Categoría: Geovanny Vicente

Shocked by Bristow’s Unilateral Decision to Cut More Than 350 Good-Paying Jobs, Union Pilots and Mechanics Call on Company to Schedule Talks

NEW IBERIA, La., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — More than 150 helicopter pilots and mechanics represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Locals 107 and 407 at Bristow Helicopters are shocked by the company’s unilateral decision, announced Wednesday afternoon, to close two Louisiana facilities in both New Iberia and Galliano, resulting in the loss of more than 350…

NEW IBERIA, La., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — More than 150 helicopter pilots and mechanics represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Locals 107 and 407 at Bristow Helicopters are shocked by the company’s unilateral decision, announced Wednesday afternoon, to close two Louisiana facilities in both New Iberia and Galliano, resulting in the loss of more than 350 good-paying, family-sustaining jobs.

In June, Bristow completed a merger with Era Group that brought together two workforces, the OPEIU pilots and mechanics at Bristow and nonunion pilots and mechanics at Era. OPEIU has initiated a process with the National Mediation Board for the union to represent a joint workforce of Era and Bristow pilots and mechanics.

«Rather than continue the plan to combine workforces for a stronger company, Bristow has regrettably decided to take a U-turn and close two facilities,» said Ken Bruner, president of OPEIU Local 107 pilots. «This short-sighted decision jeopardizes our communities’ well-being at a critical time, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused enormous job losses already and threatens to uproot sorely needed funding for our children’s schools, our communities’ infrastructure and, importantly, our efforts to combat the pandemic.

«The company, and the more than 350 individuals who will be impacted by this decision, are an essential part of our local economy, and the impact of the closings will ripple throughout the region. Our communities will suffer needlessly from a steep decline in the tax revenues we need to maintain now more than ever,» he added. 

The company claims the decision to shutter the two facilities hinges on falling demand for the facilities’ services and lower operational efficiencies as a result.

«Bristow employees have long advocated for improvements that would leave our Louisiana facilities more profitable, more efficient and better positioned to succeed in a rapidly changing market,» said George Evans, president of OPEIU Local 407 mechanics. «We are calling on the company we have helped build to take a step back and realize what these jobs and tax revenues mean to our communities and to the employees who have helped make Bristow a successful company.

«We can’t let our communities and our families bear the brunt of a decision based on a false choice. We can and hope to work alongside Bristow management to ensure the company remains profitable and that these good-paying jobs remain where they belong,» Evans said. «Perhaps most galling, Bristow has provided golden parachutes for company executives while handing out these pink slips to its employees.»

 

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SOURCE OPEIU Locals 107 and 407

Plasma Therapy Global Market Report (2020 to 2030) – COVID-19 Growth and Change

DUBLIN, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The «Plasma Therapy Global Market Report 2020-30: COVID-19 Growth and Change» report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s…

DUBLIN, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The «Plasma Therapy Global Market Report 2020-30: COVID-19 Growth and Change» report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

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This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global plasma therapy market.

This report focuses on plasma therapy market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the plasma therapy market which will be shaping and changing our lives over the next ten years and beyond, including the markets response to the challenge of the global pandemic.

The global plasma therapy market is expected to grow from $187.67 million in 2019 to $246.95 million in 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.6%. The growth is mainly attributed to the COVID-19 outbreak and the urgent need to treat a growing number of cases. The use of convalescent plasma collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 is one investigational treatment being explored for COVID-19. The market is then expected to stabilize and grow at a CAGR of 5.7% to reach 291.6 million in 2023.

Reasons to Purchase

  • Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 12+ geographies.
  • Understand how the market is being affected by the coronavirus and how it is likely to emerge and grow as the impact of the virus abates.
  • Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
  • Identify growth segments for investment.
  • Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
  • Understand customers based on the latest market research findings.
  • Benchmark performance against key competitors.
  • Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing.
  • Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for the plasma therapy ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The Plasma Therapy market global report answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider plasma therapy market, and compares it with other markets.

  • The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
  • The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, the influence of the COVID-19 virus and forecasting its growth.
  • Market segmentations break down market into sub markets.
  • The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
  • Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
  • The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
  • The plasma therapy market section of the report gives context. It compares the plasma therapy market with other segments of the plasma therapy market by size and growth, historic and forecast. It analyses GDP proportion, expenditure per capita, plasma therapy indicators comparison.

The plasma therapy market consists of revenues generated by the companies that are engaged in selling and manufacturing plasma therapy products and related services. Plasma therapy is a technique where high concentrations of plasma are transfused or injected to patients to facilitate the healing process. Plasma therapy is frequently used for facial rejuvenation, androgenetic alopecia, and wound healing among others.

North America was the largest region in the plasma therapy market in 2019.

In August 2018, Grifols S.A., a leading manufacturer of plasma-derived medicines based in Spain, announced the acquisition of Biotest US for an amount of $286 million. Through this acquisition, Grifols S.A. is expected to gain access to 22 plasma collections centers of Biotest in the USA and give Biotest the access to the quality supply of raw materials and help patients relying on plasma-based therapies. Biotest U.S. is a geographical unit of Biotech AG based in Germany, which collects plasma for producing critical-care therapies used in different therapeutic areas. Biotest is a biotechnology pharmaceutical company founded in 1946. The company is engaged in supplying plasma protein products and biotherapeutic drugs.

The plasma therapy market covered in this report is segmented by type into pure PRP; leukocyte-rich PRP; pure platelet-rich fibrin (PRF); leukocyte-rich fibrin (L-PRF) and by application into orthopaedics; arthritis; chronic tendinitis; bone repair & regeneration; dermatology; androgenic alopecia; plastic surgery; dental; cardiac muscle injury; others.

The high cost of plasma therapy is expected to hinder the market. The major reason contributing to the high cost is due to the extraction and storage. The procedure of separating plasma and blood cells from the blood is called Plasmapheresis. The cost of plasmapheresis is approximately $5,000 to $10,000 in the United States. Average platelet-rich plasma orthopaedic treatment cost ranges from $350 to $1,050 for a single sitting and it may require 2 to 3 settings for the treatment to be effective. The high cost of plasma therapy hinders many patients to access the treatment thereby impacting the market negatively.

Convalescent plasma therapy, to treat patients suffering from COVID 19 is a leading trend in the plasma therapy market. Convalescent plasma is the plasma extracted from the individuals who have been cured of a particular viral infection, as they have antibodies that protect and make them immune to that particular organism. The convalescent plasma is transfused to the patient who is suffering from the viral infection to neutralize the viral infection and induce the active immune response to cure the infection. Convalescent plasma therapy is found to be a safe treatment to cure the patients infected with the coronavirus.

The rising prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to drive the plasma therapy market during the forecast period. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a type of plasma therapy, is considered a safe and efficient treatment for osteoarthritis. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated autologous blood growth factor, which is injected on to the joint to provide symptomatic relief by decreasing the inflammation and slows the progression of osteoarthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 32.5 million people in the USA are suffering from osteoarthritis in 2019. Therefore, an increase in the prevalence of osteoarthritis is expected to drive the plasma therapy market.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Plasma Therapy Market Characteristics

3. Plasma Therapy Market Size And Growth
3.1. Global Plasma Therapy Historic Market, 2015 – 2019, $ Billion
3.1.1. Drivers Of The Market
3.1.2. Restraints On The Market
3.2. Global Plasma Therapy Forecast Market, 2019 – 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion
3.2.1. Drivers Of The Market
3.2.2. Restraints On the Market

4. Plasma Therapy Market Segmentation
4.1. Global Plasma Therapy Market, Segmentation By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion
4.2. Global Plasma Therapy Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5. Plasma Therapy Market Regional And Country Analysis
5.1. Global Plasma Therapy Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion
5.2. Global Plasma Therapy Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

6. Asia-Pacific Plasma Therapy Market

7. China Plasma Therapy Market

8. India Plasma Therapy Market

9. Japan Plasma Therapy Market

10. Australia Plasma Therapy Market

11. Indonesia Plasma Therapy Market

12. South Korea Plasma Therapy Market

13. Western Europe Plasma Therapy Market

14. UK Plasma Therapy Market

15. Germany Plasma Therapy Market

16. France Plasma Therapy Market

17. Eastern Europe Plasma Therapy Market

18. Russia Plasma Therapy Market

19. North America Plasma Therapy Market

20. USA Plasma Therapy Market

21. South America Plasma Therapy Market

22. Brazil Plasma Therapy Market

23. Middle East Plasma Therapy Market

24. Africa Plasma Therapy Market

25. Plasma Therapy Market Competitive Landscape And Company Profiles
25.1. Plasma Therapy Market Competitive Landscape
25.2. Plasma Therapy Market Company Profiles
25.2.1. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
25.2.1.1. Overview
25.2.1.2. Products and Services
25.2.1.3. Strategy
25.2.1.4. Financial Performance
25.2.2. Bio Products Laboratory Ltd.
25.2.2.1. Overview
25.2.2.2. Products and Services
25.2.2.3. Strategy
25.2.2.4. Financial Performance
25.2.3. Arthrex, Inc.
25.2.3.1. Overview
25.2.3.2. Products and Services
25.2.3.3. Strategy
25.2.3.4. Financial Performance
25.2.4. Biotest AG
25.2.4.1. Overview
25.2.4.2. Products and Services
25.2.4.3. Strategy
25.2.4.4. Financial Performance
25.2.5. China Biologic Products Holdings, Inc.
25.2.5.1. Overview
25.2.5.2. Products and Services
25.2.5.3. Strategy
25.2.5.4. Financial Performance

26. Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The Plasma Therapy Market

27. Plasma Therapy Market Trends And Strategies

28. Plasma Therapy Market Future Outlook and Potential Analysis

29. Appendix
29.1. Abbreviations
29.2. Currencies
29.3. Research Inquiries
29.4. About the Publisher
29.5. Copyright And Disclaimer

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3qj86o

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SOURCE Research and Markets

The Olson Company Partners With Cities to Develop Communities and Build Affordable Housing

SEAL BEACH, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Olson Company has been at the forefront of solving California’s shortage of affordable new homes in urban areas for more than 30 years. Seeing the potential of each community, Olson works with cities and counties to re-entitle, rezone,…

SEAL BEACH, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Olson Company has been at the forefront of solving California’s shortage of affordable new homes in urban areas for more than 30 years. Seeing the potential of each community, Olson works with cities and counties to re-entitle, rezone, and develop underutilized land into new energy-efficient homes that are close to jobs, public transportation, amenities, and entertainment options.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development ranked the State as the toughest in the nation for first-time buyers looking to purchase a home. In addition, new housing production, especially in urban areas, has lagged significantly.

Recognizing these factors, The Olson Company has made a concerted effort to offer affordable and attainable housing to California residents, particularly in Southern California.

One of The Olson Company’s recent projects was Magnolia Walk in the Los Angeles community of Willowbrook. The builder worked in partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles and the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles to offer a mixed income affordable housing community. When the pre-qualification process opened for Magnolia Walk’s affordable homes, they were met with an extremely positive response by potential homebuyers with over 500 applications.

In 2015, The Olson Company canvassed the surrounding community, contacting neighbors, to explain what the plans were for the site in an effort to build community support. There wasn’t a single community member that opposed the project, in fact, neighbors felt the beautiful homes would benefit their community.

While it can sometimes be a hurdle to sell homes in mixed-income developments that offer both affordable and market-rate housing, that was not the case with Magnolia Walk as all of the homes sold very quickly.

«The community of Willowbrook has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade, with an unprecedented public investment in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Campus, transportation infrastructure, and enhanced parks and libraries. Yet, this is all for naught if residents can’t afford to enjoy the fruits of this investment,» said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. «Our objective is to promote generational wealth building through home-buying, including opportunities for low and very-low income families. Today, over 90 families benefit from this notable partnership. The Olson Company has been a powerful partner in the County’s efforts to develop high-quality housing that all income-levels can afford.»

The County of Los Angeles began working with The Olson Company on this project in 2005, however, due to the financial crisis that hit the housing market hard in 2008, the project was put on hold for six years.

Emilio Salas, Acting Executive Director of Los Angeles County Development Authority, says he is really thankful to The Olson Company and acknowledges them for seeing this project through the challenges that were presented. «I really have to credit them for being very resilient during the economic downturn. They were very focused on making this project work. It was a huge number of homes in a very distressed community. That community is undergoing the entire transformation, and I think that this project is really one of the landmarks there now, in that Willowbrook community.»

Salas added, «It falls right in line with what the county is trying to do, and provides more opportunities for lower-income households to purchase the home and realize the American dream.»

Lisa S., a Magnolia Walk homeowner, says, «When I first found out about the affordable home program, I thought, wow, that’s something that I could qualify for. I think that the affordable home program is something that is really needed for the community. I’m thankful to Olson Homes for even considering partnering with L.A. County to make affordable homes available to people like me and other families that really want to own a home.»

When it comes to her favorite part about being a homeowner, another Magnolia Walk homebuyer says, «I think being able to drive into my own garage. Coming from my parents’ house, I didn’t have that luxury. I had to park in the driveway or on the street. So, being able to drive into my own garage, my own home, coming home after work after a long day. It’s a blessing.»

The Olson Company believes that homeownership in California should be possible for everyone. The team is taking a proactive stance to do its part in alleviating the housing crisis in California by working with cities and counties like Los Angeles to identify communities in mature neighborhoods that require minimal infrastructure to build urban neighborhoods that promise to keep construction costs low, taxes reasonable, and home prices attainable.

«We wish that there were more private organizations that had such a vision, to make sure they understand the importance of home-ownership opportunities for the lower-income community. It really became, I believe, a jewel within the Willowbrook community,» concluded Salas.

About The Olson Company

The Olson Company is California’s premier builder of affordable new home communities in the state’s most in-demand urban centers. In partnership with cities and other local and state agencies, Olson works to provide multi-tiered solutions to the critical issues of affordable for-sale housing, community redevelopment, transportation and sustainability. Recognized for creating thoughtfully designed communities within reach of California homebuyers, Olson has built more than 11,000 single-family attached, single-family detached, live/work and mixed-use in-town homes across 100 cities since 1988. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, Olson is the proud recipient of many top customer experience awards including the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Eliant Homebuyers’ Choice first-place awards for Overall Purchase and Ownership Experience.

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SOURCE The Olson Company

‘Keep Jersey Arts Alive’ Campaign Urges Support for the Arts as Pandemic Forces Continued Closures

BURLINGTON, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, the largest arts service organization in the state, has partnered with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts on

BURLINGTON, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, the largest arts service organization in the state, has partnered with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts on «Keep Jersey Arts Alive,» a digital campaign to build support for keeping the state’s arts institutions afloat. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters, museums, galleries, performing arts centers, dance studios and other groups have already lost over $30 million in revenue. New Jersey residents are urged to voice their ongoing support for the arts at KeepJerseyArtsAlive.org.

The campaign website offers state- and county-wide arts impact data to illustrate how the arts affect every corner of the state – including generating $662 million for New Jersey’s economy. According to the site, New Jersey’s nonprofit arts sector brings 8.3 million people to its downtowns and fuels 22,000 jobs. The arts are also a critical component to education, providing essential skills to 1.1 million students statewide. Campaign organizers aim to heighten public awareness around the industry’s importance as New Jersey faces continued economic hardship.

«Arts workers and organizations are valued members of the New Jersey family, and their recovery from the impact of COVID-19 is essential to our shared future in the Garden State,» said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Esq. «New Jersey’s arts sector and artists enrich our lives and communities, and I’m thrilled that the Keep Jersey Arts Alive initiative will celebrate our arts industry.»

Two rounds of federal CARES Act funding, which reached arts and humanities organizations throughout the state in May and July 2020, totaled $900,000 to cover personnel and facilities costs. ArtPride has also created an active COVID-19 resources page for artists and arts organizations, which includes various grant opportunities.

The state routinely supports the arts through competitive grants awarded by the State Arts Council (nearly $16 million in 2019), funded via a portion of New Jersey’s hotel/motel occupancy fee.

The campaign’s latest video discusses how New Jersey’s creative community is working to improve health and well-being during the coronavirus pandemic by creating activities for children, making protective wear for frontline workers, and collaborating with partners to address food security.

«A comprehensive recovery is one that positions the arts industry to endure this crisis and continue to provide opportunities for safe and meaningful connection for New Jersey communities, families and individuals,» said Allison Tratner, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. «From economic revitalization and jobs, to fostering dialogue and unity in the face of issues of social injustice, the arts are a critical tool for action and change as our state works to rebuild.»

Adam Perle, president and CEO of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, added: «The arts contribute greatly to our communities, and, while most physical doors are still closed, cultural groups continue to find creative ways to keep our minds and bodies strong. We look forward to when we can all gather safely, but, until then, we must work together to keep Jersey arts alive.»

For more information and to remind legislators about the economic importance of the arts, visit KeepJerseyArtsAlive.org.

About the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation
The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization that promotes the value of the arts to New Jersey’s quality of life, education and economic vitality through research and a variety of programs and services. For more information about ArtPride, visit http://www.ArtPrideNJ.org.

About the New Jersey State Council on the Arts
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council receives direct appropriations from the State of New Jersey through a dedicated, renewable Hotel/Motel Occupancy fee, as well as competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about the Council, please visit http://www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

 

SOURCE ArtPride New Jersey Foundation

Body Weight Has Surprising, Scary Impact on Brain Function

COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As a person’s weight goes up all regions of the brain go down in activity and blood flow in a linear correlation, according to a new brain imaging study in the

COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As a person’s weight goes up all regions of the brain go down in activity and blood flow in a linear correlation, according to a new brain imaging study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease from researchers at Amen Clinics, the nation’s leader in brain-centered mental health treatment. 

For this study, scientists analyzed over 35,000 brain SPECT scans from more than 17,000 individuals, making this one of the largest studies linking obesity with brain dysfunction. Low cerebral blood flow is the #1 brain imaging predictor that a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease. It is also associated with depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury, addiction, suicide, and more.

«This study shows that being overweight or obese seriously impacts brain activity and increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease as well as many other psychiatric and cognitive conditions,» says Daniel G. Amen, MD, the study’s lead author and founder of Amen Clinics.

Considering the latest statistics showing that 72% of Americans are overweight and 42% are obese, this is distressing news for our nation’s mental and cognitive health.

Although the results of this study are concerning, there is hope. The most important lesson learned from treating tens of thousands of patients at Amen Clinics and reviewing over 160,000 brain scans is that you’re not stuck with the brain you have. By adopting brain-friendly habits, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, you can change your brain and reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s and mental health conditions.

ABOUT AMEN CLINICS
Amen Clinics, Inc. was established in 1989 by Daniel G. Amen, MD, who is a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and 12-time New York Times bestselling author. Amen Clinics has the world’s largest database of functional brain scans relating to behavior, totaling over 160,000 scans on patients from 155 countries.

Media Contact:
Natalie Buchoz
Amen Clinics
P: (714) 421-3778
E: nbuchoz@amenclinic.com

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SOURCE Amen Clinics, Inc.

Novartis announces NEJM publication of Phase III ASCLEPIOS trials demonstrating superior efficacy of ofatumumab in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Novartis today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published the positive results from the ASCLEPIOS I and II studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ofatumumab (OMB157) 20 mg monthly subcutaneous injections versus teriflunomide 14 mg oral tablets taken once daily in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Both studies met the primary endpoints where ofatumumab showed a significant reduction in the…

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Novartis today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published the positive results from the ASCLEPIOS I and II studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ofatumumab (OMB157) 20 mg monthly subcutaneous injections versus teriflunomide 14 mg oral tablets taken once daily in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Both studies met the primary endpoints where ofatumumab showed a significant reduction in the number of confirmed relapses, evaluated as the annualized relapse rate (ARR).1

«ASCLEPIOS I and II demonstrate the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab and its potential to become a first-choice treatment option that offers RMS patients the flexibility as they continue to live their lives,» said Krishnan Ramanathan, Neuroscience Global Program Head at Novartis. «Ofatumumab is a testament to our commitment to advance science and investigate potential treatments that reimagine care and address significant unmet needs at all parts of the RMS journey.»

Results from the ASCLEPIOS I and II studies showed that compared with teriflunomide, ofatumumab:

  • Significantly reduced the ARR by 51% (0.11 vs 0.22) and 58% (0.10 vs 0.25) in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively (P<.001 in both studies) (primary endpoints)1
  • Showed a relative risk reduction of 34% (P=.002) in 3-month confirmed disability worsening (CDW) and 32% (P=.01) in 6-month CDW in a pre-specified meta-analysis, as defined in ASCLEPIOS (disability-related secondary endpoints)1
  • Showed significant reduction of both gadolinium enhancing (Gd+) T1 lesions with a 97% and 94% relative reduction in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively, (both P<.001), and an 82% and 85% relative reduction in new or enlarging T2 lesions in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively (both P<.001) (MRI-related secondary endpoints)1
  • Showed superiority in reducing neuroaxonal damage in both studies, as measured by neurofilament light chain (NfL) serum concentrations (biomarker secondary endpoint)1; axonal loss, which begins at disease onset, is a detrimental consequence of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and is a major determinant of irreversible neurological disability in MS patients2
  • Demonstrated a favorable trend in rate of 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI) events but did not reach significance (disability-related secondary endpoint)1
  • Showed the annual rate of brain volume loss was not significantly different (MRI-related secondary endpoint)1
  • Demonstrated an overall safety profile similar to teriflunomide, the frequency of serious infections and neoplasms was similar across both treatment groups. Injection-related reactions, nasopharyngitis, headache, injection-site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection were the most commonly observed adverse events with ofatumumab, occurring in ≥10% of patients1

«The ASCLEPIOS studies found that ofatumumab produced a significant reduction in new inflammation, as well as fewer clinical relapses and progression events,» said Professor Stephen L. Hauser, Director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and co-chair of the steering committee for the ASCLEPIOS I and II studies. «Ofatumumab represents a potential new option for RMS patients with greater efficacy compared to teriflunomide, a comparable safety profile, and the convenience of once monthly self-administration without the need for infusions.»

These data will be published in the August 6, 2020 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

In February, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepted the company’s Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) and Marketing Authorization Application (MAA), respectively, for ofatumumab for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. If approved, ofatumumab will be the first B-cell therapy that can be self-administered at home and has the potential to become a first-choice treatment for use in RMS patients.

Regulatory approval for ofatumumab in the US is expected in September 2020 and in Europe by Q2 2021. Novartis is committed to bringing ofatumumab to patients worldwide and additional regulatory filings are currently underway.

About ofatumumab
Ofatumumab (OMB157) is a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in development for RMS that is self-administered by a once-monthly injection, delivered subcutaneously.1,3 As shown in preclinical studies, ofatumumab is thought to work by binding to a distinct epitope on the CD20 molecule inducing potent B-cell lysis and depletion.4 The selective mechanism of action and subcutaneous administration of ofatumumab allows precise delivery to the lymph nodes, where B-cell depletion in MS is needed, and preclinical studies have shown that it may preserve the B-cells in the spleen.5 Once-monthly dosing of ofatumumab also allows faster repletion of B-cells and offers flexibility.6 Ofatumumab was originally developed by Genmab and licensed to GlaxoSmithKline. Novartis obtained rights for ofatumumab from GlaxoSmithKline in all indications, including RMS, in December 2015.7

About ASCLEPIOS I and II studies
The ASCLEPIOS I and II studies are twin, identical design, flexible duration (up to 30 months), double-blind, randomized, multi-center Phase III studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ofatumumab 20 mg monthly subcutaneous injections versus teriflunomide 14 mg oral tablets taken once daily in adults with RMS. The ASCLEPIOS I and II studies enrolled 1882 patients with MS, between the ages of 18 and 55 years, with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 0 and 5.5.1 The studies were conducted in over 350 sites in 37 countries.8 Ofatumumab demonstrated a significant reduction in ARR by 51% (0.11 vs 0.22) and 58% (0.10 vs 0.25) compared with teriflunomide (P<.001 in both studies) in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively (primary endpoint). Ofatumumab also showed a relative risk reduction of 34% (P=.002) in 3-month CDW and 32% (P=.01) in 6-month CDW compared with teriflunomide in a pre-specified meta-analysis, as defined in ASCLEPIOS.1

Ofatumumab showed significant reduction of both Gd+ T1 lesions and new or enlarging T2 lesions. It significantly reduced the mean number of both Gd+ T1 lesions (97% and 94% relative reduction in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively, both P<.001) and new or enlarging T2 lesions (82% and 85% relative reduction in ASCLEPIOS I and II, respectively, both P<.001) vs teriflunomide.1 Ofatumumab demonstrated that it lowered neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in serum at the first assessment at Month 3 compared with teriflunomide. There was no difference in slope of brain volume change from baseline between treatments. In a measure of 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI) events, a favorable trend for ofatumumab was seen but this did not reach significance vs teriflunomide.1

Ofatumumab had a similar safety profile to teriflunomide, with the frequency of serious infections and neoplasms also being similar across both treatment groups.1 Injection-related reactions, nasopharyngitis, headache, injection-site reaction, upper respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection were the most commonly observed adverse events with ofatumumab, occurring in ≥10% of patients.1

Overall, ofatumumab, a fully-human antibody targeting CD20 positive B-cells, delivered superior efficacy and demonstrated a safety profile with infection rates similar to teriflunomide.1

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by myelin destruction and axonal damage of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord.9 MS, which affects approximately 2.3 million people worldwide,10 can be characterized into four main types of MS: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing remitting (RRMS), secondary progressive (SPMS) and primary progressive (PPMS).11 The various forms of MS can be distinguished based on whether a patient experiences relapses (clearly defined acute inflammatory attacks of worsening neurological function), and/or whether they experience progression of neurologic damage and disability from the onset of the disease.9 

Novartis in Neuroscience
Novartis has a strong ongoing commitment to neuroscience and to bringing innovative treatments to patients suffering from neurological conditions where there is a high unmet need. We are committed to supporting patients and physicians in multiple disease areas, including MS, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and have a promising pipeline in MS, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy and specialty neurology.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as «potential,» «can,» «will,» «plan,» «may,» «could,» «would,» «expect,» «anticipate,» «look forward,» «believe,» «committed,» «investigational,» «pipeline,» «launch,» or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Dr. Hauser’s statements reflect his professional opinion and not necessarily the views of The Regents of the University of California. Nothing in his statements shall be construed to imply any support or endorsement of Novartis, or any of its products, by The Regents of the University of California.

About Novartis
Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation – an affiliate of Novartis – is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis employs about 15,000 people in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.novartis.us.

Novartis and Novartis US is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews and @NovartisUS at https://twitter.com/NovartisUS.
For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library 
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References

1.

Hauser S, Bar-Or A, Cohen J, et al. Ofatumumab versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(6):546-557. https://www.nejm.org

2.

Bjartmar C, Wujek JR, Trapp BD. Axonal loss in the pathology of MS: consequences for understanding the progressive phase of the disease. J Neurol Sci. 2003;206(2):165–171.

3.

Bar-Or A, Fox E, Goodyear A, et al. Onset of B-cell depletion with subcutaneous administration of ofatumumab in relapsing multiple sclerosis: results from the APLIOS bioequivalence study. Poster presentation at: ACTRIMS; February 2020; West Palm Beach, FL.

4.

Smith P, Kakarieka A, Wallstroem E. Ofatumumab is a fully human anti-CD20 antibody achieving potent B-cell depletion through binding a distinct epitope. Poster presentation at: ECTRIMS; September 2016; London, UK.

5.

Smith P, Huck C, Wegert V, et al. Low-dose, subcutaneous anti-CD20 therapy effectively depletes B-cells and ameliorates CNS autoimmunity. Poster presentation at: ECTRIMS; September 2016; London, UK.

6.

Savelieva M, Kahn J, Bagger M, et al. Comparison of the B-cell recovery time following discontinuation of anti-CD20 therapies. ePoster presentation at: ECTRIMS; October 2017; Paris, FR.

7.

Genmab Press Release: Genmab announces completion of agreement to transfer remaining ofatumumab rights. December 21, 2015. Accessed June 17, 2020. https://ir.genmab.com/static-files/9d491b72-bb0b-4e46-a792-dee6c29aaf7d

8.

Kappos L, Bar-Or A, Comi G, et al. Ofatumumab versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis: baseline characteristics of two pivotal phase 3 trials (ASCLEPIOS I and ASCLEPIOS II). Poster presentation at: ECTRIMS; October 2018; Berlin, Germany.

9.

Guthrie E. Multiple sclerosis: a primer and update. Adv Studies Pharm. 2007;4(11):313-317.

10.

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Atlas of MS 2013-Mapping Multiple Sclerosis Around the World. Accessed July 10, 2020. http://www.msif.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Atlas-of-MS.pdf

11.

National MS Society. Types of MS. Accessed May 20, 2020. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Types-of-MS

 

Novartis Media Relations

E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com

Eric Althoff

Jamie Bennett

Head, US Corp & Country External Comms,

Director, US Media Relations

Global Media & Corp Communications

+1 862 217 3976

+1 646 438 4335

jamie.bennett@novartis.com

eric.althoff@novartis.com

Novartis Investor Relations

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com

Sloan Simpson

+1 862 778 5052

 

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SOURCE Novartis

PriceAdvantage Releases Case Study: How Rutter’s Convenience Stores Managed Fuel Pricing During the 2020 Pandemic

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — PriceAdvantage, a patented software solution that helps retailers optimize and manage fuel prices, then automatically execute and verify price changes to the POS, pumps, and price signs, announced today a new case study. The case…

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — PriceAdvantage, a patented software solution that helps retailers optimize and manage fuel prices, then automatically execute and verify price changes to the POS, pumps, and price signs, announced today a new case study. The case study demonstrates how Rutter’s, a convenience store chain that operates 78 stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, embraced technology to optimize fuel prices and streamline the price change execution process.

During the 2020 pandemic, Rutter’s, like all fuel retailers, dealt with extraordinary, day-to-day operational hurdles. They had to ensure that both customers and employees were safe, managed in-store inventory demands, and addressed volatile fuel costs, margins, and decreased volumes. PriceAdvantage enables Rutter’s to manage fuel prices and execute price changes anytime – from anywhere – using a laptop or mobile app.

«We are proud to provide Rutter’s with PriceAdvantage software and Skyline Price Signs, a combination that creates a complete fuel pricing ecosystem,» said Chip Stadjuhar, CEO of Skyline Products. «Rutter’s can optimize and execute fuel price changes, and also receive industry-exclusive communication from the Skyline price signs that automatically confirms the price changed successfully and is displayed correctly on the price sign.»

«Using PriceAdvantage, I can quickly react to market movement at my desk and on my mobile phone,» shared Chris Hartman, Rutter’s Director of Fuel and Forecourt. Chris established pricing rules for all of the stores within PriceAdvantage – including considerations for competitors, desired margins, etc. and looks at PriceAdvantage each morning, and throughout the day, to review all of the stores to ensure they are priced appropriately. «Also, PriceAdvantage ensures that the price change process prevents us from having a posted sign price that is lower than the pump price. The combination of PriceAdvantage and Skyline price signs mitigates these issues.»

Read the case study in its entirety.

About PriceAdvantage
PriceAdvantage creates Software to Fuel Your Pricing StrategyTM. Our easy-to-use, highly configurable solution allows fuel marketers to execute their unique fuel pricing strategy faster and more accurately by reducing manual processes and human errors. PriceAdvantage enables customers to make rapid, informed fuel pricing decisions based on their unique business rules, then automatically post new prices to their POS systems, fuel pumps and price signs, and then receive price change confirmation – all in just minutes. PriceAdvantage is singularly focused on fuel pricing software and is a division of a privately held U.S. company, Skyline Products, which produces software solutions and thousands of American-made gas price and transportation signs annually. Learn more at http://www.PriceAdvantage.com.

About Skyline Products
Skyline Products helps convenience stores and fuel retailers differentiate themselves and increase automotive traffic through electronic LED and scroll price signs that are Designed to be Bold, Engineered to Last. Since 1970, Skyline has invested heavily in research and development to create the industry’s most legible and reliable price signs. Fully designed and manufactured in Colorado Springs, CO, Skyline’s industry-exclusive technologies provide superior display feedback, unmatched brightness control, exceptional full-bodied digits, advanced energy efficiency, and military-grade durability. Additionally, Skyline provides customers with price-change confirmation and the most advanced sign diagnostics on the market. Learn more at SkylineProducts.com.

 

SOURCE PriceAdvantage

Year-Round Holiday Lights Are A New, Growing Trend This Year for Home-Owners, Reports American Holiday Lights

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — American Holiday Lights of Naperville, IL is lifting people’s spirits amid the pandemic. This summer a local holiday lighting company has been lighting up homes in the Chicagoland area. Now, more than ever, people are staying home and want to enjoy their outdoor space by adding new decor such as beautiful outdoor lights.

«It’s a fun and rewarding business,» says Jeff Krall,…

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — American Holiday Lights of Naperville, IL is lifting people’s spirits amid the pandemic. This summer a local holiday lighting company has been lighting up homes in the Chicagoland area. Now, more than ever, people are staying home and want to enjoy their outdoor space by adding new decor such as beautiful outdoor lights.

«It’s a fun and rewarding business,» says Jeff Krall, owner of American Holiday Lights, in Naperville, IL. «You get to bring a lot of joy to people all year round.»

Brilliant, vibrant light displays are identified with the holiday season, but as the COVID19 pandemic has been an overshadowing presence people are looking for new and different ways to deal with the constant reminder. American Holiday Lights has seen an increase in their patio and backyard light installations, with many of the families stating that they are not going on vacation this year and wanted to do something fun to bring comfort and cheer to their homes.

«We wanted to do something fun this summer for our kids and all of our plans have been cancelled, so instead we updated our patio and backyard and made it a fun place for our kids to play and hang out. I wanted to add some color and decided to have backyard lights installed, I called American Holiday Lights and they did an excellent job. Now we love sitting outside in the evening, enjoying the new ambiance and the kids love it too!» says M. Anderson, a third year loyal customer.

Holiday lighting outside of December is becoming more and more common, especially with the advancement of RGB LED lights. Homeowners can now use the same strand of lights for various holidays, saving them time from installing the lights and money because they don’t need to buy new light strands in different colors for each season.

«Halloween is the next upcoming holiday that people get excited about and use lights to decorate for all the trick-or-treaters,» Krall says. «The difficult issue with Halloween is that it’s a short window, if a customer wants holiday lights installed for Halloween and then again for Christmas you need to install orange lights and then take them down to install a new color. With bulbs that can change colors, you only need to do the job once.»

Krall says with Halloween ending right around their busy time, he’s been marketing it more.

«If you take the holiday lights down Nov. 1, you can put Christmas lights up immediately and keep the holiday season going,» he says.

Krall says Fourth of July is another well-lit holiday, but it’s not the only one during the summer months.

«We do some LED permanent lighting for commercial properties and they have the ability to change the color any time to match any holiday or promotion,» he says.

While more people are installing lights for the summer and fall holidays, the last two months of the year are still the most popular for holiday lighting and with the holiday season just around the corner, Krall says, «it’s all hands on deck.»

American Holiday Lights is the leading holiday light installation company serving all of Illinois. With specialized training, attention to detail, and the best holiday decorating products on the market, their crew will handle your holiday light installation, and decorating from start to finish. Focusing on residential and commercial holiday lighting, they have worked with local large and small businesses as well as cities and municipalities. American Holiday Lights is a family owned business that has served the western suburbs of Chicago for over 25 years. Visit AmericanHolidayLights.com for more information or to schedule a custom lighting design consultation, light up your home this holiday season.

For more information on our services:
Residential Holiday Lights Installation Services
Commercial Holiday Light Installation Services

 

SOURCE American Holiday Lights

Kansas Woman Files Lawsuit Against Vrbo’s Travel Insurer

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A Wichita, Kansas, woman has filed a proposed federal class action lawsuit against the company that serves as the Vrbo travel website’s exclusive travel insurance provider. The lawsuit alleges that CSA Travel Protection, the American affiliate of Italy-based Generali Group, has refused to honor its policy and refund more than $3,500 for a properly…

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A Wichita, Kansas, woman has filed a proposed federal class action lawsuit against the company that serves as the Vrbo travel website’s exclusive travel insurance provider. The lawsuit alleges that CSA Travel Protection, the American affiliate of Italy-based Generali Group, has refused to honor its policy and refund more than $3,500 for a properly cancelled booking of a beach house in Rockport, on the Texas Gulf Coast. 

Audra Sanchez made a reservation through Vrbo in May 2020 for the accommodations for her husband and four children for a weeklong vacation, planned for July 24-31. When booking the property, Ms. Sanchez paid more than $250 for a travel insurance coverage plan from CSA. At that time there were no reports of widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the Wichita or Rockport communities, and both state’s governors had lifted stay-at-home orders.

However, on July 13, Ms. Sanchez’s 12-year-old daughter was directly exposed to COVID-19 while playing at a friend’s house. Ms. Sanchez, who has an autoimmune disorder, was immediately concerned and contacted her doctor, who directed the family to conduct a two-week quarantine. The doctor also wrote a letter, which was submitted to CSA along with her trip cancellation claim, requesting that the insurer «release [Ms. Sanchez] from her obligations to her vacation package at this time» because the doctor directed them to quarantine until at least August 1.

CSA responded by email five days later that the claim was being denied, and only offered a refund of her insurance premium.  

«Ms. Sanchez did all the right things, took all the right precautions, and fully expected this company to honor its commitment,» said Tim Sifers of the Kansas City office of the Potts Law Firm, who represents Ms. Sanchez. «These denials by Vrbo’s insurance provider are widespread, and a class action is the most efficient and effective means to gain compensation for those who purchased these policies in good faith, only to be wrongfully denied.»

The case is Audra Sanchez et. al. v. Generali Group et.al., Case 2:20-cv-02380-SAC-TJJ, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City.  

Media Contact:  
Barry Pound  
800-559-4534  
barry@androvett.com  

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kansas-woman-files-lawsuit-against-vrbos-travel-insurer-301107091.html

SOURCE Potts Law Firm

Youth Climate Activism and Environmental Politics Explored in New Season Of Acclaimed Environmental Series EARTH FOCUS from KCET, Link TV and Thomson Reuters Foundation

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — KCET, Southern California’s home for award-winning original public media programming, and Link TV, the national independent non-commercial satellite television network, today announced the episode lineup for the new season of Link TV’s acclaimed original environmental series EARTH FOCUS in partnership with the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — KCET, Southern California’s home for award-winning original public media programming, and Link TV, the national independent non-commercial satellite television network, today announced the episode lineup for the new season of Link TV’s acclaimed original environmental series EARTH FOCUS in partnership with the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA. EARTH FOCUS features investigative reports about our changing environment and how it affects people around the world. In the new season, EARTH FOCUS examines the politics of the environment including youth climate activists around the globe, the transition away from coal in South Africa, curbing illegal, poisonous gold mining in Peru, and a feature-length documentary on the environmental politics of the New West. The new season of EARTH FOCUS premieres on Tues., Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. PT on KCET in Southern California, on Wed., Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410), and on Sun., Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET/PT on WORLD Channel, with streaming on kcet.org/earthfocus and linktv.org/earthfocus.

Launched in 2007, EARTH FOCUS is the longest-running investigative environmental news program on U.S. television. The series provides audiences with urgent global environmental coverage on key issues such as endangered species, climate change, environmental health and sustainable practices. With three new episodes focused on international environmental politics co-produced by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and KCET, EARTH FOCUS continues its commitment to educate audiences about the global issues impacting our planet.

This season will conclude with a fourth episode, a special 90-minute documentary, «The New West and the Politics of the Environment,» set to air on Tues. Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. PT on KCET in Southern California and Wed., Sept. 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410). Co-produced by KCET and LENS at UCLA, this special episode focuses on legendary Nevada Senator Harry Reid, and how he built the foundations of a green new deal in the most unlikely state in America.

The new season of EARTH FOCUS will air as follows (*schedule subject to change):

«The Youth Climate Movement Around the World» – Tues., Sept. 8 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 9 on Link TV
In 2019, sixteen children from across the world including Greta Thunberg filed a historical, global lawsuit petitioning the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child to hold five of the world’s leading economic powers accountable for inaction on the climate crisis. All 16 young people are alarmed by the changes they see in their homelands. This episode includes an interview with Greta and in-depth profiles of four of these young environmentalists: Alexandria Villaseñor in California, Carl Smith in Alaska, Ayakha Melithafa in South Africa and Litokne Kabua in the Marshall Islands.

«Coal Mining in South Africa» – Tues., Sept. 15 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 16 on Link TV
South Africa faces a stark reality as the continent’s largest greenhouse gas emitter. More than 80% of power generation comes from coal, with 11 coal power plants turning the province of Mpumalanga into one of the most polluted areas of the world. As the world moves away from fossil fuels and major global investors pull out, renewable energy fights to forge the future. The tension is palpable among the government, coal producers, workers, and the environment in a post-apartheid South Africa facing pressing developmental challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

«The Price of Gold in Peru» – Tues., Sept. 22 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 23 on Link TV
When Peru’s President Martín Vizcarra came to power in 2018, one of his first priorities was to gain control over the devastating outbreak of illegal gold mining operations. In February 2019, the government launched Operation Mercury, a decisive action to shut down an entire town built around an illegal gold mine. This episode follows chief environmental prosecutor Karina Garay as she works with the police, army and navy in destroying illegal mines and arresting miners in protected areas, while retraining illegal miners and persuading them to join the formalized mining operations.

«The New West and the Politics of the Environment»– Tues., Sept. 29 on KCET and Wed., Sept. 30 on Link TV
A quiet, little-known revolution is taking place in American environmental politics in a most surprising place—Nevada. In this feature-length documentary, EARTH FOCUS tells the story of Harry Reid, a politician who grew up in an Old West mining town, saw the possibility of a New West emerging in Nevada and rode that change to power. Reid used power in new ways to settle water wars with respect for Native Americans, protect endangered species and wilderness, and usher in a just transition to renewable energy.

EARTH FOCUS supports Link TV’s mission to connect viewers to the world. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020, Link TV brings Americans closer to people and events beyond our borders. Leveraging its strong relationships with international producers, it has become a place for powerful human stories, high-quality international journalism, documentaries, and scripted dramas. Link TV is a passport for the globally engaged. By conveying diverse perspectives and unfiltered viewpoints, Link TV works to bridge divides and facilitate conversation, understanding, empathy and change on important global topics. Live streaming takes place daily at LinkTV.org/live from 3:00pm-11:00pm Pacific (6:00pm-2:00am Eastern), showing Link TV’s broad range of quality content for free.

The new season of EARTH FOCUS is part of programming focused on this election cycle, where PBS SoCal and KCET explore the past, present and future of our democracy. KCET and PBS SoCal will bring you NewsHour’s unbiased coverage of the conventions and the debates, FRONTLINE’s investigative reports on the candidates and Washington Week’s analysis. All-new KCET Original documentaries will spotlight California’s changing population, values and social movements. Local election coverage both on-air and online at kcet.org and pbssocal.org deciphers and explains the propositions and measures viewers will find on the ballot and how they will impact the city and state.

Join the conversation on social media using #EarthFocus

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EARTH FOCUS is supported by generous institutional funders. The EARTH FOCUS series was created by Raisa Scriabine.

ABOUT KCET
On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 54-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children’s programs, its outreach and community platforms and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Apple TV, Samsung devices, YouTube, Amazon and Roku platforms. For more information please visit kcet.org/apps. KCET is a content channel of the Public Media Group of Southern California.

ABOUT LINK TV
Founded in 1999, Link TV is an independent viewer-supported media organization dedicated to providing programs that engage and inform its audiences with unique perspectives, and empower them to become involved in the world. Reaching more than 31 million U.S. satellite households nationally (DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410), Link TV connects American viewers with people at the heart of breaking events, organizations at the forefront of social change and the vibrant cultures of an increasingly global community. Select programming from Link TV is also available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube and Roku platforms. For additional information about Link TV productions, web-exclusive content and program schedules, please visit linktv.org.

ABOUT THE THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION
The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. As an independent charity, registered in the UK and the USA, we work to advance media freedom, foster more inclusive economies, and promote human rights. Through news, media development, free legal assistance and convening initiatives, we combine our unique services to drive systemic change.

ABOUT THE LABORATORY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL NARRATIVE STRATEGIES AT UCLA
The Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) is an incubator for new research and collaboration on storytelling, communications, and media. LENS begins with the idea that the environmental, sustainability, and justice challenges that we face are as much cultural and political as they are scientific and technological. At LENS, scholars investigate environmental stories across cultures and contexts, research the impact of environmental media and communications, teach multimedia storytelling, and collaborate to create new environmental narratives.

 

SOURCE KCET