- New U.S. real-world evidence demonstrates high-volume hemodiafiltration (HvHDF) can be successfully delivered in routine clinical practice, with treatment targets comparable to those reported in Europe

- GLP-1 receptor agonist use associated with significantly lower mortality and fewer hospitalizations among dialysis patients

- U.S. study reports clinical experience with automated regional citrate anticoagulation during continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients

BAD HOMBURG, Germany, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresenius Medical Care (FME), the world's leading provider of products and services for people with kidney disease, presents new research and evidence-driven innovations aimed at improving patient outcomes during the American Society of Nephrology's (ASN) Kidney Week 2026, taking place October 21-25 in Denver, Colorado.

Company research demonstrates how real-world evidence, advanced technologies, and insights generated in routine clinical practice can help inform treatment decisions and improve care for patients with kidney disease.

"At Fresenius Medical Care, we are leveraging real-world evidence generated at scale to improve patient outcomes and help inform future standards of kidney care," said Charles Hugh-Jones, MD, FRCP, Global Chief Medical Officer of Fresenius Medical Care. "The studies we are presenting at Kidney Week 2026 reflect our commitment to advancing evidence-based care, from expanding our understanding of high-volume hemodiafiltration in U.S. clinical practice to generating new insights into therapies associated with improved outcomes for dialysis patients and supporting the safe delivery of renal replacement therapy in critical care settings."

As adoption of HvHDF continues to expand in the United States, Fresenius Medical Care researchers are studying its implementation in routine clinical practice. These studies provide important real-world insights from U.S. treatment settings and contribute to broader evidence-generation efforts, including the company's BEACON-US research initiative, which is advancing understanding of online HDF therapy and patient outcomes in the U.S.

Key Fresenius Medical Care presentations at Kidney Week 2026 include:

- High-Volume Hemodiafiltration in the United States: Real-World Achievement of Target Convective Dose: Demonstrates achievement of recommended HvHDF convective dose targets in a cohort of patients receiving more than 10,000 treatments using the 5008X™ CAREsystem in the U.S. The study found that 74% of treatments achieved the target threshold of 23 liters or greater.

- Convective Volume, Body Size and Mortality in Hemodiafiltration: An Individual Patient Data Analysis of Randomized Trials: Examines the relationship between body size, convective volume, and survival among patients receiving HDF and explores a more individualized approach to assessing effective HDF dose.

- Near-Real-Time Surveillance of U.S. 5008X High-Volume Hemodiafiltration: An Accelerated Real-World Evidence Platform: Highlights a quality improvement surveillance platform designed to rapidly analyze real-world clinical data during the U.S. rollout of HvHDF, helping researchers evaluate outcomes including mortality, hospitalization, and missed treatments.

- Real-World Mortality and Hospitalization Outcomes Associated with GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use in Patients on Dialysis: Presents findings from an analysis of approximately 5,000 dialysis patients associating GLP-1 receptor agonist use with significantly lower mortality and fewer hospitalizations. A second GLP-1-related abstract, "GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Initiation and Mortality in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Target Trial Emulation," was selected for presentation during the late-breaking research poster session on October 22 from 10 a.m. to noon.

- Calcium Control and Electrolyte Stability During Regional Citrate Anticoagulation Using a Fully Integrated CRRT System: Insights from a Prospective Multicenter Study: Reports findings from a multicenter U.S. study demonstrating that regional citrate anticoagulation delivered through an integrated continuous renal replacement therapy system maintained anticoagulation targets with infrequent, manageable electrolyte disturbances and no observed citrate toxicity in critically ill patients.

- AI-Based Extraction and Temporal Classification of Symptoms and Signs from Hemodialysis Notes: Evaluates a large language model-based approach using more than 455,000 dialysis treatment notes to extract and classify symptoms and clinical signs. The quality improvement effort demonstrated high accuracy and highlights how AI may help transform routine clinical documentation into actionable insights that support research, quality improvement, and future clinical decision-making.

In addition to scientific presentations, attendees can visit Fresenius Medical Care at Booth #571 and FME's Renal Research Institute at Booth #255 to learn more about the Company's latest research and innovations, including the 5008X CAREsystem and multiFiltratePRO™.

For more information on Fresenius Medical Care's presence at Kidney Week 2026, visit https://freseniusmedicalcare.com/en/media/events/asn-2026/.

About Fresenius Medical Care:

Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which around 4.5 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. Through its network of 3,513 dialysis clinics, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatments for approx. 290,000 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the leading provider of dialysis products such as dialysis machines or dialyzers. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME) and on the New York Stock Exchange (FMS). For more information visit the company's website at www.freseniusmedicalcare.com.

Disclaimer:

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, legal changes, regulatory approvals, results of clinical studies, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

Media contacts

Ryan Jimenez

T +1 781 699 3900

[email protected]

Christine Peters

T +49 160 60 66 770

[email protected]

Contact for analysts and investors

Dr. Dominik Heger

T +49 6172 609 2525

[email protected]

SOURCE Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.

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Missouri school district replaces a patchwork of legacy devices with one connected, standardized Avive AED program built around a 3-minute response goal.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Avive has deployed 27 Avive Connect AED®s across Affton School District in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. The rollout covers five campuses serving roughly 2,500 students and 400 staff, along with the parents, volunteers, and visitors who fill Affton's facilities every day. It replaces an AED program built one purchase at a time with a single, connected system designed so that every campus is ready.

Affton's campuses draw large crowds for Friday night games and community rentals, so the number of people on site at any moment is far greater than enrollment alone suggests. When it came time to replace its aging AEDs, the district saw an opportunity to rethink its approach to cardiac readiness.

"Having to stop, figure out which of the four models you're holding, physically swap out the pads for pediatric pads, could severely delay that time to shock," said Adam Jasinski, Executive Director of Operations at Affton School District. Before the rollout, buildings held four or five different AED models, with inconsistent signage, separate adult and pediatric pads, and a monthly maintenance routine that fell to school nurses.

A plan built around three minutes

Affton set a goal of reaching an AED within three minutes from anywhere on campus and built its placement plan around it. District leaders and nurses walked each building, prioritized high-occupancy areas like cafeterias and auditoriums, and covered public gathering spaces such as the football field. They studied floor plans to estimate walking times and ran mini-drills to the farthest corners of fields and the easy-to-overlook corner classroom.

"No matter where a student or faculty member was, we could get to them within that 3-minute window," said Stephanie Garibay, District Nurse Coordinator.

Readiness without the legwork

Avive's REALConnect™ platform gives district leadership a view of every AED in the district, while each building nurse can see the devices in their own building. Automated readiness checks and reporting replace manual walkthroughs and paper logs, so staff no longer need to walk the halls checking batteries and pad expiration dates.

"We're all able to have an all-hands-on-deck approach, which takes it a little off of just the building nurse to be responsible for all of the AEDs within their building," said Garibay.

The Avive Connect AED is designed to be simple for anyone to use. Responders pull the tab at the top, and the device guides them with on-screen visuals and clear audio prompts, including built-in CPR instructions and Spanish-language support. A dedicated Child Mode button and a single pad set for adults and children remove the guesswork of choosing a pad size or swapping pads in an emergency. Training Mode with swappable training pads lets nurses and staff rehearse on the same device they would use in a real emergency.

An AED that goes where athletic trainers go

Affton's athletic trainers cover more than 200 athletes across practices, home games, off-campus matches, and middle school events. Previously, they relied on larger units stored in a shed, or on whatever the host school had available. Each trainer now carries a portable Avive AED weighing just 2.1 lbs.

"We don't want to be spending 5 minutes tracking down an administrator to get us in this building. So that immediate access, having it right there in my kit, you just can't go wrong," said Becky Stigen, Head Athletic Trainer at Affton High School, who has served the district for 18 years.

Part of a broader commitment to cardiac readiness

The AED deployment is one part of Affton's larger cardiac emergency strategy. The district partnered with Project ADAM and was certified as a Heartsafe School District, a recognition that reflects its awareness efforts, training, and practiced response plans. As part of that effort, Affton mapped AED locations to meet its 3-minute response goal, monitored devices through the REALConnect dashboard, wrote a cardiac emergency response plan for each school community, and committed to annual training and cardiac drills.

About Affton School District:

Located in South St. Louis County, Missouri, Affton School District empowers each student to become a capable, curious, and confident lifelong learner. Serving a diverse community across an early childhood center, primary, intermediate, middle, and high school, Affton is dedicated to academic innovation, emotional growth, and future-readiness. Guided by its core pillars—Our Students, Our Team, Our Connections, and Our System—the district fosters an inclusive environment where every voice matters. For more information, visit afftonschools.net or follow #OneAffton on social media. 

About Avive Solutions:

Avive Solutions, Inc. is a Brisbane, CA-based company dedicated to developing state-of-the-art Automated External  Defibrillators (AEDs) designed to be accessible, intuitive, and effective in saving lives during Sudden Cardiac  Arrest emergencies. Avive's mission is to ensure that lifesaving AED technology is available in every community  across the nation. Learn more at avive.life.

Learn more

Read the full Affton case study at avive.life/customer-stories, or request a demo at avive.life/contact.

Media Contacts:

Mackenzie Kirk

Content Marketing Manager, Avive Solutions

[email protected] 

Erica Chandler, APR

Director of Communications

(314) 633-5908

[email protected]

SOURCE Avive Solutions, Inc.

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Life has its bumpy moments, and so does skin. Between the 3 p.m. oily shine and the irritation that often comes with retinol, acne-prone skin can be tricky to manage, especially once early signs of aging start to show. Finding one product that addresses texture, oil, and fine lines without harsh or pore-clogging ingredients that compromise the skin barrier has long been a challenge. SMOOTH OVER was designed to tackle it all in a single step: effective enough to deliver real results, yet gentle enough for everyday use.

"So many of our clients come to us stuck between two problems. They're still dealing with texture and breakouts, and now they're seeing fine lines too. The retinol they tried was too harsh on their skin, but they don't want to lose valuable anti-aging benefits" said Danielle "The Acne Guru®" Gronich, CEO and Co-Founder of CLEARSTEM. "SMOOTH OVER ends that tradeoff, giving them a smoother, more even look without the irritation or the pore-clogging fillers found in most anti-aging serums. It's the kind of serum you'll actually want to reach for every morning and night."

SMOOTH OVER's formula is built around four key ingredients:

- Bakuchiol (Smooth): A next-generation, plant-derived alternative to retinol that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve firmness, refine texture, and promote a more even-looking tone.

- Tripeptide-85 (Oil Control): A targeted peptide that helps control excess oil production in maturing skin. It keeps skin looking less shiny through the day without the stripped, tight feeling that comes from over-drying.

- Plant Stem Cells (Renew): Rich in antioxidants and protective nutrients that help support the skin's natural renewal process.

- Milk Thistle + TXA Derivative (Calm): Milk Thistle seed extract delivers antioxidants that help defend against the look of environmental stress. Tranexamic Acid helps visibly calm redness and even the look of skin tone. Together, they help skin look calmer, more comfortable, and more even.

SMOOTH OVER visibly smooths skin from the first use, with 96% of participants showing improved smoothness immediately.*

It also supports a balanced, healthy-looking complexion. 100% of participants showed reduced sebum levels at 2 weeks. At 4 weeks, 96% showed improvement in the look of redness, and 90% showed improvement in the look of fine lines.*

*Based on a clinical study of 30 participants.

To use, apply generously to the face, neck, and chest after cleansing and toning, once or twice daily. In the morning, follow with moisturizer and SPF.

SMOOTH OVER Daily Texture Perfecting Serum (1 fl oz / 30 mL, $62) will be available beginning October 16, 2026, at clearstemskincare.com.

ABOUT CLEARSTEM

Incorporating the knowledge from San Diego Acne Clinic, founders Danielle "The Acne Guru®" Gronich and Integrative Health Practitioner Kayleigh Christina built CLEARSTEM, the first acne brand that targets breakouts and aging at the same time with no pore-clogging ingredients, ever. Through innovative formulation practices, root-cause wellness regimens, and masterclass-style education, CLEARSTEM empowers consumers to build confidence in their skin from a brand that truly understands them.

Because Clear Skin Changes Everything®.

SOURCE CLEARSTEM

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RBC Wealth Management named Outstanding Private Bank in three categories at the Private Banker International Global Wealth Awards

A testament to what matters most in private banking: the relationships, expertise and experience clients can count on

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RBC Wealth Management, Canada's largest full-service wealth management firm, has been named Outstanding Private Bank in three categories at the Private Banker International Global Wealth Awards: Global, North America and Growth Strategy—a mark of excellence in private banking globally. The wins extend RBC Wealth Management's streak to three consecutive years for the Global category and six for North America.

The Private Banker International Global Wealth Awards recognize institutions that deliver excellence across all dimensions of private banking. The awards recognize RBC Wealth Management's strategy of pairing a client-first approach with Canadian market leadership and continued expansion across North America and globally, reflecting its leadership across key markets:

- In Canada, RBC Wealth Management is the No. 1 retail mutual fund company and a leader in high-net-worth market share, with RBC Dominion Securities achieving the highest advisor rating among bank-owned investment dealers in Investment Executive's 2026 Brokerage Report Card for 20 consecutive years

- In the U.S. and U.K., it ranks among the top six wealth management firms by assets under administration, with U.S. earnings growing 91 per cent over five years and a client base of 320,000 households

Central to the client experience is RBC Wealth Management's continued investment in the technology and tools that help advisors prioritize client relationships. In April 2026, RBC Wealth Management was recognized with two PWM Wealth Tech Awards for its AI strategy and RBC Assist, an in-house GenAI tool. The tool has been rolled out to 100 per cent of advisors, with more than 75,000 RBC employees globally now using RBC's AI platforms to improve productivity and free up time for high-value client interactions.

"Wealth management is about understanding a client's life in its entirety—their family, their business and their long-term goals," said Neil McLaughlin, Group Head, RBC Wealth Management & Insurance. "Few clients today have simple needs; their wealth increasingly spans borders and generations. It's through our team of dedicated experts that we can serve their holistic needs with the kind of advice and relationships that earn trust for generations. These awards affirm we're on the right track, and the credit belongs to the advisors, private bankers and trust officers who make that experience real for the clients they serve."

Looking ahead, RBC Wealth Management remains focused on deepening client relationships and investing in the talent and technology that make differentiated client experiences possible.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 105,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.

About RBC Wealth Management

RBC Wealth Management directly serves affluent, high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients globally with a full suite of banking, investment, trust and other wealth management solutions, from its key operational hubs in Canada, the United States, the British Isles, and Asia. The business also provides asset management products and services directly and through RBC and third-party distributors to institutional and individual clients, through its RBC Global Asset Management business (which includes BlueBay Asset Management). It also includes our Investor Services business. RBC Wealth Management has over C$5.8 trillion of assets under administration, C$1.7 trillion of assets under management and more than 6,000 financial consultants, advisors, private bankers, and trust officers. For more information, please visit www.rbcwealthmanagement.com.

For more information, please contact:

Vanessa Romano, RBC Wealth Management Canada, [email protected]

Tianna Goguen, RBC Wealth Management Canada, [email protected] 

SOURCE RBC Wealth Management

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Partnership enables banks, fintechs, and technology companies to expand rewards into mobile wallets and merchant offers into wallet passes

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildfire Systems, a loyalty and consumer insights platform, and Badge, a mobile wallet infrastructure provider, today announced a strategic partnership that brings personalized merchant offers and rewards into consumers' native mobile wallets, making savings easier to find and use and creating new value for the programs that offer them. Wildfire clients can now extend their existing rewards programs into Apple® Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet through Badge's technology, while Badge clients gain access to the offers from Wildfire's network of more than 50,000 merchant programs - all without building new infrastructure or merchant relationships.

Together, the companies will help clients expand their rewards programs to a broader set of touchpoints in the consumer shopping journey. Customers who add their rewards pass will see personalized cashback and savings from Wildfire's merchant network right in their wallet. Badge keeps the pass current as offers change through dynamic updates, push notifications, and location-aware reminders. This ensures offers reach consumers when and where they're ready to buy. The partnership also creates opportunities for Wildfire clients to provide more value for their customers, while Wildfire's merchant partners gain another way to reach shoppers and drive sales.

The announcement comes as loyalty and rewards programs have become table stakes for financial and technology companies to drive engagement with their customers and mobile wallets are evolving beyond payments into a broader channel for commerce and loyalty. According to PYMNTS, 31% of shoppers now use mobile wallets weekly, underscoring the growing opportunity for brands, financial institutions, and technology companies to connect with consumers through a channel they already use.

"Our clients are constantly looking for ways to deliver more value to customers," said Jordan Glazier, CEO of Wildfire Systems. "Our partnership with Badge gives clients a way to extend their existing rewards programs into mobile wallets, meeting their customers where they are to discover and use offers. In turn, our merchant network gives Badge's clients a steady stream of relevant offers to put in front of their customers."

The agreement also creates opportunities for joint product innovation. By combining Badge's technology with Wildfire's commerce platform, merchant relationships, and distribution network, both companies can develop new capabilities and expand their reach across the growing market for digital payments and loyalty services.

"The next evolution of mobile wallets is about what happens beyond the transaction," said Eric Senn, CEO of Badge. "By combining our technology with Wildfire's merchant offer network, we can help our clients put relevant savings opportunities directly into consumers' hands, whether they're shopping online or walking into a store. It's about making rewards more accessible, timely and useful in everyday life."

The companies are announcing the partnership at Money20/20 USA in Las Vegas, where they will co-host a cabana October 19-20, 2026. Please go here to schedule a meeting with Wildfire, or here to meet with Badge.

About Wildfire Systems, Inc.

San Diego-based Wildfire provides a commerce intelligence platform that powers white-label shopping rewards programs and retail media for financial services and technology partners. The platform helps organizations drive customer engagement with cashback, coupons, and savings while capturing shopping behavior insights, which help drive incremental sales from more than 50,000 merchant programs in 50+ countries and enable advertisers to reach high-intent shoppers through the Wildfire Commerce Network (WCN). Ranked on the Inc. 5000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Learn more at Wildfire-corp.com.

About Badge

Badge is the wallet platform businesses use to build, operate, and measure experiences across Apple® Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet. By making wallets programmable and real time, Badge turns wallet cards and passes into dynamic customer surfaces that drive engagement and commerce. Trusted by leading enterprise brands and platforms, Badge delivers secure, scalable wallet infrastructure designed for production use. For more information, visit trybadge.com.

Apple Wallet is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Wallet is a trademark of Google LLC. Samsung Wallet is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

SOURCE Wildfire Systems

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Certification brings Polycore, Twenty Labs' composable platform for government, to federal agencies modernizing mission-critical programs

MIAMI and WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty Labs, a leading provider of purpose-built technology solutions for government programs, today announced it has achieved Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Class C Certification in partnership with Knox Systems (Knox), the largest, longest-running federal managed cloud. Twenty Labs' technology powers Healthy Together, its established health and human services business serving Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SUN Bucks, and child services programs across 9+ states and territories, using Polycore to support modern program operations and applied AI capabilities. The certification now brings Polycore, Twenty Labs' composable platform for government, to federal agencies.

Government programs often run on rigid legacy systems that are slow and expensive to change, while policy, demand, and expectations keep shifting. Staff lose time to heavy manual processes and poor-quality or incomplete information upstream, while the people in those programs they serve experience unnecessary friction. Agencies need technology that can adapt quickly, improve the quality and flow of information, and modernize how work gets done, whether replacing legacy capabilities or working alongside existing systems.

Twenty Labs uses a forward-deployed model, with teams working alongside policy, program, and operational experts to solve mission-critical problems with Polycore, its composable platform for government. Polycore combines configurable workflows, applied AI, and interoperable services to help agencies deploy faster, adapt quickly, and modernize how the mission gets done. With Twenty Labs' FedRAMP Class C Certification, Polycore provides federal agencies with access to:

- Composable, configurable solutions: Production-ready capabilities can be assembled around each agency's needs and deployed independently or alongside existing systems, enabling faster modernization.

- A fully-connected workflow: Bring agencies, partners, data sources, and the public together to reduce friction and keep information and work moving across the mission.

- Quality at the source: Collect, verify, and structure information before it reaches systems of record, reducing manual work, errors, and downstream delays.

- Applied AI: Polycore's AI capabilities, including operator assistance, document intelligence, and voice agents, are designed to automate routine work and support staff across operational workflows.

"Our mission is to make the government the best-run organization in the world, and our FedRAMP Class C Certification affirms that Twenty Labs meets the federal bar for security and trust that mission demands," said Jared Allgood, CEO of Twenty Labs. "Polycore is already proven in health and human services, where states see the speed and AI-driven efficiency it brings to their programs. Now federal agencies can access those same capabilities, with modernization that can work independently or with the systems they already run and is designed around the people who use them."

The FedRAMP program is designed to standardize security assessment and authorization for cloud service offerings, accelerating the adoption of government-grade cloud solutions by federal agencies. Knox eliminated the FedRAMP Certification bottleneck and significantly reduced compliance timelines and costs for Twenty Labs, allowing its forward-deployed engineers and policy, program and human-centered design experts to focus on delivering outcomes for agencies and the people they serve.

"Public benefits services work best when government, private partners, and citizens operate on a shared workflow," said Irina Denisenko, CEO of Knox Systems. "Twenty Labs has already shown states how AI can help agencies accelerate and modernize without tearing out the systems they rely on. With FedRAMP Class C Certification through Knox, federal programs can now put that same approach to work, and the public will feel the difference."

To learn more about how Twenty Labs helps government agencies modernize with Polycore, visit twentylabs.com and to learn more about obtaining FedRAMP Certification with Knox, visit knoxsystems.com.

About Twenty Labs

Twenty Labs is a technology company delivering cloud-native, composable solutions for government and regulated industries, including financial services. Its technology powers Healthy Together, its established health and human services business serving programs across 9+ states and territories. Twenty Labs combines forward-deployed teams with Polycore, its composable platform, to help organizations modernize complex workflows, adapt quickly, and deliver outcomes. Across government, Twenty Labs is advancing its mission to make the government the best-run organization in the world. Learn more at twentylabs.com.

About Knox Systems

Knox Systems operates the largest managed federal cloud, trusted by top agencies and partners across defense and civilian sectors. Built for speed, resilience, and compliance, Knox delivers FedRAMP authorization in 90 days – turning the biggest bottleneck in government IT into the fastest path to modernization. Knox proudly serves Adobe, Celonis, OutSystems, Armis, BigID, and more AI and SaaS providers, accelerating secure innovation across the federal landscape. Learn more at knoxsystems.com.

Media Contact:

SOURCE Knox Systems, Inc

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Hidden Water Leaks Can Go Unnoticed Until the Bill Arrives

Free online calculator helps homeowners estimate unexplained water use before losses add up

SEATTLE, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A July 2026 report about a Phoenix homeowner's $2,777 water bill highlights how hidden leaks and delayed billing can leave households unaware of mounting water use. Simply Leak Detection is encouraging homeowners to check their meters and use its free Water Leak Rate Calculator to investigate unexpected flow. Following Imagine a Day Without Water on October 15, the company is highlighting a practical way homeowners can reduce unnoticed water loss.

Arizona's Family reported that Cameron Green's bill covered seven months and 344,000 gallons of water use after a city-owned transmitter stopped reporting readings. Green said an underground leak, invisible from the surface, contributed to the high usage. The reported total was overall consumption, not a measurement of the leak alone.

Homeowners do not have to wait for their next bill to look for warning signs. A meter that continues to register water use when fixtures, irrigation and water-using appliances are off can help reveal a problem that otherwise goes unnoticed.

The calculator uses two meter readings and elapsed time to estimate the rate of water use. Available online to homeowners anywhere, it provides a starting point for deciding what to investigate next. It does not identify a leak's location or cause.

"Every homeowner should know where their water meter is, how to shut off their water in an emergency, and how to recognize a possible leak when the meter moves with no water in use. Knowing these basics helps homeowners take action before a leak leads to significantly higher water bills or expensive damage to their home," said Lincoln Spencer, owner of Simply Leak Detection.

How to check for unexpected water use

Stop all indoor and outdoor water use, including automatic irrigation and appliances. Record the meter reading and time, wait at least five minutes without using water, then take a second reading. Enter the readings and times in the calculator.

A short test may miss slow or intermittent leaks. EPA WaterSense recommends comparing meter readings over two hours with no water use. Unexpected flow warrants further investigation with a water utility or qualified professional; visible leaks or active water damage need prompt attention regardless of the result.

Try the free Water Leak Rate Calculator at simplyleakdetection.com/water-leak-rate-calculator/.

About Simply Leak Detection

Simply Leak Detection locates leaks for homes and businesses across Greater Seattle and the Puget Sound region. The company uses non-invasive detection techniques to help avoid exploratory yard digging and unnecessary openings in walls.

Related media: Best of Redmond Episode 70

Homeowner resource: EPA WaterSense Detect and Chase Down Leaks checklist (PDF)

Media contact: Lincoln Spencer, Simply Leak Detection | (253) 800-1412 | simplyleakdetection.com

SOURCE Simply Leak Detection

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1932 Cadillac Limousine and 1964 Chevy Impala Take Top-Lot Honors at Morphy's Automobilia, Petroliana & Advertising Auction Held October 4

Other highlights: 1906 Indian Camelback motorized bicycle, $61,500; Gilbarco gas pump with porcelain Mohawk Indian face, $31,980; circa-1930s Zeroline single-sided porcelain sign, $28,800

DENVER, Pa., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The two top-selling lots at Morphy's October 4 Automobilia, Petroliana & Advertising auction were full-size vintage automobiles. An impressive 1932 Cadillac 355-B seven-passenger Imperial limousine registered to notorious gangster Al Capone sped off for $78,000, while a well-documented silver-blue metallic1964 Chevrolet Impala hardtop crossed the finish line at $74,400.

The rest of the auction consisted of more than 650 lots of motoring-related signage, service station items and vehicles designed to please collectors at every price point. The event was held live at Morphy's Pennsylvania gallery, with all forms of remote bidding available. Morphy's has long-been renowned as the auction house collectors depend on for rare automobilia and petroliana.

The 1932 Cadillac 355-B seven-passenger Imperial limousine with body by Fisher was finished in cream with burgundy fenders and accents. A binder documented nearly $95,000 worth of mechanical restoration, refurbishment and detailing had been performed by Classic & Exotic Service in 2011 and 2012. A New York Certificate of Sale identified notorious Prohibition-era gangster Alphonse "Al" Capone as its original purchaser/owner. Rochelle Cadillac Co., of New Rochelle, New York, was shown as the seller.

The well-documented 1964 Chevrolet Impala finished in silver blue metallic over a coordinated blue bucket-seat interior had a VIN # of 41447S178226, identifying it as a genuine St Louis-built V-8 Super Sport hardtop. Power was supplied by Chevy's dual-quad 409-c.i. engine, producing 425 horsepower thru 11.0:1 compression. The odometer displayed 52,659 miles. The car started with ease and the drive was very smooth.

Following the two automobiles, the auction's number three top achiever was a1906 Indian Camelback motorized bicycle built by The Hendree Manufacturing Company (later The Indian Motocycle Company, with no "R" in motorcycle). The bike was a true survivor in barn-fresh condition, retaining its factory paint job in Springfield Blue, while the 311 cubic inch, 2.25-hp air-cooled single-cylinder motor with a production number of 2877 was untouched, with all major components intact. The motor turned over with good compression, the wheels spun freely, and the brakes worked just fine. One lucky bidder "rode" it home for $61,500.

A Gilbarco gas pump originally found in Northern California, one of very few known examples with a porcelain Mohawk Indian computing face, changed hands for $31,980, topping the $30,000 high estimate. The pump's condition was described as being like NOS (new/old stock). The color and gloss were perfect, with no notable wear to the Indian graphic, and it lit up nicely.

There were two bona fide "sleepers" in the sale. One was a circa-1930s single-sided porcelain flange sign graded 9.0 for the Pickwick Stages Ticket Office, an excellent example of a seldom-seen sign. Each side displayed excellent color and gloss, with no noticeable field wear. The 28¾-inch by 25½-inch sign more than doubled the $8,000 high estimate, reaching $19,680.

The second of the two sleepers was just as impressive. It was a circa-1930s Zeroline ("The Standard Oil For Motor Cars") single-sided porcelain sign, 23¾ inches in diameter and graded 9.0 out of 10 for condition. The sign showed very good color throughout and a great graphic, which no doubt helped it to more than double its $12,000 high estimate and realize a robust $28,800.

To discuss consigning to a future Automobilia, Petroliana & Advertising auction, or other auction hosted by Morphy's, call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential, and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.

SOURCE Morphy Auctions

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Charter Next Generation Releases 2025 Impact Report: We Own Impact

Report highlights measurable progress in sustainable materials, circularity, environmental performance, and employee ownership.

CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Charter Next Generation (CNG), a leading provider of material science solutions, today released its 2025 Impact Report: We Own Impact. The report reflects CNG's belief that ownership is more than a concept; it is a responsibility to act, improve, and create lasting value. In 2025, CNG's employees continued to own their impact, making measurable progress across sustainability solutions, environmental performance, employee engagement, and responsible business practices.

"Impact is measured by what we do and the value we create for our customers, our people, and the communities where we operate," said Kathy Bolhous, Chairman and CEO of CNG. "Our employee owners take that responsibility personally. They see opportunities to make CNG better, and they have a stake in making those improvements last."

Notable achievements highlighted in the 2025 Impact Report include:

- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Reduced net Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 23% compared with 2024.

- Advancing Circularity: Increased the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) material by more than 30% versus 2024, supporting CNG's circular materials strategy and earning CNG recognition as a Recycling Demand Champion from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR).

- Reducing Operational Waste: Diverted more than 23 million pounds of outbound waste from landfills, a 190% increase compared with 2024, which is reflective of expanded zero-waste-to-landfill practices and new acquisitions.

- Expanding Renewable Energy Usage: Purchased 188,000 MWh of Green-e Certified renewable energy certificates, representing approximately 50% of CNG's electricity consumption.

- Strengthening Employee Engagement: Reached the 90th percentile for employee engagement among manufacturing companies in Gallup's manufacturing benchmark, up from the 32nd percentile in 2021.

- Investing in Communities: Contributed more than $750,000 to charitable organizations and community initiatives.

The report also reflects the findings of CNG's 2025 double materiality assessment, which helped identify the sustainability issues most relevant to CNG and its stakeholders. The assessment reinforced product innovation and circularity as key areas of focus.

"At CNG, our approach to innovation and sustainability is grounded in understanding where our customers are headed and developing solutions to help them get there," said John Garnett, Senior Vice President of Technical, Sustainability, and Innovation at CNG. "In 2025, we continued to invest in material science, expand circular solutions, and engineer high-performance films that deliver the functionality customers depend on while using resources more efficiently. As customer needs and regulations evolve, our focus is on developing solutions that perform in the real world and at scale."

CNG will continue building on the progress outlined in the report by applying its material science expertise and manufacturing capabilities to design and produce high-performance materials that help customers meet evolving performance and sustainability needs.

To read CNG's 2025 Impact Report, We Own Impact, visit cnginc.com.

About Charter Next Generation

Charter Next Generation (CNG) is a recognized leader in material science solutions in North America, delivering high-performance specialty films and advanced materials for flexible packaging and other critical applications across the food, consumer goods, industrial, and healthcare markets. With 18 facilities across the U.S. and more than 2,600 employee-owners, we bring together manufacturing excellence and innovation to help address global challenges—from reducing waste and preserving food to advancing equity and promoting climate resilience. As a company with broad-based employee ownership and a proud partner of Ownership Works™, we're committed to creating long-term, sustainable value through shared success. Visit cnginc.com, follow us on LinkedIn, or contact [email protected].

Media Contact: 

CNG Communications

[email protected]

(872) 870-1077

SOURCE Charter Next Generation, Inc.

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Integra Asset Solutions to Auction Chicago Scenic Studios Equipment Featuring CNC Machinery, Forklifts, Trucks, Tools & Industrial Equipment

CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Integra Asset Solutions will conduct a major public online auction of equipment from Chicago Scenic Studios on Tuesday, October 27 at 9:00 a.m. CT, featuring (2) CNC routers, CNC waterjet cutter, woodworking & metalworking machinery, welding, material handling, stage production & rigging equipment, paint / finishing, 100's of power & hand tools, trucks, support and more from the company's facility at 955 W. Cermak Road in Chicago.

Founded in 1978, Chicago Scenic Studios grew from a design and fabrication shop serving Chicago's theater community into one of the Midwest's premier scenic fabrication companies. For nearly five decades, the company brought ambitious concepts to life through custom design, engineering and fabrication for theater, television and film, museums, corporate events, branded environments and major public experiences.

Its work has been featured in projects for some of Chicago's most recognizable institutions and organizations, including the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, as well as national brands and venues including Nike, McDonald's and Radio City Music Hall. Notable projects ranged from museum exhibits and broadcast studios to major public events, including the staging and scenery for Barack Obama's 2008 election-night celebration in Chicago's Grant Park.

The scope of Chicago Scenic Studios' work required extensive in-house capabilities spanning woodworking, metal fabrication, painting & finishing. "Because of the range of work performed within this facility and the services provided by Chicago Scenic Studios, this is an incredibly diverse offering," said John Magnuson, President and Managing Director of Integra Asset Solutions. "You have sophisticated CNC equipment alongside forklifts, fabrication machinery, welding equipment, trucks, rigging and hundreds of power and hand tools. Much of this type of equipment can be used not only by other scenic fabrication companies, but also all manufacturers, fabricators, machine shops, woodworking operations, contractors, construction companies, warehouses, maintenance departments and other commercial and industrial businesses."

Featured Equipment

- Woodworking Equipment

- Welding & Fabrication Equipment

- Machine Shop, Hand & Power Tools

- Stage Production, Rigging & Material Handling

- Storage, Air Compressors & Other Facility Support Equipment

- Office Furniture & Equipment

Prospective buyers are encouraged to register early and perform an onsite inspection on Monday, October 26, 2026, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT to evaluate the equipment prior to bidding. Complete auction information, including catalogs, photographs, inspection details, and terms of sale, are available through Integra Asset Solutions.

Auction & Inspection Information

Online Only Auction: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CT

Asset Location: 955 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL

Public Inspection: Monday, October 26, 2026, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CT

Earlier inspections are available by appointment.

For additional information or to schedule an inspection, contact:

John Magnuson

Integra Asset Solutions

708-765-4008

[email protected]

About Integra Asset Solutions

Integra Asset Solutions specializes in the valuation, acquisition and disposition of commercial and industrial assets. The company provides comprehensive asset solutions for manufacturers, corporations, financial institutions and other organizations throughout North America.

For more information, visit www.integra-as.com or call 888-BID-6161.

Media contact:

Ania Caprio

SVP, Marketing & Corporate Strategy

708-765-4012

SOURCE Integra Asset Solutions

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