Latest news with #Smalley
Newsroom
07-07-2025
- Newsroom
A limit at last on how unreasonable public agencies can be with media
MediaRoom column: Public drug-buying agency Pharmac has conceded to the Chief Ombudsman that its conduct towards the former Today FM station and journalist Rachel Smalley 'fell below the standard expected of a public sector agency' and has apologised. Pharmac refused to give Today FM or owner MediaWorks interviews (and, briefly, any information) after its ex CEO claimed Today had breached an embargo on news it was starting consultation on approving the cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta in December 2022. But neither Smalley nor the station had been provided embargoed material, so could not have breached the embargo, and their attempts to reverse the Pharmac interview ban went unheeded for a week. Multiple attempts to set up interviews with the agency failed. Smalley complained to the Ombudsman, and more than two years on, on his last day in office, Chief Ombudsman Judge Peter Boshier found against Pharmac, ruling it 'acted unreasonably' in its actions against the media outlet. He said Pharmac's responses to Today FM lacked clarity on how to resolve matters and also the duration of its declared ban on interviews. To have banned Today from receiving 'information' could have inadvertently constituted a breach of the Official Information Act, the finding says. 'Any request for information must be considered under the OIA, and depending on the circumstances, a request for an interview may also amount to a request for information under the OIA.' The finding, while historic and specific, does serve as a message to other public agencies, executives and communications staff on what they cannot do to exclude or disadvantage journalists and news organisations without proper reason. Judge Boshier did not have to make any recommendations over his 'acted unreasonably' finding, he said. 'This is because Pharmac has accepted that Today FM did not breach its embargo, that there were alternative ways to resolve its concerns about the reporting. And it should not have imposed the stand-down. Pharmac will also be apologising to the complainant.' The apology to Smalley from its general counsel did not mention departed Pharmac CEO Sarah Fitt, who made the original ban threat and dealt with Today's complaints in the days following. Fitt had been revealed in late 2024 to have privately engaged in internal Pharmac email exchanges deriding Smalley and her show. Fitt finally left the role in May, after seven years, and the apology was sent to Smalley on Fitt's final day in the top job. Pharmac wrote: 'On behalf of Pharmac, I wish to apologise for the way our organisation previously engaged with you, including the events of December 2022. 'Pharmac's handling of Today FM's coverage of the Trikafta story was a regrettable error of judgment. Pharmac has accepted the Chief Ombudsman's finding of unreasonableness, with regards to the imposition of a stand-down period on MediaWorks and the failure to explain Pharmac's position clearly. 'Pharmac also accepts that: a. Today FM did not breach Pharmac's embargo, nor was the radio station subject to it; b. Pharmac should have explained its concerns to Today FM and not have attributed your personal tweet to MediaWorks; c. Normatively, the decision to impose a stand-down period and the manner in which it was imposed fell below the standard expected of a public service agency; and d. Pharmac's actions were exacerbated by subsequent internal communications which were unnecessarily hurtful and personal.' 'I wish to clarify that, despite the poor choice of words, Pharmac did not intend at any time to withhold official information from you or Today FM. What Pharmac failed to do was to clearly explain the reason for that refusal and invite you (or Today FM) to send your questions through another means,' general counsel Saar Cohen-Ronen wrote. 'Pharmac values your health advocacy work. I can only hope that the Ombudsman's report of today, and this letter of apology, will assist with turning a corner in our mutual work. 'We acknowledge that, while being held to account may not always be a pleasant experience, it is an essential feature of a healthy democratic society and a transparent public service which seeks to continuously improve. We encourage you to continue to engage with Pharmac and to keep advocating for a stronger healthcare system, to help make New Zealand a better place for us all.' Today FM closed in March 2023 after a year on air. Rachel Smalley was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours in 2024 for services to broadcasting and health advocacy. Is it a first strike for AI journalism before the Media Council? Illustration: Getty Images An unusual and low-level Media Council case involving the NZ Herald adding a summary above a syndicated RNZ story and introducing an error could well be a milestone in AI's involvement in journalism here. The council found the Herald had breached the principle of accuracy when it summarised the RNZ story on Cook Strait ferry costs wrongly. The judgment also criticised the Herald for redirecting the complainant to RNZ, and leaving its error in place on the story for two months. So far, so bad, but it falls more into the misdemeanour than felony category when it comes to Media Council breaches. The paper told the council the incorrect bullet point (which inflated the Government's Cook Strait ferry-building contract with Hyundai from $550m to $3 billion) was 'written by a NZ Herald digital producer.' Which is where things become mildly interesting. Within the Herald's own newsroom, there is suspicion the summary bullet points on such a story at that time (early March) would have been produced, first, by the editorial First Look AI tool. That programme runs through the text of a story and delivers the digital producer a ready-made set of summary bullet points. It was routinely used at the time and was a standard addition to syndicated stories from other media, such as RNZ. A staffer aware of the system says it's 'likely the false bullet points were produced by the in-house AI model'; another is 'fairly certain' AI was involved in the process. Whether in this case the digital producer either took it upon him or herself to write the points, or re-worked any of the AI suggestions, or published them as offered, might never be known. The Herald's round of editorial job losses through that period included a group of digital producers. Around the same time, the Herald home page curation was largely taken over by AI deciding what stories would appear where and for how long. The paper is sticking by its wording to the Media Council and will not comment further on the staff suspicions. It declined, to MediaRoom, to rule out, or rule in, AI. But if the bullet point error was generated by AI, and that error led to the Media Council upholding a complaint that its accuracy principle was breached, it would be a first. The council has not previously had to rule on AI tools' contributions to NZ journalism. Whether in this case it needed to know if First Look AI had been part of the process before the writings of the digital producer is now moot. Either way, the fact was wrongly highlighted in the summary and the Herald did correct it two months after publication when it finally worked out it was Herald and not RNZ bullet points containing the error. For the record, this is what the Media Council said on the breach: 'The original article conflated the ferry contract with the large increase in cost of the port upgrade work required. We agree with the complainant that the article incorrectly attributed the two elements as both having caused the blowout. 'The NZ Herald has unfortunately picked up and emphasised in some of the bullet points the erroneous report of a ferry cost blowout. It has failed promptly to correct the obvious errors even when they were immediately pointed out. 'The Media Council is not convinced that persisting with such an obvious error is justified by NZ Herald's reliance on the argument that it could make no changes to syndicated articles; and its confusion over authorship of the bullet points. 'The errors spotted by the complainant were added by the NZ Herald and were its responsibility. Once these errors were conclusively established, the NZ Herald had an obligation to correct such errors by promptly publishing a correction so that the NZ Herald's readers understood there had been a mistake.' Why Eerik the happy visitor disappeared Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown didn't like a video ad promoting Auckland and it turns out that was pretty much enough to sink it, despite $740,000 having been spent creating it for possible future uses. The 'Your Happy Auckland Guide' advertising campaign commissioned by development and promotions agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited included video stories of Eerik from Finland, the happiest country on Earth, extolling the city's virtues and ran briefly last winter. It aimed to improve people's views of Auckland, and particularly the central city. The campaign was partially funded by money from the central city targeted rate. Newsroom published a story in July 2024 quoting Brown labelling it 'deeply embarrassing' and expensive. Although the ad campaign had been deliberately designed to be quirky and grab attention, the mayor was unhappy about so much having been spent 'on a joke'. He claimed the ad campaign ignored Auckland's vital selling points and showed all that was wrong about the system of council-controlled organisations. Eerik and his escapades at Mission Bay, K Rd and around the city apparently reached up to two million potential viewers during the first phase of the campaign. Eerik at Mission Bay. But the mayor's reaction, followed by applications by groups under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act for details of the costs, soon doomed future plans for the happy Finn. The whole Eerik affair has had to be documented by Tātaki Unlimited Auckland in a Business Value Proposition case study for the council's revenue, expenditure and value committee. The paper defends the ads and approach, saying to take a 'safer, less creative route would not have achieved cut-through, would be lost in the crowd and wouldn't maximise return on media investment.' Its case study shows that 'considering political criticism via the media, and the uncertainty of CCO reform through much of 2024, the decision was made to stop further activity phases' of the campaign. Tātaki Unlimited Auckland had worked with the council's marketing team and City Centre Programmes through the first quarter of 2024. Although it included details of the Eerik campaign to elected council members including the mayor in May 2024 in a regular newsletter, it had not personally briefed Brown until July (around the time the Newsroom story broke). His reaction publicly, plus the official information requests over the spending, and the CCO reform process, contributed to the campaign ending abruptly. The case study report says: 'In this instance, unrealised value' included 'a second phase of the project being withdrawn from agencies, with talent stood down … and plans with Finland for reciprocal social media and PR activity halted'. Looking forward, a case study section on what could be improved highlights 'political engagement'. 'An early briefing to the mayor's office, lead councillor and/or chair of the CCO oversight committee may mitigate negative political feedback via the media and establish support for marketing activity in advance.' It also says the ongoing reforms of CCOs – for example TAU lost its economic development function on July 1 to a new office within the council itself – could give clarity on the agency's 'remit, with political support, to promote Auckland and work at the top end of the sales funnel (i.e. sentiment)'. The case study says advance audience testing would give 'confidence that the creative solution is the right one (or not)' but would add cost and time to projects. It says the campaign was a success while it lasted, 'lifting sentiment towards Auckland'. 'Those who saw activity rated Auckland more favourably and were more likely to recommend Auckland as a place to visit with all measured perceptions scoring higher. 'Sixty percent took action and 87 percent took away key messages.' But it appears Mayor Brown was an important member of the 13 percent who did not. The 2025 domestic tourism campaign for autumn/winter, fully funded by $400,000 from the city centre targeted rate, is called 'It's on in Auckland' and plays into stereotypes about Aucklanders. The 2025 version of the autumn/winter domestic tourism promotion for Auckland. 'With tongue-in-cheek headlines and vivid imagery, the campaign sets out to surprise and delight,' TAU's press release says. 'Featured creative includes: 'You don't have to be a food snob to eat like one' 'Sure, it can get a little crowded here' (accompanied by a buzzing concert crowd) 'This place is full of exhibitionists' (a nod to a lively art scene) 'Of course there's drama in the big city' (with an image of an aerialist showing pure theatrical flair). For the record, the 2025 iteration was reviewed and approved by the mayor before launch in May via out-of-home (billboard) and social and digital channels. A second wave is proposed but not yet confirmed. In future, the new economic development office at the council, led by former TAU senior executive Pam Ford, will 'lead the destination strategy work in collaboration with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited', TAU says.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Can Sungjae Im turn things around? PGA Tour John Deere Classic prop bet picks, predictions
The PGA Tour is in Silvis, Ill., this week for the 2025 John Deere Classic. It's once again being hosted by TPC Deere Run, giving players ample birdie opportunities on a very scorable course. The first round begins on Thursday morning. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the John Deere Classic from BetMGM Sportsbook's odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions. Davis Thompson is looking to defend his title at TPC Deere Run after winning here last year, and he comes in with the fourth-best odds of anyone at +2800. Ben Griffin (+1400) is the clear favorite atop the board, with Jason Day (+2200) and Denny McCarthy (+2500) among the other contenders in the field. TPC Deere Run (par 72) will play at 7,289 yards, so it's not a terribly long course. It features tree-lined fairways and greens that are on the larger side, so players should have plenty of birdie chances throughout the week. The winning score has been 18-under or better in every playing of this event since 2010, and Thompson set the scoring record at 28-under par last year – 4 clear of the field. John Deere Classic – Top-5 picks Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 11:03 p.m. ET. Thorbjornsen is trending up at the moment, finishing in the top 5 three times in his last 6 starts. That includes a T-4 at the Rocket Classic last week, where he was just 1 shot shy of a 4-man playoff. He already has a top-5 in this event under his belt, too, coming in second last year. McCarthy tends to excel on TPC courses and Deere Run is no exception. He's finished sixth or seventh in each of the last 3 years at the John Deere Classic, going on a tear in this event in recent seasons. It helps that he's a great putter, especially with scores expected to be so low once again. John Deere Classic – Top-10 picks Smalley has finishes of 16th and second in his last 3 starts at the John Deere Classic, so he has a fairly good track record in Silvis. Prior to missing the cut at the Rocket Classic last week, Smalley tied for 13th at the RBC Canadian Open. Clanton has endured the typical ups-and-downs of a rookie on the PGA Tour but he has a ton of upside, especially at this course. He made a push last year at the John Deere Classic, finishing T-2 behind Thompson, who ran away from everyone en route to a 4-shot win. Gotterup finished 23rd at the U.S. Open and 26th at the Rocket Classic last week, showing some good form heading into the John Deere Classic. He's long off the tee and though he can be inaccurate with his driver, that's not as penalizing at an easier course like TPC Deere Run. He finished fourth in his tournament debut in 2022. John Deere Classic – Top-20 picks Schenk missed the cut in 2018 and 2024, but in the 3 starts in between that he made here, he finished fourth, fourth and sixth. At such a long price, he's worth betting for a top-20 despite some disappointing showings for most of this season. Valimaki finished 12th in his first start at the John Deere Classic last year, opening with a 61 on Thursday afternoon. His putting numbers are great this season, ranking eighth in strokes gained, so he just needs to give himself enough birdie looks to make some noise this week. Im has finished 26th, 47th and 12th in his 3 career starts in this event, so they aren't the best results. However, he tends to have more success when scoring is low, which it will be this week. He could snap out of a little bit of a funk after finishing no better than 57th in his last 3 starts this season. WATCH: Get ESPN+ John Deere Classic – Matchups Suggested play is golfer in bold. Sungjae Im (+100) vs. Kevin Yu (-125) Yu played well at the RBC Canadian Open and Travelers Championship, which were his last 2 starts. He also finished sixth and 20th in the last 2 years here, but Im is worth taking at plus-money to finish higher on the leaderboard. Denny McCarthy (-118) vs. Ryan Gerard (-105) McCarthy's record here is great and he's not an overwhelming favorite against Gerard, which makes him worth playing at -118. He has a legitimate chance to win this week. John Deere Classic – Top German Jaeger missed the cut at the Rocket Classic last week but getting him at +100 to be the top German against Thomas Rosemueller (+240) and Jeremy Paul (+250) feels like a good value. John Deere Classic – Top Asian Im has the 3rd-best odds to be the top Asian player in this market, behind only Si Woo Kim and Kevin Yu. He's capable of going really low at a course like this. John Deere Classic – First-round leader Valimaki is a terrific putter, ranking eighth in strokes gained on the greens this season. If his putter gets hot on Thursday, he could finish the day atop the leaderboard. This season, he ranks 10th in first-round scoring average, as well. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Golfweek: Follow @camdasilva on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alex Smalley odds to win the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic
Rocket Mortgage Classic details and info Smalley odds to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic PGA odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 3:09 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Smalley odds to finish in the top 5 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Smalley odds to finish in the top 10 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Other betting markets for Smalley at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Smalley recent performances While Smalley has not won any of the 16 tournaments he has taken part in this season, he has come away with one top-five finish and two top-10 finishes. Smalley has finished in the top five once in his past four appearances. In his last three trips to this event, Smalley placed 47th in his only finish. Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change. Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Chicago Tribune
23-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
World War II hero finally brought home to rest next to his parents in Chesterton
Army Pvt. Charles William Smalley Jr., a Chesterton native, was only 19 when he perished during combat near Marsanne, France, on Aug. 25, 1944, but no one knew where his body went. For decades, Smalley's remains were in a grave marked 'Unknown,' X-205, in the Luynes National Cemetery for American soldiers near Marseille, France. His name was engraved on the Walls of the Missing at Rhone American Cemetery in Draguignan, France. In an amazing journey nearly 81 years in the making, Smalley's remains finally returned home Saturday to the resting place next to his parents, Charles Sr. and Bessie Smalley, in the Chesterton Cemetery. Advances in DNA technology combined with extensive historical detective work made it possible for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to identify the remains as Smalley. The body was exhumed in March 2023, brought across the Atlantic Ocean and then positively identified on Jan. 25 at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. On a scorching hot and humid Saturday morning, people lined Porter Avenue leading into Chesterton Cemetery for the last leg of Smalley's odyssey. They stood reverently holding small American flags upright as the hearse with Smalley's cremains passed by. 'I got goosebumps. For someone to find him and bring him home, that's amazing,' said Red Stone, a Porter County Councilman who stood on Porter Avenue. 'This is what America is about.' Sabrina Bos, who was standing beside Stone and has a son in the Navy, chimed in: 'I am so glad he is home.' David Canright, former publisher and editor of The Chesterton Tribune when it was a daily newspaper, said that Smalley's story resonates with him because his father, Warren Canright, a 1944 Chesterton High graduate, was an Army infantry soldier in France. A picture of Smalley's olive green Army uniform, posted on Chesterton's Facebook page, was like his father's. 'If my dad had been a year older, it might have been him today,' Canright said. Jeff Crothers was there with his wife, Beth, to welcome Smalley home. 'It's unbelievable that technology would be able to bring him home. It's awesome,' Crothers said. 'How wonderful it is for the family.' Kay Smalley Howard, 88, of Stonington, Connecticut, the closest living relative as a first cousin of Charles Jr., said she was 'honored' to travel to Chesterton for Saturday's burial. Her daughter and two of her sons also came to the White-Love Funeral Home and the Chesterton Cemetery for the graveside service. Howard was only 7 and too young to understand the circumstances surrounding the family's reaction to her cousin's death in the war. Her uncle, Charles W. Smalley Sr., was only 41 when he died in 1948, and her aunt Bessie Smalley passed away in 1999. The family was first informed that Smalley was missing in action shortly after Aug. 25, 1944, and it was about a year later before it was determined that he was actually killed in action. After Smalley was killed, he was buried near the battlefield. A month later, his body, which was not identified, was disinterred and moved to the Luynes Cemetery in Marseille, France. In April 1951, Smalley's remains were declared by the U.S. government to be 'unrecoverable'. Earlier this year, Howard received a letter informing her that her cousin's remains had been identified. 'I thought it was a scam,' Howard said. She reached out to her daughter, Jody Livingston, who assured her that the correspondence was real. 'This is just mind-boggling, it just really is,' Howard said. Rev. Esta Rosario, pastor of Chesterton's First United Methodist Church, presided over the graveside services conducted under an awning in the middle of the cemetery, next to the gravestone for Smalley's parents. Smalley had moved to Chesterton at a young age and was a member of the First Methodist Church. He decided to quit high school in April 1943 to enlist in the Army. 'Imagine that this young man left the comforts of home, of being a kid in high school, to join the Army during the height of World War II,' Rosario said. Smalley became a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. It was on Aug. 15, 1944, that Smalley participated in the follow-up to D-Day, a secondary invasion of southern France known as 'Operation Dragoon.' Smalley's unit had an objective on Aug. 25, 1944, of repelling German forces from a mountain between Marsanne and LaCoucourde. 'Serving the military in World War II placed him right in the middle of the valley of the shadow of death,' Rosario said, using a phrase from the 23rd Psalm. 'Private Smalley was killed only 10 minutes into the conflict, according to a comrade's account.' For his bravery, Pvt. Smalley was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge. 'If we could offer a final farewell to Pvt. Smalley, we would say: Thank you for your selfless service, for your personal courage, for being brave enough to fight the evil in this world even though it cost you your life. Because of you and others like you, we are free!' Rosario said. The service featured a 21-gun salute and the presentation of the American flag to Howard. Then the bagpipers from the Veterans Salute Indiana Pipes and Drums rendered a stirring version of 'Amazing Grace' to close the long-delayed homecoming service for Pvt. Smalley.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TPC Q1 Earnings Call: Backlog Hits Record, Project Execution Drives Outperformance
General contracting company Tutor Perini (NYSE:TPC) reported Q1 CY2025 results topping the market's revenue expectations , with sales up 18.8% year on year to $1.25 billion. Its GAAP profit of $0.53 per share was significantly above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy TPC? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.25 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.07 billion (18.8% year-on-year growth, 16.7% beat) EPS (GAAP): $0.53 vs analyst estimates of $0.09 (significant beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $84.32 million vs analyst estimates of $49.05 million (6.8% margin, 71.9% beat) EPS (GAAP) guidance for the full year is $1.78 at the midpoint, beating analyst estimates by 5.8% Operating Margin: 5.3%, in line with the same quarter last year Backlog: $19.4 billion at quarter end Market Capitalization: $2.13 billion Tutor Perini's first quarter results were shaped by faster-than-expected ramp-up on several large projects and broad-based revenue gains across its Civil, Building, and Specialty Contractors segments. CEO Gary Smalley explained that growth was driven by 'increased project execution activities on certain newer, higher-margin projects that all have substantial scope of work remaining,' with especially strong contributions from the Brooklyn Jail, the Honolulu Rail project, and mass transit initiatives in California. The company's operating cash flow was also notable, as collections from ongoing projects contributed to a solid start to the year. Management described the quarter as 'clean' with no significant project closeouts or dispute resolutions impacting earnings, highlighting disciplined project delivery and execution. Looking forward, Tutor Perini's updated guidance reflects continued confidence in its project pipeline and backlog conversion. Management emphasized that much of the company's anticipated earnings growth in 2025 will be driven by the ramp-up of newer, higher-margin projects and a robust backlog of awarded contracts. Smalley stated, 'We believe that this backlog will drive significant double-digit revenue growth and generate strong earnings for the foreseeable future while also serving as a catalyst for continued strong cash flow.' The company also noted contingency plans for potential risks, including project delays or lower win rates, but expects operating cash flow to remain healthy. Management reiterated that the majority of earnings for the year are expected in the second half, as newer projects accelerate and preconstruction work transitions to active construction. Management attributed the quarter's performance to strong execution on recently awarded, higher-margin projects and a record backlog, while emphasizing operational improvements and selective bidding strategies. Large project ramp-ups: Revenue growth was led by the rapid start and progress on major new projects, such as the Brooklyn Jail and the Honolulu Rail Transit, with management highlighting that these projects have significant remaining scope and are expected to contribute meaningfully over several quarters. Backlog at all-time high: The company's backlog reached $19.4 billion, nearly doubling year-over-year. This reflects successful new contract wins in transit, healthcare, and military infrastructure, including a $1.18 billion tunnel project in New York and extensive military construction in Guam. Improved project mix: Management stressed a strategic focus on bidding for projects with favorable contract terms, limited competition, and higher margins, which is expected to support both future revenue and profitability. The company's selective approach is supported by the depth of its current backlog. Cash flow drivers: Operating cash flow was positive in the first quarter, driven by collections from new and ongoing projects rather than one-off dispute resolutions. Management expects further cash collections from dispute settlements later in the year. Indo-Pacific expansion: The Indo-Pacific, especially Guam, is a growing source of opportunities, with Tutor Perini and its subsidiary Platt Construction securing roles in multiple award construction contracts (MACCs) with a combined potential value exceeding $32 billion over eight years. The company anticipates continued growth in this region as U.S. military infrastructure spending remains strong. Tutor Perini's outlook is anchored by the continued ramp-up of high-margin projects and sustained backlog growth, though management remains mindful of execution risks and external factors that could affect project timelines. Backlog conversion and project ramp: Management expects the current record backlog to drive revenue and earnings growth as newer projects transition from preconstruction into active execution, especially in the second half of the year. The company believes these projects, with improved contractual terms and higher margins, will underpin strong financial performance through 2027. Cash flow and capital allocation: With debt reduction nearly complete and operating cash flow expected to stay robust, management is considering shareholder returns, including potential dividends or share repurchases, pending further cash accumulation and Board approval. The company emphasizes a cautious approach, prioritizing long-term flexibility. Execution and external risks: Management identified risks such as project delays, lower-than-expected bid win rates, and possible adverse legal outcomes related to dispute resolutions. However, the company believes most major projects are insulated from funding or tariff risks, due to pre-committed funding and contract terms that mitigate commodity price fluctuations. In the coming quarters, StockStory analysts will monitor (1) the rate at which preconstruction projects move into active construction and begin generating revenue, (2) the ability of Tutor Perini to maintain or grow its record backlog through successful contract bids, and (3) progress on cash collections from dispute resolutions and their effect on operating cash flow. Execution on large Indo-Pacific projects and the outcome of pending high-profile bids will also be important indicators. Tutor Perini currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 19.4×. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. 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