Nationally recognized transportation leader to guide strategy and help clients advance passenger rail, transit and multimodal transportation programs

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Henrika Buchanan has been named HNTB's transit and rail market sector leader. With more than 27 years of transportation leadership experience, Buchanan will guide the firm's strategy, growth and service for transit and rail clients, collaborating with division, office and practice leaders across the firm to align capabilities, support client priorities and advance HNTB's commitment to delivering integrated solutions across the full spectrum of transit and rail infrastructure.

"Henrika's ability to connect industry, policy and business perspectives, combined with her understanding of the opportunities and priorities shaping transit and rail agencies, has made her one of the most respected voices in the industry," said Mike Inabinet, PE, president of markets and services at HNTB. "Throughout her career she has brought together industry leaders and fostered collaborative partnerships that have helped advance some of the transportation industry's most significant projects and programs. Her experience, perspective and collaborative approach make her exceptionally well positioned to lead our transit and rail market sector into the future."

Prior to joining HNTB in 2021, Buchanan served in several senior leadership positions within the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), including associate administrator for transit safety and oversight and chief safety officer. During her federal service, she helped lead national transit safety, capital investment and program oversight initiatives while overseeing major federal funding and recovery programs.

Since joining HNTB, Buchanan has played a key role in building on the firm's longstanding leadership in the transit and rail industry, providing strategic counsel to clients and supporting a variety of complex transportation programs.

"As transit agencies, passenger rail operators and transportation leaders navigate changing funding environments, evolving customer expectations and growing infrastructure needs, the opportunity to help shape the future of mobility has never been greater," Buchanan said. "HNTB's depth of industry experience and technical expertise is unmatched, and I look forward to working alongside our team and clients to shape the next generation of transportation systems that connect people, expand opportunity and support long-term economic growth."

Buchanan was recognized in 2023 as one of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials Women Who Move the Nation, which highlights female leaders in transportation for their excellence, innovation and dedication to the transportation industry.

About HNTB

For more than a century, HNTB Corporation has been at the forefront of designing and advancing transportation infrastructure that enhances mobility and improves local communities. With client relationships spanning decades, we understand infrastructure life cycles and have perspective and experience to solve the most complex technical, financial and operational challenges with vision and imagination. As employee owners committed to excellence, we prioritize client success while delivering a full spectrum of infrastructure-related services. Discover HNTB's Spark at www.hntb.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.

SOURCE HNTB Corporation

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WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced that the Honorable Paul Brubaker has joined the agency as its new Executive Director. In this role, Brubaker serves as CPSC's chief operating officer, overseeing the agency's programmatic, operational, and administrative functions. He will also manage the agency's regulatory portfolio and help lead CPSC's efforts to identify and address hazards to consumers.

Brubaker brings nearly four decades of leadership experience across the public and private sectors, with particular expertise in technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, organizational strategy, and federal management. In 2007 he was confirmed by the United States Senate to head the Research and Innovative Technology Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Brubaker also held senior leadership positions at the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Energy, and War, where his work has focused on modernizing government operations, strengthening information systems, and using technology and data to improve mission performance.

Most recently, Brubaker served as Chief Mission Officer at Commence, a private sector firm focusing on the integration of data, AI, and clinical healthcare expertise, where he advised federal health agencies on strategies to improve mission performance and health outcomes. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of government, technology, and management, helping organizations address complex operational and technical challenges.

"Paul is an extraordinarily accomplished executive who brings precisely the combination of government, technology, and private-sector experience that CPSC needs at this moment," said Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. "He understands the challenges facing agencies like ours and, more importantly, knows how to solve them."

"Technology modernization, data analytics, and information security are no longer simply support functions—they are mission-critical capabilities. Our ability to protect American families increasingly depends on how effectively we use technology and data to identify emerging hazards, target dangerous products, and deploy our resources where they can have the greatest impact. I am grateful that Paul has once again chosen public service, and especially pleased that he has chosen to serve at CPSC."

Brubaker received a Master of Public Administration from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Youngstown State University.

About CPSC

CPSC is the federal agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury associated with thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the agency was established more than 50 years ago, CPSC has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, contributing to a decline in related injuries.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission-ordered recall or to a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with CPSC.

For lifesaving information:

- Visit CPSC.gov.

- Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.

- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky, Threads, LinkedIn and Truth Social.

- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.

- Call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).

- Contact a media specialist.

Release Number: 26- 767

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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Weekly Must-See Experience Features

 New Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Highlights

Monthly Sundays Also Available

Popular sell-out tours feature puppetry and puppet-building demonstrations,

exclusive merch, photo ops, and more!

QUEENS, N.Y., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tours of Jim Henson's Creature Shop in Queens, NY, continue to sell out with five-star reviews and comments like "What an absolutely magical experience!" "So cool to see the stars of my childhood," and "Go. Please, please, please go." Tickets for weekly Saturday tours and monthly Sunday tours are now on sale now through December at www.JimHensonExperiences.com). Creature Shop Tours are ready for the season, whether it's back-to-school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, with special puppets and archival items on display.

September is back-to-school time, and it is also Jim Henson's birthday. The Shop will be celebrating with a look at the life of the Shop's founder and inspiration, and will have additional tours on September 26 and 27.

From monsters to Skeksis, the Shop has always had its own kind of spooky, and October is the perfect time to get ideas for your own Halloween. There are also tours available over the weekend of New York Comic Con, for fans who may be making a special trip to New York.

November will explore the 2015 Thanksgiving special "Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow" which is based on an idea from Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl and features four monsters built by the Creature Shop.

And this December, the Shop will display work from some of our favorite holiday projects including Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and our newest addition to the world of Fraggle Rock, Princess the baby Gorg.

The tour also includes a walk-through of the award-winning Creature Shop, special photo opportunities of beloved and iconic characters, a puppetry demonstration from an actual Henson puppeteer, a meet and greet with one of the Creature Shop's master puppet builders, and other special surprises. There is also exclusive merch available only at the Shop, including collectibles, apparel, and the very popular "Scrap Bags."

Jim Henson's Creature Shop is where award-winning artists and makers create hundreds of the world's most famous puppet characters including stars from Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, and many more. New York City is the original and longest home to the workshop and specializes in the renowned Henson style of puppets and walkaround characters.

Tickets to visit Jim Henson's Creature Shop in New York are $150 (plus tax and fees). All available dates are on sale now at www.JimHensonExperiences.com, a new initiative from The Jim Henson Company that features a variety of in-person experiences and live theater productions. Join the newsletter to receive updates on all the Company's events, stage shows, and experiences.

About Jim Henson's Creature Shop

Jim Henson's Creature Shop™ provides animatronic creatures, digital puppetry, and soft puppets to the international film, television, theater, live event and advertising industries. Recent credits include the wildly popular music video "A Boggart Ballad" for Magic: the Gathering, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple TV), for which it won an Emmy, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix), the Blumhouse horror franchise Five Nights at Freddy's, and a recent all-puppet episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The Shop is renowned for designing and building some of the world's best-known characters including the Sesame Street puppets, the classic Muppets, and characters from Dinosaurs, Farscape, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and more. Additional credits in film and television include The Naked Gun, Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2, Lost Ollie, Come Play, Julie's Greenroom, and Where the Wild Things Are. The shop is also known for its performance work for theatrical productions including My Neighbour Totoro, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Jim Henson's inspired Silliness, and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, as well as for its partnerships with commercial clients like Snuggle, Topgolf, and General Mills, and with artists like Coldplay, The Avett Brothers, Cee Lo Green, Ben Rector, Lady Gaga and Deadmau5.

A recipient of multiple Emmy Awards for its outstanding work building puppets for Sesame Street, the Shop also received an Academy Award for its visual effects work on the film Babe. Other awards include a Scientific and Engineering Academy Award for the Henson Performance Control System, a powerful custom-based interface for puppeteers, and an Emmy Award for its work in developing the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio, a patented control system technology that enables puppeteers to perform a computer generated (CG) character in real time.

SOURCE The Jim Henson Company

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1RU Xponder and Muxponder Systems Deliver High-Density 100G/400G Transport, Deterministic Low Latency, and Zero Recurring Software Licensing

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- XKL LLC, a leading provider of Layer 1 optical networking systems, announced today the general availability and initial customer shipments of its MediaLight™ product family, including the MediaLight Xponder and MediaLight Muxponder. Engineered to eliminate multi-linecard chassis complexity, the 1RU platform delivers high-density optical transport and ships immediately to support network expansion across enterprise, cloud, and regional service provider networks.

As data center interconnect (DCI), enterprise research networks, and regional carriers face surging bandwidth requirements alongside extended hardware lead times, the MediaLight platform provides immediate deployment velocity. Built with a flexible alien wave-compatible architecture in mind, MediaLight integrates seamlessly over existing dark fiber or third-party open line systems (OLS), giving network architects capacity without vendor lock-in.

Key Technical Capabilities:

- High-Density Form Factor: Compact 1RU appliances deliver scalable 100G and 400G soft-configurable transport with 24 license-free QSFP-DD/QSFP28 transceiver ports, maximizing rack efficiency and reducing power consumption.

- Deterministic Low Latency: Optimized for mission-critical DCI, AI interconnects, and financial trading networks requiring minimal overhead and sub-5us latency.

- Zero Recurring Software Fees: Eliminates ongoing subscription and feature license fees; complete transport functionality is included with the hardware.

- Open Optical Interoperability: Native alien wavelength compatibility enables seamless integration across multi-vendor DWDM line systems.

- Streamlined Turn-Up: Automated optical settings and standard CLI/SNMP management enable rapid deployment without a need for specialized optical engineers.

"Network architects are fatigued by 20 to 60+ week hardware backlogs and bloated software subscription models that penalize bandwidth growth," said Casey Inman, Director of Sales & Marketing at XKL. "With MediaLight, we deliver flexible, plug-and-play Layer 1 transport that is shipping today so customers hit capacity milestones without delay."

Availability

The MediaLight Xponder and MediaLight Muxponder are shipping globally as of August 2026. For more information on each product visit xkl.com/medialight-muxponder/ or xkl.com/medialight-xponder/.

About XKL

XKL delivers accessible DWDM solutions that are simple to deploy and easy to manage. Our built-to-order systems are developed with XKL's customer-centric approach, ensuring reliable core, middle mile, and backhaul networks. Trusted by operators globally, XKL's license-free model allows network teams of any size to meet the growing demand for optical network performance at layer 1. Visit www.xkl.com.

Media Contact:

Carl Sketchley

SOURCE XKL, LLC

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Havoc and CSBC Corporation, Taiwan Announce Strategic Partnership to Field Autonomous Surface Vessels in Taiwan

Partnership establishes a scalable U.S.-Taiwan co-production model for autonomous maritime systems

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Havoc, the all-domain collaborative autonomy company, and CSBC Corporation, Taiwan (CSBC), Taiwan's largest shipbuilder, today announced a partnership to pursue licensed co-production of autonomous surface vessels (ASV) for Taiwan's maritime security.

At 4:30pm ET today, a signing ceremony will be livestreamed from Havoc's headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island. Tune in here: https://vimeo.com/event/6175956/66b10cbdb9

Under the partnership, Havoc and CSBC will work toward pairing CSBC's shipbuilding and production capabilities with Havoc's collaborative autonomy technology, integrating Havoc's industry-leading autonomy software onto CSBC-built platforms produced and sustained in Taiwan.

"Taiwan's defense policy calls for domestically produced autonomous platforms that can be mass produced, maintained, and upgraded here, developed through domestic industry and technology transfer. CSBC has long been committed to strengthening Taiwan's indigenous shipbuilding and maritime defense capabilities. Working with Havoc allows us to combine CSBC's shipbuilding, production, and lifecycle support capabilities with Havoc's advanced autonomy technology, while strengthening Taiwan's domestic supply chain and defense industrial base for the long term." — Jeng-Horng Cheng, Chairman, CSBC Corporation, Taiwan.

"Congress wrote co-production with Taiwan into law in the FY2026 defense authorization, and it named uncrewed systems specifically. Taiwan's Self-Reliant Defense policy calls for platforms that are mass produced, maintained, and upgraded at home. That's what this partnership delivers: American autonomy software, Taiwan-built platforms, Taiwan workforce, and a model we intend to bring to other partners." — Paul Lwin, Co-Founder and CEO of Havoc.

The partnership is structured to be consistent with congressional direction in Section 1266 of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which calls for U.S.-Taiwan co-production of uncrewed systems, and with Taiwan's published defense policy on self-reliant defense and domestically produced unmanned platforms. Havoc and CSBC intend the model to be repeatable with other Indo-Pacific partners seeking to build autonomous maritime capability with U.S. technology and their own industrial base.

About Havoc

Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk. Learn more at havocai.com.

About CSBC Corporation, Taiwan

CSBC Corporation, Taiwan is Taiwan's largest shipbuilder, headquartered in Kaohsiung with shipyards in Kaohsiung and Keelung. Founded in 1973 and publicly traded, CSBC builds commercial and naval vessels and has played a central role in Taiwan's national shipbuilding program, including the country's indigenous defense vessel efforts.

SOURCE Havoc AI

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Crystal Risotti as a Pinnacle Professional of The Year

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Crystal Risotti is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional of The Year for her contributions to information technology Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance.

Crystal Risotti has established a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in regulated healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and clinical laboratories, earning recognition for her leadership in information technology quality assurance, information technology compliance, and regulatory excellence. As Senior Manager of Validation in Quality Assurance at CTI in Covington, Kentucky (remote in Indianapolis, IN), she plays a pivotal role in managing compliance.

Ms. Risotti specializes in information technology compliance, validation, quality assurance, and risk-based regulatory programs. Her expertise encompasses software development life cycle (SDLC) consultation, system testing, 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, electronic quality management system (eQMS) implementation, quality incident management, standard operating procedure governance, clinical trials data management, artificial intelligence procedures for compliance, and quality system documentation. Her ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, sustainable business processes has made her a trusted leader within the highly regulated healthcare industry.

She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Indiana University in 2019, further strengthening a career built upon technical expertise, continuous learning, and leadership excellence.

Ms. Risotti began her professional journey in 1990 working in pharmaceutical clinical trials in a laboratory before expanding her experience through customer service, project management, training, information technology, and Tier 4 help desk support. As her career progressed, she became a recognized leader in SDLC consultation, validation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, successfully integrating information technology with quality management systems to improve organizational performance.

Among her most notable accomplishments, Ms. Risotti led the end-to-end implementation of an electronic quality management system for global clinical development operations, developed scalable validation and risk-based compliance programs, strengthened compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 and related regulatory frameworks, and introduced artificial intelligence procedures to enhance both compliance and operational efficiency. She has also built and led high-performing teams while mentoring colleagues and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Ms. Risotti served on various Quality System Documents Committees, where she contributes to the ongoing development and governance of quality systems that support regulatory excellence and organizational success.

Her professional achievements have been recognized through numerous quality and productivity awards, including recognition as an Influential Woman for her leadership and contributions to the healthcare and technology industries.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Risotti enjoys camping, finding inspiration and balance through time spent outdoors.

Looking ahead, Ms. Risotti plans to continue advancing into executive leadership by pursuing a Director-level role while further strengthening quality systems, regulatory compliance, and innovation across the healthcare technology sector.

Guided by an empowerment-focused servant leadership philosophy, Ms. Risotti is committed to bringing out the best in others while developing practical solutions that transform complex regulatory challenges into sustainable business practices. Through strategic thinking, innovation, and continuous improvement, she continues to make a lasting impact on the future of regulated healthcare and quality assurance.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle

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/C O R R E C T I O N -- Seismic Pharmaceuticals/

In the news release, Seismic Pharmaceuticals Announces the Enrollment of the First Patient in the Global Phase 3 Trial of Istaroxime in Cardiogenic Shock, issued 09-Sep-2026 by Seismic Pharmaceuticals over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

Seismic Pharmaceuticals Announces the Enrollment of the First Patient in the Global Phase 3 Trial of Istaroxime in Cardiogenic Shock

Approximately 600 patients expected to be enrolled at clinical sites across the United States, Europe, China and South America

Global Phase 3 program, RESCUE HF-CS, builds upon three completed Phase 2 programs in which more than 350 patients enrolled

DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Seismic Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing novel treatments for heart failure, today announced the enrollment of the first patient in its global Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating istaroxime in patients with heart-failure-related cardiogenic shock. The trial, called RESCUE HF-CS, will recruit patients from around the globe and is designed to become the first ever drug approved to treat the life-threatening condition of cardiogenic shock.

The approximately 600-patient study will be conducted at clinical sites across the United States, Europe, China and South America. The trial is designed to build upon the successful clinical results generated through four previously completed Phase 2 trials.

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, resulting in inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs. It may occur as a complication of acute heart failure or other serious cardiac conditions. Despite advances in critical care, cardiogenic shock continues to be associated with high rates of complications and mortality, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic options. There are no currently FDA-approved medications for the condition.

Istaroxime is a novel, first-in-class calcitrope being developed to improve cardiac function and hemodynamic stability in patients with cardiogenic shock. Unlike conventional inotropic therapies, istaroxime has a unique dual mechanism of action designed to improve both systolic contraction and diastolic relaxation. Contrary to other therapies used off-label to treat cardiogenic shock, istaroxime does not increase myocardial oxygen demand, and it reduces heart rate and arrythmias.

"Cardiogenic shock remains one of the most lethal conditions we encounter in cardiovascular medicine, yet remarkably, we still lack an approved pharmacologic therapy specifically developed for this syndrome," said the study principal investigator Dr. Mandeep R. Mehra, MBBS, MSc, FRCP, The William Harvey Distinguished Chair in Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine, Mass General Brigham Heart & Vascular Institute, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. He added: "The launch of RESCUE HF-CS represents an important opportunity to determine whether istaroxime, with its distinctive ability to enhance cardiac performance while supporting diastolic relaxation, can meaningfully change the treatment paradigm for these critically ill patients."

The Phase 3 trial, RESCUE HF-CS, is expected to enroll approximately 600 patients with cardiogenic shock. Additional information regarding the trial's design, eligibility criteria and participating clinical sites will be available at ClinicalTrials.gov and other applicable clinical-trial registries.

About Istaroxime

Istaroxime is a novel, first-in-class Calcitrope with a dual mechanism of action - Na/K ATPase inhibitor and SERCA2a activator being developed for the treatment of cardiogenic shock. Istaroxime dual action leads to improvements in both cardiac contractility as evident by increased blood pressure and cardiac output and improved diastolic function as evident by echocardiographic measures. In Phase 2 studies it reduced heart rate and in a subset of patients fitted with 72 continuous EKG monitoring, significant reduction in measures of ventricular arrythmias were observed in patients with cardiogenic shock.

About Seismic Pharmaceuticals

Seismic Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing novel treatments for heart failure. The company combines deep therapeutic expertise with a proven track record in acute heart failure drug development. Seismic Pharma's founding portfolio of drug candidates includes Seismic 101, a dual mechanism Na/K ATPase inhibitor and SERCA2a activator developed for acute and advanced HF, Seismic 102, a pure SERCA2a activator developed for acute and diastolic HF, and Seismic 103, a pan-SERCA activator for pulmonary hypertension. All three drugs are in pre-clinical development and expected to enter the clinical phase in the spring of 2027. The drugs are advanced with the support of Momentum Research, Inc., a greenhouse company that was involved with the development of many successful HF therapies, and a board of directors with extensive experience in successful heart-failure programs. Seismic is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

Media Contact

Gad Cotter

Seismic Pharmaceuticals

[email protected]

Update: Changes have been made to Istaroxime boilerplate.

SOURCE Seismic Pharmaceuticals

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Voters See Lower Costs as the Most Compelling Case for Clean Energy -- but Do Not Yet Believe the Savings Are Real, New Heatmap Research Finds

Three-phase study of more than 5,000 registered voters identifies three distinct audiences — Persuaded, Persuadables, and Skeptics — each responding to different climate and clean energy messages but all distrustful of institutional messengers

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Heatmap News today published Communicating about Climate and Clean Energy in an Age of Affordability, a new research report examining how arguments about climate and clean energy resonate with Americans across the political spectrum. Based on a three-phase study that Heatmap commissioned from Embold Research, the report explores how to connect with voters at a moment when anxiety about the cost of living outweighs concerns about a warming planet.

The report finds that a single concern runs beneath the many differences among voters: their increasingly expensive electricity bill. Whatever their view of climate change, voters respond most strongly to arguments about cost. Yet the affordability argument advocates rely on most — that solar and wind are now among the least expensive sources of new power — is widely disbelieved by voters whose primary exposure to clean energy is costly consumer technology and who distrust institutional messengers. Closing that perception gap, the report concludes, is the central challenge of the affordability era in climate politics.

"What draws voters to clean energy, more than anything else, is the promise of lower bills, and yet many don't believe that promise," said Andrea Everett, Principal Researcher at Embold Research, which conducted the study for Heatmap. "Their sense of what clean energy costs was set by the price of a rooftop solar system or an electric vehicle, not by how cheap renewables have become at utility scale."

"We hope this research will stimulate much-needed debate on how public and private sector leaders can engage more effectively with Americans about protecting the environment and believing in clean energy technologies," said Randy Siegel, President of Heatmap News. "In this age of affordability, new approaches are needed to address voter concerns about climate change and the escalating cost of energy."

The report segments the electorate into the Persuaded (42% of voters), Persuadables (31%), and Skeptics (22%), and examines what each audience values, whom it trusts, and which arguments move it. Key findings include:

- "The environment" resonates where "climate" does not. Among Persuadables, 65% rate the environment a very or extremely important issue, but only 32% say the same of climate change; among Skeptics the gap is 32% to 1%. Voters explained that "climate" carries a partisan charge, while "the environment" connects to values they already hold.

- The affordability case is not yet believed. 55% of voters believe solar and wind are cost-competitive only because of subsidies, and 57% say advocates exaggerate how inexpensive they have become. For many voters, "clean energy" means a $50,000 rooftop solar quote, and that impression of high cost extends to solar and wind farms.

- Every message was easier to like than to believe. Three candidate messages, each written for a specific segment, were tested with the full electorate. About half of voters found each message appealing; only about a third found it believable.

- The common denominator is the electricity bill. Whichever message voters preferred, they kept returning to the same thing: lower bills. "Putting family bills ahead of utility profits" was the leading draw in one message (51%) and "lower bills for every household" in another (44%).

- Trust in institutional messengers is low. Only independent scientists and researchers are trusted by a majority of Persuadables on energy; majorities distrust renewable energy companies, elected officials, government, and utilities.

The publication of Communicating about Climate and Clean Energy in an Age of Affordability marks the beginning of a Heatmap initiative to understand, in greater depth and with continuing research, how Americans think about climate, energy, and the environment, and how that understanding can inform the work of those seeking to build projects, pass and protect policy, and earn public support for the energy transition.

The full report can be downloaded free here.

About the research

Phase 1, a national survey of 3,210 registered voters, was fielded November 18–December 3, 2025 with a modeled margin of error of 1.8%. Phase 2 consisted of 15 in-depth interviews with voters from each segment, conducted February 13–March 9, 2026. Phase 3, a national survey of 2,161 registered voters, was fielded June 22–29, 2026 with a modeled margin of error of 2.2%.

About Heatmap News

Heatmap covers the technology, policy, politics, and business of the energy transition through original reporting, newsletters, podcasts, events and Heatmap Pro, its data and research service for energy professionals. Learn more at Heatmap.news.

About Embold Research

Embold Research is your audience research partner. We combine curiosity, rigor, and innovative technology to reach everyone from specific communities to the broader public, so leaders can make decisions with confidence. Learn more at emboldresearch.com.

SOURCE Heatmap News

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CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziegler, a specialty investment bank, is pleased to announce the addition of Michele Saunders as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for the firm's Senior Housing & Care Finance Practice.

Saunders brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and senior living to Ziegler. In her new role, she will focus on expanding the firm's strategic partnerships and helping organizations better understand Ziegler's depth of expertise, breadth of solutions and commitment to standing alongside clients as their needs, opportunities and priorities evolve.

Her approach is centered on listening closely to each organization's vision, strategic priorities and capital needs, and connecting clients with the appropriate Ziegler expertise and solutions. Her work will support organizations considering mergers and acquisitions, new development, refinancing and other strategic initiatives designed to position them for long-term success.

Prior to joining Ziegler, Saunders held senior growth, sales, and marketing leadership roles across the senior living and healthcare sectors, most notably serving as Chief Growth Officer at Go Icon, a leading engagement software company, and spending nearly 11 years with HealthPRO Heritage, a former Link-age Fund portfolio company. A physical therapist by training, she also brings experience in the emerging AgeTech space, most recently with AI startup Meela.

"I'm excited to join Ziegler and honored to be part of the firm's continued success," said Saunders. "I have long admired Ziegler's culture, expertise and deep commitment to senior living. The best partnerships start with listening, and I look forward to understanding each organization's vision and connecting clients with the right expertise and solutions to help them make thoughtful decisions for the future."

"We are pleased to welcome Michele to Ziegler," said Dan Revie, Senior Managing Director, Practice Head of Senior Housing & Care Finance. "Her extensive experience in healthcare and senior living, relationship-focused approach and understanding of clients' evolving strategic and capital needs will be valuable as we continue expanding our impact across the sector."

For more information about Ziegler, please visit us at www.ziegler.com.

About Ziegler:

Ziegler is a privately held, national boutique investment bank, capital markets and proprietary investments firm. It has a unique focus on healthcare, senior living and education sectors, as well as general municipal and structured finance. Headquartered in Chicago with regional and branch offices throughout the U.S., Ziegler provides its clients with capital raising, strategic advisory services, fixed income sales, underwriting and trading as well as Ziegler Credit, Surveillance and Analytics. To learn more, visit www.ziegler.com.

Certain comments in this news release represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This client's experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients, nor is it indicative of future performance or success. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, in particular, the overall financial health of the securities industry, the strength of the healthcare sector of the U.S. economy and the municipal securities marketplace, the ability of the Company to underwrite and distribute securities, the market value of mutual fund portfolios and separate account portfolios advised by the Company, the volume of sales by its retail brokers, the outcome of pending litigation, and the ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

SOURCE Ziegler

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Trading symbols

TSXV: LOD

US: LODFF

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lode Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: LOD) (OTCQB: LODFF) ("Lode Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an expansion of its ongoing drill program at its 100%-owned flagship Fremont Gold Mine ("Fremont") in Mariposa County, California. The expanded program will be executed via an amendment to the Company's previously approved Authorized Use Permit (Drill Permit), streamlining operational timelines and regulatory approvals.

The expanded drilling scope incorporates four newly added drill pads—PT-J 011, PT-J 012, HGD-002, and HGD-003—designed to advance key engineering, metallurgical, and hydrogeological objectives while simultaneously stepping out to explore untested zones across the property.

Key Technical Objectives of the Expanded Program

- Enhanced Metallurgical Representativeness (Pads PT-J 011 & PT-J 012): Two dedicated metallurgical core holes will be drilled to collect high-quality PQ-diameter core samples. This work will optimize recovery mapping and refine geometallurgical domain modeling for future feasibility-level engineering studies.

- In-Situ Hydrogeological & Permeability Testing (Pads HGD-002 & HGD-003): Two vertical hydrogeological drill holes will undergo in-situ permeability testing and hydrological monitoring to establish baseline hydrogeological parameters required for mine planning.

- Targeting Step-Out Exploration in Untested Zones: In addition to gathering critical hydrological data, pads HGD-002 and HGD-003 are strategically positioned to test subsurface targets in areas currently lacking historical drilling data, providing potential upside for resource expansion.

"By advancing these additional targets through an amendment to our existing Drill Permit, we are efficiently maximizing the value and technical rigor of our Fremont drill program without regulatory friction," said Wendy T. Chan, CEO and Director of Lode Gold. "The inclusion of metallurgical pads PT-J 011 and PT-J 012, combined with vertical hydrogeological pads HGD-002 and HGD-003, ensures we collect essential engineering and permeability data while concurrently testing unexplored zones that offer potential resource upside."

About Lode Gold

Lode Gold has key assets in Canada and United States.

Fremont Gold Mine Project (Fremont Gold Mining LLC) is a brownfield project in Mariposa, California with 43,000 m drilled, 10,000 underground channel samples, 14 adits and 2 shafts. Mining halted in 1942 due to the gold mining prohibition during WW II. It was mined at 10.7 g/t when price was gold was $35 per oz. PEA was completed (link) in 2023. The PEA was based on 1.16 Moz at 1.90 g/t Au within 19.0 Mt Indicated, and 2.02 MOz at 2.22 g/t Au within 28 Mt Inferred with a composite cut-off1. Average true widths at 1 g/t cut off is 53m. MRE (link) was updated in 2026; 89% of the ounces were left unmined if we compare historical production with our current Indicated Resource. Project sits on > 3,000 acres of 100% owned private and patented land which is designated as OZ, Trump Administration Opportunity Zone (Special Tax Incentives).

Dingman Property is an orogenic deposit in Ontario, Canada with over 22,000 m drilled, with a 2013 PEA, MRE (link to report) : 376,000 oz at 0.94 g/t within 12.5 Mt measured and indicated and 47,000 oz at 0.71 g/t within 2.1 Mt Inferred.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this press release was reviewed and approved by Gary Wong, P.Eng., Vice President of Exploration of Lode Gold, designated as a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY

Wendy T. Chan

CEO & Director

[email protected] 

+1(604) 977-GOLD (4653) 

Kevin Shum

Investor Relations

[email protected] 

+1(604) 977-GOLD (4653) 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the use of proceeds, advancement and completion of resource calculation, feasibility studies, and exploration plans and targets. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which the Company operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. These include assumptions regarding, among other things: the status of community relations and the security situation on site; general business and economic conditions; the availability of additional exploration and mineral project financing; the supply and demand for, inventories of, and the level and volatility of the prices of metals; relationships with strategic partners; the timing and receipt of governmental permits and approvals; the timing and receipt of community and landowner approvals; changes in regulations; political factors; the accuracy of the Company's interpretation of drill results; the geology, grade and continuity of the Company's mineral deposits; the availability of equipment, skilled labour and services needed for the exploration and development of mineral properties; and currency fluctuations.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include a deterioration of security on site or actions by the local community that inhibits access and/or the ability to productively work on site, actual exploration results, interpretation of metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, business disruptions, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law.

SOURCE Lode Gold Resources Inc

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