Liza Bobrow didn’t think it was a big deal when her handwriting suddenly went haywire.

“It was just so bizarre,” she remembers. “My handwriting was getting teeny-tiny. I couldn’t even sign a check. I had just turned 50 so I thought ‘I’m getting old. I must have arthritis, or a pinched nerve or writer’s cramp.’ So, when the doctors told me it was Parkinson’s Disease, I was terrified.”

Medication helped at first.

Her handwriting returned to near normal. But Parkinson’s is a progressive disease—it usually worsens over time.

Two years after her diagnosis, the medication began triggering bouts of dystonia. She suffered painful muscle spasms in her feet that made walking difficult. Her right arm would suddenly shoot out and she would have to cradle it back in with her left arm.

“The pain was so bad that I didn’t want to take the medication,” she said. “But without the medicine I struggled with motor skills. It was a terrible time.”

Neurologists eventually suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted in specific spots in the brain to deliver electrical stimulation to help control tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Bobrow and her husband spent six months researching DBS and consulting her doctors before deciding to proceed.

“I had never had surgery in my life, so the idea of brain surgery was pretty scary,” she said. “But I had an incredible experience, and the results are profound. My motor skill fluctuation is less and in general it’s just a feeling of relaxation and comfort in my body that I just didn’t have before DBS.”

Revolutionary leap in DBS therapy

DBS has been around for decades. A pacemaker-like device is implanted in the upper chest and thin wires lead to precise locations in the brain, where electrodes deliver electrical stimulation that can help control some of the symptoms from Parkinson’s.

Even though traditional DBS is proven as a safe and effective treatment for Parkinson’s, the level of stimulation is constant/pre-programmed. But it has limitations. The human body and brain are constantly changing and adjusting, as the various symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and medication levels can fluctuate in intensity throughout the day. So, the amount of electrical stimulation needed to optimally treat Parkinson’s may also change.

“I went through a lot of programming sessions to refine the device settings,” Bobrow said. “You can’t just set it and forget about it.”

For many patients, that’s about to change.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the Medtronic Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation (aDBS) system for use in the U.S. for patients with Parkinson’s disease. With aDBS, the electrodes that deliver electrical stimulation can also sense the patient’s brain signals and automatically adjust the level of stimulation to meet the patient’s needs.1 A few programming adjustment visits may be needed in the first few months after turning on Adaptive Therapy. Patients programmed with Adaptive Therapy may require more programming adjustment visits if they experience stimulation-related side effects or need to further personalize programming settings.

“The aDBS system listens to these brain waves and then algorithms adjust the stimulation in real time according to what the brain waves tell us about their symptoms. It’s a very exciting development,” said Dr. Simon Little, a neurologist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Living the dream

Liza Bobrow received her DBS device before the FDA approval of aDBS; however, a software upgrade to aDBS does not require surgery. Her device already includes the brain sensing technology; if her doctors decide she is a candidate for aDBS, it would be a matter of activating this technology in her current device.

“Adaptability is obviously the next frontier. I can tell that my body has ebbs and flows and clearly real-time stimulation adjustment is something that interests me,” Liza said.

“There’s been a dream in our field for years that a device would be developed that could understand brain signals well enough to auto-deliver stimulation,” added Dr. Philip Starr, professor of neurological surgery at UCSF. “Now the dream is real. This field of neuromodulation is sort of like turning back the clock. It can take people with a chronic disease like Parkinson’s and give them a better quality of life. The rejuvenation that people experience is dramatic and as a clinician it’s a wonderful thing to participate in.”

Learn more about Medtronic.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/healthcare-professionals/specialties/neurology/therapies-procedures/deep-brain-stimulation/conditions/parkinsons-disease.html

DBS Therapy requires brain surgery. Risks may include: surgical complications, infection, failure to deliver therapy as needed and/or worsening of some symptoms.

Product usage represented may not be approved or cleared in all markets.

† The sensing feature of the Percept™ PC and Percept™ RC system is intended for use in patients receiving DBS where chronically recorded bioelectric data may provide useful, objective information regarding patient clinical status.

L001-03112025

References:

  1. Stanslaski S, Summers RLS, Tonder L, et al. Sensing data and methodology from the Adaptive DBS Algorithm for Personalized Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease (ADAPT-PD) clinical trial. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2024;10(1):174.

Financing to accelerate SolarBank’s growth as an owner of solar power projects in the U.S.

TORONTO, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – SolarBank Corporation (NASDAQ: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: GY2) (“SolarBank” or the “Company”) announced today that CIM Group (“CIM“), a real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer, and the Company have entered into a Mandate Letter providing for up to US$100 million in project based financing for a portfolio of 97 MW of solar power projects located in the United States (the “Transaction“). The Transaction will be structured as a preferred equity investment into a newly formed entity (“New HoldCo“) that will be a joint venture between CIM and Abundant Solar Power Inc. (“ASP“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SolarBank. No shares or other securities of SolarBank will be issued in connection with the Transaction.

“The financing is another major milestone in SolarBank’s plans to grow its status as an independent power producer. Assuming full funding, SolarBank will retain a majority ownership interest in what is expected to be 21 solar energy projects with a total capacity of 97 MW,” said Dr. Richard Lu, President and CEO of SolarBank. “The Transaction has been structured such that SolarBank does not have to issue any new shares, as the financing is being completed at the project company level.”

“CIM Group has a long history of developing and investing in essential infrastructure projects that seek to benefit communities and the environment,” said Kyle Hatzes, Managing Director, Infrastructure & Impact Investments, CIM Group. “This transaction with SolarBank to grow its portfolio of solar projects underscores our ongoing commitment to the renewable energy sector and our focus on supporting innovative companies leading the energy transition across North America.”

CIM shall acquire non-convertible preferred equity interests in New HoldCo (the “CIM Equity“). Pursuant to a membership interest purchase agreement to be entered into by New HoldCo and ASP, New HoldCo will purchase the membership interests of identified project companies that wholly own 97 MW of power generating capacity (the “Portfolio” or the “Projects“) directly or indirectly from ASP, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent. New HoldCo would advance 20% of the purchase price for each Project at mechanical completion of such Project, and 80% at substantial completion of such Project.

Each Project is anticipated to sell investment tax credits (“ITCs“) to one or more creditworthy third-party buyers pursuant to one or more tax credit transfer agreements in accordance with the requirements of Section 6418 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code” and each a “TCTA“).

CIM shall receive a coupon, payable semi-annually, equal to 3% (annually) of the aggregate investment and, subject to certain distributions detailed below, the remainder of the cashflow generated from the Portfolio shall be distributed to ASP. CIM shall retain 100% of the TCTA sales. In the event of liquidation, casualty or similar condemnation event the proceeds shall be distributed based on prior contributions of the parties. New HoldCo has the right to redeem the CIM Equity based on the greater of fair market value or a multiple of invested capital beginning 180 days after the fifth anniversary of the date the last Project is placed in service (the “Call Option“). If the Call Option is not exercised, CIM has the right to require a redemption of the CIM Equity at the lower of fair market value or a multiple of invested capital.

There are several risks associated with the Transaction and development of the Projects. The development of any project is subject to receipt of interconnection approval, receipt of a community solar contract, required permits, the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements for the Company and the risks associated with the construction of a solar power project. In addition, governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar power, which could result in future projects no longer being economic. The Transaction is subject to the execution of definitive documentation setting out all of the representations, warranties, covenants and conditions precedent associated with the Transaction. There is a risk that definitive documentation may not be executed or that the conditions precedent to the Transaction are not satisfied. In such case, no funding will be advanced under the terms of the Transaction. SolarBank will also need to secure the financing required to develop the Projects to mechanical completion and substantial completion, as prior to such milestone none of the funding from the Transaction will be available. Please refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” for additional discussion of the assumptions and risk factors associated with the Project and statements made in this press release.

About CIM Group

CIM is a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer. Since 1994, CIM has sought to create value in projects and positively impact the lives of people in communities across the Americas by delivering more than $60 billion of essential real estate and infrastructure projects. CIM’s diverse team of experts applies its broad knowledge and disciplined approach through hands-on management of real assets from due diligence to operations through disposition. CIM strives to make a meaningful difference in the world by executing key environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and enhancing each community in which it invests. For more information, visit www.cimgroup.com.

About SolarBank Corporation

SolarBank Corporation is an independent renewable and clean energy project developer and owner focusing on distributed and community solar projects in Canada and the USA. The Company develops solar, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and EV Charging projects that sell electricity to utilities, commercial, industrial, municipal and residential off-takers. The Company maximizes returns via a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple leading North America markets including projects with utilities, host off-takers, community solar, and virtual net metering projects. The Company has a potential development pipeline of over one gigawatt and has developed renewable and clean energy projects with a combined capacity of over 100 megawatts built. To learn more about SolarBank, please visit www.solarbankcorp.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information ‎within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking ‎statements”) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future events. ‎Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, ‎objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the ‎use of words or phrases such as “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “expects”, “will ‎continue”, “is anticipated”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimated”, “intends”, “plans”, “forecast”, ‎‎”projection”, “strategy”, “objective” and “outlook”) are not historical facts and may be ‎forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties ‎which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in ‎such forward-looking statements. In particular and without limitation, this news release ‎contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the Company’s expectations regarding its industry trends and overall market growth; the Company’s growth strategies the expected energy production from the solar power projects mentioned in this press release; the terms of the Transaction, including the size of the potential financing and its expected structure; the receipt of interconnection approval, permits and financing to be able to construct the Projects; the receipt of incentives for the Projects; and the size of the Company’s development pipeline. 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 ‎statements speak only as of the date of this news release.‎

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. In making the forward looking statements included in this news release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including but not limited to: the execution of definitive documentation for the Transaction; the satisfaction of all conditions precedent for the Transaction; obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals; that regulatory requirements will be maintained; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its plans and intentions; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and services offered by the Company’s competitors; that the Company’s current good relationships with its service providers and other third parties will be maintained; and government subsidies and funding for renewable energy will continue as currently contemplated. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Company’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including those listed under “Forward-‎Looking Statements” and “Risk ‎Factors” in the Company’s most recently completed Annual Information Form, and other public filings of the Company, which include: the failure to execute definitive documentation for the Transaction; the failure to satisfy all conditions precedent for the Transaction; the Company may be adversely affected by volatile solar power market and industry conditions; the execution of the Company’s growth strategy depends upon the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements; the Company’s future success depends partly on its ability to expand the pipeline of its energy business in several key markets; governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar and battery storage power; general global economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations; the Company’s project development and construction activities may not be successful; developing and operating solar projects exposes the Company to various risks; the impact of tariffs; the Company faces a number of risks involving Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) and project-level financing arrangements; any changes to the laws, regulations and policies that the Company is subject to may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use of solar power; the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive and evolving quickly; an anti-circumvention investigation could adversely affect the Company by potentially raising the prices of key supplies for the construction of solar power projects; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; a change in the Company’s effective tax rate can have a significant adverse impact on its business; seasonal variations in demand linked to construction cycles and weather conditions may influence the Company’s results of operations; the Company may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or have access to external financing; the Company may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future; the Company is subject to risks from supply chain issues; risks related to inflation; unexpected warranty expenses that may not be adequately covered by the Company’s insurance policies; if the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively in the renewable energy market; there are a limited number of purchasers of utility-scale quantities of electricity; compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be expensive; corporate responsibility may adversely impose additional costs; the future impact of any future global pandemic on the Company is unknown at this time; the Company has limited insurance coverage; the Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks; the Company may become subject to litigation; there is no guarantee on how the Company will use its available funds; the Company will continue to sell securities for cash to fund operations, capital expansion, mergers and acquisitions that will dilute the current shareholders; and future dilution as a result of financings.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any ‎forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or ‎otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it ‎is not possible for the Company to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such ‎factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to ‎differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-‎looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by ‎this cautionary statement.‎

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SOURCE SolarBank Corporation

By: Adrienne Bourgeois • Senior Communications Specialist, Utility Communications

Because our customers live in areas prone to some of the most severe weather in the country, we prepare for the worst of what Mother Nature might bring. Day after day and year after year, we stand storm ready. We have a proven plan of continuous preparation, planning and training. As severe weather threatens, we monitor, mobilize and act.  

Last year’s storm seasons proved our resiliency and hardening investments are working, but summer can bring a variety of threats. Along with our annual preparations, Entergy is participating in recognizing Hurricane Preparedness Week and Wildfire Awareness Month. 

Hurricane Preparedness Week 
This year, Hurricane Preparedness Week, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will be recognized May 1-7, and we are preparing for a potentially active hurricane season. This season, scientists predict there could be 17 named storms with 9 being hurricanes – four of which are predicted to be major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. This forecast follows a stormy spring season that brought devastating tornadoes to communities we serve in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. 

Prepare now before the season begins. Take time to get your personal storm plans in place and make a kit with the basic supplies needed in an emergency.  

Stay connected with us throughout a storm  
Keeping our customers and employees informed before, during and after severe weather is important to us. Update your contact information at myEntergy.com to ensure you receive important information. Here are some ways to stay up to date: 

Wildfire Awareness Month  
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Administration. The month will highlight the importance of preparing for the increased risk of wildfires as hotter, drier summer weather approaches.  

While drought conditions and wildfires have not been common in most areas across Entergy’s service territory, we have recently experienced several instances where high winds and the presence of dry fuels have increased our risk for wildfire. Entergy closely monitors many factors that could pose a risk for wildfires – drought conditions, red flag warnings, elevation, humidity, winds, rainfall levels and weather forecasts – so that we can take proactive measures to prevent our work or equipment from sparking a fire. 

Those proactive measures include: 

  • Monitoring weather conditions, such as red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service, and active wildfire threats across our service area.
  • Coordinating with local officials and emergency response agencies.
  • Monitoring our grid for wildfire risk and implementing appropriate safety measures. 

Safety is one of our core values and we encourage you to make it your top priority. Learn how to make an emergency kit and get important severe weather safety tips on the Entergy Storm Center

BOWIE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New research released today finds that diverting three of the most reused office items from landfill – task, desk and stack chairs – avoids far more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than methodologies currently used by the industry. The research, by furniture solutions company Installnet and Bard College’s MBA program, “Standard Reporting Omits Most Benefits of Reusing Office Furniture – This Must Change,” was developed as part of a new collective’s effort to develop

New Dallas Pediatric Campus Hospital to be Named in Honor of Transformational Grant

DALLAS, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Children’s Health℠ and UT Southwestern Medical Center announce a historic nine-figure grant from the Moody Foundation to support the new $5 billion pediatric campus in Dallas, which broke ground in October 2024. The new hospital will help meet the increasing demand for pediatric health care, research and training. The Moody Foundation’s transformational grant is the largest gift to date for this landmark project. In recognition of the generous support by the foundation, the hospital at the new Dallas pediatric campus will be named Moody Children’s Hospital upon completion in 2031.

“Naming the new hospital is a reflection of the deep trust and shared vision between the Moody Foundation, Children’s Health and UT Southwestern,” said Frances Moody-Dahlberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Moody Foundation. “Together, with Moody Children’s Hospital, we’re building more than a hospital – we’re building hope.”

For more than 80 years, the Moody Foundation has played a pivotal role in improving Texas communities, providing more than $2.6 billion in charitable funding through more than 5,500 grants. Guided by its mission of empowering Texas communities to thrive and prosper, the Moody Foundation has consistently supported education, social services, children’s needs and community development.

“Thanks to the Moody family’s incredible vision and philanthropy, we continue to push the boundaries of pediatric health care and innovation,” said Christopher J. Durovich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Health. “Their generosity will be reflected in the state-of-the-art care provided at our new Dallas campus, helping us redefine pediatric health care and transform the lives of children and families across North Texas and the country for decades to come.”

The Moody family has long championed innovation and education as catalysts for positive change. This grant is in addition to the more than $400 million the Moody Foundation has contributed previously to Children’s Health and the University of Texas System. Their decades of generosity continue to inspire progress across the state and provide care for children. 

“The Moody Foundation’s transformative investment in the well-being of future generations of children and youth marks a pivotal moment in our ability to reshape pediatric care across Texas, train the next generation of caregivers and accelerate vital discoveries that will continuously enhance our capacity to heal,” said Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern Medical Center. “The Foundation’s commitment to advancing our new pediatric campus will have a lasting and meaningful impact on the patients and families we are privileged to serve.”

The region’s pediatric population is expected to double by 2050, underscoring the urgent need for expanded access to top-tier pediatric health care. With the support of the Moody Foundation, Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center are ushering in a new era of pediatric medical care, innovation and research, resulting in a healthier future for children as North Texas experiences remarkable growth.

“This extraordinary gift is yet another testament to the Moody family’s unwavering dedication to expanding access to high-quality health care for every child,” said Brent Christopher, President of Children’s Medical Center Foundation. “Their generosity will shape the future of medicine for kids across our community and far beyond. With the Moody Foundation grant, we now have reached half of the amount of community support needed to bring the new Dallas pediatric campus to life.”

This grant from the Moody Foundation is the third, and largest, nine-figure gift to support the new Dallas pediatric campus project. This announcement follows the generous $100 million early gifts from the Pogue Foundation announced in May 2024 and the Rees-Jones Foundation announced in October 2024.

The new Dallas pediatric campus will be located in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District, directly across from UT Southwestern’s William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. This project is a joint venture between Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center. It will serve as a collaborative center for innovation, academic research, training and the advancement of lifesaving technologies.

To learn more, visit childrens.com/watchusgrow, utsouthwestern.edu and give.childrens.com. For assets and resources for this announcement, please use this downloadable media kit.

About Children’s Medical Center Foundation
As the fundraising arm for Children’s Health, one of the largest and most prestigious nonprofit pediatric health systems in North Texas, the Children’s Medical Center Foundation provides philanthropic support through partnerships with individual donors, organizations and corporations.

These funds support Children’s Health with the enhancement of care, discovery of cures and building a healthier community across all Children’s Health campuses to fulfill the mission to make life better for children. All contributions to Children’s Medical Center Foundation directly impact patients and their families, ensuring the best experience, best care, and ultimately, a fighting chance to get back to being a kid again.

To learn more, visit give.childrens.com.

About Children’s Health
Children’s Health is the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas and has long been recognized as a leader in pediatric health. Children’s Health campuses include Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Children’s Medical Center Plano and multiple Children’s Health Specialty Centers. With its academic partner, UT Southwestern, Children’s Medical Center Dallas is consistently ranked the No. 1 children’s hospital in North Texas and among the nation’s best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Its commitment to excellence and providing outstanding care across all aspects of pediatrics has resulted in being ranked across all specialty programs for seven consecutive years, including Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Behavioral Health, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology and Urology. 

In addition, Children’s Health nurses have received the Magnet® designation for the past 14 years, the highest honor for nursing excellence, and the health care system has been named a 2025 top place to work by Forbes and USA Today and one of the 150 Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review for 13 consecutive years. In addition, Children’s Health was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024 for its pioneering model to train physicians to treat children’s mental health. 

For more information and to support Children’s Health, visit childrens.com or like us on Facebook, follow Children’s Health on X, Instagram and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. 

About UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern, one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty members have received six Nobel Prizes and include 25 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 23 members of the National Academy of Medicine and 14 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The faculty of more than 3,200 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in more than 80 specialties to more than 140,000 hospitalized patients, more than 360,000 emergency room cases and oversee nearly 5.1 million outpatient visits a year. Its alumni and former trainees comprise more than half of all physicians caring for patients in North Texas.

UT Southwestern’s William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital is ranked as the No. 1 in Dallas-Fort Worth – the nation’s fourth-largest metro area. Eleven UT Southwestern medical specialties are nationally ranked, eight among the top 25 and three among the top 50. UTSW is among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide on quality measures.

The Medical Center includes 20 endowed centers, is a Rare Disease Center of Excellence for adults and children and is home to one of 57 designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation. UTSW is ranked No. 3 among global health care institutions for its published research and its medical school is among 16 schools ranked Tier 1 for research.

About the Moody Foundation
The Moody Foundation was established by W.L. Moody, Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody in 1942 to share their good fortune and make a difference in the lives of the people of Texas. Since then, the Foundation has pledged and awarded more than $2.6 billion in grants throughout the state to organizations that have educated, healed, nurtured and inspired generations of Texans. The Moody Foundation continues with a board of three trustees: Frances Moody-Dahlberg, Ross Moody and Elizabeth “Elle” Moody. Learn more at MoodyF.org.

Media Contact:
Andrea Wittman
469-690-8686
Andrea.Wittman@childrens.com

UT Southwestern Media Contact:
Russell Rian
News@utsouthwestern.edu

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/childrens-health-and-ut-southwestern-receive-record-setting-gift-from-moody-foundation-302446591.html

SOURCE Children’s Health

For the third year in a row, the Beehive State is No. 1 in rankings that measure health care, education, economy and more.

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and civic journalism, today announced the 2025 Best States rankings. The 2025 rankings evaluated all 50 states to capture how they best serve their citizens across a range of categories, including health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime & corrections, and natural environment. For the third consecutive year, Utah earned top recognition as the No. 1 state in the country.

Utah’s third straight No. 1 ranking is a reflection of the incredible people who make this state what it is,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “It’s not just our economy or our beautiful outdoors – it’s the hardworking, service-minded people who continue to make Utah the best place to live, work and raise a family. I’m grateful every day to stand with Utahns as we keep strengthening the state we love.”

Key findings in the 2025 Best States rankings:

  • Utah, No. 1 overall, landed in the top 20 across seven of the eight categories. However, it underperforms in the environment category (where it ranks No. 48).
  • New Jersey secured top placement for education overall, while Florida dominates higher ed. New Jersey, the No. 1 state overall in the education category, ranks in the top 5 for all pre-K-12 metrics, including preschool enrollment, standardized test scores and high school graduation rate. Florida, which came in at No. 2 overall for education, is top-ranked in the higher education subcategory because of its low costs for college tuition and fees, and its impressive graduation rates for two- and four-year programs.
  • Western states generally perform much better in higher education than in pre-K-12. Washington, California, Idaho and Nevada, for example, rank in the top 15 in the higher education subcategory, but all four rank significantly lower in the pre-K-12 education subcategory.
  • Hawaii leads the way in health care. At No. 1 overall in this category, Hawaii is also ranked No. 1 in the subcategory of health care quality, No. 4 in the subcategory of health care access and No. 6 in the subcategory of public health, due to its high scoring on metrics like health care affordability, mental health and low mortality rate.

“Amidst economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and evolving trade policies, the 2025 Best States rankings offer a critical benchmark for business leaders, investors and policymakers to assess economic competitiveness, workforce strength, infrastructure quality and long-term growth potential across all 50 states in the United States,” said U.S. News Executive Chairman & CEO Eric Gertler. “The 2025 Best State rankings provide a comprehensive, data-driven picture of how each state serves its residents – and thereby helping business leaders decide where to invest their capital, help residents decide where to live and help policymakers understand the best policies to drive improvements in their states.”

In its seventh edition, the Best States rankings draw upon 71 metrics and thousands of data points to measure how well U.S. states are performing for their citizens. In addition to health care and education, the metrics take into account a state’s economic growth; its roads, bridges, internet access and other infrastructure; its public safety record; the fiscal stability of state government; and the opportunity it affords its residents. More weight was accorded to some metric categories than others, based on surveys of what matters most to residents.

2025 Best States Rankings

*See the full rankings here.

Overall – Top 10
1. Utah
2. New Hampshire
3. Idaho
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska
6. Florida
7. Vermont
8. South Dakota
9. Massachusetts
10. Washington

Health Care
1. Hawaii
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut 

Education
1. New Jersey
2. Florida
3. Colorado

Economy
1. Florida 
2. Texas
3. Utah

Infrastructure 
1. Nebraska
2. South Dakota
3. Utah

Opportunity
1. Vermont
2. Iowa
3. Maine

Fiscal Stability 
1. Utah 
2. Delaware
3. New York

Crime & Corrections
1. New Hampshire
2. Maine 
3. Hawaii

Natural Environment
1. Hawaii
2. Maryland
3. Massachusetts

The 2025 Best States rankings are unpacked in data-driven stories, including a look at why Utah is America’s Best State and the social and political factors that could be driving its success, as well as a dive into rankings-related survey results that show Americans remain concerned about their cost of living and consider vaccines an important tool for public health. Readers can also take a U.S. News quiz to find out which is the best state for them.

The Best States rankings are the centerpiece of the U.S. News Best States portal, a platform combining analysis, daily reporting, historical information and photography on state issues. Best States is part of U.S. News’ civic journalism portfolio, which includes the Best Countries report and the Healthiest Communities project.

To view the full rankings and search state profiles, visit www.usnews.com/states. For more information on Best States, follow coverage on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) using #BestStates.

U.S. News Media Contact: Kate Haas, khaas@usnews.com, 202-955-2120

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

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SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC), a leading activist against child marriage and child trafficking, and lawyer, was conferred the Medal of Honour by the World Jurist Association (WJA) at the World Law Congress (WLC) 2025. Held in the Dominican Republic from May 4–6, the prestigious event brought together over 1500 jurists and 300 speakers from more than 70 countries.

Founded in 1963, the World Jurist Association has honored figures such as Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kerry Kennedy and René Cassin.

Recognized for his ground-breaking use of the rule of law to combat modern-day slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, child sexual abuse, and child marriage, Ribhu has dedicated over two decades to advancing child rights through legal intervention and grassroots mobilization. His efforts have led to legal reforms that protect millions of children now and in the future.

In his acceptance speech, he stated, “Children should never have to fight for justice alone. The law must be their shield, and justice must be their right.”

Javier Cremades, President of the WJA, stated, “Bhuwan firmly believes that justice is the strongest pillar of democracy and has dedicated his life to the service of justice for children and women who are victims of sexual crimes in his country and globally. His efforts have saved hundreds of thousands of children and women and set legal frameworks that will protect generations to come. This award is a recognition of his tireless work building a safe, more just world for children through the power of the law.”

JRC is the world’s largest civil society network of over 250 partner organisations working across criminal and social justice systems. Operating in India, Nepal, Kenya and the US, JRC is aiming for an ecosystem-level response through legal interventions and community engagement.

Since April 2023, the JRC network has delivered results that showcase the potential of India-led innovation and resolve:

  • Over 85,000 children rescued from trafficking
  • Over 300,000 child marriages prevented and stopped
  • More than 34,000 child sexual abuse survivors supported with legal and psychosocial support
  • Over 54,000 cases filed against child traffickers

“These numbers are not just statistics—they are lives saved, futures restored, and a resolve to stand up for our children,” Ribhu stated.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2680065/JRC.jpg

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SOURCE Just Rights for Children International

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