Author: sHq_LoGiNz
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers is proud to announce the resounding success of its second annual Project Backpack event, which provided over 600 backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies during its 4-hour initiative, with cars lined up with students from across Louisiana.
“Back-to-school season can be stressful for so many families, and we wanted to help ease that burden,” said David Vicknair, founding partner of the firm. “It was incredible to see cars lined up and kids smiling, knowing they’re starting the school year with what they need.”
Project Backpack, now in its second year, is part of the firm’s larger mission to support the educational system in New Orleans. The initiative goes beyond school supplies: it’s about showing up for local families, honoring the value of education, and investing in future generations.
“Even after the Project Backpack wrapped up, the impact keeps going,” said Vicknair. “Every extra backpack represents a future opportunity: a student who will be better equipped to learn and grow. We see that as a win.”
The firm extends its sincere thanks to all volunteers, partners, and families who participated in the event and helped make this community effort possible.
About Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers
Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers is a New Orleans-based personal injury firm committed to providing exceptional legal representation while also investing in the communities it serves. Their experienced team of dedicated attorneys specializes in car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death cases in New Orleans. With diverse personal and professional backgrounds, they craft legal-winning strategies tailored to each client’s specific case and needs. They are committed to providing exceptional legal services, utilizing significant resources, and relentlessly advocating for their clients to achieve the best possible outcomes.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scott-vicknair-injury-lawyers-pledges-1000-backpacks-to-local-new-orleans-schools-302532639.html
SOURCE Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 18, 2025 /3BL/ – Power outages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced temporary closures at more than half of safety-net health care providers surveyed across Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, according to a comprehensive new study released today by Direct Relief. Read the full report here.
Among 80 community health centers and free and charitable clinics responding to the survey, 43 organizations (54%) said power loss forced the temporary closure of at least one site. The closures led to nearly 28,000 canceled or delayed patient visits — an outcome that researchers have tied to elevated longer-term mortality rates. The survey also found widespread financial losses and medicine spoilage that compounded the health impact.
Key findings
- 54% of surveyed safety-net clinics and health centers (43 of 80) reported power outages that forced at least one site to close.
- Nearly 28,000 medical visits were canceled or delayed.
- $12.9 million in lost revenue across 23 clinics and health centers.
- Nearly one-fourth of organizations (19 of 80) discarded temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines.
- $3.1 million in reported infrastructure damage.
- Power outages lasted up to 19 days, with a median duration of 47 hours.
Bedrock providers left vulnerable
“Health centers and clinics are often the bedrock health care providers in their communities,” said Sara Rossi, managing director of the Health Resiliency Fund at Direct Relief. “Without power, their ability to deliver critical, even life-saving services is compromised, leaving vulnerable patients at serious risk.”
“When power goes out, I’m in scramble mode to save vaccines. Without electricity, my X-ray, ultrasound and health records are down — and patient care stops,” said John Newman, executive director and chief medical officer at Volunteers in Medicine in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Widespread backup power gaps
The survey revealed alarming gaps in backup power infrastructure at safety-net health care facilities. Unlike hospitals, which are legally required to maintain backup generators and fuel supplies, community health centers and free and charitable clinics face no such mandates.
- Only 12% of surveyed organizations had backup power at all service sites.
- 50% had none.
- Even among facilities with backup power, 17% reported failures, often from running out of fuel.
Severe financial and medical impacts
The financial toll was significant. Twenty-three organizations reported revenue losses totaling $12.9 million while they were closed. Among FQHCs that lost revenue, the average loss was $803,000 per organization.
Nearly one-fourth (19) of the providers were forced to discard temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines when their refrigerators lost power. One clinic reported losing $60,000 worth of vaccines alone. These losses not only carried financial costs but also reduced availability of critical treatments such as insulin for diabetics and Tdap vaccines needed to prevent tetanus after hurricane-related injuries.
Twenty-five organizations suffered infrastructure damage totaling more than $3.1 million.
Patients hit hardest
The closures disproportionately affected vulnerable populations who rely on safety-net health care providers. FQHCs serve more than 32 million patients nationwide — nearly 1 in 10 U.S. residents — including 1 in 5 rural residents and 1 in 3 people living in poverty. Among patients at free and charitable clinics, 84% lack health insurance.
These patients often have higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, making them especially vulnerable during and after disasters. Many also face barriers such as multiple jobs, language differences and transportation challenges that make rescheduling appointments difficult.
Following the storms, 38% of surveyed organizations reported surges in patient demand, with some seeing increases of more than 50% as displaced residents sought care while other facilities remained closed.
Link to rising hurricane-related deaths
The study’s findings take on added significance in light of research on hurricanes’ long-term health effects. A 2024 study in Nature found that excess deaths attributable to hurricanes can be 300 or more times higher than immediate fatalities, with health care disruptions among the key drivers.
The research tracked all 501 hurricanes hitting the continental United States between 1930 and 2015. While the average hurricane caused 24 immediate deaths, storms led to between 7,170 and 11,430 additional deaths in the 20 years after landfall.
“These outages don’t just close clinics for a day — they ripple into long-term health risks,” Rossi said.
Climate change amplifying threats
Beyond hurricanes, the survey showed that power reliability is an ongoing challenge for safety-net clinics. More than 35% of organizations said unreliable power is a persistent concern in their area, with nearly 1 in 5 losing power at least once per quarter.
“It just adds to the uncertainty and the anxiety collectively around the state. The threat is very real and very widespread,” said Gianna Van Winkle, director of emergency management programs at the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, which helped conduct the survey.
The 2024 tornado season was the second-worst on record, with 1,791 tornadoes striking the United States—many spawned by hurricane activity.
About the survey
Direct Relief surveyed 394 FQHCs and free and charitable clinics across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina — representing most FQHCs in the region and 84% of estimated free and charitable clinics. The 80 respondents included 25 FQHCs and 55 free and charitable clinics operating about 500 clinical sites combined.
Note to editors: Read the full report. Additional data and interviews with health care providers are available upon request.
About Direct Relief Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Direct Relief provides medical assistance when and where it is needed most—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.
Media Contact: Paul Sherer, paul.sherer@directrelief.org.
Insightful, trailblazing, and dynamic: New Spanish-language podcast tackles the world of sports, culture, and lifestyle through a powerful female lens
DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — reVolver Podcasts, the leading multicultural audio network in the U.S., proudly announces the launch of Nuestra Cancha, a new podcast co-hosted by Emmy® award-winning sports journalist Lindsay Casinelli and trailblazing sports presenter Iliana Jiménez. As the world gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Casinelli and Jiménez bring decades of combined experience from the anchor desk, the radio waves, and the front lines of the biggest sporting events on the planet—from Casinelli covering Super Bowls and World Cups for Univision, to Jiménez making history as the first Mexican to lead an NBA broadcast in the U.S.
Each episode of Nuestra Cancha offers a seat in the VIP suite for the moments that are defining modern sports. From analyzing game-changing plays to debating the multi-billion dollar business of sports and exploring the intersection of athletics, fashion, and family, the hosts deliver unfiltered commentary and candid conversations. Listeners will discover the stories behind the headlines and hear exclusive insights from two women who have navigated and excelled in a male-dominated industry. Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fanatic, a casual fan, or simply interested in powerful stories of juggling womanhood in a male-dominated field, this podcast provides an essential perspective on the games we love.
“For years, I’ve reported the stories from the sidelines and the anchor desk,” said Casinelli. “With Nuestra Cancha, Iliana and I are creating our own field to have the authentic, unfiltered conversations that fans are craving. We want to talk about sports in a way that reflects our complete experience—as professionals, as fans, and as women.”
Jiménez added, “Our goal is to create a community where everyone feels welcome, especially women who love sports but may not have felt represented in traditional media. Nuestra Cancha is for them. It’s where we can talk about the match, the fashion, the family, and the hustle—all in one place.”
The podcast is available in Spanish. New episodes will be released weekly on all major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and the reVolver Podcasts app.
Follow Nuestra Cancha on Instagram at @nuestracanchashow and on TikTok at @nuestra.cancha.
For more information and to listen, visit www.revolverpodcasts.com.
reVolver Podcasts is a leading force in digital audio content, dedicated to providing diverse, innovative, and engaging podcasts across various genres. With a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, reVolver Podcasts continues to shape the future of digital storytelling, programming is free to millions of listeners in the U.S. and around the world across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, also available for download on the reVolver Podcasts App through the Samsung Galaxy Store available in the reVolver Podcasts App on Roku streaming devices and at www.revolverpodcasts.com.
About reVolver Podcasts
reVolver Podcasts is the leading multicultural, audio-on-demand content creator and distributor in the U.S. Home to Erazno y La Chokolata, El Show de Piolín, The Shoboy Show, Panda Show – Picante, and Don Cheto Al Aire, plus more than 70 additional programs spanning sports, music, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, health and wellness, inspiration, news, branded content, and live events, distributed across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, also available for download on the reVolver Podcasts App through the Samsung Galaxy Store and on Roku streaming devices and at reVolverPodcasts.com. For more information about the company, visit www.revolverpodcasts.com.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/revolver-podcasts-launches-nuestra-cancha–sports-media-powerhouses-lindsay-casinelli-and-iliana-jimenez-redefine-the-playbook-302532625.html
SOURCE reVolver Podcasts
Originally published by BizTimes Milwaukee on August 14, 2025
Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual recently celebrated $500 million in donations through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation since its inception in 1992. The company’s foundation focus areas include education, neighborhood revitalization and the search for better treatment for childhood cancer.
In 2024, the company and its foundation invested $4.2 million to support 20,000 early childhood, K-12 and higher education students in Milwaukee. Another $2.2 million was invested in Milwaukee’s Amani, Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way neighborhoods, including for safety-driven home repairs and construction of 119 affordable homes. Northwestern Mutual also contributed nearly $3.4 million to increase access to community destinations like Discovery World, Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Continue reading here.
Federal Reserve recognition highlights deep, long-term commitment to community investment
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ally Bank, the nation’s largest all-digital bank with an industry-leading auto financing business, announced today that it has received an “Outstanding” rating on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation by the Federal Reserve Board. Since 2017 Ally Bank has earned the highest possible rating four consecutive times. This distinction places Ally among the top 15% of U.S. financial institutions evaluated under the CRA.
“Ally’s fourth consecutive ‘Outstanding’ CRA rating reflects that doing right by our communities is foundational to our long-term business success,” said Ally chief legal and corporate affairs officer, Hope Mehlman. “This rating is a testament to the strength of our CRA program and the passion our teams bring to serving their communities.”
As part of the most recent exam period (2023-2024), Ally delivered on its community reinvestment mission through $2.68 billion of community development loans and investments, including:
- $1.7 billion in community development investments, including $1.47 billion supporting affordable housing
- $734.4 million in community development loans, including $138 million supporting economic development and community services
- $3.4 million in grants to non-profit organizations supporting community development and economic mobility
- 1,685 in employee volunteer hours focused on financial literacy initiatives and nonprofit partnerships
The rating affirms Ally’s long-standing commitment to expanding access to capital in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities across the country. Impactful examples include:
- A $35 million loan to Lendistry, one of the most active and impactful small business lenders in the country. In 2023 alone, Lendistry provided capital to more than 1,300 startups utilizing funding from Ally’s loan.
- An $11.7 million real estate construction loan to Ogden PSH, LLC for a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) rental project for chronically homeless individuals. The project will set aside units for homeless veterans and people with disabilities.
- A $5 million investment into ResilienceVC, an early-stage venture fund focused on investing in visionary entrepreneurs making financial services work for all Americans. Resilience VC targets scalable embedded financial technology startup companies that build financial resilience for users.
Adopted in 1977, the CRA requires federally insured deposit-taking institutions to support the borrowing needs of all the communities where they do business, including low– and moderate–income areas. Banks are rated during periodic evaluation intervals for their lending, investments, and service activities.
For more information about Ally’s community development efforts are available here.
Ally Bank, Member FDIC
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to “Do It Right” and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.
For more information and disclosures about Ally visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.
For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.
Contacts:
Alex Moore
Ally Communications
Alex.moore@ally.com
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SOURCE Ally Financial
HOMESTEAD, Fla., Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Allied NP Wellness and Primary Care, a primary healthcare and wellness service provider, is the first in the Miami area to offer EXOMIND, a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that boosts mental health and emotional suffering from depression, anxiety and mental fog.
“Depression is everywhere,” says Alvis Linares, NP, owner of Allied NP Wellness and Primary Care. “Being able to offer EXOMIND, an FDA-cleared treatment for depression, helps us keep our commitment to providing the highest level of patient care.”
Allied NP Wellness and Primary Care is run by the dynamic duo of Linares and his wife, Monica Lee, two licensed nurse practitioners who are fluent in Spanish. The center offers leading-edge technologies for fat burning, hormone balancing, muscle building, incontinence, aesthetics and overall health.
With EXOMIND, the applicator is placed on the head and uses magnetic pulses to stimulate or suppress brain activity. The technology addresses key brain areas involved in emotional regulation, cognitive function and self-control. To maximize results, doctors recommend a treatment twice a week for three weeks.
An additional benefit? Research shows that 100% of patients experienced reduced food cravings and, on average, reported a four-to-five-pound weight loss after six treatments.
Allied NP Wellness and Primary Care provides patients with other cutting-edge technologies to address everything from spinal health to muscle definition. Emsculpt NEO uses muscle activation and heat to burn up to 30% fat and build up to 25% muscle in hard-to-treat areas, including the abdomen, buttocks, arms and thighs.
In addition, Allied NP Wellness and Primary Care has Emface, the first FDA-cleared device that simultaneously tightens facial muscles and lifts loose skin along the cheeks, jawline and under the chin.
For individuals dealing with incontinence, there is EMSELLA, a device using muscle activation to strengthen the pelvic floor. Patients sit fully clothed on the EMSELLA chair for 28-minute sessions. Research shows a 98% patient satisfaction rate for restoring bladder function.
From now through the end of September, Allied NP is launching EXOMIND by offering $1,000 discount per treatment series for the first 10 guests who purchase a package. For more info, call 786-377-3192 or visit www.alliednpprimarycare.com. Allied NP is conveniently located at 70 NW 8th St. in the heart of Homestead.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allied-np-wellness-and-primary-care-blazing-new-trails-with-brain-stimulation-to-treat-depression-and-optimize-mental-health-302532518.html
SOURCE Allied NP Wellness and Primary Care
KHARKIV, Ukraine, August 18, 2025 /3BL/ – The beginning of the war was terrifying. I woke up to the sound of explosions, but at first, I thought it was fireworks. Then I got a call from a friend who told me, “We’re under attack.” I ran to the basement with my husband. We could hear the sound of jets above our heads.
We spent a week in the basement. But food became scarce, and we had to go out eventually. I remember standing in a line of 200 people at the supermarket. One day, a rocket fell nearby, but I stayed – we needed food. We bought whatever we could find, but there was no bread, pasta, or rice. Soon, prices skyrocketed. Transport became expensive. At train stations, some people abandoned pets and belongings in an attempt to escape. After a week of war, we realized our lives would never be the same.
At the end of March 2022 — although spring had already begun — it was snowing, something I’ll never forget. We fled from Kharkiv to Dnipro. From March to June 2022, we lived in difficult conditions; sometimes we were in offices, sleeping on the floor alongside others who had nowhere else to go. We stayed with relatives of friends who kindly offered us their flat. Later, our friend’s IT company moved the remnants of their office from Dnipro to Lviv, and we moved with it. The company set up a small kitchen and toilets and brought in mattresses and pillows. Volunteers were incredibly supportive, bringing bread, cookies, and tea.
After four months, we made the decision to return to Kharkiv. Our family needed us, and the company could no longer support us. The conflict in Kharkiv had slightly improved, though shelling continued at night and in the early morning. Returning was emotionally difficult. Everything felt strange.
After 11 years in education, I decided to change my path. Although teaching is important, I felt I wasn’t making the impact I wanted. Together with my husband and a fellow teacher, we founded a small charity to support vulnerable people. We still run it today, distributing clothes, hygiene kits, and books. Then I found a translator position at Action Against Hunger.
Life is more stable now than it was in 2022, but the fear remains. We can’t plan even a month ahead. On Monday, I was at the Solidarités International office when a nearby explosion shook the doors. We had to take refuge between two walls to protect ourselves. Just last night, there were drone attacks and shelling. I had chamomile tea and magnesium to calm down. Children react differently — some hide, and others think it’s just fireworks. In other parts of the oblast (region), the situation is worse. The Russian army advances slowly, and on the outskirts, you can hear the fighting.
Many people are seeking psychological support to cope with the situation. At Action Against Hunger, my team worked with an external psychologist who supported the children in our programs as well as the employees. I felt like I was carrying a heavy stone, and I was relieved to be able to put it down at last.
The economic situation remains dire for many. During the first months of the war, rental costs dropped — but now they have risen even higher than before. Food prices are also high, while salaries and pensions remain low. Supermarkets are operating, but many people can’t afford to shop there. In rural areas, people try to grow their own food and sell it locally.
We have had to adapt. We keep working and trying to find moments of joy. Cultural events continue; our opera performs in shelters, and schools hold activities underground. Since the war began, the sense of community has grown immensely. We take care of each other, especially the elderly and children. The sense of national identity has also grown. On August 24, it was heartening to see so many people celebrating Ukraine Independence Day.
Despite everything, I find small joys in daily life. We all hope for peace – and a safe, quiet night.
***
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.