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Reading Plus Performance Data Reveals Students Achieved Consistent Literacy Gains During Spring 2020 COVID-19 School Closures

Students With High Reading Plus Usage Experienced Twice the Grade Level Reading Growth Than Peers Who Did Not Use the Program

WINOOSKI, Vt., Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reading Plus, a research-backed online program that uses personalized instruction to improve students’ reading proficiency, today published its National Report for the 2019-2020 School Year revealing that students who used the program achieved reading proficiency gains consistent with prior years, despite disruptions caused by the abrupt shift to remote learning at the onset of the pandemic. According to the performance data, students who completed the recommended* hours of Reading Plus instruction saw significantly larger gains than their peers who did not use the program – in most cases, improving by twice as many grade levels.

“Despite early concerns about COVID-19-related learning loss from both families and the education community, we knew Reading Plus’s versatility could easily support schools and educators needing to provide sustained, effective literacy instruction during distance learning,” said Dr. Alexandra Spichtig, chief research officer at Reading Plus. “Our national performance data underscore that Reading Plus enabled students to continue to develop their reading proficiency uninterrupted, regardless of where they were learning.”

Reading Plus, used nationally by more than one million students, improves reading proficiency 2.0 to 2.5 grade levels on average in a single school year (40 to 60 hours of program use). The 2019-2020 national report shows a subset of students achieved 3.1 grade levels of growth with recommended program use during this time. Reading Plus develops comprehension, vocabulary, silent reading fluency, stamina, and motivation. It is the only literacy program that also addresses the physical aspect of reading – the way the eyes navigate lines of text – which impacts a student’s ability to process and retain information effectively and efficiently.
  
The 2019-2020 national report analyzes performance data from 235,779 students enrolled in 2,351 elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S. These students completed the Reading Plus InSight silent reading assessment on at least two occasions, once near the start of the 2019-2020 school year and again during the spring. The InSight assessment measures reading comprehension, vocabulary, comprehension-based silent reading rate, and motivation, and provides a composite reading proficiency grade-level score. The assessment is highly correlated with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), and other state and commonly used assessments.

Reading Plus also released a special research report detailing student performance from short-term emergency pilots that took place between March and June 2020. New to Reading Plus, the 986 pilot students used the program at home after school buildings closed and gained one-half to one full year of reading growth in just 8 to 12 weeks (about 8 to 16 hours) of program use.

“Educators across the country are working overtime to ensure students receive a quality education at home while juggling myriad uncertainties,” said Steven Guttentag, CEO of Reading Plus. “These results show Reading Plus is an incredibly effective online tool capable of keeping literacy learning on track despite these challenging times.”

To further assist educators and families during the pandemic, Reading Plus also began providing comprehensive resources for free at www.readingplus.com/remote-learning. Materials include over 200 downloadable activities that help students improve essential reading skills, such as graphic organizers, skill-building worksheets, and comprehension-based writing prompts catered to each child’s reading ability.

“At Reading Plus, our primary mission is to inspire students to become lifelong learners,” said Guttentag. “As educators anticipate the unknowns 2021 will bring, we are proud to support them with an online solution that can reach students wherever they are.”

To learn more about the benefits of Reading Plus for in-person, remote, or hybrid learning environments, visit www.readingplus.com.


*

The recommended hours for Reading Plus instruction vary per student tier group. More intensive
use of Reading Plus is recommended for students who are reading below grade level and need to catch up with their peers. Recommended use for students in Tier 1 (at/above grade level) is 20 hours, for Tier 2 (one to two levels below grade level) is 40+ hour
s, and for Tier 3 (three or more levels below grade level) is 60+ hours.

ABOUT READING PLUS

Reading Plus is a research-proven, online program that provides personalized intervention and instruction for students, improving reading proficiency between 2.0 to 2.5 grade levels in a single school year. Reading Plus develops comprehension, vocabulary, motivation and stamina, while also going beyond the offerings of other literacy programs by addressing silent reading fluency. It supports students with diverse needs, including English learners, special education, RTI/MTSS tiers 1-3, and advanced readers. Reading Plus provides educators with an easy-to-use management and reporting system, extensive resources to guide differentiated instruction, professional development and highly-rated customer support. The Reading Plus program is used in more than 5,000 schools nationally, helping over 1 million students become efficient, confident, lifelong readers. For more information visit www.readingplus.com.



Press Contact
Jennifer Leckstrom
RoseComm for Reading Plus
(215) 681-0770
[email protected]

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Abaxx Technologies Announces Commencement of Trading on Canada’s NEO Stock Exchange

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (“Abaxx”) is pleased to announce it has received final approval to list on the Neo Exchange Inc. (the “NEO“) in Canada and will begin trading on December 18, 2020 under the symbol “ABXX”. Abaxx successfully completed the previously announced reverse takeover with New Millennium Iron Corp. (“NML“) on December 14, 2020 pursuant to the terms of a business combination agreement dated September 18, 2020. For more information, please refer to NML’s press release dated December 11, 2020.

Abaxx will commence trading on the NEO Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ABXX and will have 63,558,062 shares outstanding at the start of trading. A filing statement prepared in accordance with the policies of the NEO is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com

About Abaxx Technologies

Abaxx Technologies Inc. is a development stage financial technology business developing software tools which enable commodity traders and finance professionals to communicate, manage risk, and transact faster and more securely. In addition, Abaxx is the majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“ACX”, or “Abaxx.Exchange”), a commodity futures exchange seeking final regulatory approvals as a Registered Market Operator (“RMO”) and Approved Clearing House (“ACH”) with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”). On September 7, 2020, Abaxx received Approval in Principle of its RMO application, subject to various terms and conditions.

A confluence of global socio-economic trends created opportunities for Abaxx and Abaxx.Exchange. Generational changes in the world are happening faster than industries, systems and infrastructure can adapt. Massive capitalization for renewable energy-based electrification is driving an energy transformation from carbon intensive coal and oil energy sources to natural gas, wind, solar, and smart grid energy storage requiring new natural resources and more efficient markets to trade them. Public opinion and necessity have reordered capital allocation priorities and investment criteria among the largest banks and institutional investment firms globally to better price environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks. And current internet technologies and online commerce systems are experiencing an acute need for better tools to manage privacy, data and network security.

Abaxx is working to develop Smarter Markets to address these global challenges, comprised of three components: (i) commercializing a commodity futures exchange based in Singapore, which is currently developing new global energy-transition related commodity contracts to improve price discovery, risk transfer and capital allocation; (ii) open standard internet communication protocols, ID++, and applications increasing security, privacy and productivity, the Abaxx Console; and (iii) ESG-ID governance software, recognition of the urgent need to discover and price ESG-related externalities in natural resource supply chains. Abaxx’s approach is to enable standards to emerge by offering stakeholders across the value chain easily adoptable software applications for transparent measurement, verification and reporting (MVR). It is anticipated that commodity contracts traded on the Abaxx Exchange will include optional carbon offset and carbon neutral pricing-mechanisms to support the global shift to more environmentally and socially responsible sourcing and investing. Rephrased in a sporting metaphor, Abaxx is leveraging the technology platform and exchange infrastructure that our stakeholders have invested in the past three years to act as a trusted global scorekeeper, not referee or player in the emergence of ESG-data enhanced commerce.

“Abaxx was founded with a vision of how global markets and the internet economy will fundamentally transform over the next decade,” remarked Josh Crumb, Founder and CEO. “We quickly learned that many people share our thesis around the socio-economic transition taking place, and we fundamentally believe that more stringent trust and transparency, more efficient market-based solutions, and trustworthy-computing software systems will enable global markets to organize and transact, resulting in the best emergent outcomes for society. The vision crystallized into a business strategy for capturing opportunities that are emerging faster than anticipated. Abaxx has an exceptional team, transformative technology and a commercial roll out planned beginning with the launch of Abaxx Exchange in Singapore, anticipated in the summer of 2021.”

For more information please visit abaxx.tech, abaxx.exchange and SmarterMarketsPod.com

Media and investor inquiries:

Abaxx Technologies Inc.
Andrew Fedak, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Tel: +1 246 271 0082
E-mail: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx or the Company’s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, or “plan”. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, Abaxx’ objectives, goals or future plans, statements, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Such factors include, among others: risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; the Company’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’ normal course of business.

Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. When relying on Abaxx forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Abaxx does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. The NEO Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.



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Comerica Bank Named One of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek; Recognized as Sustainability Leader by CDP

PR Newswire

DALLAS, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) and its commitment to corporate responsibility is closing out 2020 with high marks from Newsweek and CDP.

For the second consecutive year, Comerica earned one of the top spots on Newsweek‘s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2021. The ranking recognizes 400 companies across 14 industries continuing to positively impact their communities. Comerica, placing 51st in the ranking, is the highest ranked regional bank and sixth-highest financial services company.

The rating, prepared in partnership with global data research firm Statista, is determined by evaluating the key corporate responsibility performance indicators of more than 2,000 companies across the country in the areas of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) performance. The rating also uses an independent survey of more than 7,500 U.S. residents. 

“At Comerica, we understand that being a responsible company means taking care of our colleagues, customers, and communities, particularly in challenging times,” said Curt Farmer, Chairman and CEO, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank. “Our actions addressing critical topics, such as racial equity, protection of the environment and economic support for communities and small businesses, clearly demonstrates our commitment.”

Comerica has remained proactive in its response to COVID-19, serving its communities, customers and colleagues during this uncertain time. Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation distributed more than $9 million to support small business needs and community service organizations, and most recently moved $10 million in deposits to Minority Depository Institutions. Also, as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Comerica supplied more than $3.8 billion in loans to small businesses.

In addition to recognition by Newsweek, CDP presented Comerica with an “A-” rating on its annual Climate Change Questionnaire. CDP works to improve corporate measurement and disclosure of climate change impacts on behalf of more than 500 institutional investor signatories with a combined $106 trillion in assets. This was the first year CDP utilized a climate change questionnaire specific to the financial services sector and Comerica’s 2020 rating was at the highest level among its regional bank peers. 

“With a growing stakeholder desire for transparency around the impacts of climate change, particularly from the financial services industry, we have continued our long-term commitment to disclosure via CDP and are pleased to return to the leadership level,” said Scott Beckerman, Comerica Bank Director of Corporate Sustainability. “We are dedicated to ongoing progress, not only in reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), but also in working in partnership with organizations like the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) to better disclose impacts throughout our value chain.” 

Comerica has reduced GHG emissions over 48 percent since 2012 and has goals to further reduce GHG emissions 65 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. 

For more information on corporate responsibility at Comerica, visit the Corporate Responsibility section.

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $83.6 billion as of Sept. 30, 2020.

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SOURCE Comerica Incorporated

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EPCOR provides $25,000 to YMCA of Northern Alberta for new fundraising campaign

EDMONTON, Alberta, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a time when the communities of central and northern Alberta need the YMCA more than ever, EPCOR has partnered with YMCA of Northern Alberta to match all donations received until December 31, 2020 up to $25,000, through the Heart + Soul Fund by EPCOR.

YMCA of Northern Alberta has been proudly serving the communities of central and northern Alberta for 113 years. Through their year-end fundraising campaign in partnership with EPCOR, they are asking the community for support, to ensure that they can remain a strong and viable part of the community for at least another 113 years.

“YMCA is thrilled to partner with EPCOR for our year-end campaign,” said Nick Parkinson, President and CEO, YMCA Northern Alberta. “EPCOR’s funding will allow our donor’s gifts to have double the impact and help build strong and thriving communities.”

YMCA of Northern Alberta is proud to partner with EPCOR for their year-end campaign, that is made possible in part by the Heart + Soul Fund by EPCOR. Both organizations believe in strengthening the community and providing a lifeline to those in need and are excited about doubling the impact of the funds raised from now until December 31, 2020 that will help build strong kids, healthy families and thriving communities.

“The Y is a wonderful example of how the programs our community counts on can continue to operate, safely and sustainably,” said Stuart Lee, President and CEO, EPCOR. “But like many other non-profit organizations these days, they need support too. The Heart + Soul Fund was created in part to help organizations like the Y amplify their fundraising efforts, so they can continue providing an important lifeline to those hardest hit by COVID-19.”

To make an important gift to the YMCA, visit northernalberta.ymca.ca/give.

About YMCA of Northern Alberta 
YMCA of Northern Alberta is a registered charity dedicated to building healthy communities since 1907. From providing quality child care and supporting people in their health and wellness, to providing important community outreach programs, the YMCA of Northern Alberta works to strengthen communities in the Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Wood Buffalo and Red Deer regions. For more information, visit northernalberta.ymca.ca.

About EPCOR

EPCOR, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The Company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is an Alberta Top 75 employer.

Contact: 
Shamelle Pless 
YMCA of Northern Alberta 
780-680-7562 
[email protected]



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IIROC Trading Halt – APC

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 17, 2020 /CNW/ – The following issues have been halted by IIROC:

Company: Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporati

TSX-Venture Symbol: APC

All Issues: Yes

Reason: At the Request of the Company Pending News

Halt Time (ET): 12:16 PM

IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.

SOURCE Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) – Halts/Resumptions

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TTEC Unveils New Customer Experience Trends with Release of its 2021 CX Trends Report

PR Newswire

DENVER, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — TTEC released its annual report of 2021 trends in the Customer Experience as a Service (CXaaS) space that takes a deep dive into seven trends altering the new customer and employee landscape. COVID-19 has impacted and changed the customer experience (CX) by altering how people work and interact with each other. TTEC’s 2021 CX trends include:

  • Trend One: Digital customer service takes the lead
  • Trend Two: Customer trust is paramount
  • Trend Three: Remote work ushers in new opportunities to better serve customers
  • Trend Four: Enterprises embrace automation with a human touch
  • Trend Five: Cybersecurity becomes a top priority
  • Trend Six: Redefine workplace flexibility
  • Trend Seven: Diversity and inclusivity become essential

In this two-part CX trends series, TTEC focuses on how COVID-19 impacted CX and the resulting anticipations for 2021, along with the impacts on employees and the projections for how businesses will reshape the employee experience.

“While COVID-19 forced many organizations into digital experiences such as work-from-home, online grocery shopping, online banking, and more, the digital customer is forcing the customer experience to evolve in 2021. The ‘click to curb’ experience is here to stay,” said Nick Cerise, chief marketing officer at TTEC. “Now, many businesses are faced with the challenge of productivity, and that’s where human-centered AI will be an imperative as businesses continue to reshape their workplaces with cloud and collaboration platforms in 2021. These platforms help deliver the flexibility that powers business continuity and fuels excellent customer experience.”

In this report, TTEC also identifies five ways that businesses can prepare for the customer experience in 2021, including being consistent, nimble, realistic, effortless, and prepared. With the new digital roadmap, companies also are discovering and defining ways to integrate automation and AI into their workplace. With this digital innovation, companies must also keep cybersecurity top of mind to ensure safety and protection.

“As 2021 approaches, and we’re still facing COVID-19, businesses must reimagine their practices to adapt to new customer and employee experience expectations,” said Cerise. “The trends we’ve outlined exemplify how CX is reimagined and can help your brand achieve the performance and swiftness required to thrive in 2021 and in years to come.”

To acquire the 2021 Edition of CX Trends click here.

About TTEC:

TTEC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC) is a leading global Customer Experience as a Service (CXaaS) partner for many of the world’s most iconic and disruptive brands. The company delivers outcome-based customer engagement solutions through TTEC Digital, its digital consultancy that designs and builds human centric, tech-enabled, insight-driven customer experience solutions for clients and TTEC Engage, its delivery center of excellence, that operates customer acquisition, care, fraud prevention and detection, and content moderation services. Founded in 1982, the Company’s nearly 56,200 employees operate on six continents across the globe and live by a set of customer-focused values that guide relationships with clients, their customers, and each other. To learn more about how TTEC is bringing humanity to the customer experience, visit https://www.ttec.com/.

Contact:
Liesl Perez, [email protected], +1.303.551.1417

 

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SOURCE TTEC Holdings, Inc.

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Applied DNA Awarded Pooled Surveillance Testing Contract Valued at Up to $2.0 Million from Suffolk County (N.Y.) Government

Applied DNA Awarded Pooled Surveillance Testing Contract Valued at Up to $2.0 Million from Suffolk County (N.Y.) Government

STONY BROOK, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) (“Applied DNA” or the “Company”), a leader in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based DNA manufacturing, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Applied DNA Clinical Laboratories, LLC (ADCL), has secured a safeCircle™ pooled COVID-19 surveillance testing program (the “Program”) award with a potential value of up to $2.0 million from the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Government (the “County”). The 6-month term and award value may be increased at the County’s discretion to meet additional testing demand.

“In Suffolk, we know that testing is key to containing the virus, and this new partnership with ADCL will provide all of our employees with the peace of mind they need to continue their critical work, as we are now fully embraced in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Our goal is to give our employees access to fast and convenient testing to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, and I encourage all County employees to take advantage of this new testing program.”

ADCL has partnered with N.Y.-based CLEARED4 to administer value-added services to the County by integrating CLEARED4’s platform with safeCircle’s surveillance testing modality to automate health safety. CLEARED4, a market-leading COVID-19 safety platform, is now integrated with ADCL’s laboratory operations. The partnership enables safeCircle’s clients to automate the management and monitoring of their testing programs and improve the communication of valuable health clearance information, thereby ensuring the adoption of and compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local COVID-19 regulations.

Commenting on the award with the County, Dr. James A. Hayward, president and CEO, Applied DNA, said, “40% of individuals who develop COVID-19 are asymptomatic, and as an essential workforce, County employees do not always have the luxury of working from home. Ongoing, consistent, and proactive pooled surveillance testing can help identify infected populations sooner and help protect co-workers, family members, and communities. As Suffolk County residents ourselves, we are honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of our neighbors.”

Weekly pooled surveillance testing is being conducted using anterior nasal swab collection systems pooled in groups of up to five individuals per test. Individuals in positive pools identified by the Program are referred for follow-on diagnostic testing under a referral testing agreement between ADCL and a certified laboratory. Per the current Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the result of all samples testing under the Program will be reported only in the aggregate and only to the County. Samples referred for follow-on diagnostic testing will be reported by the certified laboratory as per applicable laws and regulations.

About safeCircle™

ADCL’s pooled surveillance testing program, known as safeCircle™, utilizes frequent, high-sensitivity pooled testing to help prevent virus spread by quickly identifying infections within a community, school, or workplace. safeCircle provides 24-hour results using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) testing.

Click through to learn more about how safeCircle can help your community, school, and workplace: safeCircle

About the LineaTM COVID-19 Assay Kit

The Linea™ COVID-19 Assay Kit is authorized by FDA EUA for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory specimens, including anterior nasal swabs, self-collected at a healthcare location or collected by a healthcare worker, and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, mid-turbinate nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal washes/aspirates or nasal aspirates, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens collected by a healthcare worker from individuals who are suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider. The scope of the Linea™ COVID-19 Assay Kit EUA, as amended, is expressly limited to use consistent with the Instructions for Use by authorized laboratories, certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) to perform high complexity tests. The EUA will be effective until the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 is terminated or until the EUA’s prior termination or revocation. The diagnostic kit has not been FDA cleared or approved, and the EUA’s limited authorization is only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens.

The Company is offering surveillance testing in compliance with current CDC, FDA, and CMS guidances. The use of saliva and pooled sampling for surveillance testing, which has been internally validated by the Company in compliance with current surveillance testing guidances, is not included in the Company’s EUA authorization for the Linea™ COVID-19 Assay Kit.

About Applied DNA Sciences

Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping, and pre-clinical nucleic acid-based therapeutic drug candidates.

Visit adnas.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join our mailing list.

The Company’s common stock is listed on NASDAQ under ticker symbol ‘APDN’, and its publicly traded warrants are listed on OTC under ticker symbol ‘APPDW’.

Applied DNA is a member of the Russell Microcap® Index.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements made by Applied DNA in this press release may be “forward-looking” in nature within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe Applied DNA’s future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Applied DNA. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to, its history of net losses, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including whether any of Applied DNA’s or its partner’s diagnostic candidates will advance further in the preclinical research or clinical trial process, including receiving clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies to conduct clinical trials and whether and when, if at all, they will receive final approval from the U.S. FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies, the unknown outcome of any applications or requests to U.S. FDA, equivalent foreign regulatory agencies and/or the New York State Department of Health, the unknown limited duration of any Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval from U.S. FDA, changes in guidances promulgated by the CDC, FDA and/or CMS relating to COVID-19 surveillance testing, disruptions in the supply of raw materials and supplies, and various other factors detailed from time to time in Applied DNA’s SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 12, 2019 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed on February 6, 2020, May 14, 2020 and August 6, 2020, and other reports we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. Applied DNA undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless otherwise required by law.

Investor contact: Sanjay M. Hurry, Applied DNA Sciences, 917-733-5573, [email protected]
Program contact: Mike Munzer, Applied DNA Sciences, 631-240-8814, [email protected]

Web:www.adnas.com, https://adnas.com/covid-19-surveillance-testing/

Twitter: @APDN

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Infectious Diseases Hospitals Genetics Clinical Trials Stem Cells Manufacturing Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Health Oncology

MEDIA:

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WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust Announces December 2020 Distribution

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (the “REIT”) (TSX: WIR.U; WIR.UN) (OTCQX: WPTIF) announced today that its Board of Trustees has declared a cash distribution for the month of December 2020 of US$0.0633 per unit. The distribution will be payable on January 15, 2021 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2020.

Distributions paid to Canadian unitholders (and other non-U.S. unitholders) generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax. For a general summary of the taxation of distributions paid to Canadian unitholders, including information regarding U.S. withholding tax, please see the “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations”, “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” sections of the REIT’s prospectus dated April 18, 2013, and “Risk Factors – Tax-Related Risks” in the REIT’s most recently filed annual information form, copies of which are available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Additional tax information regarding the REIT’s distributions is also available on the REIT’s website at www.wptreit.com. Unitholders should consult their own tax advisors for advice with respect to the tax consequences of receiving a distribution from the REIT in their own circumstances.

About WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust

WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT acquires, develops, manages and owns distribution and logistics properties located in the United States. WPT Industrial, LP (the REIT’s operating subsidiary) indirectly owns or manages a portfolio of properties across 20 U.S. states consisting of approximately 35.6 million square feet of GLA and 108 properties. The REIT pays monthly cash distributions, currently at $0.0633 per Unit, or approximately $0.76 per Unit on an annualized basis, in US funds.

For further information, please contact:

Scott Frederiksen, Chair and Chief Executive Officer

WPT Industrial REIT
Tel: (612) 800-8501



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Nuvei Teams Up with Esports Champions K1CK; Powers Payments in Esports Industry

Global payments leader joins forces with ESE Entertainment as title sponsor for all esports competitions throughout 2021 season

MONTREAL and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nuvei Corporation (“Nuvei” or the “Company”) (TSX: NVEI and NVEI.U), the global payment technology partner of thriving brands, announces it has entered an agreement with ESE Entertainment (TSXV: ESE) to be the title sponsor of leading esports team K1CK for all of its competitions for the 2021 season, across League of Legends, FIFA, Apex Legends and more. Pursuant to the Agreement, Nuvei has agreed to sponsor ESE’s K1CK esports team for the upcoming 2021 season, including jersey logo placement, inclusion in digital assets and related support, plus providing integration of the Company’s payment processing technology across ESE’s ecommerce and esports channels.

The agreement combines Nuvei’s market leadership and proven best practices in gaming and esports payment solutions, including support for over 450 alternative payment methods and 150 currencies in over 200 global markets, with ESE Entertainment’s wholly owned team K1CK, which has a 20-year track record of esports excellence.

Nuvei continues its expansion into the rapidly growing esports market with its sponsorship of K1CK to provide payment solutions for teams, sponsors, merchants and publishers. According to its recently revised Global eSports Market Report, gaming market analytics company NewZoo forecasts that the industry will generate over $1 billion threshold for the first time in 2021.

“As the esports ecosystem continues to grow, we’re excited to sponsor an iconic team, like K1CK, to provide the best payments experience to fans, merchants, teams and publishers, along with continuing to drive industry support,” said Philip Fayer, Nuvei’s chairman and CEO. “Along with our deep experience in serving the online gaming and regulated sports betting industries internationally, we’re thrilled to join K1CK, given their similar history of excellence.”

“We are excited to begin working alongside a payments leader with the reach and scale of Nuvei, given their growing influence in global esports markets. We share a similar belief that payments in the esports arena is a significant opportunity,” said Konrad Wasiela, CEO of ESE. “Nuvei provides us with a world class transaction platform, a critical piece in further monetizing our esports and gaming assets globally. We also look forward to presenting Nuvei logo placement on our professional esports team jerseys, apparel, and select digital assets in the upcoming year.”

About Nuvei

We are Nuvei (TSX: NVEI and NVEI.U), the payment technology partner of thriving brands. We provide the intelligence and technology businesses need to succeed locally and globally, through one integration – propelling them further, faster. Uniting payment technology and consulting, we help businesses remove payment barriers, optimize operating costs and increase acceptance rates. Our proprietary platform offers direct connections to all major payment card schemes worldwide, supports over 450 local and alternative payment methods and 150 currencies. Our purpose is to make our world a local marketplace. Learn more at www.nuvei.com.

About ESE Entertainment Inc.
ESE Entertainment is a Europe based entertainment and technology company focused on gaming, particularly on esports. ESE consists of multiple assets and world-class operators in the gaming and esports industries. Capabilities include but are not limited to: physical infrastructure, broadcasting, global distribution for gaming and esports-related content, advertising, sponsorship support, and a growing esport team franchise. ESE is focused on bridging Europe, Asia and North America.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company’s sponsorship agreement with ESE Entertainment Inc. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those described under “Risk Factors” in Nuvei’s supplemented prep prospectus dated September 16, 2020. Forward-looking information is based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release is based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, you are cautioned against placing undue reliance on this information since actual results may vary from the forward-looking information. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this press release is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update or amend such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Nuvei Contact:

Public Relations
[email protected]

ESE Contact:

Daniel Mogil
778-238-4988
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/027b21fb-cf0d-454c-b1c9-acf45317f4d4



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Hemp, Inc. Clarifies Previous Press Releases Regarding King of Hemp Stores

Ukiah, CA, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via NewMediaWire — Yesterday, Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK: HEMP), issued a press release on its Chief Visionary Consultant (CVC), Bruce Perlowin, launching his second King of Hemp® Store that may have been misconstrued as Hemp, Inc. owning the store.  It was never the intention to leave any reader, especially Hemp, Inc.’s shareholders, with the impression that the Company owned brick and mortar stores.  The Company does not now nor is it planning to open brick and mortar stores. Hemp, Inc. is actively involved in growing, processing, manufacturing and selling its hemp products, preferring to focus on the distribution to stores and on-line sales.

The King of Hemp® Stores are one of Bruce Perlowin’s private ventures, where he focuses on selling Hemp, Inc. products in addition to other products. Perlowin is no longer involved in the day-to-day activities or operations of Hemp, Inc. Being the Company’s Chief Visionary Consultant, on the other hand, has created a great symbiotic relationship where Hemp, Inc. can still effectively adhere to its corporate social responsibility plan and continue to meet its revenue goals.

Any store, that wants to carry Hemp, Inc.’s product line, can do so by contacting [email protected].  Individuals who want to open a King of Hemp® store in their community should send a request to Bruce Perlowin at [email protected].

ABOUT HEMP, INC.

With a deep-rooted social and environmental mission at its core, Hemp, Inc. seeks to build a business constituency for the American small hemp farmer, the American veteran, and other groups experiencing the ever-increasing disparity between tapering income and soaring expenses. The Company is on a mission to be a powerful engine for social change and economic revival, worldwide, by providing hemp products that are eco-friendly, sustainable and healthy. Hemp, Inc. executives believe there can be tangible benefits reaped from adhering to a corporate social responsibility plan.

Hemp, Inc.
[email protected]