(The Center Square) – National Governors Association (NGA) Chair and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado, joined Governors Joe Lombardo, R-Nev., Spencer Cox, R-Utah, and Mark Gordon, R-Wyo., alongside education experts to support an NGA initiative this week, according to a press release from the organization. The initiative is called Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success . It aims to improve public education in the following areas, according to the initiative’s website: early literacy, numeracy, and high-quality curriculum; after-school, summer, and expanded learning; work-based learning and apprenticeships; dual and concurrent enrollment; skills-based learning and non-degree credentials; technology and artificial intelligence in the classroom; educator development and support; and data systems and roles of state agencies. “Launched in July 2024, Let’s Get Ready is a yearlong initiative designed to support the nation’s Governors drive innovative education policies,” the release said. “Let’s Get Ready aims to help Governors form policies that better evaluate outcomes for state investments in education and improve outcomes for learners at all stages of their education journey. The initiative also focuses on the ways states can meet the future needs of the workforce by preparing students for success in and outside of the classroom. Last month, Governor Polis held the first Let’s Get Ready convening in Denver.” On Wednesday, Polis and Lombardo plan to tour Southeast Career Technical Academy where they will “highlight the innovative work the school is leading to empower students with the tools needed to succeed with professional career paths,” the release said. Southeast Career Technical Academy is the first career and technical education high school in Las Vegas. “I started the Let’s Get Ready initiative because I’m committed to advancing the American principle that all students should have access to education that prepares them for success in life,” Polis said in the release. “We know that education is the key to prosperity and success for individuals, our communities, and our economy. That’s why we’re encouraged that Governors from both sides of the aisles are working with our country’s top education experts to find innovative solutions to improve education policies and outcomes. We can ensure all learners have access to quality education by implementing policies that look to the current and future needs of students and our workforce.” Lombardo said the academy meshes well with his educational goals as governor. “Better preparing students for college and career paths is one of my top priorities,” Lombardo said in the release. “Nevada is taking action on a variety of fronts – expanding early childhood education, hiring more teachers, increasing per-pupil funding, supporting innovative charter schools, and increasing accountability to ensure schools deliver results for students. Establishing better education to workforce pathways takes coordination with teachers, students, and business leaders. I appreciate the opportunity to host Governors and education leaders in Nevada to spur a national conversation on education.” The Las Vegas-based event will feature panel discussions with education experts on both sides of the political aisle. Some education experts participating include : David Coleman, CEO of College Board; Dr. Shanika Hope, Education for Social Impact Director at Google; Dr. Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy; and Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, the release said. Additional information about the Let’s Get Ready initiative and upcoming bipartisan events are available on the NGA website .New Collaboration with Green Dot Enables Cash Deposits at Over 7,500 CVS Pharmacy Locations AUSTIN, Texas and SAN FRANCISCO , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Varo Bank , the first all-digital nationally chartered bank in the U.S., today announced a collaboration with Green Dot Corporation (NYSE: GDOT) and CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) to enable deposits for no fee for millions of Varo Bank customers at over 7,500 participating CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide. 1 Utilizing Green Dot's embedded finance platform (Arc) and expansive money movement network, the "Green Dot Network," Varo customers can now deposit cash at participating CVS Pharmacy locations 2 with zero fees. For customers who deposit cash regularly, this means saving $120 or more per year. Traditional banks often charge fees unless customers maintain specified minimum balances in their accounts or meet monthly direct deposit requirements. In addition, unlike fintech companies that must work through partner banks to set their fee policies, Varo's charter enables the bank to offer preferential fees and products to its customers. "As an all-digital bank, Varo is creating low-cost financial solutions designed specifically for the needs of everyday Americans," said Colin Walsh , Chief Executive Officer at Varo Bank. "This Green Dot collaboration at participating CVS Pharmacy locations eliminates cash deposit fees, making basic banking more convenient and affordable." Varo customers have access to a suite of primary banking products that support their financial stability and wellness, including: "We are thrilled to work with Varo and CVS Pharmacy to make banking accessible to millions of American consumers," said Crystal Bryant-Minter , SVP, Money Movement at Green Dot. "With more than 20 years' experience delivering seamless banking and payment solutions to consumers and businesses, Arc by Green Dot powers some of the world's most trusted brands and thousands of other businesses at all stages of growth with seamless, secure and useful financial tools and experiences." About Varo Bank Varo Bank is a new kind of bank - the first nationally chartered consumer tech bank in the U.S., built from the ground up with a focus on the needs of Americans striving to get ahead. From credit building to savings to faster payments, Varo has a complete solution to help everyday Americans make progress in their financial lives. Varo combines the capabilities and nimbleness of a technology company with the security and oversight of a regulated financial institution, enabling agile product design that provides technology-first solutions such as Varo Believe, a secured card to help build credit; Varo Advance, to help stretch hard-earned dollars between paychecks; and a high-yield savings account, offering one of the nation's highest APYs. Varo has been named as one of the Inc. 5000 2023 fastest growth companies in the U.S., CNBC's 2023 list of the World's Top Fintech Companies, one of Forbes' World's Best Banks, and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. For more information on Varo Advance, Varo Believe, and other offerings such as Perks, visit www.varomoney.com , like Varo Bank on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @varobank. ©2024 Varo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. About Arc by Green Dot Arc is the embedded finance platform of services featuring all of Green Dot's secure banking and money processing capabilities designed to fuel value, loyalty and growth for consumers and businesses. Arc by Green Dot powers some of the world's most trusted brands and thousands of other businesses with seamless, secure and useful financial tools and experiences. Integrated with Green Dot Bank 3 Arc provides partners with leading FDIC-insured banking products and tools, plus regulatory and compliance expertise, oversight and support. The Arc platform is cloud-based, modular and scalable by design – configurable to meet a wide range of business needs and goals, and flexible to adapt as our partners grow. Arc's end-to-end banking services are powered by enterprise-grade APIs and offer partners access to comprehensive customer support, fraud protection, the largest retail deposit and ATM network in the U.S., and much more. For more information, visit greendot.com/arc . Media Contact Audrey Jacobson , for Varo Bank: varobank@consortpartners.com 1 Fees for optional service may apply 2 Cash deposit is available at all stand-alone CVS locations (through Green Dot Network®) with a cashier in the U.S. except those located within hospitals, on military bases, or in Target. You can deposit between $20 - $500 per transaction. A fee may apply for depositing cash at other Green Dot Network® locations. 3 Green Dot Bank also operates under the following registered trade names: GO2bank, GoBank and Bonneville Bank . All of these registered trade names are used by, and refer to, a single FDIC-insured bank, Green Dot Bank. Deposits under any of these trade names are deposits with Green Dot Bank and are aggregated for deposit insurance coverage up to the allowable limits. Green Dot Corporation NMLS #914924; Green Dot Bank NMLS #908739. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varo-bank-introduces-zero-fee-cash-deposits-at-participating-cvs-locations-302337565.html SOURCE Varo BankWASHINGTON , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It is with deep sadness that Universities Space Research Association (USRA) announces the passing of Dr. Berrien Moore III , an internationally recognized leader in Earth Science and an invaluable member of the USRA Board of Trustees. Dr. Moore passed away on December 17, 2024 , in Norman, Oklahoma . He was the Dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and Director of the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma . Dr. Moore was elected to the USRA Board of Trustees in 2019 and re-elected for a second term in 2022. He served in multiple leadership capacities on the Board, including Chair of the Compensation Committee, inaugural Chair of the University Engagement Committee, and, since 2021, Vice Chair of the Board. Gen Lester Lyles , Chair of the USRA Board of Trustees said, "We are profoundly grieved by the loss of Berrien Moore , a treasured member of our Board. Berrien was a strong leader and a dedicated advocate for Earth Science. With his wit and charm, Berrien was more than just a colleague, he was a true friend to everyone. On behalf of the entire Board, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Berrien's family and loved ones during this challenging time." Dr. Jeffrey Isaacson , President and CEO of USRA commented, "At USRA, we are deeply saddened by this news. This is a terrific loss for our Association, but we are grateful to have had the privilege of working with Berrien and are indebted by his many contributions. All of us at USRA extend our heartfelt condolences, prayers, and support to his family." Dr. Moore served in several capacities with NASA including as Principal Investigator of NASA's Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCarb) mission that placed University of Oklahoma at the forefront of climate research. He also served as chair of NASA's Space and Earth Science Advisory Council, as a member of the NASA Advisory Council, and was on several other committees. As a Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he contributed to the body of work that garnered the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. His honors include NASA's highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Medal for outstanding service, the NOAA Administrator's Recognition Award, and the 2007 Dryden Lectureship in Research medal by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dr. Moore is survived by his wife Lucia and his daughter Leila. About USRA Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. It is an association with 121 university members. It engages the broader university community, employs in-house scientific talent, and offers innovative research, development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu . PR Contact: Suraiya Farukhi sfarukhi@usra.edu 443-812-6945 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usra-mourns-the-loss-of-dr-berrien-moore-iii-a-distinguished-member-of-the-board-of-trustees-302337533.html SOURCE Universities Space Research Association
Weld County’s assessed value drops by 20% due to price drops in the oil and gas industry
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Broadridge Announces First-of-its-Kind AI-Powered Algorithm Insights ServicePresident Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday called for urgent introspection and reform to address Sri Lanka’s deepening issues of bribery and corruption. Speaking at the ‘International Anti-Corruption Day National Celebration – 2024’ held at the BMICH yesterday, the President stressed that justice cannot be ensured if those tasked with upholding the law fail to implement it effectively. This year’s event, themed ‘Uniting with Youth against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,’ provided a platform for the President to address the systemic failures undermining Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption efforts. He lamented the country’s decline in global corruption rankings, from 79th in 2013 to 115th in 2023, describing corruption as a “social tragedy” that must be confronted with genuine reform. President Dissanayake underscored that Sri Lanka possesses sufficient laws and institutions to combat corruption, including the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). However, he questioned whether these mechanisms are effectively deployed, pointing to a dismal track record of accountability. In 2021, the CIABOC filed 69 cases, withdrawing 40 of them, while in 2022, 89 cases were filed, with 45 later withdrawn. The President criticised the lack of transparency, urging the Commission to disclose why these cases were abandoned and why investigating officers failed to appear as witnesses. Highlighting the ineffectiveness of the system, the President noted that in a single year, the CIABOC secured convictions against only two Police constables, a Grama Niladhari, and a clerk, reinforcing public perceptions that the legal system is skewed against the powerless while allowing the influential to evade justice. The President emphasised that rebuilding Sri Lanka requires a complete overhaul of the State system, asserting that meaningful progress cannot be made without addressing systemic flaws. He called for collective dedication to reduce corruption, restore public trust, and create a State that operates with integrity and fairness. “Power entrusted by the people must be used to serve them; otherwise, it becomes meaningless,” he said. He further highlighted that justice delayed is justice denied, pointing to the erosion of public confidence in the country’s legal and institutional framework. As part of efforts to combat corruption, President Dissanayake praised the role of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and its JURE project, which has trained over 1,000 Government officials to uphold exemplary standards of governance. At the ceremony, the President formally conferred appointments to 15 of these trained officers, signalling a commitment to fostering integrity within public service. President Dissanayake expressed scepticism about the value of future Anti-Corruption Day celebrations if tangible progress is not made by next year. “Celebrations hold no value if corruption and fraud continue to worsen year by year,” he stated, urging swift action to address the nation’s systemic failures. The President concluded with a vision for a Sri Lanka with minimal corruption, urging collective effort to meet citizens’ expectations and restore trust in governance. “A healthy and functional State is essential for justice and progress,” he said, outlining a roadmap for transformative change in Sri Lanka’s fight against corruption. Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Public Security Ministry Secretary D.W.R.B. Seneviratne, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya, CIABOC Chairman W.M.N.P. Iddawala, Supreme Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, foreign ambassadors, and CIABOC officials were also present.
Joe Biden is considering preemptive pardons for officials and allies before Donald Trump takes officeChipotle is raising its U.S. prices to offset inflation and to compensate for a promise to increase portion sizes. Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs officer, Laurie Schalow, confirmed Friday that the Mexican restaurant chain was implementing a 2% price increase nationally. Schalow said it's the first time the California-based company has raised its prices in more than a year. Chipotle revealed the price increase after an analyst report released earlier this week by investment bank Truist Securities noted a 2% price increase at approximately 20% of the chain’s 3,500 U.S. stores. Truist, which raised its price target for Chipotle’s shares, also reported that customer traffic at the chain's restaurants accelerated in November. Chipotle said in October that its food, beverage and packaging costs all increased in the third quarter. It cited avocados as an example. Avocado shipments from Mexico to the U.S. were briefly suspended in June after two U.S. Department of Agriculture employees were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in the Mexican state of Michoacan. Chipotle also cited the cost of ensuring it was providing “consistent and generous portions” to its customers. Former Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said in July that Chipotle was retraining workers at approximately 10% of Chipotle's stores after customers complained on social media that they were getting smaller portions. Niccol left Chipotle in September to become the chairman and CEO of Starbucks, which has said it won't raise prices through September 2025. Restaurant price inflation has aggravated U.S. consumers. The price of food eaten away from home rose 30% between October 2019 and October 2024, according to government figures. The price of food eaten at home rose 27% in that same period. Earlier this year, McDonald's said it was seeing more customers eat at home instead of getting fast food because of price increases. The company responded with a $5 meal deal and other discounts.
Cruise into this holiday season with a non-traditional vacation
