sHq_LoGiNz – Page 1205

Granite and CEO Rob Hale Make Largest Team Donation in Pan-Mass Challenge History

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Granite’s “B.A.’s Brigade” Honors Cherished Colleague by Raising $3.6 Million

QUINCY, Mass., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Granite Telecommunications, led by CEO Rob Hale, has made the largest team donation in the 46-year history of the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), raising an extraordinary $3.6 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The record-breaking gift was made in honor of longtime Granite executive and cherished colleague Bob Allen, affectionately known as “B.A.,” who passed away unexpectedly in December.

The Granite team, riding under the name “B.A.’s Brigade,” was made up of nearly 50 Granite teammates and family members, many of whom trained together on the South Shore in the months leading up to the two-day, nearly 190-mile ride. The cause is deeply personal, not only for CEO Rob Hale, whose father was treated at Dana-Farber before passing from pancreatic cancer, but also for the entire Granite community, which has supported Dana-Farber for years and raised millions of dollars to help advance cancer research and care.

“Supporting the Pan-Mass Challenge and Dana-Farber is personal for all of us,” said Hale. “We ride for our loved ones and colleagues, and this year, we rode for B.A. The joy of giving, and doing it together, is one of the greatest gifts we can share. I couldn’t imagine a better way to honor B.A.’s memory and I couldn’t be more proud of our Granite team.”

Bob Allen, one of Granite’s earliest team members, was a dedicated marathoner and endurance athlete who channeled his passion into raising funds for charity. He had planned to participate in this year’s Pan-Mass Challenge for a second consecutive year alongside the Granite team, and in the days before his passing, he shared with coworkers his excitement about training and riding together. When CEO Rob Hale announced that Granite would form a team in Bob’s memory, teammates responded with enthusiasm and heart, naming themselves “B.A.’s Brigade” and committing to making a meaningful impact.

Together, the team turned their shared loss into meaningful action, setting an ambitious goal to raise a record-breaking $3.6 million in homage to B.A. Just days before the 2025 ride, B.A.’s Brigade exceeded the previous record and hit their $3.6 million target.

Granite’s commitment to giving back continues to be a cornerstone of its culture. Under the leadership of CEO Rob Hale, Granite has contributed over $400 million to charitable causes across cancer research, healthcare, education and community development. The company has been consistently recognized for its philanthropic leadership, ranking No. 1 as the most philanthropic company in Massachusetts for the past three consecutive years.

To learn more about Granite’s community impact, visit Granite Gives Back.

About Granite
Granite delivers advanced communications and technology solutions to businesses and government agencies throughout the United States and Canada. The $1.8 billion company serves more than two-thirds of Fortune 100 companies and has 1.75 million voice and data lines under management, supporting more than 650,000 locations. Founded in 2002, Granite has become one of the largest competitive telecommunications carriers in the U.S. by simplifying sourcing and management of voice, data and cellular service with a single point of contact and consolidated invoicing for all locations nationwide. Today, Granite supports customers with a wide range of services, including access, UCaaS, mobile voice and data, and MSP solutions for SD-WAN, monitoring and network management. Granite employs more than 2,220 people at its headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts, and 10 regional offices nationwide. For more information, visit www.granitenet.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/granite-and-ceo-rob-hale-make-largest-team-donation-in-pan-mass-challenge-history-302521006.html

SOURCE Granite Telecommunications, LLC

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Fortistar and Epic Star Energy Acquire Renewable Energy Portfolio from HEI Subsidiary

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

HONOLULU, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fortistar and Epic Star Energy (“Epic Star”) announced the acquisition of a renewable energy portfolio from Pacific Current, a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI). The acquired portfolio consists of a utility scale solar project on Kauai and several other operating renewable energy projects. The acquisition closed on August 1, 2025. Epic Star will manage the portfolio under long-term contracts going forward, providing seamless, renewable power for many more decades of service to Hawaii.

Epic Star’s management team has deep expertise in the Hawaii renewable energy development space, having previously developed one of Oahu’s largest solar and battery projects currently under construction. Epic Star, a Fortistar portfolio company, invests in and develops battery energy storage systems coupled with solar and other sustainable energy resources where practical. Fortistar has a successful track record of developing, owning and operating assets for over 30 years.

“The sale of this portfolio ensures that these important renewable assets continue to provide clean power to our communities,” said Scott DeGhetto, EVP & CFO of HEI. “We believe Epic Star’s expertise in developing and operating renewable energy assets will make it a good partner for Hawaii as our state continues on its path to a clean, reliable and resilient energy future.”

The acquisition of this portfolio provides a platform for Epic Star’s proven development team to focus on building more sustainable energy projects to address the robust demand for new renewable power generation in Hawaii supported by statewide goals to create a reliable, resilient power supply while safely transitioning from imported oil and fossil fuel generation.

“This diversified portfolio of long-term contracted commercial and utility scale projects represents an attractive platform for sustainable energy investment in Hawaii. We plan to leverage these existing projects with our strong, local relationships as a complement to our community centric skillset, ensuring alignment with the community” said Henry Yun, CEO of Epic Star.

Epic Star Energy

Epic Star Energy is a Fortistar portfolio company managed by a highly respected team of proven developers and professionals representing all aspects of the renewable energy value chain. Epic Star Energy leverages interconnections at key grid locations throughout North America to meet the increasing demand for stand-alone energy storage systems, coupled with other sustainable energy resources where practical. Epic Star’s management team has developed some of the largest renewable energy projects in the US, including a 3.2-gigawatt solar PV project and 2.0 gigawatts of storage in Western Arizona, and the largest energy storage project under construction in New York City under contract with Con Edison.

For more information, please visit: www.epicstarenergy.com

Fortistar

Founded in 1993, Fortistar is a privately-owned investment firm that provides capital to build, grow and manage companies that address complex sustainability challenges. Fortistar utilizes its capital, flexibility and operating expertise to grow high-performing assets, first in independent power projects and now into other areas that support decarbonization. As a team, Fortistar has led financings raising over $3.5 billion in capital for companies and projects in the energy, transportation and industrial sectors.

For more information, please visit: www.fortistar.com

Contact:
Kelly Sarber, Epic Star, 760.613.5994, Kelly.Sarber@epicstarenergy.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fortistar-and-epic-star-energy-acquire-renewable-energy-portfolio-from-hei-subsidiary-302520603.html

SOURCE Fortistar

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Post Heads West: New York Post Media Group Launches “The California Post”

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

New Los Angeles-Based Media Venture to Bring World Class Coverage and Indispensable Reporting to California

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New York Post Media Group (NYPMG)—home of The New York Post, Page Six and Decider—is launching a new media venture, The California Post, in early 2026. The California Post will offer readers a unique and indispensable combination of fearless, common-sense journalism, celebrity and entertainment news, world class sports reporting and the legendary covers people expect from The New York Post—but from a distinctly Californian perspective. The California Post content will appear across multiple platforms and formats, including mobile and desktop sites, video, audio, social media and importantly, a daily print edition.

The California Post will be headquartered in Los Angeles and staffed by a robust team of tenacious editors, reporters and photographers dedicated to covering the stories that matter most to the people who live and work in the Golden State. Across print, digital and social channels, the team will chronicle the incredible state of California—a global power center of culture, sports, business and politics. The California Post will also leverage NYPMG’s national news gathering capabilities, sharing resources with The New York Post and adding even more value for readers.

This new venture is launching at the right time for NYPMG, California and Los Angeles. The Post brand, influence and reach has never been stronger, with The Post Digital Network, which includes NYPost.com, PageSix.com and Decider.com, attracting 90 million unique visitors in June alone. Ninety percent of Post digital readers already live outside of the New York media market. Los Angeles is home to the second largest concentration of Post readers, with 3.5 million monthly unique visitors—and 7.3 million across the state. This new masthead further positions The Post as a true national brand, substantially increasing its profile on the West Coast. The New York Post has achieved three consecutive years of profitability beginning in Fiscal Year 2022, an impressive achievement in a challenging environment for some publishers.

NYPMG has appointed News Corp veteran Nick Papps as The California Post‘s Editor-in-Chief. Papps has nearly two decades of editorial leadership, and has helped drive editorial and commercial success at multiple publications. He has also served as News Corp Australia’s West Coast Correspondent for nearly three years and was based in Los Angeles.

Now more than ever, Californians need a media outlet dedicated to common sense, clever coverage of the most important issues, many of which are ignored or dismissed by current print and digital outlets. Despite its vibrancy—as well as the upcoming Olympic Games and World Cup—California lacks a voice that will hold leaders to account as they attempt to tackle the most critical issues facing residents. In fact, Los Angeles is fast becoming a news desert, despite being home to nearly 13 million monthly digital news readers. Thousands of stories are going untold and countless perspectives aren’t being represented by a media ecosystem that has lost touch with the people—especially as the city and state face unprecedented challenges and leadership vacuums.

Perhaps that’s why The New York Post already outranks the leading LA-based publication when it comes to desktop viewership according to Comscore, and is gaining ground in every corner of the state.

“Los Angeles and California surely need a daily dose of The Post as an antidote to the jaundiced, jaded journalism that has sadly proliferated. We are at a pivotal moment for the city and the state, and there is no doubt that The Post will play a crucial role in engaging and enlightening readers, who are starved of serious reporting and puckish wit,” said News Corp Chief Executive Robert Thomson. “I am also pleased that Keith Poole’s remit is expanding, as he will now be responsible for covering not just New York, but California, the U.S., the world and, perhaps, Mars.”

“This is the next manifestation of our national brand,” said Keith Poole, Editor-in-Chief of The New York Post. “California is the most populous state in the country, and is the epicenter of entertainment, the AI revolution and advanced manufacturing—not to mention a sports powerhouse. Yet many stories are not being told, and many viewpoints are not being represented. With The California Post, we will bring a common-sense, issue-based approach to metropolitan journalism. We’ll tell the stories that our readers care about the most, but others overlook, and we’ll do so with clarity and our trademark conviction, across print, digital and the platforms where audiences live today.

“I am also thrilled to welcome Nick Papps to The Post family,” continued Poole. “Nick has a keen sense for the stories that matter, an understanding of what makes Los Angeles tick and the ability to apply The Post’s unique voice to this vibrant market.”

“Our content is read everywhere from the corner store to the corner office,” added Sean Giancola, CEO of New York Post Media Group. “We are trusted by millions for our direct and plain-spoken approach to news, and The New York Post has been the voice of the people in New York for 200 years. California is a vibrant, dynamic market where our unique journalistic ethos will resonate and engage audiences in meaningful ways.”

The California Post will operate as a separate entity under the New York Post Media Group and will launch in early 2026.

If you are a reporter, editor or audience development professional, especially in the Los Angeles area, and looking for an opportunity to have an impact in the state of California, the team is in the process of staffing its LA-based operations. If you are interested in applying for a role at The California Post, please visit the New York Post Media Group’s Careers site: careers.nypost.com/.

About New York Post Media Group
New York Post Media Group is home to the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States, The New York Post, founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801. Its portfolio also houses some of the nation’s premier digital destinations for news, sports and entertainment, including The California Post and fabled Page Six gossip column, a world leader in breaking celebrity news that has evolved into its own iconic and powerful brand. The Post Digital Network is composed of the flagship NYPost.com, TheCaliforniaPost.com, PageSix.com, including Page Six Style, and Decider.com, covering streaming television and movies. The New York Post Media Group is owned by News Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/post-heads-west-new-york-post-media-group-launches-the-california-post-302520925.html

SOURCE The New York Post

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Antea Group USA Contributes to Environment Analyst's “Corporate Guide: Identifying and Remediating PFAS”

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

St. Paul, Minn., August 4, 2025 /3BL/ – Antea Group USA is proud to announce its contribution to “Corporate Guide: Identifying and Remediating PFAS” published by Environment Analyst.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” have rapidly become one of the most pressing environmental and financial liabilities for both public authorities and privately held landowners and asset managers. In response to growing concerns around the health and environmental risks associated with these persistent substances, Environment Analyst has released a new free corporate guide to help organizations assess, address, and remediate PFAS contamination.

This guide brings together insights and best practices from subject matter experts who are leading the charge in PFAS investigation and cleanup. These experts offer practical knowledge grounded in field experience, with the aim of equipping organizations of all sizes with the tools they need to evaluate potential PFAS exposure and take proactive steps to mitigate risks.

Antea Group authored the “Investigating the Extent of PFAS Risk Exposure” chapter, which focuses on PFAS risk assessment and due diligence. Tailored for businesses that are just beginning their journey in understanding PFAS liabilities, the chapter outlines how to initiate investigations into the historic and current use of PFAS across assets, products, and supply chains. It also examines key risk pathways and highlights available data sources that can inform a strategic and efficient approach to PFAS management.

“Given the rapid evolution of PFAS regulations across the globe and the increasing tide of litigation, undertaking this initial, proactive investigation is no longer optional; it’s a fundamental requirement for responsible business in today’s environment,” states Jason Lagowski, Senior Consultant and PFAS Management Service Lead at Antea Group USA. “By proactively identifying potential exposure, you can get ahead of regulatory curves, build trust with stakeholders, and empower your organization to explore innovative, PFAS-free alternatives, ultimately building long-term business resilience.”

This guide aims to provide a valuable roadmap for navigating the evolving regulatory landscape and mitigating long-term liabilities tied to PFAS.

Download the Guide Here

Antea Group Belgium and Antea Group Netherlands, also recently contributed to Environment Analyst’s Focus on Europe Insight Report, which provides a high-level overview of economic and environmental situations within the current political backdrop.

About Environment Analyst

Environment Analyst is an international membership community for the environmental services space, built around their market intelligence service. Their analysts help customers examine market opportunities in the environmental sector. They bring together business leaders and practitioners in peer-to-peer networks and share news and insight with member companies.

Their mission is to connect the environmental, ESG and professional services community, and provide the intelligence to deliver a sustainable transition. They aim to be the leading global partner supporting the environmental, sustainability & ESG community in its ambition to shape a better future. Learn more.

About Antea Group

Antea®Group is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world’s most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through not only our work with multinational clients, but also through our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the Inogen Alliance. Learn more.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged 3BL

Post Heads West: New York Post Media Group Launches “The California Post”

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

New Los Angeles-Based Media Venture to Bring World Class Coverage and Indispensable Reporting to California

The California Post will operate as a separate entity under the New York Post Media Group and will launch in early 2026.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/post-heads-west-new-york-post-media-group-launches-the-california-post-302520925.html

SOURCE The New York Post

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Northwestern Mutual Sustainability and Impact: Delivering Financial Security

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published in Northwestern Mutual 2024 Sustainability and Impact Report

Helping Americans achieve financial security is at the core of our value proposition.

Every day, our work supports policyowners and clients in growing wealth and protecting what they’ve worked so hard for. We’re dedicated to expanding financial access in underserved communities, reducing the wealth gap, and empowering economic growth by helping to build generational wealth.

$2.4T of life insurance protection in force¹
$335B of retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual²
$175M Impact Investment Fund to increase access to capital to businesses that support and improve underserved communities

IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH FINANCIAL SECURITY

According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Planning & Progress Study,³ the number of Americans feeling personal financial insecurity is on the rise.

This annual study found that among generations closest to retirement, just half of Boomers+ (49%) and Gen X (48%) believe they will be financially prepared for retirement.

We approach financial planning differently. We ask deeper questions and listen closely. We pursue longterm value over short-term gain. And we have access to a range of exclusive solutions designed to deliver better outcomes. Our comprehensive approach considers both risk management and growth because we believe that a financial plan optimized with insurance, investments, and guaranteed income is the best way to help policyowners and clients reach their goals.⁴

Our products and services

Northwestern Mutual’s products and services offer policyowners and clients a better way to money:^TM

Our comprehensive planning services offer policyowners and clients a wide range of financial options built to reinforce each other, like insurance for protection, investments for growth, and annuities for guaranteed income in retirement.
Our risk-focused offerings, including permanent life insurance (PLI), term life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance, bolster access to financial resources during unexpected life events, while annuities can provide a guaranteed income that doesn’t change based on market volatility.
Our range of wealth solutions, including advisory services and brokerage products, help clients grow their assets over time and build financial security.
Our network of more than 22,000 advisors⁵ and team members across hundreds of locations in the United States understand the specific needs and circumstances of their communities. Northwestern Mutual advisors garner the trust of our clients by creating comprehensive, personalized plans to help secure their long-term financial futures.

We know that seamless customer service is vital to policyowners and clients. In 2024, we continued our work to remove inefficiencies in our customer service process. Efforts that began in 2023 have led to reduced costs, better service, higher call quality, and improved satisfaction scores. We regularly monitor our Net Promoter Score (NPS), which reflects the trust our clients have in us, earned through the dedication and collaboration of our employees and advisors.

POWERING CHANGE THROUGH RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

Maximizing long-term value for our policyowners is our first and foremost goal as a mutual company. Our General Account strives to earn superior long-term investment returns while maintaining our unsurpassed financial strength.

General Account investments

Our General Account invests the premiums paid to us by policyowners across a diversified investment portfolio to generate superior risk-adjusted returns over the long term. Prudent investment management enables us to pay claims and benefits, innovate and grow our business, and share our success with policyowners in the form of dividends.

We seek to direct at least 5% of total investment assets toward investments with environmentally and socially responsible features while continuing to focus on our fundamental commitment to superior long term investment returns while maintaining exceptional financial strength. To this end, we invest a portion of General Account assets through our local and national Impact Investment Fund and Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, among others. At the end of 2024, these investments totaled more than $26.4 billion, or 8.2% of total invested assets.

Our team evaluates potential investments through the lens of driving superior long-term investment returns while prudently managing risks. We define responsible investments in our General Account through two primary categories:

Environmentally responsible investments: Supportive of or sensitive to the environment, such as bonds and loans linked to renewable and alternative energy projects, real estate investments that meet nationally recognized sustainable building and occupant wellness standards, and projects that support the lowcarbon transition
Socioeconomically responsible investments: Promoting projects that increase affordable housing and healthcare access in underdeveloped areas or support businesses with owners from underserved groups

Impact Investment Fund

Our Impact Investment Fund directs capital to businesses that support and improve underserved communities, creating local and national economic benefits. These investments are focused on:

Building safe and thriving communities
Reducing the wealth gap and driving financial security
Encouraging entrepreneurship and start-up growth

The Impact Investment Fund consists of a local Milwaukee allocation as well as a nationally focused allocation, with a total commitment of $175 million. As of 2024, the Fund has supported a total of 97 businesses in underserved communities that created over 1,100 jobs.

MKE Business Expansion Fund

As of 2024, the MKE Business Expansion Fund has invested nearly $3.4 million of capital across the community, supporting 34 local businesses.

One of these businesses, VC414, is a woman-owned venture capital firm that specializes in making investments in high-growth-potential start-ups founded by women and undercapitalized founders. VC414 deployed capital to Pruuvn, an alumnus of Northwestern Mutual’s accelerator program, demonstrating a synergy between our strategies for increasing access and opportunity for entrepreneurs who might otherwise be overlooked.

We also committed a total of $5 million with two community development financial institutions (CDFIs), Northwest Side CDC and Legacy Redevelopment Corporation, in 2024. CDFIs offer many types of financing, including microfinancing, and our investment facilitates increased access to financial resources. Three local businesses received financing as a result of these CDFI investments in 2024.

The MKE Business Expansion Fund has a real impact on individuals in our community. We invested in the Milwaukee Community Land Trust to support two meaningful projects in 2024:

Rehabilitating homes in the Milwaukee area to serve as permanent residences for low- income families
Partnering with SecureFutures to educate local high schoolers on the impact of homeownership and the importance of building credit, saving money, and planning for the future

National Impact Fund

As of 2024 year-end, the National Impact Fund has invested $109 million. Funding recipients included:

Clear Vision Impact Fund, which provides capital to established, minority-owned businesses and expands access to products and services in underserved communities
BlackRock Impact Opportunities Fund, which enables clients to invest in direct private market opportunities that accelerate positive economic outcomes for undercapitalized communities⁶
Siguler Guff, which provides credit to small businesses in underserved communities, creating and retaining quality jobs where they are needed the most

NM Future Ventures

Through Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, we support entrepreneurs who have been underserved in accessing venture capital. We prioritize investment in companies that align with our strategic business priorities, including companies that:

Develop tools and platforms to help us deliver the best client experience
Bring new technologies and enhanced analytics to market
Work to shape the future of health and wellness

Beyond providing capital, investing creates opportunities to forge meaningful business partnerships—sharing our expertise to help their business grow while maximizing our return on investment.

Check out our 2024 Sustainability and Impact Report to learn how we’re building a better way to tomorrow

_{¹ Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro. Prepared and calculated by Northwestern Mutual.}

_{²Combined client assets of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) as of December 31, 2024. The advisory programs offered by NMWMC are in conjunction with brokerage services from NMWMC’s affiliate, NMIS. NMIS and NMWMC are both wholly owned subsidiaries of Northwestern Mutual.}

_³_{https://news.northwesternmutual.com/planning-and-progressstudy-2024}

_⁴_{How life insurers can provide differentiated retirement benefits}_{, EY, 2022.}

_{⁵ Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services. For ease of reference, we refer to Northwestern Mutual representatives as advisors throughout this report.}

_⁶_{https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/investment-ideas/alternative-investments/blackrock-impact-opportunities}

Posted in UncategorizedTagged 3BL

CU SoCal Teams Up with LA Regional Food Bank to Fight Hunger

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) recently partnered with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to support its mission of ensuring no one in the community goes hungry. A group of CU SoCal managers volunteered their time to sort and package food items for distribution to families in need across Southern California.

The volunteer event was part of CU SoCal’s ongoing commitment to their People Helping People philosophy. The LA Regional Food Bank was selected for its impact in addressing food insecurity and its deep roots in serving vulnerable populations throughout Los Angeles County.

“The experience was both humbling and energizing,” said Melissa Manning, Vice President of Business & Talent Development at CU SoCal. “It reminded us of the power of coming together for a greater cause—and inspired many of our team members to seek out similar volunteer opportunities with their families. That kind of ripple effect is exactly the lasting impact we strive for.”

Since 1973, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been a vital force in the fight against hunger, distributing millions of pounds of food each year to families, seniors, and individuals in need. CU SoCal is proud to support such a trusted partner in strengthening our communities. For more information on LA Regional Food Bank’s work and mission, visit lafoodbank.org.

About Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal)
Founded in 1954 as Whittier Area Schools Federal Credit Union, CU SoCal is a credit union open to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, and Lake Havasu City. CU SoCal has a superior five-star financial rating from BauerFinancial, holds more than $3.3 billion in assets, and serves more than 180,000 Members. For more information, visit CUSoCal.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cu-socal-teams-up-with-la-regional-food-bank-to-fight-hunger-302520886.html

SOURCE Credit Union of Southern California

Posted in UncategorizedTagged PR Newswire

Bath & Body Works Strengthens Climate Commitment with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Validation

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Today, Bath & Body Works, Inc. recently announced that it has had its near-term science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a globally recognized authority on corporate climate action.

Bath & Body Works commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 63% by 2035 from a 2022 base year. Bath & Body Works also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 63% within the same timeframe.

The SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis. SBTi develops standards, tools and guidance which allow companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions targets in line with what is needed to keep global heating below catastrophic levels and reach net-zero by 2050. With this guidance, Bath & Body Works is taking meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

In 2024, Bath & Body Works completed its 2022 Scope 3 emissions baseline assessment, which gave visibility into the full extent of its carbon footprint and paved the way to set these near-term (2035) science-based targets. These goals were submitted for validation in March 2025 and officially approved in July 2025.

“We are very proud of this milestone and what opportunities this unlocks to help combat climate change and address our company’s environmental footprint,” says Jeff King, Group Vice President and Head of ESG. “The journey ahead will be complex and challenging, but we are ready to take action and work together with our associates and partners in our value chain to protect the planet.”

These new science-based targets replace the company’s previous emissions goals and reflect an ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and progress. To learn more about Bath & Body Works’ climate change journey and sustainability efforts, read pages 52-55 of the latest 2024 Sustainability and Impact Report.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged 3BL

North Island Credit Union Launches Book Drive To Promote Childhood Literacy in Local Title 1 Schools

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

All Credit Union Branches Accepting Book Donations for San Diego Elementary School Students Throughout August

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — For the fourth year, North Island Credit Union has launched a book drive to help ensure children in low-income households have access to books outside the classroom. The book drive is being conducted with ABC 10News as part of its “Storytime” childhood literacy campaign.

Through August 31, North Island Credit Union encourages community members to drop off new books to any of its branch locations in San Diego County. A complete list of North Island Credit Union locations is available here. Donated books should be new and appropriate for kindergarten through elementary school students. All books will be given to students attending Title 1 schools in San Diego County.

“We’re excited to launch this annual book drive as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting education in our communities,” said North Island Credit Union President/CEO Steve O’Connell. “Access to books can spark a lifelong love of learning, and we’re proud to help put books directly into the hands of our local students. We invite our members and neighbors to join us in this effort—every book donated can make a meaningful difference in a child’s life.”

Credit union branch drop off locations include:

7968 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa
2550 Fifth Ave, San Diego
9119 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego
9420 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego
Naval Air Base, Saufley St Bldg. 318, San Diego
10549 Scripps Poway Pkwy, San Diego
45 N. Broadway, Chula Vista
5898 Copley Dr, San Diego
1101 Palm Ave, Imperial Beach
884 Eastlake Pkwy, Chula Vista
301 N. Magnolia Ave, El Cajon
1230 Auto Park Way, Escondido

More information about the book drive for literacy is available here. Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase books for students in need here.

“Storytime” is a partnership between North Island Credit Union and ABC 10News to promote child literacy. With the help of the San Diego Council on Literacy, monthly “mini” book fairs are held in Title 1 schools across San Diego, providing free books to students in underserved communities to encourage reading outside the classroom.

The E.W. Scripps Company, which includes KGTV ABC10, sponsors the annual “If You Give a Child a Book…” childhood literacy campaign, in collaboration with the Scripps Howard Fund, members of the Scripps family, and the communities it serves. Since its inception in 2016, the campaign has successfully distributed over 1,000,000 books.

About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union
California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 with assets of $5 billion, approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. Named a Forbes Best-In-State Credit Union in 2024 and 2025, the credit union serves community members and businesses in the California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura as well as school employees throughout the state. The credit union operates in San Diego and Riverside Counties as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. The credit union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. California Credit Union is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a Low Income Designation, offering inclusive products and services to build financial stability in our underserved communities, including a checking account certified as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards. Visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram® or Facebook® @northislandcu.

About KGTV ABC10
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SOURCE North Island Credit Union

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Behind the Scenes: How FedEx Helps Keep the Flying Eye Hospital in the Sky

Posted on August 4, 2025 by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published by Orbis

Behind the scenes: How FedEx helps keep the Flying Eye Hospital in the sky

While the Flying Eye Hospital is known around the world for delivering cutting-edge eye care and training, the magic behind the mission starts long before the first patient is seen. It takes a dedicated network of people, months of planning, and round-the-clock technical support to ensure that every Orbis mission takes off smoothly—and safely. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the essential work being done to keep the plane mission-ready for 2025 and beyond, all thanks to FedEx and other key partners.

Essential Pilot training

FedEx serves as Orbis’s approved Part 142 training center, playing a vital role in maintaining the proficiency and currency of our volunteer flight crew.

Each April, Orbis pilots—comprised entirely of retired or active FedEx pilots—gather at FedEx headquarters in Memphis, TN, for comprehensive annual training. This includes MD-10 simulator sessions, classroom instruction, international mission planning, and emergency equipment training, all designed to ensure they remain proficient and mission-ready to deliver sight-saving care around the world.

Throughout the year, pilots stay current by completing four-hour simulator events, which include Initial and Recurrent Proficiency Checks (IPC and PC), warm-up sessions, and “3 and 3s” — training flights designed to meet FAA landing currency requirements. These simulator events are made possible through close coordination between the FedEx training schedulers and the Orbis training office, who work together to plan and schedule training, assign instructors, and provide evaluators as needed.

Most instructors and all evaluators are active FedEx pilots, who often accommodate Orbis simulator events around their regular flying schedules. This collaborative effort ensures our flight crews maintain the highest standards of safety, skill, and preparedness for every project. We can’t thank FedEx enough for sharing their equipment, expertise, and manpower to help get our aircraft to where it’s needed.

Clark FedEx team support

The FedEx team in Clark, Philippines (CRK) plays a vital role in supporting the Flying Eye Hospital and ensuring our aircraft remains mission ready. Their cross-departmental collaboration—spanning Aircraft Maintenance, Ramp Office, Customer Service, Customs Clearance, Security, and offices of the Sr. Manager and Managing Director—provides us with seamless, day-to-day support during each visit.

From transportation to and from the aircraft parking location to providing GPU, air conditioning units, lift trucks, maintenance stands, loaders, and even flight crew catering, the CRK team steps in with enthusiasm and warmth.

FedEx receives all Orbis medical supplies at Clark and clears them through their freeport to help keep costs down. FedEx even helped move the plane to a different part of the airport recently when our staff weren’t available.

FedEx employees, are, simply put, an extension of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital team. Each arrival and departure are met with smiles, hugs, and genuine curiosity about our programs and the people we serve. We are deeply grateful for their commitment—and they should be proud of the role they play helping people around the world access improved eye care.

Maintenance planning and engine runs:

While the plane is parked between projects in Clark, Philippines, the Orbis maintenance team conducts a variety of monthly system checks. These include engine runs, tire pressure checks, filter changes, and evaluations of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) to ensure the aircraft remains ready for takeoff at a moment’s notice.

Looking ahead, maintenance planning is underway for the Summer 2025 A Check, which will be conducted by the Orbis maintenance team with support from FedEx. Additionally, early preparations have already begun for the 2026 C Check, including the logistics of securing a maintenance location and sourcing parts and materials. FedEx supplies the majority of the parts for these checks and makes a considerable contribution toward the cost of the maintenance checks each year.

2026 program planning:

The project teams are working hard conducting airport assessments along with logistical and program planning visits for the 2026 Flying Eye Hospital projects. In March 2025, members of the team traveled to Peru for an initial assessment and planning visit to prepare for a three-week project scheduled for April 2026. In June, similar initial planning visits are scheduled for a planned two-week Macau project and three-week Vietnam project in 2026. These initial planning visits serve to introduce Orbis and the Flying Eye Hospital to government officials and local leaders, assess host hospitals and airports for project structure and feasibility, and design clinical training plans tailored to meet partner and participant needs.

Medical equipment maintenance:

Of course, the plane is primarily an ophthalmic teaching facility – and while it takes a lot to keep the plane in the air, there’s also a lot of work required to make sure its state-of-the-art medical equipment functions correctly.

Just like the aviation components, all medical equipment on the plane is subject to periodic maintenance to comply with regulations, performed this time by the biomedical engineering staff, the manufacturer, or a third party. This helps ensure efficiency, operational reliability and long-term cost savings, but most importantly, it keeps the patients safe.

It really does take a village to ensure this plane continues to travel the world, sharing world-class ophthalmic training with local teams. Thanks to all those who contribute to the maintenance of the plane, but especially to FedEx, who puts the “flying” in “Flying Eye Hospital”.

Stay tuned for more news from our upcoming Flying Eye Hospital project in Ghana, where FedEx is a Title Sponsor.

Continue reading here.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged 3BL