Latest news with #Lexington
CBS News
14 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Transcript: Sen. Rand Paul on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," June 1, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Sen. Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on June 1, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: And we go now to Republican Senator Rand Paul, who joins us from Lexington, Kentucky this morning. Good morning to you. SEN. RAND PAUL: Good morning, Margaret. MARGARET BRENNAN: You just heard the Treasury Secretary say a number of things, dismiss the potential price increases that could come from the tariffs when it comes to retailers. He also played down the cost of this tax and border bill that just passed through the House. Do you agree with his math? SEN. PAUL: Well, the math doesn't really add up. One of the things this big and beautiful bill is is it's a vehicle for increasing spending for the military and for the border. It's about $320 billion in new spending. To put that in perspective, that's more than all the DOGE cuts that we found so far. So, the increase in spending put into this bill exceeds the DOGE cuts. When you look just at the border wall, they have 46.5 billion for the border wall. Well, the current estimate from the CBP is 6.5 million per mile. So, if you did 1,000 miles, that's 6.5 billion, but they have 46 billion. So they've inflated the cost of the wall eight fold. So, there's a lot of new spending that has to be counteracted. But essentially, this is a bill by the military industrial complex advocates who are padding the military budget. There's going to be a lot of extra money. Look, the President has essentially stopped the border flow without- without new money and without any new legislation. So, I think they're asking for too much money. And in the end, the way you add it up to see if it actually is going to save money or add money, is how much debt are they going to borrow? 5 trillion over two years, an enormous amount. MARGARET BRENNAN: Right. That- that was the number that the Secretary was quibbling over. The President has taken note of some of your skepticism, and he did tweet yesterday saying that if you, Rand Paul, vote against his massive border and tax bill the people of Kentucky will never forgive you. Do you consider that a threat, and do you know if you have three other Republicans who will join you to block it from passage? SEN. PAUL: I had a very good conversation with the President this week about tariffs. He did most of the talking, and we don't agree exactly on the outcome. But when I come home to Kentucky, I talk to the Farm Bureau, which is opposed to the tariffs. I talked to the bourbon industry which is opposed to the tariffs. I talked to the cargo companies, UPS, DHL, all their pilots are opposed to it. I talked to the hardwood floor people. I talked to the people selling houses, building houses. I have no organized business- business interests in Kentucky for the tariffs. So I think it's worth the discussion, and it's worth people remembering that the Republicans used to be for lower taxes. Tariffs are a tax. So, if you raise taxes on the private sector, that's not good for the private sector. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, you know, we hear from other senators who also get complaints from their people in their districts, but they're falling in line. Do you have three other Republicans who will stand with you to block this bill? SEN. PAUL: I think there are four of us at this point, and I would be very surprised if the bill, at least, is not modified in a good direction. Look, I want to vote for it. I'm for the tax cuts. I voted for the tax cuts before. I want the tax cuts to be permanent, but at the same time, I don't want to raise the debt ceiling 5 trillion. So, I've told him, if you take the debt ceiling off the bill, in all likelihood, I can vote for what the agreement is on the rest of the bill, and it doesn't have to be perfect to my liking. But I can't be- if I vote for the $5 trillion debt, who's left in Washington that cares about the debt. We will have lost it. The GOP will own the debt once they vote for this. MARGARET BRENNAN: But that the leader, as you know, is sort of in a tight spot here. He needs a vehicle to raise that debt ceiling. Otherwise, you have to turn to Democrats to get that done. What was the White House response when you asked that to the President? SEN. PAUL: Well, historically, the debt ceiling has always gone up and will always go up, and I'm not proposing that it doesn't, but the people who should vote for it are the people who vote for the spending. Historically, all the Democrats vote for raising the debt ceiling, and about 15 big government Republicans vote for it. This will be the first time it's voted on just by Republicans. This will be the first time that Republicans own the debt. They already own the spending. In March, we continued, not me, but most Republicans voted to continue the Biden spending levels. So you remember the campaign, everybody is talking about Bidenomics and Biden inflation and Biden spending levels. Well, the Republicans all voted to keep the Biden spending levels, and that's why the deficit this year is going to be $2.2 trillion this year. MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you think this is bad politics for Republicans. Some of your Republican colleagues, like Josh Hawley, are saying that changes to Medicaid are bad politics for America's working people and for your party. SEN. PAUL: I think it was a bad strategy. I think the tax cuts are good for the economy. When we passed the tax cuts in 2017 the economy grew like gangbusters. We had lowest unemployment historically. It was the great achievement of Trump's first administration. They should have been satisfied by just doing the tax part of this and not getting involved into the debt part of it. MARGARET BRENNAN: The last time you were with us in March, you talked about conversations you had with Elon Musk, as you know, he's just left his work with the administration. You had proposed a rescission request, a claw back about $500 billion of money Congress had already signed off on. We know now that the White House is going to ask Congress this week for some rescissions. Sounds like it's just $9.4 billion and it's- it's PBS, it's NPR and it's foreign aid. Is this really the best strategy? And do you think 51 Republican senators are on board with it? SEN. PAUL: First of all, I will vote for spending cuts. The more the better. This is very, very small to put it in perspective, if the deficit this year is 2.2 trillion, if you cut 9 billion, the deficit is going to be 2.191 trillion. It really doesn't materially change the course of the country. We should do it by all means. And it is the low hanging fruit. This is the money that was pointed out that was being spent for sex change operations in Guatemala, trans-opera in Columbia, all this crazy spending. Yes, it should be cut-- MARGARET BRENNAN: -- Sesame Street.-- SEN. PAUL: -- I had an amendment about a month- Excuse me-- MARGARET BRENNAN: It's Sesame Street. It's PBS and NPR. SEN. PAUL: Yeah. And I think, yeah- you're right. We'll see if there's the votes to cut it. I don't think we necessarily need government programming anymore. We have so many choices on the internet and so many choices on television, but my preference has always been, in the past, to cut a little bit of everything, rather than cut a lot of something. So what I've done in the past is propose a penny plan budget where we cut a certain percentage of everything, but it includes entitlements, or it doesn't really work. Once you exclude the entitlements, there isn't enough money to cut so you can never achieve balance by not looking at the entitlements. MARGARET BRENNAN: The budget director on another program this morning said they may not need to use this rescission, this claw back, because the White House has other tools. Do you think they need to go through Congress? Is this overstepping? SEN. PAUL: Well, they- well, they absolutely have to use a recession- the rescission, and it is done by simple majority, by Republicans only. There is no filibuster of it. So, it's a great tool to cut spending. If they don't use, it will be a huge wasted opportunity. But I will tell you, they tried in the first Trump administration. It wasn't their fault. They sent a tiny one, 16 billion, and it failed because two Republicans went the other way. So, we'll see what happens on this. But if we can't even cut welfare that we're giving to other countries, if we can't cut foreign aid welfare, I feel bad for the country. You know, interest rates are rising. We're having trouble selling our debt. We've got a lot of problems. MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Rand Paul, we'll be right back.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lexington man escapes jail by claiming to be brother scheduled for release
BEATTYVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — A search is underway by Kentucky State Police (KSP) after an inmate escaped the Three Forks Regional Jail on Thursday afternoon. Troopers were told by jail staff that the escape happened just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, according to a news release. Jeffrey Harrison, 43, of Lexington, had been 'inadvertently released after falsely identifying himself as his brother, who was scheduled for release,' state police wrote. Harrison is a white man with brown hair and blue eyes. He's 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighing 138 pounds. 1 arrested, 1 taken to hospital after stabbing near Danville boutique Lexington man escapes jail by claiming to be brother scheduled for release Kentucky man killed during Washington County tornado identified KSP said he was last seen wearing a red jacket, camo shoes, and a black hat. Harrison may have left the area in an older model of a white Subaru. Harrison was reportedly serving a sentence for first-degree promotion of contraband. Anyone with information that might help law enforcement find Harrison is asked to call KSP Post 7 in Richmond at (859) 623-2404. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Coahoma softball downs Lexington for third consecutive state championship
AUSTIN — Once again, Coahoma is on top of the Texas softball world. The Bulldogettes won their third consecutive state championship with a 6-1 victory over Lexington in the Class 3A Division II title game Thursday at McCombs Field. Texas signee Hannah Wells was voted MVP after a 2-for-3 outing with a double and a home run. She also earned the win with eight strikeouts in a complete game. Advertisement Wells crushed the game's first pitch for a double, and two batters later Mia Clemmer opened the scoring with her own double. Lexington answered with a run on three hits in the home half of the first, but Coahoma scored the contest's final five runs. Wells allowed three hits the rest of the way and totaled two walks. Her towering shot in the third gave the Bulldogettes the lead for good. The future Longhorn became emotional seconds after the final out. "It's sad. I know that's terrible to say, but I am actually really sad," Wells said. "It's the best group of seniors in the game of softball, I think, for high school. And that shows with three state championships back to back. It's so surreal." Advertisement Wells played seven games at McCombs Field throughout her career, and that number will soon skyrocket. "I've played a lot of games here. It's my favorite place to be," Wells said. "I love the atmosphere. I just love Texas softball as a whole, so getting to come here is just a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm so glad I get to do it." Clemmer, a Texas commit, capped the scoring with a solo homer in the sixth. She went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Nevaeh Kerby, one of six seniors, tied Clemmer with a team-high two RBIs. Coahoma became the first softball team in UIL history to win three state championships in a row. Corpus Christi Calallen will look to match the feat Friday. Advertisement "It's a fitting end for these senior kids," Bulldogettes coach Alexander Orosco said, "that just bust their tails and do things the right way. It was fitting for them to get here and do it one more time." The Coahoma softball team celebrates after a win over Lexington in the Class 3A Division II state championship Thursday, May 29, 2025, at McCombs Field in Austin. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Hannah Wells, Coahoma softball win third-straight state championship
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit? The backyard homes may help the housing crisis in Mass.
Big problems don't always need big solutions. In Massachusetts, one of the answers to our housing crisis might be hiding in the backyard. They're called Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs for short. Think of them as pint-sized homes, built on the same lot as an existing home. Once upon a time, these little homes were locked down by zoning rules, you could build one, but only if a relative was moving in. Renting to anyone else? Off limits. But now, building an ADU has become much easier. For Linda and Mark Adler of Lexington, the solution to their own personal housing crunch didn't just fall from the sky, but it did get slowly lowered from above. New homes in backyard Their new ADU was delivered in a couple massive prefab pieces. A crane gently set them down in the side yard. Just like that, they had a brand-new two-bedroom, two-bath home. Part of an Accessory Dwelling Unit lifted into place with a crane. CBS Boston "Two big pieces, on two flatbed trucks and an enormous crane lifting both pieces over our existing house," said Mark. "Which was a little scary." The Adlers added the ADU when their daughter and grandkids moved in. Now, they're living just steps apart, with much more room to breathe. "For us it was an affordable solution to being close, but giving everybody space," said Linda. About 30 miles away in Northboro, Marsha Gleason built her own ADU in the backyard of the house she once shared with her late husband. "My new home is just perfect for me," she said. "It has allowed me to stay in my neighborhood." Accessory Dwelling Unit in Northboro, Massachusetts. CBS Boston Now, her son and daughter-in-law live in the main house. Marsha's 800-square-foot home is filled with her artwork — and she still hosts her friends and the occasional sleepover for her grandkids. "I've had groups here," she said. "I can still entertain." No more special permits Until recently, ADUs were nearly impossible to build in many Massachusetts towns, thanks to zoning restrictions and red tape. But that changed last year with the Affordable Homes Act. What's new? Well, there are no more special "ADU permits." No more rules about ADU's being for "relatives only." Now, you can build an ADU that's up to 900 sq ft in size. It can be inside an existing home, attached, or completely separate, as long as it has its own entrance. You can rent out an ADU. "We had a patchwork of regulations across Massachusetts," said Ed Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. "Now, ADUs are one way we're tackling the housing crisis." Augustus estimates 8,000 to 10,000 ADUs will be built in the next five years. But that's just the start. The state says Massachusetts needs about 200,000 new housing units over the next decade to truly get ahead of the crisis. ADUs are just one piece of the solution. Before you start sketching your backyard floor plan, a few caveats: Property taxes may go up. Adding an ADU increases the value of your property, and likely your tax bill. Towns can still pass rules banning ADUs from being used as Airbnbs or other short-term stays. You'll need to follow setback rules and other basics, even under the new law. How much do ADUs cost? Chris Lee runs Backyard ADUs, a company that builds these units off-site and installs them in a matter of months. His average turnkey price: around $300,000. They can run as much as $500,000. But the new laws are making ADU's more popular. "It's getting easier," Lee said. "Vermont was the first state in New England, Maine followed, Rhode Island followed, Mass. followed and now New Hampshire just followed. Basically New England is catching up with the West Coast." For some families, these small homes are delivering a big solution. For them, an ADU is A-OK. For more information on the state's new rules on ADUs visit If you have a question you'd like us to look into, please email questioneverything@
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Leading Independent Proxy Advisory Firm Glass Lewis Recommends Stockholders Vote 'FOR' All of Keros' Director Nominees
Keros Board Best Equipped to Oversee Strategic Review Process and Execute on Ultimate Outcome of that Process ADAR1's Disruptive and Self-Serving Campaign Stands to Jeopardize the Future Value Maximizing Potential of the Company Keros Urges Stockholders to Protect the Value of Their Investment by Voting 'FOR' All Three of the Company's Highly Qualified Director Nominees LEXINGTON, Mass., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keros Therapeutics, Inc. ('Keros', the 'Company' or 'we') (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta ('TGF-ß') family of proteins, today announced that leading independent proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis & Co. ('Glass Lewis') recommended that Keros stockholders vote 'FOR' all three of the Company's highly qualified director nominees in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the 'Annual Meeting') scheduled for June 4, 2025. Keros issued the following statement in connection with Glass Lewis' report: We are pleased that Glass Lewis recognizes the value that our directors bring to the Board and understands that the Board and management team's actions taken to date to maximize stockholder value are reasonable and measured. Our Board is intentionally built, comprised of experienced individuals, many of whom directly represent stockholders, and will continue to focus on evaluating alternatives in the best interests of the Company and all stockholders. We continue to believe that the most constructive course of action for stockholders at this pivotal stage in our strategic alternatives review is to remain focused on effectively running the company and a comprehensive process rather than being sidetracked by a self-serving and value-destructive campaign. Glass Lewis stated in its May 27, 2025 report 1: 'On the other hand, we note that the magnitude of the Company's share price collapse appears to stem primarily from inherent clinical development risk rather than board-level mismanagement. In particular, the setback in the TROPOS clinical trial – and the subsequent 73% one-day share price decline – reflects the volatile and often binary nature of clinical-stage biotech investing, especially in cases where a company's valuation is heavily reliant on a lead product candidate that has not yet been clinically de-risked. To date, and to the best of our knowledge, no credible evidence has emerged to suggest the board mismanaged the trial or disregarded known safety signals.' 'ADAR1 has not presented compelling evidence that either directors Gray or Seth played a disproportionate role in the Company's missteps or failed to fulfill their core duties as independent directors. In the absence of such evidence – and considering the board's recent initiation of a strategic review process and its continued willingness to engage with shareholders – we do not believe there is a sufficiently strong accountability rationale to warrant withholding support from either nominee at this time.' 'Although ADAR1's arguments for increased capital discipline may resonate with shareholders, we believe the board's decision to retain flexibility through a formal strategic review – led by a special committee of independent, disinterested directors – represents a reasonable and measured approach at this time. While a substantial capital return may ultimately be warranted, we believe this is better determined in the context of a completed and comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives.' 'While ADAR1 has characterized the Rights Plan as an entrenchment device, the plan's adoption appears to us to be reasonably timed and narrowly scoped, and does not reflect the more aggressive features often seen in contested situations.' 'Although shareholder rights plans are generally viewed with caution by investors and Glass Lewis, particularly in the context of public shareholder dissent, the facts of this case do not, in our view, suggest that the board acted in bad faith or sought to preempt legitimate shareholder participation.' 'In our view, the board's recent initiation of a strategic review, led by an independent special committee, represents a constructive step in addressing shareholder concerns.' Keros issued the following statement in response to ADAR1 Capital Management, LLC ('ADAR1')'s misleading claims: In a recent press release, hedge fund ADAR1 makes claims that the recent voting recommendation by Institutional Shareholder Services ('ISS') in connection with the election of directors at Keros' upcoming Annual Meeting constitutes an endorsement of ADAR1's aggressive campaign to oppose two highly qualified members of the Company's Board of Directors (the 'Board'). This notion is false and misleading. To be clear, the ISS recommendation is based on their standard voting guidelines for 'uncontested' director elections and was not reviewed by its special situations team that typically evaluates these types of campaigns. And unlike Glass Lewis, the report does not address any of ADAR1's misleading allegations or arguments. ADAR1's aggressive campaign to oppose two of the Board's highly qualified directors demonstrates a troubling disregard for Board diversity and critical expertise at a pivotal time for the Company. The Keros Board comprises nine directors, all of whom are independent except for the Company's CEO. This includes four representatives of Keros stockholders, two of whom are representatives of Pontifax, the Company's second largest stockholder. Collectively, the Board represents diverse perspectives and brings significant experience across the biotechnology industry, including drug development and commercialization, capital allocation, M&A and business development. In short, Keros has the right Board to oversee the ongoing strategic review process to maximize stockholder value and execute on the ultimate outcome of that process. The Board remains focused on successfully completing the strategic alternatives review process, which remains ongoing. We have always made, and will continue to make, decisions that we believe are in the best interests of the Company and ALL stockholders We strongly urge you to vote 'FOR' each of Keros' three director nominees, Mary Ann Gray, Ph.D., Ran Nussbaum and Alpna Seth, Ph.D. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN. YOU MAY VOTE BY TELEPHONE, THE INTERNET OR MAIL BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD. WE URGE YOU TO VOTE TODAY! If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please contact: 7 Penn Plaza New York, New York 10001 Toll-Free: 1-800-322-2885 Or Email: proxy@ Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as Keros' financial advisor, and Cooley LLP is serving as legal counsel. About Keros Therapeutics, Inc. Keros is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the TGF-ß family of proteins. Keros is a leader in understanding the role of the TGF-ß family of proteins, which are master regulators of the growth, repair and maintenance of a number of tissues, including blood, bone, skeletal muscle, adipose and heart tissue. By leveraging this understanding, Keros has discovered and is developing protein therapeutics that have the potential to provide meaningful and potentially disease-modifying benefit to patients. One of Keros' product candidates, cibotercept (KER-012), is being developed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Keros' second product candidate, KER-065, is being developed for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases. Keros' most advanced product candidate, elritercept (KER-050), is being developed for the treatment of cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and in patients with myelofibrosis. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'continue,' 'expects,' 'enable,' 'potential' and 'will' or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the Annual Meeting and our director nominees, and the intended benefits of our classified Board structure. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: whether the objectives of the strategic alternative review process will be achieved; the terms, structure, benefits and costs of any strategic transaction; the timing of any transaction and whether any transaction will be consummated at all; the risk that the strategic alternatives review and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with partners, suppliers, employees, stockholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally; the risk the strategic alternatives review could divert the attention and time of the Company's management; the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the review; the risk of any litigation relating to the review; Keros' limited operating history and historical losses; Keros' ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Keros' dependence on the success of its product candidates, cibotercept, KER-065 and elritercept; that Keros may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; the risk that circumstances surrounding or leading up to our 2025 Annual Meeting may change; Keros' ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; and Keros' dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies. These and other risks are described more fully in Keros' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), including the 'Risk Factors' section of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on May 6, 2025, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Keros undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Important Additional Information and Where to Find It On April 23, 2025, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Proxy Statement") and form of accompanying proxy card with the SEC in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting and its solicitation of proxies for the Company's director nominees and for other matters to be voted on. The Company may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding its solicitation of proxies for the 2025 Annual Meeting. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement or other document that the Company has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with any solicitation by the Company. STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH, OR FURNISHED TO, THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain a copy of the Proxy Statement and any amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and any other relevant documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC's website at Copies will also be available at no charge at the Company's website at Certain Information Regarding Participants This communication is neither a solicitation of a proxy or consent nor a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the SEC. The Company, its directors, its director nominees and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies for the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of such persons and their respective direct or indirect interests in the Company, by securities holdings or otherwise, is available in the Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 23, 2025, including in the sections captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Executive Compensation," "Non-Employee Director Compensation," "Transactions with Related Persons and Indemnification" and "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management." To the extent that the Company's directors and executive officers have acquired or disposed of securities holdings since the applicable "as of" date disclosed in the Proxy Statement, such transactions have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Ownership of Securities on Form 4 or Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC's website at Contacts Investor Contact: Justin Frantz jfrantz@ 617-221-6042 Media Contact: Mahmoud Siddig / Adam Pollack / Viveca Tress Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 355-4449 __________________ 1 Permission to obtain quotes was neither sought nor obtained.
