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e-sports club New Zealand grants visa to controversial US pundit Candace Owens

BALTIMORE — Maryland lawmakers tasked with resolving a daunting multibillion-dollar budget deficit in the coming months will enter those negotiations without any last-minute curveballs — at least on one side of the equation. The state is on track to collect about the same as previously expected — north of $25 billion — in taxes and other revenues in the current 2025 fiscal year and the next one that begins July 1, the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates said Thursday. The update doesn’t change the dynamics ahead for Gov. Wes Moore and members of the Maryland General Assembly, who are wrestling with the largest budget hole in recent memory and the worst five-year outlook in two decades. But it’s also not the whole picture. Comptroller Brooke Lierman, who chairs the three-member revenue board, warned that the incoming Donald Trump administration could significantly increase the state’s financial pressures if the president-elect and his allies follow through on promises like reducing large portions of the federal workforce , which makes up 5.9% of Maryland jobs and almost 10% of wages. Maryland relies heavily on federal jobs and contracts compared to other states because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., and its role as the home of agencies like the Social Security Administration and the National Institutes of Health. Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy are aiming to slash the number of federal jobs , and government spending generally, through a new Department of Government Efficiency that Trump tapped them to lead. Major cuts could mean a hit to a key portion of the state’s tax base. “States across the country have different industries that they rely on. Texas has oil and gas; we have the federal government,” Lierman said. She added that the state needed a more robust private sector in order to be less dependent on federal jobs. Tough choices are ahead either way. The 2026 fiscal year budget, which the governor and legislature will craft during the annual 90-day session that begins Jan. 8, has a projected $2.7 billion deficit. Moore has preferred to cut from existing programs and use temporary revenue measures during his first two years in office, but the worsening picture is expected to ignite more robust discussions about both cuts and tax increases. Slow growth in the private sector and the uncertainty at the federal level are creating a hazy outlook for revenues ahead, though. “The risks ahead for Maryland’s economy during this period of federal transition overshadow what might otherwise be some reason for guarded optimism,” Secretary of Budget and Management Helene Grady said. Moore must present his budget proposal to lawmakers by Jan. 15. That will kick off months of negotiations between Democrats who control a supermajority of the legislature and will amend the governor’s plan through early April. House and Senate leaders clashed earlier this year over whether to raise money through ideas like higher corporate income taxes or legalizing online gambling – though Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat who opposed such efforts, has recently said “everything is on the table” this time around. Onetime fixes, sluggish economic growth and increasing expenses have driven the dimming budget outlook. The governor’s office is also evaluating the potential impact of the transition to Trump. Beyond the workforce and federal contracting issues, the state receives about $20 billion in federal revenue annually, which is roughly a third of the state budget. Billions of dollars in other funding the state is hoping to collect for future projects like the Red Line light rail project in Baltimore are also up in the air. Before Thursday’s meeting, the Board of Revenue Estimates last revealed a “modest” increase in anticipated revenue in September. The roughly $88 million bump in the current 2025 fiscal year was a reversal after five consecutive meetings of the board in which expectations were downgraded. The latest update is another positive sign, though officials remained guarded in their outlook. “Compared to prior times, it is less well equipped,” BRE Executive Secretary Robert Rehrmann said of Maryland’s economic ability “to absorb a potential negative impact from the federal government.” The state is anticipating $25.3 billion in revenue in the 2025 fiscal year, an increase of 1.6%, and $25.4 billion in 2026, a roughly 0.4% increase that officials have described as slow. That funding comes mainly from personal income taxes, corporate and sales taxes and lottery revenues. Lawmakers have so far focused primarily on higher corporate taxes and personal income taxes for the biggest earners in discussions about where to find new revenue, though some have also talked about changing the state’s 6% sales tax. Moore has said only that he has a “high bar” for new taxes and will maintain that thinking throughout his time in office. The Spending Affordability Committee, a legislative group that sets the budget deficit projections, is scheduled to meet Tuesday to finalize the parameters for the upcoming budget talks with Thursday’s new revenue numbers. The revenue board, meanwhile, will meet again in March, when lawmakers can make mid-session adjustments as they continue to negotiate over the budget. “I am optimistic about Maryland’s economy and the resilience of our economy,” Lierman said. ©2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo police want to use a new technology tool that uses artificial intelligence to scour social media and the dark net for crimes in progress — and even those being planned. Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia wants to use Dataminr which he said can give real-time information to police. The cost would be covered by a technology grant from the state so it wouldn't cost the city any extra money, according to Gramaglia. He also pointed out that the information it searches is all open source so police would not be accessing private accounts — only information posted publicly. Gramaglia said he got a firsthand look at how it works back in November 2022. He was giving a presentation to the New York City Police Department about the mass shooting at Tops earlier that year when police there informed him that there was another active shooter situation unfolding in Buffalo. It was the thwarted shooting at the Alba da Vida methadone clinic on the West Side of Buffalo. "NYPD was advising us in real time that a guy had walked into the methadone clinic on Virginia Street and began shooting," Gramaglia told me. "That information was being put out on social media instantly as it was happening." Gramaglia said he believes it's important for law enforcement to embrace new technology. "We have to leverage technology. We've got great cops, we have phenomenal detectives, they're out there doing great work. You have to be ahead of the curve. You have to have technology. We need help to get that information to us so that we can action that information better. You're absolutely foolish if you don't leverage technology to make your community safer," Gramaglia said. While the cost would be covered by the state, the Buffalo Common Council still has to approve the purchase. The matter is going to go before the Common Council next week. We'll let you know what happens.

Ontario mulls U.S. booze ban as Trump brushes off Ford's threat to cut electricity OTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press Dec 12, 2024 2:28 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to members of the media at Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto on Thursday December 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young OTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada. "That's OK if he that does that. That's fine," Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to do that," Trump added. "And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize a country," he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 billion annually in unspecified subsidies. Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it's considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement. Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states. "It's a last resort," Ford said. "We're sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that." Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to "end power sale into the U.S. market" the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit. "Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," she said. "Our approach is one of diplomacy, not threats." Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, said "it's not our current intention" to cut off Quebec's exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible. "Our intention is to respect those contracts, both because they're legally binding, but also because it's part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States," he said. "It's a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict." Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. "We are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like," he said. "I'm not going to make specific news today about items that we're looking at." Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn't work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said "we have no interest in stopping" the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries. "We hope it is just bluster; we're preparing as if it is not," he said. Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump's border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business Creditors approve proposed $32.5B deal with tobacco giants today: lawyer Dec 12, 2024 3:26 PM Vancouver Island First Nation whose ancestors met explorer Capt. Cook sue province Dec 12, 2024 3:16 PM Manitoba premier eyes list of possible retaliatory measures for U.S. tariffs Dec 12, 2024 3:10 PM Featured FlyerFormer Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returning to Cleveland Guardians on 1-year deal, AP source saysThe 2 Secret Ingredients In Kristin Chenoweth's Easy Crinkle Cookies

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Callanan , Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Liberty Strategic Capital ("Liberty"), to its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024 . Commenting on the appointment, Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO said, "I'm pleased to have Brian join our Board. His proven track record and expertise in financial services, along with his strategic insights will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our transformation and long-term vision. Brian's perspectives will provide valuable guidance, and his leadership will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth, ensuring we achieve long-term success and maximize the value we deliver to our shareholders, employees, and clients." Callanan is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in financial regulation, regulatory compliance, and financial technology. At Liberty, Callanan leads the firm's legal function, serves on its Investment Committee, and focuses on financial sector investments. Prior to joining Liberty, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing 2,000 lawyers across the department. As Chief General Counsel, he played a key role in major initiatives such as economic rescue programs during COVID-19, the design of new economic sanctions, and the implementation of tax reform. While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Callanan managed major litigation and advised on regulatory reform efforts, among other responsibilities. For his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor. This appointment aligns with the $1.05 billion equity investment in March 2024 , which stipulated that two Board seats would be granted to lead investor Liberty Strategic Capital. With Callanan's addition, the Company's Board of Directors, which was reconstituted earlier in 2024, expands to nine members, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Otting , Milton Berlinski , Alessandro P. DiNello , Alan Frank , Marshall Lux , Lead Independent Director Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin , Allen Puwalski , and Jennifer Whip. About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Nicole Yelland (248) 219-9234 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-appoints-brian-callanan-to-board-of-directors-302331692.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.

Is it just me, or does it feel like Minnesota is on the brink of possibly getting along in 2025? Nobody got everything they wanted during the November election but everybody got something. MAGA, which dominates greater Minnesota, is happy about Trump going back to the White House and the Republicans are about to share power in the Minnesota House. Democrats have a lock on both U.S. Senate seats, the governor’s mansion and the state senate. And the two parties equally share the congressional delegation. It feels like that elusive quality known as balance is hovering within reach. This is as great a time as any to identify and work on issues that we all have in common whether we live in Bloomington or Bemidji. Political campaigns are notorious for waving shiny objects to distract us from issues that actually affect us. Now that has all settled down, there are plenty of real issues that we need to talk about. Here are a few. We need more affordable housing everywhere. With the cost of today’s building materials and labor, private-market home builders are not going to produce this type of housing, so it looks like we have to rely on the nonprofit sector. The Habitat for Humanity chapter in Alexandria, which is building 42 single-family homes, works with home buyers who make as little as $20,450 a year. They can do it because they use volunteer labor, receive donations, and they’re not looking to make a profit. We need better dental care. There is widespread need across the state in rural and urban areas. People are missing work because of abcesses, infections and all the other lovely ways our teeth can go wrong, and the critical care dentists are swamped. Groceries cost too much. It was one of the things people cared about in the run-up to the election. Rising food prices aren’t surprising; people have been predicting this for decades. In 2008, historian Paul Conkin said the cost of energy, irrigation, fertilizer and chemicals will continue to drive up the cost of farming and food prices, as would the pace of global warming. Now that higher food prices are here, they’re painful, and voters will likely look to the incoming Trump administration for help. We have “forever chemicals” in our drinking water and chloride in our lakes and rivers, and we’re breathing plastic. Nationwide, at least 45% of tap water contains per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. One of these is called perchlorate, a chemical that boosts explosive power in things like airbags, fireworks and grenades, but when ingested, prevents us from absorbing iodide. That’s not a big deal for adults, but it can cause deafness or severe intellectual disability in fetuses and babies. The federal government has been dragging its feet on whether to regulate perchlorate for more than 20 years. When politicians talk angrily about “regulations,” often they’re talking about health and environmental regulations, which can be costly, and which someone has to pay for. Meanwhile, there’s a looming shortage of nursing home beds in Minnesota. In 2024, the oldest baby boomers turned 75, which means the demand for long-term care will skyrocket over the next 20 to 30 years, according to the Mankato-based Center for Rural Policy and Development. Nursing homes have already been closing across the state given staff shortages and as retirees prefer assisted living and other options. The need will be felt first in rural Minnesota, where the population is older, but it will hit the metro also. Our charter schools need an overhaul, no matter if they’re in rural or urban areas. Nine of the state’s 181 schools operating at the start of 2024 have closed, and Star Tribune reporting has uncovered troubling financial and academic failures. The secrecy surrounding many of these publicly-funded schools is anti-democratic, and the Minnesota Department of Education needs to insist on full disclosure of records. We don’t have enough workers, only 51 for every 100 open jobs, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. If the new Trump administration carries out mass deportations as intended, that will likely stretch our workforce even more. Whether or not you agree with this policy, we need to be ready for it if it happens. Young people often take their first job because they are noticeable; they see a help wanted sign or they follow a friend or family member into a field. Maybe we need to make jobs in critical industries more noticeable and training more readily available. Internet safety for children is a huge area that rural and urban, DFL and GOP can agree on. It can’t be emphasized enough that criminals are constantly looking for victims online, and children simply lack the judgment and awareness to know when they are being targeted. Even adults fall prey to online scams, so we can hardly expect children to emerge unscathed. I’m optimistic about Minnesota’s immediate future. The time is right to set aside partisan bickering and just go back to being Minnesotans again. One state, indivisible, with lefse and hotdish for all.

Osisko Development Announces Change to the Board of Directors

Pakistan towards development after economic stability: PMThe Lawrence Energy Center in Kansas burns coal for electric power. A federal lawsuit filed by 11 Republican attorneys general claims institutional investors BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street committed antitrust violations to lower supply and increase the cost of coal. (Jill Hummels/Kansas Reflector) Major institutional investors have artificially lowered coal production and raised energy costs for consumers in an effort to lower global carbon emissions, a federal lawsuit claims. Republican attorneys general in 11 states, including Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, filed a joint lawsuit last month against BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, claiming the organizations’ efforts to pressure coal companies to lower carbon emissions and respond to climate change amount to anti-competitive business practices. All three companies, the lawsuit says, have acquired significant shares in the largest publicly-traded coal companies to coerce their management. “For the past four years, America’s coal producers have been responding not to the price signals of the free market, but to the commands of Larry Fink, BlackRock’s chairman and CEO, and his fellow asset managers,” the lawsuit says. BlackRock is the world’s largest financial asset manager. The case was in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of the states of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wyoming. The case asks the court to find that the companies have violated federal antitrust laws and prohibit them from using their stock holdings in coal companies to limit output. In a statement, State Street called the lawsuit “baseless.” “State Street acts in the long-term financial interests of investors with a focus on enhancing shareholder value,” the company said. “As long-term capital providers, we have a mutual interest in the long-term success of our portfolio companies.” In 2020, Fink wrote in a letter to CEOs that “climate risk is investment risk” and announced efforts to “place sustainability at the center of our investment approach.” He said companies and investors had a meaningful role to play in the transition from fossil fuels and coal to clean energy. The following year, BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard joined the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, acknowledging an “urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net zero emissions” and committing to work to reduce carbon emissions. Black Rock and State Street also signed onto Climate Action 100+, a similar initiative where investors work with companies “on improving climate change governance, cutting emissions and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures. Burning coal produces carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas and a significant drive of climate change, scientists say. It also produces sulfur dioxide, particulates and other emissions that can be harmful to human health. Coal made up 19% of energy-related carbon emissions in 2022 and more than half of emissions from electric power companies, according to the Energy Information Administration . In a press release, Hilgers’ office accused the three companies of weaponizing their shares of the coal market. “Whether it comes from state or federal governments or the private sector,” Hilgers said, “the radical climate agenda harms Nebraskans.” Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey vowed to “not stand idly by while these companies hamper energy production and raise prices for Missouri consumers.” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office said in a press release that he was “taking further action to stop work corporatists and their left-leaning allies in government from driving up energy costs for hardworking Hoosiers.” “Coal has been the backbone of Indiana’s economic success for decades,” Rokita said. “The demand for electricity has gone up and these (environmental, social and governance) titans are reaping the benefits of these skyrocketed prices by keeping their thumb on production.” And Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said she would keep “fighting until we take down every cog of the woke machine and protect hardworking families and farmers.” “While Woke Wall Street lines its own pockets,” Bird said, “families and farmers are forced to pay the price.” This article first appeared in the Kansas Reflector , a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. ( NASDAQ:PWOD – Free Report ) by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 27,260 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,340 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC owned 0.36% of Penns Woods Bancorp worth $648,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quadrature Capital Ltd increased its stake in Penns Woods Bancorp by 2.6% in the first quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 27,158 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $524,000 after acquiring an additional 693 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Penns Woods Bancorp by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 48,068 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $988,000 after purchasing an additional 869 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in shares of Penns Woods Bancorp by 55.5% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 3,554 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 1,269 shares in the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Penns Woods Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Penns Woods Bancorp by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 336,829 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $6,538,000 after buying an additional 6,992 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.94% of the company’s stock. Penns Woods Bancorp Stock Up 0.9 % NASDAQ PWOD opened at $30.41 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $229.29 million, a P/E ratio of 11.52 and a beta of 0.44. Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. has a 52 week low of $17.01 and a 52 week high of $30.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.09. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $25.91 and a 200-day moving average of $22.78. Penns Woods Bancorp Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of Penns Woods Bancorp from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 16th. View Our Latest Research Report on PWOD About Penns Woods Bancorp ( Free Report ) Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Jersey Shore State Bank, which provides commercial and retail banking services to individuals, partnerships, non-profit organizations, and corporations. It accepts time, demand, and savings deposits, including super NOW accounts, statement savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit, as well as checking and individual retirement account (IRAs) accounts. Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Penns Woods Bancorp What is a Bond Market Holiday? How to Invest and Trade Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot What is a Death Cross in Stocks? MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 Canadian Penny Stocks: Can They Make You Rich? 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PWOD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. ( NASDAQ:PWOD – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Penns Woods Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Penns Woods Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .