Latest news with #Newark-based
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Communicator spotlight: Josh Earnest of United Airlines
As United Airlines' executive vice president of communications and advertising, Josh Earnest is responsible for sharing how the airline differs from its competitors. Why it matters: Much of the job is spent protecting the brand amid ongoing crises — from COIVD-19 groundings, to the Boeing quality control issues, to the recent air traffic challenges at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of United's hubs. What he's saying: Travelers have to relinquish control to the airline that's getting them from point A to point B, which "makes the association that fliers have with our brand all the more important," Earnest told Axios. Flyers pay attention to how the airlines communicate during a crisis "because they see their own personal stake in it," he said. "When people are sitting on that plane, they are feeling out of control. When you're sitting on an airplane, sometimes you don't even have access to WiFi — although we're doing a lot to try to fix that — and you're arriving whenever we decide to arrive. Hopefully your bags will make it, but we're the ones looking out for them. And you're certainly counting on United to keep you safe." State of play: United operates nearly 70% of the flights at Newark, which means the airline has a huge stake in the recent flight disruptions caused by air traffic control issues. "A lot of the challenges at Newark are totally outside of the control of United Airlines. We're talking about air traffic controllers, state and local regulators at the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, federal regulators at the FAA and the Department of Transportation, and the air traffic controllers union," he said. Yes, but: While things might be outside of United's control, its brand is impacted, and it is "not an option for us to sit on the sidelines," Earnest said. "That's why we have worked both to engage with government regulators, to try to come up with policy solutions that could solve the problem, but also why we've been really out in front in communicating with the public and with our customers about what is being done to make it more reliable." Most recently, United slashed ticket prices for Newark-based flights and partnered with JetBlue to allow for more flight options out of nearby Kennedy International Airport. Catch up quick: Before joining United, Earnest spent more than two decades in politics, most recently serving as White House press secretary for the Obama administration. Zoom in: Earnest sits on the executive team, reporting to United president Brett Hart. He oversees a team of about 140 people who are responsible for the airline's global communications, advertising and community engagement strategies. The team structure "allows us to integrate the creative, paid efforts with our aggressive, proactive earned efforts," he said. "There's no enterprise that can rely on one channel of communication, and it just means that there's a higher premium placed on a well-integrated communication strategy." "We will often use notes to our employees to drive news coverage. If you think about it, it used to be the other way. We would worry that notes we're sending to our employees could get out. And what do we do to try to prevent that? ... Now we like the benefit of the public seeing that we're transparently communicating with our employees about what's happening."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Feds look to drop oversight of bank accused of discrimination in Newark
A judge ordered federal oversight after Lakeland Bank was accused of lending discrimination in 2022 in Newark. Feds now want to end oversight. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) The Trump administration aims to end federal oversight a judge ordered in 2022 of a bank that avoided giving mortgages to people of color and opening bank branches in Black and Hispanic communities in the Newark area. Lakeland Bank has substantially complied with changes required under the September 2022 consent decree to end such discrimination, which is known as 'redlining,' and agreed to carry out whatever court-ordered reforms that remain unfinished, federal prosecutors said last week in a motion asking to end oversight more than two years early. But a nonprofit that advocates for low- and middle-income residents filed an affidavit this week calling for the consent decree to remain in place, because ending it would threaten progress made in the last two years and leave advocates with no remedy if the bank's compliance with unfinished remedies falters. It also 'sends a very bad message,' said Leila Amirhamzeh of New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund, a Newark-based nonprofit that does housing counseling and fair housing investigations. 'Our concern with the Department of Justice's motion to terminate the consent order really speaks more to the overall message that the administration is sending to financial institutions — that it is not going to enforce fair lending laws, that it is not going to ensure that any bad actors that do engage in discriminatory redlining practices are held accountable,' Amirhamzeh said. Newark officials did not respond to a request for comment. Under the decree, Lakeland agreed to open two branches in Newark communities of color and spend $12 million on a 'loan subsidy' fund to offset closing costs, mortgage insurance premiums and down payments for Black and Hispanic residents in Essex, Somerset and Union counties who apply for mortgages and home improvement and refinancing loans. The bank also agreed to spend $1.1 million on outreach, advertising, financial counseling and community development partnerships and assign at least four loan officers to serve neighborhoods they had excluded. Lakeland merged with Prudential Financial Services last year. Prudential opened a new branch this week on the edge of the Ironbound, a Newark neighborhood home to many immigrants and people of color. It's unclear whether and when it will open a second branch, as ordered under the consent decree, as well as how much of the $13 million for the loan subsidy fund and outreach remains unspent. Keith Buscio, a Prudential Bank spokesman, referred those questions to the Justice Department, and a spokesman there did not respond to a request for comment. 'Provident acknowledges the benefit of the mortgage loan subsidy to underserved communities and, in the event the DOJ's motion is granted, will commit to spending the remaining amount under the subsidy,' Buscio said. Despite such assurances, critics remain concerned. The move to end oversight comes just two months after federal banking regulators announced they would rescind a 2023 update meant to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act, a 1977 law passed to prevent redlining, Amirhamzeh said. Ending oversight also fits a pattern of Trump-administration rollbacks of Biden-era policies that protect marginalized people, she added. The Trump administration is terminating $400 million in funds for states across the country to modernize their unemployment systems, money that was authorized in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act passed under the Biden administration. Trump officials also recently dropped a federal civil rights investigation into police brutality and racial profiling in Trenton. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ellavoz Impact Capital and YouthBuild Secure Financing to Renovate Newark Building
NEWARK, N.J., May 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ellavoz Impact Capital (EIC) has secured financing together with YouthBuild Newark, Inc. (YBN) to fully rehabilitate their building located at 571 Central Avenue, Newark. The reworked space will enable YBN to consolidate their operations into one facility for LEAD Charter School and its programming. The transaction furthers YBN's strategic plan of generating additional revenue while also enhancing educational programs. EIC successfully secured $10.6MM in New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Community Impact Partners (CIP) as well as CDFI debt from CIP. The tax credits and debt financing will enable YBN to execute its rehabilitation project. The immediate and long-term impact of this revitalization includes: Enhanced Learning Environment: YouthBuild and LEAD students represent some of Newark's most marginalized youth. The refurbished facility will enhance student experiences through an improved learning environment more equipped to offer the services, programming, and support that the students need. Construction Jobs: 100% of the major construction vendors who will be working on this job are Newark-based and minority-owned. Community Revitalization: The improved building will act as a catalyst for revitalization in a low-income neighborhood. The new façade, with new first-floor windows and a main entrance fronting on Central Avenue, will communicate Newark's commitment to updating and modernizing the area. About Ellavoz Impact Capital: Ellavoz Impact Capital, LLC, (EIC) is a social impact investor, advisor, asset manager, and real estate developer focused on creating and preserving workforce and affordable housing and other community-oriented real estate properties. EIC's strategy concentrates investments into price-attainable housing and economic development projects by working with socially aligned operators, local nonprofits, and governmental agencies to deliver positive community outcomes and double bottom line returns. With teams in New Jersey, DC Metro, Florida and the Carolinas, Ellavoz currently has total managed and controlled assets with a value approaching $300 million. EIC is comprised of certified public accountants, attorneys, as well as real estate, finance, and economic development professionals. The team has both private sector experience and decades-long experience leading large community development financial institutions and nonprofit organizations. Collectively, the management team has led transactions with a total capitalization value of nearly $3 billion. View source version on Contacts Chris Ferrychris@ 732.616.8847
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whole Foods Market Foundation Awards $197,199 in Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grants
Over $1.4 million Invested Since 2017 AUSTIN, TX / / May 19, 2025 / Whole Foods Market Foundation is excited to announce that 10 community-led nonprofit organizations in Newark, New Jersey have been awarded up to $20,000 each through the Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant. In the nine years since the Foundation started the Whole Cities Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access grant, over $1.4 million has been awarded to community-led organizations that are spearheading an increase in long-term access to fresh, healthy food across all five wards of Newark. In that time, the Newark community has developed innovative ways to reach more community members with fresh food access through approaches like community gardens, urban farms, farmers' markets, healthy cooking classes, agricultural skills development programs, and more! Since the grant's inception in 2017, the goal has always been to provide Newark community leaders with the resources they need to drive - and sustain- long-term change. With the last year of formal funding in Newark, the Foundation will help support this transition through initiatives like Leadership and Business Developing Training, where partners can receive one-on-one grant writing, bookkeeping and business development mentoring from subject matter experts. The Foundation is inspired by the momentum of the Newark community to continue expanding access to healthy food and nutrition education. "Whole Cities has been honored to support locally led organizations increasing access to healthy food across Newark for the past 9 years. During that time, I've been inspired to witness the collaborative spirit of so many leaders in this community, which not only fosters a healthy environment but also enables food access efforts to go further, faster," said Dianna Purcell, Director of Programs at Whole Foods Market Foundation. This year, the Foundation is awarding a total of $197,199 across the following ten Newark-based organizations that are committed to broadening long-term access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education: Al Munir, LLC, Apiary in the Sky, LLC, Clinton Hill Community Action, Giving One Tenth Community Garden, Green Garden Bunches, Ironbound Community Corporation, KIDS IN BUSINESS, INC., Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, STEAM URBAN, and Urban Agriculture Cooperative. The Newark Community Advisory Council has been instrumental in helping the Foundation evaluate grant applications for the Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access grant. Their deep knowledge of their community is invaluable in identifying projects that will truly serve Newark's communities. Having local leaders and community members guide these decisions ensures we're directing resources where they'll have the greatest impact - from expanding access to fresh food to supporting nutrition education. The council members have generously shared their time and expertise, and their guidance has been crucial in strengthening Newark's food ecosystem. "Partnering with Whole Cities has been a true pleasure to expand fresh food access in Newark," said Sabrina Ross, a Newark Community Advisory Council member. "Their investment in our community has helped plant seeds of health, hope, and empowerment. Together, we are creating a stronger, more vibrant Newark where every family has the opportunity to thrive through access to fresh, healthy food." For more information on Whole Cities' Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant program, including a list of past grant partners, visit #### ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET FOUNDATION Whole Foods Market Foundation works to nourish people and the planet by providing access to essential resources to improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability. The registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, based in Austin, Texas, encompasses the pillars of Whole Cities, Whole Kids and Whole Planet. For more information on the Foundation's work, visit For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Media Contact:Sandra Mariscal, Director of Giving One Tenth Community Garden - Newark, NJ View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whole Foods Market Foundation on Contact Info:Spokesperson: Whole Foods Market FoundationWebsite: info@ SOURCE: Whole Foods Market Foundation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire 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
Arabian Post
04-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Air Traffic Control Crisis Forces United to Slash Newark Flights
United Airlines has cut 35 daily flights at Newark Liberty International Airport, citing a critical shortage of air traffic controllers and repeated failures in the Federal Aviation Administration's infrastructure. The move, which affects approximately 10% of United's domestic round-trip operations at the airport, follows days of severe delays, cancellations, and diversions that have rippled across the national aviation network. Chief Executive Scott Kirby described the situation as untenable, attributing the disruptions to a combination of outdated FAA technology and a walkout by over 20% of Newark-based air traffic controllers. FAA data indicates that arrival delays at Newark have stretched up to five hours, with departure delays averaging 45 minutes. The cascading effect has impacted major hubs including Chicago and Los Angeles, straining airline schedules and passenger itineraries nationwide. The FAA confirmed that Newark's current staffing levels and infrastructure cannot support its scheduled flight volume. In response, the agency has shifted some airspace control responsibilities to its Philadelphia facility. However, the transition has not alleviated the operational strain, as aging radar systems and communication tools continue to hinder efficiency. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the systemic issues, announcing a comprehensive plan to hire 2,000 new controllers in 2025 and implement financial incentives to retain experienced staff. The initiative also includes significant investments in modernizing FAA infrastructure and technology, aiming to address the longstanding deficiencies that have plagued the system. President Donald Trump emphasized the urgency of overhauling the nation's air traffic control system, proposing that a single contractor, potentially IBM or Raytheon Technologies, be tasked with the modernization effort. He criticized the current system as 'very obsolete,' underscoring the need for a 'brand new air traffic control system' to ensure safety and efficiency. See also Synthetic Chicken Breakthrough Signals New Era in Cultivated Meat The crisis at Newark has reignited discussions about reclassifying the airport as a Level 3 slot-controlled facility, which would allow for more regulated flight scheduling based on capacity. United Airlines has long advocated for this change, arguing that it would help manage congestion and improve reliability.
