(NewsUSA) - Today’s car shoppers want it all -- style, luxury, efficiency, and reliability. The subcompact SUV segment continues to be popular, but there is a new option on the market -- the 2023 Kia Sportage. The Sportage, Kia’s longest running nameplate, debuted the redesigned model at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. 

The updated Sportage offers eco-appeal with an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy over previous models, despite its larger size. 

“While Kia moves purposefully toward electrification, we are further strengthening the Sportage lineup by adding a variety of options suited for all different kinds of customers,” says Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia America, Kia North America.

“The tremendous success formula of our current stable of SUVs has been infused into every ounce of the new Sportage, transforming it into a leader of the pack with its cutting-edge design, adventurous capability and desirable in-car technology,” Yoon emphasizes. 

The company’s design philosophy for the new Sportage is an “Opposites United” theme that combines futuristic and rugged elements for a look that’s sleek, but sporty. Click here to view video.

Distinctive features of the Sportage include: 

- Looks. The Sportage design is available in adventure trims (the X-Line, Sportage X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige) that showcase the Sportage AWD’s 1.5-inch increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and multi-terrain mode AWD system. 

- Luxury. The new Sportage offers upgrades in comfort as well as power and style. Key features include dual panoramic curved 12.3-inch display screens, angular air vents and smart story solutions. 

- Size. The Sportage is larger than its predecessors, with enhanced rear-seat legroom and the largest rear-cargo capacity in its segment. 

- Safety. Key safety features on the updated Sportage include eight standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including newly available features such as 360° Surround View Monitor with 3D View and live-feed Blind-Spot View Monitor within instrument cluster.

Visit kia.com for more details about the 2023 Sportage and other Kia vehicles. 

(NewsUSA) - Every family has a unique financial situation with its own set of challenges. However, financial planning can be a bit more complex for LGBTQ+ couples. Depending on the state in which they live, LGBTQ+ couples may find it hard to secure access to health care, higher earning opportunities and retirement savings.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals can help LGBTQ+ couples navigate these challenges and develop financial planning strategies tailored to their specific needs and the laws of their state.

Here are 4 examples of strategies that a CFP® professional can help you consider:

1. Estate planning: Estate planning is important for LGBTQ+ couples, particularly when considerable assets are involved such as multiple retirement accounts or real estate. In addition to a will and beneficiary designations, your estate plan should also explain how your medical wishes should be honored. Your plan should include health care proxies and medical powers of attorney.

2. Retirement planning: A CFP® professional will work with you to choose the best savings and investment options to meet your retirement goals. They can help align your investment options with your values, combine or consolidate retirement accounts, and make annual contributions. A CFP® professional can also help you review your beneficiary designations to ensure your loved ones are protected. This includes understanding the tax implications of naming a spouse and unmarried partner as a beneficiary.

3. Insurance planning: A CFP® professional can help you evaluate your needs for foundational insurance -- that is, health, life, long-term care and disability insurance. It is important to know your rights, resources and insurance-policy details before incorporating insurance into your financial plan. For example, many insurance carriers recognize domestic partner status and will offer a preferred rate if you live with your life partner, even if you are not legally married.

4. Family planning: Deciding whether to get married and whether to start a family involves many important financial considerations for LGBTQ+ couples. Marriage may offer several long-term financial benefits, including health care coverage and federal protection of certain assets. Alternatively, a domestic partnership agreement can provide financial protections for unmarried LGBTQ+ couples. And starting a family may mean saving for fertility treatments, or a domestic or international adoption program.

These strategies, along with other financial best practices, can help put LGBTQ+ couples on a path to financial success.

You can find a CFP® professional by visiting LetsMakeAPlan.org and using the Find A CFP® Professional tool. You can also filter your search to find a planner with experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.

By Brad Bauer, Senior Vice President, Bamboo Health

(MWW) - Understandably, COVID continues to be a high priority for healthcare workers, public officials and the media. However, it has also drawn attention away from the opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses from April 2020 to April 2021, up almost 30% from the 78,000 deaths in the prior year.

Of those deaths, more than two-thirds involved opioids. This astounding number exceeds the overdose death toll in any year since the opioid epidemic began in the 1990s and is the largest annual percentage increase since 1999, according to The Commonwealth Fund.

It's clear that healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and federal and state governments collectively must renew their focus on opioids. Not only does opioid addiction devastate communities and families, but it also exacts a huge toll on our economy.

First, treatment services for substance use disorders such as opioid addiction need to be made more accessible and affordable to those who need it. Accessibility starts with helping to fund financially imperiled and resource-strapped treatment organizations to keep their doors open and services available. To that end, the Biden Administration in August announced $10.7 million in federal grants to enable state and regional networks of pediatric mental healthcare providers to integrate telehealth services into behavioral healthcare programs and substance abuse treatment. While that's a start, more government investment in opioid treatment is critical.

Second, we need to upgrade and expand crisis services to make these easily accessible to all in need. In July, the 988 initiative launches, establishing a new nationwide 3-digit number for people in crisis to connect with a mental health professionals and suicide prevention counselors. Beyond infrastructure needed to support this, such as mobile crisis teams, states must also invest in digital infrastructure necessary to ensure people can access care once they've contacted a crisis line.

Third, we must integrate new treatment models such as telemedicine into care plans. This may require relaxing regulations governing the delivery of remote care. We know from our experience during the pandemic that telemedicine is effective, so it makes sense to permanently waive remote care restrictions so more people can get help to overcome mental health challenges and addiction.

Finally, we must continue to use the powerful technologies already at our disposal to monitor the dispensing of prescribed opioids. State prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) allow physicians and pharmacists to see a patient's recent prescription history and make more informed decisions to keep patients safe. Providers are more aware of prescriptions and changes in prescription history to help reduce negative drug interactions, prevent opioid misuse, and reduce the risk of opioid-related harm.

Bamboo Health's NarxCare is a clinical decision support tool and care management technology application currently used in more than 30 states and jurisdictions. The platform helps prescribers and dispensers analyze controlled substance data from PDMPs to make more informed prescription-care decisions. NarxCare automatically analyzes PDMP data and then it provides an interactive visualization of prescription drug usage patterns along with use scores and an overdose risk score.

NarxCare is designed to provide physicians and pharmacists with a tool to ensure highly addictive pain medication is prescribed accurately to those who need it, while also helping to identify patients who may need intervening steps.

The opioid epidemic isn't going away by itself. We must all focus on reducing the death and destruction caused by insidious and persistent addiction. It will take caring, commitment, cooperation, and the right tools and resources. It will be a tough fight, but it's one we can win.

(NewsUSA)

"Red Deception"
by Ed Fuller and Gary Grossman 

What would happen if all the major bridges in the U.S. were bombed, all commerce came to a dead stop, and the nation's natural resources, like our water supply, were cut off? The importance of protecting America's critical infrastructure has rarely been depicted so powerfully as in the fast-paced thriller, Red Deception, the follow-up to 2019's "Red Hotel."

Blending career insight with first-hand knowledge of global politics, the authors have drawn a chilling portrait of the fragile fault lines in Europe and the players poised to seize power.

Packed with action scenes and brimming with spies, sexpionage, counter-spies and unlikely heroes, this riveting geopolitical thriller will have you guessing until the very last page. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3gwMm4J. Now also available as an audiobook at https://adbl.co/3hRvdnM.

"A Christmas at Gingerbread Falls"
by Katie Mettner

Actress Carrie Murray's films are a Christmas-lover's delight. Filled with twinkling lights, festive carols and happy endings, they're the perfect escape from reality for both her and the audience. Then Tinseltown calls. Braxton Timothy is Hollywood's biggest action star. Handsome and talented but decidedly on the naughty list, no one can fathom his sudden desire to produce a feel-good Christmas movie, least of all his nameless co-star.

Alternating between scenes reminiscent of everyone's favorite made-for-TV movies and unexpected, off-screen chemistry, the town of Gingerbread Falls has surprises in store this holiday season. The question is, will there be enough Christmas magic to convince two imperfect people that they're perfect for each other? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3n2R3Xc.

"Revolution (The Sol Saga: Book One)"
by James Fox

War is good for business ... and business is about to boom. When the President of the solar system is assassinated on Mars, General Keith Brennan is the obvious choice to investigate. If he comes up with the wrong answer, though, his career will be over. However, when the investigation uncovers a trail of corruption and a conspiracy on a systemwide scale, Brennan's career is the least of his worries.

With Earth and Mars on the brink of a shooting war and forces behind the scenes determined to push them over the edge, only Brennan can stop the slaughter before it's too late. Unless, of course, it already is. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3Aki9xw.

"It's a Very Merry Christmas: If Not You, Then Who?
by David and Emberli Pridham

It's Christmas time at the Fairley house, and that means it's time for Christmas traditions. Join Brooke, Noah, baby Graham and the rest of the family as they decorate the tree, hang lights, watch Christmas movies and invent a brand-new tradition: building their own ice rink!

Presented by If Not You Brands, "If Not You, Then Who?" aims to teach children about the inventions and patents in everyday life and inspire them to create their own.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3CxIrhe.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

By Brad Bauer, Senior Vice President, Bamboo Health

(MWW) - While COVID rightly remains a high priority for healthcare professionals, public officials, and the media, the pandemic has drawn attention away from the opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses from April 2020 to April 2021, up almost 30% from the 78,000 deaths in the prior year.

Of those deaths, more than two-thirds involved opioids. This astounding number exceeds the overdose death toll in any year since the opioid epidemic began in the 1990s and is the largest annual percentage increase since 1999, according to The Commonwealth Fund.

It's clear that healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and federal and state governments collectively must renew their focus on opioids. Not only does opioid addiction devastate communities and families, but it also exacts a huge toll on our economy.

First, treatment services for substance use disorders such as opioid addiction need to be made more accessible and affordable to those who need it. Accessibility starts with helping to fund financially imperiled and resource-strapped treatment organizations to keep their doors open and services available. To that end, the Biden Administration in August announced $10.7 million in federal grants to enable state and regional networks of pediatric mental healthcare providers to integrate telehealth services into behavioral healthcare programs and substance abuse treatment. While that's a start, more government investment in opioid treatment is critical.

Second, we need to upgrade and expand crisis services to make these easily accessible to all in need. In July, the 988 initiative launches, establishing a new nationwide 3-digit number for people in crisis to connect with a mental health professionals and suicide prevention counselors. Beyond infrastructure needed to support this, such as mobile crisis teams, states must also invest in digital infrastructure necessary to ensure people can access care once they've contacted a crisis line.

Third, we must integrate new treatment models such as telemedicine into care plans. This may require relaxing regulations governing the delivery of remote care. We know from our experience during the pandemic that telemedicine is effective, so it makes sense to permanently waive remote care restrictions so more people can get help to overcome mental health challenges and addiction.

Finally, we must continue to use the powerful technologies already at our disposal to monitor the dispensing of prescribed opioids. State prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) allow physicians and pharmacists to see a patient's recent prescription history and make more informed decisions to keep patients safe. Providers are more aware of prescriptions and changes in prescription history to help reduce negative drug interactions, prevent opioid misuse, and reduce the risk of opioid-related harm.

Bamboo Health's NarxCare is a clinical decision support tool and care management technology application currently used in more than 30 states and jurisdictions. The platform helps prescribers and dispensers analyze controlled substance data from PDMPs to make more informed prescription-care decisions. NarxCare automatically analyzes PDMP data and then it provides an interactive visualization of prescription drug usage patterns along with use scores and an overdose risk score.

NarxCare is designed to provide physicians and pharmacists with a tool to ensure highly addictive pain medication is prescribed accurately to those who need it, while also helping to identify patients who may need intervening steps.

The opioid epidemic isn't going away by itself. We must all focus on reducing the death and destruction caused by insidious and persistent addiction. It will take caring, commitment, cooperation, and the right tools and resources. It will be a tough fight, but it's one we can win.

By Brad Bauer, Senior Vice President, Bamboo Health

(MWW) - While COVID rightly remains a high priority for healthcare professionals, public officials, and the media, the pandemic has drawn attention away from the opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses from April 2020 to April 2021, up almost 30% from the 78,000 deaths in the prior year.

Of those deaths, more than two-thirds involved opioids. This astounding number exceeds the overdose death toll in any year since the opioid epidemic began in the 1990s and is the largest annual percentage increase since 1999, according to The Commonwealth Fund.

It's clear that healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and federal and state governments collectively must renew their focus on opioids. Not only does opioid addiction devastate communities and families, but it also exacts a huge toll on our economy.

First, treatment services for substance use disorders such as opioid addiction need to be made more accessible and affordable to those who need it. Accessibility starts with helping to fund financially imperiled and resource-strapped treatment organizations to keep their doors open and services available. To that end, the Biden Administration in August announced $10.7 million in federal grants to enable state and regional networks of pediatric mental healthcare providers to integrate telehealth services into behavioral healthcare programs and substance abuse treatment. While that's a start, more government investment in opioid treatment is critical.

Second, we need to upgrade and expand crisis services to make these easily accessible to all in need. In July, the 988 initiative launches, establishing a new nationwide 3-digit number for people in crisis to connect with a mental health professionals and suicide prevention counselors. Beyond infrastructure needed to support this, such as mobile crisis teams, states must also invest in digital infrastructure necessary to ensure people can access care once they've contacted a crisis line.

Third, we must integrate new treatment models such as telemedicine into care plans. This may require relaxing regulations governing the delivery of remote care. We know from our experience during the pandemic that telemedicine is effective, so it makes sense to permanently waive remote care restrictions so more people can get help to overcome mental health challenges and addiction.

Finally, we must continue to use the powerful technologies already at our disposal to monitor the dispensing of prescribed opioids. State prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) allow physicians and pharmacists to see a patient's recent prescription history and make more informed decisions to keep patients safe. Providers are more aware of prescriptions and changes in prescription history to help reduce negative drug interactions, prevent opioid misuse, and reduce the risk of opioid-related harm.

Bamboo Health's NarxCare is a clinical decision support tool and care management technology application currently used in more than 30 states and jurisdictions. The platform helps prescribers and dispensers analyze controlled substance data from PDMPs to make more informed prescription-care decisions. NarxCare automatically analyzes PDMP data and then it provides an interactive visualization of prescription drug usage patterns along with use scores and an overdose risk score.

NarxCare is designed to provide physicians and pharmacists with a tool to ensure highly addictive pain medication is prescribed accurately to those who need it, while also helping to identify patients who may need intervening steps.

The opioid epidemic isn't going away by itself. We must all focus on reducing the death and destruction caused by insidious and persistent addiction. It will take caring, commitment, cooperation, and the right tools and resources. It will be a tough fight, but it's one we can win.