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Among the first in the nation, Phillips Lytle's Psychedelics Practice Team combines expertise in pharmaceutical science, FDA regulations and risk management to serve the legal needs of emerging bio-tech sectors
BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Phillips Lytle LLP announced the launch of its Psychedelics & Mental Health Therapies Practice Team, which is uniquely equipped to help pharmaceutical companies, research organizations and other stakeholders navigate the evolving legal and regulatory landscape related to the development, approval and use of psychedelic medications. Phillips Lytle Special Counsel Kyle W. Mack, who holds a doctorate in pharmacy, and Lisa L. Smith, a partner with the firm and co-leader of the firm's Life Sciences & Health Effects Team, will lead the practice, bringing together scientist-attorneys and experienced litigators to support clients that are driving innovation in mental health treatments.
Phillips Lytle is a leader nationally and in New York State in forming a multidisciplinary practice to serve the psychedelics industry. The firm's deep expertise in pharmaceutical sciences, FDA regulatory compliance and pharmaceutical product liability litigation and risk management enables it to address complex legal hurdles faced by stakeholders seeking to research, develop, invest in and bring-to-market psychedelic therapies.
"We are at the beginning of a revolution in how mental health conditions are medically treated. As research into the use of psychedelic therapies continues to expand and additional data demonstrate significant positive outcomes in the treatment of mental health conditions, the benefits that psychedelics offer will continue to gain acceptance and understanding across the medical community. Our multidisciplinary team is well prepared to serve clients in this evolving and exciting space," Dr. Mack said.
"The number of companies seeking to bring FDA-approved psychedelic medications to the market has exploded in the last few years. Psychedelics present a new potential path to relief for patients who continue to struggle with mental health conditions despite conventional therapies," he added. "It also creates new opportunities for researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and pharmaceutical companies. With rapid change expected in state and federal laws and regulations governing the industry, we understood the urgency of launching a practice team that provides sophisticated legal counsel bolstered by deep knowledge of science and the pace of innovation."
Preliminary research shows that treatment with classical psychedelic compounds, such as psilocybin, LSD and DMT, the entactogen MDMA, and the dissociative ketamine, can be effective in treating certain mental health disorders including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD), when used in controlled clinical settings under the supervision of trained professionals. Study and development of these treatments remain challenging as psilocybin, MDMA, DMT and LSD are all listed as DEA Schedule I drugs. However, change appears imminent. In 2022, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin-containing mushrooms for supervised adult administration, and state legislatures across the country, including New York State, are now considering bills related to regulated psychedelic treatments. Federally, the FDA also has granted "breakthrough therapy designation" for MDMA and psilocybin to expedite development and agency review. It is anticipated that MDMA will receive FDA approval for PTSD by the end of 2023, and that psilocybin approval will follow.
"Operating at the intersection of science, technology and the law, this new practice team has the skills necessary to guide the growth of this emerging industry," said Ms. Smith. "Having served as national science counsel for a global pharmaceutical company for over 20 years, with a significant focus on medications for mental health conditions, we understand the challenges of navigating a constantly evolving regulatory environment while working to innovate and improve the treatments available to patients. In addition to global companies, our team of attorneys, who have doctorate degrees in pharmacy, chemistry and physiology, along with our in-house health care professionals and pharmaceutical scientists, will counsel drug developers, investors, entrepreneurs, hospitals, universities and research institutions."
Joining Ms. Smith and Dr. Mack, the practice team will include Special Counsel George Hajduczok, Ph.D., Partner William P. Keefer, Partner Eric M. Kraus, Associate Joshua S. Wallace, Ph.D., Science Specialist Julia M. Markov, Pharm.D., as well as Partner Richard E. Honen (venture capital), Partner Amanda L. Lowe (health care/higher education) and Associate Mary-Jane R. Morley (emerging industries).
The firm's Psychedelics & Mental Health Therapies Practice Team has an established track record in counseling companies, from startups to multinational corporations, in entity and venture formation, financing, commercialization, pre- and post-marketing strategies, regulatory approvals, compliance and enforcement, IRB protocols, clinical trial and informed consent matters, pharmacovigilance, licensing and product litigation.
Building on its work in the life sciences, cannabis and other innovative technologies, this latest entry into an emerging legal field marks another milestone for Phillips Lytle.
Phillips Lytle LLP is a premier regional law firm that is recognized nationally for its legal excellence. With offices across New York State and in Washington, D.C. and Canada, our attorneys serve a multinational client base, including FORTUNE 1000 companies, global and regional financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, middle-market companies, startups, entrepreneurs, and individuals on important matters affecting their businesses and personal wealth. For more information, visit www.phillipslytle.com.
Contact:
Tracey Mancini
Communications Manager
716-847-8340
tmancini@phillipslytle.com
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SOURCE Phillips Lytle LLP | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/phillips-lytle-launches-psychedelics-amp-mental-health-therapies-practice/ | 2022-08-18T18:46:30Z |
Resecurity claims spot on Inc. 5000 for the second year in a row, raking #2477 and reporting 234% revenue growth over the past three years
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Resecurity, Inc., a cybersecurity company based in Los Angeles, California, was recently recognized by Inc. magazine's annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Ranked as one of the fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies, Resecurity was number 2477 on the list for achieving 234 percent of revenue growth in past three years.
The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. Among the 5,000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 230 percent and total revenue reached $317.2 billion. Together, those companies added more than one million jobs over the past three years.
The recognition comes after a record year for the company, including a recent acquisition of Cybit Sec, a vulnerability assessment and penetration testing company, and the launch of their latest product offering, the Digital Identity Protection Platform. Resecurity has fueled its growth with strategic investments into R&D, expanding its international and channel sales presence, and scaling its industry partnerships.
"The Inc. 5000 list is home to some of the most innovative companies in the market today. Resecurity is proud to have earned a top spot on this prestigious list. This growth is a testament to cybersecurity's critical role in the future. We're committed to accelerating this growth with strategic partnerships and investments in R&D, allowing us to help more individuals and enterprises combat ever-evolving cyber threats," said Gene Yoo, Resecurity CEO.
Resecurity's SaaS solution combines XDR/endpoint protection, cyber threat intelligence and digital risk management, enabling customers ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to governments to protect their ecosystem. The innovative platform allows administrators to reduce potential blind spots and security gaps by quickly seeing in-depth analysis and specific artifacts obtained through the dark web, botnets activity, network intelligence and high-quality threat intelligence data.
"The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated," says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today."
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
Companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent--not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies--as of December 31, 2021. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.
Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence. Known for providing best-of-breed data-driven intelligence solutions, Resecurity's services and platforms focus on early-warning identification of data breaches and comprehensive protection against cybersecurity risks. Founded in 2016, it has been globally recognized as one of the world's most innovative cybersecurity companies with the sole mission of enabling organizations to combat cyber threats regardless of how sophisticated they are. Most recently, Resecurity was named as one of the Top 10 fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies in Los Angeles, California by Inc. Magazine. An Official Member of Infragard, AFCEA, NDIA, SIA, FS-ISAC, the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA) and Mexico (AmChamMX). To learn more about Resecurity, visit https://resecurity.com.
The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including web sites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Vision Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
For more information on the Inc. 5000 Vision Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
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SOURCE Resecurity | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/resecurity-named-one-americas-fastest-growing-private-cybersecurity-companies-by-inc-magazine/ | 2022-08-18T18:46:38Z |
Firm founders earn honors for third consecutive year
HOUSTON, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Six lawyers with Houston-based law firm Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne have been named to the list of Best Lawyers in America for 2023, recognition that places them among the top practicing attorneys in the country.
This is the third consecutive year firm partners Kevin Jordan, Walter Lynch, and Michael Cancienne have been recognized. Mr. Jordan and Mr. Cancienne have been honored for their outstanding work in Commercial Litigation, and Mr. Lynch has received recognition as a leading personal injury defense lawyer.
Three Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne attorneys have also been named to the list of Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch," which recognizes professional excellence in lawyers earlier in their careers. Attorneys Caroline Carter, Jeb Golinkin, and Callan B. Edquist have been honored for their work in Commercial Litigation.
"Everything we do in our work and for our clients is based on our core values: building relationships, working collaboratively and going above and beyond," said Mr. Jordan. "This recognition is a testament to those values, and we couldn't be happier knowing our peers see and acknowledge our hard work and commitment to our clients."
One of the most respected peer-review attorney guides in the country, Best Lawyers in America is based on confidential client and peer evaluations, as well as extensive editorial research. To read more about Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne's Best Lawyers, visit: https://www.bestlawyers.com/firms/jordan-lynch-cancienne-pllc/82206/US
Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne PLLC is a Houston-based civil trial law firm whose lawyers have a proven courtroom track record in high-stakes litigation nationwide. They represent clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes, construction matters, products liability, toxic torts, trade secret, and catastrophic personal injury claims. Flexibility in fee structuring is a hallmark of the way the firm does business. To learn more, visit the website at https://www.jlcfirm.com/.
Media Contact:
April Arias
800-559-4534
april@androvett.com
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SOURCE Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne PLLC | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/six-jordan-lynch-amp-cancienne-attorneys-named-2023-list-best-lawyers-america/ | 2022-08-18T18:46:44Z |
TORONTO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - SoftwareReviews, a leading source for insights on the software provider landscape, has published its 2022 Retail Point Of Sale Systems Emotional Footprint, naming three providers as Champions.
Retail Point of Sale (POS) systems are used to manage a retail store's inventory, financials, and general daily business operations. However, the pandemic caused a significant transformation in the retail POS world. As most businesses transitioned toward becoming digital with both physical and online stores, the popularity of cloud-hosted POS systems significantly increased. With consumer behavior rapidly shifting toward cashless payments and transactions, cloud-hosted and mobile POS systems have become essential components of an organization's sales strategy to deliver better customer experiences, scale the business, and expand revenue streams.
To aid organizations searching for the best solution to support their sales strategy, SoftwareReviews has identified the top retail POS systems providers for the year based on verified survey data collected from 456 end-user reviews. These providers have received high scores on SoftwareReviews' Emotional Footprint.
The Net Emotional Footprint (NEF) of each software provider is a result of aggregated emotional response ratings across the areas of service, negotiation, product impact, conflict resolution, strategy, and innovation. The NEF is a powerful indicator of overall user sentiment toward the provider and its product from the software user's point of view.
- Dynamics 365 Commerce, 93 NEF, ranked high by users for being caring.
- Revel Systems POS, 87 NEF, ranked high by users for being respectful.
- Shopify POS, 84 NEF, ranked high by users for including unique features.
SoftwareReviews' comprehensive software reviews provide the most accurate and detailed view of a complicated and ever-changing market. The data comes from real end users who use the software day in and day out and IT professionals who have worked with it intimately through procurement, implementation, and maintenance.
To compare and evaluate software providers using the most in-depth and unbiased analyst reports available, visit SoftwareReviews' dedicated Retail POS Systems category page.
For more information about SoftwareReviews, the Data Quadrant, or the Emotional Footprint, or to access resources to support the software selection process, visit softwarereviews.com and connect via LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
About SoftwareReviews
SoftwareReviews is the most in-depth source of buyer data and insights for the enterprise software market. By collecting customer experience data from business and IT professionals, the SoftwareReviews methodology produces detailed and authentic insights into the experience of evaluating and purchasing enterprise software.
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SOURCE SoftwareReviews | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/software-users-say-these-are-top-three-retail-pos-systems-thrive-digital-economy/ | 2022-08-18T18:46:51Z |
Evolved company positioning and identity reflect agency's 20-year heritage of marketing expertise and supporting the B2B industry
IRVING, Texas, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Multiview, the leader in digital publishing and marketing solutions for associations and industry suppliers, today announced a brand evolution campaign that reinforces its longtime support of the B2B industry. The new effort aims to elevate awareness of the 400-employee Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) company and its pivotal role within America's vital association community. It also comes with a new company tagline: "Your Aspiration is Our Inspiration."
The tagline and related positioning work will extend across the company's website, sales collateral, an internal and external video, as well as print and social assets. The omnichannel communications program reinforces Multiview's foundational values around client transparency, professional growth, empowerment, and an employee-first culture. It also emphasizes the value the company delivers to partners as the number one digital publisher for associations and provider of world-class B2B digital advertising opportunities, all grounded in a collaborative and transparent relationship approach that is motivated by partner success.
"We are problem solvers, and we push ourselves to be better on behalf of our partners, employees and community," said Multiview CEO, Andy Keith. "This campaign showcases the strength of our network through Multiview's B2B marketplace and our unmatched ability to connect industry buyers and sellers with their exact audience."
Creating one of the first 'buy one give one' business models, Multiview helps associations fund critical programs with the sale of advertisements. By accessing specialized audience segments and high-quality digital media on association websites and industry publications, B2B advertisers and agencies support their respective industry. As a result, Multiview provides nearly a million dollars each month in supplemental revenue streams to associations.
"The non-dues revenue contributes substantially to our budget, making up at least one-third of our advertising sales each year," said Karen Garrett, CAE, Chief of Communications, Marketing and Membership of ASPA.
Today, Multiview partners with over 1,200 associations to deliver digital marketing services and communications that help them engage and grow their membership. The company is also a preeminent B2B marketing partner for small businesses, agencies and publishers trying to reach highly specific audience segments across more than 30 industries.
Multiview partnered with sister Stagwell company MMI Agency to develop the strategy for the campaign, as well as creative concepting, brand identity and web design, copywriting and communications and social engagement counsel.
About Multiview
Multiview connects brands to their target audiences through digital media. As a leading digital publisher and marketing company for more than 20 years, Multiview helps over 1,200 associations and 14,000 companies find and connect with millions of professionals every day. By leveraging our first party data on over 10 million B2B professionals across 30 industries, we deliver targeted advertisements to unique market segments thereby helping brands to maximize their advertising budgets and achieve their growth goals. For more information on Multiview, its association partnerships or our products please visit www.multiview.com.
About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Contact: Sarah Arvizo, pr@stagwellglobal.com
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/stagwells-stgw-multiview-bolsters-commitment-associations-with-your-aspiration-is-our-inspiration-brand-refresh/ | 2022-08-18T18:46:58Z |
Newest low-code API offering provides access to every credit provider in the market and enables lenders to easily toggle between soft and hard credit pulls
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Staircase, the company building an integrated, digital infrastructure to accelerate tech-enabled mortgages, has launched Credit Waterfall, a new application program interface (API) that empowers lenders to streamline originations by providing access to all credit providers serving the mortgage market.
Credit Waterfall enables lenders to easily switch between credit providers to get the best pricing every time and to securely share a borrower's credit data throughout their other systems. The new API also lets lenders toggle between soft and hard credit pulls so they are able to better control expenses while protecting their leads from trigger credit pull alerts at other lenders.
Currently, most lenders order a borrower's credit through hard-wired connections between a single credit provider and their point-of-sale (POS) system or loan origination system (LOS). This strategy fails to provide lenders with the best credit option for a particular scenario and prevents them from sharing a borrower's credit data with their other systems which drive up costs.
"Pulling a borrower's credit to determine their eligibility for a loan is an essential part of the mortgage process, but also one of the largest sources of lender costs," said Soofi Safavi, Staircase cofounder and CTO. "With Credit Waterfall, lenders now have the full breadth of choices when it comes to pulling a borrower's credit, with the best possible option chosen every single time, automatically. There's nothing else on the market like it."
"Most lenders are struggling to reduce expenses, especially given today's tight housing market," said Staircase CEO and cofounder Adam Kalamchi. "Yet, they are typically hamstrung by poor technology integrations and lack of credit options when qualifying borrowers. By performing a soft pull on a borrower's credit, Credit Waterfall enables lenders to check a borrower's credit earlier in the application process without tipping off competitors that their customer is in the market for financing."
Credit Waterfall is available through Staircase's low-code credit API, which allows lenders to switch from their current credit provider in just minutes. With Credit Waterfall, lenders are only charged $1 to access any given credit provider. For $2, they can create a credit "waterfall," which uses dynamic business logic to choose the best solution from multiple credit providers. In less than a month, Credit Waterfall develops a logical sequence to provide lenders with the optimal credit workflow for their organization's needs. Lenders pay nothing if Credit Waterfall does not return any results.
"Our customers on average reduce their credit expense by 33% right away and realize further savings with just a few weeks of fine tuning," Kalamchi said.
Beyond Credit Waterfall, Staircase's unique waterfall technology has numerous applications, enabling lenders and servicers to create automated, integrated loan processing workflows using the optimum service partner or partners. If a partner does provide adequate results, Staircase automatically goes to other partners in waterfall fashion until the process is complete.
For more information about Credit Waterfall, please contact hello@staircase.co.
About Staircase
Staircase is an API and low-code marketplace which automates complex technologies and makes them self-serve for the U.S. residential mortgage industry. Focused on providing automation for complicated mortgage functions, it allows for the integration and orchestration of all U.S. mortgage industry technology providers and enables all parties throughout mortgage origination, insurance, and servicing to easily communicate with zero friction. Staircase is based in Philadelphia, with employees in over 20 countries. For more information, visit www.staircase.co.
Press Contact:
Mary McGarity
Strategic Vantage Marketing and Public Relations
(203)260-5476
MaryMcGarity@StrategicVantage.com
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SOURCE Staircase | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/staircase-launches-landmark-credit-waterfall-technology-mortgage-lenders/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:04Z |
FALLS CHURCH, Va., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenlist recently debuted its peer-to-peer technology with boutique apparel retailer Vestique.
Greenlist's first-of-its-kind proprietary software solution eliminates return shipments back to the warehouse by enabling peer-to-peer returns. This technology integrates with retailer websites for a seamless customer experience that saves customers time, retailers money and reduces the environmental impact.
"We are very excited to launch our technology with Vestique. It will revolutionize the way returns are handled while creating a positive impact on their bottom line and the planet. We are grateful for their partnership," Jess Owens, CEO, Greenlist.
Greenlist signed an agreement with Vestique on March 7, 2022 and debuted its platform on vestique.com on August 8, 2022.
"As soon as we learned about greenlist, we were ready to sign on. The industry has needed something like their peer-to-peer returns for a long time," Adair Kennedy, Chief Creative Officer, Vestique.
The retail apparel industry has been struggling to address the increasing number of returned items that are being sent to landfills. Additionally, online shopping has risen from 10.6% in 2020 to 16.6% in 2021 and returns have escalated from $428B in 2020 to $761B in 2021*. These rising levels of returns have negatively impacted the environment by the strain it adds to shipping these items and the logistical impacts it causes retailers.
"I realized that significant growth in online sales and returns was causing stresses on the retail industry and a solution needed to be found. The industry is slow to innovate so I'm thrilled to launch my technology with such a forward-thinking company like Vestique," stated Owens.
By selecting greenlist on the retailer website, customers may be eligible for a discount since they are choosing to receive their item directly from another consumer shipping it "new with tags."
"Our customers are environmentally conscious and choose to use companies that are leaders in reducing the impact on our planet's natural resources," stated Kennedy.
About Greenlist
Greenlist is a female-founded start-up business that delivers a technology solution for peer-to-peer returns. By streamlining the returns process, Greenlist saves its partner retailers and consumers both time and money while decreasing the negative environmental impact of returns.
*National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail - Jan. 25, 2022 consumer trends report.
Media Contact: David DeCoste
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SOURCE Greenlist | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/start-up-venture-greenlist-launches-proprietary-peer-to-peer-return-technology/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:11Z |
New feature allows operators and suppliers to gain a deeper understanding of small chains and independent foodservice locations
CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Technomic released Location Targeting, the newest feature of Ignite Company. Location Targeting captures more than 1 million foodservice locations and allows operators and suppliers to gain a deeper understanding of small chains and independents at the address level. This feature allows clients to explore view foodservice location characteristics, amenities and annual sales volume, all overlayed with Technomic's standardized operator classification system.
Technomic experts collect location-level insights through a variety of sources, including operator websites, business directories and consumer review sites. Locations are then mapped through Ignite search criteria and cross-checked with Technomic research, to create a searchable dashboard of business names, addresses and attributes. Data can be filtered and exported by market, segmentation and other key operator characteristics to drill into the critical location-level insights your business needs.
"The Location Targeting tool extends Technomic's industry-leading market intelligence down to the address level," explains Kevin Schimpf, director of industry research at Technomic. "Decades of insights from tracking foodservice industry performance and ranking top industry players have been built into the dashboard, helping to create a Location Targeting tool with unmatched accuracy."
Location Targeting was designed to help foodservice suppliers and operators enhance their local market strategy. Supplier clients can utilize this data to inform and enrich their sales strategy and targeting by market, whether through enabling their direct sales force or broker sales teams. Operators can utilize Location Targeting to view the competitive market and develop expansion plans.
Press inquiries: Clare Toledo, ctoledo@technomic.com
Technomic Inc., a Winsight company, was founded as a management consulting firm in 1966. Since then, Technomic's services have grown to encompass cloud-based B2B research tools, consumer and menu trend tracking and other leading strategic research and analytic capabilities, to prioritize and size business opportunities. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants, retailers and multiple other business verticals aligned with the food industry that are looking to make informed decisions to support their business growth. Visit Technomic at www.technomic.com.
Winsight LLC is a business-to-business information company serving the restaurant and noncommercial foodservice, convenience and petroleum retailing and grocery industries. Winsight provides research and analytics, branding solutions, face-to-face opportunities, lead generation initiatives, and content marketing services through products including subscription data products, reports, research tools, research programs, fully custom studies, conferences, custom marketing services, meetings, print and digital trade media. To learn more, visit winsightmedia.com
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SOURCE Technomic | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/technomic-launches-location-targeting-tracking-1m-foodservice-locations/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:18Z |
TDSC Launches This Fall – Join Our Waitlist
TORONTO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- a revolutionary PFP NFT called Throwing Dude Space Camp (TDSC) is launching in the Fall. 10,000 NFTs will be available. TDSC features next level art, astonishing rarity, and a ground-breaking road map. Click here to join the waitlist.
Gyro Plasmic (pseudonym), Founder of TDSC says; "we took the approach that we want every one of our 10,000 Dude members to be happy, so we created totally original art for over 650 traits. We created over 180 traits for clothing alone, body art and tattoos will show through some of our unique clothing which we call holo. We used our original art from our 57 planets as design material for our cut off bike jackets which we also designed. I could go on and on."
We achieve greater rarity through the processes of constraining and information is randomly included with our Dudes. With over 70 throwing objects, rarity is deeper versus the other PFP NFT projects. Join our waitlist.
TDSC is about living the creative inspired life and pursuing the joy of throwing and the joy of exploring. No matter your skill, or where you come from in our universe, TDSC galactically celebrates the comradery of Space Camp and throwing.
We cover a wide variety of other throwing sports. Since our Dudes are from across our Universe, some of their capabilities go way beyond just throwing mere earthly objects and include galactic and even mythical throwing. Click for TDSC waitlist.
We are in it for the long haul and as TDCS gets resourced through revenue, we plan to introduce many benefits to the Throwing Dude Space Camp membership, which may potentially include: our 57 planets art reveal, exclusive member merchandise, space camping festival under our aurora borealis, release of space camp song anthem and more. TDSC will push the boundaries of what is possible for a PFP NFT and will have a lot of fun doing it.
Click here to join the Throwing Dude's waitlist.
Throwing Dude Space Camp (TDSC) is owned and operated by QaQaQ Inc.
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SOURCE Throwing Dude Space Camp | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/throwing-dude-space-camp-tdsc-next-level-nft-rarity/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:25Z |
– Dedicated Freight Management, Digital Negotiation Experience, and Load Insights keep trucks fully loaded at the best rates –
NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Transfix, Inc. ("Transfix"), the Intelligent Freight Platform™, today announced the release of a new suite of features for its Fleet Management System (FMS). Now, carriers can book and manage dedicated freight and contract rates with some of the nation's largest shippers, digitize their bidding experience for quicker negotiation, and easily identify attractive loads that offer great rates or flexible pickup times. These new features support carriers' efforts to keep their trucks fully loaded and procure the best available rates. This can help shield them from market volatility– and the impacts of seasonality and cyclicality– to maximize efficiency, service, and costs.
"Through our new FMS offerings, we continue to bring digitization to the supply chain, unlocking opportunities for growth and innovation with our partners," said Tony Tzeng, Chief Product Officer at Transfix. "The new features are designed to help carriers use load insights more effectively and make better use of their resources, adding value to both our carrier and shipper communities."
The updates to Transfix FMS include:
- Dedicated Freight Management. Carriers get enhanced visibility into pending and past load offers for both spot and dedicated lanes, receive notifications when rates need to be extended or re-negotiated, and oversee all freight in one unified experience.
- Digital Negotiation Experience. Digitization of the negotiation experience allows carriers to manage and win bids at an acceptable rate, and do so more efficiently than the historically manual "phone calls and emails" method. Carriers can accept counter-offers, view bids on freight for easier load management, and receive notifications to give them the best chance of winning a load.
- Load Insights. Dispatchers can leverage insights into load characteristics, such as "Popular Load" and "Great Rate," to understand why they're worth booking.
Kimberly Guerrero, a dispatcher at GRD, said, "Transfix FMS and its new features have made things a lot easier. Not only can I clearly understand what I'm bidding for, but I also get robust details on all of my loads. It's so simple to adjust and arrange my loads accordingly. With Transfix FMS, I can really focus and stay organized; it helps me run my business a lot more smoothly."
"Our team is focused on delivering speed-to-value solutions that allow shippers and carriers to thrive," added Tzeng. "We will continue listening to our carrier community to create innovative features and products like these enhancements to Transfix FMS. Our FMS supports a dedicated contract management page for carriers, digitizing the negotiating experience and displaying what makes a load attractive upfront. We remain committed to identifying new ways to boost transparency and efficiency across the supply chain."
The new suite of features for Transfix FMS is live today. Visit Transfix.io for more on its booking experience or carrier network.
As announced on September 21, 2021, Transfix has entered into a definitive business combination agreement, as subsequently amended, with G Squared Ascend I Inc. ("G Squared Ascend I") (NYSE: GSQD), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by affiliates of G Squared, that is expected to result in Transfix becoming a publicly listed company. Completion of the business combination is subject to customary closing conditions.
Transfix drives modern supply chain impact at scale with its Intelligent Freight Platform™. By combining enterprise-grade, machine-learning technology with intuitive software and dedicated supply chain experts, Transfix is enabling organizations to deliver with high performance and high reliability, drive long-term strategy and capacity planning, take empty miles off the road, and optimize their networks, at scale. Today, Transfix connects shippers to nearly 30,000 carriers with real-time, many-to-many freight matching and the visibility they need to make their supply chains more efficient and environmentally responsible. Learn more at Transfix.io.
G Squared is a global venture capital firm that partners with dynamic companies throughout their life cycles as a complete capital solutions provider, working to create value for companies, investors, employees, and other stakeholders. The firm focuses on investments in growth-stage technology companies and has invested in over 100 portfolio companies since it was founded in 2011. The firm's affiliate, G Squared Ascend I Inc. ("G Squared Ascend I"), offers transformative private companies a path to public markets via SPAC. For more information on G Squared and its portfolio, visit: www.gsquared.com. For more information on G Squared Ascend I, visit: www.gsquaredascend.com.
Chelsea Horn, Carve Communications for Transfix
chelsea@carvecomms.com
(210) 378-8580
In connection with the proposed business combination involving G Squared Ascend I and Transfix, Transfix Holdings, Inc. ("Transfix Holdings") has filed a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Registration Statement includes a proxy statement of G Squared Ascend I and a prospectus of Transfix Holdings. Additionally, G Squared Ascend I and Transfix Holdings will file other relevant materials with the SEC in connection with the business combination. Copies may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Security holders of G Squared Ascend I are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting decision with respect to the proposed business combination because they will contain important information about the business combination and the parties to the business combination and related matters. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this communication is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this communication.
G Squared Ascend I and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of G Squared Ascend I's stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Transfix and its officers and directors may also be deemed participants in such solicitation. Security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of G Squared Ascend I's executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading G Squared Ascend I's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on April 13, 2022, and the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the business combination when they become available. Information concerning the interests of G Squared Ascend I's participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of their stockholders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the business combination when it becomes available.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and shall not constitute a proxy statement or the solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities in respect of the proposed business combination and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
The information in this communication may contain statements that are not historical facts but are "forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and within the meaning of "safe harbor" provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this communication, regarding G Squared Ascend I's proposed business combination with Transfix, G Squared Ascend I's ability to consummate the transaction, the benefits of the transaction and the combined company's future financial performance, as well as the combined company's strategy, future operations, estimated financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this communication, the words "could," "should," "will," "may," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "project," the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, G Squared Ascend I and Transfix disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this communication. G Squared Ascend I and Transfix caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of either G Squared Ascend I or Transfix. In addition, G Squared Ascend I and Transfix caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this communication are subject to the following factors: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the business combination or give rise to the termination of the agreements related thereto; (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against G Squared Ascend I or Transfix following announcement of the transactions; (iii) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of G Squared Ascend I, or other conditions to closing in the transaction agreement; (iv) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts G Squared Ascend I's or Transfix's current plans and operations as a result of the announcement of the transactions; (v) Transfix's ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of Transfix to grow and manage growth profitably following the business combination; (vi) costs related to the business combination; (vii) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (viii) rollout of Transfix's business and the timing of expected business milestones, (ix) the effects of competition on Transfix's business, (x) supply shortages in the materials necessary for the production of Transfix's products, (xi) risks related to original equipment manufacturers and other partners being unable or unwilling to initiate or continue business partnerships on favorable terms, (xii) the termination or reduction of government clean energy and electric vehicle incentives, (xiii) delays in the construction and operation of production facilities, (xiv) the amount of redemption requests made by G Squared Ascend I's public stockholders, (xv) changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions, and (xvi) the possibility that Transfix may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this communication, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of G Squared Ascend I's final prospectus filed with the SEC on February 8, 2021 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on April 13, 2022, and other documents of G Squared Ascend I filed, or to be filed, including the proxy statement/prospectus, with the SEC. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in G Squared Ascend I's filings with the SEC. G Squared Ascend I's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
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SOURCE Transfix | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/transfix-enhances-carrier-experience-boost-long-term-resilience/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:32Z |
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trive Capital, the Dallas-based private equity firm, is excited to announce its recent investment into Wilson Electronics ("Wilson Electronics" or the "Company"). Wilson Electronics is a technology-driven wireless connectivity solutions provider, known as the market leader in cellular repeaters with commercial, consumer and carrier applications. Wilson Electronics is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, has a manufacturing facility in St. George, Utah and has a R&D facility in Dallas, Texas.
David Stinnett, Partner at Trive Capital, commented, "We are excited to partner with Wilson Electronics' management in support of the next phase of the Company's growth as a global technology solution. We believe that Wilson Electronics is well positioned to be a trusted and innovative wireless connectivity solution to consumers, leading enterprises, and carriers in the transition to 5G and beyond."
Wilson Electronics CEO, Bruce Lancaster stated, "We are excited to form this new partnership with the Trive team as we collaborate on our next phase of growth. In addition to aligning with our principles and core values, Trive shares our vision for further expanding Wilson Electronics product offering, target customer base, and geographic coverage. Our partnership with Trive will allow us to continue serving our valued customers of over 20 years, while also allowing us to capitalize on this transformative period in wireless technology."
Moelis & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to Wilson Electronics. Haynes & Boone LLP served as legal counsel to Trive Capital.
Wilson Electronics, LLC, home of WilsonPro and weBoost, is the market leader in cellular signal amplification technology. After more than 30 years in wireless communications, the company has over 250 issued or pending patents. Consequently, Wilson Electronics is uniquely poised as an industry innovator, offering both indoor and outdoor amplification technology, empowering carrier networks, enterprises, and consumers to reap the benefits of the entire 5G spectrum. Dedicated to connecting everyone, everywhere to 5G, Wilson designs, assembles and supports all of its products in the U.S. All solutions are FCC certified to improve cellular connectivity on any carrier network and device at home, work and on the road. www.wilsonelectronics.com
Trive Capital is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm with more than $4 billion of regulatory assets under management. Trive focuses on investing equity and debt in what it sees as strategically viable middle-market companies with the potential for transformational upside through operational improvement. We seek to maximize returns through a hands-on partnership that calls for identifying and implementing value creation ideas.
The Trive team is comprised of seasoned investment professionals who have been involved in over 100 middle-market transactions representing in excess of $6 billion in revenue across Trive's targeted industry sectors and situations. www.trivecapital.com
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SOURCE Trive Capital | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/trive-capital-partners-with-wilson-electronics/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:38Z |
CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trylle SkinHealth. (www.trylleinc.com) —a specialty aesthetics and skin health company dedicated to developing and marketing novel, innovative, and clinically tested physician-dispensed skin care products with proprietary EPP Technology™ to elevate, protect, and perpetuate healthy skin for life—has announced the appointment of James Kone Jr. to the position of Board Member and Chief Industry Advisor effective August 14, 2022.
Mr. Kone Jr. has an excellent history of achievement in launching companies and leading brands to success in medical aesthetics, wound care, pharmaceuticals, and devices. James most recently served as President of North America for Stratpharma Inc. a division of Stratpharm AG Switzerland, where he built business units in medical aesthetics, oncology, women's health, and wound care. He was the Executive Vice President for Glowbiotics skincare. At Globiotics, James took the brand from a start-up in the US physician dispense channel to a global phenomenon. Mr. Kone Jr. also served as the Senior National Sales Direct at SkinMedica, restructuring the aesthetic field sales team, and leading it to record sales and profitability. Prior to that Mr. Kone held senior leadership positions at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, and Forest Labs.
"We are thrilled to have James Kone Jr. join as a board member and chief industry advisor, to help steer our launch and commercialization activities as we prepare to scale", said Frank Zeigler, CEO of Trylle SkinHealth. "James' comprehensive experience leading operations, turnarounds, start-ups, and scaling in the medical aesthetics channel, is exactly what Trylle needs as we prepare to disrupt the physician dispensed market."
"I am excited to advise and guide the Trylle organization as the company ramps up to disrupt the physician dispensed market with its proprietary technology," stated Mr. Kone Jr. "Advancements in science, manufacturing, and reductions in production costs, make it possible to create innovative products that are highly differentiated, last longer, and will outperform current medical-grade brands."
Trylle SkinHealth, Inc., is a specialty aesthetics and skin health company developing innovative products using skin cells that produce natural collagens and growth factors as a platform for making medical-grade aesthetic products.
Media contact: info@trylleinc.com
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SOURCE Trylle SkinHealth, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/trylle-skinhealth-inc-announces-appointment-james-kone-jr-board-member-chief-industry-advisor/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:45Z |
The company's patient activation technology, combined with PatientBond's proven psychographic segmentation, will create a single enterprise solution to tackle healthcare's "one size fits all" approach with personalized patient communication
CHICAGO and SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Patient engagement and access platform Upfront announced today the acquisition of PatientBond, the leader in consumer science for healthcare, creating a single enterprise technology solution to drive patient acquisition and loyalty.
Upfront's pioneering technology ensures every patient completes necessary care. Since 2016, the company has supported millions of patients through its market-leading digital platform, now serving more than 4,000 locations. With many health systems focused on capturing the 'digital front door,' Upfront now extends well beyond that position by engaging, guiding, and activating patients from their first interaction across the entire continuum of care.
PatientBond has a substantial presence in urgent care, payer, and life sciences networks, a benefit that pushes Upfront to the forefront of patient navigation innovation across the entire healthcare industry.
This powerful strategic union is a result of Upfront's commitment to tackling healthcare's mounting challenges around technology fragmentation, a complex friction point for health systems as providers are overburdened and patients fall between the cracks due to siloed communication.
Currently, 72 percent of consumers indicated that technology is important for managing their health, yet patient engagement levels remain staggeringly low.
Driven by consumers' desire for personalized healthcare journeys, patients increasingly expect providers to deliver the same digital touchpoints and user-friendly navigation they experience in other industries. In turn, provider organizations are scrambling to find cohesive digital health solutions to attract and retain patients, supporting their ongoing healthcare journeys.
Upfront's acquisition of PatientBond includes the company's exhaustively proven healthcare-centric psychographic segmentation model, built through more than 100 million data points collected from proprietary market research, enabling Upfront to accelerate patient activation capabilities through proactive and personalized communications.
Psychographics incorporate people's attitudes, personalities, and lifestyles to determine their motivations and communications preferences. The method was first developed as a tool of market research and driven by CPG brands.
The acquisition accelerates Upfront's delivery of their next-generation personalization platform. Combined with Upfront's omnichannel communications capabilities, PatientBond's robust consumer insights build and expand loyal patient-provider relationships to influence positive behavioral changes, resulting in improved patient acquisition, retention, and experience.
"We are two like-minded companies relentlessly committed to enabling all patients to get the care that they need," said Ben Albert, CEO and co-founder of Upfront. "The provider landscape is changing and access is getting more difficult and confusing for patients. Together we will not only strengthen our clients' abilities to attract new patients but also simplify access by proactively engaging and guiding all patients to ultimately improve long-term loyalty."
By understanding how a patient prefers to communicate, healthcare organizations can determine the best route to meet the needs of patients and influence consumer behaviors, said PatientBond CEO Justin Dearborn, who will continue in a leadership role on Upfront's board of directors.
"Healthcare providers can no longer utilize a 'one size fits all' approach to consumer health," Dearborn added. "Personalized engagement requires a deep understanding of patients' motivations and preferred communication channels. We're not only enhancing member and patient experiences but ultimately empowering patient success. We couldn't be more thrilled to join Upfront in their mission to change our industry."
With its strong growth and financial position, the continued expansion of Upfront's leadership and operations teams is central to its growth strategy. Today, more than 200 Upfront employees are committed to advancing the company's mission to drive patient success and maximize health outcomes.
Joshua Klein of Neal Gerber Eisenberg, LLP acted as legal counsel to Upfront.
Upfront is a mission-driven healthcare company, delivering tangible outcomes to leading healthcare systems and provider groups. Our patient communication and engagement platform makes each patient feel seen, guiding their care experience through personalized digital outreach. The backbone of the Upfront experience is our data engine, which analyzes clinical, sociodemographic, and patient-reported data. These insights allow us to individually activate patients to complete necessary care, show up for visits, and close any gaps in care. We are rooted in partnership, leveraging best-in-class healthcare expertise to maximize the impact of our technology and deliver a next-generation patient experience. To learn more, visit www.upfronthealthcare.com.
PatientBond was founded by leaders in digital health and consumer engagement, and consumer product executives from P&G who realized that the rise of consumerism in healthcare means that providers and other healthcare stakeholders must take a "digital first" approach to building loyal patient relationships. PatientBond's mission is to leverage Healthcare Consumer Insights and Innovative Technology Solutions to help its clients build a tighter bond with their patients and members to improve health outcomes, increase revenue and reduce costs. PatientBond is growing rapidly, as recognized by Inc. 5000 and Financial Times. To learn more about PatientBond, visit www.patientbond.com.
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SOURCE Upfront Healthcare | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/upfront-acquires-patientbond-expands-capabilities-market-leading-personalized-patient-access-engagement-platform/ | 2022-08-18T18:47:52Z |
Sedgwick brand protection releases U.S. product recall index for Q2 2022
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of U.S. products recalled this year has already surpassed 1 billion, according to the U.S. product recall index recently released by Sedgwick's brand protection division. Only two other years on record have seen more than 1 billion units recalled: 2018 and 2021. In those years, it took a full year to hit that threshold. In 2022, it only took the first seven months of the year, setting this up to be a record-breaking year for product recalls by number of units.
The automotive, consumer product, food and beverage, medical device and pharmaceutical industries continue to face challenges from increased regulatory scrutiny, as well as geopolitical issues and ongoing public health issues, including COVID-19 and monkeypox.
Sedgwick's industry-leading brand protection quarterly report provides an in-depth look at the economic, regulatory and legal challenges affecting various industry and insights into how companies can safeguard their reputations and brands. In addition to the latest product recall data and trends from the second quarter of 2022, the report also includes insights, analysis and predictions from Sedgwick's brand protection experts and network of strategic partners.
Highlights from the second quarter recall data
- Automotive recall events increased in Q2 2022 to 245, following two consecutive quarters of decline. The number of units impacted was relatively stable from the previous quarter at 9.2 million.
- The number of consumer product recalls decreased 15.6% in Q2 2022 from 77 events in Q1 to 65. The total number of units recalled also decreased in Q2, but by only 3.5% to 6.7 million units.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food and beverage recall events increased to 120 in Q2 2022, up 9.1% from Q1. However, the number of impacted units decreased significantly (81.3%) to 27.5 million units. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food recalls increased to their highest level in more than two years, with 13 events. The number of units impacted also saw a significant increase of 1,391% to 973,374 pounds.
- While medical device recalls increased 34% (reaching a two-year high, with 268 events), the number of impacted units fell 96.8% to their lowest level in 10 years (10 million).
- For a second consecutive quarter, there were a total of 94 pharmaceutical recall events. The number of impacted units fell to their lowest level in over a year, at 20.6 million units in Q2.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2022
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had an active Q2, finalizing several standards for fuel efficiency and increasing civil penalties — meaning the automotive industry may soon be liable for millions of dollars in fines. Autonomous vehicles will remain a focus for NHTSA; the agency is working to update safety standards that may require automakers to carry the burden of compliance but will increase consumer confidence in autonomous vehicles.
- As we've seen for several quarters, children's safety will continue to be a priority for regulators of the consumer product industry. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) chemicals are rising to the top of regulators' and litigators' list of harmful substances to target with regulations and lawsuits.
- Infant food recalls continue to have a lasting impact on the food and beverage industry, as the FDA and other regulatory agencies examine the causes, poor response times and preventative measures. The FDA is expected to begin strictly enforcing the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP), increasing the risks for food importers.
- As medical device technology advances, the FDA is releasing guidance to protect devices from cyberattacks. This space will likely remain a focus for the FDA, as a cybersecurity breach could lead to the death of a patient. Lawmakers are also working to update emergency preparedness for public health emergencies, including reforms that could impact the medical device industry.
- Enforcement will be a focus for the pharmaceutical industry, with the FDA issuing warning letters for products containing cannabis and banning the sale of an e-cigarette company's products. Although the ban was overturned, it's likely that won't be the end of the issue. The FDA has made subsequent efforts to initiate a ban of non-tobacco flavors, including menthol in cigars and cigarettes.
"Regulators and lawmakers alike have increased their scrutiny of every industry, introduced new guidelines and rules, and started to publicly call out companies they believe to be noncompliant. Add to the mix the current geopolitical issues and ongoing public health crises, and businesses find themselves facing new risks that are increasingly difficult to address," said Chris Harvey, senior vice president of brand protection at Sedgwick. "In the face of these obstacles, businesses should continuously evaluate and update their product recall, crisis and communications plans to ensure their brands and reputations will overcome whatever new challenges arise."
"This is the second consecutive year in which we have seen more than 1 billion units impacted by U.S. product recalls. If the first half of the year is any indication, we should expect 2022 to eclipse all previous years on record for recalled products," said Amanda Combs, recall advisor in Sedgwick's brand protection division. "While regulatory agencies may not be back to pre-pandemic work levels, companies can't relax their focus on product safety. Inspections and enforcement actions are still occurring."
The recall index is published every quarter by Sedgwick's brand protection experts. It is the only report that aggregates, and tracks recall data across multiple regulatory agencies and industries to help industry stakeholders navigate the regulatory environment, product recalls and other in-market challenges. For more information, see sedgwick.com/brandprotection.
To download the latest recall index, visit U.S. product recall index report.
Sedgwick is a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions. The company provides a broad range of resources tailored to our clients' specific needs in casualty, property, marine, benefits, brand protection and other lines. At Sedgwick, caring counts; through the dedication and expertise of nearly 30,000 colleagues across 80 countries, the company takes care of people and organizations by mitigating and reducing risks and losses, promoting health and productivity, protecting brand reputations, and containing costs that can impact performance. Sedgwick's majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see sedgwick.com.
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SOURCE Sedgwick | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/us-track-break-record-most-products-recalled-single-year/ | 2022-08-18T18:48:01Z |
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Job Shadow® (VJS), a college & career readiness exploration & planning platform, and Nepris, a college & career readiness live industry connections platform and its entities have been merged to create a new company Pathful Inc. (Austin, TX). Pathful is a full college and career readiness system for students and educators. As a result, the Virtual Job Shadow® and Nepris platforms will also be renamed – Pathful Explore (formerly VJS) and Pathful Connect (formerly Nepris). The new company is backed by PSG, a leading growth equity firm that partners with software and technology-enabled services companies to help accelerate their growth. Pathful creates a powerful system that provides educators – CTE educators, work-based learning coordinators, general education teachers, special education teachers, and school counselors – with a variety of resources they can use to help their students achieve success in their future careers. For everyone involved in shaping a student's future, Pathful is a comprehensive college and career readiness system – now, one place for a more insightful, impactful, and meaningful college & career readiness experience.
Jennie Kristoffersen, Chief Executive Officer at Pathful states, "We believe that the pandemic increased investment in many edtech platforms which placed more work on teachers. Our goal is to consolidate and make implementation easier and more effective. With Pathful, educators and students can access quality career exploration and planning tools, work-based learning, real-world career experiences, and career assessments – all in one place." continues Kristoffersen.
Pathful is on a mission to change the way we think about college and career readiness and offers the ability to connect industry professionals directly to the classroom. Pathful becomes an integrated system that couples student-directed content with live industry connections across the entire college and career readiness journey.
"PSG looks to partner with founders and CEOs that we believe are motivated to accelerate growth and product adoption within large markets," says Tom Reardon, Managing Director at PSG. "We are excited to have found an opportunity to work with Jennie, who has shown herself as an innovator within EdTech, to bring together two industry-leading products and create a single platform for college and career readiness."
The entire Pathful system provides a suite of platforms that integrates exploration and planning tools, Life Skills resources, assessments and live, virtual engagements with real professionals and potential employers to help students make smarter decisions about their future.
"We envision a classroom where industry engagement is not once a year during career days but every day in math, science, ELA and social studies classrooms. Pathful aims to address several gaps between what skills various industries need and what students are learning by providing the real-world relevance," states Sabari Raja, Chief Strategy Officer at Pathful.
For back-to-school 2022, Pathful also introduces a new product, Pathful Planner, which allows school counselors and administrators to develop individualized graduation plans for students (grades 6 – 12) to help guide their education, career, and employment goals while meeting graduation requirements across the district.
The Pathful platforms and products for a full college & career readiness system include:
Pathful (complete system)
- Pathful Explore (formerly VirtualJobShadow®) A college and career planning and exploration platform that helps students explore career paths and plan;
- Pathful Connect (formerly Nepris) A live industry connections platform that matches educators and learners with a network of industry professionals;
- Pathful Junior (formerly VJS Junior) A K-5 career awareness platform;
Pathful Planner A 6-12 course planner, releases Back to School 2022.
"This is a merger of two tools popular with our educators that we believe will make complete sense to district leaders and educators," said Twinkle Familiare, CTE Project Program Manager at Seattle Public Schools. "It is a combination that aims to make teachers' lives easier and allows for a more comprehensive and thoughtful approach to planning for life after high school."
With a network of industry professionals and a video library of engaging content, Pathful delivers a full college and career readiness system to students and educators. Learn all about what Pathful has in store at www.pathful.com.
For more information about this release or to schedule an interview please contact: Pathful Media Contact: Pamela Parker, VP of Marketing, Pathful, pparker@pathful.com, (646) 585-3167
About Pathful Inc. Pathful aims to help students decide what they want to be, what they need to learn, and who they need to know to prepare for life beyond the classroom. Now, there is one place to get college and career awareness, planning, exploration, and live connections for a more insightful, impactful, and meaningful experience. Pathful's tagline is Your Full College & Career Readiness System. Now Pathful. Currently headquartered in Austin, TX, Pathful is backed by growth equity firm PSG. Pathful Media Contact: Pamela Parker, VP of Marketing, Pathful, pparker@pathful.com, (646) 585-3167
About PSG PSG is a growth equity firm that partners with software and technology-enabled services companies to help them navigate transformational growth, capitalize on strategic opportunities and build strong teams. Having backed more than 110 companies and facilitated over 400 add-on acquisitions, PSG brings extensive investment experience, deep expertise in software and technology, and a firm commitment to collaborating with management teams. Founded in 2014, PSG operates out of offices in Boston, Kansas City, London, Paris, Madrid and Tel-Aviv. To learn more about PSG, visit www.psgequity.com Media Contact, PSG, Jackie Schofield, jschofield@prosek.com.
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SOURCE Pathful, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/virtual-job-shadow-nepris-announce-new-company-pathful-inc-form-one-comprehensive-college-career-readiness-system/ | 2022-08-18T18:48:07Z |
Most Powerful Voting Bloc Says Protecting Social Security & Medicare, Helping People Age at Home are Strong Motivators
NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Voters age 50 and up accounted for nearly 90% of Suffolk County voters in the June 28 primary, nearly 80% of voters in neighboring Nassau County and about two thirds of all voters in New York City – and nearly 80% in the Bronx and Staten Island.
That's according to analyses of voter records from Long Island's two county boards of elections and the New York City Board of Elections by Gotham Government Relations LLC.
Strong voter participation among 50+ voters on Long Island is a characteristic shared by members of both major political parties, according to the new data, commissioned by AARP New York.
The results from the most recent voting in June are consistent with the past three elections:
- While 50+ voters make up slightly over 50% of Suffolk County's registered voters, they accounted for 76.7% of those who actually voted in the 2020 Presidential election (208,562/ 271,842), 84% in the 2021 general election (113,816/ 135,479 or 84.0%) and 84.6% in the 2019 general election (109,999/ 130,050).
- In Nassau County, 50+ voters make up only 57.1% (558,356 of 977,371) of registered voters but accounted for 81.8% (146,724 of 179,409) of those who actually voted in all of the last three general elections, in 2021, 2020 and 2019.
- And in New York City, the 50+ made up a majority (51.1%) of voters in the 2020 Presidential election (1,466,205 of 2,866,658), and an even higher proportion of actual voters in off-year elections; in both 2021 and 2019, the 50+ accounted for nearly 65% of all City voters (737,226 of 1,140,064 in 2021 and 472,357 of 728,729 in 2019).
"Voters 50+ consistently show up to the polls in much greater numbers than their younger counterparts, and in both New York City and on Long Island voters confirmed this – and then some," said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. "This extremely powerful voting bloc has made it clear that key issues like protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare and supporting people to live in their own homes with independence and dignity as long as possible are powerful motivators when they vote. It is crystal clear that candidates who want to win must pay attention to issues that matter to 50+ voters.
"The 50+ are our most powerful voters – and they will be the deciders in the 2022 elections," Finkel added.
In the last congressional midterm general election in 2018, New Yorkers age 50 and over accounted for just under 60% of those who actually voted, though the 50+ typically account for a higher percentage of voters in primary elections.
New York is holding U.S. House and State Senate primaries next Tuesday, August 23; early voting in those races began this week.
AARP is fighting for voters 50+ to make their voices heard on the issues that matter – especially with rising prices, people struggling to pay for groceries and gas, dealing with the pandemic, and retirement savings in crisis, including:
- Fighting to protect and strengthen the Social Security benefits Americans have paid into and earned through years of hard work;
- Urging Congress to protect and improve Medicare benefits.
- Fighting to lower prescription drug prices – including passage by Congress last week of legislation letting Medicare negotiate lower drug prices and capping seniors' out-of-pocket drug costs;
- Fighting for family caregivers who risk their careers and financial futures to care for parents, spouses, and other loved ones;
- Fighting for older Americans who want to live independently at home and not be forced into subpar nursing homes;
- Fighting for Americans to access the health care they need, especially those struggling financially;
- Fighting to make sure every worker has a chance to save the money they need to take control of their future;
- Fighting to make sure voters 50+ in rural communities can get the health care they need and stay connected to work and family.
AARP is calling on candidates to propose solutions to address these and other challenges.
AARP is strictly non-partisan, and does not endorse candidates, does not contribute to candidates' campaigns and does not have a political action committee.
Follow us on Twitter: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York
About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media
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SOURCE AARP New York | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/voters-50-accounted-nearly-90-suffolk-80-nassau-amp-23-nyc-voters-june-primaries-new-data/ | 2022-08-18T18:48:14Z |
BRAINTREE, Mass., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Proving its commitment to providing best-in-class autism therapy, ABA Centers of America touts the successful outcomes of its data-driven "precepting" training program for its Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). In addition to 100 of 113 of the company's RBTs passing their certification on the first try, 95 percent of RBTs who pass the special training report increased confidence in their ability to work with clients independently post-training. RBTs provide ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy directly to children with autism, usually for several hours a day.
Precepting is a common practice in the medical field, where new nurses, for example, are required to complete specific tasks under the supervision of an experienced nurse. In the ABA Centers of America Precepting Program, after a thorough two weeks of study and classroom training at the company's own ABA Academy of Excellence, each RBT is paired with an experienced RBT preceptor. In therapy with a client, the new RBT must successfully complete 58 tasks in 6 categories to demonstrate competency.
"It's not just a trainee shadowing an established professional," said Julie Bazinet, Director of Training and Growth for ABA Centers of America. "We assess each trainee's progress with our onsite competency evaluation tool. We track their progress, score them, and analyze the data. If they don't achieve at least an 80-percent score on each of two precepting sessions, they have to go back to the Academy setting for more training."
Bazinet, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with 18 years in the ABA field, designed the company's training program, including the innovative idea of adding precepting. "I learned about precepting from my parents," she said, adding that they were both medical professionals in fields that used precepting. "And then, while I was in the hospital having a baby, my nurse came in with a trainee who was precepting. While she was going through her tasks and commenting on the trainee's progress, I realized we could do the same thing with our trainees!"
The precepting program is a hit with the company's RBTs. "I felt way more prepared and comfortable actively using my knowledge in live sessions after precepting. It's the perfect opportunity to cement the material I learned in class," wrote one program graduate in an anonymous survey.
"Most staff training programs rely on lectures and presentations," said Janelle Guarino, Assistant Director of Training and a BCBA with the company. "That methodology is effective for transferring a certain amount of knowledge but ineffective at teaching trainees to perform effective clinical care."
Why doesn't every ABA agency follow similar training practices? "They don't have the resources that we have to dedicate to training," said Bazinet. "Our company places a high value on giving our team members the skills necessary to implement our therapy plans, which are critical to the health, well-being and successful outcomes of our clients with autism."
ABA Centers of America provides ABA therapy services for anyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We can help clients in their homes, our centers, schools, or anywhere in the community. ABA Centers of America is the Northeast's fastest-growing ABA provider, with multiple locations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. For more information about ABA Centers of America, visit www.abacenters.com.
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SOURCE ABA Centers of America | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/while-other-autism-care-providers-close-doors-aba-centers-america-doubles-down-training/ | 2022-08-18T18:48:21Z |
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Destination Outlets, in Jeffersonville, Ohio, is wrapping up summer with their Summer Concert Series.
The Summer Season will end as Shucking Bubba, hip-hop, funk and alternative band takes the stage at Destination Outlets on August 20th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm with gates opening at 5:00pm. The concert will be $10 or FREE for those who download the Destination Outlets membership app, just search 'Destination Outlets' in the app store. There will be delicious food trucks on site. As well as a VIP seating area sponsored by the newly opened, Open Box Outlet.
The five-piece band has energy and hard-hitting rhythms that are addictive – giving your body reason to groove.
Shucking Bubba plays only the best cover songs ranging from old school hip-hop to funk to alternative rock. With a vast repertoire of songs to choose from, they keep every performance fresh and stimulating by playing all the songs that people in party mode want to hear.
Remember those cool mixed cds you used to make in middle school? Yeah, it's kinda like that but a hundred times better – and it's loud and live. (shuckingbubba.com)
Destination Outlets is a 400,000 sq ft shopping complex featuring a variety of brand-name and designer outlet stores for fashion, apparel, housewares, and more. Formerly Tanger Outlets, the new Destination Outlets is well loved by shoppers far and wide for its great deals, family entertainment, and extensive Food Truck Village. The shopping center is centrally located right off Route 71 in Jeffersonville, Ohio, and regularly hosts top-tier events aimed at bringing the local community together. For more information on Destination Outlets 2021 holiday events, visit destinationoutlets.com.
Hannah Girton, Social Media and Marketing Manager
Destination Outlets
740.948.9093
hgirton@destinationoutlets.com
www.destinationoutlets.com
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SOURCE Destination Outlets | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/wrap-up-summer-destination-outlets-with-summer-concert-series/ | 2022-08-18T18:48:27Z |
Terminating Supporters Fails to Dissuade Workers from Organizing
CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers at the Verano/Zen Leaf Dispensary in the neighborhood of Pilsen have voted by a margin of more than 90 percent to join Teamsters Local 777. The vote in favor of unionization comes in spite of the fact that the company fired union supporters during the campaign.
"These workers are brave, unwavering, and incredibly inspiring," said Jim Glimco, Local 777 President. "They stood by one another during this campaign, and now over 1 million Teamsters throughout North America are going to stand by them as they fight for their first contract. This union is too strong to back down – not today, not next week, not ever."
Jim Doane was one of the union supporters who was terminated during the organizing drive. Even though he lost his job, he continued to fight for a union at Zen Leaf Pilsen. He's now organizing other cannabis workers with the Teamsters.
"One thing I learned from this experience is that we should have started sooner because it is extremely possible for cannabis workers to form and join a union," Doane said. "I want the entire industry organized. Zen Leaf promised great jobs. It delivered…jobs. Every job in cannabis should support a middle-class lifestyle. Anyone in this country who works 40 hours a week deserves a middle-class lifestyle."
"It's an honor for the staff at Zen Leaf Pilsen to be a part of our movement," said Peter Finn, Teamsters Food Processing Division Director. "These men and women recognize what cannabis workers all throughout the country are recognizing – the Teamsters are the strongest union for cannabis workers and the best positioned to turn jobs into careers."
Founded in 1937, Teamsters Local 777 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout the Chicago area. For more information, go to https://www.teamsters777.org/.
Contact:
Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877
mmcquaid@teamster.org
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SOURCE Teamsters Local 777 | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/zen-leaf-chicago-workers-join-teamsters-local-777/ | 2022-08-18T18:48:34Z |
Umpires in baseball have it rough. So why do it? Umpires aren’t a favorite among baseball fans. It’s a position that’s long drawn criticism from those who don’t agree with the calls. But umpires love the job anyway.
Colorado Public Radio’s Vic Vela reports.
An umpire works on his strike call stance at a July 30 Major League Baseball-sponsored umpire clinic at Denver’s Coors Field. (Kevin Beaty/Denverite)
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/baseball-umpires-have-it-rough-so-why-do-they-stay | 2022-08-18T19:10:21Z |
CNN is canceling its Sunday media affairs show Reliable Sources, and host Brian Stelter is departing the network, Stelter tells NPR.
In a statement to NPR, Stelter says he's grateful for the show and his team's examination of "the media, truth and the stories that shape our world."
"It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential," Stelter said, promising to say more on Sunday's show — its final episode.
Stelter got his start blogging about cable news as a student and went on to become a media reporter for The New York Times. Reliable Sources is the longest-running show on CNN; Stelter has hosted it for the past nine years and celebrated the show's 30th anniversary in March.
CNN chief Chris Licht informed Stelter of the decision yesterday. Licht has been making cuts throughout the network since taking the helm as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's takeover of the old Time Warner company.
The network pulled the plug on its standalone digital platform, CNN+, for which it had hired former NPR host Audie Cornish and former Fox News host Chris Wallace, before it had been launched. (Both stars have stayed on at CNN.)
Stelter, who often touted the show's ratings on Twitter, was among those CNN hosts targeted for frequent criticism from conservatives for his coverage of the media during the Trump years.
Among those publicly joining in on the broader criticism of CNN as having become politicized was the investor John Malone, a major financial stakeholder of the new WarnerDiscovery conglomerate. During an episode in February, Stelter cited Malone more than a dozen times in coverage of the Discovery deal for CNN and its sister properties, expressing some concern about the investor's influence.
"Stelter came to CNN from The New York Times as the nation's top media reporter. He departs CNN an impeccable broadcaster," said Amy Entelis, CNN's executive vice president for talent and content development. "We are proud of what Brian and his team accomplished over the years, and we're confident their impact and influence will long outlive the show."
Stelter often chronicled the rhetorical wars over politics, its reporting and even facts, ramping up the intensity of his periodic commentaries during former President Donald Trump's tenure. It earned him recurring criticism from pro-Trump figures and taunting from Fox stars Greg Gutfeld and Tucker Carlson.
Stelter also covered CNN's shortcomings but was seen as a loyal team player under former CNN chief Jeff Zucker. As Stelter later conceded, he was slow to recognize the depth of the ethical problems posed by former CNN star Chris Cuomo in advising his brother, then governor of New York, on how to handle accusations of sexual harassment.
A corporate spokesperson confirmed the show's demise and said the network wished Stelter well in his future endeavors. The show began under veteran Washington correspondent Bernard Kalb and continued under the longtime media reporter Howard Kurtz. Kurtz now hosts a show with a similar format on Fox News called MediaBuzz, which will become, at least for now, the only major national television show analyzing the news business and journalism. In his time at Fox, Kurtz has rarely held his own network to account.
CNN says it will continue the popular Reliable Sources newsletter.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/brian-stelter-to-depart-cnn-as-it-cancels-reliable-sources-media-show | 2022-08-18T19:10:27Z |
President Biden signed a new health care, tax and energy bill into law Tuesday. A large part of it deals with the electric vehicle market — buying and manufacturing them. But the law is complicated.
Here & Now‘s Scott Tong breaks it down with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/how-bidens-new-law-impacts-the-electric-vehicle-market | 2022-08-18T19:10:34Z |
Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee talks with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, epidemiologist and former executive director of the Detroit Health Department about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s plans for reorganization following its pandemic response.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/how-big-of-a-deal-is-the-cdcs-planned-reorganization | 2022-08-18T19:10:40Z |
Inflation is still affecting us, even if the latest reports suggest it might be on the decline. We asked our Here & Now listeners about how inflation and high costs are affecting their lives.
Host Scott Tong also speaks with Steven Brown, who directs economic mobility studies at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, to add context.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/how-inflation-is-impacting-the-lives-of-americans | 2022-08-18T19:10:46Z |
Young people turning away from alcohol is generally welcomed as a positive trend. But it's bad news both for booze companies, and governments that are watching lucrative alcohol tax revenues dry up along with the populace.
Japan's National Tax Agency is clearly concerned: It's taking an unorthodox approach to try to get young Japanese adults to drink more, in an online contest dubbed Sake Viva!
The project asks young people to submit business plans to lure a new generation into going on the sauce, saying Japan's sake, beer and liquor makers are facing challenges that the pandemic has made even worse.
Contest runs against Japan's non-drinking trend
Japan's alcohol consumption has been in a downward arc since the 1990s, according to the country's health ministry. In the past decade, the government adopted a sweeping plan to counter societal and health problems linked to alcohol, with a focus on reaching the relatively small portion of the population who were found to account for nearly 70% of Japan's total alcohol consumption.
Coronavirus restrictions have kept many people from visiting Japan's izakaya (pub) businesses, and people simply aren't drinking enough at home, the tax agency said.
"The domestic alcoholic beverage market is shrinking due to demographic changes such as the declining birthrate and aging population," as well as lifestyle shifts away from drinking, according to a website specially created for the contest.
New products that reflect the changing times; sales that use virtual "AI and Metaverse" concepts; promotions that leverage products' place of origin — those are just a few of the ideas the site lists as ways to get Japan's young adults to embrace alcohol.
Backlash hits the plan to boost alcohol businesses
The contest is aimed at "revitalizing the liquor industry and solving problems." But it has hit a sour note with many people online, prompting pointed questions about why a government that has previously encouraged people to drink responsibly or abstain is now asking for help in getting young people to drink more.
Writer and journalist Karyn Nishi highlighted the controversy, saying Japan was going in the opposite direction most modern governments are pursuing and stressing that alcohol is inherently dangerous. As discussions erupted about the contest on Twitter, one popular comment praised young people who aren't drinking, saying they believe the social costs imposed by alcohol aren't outweighed by tax revenues.
Critics also questioned the initiative's cost to taxpayers. The contest and website are being operated by Pasona Noentai, an agriculture and food-related arm of a massive Japanese corporation called Pasona Group.
The pro-drinking contest will run for months, ending this fall
The Sake Viva! contest is open to people from 20 to 39 years old, with submissions due on Sept. 9. An email to contest organizers seeking comment and details about the number of entries was not answered before this story published.
Pro-drinking contest submissions that make it to the final round will be judged in person in Tokyo on Nov. 10.
The date underlines the dichotomy many now see in the government's alcohol policies: When Japan enacted the Basic Act on Measures against Alcohol-related Harm, it established a week devoted to raising alcohol abuse awareness, with a start date of Nov. 10.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/japan-launches-a-contest-to-urge-young-people-to-drink-more-alcohol | 2022-08-18T19:10:53Z |
There’s lots of trash at the bottom of hundreds of ponds on Cape Cod, Mass. One group of older women finds joy in digging it up.
Eve Zuckoff of WCAI has their story.
Five members of Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage form a can-can line, as they wait for their photo to be taken in front of the trash they found. (Layne Fennell)
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/meet-olag-old-ladies-against-underwater-garbage-who-dive-into-cape-cod-ponds | 2022-08-18T19:10:59Z |
Taiwan and the United States have agreed to start trade talks and to discuss China’s economic coercion.
This comes after Chinese forces have been carrying out air and sea military drills in the Taiwan Strait following Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s visit earlier this month and a U.S. Congressional delegation’s arrival in Taipei this week.
Here & Now‘s Scott Tong talks to Shelley Rigger, professor of political science at Davidson College and the author of a number of books, including “Why Taiwan Matters.”
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/pelosis-taiwan-visit-likely-makes-the-island-less-secure | 2022-08-18T19:11:06Z |
"You can't really know where you are going until you know where you have been." That adage by poet and writer Maya Angelou speaks to the experience of Emmet Cohen, a pianist in the process of finding his sound.
He's 32 right now, but Cohen has been a practicing jazz musician since his teens, and it took him a while to come around to this conviction. He recalls sharing a four-hour bus ride with Jimmy Heath, where the late saxophonist didn't talk about the notes, or the meaning of them, but about the context and backdrops in and against which the notes were laid and the creations were made.
Based on this interaction, Cohen decided to launch the Masters Legacy Series, his musical meetings with living legends of the music: Ron Carter, George Coleman, Benny Golson, Albert "Tootie" Heath and the late Jimmy Cobb.
"The series is designed to show the two-way relationship between the master and the student," says Cohen.
His career path was there in front of him; his professional network was growing. Then, of course, came the coronavirus pandemic, which brought everything screeching to a halt. Out of that stillness, Cohen decided to revive a Jazz Age tradition: the rent party. As early as March 2020 he launched a series of live-streamed concerts, Live from Emmet's Place, in his Harlem apartment. What started as an experiment turned to gold, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers weekly.
When it became safe to invite new guests to be part of the series, he made sure to employ his intergenerational approach, as we'll hear in a performance with tenor saxophonist Houston Person.
For this episode of Jazz Night in America we'll bring you that soulful set, recorded at Dizzy's Club. We'll also take you backstage for a cross-generational conversation between the pianist and the saxophonist. "There's a fine line," Cohen says. "One of always respect and reverence, but also of being peers."
Musicians:
Emmet Cohen, piano; Houston Person, tenor saxophone; Russell Hall, bass; Kyle Poole, drums.
Set List:
• "Billy Boy" (traditional)
• "Lester Leaps In" (Lester Young)
• "Maybe You'll Be There" (Rube Bloom )
• "Why Not" (Houston Person)
• "Venus de Milo" (Gerry Mulligan)
• "Sunny" (Bobby Hebb)
Credits:
Writer and producer: Sarah Geledi, with Alex Ariff; Host: Christian McBride; Assistant producer: Scout Opatut; Concert engineer: Chris Gold; Episode mix: Ron Scalzo; Project manager: Suraya Mohamed; Vice President of Visuals and Strategy at NPR Music: Keith Jenkins; Executive producers: Anya Grundmann and Gabrielle Armand.
Copyright 2022 WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center. To see more, visit WBGO and Jazz At Lincoln Center. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/pianist-emmet-cohen-hosts-a-harlem-rent-party-for-the-modern-day | 2022-08-18T19:11:12Z |
“Super Fly” is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Here’s a look at the pioneering elements and drawbacks of the most successful Blaxploitation movie of its time.
NPR’s Eric Deggans talked to several people who made the movie to discover how a scrappy independent film about a cocaine dealer became one of the most influential Black-centered films in history.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/reflecting-on-50-years-of-super-fly-the-most-influential-black-film-of-all-time | 2022-08-18T19:11:19Z |
Sitting all day can be bad for your health. That’s where the active sitting movement comes in. A retired trauma surgeon and his son design active chairs for adults and kids that force people to use their muscles while sitting. The blueprint to make the kid’s version is offered free online.
Jon Kalish reports.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/sitting-all-day-these-chairs-help-engage-your-muscles-while-you-lounge | 2022-08-18T19:11:25Z |
Streaming platforms have finally done it. For the first time ever, streaming services captured more viewers than cable or broadcast TV, according to new data from Nielsen.
You may be thinking to yourself that your noble contributions of binging critically acclaimed series meant streaming had surely taken the top spot before now. And you're right – at least partially. Streaming has outperformed broadcast in a single month before, but never broadcast and cable in the same month.
In the U.S., streaming captured 34.8% of viewership in July, while cable accounted for 34.4% and broadcast came in third at 21.6%.
Weekly streaming in July passed pandemic highs
Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was a general summer couch potato vibe. Either way, audiences spent an average of 190.9 billion minutes streaming content per week in July. That's compared to an average weekly streaming time of 169.9 billion minutes in April 2020.
July also sees a slowdown in traditional TV, with most shows on pause until their fall premieres, and a break in sports entertainment, following the end of the NBA and NHL seasons.
July included wins for certain streaming platforms
Viewers spent a lot of time with new seasons of fan favorites like Netflix's Stranger Things and Hulu's Only Murders in the Building.
Fans of Stranger Things watched nearly 18 billion minutes of the show in July; consumers spent another nearly 11 billion minutes streaming Virgin River and The Umbrella Academy.
On Hulu, the second season of Only Murders in the Building and a new show, The Bear, brought in a total of 3 billion minutes of viewership for the platform.
Amazon Prime also saw more than 8 billion minutes in viewership with its new series The Terminal List and new episodes of The Boys bringing people in.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/streaming-outperforms-both-cable-and-broadcast-tv-for-the-first-time-ever | 2022-08-18T19:11:32Z |
Author Salman Rushdie remains in critical condition and may lose an eye after being attacked onstage at the Chautauqua Institution. The 75-year-old was about to give a lecture on artistic freedom when he was stabbed in front of an audience largely made up of fellow writers. Many view this as a direct attack on free speech, as Rushdie spent decades with a bounty on his head — a fatwa — for his book “The Satanic Verses.”
Suzanne Nossel, Chief Executive Officer of PEN America, talks with Here & Now‘s Scott Tong.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/the-attack-on-salman-rushdie-and-free-speech | 2022-08-18T19:11:38Z |
It’s been almost a year since the U.S. military ended its war in Afghanistan and thousands of Afghans who worked for the American government during its 20-year occupation are still waiting for visas to come to the U.S. A new memoir tells the story of one Afghan interpreter who fought alongside Marines during some of the war’s most dangerous days — and then had to fight American bureaucracy for a chance to come to the U.S.
It’s called “Always Faithful: A Story of the War in Afghanistan, the Fall of Kabul, and the Unshakable Bond Between a Marine and an Interpreter.” Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee speaks with Maj. Tom Schueman and Zainullah “Zak” Zaki, the book’s authors.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/this-afghan-interpreter-is-in-immigration-limbo-but-one-marine-remains-always-faithful-to-him | 2022-08-18T19:11:45Z |
Close to 50 thousand dollars from a grant will help St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Rawlins jump-start its St. Christopher's Highway of Carbon County. According to the Rawlins Times, it will be a community faith-based collaborative to provide shelter, transportation aid, meals, clothing and other assistance to people who are stranded or passing through the area and in need.
World famous sculpture artist Patrick Dougherty is working on a massive "stickwork" sculpture in Jackson outside of the Center for the Arts. According to the Jackson Hole News and Guide, with a team of volunteers, he and his son have collected willow branches and saplings. They've been prepared and are now being woven into an interactive installation. Dougherty is still looking for volunteers to help him. People can sign up on the Center for the Arts website.
The Platte Valley Arts Council is having a grand reveal event on September 3 for the organization's seven new sculptures and murals. There will be maps of the installations and the artists will be available for questions. Art students at Encampment School will be painting a paint-by-number mural and a temporary mosaic mural will also be on display. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/thursday-august-18 | 2022-08-18T19:11:51Z |
Allen Weisselberg, the longtime chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, is set to plead guilty in a massive tax fraud scheme. Weisselberg conspired with the Trump Organization to avoid paying taxes on lavish corporate benefits.
Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee talks with WNYC’s Ilya Marritz.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/top-trump-executive-allen-weisselberg-to-plead-guilty-in-tax-scheme | 2022-08-18T19:11:57Z |
In the months leading to Russia’s war on Ukraine, it became clear to U.S. intelligence that a full-scale invasion was coming. The U.S. would need to support Ukraine without provoking Russia, and European allies would have to trust that U.S. intelligence was credible again. This was no small feat.
The Washington Post has an in-depth report from behind the scenes of the invasion of Ukraine. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post Ukraine bureau chief, and Shane Harris, intelligence and national security reporter for the Post, join Here & Now‘s Celeste Headlee.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-18/u-s-intelligence-struggled-to-convince-allies-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-washington-post-finds | 2022-08-18T19:12:04Z |
Former President Donald Trump has been giving out plenty of endorsements this primary season. According to the aggregation website Ballotpedia, he’s issued 235 endorsements as of Aug. 17 and has a record of 183-17 in the primaries.
In Wyoming this week, attorney Harriet Hageman convincingly beat incumbent Liz Cheney in the state’s Republican congressional primary. Hageman took all but two counties – left-leaning Teton and Albany – and easily carried population centers like Casper and Cheyenne.
Hageman was quick to thank Trump during her speech after Cheney called her to concede.
“Wyoming only has one congressional representative, and we have to make it count,” she said. “His clear and unwavering support from the very beginning propelled us to victory tonight.”
For many voters on the ground, their motivation to turn out had to do with Cheney’s vote to impeach Trump and her role as vice chair of the House Select Committee investigating Trump's involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“We are no longer going to tolerate representatives who don't represent us,” Hageman said.
Just 16 percent of Hageman voters believe Joe Biden’s election was legitimate, according to a recent poll.
Trump-backed candidates have also performed well in several states in the Mountain West. In Arizona, those candidates swept nominations for governor, senator, state senator, and state representative. In Nevada, a Trump-backed election denier won a primary for the Senate. And in Utah, Idaho, and Montana, several incumbents fended off challengers with the help of the former president.
So, where hasn’t a Trump endorsement worked out? The Idaho governor’s race was a notable failure, as Janice McGeachin was unable to unseat Brad Little in the GOP primary.
In Wyoming, Trump also dipped his toes in a race for the state’s chief education officer. His preferred candidate, the incumbent, lost narrowly.
Many Western states will have general races that put Trump’s sway to the test in November. But as Hageman's victory shows, his name still carries quite a bit of weight among his loyalists.
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. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/politics-government/2022-08-18/hageman-says-trump-endorsement-propelled-her-to-victory-what-about-other-western-races | 2022-08-18T19:12:10Z |
In the past, if Sara Solovitch tripped up while playing the piano she would get flustered and stop. Especially in front of an audience.
"I felt like I had to correct everything and each note had to be perfect," the Santa Cruz, Calif.-based author and pianist. But now, she can breeze through a few bum notes while playing Claude Debussy's lyrical piano piece Reflections on the Water as if no one were listening.
"One of the things I've really worked on has been continuing to play," Solovitch says.
For the past three years, Solovitch has been coming regularly to San Jose International airport to play the beat-up Hamilton baby grand located in the Terminal B baggage claim area.
"Here, I'm not worried about people's judgment and evaluation," Solovitch said. "People aren't listening and that's kind of a godsend to me."
Solovitch's impromptu airport recitals are part of her push to overcome stage fright — a phobia that has plagued the musician since she was a little girl.
And now she's written a book on the subject — Playing Scared: A History and Memoir of Stage Fright.
Solovitch loves the piano. But she's so scared of playing the instrument in public that even practicing at home when her family is around regularly unsettles her.
"My hands turn wet with sweat and they'll slip and slide," Solovitch said. "My feet tremble so that I have a hard time controlling the pedal. I feel my heart beating really uncontrollably. And then there's just this kind of like pounding in my head."
As a teen, stage fright drove Solovitch to give up her dream of becoming a professional musician. But even the most seasoned performers struggle with the anxiety.
Berkeley standup comedian W. Kamau Bell has hosted his own cable TV series and has appeared on popular podcasts like WTF with Marc Maron.
Yet despite Bell's impressive chops, the comic still suffers from performance anxiety on a regular basis. And it makes no difference if he's in front of a national television audience or a small crowd at a bar; he says his mind scrambles and his mouth goes dry.
"I've often said that if there's a way to email the crowd the jokes and still get the same feeling from performing live I would just as soon do that," Bell said.
It's not just performers who deal with this issue. John Beebe, a Jungian psychiatrist in San Francisco, has dealt with performance anxiety in his own career and treats people who suffer from it. He thinks stage fright is universal.
"When we can't live up to the image we'd like to project we just feel within ourselves that we fail terribly," Beebe said.
But Beebe believes people can overcome stage fright if they face it head on. Repetition is key.
"I think some of us have learned that the only way to master anything is to practice and do it," Beebe said.
A steady diet of playing to passersby at the airport has helped Sara Solovitch vanquish her stage fright. Yoga and anti-anxiety medication has helped, too.
"You have to practice performing as much as you practice practice," Solovitch said.
Practice seems to have paid off: Solovitch is actually looking forward to her next gig. She'll be performing at the public library in Santa Cruz in August.
"I used to talk to myself the way one doesn't talk to their dog: You know, 'You're stupid, you're an idiot, how could you make that mistake?' " Solovitch said. "And now as I approach a performance, instead of saying 'I'm nervous,' I say to myself 'I'm excited.' "
This story was produced by KQED Arts.
Copyright 2015 KQED | https://www.keranews.org/2015-06-26/to-master-stage-fright-practice-makes-imperfect-ok | 2022-08-18T19:19:02Z |
CNN cancels ‘Reliable Sources’; host Stelter leaving network
NEW YORK (AP) — CNN has canceled its weekly “Reliable Sources” show on the media, and said Thursday that its host, Brian Stelter, is leaving the network.
The show will have its last broadcast this Sunday.
CNN has been looking to cut costs but also to put forth a less opinionated product. Stelter has written a book, “Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth” and been critical of Fox News, making him a frequent target of the CNN’s conservative critics.
Stelter came to CNN from The New York Times, where he was a media writer.
“He departs CNN as an impeccable broadcaster,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent and content development at CNN. “We are proud of what Brian and his team accomplished over the years, and we’re confident their impact and influence will long outlive the show.”
Stelter said that he was grateful for his nine years at CNN, proud of the show and thankful to its viewers.
“It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential,” he said. “I’ll have more to say on Sunday.”
The “Reliable Sources” newsletter, a daily compendium of the media’s big stories, will continue and will be led by CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/18/cnn-cancels-reliable-sources-host-stelter-leaving-network/ | 2022-08-18T19:31:43Z |
FDA targets illegal nicotine gummies in new warning letter
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators on Thursday issued a first-of-a-kind warning to the maker of nicotine gummies, saying the illegal candies pose a growing risk to teenagers and younger children.
The Food and Drug Administration said the fruit-flavored gummies from Florida manufacturer VPR Brands could cause nicotine poisoning or even death if eaten by small children. Regulators also cited recent research suggesting nicotine candies and similar products are becoming more popular among high school students.
“Nicotine gummies are a public health crisis just waiting to happen among our nation’s youth, particularly as we head into a new school year,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement.
In March, Congress passed a law granting the FDA authority over all forms of nicotine, regardless of whether from tobacco plants or manufactured in a laboratory. That closed a loophole in FDA’s oversight, which until then only included nicotine from plants.
Manufacturer VPR Brands markets its square-shaped gummies as containing “tobacco-free nicotine.” In recent years, many vaping companies have similarly claimed that they’ve switched to synthetic nicotine.
An employee at VPR Brands reached by phone Thursday declined to comment. The FDA’s warning letter gives the company 15 days to remove or address the violations. The agency said VPR Brands has not applied for permission to market the gummies. FDA warnings are not legally binding, but the agency can take companies to court if they are ignored.
The FDA has been working for years to reverse a rise in electronic cigarette use among U.S. teenagers, with mixed results. Last month the agency announced plans to ban e-cigarettes from Juul, only to put the order on hold after facing legal pushback from the popular vaping company.
A recent FDA-funded study found nicotine candies were the second-most popular tobacco product used by high school students in Southern California, behind only e-cigarettes. The FDA said Thursday’s action is the first warning to a maker of nicotine gummies.
The FDA has come under intense congressional pressure after announcing last month it would miss a deadline to remove thousands of unauthorized synthetic nicotine products from the market. The agency said it is working as quickly as possible to review nearly 1 million marketing applications it received from 200 companies.
The lack of action has sparked frustration from lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who called the delay “deeply disappointing and unacceptable,” in a letter last month.
FDA’s Califf subsequently announced plans for an outside review of FDA’s tobacco division, a rare step that followed recent criticism of the program.
___
The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/18/fda-targets-illegal-nicotine-gummies-new-warning-letter/ | 2022-08-18T19:31:49Z |
Swastika spray-painted on Atlanta’s iconic Rainbow Crosswalk
ATLANTA (WGCL/Gray News) – The iconic Rainbow Crosswalk in Atlanta has been vandalized once again, according to police.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) said someone spray-painted a swastika on the crosswalk this week. The LGBTQ Liaison Unit is investigating the incident as hate speech.
The Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATL DOT) washed away the swastika with a pressure washer.
Atlanta Police Department Press Secretary Michael Smith said the ATL DOT workers scrambled a crew together in the rain to remove “the disgusting act of vandalism from our street.”
“We thank the women and men of ATLDOT and APD for erasing the hate that has no place in our city in such a swift and efficient manner,” Smith said.
Investigators are still working to determine further information.
Copyright 2022 WGCL via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/18/swastika-spray-painted-atlantas-iconic-rainbow-crosswalk/ | 2022-08-18T19:31:55Z |
Volunteers needed to rid invasive plants from Charlottesville park
Published: Aug. 18, 2022 at 1:46 PM EDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - If you need something to do this weekend, grab your lawn tools.
Charlottesville Parks and Recreation is inviting volunteers out to Booker T. Washington Park on Preston Avenue.
Saturday, August 20, people will be getting rid of invasive plants in the park to improve native vegetation growth. It’s encouraged to bring your own supplies and water, but some will be provided.
“Probably the next step will be, once the debris is off site, we will plant some native vegetation, a mix of trees and shrubs,” Urban Forester Steve Gaines said.
The event is from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. People are asked to park in the lower lot.
Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.
Copyright 2022 WVIR. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/18/volunteers-needed-rid-invasive-plants-charlottesville-park/ | 2022-08-18T19:41:17Z |
CUTE: Miniature horse born without use of rear legs takes off running in new wheelchair
NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A miniature horse born with little-to-no movement in his rear end can now trot thanks to a new wheelchair.
Turbo was born with two luxating patellas, a congenital defect, according to Road to Refuge Animal Sanctuary in North Haven, Connecticut.
The only way Turbo was able to walk was in a hunched position, with the horse’s total weight being placed on its two front legs.
Turbo’s previous owners contacted “R2RAS” in North Haven for guidance, and it stepped in and offered to give Turbo a fighting chance at its sanctuary.
Megan, the Founder of Road to Refuge and mixed animal vet technician, said she began her organization after working at a veterinary practice. During her time as a vet tech, Megan said she saw a surplus amount of farm animals being brought in to be euthanized. She instead took the animals home with her to give them a second chance.
“I lean towards the special needs ones, the broken ones, the really medical intensive cases,” Megan said.
She said she has cared for blind goats, elderly goats, and a goat named Peaches who also needed a wheelchair for assistance.
Megan said that’s how she got started on the path that led to Turbo’s rescue.
Walkin’ Pets, a New Hampshire-based pet mobility company, said it came across Turbo’s story on social media and drove to the sanctuary, where it donated a wheelchair to Turbo. Before it could even get Turbo fully strapped in, it said the horse took off running.
“Seeing Turbo walk before any assistance and dragging his legs, to being in his cart, I almost started crying,” Megan said. “He was running, bucking – it was all very exciting.”
Megan urged people not to shy away from adopting a special needs animal.
“It’s definitely a road worth traveling,” she said. “They really make a special place in your heart.”
The sanctuary said Turbo’s journey is far from over. As the horse continues to heal, it will need physical therapy, rehab, and possible knee surgery. Anyone looking to help with the medical bills can do so on the R2RAS website here.
Copyright 2022 WFSB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/18/cute-miniature-horse-born-without-use-rear-legs-takes-off-running-new-wheelchair/ | 2022-08-18T19:45:38Z |
Family finds remains of 2 children in suitcases they bought at auction, New Zealand police say
NEW ZEALAND (CNN) – Police in New Zealand are investigating after the remains of two children were found in suitcases that were purchased by a family at an online auction.
At a news conference Thursday, police said they were alerted to the case last week when the suburban south Auckland family reported finding human body parts in suitcases they had bought from a storage facility.
The family is not connected to the children’s deaths and was “understandably distressed” by the discovery, police said.
Police said the children, who were likely between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, may have been dead for three to four years.
Investigators are trying to determine their identities and looking for clues into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said this is no easy investigation due to the emotions involved.
“I really feel for the victims and for the family of these victims, and, you know, right here, right now, there are relatives out there that aren’t aware that their loved ones have deceased, especially two young children,” he said.
Police said the storage company where the suitcases came from is cooperating with the investigation.
Copyright 2022 CNN. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/18/family-finds-remains-2-children-suitcases-they-bought-auction-new-zealand-police-say/ | 2022-08-18T19:45:45Z |
GRAPHIC: Florida man survives alligator attack caught on camera
TAMPA, Fla. (WFTS) - A Florida man is on the mend after a life-threatening experience in the water.
J.C. La Verde was able to fight off an alligator attack, and although he has at least another surgery in the future, he said he’s thankful to be alive.
“If you want to see this in any other way than a legit miracle, it’s silly of you,” La Verde said.
La Verde is accustomed to dangerous situations.
His current career as a firefighter and paramedic, as well as his background as a U.S. Air Force pararescue, has allowed him to handle stressful situations.
Little did he know, he would be in the center of one.
“That thing was huge. That thing wasn’t a little gator. It would be funny if it was a little gator,” he said.
Two weeks ago, he was shooting an instructional video for his company DefeatX.
His friend, who was shooting from above with a drone, captured an estimated 12-foot alligator, heading straight for La Verde.
“With the right stroke, all I felt was scales, teeth and then right there, I’m like, ‘Oh, OK,’” La Verde said. “So, what I think I did, what it felt like I did, was that I immediately tried to open its jaws, because I knew I was in a gator.”
La Verde then put his hands in the alligator’s mouth and the two struggled.
“When I felt the teeth, I immediately knew, and then as I opened it, I knew that I either turned it or it turned me,” he said. “But it was confused, just as I was confused, and then it just let go.”
He swam to the dock, hoisted himself up and was driven to the hospital by a good Samaritan. All the while, calling 911 himself and explaining what had just happened.
“I am not going to put extra stress on somebody that is already driving a bloody man somewhere,” La Verde said. “Like if I can ease that load off of this lady.”
La Verde underwent an emergency six-hour surgery and will need another one in the future.
Currently, he wears a helmet to protect the right side of his head.
Through it all, he remains humble and grateful.
“Find your god. Find him. It’s silly. I get that that’s scary, I do,” he said. “But life is a scary place, so you can carry that load by yourself or have someone carry it for you.”
La Verde is the 18th person to be attacked by an alligator in Florida this year.
Copyright 2022 WFTS via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/18/graphic-florida-man-survives-alligator-attack-caught-camera/ | 2022-08-18T19:45:51Z |
New survey shows utilities costs rising
Home energy audit, managing thermostat could help reduce bills
InvestigateTV - A recent energy industry survey by SaveOnEnergy revealed 85% of homeowners saw price increases in at least one utility bill with electricity being the most reported increase.
According to the survey, water, gas, cable and internet price increases rounded out the top five categories.
“Higher electricity prices are going to remain with us for quite some time now, I think definitely for the rest of the summer, if not for the rest of the year,” energy expert Saltanat Berdikeeva said,
As a result of these increases, 87% of Americans surveyed said they have taken measures to reduce home energy costs over the past year.
The report noted those hit hardest by the larger bills are families earning less than $40,000. These families and those struggling with utility bills may qualify for state or federal programs to the help.
If you are interested in assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is one available program. They link to additional state resources on their site. You can also search for “energy assistance programs” online to find state and local resources.
Berdikeeva said a good way to cut costs is to conduct a home energy audit. This will show you where you are losing energy and wasting money.
Other tips from Berdikeeva included:
- Weatherize your home for each season, which includes insulating your doors and windows.
- Use energy efficient appliances
- Turn off the lights in rooms when you leave
- Take shorter showers to save on hot waters costs.
- Turn off your air conditioner when you aren’t using it
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/18/new-survey-shows-utilities-costs-rising/ | 2022-08-18T19:45:57Z |
Swastika spray-painted on Atlanta’s iconic Rainbow Crosswalk
ATLANTA (WGCL/Gray News) – The iconic Rainbow Crosswalk in Atlanta has been vandalized once again, according to police.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) said someone spray-painted a swastika on the crosswalk this week. The LGBTQ Liaison Unit is investigating the incident as hate speech.
The Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATL DOT) washed away the swastika with a pressure washer.
Atlanta Police Department Press Secretary Michael Smith said the ATL DOT workers scrambled a crew together in the rain to remove “the disgusting act of vandalism from our street.”
“We thank the women and men of ATLDOT and APD for erasing the hate that has no place in our city in such a swift and efficient manner,” Smith said.
Investigators are still working to determine further information.
Copyright 2022 WGCL via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/18/swastika-spray-painted-atlantas-iconic-rainbow-crosswalk/ | 2022-08-18T19:46:04Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
It was a shock-a-roo (ph), to use a technical term. John Boehner announced yesterday he will resign as speaker of the House and his seat in Congress from the state of Ohio at the end of October. He seemed ebullient when he faced reporters on Friday.
(SOUNDBITE OF PRESS CONFERENCE)
JOHN BOEHNER: (Singing) Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay, my, oh my, what a wonderful day.
SIMON: But will his successor have much to sing about or face many of the same problems that Speaker Boehner had with some of the most conservative members of the House of Representatives? NPR's congressional correspondent Susan Davis joins us now. Susan, thanks so much for being with us.
SUSAN DAVIS, BYLINE: Thanks for having me, Scott.
SIMON: Are the people in the House who were openly opposed to Speaker Boehner - well, do they feel they've won something?
DAVIS: Yes. I think that it is absolutely a short-term victory for these conservatives. And when we say these conservatives, I'd say it's probably in the orbit of 25 to 40 members, depending on the day and what they're angry about.
And these are a group of members that have opposed John Boehner for a long time. At least 25 of them opposed him being speaker when they held the election in January. And I think they feel like they have a victory today. These same group of conservatives were looking to push to maybe hold a vote on the floor next month that would have seeked to throw the speaker out of office. And John Boehner said today, he was confident that had that vote come to pass, he could have won. But the struggle that it would have exposed in the conference and what it would take for him to hold on the speakership was too damaging to the party and too damaging to the institution, so he opted to walk away.
SIMON: At the same time, does the speaker's decision make a government shutdown seem less likely next week?
DAVIS: Yes, because I think that the conservatives that were angling for both of these things - for the shutdown and for Boehner to leave - they were very interconnected. They were going to use the speaker's inability to defund Planned Parenthood in a spending bill as the reason by which they should force a vote to throw him out. Now, with Boehner leaving, I think that they will at least agree, in the short term, to a short-term bill that will keep the government funded, probably through the middle of December. But it means, much more likely, that we're going to be having this exact same conversation about how and whether to fund the government just a little bit closer to Christmas than it is, probably, to October.
SIMON: Are any of the members - the group of 25, 30, 40 that you mentioned - who openly wanted John Boehner out, going to step up and run for speaker now?
DAVIS: No. If anything, they acknowledge that they don't have the votes to win. One of those conservatives, Mick Mulvaney, is a Republican from South Carolina. He was asked that very question today - so who's going to step up and run? And he said, we don't have the support to win the speakership, but we have the votes to decide - help decide who that speaker should be. And I think what he was saying was, whoever wants to run for speaker - and Kevin McCarthy, the majority leader, is probably the early frontrunner. Although he has not announced his intention to run, he's expected to. That, you know, he's saying - look, they're going to have to pay attention to us. We want to be courted. We want to be paid attention to. We want the next speaker to feel like this group of core conservatives is where the solutions should come from and where the end goal - it has to be something that we can support. And again, that's going to be the same problem for the next speaker as it was for John Boehner. So how do you advance an agenda in a Republican-controlled Congress when you don't have 60 votes in the Senate, and you've got a Democrat in the White House very ready to veto what you send him?
SIMON: Susan, who's going to miss Speaker Boehner the most? I'm going to take a wild guess. Is it Nancy Pelosi?
DAVIS: It's funny. I've talked to a bunch of Democrats, who, they say - they think it's going to get worse. They think that Boehner leaving only emboldened the far-right of his party and that Democrats look at this warily and think, hey, we could be headed for even more confrontation. Nancy Pelosi talked reporters and she said she just thought that this was an example that Republicans don't want to govern. That it's an anti-governance party and that we might be headed for even more confrontation and volatility ahead.
SIMON: NPR's congressional correspondent, Susan Davis, thanks so much.
DAVIS: Thanks for having me. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/boehners-resignation-may-make-a-government-shutdown-less-likely | 2022-08-18T20:05:52Z |
Wyoming Education Association President Grady Hutcherson announces that WEA is suing the state for failing to fund education adequately outside of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Civil rights and employment law attorney Patrick Hacker talks about the Wyoming Education Association's lawsuit against the state for failing to fund education adequately outside of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Hacker is representing WEA in the litigation. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Wyoming Education Association President Grady Hutcherson, left, listens while civil rights and employment law attorney Patrick Hacker discusses the WEA lawsuit against the state for failing to fund education adequately outside of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Hacker is representing WEA in the litigation. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Wyoming Education Association President Grady Hutcherson announces that WEA is suing the state for failing to fund education adequately outside of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Civil rights and employment law attorney Patrick Hacker talks about the Wyoming Education Association's lawsuit against the state for failing to fund education adequately outside of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Hacker is representing WEA in the litigation. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Wyoming Education Association President Grady Hutcherson, left, listens while civil rights and employment law attorney Patrick Hacker discusses the WEA lawsuit against the state for failing to fund education adequately outside of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. Hacker is representing WEA in the litigation. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Education Association announced Thursday morning it has filed suit against the state for failing to fund education adequately.
WEA President Grady Hutcherson was joined by the association’s lawyer at a news conference in front of the state Capitol to assert that the state has violated the Wyoming Constitution, and the quality of education in the state has suffered for it. He said if the Legislature continues to withhold education funding, the learning environment will only continue to get worse.
He said students cannot wait, and they deserve better.
“Students are already being disadvantaged with increased class sizes,” he said. “In some districts, we are seeing aging buildings and infrastructure. There’s also insufficient school security measures in our schools.”
He voiced his concern for the growing education employee shortage, and said districts are being robbed of the financial resources they need to hire and retain qualified professionals.
“Wyoming children and families are promised access to high quality and equitable education – in too many ways, that promise is going unfilled. Funding public education is not an option. It is a paramount duty of the Legislature,” said Hutcherson. “The Wyoming Education Association is committed to seeking justice for our students.”
Civil rights and employment law attorney Patrick Hacker will be one of the individuals representing the WEA in this lawsuit. He was also the chief counsel for the education association in the famous Wyoming Supreme Court "Campbell" cases, which defined what action the Legislature was supposed to take regarding education.
He said they have filed a 69-page complaint, in which they lay out multiple ways in which the Wyoming Constitution was not being upheld.
Hacker pointed to the Declaration of Rights in the state Constitution, and the section containing the state’s protections for freedoms such as religion, speech and due process. The right to receive a proper education is listed even before the right to bear arms.
“I give that illustration so that you might understand the significance the founders put on education,” he said.
He said among other protections in the Constitution, there is an article that states the Legislature shall provide the necessary revenue for high-quality, proper education. Hacker argued there are many ways in which this has not been upheld, and it is not because someone has not failed to bring it to their attention.
“They don’t believe what the Supreme Court said, or they’ve chosen to disregard it,” he said. “Those are the only two options I know of.”
Jasmine Hall is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle’s state government reporter. She can be reached by email at jhall@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3167. Follow her on Twitter @jasminerhphotos and on Instagram @jhrose25. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/in_our_schools/wyoming-education-association-sues-state-over-education-funding/article_bab02dca-1f20-11ed-b19c-c71816b1185b.html | 2022-08-18T20:05:52Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
For weeks there's been a historic exodus of people fleeing war and violence into Europe. And nearly all of those folks are traveling to the Balkans, an area that was engulfed in war a little over two decades ago. Tensions are still raw among the countries in the former Yugoslavia. Border closures, which ended today, have inflamed tensions between two former rivals in those wars - Serbia and Croatia. Joanna Kakissis sends us this report.
JOANNA KAKISSIS, BYLINE: Nikolai Iliev is standing on a Serbian highway looking at line of semi-trailer trucks that stretches on as far as the eye can see. The Bulgarian truck driver is trying to transport an order of pizza ovens to Genoa, Italy, but he's stuck at a border crossing into Croatia.
NIKOLAI ILIEV: (Foreign language spoken).
KAKISSIS: "We've been here for five, six days, just waiting," he says. "Everyone is losing money."
Croatia closed several parts of the border because it blamed Serbia for busing tens of thousands of refugees and migrants to cross here. But Serbian truck driver Dragan Jucic blames the Croatians.
DRAGAN JUCIC: (Foreign language spoken).
KAKISSIS: "There are no refugees in the trucks," he says. "Croatia is just looking for excuses to make problems for Serbia."
The two countries fought each other in a bloody war about 20 years ago, when the former Yugoslavia fell apart. Now they're both straining to manage the largest migration crisis in Europe since World War II. Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic told Sky News that Serbia was colluding with the nationalist, populist government of Hungary to keep refugees out.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ZORAN MILANOVIC: So I'm not a enemy of Serbia. I'm not the enemy of Serbs. But I'm the opponent of populists and nationalists, and I'll always be.
KAKISSIS: The Serbs say it's Milanovic's government that's behaving like fascists. Serbia has now banned the entry of Croatian goods and cargo vehicles.
Caught in the middle are the people fleeing wars and conflicts themselves. Few know about the troubled history here. Some don't even know what country they're in. It's raining when I meet Mohammad Darwish at a border crossing near a cemetery. He's a Syrian who says the hard road to Europe is bringing his people together. He just turned 20 years old.
MOHAMMAD DARWISH: Actually, today is my birthday - my 20 birthday.
KAKISSIS: Your 20th birthday? Happy birthday.
DARWISH: Thank you very much. It's OK to be with my little fellow citizens. They want to get to Europe to start a new life. We hope to start everything from the beginning.
YASHAR GHASEMI: (Singing in foreign language).
KAKISSIS: At another border crossing near some dying cornfields, an Iranian musician named Yashar Ghasemi sings as he shares a granola bar with Laith Saleh, a computer scientist from Damascus, Syria. Their countries don't get along, but the two men are friends now.
GHASEMI: We will continue our trip with each other.
LAITH SALEH: Together.
KAKISSIS: Vladimir Andric is a Serbian doctor volunteering at the border crossing. He says the Serbian and Croatian governments should work together.
VLADIMIR ANDRIC: It's like domestical quarrels that's going on - really unnecessary. They act like they don't know how to behave, you know? It's like politics on the low levels.
KAKISSIS: Andric watches as refugees walk together from his country to Croatia - sharing umbrellas, holding each other's children. It's a scene of unity he would like to see in the Balkans. For NPR News, I'm Joanna Kakissis in Belgrade, Serbia. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/crush-of-migrants-at-common-border-reignites-serbia-croatia-hostility | 2022-08-18T20:05:58Z |
test test Aug 18, 2022 Aug 18, 2022 Updated 45 min ago Comments Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save test test Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Recommended for you Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. comments powered by Disqus Trending Now Hageman beats Cheney, will face Grey Bull in November Poll: Hageman up big ahead of Wyoming's GOP primary next week Rally at Cheyenne FBI office planned for Sunday Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for today's primary election Nearly all incumbents advance in state, county and city races Latest Special Section Cheyenne Frontier Days To view our latest Special Section click the image on the left. Latest e-Edition Wyoming Tribune Eagle To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/test-test/article_ed952996-1f22-11ed-9e75-972f95b08fce.html | 2022-08-18T20:05:58Z |
A strong showing during the Sept. 16 debate has put Carly Fiorina at the top of a crowded field of Republican presidential candidates. But in the corporate world, another debate remains: Fiorina's business record.
Donald Trump says as a businesswoman, Fiorina would be unqualified to lead one of his companies.
"The head of the Yale business school, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, wrote a paper recently (calling it), 'one of the worst tenures for CEOs that he has ever seen,'" Trump says.
Sonnenfeld's actual title is senior associate dean, but he says the rest is true: "Her business record is a colossal failure."
Fiorina, the daughter of a law professor-turned-judge, rose quickly at AT&T, becoming its first female senior vice president, then later president of its spinoff, Lucent. Lucent was a business supernova; it burned bright, then faded soon after she left. Part of its downfall lay in questionable-but-legal accounting that boosted revenues by loaning money to its customers.
Still, Sonnenfeld, along with many others, say Fiorina's biggest misstep was the expensive and unprofitable merger with Compaq. He says the highly controversial, strategically misguided deal she muscled through dragged the company and its stock down.
"Stapling together the carcasses of failing businesses is not a successful track record," Sonnenfeld says.
Still, Sonnenfeld says, executives often fail.
"Leaders go through adversity and we benefit from their failures because they come back from it and tell us how to get through it. But she doesn't, because she doesn't acknowledge it," Sonnenfeld says.
He believes that instead of accepting criticism, she shoots the messenger. It's a failure of character and leadership, he says.
"I get shot at as a result," Sonnenfeld says.
Former Compaq-turned HP senior vice president Bill Mutell bucks the critics.
"She was the right leader at the right time," he says.
Mutell, who has not contributed to her campaign, calls Fiorina a leader with character, courage and conviction. He argues the merger was a success that shored up both companies.
"Had that merger not occurred, I'm almost certain that [neither] company wouldn't be here today," Mutell says.
Much of the debate over her corporate performance boils down to two disparate views of HP's woes. Her critics attribute them to her decisions and leadership; her supporters — and Fiorina herself — blame the times.
"I led Hewlett-Packard through a very difficult time, the worst technology recession in 25 years," Fiorina says.
Tom Perkins is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and former HP board member who, at the time, voted to fire Fiorina. But in a full-page ad in the New York Times paid for by a PAC supporting Fiorina, he defended her record and leadership.
Much of the political criticism of Fiorina's career stems from the 30,000 layoffs soon after the Compaq merger.
Her eventual successor at HP, Meg Whitman — who, like Fiorina, has run for office in California — has defended that decision.
"When Carly made those reductions it was probably — I wasn't here, but I suspect she was trying to do in some ways what I have tried to do, which is to make this company more competitive," Whitman told CNN Money in June.
She says the price of inaction would've been far greater.
Is Fiorina facing more flack as a female running for office? Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld points to other strong female contemporaries, saying gender was not Fiorina's issue. She was fired by HP chairwoman Patricia Dunn. Sonnenfeld argues her contemporaries — now IBM CEO Ginni Rometty and former Xerox CEO Anne Mulcahy — have better records.
"I do think that there are some added challenges that women CEOs have had, but it doesn't seem to be relevant in the particular case of Carly Fiorina," Sonnenfeld says.
But that, like everything else, is likely still up for debate.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/fiorina-as-ceo-colossal-failure-or-the-right-leader | 2022-08-18T20:06:04Z |
Boomerang sports plan for Aug. 19 Aug 18, 2022 2 hrs ago Comments Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save ldb-20220819-sports-B1 sports tease: college footballSports Budget: Friday, Aug. 19PAGE B1 (120):— MAIN: UW cornerbacks (Criswell)Photo/UW logo-brown/mugs— SECOND: Watson suspension (AP), down one sideNFL logo— THIRD: Rockies gamer (AP)Photo/logo----PAGE B2 (120): BLACK & WHITE— MAIN: BMW championship (AP)Photo/PGA logo— Jumps from front— Local scoreboard (boxed, two columns, bottom left of page)---- Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Tags Logo Sport American Football Advertising Pga Plan Boomerang Photo College Football Recommended for you Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. comments powered by Disqus Trending Now Hageman beats Cheney, will face Grey Bull in November Poll: Hageman up big ahead of Wyoming's GOP primary next week Rally at Cheyenne FBI office planned for Sunday Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for today's primary election Nearly all incumbents advance in state, county and city races Latest Special Section Cheyenne Frontier Days To view our latest Special Section click the image on the left. Latest e-Edition Wyoming Tribune Eagle To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/townnews/american_football/boomerang-sports-plan-for-aug-19/article_9b12e09e-1f1a-11ed-bab7-5fe07b903faa.html | 2022-08-18T20:06:05Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Some kind of milestone may have been reached this year - more people have died taking selfies in 2015 than from shark attacks. Six people have died from shark attacks this year, but at least 12 people have been killed taking a selfie, often as they pose, strut or dangle in front imposing or precarious places. When people are fully engaged in the self-expression process of selfies, they may be too focused on themselves. Lin Qiu, who conducted the study for Nanyang Technical University, told the New York Daily News, they pay little attention to their surroundings, which may be inappropriate or dangerous. This rising tide of lethal selfies has prompted response around the world.
Authorities put a fence around a cliff of what's called the Wedding Cake Rock in Australia's Royal National Park because people had posted so many photos that showed them doing handstands on the cliff's edge. And Russian officials have put up posters in tourist spots that caution, a cool selfie could cost you your life. I'd like to propose another slogan, too - friends don't let friends drink and take selfies. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/governments-post-warnings-to-prevent-fatal-selfies | 2022-08-18T20:06:10Z |
CHEYENNE – As the dust settled the morning after candidates prevailed in primary races, they looked ahead to the general election.
There are three key races at the state level that will decide whether Republican political leaders will remain in power, and seven local races in Laramie County where Democratic candidates have the opportunity to win an office. The winners of the Cheyenne City Council nonpartisan races will also move forward to the general election in order for voters to choose one member in each ward.
The general election will take place on Nov. 8.
U.S. House: Hageman v. GreyBull
Former President Donald Trump backed the winner of the U.S. House Republican primary race, Harriet Hageman, and his support paid off.
Incumbent Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo, was defeated by a landslide. She received only 49,316 votes, as reported in the Wyoming Secretary of State’s unofficial summary, while Hageman was victorious with 113,025.
“Congratulations to Harriet Hageman on her great and very decisive WIN in Wyoming,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social following the win. “This is a wonderful result for America, and a complete rebuke of the Unselect Committee of political Hacks and Thugs.”
The three other contenders came nowhere near the two rivals in the U.S. House race. Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, received the third-highest number of votes at 4,505, Denton Knapp came in fourth with 2,258 votes, and Robyn Belinskey was last at 1,305.
Lynette GreyBull won the Democratic primary election against two competitors for the sole U.S. House seat, and will face Hageman. She received 4,503 votes, while Meghan Jensen and Steve Helling brought in less than 3,000 votes combined.
Constitution Party candidate Marissa Selvig and registered independent candidate Casey Hardison are also set to be on the November U.S. House ballot.
Governor: Gordon v. Livingston
The Republican incumbent, Gov. Mark Gordon, easily won his primary race. He defeated three challengers with 101,092 votes, and told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle he will keep working for constituents’ support heading into the general election.
“We take nothing for granted,” Gordon said in a phone call from his election party in Buffalo. “I’ve always fought for every election, that’s just the way Jennie and I are. We want to make sure that we do the best job we can.”
Rival Brent Bien received less than half of the votes Gordon did, managing to secure 48,549. He was followed by Rex Rammell with 9,373, and James Scott Quick with 4,725 across the state’s 23 counties
Theresa Livingston achieved success in the Democratic primary, and brought in 4,989 voters. She defeated Rex Wilde, who received 2,016. There were 214 write-ins.
She’s said Wednesday she’s looking forward to competing with Gordon for Wyoming votes on Nov. 8.
“It’s going to be a good election,” she told the WTE. “I hope it’s really positive. I want people to talk about what they’re going to do instead of bad-mouthing other candidates.”
State Superintendent: Degenfelder v. Maldonado
Despite Gordon’s success, another Republican incumbent at the state level fell to a challenger in the primary. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder lost less than a year after he was appointed by the governor, and the difference was fewer than 4,000 votes.
Megan Degenfelder won the primary election with 59,301 votes, and Schroeder fell short with 55,746.
“It’s just so humbling, realizing all of the support that we received across the state,” Degenfelder told the WTE on Wednesday. “We had hundreds of individual donors, 90% of which were based in Wyoming, and just dozens of volunteers and folks around the state.”
She said it was amazing to see the grassroots effort come to fruition, and she plans to keep the momentum going as the general election approaches. Degenfelder is set to run against the sole Democratic candidate for state superintendent, Sergio Maldonado Sr.
Robert White III and Jennifer Zerba were also vying for the position in the Wyoming Department of Education, but received only 4,392 and 13,656 votes, respectively, in the GOP primary.
Other statewide races
While Republican state secretary and state treasurer candidates who won Tuesday night will not face Democrats on Nov. 8, there were notable successes by two Trump-endorsed candidates.
State Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, defeated his rival, Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, in the Secretary of State race with 75,938 votes. She received 63,044, but it was not enough to head into the general election. They were both campaigning for the seat along with Mark Armstrong, who received 14,292 votes.
Gray took to Twitter the day after the election and thanked the people of Wyoming for their support.
“I am honored and humbled by our victory last night,” he wrote. “This is the people of Wyoming’s victory. Thank you to those who voted yesterday and made their voices known.”
Incumbent Curt Meier took home a win in the state treasurer’s race. His 97,489 votes bested Bill Gallop’s 40,643.
Senate District 5: Hutchings v. Hanlon
Neither incumbent state Sen. Lynn, Hutchings, R-Cheyenne, nor Democratic challenger Ted Hanlon faced opponents in the primary election. They will face one another in the general election for the seat in Senate District 5.
Senate District 7: Pappas v. Kindred
Wyoming Guard veteran Rachel Bennett and former City Council candidate JC Manalo were hoping to unseat Sen. Stephan Pappas, R-Cheyenne, in the Republican primary, but were unsuccessful. Pappas coasted into the general election with 2,199 votes, followed by Bennett with 1,283 and Manalo with 717.
Pappas is up against Democratic candidate Marcie Kindred, who launched her campaign officially the morning after the primary.
“In Wyoming, we like our taverns local. While we are grateful for the service Pappas has given to our community, decisions are made by the people that show up,” she said in a statement. “There is no substitute for presence. He made a promise to represent the people of SD 7, and he has failed to deliver on that promise. With our current political climate, we need leaders who are committed to this district and show up to advocate for the needs of their constituents.”
House District 7: Nicholas v. Coppinger
Prior to redistricting, Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, served in House District 8 since 2011. He decided to run against Nick Coppinger in House District 7 in order to be re-elected to the Wyoming Legislature, and he succeeded. Nicholas received 1,514 votes, and Coppinger earned 1,150.
In the general election, Nicholas will compete for votes with Democratic candidate Jordan Evans.
House District 9: Brown v. Latham
Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, faced harsh campaigns from both Dean Petersen and Alan Sheldon in an effort to remove him from office. He was criticized for being a RINO (Republican In Name Only), as well as for applauding Cheney in her investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
Although he was attacked throughout the weeks leading up to the election, his constituents came out in support. He won with 1,192 votes, while Sheldon received 545 and Petersen 489.
His success moved him forward to the general election, where is challenger will be Democratic candidate Stephen Latham.
House District 11: Olsen v. Herman
The only Democratic primary race in Laramie County resulted in a win for current Laramie County School District 1 trustee Marguerite Herman. She defeated former House District 11 state representative Jim Byrd with 162 votes. Byrd received 90.
This seat is held by incumbent Rep. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne, who was the sole Republican candidate in the primary race.
House District 44: Trujillo v. Burlingame
The only Republican incumbent taken down in local legislative races was Rep. John Romero-Martinez. He lost to Tamara Trujillo, who the incumbent said he endorsed officially the day after the election.
Trujillo received 404 votes, while Romero-Martinez had 293. Michael Reyes was the other Republican vying for the seat, and he got 261 votes.
Trujillo will face Democratic candidate Sara Burlingame, who previously held the seat before she lost to Romero-Martinez in 2020.
“I have a pretty good chance of winning,” said Trujillo. “I feel when I entered the race in May, I entered it with expectations to win all the way through November.”
Other Laramie County legislative seats
Among the winners Tuesday who won’t face general election challengers were: Republican Evie Brennan in SD 31, Republican Jeremy Haroldson in HD 4 (uncontested), Republican Dave Zwonitzer in HD 8, Republican incumbent John Eklund in HD 10, Republican incumbent Clarence Styvar in HB 12, Republican incumbent Bill Henderson in HD 41 (uncontested), Republican Ben Hornok in HD 42, Republican incumbent Dan Zwonitzer in HD 43 and Republican Daniel Singh in HD 61.
Laramie County sheriff
Former Cheyenne Police Chief Brian Kozak came out on top of the Republican primary for Laramie County sheriff with 9,370 votes. Don Hollingshead came in second with 8,463, and Boyd Wrede finished with 6,038.
There was no incumbent to challenge, since Laramie County Sheriff Danny Glick announced he would not seek re-election.
Kozak moves on to face two registered candidates in the general election. Jess Fresquez is running as a Democrat, and Jeff Barnes is campaigning as an independent.
County commissioners
Since there are no Democratic challengers to the Republican primary winners in the county commissioners race, incumbents remained successful in keeping their three seats.
Gunnar Malm received 12,536 votes, Troy Thompson received 12,305, and Linda Heath won another term with 10,171.
The current office holders faced four other Republicans in the primary. Bryce Freeman followed Heath with 7,424 votes, Brian Casey had 6,332, Abbie Mildenberger got 6,024 and Sam Eliopoulos finished with 5,302.
Cheyenne City Council
City Council races are nonpartisan, but if there are more than two candidates in a race for a seat, an election takes place during the primary. This was the case in two out of three wards, with incumbents moving forward in both.
Ward 1 council member Scott Roybal received the most votes at 2,010, and Cameron Karajanis received the second-largest amount with 1,176. They both defeated Michael Blakeley in the primary, and will compete for the Ward 1 seat in the general election.
Mark Rinne, one of the longest-serving City Council members ever, will face Lynn Storey-Huylar in the Ward 2 general election race. Rinne received 2,956 votes, while Storey-Huylar received 1,787. The other contenders, Matt Miller and Brian Eicholtz, lost with 1,203 and 796 votes, respectively.
Incumbent Ken Esquibel in Ward 3 did not have to campaign in the primary election. He automatically moved forward in the general election along with Joe Shogrin.
Jasmine Hall is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle’s state government reporter. She can be reached by email at jhall@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3167. Follow her on Twitter @jasminerhphotos and on Instagram @jhrose25. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/economy_and_labor/primary-race-winners-look-ahead-to-general-election/article_f52d091a-1f1a-11ed-beee-d73d35b4b95b.html | 2022-08-18T20:06:11Z |
In a remote mountain village high above Turkey's Black Sea coast, there are villagers who still communicate across valleys by whistling. Not just whistling as in a non-verbal, "Hey, you!" But actually using what they call their "bird language," Turkish words expressed as a series of piercing whistles.
The village is Kuskoy, and it's inhabited by farmers who raise tea, corn, beets and other crops, and also keep livestock. The landscape is unusual by Turkish standards, and the residents are also considered a bit eccentric by other Turks.
Everyone we met in Kuskoy was warm, welcoming and very generous. But when our meeting with Nazmiye Cakir, 60, was interrupted by an eruption of gunfire from across the valley, our hosts smiled reassuringly and paused, as if waiting for more. Sure enough, a few seconds later came an even louder volley – a response from our side of the mountain.
Once that bit of nonverbal communication died down, Cakir explained how she learned to whistle Turkish. She says her grandparents often took care of her when she was young, and they passed it on.
"You might need to ask one of your neighbors, 'Can you help me harvest the corn tomorrow?' Or something like that," she says. "Or, if there's a funeral, the family would whistle the news throughout the valley."
Don't Whistle Your 'Love Talk'
A cheerful, talkative woman, Cakir also explains what you can't talk about when you're whistling.
"The only thing you never whistle is your love talk," she says, laughing. "Because you'll get caught!"
After Cakir demonstrates her whistling chops with some complex phrases, two other villagers devise a test to show that this isn't some kind of prearranged code, but an actual language.
One villager is given a phone number from Istanbul that neither man has seen before. He whistles it to the second man, Halil Cindik, the head of the Kuskoy Bird Language Association. Cindik dials the number that's been whistled to him, and it's right.
There are other whistled languages in the world, one in the Canary Islands for instance. But the Kuskoy bird language excited the interest of a Turkish-German bio-psychologist, Onur Gunturkun.
"I was absolutely, utterly fascinated when I first heard about it," he says. "And I directly saw the relevance of this language for science."
Gunturkun has been working on brain asymmetry research, which holds among other things, that spoken language is mainly processed by the left hemisphere of the brain, and music by the right. There is some overlap – when it comes to recognizing tones of voice, for instance - but basically they're seen as separate.
So how does the brain process a language in which syllables are rendered as whistled tones instead of spoken words?
Conducting A Field Test
Gunturkun went to Kuskoy to do a field test.
It involved testing villagers using headphones and recorded Turkish, both spoken syllables and their whistled equivalents.
With the spoken syllables, the villagers responded much as other subjects have in similar tests: if you play two different syllables, one in the left ear and one in the right, people tend to hear only the one played to the right ear, which is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain.
But Gunturkun found that when he played whistled syllables, the villagers tended to hear both of them, suggesting that they were using both hemispheres of their brain to a much greater extent.
"So in the end, there was a balanced contribution of both hemispheres," says Gunturkun. "So indeed, depending on the way we speak, the hemispheres have a different share of work in language processing."
It's not clear if Gunturkun's work will lead to real-life applications, but he wonders if a whistled language might be helpful to, say, a stroke victim with left hemisphere damage who has difficulty processing spoken language.
The spread of cellphones has reduced the need for whistling, but villagers stage a festival each summer to try to keep it alive.
And as some rather sheepishly admit, it still comes in handy - to warn their gun-toting neighbors when the police are on patrol.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/in-a-turkish-village-a-conversation-with-whistles-not-words | 2022-08-18T20:06:16Z |
CHEYENNE – AARP Wyoming and Mountain-Pacific Quality Health are teaming up to offer a teletown hall on brain health at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Among the experts on the call will be Sara Medley, chief executive officer of Mountain-Pacific and caregiver for a loved one with dementia; Dr. Douglas Kuntzweiler, chief medical officer at Mountain-Pacific; and Stevi Sy, a registered pharmacist and clinical analyst at Mountain-Pacific.
The panel will offer tips and advice to caregivers, as well as provide tips and answer questions to help callers better understand what they can do to keep their brains healthy as they age, according to an AARP news release.
Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck will moderate the TeleTown Hall, which has a format similar to a radio talk show and offers the ability for participants to ask questions to the panelists. AARP Wyoming will call out to its members around 3:55 p.m. that day to find members interested in taking part in the call. If you do not receive a call, but wish to join the presentation, call 1-855-274-1448.
“Keeping our brains sharp as we age is the top concern for AARP Wyoming members, and I think we all know friends and family who have struggled with Alzheimer’s Disease or some other form of dementia,” said Sam Shumway, AARP Wyoming’s state director, in the release. “We are thrilled to be joined by Mountain-Pacific to help us talk about caregiving challenges for those with dementia, as well as how we keep our own brains happy and healthy.” | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/health_care/aarp-wyoming-to-host-teletown-hall-on-brain-health-next-tuesday/article_0cdeea4c-1f1b-11ed-b589-079eeff217e3.html | 2022-08-18T20:06:17Z |
The Baghdad City of Peace Carnival started four years ago, with a young woman named Noof Assi.
"We started talking to people about a celebration for peace day in Baghdad," Assi says. She's referring to International Peace Day, which is September 21 — and which hadn't been celebrated in the war-beleaguered Iraqi capital.
"Everybody was taking it as a joke and never taking us seriously," she says, "because, like, in Baghdad? Celebrating peace?"
Assi and her group of determined enthusiasts got permission to have bands play in a park — and a few hundred people came along. The Baghdad City of Peace Carnival was born.
"Because basically, Baghdad, when it was first created as a city, they used to call it Dar al Salam, which means city of peace," she says.
Assi wants to remind people of that history, so the carnival features songs about peace. Every year, organizers choose a theme. This year, it's diversity, to encourage Iraqis to overcome sectarianism.
Over the years, the carnival grew; this year, the event boasts 500 volunteers, corporate sponsorship and many acts.
Salam Ali Jabbar, a vocalist with a rock band performing this year, says that in a city that still has dozens of bombings every month and not many ways to have fun, an event like this means a lot.
"Even one day in the year, when people go to such a place and know that various young people are just connected by peace and hope, that's pretty awesome," Jabbar says.
The event is now held on the banks of the river Tigris. There are checkpoints and razor wire on the street outside, and billboards with the faces of soldiers killed in the war against ISIS.
But inside, pastel flags glow in the dusk light and people sell crafts, tea and cakes from the stalls.
Student Mustafa Mahmoud says the carnival is a great idea. In recent weeks, Mahmoud has seen an exodus of his friends joining the flow of migrants into Europe.
Mahmoud says he hopes to see more events like this, to stop that emigration and show people that Baghdad is peaceful.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/in-bomb-weary-baghdad-iraqis-have-fun-in-the-name-of-peace | 2022-08-18T20:06:23Z |
It sure beat running around on a cinder track.
That was a comment from marathon runner Denis McCarthy from St. Louis, Missouri, who registered for the Med Bow Rail Marathon and Half Marathon just a couple days before the event.
“I was looking for a running event for the weekend and came across this race,” McCarthy said. “I was eying an event that involved running around a cinder track for hours, then found this mountain trail event instead.
“The drive was a little longer, but it sure was worth it to run in the mountains on this wonderful trail instead of going in circles.”
McCarthy is one of a rather colorful group of runners with a goal of running a marathon or half marathon in every state. Mark Bonderud came from Monmouth, Maine, while Jo May and Doug Beagle traveled all the way from Houston, Texas. All three competed in the 60 and over age category.
For this second Med Bow Rail Marathon and Half Marathon, runners came from 16 states and eight Wyoming communities. Attracting 123 registered runners, the race was put on by the Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail and directed by a marathon planning committee.
Laramie was well represented with 41 runners. The number of women slightly edged out the men.
In contrast to the marathon and half marathon veterans, for others this was the first event at their chosen distance. One unidentified runner, relaxing after she ran the full 26.2 miles, said it was her first marathon, and now she could barely move to get up out of her chair.
“It was tough,” she said. “Really tough. I swear, going to and from the turnaround point at Dry Park was uphill both ways.”
That turnaround point is the northern-most trailhead on the Rail Trail and is only included on the marathon route.
Some used the race to train for other marathons. One of those was well-known Cheyenne runner Brent Weigner, who runs marathons around the globe. This was his 376th marathon.
“I was by myself around 2 miles down the trail when a deer crashed through the woods 20 yards in front of me,” Weigner said. “This was my last long run before the Liberia Marathon next week, so I entered it with the plan to run easy.
“I finished last overall, so I succeeded in my goal to keep it easy. Next I run in Monrovia, Liberia, in a week.”
Others had goals to set personal records or garner one of the engraved railroad spikes reserved for the top three finishers in each race. Top overall runners also went home with a certificate for a six-pack of beer from Bond’s Brewing Co., one of the event sponsors. Those finishing in the top three of their age groups were awarded special running caps.
Top marathon finisher was Andrew Bodley from Fort Collins with a time of 3 hours, 38 minutes and 47 seconds. Not far behind was the top female finisher, Laramie runner Kaley Holyfield, with a time of 3:43:40.
Top finisher in the half marathon was Casper runner Jarod McDaniel with a time of 1:41:46, and top female finisher was Laramie runner Sommer Stevens with a time of 1:44:43.
A small army of volunteers maintained aid stations, helped with parking and manned the start and finish lines. The University Amateur Radio Club provided communication along the course since much of the area lacks cell coverage.
Grand Avenue Urgent Care was on hand for medical emergencies; thankfully they remained on alert, but were not called. Other sponsors include Albany Lodge, Premier Bone and Joint Centers, WWC Engineering and Hammond Land Surveying.
Volunteers also took on the herculean effort of preparing the Medicine Bow Rail Trail for the event. That is no easy feat with a 21-mile pathway accessed only via non-motorized travel. Those efforts began when the snow melted, but really accelerated a couple weeks before the race.
Georgia Carmen, one of those trail preparation volunteers, spent hours using a scythe or electric weed-whacker in an effort to keep Mother Nature from encroaching too far onto the trail. Other volunteers used shovels to repair erosion areas and snippers to keep willows at bay on the foot path around Lake Owen, which is a portion of both courses.
Those efforts paid off with many runners stating they were impressed by the beauty along the pathway. A few even had the opportunity to ogle moose that meandered on and the off the trail.
Full race results are available on UltraSignup (ultrasignup.com) and more information about the event and the Medicine Bow Rail Trail are on the website maintained by the nonprofit group Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail at medicinebowrailtrail.org. | https://www.wyomingnews.com/wyomingbusinessreport/industry_news/sports_and_outdoors/go-the-distance-goals-vary-at-the-med-bow-rail-marathon-and-half-marathon/article_2ce33488-1f1b-11ed-86ca-9f90a762dd8c.html | 2022-08-18T20:06:23Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Since Syria's civil war began, Brazil has quietly accepted more refugees from there than any other country in Latin America. Catherine Osborn reports some of these refugees have been building new lives in Rio by connecting with Syrian history there.
CATHERINE OSBORN, BYLINE: In Rio's Botafogo neighborhood, a family of Syrian refugees sets up a pastry stand every day in front of a big Catholic church. They drape a Syrian flag across the front, and they sell triangle-shaped esfihas. It's dough folded around meat, something Brazilians have been eating for decades.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (Foreign language spoken).
OSBORN: These esfihas are selling like crazy. Earlier this month, a Catholic charity in Rio posted a picture of the family's stand on Facebook. Social media-happy Brazilians shared the picture 19,000 times. One of the pastry sellers, 25-year-old Armin Nachawaty, used to be an event planner in Damascus. In 2013, rising violence made working impossible and he fled to Lebanon. For 10 months, he visited embassies in Beirut looking for asylum.
ARMIN NACHAWATY: I was rejected, rejected and finally I was, like, giving up. I heard a rumor from a friend that Brazil is open. How it was open and what the process and what the deal exactly, I didn't know anything of that.
OSBORN: In 2013, Brazil eased up on the requirements for Syrians applying for refugee status. There are now just over 2,000 registered here, and that's far more than any other country in Latin America. In total, the Brazilian government has issued over 7,000 visas for Syrians. But Brazil promises no help beyond a permit to live, work and take advantage of the Brazilian public health care program. After Armin and his family spent two years and thousands of dollars to finally get here, setting up a new life has been slow and difficult.
NACHAWATY: The most important thing is to have housing and some kind of support to start from the government.
OSBORN: Without this, it's falling to volunteers to piece together support. And many refugees are looking for help from Syrians who have been in Rio for generations. In the early part of the 20th century, over 100,000 people fled from poverty and violence in Syria, Lebanon and nearby countries to come to Brazil. Today, their children and grandchildren run businesses and even make up 10 percent of Brazil's Congress.
Now some in this long-standing community are helping the new arrivals. The Syrian Orthodox Church is housing two refugee families. The priest helped them find work in a marketplace in central Rio that was founded by Syrian and Lebanese immigrants. Their Arabic is still spoken in the back rooms of some shops, and soon a Middle Eastern fast food place will open, providing jobs for some refugees.
In other stores in the marketplace, such as the 103-year-old Syrian cigar shop, no one speaks Arabic anymore. But owner Jose Mauro Cunha says he thinks new Syrian refugees can succeed in Brazil if they work hard and save. He says today's Syrian immigrants have it much harder than at the beginning of the last century.
JOSE MAURO CUNHA: (Foreign language spoken).
OSBORN: "Then," Cunha says, "Brazil was just beginning to industrialize." Today, the country is more advanced and workers need to be more specialized. Mauricio Santoro, an international relations professor at the State University of Rio, says it's because Brazil is now industrialized that it has the resources to take in these refugees and many more, even in a recession, he says, as long as things are organized.
MAURICIO SANTORO: Brazil is much more like a middle-class society now. And although we have serious social problems, we also have the tools to address them.
OSBORN: Santoro says that by taking in refugees, Brazil is showing regional leadership and Syrians are not the only ones benefiting from Brazil's policies. The country now houses 6,000 refugees from other conflict zones. But Santoro says the Syrians get better treatment.
SANTORO: For Brazilian standards, Syrian refugees are white. So when you talk about refugees from Haiti, Angola or Congo, they suffer racial prejudice in Brazil, including very violent reactions, such as attacks on the streets.
OSBORN: Santoro hopes that solidarity with the Syrians can be a model for solidarity with all of Brazil's refugees. For NPR News, I'm Catherine Osborn in Rio de Janeiro. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/in-brazil-syrian-refugees-retrace-migration-trails | 2022-08-18T20:06:29Z |
When Sherry Turkle came into the studio for her interview with NPR's Scott Simon, she left her cell phone outside. "I gave my iPhone to someone ... out of my line of vision," she says, "because research shows that the very sight of the iPhone anywhere in your line of vision actually changes the conversation."
Turkle, a professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology at MIT, is interested in how all sorts of new technologies — not just iPhones — are changing our conversations. Her new book is called Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. She is also the author of the books The Second Self and Alone Together.
Interview Highlights
On kids talking via their phones rather than face to face
I was called to consult at a middle school because the directors and the teachers were concerned about what they felt was a lack of empathy among middle school children which they associated to the presence of technology. The association they made was when they sit together at lunch they don't talk to each other — they talk with their phones. Face to face conversation is the most human and humanizing thing that we do; it's where we learn to put ourselves in the place of the other.
On technology making us scared of solitude
If you don't teach your children how to be alone, they'll only know how to be lonely.
If you're constantly stimulated by being called away to the buzzing and the excitement of what's on your phone, solitude seems kind of scary. There's a study that shows that if you take phones and a book or some kind of reading material away from people, after six minutes they're willing to give themselves electroshocks rather than be alone without a device. If you don't have solitude, that means you come to conversations with other people needing them to sort of buttress you and your fragile sense of self. You're not really able to hear who they are and what they have to say. So you become less of a friend. If you don't teach your children how to be alone, they'll only know how to be lonely.
On robotic companionship
I was just interviewed for this article on Hello Barbie, the robot best friend for kids. Hello Barbie is just one of the new sociable robots that are designed to pretend to have empathy to care about you and to present themselves as your new best friend. And we have these robots for children and we have them for the elderly.
On seeing robotic companionship in action in a nursing home
There's a woman whose son has died and she wants to tell her story, and she's given one of these pretend friend robots and she starts to tell her story to this robot. And the robot knows how to do things that will make her feel as though it understands. And everybody around is like ... happy, and to me it was one of the saddest moments because the question was not whether this woman would talk. The question was: Was there anyone listening? And there was no one listening.
On new technology testing our priorities
Every technology causes us to reflect on our human values. The notion that there are not enough people for the jobs of taking care of our elderly is what needs to be revisited here. If we have come to the point where we're going to give them fake relationships. ... You can't just let this moment pass. We need to look at our social priorities if we seriously want to say: Well, [we have] no time to talk to our children. Let's just let a robot chat to them about what it means to be a friend. You're going to get children who don't know how to be a friend.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/making-the-case-for-face-to-face-in-an-era-of-digital-conversation | 2022-08-18T20:06:32Z |
Miami already enjoys a vibrant street art scene, but now a new arts district is emerging. The industrial city of Hialeah is becoming an affordable alternative for local artists, who are changing the area's reputation.
Colorful street art brightens the otherwise drab warehouses, where Cuban and Haitian immigrants labor inside binding books, making furniture and sewing clothes. The murals depict flamingoes, a fruit vendor, a girl celebrating her quinceañera.
One wall has the beautiful face of a Yoruba diety. The artist, who goes by the name Trek6, describes his spray-painted piece as a reflection of his hope for the area's future.
"This is a portrait of an orisha: Yemaya. She's the goddess of the ocean, to promote growth, fertility. And this area, it kinda needs that," he says.
The 40-year-old Puerto Rican artist says he wanted to represent part of his Caribbean culture.
"I want positivity here, I want nurturing here," he says. "And it's not for developers. This is what I want for the community."
Trek6 also has murals up in Miami's Wynwood area, a district created more than a decade ago by art dealers, artists, curators and real estate developers. That area now boasts dozens of galleries, museums, coffee shops and stores.
It's become completely unaffordable for many artists to live and work, says Hialeah City Councilman Paul Hernandez.
"They've been priced out of almost every single place that they've created," he says. "You'll have an area that was dirt cheap when all the artists came in, and all of a sudden you'll have a Gucci store next door and you can't afford it. Last week I saw this area in Wynwood ... it was about $410 a square foot, while here it's $5 a square foot."
The 27-year-old councilman grew up in Hialeah, which was once a thriving industrial corridor.
"This was a place that in the '80s and '90s was booming. I mean, we were probably the pinnacle of the garment industry for the entire state of Florida," he says. "My grandparents — everybody's grandparents was coming straight into these factories to work. With outsourcing, all of that went away."
Warehouses were left empty and Hernandez thought they'd be perfect for artists. Last spring, he began inviting them to work and live here. He promised the area would not get overdeveloped and would remain inexpensive. Hernandez had another goal: to change the city's reputation.
Since the early 1980s, graffiti writers have come to Hialeah to paint trains and warehouses with art illegally. And people like Jenny Molina have long flocked to the many thrift stores here.
But Molina says her hometown gets a bad rap.
"For a long time, it's always been the butt of every joke," she says. "If you see a sign with like a misspelled word, you'll see someone post it on Instagram or on social media and say, 'Oh, only in Hialeah.' You know, it's considered lowbrow, it's considered uneducated. And I can tell you from my own experience that that's not the case. It's a city of hardworking immigrant families."
Molina, a public relations rep for Trek6 and other artists, was tired of the jokes. She shared Hernandez' vision, so together they created this new arts district, what she calls a labor of love.
Last Sunday, they celebrated the new arts district with a block party, complete with music, poetry and food trucks. Molina and Hernandez say that's just the start for this area of Hialeah that's got a new nickname: Leah.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/miami-area-muralists-rouse-a-new-reputation-for-an-industrial-city | 2022-08-18T20:06:38Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
We asked people to share some of their reactions to the visit of Pope Francis over WEEKEND EDITION's Facebook page and my Twitter account. Linda Brandt Bevac said on Facebook, he has helped me to fully understand the importance of mercy, compassion and forgiveness, while at the same time holding to fundamental truths of what sin is.
Michael Bauer said, on Twitter I listened, and I was moved to think differently about abortion and immigration. But Philly Crosby said on Facebook, the pope is the face of a massive public relations campaign launched to combat the flailing image of an organization awash in scandal, not least of all the sexual abuse entrenched in its culture.
Greg Hill said, making Junipero Serra a saint is just disgraceful. It makes his speeches hypocritical. Chris Keppler said on Twitter, Pope Francis reminds us of life's priorities. Americans and world yearn for moral leadership. And Bill McConkey, whose father was an Illinois state trooper killed on duty, said, because of his plea in Congress, I have consciously - this day - changed my position on the death penalty. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/pope-francis-changing-a-few-minds-on-social-media | 2022-08-18T20:06:44Z |
I covered a papal trip to the United States years ago, and my mother made sure my pockets were packed with mass cards, medallions and her rosary.
I found that a lot of reporters, even those who could be hilariously cynical about religion, were similarly overstuffed. We used to have discussions on the press bus about how close you had to be to the pope for all the religious bric-a-brac in our pockets to actually absorb his blessing. Could a pontiff's spiritual powers reach the very back rows of a huge outdoor Mass? Could a blessing be delivered over radio or television? And could a medallion or mass card be truly blessed, even by a pope, if it was carried in the pocket of a skeptic?
I began to unpack what I'd carried in my pockets when I got home and put my mother's rosary on a desk. It was dusk; and I noticed the rosary begin to glow.
I felt and even heard my knees begin to shake. My throat and eyes filled. I heard myself say, out loud, so God and my own ears could hear it, "Please forgive me for ever having been a skeptic."
Then I thought for a moment, and called my mother. "Is there something I should know about that rosary you gave me?"
"I keep it on my nightstand," she said. "It glows in the dark."
Pope Francis is a popular man. You see it not only in opinion polls, but the light of the eyes of people who see and reach out to him. You don't need to agree with what the pope says about what he sees as the sanctity of life, threats to the Earth's climate, homelessness, family, or immigration to feel his open heart.
We're used to political arguments, and calls for someone to do something. Pope Francis cites examples, not arguments, and calls for people to look inside themselves.
He made a point with a single phrase just by calling himself "a child of immigrants."
But perhaps the pope's most eloquent moment was almost wordless: he left the halls of the U.S. Congress to have lunch with people in a homeless shelter. He spoke his truth to power, then broke bread with the powerless, and told them, "Buen appetito."
Our oldest daughter got to see Pope Francis at the U.S. Capitol this week. In her pockets, she carried some of her grandmother's mass cards, medallions, and a rosary she made for herself. She showed us that rosary at home, after she saw Francis. And I'm sure it glowed.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/pope-francis-moves-believers-and-skeptics-alike | 2022-08-18T20:06:51Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
All over Philadelphia today, there are banners to welcome Pope Francis. The pontiff is in Philadelphia for the final leg of his first trip to the United States. And in Philadelphia, he's expected to talk about immigration and visit with inmates at a local prison. NPR's Jeff Brady joins us from the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, where Francis will celebrate mass today. Jeff, what's been happening?
JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: Well, there's going to be a lot of events this weekend, and it's capping off what's called the World Meeting of Families. It's an event that the Catholic Church holds every three years. This time, it's in Philadelphia. The whole focus is on looking at the definition of a family, and a lot of entertainment and classes. And of course, the Catholic Church tends to take a more traditional view of that at a time when the definition of family is changing for a lot of people.
And there's been a lot of planning put into the event over the last year or so just for that meeting. And then when Pope Francis said that he was going to attend the last few days of this conference, the meeting went from, you know, thousands of people here to perhaps more than a million.
SIMON: Jeff, Philadelphia's a tough town. A lot of Catholics there, but they booed Santa Claus in Philadelphia. What are people in Philadelphia saying about the pope?
BRADY: You know, it is a Catholic town, and there - Pope Francis has a lot of fans here. I heard a lot of the things talking to folks outside of the convention center, where that World Meeting of Families is being held, things that we've heard in other places - a lot of admiration for Pope Francis' humility, his talk about the environment and caring for the most vulnerable. But this might be a little bit more conservative crowd, and I heard some consistent themes talking with people. They're a little bit more about conservative social issues, things like opposition to abortion. And, you know, Pope Francis, he doesn't talk about that as much. And Diana Miranda-Bennett, she's here from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and commenting on Pope Francis' popularity, she said she hopes he will unite the Catholic faithful.
DIANA MIRANDA-BENNETT: I would just - would like to think that this will bring all the Catholic people together to fight against abortion and gay marriages and all those things that should not be going on in this Catholic world.
BOBBY BENNETT: Amen.
MIRANDA-BENNETT: That's...
BENNETT: That's just our opinion. It's just our opinion (laughter).
BRADY: You heard her husband, Bobby Bennett, chiming in there at the end. I asked him about how this pope just seems to have captured the imagination of people who are not even Catholic. And he said he's seen that in his own family.
BENNETT: My daughter, unfortunately, wasn't baptized Catholic, has been glued to the TV, and she's just intrigued with the man. And I think most of the world is intrigued with his mission, whether they're Catholic or not.
BRADY: And Bennett there, he's expressing something I've heard over and over here - people feeling much more confident about the future of the Catholic Church under Pope Francis.
SIMON: What's on the pope's schedule today? There's the mass this morning, then what?
BRADY: There's the mass, and then he's going to go to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary this afternoon. That's before he goes to a big event at Independence Mall. There, he's expected to talk about immigration. We're going to have a lot of Spanish-speaking folks in that audience. And of course, Pope Francis speaks Spanish. And then later this evening, on the parkway in downtown Philadelphia, he's going to visit the folks who've been here attending the festival of the families. Big event tomorrow also, he's going to be visiting a prison, so a very interesting weekend for the pope here in Philadelphia.
SIMON: NPR's Jeff Brady in Philadelphia. Thanks so much.
BRADY: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/pope-francis-will-talk-immigration-visit-a-prison-in-philly | 2022-08-18T20:06:57Z |
Human smugglers prey on the desperation of people who flee war and oppression. They've made millions moving people across borders, without regard to safety. Thousands have died, locked in packed trucks or trapped in sinking ships — like the "ghost ships," crowded with Syrian refugees, which have been set on course to crash into the Italian coast.
Italian prosecutors are now trying to track and arrest smugglers, arguing that organized criminal gangs who run these smuggling rings are mobsters, and should be prosecuted like the Mafia. Using survivor testimony and wiretaps, six alleged traffickers are now on trial in connection with a shipwreck, in which more than 300 asylum-seekers drowned.
An elite prosecution team in Italy, which is known for prosecuting the drug-dealing dons of the Cosa Nostra, has turned its attention to human smugglers. As one of its members, Gery Ferrara, notes, the smugglers share a lot of similarities with the Mafia he has often pursued.
"We are talking about a very structured criminal group," Ferrara tells NPR's Scott Simon. "We are not talking about people that just put people in a boat and send them here, but we are talking really about criminal groups very, very structured and very, very organized."
Interview Highlights
On how his team traces the smuggling networks
First of all, we create a group of specialized prosecutor and specialized law enforcement agencies. So we try to look at this unique phenomenon as a criminal network behind this.
For this reason, first of all, we interview immediately the migrants when they arrive here — in Palermo, in Sicily, in Lampedusa and many of the towns that we are competent on — to get the material that we can use for the follow-up to our investigation. Telephone numbers, identification, social network accounts — everything that we can use later.
And we will build the [case] with the statements of the survivors of these terrible tragedies, but also we added corroboration of what we heard during our investigation directly from the traffickers operating in Africa, in Libya and Sudan — and also in Italy, and also in Europe.
On the money made in human smuggling
Here, we are talking about money that is no comparison with drug [trafficking]. Just to give you an idea ... this is money that is collected in advance and without risk ... because when you put 500 people in a boat, like 20 meters long and 4 meters large, at a cost of a few thousand euros, you get something like 1 million euros [or] 800,000 euros for each boat, with a cost that is very, very low.
If 100 people died in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, but they pay in advance, there is not any kind of problem for [smugglers].
And the dealer doesn't risk anything, because basically you don't care if the human goods — the goods that you are trafficking — arrives or not. It's not the same with drugs, because if a lot of drugs is lost, of course there is a very real problem. Somebody must pay. If 100 people died in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, but they pay in advance, there is not any kind of problem for them.
On whether he's been able to get testimony from anyone in the gangs
One of the most important things is that for the first time, we have a person that was very introduced into the organization, that for the first time started cooperating with us. And he started describing [for] us many, many interesting things that allowed us to open new investigations that are still ongoing.
Of course, I cannot tell you anything about that, but we have a clear description of the inside of the organization. It's very, very important, and it's the reason why I think this could be also a turning point in the investigation against these traffickers.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/prosecutors-take-law-to-human-smugglers-using-tools-sharpened-against-mafia | 2022-08-18T20:07:03Z |
A lot of what — and who — has made us laugh over the past two generations can be traced back, one way or another, to National Lampoon. John Hughes and Harold Ramis, the filmmakers, humorists like P.J. O' Rourke, classic movies — Animal House, Caddyshack and National Lampoon's Vacation, not to mention John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Christopher Guest.
From 1970 to 1998, the magazine that began as a spinoff from the Harvard Lampoon became one of the first multi-media content providers — a phrase its founders would probably cringe to hear — creating books and magazines, radio, films, albums and stage shows distinguished by deliberate raunchiness and studied outrageousness.
Some of its founding talents are still active. But many burned out. Douglas Tirola is the director of Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead, a new film about the Lampoon and its influence. He tells NPR's Scott Simon that there was an honesty to the Lampoon's shocking aesthetic. "In the '70s, especially, when there were so many magazines ... magazines were looking for attention, when someone's running to the train or walking down the street, so the covers really had to stick out .. 'Please buy this magazine,' because that's really what it's all about."
Interview Highlights
On some of the Lampoon's signature articles — the few we can mention here
The Volkswagen ad — in the early '70s, there was apparently a Volkswagen ad that showed a Volkswagen Beetle bug floating in water. And this was an ad that looked very much like it, but the tagline said, "If Teddy Kennedy drove a Volkswagen, he would be President now," referring to [the fatal bridge accident at] Chappaquiddick ... the ad was saying because Volkswagens float, that nobody would've died.
They would go after anybody, and there was a danger in that, and there was an unpredictability about that. And when you open the Lampoon, on one page they're killing Nixon, and on the next page they're going after a sacred cow on the Left like Che Guevara. I think [that] made the whole experience more exciting.
On the legacy of the National Lampoon Radio Hour
Pretty much everything in comedy at this point owes something to the Lampoon, whether they realize it or not. I think they just broke down a lot of barriers in a mainstream way. It's speaking to a national audience and there's still a little residue of that today — I think some of it, people may be focused on the Animal House aspect and just the idea of teenaged boys and college boys and nudity and sex and things like that in a way you hadn't seen it before Animal House, but I think there's just something more, that they represent freedom. They represent a freedom that maybe we don't even have as much as we wish we did today.
On whether the Lampoon's multi-platform success was its undoing
To me, it was one of the last great untold stories about a group of people that unexpectedly came together, and when they did, something special happened. So I think what happened there is, it's as if somebody had gone into this giant high-school cafeteria and taken the smartest person from each table — the alternative table, the theater table, the jock table, the student council table — and because of that, eventually those personalities started to rub up against each other ... ambition and envy and jealousy starts to get in the way ... and these were people that had big ambitions, and they were not cageable people, as one of the staff members says in our film.
On why the Lampoon still makes us laugh
It has both that lowbrow humor — you know, things that you associate now with their own work in Animal House, or almost like the Marx Brothers — and then things where you feel like you possibly need a master's degree to understand. But they didn't shy away from either.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/quest-for-fun-looking-back-at-national-lampoon | 2022-08-18T20:07:09Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
The pope's visit to Washington, D.C., will be a capstone to the career of House Speaker John Boehner. Hours after praying with the pontiff, Mr. Boehner decided to resign from Congress, and that set off a frenzy on Capitol Hill. Across town, the news sparked celebration at a big gathering of religious conservatives, a slice of the Republican Party that's been unhappy with the speaker for a long time. NPR's Don Gonyea was there.
DON GONYEA, BYLINE: You want to instantly fire up a crowd at the annual Values Voter Summit in D.C.? Then open with a surprise piece of news, as GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio did yesterday morning.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MARCO RUBIO: Just a few minutes ago, Speaker Boehner announced that he will be resigning.
(APPLAUSE)
GONYEA: The applause and whoops of joy continued for a full 30 seconds. Sen. Rubio resumed, saying he respects Boehner, but that the time had come to turn the page. A half-dozen other 2016 GOP candidates were also at the event Friday. Donald Trump described Boehner as someone who couldn't get the job done. And there was Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BOBBY JINDAL: That's good. That's one down. That's 434 more to go before we're done.
GONYEA: And Jindal voiced extra disdain for the Republican side of the aisle, including both House and Senate leadership.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JINDAL: They say they're conservative during the campaigns. They don't govern like it at all. Here's what I say in response to Speaker Boehner stepping down - Mitch McConnell, it is now your turn.
(APPLAUSE)
GONYEA: This is a group of activists pushing hard for Congress to defund Planned Parenthood, an issue that could lead to another government shutdown. Sen. Ted Cruz praised them for keeping the heat on.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TED CRUZ: You want to know how much each of you terrify Washington? Yesterday, John Boehner was speaker of the House.
(APPLAUSE)
CRUZ: Y'all come to town and somehow that changes.
(APPLAUSE)
GONYEA: But Boehner isn't gone yet. His resignation takes effect the end of October, which means he'll still be in place when the fight over funding Planned Parenthood comes to a head this coming week. And Boehner insists he will not allow a government shutdown. But this audience was living in the moment.
EDITH HINKLE: I was so glad. I really was - I felt a relief. Maybe now we can get somewhere.
GONYEA: Edith Hinkle is an 84-year-old retired nurse from western Pennsylvania who's been frustrated by Boehner. She uses a word to describe him that in these circles is a damning insult - moderate.
HINKLE: I see him more as a moderate, probably because of his reticence to address issues. Sometimes I see him tied in with Obama.
GONYEA: And that, Hinkle says, is unforgivable. Boehner's troubles with the most conservative members of his party have been well-documented. He's known as a pragmatist. They see him as too quick to cut a deal and never ready to go to the mat for them. Twenty-year-old Caleb Martin is a student at Ohio Christian University in Boehner's home state.
CALEB MARTIN: He was doing absolutely nothing, like push anything. And especially as speaker of the house, we want that leadership and everything, and he wasn't leading. He wasn't, like, trying to bring the Tea Party and the normal Republicans together and, like - and fight for one common cause.
GONYEA: Then there was Karla Bruno.
KARLA BRUNO: Boehner resigned. Yes, indeed, we are very excited about that.
GONYEA: She works with a Virginia-based conservative organization, the Leadership Institute.
BRUNO: I know the pressure was there for him to resign, but he's a stubborn man. And people like power, and they don't usually give it up very easily. So the fact that he resigned tells me that the pressure was working and that the conservatives are winning.
GONYEA: But for all of the immediate joy at the Values Voter Summit, a field of potential replacements for Boehner is already emerging. And while it is early, it does seem unlikely that the next speaker will be someone who's a hero in this room. Don Gonyea, NPR News, Washington. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/republicans-react-with-glee-to-speaker-boehners-resignation | 2022-08-18T20:07:15Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Over 700 people were killed this week when a stampede took place during the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The sheer volume of pilgrims every year has led to problems before. In fact, over 1,400 people were killed in a similar incident back in 1990. This week, Iran and other regional powers criticized the Saudi Arabian government for poor management of the crowds that come to their holy places. Gary Sick is a senior research scholar at Columbia's Middle East Institute. He joins us now from New York. Thanks so much for being with us, Mr. Sick.
GARY SICK: It's a real pleasure.
SIMON: What do you read into Iran's outspoken criticism of Saudi Arabia over these deaths?
SICK: This is very standard stuff. The Iranians and the Saudis have a running battle about the Hajj. And the worst incident they've ever had was actually back in 1987. In each case, they've blamed the Saudis. And in each case, the Saudis have blamed the pilgrims for misbehaving, for not doing what they were told. And on the previous case, the Saudis broke diplomatic relations with Iran over the incident. And that was only restored a few years later after Khomeini died.
SIMON: In the United States, we tend to see oil as Saudi Arabia's base of influence. But in the region, Saudi Arabia, of course, calls itself the guardian of the holy places. And what does it mean to have so many countries in the region becoming critical of Saudi Arabia's management?
SICK: Whenever these incidents occur, the Saudis are, of course, extremely sensitive to that because their official title for the king is the Custodian of the Two Holy Places. His entire legitimacy is based on the fact that he has the duty to make the holy places accessible and keeping them Islamic. It is a huge job, and managing 2 million people on foot in a rather confined space and moving from place to place is a huge problem. And the Saudis have worked very hard to try to make that go as smoothly as possible. But inevitably, when you get a group of people that large all moving together, there are going to be problems.
SIMON: When the rhetoric gets as sharp as it has been over the past few days, should people in the region - for that matter, the rest of the world - worry that this verbal dispute might lead to something else?
SICK: There really is nobody else to take charge of the holy places. The Saudis have, as I say, worked very, very hard to make this go smoothly, and probably they will come through this. But it does mean that people who are inclined to criticize Saudi Arabia - and those numbers are growing because of their intervention in Yemen, their intervention in Bahrain, the policy that they've been following in Syria - they have their enemies. And those enemies are going to jump on these occasions and try to make the most of them.
SIMON: Does it create a domestic political problem in Iran when you have more than a hundred Iranians die on Saudi soil?
SICK: Yes. In the past, whenever these things have happened, there have been attacks on the - say, the Saudi Embassy, demonstrations of discontent. This will be something that will cause domestic concern in Iran for a long time. But the immediate effect of it, I think, will probably pass fairly soon.
SIMON: Gary Sick of Columbia University's Middle East Institute, thanks so much for being with us.
SICK: It was a pleasure. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/saudi-arabia-sensitive-to-criticism-over-deadly-hajj-stampede | 2022-08-18T20:07:21Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Time for sports.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
SIMON: Last night, the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5 to 3, and with that win, Toronto closes in on their first playoff spot in 22 years. By the way, the Cubs clinch a playoff spot for the first time since Julius Caesar. Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine joins us now from Toronto the Good - this year in the American League. Howard, thanks for being with us.
HOWARD BRYANT, BYLINE: Good morning, Scott. Oh, that Chicago hyperbole - Julius Caesar wasn't around in 2008. It wasn't that long ago, was it?
SIMON: (Laughter) He's always around for some of us. The Blue Jays are playing World Series ball.
BRYANT: They are playing some great baseball and the town - it's great. It's really nice to be up here. I hadn't been up here since 2003 when I was covering the Red Sox. And the Toronto Blue Jays hadn't been in the playoffs since 1993. They're getting really close. It's nice to see a town, just like with Pittsburgh, just like with Kansas City, that is alive with baseball, that cares about the sport. And that they - they're not one of those teams that is now saying, oh, we're eliminated on opening day. They're in it. They're - they can win, and they hit the ball like nobody else. Believe me.
SIMON: And, I mean, there was even some talk that they might - the Blue Jays after - although they won two World Series a number of years ago - might actually leave town and now they're back and there's even talk that Montreal might get a team back.
BRYANT: Well, let's not forget that Canadians view labor very differently than Americans. And after the 1994 strike, baseball in Montreal virtually went away and then they ended up leaving and moving to Washington. And here in Toronto, let's not forget that this was one of the franchises that was getting 4 million fans a year and then after the strike, baseball disappeared for a long time and it's nice to see that it's back. And they're going to finish at about 2.6-2.7 million this year, so the fans are coming back.
SIMON: Another note about baseball, but certainly in a different direction, we had to say goodbye to Yogi Berra this week. People used to say he looked more like the guy selling beer at Yankee Stadium than he did an athlete. But, look, he was the American League's Most Valuable Player three times. That's as many times as Mickey Mantle. And of course, Yogi Berra was quoted almost as much as Winston Churchill. Can I share my favorite with you?
BRYANT: Absolutely.
SIMON: Yogi said, we made too many wrong mistakes. That's also very wise, isn't it?
BRYANT: It's very wise. And one of the reasons people like to say how much they hate the New York Yankees, but one of the reasons to love the New York Yankees is because the Yankees do something better than anybody else in sports. And that is that they maintain their history. When you walked into Yankee Stadium, you saw everything that that organization had ever done. When you covered the Yankees as I did, you would go into the clubhouse, you'd go into spring training and you'd see all those guys. Rizzuto was there and Reggie's there and Yogi was there. And at 90 years old, Yogi had been there all the time. It wasn't just that he was a great player. He was always present. You could see him in the clubhouse with these 22 year olds. There's Derek Jeter walking by Yogi Berra. And that is what we're all about. It's really terrific. My favorite Yogi-ism was also true - nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded.
SIMON: (Laughter) Howard, next book in your "Legend" series is out. The first was about baseball. This one is about football. We're a few games into the season. How do you tell middle school kids about the greats of football when you also have to tell them how much damage we now know that the game could inflict on those who play?
BRYANT: Really big challenge, Scott, and I love the book "Legends: Football." It was one of my - it really was a favorite to write, and I was surprised how much I liked it because it reminded me how much I love the sport. But at the same time, it was reminding me that - in the forward, I talk about how much I loved playing and playing with all the different kids and we would all get our shirts ripped off and get crushed by each other and that was the beauty of being kids and playing football. But today, that takes on a very, very different connotation. Today, we know about concussions and we know about trauma and what this is going to do not only when you turn 60 or 70, but what it does to you already when you're a teen. And so that changes the dynamic. It changes the sort of the intimacy of the game, but it's also a reality. But at the same time, it's a viewer sport now and not a playing sport for a lot of people.
SIMON: And how long does it survive depending on that?
BRYANT: Well, it depends on economics, and I think that's the sad part of it.
SIMON: Howard Bryant of ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, but that doesn't mean no one should pick up your book. I'm looking forward to it. Howard, thanks so much for being with us.
BRYANT: Oh, my pleasure, Scott. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/toronto-blue-jays-are-on-a-red-hot-streak | 2022-08-18T20:07:27Z |
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. The Defense Department says the commander of a Syrian rebel group, trained and equipped by the United States and its allies, has surrendered trucks and ammunition to the Nusra Front. That is an al-Qaida affiliated group in Syria. U.S. central command says the rebel fighters apparently turned over about a quarter of their equipment. This is the second attempt to use coalition-trained rebels that has gone awry in Syria. NPR's Tom Bowman joins us. Tom, thanks very much for coming in this morning.
TOM BOWMAN, BYLINE: You're welcome, Scott. Good morning.
SIMON: What happened?
BOWMAN: Well, Scott, these American-trained rebels crossed into Syria from Turkey roughly a week ago, and the Pentagon says they turned over their trucks and ammunition to this al-Qaida affiliate, al-Nusra, for safe passage through the area. Now this acknowledgment by the Pentagon...
SIMON: Protection money, it sounds like.
BOWMAN: Exactly. It was a shakedown. Now, this acknowledgment by the Pentagon comes only hours after they denied reports that this had happened. It was a Facebook posting with a guy holding a weapon - a Nusra soldier claiming an American weapon. Pentagon said it's a lie. And they said it was an old photo and this story was a lie again. So clearly, very embarrassing for the Americans - or the train and equip program, which had hoped to train 5,400 soldiers by year's end. It's only trained a couple of hundred.
SIMON: Remind us what happened with that first group of rebels.
BOWMAN: The first 54...
SIMON: That the U.S. and allies trained, yeah.
BOWMAN: That's right. The first 54 went in roughly a month ago, and they met with disaster, frankly. Some were captured by al-Nusra - again, the same group we're talking about today. Others scattered. Some never even made it into Syria from Turkey. And Pentagon officials told us at the time - listen, the next group that goes in, we're going to be much more careful. We're going to take precautions. This is not going to happen again. Now, adding to all these embarrassments, the top American general for the region, General Lloyd Austin, he told Congress just last week that only four or five of the initial group are still fighting on the ground. And, by the way, this program costs about $500 million.
SIMON: Well, the math's easy to do, isn't it?
BOWMAN: Yeah, right.
SIMON: What does it say about the future of these coalition - the representation made that the coalition wants to make more attempts to try and intervene in the course of the Syrian civil war and support rebel groups they can identify with and support?
BOWMAN: Well, let's be honest. The U.S. strategy is, frankly, in tatters now. It was based on training these local force - again, roughly 5,400 - against the so-called Islamic Front, or ISIS, and then providing American and coalition air cover to help them. Now, many military people I talk with say, listen - the bombing can...
SIMON: The recognition being that air power alone is not enough.
BOWMAN: Exactly. You need some force on the ground to make this thing work - to hold territory. But people said the bombing was too light. Now this training program has fallen apart. ISIS is still a very formidable foe. They're still holding a lot of territory. And one of the problems you're seeing now is the Russians have moved in with a couple of dozen warplanes, their own tanks and so forth. They're saying to the Americans, we can help out in this effort. But what they want is for Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, to stay in power. That's something the Americans do not want, but they may be forced to assume a Russian strategy at this point.
SIMON: Tom Bowman, thanks so much for joining us.
BOWMAN: You're welcome, Scott. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/u-s-trained-syrian-rebels-gave-equipment-to-al-qaida-linked-group | 2022-08-18T20:07:33Z |
Shawn Colvin is best known for her original songs, but like many musicians, she also likes to reimagine the works of her peers and influences. Back in 1994, she released Cover Girl, with songs by Bob Dylan, The Talking Heads, Tom Waits and others. Learning that material, she says, had a profound effect on her self-confidence as a songwriter.
"Singing was easy. Writing? Terrifying. And I think it took me all those years as a student to understand what's good, and realize that we all have something to say," Colvin says. "It's not that anyone has a corner on the market of original subjects. We all tend to write about very similar things, really, when it comes right down to it. But I own my own point of view, and my own set of words and ability to express them. And I finally got brave enough to tackle it.
Twenty-one years later, Colvin has released another collection of revamped favorites, simply called Uncovered. It opens with her version of Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher than the Rest," a song she says she'd have delivered much differently had she attempted it two decades ago.
"It's mistaken, perhaps, for a song that's got a lot of bravado in it, and I don't see it that way," she explains. "I see it as world-weariness that he's conveying, and sort of a quiet confidence, born of struggle and experience and heartbreak. And 20 years ago, I didn't have as much of that as I do now — for better or for worse."
Colvin spoke with NPR's Scott Simon about the making of Uncovered. Hear more of their conversation at the audio link.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2015-09-26/we-all-have-something-to-say-shawn-colvin-on-the-value-of-cover-songs | 2022-08-18T20:07:39Z |
Police: Mother facing charges after 3-year-old son found dead with drugs in system
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) - A Kansas City woman is facing charges after police say they found her child unresponsive inside a home earlier this week.
According to court records, the Kansas City Police Department responded to reports of a child who died at a residence on Wednesday.
First responders reportedly found a 3-year-old boy unresponsive and covered up on a bed. Officers said they removed a blanket and saw the boy not moving with discolored feet.
KCTV reports the officers also noted seeing a raised, discolored scab on the boy’s back that indicated a possible infection.
Authorities said the 3-year-old’s body was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital, where lab results indicated he had amphetamines in his system.
The boy’s mother, Michaela Chism, reportedly told police that she had stayed at the residence for about two weeks. She said the people in the home, including herself, consumed controlled substances, including methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Police said Chism told investigators that one evening she woke up and began watching TV and noticed her son was not moving. She went to check on him, and he was unresponsive.
According to court documents, Chism told police her son had died on the couch and was moved to a bedroom when police were initially called to the home for a welfare check.
Authorities said they obtained a search warrant and detectives found drug paraphernalia throughout the residence, crystal-like substances and multiple prescription pill bottles.
Police report Chism has been charged with first-degree child endangerment and first-degree child endangerment involving drugs in the case that remains under investigation.
Copyright 2022 KCTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/18/police-mother-facing-charges-after-3-year-old-son-found-dead-with-drugs-system/ | 2022-08-18T20:11:45Z |
Senator Bob Casey joins AARP Discussion
HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey joined AARP Pennsylvania for a roundtable conversation highlighting how older Pennsylvanians will benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which was signed into law by President Biden earlier this week.
"The Inflation Reduction Act is a game-changer for our seniors: it will make prescription drugs more affordable, cap annual out-of-pocket Medicare costs at $2,000 and will even cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month under Medicare Part D," said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. "Today's discussion showed how much this new law will help Pennsylvania seniors who have struggled with high health care costs. Our work to lower costs for seniors and families continues, and I am proud to join AARP in that fight."
Gathered in AARP Pennsylvania's Harrisburg Office, State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh and Volunteer State President Joanne Grossi, along with Senator Casey and special guests Ginny Boynton of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and Susan Washinger, Community Organizer with PHAN (Pennsylvania Health Access Network) discussed how the bill will help lower prescription drug and health care costs for families across the state.
After decades of calling on Congress to make prescription drugs more affordable, AARP won the fight for Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and help seniors save money on their medications. The historic new law will lower health care costs for seniors, including capping the cost of insulin at $35 per month for people who use Medicare Part D.
The bill will not only save money for millions of seniors, but it will also save lives by:
- Finally, allowing Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs
- Limiting the cost of insulin to $35/month for people on Medicare
- Penalizing drug companies for raising their prices higher than inflation
- Giving people in Medicare drug plans peace of mind knowing they won't have to pay more than $2,000 a year for their medications
- Making many vaccines, such as shingles, available at no cost in Medicare.
"This was a historic victory on behalf of AARP Pennsylvania's 1.8 million members, but the fight isn't over," said Joanne Grossi, AARP PA's Volunteer State President. "Big drug companies will spend millions trying to overturn the new law so they can keep charging Americans the highest prices in the world. AARP will keep fighting big drug companies' out-of-control prices. We won't back down and we are proud to have Senator Casey join us in this fight."
Contact: TJ Thiessen, tthiessen@aarp.org, 202-374-8033
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SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/aarp-pennsylvania-convenes-discussion-lower-prescription-drug-costs-after-inflation-reduction-act-signed-into-law/ | 2022-08-18T20:11:49Z |
STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aircastle Limited ("Aircastle") announced the release of its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") Report providing indicators for sustainability topics following the Global Reporting Initiative metrics. The report is available for review under the ESG section of Aircastle's website (www.aircastle.com).
Mike Inglese, Aircastle's CEO, commented, "We're pleased to affirm our commitment to environmentally sustainable aviation solutions and communicate our high standards for compliance, governance and maintaining a transparent business environment. This baseline report provides metrics on the issues that matter most to our stakeholders, and we look forward to reporting on future performance annually in the spirit of continuous improvement."
Aircastle Limited acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of May 31, 2022, Aircastle owned and managed on behalf of its joint ventures 250 aircraft leased to 74 customers located in 44 countries.
Aircastle Advisor LLC
Jim Connelly, SVP ESG & Corporate Communications
Tel: +1-203-504-1871
jconnelly@aircastle.com
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SOURCE Aircastle Limited | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/aircastle-releases-first-esg-report/ | 2022-08-18T20:11:50Z |
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtrak released its FY21 Sustainability Report that showcases sustainability projects across Amtrak's regions and operations. Throughout the report are details of Amtrak's measured progress against annual and long-term sustainability goals that encompass greenhouse gas emissions, diesel fuel and electricity usage.
"Driving sustainability at Amtrak means transforming the customer experience, reducing our carbon footprint and expanding service to new markets across America," said Stephen Gardner, CEO at Amtrak. "Recognizing the urgency to act now, Amtrak is out to change the way our country moves."
Today, intercity travel on Amtrak is cleaner and more sustainable than most alternatives. On average, Amtrak service is 46% more energy efficient than travel by car and 34% more efficient than domestic air travel. On the electrified Northeast Corridor, Amtrak travel emits up to 83% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to car travel and up to 72% less greenhouse gas emissions than flying. Our fully electrified service also provides the environmental benefit of zero tail pipe emissions which improves air quality in the dense urban areas we serve.
Highlights from the report include:
- Cleaner, more climate-friendly equipment: A significant share of Amtrak's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-provided funding will support the procurement of new train equipment. On the NEC and various State-Supported routes, this equipment will include new trainsets, including some dual-power equipment that can run on electric or diesel and other dual-power equipment that can run on battery or diesel. On Long-Distance routes, IIJA funds will support the continued procurement of fuel-efficient, Tier 4-compliant ALC-42 locomotives, which emit 89% less nitrogen oxide and 95% less particulate matter than the diesels that they are replacing.
- Expansion of energy-efficient passenger rail service: Large increases in population and travel demand, demographic shifts, congestion and changing travel preferences mean that Amtrak's legacy route network does not fully meet the changing needs of the traveling public. For example, Texas and Florida, the nation's second and third most populous states, have a combined population of just over 50 million, but those two states are served by just six Amtrak routes, some of which do not operate every day. In FY21, Amtrak released a corridor vision called Amtrak Connects US, to develop and expand intercity passenger rail corridors. Providing intercity passenger rail service to the 50 largest metropolitan areas, Amtrak's vision aims to add service to 160 new communities, create 39 new routes and enhance 25 routes. A historic investment in expanding passenger rail, IIJA funding signifies the important role trains play in the future of sustainable transportation.
- Improved capacity, reliability and performance on existing routes: Guided by the Northeast Corridor Commission's Connect NEC 2035 service development plan, the IIJA investments will make the Western Hemisphere's busiest, highest-speed rail corridor an even more efficient, effective and resilient mode of transportation—taking countless cars off the road, driving down carbon emissions and showing what sustained, robust funding for rail could achieve in other parts of the country.
- Acela solar-powered gates: In 2021, Amtrak designed and deployed innovative, solar powered technology to improve security on our Northeast Corridor (NEC) Right of Way (ROW), prior to the upcoming launch of the historic new Acela service, advancing safety and sustainability together.
"Providing high-quality, low-carbon rail service that takes people out of cars and planes is one of the most efficient ways to drive emissions reductions," said Dennis Newman, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning & Accessibility at Amtrak. "Through more and better service, we will give additional people a chance to pitch-in and fight the climate crisis by choosing rail."
For more information about Amtrak's approach to sustainability, please visit amtrak.com/sustainability.
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SOURCE Amtrak | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/amtrak-releases-fy21-sustainability-report/ | 2022-08-18T20:11:56Z |
Grant Slated to Upgrade Food Bank's Technology
ATLANTA, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Atlanta Community Food Bank announces a $200,000 grant from Kroger stores. The grant will be used to update the nonprofit's technology with a new CRM system. The new system will help easily identify current needs and serve the Food Bank's agencies and clients more effectively.
The Food Bank anticipates saving approximately 50% on current annual support costs with the upgrade. By using a cloud-based solution, it will also reduce costs associated with hardware and maintenance and improve data management and reporting by combining client, agency, and supplier data into a single data structure.
"Kroger's investment will significantly improve how the Food Bank does business and is able to operate daily," said Kyle Waide, President & CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "We are grateful to partners like Kroger for helping us better serve our food-insecure neighbors."
In addition to the grant, Kroger has donated close to 4 million pounds of food this past year – the equivalent of 3.3 million meals – from 8,170 individual donations through their retail operations, fulfillment center and general donations. The grant project was financially assisted by The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation.
"The updated technology combined with the unwavering commitment of the Atlanta Community Food Bank and community volunteers will help achieve our mutual vision of communities free of hunger and waste," said Kroger Atlanta Division President Victor Smith. The grant is evidence of Kroger's commitment to its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan, which aims to develop a more efficient, equitable, and charitable food system.
With one in ten people – including one in seven children – in the Atlanta community living in food insecurity, hunger remains a pressing issue that has a significant impact on the lives of many people. Individuals and families served by the Food Bank face daily challenges in ensuring they have enough food to last the day, week, or month.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank works to end hunger with the food, people and big ideas needed to ensure our neighbors have the nourishment to lead healthy and productive lives. Far too many people in our own community experience hunger every day, including children, seniors and working families. Through more than 700 nonprofit partners, we help more than 715,00 people get healthy food every year. Our goal is that all hungry people across metro Atlanta and North Georgia will have access to the nutritious meals they need when they need them. It takes the power of our whole community to make that possible. Join us at ACFB.org.
The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2018 that has given more than $30 million to organizations, innovators, and changemakers to address the fundamental absurdity in our food system: 35% of food produced in the U.S. is wasted, yet 42 million Americans experience hunger. The Foundation was formed to support initiatives that create communities free of hunger and waste.
Media Contact
Kim Miller
media@acfb.org
786.605.9228
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SOURCE Atlanta Community Food Bank | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/atlanta-community-food-bank-receives-200000-grant-kroger/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:04Z |
Peers name veteran trial lawyers among best for personal injury, product liability litigation
DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Peer lawyers in Texas and the research staff at Best Lawyers in America have selected veteran trial lawyers Frank L. Branson, Debbie Dudley Branson, Tim Newsom and John Burkhead among the nation's best for their representation of individuals in personal injury and product liability litigation.
The Best Lawyers honors are only the latest recognition for the firm, which has built a national reputation for representing individuals in catastrophic personal injury lawsuits against trucking and transportation companies, pipeline operators, oil and gas companies, the operators of dangerous worksites, automakers, and manufacturers of defective products.
One of the legal industry's oldest and most respected peer-review guides to the legal industry, Best Lawyers compiles its list from surveys of tens of thousands of attorneys nationwide followed by a rigorous vetting by the magazine's research staff.
Mr. Branson is among an exclusive group of practitioners who have been honored by Best Lawyers annually since 1987. For the 2023 edition, he is recognized for his expertise in personal injury, product liability, professional malpractice, medical malpractice and commercial litigation.
In addition to the Best Lawyers honors, Mr. Branson is a Lawdragon Hall of Fame honoree and has been named among the Top 10 lawyers in the state by Texas Super Lawyers every year since 2007. He is the recipient of the Texas Bar Foundation's Ronald Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award and has been named to D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas Hall of Fame, Texas Lawbook's "Lions of the Bar," the National Law Journal's "50 Most Influential Lawyers in the U.S.," and D CEO's "Dallas 500: The Most Powerful Business Leaders."
Ms. Branson earned Best Lawyers honors in both personal injury and commercial litigation. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers annually since 2012. In addition, her professional accolades include the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers and D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas.
Mr. Newsom earned 2023 honors for his representation of plaintiffs in high-stakes personal injury disputes. In addition to Best Lawyers, he is a repeat Texas Super Lawyers honoree with rare double certification in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law. He is active in leadership positions in legal and professional organizations and currently serves as president-elect of TEX-ABOTA, the Texas Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
For the second year, Best Lawyers has honored Mr. Burkhead among its "Ones to Watch," a list that recognizes early and mid-career practitioners. He has been selected by Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars every year since 2016 and has also been honored among the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers.
The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson represents clients in cases involving complex product liability, catastrophic injury, truck accidents, commercial air crashes, electrical and gas explosions, and truck and auto catastrophic injury. To learn more visit http://www.flbranson.com.
Contact:
Robert Tharp
800-559-4534
robert@androvett.com
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SOURCE Law Offices of Frank L. Branson | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/best-lawyers-america-honors-four-law-offices-frank-l-branson/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:05Z |
Chris Hamilton, Paul Wingo, Ray T. Khirallah, Jr. and Grant P. Boston honored for personal injury litigation expertise
DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trial law firm Hamilton Wingo is pleased to announce that four attorneys have been selected to the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America, the nation's oldest and one of the most respected peer-review guides to the legal industry.
Since 2019, co-founder Chris Hamilton has earned Best Lawyers recognition for his work representing plaintiffs in personal injury and product liability litigation. Known for tenacious courtroom advocacy, Mr. Hamilton along with attorney Ray T. Khirallah, Jr. recently won a record $7.37 billion negligence verdict against Charter Spectrum. Other successes include a $25 million settlement in a federal False Claims Act case. The legal industry has repeatedly recognized Mr. Hamilton for his expertise with honors on top-lawyer lists such as Texas Super Lawyers.
Firm co-founder Paul Wingo is recognized for his representation of plaintiffs in personal injury litigation, which has resulted in hundreds of millions in recoveries for clients. His work has earned legal industry accolades, such as listings in Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Rising Stars.
Mr. Khirallah joins the Best Lawyers list for the second consecutive year, honored for his expertise in plaintiffs' personal injury litigation. A veteran litigator, he has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in oilfield, 18-wheeler and premises liability cases. Mr. Khirallah has earned repeat honors from peers for his legal expertise, including Texas Super Lawyers.
Associate attorney Grant P. Boston is a first-time honoree by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for his work with plaintiffs in personal injury litigation. The designation highlights attorneys who have five to nine years in legal practice and exemplify outstanding professional excellence.
The trial lawyers at Hamilton Wingo, LLP, are devoted to representing individuals in high-stakes, complex litigation on a contingent fee basis. They have obtained more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements for clients. For more information, visit hamiltonwingo.com/.
Media Contact:
Sophia Reza
800-559-4534
sophia@androvett.com
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SOURCE Hamilton Wingo, LLP | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/best-lawyers-honors-four-hamilton-wingo-attorneys-among-best-nation/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:14Z |
CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. Magazine has revealed that Bitcoin of America is one of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Bitcoin of America is one of the leading operators in the cryptocurrency industry. The popular operator has won this award 2 years in a row. To date, they have around 2500 plus BTM locations across 31 states and are constantly expanding.
Bitcoin of America recently reported significant growth this year. In January, the company had a total of 1,623 BTMs. Since, they have seen about a 54% percent increase in their numbers. They are even about to hit a major achievement of 3000 plus BTMs. Bitcoin of America has also seen enormous growth in their number of employees. Last year the company reported having around 26 employees. To date, they have around 40.
Bitcoin of America announced a ton of updates to their BTMs in 2022. The popular operator added Bitcoin Cash to their BTMs in June. They also added Zcash in July. Bitcoin of America also added Dogecoin and Shiba Inu in April. They are constantly making updates to their BTMs to add coins that are high in demand. Bitcoin of America also offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin options online and at their BTM locations.
The company launched back in 2015 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL. To become part of the Bitcoin of America location expansion, simply visit their host page on their website. Local businesses have the opportunity to start earning passive income and take advantage of free marketing.
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SOURCE Bitcoin of America | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/bitcoin-america-listed-by-inc-5000-one-fastest-growing-private-companies-america-second-year/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:21Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain Capital, LLC announced the appointment of Tony Schmidt as Chief Operating Officer & Operating Partner. Mr. Schmidt will be responsible for optimizing firmwide operations while working with senior management in overseeing organizational priorities and developing and executing the firm's ongoing strategic roadmap.
"With over 17 years of experience in defining operations, technology, processes, and the integration of strategic initiatives for some of most reputable private capital firms, Tony has a proven record of achieving measurable results and his industry expertise will be critical in continuing to build our best-in-class operational framework", said Brad Stephens, Founding Partner.
Prior to joining Blockchain Capital, Mr. Schmidt was a Controller of Finance and Operations at Spectrum Equity where he managed the financial operations of the funds while spearheading systems optimization, new platform implementations and other operational initiatives across the firm. Prior to Spectrum Equity, Mr. Schmidt consulted for some of the largest and most reputable global private capital firms in addition to working in positions at JPMorgan and TA Associates. During this time, he managed portfolio reporting, led operating model assessments, software selection and implementation, and business process design and automation. Tony earned a B.S. in Accounting & Business Administration from Northern Kentucky University and continued his musical studies as an accomplished pianist at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
About Blockchain Capital, LLC
Based in San Francisco, Blockchain Capital is the first dedicated venture capital firm to invest exclusively in the blockchain technology sector. Founded in 2013 by Bart and Brad Stephens, Blockchain Capital has funded over 165 founders with the principal mission of helping these entrepreneurs build world-class companies and projects based on blockchain technology.
Media Contact: contact@blockchaincapital.com, 415-677-5340
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SOURCE Blockchain Capital | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/blockchain-capital-announces-new-chief-operating-officer-amp-operating-partner/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:28Z |
Additional valet service creates more capacity at some of the busiest stations and complements City of Boston's free 30-day pass offer
BOSTON, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To help support Metro Boston residents during the upcoming Orange and Green Line shutdowns, Bluebikes title sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) will sponsor additional valet service at four Bluebikes stations, expanding accessibility to the public bike share system at peak usage times. Bluebikes is owned by the system's 11 municipalities and operated by Lyft.
With an expected increase in Bluebikes ridership during the Orange and Green Line closures, the valet service will help expand bike and dock availability at some of the busiest stations and provide an accessible and alternative mode of transportation during the shutdowns. The additional valet support, sponsored by Blue Cross and in partnership with the City of Boston, will be available to riders at select Bluebikes stations weekdays from Monday, August 22, through Friday, September 16, during the hours of 7-11 am and 3-7 pm. To find real-time valet service locations, please visit the System Map on the Bluebikes website or the Bluebikes app and look for the Valet icon at your destination station to confirm service is active.
"We're committed to promoting accessible, healthy transit options in our communities, including through continued collaboration with our partners across the Bluebikes municipalities," said Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs at Blue Cross. "We hope that our support of Bluebikes will help support greater Boston residents through the MBTA shutdowns."
In conjunction with the additional valet support during this time, the City of Boston has also announced free 30-day Bluebikes passes during the MBTA closures to further support the community. To access free passes, which are available beginning August 19, residents can download the Bluebikes app or navigate to Bluebikes.com/join and select a Monthly Membership. Existing Bluebikes users can log into their online account and select "Renew Membership." Current monthly members with auto-renew turned on will not be charged for the new pass this month.
Blue Cross is in the fifth year of a six-year Bluebikes title sponsorship, which launched in May 2018. Through its partnership with the municipal owners of Bluebikes, Blue Cross continues to support system growth and accessibility, including station expansions, upgrades, and additional bikes, and is pleased to be able to support the city of Boston during this scheduled MBTA maintenance.
Bluebikes is public transportation by bike. The system is jointly owned and managed by the Cities of Boston, Cambridge, Everett, Salem and Somerville and the Town of Brookline. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is the system's title sponsor. Riders can find 400 stations and 4,000 bikes across 11 municipalities in Metro Boston. Since 2011, more than 14 million trips have been taken by bike share. For more information about Bluebikes, visit bluebikes.com.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.org) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are committed to the relentless pursuit of quality, affordable and equitable health care with an unparalleled consumer experience. Consistent with our promise to always put our members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/blue-cross-blue-shield-massachusetts-sponsors-bluebikes-valets-help-expand-bike-availability-during-mbta-shutdowns/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:35Z |
RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Square, one of the nation's leading sponsors of tax-advantaged real estate investments and a developer of multifamily communities, has been named one of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing private companies in America for the sixth consecutive year.
"We are thrilled that Capital Square has been named to the Inc. 5000 list for the sixth year in a row in recognition of the firm's continued growth as a sponsor of tax-advantaged real estate investments and developer of multifamily communities," said Louis Rogers, founder and chief executive officer of Capital Square. "This is a testament to the skill, talent and dedication of Capital Square's team and the tremendous work that has been accomplished since our founding in 2012, which has firmly established Capital Square as one of the leading real estate firms in the nation."
With an annual growth rate of 282%, Capital Square ranked 2,117 on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list, which is comprised of the 5,000 fastest-growing private firms in America based on a three-year percentage of revenue growth rate. Founded in 2012, Capital Square was first named to the Inc. 5000 list in 2017.
Capital Square is a national real estate firm specializing in tax-advantaged real estate investments, including Delaware statutory trusts for Section 1031 exchanges, qualified opportunity zone funds for tax deferral and exclusion and a real estate investment trust (REIT). In recent years the company has become an active developer of mixed-use multifamily properties in the southeastern US, with eight current projects totaling approximately 2,000 apartment units with a total development cost in excess of $600 million. Since 2012, Capital Square has completed more than $6.0 billion in transaction volume. Capital Square's related entities provide a range of services, including due diligence, acquisition, loan sourcing, property/asset management, and disposition, for a growing number of high-net-worth investors, private equity firms, family offices and institutional investors. Since 2017, Capital Square has been recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation for six consecutive years. In 2017, 2018 and 2020, the company was also ranked on Richmond BizSense's list of fastest growing companies. Additionally, Capital Square was listed by Virginia Business on their "Best Places to Work in Virginia" report in 2019 and their "Fantastic 50" reports in 2019 and 2020. To learn more, visit www.CapitalSq.com.
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SOURCE Capital Square | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/capital-square-named-inc-5000-list-fast-growing-private-companies-country-sixth-consecutive-year/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:41Z |
The Go-to List of Leaders who Positively Impact the State of Colorado
DENVER, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CiviCO, a nonprofit that cultivates civic-minded leaders, announced 29 Colorado business executives and community leaders as 2022-23 Colorado Governor's Fellows. The Colorado Governor's Fellowship program prepares private and nonprofit sector leaders for opportunities to deepen their understanding of Colorado state government and statewide public policy issues.
"I am thrilled to welcome the newest cohort of Governor's Fellows through the continued partnership between CiviCO and the Colorado Governor's Office. These fellows will gain valuable experience from this program and go on to help ensure Colorado is the best place to live, work and run or start a business," said Governor Jared Polis.
This year's Governor's Fellows are:
- Betsy Bair, Community Hospital
- Mara Brosy-Wiwchar, Onward Energy
- Jamie Brown, Colorado Springs Health Foundation
- Patrick Byrne, Denver Kids, Inc.
- Briah Carey, DaVita Kidney Care
- Karen Cheser, Durango School District
- Tyescha Clark, Inside Out Youth Services
- Scott Michael Clements, Retired Executive
- Charles Gilford III, City and County of Denver
- Antonio Huerta, Southern Colorado Regional Director for U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper
- Andrew Klosterman, Peak Beverage
- Sam Knaizer, BPX Energy
- Stephanie Knight, Senior Hub
- Byron Kominek, Jack's Solar Garden Developments
- Lulu Lantzy, Emily Griffith Technical College
- Marvin Lee, PureLee Redefined
- Sid Makkar, Arrowmark Partners
- Sarah Jane Maxted, Deloitte
- Nicole Milo, Centura Health
- Latrina Ollie, Solid Rock Community Development Corporation
- Alexandra Peterson, Markle Foundation
- Sarah Plastino, Sarah Plastino Consulting
- Paul Reich, The Center for Mental Health
- Scott Richardson, South Metro Fire Rescue
- Nathaniel Robinson, Leaf Global Fintech
- Andrew Rubin, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
- Sharon Schneider, Integrated Capital Strategies, LLC
- David Thurow, Prosono
- Megan Wilson, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation
Since 2016, CiviCO has graduated 122 fellows who are now leading and serving predominantly across the state of Colorado. The program enables participants to shadow members of the Polis Administration and various statewide agencies, while working on real-time public policy projects.
"The program is committed to creating platforms for leaders to grow from a place of seeking to understand Colorado's rural/urban divide, and the value of diversity of thought, civic engagement and multi-sector leadership," said Ryan Heckman, co-chairman of CiviCO.
To learn more about the program, please visit www.livecivico.org
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SOURCE CiviCO | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/civico-announces-2022-2023-colorado-governors-fellows/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:47Z |
Leading IT Services Franchise Reaches $100 Million Revenue Milestone
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CMIT Solutions, the nation's leading managed service provider (MSP) of information technology (IT) services to the small and medium-sized business community, has achieved a significant milestone. The company has reached $100 million in systemwide revenue.
In 2019, CMIT Solutions had $68 million in systemwide revenue and was on a growth trajectory to reach $100 million by 2026. In 2020, the then new CEO, Roger Lewis, rallied the organization around a new vision statement. Lewis says, "We set a goal to become a $100 million MSP servicing the IT needs of small and medium-sized businesses as a unified brand by the end of 2023." For this to become a reality, Lewis implemented a series of growth strategies, including pivoting marketing to focus extensively on lead generation by creating in-depth marketing programs which measure influenced revenue. Next, the company brought MSP sales training in house and introduced repeatable, scalable processes throughout the organization. The entire system's mindset shifted to marketing and growing the business. These programs paid huge dividends resulting in CMIT Solutions' achievement of this milestone within the third quarter of 2022, more than a year ahead of the vision statement timeline Lewis set for the system.
In his congratulatory speech to the system franchisees, Lewis stated, "I'm incredibly inspired by each and every one of you. Your perseverance, your heart, and the many, many ways you support one another. It is unbelievable. It is unstoppable! You've earned this moment. $100 million dollars! Congratulations!"
According to Paul Dippell, an MSP industry analyst, reaching $100 million in revenue puts CMIT Solutions within the ranks of the top 25 revenue-grossing MSPs, specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.
"This achievement is the direct result of our franchisees' dedication to their customers. Every day, CMIT Solutions' local teams go the extra mile to support the businesses in their communities," said Lewis. "I'm looking forward to continuing this momentum and seeing how far we go in the coming years as we strengthen our reputation as the leading brand within the IT MSP space."
The system has honed its focus on continued growth with strategic marketing and sales programs combined with strong technology provider partnerships. A monthly marketing playbook was introduced to the system to provide franchisees with a fully developed guide to assist in further spreading awareness of CMIT Solutions within each local community. These efforts aid in the brand's ability to connect with clients and motivate franchise candidates.
A proven franchise model has contributed to the triumph that CMIT Solutions has achieved in recent years. So far within 2022, the company has been recognized as a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and several of its women franchise owners were recognized in CRN's Women of the Channel list. With 250-plus locations nationwide, CMIT Solutions' momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
CMIT Solutions is widely recognized as the frontrunner among IT service providers for the small and mid-sized organizations in the United States and Canada. Offering a broad spectrum of proactive computer maintenance, monitoring, cybersecurity, and virtual technology packages, along with quick response support when unexpected crises occur, CMIT Solutions has carved out its niche as an industry innovator specializing in working with businesses in franchisees' local communities.
To learn more about CMIT Solutions and its services, please visit: www.cmitsolutions.com.
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SOURCE CMIT Solutions | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/cmit-solutions-hits-revenue-goal-years-ahead-target-date/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:53Z |
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction Risk Partners (CRP), a subsidiary of BRP Group, Inc. ("BRP Group" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: BRP), is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Gloriod to the team as a Partner.
Mr. Gloriod will lead CRP's geographic expansion into the mid-west. He will be responsible for building a team and book of business while collaborating with colleagues from CRP and BRP. He brings more than 25 years of experience in construction and insurance to CRP, and expertise in multiple lines of insurance coverage with an emphasis on property/casualty placements, wrap-ups, and builders' risk. He also has an extensive background in broking, underwriting, and claims management.
Most recently, Mr. Gloriod led Aon's Central Region Broking Team in addition to being an Account Executive on a $2M+ revenue book of business. He was responsible for program design, risk management, and broking of large construction clients and projects in casualty and builder's risk.
"Mark has the perfect mix of experience, culture, and entrepreneurship to help CRP expand our geographic footprint. We are extremely proud to welcome Mark to the CRP and BRP family," said Joe Charczenko, Partner, Construction Risk Partners.
"I am extremely excited to join CRP and start the next chapter of my career to help them expand into the Midwest," said Mr. Gloriod.
Construction Risk Partners is the leading specialist broker for owners, developers, general contractors, engineers, and subcontractors that need to mitigate financial risks related to construction activity. Our expertise and specialization in construction allows us to tailor our financial products and services to align perfectly. We offer insurance, surety, bonding, default insurance as well as our industry's most respected Loss Prevention and Wrap-Up services. Learn more at www.constructionriskpartners.com.
BRP Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRP) is an independent insurance distribution firm delivering tailored insurance and risk management insights and solutions that give our Clients the peace of mind to pursue their purpose, passion and dreams. We are innovating the industry by taking a holistic and tailored approach to risk management, insurance and employee benefits, and support our Clients, Colleagues, Insurance Company Partners and communities through the deployment of vanguard resources and capital to drive our growth. BRP Group represents over 1,200,000 Clients across the United States and internationally. For more information, please visit www.baldwinriskpartners.com.
This press release may contain various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which represent BRP Group's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or BRP Group's strategies or expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may", "might", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "projects", "potential", "outlook" or "continue", or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.
Factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described under the caption "Risk Factors" in BRP Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and in BRP Group's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at: www.sec.gov, including those risks and other factors relevant to the business, financial condition and results of operations of BRP Group and factors related to the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on BRP Group's business, financial condition and results of operations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. All forward-looking statements and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to BRP Group or to persons acting on behalf of BRP Group are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BRP Group does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law.
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SOURCE Construction Risk Partners | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/construction-risk-partners-welcomes-mark-gloriod-partner/ | 2022-08-18T20:12:59Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine recently released that HumanN, an industry leader in functional nutrition and life sciences, was named for the eighth consecutive year on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment—its independent businesses. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
"We are honored that HumanN has achieved the rarified air of being named to the Inc. 5000 for 8 consecutive years!" says CEO and Co-Founder, Joel Kocher. "One of our company's values is to perpetually adapt to the new challenges every new year brings. Our supremely talented team has done that again and again, every year since HumanN was founded."
The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Together, those companies added more than 68,394 jobs over the past three years.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, which will be available on August 23.
"The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated," says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today."
Strategic innovation propels the team at HumanN to continue to adapt, developing new markets and opportunities each year. Says Kocher, "Our team simply understands that what got you here will never get you there [to the next phase of growth]."
A groundbreaking functional nutrition and life sciences company, HumanN was founded in affiliation with a leading academic research program and is committed to promoting healthy circulatory and blood flow function for optimal living. The innovators at HumanN bring forth smart, plant-based, and nutrition-forward science in the form of supplements in innovative form factors (powders, chews, gummies, tablets), to meet the demands of modern, health-conscious consumers. Its products are widely used by physicians, consumers, and athletes alike, including over 120 Professional and Division One Collegiate sports teams. HumanN's product line includes leading product brands such as SuperBeets, BeetElite, and Neo40. SuperBeets is the leading superfood brand sold at GNC and is also sold at leading U.S. retailers such as CVS Pharmacy, Publix, Target.com, and Sprouts.
The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
HumanN
855-636-4040
info@humann.com
www.humann.com
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SOURCE HumanN | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/eighth-consecutive-year-humann-appears-inc-5000-ranking-no-3239-with-three-year-revenue-growth-1635-percent/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:05Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Elevation Gold Mining Corporation (TSX.V: ELVT) (OTCQX: EVGDF) (the "Company" or "Elevation Gold") is pleased to announce that all matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in the detail of the Company's Management information Circular dated July 13, 2022, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at its Annual General Meeting ("AGM"). A total of 36,024,003 common shares of the Company were represented by shareholders in person or by proxy at the AGM, representing 32.63% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares as at the record date of July 13, 2022.
Specifically, shareholders voted to approve:
- Election of the Board of Directors nominated;
- Re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the Company's external auditors for 2022; and
- Approval of the Company's new 10% rolling equity incentive plan.
Detailed results of the voting are set out below:
The directors will serve on the Board of Directors until the Company's next AGM of shareholders.
Full details of all proposals are described in the Company's Management Information Circular available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Additionally, the Company has entered into an arrangement that provides Elevation Gold with a US $6 million revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"). The net proceeds will be used for operating and capital expenditures at its wholly-owned gold and silver producing Moss Mine in Arizona and for general working capital purposes. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, interest accrues on any unpaid principal at an interest rate of 12% per annum compounded on a monthly basis, with all accrued interest and principal payable on or before December 31, 2023. On closing, Elevation Gold was advanced a principal amount of US $3 million (the "Initial Advance"). Additional advances following the Initial Advance will be made available to the Company at the discretion of the lender. The Company may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, prepay without penalty or premium the Credit Facility, in whole or in part.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF ELEVATION GOLD MINING CORPORATION
"Tim J. Swendseid"
Tim J. Swendseid, President of Elevation Gold Mining Corporation
Elevation Gold is a publicly listed gold and silver producer, engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of mineral properties located in the United States. Elevation Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") in Canada under the ticker symbol ELVT and on the NASDAQ OTC in the United States under the ticker symbol EVGDF. The Company's principal operation is the 100% owned Moss Mine in the Mohave County of Arizona. Elevation also holds the title to the Hercules exploration property, located in Lyon County, Nevada.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this document constitute forward-looking information, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to appointing a new President. Words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "goal", "aim", "intend", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "can", "could", "should", "schedule" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, forecast or intended and readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward–looking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable law.
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SOURCE Elevation Gold Mining Corp. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/elevation-gold-announces-agm-results-us-6-million-working-capital-loan/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:11Z |
Hyde will lead ERIE's diversity, equity and inclusion team, bringing experience from Koppers, Inc., where he led global inclusion and diversity initiatives
ERIE, Pa., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Insurance (ERIE) has named Lance Hyde to the role of Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), effective August 22. Hyde will report to ERIE's Chief Diversity and Community Development Officer Chris Marsh in the position and lead the company's DEI team and related enterprise initiatives.
Hyde brings more than 15 years of experience in diversity and inclusion practices, including significant supplier diversity and sustainability expertise, to the leadership role at ERIE. He joins the company after serving as Director of Global Inclusion and Diversity at Pittsburgh-based Koppers International.
"I am excited to welcome Lance to the ERIE Family and the Erie community," said Marsh. "With his demonstrated collaborative work style and results-driven approach, I'm confident Lance is well-equipped to help lead ERIE through our next evolution of DEI."
At Koppers, Hyde helped develop the company's global inclusion and diversity strategy while partnering with business unit leaders to create a robust supplier diversity program. Prior to joining Koppers, Hyde served in various leadership positions at EQT Corporation, including diversity manager and director of supplier diversity. While at EQT, he managed all D&I functions, including building HR diversity responsibilities, expanding and supporting Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and serving on the EQT Foundation. He worked closely with human resources to create and implement a successful "D&I Recruit and Retain" strategy and participated in global industry conferences to attract diverse talent to the industry and company.
Recognized nationally for his DEI thought leadership and supplier diversity expertise, Hyde has participated in more than 50 panel discussions on a variety of topics throughout his career and has been featured in national and regional media.
Hyde earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from California State University, East Bay in Hayward, Calif. and a master's in Business Administration from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pa. He received the Timothy and Caroline Thyreen Service Leadership Award from Waynesburg University in 2021 and the Supplier Diversity Professional of the Year Award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council in 2019 for his accomplishments in supplier diversity initiatives with EQT.
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Indemnity Company | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/erie-insurance-names-diversity-equity-inclusion-leader-lance-hyde-vp-role/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:18Z |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Breaking through the limits of traditional diagnostics, a new experience for technicians and DIYers of OBDII diagnostic device is now official available. An effective device with excellent user experience has been refined with the Mucar CDE900, and a limited time special offer for half price on the Mucar CDE900 is available on August 22nd . The first 100 customers will also get an extra gift.
Most traditional OBD devices can only perform the basic functions.
After in-depth investigating, MUCAR brought out a comprehensive design on product positioning, user habits, software optimization, and operation experience, to create a brand new product for our users: CDE900.
CDE900 adopts Android 6.0 intelligent system. The device runs faster with 2G memory and 16G storage. It also supports up to 256G expanded memory card. Equipped with 1500mAh capacity battery without OBD interface power supply, users can turn on the device to check the historical diagnosis report. It's ready for the next repair and maintenance anytime.
It supports 16 languages, full function of OBD2 and EOBD2 optimizing communication protocol to cover vehicles after 1996, lifetime free OTA upgrade with WiFi function. The CDE900 also offers an optional life-time extension function beyond traditional OBDII and EOBD devices: ECM+SRS+TCM+ABS. When you need it, you can pay for the additional functions anytime. Even if you choose to pay for the additional 4 system features, this product is still more cost-effective than its peers.
In the past, OBD devices only adopted physical buttons and ordinary LCD screen, which cannot be used after the buttons are damaged in the complex diagnostic environment. CDE900 optimizes this situation with modifications:
1. A 4-inch capacitive touch screen, maximizing the proportion. Users can operate on the screen directly.
2. Physical buttons are maintained, to ensure stable operation while using it.
CDE900 adopts a color screen display with a new icon UI design to manage functions, making the function display more intuitive and vivid. Up to 120 data streams can be read at the same time, without missing abnormal data of multidimensional data comparison.
The Mucar CDE900 is available for half price for a limited time on August 22nd. The first 100 customers will also get an extra gift. To learn more, visit:
For Media Enquiries:
Jackie Lin
Email: linjiajie@thinkcar.com
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SOURCE Mucar Tech | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/first-launch-breaking-through-limits-traditional-diagnostics-mucar-cde900/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:24Z |
Combined with donations from FirstEnergy Corp., initiative has collectively gifted $7 million to organizations since 2020
AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation awarded more than $3.43 million to nearly 100 organizations across its six-state service territory for the final round of "Investing with Purpose," an initiative focused on supporting nonprofit organizations that advance health and safety, workforce development, educational and social justice initiatives. In addition, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) provided $220,000 to five organizations as part of the initiative. The grants build on $3.3 million in charitable contributions the Foundation awarded in December 2020 as part of the initial round of giving, which has collectively gifted $7 million to nearly 200 nonprofit organizations making a difference in the communities served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric companies.
"Investing with Purpose" was developed in response to the COVID pandemic, which created health, financial and educational hardships for customers across FirstEnergy's footprint, and in response to the events of 2020 that highlighted racial and social injustices impacting our nation. With those issues in mind, the Foundation identified philanthropic opportunities through nonprofit organizations across its service territory that are responding to needs of vulnerable populations. The "Investing with Purpose" initiative represents an additional commitment on top of the company's annual charitable giving, which averages approximately $10 million per year.
"Many of our communities are still facing a significant hardship due to the pandemic. Nonprofit organizations on the frontline of our current health and economic crisis have realigned to support current needs in the community, including housing, workforce development and training, and the continued support of our healthcare workers," said Lorna Wisham, vice president of Corporate Affairs & Community Involvement and president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "We've witnessed the positive impact these grants made for deserving organizations in 2020, and we look forward to seeing how the second round of contributions will help strengthen the communities we serve."
"Investing with a Purpose" grants were presented to organizations that support initiatives in four key areas:
- Health & Safety – Approximately $1 million was presented to organizations that provide food and shelter, disaster relief, protective equipment, financial assistance, health screenings and other important services to underserved populations and to those active in the fight against COVID. Recipients include hospitals, youth organizations, shelters and other organizations across FirstEnergy's footprint.
- Workforce Development – To assist those impacted by job loss and to continue to foster a viable workforce in the community, approximately $993,000 was presented to organizations working to enhance job training, mentorship and opportunities for non-traditional workers. Grant recipients include organizations such as technical schools and programs, disability services, economic development agencies and job resource programs.
- Education – The Foundation granted nearly $682,000 to organizations supporting learning initiatives, including resources for parents and teachers, and to those who are working to combat the challenge of the digital divide. Recipients include schools, libraries and community education programs, among others.
- Social Justice – Approximately $448,200 was granted to social justice organizations that help advance multicultural awareness, equality and inclusion. Grants were provided to both national and local nonprofits actively assisting minority business development, LGBTQ cultural programming and other important causes, including a donation to The Tri-State Diversity Council to conduct unconscious bias training and assist formerly incarcerated individuals with training to return to the workplace in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
For a full list of "Investing with Purpose" grant recipients, visit the FirstEnergy Foundation on the company's website.
The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its ten 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. Follow FirstEnergy and its utilities on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/firstenergy-foundation-completes-final-round-investing-with-purpose-grants-community-organizations/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:30Z |
Attorneys earn Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch honors
HOUSTON, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Four attorneys from the Houston-based litigation boutique Bissinger, Oshman, Williams & Strasburger LLP, have earned recognition among the nation's top lawyers.
Name partners David Bissinger, Jason Williams, and John Strasburger were selected to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America legal guide, with associate Erin Bullard recognized on the companion Ones to Watch listing.
Messrs. Bissinger, Williams, and Strasburger, along with Ms. Bullard, were all honored for their commercial litigation practices. Mr. Strasburger earned additional recognition in the areas of bankruptcy litigation and mass tort defense.
Mr. Bissinger represents clients in litigation related to energy and technology matters, securities, trade secrets and employment covenants, executive compensation, corporate fiduciary, banking, and real estate. He also serves as an arbitrator in commercial disputes. His work has also been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers and America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators.
Mr. Williams' practice focuses on energy, corporate fiduciary, securities, and construction litigation, and he also has experience in mergers and acquisitions litigation. He has also earned Texas Super Lawyers recognition. A former chairman of the Houston Bar Association's Securities Litigation and Arbitration Section and co-chair of the LegalLine Committee, he also serves on the board of Houston Achievement Place.
Mr. Strasburger has unique experience in complex commercial disputes involving private equity, trade secrets and employment covenants, and trading and supply-contract matters. His practice also includes corporate-governance matters. He has handled banking, real estate, and construction litigation, successfully defending numerous catastrophic tort cases and litigated related insurance-coverage disputes arising from these cases.
Ms. Bullard represents corporate clients and individuals in a wide range of complex civil litigation, including claims of covenants not to compete, trade secrets, financial fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, fraudulent transfer, and negligence. Her work has also been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
The oldest peer-review attorney guide in the country, Best Lawyers® also is among the most respected. Selection is made by the Best Lawyers research team, with decisions based in part upon feedback from lawyers within the same geographical region with a shared practice focus. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition is reserved for attorneys who have been in private practice for five to nine years.
About Bissinger, Oshman, Williams & Strasburger
Bissinger, Oshman, Williams & Strasburger LLP is a Houston-based business trial and transaction firm focused on providing impactful, cost-effective solutions to complex disputes and transactions requiring careful attention, extensive experience, and a high level of sophistication. For more information, visit https://www.bowslaw.com.
Media Contact:
Rhonda Reddick
800-559-4534
rhonda@androvett.com
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SOURCE Bissinger, Oshman, Williams & Strasburger | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/four-bissinger-oshman-williams-amp-strasburger-attorneys-among-nations-top-commercial-litigators/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:36Z |
WINTER GARDEN, Fla., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Store Space Self Storage is proud to announce the hiring of Stephen Harris as President of Construction at Store Space. Harris, an award-winning commercial construction executive and developer with more than 25 years of experience, has actively built and developed more than 14 million sq. ft. of retail, hospitality, office, residential, and mixed-use projects during his career.
"It's great to welcome Stephen into the Store Space family," said Rob Consalvo, COO, and President of Store Space. "Having someone with his extensive background and past history of success to head our construction division will prove invaluable as we continue to scale our development pipeline."
Harris, who joined Store Space in May, cited the company's growth trajectory and plans for increased ground-up development as one of the driving factors in his decision. In addition to Harris, the Store Space Construction Division has also added Shimon Kanter, Vice President of Development, J. Scott Masterson, Vice President of Construction, and Scott Claflin, Senior Director of Cap-Ex.
"This is a very dynamic company, with opportunities for growth and expansion on the immediate horizon," Harris said. "I'm really excited to be here."
Prior to joining Store Space, Harris was Vice President of Development at Washington Prime Group Inc. in Columbus, OH, where he directed multiple top-tier redevelopment projects valued at up to $1.2 billion while working closely with executive leadership to create strong returns on investment.
He was the executive developer of the $550 million expansion project of the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, which boosted the value of the property to approximately $6 billion, making it the most valuable shopping center in America in 2019.
Harris' awards include the 2018 Best Retail Architecture in USA, International Property Award, Ala Moana Center (Associated with General Growth Properties/Brookfield), as well as multiple awards from the NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) and ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities).
Throughout his career, Harris has consistently been a top producer and leader in construction and development. He is an avid reader, a licensed architect, and graduated cum laude from San Diego State University.
Store Space is a self-storage operator and third-party management company. Located in Winter Garden, FL, the Company currently owns, has under purchase agreement, and operates more than 100 properties in 20 states. The Company fuels growth and value with its experience-driven operations, state-of-the-art proprietary platforms, and strategic digital marketing programs. If you have an acquisition opportunity or would like to discuss third-party management, contact us at inquiries@storespace.com, or visit us at www.storespace.com.
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SOURCE Store Space Self Storage | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/harris-award-winning-construction-exec-joins-store-space/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:42Z |
With Triple Digit Revenue Growth, Incline P&C Group Ranks Among America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Incline P&C Group, the premier insurance program market services firm, today announces they ranked on the Inc. 5000 annual list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list represents a one-of-a-kind look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment – its independent businesses.
"We could not have grown so tremendously without our amazing team here at Incline," said Chris McClellan, President, and CEO, Incline P&C Group. "We fostered an innovative and effective environment to help our partners navigate their program insurance needs, with an amazing team of experts in the tech, legal and insurance fields."
This growth comes on the heels of many exciting partnerships over the past year, including a partnership with MGA Sensa, Truist Insurance Services, Strategic Insurance Underwriters, and others. Incline P&C Group also ranked on this year's Inc. 5000 Regionals Southwest list, ranking no. 61 on the list of the fastest-growing private companies based in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The companies on the 2022 Inc. 5000 have not only been successful, but have also demonstrated resilience amid supply chain woes, labor shortages, and the ongoing impact of Covid.
"The accomplishment of building one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., in light of recent economic roadblocks, cannot be overstated," says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that have established themselves through innovation, hard work, and rising to the challenges of today."
Bringing over 75 years of combined industry experience, Incline P&C Group is the premier insurance program market services firm. Privately owned and operated with an exclusive focus on the program insurance market, the executive team's experience and expertise combined with effective underwriting discipline and risk management provides each client with various platforms and associated services to meet almost any need in the industry. Partnering with a team that has a wealth of experience and the financial strength is critical when choosing the right program carrier. Incline brings those qualifications and more. Key services include active program management, disciplined underwriting process, risk management, reinsurance expertise, and economic alignment. Founded in 2015, Incline has a team of over 40 employees; headquartered in Austin, TX with offices in Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX, and Stamford, CT. To learn more about Incline P&C Group, visit: https://inclinepc.com/.
Media Contact:
Shelby Janner
shelby@zilkermedia.com
(512) 298-4081, ext. 702
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SOURCE Incline P&C Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/incline-pampc-group-ranks-2022-inc-5000-annual-list/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:48Z |
Evergreen Climate Innovations, Nicor Gas partner to support entrepreneurs who are making a positive environmental impact in Illinois
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kazadi Enterprises is the recipient of the 2022 Nicor Gas Multicultural Innovator Award. This is the second annual award presented by Nicor Gas and Evergreen Climate Innovations, formerly Clean Energy Trust, to support clean energy technology startups with a minority founder or CEO.
Nicor Gas, Evergreen Climate Innovations partner to support entreprenuers who are making a positive environmental impact
"Kazadi Enterprises is at the intersection of innovation and diversity, and we are proud to work with Evergreen Climate Innovations to support this Illinois startup," said Wendell Dallas, president and CEO of Nicor Gas. "This is another way we are fueling innovation and investing in our communities and businesses while reducing our environmental footprint and helping our customers do the same."
Kazadi is the second recipient of the Nicor Gas Multicultural Innovator Award and will receive a $25,000 equity and inclusion grant to support further development of its patented technology that converts ambient heat to energy. In addition to the grant, Kazadi leadership will receive 12 months of business mentorship and heightened exposure to investors and customers.
"Evergreen Climate Innovations is proud to continue its work with Nicor Gas and Illinois entrepreneurs to bring environmental innovations to a scalable reality," said Erik Birkerts, CEO of Evergreen Climate Innovations. "Kazadi Enteprises is tackling a sector whose negative environmental impacts often go unrecognized by offering a decarbonized alternative to traditional refrigeration and cooling systems."
It is estimated that commercial refrigeration systems produce the same amount of CO2 emissions as 100 million cars and leak, on average, 25% of their hazardous refrigerants into the atmosphere every year. Kazadi's patented technology leverages thermal energy in air, converting environmental heat into work and plugging into the natural hydrologic cycle, reducing the cost and carbon footprint of refrigeration.
"We are excited to work with Nicor Gas and Evergreen Energy Innovations as we continue to refine our technology that harnesses a free and nearly universal energy sources – environmental thermal energy," said Sanza Kazadi, CEO and founder of Kazadi Enterprises. "By harnessing the energy in the air and replacing conventional refrigerants with just plain water, we can help customers reduce their refrigeration energy usage by 80% while also reducing negative environmental attributes often associated with traditional refrigerants."
To learn more about Kazadi Enterprises, visit www.kazadienterprises.com.
About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.
About Evergreen Climate Innovations
Evergreen Climate Innovations, formerly Clean Energy Trust, provides catalytic capital and support to entrepreneurs and startups that bring impactful climate technologies to market. The nonprofit pioneered its 501vc® Investment Fund to align philanthropic and corporate contributions to deliver environmental, economic, and social impact. Evergreen advances and expands access to innovation across the Greater Midwest and cultivates an ecosystem of investors, donors, and collaborators. For over a decade, Evergreen Climate Innovations has invested in startups that have raised $41 for every $1 invested. Learn more at evergreeninno.org.
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SOURCE Nicor Gas | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/kazadi-enterprises-receives-2022-nicor-gas-multicultural-innovator-award/ | 2022-08-18T20:13:54Z |
CLEVELAND, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NACCO Industries® (NYSE: NC) announced today that the Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of 20.75 cents per share. The dividend is payable on both the Class A and Class B Common Stock, and will be paid September 15, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2022.
About NACCO Industries
NACCO Industries® brings natural resources to life by delivering aggregates, minerals, reliable fuels and environmental solutions through its robust portfolio of NACCO Natural Resources businesses. Learn more about our companies at nacco.com or get investor information at ir.nacco.com.
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SOURCE NACCO Industries | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/nacco-industries-declares-quarterly-dividend/ | 2022-08-18T20:14:01Z |
Union Pacific Railroad and Twin Cities Public Television Partner on Multilingual Rail Safety Campaign
OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Railroad and Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) are teaming up to make rail safety a universal language, launching new English- and Spanish-language safety multi-media materials aimed at families and educators as the "Back to School" season kicks off nationwide.
"With more than 140,000 miles of track and 212,000 rail crossings in the U.S., chances are you and your child will come across at least one on the way to and from school, whether it's on foot or by car," said Union Pacific Assistant Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Connie Roseberry. "Now, is the perfect time to talk about staying safe around the tracks, just as you would remind a child to look both ways when crossing the street. We're proud of our work with TPT to provide families a fun, engaging way to talk about rail safety, and give educators free, downloadable tools for their classroom."
According to data from Safe Kids Worldwide, more than 40% of rail-related injury incidents occur between 3-9 p.m. Sharing three simple rail safety tips with loved ones can help keep students safe around the tracks:
- Limit Technology Use: Phones, watches and games can become a dangerous distraction. Put devices and ear buds away until you safely cross the tracks.
- Wait for Trains to Pass: Never try to race a train, always wait for it to pass. Wait until all warning devices are clear before crossing.
- Always Obey Signs: Only cross railroad tracks at designated crossing areas. Do not walk on or near the tracks, and do not go around warning devices.
New videos and social media infographics that drive home these safety tips are being featured over the next two months on PBS and Univision/Televisa stations in Chicago, Illinois; San Antonio and Houston, Texas; Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; and Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
This is the third year Union Pacific and TPT have worked together to deliver multilingual safety messages through the Community Ties Giving Program, but the first time the message has been expanded nationwide, through a regional partnership grant.
Visit www.UP.com/safety or www.UP.com/seguridad to download English- and Spanish-language learning guides, or dance to the Train Safety Cha Cha jingle.
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.
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SOURCE Union Pacific Corporation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/new-english-spanish-lessons-aim-make-rail-safety-universal-language-teachers-students-their-families/ | 2022-08-18T20:14:07Z |
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmark Recovery of Louisville, a family-owned drug and alcohol addiction treatment provider, was ranked Kentucky's top addiction treatment center for the second consecutive year by Newsweek.
Landmark Recovery of Louisville, which opened in 2016, was the first of 12 addiction treatment facilities now operated by Landmark Recovery. It includes 64 beds for those in residential treatment and also offers outpatient care and office-based opioid treatment and medical detox. The 32,000-square-foot facility features a gym, basketball court, courtyard along with comfortable accommodations and meeting rooms.
"I am proud to see that Landmark Recovery of Louisville, our first facility, has again been ranked as one of the best addiction treatment centers in the country and the No. 1 in Kentucky," said Matt Boyle, co-founder and CEO of Landmark Recovery. "This ranking is a testament to Landmark's commitment to provide high quality and affordable addiction treatment options. It's also a reflection of our caring staff and the evidence-based programs we've created to help people live beyond addiction."
Newsweek partnered with global market research and data firm Statista to rank the best U.S. treatment facilities focused on addiction. They asked more than 4,000 therapists, counselors, doctors, and administrators who work in addiction treatment to rate the quality of care, service accommodations, amenities, and follow-up care of 330 treatment centers in 25 states. Data provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and nine types of accreditations were considered as well. Landmark Recovery of Louisville was awarded the No. 1 ranking in Kentucky, with an overall score of 89.84%.
Landmark Recovery, founded in 2016, is an evidence-based addiction recovery organization offering passionate, individualized treatment including detox, residential, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization. Landmark serves communities in Colorado, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Tennessee along with its sister company, Praxis by Landmark Recovery, which serves the Medicaid population. Landmark of Louisville was named the No. 1 Addiction Treatment Center in Kentucky by Newsweek in 2021 and 2022. For more information visit www.landmarkrecovery.com or call 866-504-8545.
Press Contact:
Chrycilis Perry
Chrycilis.Perry@LandmarkRecovery.com
(629)-401-9745
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SOURCE Landmark Recovery | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/newsweek-ranks-landmark-recovery-louisville-kentuckys-best-addiction-treatment-center-second-year-row/ | 2022-08-18T20:14:13Z |
Partnership to increase the number of nurses graduating from OU
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To help meet the critical demand for nurses in Michigan, Oakland University and BHSH System announced a new partnership focused on increasing the number of nurses graduating from OU. Through this collaboration, BHSH System will provide Oakland University with financial resources totaling more than $20 million over the next five years for the BHSH Beaumont Health Nurse Scholar program.
This investment includes more than $10 million for student grants and more than $10 million for infrastructure investments. To accommodate the influx in students and remain in compliance with state regulations and national accreditation standards, OU will use the infrastructure funding to expand lab and classroom space, purchase instructional equipment and hire faculty to teach additional course sections. Grant recipients will be on a path to become BHSH System team members for at least two years after graduation.
"The nursing shortage in our state is a critical and complex challenge that must be solved with bold and collaborative solutions," said Tina Freese Decker, president & CEO, BHSH System (formerly Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health). "We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Oakland University and to have this amazing opportunity to invest in talented, compassionate people who want to become nurses. We are incredibly excited about the impact the BHSH Beaumont Health Nurse Scholar program will have in health care and for our communities."
"We deeply appreciate BHSH System's partnership and investment into the education of the next generation of health care providers," said Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. "This magnanimous gift directly responds to the need for more highly skilled nurses and the workforce shortage that has become more critical since the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic. We are proud that BHSH System and OU have a shared commitment to improve the quality and delivery of patient care in Michigan."
"This visionary investment by BHSH System strengthens the health of Michigan's residents and the health of our economy, both of which are a major focus of Oakland University's mission," Pescovitz added.
BHSH Beaumont Health President Dr. Benjamin Schwartz said recruitment and retention of the next generation of nurses is one of his top priorities. "Students have so many choices and options about where they can work after graduation. I'm convinced that after these OU students spend some time working with us, they will want to spend their career serving our patients. We have an incredible team," he said.
OU's nursing school educates BSN Pre-Licensure students via two tracks: a Traditional BSN track and an Accelerated Second-Degree track. The university currently admits 96 students into the Traditional BSN program two times per year and 64 students into the Accelerated Second Degree (ASD) BSN program three times per year.
"OU also will add a recruitment specialist to attract diverse students and ensure the success of candidates and graduates. OU Career Services will work in collaboration with the School of Nursing to design a marketing strategy specifically geared toward the recruitment of second-degree students working across industries," added School of Nursing Dean Judy Didion.
OU's School of Nursing has approximately 770 BSN Pre-Licensure students at any time, graduating approximately 350 BSN nurses every year. The graduation rate is approximately 95% and the average NCLEX first-time pass rate during the pandemic is approximately 86%, which is above the Michigan average of 79% and on par with the national average of 87%. Prior to COVID, the OU pass rate was 91%, while the Michigan average was 89%. Overall, 94% of OU's Traditional BSN graduates report being employed in Michigan, while 88% of ASD graduates report they are employed in Michigan.
About Oakland University
Oakland University is a doctoral, Carnegie Classification R2 "High Research Activity" university located in Oakland and Macomb counties, Michigan. The main campus is located on 1,443 acres of scenic land in Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills. Oakland University offers bachelor's degrees, graduate degrees and certificate programs. Oakland University is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences (which includes a School of Music, Theatre and Dance), the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and the Schools of Business Administration, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Nursing, and The Honors College. This rich campus atmosphere is complete with residence halls, Greek life, Division I athletics and more than 250 student groups that lend to the total college experience. Learn more at www.oakland.edu
About BHSH System
Formed from two leading health systems in Michigan (Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health), BHSH System is a not-for-profit health system that provides care and coverage with an exceptional team of 64,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses offering services in 22 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving over 1.2 million members across the state of Michigan. Through experience, innovation and collaboration, we are building a system designed to meet the needs of the people we serve through care and coverage that is simple, affordable, equitable and exceptional.
About Beaumont Health
Beaumont Health is a division of BHSH System. Our mission is to improve health, instill humanity and inspire hope. With eight hospitals, more than 150 outpatient locations, nearly 5,000 physicians and 33,000 employees, Beaumont's commitment to patient and family-centered care contributes to the health and well-being of residents throughout the communities we serve and beyond.
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SOURCE BHSH Beaumont Health; Oakland University | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/oakland-university-bhsh-system-announce-major-investment-support-nursing-programs/ | 2022-08-18T20:14:19Z |
University of Wisconsin's lifecycle assessment found greenhouse gas emissions to be 24% lower on organic dairy farms as compared to conventional US dairy averages* due in large part to carbon sequestration benefits of organic pastures.
LA FARGE, Wis., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study in the August issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production reveals that it is possible for farms to sequester carbon and reduce their overall greenhouse gas emissions. A University of Wisconsin Madison research group unveiled a dairy lifecycle assessment conducted on Organic Valley farms that shows small organic dairy farms, which focus on grazing and organic production techniques, are low greenhouse gas champions.
The peer reviewed study uses a breakthrough methodology that includes accounting for the carbon sequestration benefit of grazed pastures. Led by Dr. Horacio Aguirre-Villegas, Scientist III at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the research team conducted a first-of-its-kind study in the U.S. that considered the positive carbon sequestration results of cows spending time out on pasture.
"The study proposes a method to include carbon sequestration not only in organic but all dairy farm-related LCA studies. This method is based on the amount of carbon staying in the soil from above ground residue, below ground residue, and manure," Aguirre-Villegas said. "The effect of management practices affecting the carbon stock are also considered, such as tillage, land use regime, management, and input of organic matter into the soil based on farm and region-specific variables such as the level of activity and temperature."
The modeling assessment was done with farm-specific input provided by Organic Valley and reflects the nature and style of production common within the co-op's dairy membership. Other factors contributing to the low greenhouse gas emission results included the avoidance of synthetic crop inputs and use of organic crop amendments, the longevity of cattle, and prevalent use of manure as a fertilizer source.
"This LCA represents the baseline carbon footprint of our dairy member farms today. The science proves out what we all intuitively knew was the case, when you have pasture-based systems and organic crop production you have a smaller carbon footprint," said Nicole Rakobitsch, director of sustainability at Organic Valley. "We are proud that farms in our cooperative average the lowest known carbon footprint of any U.S. dairy supply, but we are not going to rest on that outcome.
"We are committed to helping our farmers and all of dairy continually lessen our GHG emissions. It's the right thing to do and consumers are looking for food that is good for the planet and their health."
The study of Organic Valley milk is ongoing and the remaining 40% of Organic Valley's milk supply will be assessed by the end of 2023. Organic Valley is also launching a new carbon insetting program which purchases carbon reduction from its farmers and helps producers implement site-specific projects like agroforestry, enhanced manure management, and on-farm renewable energy.
The research team measuring and analyzing the carbon impact at UW-Madison includes Dr. Rebecca Larson, associate professor at UW-Madison; Dr. Erin Silva, UW-Madison associate professor and Extension specialist in Organic Agriculture; Dr. Michel Wattiaux, UW-Madison professor in Dairy Systems Management; and Rakobitsch.
Organic Valley is passionate about doing what's right for people, animals, and earth and is committed to bringing ethically made organic food to families everywhere. Organic Valley is the largest farmer-owned organic cooperative in the U.S. and one of the world's largest organic consumer brands. Founded in 1988 to sustain family farms through organic farming, the cooperative represents nearly 1,800 farmers in 34 U.S. states, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit ov.coop/impact. Organic Valley is also @OrganicValley on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter.
SOURCE: Regional analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from USA dairy farms: A cradle to farm-gate assessment of the American dairy industry circa 2008, International Dairy Journal
Media Contact:
Elizabeth McMullen
elizabeth.mcmullen@organicvalley.coop
608-625-3549
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Organic Valley | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/18/organic-dairy-farming-can-store-carbon-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-according-new-study-journal-cleaner-production/ | 2022-08-18T20:14:25Z |
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