Daily Business Report: Aug. 31, 2023
Fallout over fake nonprofit continues
at Snapdragon Stadium and Petco Park
By Will Huntsberry | Voice of San Diego
Snapdragon Stadium officials say they will review their practices for verifying charities. And Petco’s concessions management company says Chula Vista Fast Pitch is out for good.
In the wake of a scandal involving a fake charity, officials at Snapdragon Stadium and Petco Park continue to shake up the management of their two venues.
Snapdragon officials have said they will temporarily stop accepting new charities and also conduct a review of their verification process.
Officials for Delaware North – a global hospitality company that manages concessions at Petco – have said Chula Vista Fast Pitch, the phantom charity, will no longer be able to operate in the stadium. (Snapdragon had already barred the group.)
Earlier this week, Voice of San Diego revealed that Chula Vista Fast Pitch had been operating in both Petco Park and Snapdragon – despite the fact that it didn’t really exist.
As culture wars escalate, California officials push
back on conservative school board policies
By Carolyn Jones and Alexei Koseff | CalMatters
California’s culture wars escalated Monday as the state sued a school district over its transgender student policy, and a parents’ group took the first step toward placing a trio of initiatives on next year’s ballot that would restrict protections for transgender youth.
The moves follow highly publicized incidents last month in which state leaders attempted to rein in school boards they said had run afoul of civil rights laws. Under California’s local control system, school boards have wide latitude to enact their own policies — a freedom that’s now being tested as a handful of districts move to expand parental rights by limiting the rights of LGBTQ students.
Monday morning, Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a complaint against the Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County over its new policy requiring parental notification when students change their gender identity at school.
The complaint, filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court, seeks a temporary restraining order against enforcement of the policy, which Bonta referred to as the “forced outing” of transgender and gender nonconforming students, while the court determines whether it violates state law.
“It presents students with a terrible choice,” the attorney general said at a news conference in Los Angeles. “Either walk back your rights to gender identity and gender expression, to be yourself, to be who you are, or face the risk of serious harm. Mental harm, emotional harm, physical harm.”
Kratos’ family of unmanned systems to be
displayed at MCAS Miramar Air Show
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. will display two complete full-scale families of tactical and target unmanned jet drones at the Sept. 22-24 Marine Corp Air Station Miramar Air Show.
The company’s displays will include the most recent and advanced versions of the XQ-58 Valkyrie, the UTAP-22 Mako, and the Tactical Firejet. Kratos’ target family, engaged to support and hone military training and to support defense system development, includes the BQM-167, the BQM-177, and the MQM-178 Firejet.
The Miramar Air Show welcomes both domestic and international visitors, where they will be able to view full-scale Kratos tactical and target UAS on display. These Kratos systems represent the future of uncrewed air systems and offer an affordable solution to the mass production, deployment, and engagement of military defense.
American Legion Post 416 Foundation
to raise funds for new Encinitas building
American Legion Post 416 Foundation in Encinitas has launched a building campaign to raise funds for its new building at 210 W. F Street, site of the American Legion Post 416’s current building. The foundation goal is to rise $6 million.
The foundation, a 501-c3 non-profit organization, was founded in 1930 to serve the area’s military veterans. It currently has over 800 members. The Post provides over 50,000 hours of community service annually to veterans, their families and youth in the community.
The Post sponsors seven Cub Scout and Boy Scout packs and troops as well as American Legion baseball.
Don Oliphant is board chair and president of the foundation, and Steve Lewandowski is the foundation’s CEO. Other board members include Bill Cavanaugh, Steve Thomas and Bob Page.
Those interested in learning more about the campaign can contact Lewandowski at ceoamericanlegionfoundation@gmail.com.
UC San Diego launches Gene Therapy Initiative,
targeting treatments for rare diseases
By Jade Griffin | UC San Diego
Genetic diseases can affect everything from the brain to the heart to the nervous system, often causing a combination of devastating symptoms that can be fatal for pediatric and adult patients. Many of these genetic diseases are considered rare, with fewer than 200,000 suffering from the conditions in the U.S. Effective treatments can be even more elusive for those with rare diseases, since fewer patients to study can limit opportunities for medical research.
Thanks to a $5 million gift from the Nancy and Geoffrey Stack Foundation, the University of California San Diego has launched the Gene Therapy Initiative to meet this vast need, fueling research and gene-based therapies to benefit children and adults with genetic disorders.
Psychedelic therapies show promise. Is California
ready to bring them into the mainstream?
By Ana B. Ibarra | CalMatters
Psychedelics are having a moment. A nationwide push to bring magic mushrooms and other psychedelics into the mainstream is gaining traction, and some Californians want in.
While hallucinogens are often associated with the drug culture of the 1960s, today’s movement on psychedelics is largely about using them to help treat the nations’ ballooning mental health crisis. Growing research portrays the drugs as a promising tool in helping people heal from various mental illnesses, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Now several proposals floating around in California seek to make psychedelics more accessible for therapeutic and personal use. These include one legislative proposal that would decriminalize use of certain natural hallucinogens and two pending initiatives for next year’s ballot, one that would legalize the use and sale of psilocybin mushrooms and a second that would fund a $5 billion agency to research and develop psychedelic therapies.
One recent UC Berkeley survey offers a glimpse of where the public currently stands on these types of reforms. For example, more than 60% of those surveyed supported psychedelics for therapeutic use. Seventy eight percent supported making it easier for researchers to further study psychedelics. Meanwhile, 49% said they supported removing criminal penalties for personal use.
County takes steps to protect citizens from the flu
Flu season is quickly approaching, and the County of San Diego is making sure health care providers throughout the region are ready to respond. Several ‘Immunization Skills Institute’ sessions are underway at the County Operations Center, to update and reinforce best practices when it comes to protecting San Diegans from influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. Participants receive hands-on training handling, storing, transporting, and injecting vaccines. It’s a comprehensive refresher course for health care providers that will help San Diego Kick the Flu + 2.
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. The flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine.
Brandon wins a Brandon Hall Group Bronze award
Blanchard, a global pioneer in leadership development, consulting, and coaching for more than 40 years, won a coveted Brandon Hall Group Bronze award for excellence in the Best Advance in Leadership Development category. The award was announced on Aug. 17 during a live webinar hosted by Brandon Hall Group. The complete list of winners can be viewed at https://excellenceawards.brandonhall.com/winners/.
Shield AI completes autonomous teaming demonstration
Shield AI, a defense technology company building the world’s best AI pilot, announced the successful completion of an autonomous teaming demonstration featuring three V-BAT Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This accomplishment was the final milestone of an AFWERX autonomy effort under their Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program and collaboration with the AFRL Sensors Directorate.
FASHIONPHILE announces B Corp certification
FASHIONPHILE, the leading resale e-commerce platform in pre-owned, ultra-luxury accessories, announced its recognition as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp). This certification reflects the company’s ongoing efforts for social and environmental sustainability, transparency, and ethical business practices. The company has become the country’s largest resale platform for buying and selling ultra-luxury, pre-owned accessories including Chanel, Hermès, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Aethlon Medical to present at the H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference
Aethlon Medical, Inc., a medical therapeutic company focused on developing products to treat cancer and life threatening infectious diseases, announced that Steven LaRosa, M.D., chief medical officer, and James Frakes, chief financial officer, will present a company overview on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m.EST, during the H.C. Wainwright 25th Annual Global Investment Conference taking place Sept. 11-13, 2023, in New York City.
PrecisePK selected by Portugal’s health system
to implement the Bayesian precision dosing technology
PrecisePK announces that it has been selected by Portugal’s top health system, Luisadas Saude Health (LSHS), to implement the Bayesian precision dosing technology for optimized clinical outcomes. This collaboration signifies the adoption of clinically safe dosing with PrecisePK by the second Portuguese health system, following the successful implementation at Unidade de Saúde Local da Guarda (ULSG). Such progress marks a pivotal milestone in transforming digital health and personalized care for Portugal’s health care system.
NuVasive to participate in Scoliosis Research Society meeting
NuVasive Inc., a leader in spine technology innovation, focused on transforming spine surgery with minimally disruptive, procedurally integrated solutions, announced it will continue its partnership with the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) as a double diamond sponsor and will attend the 58th annual meeting held Sept. 6-9, 2023, in Seattle. NuVasive will host a workshop on Sept. 7 titled “Complex Junctional Strategies—The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.”
Sempra Infrastructure and Japanese consortium
to develop carbon neutral gas production
Sempra Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Sempra, announced an agreement with a consortium comprised of Tokyo Gas Company Ltd., Osaka Gas Company Ltd., Toho Gas Company Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation to participate in the evaluation of a proposed project to produce e-natural gas, a form of carbon recycling, in the U.S. Gulf Coast. If the project is successful, it could be the first link of an international supply chain of liquified e-natural gas, a synthetic gas produced from renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Alliant University and San Diego Unified partner through TEACH-LEAD program
Alliant International University and San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) have partnered through SDUSD’s TEACH-LEAD program in order to support aspiring teachers on their educational journey. With both institutions dedicated to equity in education, representation in the classroom, and providing the support that teachers need both in education and practice, the partnership was a natural step toward shared impact. TEACH-LEAD San Diego is San Diego Unified’s latest endeavor focused on eliminating barriers that hold future educators back from pursuing their goals.
Cause Conference 2023: Uniting visionaries for social change
The 25th Annual Cause Conference, hosted by Cause San Diego, a fiscally sponsored program of United Charitable,is poised to unite leading minds and impactful changemakers in the realm of social entrepreneurship. Scheduled for Sept. 14, 2023, the event will unfold at San Diego’s Sharp Prebys Innovation & Education Center (SPIEC) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s Cause Conference aims to empower attendees, specifically business leaders, with the insights, tools, and connections essential to accelerate social impact and create strategic, lasting partnerships
Archer Summit brings together top leaders in risk management
Archer, the leading provider of integrated risk management solutions, is preparing to welcome risk management leaders from some of the world’s largest, most innovative companies at Archer Summit 2023, Sept. 11-13 in San Diego. Now in its 22nd year, the annual conference brings together Archer global customers, partners, and risk and compliance experts for three days of customer-presented case studies, demonstrations of Archer innovations, insightful keynotes, industry working groups, technical labs, and networking opportunities.
XiFin launches new Lab Volume Index
XiFin Inc., a leading provider of innovative health care information technologies, announced that it has added new features and insights to its diagnostic industry-leading Lab Volume Index (LVI). The LVI insights and trends are derived from claims transaction data from within the award-winning XiFin RPM platform. Four of the five top integrated delivery networks (IDNs), seven of the top ten independent laboratories nationwide, and many of the leading molecular diagnostics companies use the No. 1 client-rated revenue cycle management solution.
Julian Parra named head of commercial and industrial
banking in California for Western Alliance Bank
Western Alliance Bank has appointed Julian Parra as the organization’s head of commercial and industrial banking for California. Parra brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role. He has held progressive leadership positions at Bank of America, most recently as regional commercial banking executive for California, Nevada and Hawaii. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago, with a specialization in Finance and Marketing, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance degree from Loyola University.
