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Grammy Award Winners and Nominees to be Honored by ALS Network on January 17

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ALS Network logo

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The ALS Network announces its annual Champions for Cures and Care on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. This elegant evening will bring together the ALS community to honor the individuals and organizations making a significant effort to advance the ALS Network’s mission related to care, research, and advocacy.

ALS Network logo

The ALS community can look forward to a festive evening featuring cocktails and wine tasting, a silent and live auction, a three-course dinner, special guest appearances, and live entertainment. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of ALS Network’s highest honors, The Essey Awards.

The Essey Spotlight Award will be presented to Grammy Award winner Kitt Wakeley and David Das, along with Jonathan Estabrooks, Patrick Conlon, Sydney Anderson and Christina Giacona, producers of Aaron Lazar’s Impossible Dream album, a 2025 Grammy Award-nominated collection of music performed by Broadway royalty. Proceeds from the album have benefitted the ALS Network.

This year, the prestigious Essey Commitment to Care Award will be presented to Patricia (Patty) Schimbor, Esq. and Susan (Sue) Morris for their outstanding contributions to the ALS community. Patty has dedicated over a decade as a volunteer leader for the organization in honor and memory of both her husband, Marc, and her law partner, Jim Barber. She is credited with guiding the ALS Network through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic while expanding care programs to meet community needs.

Sue has served in myriad key volunteer leadership roles for the organization, in memory of her husband Dr. Mark Morris. She has focused on the importance of advancing organizational mission priorities, with a special emphasis on care – for people living with ALS, and their caregivers. She and her family have established the Morris Family Caregiver Initiative, administered via the ALS Network.

The live auction will be hosted by TV personality, Franco Finn. Finn is best known as the host of “Warriors Hype Man” for the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena, where he performs live in front of over 20,000 fans each night. Guests will enjoy live music by Carlos Calvo and friends. Calvo, a classically trained musician and often referred to as Hollywood’s “Guitar Teacher to the Stars,” combines Alternative Folk/Pop with virtuoso guitar playing.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from diagnosis. As the disease progresses, people with ALS lose the ability to walk, move, speak, swallow and, eventually, to breathe– all while the mind and senses continue to function. Veterans are at twice the risk as those who have not served in the military. Currently, there is no known cause or cure for ALS.

Proceeds from Champions for Cures and Care will directly support ALS Network’s mission priorities in care services, public policy, and cutting-edge global research intended to advance the search for effective treatments and cures for ALS. Sponsorship and ticket purchase opportunities are now available. Please contact Asher Garfinkel, Vice President of Community Outreach, at [email protected] for more information.

If you are interested in donating an item to be included in the silent or live auction, please email Christina Gilbert, Special Events Coordinator, at [email protected].

About the ALS Network
The ALS Network partners with the ALS community to drive the discovery of prevention strategies, treatments, and cures for ALS; provide access to quality care and connection; and promote initiatives to improve health outcomes. The ALS Network, formerly ALS Golden West, serves people with ALS and their families throughout California, Hawaii and beyond. For more information about ALS and the ALS Network visit our website at alsnetwork.org or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on social media at @yourALSnetwork.

EVENT DETAILS:
Hyatt Regency San Francisco: 5 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111

  • 6:00 PM – Wine Tasting, Cocktails and Silent Auction
  • 7:30 PM – Dinner, Entertainment, Ceremony. Cocktail Attire
  • Individual tickets and tribute ads available for purchase at http://www.ALSChampions.org

Contact: Vanessa Martin
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2568106/ALS_Network_Logo.jpg 

SOURCE ALS Network

IF YOU WERE DETAINED AT A CORECIVIC FACILITY IN THE UNITED STATES PLEASE READ THIS SUMMARY NOTICE CAREFULLY – YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED

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PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The following statement is being issued by Class Counsel regarding a class action lawsuit against CoreCivic, Inc.

What Is This Notice About?
A class action lawsuit is currently pending concerning detainees that were detained in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) at a facility owned or operated by CoreCivic, Inc. (“CoreCivic”). If you are a Class Member, you have legal rights and options that you may exercise in this case, which are described below. The United States District Court for the Southern District of California is overseeing this class action. The lawsuit is known as Owino, et. al. v. CoreCivic, Inc., No. 3:17-cv-01112-JLS-NLS (S.D. Cal.).

This is only a summary. You can get more information about the class action lawsuit on the website at www.coreciviclaborclassaction.com or by calling 1-(833)-537-1187.

What is The Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit alleges that CoreCivic violated the Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (“TVPA”) by coercing and forcing detainees to clean the facilities above and beyond personal housekeeping tasks listed in ICE’s Performance Based National Detention Standards under threat of punishment. Areas that detainees were coerced and forced to clean include common living and recreational areas, bathrooms, showers, the cafeteria, offices, and the kitchen, regardless of whether detainees were paid for their work. For detainees in California, the lawsuit alleges that CoreCivic violated the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act (“CATVPA”), in addition to the TVPA.

For participants in the Voluntary Work Program in California, the lawsuit also alleges that CoreCivic violated California law by not paying detainees the minimum wage required under California law, by not providing wage statements, by not paying wages upon termination, and by imposing unlawful conditions of employment.

The Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are called “Class Representatives.” They are asking for money damages and restitution allowed under California and Federal law for themselves and the Class Members, as well as attorney’s fees and costs incurred in connection with the lawsuit.

CoreCivic denies that it did anything wrong, and contends that it did not coerce or force detainees to clean areas of the facility outside of their personal living area under threat of punishment and did not violate Federal or California law.

CoreCivic also denies that it violated California law with respect to participants in the Voluntary Work Program in its California facilities and seeks an offset of any owed wages or damages by the amount it cost to house detainees and operate the Voluntary Work Program.

Who Is A Class Member?
You are included in this lawsuit IF you were a detainee in the custody of ICE and fall into one of these 3 categories:

(1)     NATIONAL FORCED LABOR CLASS: You were detained at any CoreCivic facility in the United States any time between December 23, 2008 and the present, AND you were forced or coerced to clean areas of the facility outside of your personal living area under threat of punishment. You are included even if you got paid for this work.

(2)     CALIFORNIA FORCED LABOR CLASS: You were detained at one of these CoreCivic facilities in California:

  1. Otay Mesa Detention Center in Otay Mesa, California
  2. San Diego Correctional Facility in Otay Mesa, California
  3. California City Correctional Facility in California City, California

     Any time between January 1, 2006 and the present, AND you were forced or coerced to clean areas of the facility outside of your personal living area under threat of punishment. You are included even if you got paid for this work.

(3)     CALIFORNIA LABOR LAW CLASS: You were detained at any CoreCivic facility in California listed above any time between May 31, 2013 and the present, AND you participated in the Voluntary Work Program.

What Happens If I Am A Class Member?
If you would like to be a Class Member in this class action lawsuit, you do not need to do anything. Doing nothing means you will automatically be part of the Class. The Class Representatives and Class Counsel will represent your interests in the lawsuit. If any decisions are made or money or benefits awarded, you will be notified on what you need to do next.

As a Class Member in this class action, you will have to follow and comply with any court decision in the case, whether favorable or unfavorable. You will be bound by any settlement or judgment entered in this lawsuit. Any damages award may be reduced to pay the costs and fees of Class Counsel, and if you are a member of the California Labor Law class, any offset if CoreCivic prevails on its counterclaim. You will also lose any right to pursue similar claims for this time period on your own behalf, and you will not be able to file another lawsuit raising similar claims.

Can I Exclude Myself From The Class?
If you do not want to be included in the lawsuit, you can ask to be excluded. If you exclude yourself, you will not be part of any settlement or judgment in the lawsuit. You will retain your right to pursue similar claims for this time period on your own behalf. To exclude yourself, you must submit an Exclusion Request Form no later than March 26, 2025 to the Notice Administrator. The Exclusion Request Form and directions for how to exclude yourself are available at www.coreciviclaborclassaction.com. You can also exclude yourself by writing to Owino v. CoreCivic, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, PO Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391.

Source: Class Counsel, Eileen R. Ridley and Alan R. Ouellette, Foley & Lardner LLP; Robert L. Teel, Law Office of Robert L. Teel.

SOURCE Kroll Settlement Administration

ALL-NEW 2025 KIA K4 EARNS 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK AWARD

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All-New 2025 Kia K4 Earns 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick Award

–  New compact sedan adds to its list of attributes by being recognized for occupant protection 

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The all-new 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan has been awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) Award (applies to vehicles built before November 2024).

All-New 2025 Kia K4 Earns 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick Award

To qualify for the 2024 IIHS TSP Award, vehicles need “good” ratings in the small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, and updated side tests, an “acceptable” or “good” rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, and “acceptable-” or “good-” rated headlights across all trim levels. The K4 earned top-level “good” ratings in the small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, updated side, and pedestrian front crash prevention tests, and received an “acceptable” rating for headlights.

“IIHS’s work to enhance vehicle occupant protection is incredibly important and Kia is supportive of the agency’s rigorously high standards,” said Steve Center, COO and EVP, Kia America. “At Kia, we strive for continuous advancement in this area, and the all-new K4 compact sedan is just the latest example of this ongoing effort. Earning a 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Award for this outstanding vehicle is yet another reason why we believe the K4 will appeal to anyone shopping for a compact sedan.”

As Kia’s fourth-generation compact sedan, the K4 is a powerhouse of standard, segment-above technology, and it delivers an array of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)1, refinement, and class-leading rear leg room.2 An available turbocharged engine amps up the fun-to-drive quotient and standard multi-link rear suspension on the GT-Line (2.0 and 1.6 turbo) offers a responsive driving experience.

Kia America – about us
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles sold through a network of over 775 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*Certain 2025 EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV/PHEV), Sorento (excludes HEV/PHEV), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

1 Advanced driver assistance systems are not substitutes for safe driving and may not detect all objects around the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.
2 Comparison based on publicly available data regarding 2nd-row legroom in 2024/2025 compact sedans as of October 2024. Compact sedan class as defined by Kia segmentation.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2586388/All_New_2025_Kia_K4_Earns_2024_IIHS_Top_Safety_Pick_Award.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1442697/Kia_New_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia America

AWHP Supports USPSTF’s Updated Draft Cervical Cancer Guidelines

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The Alliance for Women's Health & Prevention

 “A” rating of co-testing is critical to ensure patient-provider choice and access

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) issued new draft guidelines for cervical cancer screening.

The Alliance for Women's Health & Prevention

Haywood Brown, MD, Senior Associate Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs for USF Health, Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs for the Morsani College of Medicine at the University South Florida, Member of AWHP’s Board of Directors and Former President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

“I am pleased to see the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force safeguard access to cervical cancer screening through the Pap and HPV tests in their draft guidelines, which will aid in detecting, diagnosing and treating cervical cancer earlier and more effectively. For more than a decade, co-testing with Pap and HPV has been a widely adopted, preferred and proven method for cervical cancer screening in the U.S., detecting almost 95% of cervical cancers and over 99% of precancers. Together these tests provide the greatest sensitivity in detecting disease and can play an important role in women’s preventive healthcare. 

As an OB-GYN and national leader in women’s health disparities, I am deeply concerned by cervical cancer incidence and the disparate impact this disease has on communities of color, and therefore urge the Task Force to finalize its recommendations and protect access to co-testing.”

In making the final recommendations, AWHP encourages the Task Force to prioritize patient-provider decision-making and early detection while considering the health equity impacts of their guidance.

An AWHP-commissioned Ipsos survey of 1,000 women about their experiences with healthcare underscores how insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs are critical to how and when women access preventive care and highlight the existing disparities in cervical cancer screenings. Further, it shows an overwhelming majority want guidelines that determine insurance coverage of preventive services to prioritize affordability, early detection, patient-provider decision making and health equity impacts.

AWHP will continue to champion access to preventive healthcare for all women, including the most comprehensive screening options for cervical cancer.

About AWHP

The Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) non-profit organization working to ensure that all women and girls have access to high-quality preventive care. Our mission is to advance policy that drives equitable access and prevents the burden and progression of disease to improve the lives and health of all women and girls.

For more information, please visit WomensHealthandPrevention.org and follow us on LinkedIn and X @AWHPOrg.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1929564/5070788/AllianceforWomensHealthPrevention.jpg

SOURCE Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention

Parkland’s Marcel Teunissen named President, Parkland North America

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  • Parkland advances executive development and progression as part of succession plan
  • Brad Monaco, current Vice President, Finance Canada named interim Chief Financial Officer

CALGARY, AB, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Parkland Corporation (“Parkland”, “we”, the “Company”, or “our”) announced that, effective January 1, 2025, as part of the Company’s executive succession plan, Marcel Teunissen, the Company’s current Chief Financial Officer will transition to the new role of President, North America, responsible for Canadian and US operations.

“Parkland takes a thoughtful approach to senior executive development and progression,” said Bob Espey, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Marcel has been Parkland’s Chief Financial Officer since 2020. During this time, he has demonstrated tremendous business acumen and proven he is a progressive and exceptional leader. I am delighted he will lead our Canadian and US businesses and have confidence that, under his leadership they will contribute strongly to the Company’s continued growth.”

Effective January 1, 2025, Parkland has named Brad Monaco as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Brad will report to Parkland’s President and Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Company’s Board of Directors.

“I am delighted Brad is stepping in as interim Chief Financial Officer,” added Espey. “Brad has proven to be a highly impactful Parkland leader in both corporate and operational roles. His diverse finance and capital markets experience coupled with his strategic planning capabilities make him the natural choice to lead our finance function on an interim basis. I am confident he will do an excellent job.”

Brad has held progressively senior finance roles at Parkland including Director, Capital Markets, and Vice President Finance for the Company’s Canadian business segment. Prior to Parkland, Brad built considerable experience in various capital markets, strategic planning, and buy-side investment management roles.

Parkland has retained a leading global executive recruitment firm to conduct a search for a permanent Chief Financial Officer.

About Parkland Corporation

Parkland is an international fuel distributor, marketer, and convenience retailer with operations in twenty-six countries across the Americas. We serve over one million customers each day. Our retail network meets the fuel and convenience needs of everyday consumers. Our commercial operations provide businesses with industrial fuels so that they can better serve their customers. In addition to meeting our customers’ needs for essential fuels, we provide a range of choices to help them lower their environmental impact. These include renewable fuels sourcing, manufacturing, and blending, carbon and renewables trading, solar power, and ultra-fast EV charging. With approximately 4,000 retail and commercial locations across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean region, we have developed supply, distribution, and trading capabilities to accelerate growth and business performance.

Our strategy is focused on two pillars: our Customer Advantage and our Supply Advantage. Through our Customer Advantage, we aim to be the first choice of our customers, cultivating their loyalty through proprietary brands, differentiated offers, our extensive network, competitive pricing, reliable service, and our compelling loyalty program. Our Supply Advantage is based on achieving the lowest cost to serve among independent fuel marketers and distributors in the hard-to-serve markets in which we operate, through our well-positioned assets, significant scale, and deep supply and logistics capabilities. Our business is underpinned by our people and our values of safety, integrity, community, and respect, which are deeply embedded across our organization.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). When used in this news release the words “focus”, “aim”, “will”, “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things: the Company’s succession plan, the new appointments, the timing thereof and the mandates and reporting structures relating thereto, as applicable; confidence in the new appointments and expectations relating thereto; the Company’s search for a permanent Chief Financial Officer; and Parkland’s business strategies and objectives.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Parkland does not undertake any obligations to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by securities laws. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of numerous risks, assumptions and uncertainties including, but not limited to: Parkland’s ability to execute its business strategies, objectives and initiatives, including without limitation, its succession plan, the new appointments relating thereto, the timing thereof and realizing the benefits therefrom; Parkland’s ability to recruit a permanent Chief Financial Officer; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Parkland. See also the risks and uncertainties described under the headings “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” in Parkland’s Annual Information Form dated February 27, 2024, and under the headings “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” in Parkland’s Q3 2024 MD&A dated October 30, 2024 and Q4 2023 MD&A dated February 27, 2024, each filed on SEDAR+ and available on Parkland’s website at www.parkland.ca. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

For Further Information: Investor Inquiries: 1-855-355-1051, [email protected]; Media Inquiries: 1-855-301-5427, [email protected]

SOURCE Parkland Corporation

NOW LIVE: Send Money in Seconds from the U.S. to Mexico with Universal Money Address (UMA)

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USD_to_MXN_UMA

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sending money from the United States to Mexico just became faster and simpler. For the FIRST TIME, US bank account holders can send USD instantly to Mexican bank holders, who will receive MXN in seconds. It’s real-time and available 24/7/365. This new solution showcases the power of Bitcoin and Lightning as a global settlement asset and network.

Now people can instantly transfer USD to MXN using Universal Money Address (UMA)—no delays, no complications—no waiting for a location to be open or for money to take days to travel. UMA delivers seamless cross-border payments for sending money to friends and family and makes sending money as simple as sending an email. 

UMA Changes the Game:

  • Instant Transfers: Send money in seconds—no more waiting for days or worrying if the bank is open.
  • Fiat to Fiat Solution: Transfer funds directly from USD in the U.S. to MXN in Mexico.
  • Convenient: You don’t need to download a new app; UMAs work with your existing bank and are interoperable.
  • Simple: UMA is like an email; there’s no need to remember complex banking information or learn about new technology.
  • Shareable: A streamlined invitation flow makes it easy to encourage friends or family members to get their UMA and start sending or receiving money.
  • Universal Access: Any U.S. bank account holder can send funds to any Mexican bank account holder.
  • Compliant and Secure: UMA meets requirements for money transfers, meaning you can trust that your funds will reach your friends and family.

This breakthrough uses Lightspark Extend, a cutting-edge solution that leverages Lightning to ensure ultra-fast, cost-effective transactions.

Why This Matters

It is estimated that cross-border payments between the U.S. and Mexico will reach a record-breaking $65 billion in 2024, reflecting the importance of sending cross-border funds to families and communities. With UMA, sending money back home is faster, more affordable, and accessible to everyone.

Global Impact

UMA isn’t just transforming payments between the U.S. and Mexico. By the end of 2024, it’s estimated that UMA will be available to nearly 300 million customers in 140 countries and 100 currencies, creating a truly global financial solution.

Get Started Today

Ready to send money in seconds? Sign up for UMA now.

Media Contact: [email protected]