Latest news with #Southeast
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. Celebrates Its Successful Initial Public Offering with the Ringing of The Closing Bell® at The New York Stock Exchange
~Executive Management Team to Attend Closing Bell Ceremony on June 20, 2025~ TAMPA, Fla., June 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE: AII) (the "Company", or "American Integrity") a Tampa-based property and casualty insurance holding company, today announced that the Company will ring The Closing Bell® on the New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') to commemorate its recent initial public offering. Bob Ritchie, Founder and CEO of American Integrity, commented, "We achieved a major milestone in May having successfully listed our shares on the New York Stock Exchange, a moment that marked not just financial achievement, but validation of our culture which has been built on integrity, resilience, and purpose—and deeply rooted in inclusivity. This is the foundation from which we have built our Company and grown into one of Florida's most respected residential property insurers." Join us at 4:00pm EDT on June 20, 2025, and watch the Company's executive management team on the podium for The Closing Bell® live here at The Bell | NYSE. About American Integrity Insurance Group American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE: AII) is a Florida-based residential property insurer committed to delivering sustainable protection with unmatched customer service. Founded in 2006, the company serves hundreds of thousands of policyholders across the state and is expanding strategically throughout the Southeast. Built on a foundation of values, American Integrity has earned its reputation as a resilient market leader focused on long-term trust, not short-term trends. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact:Toni Logantlogan@ 813-512-6672
![[UPDATED] Anwar: Malaysia-US tariff talks progressing well](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHQ170625AZ017_1750298366.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Anwar: Malaysia-US tariff talks progressing well](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Anwar: Malaysia-US tariff talks progressing well
KUALA LUMPUR: Discussions with the United States (US) on reciprocal tariffs, ahead of the expiry of its temporary exemption on July 8, are progressing well, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said he was informed of the update from the meeting by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Anwar said that during the meeting, Malaysia emphasised not only the need to secure a fair outcome for itself, but also the importance of consistently presenting Asean's position. "This morning, I received a message from the ministers (Tengku Zafrul and Amir Hamzah) that the meeting with the US Secretary of Commerce and state representatives went very well. "We have always stressed the importance of securing what is fair for Malaysia, but also of presenting the case for Asean. "I urge my colleagues in Asean to do the same, which is to present their respective bilateral positions while also emphasising the importance of Asean remaining a cohesive and effective bloc," he said in his keynote address at the 38th Asia Pacific Roundtable. Anwar added that the imposition of unilateral tariffs poses a significant challenge to both Malaysia and the region, given their deep integration into global supply chains. Anwar said that 60 per cent of Malaysia's semiconductor and electrical and electronic (E&E) products are exported to the US. On this note, he stressed that international trade must be governed by transparent rules and legal predictability, not by unilateralism or coercive economic measures. "Disruptions in trade and supply chains will only have detrimental effects on businesses and hamper economic growth, further impacting efforts to ensure the socio-economic wellbeing of the people," he said. Anwar said Malaysia would continue to engage constructively with the United States, China, the European Union, India, and other partners in advancing its national interests. "And let there be no doubt: Malaysia's strategy of active non-alignment is a deliberate and principled framework designed to maximise strategic flexibility, preserve decision-making autonomy, and engage all partners on our own terms. "Over the past two years, Malaysia has reached out to like-minded partners in the Global South to bridge regions, build collective resolve and promote shared prosperity. "Our focus is clear, pragmatic, coordinated and action-oriented cooperation. It is in this spirit that we have revitalised our pursuit of greater inter-regional connectivity and collaboration," he said. He added that the recent reinvigoration of BRICS to include members and partner countries from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and South America represents the very essence of bridging regions. Malaysia, he said, looks forward to collaborating as a partner country and exploring new avenues for niche-area cooperation. "Contrary to reductionist perspectives on why several Southeast Asian countries are engaging with BRICS, it is neither about taking sides nor turning away from the West. "It is a manifestation of agency, autonomy, and trust in sustained cooperation to address shared challenges," he said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Watercrest Senior Living Group Achieves Eight Consecutive Years of Certification as a Great Place to Work®
VERO BEACH, Fla., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Watercrest Senior Living Group proudly announces their eight-time consecutive certification as a Great Place to Work® awarded by the Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights. The certification process involved surveying 95% of Watercrest's associates from locations across the southeastern United States. Dozens of elements of team members' experience on the job were evaluated, including the feeling of being welcomed as a new employee, the belief that their work makes a difference, and feeling their work has special meaning. Rankings are based on employees' experiences, regardless of title or position. "Achieving eight consecutive years of Great Place to Work certification exemplifies Watercrest's principles of service. By celebrating each associate and their God-given talents, together we've created a company where servant leaders collaborate to honor our elders," says Marc Vorkapich, Principal and CEO of Watercrest Senior Living Group. "At Watercrest, we believe our collective values determine the extent to which our collective vision is realized. Our associates feel valued, and their impact as integral members of the Watercrest family is recognized." Prior to hiring, Watercrest deploys a thorough behavioral based interview process to discover how candidates' values align with the Watercrest mission and vision. Watercrest associates proudly display their core value on their name badge, honoring a call to serve seniors. Last year, Watercrest launched a widespread campaign across its organization entitled 'We Are Watercrest,' spurring associates to celebrate their core values in partnership with excellence in service. With the hashtag #WeAreWatercrest, associates took to social media proudly showcasing their unique contributions to their Watercrest community. Great workplaces are defined by employees' levels of trust, pride and camaraderie, but the best workplaces are characterized by factors such as executive team effectiveness, innovation experience, complexity, and financial sustainability, all which contribute to a great workplace for associates at every level within the organization. In the 2025 survey, close to 90% of Watercrest associates responded that "their work has special meaning" and "they feel the difference they are making in the community." One associate added that Watercrest, "feels like a second family. The management is supportive and genuinely values employee input, which makes a huge difference." Another team member added, "Watercrest goes the extra mile to support associates at all levels. It's a great place to work with people who truly understand what the industry needs and wants. There is no place I would rather be." "Being named a Great Place to Work for the 8th consecutive year is a testament to the strength of our culture and the value we place on our associates. A positive workplace is an investment that delivers an exceptional experience for our team members, families and our residents," says Joan Williams, Principal and CFO of Watercrest Senior Living Group. The Watercrest Senior Living Group certification of Great Place to Work® encompasses all of the senior living communities operating under the Watercrest Senior Living umbrella, including Market Street Memory Care Residence, Pelican Landing Assisted Living and Memory Care, and LifeBUILT Architecture. About Watercrest Senior Living GroupWatercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. An eight-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit About Activated InsightsActivated Insights is the senior care affiliate of Great Place to Work, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its aging services certification program, Activated Insights helps Great Place to Work recognize outstanding workplace cultures in the aging services industry and produce the annual Fortune "Best Workplaces for Aging Services™" as well as other Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, and various regions. Through its employee engagement platform, Activated Insights helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, and retention. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sellers are flooding the home market while buyers sit on their hands in these US cities — creating a historic imbalance
After years of sellers calling the shots, some of the hottest pandemic-era housing markets are now grappling with a surplus of listings — and not enough willing buyers. According to real estate brokerage Redfin, April saw nearly half a million more homes listed than buyers in the market, the largest gap since at least 2013. But this supply surge hasn't translated into a wave of closings. Instead, home sales have stalled in many areas, particularly across the Southeast and Southwest, where inventory has ballooned past pre-pandemic norms. In Miami, for example, there were almost three times as many sellers as buyers in April, Redfin data show. Jeff Lichtenstein, president of Echo Fine Properties in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, told the Wall Street Journal sellers are increasingly slashing asking prices to entice cautious buyers. 'There will be more price reductions that are going on, and more willingness to sell at a lower number, especially in the next couple months,' he said. 'We've definitely seen people who have taken losses.' These conditions mark a sharp reversal for the Sunbelt, which saw home values soar and bidding wars erupt during the COVID years. Now, many of those same metros — Atlanta, Austin, Phoenix and Tampa among them — are seeing listings linger, as affordability challenges, higher mortgage rates and buyer wariness take hold. Nationally, home prices are still rising, but that growth is cooling. US prices climbed 1.4% in May from a year earlier, according to Intercontinental Exchange, down from 2% annual growth in April. Twenty-four of the 100 largest metro areas posted year-over-year price declines in May, with the bulk of those concentrated in the Sunbelt. 'There's not even usually a home for sale in our neighborhood, and I think there's three or four right now,' Dirk Lovelace, who listed his Tryon, NC, house in April, told the Journal. After relocating to South Carolina, he cut the asking price but still hasn't received an offer. 'The current sentiment is, the market's probably going to go down further, so people are just waiting,' he said. Buyers appear to be in no rush. Home prices have surged more than 50% nationwide over the past five years, and mortgage rates remain elevated above 6.5%. Though active listings in May reached their highest point since 2019, they are still about 14% below typical pre-pandemic levels, according to Still, the gap between buyers and sellers is widening, in part because many homeowners are listing out of necessity rather than opportunity. Some are relocating for jobs, while others are exiting investment properties as costs rise or in anticipation of a price dip. 'It doesn't feel like buyer demand is going to come back that much,' Chen Zhao, Redfin's head of economic research added. 'Prices are just too high.' In markets like Denver, longtime agent Elle Pappas told The Journal the tone of conversations with buyers has shifted dramatically from the frenetic pace of recent years. 'The immediate conversation, even upon the first appointment I have with them, is, 'How much of a discount do you think I can get? How many concessions can I get?'' Carley and Garrett Kapelski, who had previously paused their home search due to competition in the Kansas City suburbs, said they've noticed a shift this spring. 'We feel a lot less stressed this time,' Garrett Kapelski said. 'If we wait another 30, 60 days, maybe you'll see these people that thought they would be able to sell their houses quickly, and maybe already bought another home, start being willing to wiggle a little bit.' Much of the current slowdown can be traced to the uneven recovery in housing supply following the 2006 to 2009 crash, coupled with the lock-in effect of low pandemic-era mortgage rates. But that trend may be easing. New-home construction has picked up since the pandemic, and more homeowners are beginning to list — some simply because they can't wait any longer, whether that is due to job transfers, having children or otherwise, Pappas explained. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Mining Project Near the Okefenokee Swamp Has Stalled Over a $2M Permit Requirement
A company that has spent years battling conservationists as it seeks a permit to mine outside the Okefenokee Swamp and its federally protected wildlife refuge needs to do just one thing before regulators make a final decision: set aside $2 million for future restoration of the mining site. Sixteen months after being notified of the requirement, Twin Pines Minerals still hasn't submitted a surety bond or equivalent financial assurance to show the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that it has access to that amount of cash or credit. That's brought an unexpected halt to a project that appeared on the cusp of winning final approval early last year. Georgia regulators issued draft permits in February 2024 despite warnings from scientists that mining so close to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge could irreparably harm a national treasure. Twin Pines of Birmingham, Alabama, has worked since 2019 to obtain permits to mine titanium dioxide–a pigment used to whiten products from paint to toothpaste–less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the southeastern boundary of the Okefenokee refuge near the Georgia-Florida line. Within days of the draft permits being approved, Georgia regulators informed Twin Pines in a letter that it needed to submit a $2 million bond, cash, or letter of credit that can be used as needed to pay for restoration of the 820-acre (332-hectare) site. Regulators have finished reviewing thousands of public comments that poured in a year ago regarding the mining project in Georgia's Charlton County, said Environmental Protection Division spokeswoman Sara Lips. 'Now they're waiting on Twin Pines before moving forward.' 'The financial assurance is the last piece of the permit package that will then get routed to our staff up to the director to make a final decision,' Lips told The Associated Press. She said Twin Pines faces no deadline to put up the money. Twin Pines President Steve Ingle declined to comment through a company spokesman. Ingle has insisted Twin Pines can mine without harming the Okefenokee. State regulators have agreed, concluding last year that mining should have a minimal impact on the refuge. The mining company's failure to set aside the $2 million after well over a year has opponents questioning whether it has the resources to mine responsibly in an ecologically sensitive area. 'When we're talking about the potential damage of this mine, it goes way beyond $2 million,' said Peter Slag, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. 'It's sort of an alarm bell that they probably don't have the money to do other sorts of compliance and capital investment.' The Okefenokee is the largest US refuge east of the Mississippi River, covering nearly 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers) in southeast Georgia. It is home to abundant alligators, stilt-legged wood storks, and more than 400 other animal species. Scientists have warned that mining near the Okefenokee's bowl-like rim could damage the swamp's ability to hold water and increase the frequency of withering droughts. There are other signs Twin Pines may be struggling financially. Danish shipping company Lauritzen Bulkers sued Twin Pines in federal court in Colorado last October, saying it's owed $9.3 million after contracting with Twin Pines in 2022 to transport minerals to Asia. A judge paused the case in April at the shipper's request amid arbitration proceedings. Twin Pines' attorney in that case, Joseph Martinez, did not immediately return email messages seeking comment. In March, a second company sued Twin Pines in a California state court. M&L Commodities says Twin Pines owes it $5.6 million stemming from a 2021 contract for M&L to store minerals for the mining company. Twin Pines denies wrongdoing in legal responses filed in court.
