Category Archives: Progress

Over a hundred people joined the UNGeneral Assemblyhigh level side-event: "Progress and Multisectoral Action towards achieving global targets to end TB" co-organizedby the Government of Indonesia and the World Health Organizationon 20 September 2022. Held on the margins of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the event brought together a distinguished line up of speakers including Health Ministers and other high-level government representatives, WHO leadership, Heads of Agencies, TB survivors, civil society and partners.

As Indonesia holds the 2022 G20 Presidency, a spotlight was placed on G20 leadership on ending TB, building on the outcomes of the first G20 Health Working Group side event on TB Call to Action on financing the TB response. The focus of the UNGA side event was on reviewing progress towards reaching global TB targets, advancing multisectoral action and accountability, and discussing preparations for the 2023 UN High Level Meeting on TB.

The UNGA side event was opened by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the Honourable Minister of Health of Indonesia Budi Gunadi Sadikin. Dr Tedros called for urgent action to restore essential life-saving TB services, scaling up of investments to increased access to prevention and care, as well as for research, and to integrate TB services into primary health care. The Honourable Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin urged countries, civil societies, industry, and international organizations to keep expanding strategic partnerships and collaboration, to make the world free from TB for future generations. He emphasized the G20 leadership of Indonesia in advancing the TB agenda and called for more investments for TB and for research on new vaccines.He also highlighted that the success of the country in enabling rapid access to COVID-19 testing, could serve as an important benchmark for ramping up access to TB diagnosis.Ms Jackie Cuen, a TB survivor and advocate made a passionate plea to ensure access to life-saving TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for all in need, newer shorter, safer treatments and more effective vaccines.

The first session of the meetingfocused on country actions and progress. High level speakers included:Hon. Dr. Mathume Joseph Phaahla,Minister of Health of South Africa,Hon. Dr Khumbize Chiponda,Minister of Health of Malawi,H.E. Ms. Stphanie Seydoux,French Ambassador for Global Health,Ms Loyce Pace,Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs (OGA),United StatesDepartment of Health and Human Services, andMr. Eiji Hinoshita,Assistant Minister for Global Health andWelfare ofJapan.

Theyshowcased progress and commitmentstowards achieving the 2022 TB targets committed to by Heads of State at the 2018 UN High Level Meeting on TB, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and key actions taken to build multisectoral engagement and accountability to end TB.The perspectives of countries looking forward to the 2023 UN High Level Meeting on TB were alsoshared.

This was followed by an interactive panel discussion with key partners on their roles and contribution towards sustaining and strengthening multisectoral action and progress towards ending TB, including on the roll out of innovations and TB research. The speakers included,Lady Roslyn Morauta,Vice Chair of GlobalFund, who focused on the GlobalFund replenishment and contribution to TB resource mobilization and financing,Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of Stop TB Partnership who called for increased investments and put a spotlight oncivil society and community engagement,Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director, UNITAID shared updates on TB research and innovations, including on market shaping and access, andSir Jeremy Farrar,Director of Wellcome Trustfocusedon new TB vaccine development and the importance of engaging communities in the process early.

The UNGA side-event was closed by Dr. Maxi Rein Rondowunu, DG of prevention and disease control of Ministry of Health of Indonesia, with words of appreciation for the speakers and the audience. This was followed by a Vote of thanks from WHO. The event was moderated by Dr Werner Obermeyer, Director of WHO Office at the United Nations and Ms Hannah Monica Dias, Cross-cutting lead, WHO Global TB Programme, under the overall coordination of Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO-s Global TB Programme.

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Key highlights from the UN General Assembly side event: Progress and multisectoral action towards achieving global targets to end TB - World Health...

Progress Report Grades for Newest WWE Stars Thus Far on the Main Roster

0 of 9

The goal of any NXT talent at the WWE Performance Center should be to eventually move to the main roster as a Superstar on Raw or SmackDown.

Not everyone who goes through the system gets that opportunity, and even fewer manage to succeed once they have arrived on Raw or SmackDown.

So far in 2022, 13 wrestlers have moved officially onto the main roster.

Let's break down what those graduates have accomplished and give them their latest progress report grades.

1 of 9

Dexter Lumis has had an odd time on the main roster for a multitude of reasons, not least of which being how that's his defining character trait.

Everyone on this list, bar one other entry, has wrestled since being called up, but Lumis has spent all his time stalking The Miz.

It's interesting television because he's clearly a babyface but doing acts that are villainous. The only justification (albeit a weak one) for cheering him is that he's doing this to The A-Lister.

However, it's working. This angle is one of the most heavily featured on Raw.

Even without wrestling a match, Lumis has had enough attention put on him to build to a gimmick bout against The Miz at Extreme Rules on October 8.

2 of 9

If all parties play their cards right, Johnny Gargano could be the next Daniel Bryan; the passionate underdog you can't help but want to win the world title.

That seems quite a bit away right now, but patience is key. After all, Johnny Wrestling has only been on Raw for a month after almost a nine-month absence.

Since his return, he's been associated with top acts, started a feud with Mr. Money in the Bank Austin Theory and had a great match against Chad Gable.

Gargano is off to as good of a start as anyone could hope and has the talent to turn that A score into an A+ at any moment.

3 of 9

Tommaso Ciampa more than proved himself in the ring, on the mic, as a character and in every other way during his time in NXT, but he's been in a strange position since joining Raw in April.

At first, he lingered with no real direction, attacking Superstars like Mustafa Ali without explanation and not landing on any particular person to feud with.

Eventually, he was paired with The Miz, which no one would have had on their bingo cards considering how he'd be used on Raw.

They don't have the best chemistry in any regard. The bright green gear and the card necklace seems more fitting to what John Morrison would do with The A-Lister, rather than what Ciampa is best suited for.

They've managed to stick together and make some of this partnership work, but the writing is on the wall. He'll be better off when he breaks off from Miz, gets some noteworthy wins under his belt and goes back to being closer to what he was in NXT.

4 of 9

Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky have checked off all they needed to do for an A+ run so far.

Kai's return to WWE after her release and Sky's comeback from injury, both at SummerSlam alongside Bayley, was a great call-up moment.

Immediately, they were positioned at the top of the red brand, thrust into a feud with Raw women's champion Bianca Belair and former multi-time champs Asuka and Alexa Bliss.

They had a bit of a stumble when they failed to win the tournament for the vacated WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, but, as luck would have it, they won the belts just days later anyway.

They're riding high and doing a fantastic job.

5 of 9

Anyone who has watched Pete Dunne in NXT and NXT UK knows this current "Butch" gimmick is a far cry from what he's capable of.

In some ways, it has potential. Dunne never had much character prior to this, so it makes sense Vince McMahon wanted to inject some personality to define his identity.

However, having Sheamus and Ridge Holland babysit Butch and keep him from acting like an unruly child isn't the best way to showcase his talents.

Lately, the character has been toned down. It's a step in the right direction, but he's nowhere near regained the clout he once had as a longtime NXT UK champion who could put on a great match any given night.

6 of 9

Imperium is a well-oiled machine. Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser are among the best tag team acts WWE has had in years, while Gunther is the first intercontinental champion in years truly worth investing in.

Kaiser is great on the mic. He really helps sell the gimmick for the group, but he can handle himself in the ring, too, which is Vinci's strength.

Their act is so fine-tuned that not much of anything is different from what we saw in NXT UK and NXT.

Gunther's match with Sheamus at Clash at the Castle is a Match of the Year candidate, too, and might be viewed as the fight that put his reign on the map.

7 of 9

Not every gimmick is everyone's cup of tea. Maximum Male Models are a storyline that could draw more criticism than praise, though it does have some merit to it.

At least it is better than doing nothing, as ma. and mn.sr were up to for months prior to their new characters.

Unfortunately, the faction hasn't fully come into its own yet, largely due to Max Dupri and Maxxine Dupri struggling to lead the charge.

Max is seemingly already reverting back into LA Knight, which could be for the best. He's yet to wrestle so far on SmackDown and will continue to come off like a loser until he manages to achieve something.

Even worse, though, is Maxxine, who has said little in each segment. She seems to have been positioned more as an eye-candy valet than a manager or wrestler.

Since they can only be judged on Max's promos mainly, they've had the worst showing out of everyone on this list, but there's still room for improvement.

8 of 9

From the onset, Raquel Rodriguez has been prepped as a big deal to come. She's largely been protected and almost beat Ronda Rousey, which says a lot.

On paper, she's also been a champion, although she and Aliyah lost the tag team titles so quickly that few will remember they held them.

Rodriguez seems to be in a holding pattern where WWE doesn't want to fully put her into any feud to start her ascension toward the top yet but still wants fans to know that's the endgame.

The promise is there, though. She could even be the women's Royal Rumble winner, but she's being treated like a B-star instead of on the A-level at the moment.

9 of 9

In the shortest time of everyone on this list, Solo Sikoa has managed to make one of the biggest impacts.

Instead of dawdling in the midcard, he was immediately thrust into the biggest faction in WWE, joining The Bloodline and costing Drew McIntyre the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle.

He followed that up with a surprise NXT North American Championship victory, which he's since relinquished. Nevertheless, it is still a title reign post-graduation.

The 29-year-old is being positioned prominently on SmackDown as though he's been on the roster for months.

The future is bright for Sikoa. He should be tasting gold again at some point in 2023.

Anthony Mango is the owner of the wrestling website Smark Out Moment and the host of the podcast show Smack Talk on YouTube, Spotify and everywhere you find podcasts. You can follow him on Facebook and elsewhere for more.

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Progress Report Grades for Newest WWE Stars Thus Far on the Main Roster - Bleacher Report

Now is the time, the best time of your life! Well maybe not, but you can look forward to that great, big, beautiful tomorrow with a new Amazon-exclusive plush themed to Rover from the Carousel of Progress at Walt Disney World!

The new plush is marked for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary, but is exclusively available on Amazon. It depicts Rover, the lovable pup from Walt Disneys Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom. The box bears the attractions logo and some of its characteristic gears from the 1993-era show which still runs today.

Rover is depicted in brown and cream white as in the show. A purple bow is tied around his neck, and he holds a green gear in his mouth.

You can find this plush over on Amazon. And let us know what you think in the comments below!

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram.

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Rover from Carousel of Progress Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Plush Now Available on Amazon - WDW News Today

TOPEKA An independent evaluation of the Kansas foster care system shows the state is improving the stability of children in state custody but breaking its promise to end the practice of children sleeping in offices overnight.

The report released Monday by the Center for the Study of Social Policy found that 53 foster children slept in offices 167 times in 2021, including one child who slept in an office for 54 nights. Additionally, case workers for the two largest foster care contractors struggled with heavy caseloads, and only 65% of foster children were able to get the mental health services they needed.

State officials and foster care advocates say the report underscores both the progress made under Gov. Laura Kellys administration as well as the severe challenges that remain.

We do understand that you cant go from zero to 60 in this kind of a system very quickly, said Teresa Woody, litigation director for Kansas Appleseed. So we are happy about the improvements. We recognize that theres a lot of improvement that has to occur going forward. And that is going to take some investment in the system. It cant just be done by one branch of the system. I cant wave a magic wand and make those resources appear.

The independent assessment of the foster care system is a condition of the statessettlement of a class action federal lawsuit with Kansas Appleseed and other entities.

Kansas Appleseed sued the state in 2018 over severe instability in the foster care system. Kansas settled the lawsuit in January 2021 by agreeing to show improvements in how the system operates and measurable outcomes. As part of the deal, a third-party monitor will provide yearly updates on whether the state is living up to the agreement.

The Center for the Study of Social Policy is a D.C.-based nonprofit whose mission is to achieve a racially, economically, and socially just society in which all children and families thrive. The report released Monday examines the progress made by the state and its contractors during the 2021 calendar year.

Reforming a child welfare system is a complex and multi-year endeavor, said Judith Meltzer, president of the Center for the Study of Social Policy. During this first year, Kansas has made considerable progress in addressing some fundamental problems and has started down a path that we anticipate will lead to further improvements in the years ahead.

The report shows the state made immediate progress in addressing mental health needs by investing in the federal Family First program, developing specialized foster homes that serve children with serious behavioral needs, investing in certified community behavioral health clinics and launching a statewide mobile crisis hotline.

But only 34% of foster kids received timely mental health and trauma screenings, and only 65% of foster kids received the mental or behavioral health services they need. The first-year target for both metrics under the terms of the settlement was 80%.

The state showed significant improvement on one of the key metrics in determining stability within the foster care system, which is the number of times a child moves from one home to another. When Kelly took office in 2019, the children on average moved 9.7 times per 1,000 days in care. Last year, the rate had improved to 5.84, meeting the target goal of no more than 7 moves per 1,00 days.

However, all four of the state contractors continue to report children sleeping in offices, as well as night-to-night changes in where a child stays sometimes for days or weeks at a time.

Linda Bass, president of KVC Kansas, addressed the problem of children sleeping in offices during a hearing last week of the Legislatures child welfare oversight committee. Bass said all of the foster kids who are staying in the office have complex behavioral health needs.

I dont have toddlers, school-aged children, children with a single diagnosis in the office, Bass said. I have children who are in pain because they theyre dealing with multiple things, oftentimes had behaviors that overwhelm a family and sometimes overwhelm a facility.

State contracts require caseworkers to maintain a maximum caseload of 25 to 30 children, but available data showed case workers frequently exceed that number. By the end of 2021, 42% of Saint Francis Ministries caseworkers and 24% of KVC Kansas caseworkers were assigned more than 30 children. Saint Francis also had more than 100 children who were not assigned a caseworker.

If the state can fix the unacceptable problem of overburdening caseworkers, saidMike Fonkert, a campaign director for Kansas Appleseed, many other problems will be lessened.

We need providers and the contractors to be honest about what it will truly take to meet the demands of the contracts to care for these kids, Fonkert said. We continue to see overloaded caseworkers, consistently.

Oversight of the foster care system has become a campaign issue in the governors race, with Republican nominee Derek Schmidt attacking Kelly for not making more improvements.

My administration inherited a broken child welfare system that had an unacceptable number of children in care, a lack of placement stability and limited prevention services, Kelly said in a statement. Under my administration, we now have 1,300 fewer children in the system, and the neutral report shows we have made substantial progress in making sure kids are in stable placements and experience fewer moves. Theres more work to be done, but this report shows we are headed in the right direction.

The number of kids in the foster care system declined from 7,600 in 2018 to 6,800 by the end of last year and to 6,200 by June of this year.

C.J. Grover, spokesman for Schmidts campaign, said the state has invested millions in the foster care system under Kelly, but still has kids sleeping in contractor offices and has fallen far short of meeting the specific promises the governor made about fixing the system.

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Independent review of Kansas foster care system points to progress and ongoing failures - Kansas Reflector

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Patriots center David Andrews had only one thought as his team held a 17-14 lead over the Steelers and faced third down late in the fourth quarter.

You are going back to the huddle thinking, Oh man, I hope they call a run here, he recalled.

Andrews got his wish.

Then we went back to it and finished it.

The play, a 5-yard run by Damien Harris, sealed New Englands first victory of the season. It also served as the capstone to a redemptive performance by an O-line roundly criticized during a Week 1 debacle at Miami that was rife with communication issues and included allowing a disastrous strip-sack on quarterback Mac Jones that was returned for a touchdown.

Against the Steelers, that same O-line didnt allow its quarterback to be taken down despite him being under pressure on 34% of his drop-backs.

We cleaned some things up, did some things to help ourselves, Andrews said. I thought it was a good day.

It enabled Jones to spread the ball around to six different receivers and complete 21 of his 35 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown.

Jones was particularly complimentary on the play of rookie left guard Cole Strange, who saw the ball run to his side four times during the decisive final drive.

Hes doing a great job learning the offense, Jones said. Its hard coming in as a rookie and starting. Hes just got to continue to grow and improve what he wants to improve on. Thats what Ill tell him.

Coach Bill Belichick also stepped up. Throughout the preseason he brushed aside questions concerning the play calling system the Patriots would be employing following the exit of former coordinator Josh McDaniels. While senior football advisor Matt Patricia has held the play call sheet in the first two games, Belichick seemed more involved on Sunday between series and could be seen leading conversations with Jones while Patricia and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge listened in.

The fruits of Belichicks increased involvement seemed to show up on the field and translated into an offense that had a lot more fluidity. Belichick has repeatedly reiterated that the ultimate responsibility for the offense would lie with him. Sundays structure could be a glimpse of how things will look going forward.

The New England defense, meanwhile, kept Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the pocket for most of the game, sacking him three times while pressuring him on 21.6% of his dropbacks according to Pro Football Focus.

Still, Pittsburgh remained a threat as it converted on 8 of 15 of its third downs. Through two games, New Englands defense has allowed a 48.3% conversion rate on that key down. Though they limited big plays, safety Devin McCourty acknowledged theres room to clean some things up.

I think that with every team we play, there is going to be an element of dangerous players, he said. Weve got to do a better job of that in the back end and I think our front has to make them pay for trying to buy time to create an opportunity to throw the ball downfield.

STOCK UP

Receiver Nelson Agholor attacked the preseason with something to prove coming off a mostly underwhelming first season in New England in 2021. He followed up an active Week 1 with his first 100-yard receiving game as a Patriot, pulling in six catches for 110 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

STOCK DOWN

DeVante Parker was one of the Patriots top performers at receiver during training camp, regularly reeling in deep catches and tightly contested 50-50 balls in the red zone. That explosiveness hasnt shown up through two regular-season games. He was targeted twice but didnt have a catch against the Steelers. Thats after he had only one catch for 9 yards in Week 1 vs. Miami.

NOTES

Running back Harris limped off the field following his game-clinching, third down run in the closing minutes. But he said afterward that he was fine. Kicker Nick Folk extended his streak to 56 consecutive made field goals under 50 yards with a 28-yarder in the first quarter. It tied the NFL record with Ryan Succop (2014-17 with Tennessee). Folks previous miss inside the 50-yard line was a 45-yard attempt in the 2020 season opener vs. Miami. New Englands defense has a big test in its home opener this week as it welcomes Baltimore and quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson has been efficient through the air and on the ground thus far. The Ravens also arent expected to be in a good mood coming off their fourth-quarter collapse against the Dolphins.

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Patriots analysis: Big progress for offensive line, play calling and Agholor - Press Herald

IDAHO FALLS A trooper critically injured during an accident at the beginning of September is making remarkable progress, according to Idaho State Police.

ISP Sgt. Mike Wendler responded to a vehicle fire at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 8 on westbound Interstate 84 in Jerome County. He was hit by a passing car while directing traffic. He was critically injured and airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and has remained there ever since.

RELATED: ISP trooper that was sent to hospital in critical condition tells wife, I love you

Idaho State Police wrote on Facebook over the weekend, He was recently moved out of ICU and can walk short distances. He has loving support from his family and members of the Idaho State Police.

A GoFundMe page created by an ISP trooper for Wendler had a $50,000 goal to help raise money for medical expenses. It has surpassed that goal by raising over $54,000.

On Monday, the page shared an update that said Wendler is dealing with a traumatic brain injury and has experienced moments of joy, anger, frustration, confusion, laughter and love.

During the past two nights, Mike puts on his trooper hat and does patrol walks with the nurses. Mike will have periods of confusion if there is a great deal of noise or action around him. He does find comfort from the familiar things in his room and they help him to remember his world before this life-changing incident, the page said.

RELATED: Trooper directing traffic critically injured after being hit by car

Recovery will take time but Wendler is improving.

As an agency, the Idaho State Police is overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support we have received on behalf of Sgt. Wendler and his family, ISP wrote in a Facebook post. And thank you to all the people across our state who have truly demonstrated the Idaho way of taking care of each other. We are proud to be a part of our great state.

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Trooper critically injured while directing traffic making remarkable progress - East Idaho News

Crews have now begun demolition on the I-30 river crossing project, and though it has been a long time coming, progress is being made.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The banks along the Arkansas river are typically quiet, and tranquilbut if you were to look up, that may no longer be the case.

"During the daytime hours, we're going to be making a little bit of noise," Dave Parker, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Transportation, said.

Those noises that have been happening, are the sounds of jackhammers and piledrivers, and though they are loud, they also mean that progress is being made.

"The first part of taking down that bridge is going to be demolishing that upper part, the deck, the concrete," he explained.

If you've driven near the I-30 crossing area during the recent months, then you've most likely seen construction crews making progress on a new bridge next to the old one and as of last weekend, people were finally able to drive on it.

"Getting the east side of the bridge, or getting the one bridge open was a big undertaking, we're happy for that," Parker said. "You know, we still got some other things to take care of, but yeah, so far so good."

Parker said that though progress has been continually moving along, there's still a ways to go. He also added that they're about 40% done with the project, and it is expected to wrap up in 2025.

"I think the people have overall accepted the fact that this is going to be a major area of construction for a good while, for good reason," he said.

Now that demolition has begun, crews have already started to take off the top layer on the old bridge, and after that, they'll cut away the old frame.

Once they are finished doing that, they'll get rid of the piers above the water, then it will get really loud when they blast the parts underneath the water.

"So we're trying to be, you know, as environmentally safe and sound as possible, while also getting the bridge demolished in a quick and safe way," Parker described.

He also said that though the demolition may be a little louder, and traffic may move a little slower, the end result will be worth the wait.

"Two new bridges, 12 lanes, two years from now," he said. "I know two years may seem like a long time, but, you know, it takes a while to build things like this."

For more information on the project, please click here.

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Construction crews begin demolition of I-30 River Crossing bridge - THV11.com KTHV

Dive Brief:

More employers, especially in the tech space, have highlighted neurodiverse hiring initiatives to attract and retain talent. Microsoft, for example, expanded its Neurodiversity Career Connector program earlier this year and has a dedicated neurodiversity hiring program, as well. Individuals who apply through the hiring program participate in an extended recruiting process that has recruiters engage more directly with participants, answering questions about interviewing, workability and skill assessment.

Various studies including Texthelps survey have shown that workers are supportive of neurodivergence inclusion at work; members of Gen Z are particularly supportive and tend to have keen interest in DEI overall. That means neurodivergent-inclusive programs can be a retention strategy for workers of all neurotypes.

Employers can improve inclusion by focusing intently on inclusive language and retrofitting interview structures. Many autistic workers, for example, find job interviews challenging because of struggles conforming to societal norms, an expert previously told HR Dive. Focusing on skills, rather than culture fit,can help an employer get a better sense of whether a candidate of any neurotype would be a good fit for the job. In-office accommodations for neurodivergent workers may also be easier than employers expect. And plain language workplace policies can benefit everyone, experts have said.

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Neurodiverse inclusion is improving, but lack of awareness is blocking progress - HR Dive

The second-ever progress report of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance shows consistent growth in membership, matched by the credibility of short-term decarbonisation targets.

On the day of the report release, the Alliance counts 74 members, accounting for US$ 10.6 trillion in assets under management. A third of that AUM US$ 7.1 trillion is now held by members who have set intermediate net-zero targets, aligned with the Target-Setting Protocol. The report offers insight into aggregate data on all four targets types: Engagement, Sub-portfolio, Sector and Financing Transition.

Beyond the targets, the report also highlights Alliances efforts in advocating for systemic policy changes that would enable a just transition, among them: a governmental carbon price, standardised data disclosures from companies and a cooperative environment for scaling blended finance. The Alliance also lists its five key asks from policymakers ahead of COP27.

For any media queries, contact Oliver Wagg and Teodora Cakarmis.

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The second progress report of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance. Advancing delivery on decarbonisation targets. United Nations Environment Finance...

Last summer, WHQR began investigating a mold crisis at the Wilmington Housing Authority and it soon became clear that, due to severe mismanagement, it had become a humanitarian crisis with over a hundred families forced out of their homes. A detached board and negligent leadership had allowed the mold situation to get out of control. And when then-CEO Katrina Redmon quit in the midst of the crisis, the authority was spun out of control and at the brink of financial exhaustion, leaving families with no foreseeable end to their displacement.

WHQR's coverage: WHQR investigative series: The Wilmington Housing Authority's disastrous mismanagement of widespread mold

After months of reporting, local governments including the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County finally started speaking up, putting pressure on WHA, and pitching in to help the hundreds of displaced residents.

Earlier this year, in May, WHA finally hired a new director Tyrone Garrett, who had decades of experience, but also some serious baggage.

After three months on the job, WHQR's Ben Schachtman and Kelly Kenoyer caught up with Garrett to ask how he was handling the situation.

Ben Schachtman: So Kelly, you went to WHAs board meeting last week. Whats the update?

Kelly Kenoyer: Well back in July, there were 150 families displaced from their housing. Now, that number is down to 131.

BS: Thats progress, but thats not nearly fast enough to get everyone back in their apartments by the end of the year. Which was the Authoritys goal, according to the new executive director, Tyrone Garrett.

KK: He was pretty ambitious when he came in, its true. But I will say, its going a lot faster than it was under Katrina Redmons leadership, and certainly much faster than when the agency was rudderless.

BS: How exactly did he manage that?

KK: Well, its a strategy shift. Garrett came in and decided that, instead of fixing every single problem in a unit while it was empty, they would cap repairs at $20,000 and only fix the health-related problems, like the severe mold issues.

Garrett: I think we have a good plan. Now, the average on average, what we look to have is about 20 units per month coming back online.

BS: 20 units per month, that puts at what, 80 by the end of the year?

KK: Yeah, they have four contractors working on it. And actually, Garrett said no to an offer by some local non-profits to help with repairs.

BS: No kidding? Who offered to help?

KK: New Hanover Disaster Coalitions Derek McCleod told me they made a big offer a couple weeks ago.

McCleod: We had presented a plan with Catholic Charities to help do some mold remediation. And we were told we were not needed.

BS: Thats really surprising.

KK: McCleod said he was frustrated by it it would be free labor to get units online, after all, and these are licensed contractors. But Garrett had his reasons for rejecting the offer.

Garrett: No, no, this was something I thought we should take on ourselves. There's a liability that's associated with it too, right? Most people won't be able to take on that type, it needs to be on the housing authority to move forward. I think, if we were in a position where we didn't have a plan, then we might be seeking other avenues.

BS: Thats right and he said his plan with these contractors is working. They might ask nonprofits for more help with furniture for residents or social services, but not for capital costs.

KK: That still leaves a big number of people unhoused by Christmas, even if his 20 families per month goal stays on track.

BS: Yeah, it would leave 51 families still living in hotels or corporate apartments. But Garrett said theyre hoping to help more of them with another program.

Garrett: We're also using the Housing Choice Voucher Program at the same time. So the Housing Choice Voucher Program is the mechanism what people call Section 8, that allows for families that go outside of the quote unquote, conventional public housing, housing stock, we're using that program at the same time. So so far, I think we've had approximately 10 families go into that particular direction with at least another 25 vouchers that are out on the street."

KK: So Garrett had actually said that there are 70 vouchers available, but he thinks that number wont be fully supported by the marketplace. Those vouchers can be used on regular rentals, but a lot of landlords discriminate against Housing Choice, so he says the 25 number is more realistic.

BS: So were looking at perhaps 105 families back in permanent housing by the end of the year, with 25 or 26 still in hotels or corporate apartments.

KK: Thats a lot better prospects than last fall, though, when there was no plan. Ben, is there anything else we want to mention about Garretts leadership?

BS: Well, he mentioned that hes gotten rid of some bad apples among his managers, and hes brought in a new executive team. Weve heard complaints from some residents about managers who ignore their complaints, so thats a big change. And he also promised to address work orders a lot faster.

Garrett: I've instituted a three-day work order rule, meaning that a normal routine work order that goes into play has to be completed within three days. Now we're not there yet. But that's what we have to strive for.

BS: So even if things arent perfect at WHA, were looking at an organization with aspirations, which is quite different from what we saw a year ago as Katrina Redmon left the organization.

KK: Well keep following this as it goes on, and as WHA looks beyond the mold crisis and towards building more housing in the future. Thanks Ben!

BS: Thanks Kelly.

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Over a year into the mold crisis, WHA's new leader says progress is being made - WHQR