Latest news with #Utah-based
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2026 4-star QB and Texas A&M commit named On3's Elite 11 Day 2 MVP
2026 4-star QB and Texas A&M commit named On3's Elite 11 Day 2 MVP Texas A&M's 2026 recruiting class is headlined by the highest-ranked prospect in the cycle, four-star running back KJ Edwards. Still, one of the more intriguing commits has made headlines this week, as four-star quarterback Helaman Casuga has been one of the top performers during this week's On3 Elite 11 competition, and was named Day 2's MVP after completing 18/20 passes on the night. Casuga was one of Texas A&M's priority prospects for OC Collin Klein, who saw his potential before most programs, and now they are looking to flip the standout Utah-based signal caller heading into the fall. However, Casuga's pledge with the Aggies, like the rest of the 17 commits in the cycle, remains strong, as he is coming off his official visit to College Station on June 5. Casuga's next-level arm talent was on full display this week. After losing 2025 five-star Husan Longstreet to USC late last fall, coach Mike Elko and Klein believe that Casuga is the answer as the program's next starting signal caller, which is only surprising to those who have not watched this young man play. Here's what On3's Director of Scouting and Recruiting, Charles Power, had to say regarding Casuga's performance during the second day of the Elite 11 event. "A very good performance on Night 2 from Texas A&M four-star commit Helaman Casuga, who finishes 18 of 20 on target to tie Jett Thomalla. A very clean pro day session. His footwork and timing was crisp and he consistently delivered catchable passes. The downfield arm strength may not overwhelm, but the zip was nice towards the intermediate areas." Casuga's arm isn't considered the strongest in the 2026 cycle. Still, his quick release and elite touch make him a perfect fit in Collin Klein's system, which emphasizes short to intermediate passes. During his first two seasons, Casuga passed for 6,475 yards and 60 touchdowns, and if/when he signs with the Aggies, he will reunite with his former No. 1 wide receiver, Jerome Myles, Texas A&M's top 2025 signee. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
2 days ago
- Business
Redemption Bank becomes the first Black-owned bank in the Rockies
Redemption Holding Co. has completed its acquisition of Utah-based Holladay Bank & Trust, making it the first time a bank has been owned by a Black-led investment group in the Western U.S. The newly formed Redemption Bank will be the first Black-owned bank in U.S. history not physically located within an economically vulnerable community, the first in the Rockies, and the only one located in the Black-banking desert that stretches from Houston to Los Angeles. The bank, with roughly $65 million in assets, will focus primarily on doing commercial lending and creating a dedicated team for small business loans. Ashley Bell, CEO and chairman of Redemption Holding, told The Associated Press the company will launch a fully digital platform at the end of summer, enabling it to service small businesses across the country. The company will remain headquartered in Salt Lake City, a city with a Black population of under 3%. "We found an exceptional business environment in Utah, specifically in Holladay, along with a bank that has a clean balance sheet and a state with the highest average return on assets for banks in the country. We are committed to competing in Utah to earn the business of customers from all backgrounds," Bell said. The original purchase of Holladay Bank was announced in 2023, but Bell said the transaction got delayed due to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank that year. 'This process has undoubtedly taken longer than any of us anticipated,' Bell said. 'However, we are grateful for the diligence of the staff at the FDIC, the leadership of the (American Bankers Association), and the renewed sense of urgency from the new administration this year, all of which helped bring everything together.' Bernice A. King, the youngest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is expected to serve as Redemption Bank's senior vice president for corporate strategy and serve on the company's advisory board. The company will be the 24th Black-owned bank in the nation, which are known as Minority Depository Institutions (MDI). The last created MDI, a federal designation for banks and unions that are owned or directed by minority groups, was Adelphi Bank in 2023. MDIs began in the 19th century when Black Americans, who could not get loans from mainstream banks, organized their banks and associations. They also provided financial services and economic opportunities in low-income neighborhoods. The Civil Rights Movement spurred the creation of more MDIs as Black people experienced a financial boom and began to build stronger communities. In the late 1980s, Congress officially created MDIs through the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA).
The Hill
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Redemption Bank becomes the first Black-owned bank in the Rockies
Redemption Holding Co. has completed its acquisition of Utah-based Holladay Bank & Trust, making it the first time a bank has been owned by a Black-led investment group in the Western U.S. The newly formed Redemption Bank will be the first Black-owned bank in U.S. history not physically located within an economically vulnerable community, the first in the Rockies, and the only one located in the Black-banking desert that stretches from Houston to Los Angeles. The bank, with roughly $65 million in assets, will focus primarily on doing commercial lending and creating a dedicated team for small business loans. Ashley Bell, CEO and chairman of Redemption Holding, told The Associated Press the company will launch a fully digital platform at the end of summer, enabling it to service small businesses across the country. The company will remain headquartered in Salt Lake City, a city with a Black population of under 3%. 'We found an exceptional business environment in Utah, specifically in Holladay, along with a bank that has a clean balance sheet and a state with the highest average return on assets for banks in the country. We are committed to competing in Utah to earn the business of customers from all backgrounds,' Bell said. The original purchase of Holladay Bank was announced in 2023, but Bell said the transaction got delayed due to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank that year. 'This process has undoubtedly taken longer than any of us anticipated,' Bell said. 'However, we are grateful for the diligence of the staff at the FDIC, the leadership of the (American Bankers Association), and the renewed sense of urgency from the new administration this year, all of which helped bring everything together.' Bernice A. King, the youngest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is expected to serve as Redemption Bank's senior vice president for corporate strategy and serve on the company's advisory board. The company will be the 24th Black-owned bank in the nation, which are known as Minority Depository Institutions (MDI). The last created MDI, a federal designation for banks and unions that are owned or directed by minority groups, was Adelphi Bank in 2023. MDIs began in the 19th century when Black Americans, who could not get loans from mainstream banks, organized their banks and associations. They also provided financial services and economic opportunities in low-income neighborhoods. The Civil Rights Movement spurred the creation of more MDIs as Black people experienced a financial boom and began to build stronger communities. In the late 1980s, Congress officially created MDIs through the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). Redemption Holding purchased Holladay with a group of investors that included Ally Financial Inc. and Central Bancorporation.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Redemption Bank becomes the first Black-owned bank in the Rockies
Redemption Holding Co. has completed its acquisition of Utah-based Holladay Bank & Trust, making it the first time a bank has been owned by a Black-led investment group in the Western U.S. The newly formed Redemption Bank will be the first Black-owned bank in U.S. history not physically located within an economically vulnerable community, the first in the Rockies, and the only one located in the Black-banking desert that stretches from Houston to Los Angeles. The bank, with roughly $65 million in assets, will focus primarily on doing commercial lending and creating a dedicated team for small business loans. Ashley Bell, CEO and chairman of Redemption Holding, told The Associated Press the company will launch a fully digital platform at the end of summer, enabling it to service small businesses across the country. The company will remain headquartered in Salt Lake City, a city with a Black population of under 3%. 'We found an exceptional business environment in Utah, specifically in Holladay, along with a bank that has a clean balance sheet and a state with the highest average return on assets for banks in the country. We are committed to competing in Utah to earn the business of customers from all backgrounds,' Bell said. The original purchase of Holladay Bank was announced in 2023, but Bell said the transaction got delayed due to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank that year. 'This process has undoubtedly taken longer than any of us anticipated,' Bell said. 'However, we are grateful for the diligence of the staff at the FDIC, the leadership of the (American Bankers Association), and the renewed sense of urgency from the new administration this year, all of which helped bring everything together.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Bernice A. King, the youngest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., is expected to serve as Redemption Bank's senior vice president for corporate strategy and serve on the company's advisory board. The company will be the 24th Black-owned bank in the nation, which are known as Minority Depository Institutions (MDI). The last created MDI, a federal designation for banks and unions that are owned or directed by minority groups, was Adelphi Bank in 2023. MDIs began in the 19th century when Black Americans, who could not get loans from mainstream banks, organized their banks and associations. They also provided financial services and economic opportunities in low-income neighborhoods. The Civil Rights Movement spurred the creation of more MDIs as Black people experienced a financial boom and began to build stronger communities. In the late 1980s, Congress officially created MDIs through the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). Redemption Holding purchased Holladay with a group of investors that included Ally Financial Inc. and Central Bancorporation.
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Deseret News condemns Lee's posts about Minnesota shooting
The Deseret News has condemned Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee for social media posts about two shootings in Minnesota, writing that his comments 'were unacceptable for anyone, let alone from a member of the Senate.' The Utah-based publication, a subsidiary of the Morman-owned Deseret Management Corporation, accused Lee of casting a 'poor light' on Utah after the senator posted multiple messages on X that seemed to blame Democrats — including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — for the violence. 'The tweets were unacceptable for anyone, let alone from a member of the Senate,' the Deseret News editorial board wrote. 'It revealed a lack of compassion for both victims and their loved ones and cast a poor light on Utah, the state Sen. Lee represents.' Lee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Sunday, Lee posted two separate messages to his X account about the weekend shooting in Minnesota that left a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband dead and another Democratic elected official and his wife seriously wounded. Lee also posted about the alleged shooter, 57-year-old Vance Boelter. Boelter was arrested Sunday and is now facing multiple charges, including murder. 'This is what happens when Marxists don't get their way,' Lee stated in one post. Another post included photos of Boelter with the caption 'Nightmare on Waltz Street,' referring to and misspelling Walz. Lee quickly faced backlash from other Congressional members, including Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, a friend of slain state Rep. Melissa Hortman. Smith confronted Lee on Monday in a hallway off the Senate floor during evening votes. 'I wanted him to know how much pain that caused me and the other people in my state, and I think around the country, who think that this was a brutal attack,' Smith told reporters. 'I don't know whether Senator Lee thought fully through what it was — you have to ask him — but I needed him to hear from me directly what impact I think his cruel statement had on me, his colleague.' Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) also said she spoke to Lee about the posts. Lee faced criticism from members of his own party as well. North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said Lee's decision to comment 'seems insensitive, to say the least, inappropriate, for sure' and 'not even true.' Lee deleted the posts on Tuesday, but the Deseret News editorial board is calling for Lee to issue an apology. 'Removing the tweets was a start,' the board said. 'An apology and recognition of the mistake should follow.'
