Four Maine Newspapers Are Combined Into One (mediapost.com)

On October 1, a critical piece of code used on over 2 billion websites to safeguard security expired. Companies large and small were disrupted. And untold millions of consumers around the globe that do not have the latest and greatest digital devices suddenly could not access the sites they wanted or needed to. The quiet sunsetting of the Let’s Encrypt security certificate is still wreaking havoc because it is the most widely used piece of code authorizing access to secure websites. Consumers are finding that their desktop, mobile, Mac, Windows, Android and other systems and devices cannot connect to many websites using the HTTPS security protocol if their personal tech is more than a few years old and not running the latest operating systems. For the fortunate, they will only have the hassles of updating and upgrading – but many will now be forced to buy new technology. This same issue has occurred on a smaller scaler with lesser used security certificates, and has the potential to reemerge as other certificates expire. This is a critical matter for consumers who already have been demanding the option of paper correspondence mailed to them by their service providers. Why? Because it is these same service providers, including banks and financial services institutions, insurance companies, healthcare providers, telecoms and utilities that are the most likely to use the secure internet protocols, and valid security certificates are necessary for accessing private, personal account information.

Learning technology company HMH today announced that its leadership consulting organization, the Center for Model Schools, and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, are partnering to support superintendents and school system leaders as they work to transform their communities, improve teaching and learning and advance equity. The Center and AASA will provide opportunities for ongoing leadership collaboration throughout the year to deepen connections and support student success. Through the new Superintendents Teaching and Learning Network supported by both organizations, district leaders will engage in a multi-year effort to develop and refine their transformation strategies with experts and peers and apply their learning within their communities. Additionally, the Center’s Model Schools Conference, which brings together 5,000 educators annually, will become a milestone event for AASA’s educational leadership initiative, AASA Learning 2025.

Fiscal 2021 Full Year Key Financial Highlights: *Revenues were $9.36 billion, a 4% increase compared to $9.01 billion in the prior year, reflecting a 30% increase in the fourth quarter *Net income of $389 million compared to a net loss of $(1.55) billion in the prior year, which included non-cash impairment charges of $1.69 billion *Total Segment EBITDA was $1.27 billion compared to $1.01 billion in the prior year *Diluted EPS were $0.56 compared to $(2.16) in the prior year – Adjusted EPS were $0.67 compared to $0.22 in the prior year *Revenues at Move, operator of realtor.com®, grew 36% year-over-year, with 68% growth in the fourth quarter, which was an acceleration from the prior quarter growth rate. Average monthly unique users grew 32% in the fourth quarter *Dow Jones saw record digital subscriptions, continued robust growth at Risk & Compliance and a strong increase in digital advertising revenues *Foxtel’s streaming products exceeded 2 million total paid subscribers as of year end, driving 40% total paid subscriber growth *Book Publishing continued to benefit from strong consumption patterns with 19% revenue growth *Announced agreement to acquire OPIS, a leading data and analytics provider for energy and commodities markets, to bolster Dow Jones’ Professional Information Business