Stock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, sending Nasdaq to a recordEDMONTON — Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says as of April 1 the province is ending photo radar ticketing on all numbered provincial highways. The province also plans over the coming months to review "cash cows” – photo radar spots that appear to prioritize money-making over safety -- with the goal of shutting down 70 per cent of the current 2,200 sites. Dreeshen says far too often photo radar penalizes drivers without improving road safety, adding the province doesn’t intend to offer extra cash to make municipalities whole from the lost photo radar revenue. “The whole point of getting rid of these cash cow locations is to make sure that photo radar is used as a traffic safety tool and not as a revenue generator,” Dreeshen told a news conference Monday. Photo radar will continue to be allowed in school zones, playground zones and construction sites, but beyond these areas, local governments will have to submit their case and show evidence of higher collision rates. At intersections equipped with cameras, running a red light could still net a driver a ticket, but speeding on green will not - starting in the spring. Kara Westerlund, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, applauded the move. “Our communities have called for change, and I’m proud to say that this government has listened,” she said at the government news conference. Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam said his organization supports local governments using automated traffic enforcement for safety reasons, since the data shows it reduces deaths, injuries and property damage. "It's improving safety in the communities, no question," Gandam said in an interview, adding the government's decision is about political points because getting tickets is unpopular. "If you don't like photo radar, just stop speeding," he said. Gandam said forcing municipalities to go through another approval process represents more bureaucracy from a government that prides itself on cutting red tape. He said photo radar revenue makes up a small portion of any municipality's budget. For him, the issue is about safety, including that of the police officers who will need to enforce traffic safety. Dreeshen said the province has seen a "mixed bag" of data measuring photo radar's effect on collision numbers. "There's lots of folks that will say photo radar is needed to keep these streets safe, but we've also seen municipalities, when they remove photo radar, that we've actually seen safer streets," he said. "We're not banning speed limits," he said. Opposition NDP critic Lorne Dach told reporters Dreeshen's move doesn't appear to be supported by evidence. "The decision-making here seems to be basically based on the minister's decision about popularity rather than public safety data," said Dach. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the government is adding red tape, and that municipalities, including Calgary, use photo radar funding to pay for policing. "If this government wants municipalities to increase property taxes for their largest budget item, they should just say so," he said. The United Conservative Party government has been placing restrictions on photo radar sites in stages. All photo radar sites were removed from ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton last December. Dreeshen said that's shown good results, in part because drivers aren't taken off guard by having to suddenly slow down and disrupt traffic. In 2019, the UCP increased the province’s share of photo radar revenue to 40 per cent from 27. That fiscal year, the revenue generated was $203 million across the province. By last year, total revenue was down to $145 million, Dreeshen said Monday. "At the end of the day, this is going to be a hit to the province (financially) as well." Among the top five revenue-generating sites listed by the government in 2023, four are in Edmonton and area, each collecting between $2.1 million and almost $6 million per year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian PressWatson and Loyola Chicago defeat South Florida 74-72CINCINNATI, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultimus ® , a leading independent provider of full-service, technology-enhanced fund administration, accounting, middle office, and investor solutions is proud to announce that it has received multiple prestigious awards at the 2024 Global Custodian Industry Leaders Awards dinner recently held in New York. The awards ceremony independently recognizes the achievements of service providers in the fund administration industry whose quality of services exceeds their peers. This year Ultimus received three awards in two different categories: Exchange Traded Funds and Private Equity Funds. Ultimus secured three distinguished awards: Ultimus CEO, Gary Tenkman , says, "At Ultimus, our unwavering dedication to quality service has earned us esteemed recognition year after year. For us, excellence isn't just a passing trend or a short-term strategy; it's the cornerstone of our culture. Our continuous growth allows us to invest in talent and technology, acknowledging the value of providing our clients with award-winning service and customizable solutions to help them succeed in the evolving investment management industry.” In appreciation for all Ultimus associates, Tenkman adds, "I'm incredibly proud of our team's dedication to delivering top-notch services that support our clients. Our mission is to provide award-winning services and outsourced solutions that optimize and elevate business operations for our clients, all while benefiting their investors and shareholders.” This is the third year in a row Ultimus ranked as the top administrator in the ETF Administration Survey and received the ETF Administrator of the Year award. Additionally, this is the fourth year Ultimus LeverPoint private equity clients participated in the independently administered survey and the fourth year the firm has received the Private Equity Fund Administrator of the Year award. Ultimus excelled beyond industry averages across all relevant fund servicing categories in the two industry surveys. This achievement strongly affirms clients' approval of the firm's client-focused service model and unwavering dedication to excellence. Notable takeaways from the 2024 survey results included: About Ultimus Ultimus Fund Solutions (Ultimus) is a leading provider of full-service tech-enhanced fund administration, accounting, middle office, and investor solutions to support the launching and servicing of registered funds, private funds, and public plans. The company also offers customized structures designed for the unique needs of pensions, endowments, foundations, and other large institutions. Ultimus' deep commitment to excellence is achieved through investments in best-in-class technology, compliance programs, organization-wide cyber security efforts, and hiring seasoned professionals. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio with offices in other major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Denver, and Omaha, Ultimus employs more than 1,000 seasoned accountants, attorneys, paralegals, application developers, fund administrators, compliance specialists, and many others with years of experience in the financial services industry. Servicing over 1,800 total traditional and alternative funds, Ultimus helps investment managers and fund families flourish in today's increasingly sophisticated and dynamic investment landscape. For more information, visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com . About Ultimus LeverPoint Ultimus LeverPoint Private Fund Solutions is a leading fund administrator committed to providing a complete spectrum of solutions to private equity, venture capital, real estate, and hedge fund clients. Providing accounting and fund administration solutions to nearly 220 firms and more than $235B in AUA, Ultimus LeverPoint represents a diverse range of alternative fund types and structures. Whether outsourcing a new fund or transitioning existing funds, Ultimus LeverPoint serves as a seamless extension of your firm - a partner in growth. From traditional to complex structures, our team of over 450 associates provides operational excellence to meet every need and is dedicated to helping investment managers keep pace with the constantly changing regulatory and market demands while providing quick solutions to new challenges. For more information, visit www.ultimusleverpoint.com . CONTACT: [email protected] COD00000653 12/10/2024
Treace Appoints Guy Guglielmino as Chief Commercial OfficerJ Studios Written by Nick Ackerman Blackstone Secured Lending Fund ( NYSE: BXSL ) continues to perform well and is one of the stronger business development companies ("BDC") available to investors. Despite being externally managed rather than the friendlier internally managed structures, this BDC has Interested in more income ideas? Check out Cash Builder Opportunities , where we provide ideas about high-quality and reliable dividend growth ideas. These investments are designed to build growing income for investors. A special focus on investments that are leaders within their industry to provide stability and long-term wealth creation. Along with this, the service provides ideas for writing options to build investors' income even further. Join us today to have access to our portfolio, watchlist and live chat. Members get the first look at all publications and even exclusive articles not posted elsewhere. Cash Builder Opportunities (aka Nick Ackerman) is a former fiduciary and a registered financial advisor with 14 years of investing experience. He is the leader of the investing group Cash Builder Opportunities , where his specific focus is on closed-end funds, dividend growth stocks, and option writing as an attractive way to achieve income. He shares model portfolios and research to help investors make better decisions, via his Investing Group’s active chat room. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BXSL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Mississippi State overcomes early deficit to down Prairie View A&M
Watson and Loyola Chicago defeat South Florida 74-72
Hall’s Big God Ministries deserves recognition I wish to commend the humanitarian works of Pastor David Hall for his devoted community service. He provides for those in need during the holiday season and throughout the year. For the last 20 years, Hall, of Big God Ministries, has distributed Thanksgiving turkeys in Marin City, Sausalito and San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood, as well as toys and warm coats at Christmas. Hall is passionate and determined. He delivers rain or shine, consistently year after year. Raised in Marin City without his father, his family relied on food stamps to make ends meet. He feels great compassion for his brothers and sisters who struggle financially due to various of hardships. Hall’s love encompasses everyone. He recognizes that we universally require love, affection, encouragement and help to survive and thrive. Unfailingly energetic, cheerful and thankful, praying with the recipients, he asks each one, “what are you grateful for today?” He offers sound advice and tells those present that, if they need it, he will help them. He delivers meals to the infirm who cannot go out. He coaches children and offers them hope. The spirit of the neighborhood is lifted with Hall’s grand presence and generosity. Each year, thousands of beneficiaries receive gifts and turkeys. As someone who assists him, I love to see the faces of the beautiful people in Marin City and San Rafael. One must meet Hall to understand how he effortlessly shares himself with so many. His richness of heart and soul is noticeable and remarkable. He unites us and reminds us of the true significance of our lives, sharing his sense of brotherhood with the people of our world. — Jean Mastagni, Mill Valley Commentary on marketing of Republicans interesting I am writing in response to the Marin Voice commentary by Bay Area advertising executives Kirk Citron and Matt Haligman (“The Democrats have a branding problem,” Nov. 26). Their views made for interesting reading. To me, the commentary’s message boils down to this: President-elect Donald Trump won and Vice President Kamala Harris lost because Republicans had better “branding” than Democrats. By better branding, the authors gave examples such as slogans (“make America great again”), colors (bright red MAGA hats) and repetitive seductive storylines (Trump’s quotable line, “they are eating the dogs. ... They are eating the cats”). How sad that democracy has come to this. Apparently, the character flaws of a married man who had an affair with an adult film star; openly bragged about grabbing women by their genitals; reportedly stiffed contractors repeatedly; filed for bankruptcy several times; and has a record as an elected political leader for being called “unhinged,” “a fascist” and “a moron” by some who served under him can somehow be overcome by clever advertising (aka “branding”). I’m old enough to have experienced well over a dozen presidential elections. I’ll probably go to my grave not knowing why the recent presidential election turned out as it did. However, my hunch is that social media has made us into people who react quickly to enticing messages; people who have lost the desire and the ability to really think and contemplate. — Jim Wood, Tiburon US has always relied on effective vaccines My mother had polio in 1917. She was lucky, she recovered. She wore a brace as a child and limped her entire life, but she didn’t end up in an “iron lung” breathing device like a classmate of my husband. Nowadays, we don’t see people on crutches, with braces on their legs or disabled because of polio. We have all been taught that this is a direct result of the effective program of vaccination that we’ve had in this country since the 1950s. Now, as we continue to battle cases of whooping cough and measles in Marin County, we are reminded of the misplaced suspicion of vaccines. People who haven’t been to medical school shouldn’t be making life-and-death decisions about public-health matters beyond their knowledge and experience. On Thanksgiving, I gave thanks, along with all the many other things that make me feel grateful, for proven vaccines that prevent childhood diseases. — Elaine C. Johnson, Greenbrae