Patch Montgomery, IL -- Stage 773 Creative Director Brian Posen is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated line-up for the 13th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Over the past 13 years, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has garnered international at
Reported by Patch 10 hours ago.
Aurora residents to perform at 13th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival
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First Step in Termination of Chronic Back Pain Is Application of Dr. Allen’s Device with Natural Thermo-element to Sore Area, Notes Fine Treatment
HTR-News has recently published a list of recommendations for combating back pain in ‘Ask a Nurse Practitioner: Steps to alleviate back pain problems’: exercises and good posture are helpful, while medications often fail to reach the painful area and are thus hopeless in treating chronic pain. In contrast, Dr. Allen’s therapeutic device should be applied directly over the affected part of the Sciatic nerve, or a herniated disk, relieving pain locally and gradually, states Fine Treatment.
London, GB (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Dr. Allen’s therapeutic devices for the treatment of lower and upper back pain improve blood circulation in the affected sore areas in the back, so the users get instant chronic pain relief without painkillers, drugs or injections. Besides, the article ‘Ask a Nurse Practitioner: Steps to alleviate back pain problems’ of December 9, 2013, gives useful tips for avoiding the development of back pain, though it doesn’t shed the light on how to treat it effectively, notes Fine Treatment.
‘As people age, spinal stenosis can put pressure on nerves in the low back and cause pain. Back pain can also be caused by a herniated disk. Over time they can wear down and cause pain,’ says Jennifer Ladwig, a nurse practitioner at Aurora Health Center in Valders. Regular walking and exercises can strengthen back area, and stomach and leg muscles also help to support your spine, relieving back pain. Nonprescription medications, such as ibuprofen, should be used for low back pain relief only in the short-term because of the risk of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. However, all of these tips don’t work in cases of chronic back pain.
Many people from all over the world have found an alternative back pain solution in Dr. Allen’s Devices: they the able to help with pain relief by improving blood circulation in the affected areas locally. Moreover, the improved blood flow at the capillary level treats the damaged area in the spine and lower back. Here you can watch a video on how easy it is to use Dr. Allen’s Device at home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WwI1TvlXOs.
Highly positive customer feedback highlights the phenomenal efficacy of the Thermobalancing therapy. For instance, Alisa, 72, from California, USA, has written to Fine Treatment that after 5 months of using Dr. Allen’s therapeutic device the debilitating pain and severely impaired ability to move are gone without resorting to medications.
“By applying Dr. Allen’s therapeutic device directly over the affected area, the users get profound pain relief within a short period of time and treat the ailment gradually,” comments Dr. Simon Allen.
For more information, please visit the Fine Treatment website:
http://finetreatment.com/lower-back-pain-treatment-lumbago-relief/.
About Dr. Simon Allen and Fine Treatment:
Dr. Simon Allen, MD, PhD, Academician, member of the ATA, is a highly experienced medical professional. His specialty is in internal medicine. He has treated a wide range of chronic diseases, including patients after a heart attack, with kidneys problems, including kidney stones disease, prostate and spine conditions, as well as metabolic disorders. Fine Treatment exclusively offers Dr. Allen’s Devices for chronic prostatitis and BPH treatment, coronary heart disease, dissolving kidney stones, as well as back pain and sciatica relief. Reported by PRWeb 10 minutes ago.
London, GB (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Dr. Allen’s therapeutic devices for the treatment of lower and upper back pain improve blood circulation in the affected sore areas in the back, so the users get instant chronic pain relief without painkillers, drugs or injections. Besides, the article ‘Ask a Nurse Practitioner: Steps to alleviate back pain problems’ of December 9, 2013, gives useful tips for avoiding the development of back pain, though it doesn’t shed the light on how to treat it effectively, notes Fine Treatment.
‘As people age, spinal stenosis can put pressure on nerves in the low back and cause pain. Back pain can also be caused by a herniated disk. Over time they can wear down and cause pain,’ says Jennifer Ladwig, a nurse practitioner at Aurora Health Center in Valders. Regular walking and exercises can strengthen back area, and stomach and leg muscles also help to support your spine, relieving back pain. Nonprescription medications, such as ibuprofen, should be used for low back pain relief only in the short-term because of the risk of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. However, all of these tips don’t work in cases of chronic back pain.
Many people from all over the world have found an alternative back pain solution in Dr. Allen’s Devices: they the able to help with pain relief by improving blood circulation in the affected areas locally. Moreover, the improved blood flow at the capillary level treats the damaged area in the spine and lower back. Here you can watch a video on how easy it is to use Dr. Allen’s Device at home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WwI1TvlXOs.
Highly positive customer feedback highlights the phenomenal efficacy of the Thermobalancing therapy. For instance, Alisa, 72, from California, USA, has written to Fine Treatment that after 5 months of using Dr. Allen’s therapeutic device the debilitating pain and severely impaired ability to move are gone without resorting to medications.
“By applying Dr. Allen’s therapeutic device directly over the affected area, the users get profound pain relief within a short period of time and treat the ailment gradually,” comments Dr. Simon Allen.
For more information, please visit the Fine Treatment website:
http://finetreatment.com/lower-back-pain-treatment-lumbago-relief/.
About Dr. Simon Allen and Fine Treatment:
Dr. Simon Allen, MD, PhD, Academician, member of the ATA, is a highly experienced medical professional. His specialty is in internal medicine. He has treated a wide range of chronic diseases, including patients after a heart attack, with kidneys problems, including kidney stones disease, prostate and spine conditions, as well as metabolic disorders. Fine Treatment exclusively offers Dr. Allen’s Devices for chronic prostatitis and BPH treatment, coronary heart disease, dissolving kidney stones, as well as back pain and sciatica relief. Reported by PRWeb 10 minutes ago.
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How Fox News Reporter Jana Winter's Life Was Turned Upside Down — For Just Doing Her Job
For the better part of the past year and a half, Fox News investigative reporter Jana Winter's life has been turned upside down — simply for doing her job. Her brother and father, along with her, received death threats, from "supporters" of alleged Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooter James Holmes.
There were nights she simply didn't sleep, wondering whether she'd have to go to jail for reporting a bombshell story that detailed a chilling notebook Holmes mailed to a University of Colorado psychiatrist — one that was "full of details about how he was going to kill people."
On Tuesday night, she still couldn't sleep. But on this night, it was because she was too excited.
"I'm still in shock," she told Business Insider in an interview on Wednesday. "The last year and a half have been a shock. It was so great to go to sleep last night. Well, I didn't really ever get to sleep because I was so excited."
On Tuesday, the New York Court of Appeals ruled, in a 4-3 decision, that Winter wouldn't have to testify in Holmes' murder case. Holmes allegedly killed 12 people and injured dozens in a shooting during a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" July 20, 2012.
Holmes' defense team wanted to compel her to reveal the sources of her story on Holmes' notebook. If the New York Court of Appeals had upheld a lower court's opinion, she would have been compelled to do so. She said that she would have gone to jail rather than reveal her sources. The court's ruling was based on New York State's "shield law," which offers protections for journalists.
For Winter, the case first became real on Dec. 10, 2012, exactly a year before her eventual end in the case. She knew that Holmes' attorneys were upset about her story.
"I'm an investigative reporter — if people aren't upset, something's usually wrong," Winter said. Still, she and pretty much everyone in her circle thought the threat of a subpoena would go away.
But on that day, 14 law enforcement officials denied being Winter's source. Holmes' attorneys said they would subpoena Winter.
She credits Fox News and Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes for "making it clear" in the very early stages of the case that they were willing to fight for her.
Along the way, she got unexpected support from a variety of sources. Judith Miller, the Fox News contributor who was jailed for 85 days in 2007 for refusing to reveal a source for a story in the New York Times, was a "godsend" for advice. Shepard Smith, the Fox News anchor, would drop occasional "pick-me-up" emails, as would anchor Greta Van Susteren.
She talked with old Columbia Journalism School professors, from sources from stories from her J-school days. Even from some "random" people that she met while traveling in India years ago.
"It makes you realize," she said, "that this stuff is really important."
Join the conversation about this story »
Reported by Business Insider 1 day ago.
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Dr. Jeffrey Arthur Joins Aurora Orthopedics Practice as a New Partner
Dr. Jeffrey A. Arthur has joined the team at Colorado Orthopedic Consultants. He will perform knee and hip total joint replacement procedures for the practice.
Aurora, CO (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Total joint specialist Jeffrey A. Arthur, DO has joined the team of competent physicians at Colorado Orthopedic Consultants. With Dr. Arthur as a new partner, the Aurora orthopedics practice further strengthens their services, particularly for joint replacement.
Specializing in knee and hip total joint replacement, Dr. Arthur uses some of the latest innovative techniques that bring exceptional results for his patients. He obtained his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and went through additional training in manipulative medicine, which he uses for adjunctive treatments in certain medical conditions. He finished his orthopedic residency training in a Level One trauma institution in Toledo, Ohio, where he was exposed to different patients with various challenging cases.
Thereafter, he went to the University of California at Davis for his sub-specialty training in total joint arthroplasty, which enabled him to perform minimally invasive and complex revision procedures. Moreover, he has experience in the health food industry and personal training, which aids him in terms of giving valuable lifestyle advice. He guides his patients on proper eating habits and exercise regimens that will help them prepare for and recover from the operations.
Together with Dr. Arthur, Colorado Orthopedic Consultants provides some of the most advanced and up-to-date orthopedic care in Colorado. They conduct surgical and non-surgical procedures for various kinds of disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. Aside from total joint replacement, the practice also offers hand and wrist surgeries for patients suffering from trigger finger or the irritation and inflammation of tendons, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome.
They also address sports-related injuries like sprains, strains, stress fractures, and ACL tears, among others. To provide faster healing and a swift recovery for their patients, the practice performs arthroscopic surgery. Before conducting any of the procedures, the physicians perform a thorough physical examination to determine if the patients have any underlying medical conditions that could affect the surgeries. They employ routine tests a week before the surgery to prepare the patients and address other concerns.
Individuals looking for a reliable Aurora orthopedic surgeon can turn to Colorado Orthopedic Consultants. For more information, visit http://www.COCOrtho.com today.
About Colorado Orthopedic Consultants
Led by a team of respected and highly trained orthopedic specialists, the practice caters to patients suffering from various kinds of musculoskeletal ailments and injuries. Their knowledge and impressive facilities have made them one of the most trusted practices in Colorado. They are well equipped with tools and equipment for X-rays, MRIs, bone scans, and CT scans, to name a few. This allows their physicians to accurately give a proper diagnosis and determine the treatment needed.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Colorado Orthopedic Consultants
1411 S Potomac Ste 400
Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 695-6060
http://www.cocortho.com Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.
Aurora, CO (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Total joint specialist Jeffrey A. Arthur, DO has joined the team of competent physicians at Colorado Orthopedic Consultants. With Dr. Arthur as a new partner, the Aurora orthopedics practice further strengthens their services, particularly for joint replacement.
Specializing in knee and hip total joint replacement, Dr. Arthur uses some of the latest innovative techniques that bring exceptional results for his patients. He obtained his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and went through additional training in manipulative medicine, which he uses for adjunctive treatments in certain medical conditions. He finished his orthopedic residency training in a Level One trauma institution in Toledo, Ohio, where he was exposed to different patients with various challenging cases.
Thereafter, he went to the University of California at Davis for his sub-specialty training in total joint arthroplasty, which enabled him to perform minimally invasive and complex revision procedures. Moreover, he has experience in the health food industry and personal training, which aids him in terms of giving valuable lifestyle advice. He guides his patients on proper eating habits and exercise regimens that will help them prepare for and recover from the operations.
Together with Dr. Arthur, Colorado Orthopedic Consultants provides some of the most advanced and up-to-date orthopedic care in Colorado. They conduct surgical and non-surgical procedures for various kinds of disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system. Aside from total joint replacement, the practice also offers hand and wrist surgeries for patients suffering from trigger finger or the irritation and inflammation of tendons, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome.
They also address sports-related injuries like sprains, strains, stress fractures, and ACL tears, among others. To provide faster healing and a swift recovery for their patients, the practice performs arthroscopic surgery. Before conducting any of the procedures, the physicians perform a thorough physical examination to determine if the patients have any underlying medical conditions that could affect the surgeries. They employ routine tests a week before the surgery to prepare the patients and address other concerns.
Individuals looking for a reliable Aurora orthopedic surgeon can turn to Colorado Orthopedic Consultants. For more information, visit http://www.COCOrtho.com today.
About Colorado Orthopedic Consultants
Led by a team of respected and highly trained orthopedic specialists, the practice caters to patients suffering from various kinds of musculoskeletal ailments and injuries. Their knowledge and impressive facilities have made them one of the most trusted practices in Colorado. They are well equipped with tools and equipment for X-rays, MRIs, bone scans, and CT scans, to name a few. This allows their physicians to accurately give a proper diagnosis and determine the treatment needed.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Colorado Orthopedic Consultants
1411 S Potomac Ste 400
Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 695-6060
http://www.cocortho.com Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.
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Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc. Announces the Contract Award and Installation of Healthy Vending Machines at Hill Air Force Base
Company supports U.S. Department of Defense as it implements its Healthy Base Initiative, mobilizing military personnel and their families to lead healthier lifestyles.
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc.(OTC: VEND), a leading healthy vending franchisor, announces its short-term contract award with Hill Air Force Base in Utah for the installation of four Healthy Vending Café machines last month. Based upon the performance, Fresh Healthy Vending opens the door to potential future long-term contracts.
As part of the company’s corporate owned operations division, announced in October, the on-base machines will be owned by Fresh Healthy Vending and maintained by collective servicers Matthew and Kimberly Solorio.
With the four machines installed at Hill Air Force Base, Fresh Healthy Vending grows its presence on military bases throughout the nation, with current placements at military bases including:
•Camp Pendleton, San Diego (26 machines)
•MCAS Miramar, San Diego (seven machines)
•Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Newport News, Va. (seven machines)
•McGuire Air Force Base, Burlington County, N.J. (five machines)
•Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colo. (four machines)
“We’re proud to add another military base to our locations’ portfolio and to introduce Fresh Healthy Vending to even more service men, women and their families with the installations at Hill Air Force Base,” said Nick Yates, vice president of corporate operations for Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc. “With the initiatives set forth by the federal government, the base is required to provide an efficient and convenient solution for healthy snacking and we’re excited to be a resource for achieving health and wellness goals.”
Fresh Healthy Vending is also securing locations for six additional healthy vending combo machines in the surrounding area of Salt Lake City, which will also be maintained and operated by the Solorios.
As of 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) launched its Healthy Base Initiative (HBI), a demonstration project for Operation Live Well, aimed at increasing the health and wellness of the total force, including civilians and family members. While HBI is designed to identify effective ways to improve the overall health and wellness of service members, families and civilians, specific efforts will focus on making informed nutritional food choices, increased physical activity, weight management and tobacco cessation.
Fresh Healthy Vending’s corporate owned operations division plans to continue seeking out current service partners, including established franchisees looking to grow their business with additional machines and locations into 2014.
For more information on Fresh Healthy Vending, the franchise program, or to receive a free healthy vending machine in your school or business, visit http://www.freshvending.com or call toll free 888-902-7558.
About Fresh Healthy Vending
Fresh Healthy Vending, based in San Diego, California, is North America’s leading healthy vending franchisor. Fresh Healthy Vending pioneered the concept of vending machines stocked with tried-and-tested fresh, healthy snack options and capitalizes on a growing market of health conscious consumers. The company has appointed more than 205 franchisees throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas and is looking to partner with like-minded entrepreneurs who share its vision.
The company offers three different machines: The Healthy Vending Combo snack and drink machine, Healthy Vending Café that brews gourmet hot beverages in less than 40 seconds and the brand new Healthy Vending Touch-the only 46” 3D interactive touch screen vending machine.
Fresh Healthy Vending has more than 2,300 machines installed in schools, universities, hospitals, community centers, military bases, airports, fitness facilities, YMCAs, libraries and many other types of locations.
Fresh Healthy Vending believes that it is currently the only vending company providing a comprehensive integrated business model that:
1. Has an integrative focus on securing qualified locations for vending machine placement on behalf of franchisees
2. Has an in-house products department which creates specialized menus specific to each location
3. Has a corporate owned machine division that serves as a “test-kitchen” to provide an independent revenue stream
4. Provides franchisees with best practices obtained and enhanced by experience of directly operating machines and managing routes
5. Delivers a one-of-a-kind franchise coaching program to assist franchisees with developing their healthy vending business using the company’s Steps to Success Program
Fresh Healthy Vending’s stock is traded through the OTC Markets, Symbol: VEND.
For more information on Fresh Healthy Vending, the Franchise Program, or to receive a free healthy vending machine in your school or business, visit http://www.freshvending.com or call toll free 888-902-7558.
Forward-Looking Statement Notice
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in the press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions made based on experience, expected future developments and other factors the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and may not materialize. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance. The contents of this release should be considered in conjunction with the warnings, risk factors and cautionary statements contained in the Company’s recent filings with the SEC. Furthermore, the Company does not intend, and is not obligated, to update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Reported by PRWeb 22 hours ago.
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc.(OTC: VEND), a leading healthy vending franchisor, announces its short-term contract award with Hill Air Force Base in Utah for the installation of four Healthy Vending Café machines last month. Based upon the performance, Fresh Healthy Vending opens the door to potential future long-term contracts.
As part of the company’s corporate owned operations division, announced in October, the on-base machines will be owned by Fresh Healthy Vending and maintained by collective servicers Matthew and Kimberly Solorio.
With the four machines installed at Hill Air Force Base, Fresh Healthy Vending grows its presence on military bases throughout the nation, with current placements at military bases including:
•Camp Pendleton, San Diego (26 machines)
•MCAS Miramar, San Diego (seven machines)
•Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Newport News, Va. (seven machines)
•McGuire Air Force Base, Burlington County, N.J. (five machines)
•Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colo. (four machines)
“We’re proud to add another military base to our locations’ portfolio and to introduce Fresh Healthy Vending to even more service men, women and their families with the installations at Hill Air Force Base,” said Nick Yates, vice president of corporate operations for Fresh Healthy Vending International, Inc. “With the initiatives set forth by the federal government, the base is required to provide an efficient and convenient solution for healthy snacking and we’re excited to be a resource for achieving health and wellness goals.”
Fresh Healthy Vending is also securing locations for six additional healthy vending combo machines in the surrounding area of Salt Lake City, which will also be maintained and operated by the Solorios.
As of 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) launched its Healthy Base Initiative (HBI), a demonstration project for Operation Live Well, aimed at increasing the health and wellness of the total force, including civilians and family members. While HBI is designed to identify effective ways to improve the overall health and wellness of service members, families and civilians, specific efforts will focus on making informed nutritional food choices, increased physical activity, weight management and tobacco cessation.
Fresh Healthy Vending’s corporate owned operations division plans to continue seeking out current service partners, including established franchisees looking to grow their business with additional machines and locations into 2014.
For more information on Fresh Healthy Vending, the franchise program, or to receive a free healthy vending machine in your school or business, visit http://www.freshvending.com or call toll free 888-902-7558.
About Fresh Healthy Vending
Fresh Healthy Vending, based in San Diego, California, is North America’s leading healthy vending franchisor. Fresh Healthy Vending pioneered the concept of vending machines stocked with tried-and-tested fresh, healthy snack options and capitalizes on a growing market of health conscious consumers. The company has appointed more than 205 franchisees throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas and is looking to partner with like-minded entrepreneurs who share its vision.
The company offers three different machines: The Healthy Vending Combo snack and drink machine, Healthy Vending Café that brews gourmet hot beverages in less than 40 seconds and the brand new Healthy Vending Touch-the only 46” 3D interactive touch screen vending machine.
Fresh Healthy Vending has more than 2,300 machines installed in schools, universities, hospitals, community centers, military bases, airports, fitness facilities, YMCAs, libraries and many other types of locations.
Fresh Healthy Vending believes that it is currently the only vending company providing a comprehensive integrated business model that:
1. Has an integrative focus on securing qualified locations for vending machine placement on behalf of franchisees
2. Has an in-house products department which creates specialized menus specific to each location
3. Has a corporate owned machine division that serves as a “test-kitchen” to provide an independent revenue stream
4. Provides franchisees with best practices obtained and enhanced by experience of directly operating machines and managing routes
5. Delivers a one-of-a-kind franchise coaching program to assist franchisees with developing their healthy vending business using the company’s Steps to Success Program
Fresh Healthy Vending’s stock is traded through the OTC Markets, Symbol: VEND.
For more information on Fresh Healthy Vending, the Franchise Program, or to receive a free healthy vending machine in your school or business, visit http://www.freshvending.com or call toll free 888-902-7558.
Forward-Looking Statement Notice
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in the press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions made based on experience, expected future developments and other factors the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and may not materialize. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance. The contents of this release should be considered in conjunction with the warnings, risk factors and cautionary statements contained in the Company’s recent filings with the SEC. Furthermore, the Company does not intend, and is not obligated, to update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Reported by PRWeb 22 hours ago.
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Confirmit Arms Market Researchers with Industry’s First Automated Backchecking Capabilities
Innovative mobile backchecking boosts efficiency and improves research quality and accuracy.
New York, NY and Oslo, Norway and London, UK (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Confirmit, the leading global solutions provider for Customer Experience, Employee Engagement and Market Research, has further enhanced its award-winning mobile solution, SODA, with a backchecking feature. For the first time, researchers can verify data collected in the field via mobile devices using a desktop or mobile device, an app or a browser, making verification easier and faster than ever.
As successful Market Research hinges on the quality of the information collected, Market Researchers use quality checks to verify the accuracy of their fieldwork. With the introduction of its sophisticated backchecking capability, Confirmit has automated the traditionally cumbersome multi-step verification process for Market Research fieldwork, minimizing the resources required to fact-check each detail.
While the practice of backchecking is common, the industry lacks standardized terminology and automated processes. Confirmit’s latest release provides an innovative framework to help agencies access best practices for quality assurance, while also supporting multiple workflows. For example, interviews can be assigned automatically, randomly or through custom rules based on anomalies in the data. Interviews can be fully or partially reviewed, and then sent to third parties or supervisors for final sign-off.
“As Market Research agencies strive to succeed in an increasingly competitive market, it is critical that they gain efficiencies in all stages of the Market Research lifecycle,” said Sean Conry, Confirmit’s Vice President of Mobile Solutions. “As we continually evolve our platform, we focus on enhancements that will enable our partners to complete their work more efficiently. Our backchecking capability empowers research teams to streamline processes, improve profit margins and arms companies with engaging and effective market insight faster than previously possible.”
For more information about how to take advantage of the most robust and feature-rich Market Research software available, please visit http://www.confirmit.com.
About Confirmit
Confirmit is the world’s leading SaaS vendor for multichannel Voice of the Customer, Employee Feedback, and Market Research applications. The company has offices in Oslo (headquarters), Cologne, London, Moscow, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Yaroslavl. Confirmit's software is also distributed through partner resellers in Madrid, Milan, Salvador, Sydney, and Tokyo.
Confirmit targets Global 5000 companies and Market Research agencies worldwide with a wide range of software products for feedback / data collection, panel management, data processing, analysis, and reporting. Customers include Aurora, British Airways, Cross-Tab, Farmers Insurance, GfK, GlaxoSmithKline, GMO Research, JTN Research, Keep Factor, Morehead Associates, Nielsen, Research Now, Swapit, Swisscom, Symantec and The Wellcome Trust. Visit http://www.confirmit.com for more information. Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.
New York, NY and Oslo, Norway and London, UK (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Confirmit, the leading global solutions provider for Customer Experience, Employee Engagement and Market Research, has further enhanced its award-winning mobile solution, SODA, with a backchecking feature. For the first time, researchers can verify data collected in the field via mobile devices using a desktop or mobile device, an app or a browser, making verification easier and faster than ever.
As successful Market Research hinges on the quality of the information collected, Market Researchers use quality checks to verify the accuracy of their fieldwork. With the introduction of its sophisticated backchecking capability, Confirmit has automated the traditionally cumbersome multi-step verification process for Market Research fieldwork, minimizing the resources required to fact-check each detail.
While the practice of backchecking is common, the industry lacks standardized terminology and automated processes. Confirmit’s latest release provides an innovative framework to help agencies access best practices for quality assurance, while also supporting multiple workflows. For example, interviews can be assigned automatically, randomly or through custom rules based on anomalies in the data. Interviews can be fully or partially reviewed, and then sent to third parties or supervisors for final sign-off.
“As Market Research agencies strive to succeed in an increasingly competitive market, it is critical that they gain efficiencies in all stages of the Market Research lifecycle,” said Sean Conry, Confirmit’s Vice President of Mobile Solutions. “As we continually evolve our platform, we focus on enhancements that will enable our partners to complete their work more efficiently. Our backchecking capability empowers research teams to streamline processes, improve profit margins and arms companies with engaging and effective market insight faster than previously possible.”
For more information about how to take advantage of the most robust and feature-rich Market Research software available, please visit http://www.confirmit.com.
About Confirmit
Confirmit is the world’s leading SaaS vendor for multichannel Voice of the Customer, Employee Feedback, and Market Research applications. The company has offices in Oslo (headquarters), Cologne, London, Moscow, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Yaroslavl. Confirmit's software is also distributed through partner resellers in Madrid, Milan, Salvador, Sydney, and Tokyo.
Confirmit targets Global 5000 companies and Market Research agencies worldwide with a wide range of software products for feedback / data collection, panel management, data processing, analysis, and reporting. Customers include Aurora, British Airways, Cross-Tab, Farmers Insurance, GfK, GlaxoSmithKline, GMO Research, JTN Research, Keep Factor, Morehead Associates, Nielsen, Research Now, Swapit, Swisscom, Symantec and The Wellcome Trust. Visit http://www.confirmit.com for more information. Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.
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Westell Announces Mobile Applications for the Optima Management System®
AURORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westell launching Apple iOS and Android mobile applications for the Kentrox® Optima Management System® in January 2014
Reported by Business Wire 19 hours ago.
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Fox News' Jana Winter Received 'Death Threats,' Worried She Would 'Die In Prison' (VIDEO)
Fox News reporter Jana Winter spoke live on Thursday about the horror she endured over the Aurora movie theater shooting trial she feared might end not only her career, but her life, she said.
Winter spoke with Fox News' Shepard Smith in her first television interview since the New York high court's decision that spared her from being forced to reveal confidential sources who gave her information about a notebook that gunman James Holmes gave to his psychiatrist prior to the shooting.
Winter said that she received several "death threats" throughout the trial as a result of her refusing to give up the names of her sources.
"There were death threats all around," she told Smith. "People posting information about my dad's home address and all of his military history... pictures of my mom who died five years ago and her obituary."
Had New York decided otherwise, Winter would have had to return to a Colorado court to reveal her sources, which she told Smith she would have "never" done.
"There was no way that I was going to give up these names. It's just not going to happen. It wasn't going to happen," Winter said, even though not revealing the names would have resulted in her going to prison.
"Were you worried that this could be a career ender?" Smith asked.
"I worried that this could be a 'I die in prison' ender."
"It's horrible," she continued, describing the process of having to prepare for a possible prison sentence. "It sucks every day, and always. There's nothing I think you can really do to prepare. I did watch 'Orange is the New Black,' which was not entirely encouraging. Figuring out sort of how to survive if I were to be in jail, and it's horrendous."
Watch the video for the full interview with Fox News. Reported by Huffington Post 17 hours ago.
Winter spoke with Fox News' Shepard Smith in her first television interview since the New York high court's decision that spared her from being forced to reveal confidential sources who gave her information about a notebook that gunman James Holmes gave to his psychiatrist prior to the shooting.
Winter said that she received several "death threats" throughout the trial as a result of her refusing to give up the names of her sources.
"There were death threats all around," she told Smith. "People posting information about my dad's home address and all of his military history... pictures of my mom who died five years ago and her obituary."
Had New York decided otherwise, Winter would have had to return to a Colorado court to reveal her sources, which she told Smith she would have "never" done.
"There was no way that I was going to give up these names. It's just not going to happen. It wasn't going to happen," Winter said, even though not revealing the names would have resulted in her going to prison.
"Were you worried that this could be a career ender?" Smith asked.
"I worried that this could be a 'I die in prison' ender."
"It's horrible," she continued, describing the process of having to prepare for a possible prison sentence. "It sucks every day, and always. There's nothing I think you can really do to prepare. I did watch 'Orange is the New Black,' which was not entirely encouraging. Figuring out sort of how to survive if I were to be in jail, and it's horrendous."
Watch the video for the full interview with Fox News. Reported by Huffington Post 17 hours ago.
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Chicago Weather: Sub-Zero Temperatures, Brutal Wind Chill Grip The City; Snow In Weekend Forecast
If you've been putting off buying a real winter coat or perhaps a sassy balaclava, it's officially time to bundle up, Chicago.
Temperatures in the Chicago area again plunged below zero overnight Thursday, with morning lows hitting as low as -16 degrees in west suburban Aurora and -5 degrees at O'Hare International Airport, ABC Chicago reports.
The weather was even more brutal when the wind chill was factored in -- as wind chill readings dipped as low as -31 degrees at Aurora and Rochelle, according to the Chicago Weather Center. In the city, the wind chill at Midway Airport hit as low as -16 degrees and a wind chill advisory for the area expired at 5 a.m.
Whenever the temperature plunges below 32 degrees, the city opens up its six warming centers, which are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and libraries and park district buildings are also options for those looking to avoid the cold. The Chicago Sun-Times notes residents are urged to call 311 to locate the warming center closest to them.
*(Visit Illinois' warming center website for more options statewide.)*
Meanwhile, there is another chance for snow in Chicago's near future as temperatures rise slightly with expected highs of 28 on Friday and 32 on Saturday, CBS Chicago reports.
WGN's Tom Skilling offered this glance at what could be coming the city's way Friday night into Saturday:Post by Tom Skilling. Reported by Huffington Post 16 hours ago.
Temperatures in the Chicago area again plunged below zero overnight Thursday, with morning lows hitting as low as -16 degrees in west suburban Aurora and -5 degrees at O'Hare International Airport, ABC Chicago reports.
The weather was even more brutal when the wind chill was factored in -- as wind chill readings dipped as low as -31 degrees at Aurora and Rochelle, according to the Chicago Weather Center. In the city, the wind chill at Midway Airport hit as low as -16 degrees and a wind chill advisory for the area expired at 5 a.m.
Whenever the temperature plunges below 32 degrees, the city opens up its six warming centers, which are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and libraries and park district buildings are also options for those looking to avoid the cold. The Chicago Sun-Times notes residents are urged to call 311 to locate the warming center closest to them.
*(Visit Illinois' warming center website for more options statewide.)*
Meanwhile, there is another chance for snow in Chicago's near future as temperatures rise slightly with expected highs of 28 on Friday and 32 on Saturday, CBS Chicago reports.
WGN's Tom Skilling offered this glance at what could be coming the city's way Friday night into Saturday:Post by Tom Skilling. Reported by Huffington Post 16 hours ago.
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Pope names two new bishops for Mississippi and Texas
Vatican City, Dec 12, 2013 / 11:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has named two U.S. priests as the next bishops of the Dioceses of Jackson, Miss. and San Angelo, Texas.
Father Joseph R. Kopacz, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., will head the Jackson diocese, while Monsignor Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of Austin will lead the west central Texas diocese.
Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton said the announcement brought “great joy” to Fr. Kopacz’s home diocese.
“In appointing him as bishop, the Holy Father has not only recognized Father Kopacz's many gifts and deep faith, but has also honored all of the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton by calling forth one of our own to the office of episcopal leadership and service in the Church,” he said Dec. 12.
He was born in Dunmore, Pa. and graduated from Dunmore Central Catholic High School, the Diocese of Scranton said. He attended St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton and received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Scranton and a master’s degree in theology from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, N.Y.
Bishop J. Carroll McCormick ordained Bishop-designate Kopacz to the priesthood in May 1977. He served at several pastoral assignments throughout the Diocese of Scranton before becoming vicar for priests and formation director at St. Pius X Seminary. He was named vicar general for the diocese in February 2005, a position he held until 2009.
In August 2009 he became pastor of St. Ann Church in Tobyhanna and oversaw its consolidation with two other churches to become Most Holy Trinity Parish.
Bishop Bambera said the parish will “undoubtedly feel a certain sadness” in losing their pastor and friend, but he voiced gratitude that the priest will “serve the broader Church,” particularly Catholics in the Diocese of Jackson.
Bishop-designate Kopacz has served as president of the Catholic Schools’ Board of Education, as an advocate in the diocese’s tribunal, as a member of the diocese’s finance council, and as a faculty member and formation director at St. Pius X Seminary. He was chaplain at a Catholic elementary school and coordinator of Hispanic ministry for Monroe County.
The bishop-to-be also holds a master’s degree in Latin from Fordham University and a master’s degree in counseling and psychology and a doctorate in human development from Marywood University.
He is the second of three children born to the late Stanley and Carmella Calormino Kopacz.
The Diocese of Jackson, based in the state capital, covers the central and northern area of Mississippi, about 37,600 sq mi. It has 52,500 Catholics in a population of over 2.2 million. The diocese has eighty priests, 31 of whom are priests of the diocese. The diocese has four permanent deacons and 197 vowed religious.
Bishop-designate Kopacz will succeed Bishop Joseph N. Latino, who resigned upon reaching the age limit for bishops of 75 years old.
The Diocese of Austin said Dec. 11 that the bishop-designate “considers his most precious treasure to be his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Msgr. Sis served for more than 13 years as parochial vicar and then pastor of St. Mary Catholic Center at Texas A&M University, where he helped the Catholic campus ministry grow and flourish.
The future bishop, born on Jan. 9, 1960, is the fourth of the five children of Raymond and Jancie Sis. He grew up in Bryan, Texas where he attended St. Joseph Catholic School and public schools, graduating from Bryan High School in 1978. He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1982 from the University of Notre Dame, where he attended Moreau Seminary.
Bishop John E. McCarthy of Austin ordained him to the priesthood in 1986. He studied theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University and at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He also has a licentiate in moral theology from the Alphonsan Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University.
Bishop-designate Sis has served in Hispanic ministry and as an administrator at Austin’s St. Mary Cathedral. In 2006 he left campus ministry at Texas A&M University to become a full-time vocations director fort he Diocese of Austin. Pope Benedict XVI named the priest a monsignor in 2009. The next year, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez named him vicar general and moderator of the curia.
Bishop-designate Sis has been a volunteer with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America and spent a summer of volunteer missionary service in Tanzania. In Rome, he worked with Ethiopian Refugees.
In the west central Texas Diocese of San Angelo, he will serve more than 85,000 Catholics in a total population of 619,000 in a territory of over 37,400 sq mi. His new diocese has 57 priests, 81 permanent deacons and 39 vowed religious.
Bishop-designate Sis succeeds Bishop Michael D. Pfeiffer, O.M.I., who resigned upon reaching 75.
Bishop-designate Kopacz is scheduled to be ordained a bishop Feb. 6 in Jackson’s Cathedral Church of St. Peter the Apostle. Bishop-designate Sis will be ordained as a bishop on Jan. 27 at San Angelo’s McNease Convention Center.
Pope Francis also named a new bishop of Tulle, France, Msgr. Francis Bestion. He will succeed Bishop Bernard Charrier, who has resigned upon reaching 75. Reported by CNA 13 hours ago.
Father Joseph R. Kopacz, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., will head the Jackson diocese, while Monsignor Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of Austin will lead the west central Texas diocese.
Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton said the announcement brought “great joy” to Fr. Kopacz’s home diocese.
“In appointing him as bishop, the Holy Father has not only recognized Father Kopacz's many gifts and deep faith, but has also honored all of the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton by calling forth one of our own to the office of episcopal leadership and service in the Church,” he said Dec. 12.
He was born in Dunmore, Pa. and graduated from Dunmore Central Catholic High School, the Diocese of Scranton said. He attended St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton and received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Scranton and a master’s degree in theology from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, N.Y.
Bishop J. Carroll McCormick ordained Bishop-designate Kopacz to the priesthood in May 1977. He served at several pastoral assignments throughout the Diocese of Scranton before becoming vicar for priests and formation director at St. Pius X Seminary. He was named vicar general for the diocese in February 2005, a position he held until 2009.
In August 2009 he became pastor of St. Ann Church in Tobyhanna and oversaw its consolidation with two other churches to become Most Holy Trinity Parish.
Bishop Bambera said the parish will “undoubtedly feel a certain sadness” in losing their pastor and friend, but he voiced gratitude that the priest will “serve the broader Church,” particularly Catholics in the Diocese of Jackson.
Bishop-designate Kopacz has served as president of the Catholic Schools’ Board of Education, as an advocate in the diocese’s tribunal, as a member of the diocese’s finance council, and as a faculty member and formation director at St. Pius X Seminary. He was chaplain at a Catholic elementary school and coordinator of Hispanic ministry for Monroe County.
The bishop-to-be also holds a master’s degree in Latin from Fordham University and a master’s degree in counseling and psychology and a doctorate in human development from Marywood University.
He is the second of three children born to the late Stanley and Carmella Calormino Kopacz.
The Diocese of Jackson, based in the state capital, covers the central and northern area of Mississippi, about 37,600 sq mi. It has 52,500 Catholics in a population of over 2.2 million. The diocese has eighty priests, 31 of whom are priests of the diocese. The diocese has four permanent deacons and 197 vowed religious.
Bishop-designate Kopacz will succeed Bishop Joseph N. Latino, who resigned upon reaching the age limit for bishops of 75 years old.
The Diocese of Austin said Dec. 11 that the bishop-designate “considers his most precious treasure to be his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Msgr. Sis served for more than 13 years as parochial vicar and then pastor of St. Mary Catholic Center at Texas A&M University, where he helped the Catholic campus ministry grow and flourish.
The future bishop, born on Jan. 9, 1960, is the fourth of the five children of Raymond and Jancie Sis. He grew up in Bryan, Texas where he attended St. Joseph Catholic School and public schools, graduating from Bryan High School in 1978. He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1982 from the University of Notre Dame, where he attended Moreau Seminary.
Bishop John E. McCarthy of Austin ordained him to the priesthood in 1986. He studied theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University and at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He also has a licentiate in moral theology from the Alphonsan Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University.
Bishop-designate Sis has served in Hispanic ministry and as an administrator at Austin’s St. Mary Cathedral. In 2006 he left campus ministry at Texas A&M University to become a full-time vocations director fort he Diocese of Austin. Pope Benedict XVI named the priest a monsignor in 2009. The next year, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez named him vicar general and moderator of the curia.
Bishop-designate Sis has been a volunteer with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America and spent a summer of volunteer missionary service in Tanzania. In Rome, he worked with Ethiopian Refugees.
In the west central Texas Diocese of San Angelo, he will serve more than 85,000 Catholics in a total population of 619,000 in a territory of over 37,400 sq mi. His new diocese has 57 priests, 81 permanent deacons and 39 vowed religious.
Bishop-designate Sis succeeds Bishop Michael D. Pfeiffer, O.M.I., who resigned upon reaching 75.
Bishop-designate Kopacz is scheduled to be ordained a bishop Feb. 6 in Jackson’s Cathedral Church of St. Peter the Apostle. Bishop-designate Sis will be ordained as a bishop on Jan. 27 at San Angelo’s McNease Convention Center.
Pope Francis also named a new bishop of Tulle, France, Msgr. Francis Bestion. He will succeed Bishop Bernard Charrier, who has resigned upon reaching 75. Reported by CNA 13 hours ago.
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MAP: Timeline of mass shootings in U.S. since 2000
View Mass shootings in U.S. since 2000 in a larger map Horrific incidents like the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting put a renewed spotlight on gun violence, but dozens of American lives have been claimed in mass shootings since 2000, many of which involved the use of semiautomatic weapons. The below list offers a glimpse of some, but not nearly all, highly publicized shootings in the U.S. involving a lone gunman that claimed at least four lives. *Dec 26, 2000* — Wakefield, Mass. Michael McDermott, 42, shot and killed seven coworkers at Edgewater Technology using several weapons, including an AK-47. *March 12, 2005* — Brookefield, Wis. Terry Ratzmann, 44, shot and killed seven members of the Living Church of God at a Sheraton Hotel with a 9mm handgun before committing suicide. *March 21, 2005* — Red Lake, Minn. Jeffrey Weise, 16, shot and killed 10 people before turning the gun on himself, including his grandfather and a police officer, using several weapons, including a 12 gauge shotgun. *Jan. 30, 2006* — Goleta, Calif. Former postal worker Jennifer San Marco, 44, shot and killed seven people, including several former coworkers, and herself. *Oct. 2, 2006* — Lancaster County, Pa. Charles Carl Roberts IV shot and killed five female students inside an Amish schoolhouse using several weapons before committing suicide. *Feb. 12, 2007 *— Salt Lake City, Utah Sulejman Talovic, 18, killed five people at Trolley Square Mall with two weapons before he was shot and killed by police. *April 16, 2007* — Blacksburg, Va. College student Seung-Hui Cho shot and killed 32 people on the campus of Virgina Tech with two weapons before taking his own life. *Oct. 7, 2007 — **Crandon, Wis. *Sherriff's deputy Tyler Peterson, 20, shot and killed six people at a post-homecoming party in an apartment before committing suicide. He used a semiautomatic rifle. *Dec. 5, 2007 — **Omaha, Neb. *Robert A. Hawkins killed eight people and himself using a semiautomatic rifle after entering the Westroads Mall. *Feb. 2, 2008 — **Kirkwood, Mo. *Charles Lee Thorton, 52, entered a public city council meeting and shot and killed five people with two handguns before he was shot and killed by police. *Feb. 14, 2008 — **Dekalb, Ill. *Steven Kazmierczak, 27, shot and killed five people on the campus of Northern Illinois University with several semiautomatic weapons before killing himself. *June 25, 2008 — **Henderson, Ky. *Wesley Neal Higdon, 25, shot and killed five people at Atlantis Plastics Factory with a semiautomatic weapon before taking his own life. *April 3, 2009 — **Binghampton, N.Y. *Jiverly Antares Wong, a 41-year-old naturalized American citizen from Vietnam, shot and killed 14 people at the American Civic Association with two weapons before killing himself. *Sept. 6, 2011 — **Carson City, Nev. *Eduardo Senicon, 32, opened fire with a semiautomoatic rifle in an IHOP restaurant, killing four people and himself. *July 20, 2012 — **Aurora, Col. *James Holmes, 25, shot and killed 12 people in a movie theater during the premier of "The Dark Night Rises" using several weapons, including a semiautomatic rifle. *Aug. 5, 2012 — **Oak Creek, Wis. *Wade Michael Page, 40, killed four people with a semiautomatic weapon inside a Sikh temple before turning the gun on himself. *Dec. 14, 2012 — **Newtown, Conn. *Adam Lanza, 20, shot and killed his mother and 26 people inside Sandy Hook Elementary School before turning the gun on himself. *March 13, 2013 — **Herkimer, N.Y. *Kurt Meyers, 64, killed four people at a car wash and barber shop with a shotgun before he was shot and killed by police. *Sept. 16, 2013 — **Washington, D.C. *Aaron Alexis, 34, shot and killed 12 people inside the Washington Navy Yard with a 12 gauge shotgun before he was shot and killed by police. *June 7, 2013 — **Santa Monica, Calif. *John Zawahri, 23, opened fire in a home and later on the campus of Santa Monica College, killing five people with a semiautomatic rifle. He was killed during a shootout with police. *July 26, 2013* — Hialeah, Fla. Pedro Alberto Vargas, 42, shot and killed six people with a semiautomatic weapon in his apartment complex before setting fire to his own apartment. He was shot and killed by a SWAT team. Follow Cassandra Garrison on Twitter: @CassieAtMetro
Reported by metronews 13 hours ago.
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UCHealth Offers New, Expanded Health Plan Services for Employers
Beginning in early 2014, University of Colorado Health (UCHealth) will provide a new and expanded health insurance option for businesses interested in offering their employees a partially self-funded health plan.
Aurora, Colo. (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Beginning in early 2014, University of Colorado Health (UCHealth) will provide a new and expanded health insurance option for businesses interested in offering their employees a partially self-funded health plan.
Self-funded insurance plans are an alternative to traditional health insurance, enabling businesses to directly insure their employees, potentially saving 10% to 20% of health care costs. Further, self-funded plans are not subject to state premium taxes, which will provide additional savings for businesses.
A new division at University of Colorado Health, UCHealth Plan Administrators, will assist Colorado employers in managing health care risk while providing all plan administration functions including claims processing, customer service, billing and payments, and helping employees understand their benefit plans.
UCHealth is one of the only integrated health care systems in the Rocky Mountain Region providing an insurance product of this type. It will give people access to UCHealth’s broad range of locations and services including dozens of primary care clinics, pharmacy benefits and five high-quality hospitals spanning the Colorado Front Range. The network will include the University of Colorado Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the region. UCHealth also offers nationally renowned specialists and accredited programs in neuroscience, cardiac care, transplant and numerous other specialties.
“Employers are beginning a new era of directly providing coverage and care for their employees, and our focus is on helping them navigate this efficiently and simply,” said Kathy Major, UCHealth’s Executive Director/Vice President of the new division. “In addition to the cost savings, we’re bringing these businesses and employees into a network of physicians and nurses that is among the best in the country.”
UCHealth has a nationally recognized record of delivering health care at peak efficiency while also attaining the highest quality and best outcomes for patients. This focus on quality and on keeping patients healthy will add to the potential savings for businesses choosing to partner with UCHealth Plan Administrators.
“It’s the combination of quality, efficiency and the best outcomes that I think is the most exciting,” said UCHealth Interim President and CEO Bill Neff, MD. “Our focus on reducing readmissions, eliminating unnecessary procedures and tests, and improving the health of our patients and communities will deliver the most significant savings through these health plans.”
“I know it seems odd that we’re working to keep patients out of our hospitals, but our vision is to help take the world from health care to health,” Neff added. “Providing the very best outcomes enables us to manage and improve the health of a large population of patients. It’s the future of health care.”
The new UCHealth Plan Administrators will incorporate the activities of two legacy plan administrators, Medical Network (MedNet) of Colorado Springs and United Medical Alliance (UMA), based in Fort Collins.
UCHealth Plan Administrators will offer integrated product and service models that include complete self-funded administrative services. Its benefit designs include high deductible plans, health savings and reimbursement accounts, and pharmacy plans. “The key,” Major said, “is to customize a benefit approach designed to meet each individual employer’s needs, balancing cost with quality.”
In addition to locations and providers across the Front Range, plan members will have an electronic medical record, available to them from their own computers. “That means people can see their own test results as soon as they become available, monitor their health histories, request appointments and email their physicians 24/7, thus taking control of their own care,” said Major.
Interested businesses or brokers can call 855-519-6841 or visit tpa.uchealth.org
About University of Colorado Health
University of Colorado Health is a Front Range health system that delivers the highest quality patient care with the highest quality patient experience. University of Colorado Health combines Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, Colorado Health Medical Group, and University of Colorado Hospital into an organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. UCHealth partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine and numerous community organizations to provide care. Separately, these institutions can continue providing superior care to patients and service to the communities they serve. Together, they push the boundaries of medicine, attracting more research funding, hosting more clinical trials and improving health through innovation.
### Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
Aurora, Colo. (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Beginning in early 2014, University of Colorado Health (UCHealth) will provide a new and expanded health insurance option for businesses interested in offering their employees a partially self-funded health plan.
Self-funded insurance plans are an alternative to traditional health insurance, enabling businesses to directly insure their employees, potentially saving 10% to 20% of health care costs. Further, self-funded plans are not subject to state premium taxes, which will provide additional savings for businesses.
A new division at University of Colorado Health, UCHealth Plan Administrators, will assist Colorado employers in managing health care risk while providing all plan administration functions including claims processing, customer service, billing and payments, and helping employees understand their benefit plans.
UCHealth is one of the only integrated health care systems in the Rocky Mountain Region providing an insurance product of this type. It will give people access to UCHealth’s broad range of locations and services including dozens of primary care clinics, pharmacy benefits and five high-quality hospitals spanning the Colorado Front Range. The network will include the University of Colorado Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the region. UCHealth also offers nationally renowned specialists and accredited programs in neuroscience, cardiac care, transplant and numerous other specialties.
“Employers are beginning a new era of directly providing coverage and care for their employees, and our focus is on helping them navigate this efficiently and simply,” said Kathy Major, UCHealth’s Executive Director/Vice President of the new division. “In addition to the cost savings, we’re bringing these businesses and employees into a network of physicians and nurses that is among the best in the country.”
UCHealth has a nationally recognized record of delivering health care at peak efficiency while also attaining the highest quality and best outcomes for patients. This focus on quality and on keeping patients healthy will add to the potential savings for businesses choosing to partner with UCHealth Plan Administrators.
“It’s the combination of quality, efficiency and the best outcomes that I think is the most exciting,” said UCHealth Interim President and CEO Bill Neff, MD. “Our focus on reducing readmissions, eliminating unnecessary procedures and tests, and improving the health of our patients and communities will deliver the most significant savings through these health plans.”
“I know it seems odd that we’re working to keep patients out of our hospitals, but our vision is to help take the world from health care to health,” Neff added. “Providing the very best outcomes enables us to manage and improve the health of a large population of patients. It’s the future of health care.”
The new UCHealth Plan Administrators will incorporate the activities of two legacy plan administrators, Medical Network (MedNet) of Colorado Springs and United Medical Alliance (UMA), based in Fort Collins.
UCHealth Plan Administrators will offer integrated product and service models that include complete self-funded administrative services. Its benefit designs include high deductible plans, health savings and reimbursement accounts, and pharmacy plans. “The key,” Major said, “is to customize a benefit approach designed to meet each individual employer’s needs, balancing cost with quality.”
In addition to locations and providers across the Front Range, plan members will have an electronic medical record, available to them from their own computers. “That means people can see their own test results as soon as they become available, monitor their health histories, request appointments and email their physicians 24/7, thus taking control of their own care,” said Major.
Interested businesses or brokers can call 855-519-6841 or visit tpa.uchealth.org
About University of Colorado Health
University of Colorado Health is a Front Range health system that delivers the highest quality patient care with the highest quality patient experience. University of Colorado Health combines Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, Colorado Health Medical Group, and University of Colorado Hospital into an organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. UCHealth partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine and numerous community organizations to provide care. Separately, these institutions can continue providing superior care to patients and service to the communities they serve. Together, they push the boundaries of medicine, attracting more research funding, hosting more clinical trials and improving health through innovation.
### Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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Background Checks Kept 72 Criminals From Buying A Gun In Colorado
Colorado's new background checks law is working, according to recent stats released by the state's Department of Public Safety.
The latest data published on the Colorado House Democrats website Wednesday shows that of the 4,792 background checks on private sales that were performed since the law went into effect, "72 sales were blocked because the would-be buyer was convicted of or charged with a serious crime, or was under a domestic restraining order."
Colorado's expanded background checks law closed a loophole that previously allowed gun buyers to purchase a weapon without having to undergo a background check if they bought it through a private sale. It was one of the contentious gun bills that passed and prompted the successful recalls of two state Senators, the resignation of a third and lawsuits by gun groups and most of the state's elected sheriffs.
Not one Republican voted for the expanded background checks bill, the bill limiting ammunition magazines to 15 rounds, or the bill requiring gun buyers to pay their own background check fees. Only one gun-control bill out of the seven that were originally proposed by the Democrats this year, received any Republican backing -- a bill requiring in-person handgun training for applicants seeking a concealed carry permit.
Rep. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) sponsored the bill with now-Senate President Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) and Rep. Beth McCann (D-Denver), ultimately passing a law that, just one month later, the U.S. Congress could not.
"Dozens of criminals would be walking around with a gun right now if not for the new law,” Fields said in a statement. “Our intention was to make our communities safer and make it harder for criminals to get guns. We now have five months of data that prove that the law is working.”
The 72 sales were blocked because of crimes that included homicide, sexual assault, assault, drugs and others. The other 98 percent of sales "went through without a hitch" for law-abiding citizens, according to Colorado House Democrats' release.
"People can go on to own any gun of their choosing provided they pass a background check," Carroll said back in March after the bill passed the Senate. "If we fail to close this loophole, we are saying, 'the difference between law abiding citizens and criminals isn't worth making'."
Despite the success, the background checks law is still under fire.
Just last month, a federal judge partially dismissed a lawsuit filed against Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and the state challenging the legality of the new gun-control laws, ruling the the 55 sheriffs who signed on as plaintiffs cannot sue in their official capacity. The ruling does not stop the suit completely though, since there are 21 other plaintiffs -- including individuals and gun groups -- who do have legal standing, so the court still has to consider whether limiting ammunition magazines to 15 rounds and requiring universal background checks in Colorado is constitutional. Reported by Huffington Post 13 hours ago.
The latest data published on the Colorado House Democrats website Wednesday shows that of the 4,792 background checks on private sales that were performed since the law went into effect, "72 sales were blocked because the would-be buyer was convicted of or charged with a serious crime, or was under a domestic restraining order."
Colorado's expanded background checks law closed a loophole that previously allowed gun buyers to purchase a weapon without having to undergo a background check if they bought it through a private sale. It was one of the contentious gun bills that passed and prompted the successful recalls of two state Senators, the resignation of a third and lawsuits by gun groups and most of the state's elected sheriffs.
Not one Republican voted for the expanded background checks bill, the bill limiting ammunition magazines to 15 rounds, or the bill requiring gun buyers to pay their own background check fees. Only one gun-control bill out of the seven that were originally proposed by the Democrats this year, received any Republican backing -- a bill requiring in-person handgun training for applicants seeking a concealed carry permit.
Rep. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) sponsored the bill with now-Senate President Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) and Rep. Beth McCann (D-Denver), ultimately passing a law that, just one month later, the U.S. Congress could not.
"Dozens of criminals would be walking around with a gun right now if not for the new law,” Fields said in a statement. “Our intention was to make our communities safer and make it harder for criminals to get guns. We now have five months of data that prove that the law is working.”
The 72 sales were blocked because of crimes that included homicide, sexual assault, assault, drugs and others. The other 98 percent of sales "went through without a hitch" for law-abiding citizens, according to Colorado House Democrats' release.
"People can go on to own any gun of their choosing provided they pass a background check," Carroll said back in March after the bill passed the Senate. "If we fail to close this loophole, we are saying, 'the difference between law abiding citizens and criminals isn't worth making'."
Despite the success, the background checks law is still under fire.
Just last month, a federal judge partially dismissed a lawsuit filed against Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and the state challenging the legality of the new gun-control laws, ruling the the 55 sheriffs who signed on as plaintiffs cannot sue in their official capacity. The ruling does not stop the suit completely though, since there are 21 other plaintiffs -- including individuals and gun groups -- who do have legal standing, so the court still has to consider whether limiting ammunition magazines to 15 rounds and requiring universal background checks in Colorado is constitutional. Reported by Huffington Post 13 hours ago.
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The Newtown Moment That Came And Went
WASHINGTON -- There have been many instances of mass gun violence during the presidency of Barack Obama. Some faded away without much public recognition, while others grabbed the attention of the national press and motivated members of Congress to dust off long-shelved legislative responses.
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., nearly one year ago was different than all the others, and not only because it involved 20 first-graders being massacred in their classrooms by a madman. It sparked an unprecedented public debate over gun violence in the United States. By wide margins, more Americans tuned into the ongoing discussion about gun control than they did after prior incidents, including the shooting at Fort Hood, the shooting in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater and the near-assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
They continued to pay attention in subsequent weeks, as the president and Democrats in Congress began pushing bills to expand background checks, limit the availability of assault weapons and cap the size of ammunition magazines. None of those bills passed. And, over time, Americans' attention faded away.
*For a sense of the political magnitude of the Newtown shooting, look at this chart comparing Google searches of "gun control,""gun violence" and "background checks" throughout Obama's time in office:**...and a chart showing the major instances of gun violence that took place in those years:*
*Here's a chart comparing Google searches of "gun control,""gun violence" and "background checks" in the year since the Sandy Hook shooting:**...and the major political and legislative moments that occurred in the past year:*
Paige Lavender contributed reporting. Reported by Huffington Post 13 hours ago.
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., nearly one year ago was different than all the others, and not only because it involved 20 first-graders being massacred in their classrooms by a madman. It sparked an unprecedented public debate over gun violence in the United States. By wide margins, more Americans tuned into the ongoing discussion about gun control than they did after prior incidents, including the shooting at Fort Hood, the shooting in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater and the near-assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
They continued to pay attention in subsequent weeks, as the president and Democrats in Congress began pushing bills to expand background checks, limit the availability of assault weapons and cap the size of ammunition magazines. None of those bills passed. And, over time, Americans' attention faded away.
*For a sense of the political magnitude of the Newtown shooting, look at this chart comparing Google searches of "gun control,""gun violence" and "background checks" throughout Obama's time in office:**...and a chart showing the major instances of gun violence that took place in those years:*
*Here's a chart comparing Google searches of "gun control,""gun violence" and "background checks" in the year since the Sandy Hook shooting:**...and the major political and legislative moments that occurred in the past year:*
Paige Lavender contributed reporting. Reported by Huffington Post 13 hours ago.
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Jones International University® Donates Money to Children’s Hospital Foundation for Holiday Shopping
Donation will allow children in Medical Day Treatment Program to shop for themselves and others during holiday season.
Denver, Colo. (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Jones International University®, Ltd. (JIU®) today announced that it will donate $3000 to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Denver’s Medical Day Treatment Program. In 1978, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation was formally established as a separate charitable 501(c)(3) organization dedicated solely to advancing the mission of Children’s Hospital Colorado. JIU’s donation will provide $100 shopping cards to each of the 27 participants in The Medical Day Treatment Program (MDT). Any additional funds not utilized for the gift cards will be used to purchase supplies for The Medical Day Treatment Program classrooms. Each child will have the opportunity to utilize the gift card to shop for themselves or to buy gifts for family members.
“We at Medical Day Treatment are incredibly grateful to Jones International University for their generous donation,” stated MDT Program Clinical Director Emily Edlynn, Ph.D. “Because of their generosity, our kids will be able to celebrate the holiday season by enjoying shopping for their loved ones. Many of our children will be able to give to their loved ones in a way they would not have been able to do without this support."
The Medical Day Treatment Program was initiated in the fall of 1991. This unique program is a collaborative venture between the Children's Hospital Colorado and Aurora Public Schools. This program provides an educational placement alternative for children whose needs are too complicated to allow them to attend regular school. Children are able to continue to meet school expectations in an environment that provides the medical and emotional interventions they need daily.
“We are excited to support the children at The Medical Day Treatment Program through the Children’s Hospital Foundation,” stated JIU Chancellor Milt Goldberg. “At JIU we believe education is of the utmost importance and that everyone, no matter the circumstances, deserves the opportunity to receive a great education. The kids enrolled at The Medical Day Treatment Program have overcome many challenges, all the while, making their education a priority. We hope we are able to brighten the holiday season for each child in the program and their families.”
The Children’s Hospital Foundation seeks to expand skilled and passionate care through focused growth in key programs throughout the hospital. “As the only nonprofit children’s hospital in the region, we depend on the support of the community to further our mission of caring for and curing children,” said Monique Bronner, Senior Communications Manager at Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation. “Caring for children during the holidays presents a unique challenge. Thanks to the thoughtful partnership of supporters like Jones International University, we’re able to spread joy to our patients and their families as they traverse their medical journeys this holiday season.”
About Jones International University®, Ltd. (JIU®)
As the pioneer in online education, Jones International University, offers an unparalleled online educational experience that provides essential tools and strategies for career starters, career changers, and career advancers around the globe. JIU offers an array of online undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees and professional certificate programs in the fields of business administration, education, and business communication and employs some of the greatest minds from many of the world’s leading universities.
### Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
Denver, Colo. (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Jones International University®, Ltd. (JIU®) today announced that it will donate $3000 to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Denver’s Medical Day Treatment Program. In 1978, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation was formally established as a separate charitable 501(c)(3) organization dedicated solely to advancing the mission of Children’s Hospital Colorado. JIU’s donation will provide $100 shopping cards to each of the 27 participants in The Medical Day Treatment Program (MDT). Any additional funds not utilized for the gift cards will be used to purchase supplies for The Medical Day Treatment Program classrooms. Each child will have the opportunity to utilize the gift card to shop for themselves or to buy gifts for family members.
“We at Medical Day Treatment are incredibly grateful to Jones International University for their generous donation,” stated MDT Program Clinical Director Emily Edlynn, Ph.D. “Because of their generosity, our kids will be able to celebrate the holiday season by enjoying shopping for their loved ones. Many of our children will be able to give to their loved ones in a way they would not have been able to do without this support."
The Medical Day Treatment Program was initiated in the fall of 1991. This unique program is a collaborative venture between the Children's Hospital Colorado and Aurora Public Schools. This program provides an educational placement alternative for children whose needs are too complicated to allow them to attend regular school. Children are able to continue to meet school expectations in an environment that provides the medical and emotional interventions they need daily.
“We are excited to support the children at The Medical Day Treatment Program through the Children’s Hospital Foundation,” stated JIU Chancellor Milt Goldberg. “At JIU we believe education is of the utmost importance and that everyone, no matter the circumstances, deserves the opportunity to receive a great education. The kids enrolled at The Medical Day Treatment Program have overcome many challenges, all the while, making their education a priority. We hope we are able to brighten the holiday season for each child in the program and their families.”
The Children’s Hospital Foundation seeks to expand skilled and passionate care through focused growth in key programs throughout the hospital. “As the only nonprofit children’s hospital in the region, we depend on the support of the community to further our mission of caring for and curing children,” said Monique Bronner, Senior Communications Manager at Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation. “Caring for children during the holidays presents a unique challenge. Thanks to the thoughtful partnership of supporters like Jones International University, we’re able to spread joy to our patients and their families as they traverse their medical journeys this holiday season.”
About Jones International University®, Ltd. (JIU®)
As the pioneer in online education, Jones International University, offers an unparalleled online educational experience that provides essential tools and strategies for career starters, career changers, and career advancers around the globe. JIU offers an array of online undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees and professional certificate programs in the fields of business administration, education, and business communication and employs some of the greatest minds from many of the world’s leading universities.
### Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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Rodewald to Lead Lutheran Bible Translators
Church leader directed Missouri Synod’s Africa mission field for five years
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Dr. Michael K. Rodewald, regional director for Africa with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Office of International Mission, has accepted a call to serve as executive director of Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) in Aurora, Ill., effective June 1, 2014.
A former LBT missionary, Rodewald joined the LCMS mission team in Africa in January 2008 as area facilitator and in January 2009 accepted a call to serve as regional director. He will continue in that role, based in Pretoria, South Africa, until he joins LBT next June.
Rodewald, who has nearly 30 years all told of mission experience in Africa, said he has "mixed feelings" about leaving the continent after some three decades. "Lessons are usually learned by making mistakes, and thus, cross-cultural experience can be hard-earned,” he said, “I can only say thank you to the graciousness of friends and co-laborers in Africa who over the years have advised and corrected me. It is with sadness that our family leaves friends, even as we look forward to new relationships that shall be made serving as executive director of LBT."
"We will miss Dr. Rodewald’s leadership and expertise in Africa; however, the church will continue to benefit from his lifelong commitment to sharing the Gospel with all peoples of all nations," said LCMS Chief Mission Officer Rev. Gregory K. Williamson. "We wish Mike God’s blessings in his ministry, and we look forward to a vibrant partnership with him in his new leadership role."
“It has been really awesome to be a part of this time in mission in which we are experiencing rapid growth in many Lutheran church bodies in Africa,” said Rodewald. “Participating in God's mission here has given me the opportunity to see Him at work through His people in Africa in ways that many from the U.S. context do not get to experience.
He acknowledged challenge in mission but added that, "God is faithful and His Word continues to bear fruit. I admire and have enjoyed leading the LCMS missionaries who live and serve here, sometimes under much hardship and uncertainty, alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in Africa."
Directors in each of the LCMS worldwide regions – Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southern Asia and Oceania – oversee LCMS mission priorities to revitalize and plant Lutheran churches, expand theological education, perform human care in proximity to Word and Sacrament ministry, enhance mission effectiveness, augment Lutheran schools and nurture church workers.
Lutheran Bible Translators, – a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS — celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2014 and manages 22 Bible-translation and 50 Scripture-engagement projects among 51 language groups worldwide.
About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.3 million members – 600,000 households – in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at http://www.lcms.org. Reported by PRWeb 3 days ago.
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
Dr. Michael K. Rodewald, regional director for Africa with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Office of International Mission, has accepted a call to serve as executive director of Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) in Aurora, Ill., effective June 1, 2014.
A former LBT missionary, Rodewald joined the LCMS mission team in Africa in January 2008 as area facilitator and in January 2009 accepted a call to serve as regional director. He will continue in that role, based in Pretoria, South Africa, until he joins LBT next June.
Rodewald, who has nearly 30 years all told of mission experience in Africa, said he has "mixed feelings" about leaving the continent after some three decades. "Lessons are usually learned by making mistakes, and thus, cross-cultural experience can be hard-earned,” he said, “I can only say thank you to the graciousness of friends and co-laborers in Africa who over the years have advised and corrected me. It is with sadness that our family leaves friends, even as we look forward to new relationships that shall be made serving as executive director of LBT."
"We will miss Dr. Rodewald’s leadership and expertise in Africa; however, the church will continue to benefit from his lifelong commitment to sharing the Gospel with all peoples of all nations," said LCMS Chief Mission Officer Rev. Gregory K. Williamson. "We wish Mike God’s blessings in his ministry, and we look forward to a vibrant partnership with him in his new leadership role."
“It has been really awesome to be a part of this time in mission in which we are experiencing rapid growth in many Lutheran church bodies in Africa,” said Rodewald. “Participating in God's mission here has given me the opportunity to see Him at work through His people in Africa in ways that many from the U.S. context do not get to experience.
He acknowledged challenge in mission but added that, "God is faithful and His Word continues to bear fruit. I admire and have enjoyed leading the LCMS missionaries who live and serve here, sometimes under much hardship and uncertainty, alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in Africa."
Directors in each of the LCMS worldwide regions – Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southern Asia and Oceania – oversee LCMS mission priorities to revitalize and plant Lutheran churches, expand theological education, perform human care in proximity to Word and Sacrament ministry, enhance mission effectiveness, augment Lutheran schools and nurture church workers.
Lutheran Bible Translators, – a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS — celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2014 and manages 22 Bible-translation and 50 Scripture-engagement projects among 51 language groups worldwide.
About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.3 million members – 600,000 households – in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at http://www.lcms.org. Reported by PRWeb 3 days ago.
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Newtown Didn't Change Lawmakers' Opinions On Gun Control, It Hardened Them
WASHINGTON -- It's been a year since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre that left 20 first-graders and six staff dead, which means it's been a year of congressional inaction in response to one of the most horrific mass shootings in U.S. history.
The political arguments for and against new laws have been rehashed for months. Republicans, by and large, throw up a wall to any new gun control measures, warning they would infringe on a person's constitutional right to bear arms. Democrats, meanwhile, plead for action on items like tighter background checks on gun sales. Gridlock transpires, momentum is lost, lawmakers move on.
But what about on a more personal level? Does the constant wave of mass violence -- the Aurora, Colo. theater shootings; the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard shootings; the Tucson, Ariz. shootings that nearly took the life of former Rep. Gabby Giffords; and, obviously, the Sandy Hook shootings in Newtown, Conn. -- affect mindsets, even if it doesn't change politics?
The Huffington Post talked to a random sampling of 16 lawmakers, in both parties and both chambers, to see if they view gun violence through a different lens since the nation was shaken by the Sandy Hook shootings. In each case, we asked them the same question: It's been a year since Newtown. How has your view of gun violence in America changed since then?
It turns out that most politicians' views haven’t changed at all. If anything, Sandy Hook and its fallout only hardened pre-existing beliefs.
Republicans interviewed for this piece said gun violence is a sad reality in today’s world and that the best solution is more guns for the purposes of self-defense and stricter enforcement of the laws on the books.
"I think the lesson for me from Newtown is, what if you'd had armed policemen there?" said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
"Nobody is happy about gun violence. The answer is not to restrict Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens," said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas). "We need stronger enforcement of current laws."
Democrats, by contrast, said Newtown underscored that's it's long past time to act on gun violence, but said it's out of their hands as long as the National Rifle Association keeps its grip on Republicans and conservative members of their own party.
"My views haven’t changed, but one has been completely reaffirmed: If there is not a permanent grassroots movement in favor of gun safety that is competitive with the NRA, nothing is ever going to change," said Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.).
"What has changed is sort of my sense, as a member of Congress, my sense of helplessness," said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.).
Grijalva said he'll "still rally and get up there" to urge people to do something, anything, to help stem gun violence. But his belief that lawmakers will do anything meaningful has waned.
"Knowing the characters we're dealing with, including Democrats ...," he said, trailing off as he threw his arms in the air. "Well?"
Indeed, some Democrats vented frustrations with their own party for not doing more to keep the issue on the front burner. Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) noted that when House Democrats were the majority, Republicans regularly used procedural maneuvers to force floor votes on gun issues. There are also ways Democrats could be using procedural rules to force gun-related votes during committee hearings, but that hasn’t been happening either.
"I don't see the Democrats making the same effort, forcing votes on gun safety," Grayson said. "We ended up losing out on D.C voting representation because the Republicans [forced a procedural motion] on gun safety. Why aren't we doing things like that?"
For lawmakers confronted with mass shootings at home, gun violence has ceased being just a policy debate. The loss of lives amounts to a hole blown through their communities.
"I advocated gun violence prevention when I was in my first days as attorney general ... I approached it before as a law enforcement official," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). "I think Newtown deepened the passion and the personal feeling. It's a personal connection, almost like a loved one being a victim."
"Our state had the Aurora shootings, and Columbine. So that was close to home," said Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.). "It's stark examples of evil when you have incidents like that."
Several Republicans said Newtown didn't change their views on gun violence as much as it cemented in their minds that mental illness is the root cause of it.
"You go back to Columbine or the Aurora theater, it’s almost always somebody that’s mentally unstable," said Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.). "We need to be able to recognize and treat that before things happen like they did at Sandy Hook."
"There’s an awareness of the mental health component now," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). "I think there’s always a commitment from me [to act]. I’m a mom, a grandmom, a room mother from school!"
"I'm more convinced than ever we’ve got to focus on mental health issues," said Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa).
Asked, though, if he could see his GOP colleagues passing legislation to strengthen mental health education and treatment, Latham said, with a blank look: "I don't know."
Perhaps the lawmaker whose views have come the furthest since Newtown is Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). A proud gun owner with an "A" rating from the NRA, the former West Virginia governor made headlines in 2010 for releasing a campaign video where he literally shot a rifle at cap-and-trade legislation. But the Sandy Hook shootings were "a game changer" for him, in his words, and early this year he fought hard to pass legislation to tighten background checks. The bill ultimately failed to advance, but the NRA ran an ad against him anyway.
"I think basically what I’ve found out more than anything, the dysfunction that we have here has proven a lack of confidence in government," Manchin said. "Coming from gun states, knowing people like myself will defend the Second Amendment, yet having people that basically are just scared -- even though it makes so much sense -- scared that the government won't stop there."
Speaking quietly, he added, "My thoughts and prayers are with these families and the loved ones and the little babies they lost."
While many inside Congress are holding on to the same views they had before Newtown, people outside of it are not. At the height of the Senate debate on Manchin’s bill, public support for stronger background checks soared past 90 percent. Support is still high, though a recent HuffPost poll found that it has ticked down to 77 percent. Three new gun control groups -- Americans for Responsible Solutions, Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action -- came onto the scene, creating, for the first time, a faction with millions to spend to rival the NRA in the 2014 elections.
Proponents of gun control say it will ultimately take the changing views of the public, and not another horrific school shooting or massacre in a movie theater, to force legislative action on gun violence.
"I don't remember before the consensus that we see now [for action on background checks]," Grayson said. "It's becoming harder and harder for the diehards against gun safety to make their case in the face of public opinion."
"It isn't going to change until there's an agitated group of parents of first graders who don’t want their kids shot at school," Andrews added.
"It comes down to that."
Sabrina Siddiqui contributed reporting. Reported by Huffington Post 2 days ago.
The political arguments for and against new laws have been rehashed for months. Republicans, by and large, throw up a wall to any new gun control measures, warning they would infringe on a person's constitutional right to bear arms. Democrats, meanwhile, plead for action on items like tighter background checks on gun sales. Gridlock transpires, momentum is lost, lawmakers move on.
But what about on a more personal level? Does the constant wave of mass violence -- the Aurora, Colo. theater shootings; the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard shootings; the Tucson, Ariz. shootings that nearly took the life of former Rep. Gabby Giffords; and, obviously, the Sandy Hook shootings in Newtown, Conn. -- affect mindsets, even if it doesn't change politics?
The Huffington Post talked to a random sampling of 16 lawmakers, in both parties and both chambers, to see if they view gun violence through a different lens since the nation was shaken by the Sandy Hook shootings. In each case, we asked them the same question: It's been a year since Newtown. How has your view of gun violence in America changed since then?
It turns out that most politicians' views haven’t changed at all. If anything, Sandy Hook and its fallout only hardened pre-existing beliefs.
Republicans interviewed for this piece said gun violence is a sad reality in today’s world and that the best solution is more guns for the purposes of self-defense and stricter enforcement of the laws on the books.
"I think the lesson for me from Newtown is, what if you'd had armed policemen there?" said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
"Nobody is happy about gun violence. The answer is not to restrict Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens," said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas). "We need stronger enforcement of current laws."
Democrats, by contrast, said Newtown underscored that's it's long past time to act on gun violence, but said it's out of their hands as long as the National Rifle Association keeps its grip on Republicans and conservative members of their own party.
"My views haven’t changed, but one has been completely reaffirmed: If there is not a permanent grassroots movement in favor of gun safety that is competitive with the NRA, nothing is ever going to change," said Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.).
"What has changed is sort of my sense, as a member of Congress, my sense of helplessness," said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.).
Grijalva said he'll "still rally and get up there" to urge people to do something, anything, to help stem gun violence. But his belief that lawmakers will do anything meaningful has waned.
"Knowing the characters we're dealing with, including Democrats ...," he said, trailing off as he threw his arms in the air. "Well?"
Indeed, some Democrats vented frustrations with their own party for not doing more to keep the issue on the front burner. Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) noted that when House Democrats were the majority, Republicans regularly used procedural maneuvers to force floor votes on gun issues. There are also ways Democrats could be using procedural rules to force gun-related votes during committee hearings, but that hasn’t been happening either.
"I don't see the Democrats making the same effort, forcing votes on gun safety," Grayson said. "We ended up losing out on D.C voting representation because the Republicans [forced a procedural motion] on gun safety. Why aren't we doing things like that?"
For lawmakers confronted with mass shootings at home, gun violence has ceased being just a policy debate. The loss of lives amounts to a hole blown through their communities.
"I advocated gun violence prevention when I was in my first days as attorney general ... I approached it before as a law enforcement official," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). "I think Newtown deepened the passion and the personal feeling. It's a personal connection, almost like a loved one being a victim."
"Our state had the Aurora shootings, and Columbine. So that was close to home," said Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.). "It's stark examples of evil when you have incidents like that."
Several Republicans said Newtown didn't change their views on gun violence as much as it cemented in their minds that mental illness is the root cause of it.
"You go back to Columbine or the Aurora theater, it’s almost always somebody that’s mentally unstable," said Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.). "We need to be able to recognize and treat that before things happen like they did at Sandy Hook."
"There’s an awareness of the mental health component now," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). "I think there’s always a commitment from me [to act]. I’m a mom, a grandmom, a room mother from school!"
"I'm more convinced than ever we’ve got to focus on mental health issues," said Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa).
Asked, though, if he could see his GOP colleagues passing legislation to strengthen mental health education and treatment, Latham said, with a blank look: "I don't know."
Perhaps the lawmaker whose views have come the furthest since Newtown is Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). A proud gun owner with an "A" rating from the NRA, the former West Virginia governor made headlines in 2010 for releasing a campaign video where he literally shot a rifle at cap-and-trade legislation. But the Sandy Hook shootings were "a game changer" for him, in his words, and early this year he fought hard to pass legislation to tighten background checks. The bill ultimately failed to advance, but the NRA ran an ad against him anyway.
"I think basically what I’ve found out more than anything, the dysfunction that we have here has proven a lack of confidence in government," Manchin said. "Coming from gun states, knowing people like myself will defend the Second Amendment, yet having people that basically are just scared -- even though it makes so much sense -- scared that the government won't stop there."
Speaking quietly, he added, "My thoughts and prayers are with these families and the loved ones and the little babies they lost."
While many inside Congress are holding on to the same views they had before Newtown, people outside of it are not. At the height of the Senate debate on Manchin’s bill, public support for stronger background checks soared past 90 percent. Support is still high, though a recent HuffPost poll found that it has ticked down to 77 percent. Three new gun control groups -- Americans for Responsible Solutions, Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action -- came onto the scene, creating, for the first time, a faction with millions to spend to rival the NRA in the 2014 elections.
Proponents of gun control say it will ultimately take the changing views of the public, and not another horrific school shooting or massacre in a movie theater, to force legislative action on gun violence.
"I don't remember before the consensus that we see now [for action on background checks]," Grayson said. "It's becoming harder and harder for the diehards against gun safety to make their case in the face of public opinion."
"It isn't going to change until there's an agitated group of parents of first graders who don’t want their kids shot at school," Andrews added.
"It comes down to that."
Sabrina Siddiqui contributed reporting. Reported by Huffington Post 2 days ago.
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Sandy Hook: one year on, campaigners prepare for new push on gun control
Shooting of 20 young children and six staff has failed to produce breakthrough on gun laws that seemed possible after tragedy
It was the moment that was supposed to change the stubborn politics of gun control in the United States. A year ago on Saturday, in a bucolic corner of Connecticut that was known for little except the quality of life enjoyed by its citizens, 20 young children and six teaching staff were killed as they began another ordinary day at Sandy Hook elementary school.
There had been horrors like Sandy Hook before. Aurora, Virginia Tech, Columbine – but this time, the age of the children involved seemed to hold a particular power. Such was the groundswell of support for reform of America's notoriously lax gun laws that it seemed the political logjam might finally be broken.
But in April, any hopes for a bipartisan effort to combat such gun violence were dashed in what the president, Barack Obama, described as a "pretty shameful day" for the Senate. After the most repugnant mass shooting in the nation, a bipartisan bill on background checks failed within five votes of passing the Senate.
A year on, amid vigils and memorial events for those murdered by Adam Lanza, who also killed his mother and himself, campaigners for gun control say they will once more push for Congress to act. They say they are picking up grassroots support, and that sweeping reform in states such as California is a template for what can be achieved.
However, an analysis of the legislative changes in the last year across the states shows an expansion of gun rights. Since December 2012, 27 states have passed 93 laws expanding gun rights, while only 43 gun control laws have passed, according to a map published by PBS Frontline and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence this week.
Gun control advocates say such statistics do not provide a true picture of the kind of progress they have made. Joint analysis by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence shows that, in eight states, there was sweeping gun reform in 2013.
The analysis shows that Connecticut, where the tragedy happened, Maryland, Delaware, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Colorado and California all made significant changes to strengthen gun control laws, with five states passing new laws requiring background checks on all gun sales. Illinois also passed legislation allowing concealed weapons to be carried in public.
Newly formed groups such as Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense have amassed thousands of new members and have chapters all over the country. Americans for Responsible Solutions, a group run by Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who was shot in the head in a mass shooting in Tucson that killed six in 2011, raised $6.1m for gun control. Moms Demand Action have launched a powerful ad, backed by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, calling for an end to the "silence" over gun control. Laura Cutilletta, a staff attorney at the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, described the level of support for gun control advocates this year as "unprecedented".
Her group's main mission in 2014 will be to have another crack at getting background check legislation through Congress. The Brady campaign has said it is working with federal lawmakers to this effect.
They want to tighten rules that govern the sales of guns at gun shows and online, which are not currently subject to a background checks, and which make up 40% of all sales.
This year, gun control groups said they had spent five times as much on federal lobbying as they did the previous year. However, according to the Sunlight Foundation, the amount spent in the first six months of 2013, $1.6m, was still dwarfed by the $12.2m spend by the gun rights lobby, headed by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Both sides of the gun control debate also spent millions on television advertising and were active in the state elections.
Bill Allison, the editorial director of the Sunlight Foundation, told the Guardian: "One year later a lot of money has been spent and not a lot has changed. A few states have come out with stronger laws, but there have also been weakening of gun control laws and permits to carry."
Allison said that while the gun control lobby was beginning to see much more money than before, led by Michael Bloomberg, New York's outgoing mayor, and others, it was no match for the NRA.
"But what the pro-gun rights lobby has is grassroots, boots on the ground. They can mobilise people. They have been operating like this for decades. There was a belief, right after Sandy Hook, that the gun rights lobby was in disarray. The NRA had a few disastrous press conferences. But it is a well-oiled machine that has been around for years."
Allison is sceptical that gun control advocates have the clout they need against the NRA. "The gun control movement is very passionate but it is still not very organised," he said. "Even with the money, they still can't match the organisation, the email lists, the permanent advocates of the NRA."
Richard Feldman of the Independent Firearms Owners Association said that, following Newtown, "we squandered the opportunity to articulate the problem with the misuse of guns and to design policies accordingly". Feldman said he supported the final version of the Senate background check bill proposed in April and believed that had it started out that way, it would have got through. But because of previous measures proposed, including one put forward by the senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, to include an assault weapons ban, gun owners had already made their minds up to oppose it.
Her measure failed to make it to the final Senate bill.
"Much of the debate had centred on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines," said Feldman. "We think it is reasonable to provide for checks at gun shows just like gun shops. But frankly, I'll be damned if I'm going to run a background check on my wife or my daughter if they need a gun." Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.
It was the moment that was supposed to change the stubborn politics of gun control in the United States. A year ago on Saturday, in a bucolic corner of Connecticut that was known for little except the quality of life enjoyed by its citizens, 20 young children and six teaching staff were killed as they began another ordinary day at Sandy Hook elementary school.
There had been horrors like Sandy Hook before. Aurora, Virginia Tech, Columbine – but this time, the age of the children involved seemed to hold a particular power. Such was the groundswell of support for reform of America's notoriously lax gun laws that it seemed the political logjam might finally be broken.
But in April, any hopes for a bipartisan effort to combat such gun violence were dashed in what the president, Barack Obama, described as a "pretty shameful day" for the Senate. After the most repugnant mass shooting in the nation, a bipartisan bill on background checks failed within five votes of passing the Senate.
A year on, amid vigils and memorial events for those murdered by Adam Lanza, who also killed his mother and himself, campaigners for gun control say they will once more push for Congress to act. They say they are picking up grassroots support, and that sweeping reform in states such as California is a template for what can be achieved.
However, an analysis of the legislative changes in the last year across the states shows an expansion of gun rights. Since December 2012, 27 states have passed 93 laws expanding gun rights, while only 43 gun control laws have passed, according to a map published by PBS Frontline and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence this week.
Gun control advocates say such statistics do not provide a true picture of the kind of progress they have made. Joint analysis by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence shows that, in eight states, there was sweeping gun reform in 2013.
The analysis shows that Connecticut, where the tragedy happened, Maryland, Delaware, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Colorado and California all made significant changes to strengthen gun control laws, with five states passing new laws requiring background checks on all gun sales. Illinois also passed legislation allowing concealed weapons to be carried in public.
Newly formed groups such as Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense have amassed thousands of new members and have chapters all over the country. Americans for Responsible Solutions, a group run by Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who was shot in the head in a mass shooting in Tucson that killed six in 2011, raised $6.1m for gun control. Moms Demand Action have launched a powerful ad, backed by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, calling for an end to the "silence" over gun control. Laura Cutilletta, a staff attorney at the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, described the level of support for gun control advocates this year as "unprecedented".
Her group's main mission in 2014 will be to have another crack at getting background check legislation through Congress. The Brady campaign has said it is working with federal lawmakers to this effect.
They want to tighten rules that govern the sales of guns at gun shows and online, which are not currently subject to a background checks, and which make up 40% of all sales.
This year, gun control groups said they had spent five times as much on federal lobbying as they did the previous year. However, according to the Sunlight Foundation, the amount spent in the first six months of 2013, $1.6m, was still dwarfed by the $12.2m spend by the gun rights lobby, headed by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Both sides of the gun control debate also spent millions on television advertising and were active in the state elections.
Bill Allison, the editorial director of the Sunlight Foundation, told the Guardian: "One year later a lot of money has been spent and not a lot has changed. A few states have come out with stronger laws, but there have also been weakening of gun control laws and permits to carry."
Allison said that while the gun control lobby was beginning to see much more money than before, led by Michael Bloomberg, New York's outgoing mayor, and others, it was no match for the NRA.
"But what the pro-gun rights lobby has is grassroots, boots on the ground. They can mobilise people. They have been operating like this for decades. There was a belief, right after Sandy Hook, that the gun rights lobby was in disarray. The NRA had a few disastrous press conferences. But it is a well-oiled machine that has been around for years."
Allison is sceptical that gun control advocates have the clout they need against the NRA. "The gun control movement is very passionate but it is still not very organised," he said. "Even with the money, they still can't match the organisation, the email lists, the permanent advocates of the NRA."
Richard Feldman of the Independent Firearms Owners Association said that, following Newtown, "we squandered the opportunity to articulate the problem with the misuse of guns and to design policies accordingly". Feldman said he supported the final version of the Senate background check bill proposed in April and believed that had it started out that way, it would have got through. But because of previous measures proposed, including one put forward by the senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, to include an assault weapons ban, gun owners had already made their minds up to oppose it.
Her measure failed to make it to the final Senate bill.
"Much of the debate had centred on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines," said Feldman. "We think it is reasonable to provide for checks at gun shows just like gun shops. But frankly, I'll be damned if I'm going to run a background check on my wife or my daughter if they need a gun." Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.
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Aurora Oil predicts positive impact from Marathon’s Eagle Ford spending
Eagle Ford-focused Aurora Oil & Gas Ltd. says it will benefit from Marathon Oil Corp.’s accelerated spending in the Eagle Ford Shale in 2014. Marathon plants has budgeted $2.36 billion in total capital expenditures next year for South Texas’ Eagle Ford. About half of that will be spent in the Sugarkane Field, a which the companies jointly own. Marathon’s Marathon Oil EF LLC subsidiary is Australia-based Aurora’s operating partner in the majority of its Eagle Ford interests. Aurora and…
Reported by bizjournals 2 days ago.
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EEOC wins case against Aurora company
A federal judge this week overturned a jury's verdict and awarded the former employee of an Aurora company $200,000 to end a discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The jurors who heard the case against Beverage Distributors Co. in April sided with Mike Sungaila, who is legally blind, but reduced the amount of damages awarded. Sungaila worked as a drivers' help for the Aurora company for four years until March 2008, when his position was eliminated in…
Reported by bizjournals 2 days ago.
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