Latest news with #CRBs
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Calgary Herald
'Gizmo', 'Satan,' and 'McLovin': Inside the changing world of pilot calls signs at CFB Cold Lake
Article content Animal names including 'Pug,' 'Tiger,' 'Piglet,' and 'Walrus,' were also assigned as call signs as were foods including 'Jelly Bean' and 'Loaf.' Article content Some call signs produced amusing juxtapositions, including the potential of 'Moses' and 'Satan' flying together on the same mission. Article content Those nicknames are selected by what's known as a call sign review board (CRB), that despite the formal name, are an invite-only social gathering. Article content 'Due to the unprecedented times we have lived through over the past two years none of you have been adequately exposed to mess culture or to the morale building exercises central to the identity of an operational unit such as ours,' reads an emailed invitation to pilots from an acting commanding officer at CFB Cold Lake, adding the CRB will 'ensure your proper amalgamation into the fighter controller community.' Article content Article content 'Traditions are important,' his email ends. Article content The documents indicate meetings of CRBs can include consumption of alcohol by attendees, are sometimes preceded by a slideshow full of internet memes, and in one case, encouraged invitees to obtain an item from a rival squadron on base to be 'ransomed' back to its rightful owner at a later date. Article content Potential call signs for a given pilot are set out to the group by the leader of the CRB, referenced in the documents as 'the mayor.' Those suggestions are then debated by the 'congregation' of other pilots while the member awaiting his or her new call sign, known as 'the defendant,' waits outside. Article content Upon being invited back into the room, the pilot is informed of the group's choice and bestowed with that as their call sign. Article content While often whimsical or humorous, some call signs have been deemed to be problematic in the past. Article content Article content In 2022, two senior officers were disciplined and fined for not intervening during a call sign review board at CFB Cold Lake that assigned a junior male pilot a homophobic call sign that referenced a specific female pilot. Article content Maj.-Gen. Iain Huddleston told the Canadian Press then that the call sign was 'egregious,' and the incident led the RCAF to promise to add more controls over how call signs are assigned. Article content A 2023 lessons learned report included in the documents presented several recommendations regarding CRBs, including that commanding officers pre-vet any prospective call signs which are also to be presented to pilots privately 'to ensure all perceived pressure to consent is removed.' Article content 'The RCAF reviewed and updated its direction surrounding call sign assignment practices to ensure alignment with Canadian Armed Forces values, including professionalism, respect, dignity, and inclusion,' Bilodeau stated.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Green Check Named a Best Place to Work in Fintech by American Banker for Fourth Consecutive Year
BONITA SPRINGS, FL, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Check (GC), the leading fintech connector powering financial services in the emerging cannabis market, today announced that it has been named to American Banker's list of 2025 Best Places to Work in Fintech for the fourth consecutive year. Green Check powers commerce in the legal cannabis industry, equipping banks and credit unions with the data and tools needed to compliantly and profitably serve cannabis-related businesses (CRBs). Its platform and expert advisory services empower financial institutions (FIs) to build scalable banking programs by helping to automate compliance and identify growth opportunities, while supporting program design, regulatory reporting, audit preparation and more. 'This honor, for the fourth year in a row, is truly a testament to the strong culture we have all worked to foster at Green Check,' said Kevin Hart, founder and CEO of Green Check. 'Our continued momentum and growth as a company is a direct result of the outstanding team we have, and it's their commitment that enables us to keep pushing forward with our mission to power compliant financial and business services for the cannabis industry.' The Best Places to Work in Fintech list is determined through a two-part survey process. The first part evaluates each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics, while the second part measures the employee experience through an employee survey. The combined results determine the final ranking, with Best Companies Group managing the registration, survey process, and final data analysis. 'The Best Places to Work in Fintech ranking is a glimpse into the company practices and policies that are popular with employees in the financial sector,' said Penny Crosman, executive editor, technology at American Banker. 'This year's honorees can serve as an inspiration or nudge to companies looking to attract and retain top talent.' In addition to this recognition, Green Check continues to build on its momentum with several exciting recent accomplishments. The company surpassed $1 billion in monthly cannabis sales deposits for its network of financial institutions in 2024. Additionally, in Q1 of this year, GC was awarded 'Best Regtech' by the FinTech Breakthrough Awards for the second consecutive year and named to Forbes' 2025 Cannabis 42.0 List for the third consecutive year, adding to its long list of industry accolades. To learn more about Green Check and to follow along for updates, visit About Green Check Green Check (GC) is modernizing the way cannabis businesses and financial institutions work together. Founded in 2017 by a team of technology, banking, and regulatory experts, GC provides industry-leading technology, advisory services and data-driven insights to more than 170 financial institutions and nearly 13,000 cannabis-related businesses. Green Check was included on the Forbes Cannabis 42.0 list for three consecutive years, recognized by CNBC as one of the World's Top FinTech Companies, and named one of 50 game-changers in the cannabis industry in the 4th annual The Cannabis 50. It has been repeatedly recognized as Top Compliance Company and Top Compliance Leader at the PBC Awards, the premier cannabis industry honors. In addition, it has been recognized as the Top Financial Technology by the Green Market Report and was also named as one of the top Best Places to Work in Fintech for four consecutive years by American Banker. To learn more about Green Check, visit and follow GC on LinkedIn. Angie Lufrano Caliber Corporate Advisers [email protected]
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi's top 10 invasive species wreak havoc on ecosystem each year
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi has one of the most dynamic ecosystems on the entire planet. It is also a fragile ecosystem that has been ravaged by invasive species since Europeans made contacts with Hawaiʻi's inhabitants. Through those years, more and more species have found their way here either through human intervention or because they hitched a ride on a ship bound for the islands. So, did a bit of digging and found Hawaiʻi's top 10 invasive species. Little red fire ants (LFA) come from South America. It is believed they were accidentally introduced to Hawaiʻi in the 1990s. They spread via potted plants, mulch, firewood and soil; and once they are established, they begin migrating out. They do bite, and their bite can cause blindness in animals. If you see any LFA anywhere in Hawaiʻi, then contact, the call the State's hotline at the Pest Hotline, (808) 643-PEST (7378). Coconut rhinoceros beetles originated in Southeast Asa. They kill coconut, palm and other tropical trees, indiscriminately, in their drive to proliferate. At this time, there are known infestations on Oʻahu, parts of Kauaiʻ, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. You can click to find out what to do to assist with locating CRBs or how to report any sightings. The State is working toward 100% eradication. Feral pigs are proving to be a difficult problem for Hawaiʻi. They dig up Native plants which leads to soil erosion and prime habitat for mosquitos. They carry and can transmit to humans: pseudorabies, swine flu, toxoplasmosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, salmonella and E. depend on attacking and killing young livestock and vulnerable adult animals who are in the birthing process. There are ways to mitigate the damage done by these pigs. You can hunt them, which many locals do. You can install fences that prevent pigs from entering vegetation areas and utilize cattle guards that keep them off the roads. Coqui frogs were accidentally introduced into Hawaiʻi's ecosystem via imported nursery plants in the 1980s. They have no natural predators in Hawaiʻi; so, they proliferate with no checks or balances in place. They are loud and compete with Native birds and other Native fauna for food. This throws Hawaiʻi's fragile ecosystem out of balance and changes the chemical composition of our forest floors. Europeans introduced cats to Hawaiʻi's ecosystem. To date, they are the most damaging invasive species Hawaiʻi is dealing with. They prey on Native birds, insects and small mammals and spread parasites that kill birds and mammals, including humans. There are many groups throughout Hawaiʻi's islands that working to Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM). First, the plural is mongooses, not mongeese. As with most things brought by Hawaiʻi's plantation class, these guys have wreaked havoc on Hawaiʻi's ecosystem. First introduced to police sugarcane fields to deal with snakes in the 1883, they are common fixtures on Oʻahu, Maui and Molokaʻi. They feed on the eggs of seabirds, waterbirds and forest birds. They also eat sea turtle eggs and hatchlings as well as invertebrates like Native tree snails, slugs and insects. You can report them if seen on Kauai or Lānaʻi to the Pest Hotline, (808) 643-PEST (7378). Kalij pheasants were introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1962 as a game bird, but they quickly spread throughout Hawaiʻi Island's forested areas. Their greatest problem with integrating into Hawaiʻi's ecosystem is that they spread seeds of invasive plants and spread malaria to Hawaiʻi Native birds. They prey on Native plants and disrupt Hawaiʻi's soil because they forage on roots. Goats in Hawaiʻi are a legacy of Captain Cook who introduced them in 1778. Since their introduction, goats have contributed to the destruction of Native plants and wildlife, including silverswords, naupaka and koa. This has led to major erosion issues in the areas they have cleared and damaged park infrastructure. Fences are being utilized to keep them away from volcanoes. They are also being hunted and trapped. To this day, they are the most destructive herbivores ever introduced to Hawaiʻi's ecosystem. Much the same as cats, rats were introduced to Hawaiʻi's ecosystem when Europeans made contact. They eat Native plants, birds and insects and destroy habitats as they chew on stems and strip bark. They have contributed to the extinction of several Native plant and animal species and have contributed to the destruction of Oʻahu's forests. There are many programs and ways locals work to eradicate rats. And as of April 2021, Lehua Island was 100% rat free. Axis deer were introduced Hawaiʻi as a gift to the king in the 1860s. They have since spread and proliferated on Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. They feed on and damage crops such as vegetable crops, grapes and sugarcane. Fences do not work in keeping them out as they can jump, and the State estimates that approximately 15,000-20,000 are eliminated each year through various programs like controlled hunting. You can read more about Hawaiʻi's invasive species and . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
12-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Green Check Integrates with Plaid to Unlock New Data-Driven Opportunities for Cannabis Industry
Integration expands access to consumer-permissioned financial data for cannabis industry service providers, creating unprecedented visibility for lending, insurance, payments, and more BONITA SPRINGS, FL / ACCESS Newswire / February 12, 2025 / Green Check, the leading fintech provider of financial services solutions and industry insights in the emerging cannabis market, today announced their integration with Plaid, a data network powering the digital financial ecosystem. This partnership will expand access to business-permissioned financial data to help financial service providers make more informed decisions in areas such as banking, lending, insurance, payments, and other critical financial services. Through this collaboration, banks, lenders, merchant processors, and other financial service providers using the Green Check platform will now access a more comprehensive data set - improving decision-making, reducing risk and increasing operational efficiency. As part of the partnership, Plaid's financial connectivity infrastructure will enhance Green Check's platform to provide more accurate, real-time insights into Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs). This integration will also enhance Green Check's compliance services, offering a more robust risk management solution for the cannabis ecosystem. Using Plaid APIs, cannabis businesses with active U.S. bank accounts can allow underwriters full automation to qualify for additional financial services. The Green Check platform will provide further insights into cash flow, AML/BSA and other financial indicators, helping underwriters better assess eligibility for loans, payments or other critical financial support. 'Our partnership with Plaid marks a major milestone for Green Check, our FI customers, and the entire cannabis industry,' said Bob Craig, EVP of Strategic Business Development at Green Check. 'Our platform has always been a foundation of financial services for the cannabis industry. With the addition of Plaid's expansive network, we are now able to offer an even more comprehensive set of tools to help high risk businesses and their underwriters automate their integrations safely and securely.' This Plaid integration will significantly expand the capabilities of Green Check's platform, which already serves over 13,000 cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) and a wide range of business service providers that underwrite them. Plaid's powerful APIs will help Green Check better assess a customer's financial health, ensuring they are ready to engage with Green Check's vetted financial partners. 'The cannabis industry is poised for significant growth, but it has faced long-standing challenges in accessing reliable, cost-effective financial services,' said Adam Yoxtheimer, head of partnerships at Plaid. 'Partners like Green Check provide fintech businesses with the tools they need to work confidently with cannabis businesses. This partnership is an exciting step forward in supporting the cannabis ecosystem with more data, transparency, and ultimately, financial inclusion.' About Green Check Verified Green Check (GC) is modernizing the way cannabis businesses and financial institutions work together. Founded in 2017 by a team of technology, banking, and regulatory experts, GC provides industry-leading technology, advisory services and data-driven insights to more than 170 financial institutions and nearly 13,000 cannabis-related businesses. Green Check was included in both the 2024 and 2023 Forbes Cannabis 42.0 list, recognized by CNBC as one of the World's Top FinTech Companies, and named one of 50 game-changers in the cannabis industry in the 4th annual The Cannabis 50. It has been repeatedly recognized as Top Compliance Company and Top Compliance Leader at the PBC Awards, the premier cannabis industry honors. In addition, it has been recognized as the Top Financial Technology by the Green Market Report and was also named as one of top Best Places to Work in Fintech in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by American Banker. To learn more about Green Check, visit and follow GC on LinkedIn. Media Contacts:
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Combating Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles
In this segment of Empowered Hawaii, Kelly Simek looks into the fight against one of Hawaii's most destructive invasive species: the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB). She speaks with Arisa Barcinas, CRB Response Outreach Associate, and Nate Serota, Spokesman for the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, to discuss the severe threat this pest poses to Hawaii's iconic palm trees and what's being done to stop it. These beetles bore into the crowns of coconut and other palm trees, feeding on their sap and causing significant damage. Left unchecked, CRBs can kill entire trees, devastating Hawaii's landscapes, agriculture, and cultural heritage. Arisa explains the challenges of tracking and eradicating this elusive pest, noting how quickly populations can grow if not managed. Nate highlights the collaborative response effort, which includes setting up traps, removing breeding grounds like decomposing green waste, and educating the community about the beetle's impact. 'Everyone has a role to play,' he emphasizes, urging residents to report sightings and properly dispose of organic waste to prevent the beetle from spreading. A key concern is preventing the CRB from reaching neighbor islands, where it could wreak even more havoc. Arisa shares how outreach and strict quarantine measures are helping to keep the beetle contained. Despite the challenges, Kelly learns that progress is being made, thanks to dedicated teams working tirelessly to protect Hawaii's natural beauty. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
