IDAHO

Growing secrecy limits government accountability

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

By the 1990s, the clipboards were moved out of the lobby, so we asked at the counter to see them.

Key Points: 
  • By the 1990s, the clipboards were moved out of the lobby, so we asked at the counter to see them.
  • For decades, journalists and civic activists have lamented the increasing secrecy of government – the times, they were denied government information, particularly from public records requests.
  • Reports have shown secrecy getting worse at the federal, state and local government levels.

Openness benefits people and society

  • And there are clear benefits: Open records are proven to lead to less sex-offender recidivism, fewer food service complaints, increased trust in government institutions and reduced corruption.
  • Stanford University professor James Hamilton calculated that for every dollar spent by newspapers on public records-based journalism, society realizes benefits worth US$287 in lower taxes and saved lives.

Less transparency year after year

  • Today, you might get it about 12% of the time, and the trend is steadily downward.
  • Every year in mid-March, since 2005, national Sunshine Week has promoted the right of people to acquire public records and attend public meetings.
  • Our research indicates that U.S. government secrecy has never been so prevalent.
  • President Donald Trump’s administration was more secretive than Obama’s, and transparency continues to slide under the Biden administration.

Data tells a piece of the story


According to annual data collected by the U.S. Department of Justice, federal agencies have become more secretive over the past decade:
The prevalence of people getting what they asked for through FOIA requests declined from 38% of the time in 2010 to 17% in 2022.
In 2010, about 13% of the time, federal agencies would reply to FOIA requests by saying they couldn’t find records pertaining to the request. By 2022, the rate of that type of response had increased to 21%, which officials often attributed to outdated record management systems incapable of keeping up with the massive amounts of electronic records, particularly emails.
Backlogs, where requests languish beyond the 20-day legal requirement for completion, have nearly doubled since 2010, from 12% of total requests to 22%. The average number of days it takes to process simple requests, which require little staff time and a smaller volume of records, has doubled since 2014, from 21 days to 41 days, according to Justice Department reports.

  • That includes denying people’s requests about properly withheld intelligence information.
  • But it also includes refusing to release information on topics of great public interest, such as defective consumer products and employment discrimination cases.
  • And some agencies’ public information officers obstruct public access to information.
  • They limit access to the people and documents most important for government transparency and accountability.

Research-based solutions

  • Independent oversight offices with enforcement power, such as in Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania and more than 80 nations, provide private citizens an alternative to litigation.
  • Our preliminary assessment indicates that there is a lot of work left to do, and that Congress and government agencies have ignored many of the recommendations.
  • He is currently director of the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project, a nonpartisan organization at the University of Florida dedicated to research and education in freedom of information since 1977.
  • The Brechner FOI Project coordinates Sunshine Week to educate the public about their right to know.

Micron Appoints Robert Swan to its Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

BOISE, Idaho, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, today announced the appointment of Robert (Bob) Swan to its board of directors.

Key Points: 
  • BOISE, Idaho, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, today announced the appointment of Robert (Bob) Swan to its board of directors.
  • Prior to joining Intel, as CFO of eBay, Swan played a significant role in driving the company’s global expansion strategy.
  • “We are thrilled to welcome Bob to our board and look forward to his contributions to our strategic direction and long-term success.”
    In addition to his new position at Micron, Swan is on the boards of several organizations, including the board of directors for Nike, Inc., Flexport and the board of commissioners of GoTo Group.
  • He previously served on the board of directors for eBay, Applied Materials, Intel and Skype.

Thumzup Welcomes Hope and Sesame® Sesamemilk to AdTech Platform as Brand Launches in Costco Warehouse Stores Across Pacific Northwest

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

Los Angeles, CA, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thumzup® Media Corporation ("Thumzup" or the "Company") (OTCQB: TZUP) is excited to announce its latest partnership with the Planting Hope Company’s Hope and Sesame® Barista Blend Sesamemilk on its proprietary social media AdTech platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Thumzup as it broadens its reach beyond Los Angeles, targeting an expansion into 18 new cities in 20 Costco locations across four states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

Key Points: 
  • Having garnered substantial acclaim and positive feedback from the Los Angeles community, Thumzup plans to replicate its success on a larger scale, beginning with the Northwest.
  • “We are proud to welcome Hope and Sesame® to the Thumzup family.
  • The first aspect of this strategy enables Thumzup to utilize Hope and Sesam®e’s existing placements in Costco stores across various states, aiding in broadening its market footprint.
  • Concurrently, the collaboration aims to enhance Hope and Sesame®’s brand resonance and deepen consumer connection to further amplify product sales.

PetIQ, Inc. Kicks Off Flea & Tick Season With NextStar® Campaign Introducing New Pet Parent Education and Veterinary Support Resources

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

With flea and tick season quickly approaching in early Spring, NextStar® is offering an extra measure of peace of mind beyond monthly protection with a new telehealth support line, the first of its kind for any flea and tick preventive.

Key Points: 
  • With flea and tick season quickly approaching in early Spring, NextStar® is offering an extra measure of peace of mind beyond monthly protection with a new telehealth support line, the first of its kind for any flea and tick preventive.
  • Visit the NextStar ® website to start your flea and tick prevention for dogs and cats .
  • Pet weight - small dogs 5-22 lbs, medium dogs 23 - 44 lbs, large dogs 45 - 88 lbs, and XL dogs weighing 89 - 138 lbs.
  • *The fastest-acting comparison for dog formula only, based on label claims for NextStar® flea and tick topical for dogs, and other leading dog topical brands.

CMS awards Noridian Medicare DME contract for third time

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

FARGO, N.D., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (Noridian) , a leader in developing solutions for federal, state and commercial health care programs, proudly announces the re-award of the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medicare Jurisdiction D (JD) contract.

Key Points: 
  • FARGO, N.D., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (Noridian) , a leader in developing solutions for federal, state and commercial health care programs, proudly announces the re-award of the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medicare Jurisdiction D (JD) contract.
  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently re-awarded Noridian the $152.8 million contract, concluding a full-and-open competitive procurement.
  • Territories, Noridian processes more than 13 million fee-for-service (FFS) claims for nearly 25,000 DME suppliers, resulting in $2.6 billion in payments for the JD contract.
  • For nearly two decades, Noridian has diligently served the suppliers and beneficiaries of JD,” said Noridian president and CEO Jon Bogenreif.

Micron Releases ‘What Makes Us Micron’ 2023 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Report

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

“Micron is focused on cultivating a work environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds combine to create innovative solutions to challenging technology problems,” said Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra.

Key Points: 
  • “Micron is focused on cultivating a work environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds combine to create innovative solutions to challenging technology problems,” said Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra.
  • “This impressive engagement underscores the vibrant, supportive community Micron fosters,” said Vice President and Chief Diversity Inclusion Officer Fran Dillard.
  • Micron also scored 100 on the Disability Equality Index and the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index in 2023.
  • The full Micron report, titled “What Makes Us Micron: 2023 DEI Report,” can be found at www.micron.com/dei .

NOBLIS MSD NAMES JIM BROADWATER AS VICE PRESIDENT OF ITS NAVSEA DIVISION

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Reston, Va., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noblis MSD, a Noblis subsidiary and leading provider of science, technology and engineering services to the Department of Defense, today named Jim Broadwater as vice president of its Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) division.

Key Points: 
  • Reston, Va., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noblis MSD, a Noblis subsidiary and leading provider of science, technology and engineering services to the Department of Defense, today named Jim Broadwater as vice president of its Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) division.
  • Reporting to Glenn Hickok , Noblis MSD president, Broadwater will expand the company’s NAVSEA strategy to bring additional digital engineering and breakthrough technologies to its U.S. Navy partners.
  • “Jim has deep domain knowledge and an unwavering commitment to innovation, operational excellence and fiscal responsibility,” said Hickok.
  • “Under his leadership, Noblis has delivered high-value transformational solutions and rapid prototypes that help our U.S. Navy partners advance mission readiness and competitive advantage.

Tim Lamb Group Brings Two Families Together with Sale of Foothills Lincoln Mazda in Spokane, WA

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

Foothills Lincoln Mazda, has been rebranded as Knudtsen Foothills Mazda and Knudtsen Foothills Lincoln, and is situated in the Foothills Auto Mall at 202 E. North Foothills Dr. in Spokane, WA.

Key Points: 
  • Foothills Lincoln Mazda, has been rebranded as Knudtsen Foothills Mazda and Knudtsen Foothills Lincoln, and is situated in the Foothills Auto Mall at 202 E. North Foothills Dr. in Spokane, WA.
  • Foothills Lincoln Mazda was founded in 1981 by Ray Kish, a graduate of Rutgers University and Stanford University.
  • Rick Rielly joined Ray approximately 10 years later as General Manager, and eventually purchased a majority stake in the dealership.
  • As a result, Foothills Lincoln Mazda occupies a huge footprint spanning 82,000 square feet and is situated on 6.8 acres of land.

Pennant Acquires Two Senior Living Communities in Utah

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024

EAGLE, Idaho, March 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Pennant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNTG), the parent company of the Pennant group of affiliated home health, hospice, home care and senior living companies, today announced that it has acquired the real estate and operations of Capitol Hill Senior Living, a 113 unit assisted living and memory care community located in Salt Lake City, Utah and Southgate Senior Living, a 75 unit assisted living and memory care community in St. George, Utah.

Key Points: 
  • EAGLE, Idaho, March 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Pennant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PNTG), the parent company of the Pennant group of affiliated home health, hospice, home care and senior living companies, today announced that it has acquired the real estate and operations of Capitol Hill Senior Living, a 113 unit assisted living and memory care community located in Salt Lake City, Utah and Southgate Senior Living, a 75 unit assisted living and memory care community in St. George, Utah.
  • “We are very excited to expand our senior living portfolio into Utah.
  • “We are thrilled to welcome Southgate Senior Living and Capitol Hill Senior Living to the Pinnacle family.
  • We look forward to working with the dedicated staff to enhance the quality of life and care provided to the residents of these communities,” added Andrew Rider, President of Pinnacle Senior Living LLC, Pennant’s senior living subsidiary.

PetIQ, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

EAGLE, Idaho, Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PetIQ, Inc. (“PetIQ” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PETQ), a leading pet medication, product and wellness company, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Fourth quarter 2023 gross profit was $44.0 million, an increase of 12.0%, compared to $39.3 million in the prior year period.
  • Adjusted gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $45.6 million and adjusted gross margin was 20.7%.
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) was $42.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $37.7 million in the prior year period.
  • Adjusted SG&A was $40.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $34.7 million in the prior year period.