Latest news with #JohnRhodes
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PSE&G gets $80M deal to run Long Island power grid after official, wife's secret stocks sink bidding process
A years-long search to replace PSE&G as the manager of Long Island's power grid ended in shock fashion Thursday as officials gifted the company an $80 million-a-year extension. The Long Island Power Authority OK'd the new deal and scrapped a competitive bidding process after authority member John Rhodes and his wife were found to have financial ties to Quanta Services, the company lined up to replace PSE&G. LIPA CEO John Rhodes and his wife owned up to $120,000 in company stocks with his wife through December 2024 — months after he helped form the selection committee and Texas-based Quanta was recommended as the new manager. Rhodes pushed Quanta, one of only two finalists alongside PSE&G, saying the company offered better safety metrics and slightly higher customer satisfaction scores. But LIPA's board members were skeptical. Critics pointed to Quanta's management of Puerto Rico's electric grid, which has faced rolling blackouts and a government audit. The LIPA board found out about the undisclosed stocks during an April review of the recommendation and rejected the bid in a 6-1 vote. Rhodes had dumped the stocks four months prior. 'John Rhodes does not own stock in Quanta Services, Inc. Previously, he did own stock in Quanta Services, Inc., having purchased shares in 2021, and sold immediately upon becoming aware of those holdings in December of 2024, prior to LIPA staff's recommendation of Quanta Services, Inc., for selection by the LIPA board,' LIPA spokesperson Jen Hayen told Long Island Business News. On Thursday, the board voted to scrap the selection process altogether and just extend PSEG's $80 million-a-year contract, which was set to expire at the end of 2025. The length of the extension hasn't been finalized, although the current deal includes an option for up to five more years. PSE&G has run Long Island's power grid since 2014, though its performance has faced scrutiny — especially after Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020 left hundreds of thousands of residents in the dark for days. That led to a restructured agreement in 2021 that tied $40 million of PSE&G's compensation to performance benchmarks, including reliability, storm response, and customer satisfaction. 'We are extremely disappointed by the LIPA Board's decision and the fact that Quanta was never given the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that any of the LIPA Trustees had raised,' a Quanta spokesperson told The Post. 'We hope the reported investigation into this decision sheds light on the procurement process as we can agree that LIPA's 1.2 million customers deserve the best service provider.'
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
PSE&G gets $80M deal to run Long Island power grid after official, wife's secret stocks sink bidding process
A years-long search to replace PSE&G as the manager of Long Island's power grid ended in shock fashion Thursday as officials gifted the company an $80 million-a-year extension. The Long Island Power Authority OK'd the new deal and scrapped a competitive bidding process after authority member John Rhodes and his wife were found to have financial ties to Quanta Services, the company lined up to replace PSE&G. LIPA CEO John Rhodes and his wife owned up to $120,000 in company stocks with his wife through December 2024 — months after he helped form the selection committee and Texas-based Quanta was recommended as the new manager. 3 A general view of a PSE&G sign in Paterson, NJ as seen on June 4, 2020. Christopher Sadowski Rhodes pushed Quanta, one of only two finalists alongside PSE&G, saying the company offered better safety metrics and slightly higher customer satisfaction scores. But LIPA's board members were skeptical. Critics pointed to Quanta's management of Puerto Rico's electric grid, which has faced rolling blackouts and a government audit. The LIPA board found out about the undisclosed stocks during an April review of the recommendation and rejected the bid in a 6-1 vote. Rhodes had dumped the stocks four months prior. 3 An electrical crew member contracted by LIPA works on overhead lines on Old Country Road on November 19, 2012 in Melville, New York. Getty Images 'John Rhodes does not own stock in Quanta Services, Inc. Previously, he did own stock in Quanta Services, Inc., having purchased shares in 2021, and sold immediately upon becoming aware of those holdings in December of 2024, prior to LIPA staff's recommendation of Quanta Services, Inc., for selection by the LIPA board,' LIPA spokesperson Jen Hayen told Long Island Business News. On Thursday, the board voted to scrap the selection process altogether and just extend PSEG's $80 million-a-year contract, which was set to expire at the end of 2025. The length of the extension hasn't been finalized, although the current deal includes an option for up to five more years. 3 PSEG workers at the scene where a Cessna 172 airplane crashed into a church and power lines, but all three passengers survived on April 15, 2019. Stephen Yang PSE&G has run Long Island's power grid since 2014, though its performance has faced scrutiny — especially after Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020 left hundreds of thousands of residents in the dark for days. That led to a restructured agreement in 2021 that tied $40 million of PSE&G's compensation to performance benchmarks, including reliability, storm response, and customer satisfaction.
The Independent
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Zimbabwe's stone carvers seek a revival as an Oxford exhibition confronts a British colonial legacy
A pair of white hands blinding a Black face. A smiling colonizer with a Bible, crushing the skull of a screaming native with his boot. Chained men in gold mines, and a pregnant woman. These stone sculptures from Zimbabwe will take center stage at an upcoming exhibition at Oxford University in Britain, aiming to 'contextualize' the legacy of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes with depictions of religious deception, forced labor and sexual abuse. Rhodes conquered large parts of southern Africa in the late 19th century. He made a fortune in gold and diamond mining and grabbed land from the local population. His grave lies under a slab of stone atop a hill in Zimbabwe. Oxford's Oriel College, where the exhibition will be held in September, is a symbolic setting. A statue of Rhodes stands there despite protests against it since 2015. Rhodes, who died in 1902, was an Oriel student who left 100,000 pounds (now valued at about 10.5 million pounds, or $13.5 million) to the school. His influence endures through a scholarship for students from southern African countries. For Zimbabwean stone carvers at Chitungwiza Arts Center near the capital, Harare, the exhibition is more than an opportunity for Western audiences to glimpse a dark history. It is also a chance to revive an ancient but struggling art form. Stone sculpture, once a thriving local industry, has suffered due to vast economic challenges and declining tourism. 'This will boost business. Buyers abroad will now see our work and buy directly from the artists,' said sculptor Wallace Mkanka. His piece, depicting the blinded Black face, was selected as the best of 110 entries and will be one of four winning sculptures on display at Oxford. Zimbabwe, meaning 'House of Stone,' derives its identity from the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a 1,800-acre Iron Age city built with precision-cut stones delicately stacked without mortar. It is a UNESCO World heritage site. The southern African country has long used stone sculpture as a form of storytelling to immortalize history. The craft survived close to a century of colonial rule that sought to erase local traditions, religion and art forms. It thrived internationally instead. Thousands of pieces were plundered from Africa. Some later became subjects of repatriation campaigns. Others became prized by tourists and collectors. A permanent collection of 20 Zimbabwean stone sculptures is displayed in a pedestrian tunnel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest. At its peak following independence, Zimbabwe's stone sculpture industry thrived, with local white farmers purchasing pieces for their homes and facilitating international sales. 'Customers were everywhere. They would pay up front, and I always had a queue of clients,' recalled Tafadzwa Tandi, a 45-year-old sculptor whose work will feature in the Oxford exhibition. However, the industry has struggled over the past two decades. Zimbabwe's global image suffered after controversial land reforms more than two decades ago displaced over 4,000 white farmers to redistribute land to about 300,000 Black families, according to government figures. Late ruler Robert Mugabe defended the reforms as necessary to address colonial-era inequities, but they had unintended economic consequences. 'Many of our customers were friends of the farmers. That is where the problem originated from,' said Tendai Gwaravaza, chairman of Chitungwiza Arts Center. At the center, the sound of grinders filled the air as sculptors carved. Hundreds of finished pieces, ranging from small carvings to life-sized sculptures, waited for buyers. 'The only solution now is to get out there to the markets ourselves. If we don't, no one will,' Gwaravaza said. The Oxford exhibition represents such an opportunity for exposure, he said. It is the brainchild of the Oxford Zimbabwe Arts Partnership, formed in response to the 'Rhodes Must Fall' campaign during the Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S. The group, consisting of Zimbabwean artists, an Oxford alumnus and a professor of African history, initially envisioned a larger project titled 'Oxford and Rhodes: Past, Present, and Future.' It included enclosing Rhodes' statue in glass, installing 100 life-size bronze statues of African liberation fighters and creating a collaborative sculpture using recycled materials to represent the future. However, the project required an estimated 200,000 pounds, far beyond available resources. Eventually, Oriel College provided 10,000 pounds for a scaled-down exhibition. 'It's still my hope that one day it could happen, but for now we have just accepted something very small to make a start and to do something,' said Richard Pantlin, the Oxford alumnus and OZAP co-founder. ___ ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Spring Aging Wellness Active Lifestyle Expo Returns to South Point Hotel
Optum - Nevada showcases its 45-foot-long Medicine on the Move mobile medical center LAS VEGAS, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aging Wellness Expo, Nevada's largest interactive gathering for active adults, powered by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and presented by Optum - Nevada, heads to South Point Hotel and Casino Exhibit Hall on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 9 AM to 2 PM. Over 60 exhibitors will be present at the event, offering a wide range of services in health care, home improvement, retirement planning, beauty and wellness, and prevention screenings. Attendees arriving at the event's start can enjoy a complimentary coffee and pastry station provided by Intermountain Health and Select Health. Comprehensive Cancer Centers serve healthy juices and snack samplings in the afternoon. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour Optum - Nevada's impressive Medicine on the Move, a 45-foot, state-of-the-art mobile medical center featuring two exam rooms, a laboratory for urinalysis and blood tests, and a digital mammography unit, as well as a comfortable lobby, restroom, wheelchair lift, and air conditioning and heating. It visits locations throughout the state, providing patients with easy access to care. While at the event, patients can schedule an Annual Wellness Visit with Medicine on the Move. In the Optum Experience, Expo guests can learn about Optum and Southwest Medical's care offerings for every healthcare need. Three interactive stations will showcase Optum and Southwest Medical's adult medicine and specialty care services, urgent cares, and community centers. Attendees will receive a first aid kit and enjoy sample movement, music, line dancing, yoga classes, games, and giveaways. Complimentary selfies will also be offered at the Optum Experience photo booth. The Review-Journal Live Well Speaker Series will include various top experts and speakers throughout the day. Optum and Southwest Medical speakers will headline the series featuring the following lineup: 9:30 AM - "10 Myths of Growing Old" with John Rhodes, M.D., President and CEO,Optum - Nevada10:30 AM - "Osteoarthritis – The Leading Cause of Disability" with Neil Braunstein, M.D.,Southwest Medical11:30 AM - "Urgent care or the ER?" with Neil Gokal, M.D., Chief Medical Officer,Southwest Medical 12:30 PM - "Why Medicare Advantage?" with Daryl Hutchings,Platinum Premier Independent Broker The Live Well Speaker Series features diverse experts covering various engaging topics. Highlights Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Nikki Beecher's presentation on "Sex After 60", as well as "Alzheimer's and Your Brain Health: Talk to the Doc" with internationally renowned UNLV Center for Brain Health physicians Jeffrey Cummings, MD, and Kate Zhong, MD, MSc, FRCP(C). Acclaimed author and meditation expert Tsikki Thau will share insights on stress management, while Tech Bud duo Ishan Abraham and Logan Yeager present "Mastering Modern Tech: Easy Tips for Everyday Life." "Healthy Body, Healthy Mind" will be led by UNLV Center for Brain Health Donna Gould, MS, RD, LD, and Jennifer Nash, PT, DPT, NCS. Joining the spring lineup is Marla Letizia, founder of the Long-Life Era™ Community, a global collective dedicated to 360-degree longevity. Passionate about dissolving ageism, Letizia will present "A Mindset to Live 100 Years or More". At the CenterWell Move & Groove Stage, attendees can participate in hourly fitness demonstrations featuring freestyle routines designed to energize and inspire. Meanwhile, the South Point Main Stage will showcase a mix of talent and entertainment, including a special appearance by the Review-Journal's two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Michael Ramirez. Also, live performances by acclaimed recording artist Chadwick Johnson, the soulful voice of Kaci Machacyk, and a traditional hula showcase by Hālau Hula ʻO Kaleihoku. Adding to the main stage lineup are hourly prize raffles throughout the day. This year's RJ Village will showcase Review-Journal print and digital products, including rjmagazine, Best of Las Vegas magazine, and expo specials for new RJ subscribers. The village gives attendees a comprehensive understanding of Review-Journal offerings. Award-winning journalists will appear for meet and greets throughout the day, including Executive Editor & Senior Vice President of News Glenn Cook, Managing Editor, Anastasia Hendrix, Opinion Page Columnist Victor Joecks, Assistant Business Editor Rick Velotta, Vice President of Digital Strategy Jim Prather, Director of Digital Broadcast Traci Wilson, Editorial Cartoonist Michael Ramirez, Real Estate Reporter Patrick Blennerhassett, Metro Editor Mark Bowder, Sports Betting Reporter Todd Dewey, 7@7 Senior Producer Jon Archuleta, Digital News Anchors Lena Blietz, and Cynthia Puga along with Multimedia Journalist Aniea Collins. Optum-Nevada proudly celebrates its tenth year as the presenting sponsor of this highly anticipated biannual event. Supporting sponsors include Gold Sponsors Intermountain Health and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Silver Sponsor CenterWell, and UMC as the Marquee Sponsor. Humana joins as the Caricature Sponsor, adding a fun and engaging element to the event. For real-time updates and schedules, visit and follow Aging Wellness on the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Facebook page for the latest news and insights on active lifestyles. About Optum – Nevada Optum is the state's largest multispecialty medical group with over 350 local health care providers through Optum Specialty Care, Optum Primary Care, and Southwest Medical, plus access to a vast network of contracted primary and specialty care providers through Optum – Nevada for Medicare Advantage patients. To us, success means the health and happiness of our patients. That's how we're helping to create a healthcare system that works better for everyone. For more information, please visit Optum - Nevada and Southwest Medical patients can also call 1-702-933-1383. Health Plan of Nevada and Sierra Health and Life members can call 1-800-382-0870. About the Review-JournalSince 1909, the Las Vegas Review-Journal has been Nevada's comprehensive media leader. Over the years, it has transformed from an award-winning newspaper that delivers local and community news and spans the globe with far-reaching topics and coverage. The Review-Journal has forged into multimedia and digital platforms through its website, which includes a network of niche publications, breaking news, e-newsletters, customized content, custom printing, a production studio, and more to meet the specific needs of readers and advertisers alike. Media Contact:Wanda English Blair (702) 383-0223 wblair@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Las Vegas Review-Journal
