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HOUSTON, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BridgingApps ® , a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is partnering with Sentara Health Plans to create a revolutionary transition tool for children and youth with special health needs. Through this project, BridgingApps has created an online resource to assist Virginia families with children who have special health care needs access information to prepare and successfully help them transition to adulthood. The interactive tool, Virginia Youth2Adult , will empower youth with special health care needs to grow successfully into adulthood. Transition planning requires addressing many areas of need for a child with chronic health conditions, yet there is currently no simple method that tackles areas as wide ranging as health care to age appropriate social activities, independent living or employment in any meaningful way. Families will be able to use Virginia Youth2Adult to begin planning early, ask the right questions, and find resources on many areas of life as an adult. "BridgingApps is uniquely positioned to create an innovative, easy to use and sustainable online tool that will empower families to plan early, obtain assistance with the right questions to ask, and access current information to allow their children to live as fully participating members of our community," says Easter Seals Greater Houston's CEO Elise Hough. A focal point of Virginia Youth2Adult is the connection with BridgingApps' App Search Tool, a free online tool that allows users to find a variety of smartphone/tablet applications, or apps, to assist with many areas of transition, such as education, managing health information, and independent living. The database of apps is trialed and reviewed by therapists, special education teachers, experts, and special needs users and focuses on skill, rather than age or diagnosis. “Sentara Health Plans is proud to introduce the Virginia Youth2Adult website, in collaboration with BridgingApps, as an interactive tool designed to support youth and caregivers across Virginia,” said Randy Ricker, Medicaid Plan President and Vice President of Sentara Health Plans. “This comprehensive resource empowers all Virginians to actively participate in this critical life state, providing confidence and support as they navigate education, employment, health care and independent living for themselves and loved ones.” Earlier this year, BridgingApps created Sentara Health Plans’ Member Profile App Lists which transformed the way that their members manage their health decisions and develop important skillsets, ultimately improving their health and quality of life. BridgingApps will seek input from the local Easter Seals affiliate, organizations, and subject matter experts throughout Virginia to create this resource. Virginia Youth2Adult will be available in 2024 on a variety of platforms and distributed widely in Virginia with partners in the areas of health care, education, disability advocacy and housing. About BridgingApps BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston, provides the access, education, and resources needed to effectively use mobile, touch-based devices to help people with disabilities communicate, exceed educational goals, and reach their fullest potential. BridgingApps includes a website, app reviews by therapists and special education teachers, a custom app search engine, assistive technology labs, training and certification options for parents, organizations and schools. For more information, visit www.bridgingapps.org . About Easter Seals Greater Houston Since 1947, Easter Seals of Greater Houston, Inc. has provided help, hope, and answers to Veterans, Service Members, children and adults with any type of disability, and the families who love them. The local non-profit is leading the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access through essential resources and supports for every stage of life. Through therapy, training, education, and support services, Easter Seals Greater Houston creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work, and play in our community. For more information, visit www.eastersealshouston.org . About Sentara Health Sentara Health , an integrated, not-for-profit health care delivery system, celebrates more than 130 years in pursuit of its mission - "we improve health every day." Sentara is one of the largest health systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and among the top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the country, with 30,000 employees, 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, and the Sentara Health Plans division which serves more than 1 million members in Virginia and Florida. Sentara is recognized nationally for clinical quality and safety, and is strategically focused on innovation and creating an extraordinary health care experience for our patients and members. Sentara was named to IBM Watson Health's "Top 15 Health Systems" (2021, 2018), and was recognized by Forbes as a "Best Employer for New Grads" (2022), "Best Employer for Veterans" (2022, 2023), and "Best Employer for Women" (2020). About Sentara Health Plans Sentara Health Plans provides health plan coverage to nearly one million members in Virginia and Florida. Sentara Health Plans offers a full suite of commercial products including employee-owned and employer-sponsored plans, as well as Individual & Family Health Plans, Employee Assistance Programs and plans serving Dual-Eligible, Medicare, and Medicaid enrollees. Media Contacts : Easter Seals Greater Houston Public Relations Sadie Eckenrod seckenrod@eastersealshouston.org Sentara Corporate Communications & Public Relations news@sentara.com
SALISBURY – In a nearly five-hour session of the latest Planning and Zoning Commission hearing on the application for redevelopment of the Wake Robin Inn, experts representing the interveners took center stage. The next and final session is set for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The PZC will have 65 days after the hearing closes to render a decision. Aradev, the developer, is proposing to expand the site, adding rooms to the inn, putting up guest cottages, installing a pool and spa, and building an event barn. Plans also call for extending the property accessed off Route 41 to go through to Wells Hill Road. The application for a special exception has raised concerns among neighbors and townspeople, leading to a request from Angela and William Cruger for intervener status during the hearing. William Cruger said he and his wife are abutters to the site on Wells Hill Road. He noted there are two levels of concern: one for the neighbors, whose enjoyment of their property, as well as values, would be reduced. He said there also would be negative implications for the community. “They’re not just saying they don’t like it, which they don’t,” Cruger said. “But there are reasons for denying the application. It’s not political; it’s not about popularity; it’s the law.” Cruger then called upon a battery of experts to give testimony. First to speak was planner Brian Miller, who said he doesn’t accept NIMBY projects, but after reviewing the application, he found many negative aspects. He said the plan is about placing a large commercial use into a residential area. He described the event barn, with a capacity of up to 200 people, as more like a catering hall. “Large parties tend to be noisy or raucous at times,” Miller said, calling letting events go on until midnight in a residential area “unbelievable.” Roger Rawlings, a local financial analyst, said increased traffic on a particular road has a negative effect on property values. “The commission is obligated to look at that data,” he said, concluding the values on Wells Hill Road would be adversely affected. Ecologist George Logan focused on storm-water management and how water discharge from the project could affect Lake Wonoscopomuc, while acoustical engineer Bennett Brooks spoke of the noise impact from the development. He said there are three factors of obtrusive noise: buildings and their systems, behavior and traffic. “This development has the strong potential to be highly intrusive and not compatible with the neighborhood,” Brooks said. “The application is incomplete or flawed. It needs more details or calculations.” Lastly, engineer Dainius Virbickas questioned several aspects of the project, including the actual number of parking spaces, handicapped accessibility into the hotel, slopes and lack of soil tests for the parking areas. Attorney Perley H. Grimes Jr., representing the Crugers, said the burden of proof of whether the regulations are met and the site plan is complete is on the applicant, not the neighbors. “I think my clients met the terms that the application doesn’t meet the regulations,” he said. “... If the commission adheres to the regulations and Connecticut case law, it is compelled to deny the application.” Grimes said the PZC must take into account the petition signed by more than 250 residents and the 60 letters expressing opposition to the plan, with only 10 in support. “This could permanently change the area and be detrimental to the community,” he added. In questioning the experts, attorney Josh Mackey, representing Aradev, asked if Logan had ever been on the property before writing his report. Logan acknowledged he had not. PZC Chairman Michael Klemens took the applicants by surprise when, at the end of the session, he asked whether the project could go forward without the event barn and the extension of the property to Wells Hill Road. Mackey said they would have to give that question consideration and come back with an answer Tuesday. Contact Ruth Epstein at kcsruthe @ aol.com.‘Councils must comply with building laws’: President commissions ZDF houses, utility vehicles
President-elect Donald Trump asked the Georgia Court of Appeals on Wednesday to order the dismissal of his election racketeering case in that state, arguing the charges are unconstitutional as he prepares to return to the White House. The five-page request is similar in nature to a more lengthy Trump filing made public Tuesday, which asked a Manhattan criminal court to throw out his convictions on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Judge Juan Merchan postponed sentencing in that case while he considers the request. Trump and 18 others were charged in the Georgia case with playing separate roles in an alleged criminal conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Four of Trump's co-defendants pleaded guilty in the case , although at least one of them – Kenneth Chesebro – is now seeking to invalidate his guilty plea . Trump's lawyers asked the Georgia appeals court to order Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss the charges against him because of his pending return to office. "(W)ell before the inauguration of President Trump, this Court should inquire into its jurisdiction to continue to hear this appeal," Trump's lawyers wrote in the new filing. A court's "jurisdiction" refers to its power to oversee a case. Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team. That inquiry should result in the court determining that neither it nor a Georgia trial court has the power to oversee any further criminal process against Trump, the lawyers wrote. "President Trump respectfully submits that upon reaching that decision, this Court should dismiss his appeal ... with directions to the trial court to immediately dismiss the indictment against President Trump," according to the filing. The appeals court had already canceled a hearing for Thursday where Trump's legal team had planned to argue for the removal of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis because of her romantic relationship with another prosecutor. “President Trump has filed a motion requesting the Georgia Court of Appeals confirm its lack of jurisdiction to continue hearing his appeal now that he is President-Elect and will soon become the 47th President of the United States, and then direct the trial court to immediately dismiss the case," Trump lawyer Steven Sadow said in a statement. "The filing states that any ongoing criminal proceeding against a sitting president must be dismissed under the U.S. Constitution." The action in the two state cases comes after federal judges dismissed two cases against Trump for allegedly unlawfully trying to steal the 2020 election and for allegedly mishandling national defense documents after leaving the White House. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith asked for the dismissals because of longstanding department policy barring the prosecution of sitting presidents.Canopy Growth Stock Rises As Acreage Acquisition Comes To A Close: Retail Eyes More Upside
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A recent social media campaign by YesMadam , a Noida-based home salon services company, purported to fire employees who reported workplace stress in an internal survey - only to later announce a 'de-stress leave' policy. This has reignited the debate over the legal recognition of the ' right to disconnect ' in India. The YesMadam incident coincided with another controversy, in which Daksh Gupta, CEO of San Francisco-based AI startup Greptile, defended his company's 14-hr workdays, 6-days-a-week schedule policy on X. These instances reflect a broader pattern of industry leaders advocating for '70-hr workweeks' in the name of nation-building, ignoring research showing that mental and physical health-related issues are direct outcomes of long work hours. According to ILO, India is one of the most overworked countries, with an average of over 45 hrs a week per employed person. With research suggesting that by 2030, the working population in India could exceed 100 cr, accounting for about 25% of the global workforce over the next decade, it's crucial to recognise that the right to disconnect is not limited to white-collar professionals, but is an issue affecting millions of workers, necessitating legislative intervention. Recognition of reasonable working hours, and the right to disconnect from work, can be traced to Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states: 'Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.' Addressing the issue of long working hours leading to increasing deaths, WHO and ILO have recognised the need for governments to regulate, ban mandatory overtime, and ensure maximum limits on working time. Many EU countries - France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Ireland - and Australia have introduced laws or policies addressing the right to disconnect after work hours. 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Restrictions on digital communication. Penalties for employers contacting employees outside working hours, making these nations top performers in the OECD Work-Life Balance Index. In a country grappling with high unemployment and underemployment, Indian workers find themselves vulnerable to exploitation through overwork. Scarcity of jobs creates an environment where employees, fearing replacement, often silently accept unreasonable demands on their time and energy - making legislative protection not just necessary but also urgent. India does not have a law recognising the right to disconnect. In 2018, a private member Bill was introduced by Supriya Sule, which proposed the right to disconnect. The Bill provided that employees would not be obliged to pick up calls after work hours, and employers who violated these provisions would face penalties amounting to 1% of their total employee compensation. Following the death of a young accountant at EY in July, Shashi Tharoor announced that he would raise the issue of legislating a fixed calendar for all workplaces - public or private - capping work at eight hours a day, five days a week, in the next Parliament session. The labour ministry initiated an investigation into the alleged unsafe and exploitative environment at EY. However, such measures fail to address the larger issue: the need to legally recognise the right to disconnect beyond stipulated working hours through comprehensive legislation. Any such law must: Establish clear, enforceable standards for working hours. Mandate employers to respect employees' right to unplug and recharge without fear of professional consequences, including designated 'no-contact' periods to ensure mental and digital detox from work pressures. It is crucial to include persons engaged in contractual employment as well as permanent/exclusive retainer roles. This is important for professionals like lawyers, accountants and consultants working in major firms, who are vulnerable to excessive work hours and face challenges in maintaining work-life boundaries. Without legislative intervention, we risk normalising - even celebrating - a culture where professional dedication is measured by digital servitude. The question isn't whether we need a right to disconnect. It's whether we can afford the human cost of failing to act. The writer is a research fellow,Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi
It’s December 4, and that means it’s the officially unofficial “Dragon Age Day.” Get it? D4. DA. Dragon Age . Anyway, this year, BioWare released some statistics about players’ choices in Dragon Age: The Veilguard . The RPG has been out for a little over a month now, so that means more players have gotten further into the game than the last time BioWare released detailed info about players’ various choices. So let’s jump into it and break down the choices people made from the start to the end of their journey. It’s not terribly surprising to me that Neve, the Tevinter mage detective, ended up at the top. But I am devastated to see my man Davrin so low. Y’all don’t know what you’re missing. More for me, fuck y’all. Anyway, Emmrich, the older gentleman of the group is on the very bottom, which isn’t surprising given some cowards would likely view him as “too old” for protagonist Rook. But worry not, he is no doubt getting love from his loyal fans. The romance rankings are as follows: Neve Lucanis Taash Harding Bellara Davrin Emmrich BioWare is pretty thorough in this breakdown, documenting every major choice in the game. This includes the companion’s personal quests. First up is Bellara, who, at the end of her missions, must choose whether or not to preserve an archive spirit that includes some pretty dark moments in elven history. Most players chose to keep it, with 56 percent of players telling her to make that call. 44 chose to free the spirit in the end. Jail. Jail for all of you. Okay, just 54 percent of you. Emmrich, the necromancer of the team, must choose at the end of his questline to either become a Lich, an immortal necromancer that Emmrich has been studying his whole life to become, or revive Manfred, his skeleton assistant who is killed in a scrap. 54 percent of Veilguard players chose to let Manfred stay dead so Emmrich could keep pursuing his dream of becoming an immortal mage, and that means Manfred didn’t come back to be Emmrich’s protege mage son. Shame on y’all. Shame! Okay, I’m calming down now. Davrin, the Grey Warden teammate, spends his quests saving the last known griffons from a fate worse than death. In the end, he asks Rook if they should be returned to the Wardens to help fight darkspawn as they did in the past, or if they should be taken to Arlathan Forest to protect nature. 67 percent of players sent them to Arlathan. Good job, team. Lucanis, the Antivan Crow assassin of the team, spends much of his time in The Veilguard dealing with family politics. This includes a betrayal at the hands of his cousin Illario. Lucanis is able to either forgive him for his transgressions or lock him up. An overwhelming 78 percent chose the latter, with 22 percent opting for a more peaceful approach. Taash spends most of The Veilguard pulled between two worlds. Their whole deal through their personal quest is finding out who they are, whether that be in their identity as a non-binary person, or as someone who is split between their Qunari heritage and Rivani present. Rook can nudge them in one direction or the other, but 79 percent of players chose to encourage them to lean into Rivani culture. Neve is basically Dragon Age Batman by the end of her quests. Tevinter’s greatest detective can either become a “protector” of the people, opting for more of a shadowy approach, or an “inspiration” to the people by operating as a private investigator. Most people went the protector route, with 61 percent of players going this route. Harding’s quest dives into some deep dwarven lore and answers big questions about the history of her people. By the end, she must choose whether or not to take on the lingering anger of her people or soothe it. Given how kindhearted Harding is, I’m not surprised that 84 percent of players saw her embrace her nature. One of the earliest choices you get in the game’s opening hours is whether or not you save a Mayor who sold out his village to the elven gods. 42 percent of players chose to leave him to the elements (which can result in a boss fight against him later), 36 saved him, then 22 percent of players banished him to the Grey Wardens. The last of those is only available if your Rook is from the Grey Wardens. The choice between saving either Minrathous or Treviso is one of the earliest decisions that has ramifications throughout all of The Veilguard . Choosing one or the other means the city you don’t protect will be blighted and altogether fucked up for the rest of the game. It was a slim difference, with Treviso coming out ahead with 51 percent. To that, I say “as a Shadow Dragon, fuck y’all.” The First Warden is a colossal pain in the butt during The Veilguard ’s first act. When it finally comes to handling him during the assault on the Warden base in Weisshaupt, Rook can either knock him out and take control of the stronghold or reason with him. 64 percent of players rightfully punched his lights out. There are two choices at the beginning of The Veilguard ’s final missions that require you to sacrifice two of your party members. One choice has you assign Harding or Davrin to lead a second team during an assault on the elven god’s base, the other makes you assign either Bellara or Neve to handle a magical barrier. Whoever you choose will be sacrificed (one presumed dead, the other abducted by the enemy), and the split was surprisingly bigger than I expected. Most players chose Harding, with 54 percent of players putting the dwarven rogue in charge, leaving Davrin presumed dead in only 46 percent of playthroughs. Bellara, meanwhile, was kidnapped in most playthroughs, with 58 percent of players choosing her over the 42 percent who chose Neve. After all that heartbreak and loss, The Veilguard asks players to once again put their companions in the line of fire with a final assault on Minrathous. This includes multiple assignments that have a good or bad outcome depending on who you choose, if they have achieved “Hero of the Veilguard” status, and if your faction strength has reached a certain threshold. From the looks of it, most people are making the right choices for these, but here’s the breakdown: Top three choices to accompany the Veil Jumpers and unravel the Venatori Wards: Emmrich Neve Bellara Top three companions chosen to join the Antivan Crows in hunting the Venatori commander: Lucanis Taash Emmrich Top three chosen to join forces with the Wardens and Mourn Watch to fight the Juggernaut: Taash Davrin Emmrich Top three companions chosen to stay behind for the counter-attack: Taash Davrin Harding After all that carnage, Solas, the ex-party member turned antagonist, still wants to tear down The Veil and unleash a horde of demons on Thedas. If you sought out Solas’ memories in the Crossroads and obtained the essence of Mythal, you’re able to talk him down, which most people did. Over 72 percent of players made this choice. However, if you either didn’t do those quests or just feel like fucking him up, you can either fight him or trick him with a decoy lyrium dagger into binding himself to The Veil. 17 percent of players chose to trick him, while only eight percent chose to take him on in a fight. The remaining three percent got the “sacrifice” ending, which ends in Rook sacrificing themself to ensure Solas is bound to The Veil. This is only possible if you lose too many people in the assault on Minrathous. Within those 72 percent of players who redeemed Solas, 43 percent of players had an Inquisitor who romanced Solas and joined him in The Fade. 57 percent of players had an Inquisitor who either romanced someone else (or no one) or didn’t convince the Inquisitor to forgive him. The last statistics BioWare included in its roundup were the interactions players had with Assan, Davrin’s griffon son, and Manfred. Only 50 percent of players pet Assan and a criminal 31 percent of people played Rock Paper Scissors with Manfred. Y’all need to go hang out with the Lighthouse pets. Jail to all of you. While pouring over the results of all of these decisions is exciting, it remains to be seen how any of these outcomes might factor into a future game. Personally, I’m holding out hope that Rook will return as a protagonist in the next Dragon Age , which could allow for more of these characters and choices to show up in meaningful ways. But whatever’s coming is still years away as BioWare is now shifting focus to the next Mass Effect game and isn’t making any DLC for The Veilguard .The suspect, identified by police as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in Wednesday’s attack on Brian Thompson , as well as writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. Here are some of the latest developments in the ongoing investigation: Where was the man captured? Mangione was taken into custody at around 9:15 a.m. after police received a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, police said. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompson’s death, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. What evidence did police find? In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said Mangione also had a ghost gun , a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Officers also found a suppressor, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” the commissioner said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. What do we know about Mangione? Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. Some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent people, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have had children attend the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to a post on the school website. He praised their collective inventiveness and pioneering mindset. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. A swarm of reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione, according to his obituary. Luigi Mangione's grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes ranging from Catholic organizations to colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione. A spokesman for the lawmaker's office confirmed the relationship Monday. The shooting and a quick escape Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Just 11 minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspected shooter exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore and Cedar Attanasio in New York contributed to this report.
Bello's 19 lead Purdue Fort Wayne over Eastern Michigan 99-76OTTAWA — First Nations leaders are split over next steps after a landmark $47.8-billion child welfare reform deal with Canada was struck down, prompting differing legal opinions from both sides. The Assembly of First Nations and a board member of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society have received competing legal opinions on potential ways forward. Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict says the chiefs he represents are still hoping the agreement that chiefs outside the province voted down two months ago is not moot. Chiefs in Ontario are interveners in the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal case that led to its realization. He added there are also concerns that some of the elements in the new negotiation mandate outlined by chiefs in an October assembly go beyond the current governance structure of the Assembly of First Nations. “There will have to be action by the Assembly of First Nations in the very near future to advance these positions, but you also need willing partners,” Benedict said. “We’re still considering what our options are.” Those options are also being debated in legal reviews commissioned by the Assembly of First Nations and a board member of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, which are both parties to the human rights case, along with Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Khelsilem, a chairperson from the Squamish Nation who penned a resolution that defeated the deal in October, critiqued the stance of Ontario First Nations by saying they negotiated a “bad agreement” for First Nations outside the province and now that chiefs want to go back to the table for a better deal, they want to split from the process entirely. “It potentially undermines the collective unity of First Nations to achieve something that is going to benefit all of us,” he said. The $47.8-billion agreement was struck in July after decades of advocacy and litigation from First Nations and experts, seeking to redress discrimination against First Nations children who were torn from their families and placed in foster care. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal said Canada’s underfunding was discriminatory because it meant kids living on reserve were given fewer services than those living off reserves, and tasked Canada with reaching an agreement with First Nations to reform the system. The agreement was meant to cover 10 years of funding for First Nations to take control of their own child welfare services from the federal government. Chiefs and service providers critiqued the deal for months, saying it didn’t go far enough to ensure an end to the discrimination. They have also blasted the federal government for what they say is its failure to consult with First Nations in negotiations, and for the exclusion of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, which helped launched the initial human rights complaint. In October at a special chiefs assembly in Calgary, the deal was struck down through two resolutions. The Assembly of First Nations sought a legal review of those resolutions by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP — a firm where the former national chief of the organization, Perry Bellegarde, works as a special adviser. In the legal review from Fasken, it appears as though the assembly asked for direction on how to get “rid” of two resolutions used to vote down the deal, with an employee of the firm saying they can review the resolutions together if they want them both gone, or they can “leave room for compromise” with one of the resolutions. In a statement, the Assembly of First Nations said the review was conducted to assess the legal, technical and operational aspects of the resolutions to ensure their “effective implementation.” “The opinions formed by external counsel are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of the AFN,” said Andrew Bisson, the chief executive officer, who added it’s not unusual for the organization to seek such reviews. Bisson did not address the language used by a Fasken employee to “get rid” of resolutions, but said “the legal and technical reviews were conducted in good faith, not to undermine the chiefs’ direction. The chiefs have provided clear direction, and the AFN is committed to following that direction.” The legal reviews from Fasken, dated Nov. 15, argue that the October resolutions on child welfare require a significant review of who voted for them, along with changes to the organization’s charter should they be implemented. Resolution 60 called for a rejection of the final settlement agreement, and for the establishment of a Children’s Chiefs Commission that will be representative of all regions and negotiate long-term reforms. It also called for the AFN’s executive committee to “unconditionally include” the Caring Society in negotiations. Fasken said that commission is contrary to the AFN’s charter, and the law, because the AFN’s executive committee doesn’t have the power to create one, and that the executive committee “alone” has the authority to execute mandates on behalf of the assembly. It adds there are no accountability measures for the new negotiation body, and that it will represent regions that are not participants in the AFN. Resolution 61, which built upon resolution 60, is similarly against the charter for the same reasons, the review says. As such, it says, the resolutions can’t be implemented. The firm also wrote that there were alleged conflicts of interest during the October vote, saying “numerous proxies were also employees, shareholders, directors, agents or otherwise had a vested interest” in the First Nations child and family service agencies whose interests were the subject of the resolutions. Chief Joe Miskokomon of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in southwestern Ontario called that “political deception.” In response to that review, a board member of the Caring Society, which has been a vocal critic of the July deal, sought their own. The review penned by Aird Berlis for Mary Teegee and dated Dec. 2 stated it was “inappropriate for the AFN to seek, and not disclose, legal opinions which are then cited to attempt to second-guess decisions already made by the First Nations in Assembly.” It also states that while the AFN’s vice-president of strategic policy and integration, Amber Potts, raised concerns with the movers and seconders of the resolutions, the entirety of the legal opinion the assembly sought was not shared with them. Teegee’s review challenges that of the AFN’s by saying the resolutions are consistent with the AFN’s charter, and that nothing restricts First Nations in assembly from expressing their sovereign will by delegating authority to another entity. “AFN’s role and purpose at all times is to effect the sovereign will of First Nations, however it is expressed, on ‘any matter’ that they see fit,” the review from Aird Berlis reads. “It is too late to attempt to question the resolutions. They are now final.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2024. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
CAPE CORAL, Fla. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar, one of the nation's leading homebuilders, is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest model homes in Cape Coral, FL. The public is invited to tour stunning new model homes and discover the innovative design and quality construction that is a standard in every Lennar home. "We are pleased to introduce our newest model homes in Cape Coral , offering beautifully crafted residences without the constraints of HOA fees," said Dave Meyers , Lennar's Division Manager for Southwest Florida . "Lennar is committed to providing high-quality, move-in-ready homes that combine our signature style with the freedom and affordability that today's buyers desire. We invite prospective homeowners to explore this new community and experience the Lennar difference firsthand." The new homes in Cape Coral offer Lennar's renowned style and quality, with an emphasis on spacious layouts, contemporary finishes, and energy-efficient features—all thoughtfully included to meet the needs of today's homebuyers through the company's Everything's Included® approach. Each home is designed with functionality and comfort in mind, offering seven unique floorplans to suit different lifestyles and family sizes. Prices range from the low $300 ,000s up to $1 million for estates homes situated on the water with many options in between. Home offerings include Patio, Executive and Estate Homes with three or four bedrooms and two or three baths across 1,487 to 2,650 square feet. Situated off Burnt Store Rd South near Pine Island Rd and Matlacha , these homes are ideally located with easy access to local amenities and attractions. Cape Coral is home to over 400 miles of canals, featuring access to fresh water or the desirable Gulf Coast to offer the best of Southwest Florida living. Kayak, sail, canoe, swim, hike and trek through a truly rich ecosystem. Discover world-class dining, shopping and entertainment in this coastal city or in nearby Downtown Fort Myers . The combination of quality, affordability, and the absence of HOA fees makes these homes a compelling choice in the Cape Coral market. For more information, please visit www.lennar.com/new-homes/florida/naples-ft-myers/cape-coral/new-homes-in-cape-coral or call 239-207-3051. About Lennar Corporation Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com . Contact: Danielle Tocco Vice President Communications Lennar Corporation Danielle.Tocco@Lennar.com Direct Line: 949.789.1633 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lennar-debuts-new-model-homes-in-cape-coral-fl-with-no-hoa-fees-302336543.html SOURCE Lennar Corporation © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Callahan & Associates' annual report highlights market gains and sustained leadership amid industry expansion MONETT, Mo., Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Callahan & Associates, a leading data and consulting firm in the credit union industry, confirmed Jack Henry's Symitar platform as the top platform for credit unions in its annual ranking of financial technology providers. Symitar® has been listed as the top platform every year since 2018 . The report included 28 core platforms serving credit unions with $400 million in assets or more. Seven of these platforms gained clients this year, with Jack Henry achieving the most significant growth. More than 700 credit unions leverage Symitar across three providers: Jack Henry, Member Driven Technologies (MDT), and Synergent. The platform remains the largest core service provider for credit unions with over $1 billion in assets, now serving 212 credit unions – an increase of 19 compared to last year. Additionally, Symitar has become the leader in the $250 million to $1 billion asset segment. Andrew Lepczyk, industry analyst with Callahan & Associates, noted that the role of a core platform has become even more crucial as members expect the better service that comes with 21st century banking technology. He predicts this expectation will continue to grow. Jack Henry shares this perspective, emphasizing that credit unions are increasingly basing their core platform decisions on modern technology capabilities and strategic plans for advancement. Brynn Ammon, president of Credit Union Solutions for Jack Henry, said service and innovation have always been cornerstones of the company's culture. "We have decades of experience providing the highest level of service and groundbreaking solutions to credit unions across the country, and we're building on that legacy with our cloud-native technology modernization strategy," Ammon said. "Our goal is to make cutting-edge technology easily accessible to credit unions, enabling them to meet the evolving needs of their members and drive sustainable growth." The report also noted that credit union membership grew by 2.4% this year, adding 3.3 million new members. "The fact Americans are still turning to credit unions for savings and loans despite changing industry dynamics is a testament to how well-prepared credit unions are for the days ahead," Lepczyk said. About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® Jack HenryTM (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For more than 48 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower approximately 7,500 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jack-henrys-symitar-solidifies-position-as-the-leading-platform-for-credit-unions-302336207.html SOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.The 3 best automatic litter boxes of 2024, tested and reviewed
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