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Operation HOPE Lands in Alabama to Help Boost Financial Literacy and Empower Communities Across the State

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“UPLIFT” and the “American Aspiration Tour” Aim to Improve Economic Mobility in Birmingham and Montgomery

ATLANTA, Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Operation HOPE is proud to announce the arrival of The American Aspiration Tour (AAT) and UPLIFT, multi-city initiatives aimed at transforming financial literacy across the nation. Spearheaded by John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, the events seek to empower individuals and communities through actionable financial education, equipping underserved communities with the tools and knowledge to enhance economic mobility and close the wealth gap.

The events in Birmingham and Montgomery will take place on October 3, 2024. Each is open to the public at no cost. To register, click HERE.

“Our goal with The American Aspiration Tour and UPLIFT is to bridge the financial literacy gap, one city at a time. By creating opportunities for meaningful discussions, we aim to not only inspire change but equip communities with the skills they need to build brighter financial futures,” said John Hope Bryant. “We’re addressing the root causes of economic inequality by empowering individuals with the tools to succeed in today’s economy.”

Alabama’s financial literacy challenge is clear. According to HOPE’s Community Credit Index (CCI), the average credit score in the state is 692—one of the lowest in the nation. UPLIFT and AAT aim to tackle overarching issues head-on.  By providing residents with the knowledge and tools to better manage credit, save, and invest, Operation HOPE aims to build a more financially resilient community. Other HOPE CCI data reveals the positive impact of HOPE’s local programs, including:

Birmingham:

Average beginning credit score for clients – 587Average increase in credit score for clients – +44 pointsMedian reduction of client debt – –$1,064Median increase in client savings – +$915

Montgomery:

Average beginning credit score for clients – 583Average increase in credit score for clients – +36 ptsMedian reduction of client debt – $496Median increase in client savings – +$1000

In addition to Alabama, the tours will make stops in other states including Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, among others. Each will feature thought-provoking conversations with local leaders about financial empowerment, economic justice, and the role of financial literacy in building a more equitable society. AAT events will also spotlight Financial Literacy for All, the best-selling book by Mr. Bryant, which explores critical solutions for creating widespread economic prosperity.

“Operation HOPE is exactly the kind of forward-thinking partner our community needs,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham. “Financial literacy is the foundation of economic success, and I am excited that Birmingham is part of this impactful movement.”

“Money won’t solve everything, but I believe increasing financial literacy can go a long way in improving outcomes for our citizens,” said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.  “We want to improve the financial health of families and individuals in a manner that leads to long-term economic success. Our partnership with Operation HOPE is key to achieving this goal.”

With financial inclusion at its core, Operation HOPE is determined to ensure that every event participant leaves inspired, with a deeper understanding of budgeting, investing, homeownership, and credit management— all of which are key pillars to building generation wealth.

About the American Aspiration Tour
The American Aspiration Tour (AAT) is a multi-city event designed to increase financial literacy across the United States. This tour, led by Operation HOPE, will empower individuals and communities through financial education, with the ultimate goal of enhancing economic mobility and closing the wealth gap. AAT includes a series of meaningful conversations with leaders across the nation. It will also serve as a platform to highlight “Financial Literacy for All,” the latest book by Operation HOPE founder, John Hope Bryant. Visit https://operationhope.org/american-aspiration-tour/ for more info.

About HOPE UPLIFT
UPLIFT, an acronym for ‘Understanding, Promoting, and Leveraging Financial Tools,’ embodies Operation HOPE’s commitment to equipping individuals and communities with the knowledge and resources needed to achieve financial well-being. Through a series of engaging events hosted by HOPE and other dedicated local partners, such as the US Small Business Administration, UPLIFT aims to introduce and educate communities about its ongoing programs nationwide.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Since 1992, Operation HOPE has tirelessly pursued its mission of advancing economic empowerment and opportunity across America. Through innovative programs like HOPE Inside, recognized by American Banker magazine, the organization has impacted over 4 million individuals and facilitated nearly $4 billion in economic activity in underserved communities. Its initiatives have transformed lives by transitioning check-cashing customers to banking, renters to homeowners, and minimum wage workers to living wage earners. Recently honored with Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award and maintaining a top 4-star charity rating from Charity Navigator, Operation HOPE remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and driving entrepreneurship. Join the organization in leveling the economic playing field through The 1865 Project. Learn more at OperationHOPE.org and join the conversation on social media at @operationHOPE.

Contacts:
Kevin Boucher, for AAT
kevin.boucher@operationhope.org

Lance Triggs, for HOPE UPLIFT
lance.triggs@operationhope.org

Lalohni Campbell, Operation HOPE
LA@persemediagroup.com
(404) 593-7145

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/operation-hope-lands-in-alabama-to-help-boost-financial-literacy-and-empower-communities-across-the-state-302266170.html

SOURCE Operation HOPE, Inc.

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As 2025 IRS Mileage Rate Hits 70 Cents, Expert Warns: Ditch Risky Apps for Secure Paper Tracking

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Gig economy expert Ed Ryder warns against the risks of mileage tracking apps, and advocates using paper-based tracking methods instead. He introduces The Big Mileage Form, a secure alternative developed over two years to meet the specific needs of food delivery gig workers. Ryder highlights recent tech failures, like the July 2024 global IT outage, to underscore the vulnerabilities of digital solutions. The press release also mentions Ryder’s significant mileage deduction using his form and directs readers to GigCoach.net for additional resources, including a consumer tutorial to drive better food delivery outcomes and a gig coach training program.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As the IRS announces a standard mileage rate of 70 cents per mile for 2025, gig economy expert Ed Ryder, who has completed over 10,000 deliveries with his own car using major food delivery platforms, urges fellow gig workers to reconsider their mileage tracking methods. While acknowledging the convenience of digital solutions, Ryder advocates for a return to secure, paper-based tracking to protect valuable mileage deductions.

With the mileage rate at 70 cents, accurate tracking is crucial for gig workers and small business owners. Mileage apps seem convenient, but they risk data loss from outages, glitches, and cyber attacks. Many overlook these significant dangers.

“With the mileage rate increasing to 70 cents, accurate tracking is more crucial than ever for gig workers and small business owners,” says Ryder, creator of The Big Mileage Form. “While mileage tracking apps seem convenient, they come with significant risks that many overlook. Network outages, app glitches, and cyber attacks can jeopardize months of data.”

Ryder points to the July 2024 global IT outage as a prime example of technology’s vulnerabilities. “A faulty software update caused mass airline disruptions and impacted other industries, catching major corporations off guard. This incident highlights that even in our digital age, software isn’t infallible. For me, I simply won’t trust mileage tracking apps with my most important tax deduction.”

To address these concerns, Ryder developed a comprehensive, paper-based solution. “I spent two years perfecting The Big Mileage Form, tailoring it to the specific needs of food delivery gig workers,” he explains. “At 11×17 inches, it provides ample space for detailed record-keeping and, crucially, it’s immune to software glitches, data breaches, and ransomware attacks.”

Ryder’s meticulous paper-based record-keeping resulted in a mileage deduction exceeding $19,000 on his 2023 federal taxes. “All my business-related miles are thoroughly documented on paper. I’m fully prepared to defend this deduction in case of an audit. This level of confidence is what I aim to provide other gig workers.”

“In today’s digital age, sometimes the most secure solution is the simplest one,” Ryder concludes. “My form not only ensures data security but also prepares users for potential IRS audits. It’s time to reconsider the old-fashioned, but reliable pen-and-paper method.”

For those interested in learning more about effective mileage tracking and other aspects of gig work, Ryder offers valuable resources on GigCoach.net. These include a tutorial for consumers titled ‘Fair Deal Delivery,’ which provides insights on how to improve food delivery outcomes. Additionally, experienced food delivery couriers can explore Ryder’s gig coach training program. Visit GigCoach.net to access these resources and learn more about The Big Mileage Form.

Media Contact

Ed Ryder, Match Experiment LLC, 1 484-493-8740, hello@ideamaned.com, gigcoach.net

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/as-2025-irs-mileage-rate-hits-70-cents-expert-warns-ditch-risky-apps-for-secure-paper-tracking-302337779.html

SOURCE Gig economy expert Ed Ryder

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DATA BREACH ALERT: Edelson Lechtzin LLP Is Investigating Claims On Behalf Of Ascension Health Customers Whose Data May Have Been Compromised

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NEWTOWN, Pa., Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The law firm of Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating claims regarding data privacy violations by Ascension Health (“Ascension”). Ascension learned of suspicious activity on or about May 8, 2024. To join this case, go HERE.

About Ascension Health

Ascension is a prominent non-profit health system in the nation and operates under Catholic principles.

What happened?

On or about May 8, 2024, Ascension detected unauthorized activity in its computer systems. Ascension initiated an investigation, which included retaining consulting cybersecurity experts and notifying the FBI. The investigation determined that between May 7 and 8, 2024, a cybercriminal accessed files containing personal information about Ascension’s patients and employees. This information included names, medical records, payment details, insurance information, government identification numbers, and other personal data such as dates of birth and addresses. Approximately 6 million individuals have been affected by this data breach.

How can I protect my personal data?

If you receive a data breach notification, you must guard against possible misuse of your personal information, including identity theft and fraud, by regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for suspicious or unauthorized activity. Additionally, you should consider legal options for mitigating such risks.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a class action lawsuit to seek legal remedies for customers whose sensitive personal and patient data may have been compromised by the Ascension data breach.

For more information, please contact:

Marc H. Edelson, Esq.
EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP
411 S. State Street, Suite N-300
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone: 844-696-7492
Email: medelson@edelson-law.com
Web:  www.edelson-law.com 

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP
Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to cases involving data breaches, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases alleging securities and investment fraud, violations of the federal antitrust laws, employee benefit plans under ERISA, wage theft and unpaid overtime, consumer fraud, and catastrophic injuries.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions. No class has been certified in this case, so counsel does not represent you unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing now. Your ability to share in any potential future recovery does not depend on serving as lead plaintiff.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/data-breach-alert-edelson-lechtzin-llp-is-investigating-claims-on-behalf-of-ascension-health-customers-whose-data-may-have-been-compromised-302337976.html

SOURCE Edelson Lechtzin LLP

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Earth’s pulse monitored: a review highlights remote sensing time series progress

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As urbanization accelerates and environmental dynamics shift, the need for accurate and timely terrestrial monitoring has never been more urgent. A review has introduced a novel approach to remote sensing time series analysis, integrating multi-source data to enable near real-time monitoring. This innovative methodology promises to transform environmental conservation and urban planning by providing unprecedented insights into terrestrial changes and offering a more precise understanding of environmental dynamics.

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — An international team of researchers from South China Normal University, the University of Connecticut, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made a significant breakthrough in remote sensing. Their review, published (DOI: 10.34133/remotesensing.0285) in the Journal of Remote Sensing on December 11, 2024, addresses key challenges in remote sensing, such as incomplete data and noise interference. The team’s new time series analysis technique leverages advanced data reconstruction and fusion methods, significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of remote sensing for monitoring environmental changes.

The research team has developed an advanced time series analysis technique that combines deep learning algorithms with traditional remote sensing methods to integrate data from various remote sensing sources. This innovative approach allows for the extraction of subtle patterns from large, complex datasets, which is crucial for monitoring critical environmental parameters such as land use and vegetation health. Unlike conventional techniques that struggle with incomplete or noisy data, this new methodology offers enhanced accuracy and more reliable insights into terrestrial dynamics, paving the way for more effective environmental monitoring.

Central to the study’s success is the integration of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to address the challenges posed by missing or noisy data. The LSTM networks capture temporal trends over time, while the GANs generate synthetic data that mimics real-world observations to fill gaps and correct for atmospheric distortions. This dual approach has resulted in a cleaner, more accurate time series dataset, which was validated against independent ground truth measurements. The researchers demonstrated significant improvements in key vegetation indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), setting a new benchmark in the field of remote sensing.

Experts in the field have lauded the study’s potential to revolutionize remote sensing applications. They see the method as a transformative tool for enhancing high-resolution monitoring and extending its coverage, particularly in agricultural surveillance, urban planning, and environmental management. “This method represents a crucial advancement in our ability to monitor environmental changes,” says Professor Fu. “As it evolves, it could play a key role in addressing climate change and other global challenges.”

The methodology’s future applications are vast, especially in global environmental monitoring and supporting sustainable development goals. By integrating multi-temporal data from Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellites, the team has created a framework for accurate and continuous terrestrial analysis. As computational power advances and algorithms improve, this technology is expected to become a vital tool for natural resource management, disaster response, and climate change mitigation. In the years to come, it could provide critical data to help policymakers address pressing environmental issues on a global scale.

References

DOI

10.34133/remotesensing.0285

Oiginal Source URL

https://doi.org/10.34133/remotesensing.0285

Funding information

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 42425001 and 42071399).

About Journal of Remote Sensing

The Journal of Remote Sensing, an online-only Open Access journal published in association with AIR-CAS, promotes the theory, science, and technology of remote sensing, as well as interdisciplinary research within earth and information science.

Media Contact

George Hua, Chuanlink Innovations, 1 8656606278, TranSpread1@gmail.com, http://chuanlink-innovations.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/earths-pulse-monitored-a-review-highlights-remote-sensing-time-series-progress-302337250.html

SOURCE Journal of Remote Sensing

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