Rick McCartney, Author at Greater Phoenix In Business Magazine

COVID-19 and Increased Cyber Risk

by Meghan O’Connor and Simone Colgan Dunlap

As part of attempts to control the spread of COVID-19, businesses are increasingly relying on a remote workforce. Businesses should operate in a heightened state of cybersecurity posture during this time. Bad actors are taking advantage of COVID-19 fears, rapidly evolving environments, a distracted workforce, individuals’ good will, and unprecedented changes in business … [More]

In Business | Online |

Consumer Price Index Falls 0.4 Percent, Driven by Plunging Gas, Hotel, and Airline Prices

The Center for Economic and Policy Research

The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.4 percent in March, driven by sharp falls in prices in several sectors that were strongly affected by the coronavirus crisis. The most important of these was a drop in gasoline prices of 10.5 percent. This is the result of the price of a barrel of oil falling to well under $30 on world markets. If it stays near current levels we are … [More]

In Business | Philanthropy |

Arizona Gives Day Raises over $5 Million for Arizona Nonprofits

Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits

Arizonans showed the depths of their generosity and selflessness by donating nearly $5 million to the state’s nonprofit organizations during Arizona Gives Day 2020 - even at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on the state’s economy and putting hundreds of thousands of people out of work. Last year, the event raised $3.6 million. Hosted by the Alliance of … [More]

In Business | Safety |

Easter Holiday Weekend Restrictions for City of Phoenix Parks

City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department reminds the community about temporary restrictions that will be in place at city parks during the upcoming Easter holiday weekend. The following policy will be in effect Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12: Parks will be open for residents to enjoy walking paths and green space only Restrooms will be closed … [More]

In Business | Medical Care |

Domestic Violence Services Needed Now More than Ever

A New Leaf

With the community in crisis, and many Arizonans forced to stay in their homes, victims of domestic violence are facing harrowing circumstances. To help alleviate the concerns of a rise in violence, A New Leaf’s Domestic Violence programs are operating and actively working to provide hotline access, shelter, and legal assistance to residents of Maricopa County. “With so many … [More]

In Business | Covid-19 Biz News |

Reopening of St. Luke’s Medical Center for Possible Overflow

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

Governor Doug Ducey announced the reopening of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Phoenix with 339 ICU high-acuity beds, with flexibility for other uses if needed. The additional beds were secured with the help of the Arizona Department of Health Services, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Arizona health care leaders and will serve as overflow capacity for hospitals statewide, if … [More]

In Business | Online |

Scottsdale Arts Launches Virtual Arts Experiences

Scottsdale Arts

In response to the closures of its facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Scottsdale Arts has launched a series of new virtual arts programming via its website, ScottsdaleArts.org, and the websites for its four branches. Recognizing that many of its patrons and other arts lovers are now spending more time using web-based platforms to view paintings, listen to music, … [More]

In Business | Covid-19 Biz News |

Arizona Ranks High in Increased Unemployment

WalletHub

With the U.S. experiencing an extremely high number of initial unemployment claims, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the States with the Biggest Increases in Unemployment Due to Coronavirus, along with accompanying videos. To identify which states have experienced the largest unemployment increases, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia … [More]

In Business | Medical Care |

‘Good Samaritan’ Protections to Frontline Workers Ordered

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order to help boost medical staffing levels and provide certainty and liability protections to health care professionals serving on the front lines. The order provides protections to health care professionals treating patients during the COVID-19 health emergency, while also protecting patients against negligence or reckless … [More]

In Business | Covid-19 Biz News |

Local CFO Co. Unveils Plan to Support Businesses during Pandemic

B2B CFO

As business owners grapple with the new reality of a COVID-19 crisis-stricken economy, B2B CFO, a national firm dedicated to providing management advisory services to privately held companies and headquartered in Mesa, is stepping up to fill a much needed void with information regarding cash flow strategies and best practices during the crisis. Between forced closures, HR … [More]

In Business | Offers |

Media Co. Helping Local Restaurants with Free Ad Visibility

Cox Communications

As part of its ongoing coronavirus relief efforts, the Arizona Cox Media team, the advertising division of Cox Communications is offering local restaurants free television advertising to assure patrons that they are open for takeout and delivery services and share their new hours of operation. More than 150 local Arizona restaurants are already taking advantage of this … [More]

In Business | Stimulus |

Online SNAP Purchases Okayed through Amazon and Walmart for Arizonans

State of Arizona Office of the Governor

Governor Doug Ducey announced that Arizonans currently receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be able to use benefits for online food purchases with currently-authorized SNAP online retailers, Walmart and Amazon. This change will help limit social interaction for Arizona’s most vulnerable while ensuring SNAP recipients … [More]

In Business | Medical Care |

Akos MD Reduces Fee for Telemedicine Services

Akos

The recent stay-at-home order issued for the State of Arizona makes it more imperative for residents to limit contact with others. With these guidelines, those needing routine medical care or authorization for a prescription refill may be uncertain what course of action to take. This is especially concerning for those without a primary care physician or health insurance. … [More]

In Business | Covid-19 Biz News |

Lease Modification Initiative from Scottsdale Quarter Parent Co.

Washington Prime Group

Washington Prime Group (WPG), owner of Scottsdale Quarter, recognizes the vital role that small businesses play as a major driver of the U.S. economy. As many small businesses have closed during the coronavirus pandemic, local entrepreneurs may find it difficult to pay operating expenses such as payroll, insurance, utilities, loan interest, inventory and, of course, their … [More]

In Business | Online |

Market Research Co. Extends COVID-19 Shopping Behavior Index to Home Improvement, Electronics and Office Supply

Numerator

Numerator, a data and tech company serving the market research space, has now extended its weekly Numerator Shopping Behavior Index tracker to include QSRs (quick service restaurants), home improvement, consumer electronics and office supply stores to provide further visibility into consumer buying behavior shifts driven by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The Numerator Shopping … [More]

In Business | Technology |

The Importance of Digitalization during COVID-19 Crisis

Fininbox

Digital solutions can provide a safe way for consumers and businesses to manage their day-to-day tasks during crises without compromising their health or safety. As a result, businesses have to adapt to the new demand for digitized services in order to stay relevant. The pandemic has taken its toll on consumers, as well as businesses, by changing the way people work, shop … [More]

In Business | Covid-19 Biz News |

CarMax Furloughs 15,500 Employees due to Mandated COVID-19 Closures

CarMax

Effective April 18, approximately 15,500 CarMax associates will be placed on furlough. The majority of furloughed associates are employed at CarMax stores that are currently closed due to government mandates. Any ongoing furlough determinations are subject to change due to future government mandates affecting store openings or closings, as well as future business … [More]

In Business | Medical Care |

Vaccine Co. Ships First Multiplexed COVID-19 Serology Test Kits

Rick McCartney

InDevR, Inc., a leader in progressive analytical technologies to support the development and production of vaccines and biotherapeutics, announced shipment of its first COVID-19 serology test kits this week for clinical validation. InDevR’s VaxArray Coronavirus SeroAssay is a microscale multiplexed immunoassay that leverages the Company’s established VaxArray platform to … [More]