Tag: COVID-19

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Business

ETFMG’s first ETF, SILJ, surpasses $300M AUM milestone

SUMMIT, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ETF Managers Group LLC (“ETFMG”), a leading thematic ETF issuer, announces that the first thematic product brought to market by the issuer, the ETFMG Prime Junior Silver Miners ETF (NYSE Arca: SILJ), has exceeded a significant milestone of $300 million* in assets under management. The first to market product targets small cap silver miners and has enjoyed asset inflows equating to a +341%** increase year over year. SILJ, which launched in November 2012, remains the first and only ETF to provide direct exposure to the silver mining exploration and production industry.

Surpassing the $300 million mark is confirmation for SILJ that there is an increase in demand for silver: an asset class uncorrelated to most broad equity markets and a great method of diversification. A pick-up in industrial demand due to easing lockdowns as a result of the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a key factor that led to SILJ returns, which were up by 77.11% in Q2. SILJ’s return is up 6.67% YTD and 56.02% for the last 12 months.

“We are very proud to celebrate this milestone for SILJ, our first thematic ETF brought to market back in 2012,” says Sam Masucci, CEO and Founder of ETFMG. “SILJ’s outstanding asset growth is due in large part to its unique position in the market, designing an ETF that captured an under represented growth opportunity and being able to answer investor demand for thematic products and specifically direct access to the small cap silver commodity sector. Silver remains the most electrically conductive metal in the world and has significant industrial application, in common household items such as solar panels, medical devices and smartphones, and is an important store of value by way of coins, bars and jewelry.”

For more information on SILJ visit: www.etfmg.com/SILJ.

About ETFMG

ETFMG is a provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), founded in 2014 with a vision of developing innovative thematic ETFs that provide investors unique exposure to new markets. Today, the ETFMG fund line up provides access to a diverse collection of global themes and is comprised of 75% first to market products. We turn portfolio management strategies into successful ETFs by partnering with market segment experts to bring long-term growth opportunities to investors. ETFMG funds are proof as to the power of the ETF wrapper and that thematic products can have a place in investors’ portfolios. To learn more about ETFMG and our portfolio of exchange traded funds please visit www.etfmg.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter @ETFMG, Facebook and YouTube.

Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund’s summary or statutory prospectuses, available on www.etfmg.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. Investments in foreign securities involve political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning it may concentrate its assets in fewer individual holdings than a diversified fund. Therefore, the Fund is more exposed to individual issuer volatility than a diversified fund. Funds that are less diversified across countries or geographic regions are generally riskier than more geographically diversified funds and risks associated with such countries or geographic regions may negatively affect a Fund. Investments in small capitalization companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than large-capitalization companies.

The ETFMG Prime Junior Silver Miners ETF is subject to risks associated with the worldwide price of silver and the costs of extraction and production. Worldwide silver prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time, so the Fund’s share price may be more volatile. Several foreign countries have begun a process of privatizing certain entities and industries. Privatized entities may lose money or be renationalized. The Fund invests in some economies that are heavily dependent upon trading with key partners. Any reduction in this trading may cause an adverse impact on the economy in which the Fund invests. The Fund’s return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of the Prime Junior Silver Miners & Explorers Index. To the extent the Fund utilizes a sampling approach, it may experience tracking error to a greater extent than if the Fund had sought to replicate the Prime Junior Silver Miners & Explorers Index. IOPV or indicative optimized portfolio value is an estimated intraday fair value of one share of an ETF determined by the last trade price of the fund’s underlying securities. The Prime Junior Silver Miners & Explorers Index is designed to provide a benchmark for investors interested in tracking public, small-cap companies that are active in the silver mining exploration and production industry. The stocks are screened for liquidity and weighted according to modified free-float market capitalization. The Index generally is comprised of 25–35 securities. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. ETF Managers Group LLC is the investment adviser to the Fund.

The Fund is distributed by ETFMG Financial LLC. ETF Managers Group LLC and ETFMG Financial LLC are wholly owned subsidiaries of Exchange Traded Managers Group LLC (collectively, “ETFMG”). ETFMG Financial LLC is not affiliated with Prime Indexes.

*On 7/10/20, SILJ reached $300M in AUM

**As of 6/30/19 – 6/30/20

Contacts

Deborah Kostroun
Zito Partners

201.403.8185

deborah@zitopartners.com

Categories
Business

City of Atlanta selects Prudential Retirement to oversee more than $330M in assets

NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$PRU–The city of Atlanta, the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the nation, chose Prudential Retirement as record keeper for its defined contribution retirement plans. Prudential Retirement is a business unit of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU).


Prudential will oversee $337 million in retirement assets, which will cover 8,600 government employees as of June 1, 2020. The partnership adds to Prudential’s public sector portfolio, which oversees $49.3 billion across 225 plans for 827,259 participants.

According to John Gaffney, deputy chief finance officer for the city of Atlanta, Prudential was selected for its efficient model, investment flexibility and cost savings. “The city of Atlanta wants to deliver retirement plans that help our dedicated workers build and secure their financial stability,” said Gaffney. “Prudential is the right partner to ensure our plans are optimized for long-term success.”

As the retirement industry continues to navigate uncertainty in response to COVID-19, Prudential’s strength – which has weathered crises including two world wars, the 1918 Spanish influenza, the Great Depression, 9/11 and the global financial crisis of 2008 – coupled with its long-term strategic view provides much needed support and reassurance for plan sponsors.

“Prudential is committed to innovative plan designs that meet the needs of plan sponsors and participants, particularly during these unprecedented times,” says Michael Domingos, senior vice president and head of sales and strategic relationships at Prudential Retirement. “We are thrilled to share this expertise with the city of Atlanta and help its employees maintain financial wellness.”

For more information, visit www.prudential.com/employers/retirement.

About Prudential Retirement

Prudential Retirement delivers retirement plan solutions for public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Services include defined contribution, defined benefit and nonqualified deferred compensation recordkeeping, administrative services, investment management, comprehensive employee education and communications, and trustee services, as well as a variety of products and strategies, including institutional investment and income products, pension risk transfer solutions and structured settlement services. With more than 85 years of retirement experience, Prudential Retirement helps meet the needs of 4.6 million participants and annuitants. Prudential Retirement has $466 billion in retirement account values as of March 31, 2020. Retirement products and services are provided by The Prudential Insurance Company of America (PICA), Newark, N.J., or its affiliates.

About Prudential Financial, Inc.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with more than $1 trillion of assets under management as of March 31, 2020, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.

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Contacts

MEDIA:

Anjelica Sena. 973-802-6930

anjelica.sena@prudential.com

Categories
Business

AM Best: India non-life market facing challenges (AM BestTV)

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In this episode of AMBestTV, Myles Gould, director, analytics, and Yuan Tian, senior financial analyst, both of AM Best, said that competition, poor pricing discipline and investments challenge the India non-life market. Click on http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=india620 to view the entire program.

AM Best has a market segment outlook of negative on India’s non-life market. Gould addressed the key factors that are driving the negative outlook.

“Key factors underpinning the negative outlook include the competitive market conditions in core lines of business along with poor pricing discipline,” said Gould. “Furthermore, there is an unhealthy reliance on unrealized and realized gains from investment holdings, particularly emanating from typically high-risk investment strategies. In addition, a more recent dynamic is that of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to result in a level of volatility in top-line and bottom-line results of Indian non-life insurance.”

Tian highlighted the reasons for the imbalance in the non-life market operating results.

“The market has been quite a loss-making on the writing side,” said Tian. “So the insurance companies in this market have been relying on investment returns to generate overall positive operating earnings. The companies have been quite aggressive investing in high-risk asset classes such as equity, low-quality fixed income and real estate assets. Those asset classes have been generating quite good returns over the last years. However, during the pandemic, the stock market has fallen by over 20% in the first quarter. This has impacted the capital position and earnings of non-life insurers.”

To access the related market segment report, titled, “Market Segment Outlook: India Non-Life,” please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=297272.

Recent episodes of AMBestTV include:

  • AM Best: Insurers Boost Private Equity Holdings 10% in 2019: Jason Hopper, associate director, industry research and analytics of AM Best, said that insurers have increased their private equity holdings by 10% year over year to $81 billion in 2019: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=privateequity620.
  • AM Best: Florida Personal Property Writers Challenged Even Without a Hurricane: Michelle Baurkot, director, and Chris Draghi, senior financial analyst, both of AM Best, said that Florida writers struggled to turn a 2019 underwriting profit even with the absence of a major hurricane: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=ambfloridareport720.
  • Insurtech Movement Joins Forces for Week of Presentations: The formation of the Northeast Insurtech Alliance, which is made up of innovation-focused executives from five organizations throughout the northeastern United States: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=northeastinsurtechalliance720.
  • AM Best: Workers’ Comp Writers Brace for COVID-19 Hit: Decreased premiums and unexpected claims could negatively impact workers’ compensation writers, said Sridhar Manyem, director, and Dan Mangano, financial analyst, both of AM Best: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=workerscomp620.

AM BestTV covers exclusive AM Best and insurance industry information and reports, targeted topics and key developments in the insurance, reinsurance and related sectors daily. Sign up for alerts of episodes at www.ambest.com/multimedia/ambtvsignup.html. View AM BestTV episodes at www.ambest.tv.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Lee McDonald
Group Vice President, Publication and News Services
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5561
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com

Categories
Local News

Construction starts show additional gains in June

Improvement in nonresidential and nonbuilding activity push starts higher

NEW JERSEY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Total construction starts increased 6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $641.4 billion. This marks the second consecutive monthly gain in construction starts following the COVID-19 induced declines in March and April. In June nonresidential building starts gained 6% and starts in the nonbuilding sector moved 27% higher. Residential starts, by contrast, fell 6% during the month.


Through the first six months of the year, starts were down 14% from the same period in 2019. Nonresidential starts fell 22%, nonbuilding starts were down 14%, and residential starts dropped 5%. For the 12 months ending in June 2020, total construction starts were down 2% from the previous 12 months. Nonresidential building starts were down 7% and residential building starts were flat, but nonbuilding starts were 3% higher in the past 12 months. In June, the Dodge Index moved 6% higher to 136 (2000=100) from the 128 reading in May. Compared to a year earlier, the Dodge Index was down 28%

“Construction starts activity remains significantly weaker than year-ago levels, even though it has been slowly increasing since its nadir in April,” stated Richard Branch Chief Economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. “May’s gain in starts was fueled by a handful of very large projects, but June’s gain appears to be much more organic in nature. Construction starts should continue to post modest gains in the months to come as the economy continues to recover from the shortest and steepest recession in U.S. history. However, the recent acceleration in new COVID-19 cases in states such as Texas, Florida, and California is a significant downside risk to the economy and the construction industry’s growth trajectory.”

Nonbuilding construction rose 27% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $191.1 billion. Utility/gas plants moved 108% higher in the month due to the start of over $2.0 billion in renewable power projects (split between solar and wind facilities). The miscellaneous nonbuilding category rose 63% in June, while environmental public works moved 38% higher. Construction starts for highways and bridges dropped 4% during the month.

The largest nonbuilding project to break ground in June was the $1.4 billion Federal Way Link Extension in Seattle WA. Also starting during the month were the $600 million Golden Hills Wind Project in Sherman county OR and the $438 million Athos I solar facility in Desert Center CA.

Through June, total nonbuilding starts were down 14% compare to the same time period in 2019. Highway and bridge construction starts were up 8%, while environmental public works and the miscellaneous nonbuilding sector were each 20% lower through the first six months of the year. Utilities/gas plants were down 40% on a year-to-date basis. On a 12-month rolling basis, total nonbuilding starts were up 3% from the 12 months ending June 2020. Starts in the utility/gas plant category were 14% higher, while miscellaneous nonbuilding starts increased 6%. Street and bridge starts were 1% lower for the 12 months ending June, while environmental public works were down 4%.

Nonresidential building starts moved 6% higher in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $198.5 billion. Institutional building starts rose 15% during the month, while commercial building starts moved 4% higher. Manufacturing starts, however, fell 32% following the start of a $950 million steel plant in May.

The largest nonresidential building project to break ground in June was the $384 million Women’s and Children’s hospital tower in San Antonio TX. Also starting in June was the $306 million Aligned Energy Data Center in Ashburn VA and the $294 million renovation of SeaTac International Airport in Seattle WA.

On a year-to-date basis, total nonresidential building starts were 22% lower than the first six months of 2019. Institutional building starts were down 15%, while commercial starts were 27% lower. Manufacturing starts dropped 38% on a year-to-date basis. On a 12-month total basis, total nonresidential building starts were 7% lower than the 12 months ending June 2019. Commercial starts have dropped 8%, while institutional starts were down 9%. Manufacturing starts are 9% higher on a rolling 12-month basis.

Residential building starts fell 6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $251.8 billion. Both multifamily and single family starts were lower during the month, with single family falling 7% and multifamily dropping 4%.

The largest multifamily structure to break ground in June was a $170 million mixed-use project in Jersey City NJ. Also starting during the month were the $113 million Flower Mart Apartments in Mountain View CA and the $100 million 509 4th Avenue project in New York NY.

Through the first six months of 2020, residential construction starts were down 5% versus the same time period in 2019. Single family starts were 1% lower, while multifamily starts were down 16% year-to-date. For the 12 months ending in June, total residential starts were flat when compared to the prior 12 months. Single family starts were up 3%, while multifamily starts were off 6%.

About Dodge Data & Analytics: Dodge Data & Analytics is North America’s leading provider of analytics and software-based workflow integration solutions for the construction industry. Building product manufacturers, architects, engineers, contractors, and service providers leverage Dodge to identify and pursue unseen growth opportunities and execute on those opportunities for enhanced business performance. Whether it’s on a local, regional or national level, Dodge makes the hidden obvious, empowering its clients to better understand their markets, uncover key relationships, size growth opportunities, and pursue those opportunities with success. The company’s construction project information is the most comprehensive and verified in the industry. Dodge is leveraging its 100-year-old legacy of continuous innovation to help the industry meet the building challenges of the future. To learn more, visit www.construction.com.

Contacts

Media:

Nicole Sullivan | AFFECT Public Relations & Social Media | +1-212-398-9680, nsullivan@affectstrategies.com

 

Categories
Healthcare

Humanigen expands partnership with Catalent biologics to manufacture investigational COVID-19 therapeutic candidate lenzilumab

  • Humanigen’s investigational monoclonal antibody, lenzilumab, was developed using Catalent’s proprietary GPEx® cell line development technology
  • Expanded partnership established product supply for lenzilumab, an investigational Phase 3 product for COVID-19
  • Catalent’s OneBio® integrated biologics suite expected to accelerate development, manufacturing and supply of lenzilumab for clinical trial use in COVID-19 patients and potential commercialization

SOMERSET, N.J. & BURLINGAME, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Catalent and Humanigen, Inc. (HGEN) (“Humanigen”) today announced the expansion of their relationship, under which Catalent will provide development, manufacturing and commercialization services for lenzilumab, Humanigen’s proprietary Humaneered® anti-human granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) monoclonal antibody.

Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, manufacturing and clinical supply solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies and consumer health products. Humanigen is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on preventing and treating cytokine storm with lenzilumab, the company’s lead therapeutic candidate.

Mayo Clinic recently announced data on the first clinical use of lenzilumab in 12 patients with severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia, the majority of whom showed rapid recovery and hospital discharge. A Phase 3 study is currently underway evaluating hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

“Based on lenzilumab’s promising clinical data, we are pleased to expand our relationship with Catalent to solidify our ability to manufacture and supply lenzilumab,” commented Cameron Durrant, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Humanigen. “If we are able to secure FDA approvals or Emergency Use Authorization, Catalent Biologics’ deep expertise and integrated OneBio solution will accelerate our ability to get this therapy to patients that need it most.”

“Catalent has partnered closely with Humanigen to develop and supply lenzilumab for clinical trials,” commented Karen Flynn, President of Catalent Biologics and Chief Commercial Officer. “The experience we already have with lenzilumab, and our OneBio integrated offering from development to supply, make Catalent uniquely suited to support Humanigen in the journey to make this promising therapy available to COVID-19 patients as soon as possible following receipt of regulatory approvals.”

To date, Catalent Biologics has provided early-stage development and clinical cGMP drug substance manufacturing for lenzilumab at its facility in Madison, Wisconsin to support Humanigen’s ongoing clinical trials across various disease categories. Under the expanded partnership, Catalent is also providing clinical supply support for Humanigen’s Phase 3 potential registration study in COVID-19 from its Philadelphia facility.

Lenzilumab was originally manufactured in Catalent’s Madison facility using Catalent Biologics’ proprietary GPEx® cell line development technology. As part of the expanded partnership, Catalent intends to provide additional drug substance clinical supply for Humanigen’s clinical trials, Expanded Access Program (EAP), as well as additional late-stage development and clinical and potential commercial drug substance manufacturing and vial filling at its Madison and Bloomington, Indiana, sites.

Catalent Biologics’ Madison facility provides development and drug substance manufacturing, including GPEx cell line development, process development, process validation, formulation development, and clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing. Its Bloomington facility has deep expertise in sterile formulation, with drug substance development and manufacturing and drug product fill/finish capacity across liquid and lyophilized vials, prefilled syringes, and cartridges as well as primary and secondary packaging.

Catalent’s OneBio Suite is an integrated solution for the development, manufacturing, and supply of biologic drugs. Launched in May 2019, the suite of offerings is designed to integrate activities and accelerate timelines, reduce risk and simplify development with a single contract, program manager, and development timeline from cell line development to supply, with harmonized quality systems.

About Humanigen, Inc.

Humanigen, Inc. is developing its portfolio of clinical and pre-clinical therapies for the treatment of cancers and infectious diseases via its novel, cutting-edge GM-CSF neutralization and gene-knockout platforms. We believe that our GM-CSF neutralization and gene-editing platform technologies have the potential to reduce the inflammatory cascade associated with coronavirus infection. The company’s immediate focus is to prevent or minimize the cytokine release syndrome that precedes severe lung dysfunction and ARDS in serious cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The company is also focused on creating next-generation combinatory gene-edited CAR-T therapies using strategies to improve efficacy while employing GM-CSF gene knockout technologies to control toxicity. In addition, the company is developing its own portfolio of proprietary first-in-class EphA3-CAR-T for various solid cancers and EMR1-CAR-T for various eosinophilic disorders. The company is also exploring the effectiveness of its GM-CSF neutralization technologies (either through the use of lenzilumab as a neutralizing antibody or through GM-CSF gene knockout) in combination with other CAR-T, bispecific or natural killer (NK) T cell engaging immunotherapy treatments to break the efficacy/toxicity linkage, including to prevent and/or treat graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Additionally, Humanigen and Kite, a Gilead Company, are evaluating lenzilumab in combination with Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma in a clinical collaboration. For more information, visit www.humanigen.com.

About Catalent Biologics

Catalent Biologics is a global leader in development, manufacturing and analytical services for new biological entities, cell and gene therapies, biosimilars, sterile injectables, and antibody-drug conjugates. With over 20 years of proven expertise, Catalent Biologics has worked with 600+ mAbs and 80+ proteins, produced 13 biopharmaceutical drugs using GPEx® cell line development technology, and manufactured 35+ commercially approved products. Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy, a unit of Catalent Biologics, is a full-service partner for adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and CAR-T immunotherapies, with deep experience in viral vector scale-up and production. Catalent recently acquired MaSTherCell, adding expertise in autologous and allogeneic cell therapy development and manufacturing. Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy has produced 100+ cGMP batches across 70+ clinical and commercial programs. For more information, visit biologics.catalent.com.

About Catalent

Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, manufacturing, and clinical supply solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products. With over 85 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable global clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs over 13,500 people, including over 2,400 scientists and technicians, at more than 40 facilities, and in fiscal year 2019 generated over $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.

More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied.™

Humanigen’s Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current knowledge, assumptions, judgment and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, they give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and you should be aware that actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Words such as “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “goals,” “accelerate,” “continue,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations for the Phase III study and the potential future development of lenzilumab to minimize or reduce the severity of lung dysfunction associated with severe and critical COVID-19 infections or to be approved by FDA for such use or to help CAR-T reach its full potential or to deliver benefit in preventing GvHD. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks inherent in our lack of profitability and need for additional capital to conduct the Phase III study and grow our business; our dependence on partners to further the development of our product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in the development and launch of any new pharmaceutical product; the outcome of pending or future litigation; and the various risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” sections and elsewhere in the Company’s periodic and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Contacts

Chris Halling

+44 (0)7580 041073

chris.halling@catalent.com

Richard Kerns

+44 (0) 161 728 5880

richard@nepr.agency

Categories
Local News

NJMVC reopens in stages with limited in-person transactions

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) announced earlier this month that its reopening will occur in

The NJMVC building in Trenton, N.J.
— Provided photo

stages, limiting in-person transactions, and encouraging customers to use NJMVC.com more often.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the MVC had forced extended closures of its agencies and inspection stations, with the possibility of reopening dates kept getting postponed.

Now, the phased re-openings, which began Monday, include drop-off and pick-up transactions at designated Licensing and also Vehicle Centers that are processing and validating driving permits from driving and high schools; also processing license plates, registrations and title work from dealers.

“With the phased reopening of the Motor Vehicle Commission, we’re passing another important milestone on the road back,” said N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy.

“The MVC is implementing smart, innovative plans to safely deliver motor vehicle services to New Jerseyans as we continue to fight against COVID-19,” he said.

These reopening of the MVC services will proceed in a way that safeguards public health and safety, bringing many changes and improved efficiencies to the Commission operations.

Going forward, around June 29, the MVC will also possibly allow road tests, issue new licenses and permits, and maybe also conduct out-of-state transactions such as transfers and private sales registrations, also on a limited basis to avoid overcrowding.

“The old MVC crowded a lot of people into a lot of small spaces. We can’t operate like that in a COVID-19 world,” said Chief Administrator Sue Fulton.

“Our reopening plan re-imagines MVC workflows, with streamlined processes to clear the backlog and ensure that you spend as little time as possible at MVC,” she said.

The MVC also requires all customers and employees to wear a face masks at its facilities, and if they cannot do so, there will be other arrangements for their transactions.

“We have more innovations coming to speed our service, while keeping our customers and employees safe,” Fulton stated. “We look forward to sharing further plans as they are finalized.”

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Categories
Local News

In response to C19, virtual gala honors P’ton leaders, ‘Open Space is Open’

During the height of the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic in Princeton, N.J., D&R Greenway hosted their

From L-R: John Rassweiler and Phyllis Marchand – virtual honorees at D&R Greenway spring gala 2020.

annual awards gala virtually, earlier this month.

The local land trust organization quickly responded to the COVID-19 global health crisis by emphasizing that its central New Jersey 21,000 acres of preserved “Open Space is Open” for public enjoyment.

Earlier this spring, the nonprofit, D&R Greenway land trust organization announced its transition of their traditional spring fundraiser from an in-person event to a “Virtual Gala” celebrating “Open Space is Open,” and honoring community leaders such as former Princeton Mayor Phyllis Marchand and Business Leader John Rassweiler.

“While it is not safe to gather together physically, we can gather electronically to celebrate two great pillars of the Princeton community who have contributed mightily to preserving land: former Princeton Mayor Phyllis Marchand and John Rassweiler, who served longer than anyone on the D&R Greenway Land Trust’s board,” said D&R Greenway President & CEO Linda Mead.

D&R Greenway held their “Virtual Gala” and a participatory after-party utilizing Princeton TV and Zoom to show pre-recorded videos featuring the land preservation accomplishments of Marchand and Rassweiler, and the co-winners of the Donald B. Jones Conservation Award.

Virtual party goers who supported the Gala connected with honorees via Zoom, while they acknowledged the event sponsors in the film credits.

In acknowledgment of her award, Marchand commented, “I care about D&R Greenway because I care about the legacy I will leave to my grandchildren and to all future generations…take care of each other, take care of our planet and enjoy ‘Land for Life!’”

St. Michael’s Preserves of D&R Greenway Land Trust.

The other virtual honoree and over two-decades member of D&R Greenway Rassweiler said that, “D&R Greenway is one of my lead charities because its objectives have been consistent and are ones I strongly support. Its organization and execution always have been at a high professional level.”

The event also honored the family and friends of the late Michael “Iron Mike” Snyder with a community service award and also built a new trail for him off Rosedale Road.

D&R Greenway’s “Our Open Space is Open” messages have gotten attention both locally and nationally as people today realize more than ever the benefits of preserved lands and how a daily dose of walking is to their good health and well-being.

Categories
Entertainment News

‘Duppet’ comedy contends depression, which COVID-19 makes more real

The Coronavirus Pandemic and its infectious deadly disease – COVID-19 have affected many aspects of everyday life like health, careers and the global economy.

For Comedian John Poveromo of New Jersey, this is very real. Poveromo would rather be headlining in his show, Duppet, around the country now, but instead he is in self-isolation like the rest of us.

In the meantime, he has turned to social media, and has his relatable, real-life-experiences comedy, Duppet streaming on Amazon Prime.

The short, Duppet, is “derived from Poveromo’s own struggles with depression,” states his bio.

It is “a comedic short film dealing with issues of depression and anxiety, which manifest themselves in the form of a puppet named Duppet,” the bio. info. states.

Even though Poveromo and others can relate to these mental health struggles in Duppet, he does not limit himself to just on-stage performances. He is also a comic book writer and artist, with his published artworks called, Drawings from a Nobody.

However, in early March, shortly before the Coronavirus Pandemic lockdown, Poveromo had a stand-up act that was scheduled at Curlies in Rochester, N.H., where he is a regular.

“I love going back there,” said Poveromo. “I get to hang out for the weekend, see a lot of regulars and a lot of new faces…It’s really just a great feeling…”

Poveromo first got interested in comedy when he was a child, drawn in by the relatability of the adult comics he saw on screen, and encouraged by the world of Jim Hensen, which would later be proven an inspiration for him.

“When I was a kid, comedians were adults who didn’t take the world so seriously,” said Poveromo. “So, it’s a weird way to see things because growing up, you’re surrounded by your parents, your teachers, people who come from a place of authority and then you see a comic and they’re older and they’re breaking away all the bulls***.”

And learning from those he admires, Poveromo has his own list of admirers who love his comedy.

“John Poveromo’s cutting edge, quick-witted sarcasm is hysterical and it’s fun to watch his playfulness with the audience as he drives home specific points with his spot-on punchlines. In a world full of bland, he is a refreshing shot of young vibrant adrenaline that goes straight to your funny bone! This kid’s got the goods!!” states Joey Kola of the Rosie O’Donnell Show, Rachael Ray, and Kevin Can Wait.

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Local News

COVID-19 crisis pre-cautions force closure extensions for NJMVC agencies, Inspection Stations

Several New Jersey residents have been waiting to service their vehicles at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) since mid-March, but to no avail.

While most of the in-person services have been suspended due the COVID-19 Pandemic, many online ones such as vehicle registration renewal and address changes, are still accessible.

However, there is hope that in about 10 days from today, on May 11, the agencies, road testing, and inspections facilities will re-open to the general public.

“The closures are part of the Murphy Administration’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” announced NJMVC Chief Administrator Sue Fulton, last week.

In addition to expanding online services, the Commission is continuing other essential operations, including measures to support commercial trucking to keep the supply chain moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drivers can process most renewals of driver licenses, non-driver IDs, registrations; customers’ changes of address, and paying fees online at www.NJMVC.gov. For the first time, this includes processing/renewing some commercial registrations.

Those who have suspended licenses can seek to get them restored, if eligible, using email instead of phone or in-person interactions with email address suspension.info@mvc.nj.gov.

“As Gov. Murphy reminds us, public gatherings represent a threat to all of us, as New Jersey works to flatten the curve in this global pandemic,” Fulton said.

“The volume of customers that typically visit our agencies would risk the health of our customers and employees alike. We will continue to strive to make as many services available online as possible.”

Fulton has adjusted the extensions for the NJMVC services twice before, starting March 16

Customers should check www.NJMVC.gov for the latest information and updates.

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Local News

Housing moratorium in effect amid COVID-19 cases in N.J.

Earlier this month, New Jersey Gov. Murphy enacted a moratorium on removals of individuals who would suffer evictions

N.J. Gov. Murphy implements housing moratorium to help the less fortunate avoid evictions.
— Provided photo

or foreclosures in the State.

This was part of the Gov’s continued efforts to help contain the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and to protect residents who experience immediate financial needs, and thus he took action by signing A-3859 into law.

This current A-3859 law “explicitly provides authority to the Gov. to issue an executive order declaring a moratorium on removing individuals from their homes pursuant to an eviction or foreclosure proceeding,” states an official State of N.J. press release.

Next, the Gov. signed Exec. Order No. 106, which imposes the moratorium.

“The move will ensure that no renter or homeowner is removed from their residence while this Order is in effect,” the press release states.

Similarly, a day prior to N.J. Gov’s moratorium, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac announced that they have suspended all foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days.

“This outbreak affects all of us and we are all in this together,” said Gov. Murphy. “The steps I am outlining…will help those who are suffering financial harm through no fault of their own continue to stay afloat as we work our way through this. They will also bolster public health by ensuring that residents facing eviction or foreclosure can stay in their homes, protecting them against increased risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.”

N.J. Gov. Murphy stands with men who wear protective face masks to prevent the risk of infecting others with the deadly coronavirus.
— Provided photo

The Administrative Office of the Courts and Assembly members Angela McKnight, Holly Schepisi, and Benjie Wimberly; and Senators Joseph Cryan and Nellie Pou sponsored the Assembly Bill No. 3859.

“I applaud the Gov’s swift action in signing this bill into law in the midst of the expanding coronavirus crisis,” said Sen. Joseph Cryan.

“This is a public health emergency that confronts all of us with challenges, especially those who live paycheck to paycheck to support themselves and their families. It would be cruel to allow people to be forced out of their homes due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, such as the pandemic. This is a time to care for our neighbors and fellow citizens,” he said.