Votes cast for President Obama in 2012 Fall Election largest in history - 3,071,434 votes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:            FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

November 29, 2012                                   Reid Magney, 608-267-7887

G.A.B. Certifies Fall 2012 Election Results

MADISON, WI – Wisconsin set a voter turnout record in the Fall 2012 General Election, according to official results certified today by the Government Accountability Board.

“The 3,071,434 votes cast for President was the highest number of votes cast for a single office in a statewide election in Wisconsin history. This record turnout reflects the voting public’s deep-rooted commitment to participate in the selection of their governmental leaders,” said Kevin J. Kennedy, Wisconsin’s chief election official. “Wisconsin’s turnout rate of 70.14 percent of eligible voters casting ballots in the presidential race was the fourth-highest percentage since records have been kept going back to 1948.”

Board Chair David G. Deininger certified the official results of the November 6 election, which are now available on the Board’s website: http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/results. Updated statistics are now available as well: http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/statistics.

Kennedy praised voters, poll workers and local election officials for a generally smooth election. “Preparation was key to preventing problems at polling places,” Kennedy said. “Our ‘Back to Basics’ initiative helped ensure election officials were ready for the large turnout and voters had ready access to information about their registration status and polling place location.”

Voter turnout is calculated based on the highest number of votes cast for one office as a percentage of the estimated voting-age population, as determined by the state Department of Administration’s Demographic Services Center. Other statistics, such as the number of absentee ballots cast and Election Day Registrants will not be available until later in December because municipal clerks are still reporting this information to the G.A.B.

###

The Government Accountability Board (G.A.B.) is responsible for administration and enforcement of campaign finance, elections, ethics and lobbying laws in Wisconsin.  The G.A.B. is made up of six non-partisan, former judges and is supported by an agency of non-partisan staff members. 

IT SPONSORSHIP - INSIDE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE W/MPA LLC

MILWAUKEE (MPA-PPR), Open for Review

Sponsorship

We offer "Sponsorship" for the 2012-2013 IT MARTS and forums. The sponsors provide viewing and seating for the public - their potential customers. 

We offer a "special discount rate" to neighborhood businesses. 
We offer "Anchor Suite" rates to industry leaders and government departments.

It is a first-hand way of customer care and top-class marketing.

Tsunami Opportunity

We are presently seeking sponsors for all thirteen (13) briefings 12-12-2012 thru 12-20-2013.

 First-come, first served.

December 12, 2012

IT MART - Kick-off (Internet, Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Decktop)
9:00am - 3:00pm

2013
January 16, 2013 - December 20, 2013

Lower Auditorium                 January 16, 2013                    9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 February 20, 2013                  9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 March 20, 2013*                   9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 April 17, 2013                        9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 May 15, 2013                         9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 June 19, 2013*                      9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 July 17, 2013                          9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 August 21, 2013                     9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 September 18, 2013*            9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 October 16, 2013                    9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 November 18, 2013                9:00am – 3:00pm

Lower Auditorium                 December 20, 2013**           9:00am – 3:00pm
* and ** IT MART SUMMITS

Our Goal: Massive "penetration" of the city of Milwaukee where "hidden talent" and "vetted business" are eager to participate.  Engagement and information sharing of Affordable Health Care beneficiaries (all) for informed strategic planning at the neighborhood level for implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act, January 1, 2014.

Our target audience:  Milwaukeeans, especially residential and commercial stakeholders, those who do not have insurance, do not have/use the internet, Smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops; and, do not have a working knowledge of what to expect in 13 months when the Affordable Health Care law goes into effect.  It is about preparedness.  IT/Information technology is the major link for health care to/from beneficiaries, health care providers and health care practitioners.

Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is a privately owned business that is committed to robust channel development for infrastructural growth of residential, commercial, social and industrial hidden talent and vetted individuals at the neighborhood level.   We have an expressed INNOVATION interest in the city of Milwaukee 190 neighborhoods - 15 aldermanic districts.

MPA LLC is a premier small business for Affordable Health Care in Milwaukee.

WE work to re-define, re-brand and UN-trap over half-million hidden talent and vetted businesses at the neighborhood.

WE work to remove "Enduring Concentrated Poverty" from the census tracks of Milwaukee with the penetration of Affordable Health Care.

Sponsors are appreciated for their goodwill effort - their kindness comes back in expanded customer base, help improve the wellness of Milwaukeeans, growth of the city of Milwaukee tax base, spending through job creation and competitiveness.

You sponsorship helps ensure that the public is represented.
We list the name of the organization, group or individual on printed and online advertisements. Sponsors can be a member/speaker/presenter/collaborator.

If an exhibitor for three months, they receive a cost break.

www.mpapublicpolicyreview.blogspot.com 
414.610.1044    

Email: mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com 

OPEN ENROLLMENT 2012 ends December 7, 2012 - 10 days

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period ends in 10 days, on December 7, 2012. You still have time to change your coverage for 2013, if you wish. The links to articles and videos below may help you better understand your Medicare choices. You will also find important information about safeguarding your personal information. Fraud activity can increase during the Open Enrollment Period. It's important to protect yourself against it. As always, we're here to help make Medicare clear. Do You Know What Medicare Advantage Is? Most people over age 60 don't, according to one survey. If you are among them, you may not be aware of all your coverage choices. Read more.
What's a Benefit Period in Medicare Part A? It Pays to Know Part A charges a deductible for each benefit period. What does this mean and how might it affect you? Read more. Open Enrollment is Open Season for Fraud Protecting your Medicare and Social Security numbers is especially important during the Open Enrollment Period. Read more.

Today's Primer - W/Katy Barnato, November 27, 2012

TODAYS PRIMER                             
*CNBC.com 

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Wall Street on Tuesday as worries about the lack of progress on the U.S. “fiscal cliff” dampened a stock market rally in Europe and Asia. The gains in Europe and Asia were spurred by news that Greece’s international lenders had struck a deal to release an emergency aid package for the near-bankrupt country.


At a meeting in Brussels on Monday, Greece’s creditors agreed to a plan to reduce its debt burden by around 40 billion euros ($51.9 billion), and eased its 2020 debt target from 120 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) to 124 percent. Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, said Greece would receive a tranche of 34.4 billion euros of aid on December 13, for which it has been waiting since June.


However investors in the U.S. will remain focused on politicians’ efforts to resolve the $600 billion “fiscal cliff” of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts due to hit the U.S. economy at the end of the year. Negotiations are expected to resume this week as policymakers return to Washington from the Thanksgiving holiday. Democratic and Republican lawmakers have been trying to convince the public that they are willing to compromise and can reach a deal before year-end.


Several macroeconomic reports are due to be released on Tuesday, including durable orders data for October at 8:30 a.m. New York time. Economists polled by Reuters forecast a fall in orders of 0.3 percent, versus a 9.8 percent gain in September.


The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index for September will be released at 9 a.m. New York time. Analysts polled by Briefing.com forecast a 2.5 percent rise year-on-year, following a 2 percent uptick in August.


The Conference Board will release its consumer confidence index for at 10 a.m. Analysts polled by Reuters forecast a jump to 73 in November from 72.2 in the prior month.


Two retail sales indices are also out on Tuesday. The first, at 7:45 a.m., is the ICSC-Goldman Sachs Chain Store Sales Index for the week ending November 24. In the prior week, sales fell by 0.3 percent.


In a quiet day for earnings, home security firm ADT [ADT] and food manufacturer Ralcorp [RAH] will report earnings before the start of the U.S. trading session. Green Mountain [GMCR] will post earnings after the closing bell.
— By CNBC.com's Katy Barnato

Are You Ready for Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013 for Affordable Health Care

November 26, 2012

USA - MILWAUKEE, Today is Cyber Monday - The Monday after Thanksgiving in the United States of America.  The day for marketing retail online.

Fast Forward 2013 

The next Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013, will have a massive injection to the marketplace, it will show the advent of the Affordable Health Care law/Exchanges and its first wave of insurance being selected online and marketed by Apps.  We will be able to go online with our Smart Phone, tablet, laptop, desktop and search, find, review and select our choice of insurance for the Affordable Health Care Insurance plan.

"Are we (government, exchanges, insurance carriers, health care practitioners, health care providers, consumers, retailers, app developers, vendors) ready for Open Enrollment for the Affordable Health care selection next year?  I say definitely not.  Can we begin to prepare for this inevitability?  Yes.  That is why Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is a first-responder in spearheading putting IT/Information Technology at the neighborhood level and in the hands of the Affordable Health Care beneficiaries.  It is not only the right thing to do for access-literacy-fluency, it is prudent and will help minimize the chaos, distrust, fraud and unfairness for choosing a health care insurance", said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC.

IT MART
On December 12, 2012, MPA LLC will host its first IT/Information Technology Mart in Milwaukee.
It is FREE to the public.

Putting "IT" @ the Neighborhood Level

Time:  9:00am - 3:00pm

Prince Hall Grand Lodge
Lower Auditorium
600 W. Walnut
Milwaukee, WI  53212

View Larger Map

MORE INFO

=======================

Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC, a premier small business for Affordable Health Care in Milwaukee, is Putting IT/Information Technology in the hands of the Neighborhood consumer.

Today's Primer - Katy Barnato, November 23, 2012

TODAY'S PRIMER                             
CNBC.com
Special Currency Trading Edition

U.S. stock index futures signaled a flat-to-higher open on Wall Street on Friday after Thursday’s market closure for the Thanksgiving holiday.


Markets will be open for a shortened session on Black Friday, with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closing at 1 p.m. New York time and the CME closing at 1.15 p.m. New York time.
In a quiet day for both earnings and macroeconomic reports, United Natural Foods (UNFI) will post third-quarter results before the start of the U.S. trading session.


Across the Atlantic, Europe shares traded slightly lower early on Friday, after European leaders failed to agree to a new seven-year European Union budget on Thursday evening.


Asia shares were on track for their biggest weekly gains in two months, after data on Thursday suggested China had avoided a hard landing and Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang laid the case for deeper market reforms on Friday.
— By CNBC.com's Katy Barnato

Thanksgiving Wines: 4 Favorite Varietals

November 21, 2012

Thomas Ryder

Food & Wine - 

A good Thanksgiving wine is bold and fruity enough to stand up to The Meal—and doesn’t cost much.

Côtes-du-Rhône

These red wines offer flavors of dark cherries, pepper and violets. We like: E. Guigal, Coudoulet de Beaucastel, J.L. Chave Selection Mon Coeur, Terminus.

Zinfandel

Briary, berry-rich, spicy reds primarily made in California. We like: Seghesio Sonoma County, St. Francis Old Vines Sonoma County, Gallo Family Vineyards Frei Ranch, Cline Ancient Vines, Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys.

Sauvignon Blanc

Wines from the Marlborough region of New Zealand have sharp, citrusy flavors of grapefruit, lemon and orange and notes of pear and grass. We like: Cloudy Bay, Villa Maria, Kim Crawford, Nobilo, Matua.

Gewürztraminer

Assertive whites, these have flavors of lychee, grapefruit and peach. We prefer dry or just slightly off-dry styles with the Thanksgiving meal. We like: From Alsace, Trimbach, Zind-Humbrecht. From the U.S., Philo Ridge, Montinore Estate, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Navarro, Hermann J. Wiemer.

Cin-Cin, CHEERS
From the Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC Family

Schacknow - Today's Brief, November 21, 2012

November 21, 2012

TODAYS PRIMER                             
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

The last full trading day of the week is likely to see lighter than average volume, as traders look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday and a shortened trading day on Friday. Historically, the Wednesday and Friday of Thanksgiving week sees the major averages rise more often than not, though stock index futures are pointing to a slightly lower open at the moment.


The Thursday holiday will move the weekly initial jobless claims report up by a day, with the Labor Department set to issue those numbers this morning at 8:30 a.m. New York time. Economists expect claims for the week ending November 17 to come in at 430,000, compared to 439,000 the prior week. Another report usually out on Thursday — the Energy Department’s weekly natural gas inventory report — will instead be issued at noon today.


Also on the economic calendar: the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index for November will be out at 9:55 a.m. Consensus forecasts call for a final November reading of 84.0, compared to October’s 82.6. And at 10 a.m., the Conference Board’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators is expected to rise 0.2 percent, compared to September’s 0.6 percent increase.


We’ll also get the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly report on mortgage applications at 7 a.m. New York time, and the Energy Department’s assessment of oil and gasoline inventories at 10:30 a.m. 


After a busy earnings day Tuesday, the calendar lightens considerably this morning, with only construction equipment maker Deere & Co. (DE) among major companies set to report quarterly numbers. There are no reports scheduled for after the closing bell this afternoon.


Time Warner (TWX) is a stock to watch this morning, as the media giant announces a new 5-year employment agreement with chief executive officer Jeff Bewkes.


Salesforce.com (CRM) reported third quarter profit of $0.33 per share, one cent above estimates, with revenues also coming in ahead of consensus. However, the business software company’s fourth quarter earnings guidance of $0.38 — $0.40 per share is largely below Street estimates of $0.40. Analysts have been concerned about whether Salesforce can maintain its rapid growth rate amid increasing competition.


Zale (ZLC) posted a fiscal first quarter loss of $0.88 per share, $0.20 wider than consensus estimates. The jewelry retailer has seen its business improve this year on higher prices, better inventory, and new products, but Zale remained in the red for the third consecutive quarter.


Cirrus Logic (CRUS) has authorized $200 million in share repurchases, with the timing depending on a variety of factors. The chipmaker’s shares have nearly doubled this year and it reported strong fiscal second quarter earnings late last month.


Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) has added another $100 million to an existing $100 million share buyback program that had been announced last month. The restaurant chain has already bought back about $40 million in shares under that previous program.


Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) will remain on the watch list today, as fallout continues from its $8.8 billion writedown related to its purchase of Autonomy last year for $10 billion. It says there were serious accounting improprieties at Autonomy, while ex-CEO Mike Lynch told CNBC Autonomy was simply destroyed by mismanagement at HP.


Wal-mart (WMT) will see protestors outside its stores Friday, as the National Labor Relations Board will not make a decision before Thanksgiving on the retailer’s motion to stop workers from picketing.


Research In Motion (RIMM) may be losing another major customer for its BlackBerry smartphones. The Wall Street Journal says the National Transportation Safety Board is considering dropping the BlackBerry in favor of Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone, citing reliability issues.


Mylan’s (MYL) credit rating has been upgraded by both Moody’s and S&P, with the drugmaker’s rating now out of junk territory. Moody’s upgraded Mylan by two notches to Baa3, one level above junk, while S&P lifted its rating by one notch to BBB-, also one notch above junk. This follows Mylan’s moves to improve operating performance and free cash flow.


Novartis (NVS) has received FDA approval for a new season flu vaccine that can be manufactured much more quickly than traditional vaccines.

INSIDE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE W/MPA LLC

MILWAUKEE (MPA-PPR) - Today, Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is announcing its NEWEST addition to TRANSFORMATIVE PENETRATION/TP (linked techniques, skills and IT/Information Technology platforms with "patient-centered" health care for paradigm shifting in three areas).  The three areas are:

Click any photo for enlargement

• psychological (self-awareness)
• convictional (commitment - belief systems), and
• behavioral (changes in lifestyle)

Full implementation of the Affordable Health Care law/exchange for Wisconsin demands an integrated format for access, literacy and fluency of the population.  A well-coordinated set of rules that are understood by all stakeholders.  MPA LLC will focus its "transformative penetration" for optimal results.

Research
Our research shows that some states already have exchanges and are ahead of the game, i.e., Indiana.
Some hospitals, clinics and insurance carriers are already operating as an "exchange model" with ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS, i.e., Cleveland Clinic, Mediflore Medical Center and Dean Health System.  EHR is one of the core values of the Affordable Health Care Law - patients and health care practitioners (doctors, nurses, specialists) have access to accurate and up-to-date records of the patient for rudimentary and newly acclaimed health care standards.

"To drive solution-building and participation by the Affordable Health Care beneficiaries in Milwaukee, we are narrowing our narrative for maximizing reach.  We are looking at 'scale and resources' of IT providers that can easily integrate, provide quality in care through online management (i.e., smartphones, tablets, personal computers, text messenging, cloud computing).  We are looking to partner with IT vendors, health care schools, insurance carriers, and pharmacy providers that are patient friendly.  We are keen on scale and resources that provide security of data, data analytics, ease and coordinated training for patients, health care practitioners and health care providers.  Lastly, transformative penetration will help define health wellness and drive-down cost", said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO.
==========================

Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is a small premier business for supporting the Affordable Health Care opportunity.

MOBILE DEVICES - premier IT/Information Technology business group for MPA LLC

MILWAUKEE - (MPA-PPR), one of the premier IT/Information Technology target small business groups for Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC "transformative learning penetration" is the Cellular industry local businesses as partners for disbursing "mobile devices" to the general population that provide:

• Smart phones with HEALTH CARE APPS
• Cost savings for maximum use and capacity building 
• Quality Assurance and data protection of mobile devices
• Plans that are flexible and recyclable for discounts
• Participants in MPA LLC IT MART and Briefings (2012-2013)

December 12, 2012 - MPA LLC IT/Information Technology MART
READ MORE

MILWAUKEE PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION LLC adds Transformative Learning as a core way of penetration for AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

November 19, 2012
MILWAUKEE (MPA-PPR) - On Friday, November 16, 2012, Governor Scott Walker in a Letter to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, gave his office decision to not participate/provide an Exchange for the State of Wisconsin.  His decision precluded "state-ran" exchange and "partner" exchange.

As a state-ran exchange, the state would implement all rights, processes and procedures for providing the national health care plan - The Navigator.

As a partner exchange, the state would work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to implement specific pieces of the full implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act; i.e., validating licensing and solvency of health insurance carriers - Co-Navigator.

However, since this is a national law for everyone to have health care coverage, his decline to form and implement the national health care act for the state of Wisconsin; the plan must be and will be implemented and ran as a federal-faciliated exchange by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Given the lack of interest and unwillingness of Governor Walker, Commissioner of Insurance Ted Nickel and Secretary Dennis Smith, WI Department of Health Services to meet benchmarks as well as repeated failure to provide Milwaukee Professional Association LLC with requested public information to help provide education and technical support to residential and commercial Wisconsinites in Milwaukee, his decision to withdraw is seen as positive while recognizing the doomsayers and obstructionists.  

Penetration = TRANSFORMATIVE Learning

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, MPA LLC announced, "Today, as a premier supporter in Milwaukee Urban Health care and the Affordable Health Care Act, we take our commitment for full implementation, January 1, 2014, to a neighborhood and business level.  In addition to the hands-on government and non-profit organizations, Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC and other for-profit small businesses will provide hands-on outreach and participation for a successful full implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act that includes growth and cost savings through education-technology-business development-employment for the infrastructure.  We see "Transformative" learning as the premier way to penetrate the constituency population of Affordable Health Care beneficiaries in the city of Milwaukee.  This process is a paradigm shift - that includes three dimensions: psychological (changes in understanding of the self), convictional (revision of belief systems), and behavioral (changes in lifestyle) (Wikipedia). If we are to make the Affordable Health Care Act a "patient-centered" health care plan, that produce health wellness and cost savings, the patient must know the rules-of-play, capable of enforcement and be in the driver's seat.  We are already in the public square with the message of education and technology attainment.

Governor Walker declines Affordable Health Care involvement - MARY GLASS comments on BizTimes.com Article

November 16, 2012

Madison, WI -  Governor Scott Walker said "NO" to state exchange and partner exchange.
Wisconsin will kickoff January 1, 2014 with a federal-faciliated health plan.  
Today was the deadline for all states to submit an application of decision.
=================

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC said, "The decision is accepted and Wisconsin can move forward - mindful of the doomsayers and those who wish to be obstructionist".

It is an innovative time to ensure that all Wisconsinites have access to the best health coverage the law can bear.

It is an innovative time for those who are serious about driving cost down and wellness up, to look long-term and address our country's debt through savings, to step forward and make our state what it can and should be in our national health plan - the Affordable Health Care Act.

Our efforts will be in getting to know the different groups, leveraging power, working with the groups, informing Milwaukeeans to help frame a plan that is infrastructural and a "patient-centered" plan with substance and fairness.

Waiting until the last minute when there were and are benchmarks not completed and some to come soon in 2013, speaks loudly about the politics of Governor Walker's office.

There are market reforms - in and out that must be addressed.  There are licensing and solvency concerns.  There are actuarial values.  There is the reinsurance and on and on.

The Affordable Health Care Act is an once-in-the-century opportunity by which patient-centered health care opportunity can be massively linked to entrepreneurship, education attainment, technology attainment, research and job/career development for starters.

Glass has for the last five months requested information from Commissioner Ted Nickel, Secretary Dennis Smith, Secretary Reggie Newsom and Governor Scott Walker so that information awareness would be at a premium regardless to whether there was a state-exchange, partner-exchange or federal-faciliated exchange.  Additionally, so that Milwaukeeans, especially African American, other People of Color and the Work Challenged [un-, under-skilled; un-, under-employed; un-, under-financed neighborhood-level businesses; disabled; and re-entry - those returning from WAR, INCARCERATION, boomerang employment, boomerang retirement and college-certificated graduates unemployed] have a fingerprint in the Wisconsin blueprint.  They have refused to share.

So, come on fellow Wisconsinites and Wisconsin legislators, let's embrace the federal-facilitated plan with our go-get it Wisconsin spirit.

Governor Scott Walker's  Letter to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Novmeber 16, 2012
===================

BizTimes.com article and Glass Comment

Schacknow - Today's Brief, November 16, 2012

TODAY'S PRIMER                             
Peter Schacknow, Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk

Wall Street is concluding what’s been by all measures a losing week, on increasing worries about the so-called fiscal cliff. The S&P 500 has the distinction of having the only winning session this week — a gain of exactly 0.18 points (0.01 percent) on Monday. President Obama will meet with Congressional leaders at the White House this morning to discuss the fiscal cliff issue, but no major movement is expected out of today’s session.


Just one economic report on the calendar to wrap up the week, with the Federal Reserve issuing its October industrial production report at 9:15 a.m. New York time. Industrial production is expected to be up 0.2 percent, compared to September’s 0.4 percent, with factory capacity utilization edging higher to 78.4 percent.


The pace of earnings releases slows considerably this morning, with food producer J.M. Smucker (SJM) and retailer Foot Locker (FL) among the few companies scheduled to report.


Dell (DELL) leads our stocks to watch, after reporting quarterly profit of $0.39 per share, excluding certain items, one cent below estimates. The computer maker says challenging macroeconomic conditions remain for the current quarter, with corporate customers continuing to defer technology spending.


Schiff Nutrition (SHF) is the object of a bidding war between two European companies. Britain’s Reckitt Benckiser is offering to buy Schiff for $1.4 billion dollars, or $42 per share. The vitamin maker had previously agreed to be bought by Germany’s Bayer for $34 per share.


Penn National Gaming (PENN) will split into two separate publicly traded companies, a gaming-based real estate investment trust, and a gaming operator.


Aruba Networks (ARUN) reported fiscal first quarter profit of $0.18 per share, excluding certain items, one cent above estimates. Revenue was also above consensus, as was the network equipment maker’s current quarter forecast.


Sears Holdings (SHLD) posted a loss of $1.99 per share for its latest quarter, a smaller loss than analysts had expected. Same-store sales fell 1.6 percent at Sears and 4.8 percent at the company’s Kmart division. The retailer is, however, seeing improved results for areas like appliances and apparel.


Sina (SINA) reported a third quarter profit of $0.17 per share, excluding certain items, six cents above estimates, though revenues were short of consensus. The China-based internet service provider did give a current quarter revenue outlook that falls short of estimates, as non-advertising revenue drops.


Nike (NKE) has announced a two-for-one stock split, and is also increasing its quarterly dividend by 17 percent to split-adjusted $0.21 per share. The athletic shoe and apparel maker has now increased its dividend for 11 consecutive years.


Hertz Global (HTZ) has received Federal Trade Commission Clearance for its acquisition of Dollar Thrifty (DTG). As part of the agreement, Hertz will divest certain airport locations as well its Advantage car rental business.


Knight Capital (KCG) has a new investor, with Getco Strategic Investments reporting a 23.8 percent stake, saying it will evaluate its investment in the brokerage firm on an ongoing basis.


Starbucks (SBUX) has authorized the repurchase of up to 25 million shares of the coffee retailer’s common stock. That amount is in addition to 12.1 million shares that remain available for repurchase under a prior authorization.


Google (GOOG) is prepping a new version of its popular Google Maps for Apple (AAPL) devices, according to the Wall Street Journal. That follows Apple’s iOS 6 update, which replaced Google Maps as the default mapping app with its own widely-criticized version. Google will only say that it wants users to be able to use the application on whatever device they would like.


FedEx (FDX) and UPS (UPS) are the targets of a criminal probe relating to online drug shipments. Federal investigators have been increasing their efforts against online pharmacies to stop prescription drug abuse.


JPMorgan Chase (JPM) is expected to face U.S. action on its anti-money laundering practices, according to the Wall Street Journal. Regulators are expected to require the bank to improve its procedures and examine past transactions.