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  • OttaTalk goes behind the scenes at OC Transpo to learn about transit communication

    About 

    This is OttaTalk, where City staff discuss City programs, projects and initiatives. Wecover topics that affect your everyday life. Things like emergency services, garbage collection and nightlife in Ottawa. When is my plow going to…

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  • Office of the Governor | ICYMI: NJEDA Board Approves 10 Companies to Fuel NJ Innovation Evergreen Fund

    Office of the Governor | ICYMI: NJEDA Board Approves 10 Companies to Fuel NJ Innovation Evergreen Fund

    TRENTON – This week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved ten corporations to purchase $85 million in tax credits to fuel the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund (NJIEF). This is the NJIEF’s second tax credit auction since the program launched in 2022.

    “Both investors and entrepreneurs have praised the NJIEF as a strong driver for channeling investment into New Jersey startups, and once again business leaders have recognized the Fund’s significant value,” said NJEDA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mary Maples. “The Murphy Administration has bolstered New Jersey’s innovation economy by engaging with the state’s industry leaders to catalyze investment and foster mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.”

    The NJIEF is a unique tool to increase access to strategic resources and venture capital in New Jersey. Under the NJIEF, the State acts as an equity investor in early-stage companies, deploying up to $600 million into companies alongside professional venture capital firms. The Evergreen Fund currently has approximately $13.6 million of unallocated capital available to fund additional investments into high-growth businesses in New Jersey. 

    Following a successful inaugural sale in 2022, a second auction of $50 million was announced this summer. Due to greater than anticipated demand, funding for the tax credit auction was increased in September to $85 million. The companies approved represent a diverse array of industries, with businesses hailing from the financial technology, information technology consulting, consumer goods, insurance, banking, and healthcare sectors. 

    “The NJIEF provides the Authority with another distinct resource to support start-ups through a holistic approach that extends well beyond financial assistance,” said NJEDA Chief Economic Transformation Officer Kathleen Coviello. “This recent tax credit auction demonstrates the state’s commitment to supporting innovative ventures and we look forward to continuing to invest high-growth startups that will propel economic growth across the state.”

    The following applicants were approved to purchase tax credits through the NJIEF:

    ·    OceanFirst Financial Corp.: Approved to purchase approximately $1 million in tax credit awards for $750,000

    ·    Verizon Communications, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $19.5 million in tax credit awards for $16.0 million 

    ·    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or MetLife: Approved to purchase approximately $7.6 million in tax credit awards for $6.5 million 

    ·    Comcast Corporation: Approved to purchase approximately $27.7 million in tax credit awards for $22.8 million 

    ·    The Prudential Insurance Company of America: Approved to purchase approximately $13.6 million in tax credit awards for $10.9 million

    ·    Selective Way Insurance Company: Approved to purchase approximately $3.0 million in tax credit awards for $2.4 million

    ·    Unilever United States, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $5.4 million in tax credit awards for $4.3 million

    ·    CRB Group, Inc. or Cross River Bank: Approved to purchase approximately $2.9 million in tax credit awards for $2.3 million

    ·    CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $930,00 in tax credit awards for over $697,000

    ·    Haleon US Holdings, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $3.4 million in tax credit awards for $2.5 million

    As part of the auction, each corporation will support the state’s innovation economy along with their financial bids, including through a commitment to serve on the NJIEF Advisory Board for one year. Additionally, the ten corporations made strategic commitments to support the State’s innovation community through unique and impactful projects with costs totaling nearly $4.4 million. Examples of this strategic support include contributions to support innovation focused workforce development and mentorship programs throughout New Jersey, free shared workspace open to innovative startups, and partnerships with Strategic Innovation Centers. These commitments, which include networking, mentoring, and educational opportunities, are a scored component of the tax credit purchasers’ bids.

    These purchases will fund Program investments into innovative high-growth NJ-based businesses made through public-private partnerships with Qualified Venture Firms (QVFs), who also invest their own private sector capital into the transactions. Additionally, the Program portfolio companies and innovation ecosystem stakeholders throughout the Garden State will benefit from the strategic commitments made by NJIEF tax credit purchasers. 

    Applications for venture firms seeking to qualify as a QVF can be found here and are being accepted on a rolling basis. The firms approved to date represent diversity in terms of investment strategy, industry, and stage. Additionally, there continues to be strong momentum from interested managers. The roster of the 28 currently approved managers can be found here.

    Applications for approved QVFs to apply for Qualified Investments into high-growth, innovative businesses based in New Jersey are also now open. The total capital available for new investments stands at approximately $13.6 million.

    About the NJEDA

    The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

    To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.


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  • Office of the Governor | ICYMI: NJEDA Board Approves 10 Companies to Fuel NJ Innovation Evergreen Fund

    Office of the Governor | ICYMI: NJEDA Board Approves 10 Companies to Fuel NJ Innovation Evergreen Fund

    TRENTON – This week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved ten corporations to purchase $85 million in tax credits to fuel the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund (NJIEF). This is the NJIEF’s second tax credit auction since the program launched in 2022.

    “Both investors and entrepreneurs have praised the NJIEF as a strong driver for channeling investment into New Jersey startups, and once again business leaders have recognized the Fund’s significant value,” said NJEDA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mary Maples. “The Murphy Administration has bolstered New Jersey’s innovation economy by engaging with the state’s industry leaders to catalyze investment and foster mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.”

    The NJIEF is a unique tool to increase access to strategic resources and venture capital in New Jersey. Under the NJIEF, the State acts as an equity investor in early-stage companies, deploying up to $600 million into companies alongside professional venture capital firms. The Evergreen Fund currently has approximately $13.6 million of unallocated capital available to fund additional investments into high-growth businesses in New Jersey. 

    Following a successful inaugural sale in 2022, a second auction of $50 million was announced this summer. Due to greater than anticipated demand, funding for the tax credit auction was increased in September to $85 million. The companies approved represent a diverse array of industries, with businesses hailing from the financial technology, information technology consulting, consumer goods, insurance, banking, and healthcare sectors. 

    “The NJIEF provides the Authority with another distinct resource to support start-ups through a holistic approach that extends well beyond financial assistance,” said NJEDA Chief Economic Transformation Officer Kathleen Coviello. “This recent tax credit auction demonstrates the state’s commitment to supporting innovative ventures and we look forward to continuing to invest high-growth startups that will propel economic growth across the state.”

    The following applicants were approved to purchase tax credits through the NJIEF:

    ·    OceanFirst Financial Corp.: Approved to purchase approximately $1 million in tax credit awards for $750,000

    ·    Verizon Communications, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $19.5 million in tax credit awards for $16.0 million 

    ·    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or MetLife: Approved to purchase approximately $7.6 million in tax credit awards for $6.5 million 

    ·    Comcast Corporation: Approved to purchase approximately $27.7 million in tax credit awards for $22.8 million 

    ·    The Prudential Insurance Company of America: Approved to purchase approximately $13.6 million in tax credit awards for $10.9 million

    ·    Selective Way Insurance Company: Approved to purchase approximately $3.0 million in tax credit awards for $2.4 million

    ·    Unilever United States, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $5.4 million in tax credit awards for $4.3 million

    ·    CRB Group, Inc. or Cross River Bank: Approved to purchase approximately $2.9 million in tax credit awards for $2.3 million

    ·    CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $930,00 in tax credit awards for over $697,000

    ·    Haleon US Holdings, Inc.: Approved to purchase approximately $3.4 million in tax credit awards for $2.5 million

    As part of the auction, each corporation will support the state’s innovation economy along with their financial bids, including through a commitment to serve on the NJIEF Advisory Board for one year. Additionally, the ten corporations made strategic commitments to support the State’s innovation community through unique and impactful projects with costs totaling nearly $4.4 million. Examples of this strategic support include contributions to support innovation focused workforce development and mentorship programs throughout New Jersey, free shared workspace open to innovative startups, and partnerships with Strategic Innovation Centers. These commitments, which include networking, mentoring, and educational opportunities, are a scored component of the tax credit purchasers’ bids.

    These purchases will fund Program investments into innovative high-growth NJ-based businesses made through public-private partnerships with Qualified Venture Firms (QVFs), who also invest their own private sector capital into the transactions. Additionally, the Program portfolio companies and innovation ecosystem stakeholders throughout the Garden State will benefit from the strategic commitments made by NJIEF tax credit purchasers. 

    Applications for venture firms seeking to qualify as a QVF can be found here and are being accepted on a rolling basis. The firms approved to date represent diversity in terms of investment strategy, industry, and stage. Additionally, there continues to be strong momentum from interested managers. The roster of the 28 currently approved managers can be found here.

    Applications for approved QVFs to apply for Qualified Investments into high-growth, innovative businesses based in New Jersey are also now open. The total capital available for new investments stands at approximately $13.6 million.

    About the NJEDA

    The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

    To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.


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  • Tires 2023 supply and 2024 collection and recovery data now posted

    RPRA has posted 2023 supply and 2024 collection and recovery data for the tires program. This is data that was reported to RPRA in 2025.

    The following data is available in the tires section of the Resource Recovery Reports webpage:

    • Tires supplied from 2014 – 2023
    • Tires recovered from 2019 – 2024
    • Recovery requirements from 2019 – 2026

    With this update, RPRA enhanced the way data is presented to show collection and recovery data by registrant group (producer, PRO, hauler, processor, retreader) to give a more transparent and fulsome picture of the data reported to RPRA. These changes have also been applied to historical data.

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  • Phoebe & Jay Library Screenings

    Phoebe & Jay Library Screenings

    These screenings are free to attend, but pre-registration is appreciated when available.


    WFYI’s community engagement team is partnering with The Indianapolis Public Library to bring you special pre-screenings of the brand-new PBS Kids show…

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  • Game Day Primer: Men’s Hoops Caps 2025 Home Schedule with Georgia State

    Game Day Primer: Men’s Hoops Caps 2025 Home Schedule with Georgia State

    BOONE, N.C. – Fresh off of posting a convincing win over Coastal Carolina on Thursday to open Sun…

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  • Online Gaming’s Final Boss: The Copyright Bully

    Online Gaming’s Final Boss: The Copyright Bully

    Since earliest days of computer games, people have tinkered with the software to customize their own experiences or share their vision with others. From the dad who changed the game’s male protagonist to a girl so his daughter could see herself…

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  • Update to Climate Change Risk Assessment

    Update to Climate Change Risk Assessment

    Updated information on the ways climate change will continue to impact Nova Scotia was released today, December 19.

    Powering the Transition: Nova Scotia 2025 Climate Change Risk Assessment shows that Nova Scotia will continue to experience warming temperatures, stronger storms, rising sea level, changes in rain and snow patterns, and other effects.

    The information can help homeowners, businesses, municipalities, first responders, supply-chain operators, infrastructure developers and essential service providers, including utilities and hospitals, prepare and make informed decisions to adapt, plan and prepare.

    The update will also provide more detailed information at the local level to help guide action.

    “Our best defence in the face of climate change is informed action and innovation,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The risk assessment helps inform where Nova Scotians need to be proactive to safeguard homes, businesses, infrastructure and communities. This will help keep people, our way of life and our economy resilient. We also know that climate change, while concerning, also drives economic and technological innovation. That is why our government is focused on developing wind, tidal and solar energy along with other green solutions that will reduce emissions and grow our economy.”

    To help Nova Scotia achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets and become energy independent, Nova Scotia is pursuing opportunities in clean energy such as onshore and offshore wind, green hydrogen, tidal energy and small modular reactors.

    The Government of Canada has identified Nova Scotia’s Wind West as a nation-building strategy and has committed to working with the Province to develop the project further and help make it a reality.

    Some sectors where the response to climate change can drive innovation and create economic opportunities are:

    • responsible critical minerals resource development
    • decarbonization technology
    • clean energy, smart grids and energy storage
    • sustainable fuel development such as biofuels and green hydrogen
    • making homes and buildings energy efficient through innovative design, materials, upgrades and technologies.

    The updated risk assessment, which shows how climate change could impact Nova Scotia between now and 2100, is available at: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/climate-change-risk–assessment-2025.pdf


    Quotes:

    “We are pleased to see the updated risk assessment completed. Farmers are on the front lines of climate change and are already experiencing its impacts first-hand. Having this information helps our industry plan, adapt and be better prepared for what lies ahead – so we can continue producing safe, reliable food for our communities. We look forward to working with government to support practical, industry-led adaptation efforts.”
    Alicia King, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

    “Having an updated climate change risk assessment gives us the tools we need to make informed decisions, protect our communities and invest wisely in infrastructure and services. By understanding today’s risks, we are better prepared to reduce future impacts and build a safer, more resilient municipality for residents now and for generations to come.”
    Cecil Clarke, Mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality

    “Severe weather events in 2024 caused over $9 billion in insured damage in communities across Canada, shattering the previous record of $6 billion from 2016. Natural catastrophes are not an abstract future threat, they’re today’s reality. Insurance Bureau of Canada supports this initiative to help residents, businesses and communities better understand their risks so they can protect what matters most.”
    Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Ontario and Atlantic Regions, Insurance Bureau of Canada

    “Just as plants need soil to grow, growers need informed information to navigate the uncertainties of climate change. The more information I have, the better I can position my company for the uncertainties of climate change.”
    Luke den Haan, CEO, den Haan Greenhouses, Lawrencetown, Annapolis County


    Quick Facts:

    • climate change risk assessments are globally recognized, evidence-based resources that help guide adaptation action
    • the province’s first climate change risk assessment was released in 2022; an update is required every five years
    • according to the Canadian Climate Institute, for every $1 invested in climate change adaptation, up to $15 in benefits and/or savings can be realized when there is a climate event like a storm or a wildfire; for example, reduced damage to infrastructure and crops, fewer supply chain disruptions, and less lost work time and income
    • climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions; in 2021, through the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, Nova Scotia legislated a greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 53 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030
    • through the act, the government committed to have 80 per cent of the province’s energy provided by renewable energy by 2030, and to get off coal-fired electricity

    Additional Resources:

    Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf

    Our Climate, Our Future – Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf

    Government of Nova Scotia tools and supports to help Nova Scotians adapt to climate change:

    The Future of Nova Scotia’s Coastline: The plan to protect people, homes and nature from climate change along our coast: https://novascotia.ca/coastal-climate-change/

    Nova Scotia’s offshore wind energy plan, Wind West: https://novascotia.ca/wind-west/

    Nova Scotia’s plan to phase out coal use and transition to clean energy, Clean Power Plan: https://novascotia.ca/clean-power-plan/

    Stories about Nova Scotians adapting to climate change: https://transitionsstories.ca/

    Canadian Climate Institute: https://climateinstitute.ca/

    Environment and Climate Change on X: https://x.com/ns_environment

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  • Amber Davies praised by teacher ahead of show’s final

    Amber Davies praised by teacher ahead of show’s final

    PA Media Amber Davies pictured in one of her Strictly performances. She is wearing a silver, sequinned dress and is too on a platform. The Set design in the background shows a full moon.PA Media

    Amber Davies has reached the Strictly Come Dancing finale which will take place on Saturday

    The former teacher of Strictly Come Dancing finalist Amber Davies described her as a “born performer” who showed promise even as a child.

    Catherine…

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  • Strictly: Amber Davies praised by teacher ahead of show’s final

    Strictly: Amber Davies praised by teacher ahead of show’s final

    Davies replaced Dyer just before the first show was televised and was later subject to online criticism that her background in performing arts gave her an advantage over other contestants.

    Mrs Jones said the performer’s experience in the West End…

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