodeon™ Place, Aqua Nick themed water park, Club Nick for kids, and the renowned Gourmet Inclusive® Experience by Karisma.
For information about the Nick Jr. Friends Event or to book, visit www.karismahotels.com/nickelodeon-hotels-resorts.
Hi-res Images are available here.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning luxury hotel collection that owns and manages an impressive portfolio of properties in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Property brands include Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma; El Dorado Spa Resorts by Karisma; Azul Beach Resorts by Karisma; Generations Resorts by Karisma; Hidden Beach Resort by Karisma; Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts; and Margaritaville St. Somewhere by Karisma. Properties have been honored with the industry's top accolades, including Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 100 Hotels in the World," Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 30 Hotels in Cancun," TripAdvisor® Traveler's Choice "Best Hotels for Romance," and AAA's "Five Diamond Award'' and "Four Diamond Award." Karisma Hotels & Resorts is committed to employee and community support while delivering authentic experiences to guests, receiving worldwide recognition for its compassionate and creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations.
Nickelodeon, now in its 43rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing, and feature films. Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family, available in more than 400 million households across 170+ countries and territories via more than 100+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Paramount Networks International, a division of Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA). For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters, and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc.
Media Contacts
Alliance Connection
pr@allianceconnection.com
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SOURCE Karisma Hotels & Resorts | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/highly-anticipated-nick-jr-friends-event-returns-nickelodeon-hotels-amp-resorts-punta-cana/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:15Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Home prices began falling in June in the metro areas of San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Riverside-San Bernardino, Sacramento, and San Diego, according to analysis by the American Enterprise Institute's Housing Center. At the same time, housing supply remains at historically low levels and homes remain out of reach even for middle-class workers. This is a crisis, and the AEI Housing Center is hosting events across the state to provide cities and homeowners with the tools they need to address it.
Think of modest "Light Touch" increases in housing density as the tortoise in the effort to increase supply. Slow but steady increases to supply over say 10 years will dramatically increase California's housing supply, create more affordable new homes, and unlock wealth for current homeowners, according to a new study of 200 metros released by the American Enterprise Institute's Housing Center. The key ingredient for affordability is that with light tough density, home price appreciation over time will rise more in line with wages. Thus light touch density can help address California's chronic housing supply shortfall while retaining the look and feel of small scale residential neighborhoods.
The AEI Housing Center is bringing this message to six cities across the state in a series of free events open to the public. On August 2nd AEI released a free Housing and Economic Analysis Toolkit (HEAT) to help inform local policymakers, interested groups, and citizens across California on how to implement achievable solutions that increase housing with a "light touch."
In San Diego County, for example, light-touch increases in single family detached density could result in 31% more homes built per year, a 10% reduction in price, and a 21% increase in property taxes. This light touch density achieves natural affordability without reliance on subsidies, income limits, or expensive infrastructure improvements. Light touch density, when applied to existing homes, gives homeowners the right to unlock the hidden value in the lot under their homes by repurposing their land.
Registration is open for 6 California free conferences to be held the week of September 19, 2022.
These conferences are free and open to all—please forward to anyone else who might have an interest. Each conference will be packed with information and presentations to help to tackle the most pressing housing issues facing Californians.
Visit aei.org/california-housing-conference to register
Conference dates, times, and locations
Media Contact Details:
Arthur Gailes
American Enterprise Institute Housing Center
aei.org/california-housing-conference
Arthur.gailes@aei.org
804-662-0874
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SOURCE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/homes-are-losing-value-across-california-this-is-how-homeowners-can-fight-back/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:22Z |
HOUSTON, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial Service Solutions (ISS) has acquired full ownership of Rotating Mechanical Solutions Corporation (RMSC), a specialist in industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul of large-scale equipment. The acquisition adds to the ISS roster of field service expertise, while expanding growth opportunities across the western United States.
Key capabilities the RMSC acquisition brings to ISS include preventive and predictive maintenance, testing and diagnostics, and electric motor and compressor sales and service. Headquartered in Colorado, RMSC operations serve several critical industries in the Rocky Mountains region and beyond, including mining and aggregates, water treatment, and energy.
"RMSC helps industrial operators reduce unplanned downtime, by delivering on-site preventive maintenance programs that can solve system problems before they can negatively impact operations," said Ryan McGuire, President of Rotating Mechanical Solutions Corporation. "We've earned a reputation as a trusted partner with our customers and joining Industrial Service Solutions will expand the products and services we can deliver."
The geographical focus and in-field expertise of RMSC complements the system operations, equipment and service offerings of ISS, representing growth opportunities in high-value industrial markets.
"Regional growth starts with experienced boots on the ground, backed by national-scale support," said Wade Stockstill, CEO of Industrial Service Solutions. "Combining RMSC with our service and engineering capabilities, breadth of offerings, and nationwide reach will strengthen our position among key industry players."
Industrial Service Solutions maximizes process-critical uptime, delivering technology, insights and expertise to keep industry moving. The company is America's largest independent provider of rotating equipment, process equipment, and inspection services, serving the automation, manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, energy, transportation, maritime, aerospace, and defense industries. Learn more at http://www.iss-na.com.
Cameron Wallace
Vice President of Marketing
281-235-8388
Cameron.Wallace@iss-na.com
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SOURCE Industrial Service Solutions | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/industrial-service-solutions-acquisition-extends-on-site-maintenance-overhaul-capabilities/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:29Z |
STAMFORD, Conn. and EDISON, N.J., August 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fi-Tek LLC a leading FinTech company with leading technology in Wealth Management, Global Family Office, and Alternative Investment, welcomes Erik Forssman who is joining the Fi-Tek senior executive team as a Senior Managing Director to drive its business strategy & growth across its Global Family Office and Alternative Business units.
"We are extremely excited to have Erik on board - he brings extensive knowledge of hedge fund administration business, and we are looking forward to his leadership to grow our Global Family Office and Alternative Investments businesses powered by our proprietary technology – Rockit Command and HedgeTek – both of these are market leading solutions," said Subir Chatterjee, CEO of Fi-Tek.
While at Morgan Stanley, Forssman served on the Executive and Operational boards of Morgan Stanley Fund Services. Forssman has been licensed as a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Accountant with over 35 years of experience, and was a partner at Grant Thornton and EY.
"I am really excited to be part of an innovative FinTech team here at Fi-Tek – and looking forward to expanding our solutions in administration services to meet the challenges faced by large Global Family Offices and Hedge Fund Administrators," said Erik Forssman.
Fi-Tek has multiple technology solutions across various market segments: GWES for Trust & Wealth Management servicing over 100 trust and wealth management institutions with over $450 Bn on the platform; HedgeTek for Hedge Fund & PE Investor Accounting with over $700 Bn of assets on the platform; and through its subsidiary, Rockit Solutions – powered by the leading integrated family office technology platform Rockit Command – provides full-service administration and investment operations, and total wallet reporting to large and complex multi-generational Global Family Offices with 1000's of legal entities. Rockit Solutions was acquired from the Rockefellers by Fi-Tek in 2016 and the Rockit Command technology has been integrated with Fi-Tek's GWES product suite to make the Rockit's core functionality accessible to Fi-Tek's trust & wealth management clients and growing number of GFOs.
Fi-Tek is a leading provider of technology and technology-enabled solutions to financial institutions, including: Asset Managers, Trust and Private Banks, Family Offices, Hedge Fund Managers, Fund Administrators, and Broker/Dealers. Servicing over $1.4 trillion dollars of assets, Fi-Tek's suite of Private Wealth Technology Solutions consists of Global Wealth ES, Rockit Command, and HedgeTek technology platforms. Please contact Arpita Chatterjee (AChatterjee@Fi-Tek.com) or Kevin Fisher (KFisher@Fi-Tek.com) for any information and questions. Additional information on Fi-Tek and its solutions may be found at www.fi-tek.com.
Rockit Solutions powered by its proprietary technology Rockit Command - is a leading provider of full service multi-generational complex Global Family Office solutions supporting large family offices thru an integrated offering – supporting investment operations, accounting, data aggregation, GIPS Performance, G/L, alternative assets and extensive client reporting including total wallet & look thru reporting. Additionally, Rockit also provides partnership accounting and tax services for complex partnerships. For any questions, please contact Alan Perl (APerl@Rockitco.com)
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SOURCE Fi-Tek | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/industry-veteran-joins-fi-tek-power-its-family-office-alternative-investments-business-growth/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:35Z |
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I thought there could be a better way to display the address on a home or other building," said an inventor, from Chicago, Ill., "so I invented VIVID VIEW ADDRESS NUMBERS. My design ensures that guests, delivery drivers, emergency personnel and others can easily see the address."
The invention provides an improved way to illuminate the address of a home or small business. In doing so, it ensures that the address can be easily seen at night or in low lighting conditions. As a result, it increases visibility and it provides added convenience. The invention features a practical design that is easy to install and use so it is ideal for households and small businesses. Additionally, a prototype model is available upon request.
The original design was submitted to the Chicago sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CKL-1370, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/inventhelp-inventor-develops-easy-to-see-address-display-ckl-1370/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:42Z |
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a putting grip that would enable a golfer to better control the speed of his or her putt, execute straighter, more accurate putts," said an inventor, from Doland, S.D., "so I invented the CROWN PUTTER GRIP. My design could help to lower scores and would make golfing more enjoyable."
The patent-pending invention provides an improved grip for a golf putter. In doing so, it allows the golfer to hold the putter with a more relaxed grip and to better control the speed of his or her putt. As a result, it could help to improve putting accuracy and it enhances comfort and confidence. The invention features a unique and innovative design that is easy to use so it is ideal for golfers. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype model is available upon request.
The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CTK-2794, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/inventhelp-inventor-develops-improved-grip-golf-putters-ctk-2794/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:49Z |
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "My wife always wanted to decorate big Christmas trees but found it difficult to move the tree on her own so I created this," said inventor of No Drag Tree from Hillsboro, OH. "With the use of this product, the consumer would not have to worry about lifting the tree or sliding precariously."
Invention allows decorators to easily position lights, ornaments, garland, and other tree décor around the entire perimeter of the tree to create a more attractive holiday centerpiece.Throughout the holiday season, the tree could easily be moved in order to vacuum or clean. Innovative design could eliminate the frustration associated with tangled strands of lights also. This product would be great for anyone who has a Christmas tree and ideal to elderly, disabled, and single people
The original design was submitted to the Cincinnati, OH sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CCT-4703, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/inventhelp-inventor-develops-tree-stand-cct-4703/ | 2022-08-15T18:53:55Z |
PITTSBURGH, Pa., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "We wanted to create an accessory to prevent slips and falls on snow- and ice-covered surfaces," said one of two inventors, from Hoffman Estates, Ill., "so we invented the SUREGRIP. Our design would enhance traction while ensuring better footing on slippery surfaces."
The patent-pending invention provides added traction when walking in snowy or icy conditions. In doing so, it helps to prevent slips and falls. As a result, it enhances safety and it provides added protection and peace of mind. The invention features a durable design that is easy to position and use so it is ideal for men, women and children. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.
The original design was submitted to the Chicago sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CLR-128, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/inventhelp-inventors-develop-foot-covering-increase-traction-clr-128/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:01Z |
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a homemade sauce with an authentic, Jamaican taste to serve at my restaurants," said one of two inventors, from Tarrytown, N.Y., "so we invented BMMW DIPPING JERK SAUCE. Our formula can be used as a flavor-enhancing sauce, dipping sauce, condiment or marinade."
The invention provides a delicious sauce to enhance the flavor of a variety of foods. In doing so, it can be used with chicken, steak, pork, seafood, etc. As a result, it eliminates the need to prepare a flavorful sauce from scratch. The invention features a versatile and satisfying design that is easy to serve and enjoy so it is ideal for consumers and commercial kitchens. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.
The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CTK-1037, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/inventhelp-inventors-develop-new-flavor-enhancing-sauce-ctk-1037/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:08Z |
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ..."I thought of this idea about 17 years ago while I was attending trade school," said the inventor from Winston-Salem, NC. "I wanted to create a tool that would assist an individual wash their entire back without struggling to reach certain areas."
He invented LOLA, patent-pending, to provide users with a means of effectively scrubbing, exfoliating, and cleansing the back and other areas of the body. It also offers an unique way to dispense and use liquid soap. As a result, it would help individuals clean areas that are typically hard-to-reach and it would help exfoliate the back and body more effectively. This could help consumers save time and it could be used by consumers of all ages, especially the elderly. Additionally, this would be practical, durable and easy to use in any shower and it would offer a convenient alternative to using a bar of soap.
The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 20-CNC-427, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.
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SOURCE InventHelp | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/inventhelp-presents-self-sustaining-back-scrubber-cnc-427/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:14Z |
80% of Women leak while they Exercise and 70% Avoid Exercise because of leaks
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Intimate apparel brand and champion of living unapologetically free, Knix, is excited to announce the next step in their holistic approach to the leakproof category with their LeakStrong Leakproof activewear; proving to the world that leaks shouldn't prevent anyone from living an active life.
As a product innovator and category definer, Knix wants to provide practical, functional and fashionable solutions to the challenges people face. From customer research and feedback Knix discovered that 80% of women experience leaks when they are active and 70% avoid exercise and movement altogether because of leaks.
"As a customer centric brand, we pride ourselves on making products that people need and help to improve their everyday lives. We know that leaks happen during exercise and that it is holding a lot of people back from partaking in sports. We are thrilled to introduce a great lineup of Leakstrong Activewear products that have been years in the making" says Joanna Griffiths, Founder and CEO of Knix. "We see active as the next big frontier for leakproof products and are excited to be leading the way."
The new LeakStrong Leakproof leggings, shorts and skorts include state-of-the-art absorbent protection from bladder leaks, periods, and sweat that is invisibly incorporated within the garments to create a sleek and seamless look. Made with lightweight, quick dry and moisture wicking fabric with 4 way stretch, the new LeakStrong Leakproof leggings and shorts are made for maximum movement and comfort. These leggings and shorts absorb up to 30ml (6 tsp or 6 tampons) of liquid, and the skorts absorb up to 15ml (3 tsp) of liquid. The LeakStrong Leakproof black leggings with pockets are perfect to stash your everyday essentials when you're on the go!
The LeakStrong activewear joins Knix's existing line up of best in class sports bras including the Catalyst which outperformed over 800 sports bras on the market in third party testing conducted by the University of Portsmouth Research Group in breast health and their growing line of seamless leakproof underwear that are made with moisture wicking fabric and can withstand even in the toughest workouts.
Knix has always aimed to break down barriers and challenge the status quo. Knix believes the more we normalize the conversations around leaks and the need for products that address this issue, the more we will see creative solutions come to market. These are not just period leggings, Knix wants to empower their community to walk through life with confidence regardless of all leaks, and to live unapologetically free.
The new LeakStrong Leakproof leggings, shorts and skorts launch on August 18th, 2022.
To learn more about the new LeakStrong leggings, shorts and skorts please visit: https://knix.com/collections/leakproof-leggings-and-shorts
Knix is a direct-to-consumer intimates and apparel brand. Through innovative products and a community-first approach, Knix is on a mission to empower people everywhere to live unapologetically free. Every product, campaign and image that Knix puts into the world is tied to this mission that has been embedded in the company's DNA since day one. Founded in 2013, by Joanna Griffiths, Knix is one of the fastest growing DTC brands in North America and is globally recognized as an innovator and disrupter within the apparel space.
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SOURCE Knix | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/knix-announces-solution-leaks-with-all-new-leakstrong-activewear/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:21Z |
OSLO, Norway, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lytix Biopharma AS ("Lytix" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage company with an in situ vaccination technology platform, today announces data from its ATLAS-IT-04 trial in patients with progressive metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The data from this Phase II proof of concept study shows that LTX-315 in combination with Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) was able to stabilize the disease in 3 out of 4 fully treated patients in this hard-to-treat patient population, and that the LTX-315 treatment generated tumor-specific T cells.
The data is presented June 5th, 2022, as a poster at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2022 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
The ATLAS-IT-04 trial was an open label, exploratory, Phase II trial assessing the effect of LTX-315 when used in combination with ACT in patients with metastatic STS. ACT with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is a potent treatment that can induce complete and durable tumor regression as documented in patients with melanoma. The use of ACT with TILs for patients with advanced STS has not previously been reported.
Patients with advanced stages of STS have few effective treatment options and respond poorly to current treatment as well as to immunotherapy tested in clinical trials. The trial design of ATLAS-IT-04 included intratumoral injections of LTX-315 ahead of surgical removal of tumors, followed by in vitro expansion of T cells as the first step. In a second step, the expanded T cells were infused back to the patients and the effect of LTX-315 on the tumor microenvironment was assessed.
LTX-315 is a first-in-class non-viral oncolytic molecule, representing a new and superior in situ therapeutic vaccination principle to boost the clonal expansion of T cells that kill tumor cells through a targeted immune response. In a recent Phase I/II study LTX-315 has been shown to increase TILs in malignant solid tumors after intratumoral injection.
The immune response data from the ATLAS-IT-04 trial demonstrates that the treatment induce both new and tumor-specific T cells which provides proof to the concept that LTX-315 generates an immune response that targets the tumor. Moreover, the data shows that LTX-315 induce expansion of a heterogenous pool of T-cell clones in blood, and a pool of these are also present in tumor tissue after treatment.
"This trial demonstrates that the combination of LTX-315 and ACT is not only feasible and tolerable, but that tumor-specific T cells can be expanded in vitro from tumors that have been pretreated with the oncolytic molecule LTX-315", Inge Marie Svane, PI and Professor at the National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, comments.
She adds: "This combination therapy invokes tumor specific T cells that can be cultured and infused as part of an adoptive transfer regimen for several subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma, and its treatment schedule should be further optimized to achieve superior signs of efficacy."
The poster is presented June 5th at the ASCO 2022 Annual Meeting.
Poster Session: Sarcoma
Abstract: 11567
Poster: 471
The poster can be found here https://www.lytixbiopharma.com/research-development/posters.html
CONTACT:
For further information please contact:
Øystein Rekdal (CEO), Telephone: +47 975 73 358, E-mail: Oystein.Rekdal@lytixbiopharma.com
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SOURCE Lytix Biopharma AS | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/lytix-biopharma-announces-that-ltx-315-with-adoptive-cell-therapy-has-been-shown-generate-tumor-specific-t-cells-stabilize-disease-patients-with-metastatic-soft-tissue-sarcoma-sts/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:27Z |
Intratumoral treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) - first-in-class cancer therapy
OSLO, Norway, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The CMD is a live event, open for physical attendance at Hotel Continental in Oslo, Norway, as well as a live webcast. It starts at 14.00 CET, and is expected to last approximately two hours, including Q&A.
Speakers will be:
- Øystein Rekdal, CEO of Lytix
- Ted White, CEO of Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Gary Goldenberg, CMO of Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Aurelien Marabelle, visiting professor at Stanford University
Registration, for physical or virtual attendance, before May 31, 2022, at 14.00 CET:
https://www.lytixbiopharma.com/news/events/register-for-event.html
***
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Nasdaq-listed dermatology therapeutics company, headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, developing medications for skin diseases requiring medical interventions. In August 2020, Lytix Biopharma announced that it entered into a license agreement with Verrica to develop and commercialize LTX-315 for all malignant and pre-malignant dermatological indications (skin cancer). Verrica intends to focus initially on basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma as the lead indications for development for LTX-315. The American Cancer Society has estimated that about 5.4 million basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are diagnosed in the US annually. With about 80% of these skin cancers being BCC there is a significant potential for new treatment options.
***
Ted White, CEO of Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. has served as Verrica Pharmaceuticals' President and CEO since 2017, and as a member of Verrica's Board of Directors since May 2018. Previously, he was President and General Manager at Almirall, a global pharmaceutical company, and the parent company of Aqua Pharmaceuticals, based in Spain, with a focus on Medical Dermatology. Prior to his time at Aqua Pharmaceuticals, Mr. White was at Novartis, where he served in a number of roles, including as Managing Director. He holds a MBA from St. Joseph's University and a BA in General Arts from Villanova University.
Gary Goldenberg, CMO of Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. has served as CMO of Verrica since 2020. He was a member of Verrica's Board of Directors from 2018 to 2020. He is a Medical and Cosmetic Dermatologist at Goldenberg Dermatology PC, which he cofounded in April 2017. Dr. Goldenberg has also served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City since 2009, and was an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine from 2007 to 2009. He holds a MD from the Temple University School of Medicine and a BA in Biology from La Salle University. He completed his residency in Dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and his Dermatopathology Fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Prof. Aurélien Marabelle, visiting professor at Stanford University is a physician-scientist with expertise in oncology (MD) and immunology (PhD). His clinical practice is dedicated to early phase clinical trials of cancer immunotherapies within the Drug Development Department (DITEP) of Gustave Roussy Cancer Center in France. He leads a translational research laboratory (LRTI) within the INSERM unit of Prof Laurence Zitvogel with a focus on mechanisms of action of immune targeted therapies. He is also the director of the Clinical Investigation Center BIOTHERIS dedicated to intratumoral immunotherapies (INSERM CIC1428). He is a full professor of Clinical Immunology at the University of Paris Saclay.
Øystein Rekdal, CEO of Lytix Biopharma is co-founder of Lytix Biopharma and has extensive research background within tumor immunology, oncolytic peptides and their abilities to induce potent tumor specific immune responses. Dr. Rekdal's postdoctoral forms the basis of Lytix' oncolytic molecule platform. Dr. Rekdal has initiated the collaboration with several distinguished researchers and institutions to further explore the unique ability of oncolytic molecules to reprogram non-inflamed or suppressive tumor microenvironment in experimental models and in cancer patients.
CONTACT:
Ole Peter Nordby, Head of IR & Communication Manager
Email: ole.peter.nordby@lytixbiopharma.com
Mobile: +47 412 87 179
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SOURCE Lytix Biopharma AS | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/lytix-biopharma-invitation-capital-markets-day-oslo-june-1-2022/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:34Z |
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) members pass a Pet Insurance Model Act to establish appropriate regulatory standards for the pet insurance industry, which has annual premiums of approximately $2.8 billion in total in-force premiums in 2021 (up over 30.5% from $2.175 billion in 2020) and over 4.41 million insured pets across North America, up 27.7% from over 3.45 million pets insured in 2020, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
"This model law establishes clear rules for the sale of pet insurance and provides important disclosures to pet owners interested in purchasing this product," said Beth Dwyer, Superintendent of Insurance for the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. "Now, it is up to the states to see if they would like to adopt or modify the model law for this regulatory framework to be in effect."
Consumer Protections: The model codifies several consumer protections related to policy renewals, required disclosures of waiting periods, policy limits, conditions, benefit schedules, and more. Robust disclosures allow consumers to affirmatively choose the policy that is best for them in a world with dozens of available options.
Preexisting Conditions: The model limits how insurers can deny pet insurance claims related to preexisting conditions of covered pets. And the onus is put on the insurer to prove those preexisting condition limitation applies.
Wellness Programs: The model explicitly requires insurers and their producers to clearly differentiate pet wellness programs from insurance policies to help eliminate consumer confusion between insurance policies and non-insurance wellness programs.
Training Requirements: The model codifies training for insurance producers to ensure that producers are appropriately prepared to present information to consumers.
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SOURCE National Association of Insurance Commissioners | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/naic-passes-pet-insurance-model-act/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:40Z |
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Native Sons, a nationally recognized custom apparel company in Myrtle Beach, announced a partnership today with Coastal Carolina quarterback, Grayson McCall. McCall and Native Sons have partnered to develop an exclusive line of apparel. The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, created in tandem with Grayson's sports representation ESM, is a one-year, five-figure endorsement with the potential to grow.
"I'm excited to partner with Native Sons. They have been great to work with, they are a local company and big supporters of Coastal Carolina," says McCall. "Being able to participate in designing my signature line of apparel is very exciting and is a dream that myself and every 21st-century athlete have today."
"We are excited to welcome such an extremely talented and well-known player like Grayson onto our Native Sons team," says Steve Taylor, President of Native Sons. "With Coastal Carolina being right in our backyard, it's a natural fit for us and it will give the CCU fan base the opportunity to purchase apparel designed by a player they know and love. We've created some really fun designs."
Along with the apparel, McCall will be an ambassador and make appearances throughout the year at Native Sons events. More information about the appearances will be released at a later date.
McCall joins the University of South Carolina's Luke Doty as a Native Sons spokesperson. Doty signed a multi-year NIL deal with the apparel company in 2021. To shop Grayson McCall's designs and other apparel, please visit www.nativesons.com
Native Sons is a nationally recognized custom apparel company that was established in 1984 in Myrtle Beach, SC. The company specializes in creative design and quality printing and has a diverse array of local, regional, and national clients. Native Sons is also known for its community involvement and promotion of the Myrtle Beach area via unique events. Visit www.nativesons.com for more info or email info@nativesons.com.
Native Sons
1519 Executive Ave
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-448-0585
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SOURCE Native Sons Apparel & Printing | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/native-sons-signs-coastal-carolina-university-quarterback-grayson-mccall-exclusive-nil-deal/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:47Z |
SOLON, Ohio, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A worldwide leader in sustainable and innovative flooring solutions, Tarkett North America has refreshed and expanded its iQ® Granit™ collection and introduced the coordinating iQ® Eminent™ collection within their high-performance homogeneous vinyl sheet and tile products. Designed with healthcare spaces in mind, Tarkett's iQ products are low-maintenance, durable enough to maintain their performance under high-traffic wear and contribute to healthy, rejuvenating indoor environments.
"Created in Ronneby, Sweden, iQ Granit and iQ Eminent embody the very best of Scandinavian design," said Janette Murray, senior design manager for Tarkett North America. "Every detail has a purpose, from superior infection control and softened acoustics options, to state-of-the-art technology that promises zero refinishing for the life of the floor. With organic patterns and a warm color palette, the collection is continually restored with a simple dry buffing—so your floor, your space and your people can maintain top performance."
iQ Granit's soft, tonal chip designs are inspired by the beauty and resilience of natural stone. The 43 available colorways from iQ Granit and iQ Granit Sense flow together for a palette that helps us retreat, reflect, and recharge. iQ Granit Sense is more tonal, while iQ Granit offers more color variation in its visual accents.
iQ Granit Acoustic adds impact sound reduction, further enhancing spaces where quiet reflection and peaceful healing are desired.
"According to research, quieter healthcare settings have been shown to improve clinical efficiency, diminish stress, and support the healing process," said Margaret Bartholomew, healthcare segment manager, Tarkett North America. "In addition to contributing to better indoor air quality, iQ Granit Acoustic reduces impact sound by 16 dB. These aren't just floors—they're the essential foundation to creating spaces for holistic wellness."
"At a time when indoor air quality is of the utmost importance, prioritizing a healthy indoor environment should be top of mind," said Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd. "Healthcare facilities are investing more and more in going 'beyond code,' to optimize healthier indoor air and healthy buildings. Tarkett's dedication to prioritizing a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, not only of the indoor space, but also the people occupying that space, is very much aligned with our values of ESG and Scientific Excellence. We value Tarkett's dedication to improving indoor air quality, and ultimately helping to improve lives."
To optimize the indoor environment and support better indoor air quality, iQ Granit is ortho-phthalate-free and CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® by Allergy Standards Ltd., a certification program endorsed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
"Indoor air quality is so important for patients who have asthma and especially important in healthcare facilities," said Kenneth Mendez, CEO and President of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "We congratulate Tarkett for their innovation and commitment to promoting healthy indoor air quality in healthcare facilities with the first CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® flooring that is designed specifically with the needs of healthcare facilities in mind."
New to the North American market in the expanded collection are iQ Eminent & iQ Eminent Unisense™—two visuals with differing scales that offer greater color contrast and the handcrafted look of terrazzo. These collections offer a smaller, more refined palette of 25 colorways that coordinate with iQ Granit to enhance wayfinding and creative layouts.
Beyond their soothing aesthetics, Tarkett's iQ homogeneous vinyl sheet products are scientifically engineered to prevent the spread of infection, simplify care and maintenance, and support better indoor air quality. Their proprietary iQ construction gives all Tarkett iQ products superior wear, stain, and abrasion resistance, as well as the ability to retain their original beauty over time with nothing more than an occasional dry buff – no wax of finish needed for the life of the floor.
This advanced composition also meets all the requirements for reducing the spread of pathogens, while maximizing return on investment. Installed with heat-welded seams, iQ homogeneous vinyl sheet floors have a continuous, scratch-resistant surface that reduce spaces that could potentially harbor mold or pathogens. Additionally, iQ's flexible material can be formed to create an integral cove base between the floor and wall with a gentle radius to prevent accumulation of dust and dirt.
For more information, visit contract.tarkett.com/iQgranit.
With a history of 140 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative flooring and sports surface solutions, with net sales of €2.8 billion in 2021. Offering a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, rubber, carpet, wood, laminate, artificial turf and athletics tracks, the Group serves customers in over 100 countries across the globe. Tarkett has 12,000 employees and 34 industrial sites, and sells 1.3 million square meters of flooring every day, for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields. Committed to change the game with circular economy and to reducing its carbon footprint, the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy based on Cradle to Cradle principles, fully aligned with its Tarkett Human-Conscious Design® approach.
Visit www.tarkett.com (North America) or www.tarkett-group.com (Global)
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SOURCE Tarkett | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/newly-refreshed-expanded-iq-granit-iq-eminent-collections-tarkett-combine-restorative-design-with-proven-performance/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:53Z |
CVN Provides Support to the Military Community as They Manage the Mental Health Impacts of Their Service
STAMFORD, Conn. , Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As August marks one year since the end of the War in Afghanistan, an entire generation of veterans and military families are faced with managing the lasting mental health impacts, and common transition challenges associated with their service. That's where Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) comes in, helping post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families get #BackToBetter with high-quality, accessible mental health services.
Over 3.7 million veterans have served in the post-9/11 era. Some mental health challenges experienced by this population include anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with PTSD impacting 11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans. Meanwhile, each year approximately 200,000 men and women transition out of U.S. military service and return to life as civilians. About half of post-9/11 veterans report it was somewhat (32%) or very (16%) difficult for them to readjust to civilian life after their military service.
"As we mark one year since the withdrawal from Afghanistan, this may be a challenging time for some in our veteran community as they're reminded of, and reflect on, their time in the military," says Cohen Veterans Network President & CEO Dr. Anthony Hassan. "We want to encourage anyone struggling to reach out for help today, tomorrow or at any point in their journey as they manage the mental health impacts associated with their service. It's important for people to understand that treatment works, and it can truly help them get back to better."
Since its inception in April 2016, CVN has provided mental health services to over 32,000 individuals. Care is available to post-9/11 veterans, service members and military family members through the network's 21 Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics across the country. Clients are treated for a wide variety of mental health challenges including PTSD, depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, transition challenges, relationship problems, and children's behavioral problems. The network's Evidence-Based Practices are built on the best current research and are proven to work. Treatment is available in person or via CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy.
Hear from veterans and military family members as they share stories of hope and success after seeking mental health treatment through CVN at cohenveteransnetwork.org/backtobetter.
Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) is a 501(c)(3) national not-for-profit philanthropic organization for post-9/11 veterans, active duty service members and their families. CVN focuses on improving mental health outcomes, operating a network of outpatient mental health clinics in high-need communities, in which trained clinicians deliver holistic evidence-based care to treat mental health conditions. It was established in 2016 by philanthropist Steven A. Cohen with a commitment of $275 million to build the network. Learn more about CVN here.
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SOURCE Cohen Veterans Network | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/one-year-since-end-war-afghanistan-cohen-veterans-network-helps-veterans-military-families-get-backtobetter/ | 2022-08-15T18:54:59Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FC Bayern and Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile's parent company) have agreed to an early extension of their successful 20-year partnership until 2027. The two partners will continue to delight fans of the German record champions with innovative services and offers.
Oliver Kahn, FC Bayern CEO: "We're very happy that Deutsche Telekom has been at FC Bayern's side for 20 years. Telekom stands for innovation in a multimedia world, for innovation, for being forward-thinking. Together we have already experienced a unique success story. Our aim is to continue to set standards in sport and beyond - and we have succeeded once again with this contract extension."
Andreas Jung, FC Bayern board member responsible for marketing: "FC Bayern has always relied on partnerships that represent reliability and continuity. Our cooperation with Deutsche Telekom is a perfect example of this. We're glad that we'll continue to have this partner at our side, which gives us important certainty in our planning. Moreover, as we have done for the last 20 years, we'll continue to develop new and exciting ways of delighting our fans together."
Michael Hagspihl, Senior Vice President Global Strategic Projects and Marketing Partnerships at Deutsche Telekom: "FC Bayern Munich and Deutsche Telekom have written an amazing success story in the last 20 years. We're very proud of these joint successes and the many milestones. Thanks to the enormous media presence, innovative energy and the effects of that, our partnership is worth many times over what we put into it together."
Telekom will continue to have exclusive access to content from the club, which the company offers to its customers via FC Bayern.tv on MagentaTV. The central aims of the partnership are the effective support of brand and product communication as well as the successful implementation of sales-supporting measures. Since 2002, the telecommunications company has been present as the main sponsor on shirts and advertising boards at the Allianz Arena, among other things. Numerous joint projects and innovations have accompanied the simultaneous rise of both brands to globally successful players. These include exciting fan campaigns and the creation of a unique multimedia experience, 'StadiumVision'. In addition, 'FC Bayern.tv live' was the first 24-hour television channel dedicated to a German football club. And with 5G mobile technology coverage across the whole of the Allianz Arena, Telekom once again set standards.
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SOURCE FC Bayern Munich | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/over-20-years-partnership-fc-bayern-telekom-t-mobile-extend-until-2027/ | 2022-08-15T18:55:06Z |
All financial figures are approximate and in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
CALGARY, AB, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina" or the "Company") (TSX: PPL) (NYSE: PBA) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced joint venture transaction with KKR to combine their respective western Canadian natural gas processing assets into a single, new joint venture entity, Pembina Gas Infrastructure Inc. ("PGI").
"We are excited to officially announce the creation of PGI, a premier gas processing entity in Western Canada that will provide incredible value for Pembina, our partner KKR, and our customers. Pembina has enjoyed a strong relationship with KKR at Veresen Midstream over the past four years and the creation of PGI is a natural next step that will unlock growth and provide increased service offerings to customers throughout the Montney and Duverney formations, from central Alberta to northeast British Columbia," said Scott Burrows, Pembina's President, and Chief Executive Officer.
As previously announced, Pembina's Board of Directors declared a common share cash dividend for August 2022 of $0.21 per share to be paid, subject to applicable law, on September 15, 2022, to shareholders of record on August 25, 2022.
Pembina's Board of Directors previously approved a $0.0075 per common share increase to its monthly common share dividend rate, to $0.2175 per common share per month (representing an increase of 3.6 percent), subject to closing of the joint venture transaction with KKR. The first dividend under which the increase will take effect is expected to be declared in early September 2022, and payable on or about October 14, 2022.
Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading energy transportation and midstream service provider that has served North America's energy industry for more than 65 years. Pembina owns an integrated network of hydrocarbon liquids and natural gas pipelines, gas gathering and processing facilities, oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics services, and a growing export terminals business. Through our integrated value chain, we seek to provide safe and reliable infrastructure solutions which connect producers and consumers of energy across the world, support a more sustainable future and benefit our customers, investors, employees and communities. For more information, please visit pembina.com.
Purpose of Pembina:
To be the leader in delivering integrated infrastructure solutions connecting global markets:
- Customers choose us first for reliable and value-added services.
- Investors receive sustainable industry-leading total returns.
- Employees say we are the 'employer of choice' and value our safe, respectful, collaborative and inclusive work culture.
- Communities welcome us and recognize the net positive impact of our social and environmental commitment.
Pembina is structured into three Divisions: Pipelines Division, Facilities Division and Marketing & New Ventures Division.
Pembina's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under PPL and PBA, respectively.
Pembina Gas Infrastructure ("PGI") is a premier gas processing entity in Western Canada with a combined capacity of 5 billion cubic feet per day. A partnership between Pembina and KKR, PGI is strategically positioned to serve customers throughout the Montney and Duverney trends from central Alberta to northeast British Columbia. Pembina owns 60% of PGI and operates and manages PGI facilities while KKR's global infrastructure funds own the remaining 40%. For more information, visit www.PGIMidstream.com.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of applicable securities legislation, that are based on Pembina's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "expects", "estimates", "anticipates", "projects", "plans", "will", "would", "could", "potential", "continue", "commit" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance.
In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, without limitation, the following: the joint venture transaction between Pembina and KKR, including the anticipated benefits thereof to Pembina; and Pembina's future common share dividends, including the expected timing at which the increase will be declared and payable.
The forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that Pembina has made in respect thereof as at the date of this news release regarding, among other things: that favourable circumstances continue to exist in respect of the operation of the assets contributed to PGI; that PGI's future results of operations will be consistent with management expectations in relation thereto; oil and gas industry exploration and development activity levels and the geographic region of such activity; prevailing regulatory, tax and environmental laws and regulations; the ability of PGI to maintain an investment grade rating; future cash flows; prevailing commodity prices, interest rates, carbon prices, tax rates and exchange rates; the availability of capital to fund PGI's future capital requirements; future operating costs; that counterparties will comply with contracts in a timely manner; that there are no unforeseen events preventing the performance of contracts; that there are no unforeseen material costs relating to the relevant facilities which are not recoverable from customers; and maintenance of operating margins.
Although Pembina believes the expectations and material factors and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these expectations, factors and assumptions will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially, including, but not limited to: the failure to realize the anticipated benefits and/or synergies of the joint venture transaction due to integration issues or otherwise; expectations and assumptions concerning, among other things: customer demand for PGI's assets and services; commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; planned synergies, operating and capital efficiencies and cost-savings; applicable tax laws; future production rates; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; labour and material shortages; non-performance or default by counterparties to agreements entered into in respect of PGI's business; the impact of competitive entities and pricing; reliance on key relationships and agreements; reliance on third parties to successfully operate and maintain certain assets; the regulatory environment and decisions and Indigenous and landowner consultation requirements; actions by governmental or regulatory authorities, including changes in tax laws and treatment, changes in royalty rates, climate change initiatives or policies or increased environmental regulation; fluctuations in operating results; adverse general economic and market conditions in Canada, North America and worldwide, including changes, or prolonged weaknesses, as applicable, in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, supply/demand trends and overall industry activity levels; risks relating to the current and potential adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; lower than anticipated results of operations and cash flow accretion to Pembina from PGI; the ability to access various sources of debt and equity capital; changes in credit ratings; counterparty credit risk; technology and cyber security risks; natural catastrophes; and certain other risks and uncertainties detailed in Pembina's Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), each dated February 24, 2022 for the year ended December 31, 2021, Pembina's MD&A dated August 4, 2022 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and from time to time in Pembina's public disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com, www.sec.gov and through Pembina's website at www.pembina.com.
In respect of the forward-looking statements concerning the anticipated increase in Pembina's common share dividend following completion of the joint venture transaction, Pembina has made such forward-looking statements in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including assumptions in respect of: prevailing commodity prices, interest rates, margins and exchange rates; that future results of operations will be consistent with past performance, as applicable, and management expectations in relation thereto, including in respect of PGI's future results of operations; the continued availability of capital at attractive prices to fund future capital requirements relating to existing assets and projects, including but not limited to future capital expenditures relating to expansion, upgrades and maintenance shutdowns; future cash flows and operating costs; that counterparties to material agreements will continue to perform in a timely manner; that there are no unforeseen events preventing the performance of contracts; that there are no unforeseen material construction or other costs related to current growth projects or current operations; and that there are no unforeseen material construction or other costs related to current growth projects or current operations. Pembina will also be subject to requirements under applicable corporate laws in respect of declaring dividends at such time.
This list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted, or projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date hereof. Pembina does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
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SOURCE Pembina Pipeline Corporation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/pembina-pipeline-corporation-announces-closing-transaction-creation-pembina-gas-infrastructure/ | 2022-08-15T18:55:13Z |
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Purple Heart Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists veterans-in-need, announced it has partnered with the Military Makeover television show to renovate and remodel an entire home for a veteran and his family. The show will air on Lifetime TV, and the renovations will be at no cost to the veteran.
"We are excited about the opportunity to work with the Military Makeover team and help Michael and his family," said Steve Ruckman, CEO of the Purple Heart Foundation. "This project aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance the quality of life for honorably discharged veterans in need. Together, we are helping to change this family's life. We are proud of this project and the work we do for our nation's veterans."
Michael Stupar, a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and his family were chosen for this home improvement project. Stupar was wounded in Iraq in 2004 while taking enemy fire on a recovery mission. His transition to civilian life has been complicated due to recent family tragedies and health issues.
The Stupar family episodes will be airing at 7:30 am EDT/PDT on Lifetime TV. The episodes will air August 12 through September 15th. Tune in every Friday morning for a new episode.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises funds to support our nation' s veterans and their families. Active for over 65 years, it funds programs, services, research efforts and more. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life of Purple Heart recipients and other honorably discharged veterans and their families.
For More Information Contact:
Aristides Rodriguez
(703) 635-3531
arodriguez@purpleheartfoundation.org
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SOURCE Purple Heart Foundation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/purple-heart-foundation-is-partnering-with-military-makeover-show-their-new-season/ | 2022-08-15T18:55:19Z |
MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Robert Half Mobile App has been named the winner of the Gold Stevie Award in the 19th Annual International Business Awards. The app received the top honor for Mobile Sites and Apps in the Professional Services category for the second consecutive year.
The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories.
The executives who participated in the judging process praised the Robert Half app for its ease of use, recent updates and AI capabilities:
"An evolution of a brilliant solution, continuing to invest and improve on the mobile offering. Excellent work by the team."
"Awesome UI/UX design, the design is minimalistic and simple. Good and useful mobile application for job seekers."
"The main strategy, newly added features, processes, technology, functions and benefits of the system are all well thought out, user-friendly and life-easing."
Since its launch in July 2019, the Robert Half Mobile App has helped professionals throughout the U.S. and Canada with their job search by matching them with opportunities that truly fit their requirements. To date, job seekers have applied to more than one million open positions and received more than three million job recommendations.
"Through our AI-powered mobile app, users access personalized job recommendations and exclusive opportunities based on their unique search preferences and profile," said James Johnson, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Robert Half. "We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to delivering a user-friendly, efficient and one-of-a-kind digital experience for job seekers."
Stevie Award winners were determined by the scores of more than 300 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process from June through early August.
About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm that connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers. Robert Half offers contract and permanent placement solutions and is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm. Visit roberthalf.com and download the company's award-winning mobile app.
About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.
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SOURCE Robert Half | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/robert-half-mobile-app-wins-gold-stevie-2022-international-business-awards/ | 2022-08-15T18:55:23Z |
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peter Schiff, CEO and Chief Global Strategist at Euro Pacific Capital, Inc. and host of The Peter Schiff Show, has reached a deal with the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions Compliance of Puerto Rico ("OCIF") to liquidate the Euro Pacific Bank after regulators suspended the bank for allegations proven to be false and misleading. OCIF authorities have confirmed that, taking into account the bank's precious metals, the bank had an excess cash position to cover all deposits.
"The bank always had enough cash or cash equivalents to return all funds to depositors. The bank never made any loans or took on any debt. But since the bank did not have enough excess regulatory capital, OCIF decided to place it in receiver and order its liquidation. I would have preferred the opportunity to add the needed capital myself, or sell the bank to one of several buyers who were committed to adding that capital, but unfortunately OCIF thought it best to liquidate the bank instead," said Peter Schiff.
In a press conference on June 30, the OCIF Commissioner explained that EPB had not been found to participate in money laundering or other financial crimes. An investigation by the international alliance known as the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement ("J5"), which includes the Internal Revenue Service, also did not find any instances of tax evasion or money laundering at EPB.
Mr. Schiff has agreed to return $66.7 million in deposits and pay $300,000 in fines. He has consistently prioritized and protected his depositors and invested his own money into the bank.
"I am proud to announce that the settlement agreement asks me to submit a plan for the orderly liquidation of the bank, in order to prioritize the return of 100% of deposits to customers, or the transfer of those deposits to another financial institution outside of Puerto Rico," Mr. Schiff said in his statement. "I personally contributed over $10 million of my own money into the bank, over $7 million since Oct. of 2020, specifically to protect depositors from large operating losses."
Lanny Davis, Mr. Schiff's attorney, said, "Any allegations of money laundering and tax evasion are factually baseless innuendos. They completely contradict Euro Pacific Bank's compliant financial standings."
Schiff and Davis will hold a press conference on Monday, August 15 at 2 PM EST. Lanny Davis will also be available for questions after the press conference.
Media Contact: Gil Connolly
agconnolly@tridentdmg.com
202-993-4304
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SOURCE Lanny Davis | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/schiff-attorney-lanny-davis-says-bank-has-enough-cash-hand-return-all-funds-customers-or-transfer-their-deposits-another-financial-institution-outside-puerto-rico/ | 2022-08-15T18:55:43Z |
Streamlined protocols meet public health goals while giving greater access for guests who are excited to cruise
SEATTLE, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seabourn is updating its COVID-19 guest protocols and procedures, including requirements for vaccinations and pre-cruise testing that meet public health goals while recognizing the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation. These changes will go into effect for cruises departing on or after Sept. 6, 2022.
Under the new simplified procedures, for most cruises under 16 nights, fully vaccinated guests will no longer need to submit a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, and unvaccinated guests will only need to submit a self-administered test taken within three days of sailing. The protocols do not apply to itineraries for countries where local regulations may vary including Canada, Australia, and Greece.
"Our goal is to offer a luxury vacation experience that is unmatched in quality, safety, and joy," said Josh Leibowitz, president Seabourn. "These updated guidelines reflect our ongoing commitment to protecting our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees. We look forward to welcoming all guests on board and delivering unforgettable Seabourn Moments."
Key changes for cruises up to 15 nights (Ages 5 and older, not including full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean, and designated remote voyages):
- Vaccinated guests must provide evidence of vaccination status prior to embarkation. Pre-cruise testing is no longer required.
- Unvaccinated guests are welcomed aboard and must provide results of a negative medically supervised or self-test taken within three days of embarkation.
Key changes for cruises 16 nights or longer (plus full Panama Canal transit, trans-ocean, and designated remote voyages, ages 5 and older):
- All guests will be required to submit a medically supervised COVID-19 test with a written negative result. The test must be taken within three days of embarkation.
- Guests must be vaccinated or request an exemption from Seabourn.
The updated guidelines are subject to the local regulations of applicable homeports and destinations.
For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, contact a professional travel advisor, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
Ultra-luxury Seabourn currently operates a fleet of five modern ships with two under construction and is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK, and P&O Cruises Australia. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK). Our highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, team members, and the people and communities our ships visit.
Find Seabourn on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Seabourn is consistently ranked among the world's top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure, and Condé Nast Traveler. Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for:
- Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere
- Intuitive, personalized service provided by staff passionate about exceeding guests expectations
- Curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning experiences
- All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed
- Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times
- Welcome Champagne and complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences
- Tipping is neither required, nor expected
- Finest resort at sea that is masterfully designed
- World-class dining, further enhanced through a culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller
- All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when and with whom you wish
- Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts
- Ventures by Seabourn™, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations*^
- Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, featuring an exclusive mindful living program*
- An evening entertainment experience in collaboration with Sir Tim Rice, produced exclusively by Belinda King Creative Productions†
- Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability
*Optional programs, for additional charge
^Available on Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation
†Not available on board Seabourn Venture
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SOURCE Seabourn | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/seabourn-simplifies-covid-19-procedures-removing-vaccine-requirement-most-voyages-eliminating-pre-cruise-testing-vaccinated-guests/ | 2022-08-15T18:55:50Z |
CARLSBAD, Cal., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Senté, an innovative specialty dermatology company, announces the launch of Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector to safely and effectively target pigmentation in all skin tones.
This revolutionary treatment brings together two powerful, proven technologies – Senté patented Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) to control inflammation that fuels hyperpigmentation, along with Cysteamine HCl, to retore a visibly even complexion to all skin tones without risk of excessive lightening. The hydroquinone-free formula is safe for long-term use and gentle enough for all skin types including dry or sensitive skin.
In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of 35 subjects with moderate to severe hyperpigmentation, Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector demonstrated a 71% overall reduction in dark spots1, while 94% of subjects showed improvement in hyperpigmentation at 16 weeks.
"Sente is committed to developing game changing skin care solutions for Physicians treating skin discolorations issues. Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector goes beyond treating the appearance of dark spots to actually helping patients reclaim their natural skin tone. That's why we believe it is revolutionary", said CEO Laurent Combredet.
Dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, MD, FAAD adds "Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector is a cosmetically elegant product that helps to improve brown spots and even out skin tone for all races & ethnicities."
"Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector is showing great success for patients with hyperpigmentation. This new formula is next level by adding key ingredients to enhance both efficacy and tolerability," said Dermatologist Joel L. Cohen, MD, FAAD.
About Senté
Senté is a privately held specialty dermatology company dedicated to delivering novel science-based skin care products targeting a range of skin discoloration conditions. Senté is a leader in the development of innovative
kincare products based on patented glycosaminoglycan analog technologies. Founded in 2007 and based in
, further information may be found at Sentelabs.com. Senté products are available through its exclusive network of physicians and medically supervised spas and on its website at
.
For more information regarding Senté or to sell and recommend Senté products in your practice, contact us at info@sentelabs.com.
Clinical Study Reference:
1. Randomized, double-blind clinical trial. 35 subjects, ages 25-65, moderate to severe hyperpigmentation. Senté Cysteamine HSA vs. cysteamine only. Data on file, Senté.
IG: senteskincare
Sentelabs.com
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SOURCE Sente | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/sent-launches-cysteamine-hsa-pigment-amp-tone-corrector-targeting-inflammation-pigmentation/ | 2022-08-15T18:55:56Z |
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
- MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge marks seventh year by setting a one-day attendance record of 40,000-plus performance lovers filling M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan
- Enthusiasts gather to witness street-legal drag racing on historic Woodward Avenue
- Alex Taylor protects her title, becoming the two-time Grudge Race champion by defeating Westen Champlin in the final round of the Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Race
- Big Tire and Small Tire Classes see more than 100 competitors battling for bragging rights and cash prizes totaling $30,000 on the unique 1/8-mile Woodward Avenue drag strip
- Quickest Dodge honors earned by Lenny Melton (Big Tire) and Peter Bokedon (Small Tire)
- Joe Barry drives to Big Tire class crown
- Mikael Borggren claims Small Tire victory
- Event replay available on MotorTrend YouTube channel
- Event coverage to air a half-hour Roadkill Nights special on MotorTrend TV, MotorTrend+, and MotorTrend's YouTube channel, with an hour-long episode as part of MotorTrend's Roadkill TV series
- Fans can view post-event coverage at DodgeGarage.com
Back for year seven, MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge staged an exhilarating return to Woodward Avenue on Saturday, August 13, drawing a one-day attendance record of more than 40,000 performance enthusiasts to M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, along with more than a million online views, for the popular one-day festival of street-legal drag racing.
"This is the seventh year of MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge and what a difference -- we've gone from racing in the parking lot of an abandoned stadium to legal street drag racing on historic Woodward Avenue, with M1 Concourse serving as an amazing stage for our horsepower circus," said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. "It was great seeing thousands of Dodge enthusiasts come out to the event and cheer Alex Taylor as she defended her crown and took the win in the Dodge Direction Connection Grudge Race. We're going to give performance lovers even more to cheer about as we push the pedal on Dodge Speed Week, with three separate nights of worldwide product reveals and a full brand display on Woodward Avenue during Dream Cruise weekend on August 20."
Historic Woodward Avenue's overnight transformation into a 1/8-mile straight-line dragstrip hosted 115 street-legal drag racers, while spectators had the chance to get their adrenaline pumping with thrill and drift rides in Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger SRT Hellcats and Ram TRX trucks on the M1 Concourse.
Back for 2022, RoadKill Nights leveled up last year's Grudge Race, adding a new spin to the Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Match. Eight automotive personalities faced off for a chance to take on 2021 champion, Alex Taylor, on the drag strip. All nine competitors – Tavarish, Westen Champlin, throtl, Christina Roki, Demonology, Corruptt Builds, Collete Davis, David Patterson, and Alex Taylor— received the challenge of building and running a Direct Connection crate engine that they could modify as they pleased, however, they had the added challenge of competing with a Direct Connection six-speed manual transmission, and within a $10,000 budget.
Defending champion, drag racer, mechanic and co-host of MotorTrend's Hot Rod Garage Taylor matched her 1955 Plymouth Savoy against the 2016 Dodge Challenger of Champlin, who beat out seven other automotive builders in eliminations for the right to face Taylor in the finals. It was Taylor taking the win again, launching strong and outrunning Champlin to the finish stripe.
"There was definitely a target on my back and heavy pressure," said Taylor, who came into the Dodge Direct Connection Grudge Race knowing a mix of eight returning and rookie competitors were aiming to snatch away her crown. "For me, this is something that I take and hold near and dear to my heart, drag racing and coming out to this event specifically. Coming into it, we busted our butts, and it was the most grueling month, but to come back and actually hold the title again, it's indescribable and a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
The Big Tire (tire size–unlimited as long as it is DOT approved front and rear) and Small Tire (tire size–non "W" 28 x 10.5 x 15 or smaller DOT Drag Radial) classes saw 115 competitors battling for bragging rights and cash prizes totaling $30,000 on the iconic 1/8-mile Woodward Avenue drag strip, with unique urban features including an active railway located just behind the starting line. Each class winner earned $10,000, with the quickest Dodge cars in both classes taking home $5,000 each.
MotorTrend Presents RoadKill Nights Powered by Dodge: Race Results
Big Tire Racing Results
Joe Barry, Colorado Springs, Colorado – 1956 Chevrolet 210
Lenny Melton, Salisbury, North Carolina – 1956 Dodge Dart
Small Tire Racing Results
Mikael Borggren, Northville, Michigan – 1987 Volvo Wagon
Tony Karamitsos, Mishawaka, Indiana – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Additional activities included a Direct Connection Alley area at the event with Dodge Challenger SRT Demon virtual drag race simulators, Direct Connection crate engines and parts on display; a "First Responder Showdown" between Southeast Michigan fire and rescue teams; a classic/modern muscle car show with more than 260 vehicles, and Jim Brewer's "Peacemaker" wheelstander and motorcycle exhibition by Rae Ripple. Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel and Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel, squared off in a head-to-head dragstrip showdown with Mayor Greimel winning the challenge.
"Roadkill Nights brings 'Roadkill' inspired car culture to life with the thrill of fingers-clenching, top-speed drag racing, which is why 40,000 performance enthusiasts flooded the gates this year," says Eric Schwab, MotorTrend Group's Group SVP, head of revenue, operations, and partnerships. "There's something for everyone at Roadkill Nights—drag racers, performance enthusiasts, families, and anyone who is simply looking to have a great day at an iconic location."
Fans unable to attend MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge had the luxury of enjoying a Livestream of the event. For those who missed it, an event replay can be seen on the MotorTrend YouTube channel. Two half-hour Roadkill episodes will air on MotorTrend television, with additional coverage in an hour-long episode of MotorTrend's Roadkill TV series. Fans can access additional post-event coverage at DodgeGarage.com.
MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge: By The Numbers
- 1 Million+ online views
- 40,000+ MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge attendees
- 4,100+ Dodge thrill/drift rides/simulator rides
- 260+ car show vehicles
- Approximately 200 pounds of compound used to prep drag strip surface
- 115 drag racing competitors
- 1/8-mile, in length, of Woodward Avenue drag strip
Street racing can have serious legal and safety risks. Both MotorTrend and Dodge want enthusiasts to enjoy performance driving in a safe, controlled environment, run by professionals with vehicle safety inspections, driver evaluations and track safety.
ROADKILL
The ROADKILL brand delivers a one-of-a-kind taste of "Automotive Chaos Theory" and features authentic gearheads David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan in a variety of mediums, including Roadkill Nights branded events, and Roadkill, Roadkill Extra, Roadkill Garage, and Roadkill's Junkyard Gold shows, available on MotorTrend+.
MotorTrend Group
MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, is the largest automotive media company in the world, bringing together Warner Bros. Discovery's MotorTrend TV and a vast automotive digital, direct-to-consumer, social, and live event portfolio, including MOTOR TREND, HOT ROD, ROADKILL, AUTOMOBILE and more than 20 other industry-leading brands. With a monthly audience of 26 million across web, TV and print, and 110 million social followers, culminating in 1.3 billion monthly impressions across all platforms, MotorTrend Group encompasses television's #1 network for automotive fans, a leading automotive YouTube Channel and MotorTrend+, the only subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to the motoring world. MotorTrend Group serves to embrace, entertain and empower the motoring world.
Dodge//SRT
For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with muscle cars and SUVs that deliver unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.
Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT versions of every model across the lineup. For the 2022 model year, Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world, and the Dodge Durango SRT 392, America's fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV. Combined, these three muscle cars make Dodge the industry's most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.
In 2020, Dodge was named the "#1 Brand in Initial Quality," making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). In 2021, the Dodge brand ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market), making it the only domestic brand ever to do so two years in a row.
Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.
Follow Dodge and company news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Dodge brand: www.dodge.com
DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dodge and @StellantisNA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA
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SOURCE Stellantis | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/seventh-edition-roadkill-nights-powered-by-dodge-sets-one-day-attendance-record-draws-40000-plus-spectators-m1-concourse/ | 2022-08-15T18:56:02Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
If you own shares in any of the companies listed above and
would like to discuss our investigations or have any questions concerning
this notice or your rights or interests, please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
Weiss Law
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(212) 682-3025
(888) 593-4771
stockinfo@weisslawllp.com
Avalara, Inc. (NYSE: AVLR)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Avalara, Inc. (NYSE: AVLR), in connection with the proposed acquisition of AVLR by Vista Equity Partners. Under the terms of the merger agreement, AVLR shareholders will receive $93.50 in cash for each share of AVLR common stock owned. If you own AVLR shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/avlr
CyberOptics Corporation (NASDAQ: CYBE)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of CyberOptics Corporation (NASDAQ: CYBE) in connection with the proposed acquisition of CYBE by Nordson Corporation. Under the terms of the merger agreement, CYBE shareholders will receive $54.00 in cash for each share of CYBE common stock owned. If you own CYBE shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/cybe
Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GBT)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GBT), in connection with the proposed acquisition of GBT by Pfizer Inc. Under the terms of the merger agreement, GBT shareholders will receive $68.50 in cash for each share of GBT common stock owned. If you own GBT shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/gbt
Professional Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: PFHD)
Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Professional Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: PFHD) in connection with the proposed acquisition of PFHD by Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida ("Seacoast"). Under the terms of the merger agreement, PFHD shareholders will receive 0.8909 shares of Seacoast common stock for each PFHD share owned, representing implied per-share merger consideration of approximately $31.40 based upon Seacoast's August 12, 2022 closing price of $35.25. If you own PFHD shares and wish to discuss this investigation or your rights, please call us at one of the numbers listed above or visit our website: https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/pfhd
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SOURCE Weiss Law | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/shareholder-alert-weiss-law-reminds-avlr-cybe-gbt-pfhd-shareholders-about-its-ongoing-investigations/ | 2022-08-15T18:56:09Z |
"How Long?" campaign highlights the desperate need for research to help millions who suffer
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Solve M.E. has released the first nationwide public service announcement (PSA) campaign titled "How Long?" to broaden awareness of Long Covid and highlight the need for more research to adequately help the many patients affected by this debilitating disease, which could last a lifetime.
Up to 30% of those infected with COVID-19 will go on to develop Long Covid and experience a broad range of symptoms, such as crippling fatigue, brain fog, severe exhaustion after mild exertion, shortness of breath, and heart issues. Over 20 million Americans are suffering from Long Covid, and Long Covid could account for 15% of the nation's unfilled jobs. However, there are no simple tests to diagnose the disease, and no approved treatments. Research funding to date has largely gone towards characterizing the condition, rather than finding treatments.
The "How Long?" campaign will evolve to be an umbrella effort that includes other related post-infection diseases, such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and Lyme disease. "How Long?" should become a battle cry for the desperate need for research into all of these under-studied conditions.
"Solve M.E. has served as a catalyst for critical research into post-infection diseases for decades. We know that learning more about Long Covid will deepen our broader understanding of these diseases – ultimately helping to point us to treatments for Long Covid and associated conditions," said Oved Amitay, president and CEO, Solve M.E. "Our hope is that through this public awareness campaign, we can create empathy for those who suffer and drive stronger public and private investment in research, education, and care for complex, chronic diseases."
The PSA campaign was created in collaboration with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a unique non-profit that leverages the powerful voice of the entertainment industry to develop and enhance programs on the local, national and global level that facilitate positive social change. Through this partnership the campaign is expected to be supported by millions of dollars in donated airtime. The EIF has been instrumental in developing and promoting many important healthcare initiatives, such as Stand Up to Cancer.
In April 2020, Solve M.E. began calling on Congress to have immediate response measures due to the anticipated long-term debilitating outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually forming the Solve Long Covid Initiative. The launch of the PSA campaign marks another milestone for the Initiative, which has successfully advocated on Capitol Hill for a $1.25 billion budget to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for Long Covid research, co-founded the Long Covid Alliance to bring together over 1,000 voices in the space, launched a Long Covid Registry to help patients track symptoms to inform research, and continues to fund early-career researchers to study the disease.
Visit solvelongcovid.org to spread the word about the "How Long?" campaign, support our work to solve Long Covid and associated conditions, learn more about participating in research, and join our advocacy efforts.
About Solve ME/CFS Initiative (Solve M.E.)
The Solve ME/CFS Initiative (Solve M.E.) is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for critical research into diagnostics, treatments, and cures for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Long Covid, and other post-infection diseases. Our work with the scientific, medical, and pharmaceutical communities, advocacy with government agencies, and alliances with patient groups around the world is laying the foundation for breakthroughs that can improve the lives of millions who suffer from various "long haul" diseases.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY CONTACT
Erin DeGiorgi
edegiorgi@jpa.com
571-338-3625
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SOURCE Solve M.E. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/solve-me-launches-first-nationwide-psa-campaign-broaden-awareness-long-covid/ | 2022-08-15T18:56:15Z |
New home services company completes third acquisition in Central Florida
TAMPA BAY, Fla., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Southeastern Home Services, a residential home services provider specializing in HVAC, plumbing and electrical services, has purchased Port Richey, Fla.-based Stay Cool Air Conditioning and Heating. The deal, backed by WhitneyWilder, marks the third acquisition of Southeastern Home Services following their purchases of Mario's Air Conditioning and Heating and Pro-Team Plumbing in of this same year.
"It's great to have Stay Cool join the Southeastern Home Services family of brands," said Tom Birchard, CEO of Southeastern Home Services. "Stay Cool has built an outstanding reputation with homeowners in the Tampa market through an unwavering commitment to 24/7 service and the ability to match the best technology and solution with their customers' needs. We are eager to grow the business, expand further into residential service, and build on the foundation Robert Ballard, Justin Harrell and their company have established."
Stay Cool Air Conditioning and Heating, founded by Robert Ballard and Justin Harrell in 2011, offers a full range of residential HVAC services including general service needs, maintenance, and replacements. The team of 35 employees provides 24-hour service to Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas.
"We're excited for our team to become a part of Southeastern Home Services," said Harrell. "There are some things we do really well that we can share with the other portfolio companies, and we hope to learn from them as well. We also see the benefits for our customers in bringing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services together through one company."
Southeastern Home Services is a group of best-in-class contractor brands that have been leaders in the home services industry for nearly 20 years. Formed in early 2022, it has plans to rapidly expand through strategic acquisitions. With multiple locations in the Greater Tampa Bay, Greater Orlando and Central Florida areas, the group serves more than 5,000 customers across the region.
Southeastern Home Services is a leading residential home services provider specializing in HVAC, plumbing and electrical services. Serving more than 5,000 customers with multiple locations around the Greater Tampa Bay area, our family of brands have been leaders in the home services industry for nearly 20 years. For more information, visit the website at southeasternhomeservices.com.
WhitneyWilder is a Family Office based in St. Petersburg, FL that invests its own capital into lower middle market companies and creates value through distribution. "People are the cornerstone of our value proposition. We are committed to a partnership culture; integrity drives how we select ambitious, extraordinarily talented people." – Robert Wilder, Managing Partner. For more information, visit the website at whitwild.com
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SOURCE Southeastern Home Services | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/southeastern-home-services-acquires-stay-cool-air-conditioning/ | 2022-08-15T18:56:22Z |
BETHLEHEM, Pa., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Monkeypox is an increasing worldwide problem recently declared a public health emergency in the United States. Among classical symptoms that include fever, muscle aches, lymph node swelling and rash are oral lesions present in up to 70% of cases.
"This disease is not as easily transmitted as COVID 19," said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, St. Luke's senior vice president of Medical and Academic Affairs and section chief emeritus of Infectious Diseases. "Early recognition by all healthcare providers including dentists can potentially bring the spread of this disease to a halt."
Dr. Jahre said St. Luke's is calling on the dental community to be alert for monkeypox because Network doctors have begun seeing oral monkeypox symptoms.
The American Dental Association has said that the standard infection control precautions used by dentists for decades, including the enhanced protocols that have been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to keep both patients and staff safe during the monkeypox emergency.
Monkeypox is transmitted most commonly through direct contact with body fluids or lesions of the body of someone who has the disease. Less commonly it can also spread through materials that have touched these skin lesions or sores. Close contact with respiratory droplet secretions may be another uncommon mode of spread though the exact frequency is unknown.
"It is very important at this time that oral care programs, such those that train dental hygienists and other dental professionals, are aware of and alert to oral monkeypox symptomology and understand how to handle cases," said Dr. Wayne Saunders, DMD, Chief of St. Luke's Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
The facial lesions can vary in number and location including lips and can be papules, pustules, clear vesicles, or open sores with or without scab formation. The intraoral lesions are equally diverse and could be present anywhere in the mouth including gums, tongue, cheeks, palate and throat. These lesions can resemble other well-known conditions such as cold sores (herpes simplex), canker sores, lesions of hand-foot-mouth disease, or trauma.
A search of a Google images of monkeypox facial and oral lesions can provide a useful guide.
The importance of taking into consideration patients' medical history to try and ascertain the etiology cannot be over emphasized. Currently more than 95% of the monkeypox cases involve men who have sexual relations with men who have multiple sexual partners. However, the disease is expanding beyond this group, so symptoms in others cannot be ignored.
When suspicious lesions are present, the patient can be referred to primary care providers or urgent care centers for conclusive testing, advised Dr. Saunders.
Founded in 1872, St. Luke's University Health Network is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 18,000 employees providing services at 14 campuses and 300+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue of $3 billion, the Network's service area includes 11 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke's is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania.
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SOURCE St. Luke's University Health Network | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/st-lukes-infectious-disease-experts-call-dentists-be-alert-monkeypox/ | 2022-08-15T18:56:29Z |
Acquisition to deepen Gravity's roots in the over $1.5 trillion wellness category1 with addition of MiHIGH to the range
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Win Brands Group ("Win"), an omnichannel retail platform that buys and builds category-defining brands, announced today its brand Gravity's acquisition of MiHIGH, a pioneer in the infrared sauna blanket space that has grown 29% YoY to date.
Since Win's acquisition of weighted blanket pioneer Gravity in 2021, the brand has doubled down on its commitment to creating science-backed wellness products with the introduction of portable weighted blankets for travel, 100% cooling weighted blankets for hot sleepers, and lounging slippers for relaxation. As consumers place an increased priority on wellness and broaden its definition beyond fitness and nutrition to include overall physical and mental health,2 the addition of MiHIGH to Gravity's offering will expand its positioning in the category. Further, the integration is emblematic of Win's philosophy of investing in and scaling its brands through strategic acquisitions.
MiHIGH was founded in 2020 by Australia-based Ed Hodge and Wyatt Westmoreland and has a huge fan base of fitness enthusiasts, wellness advocates, and professional athletes including David Kirsch, Jennifer Lopez's personal trainer. MiHIGH customers love the product for its convenience and evenly distributed heat, as well as the wide-ranging health benefits of using an infrared sauna including accelerated physical recovery and calorie burn, better sleep, reduced stress, clearer skin, and overall detoxification.
"With the acquisition of MiHIGH, we're continuing to do what we do best - delivering growth by acquiring industry leading brands, and investing in our existing portfolio," said Kyle Widrick, CEO and founder of Win. "Even in the challenging headwinds we're seeing in the market more broadly, there are still great opportunities for growth right now. We're more equipped than ever to capitalize on those opportunities and be a port in the storm for brands seeking to scale in today's climate."
"We're incredibly proud of the booming business we've built for MiHIGH and becoming synonymous with the infrared sauna blanket category in Europe," said Ed Hodge and Wyatt Westmoreland, co-founders and co-CEOs of MiHIGH. "By joining Win as part of the Gravity brand, we're thrilled at the opportunity to combine forces with a pioneer in the wellness space to scale MiHIGH in the US and beyond."
Polsinelli P.C., served as legal counsel to Win on the transaction.
Win Brands Group ("Win") is an omnichannel retail platform that specializes in buying and building category-defining brands. We start by acquiring exceptional, customer-focused companies with a proven track record, then plug in our Shared Services platform of world class experts to take them to the next level. Instead of trying to scale alone, every brand that joins Win becomes part of a ready-made community, and instantly benefits from decades of expertise, as well as pooled resources, shared operational costs, and economies of scale. To learn more about Win, please visit winbg.com.
MiHIGH is a wellness brand best known for its infrared sauna blankets that supplement recovery, pain relief, sleep quality, and more. MiHIGH was founded in 2020 as at-home wellness began to skyrocket, with the goal to create a more accessible and affordable way for people to experience the myriad benefits of an infrared sauna from home. After launching in Australia, MiHIGH took off on a global scale by expanding to the US, UK, EU, and Canada. To learn more about MiHIGH, please visit mihigh.com.
Media Contact:
Alice DuBois
alice@winbg.com
(585) 613-5966
1 "Feeling good: The future of the $1.5 trillion wellness market," McKinsey, April 8, 2021.
2 "Feeling good: The future of the $1.5 trillion wellness market," McKinsey, April 8, 2021.
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SOURCE Win Brands Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/wins-weighted-blanket-pioneer-gravity-acquires-infrared-sauna-blanket-brand-mihigh/ | 2022-08-15T18:56:35Z |
Pre-orders begin August 15 featuring World of Outlaws legend Sammy Swindell; base game and Gold Edition available
CHELMSFORD, Mass., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The World of Outlaws returns to console gaming for the first time in over a decade on September 27, as World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing hits the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The official game of "The Greatest Show on Dirt" features six different dirt series, from the premier World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars and CASE Construction Equipment Late Models to four DIRTcar classes, and more than 40 tracks, including Eldora Speedway, Knoxville Raceway, and Volusia Speedway Park. Pre-orders open on August 15 at worldofoutlawsgame.com, with three-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion Sammy Swindell included as a special bonus for pre-orders only.
World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing is the latest dirt racing-themed title from developer Monster Games, but its first since being acquired by iRacing in late 2021. The new title takes the established Monster Games platform to a new level, with the addition of car and track models, sounds, and multiplayer technology from iRacing to elevate the authenticity and gameplay experience. All-new physics, also tuned by iRacing, and a retooled, more competitive AI add to the challenge, with real-world driver feedback held at a premium throughout the development process.
"We're thrilled to bring World of Outlaws back to console gaming with World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing," said Monster Games founder and general manager Rich Garcia. "With the addition of iRacing resources to the established Monster platform, as well as the support of World of Outlaws, this is the most realistic, challenging, and most importantly, fun dirt racing experience ever seen on the PlayStation or Xbox. We can't wait for dirt racing fans to go wheel-to-wheel at Eldora, Knoxville, and more this fall!"
"Many of our fans have been asking for a World of Outlaws console game, and now through our partnership with iRacing we're able to deliver," World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said. "Whether it's PlayStation or Xbox, fans can race against World of Outlaws drivers in the most realistic game available. The team at iRacing and Monster Games has really developed an authentic option to see what it's like to race on dirt against the best in the business."
For those looking to chart a unique course through the world of dirt racing, World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing is infinitely customizable, with no shortage of fun to be had for players of all backgrounds. The all-new Career Mode structure sees drivers start as a local rookie, working hard to upgrade their equipment and become more competitive as they look to advance to the national World of Outlaws tours. Drivers can race any vehicle available to them in Career Mode at any time, and with an all-new Car Creator that includes more layers and shapes, can bring just about any design imaginable to the track.
No matter your dirt racing car or track preference, World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing has you covered. Sprint car racers can do battle in the 305, 360, and World of Outlaws 410 Sprint Car divisions, while World of Outlaws Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, and Street Stocks are available for those who prefer fenders. Alongside the 13 licensed tracks that will appear in the game, the remaining tracks pay homage to the soul of dirt racing in America with various lengths, layouts, and locales.
Three-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Car Series champion Brad Sweet and 2015 CASE Late Model Series champion Shane Clanton adorn the cover, and the duo headlines a list of real-world drivers who are both playable in single-player modes and appear as opponents in Career Mode. Those who pre-order World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing will also unlock Sammy Swindell, winner of three World of Outlaws Sprint Car championships and nearly 400 Sprint Car Features in his illustrious career.
World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing will retail for $49.99, while the Gold Edition will be available for $69.99. The Gold Edition features all additional downloadable content for the remainder of calendar year 2022, a $35 value; 2022 DLC items will include Limaland Motorsports Park, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, and Lucas Oil Speedway, as well as two additional DIRTcar classes, UMP Modifieds and Super DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds. For those who purchase the base game, a Season Pass for downloadable content will be available for $29.99.
For more information about World of Outlaws: Dirt Racing and to pre-order the game starting on August 15, visit worldofoutlawsgame.com. For more information about the World of Outlaws, visit worldofoutlaws.com. For more information about iRacing and for special offers, visit iRacing.com.
Copyright and trademark info:
Copyright 2022 iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC
Additional license terms:
World of Outlaws is a registered trademark of World Racing Group, LLC. All car images, driver names and likenesses, corporate trademarks and other intellectual properties are used under license from their respective owners.
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SOURCE iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/world-outlaws-dirt-racing-brings-greatest-show-dirt-playstation-xbox-consoles-september-2022/ | 2022-08-15T18:56:42Z |
CUTE! Zoo welcomes birth of sourthern pudu, world’s smallest species of deer
OAKLAND, Calif. (Gray News/TMX) – The Oakland Zoo welcomed a baby southern pudu, one of the world’s smallest species of deer.
A video shared by the zoo shows the young fawn exploring its habitat while staying close to its mother.
According to the zoo, southern pudus only reach to be about 33 inches long and stand about 24-29 inches tall. Male pudus will grow antlers about three inches long.
Northern pudus are a bit smaller and have darker fur.
Southern pudus are prey for the Chilean puma and make up about 50% of their diet.
According to the zoo, the small deer will bark to sound an alarm before running into underground tunnels they make to help escape threats.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. TMX contributed to this report. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/15/cute-zoo-welcomes-birth-sourthern-pudu-worlds-smallest-species-deer/ | 2022-08-15T19:04:26Z |
On the occasion of what would have been Garland's 100th birthday, Warner Bros. has been re-issuing her films on Blu-Ray; classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the most recent release.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air
On the occasion of what would have been Garland's 100th birthday, Warner Bros. has been re-issuing her films on Blu-Ray; classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the most recent release.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-15/new-release-is-a-reminder-of-judy-garlands-artistry-and-vocal-prowess | 2022-08-15T19:08:07Z |
Thede's HBO series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, is the first sketch comedy show solely written, directed and starring Black women. "It is a nonstop job," she says of the various hats she wears.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air
Thede's HBO series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, is the first sketch comedy show solely written, directed and starring Black women. "It is a nonstop job," she says of the various hats she wears.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-15/robin-thede-wants-her-sketch-show-to-open-doors-for-other-black-voices | 2022-08-15T19:08:09Z |
UVALDE — Brianna Gonzales, fresh off her nursing shift, sat quietly alongside her two sons in Uvalde High School’s auditorium this past week as school district officials laid out for parents new safety measures for the upcoming school year.
Gonzales has decided to keep her two sons, a kindergartner and a fifth grader, in the district. But it wasn’t the easiest decision. Her oldest was at Robb Elementary on May 24, the day an armed teenager entered the school and killed two teachers and 19 children. Fortunately, she had taken her son home before the shooter entered the building.
But a summer of conflicting government narratives has set Uvalde parents on edge, particularly after a state report showed that 376 law enforcement officers showed up at Robb on May 24 but did not engage the shooter for more than an hour.
Parents are now trying to plan for the back-to-school season and facing tough choices over their children’s education and safety. Some are keeping their kids in the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District when school starts on Sept. 6. Some are choosing homeschooling and others are looking at private schools.
“I just didn’t see what the point of going to another district would do for me,” Gonzales said. “If it could happen here, it could happen there.”
Gonzales, like other parents in this working-class community, doesn’t have the time or money to look for other options right now. She has a full-time job and she’s usually up earlier to get herself and her kids ready for the day. Their dad works out of town and is usually home only during the weekends, she said. That rules out trying to get her kids to nearby districts or pay for private school or even consider online school.
“COVID affected them a lot and I saw how that affected their education and I don’t want them to have to go to virtual again,” she said. “I don’t have the time of day to do things with them for school so I feel like I would be failing them on that part of their education.”
At least in Uvalde, she said, the district is working toward making the school more secure as the first day approaches.
In the high school auditorium, the Uvalde schools superintendent, Hal Harrell, laid out for parents and students the district’s plans to make schools here secure as well as offer more access to mental health resources. He discussed the district’s partnership with Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine, also known as TCHATT, which helps identify behavioral health needs of children and adolescents.
The district is also contracting Rhithm, a company with an app that allows staff and students to log how they are feeling. Communities in Schools, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting students with resources, is also sending teams to the district to provide additional behavioral health support to students.
The district is upgrading security on its seven campuses. Fencing is being installed at some schools. But Harrell couldn’t promise that Uvalde High School would be secure with fencing before the first day because of the sheer size and openness of that campus.
There will be 33 Texas Department of Public Safety officers deployed across the Uvalde school district throughout the school year. The district is also accepting applications for campus monitors, who would check locks on doors and gates and provide reports to the administration. Some 500 cameras will be installed at campuses before the first day of school.
The district has spent about $4.5 million so far in security upgrades, with some of the money coming from donations and grants.
Uvalde CISD will offer an online option for students who want to stay in the district but not attend in-person classroom instruction. Students who opt for online instruction will receive brand-new iPads, Harrell said.
The Texas Education Agency is in the process of approving Uvalde’s virtual school and making sure it complies with Senate Bill 15, the virtual education bill that passed during last year’s second special session.
The bill also caps the number of students in the district that can be enrolled in a district’s online alternative. The school district will need a waiver from TEA if more than 10% of all enrolled students want to be in the online school.
But for Gonzales, Uvalde’s new security plans seem to satisfy her, and her children will return to the district’s in-person classes.
“[Uvalde is] implementing new security features, having the troopers there — that brings another sense of added security,” she said.
Gonzales made the decision two weeks ago to send her kids back to Uvalde CISD. It’s something that parents here don’t usually question in this small town of 15,000, about 85 miles west of San Antonio, she said.
As a lifelong Uvalde resident, Gonzales wanted her children to have the same experience she did attending district schools. She also wants her children to regain a sense of normalcy after two years of school disruption from the pandemic.
But as a result of the shooting, Gonzales still has a sense of fear and concern as the first day approaches. She bought her oldest son, who is 10, a cellphone. She hadn’t planned to get him a phone until he was 13. She also plans to buy them bulletproof backpacks, which she sees as an investment.
“Last year it was just ‘I have to buy school clothes’ and that was it,” she said. “This year is completely different.”
Adam Martinez, the father of two students, will send his kids to the online school that Uvalde is offering. It wasn’t his first choice but as he spoke with his kids, it was obvious they were still scared.
“I was telling my son, ‘there’s gonna be a tall fence, and they’re gonna have state troopers on all the locations,’” Martinez said. “And he told me, ‘Who cares if there’s cops? They’re not going to do anything anyway, they’re scared.’”
Others, though, still have not regained the trust of the school district. Angeli Gomez, a parent who had two children at Robb the day of the shooting, was handcuffed that day trying to get answers from law enforcement about her children.
Now, she and 19 other women have been in touch with a woman in San Marcos who has offered to homeschool their children for free.
Uvalde’s mayor has said Robb Elementary will be demolished and another school will be built in its place. But until that happens, no student will have to return to the school. Instead, students will be spread out to different Uvalde CISD campuses.
One of those is Flores Elementary. Gomez doesn’t think it’s a good idea to transfer the children from Robb there.
“They’re trying to stuff our kids — third, fourth, fifth and sixth [grade] — in Flores, since they want to demolish Robb, but Flores won’t fit our kids,” she said. “We’re gonna have, what, 33 kids in a class? They’re not gonna pay attention or learn.”
Jeremy Newman, deputy director of the Texas Home School Coalition, advised that parents considering withdrawing their kids from the public school system in favor of homeschooling don’t need to recreate what a public school does.
“People feel like they have to be a master in all academic subjects,” Newman said. “The parent’s job is not as much to transfer knowledge from their head to the students’ head as it is for them to provide a learning environment where the student wants to learn.”
For people who haven’t been in charge of homeschooling their child, it can be an overwhelming task to find the right resources for their child. Newman suggests they contact his group, which helps families who have always homeschooled or those who are just starting out.
The number of families homeschooling at least one child has tripled in Texas since the start of the pandemic, Newman said. According to Texas Education Agency data, nearly 30,000 students between grades 7-12 withdrew from Texas public schools to homeschool in the 2020-2021 school semester, a 40% increase over the prior year.
Topping the reasons people are choosing homeschooling are safety and academics, he said.
Still other Uvalde parents will send their children to Sacred Heart Catholic School, one of three private schools in the city. Principal Joseph Olan said interest in his school has increased from previous years. During the last school year, he had about 55 students enrolled. This year, that number has ballooned to 120, and he expects it to grow as the school year goes on.
The school has received donations to put up a fence around the campus, bulletproof the windows and door and install a new security camera system.
“These are the primary reasons why families are coming,” Olan said.
It’s not clear how many students Uvalde CISD will be losing this next school year. In Texas, schools are funded based on the number of students enrolled and the daily attendance on campus. Schools receive a base allotment of $6,160 per student each year. Any dip in enrollment means less money for the school district.
Diana Olvedo-Karau, who works in the school district’s transportation department, said homeschooling in Uvalde has not been common. But more people are talking about it now.
Olvedo-Karau is concerned over the funding the district will lose if children are pulled out, but she understands why parents might do it.
Uvalde school officials did not immediately respond to The Texas Tribune’s request for enrollment numbers for this upcoming school year.
Uvalde parent Tina Quintanilla, 41, plans to use a private online school company, K12, for her daughter’s instruction this next year. She also has a son who requires special education classes, and she still hasn’t found a school for him. Quintanilla is a graduate of Uvalde High School, home of the “Fighting Coyotes & Lobos,” so the decision to look at alternatives wasn’t easy.
“It’s heart-wrenching because we’re coyote pride here,” she said, referring to the high school’s mascot. “We’re loyal and true.”
Reporter Ariana Perez-Castells contributed to this story. | https://www.keranews.org/education/2022-08-15/after-the-robb-elementary-shooting-some-uvalde-parents-are-choosing-private-or-online-education | 2022-08-15T19:08:10Z |
A state agency responsible for investigating abuse and exploitation of children has fired an employee for encouraging a 14-year-old in the state’s care to do sex work, a spokesperson with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said Sunday.
The child in the state’s foster care system was being housed at a Harris County hotel while awaiting placement. She was asking for food when the staff member proposed sex work. The child recorded the interaction in a video obtained by Fox 26.
This is only the latest controversy to befall the state’s child welfare department, which has been under years of scrutiny for its inadequate care of some of the state’s most vulnerable children.
A federal judge has repeatedly slammed the state for failing to properly punish or shut down unsafe child care placement facilities. U.S. District Judge Janis Jack has also criticized the state for its inadequate background checks of caregivers, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
A quarter of children who DFPS identified as victims of sexual abuse were victimized or revictimized after entering foster care, according to court-appointed watchdogs.
Texas ordered a state-contracted shelter to close in March after a court revealed that staff members were trafficking the children in their care. Nine staff members are accused of subjecting seven children to sexual and physical abuse, neglectful supervision and medical neglect. One caretaker accused of selling nude photos of two teenage victims of sexual abuse at the shelter was previously fired from a nearby state juvenile facility for having inappropriate relationships with children in her care, state records show.
And most recently, Jack ordered Texas to develop a plan to remove foster care kids from out-of-state facilities run by organizations facing a federal child abuse investigation. | https://www.keranews.org/health-wellness/2022-08-15/texas-child-welfare-agency-fires-employee-for-encouraging-a-foster-child-to-consider-sex-work | 2022-08-15T19:08:11Z |
Voters in Wyoming will decide the fate of Rep. Liz Cheney in Tuesday’s primary election.
Cheney’s family name is revered in Wyoming, but her vote to impeach former president Donald Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection has threatened to end her career in Congress.
While serving on the House committee investigating the riot, she has angered members of her own party. And her primary is seen as a referendum on American democracy.
In Cheyenne, Wyo., Chris Roosen is on a mission. With the clock ticking, he’s knocking on as many doors as he can for Cheney.
Roosen just arrived from Michigan. He’s with a group of Republicans and Democrats who’ve traveled across the country to be here.
“Honestly, I think it’s the least I can do for someone who is standing up [for] integrity and justice and the rule of law,” says Roosen.
The polls don’t look good for his candidate: Cheney’s fallen nearly 30 points behind her challenger, a prominent lawyer named Harriet Hageman who’s backed by Trump.
A sign supporting Liz Cheney outside the home where Vice President Dick Cheney once lived in Casper, Wyo. (Peter O’Dowd/ Here & Now)
No state supported Trump more in the 2020 election than Wyoming. When the former president came here in May, Hageman was happy to help him kick Cheney out of office.
“I know Wyoming. I love Wyoming. I am Wyoming,” Hageman roared to the crowd of supporters.
‘Conservative and concerned’
What it means to “be Wyoming” has been an important part of this campaign, as Hageman tries to paint Cheney as an outsider whose values no longer align with the state.
Hageman grew up near a town called Fort Laramie, not far from the Nebraska border. Mayor Joyce Evans says the town has one paved road and a highway “so there’s a little bit of pavement,” he says.
There’s one police officer and no grocery store.
At the park, a few kids run through the sprinklers of the town’s new splash pad. Evans says the 200 or so people here treasure the open space but worry about the roads and the economy.
“Inflation is a concern here. We have a food box here, a food pantry that is stocked by donations. And I have never seen the amount of usage we’ve had in this past summer,” Evans says.
Joyce Evans is the mayor of Ft. Laramie, Wyo. Harriet Hageman grew up on a ranch nearby. (Peter O’Dowd/Here & Now)
She describes the politics of Fort Laramie as much like the rest of Wyoming: independent and not beholden to anyone.
“Conservative and concerned,” she says. “We are rugged individualists, that’s the cowboy myth we have built around us.”
Evans wouldn’t elaborate when asked what she meant by “the cowboy myth,” because talking politics can be tricky business in a small town. “I might be getting into dangerous territory,” she said with a smile on her face.
Evans doubted anyone in town would speak with a reporter about the race. But inside the Ft. Laramie bar, a propane truck driver named John Rose was happy to share his thoughts.
“Well, I’m 100% for Hageman, but I’m 200% against Cheney. Does that sound proper?” says Rose, who is at the empty bar on his coffee break. Like Hageman, he believes in Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
He says he’s voted for Cheney before, but her role on the Jan. 6 committee has ruined her reputation in his eyes. “She’s proven she’s not working for the state of Wyoming no more,” he says
John Rose from Lingle, Wyo. supports Harriet Hageman and is “200% against Liz Cheney” after her service on the Jan. 6 committee. (Peter O’Dowd/ Here & Now)
Many fellow residents in Goshen County, where 81% of voters identify as Republican, agree. Last year, local party officials censured Cheney for voting to impeach Trump. Months later, the state GOP stopped recognizing her altogether.
Corey Steinmetz is a national committeeman for the Wyoming Republican Party, and says Cheney’s problems go beyond her break with Trump.
“She just supported a bill allowing red flag gun seizures. She just supported a bill on marriage that is not consistent with the Republican Party platform,” Steinmetz says.
An ‘honest and ethical’ woman
But people like Jackie Van Mark say they believe Cheney’s stand against Donald Trump is courageous. Van Mark is a realtor and a farmer, but she’s also a Republican who served in the George W. Bush administration.
“I grew up in Wyoming. It runs deep,” she says of her conservative politics. Van Mark voted for Trump twice, but wouldn’t do so again. Her support for Cheney has opened a rift with some longtime family friends.
“It’s sad,” she says from her sister’s sewing shop in Torrington. “I truly believe it’s not going to be the Democrat Party that tears apart the Constitution and the country. It’s going to be the Republican Party. And that’s not just in Wyoming. We are a microcosm. I think it’s going to happen all over. People are going to be willing to say, ‘You’re not Republican enough. Get out.’ And that’s wrong.”
Jackie Van Mark worked in the George W. Bush administration and says Liz Cheney was courageous to stand up to former President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection. (Peter O’Dowd/ Here & Now)
A group of women come to the sewing shop every week to knit sweaters, shawls and cowls. Balls of yarn are spread out in front of them as they talk politics — all of them support Cheney.
“I think she’s an honest, ethical woman,” says Marla Baker, a Democrat who changed parties to vote for Cheney in the Republican primary. “As a Democrat, you are a non-entity in Wyoming. To get what we need we’re going to have to play the system. At least I voted with my conscience and I feel good about what I did.”
Cheney’s campaign has been actively recruiting Democrats like Baker. University of Wyoming pollsters say up to 20,000 Wyoming Democrats might change parties in this election, but it likely won’t be enough to tip the race in Cheney’s favor.
A ‘heavy heart’ in Casper
Across the state in Casper, Cheney’s political turn is difficult to watch for
Dallas Laid. He’s a lawyer who grew up in the city.
“There’s a sadness to it for me,” says Laid, a former city council member and now a candidate for county commissioner. “Liz Cheney could have been the Speaker of the House, and that’s not going to happen.”
Former Casper City Councilman Dallas Laird outside the home where former Vice President Dick Cheney once lived. With a heavy heart, he voted against Liz Cheney because she didn’t follow the will of the Wyoming people. (Peter O’Dowd/Here & Now)
It was with a heavy heart that he voted for Hageman, because he says Cheney “rendered herself useless to the people of Wyoming,” by going against their will.
“I knew her grandmother and her father closely,” he said, with tears streaming down his face. “The whole thing saddens me. It really does.”
Peter O’Dowd produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Ciku Theuri. Catherine Welch adapted it for the web.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/a-primary-election-in-wyoming-opens-a-rift-between-republicans-over-the-future-of-the-country | 2022-08-15T19:12:28Z |
Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with NPR international correspondent Lauren Frayer about the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with NPR international correspondent Lauren Frayer about the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/india-celebrates-75-years-of-independence | 2022-08-15T19:12:34Z |
A new exhibit at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art explores how Native Americans have used water and highlights the politicization of the resource.
NPR’s Jennifer Vanasco reports.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/new-nyc-met-exhibit-explores-complex-relationship-between-native-americans-and-water | 2022-08-15T19:12:40Z |
On the occasion of what would have been Garland's 100th birthday, Warner Bros. has been re-issuing her films on Blu-Ray; classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the most recent release.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air
On the occasion of what would have been Garland's 100th birthday, Warner Bros. has been re-issuing her films on Blu-Ray; classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the most recent release.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/new-release-is-a-reminder-of-judy-garlands-artistry-and-vocal-prowess | 2022-08-15T19:12:46Z |
Republicans stepped up calls for the release of an FBI affidavit showing the justification for its seizure of documents at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
Meanwhile, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have warned law enforcement agencies of increased threats following the search of Mar-a-Lago.
Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee speaks with NPR’s Greg Myre to get the latest developments
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/republicans-want-to-know-why-trump-is-being-investigated-for-potential-violations-of-espionage-act | 2022-08-15T19:12:53Z |
Thede's HBO series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, is the first sketch comedy show solely written, directed and starring Black women. "It is a nonstop job," she says of the various hats she wears.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air
Thede's HBO series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, is the first sketch comedy show solely written, directed and starring Black women. "It is a nonstop job," she says of the various hats she wears.
Copyright 2022 Fresh Air | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/robin-thede-wants-her-sketch-show-to-open-doors-for-other-black-voices | 2022-08-15T19:12:59Z |
For the full story, click here.
We revisit Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee’s conversation with Glenn Boozan author of “There Are Moms Way Worse Than You,” which uses examples of bad parenting from the animal kingdom to soothe moms who might be worried about their parenting skills.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/there-are-moms-way-worse-than-you-reassures-moms-that-their-parenting-skills-are-really-okay | 2022-08-15T19:13:06Z |
As the rate of violent deaths rises in Washington, D.C., the new Peace Academy is training dozens of violence interrupters to build relationships with people at risk of perpetuating violence.
Jenny Gathright of WAMU reports.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/washington-d-c-academy-trains-violence-interruptors-to-help-keep-the-peace | 2022-08-15T19:13:12Z |
Do you assume your online messages are private? Well, don’t.
The parent company of Facebook gave law enforcement private messages between a mother and her 17-year-old daughter about getting abortion pills.
What does this tell us about tech companies and user privacy?
Here & Now‘s Scott Tong talks with Alexandra Givens, the president & CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-15/what-facebooks-abortion-case-should-tell-us-about-tech-companies-and-user-privacy | 2022-08-15T19:13:18Z |
HONOLULU (KITV4) -- A Kaimuki family's two daughters say they are traumatized after witnessing a man skinny dip at a Kahala beach.
Hawaii law says you can be topless, but not bottomless at state beaches. Honolulu Police say there are no fully-nude beaches on the island that are legal.
The sound of the surf and the beach are supposed to be peaceful, but not for two sisters coming to Kahala Beach near Kala Place.
“We're still scared. My sister is still very scared. And we don't plan on coming back to this beach,” said Megan Kapule.
Five months ago, warning bells went off when Megan and Kiana Kapule were heading toward the beach's entrance.
“This guy drove by and asked us if we needed a ride," Megan recalled.
The sisters, of course, said no. But when they got to the water, things got even worse.
“He approached us and asked us if it was a nude beach. We said no. Then he told us about himself and walked away,” Megan said.
Fast forward to two weeks ago, Megan says it happened again -- same person, same place, same scenario, but different ending.
“He asked us if it was a nude beach. This time he asked us if he could get in the water. We didn't expect anything of it until he took off his clothes,” Megan said.
Megan is 21, but her sister Kiana is only 15.
“In the corner of my eye, I saw him getting undressed. When he saw my sister put her phone to her ear, he asked if she was taking pictures of him," Kiana said.
“He smiled when she asked that, which is kind of odd,” said Megan.
“As he was naked he was trying to start a conversation with us. So my sister was looking at him, but trying to block his lower area,” Kiana said.
Honolulu CrimeStoppers says cases concerning nudity have their own specifics.
“In general, if you're out in public and you're in fully nude, you fall under the indecent exposure law. But if you're nude and conducting some kind of inappropriate behavior, it would fall under sex assault four. That’s in the event someone is alarmed or affronted by your actions,” said CrimeStoppers PIO Sgt. Chris Kim.
The Kapule sisters say when the man got in the water, they called their parents and immediately left the beach. But the open street didn't make them feel any safer.
“We saw him drive past us three times,” Kiana said.
The girls’ father says they did file a police report. HPD and CrimeStoppers haven't gotten back to KITV4 about this case, or said if there are any others like it.
The Kapule family just wants to get the word out. The two girls describe the man as having a greyish beard, being 5'6 to 5'8 tall, with a large tattoo on his chest, and tattoos on his arms near his shoulders.
If you have experienced anything like these sisters did, contact the police.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com
Jefferson Tyler joined KITV after a lengthy stint in Reno, Nev. where he covered a variety of subjects. From wildfires to presidential elections, Jefferson takes pride in creating balanced stories that keep viewers’ attentions. | https://www.kitv.com/news/crime/oahu-sisters-creeped-out-after-man-strips-naked-tries-to-strike-up-conversation-at-kahala/article_59a4ee4e-1c73-11ed-a5e9-df63aca571ac.html | 2022-08-15T19:48:42Z |
HONOLULU (KITV4) -- A long night at the State Capitol, where the staff and volunteers pulled an overnighter. The night ran fairly smoothly, with minor delays.
The Senate Chamber served as the counting center for the state races and the county of Honolulu. As ballots came in in small batches from districts, staff and Official Observers processed them.
The state's Chief Election Officer Scott Nago says there were small delays. "Every election has hiccupcs, it's a matter of how you deal with it, like the line situation at the Maui Voter Service Center, or making sure we got equipment in on time," he notes, adding most of the problems were issues voters wouldn't necessarily see.
The Wailuku Voter Service Center he's referring to had a long line of people waiting to vote when voting ended at 7 p.m., but anyone in line by that time could vote. The first printout is never released until after all votes are cast, which delayed the first printout. It was a long night for staff. Nago showed up for work at 7 a.m. Saturday and expects to pull a 24-hour day.
This is first year the state is going with its new scanning machine vendor, Hart Intercivic. "So far so good," notes Nago, who says the machines processed the ballots quickly. "I'm happy with it."
Something he's less happy with is the low voter turnout. "Every election is different. This wasn't a presidential race. But voters need a reason to vote," he says.
The state sent out 730,000 ballots to active registered voters. As of Saturday night they'd received under 300,000. That's in the low 30%.
But despite the long hours and the abysmal voter turnout, Nago loves his job. He's been with the elections office since 1998, and the Chief Officer since 2010. "It's the thrill of election night that we get to do every two years," smiles Nago.
He probably hasn't gone to sleep by the time this story ran on our Sunday morning show. And he'll be doing it all over again in November for the general election.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com
Diane is KITV4’s weekend evening anchor and weekday reporter. She hosts the Aging Well series on Tuesday evenings at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. She is a mother, a cat owner, and a yogi. | https://www.kitv.com/news/local/elections-official-says-hawaii-primary-election-night-ran-fairly-smoothly/article_281bbeec-1bb6-11ed-b75f-838451bbf139.html | 2022-08-15T19:48:48Z |
HONOLULU (KITV4) -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) beefed up the guidelines early this year, now making it harder to become a licensed commercial driver.
Officials said although this is to ensure safety on the roads, it can hurt the truck driver shortage even more.
”Before a student could just train with his uncle and if he could pass the test for the road test, he could get his CDL. Now a student has to receive training from a federally-approved training provider,” said Michael Scully, CDL coordinator at Leeward Community College.
Scully stresses that a truck driver shortage impacts other shortages we see at grocery stores. An empty shelf can mean there are not enough drivers to bring food and other items from the ports.
”Trucking is not an easy job. It can be dangerous and you spend a lot of time alone. It takes a certain person to want to drive a truck. Hopefully now, people will know how important truckers are to our local economy,” said Scully.
This shortage hit gas stations hard. Recently, some Hele gas stations in Oahu ran out of gas and closed temporarily.
Par Hawaii told KITV in a statement: "Finding drivers who can pass our rigorous on-road driving test and who make safety a priority has been a challenge for us and other companies. We have contracted third-party companies for drivers to serve as an extension of our own drivers, but these companies are faced with the same obstacles."
Instructors at Leeward Community College said they are offering more courses to get the number of certified drivers back up in Hawaii.
If you are interested in becoming a licensed commercial driver, go to www.ocewd.org or contact CDL coordinator Michael Scully director at mscully@hawaii.edu.
Do you have a story idea? Email news tips to news@kitv.com | https://www.kitv.com/news/shortage-of-commercial-truck-drivers-hit-certain-industries-hard/article_0332db4a-1cd0-11ed-819b-3f7fa1df1598.html | 2022-08-15T19:48:54Z |
Couple finds out they own a road by getting $18,000 power bill for streetlights
MAILI, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow/Gray News) - A couple in Hawaii recently learned in a costly manner that they were the owners of a road they had bought a home on.
Halemaluhia Place in Maili, Hawaii, was built in the 1990s.
Resident David Carona said he wanted a street light fixed in front of his home and was told he needed to contact the owner of the road, according to HawaiiNewsNow.
“This street light was out so I called the city to have it repaired or have it corrected, and they told me that the street itself was private, and I had to contact the owner of the street to have it replaced and fixed,” he said.
It turned out the owners were Desha-Ann and Rashaan Kealoha, although they didn’t know it yet.
“When we first moved in, our other neighbor told us that we own the street,” Desha-Ann Kealoha said. “And we kinda just laughed it up because we thought, ‘We’re the new neighbor.’”
Carona did some research and then discovered that the road wasn’t conveyed to the city when the subdivision was completed. But he wasn’t able to find the original developer to find out why.
HawaiiNewsNow also tried to find out who the developer was, without success.
“Somehow, the original developer or owners of the lot that were supposed to dedicate it, conveyed it to the original owner of the property the Kealohas own now,” Carona said.
The Kealohas didn’t take it seriously until they got a letter from Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) asking for $18,000 for 20 years of streetlight use.
“As soon as I got it, I panicked,” Desha-Ann Kealoha said. “So, I started making all the phone calls necessary to find out why I should be held liable for it.”
The issue came before the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday.
HECO member Judy Hirashima said they’re not expecting the family to pay up.
“The intention I just want to share was not to collect the past due bill for over 20 years of electricity for the street lights,” Hirashima told the council. “That wasn’t the intention when we reached out.”
HECO said it just wants to determine who will pay the bill going forward, but couldn’t say why it took so long to discover the unpaid bill.
Councilmember Andria Tupola sponsored a resolution for the city to take possession of Halemaluhia Place and the responsibility for the light bill. Councilmembers adopted the resolution and Desha-Ann Kealoha testified in support of the measure.
“We definitely have an inside joke about this street being ours,” Kealoha said. “But you know, at the end of the day, I don’t want it to be ours.”
Copyright 2022 KHNL/KGMB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/couple-finds-out-they-own-road-by-getting-18000-power-bill-street-lights/ | 2022-08-15T19:56:35Z |
CUTE! Zoo welcomes birth of southern pudu, world’s smallest species of deer
OAKLAND, Calif. (Gray News/TMX) – The Oakland Zoo welcomed a baby southern pudu, one of the world’s smallest species of deer.
A video shared by the zoo shows the young fawn exploring its habitat while staying close to its mother.
According to the zoo, southern pudus only reach to be about 33 inches long and stand about 24-29 inches tall. Male pudus will grow antlers about three inches long.
Northern pudus are a bit smaller and have darker fur.
Southern pudus are prey for the Chilean puma and make up about 50% of their diet.
According to the zoo, the small deer will bark to sound an alarm before running into underground tunnels they make to help escape threats.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. TMX contributed to this report. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/cute-zoo-welcomes-birth-sourthern-pudu-worlds-smallest-species-deer/ | 2022-08-15T19:56:42Z |
Doctor who sexually abused patients kills himself in jail, sources say
NEW YORK (AP) — A once-prominent neurologist convicted last month of sexually abusing patients killed himself Monday at a New York City jail, two people familiar with the matter said.
Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, 68, was found unresponsive in a shower area at the Eric M. Taylor Center, a jail at the notorious Rikers Island complex, the people said. They were not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity.
Cruciani’s lawyer, Frederick Sosinsky, confirmed in a statement that his client had died, but not the manner of death.
“Ricardo’s attorneys and family are shocked and saddened beyond belief to have learned of his violent death while in city custody this morning,” he said.
Sosinsky called for “an immediate and objective investigation” into the circumstances of Cruciani’s death, including whether jail officials complied with a court order, at the time of his conviction, to place him in protective custody and under suicide watch.
“Neither of these conditions were, to our knowledge, ever complied with,” Sosinsky said. “Had they been, we would not be having this terrible discussion.”
Cruciani died while awaiting sentencing next month in a New York state case in which he was convicted of 12 counts, including predatory sexual assault, rape and sex abuse, and acquitted on two other counts. He faced up to life in prison.
He was also scheduled to go on trial next January on federal charges accusing him of abusing multiple patients over 15 years at his offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Hopewell, New Jersey.
Prosecutors said Cruciani groomed vulnerable patients by overprescribing pain killers, sometimes to treat serious injuries from car wrecks and other accidents.
Six women testified the sexual abuse often occurred behind closed doors during appointments in 2013 at a Manhattan medical center, where the doctor would expose himself and demand sex.
“I take comfort knowing he now faces another judge,” said Terrie Phoenix, one of six women who testified against Cruciani at trial.
The AP does not typically identify people who say they are survivors of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Phoenix has done.
Cruciani denied abusing women. In court, his lawyer questioned the credibility of his accusers.
The fire department said it responded to a call of an inmate unconscious at the jail around 5:50 a.m. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the inmate but were unable, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the fire department said.
The city’s Department of Correction, which runs Rikers Island, confirmed that an inmate at the Eric M. Taylor Center died Monday, but did not release his name, citing pending family notification. The cause of death is under investigation, the Department of Correction said.
Jails commissioner Louis Molina said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the inmate’s death, and promised “a preliminary internal review to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones,” Molina said.
Cruciani is at least the 11th person to die in a city jail this year. Last year, 16 people died in city jails — the most since 2013.
The Daily News was first to report Cruciani’s death.
Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for women who say they were abused by him. A message was also left with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which prosecuted the case that ended in his July 29 conviction.
Cruciani was out on bail during the trial but was sent to Rikers Island after the verdict.
The complex, troubled by years of neglect, has spiraled into turmoil since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with a spike in inmate deaths, violence, self-harm and staff absences. The city has said it will close Rikers Island by 2027, replacing it with four smaller jails located elsewhere.
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Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania.
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On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Michael Rubinkam at twitter.com/michaelrubinkam
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/doctor-who-sexually-abused-patients-kills-himself-jail-sources-say/ | 2022-08-15T19:56:50Z |
Greenbrier West begins pursuit of fourth consecutive postseason
Cavaliers open season against Buffalo on August 26
Published: Aug. 15, 2022 at 3:23 PM EDT|Updated: 32 minutes ago
CHARMCO, W.Va. (WVVA) - Postseason football is the only thing on the mind of the Greenbrier West Cavaliers.
The program has reached the playoffs three seasons in a row but this year’s team has larger aspirations than just reaching the playoffs.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/15/greenbrier-west-begins-pursuit-fourth-consecutive-postseason/ | 2022-08-15T19:56:57Z |
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