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Pennsylvania overhauled its sentencing guidelines to be more fair and consistent − but racial disparities may not disappear so soon

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Pennsylvania’s new sentencing guidelines went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Pennsylvania’s new sentencing guidelines went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
  • They mark the eighth iteration since the state first introduced such guidelines in 1982 and are perhaps the most comprehensive revision to date.
  • Since Philadelphia has by far the largest share of incarcerated people in the state, the new sentencing guidelines affect many Philadelphia residents.

How do judges determine a person’s sentence?

  • This means that judges are required to consider what the state guidelines suggest a criminal sentence should be, but they are not required to comply with the guidelines.
  • That’s different from other states such as Minnesota and Oregon that have mandatory sentencing guidelines.
  • In Pennsylvania, judges primarily consider what crime the person is charged with along with their prior record or criminal history.

What’s new in the 2024 sentencing guidelines?

  • Probably the most significant change is re-weighting the two categories in the matrix — offense severity and criminal history.
  • These categories are officially known as the Offense Gravity Score and the Prior Record Score.
  • Lapsing policies, for example, have been expanded to reduce the impact of criminal history on sentencing for less serious offenders.

What’s the goal of the new guidelines?

  • The guidelines themselves were created by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing with the the goal of promoting fair and uniform decisions on the severity of people’s punishment.
  • These commission members provide direction and oversight and are unique from commission staff, who collect, analyze and monitor the sentencing data for the state.

What’s been the reaction so far?

  • The new guidelines mirror the federal sentencing guidelines in that there are many offense gravity categories.
  • One critique I’ve heard is that the Offense Gravity Score now has too many categories and adjustments, and that this might complicate things such as plea negotiations.
  • Having more Offense Gravity Score categories could lead to more complicated and slower plea negotiations.

Will the guidelines reduce racial disparities in Pa.’s criminal justice system?

  • For example, a December 2023 analysis by the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit global policy think tank, looked at racial disparities within the criminal justice system in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh and is Pennsylvania’s second-most populated county after Philadelphia.
  • It found that significant racial disparities exist at each of the key stages of people’s encounter with the criminal justice system, from having charges filed against them to having their parole revoked.
  • Courts to some degree inherit disparities from police and prosecutor decision making, though the new guidelines may help to reduce them at later stages, such as sentencing.
  • Racial and ethnic disparities in sentencing are widespread in the U.S. and are almost never entirely explained by legally relevant factors such as type of crime committed or criminal history.


C. Clare Strange receives funding from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

Amarin Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

DUBLIN, Ireland and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN), today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 and provided an update on the Company’s operations.

Key Points: 
  • Net product revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was $70.6 million, compared to $89.5 million in the corresponding period of 2022, a decrease of 21%.
  • USA net product revenue was $64.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $88.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022.
  • Cost of goods sold for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was $29.6 million, compared to $26.6 million in the corresponding period of 2022.
  • As of December 31, 2023, Amarin reported aggregate cash and investments of $321 million.

CPE Alert: Monsey Firm of Wohl & Fruchter Renews Investigation of Proposed Merger of Callon Petroleum Company and APA Corp.

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024

MONSEY, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Wohl & Fruchter LLP has renewed its investigation of the proposed merger of Callon Petroleum Company (NYSE: CPE) (“Callon”) with APA Corp. (“APA”) in an all-stock transaction that values Callon at approximately $38.31/share, which is below the price target of virtually all Wall Street analysts for Callon stock prior to announcement of the merger.

Key Points: 
  • MONSEY, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Wohl & Fruchter LLP has renewed its investigation of the proposed merger of Callon Petroleum Company (NYSE: CPE) (“Callon”) with APA Corp. (“APA”) in an all-stock transaction that values Callon at approximately $38.31/share, which is below the price target of virtually all Wall Street analysts for Callon stock prior to announcement of the merger.
  • The investigation of the proposed merger was renewed upon the filing of a proxy by Callon on February 16, 2024.
  • The exchange values Callon at approximately $38.31 per share based on APA’s closing price on January 3, 2024.
  • “We are investigating whether the Proxy fully discloses all material facts concerning the proposed merger.” explained Joshua Fruchter, a founding partner of Wohl & Fruchter.

Blackstone Completes Acquisition of Rover

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024

SEATTLE, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rover Group, Inc. (“Rover” or the “Company”), the world’s largest online marketplace for pet care, today announced the completion of its acquisition by private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone (“Blackstone”) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion.

Key Points: 
  • SEATTLE, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rover Group, Inc. (“Rover” or the “Company”), the world’s largest online marketplace for pet care, today announced the completion of its acquisition by private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone (“Blackstone”) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion.
  • The transaction was previously announced on November 29, 2023 and was approved by Rover stockholders at Rover’s special meeting of stockholders held on February 22, 2024.
  • With the completion of the acquisition, Rover stockholders are entitled to receive $11.00 in cash for each share of Rover common stock they owned immediately prior to the closing.
  • Evercore acted as lead financial advisor and Moelis & Company LLC also acted as a financial advisor to Blackstone, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Blackstone.

Steeped Coffee Announces Investment Opportunity Open to the General Public

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Steeped Coffee, the Certified B Corp revolutionizing coffee with its sustainable, single-serve brewing method, partners with Republic for a public investment opportunity .

Key Points: 
  • SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Steeped Coffee, the Certified B Corp revolutionizing coffee with its sustainable, single-serve brewing method, partners with Republic for a public investment opportunity .
  • Steeped merges ultra-premium taste and sustainability, offering a convenient, machine-free brewing experience with its award-winning Steeped™ Brew Bags.
  • With a double bottom line prioritizing people over profits, Steeped embodies the principles of a Certified B Corp and Public Benefit Corporation.
  • You are invited to learn more about Steeped Coffee's investment opportunity and how you can be a part of its growth story.

Impact Podcast with John Shegerian Announces March’s All-Star Guest Lineup of Sustainability Innovators

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

Impact Podcast with John Shegerian has announced its roster of guests for March, featuring a who’s who of circularity, ESG, sustainability and corporate responsibility all-stars from many of the world’s leading brands.

Key Points: 
  • Impact Podcast with John Shegerian has announced its roster of guests for March, featuring a who’s who of circularity, ESG, sustainability and corporate responsibility all-stars from many of the world’s leading brands.
  • The Webby Award honored show is hosted by John Shegerian, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of ERI , the nation’s leading fully integrated IT and electronics asset disposition provider and cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company.
  • Impact Podcast guests are invited to share with listeners first-hand accounts of how they are able to help make the world a better place on a daily basis.
  • “Our Impact Podcast roster of experts features leaders who work every day to help make our world a better place.

Meati Foods Announces Appointment of Phil Graves as CEO in Continued Drive for Profitability and Streamlined Operations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Meati Foods , a Public Benefit Corporation and creator of the revolutionary protein MushroomRoot™, today announces the appointment of Phil Graves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Member.

Key Points: 
  • Meati Foods , a Public Benefit Corporation and creator of the revolutionary protein MushroomRoot™, today announces the appointment of Phil Graves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Member.
  • Graves brings a distinguished track record of successfully scaling mission-driven organizations, including Patagonia, Wild Idea Buffalo, and Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s.
  • With decades of expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and operational optimization, Graves is known for his passion and skill for driving profitable growth.
  • Along with this change, Meati Foods will continue the work to right size its workforce and accelerate the company’s path to profitability.

10 Million Individuals in Emerging Markets Have Entered the Financial System Through PayJoy

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- PayJoy, the leading lender to the underserved in emerging markets, today announces it has helped 10 million customers enter the modern financial system, build credit, achieve economic freedom, and access digital connectivity since launching in 2015. PayJoy reaches this milestone less than a year after becoming a Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to responsible financing, with a sharp focus on ensuring a positive impact on its customers' financial well-being.

Key Points: 
  • "Every day, people around the world look to PayJoy as their entry point to credit.
  • Customers know they can expect absolute transparency from us with clear terms, competitive pricing, and no debt traps," said Doug Ricket, Founder & CEO at PayJoy.
  • "Our proprietary smartphone technology and machine-learning based underwriting has given 10 million people access to affordable credit.
  • Additionally, PayJoy audits its pricing annually to ensure lower prices and better terms than competitors, while generating enough profit to grow sustainably.

Revolution Foods Delivers Free Home Meals to L.A. Seniors in Need

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

COMMERCE, Calif., March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Revolution Foods, one of California's largest providers of healthy meals to schools and communities in need, has partnered with the City of Los Angeles to deliver meals to homebound seniors facing food insecurity and mobility challenges. Seniors 60 and over living in Los Angeles can sign up to receive five free healthy meals per week delivered to their homes at www.revolutionfoods.com/signup.

Key Points: 
  • Seniors 60 and over living in Los Angeles can sign up to receive five free healthy meals per week delivered to their homes at www.revolutionfoods.com/signup .
  • With more than 1,000 seniors participating in the L.A. program, Revolution Foods, a Public Benefit Corporation, now provides more than 16,000 meals per week to California seniors.
  • "This partnership with the City of L.A. is a significant step toward ensuring that homebound seniors do not go hungry," said Dominic Engels, CEO of Revolution Foods.
  • Revolution Food prepares healthy, low-sodium meals in its kitchens, then freezes the food for delivery once a week so seniors can reheat meals at their convenience.

Hess Announces First Plush School Bus

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024

NEW YORK, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hess today announced a new addition to its Hess Toy Truck collection -- the fifth in its plush toy series designed especially for its youngest fans.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hess today announced a new addition to its Hess Toy Truck collection -- the fifth in its plush toy series designed especially for its youngest fans.
  • My Plush Hess Truck: 2024 School Bus is now on sale exclusively at HessToyTruck.com for $35.99 with free standard shipping and Energizer® batteries included.
  • The 2024 commemorative license plate and accompanying personalizable keepsake School Bus Driver's License tag follows the Hess Toy Truck collectability tradition.
  • The My Plush Hess Truck series, offered exclusively online at HessToyTruck.com , is part of the bestselling Hess Toy Truck collection, a treasured holiday toy tradition celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year.