The article outlines hidden costs buyers should plan for before, during, and after purchasing a home.

FALMOUTH, Mass., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Buying Budget Explained in HelloNation Article Featuring Real Estate Expert Serena LoPiccolo-Smith

The article outlines hidden costs buyers should plan for before, during, and after purchasing a home.

What hidden costs should buyers include in a home buying budget? HelloNation answers that question in an article featuring insights from Real Estate Expert Serena LoPiccolo-Smith of The Inspire Team. The article explains that preparing for expenses beyond the purchase price helps buyers avoid financial surprises and make more confident decisions throughout the home buying process.

The HelloNation article notes that many buyers focus primarily on the down payment and monthly mortgage payment while overlooking other costs that can significantly affect affordability. Building a complete home buying budget means planning for expenses that arise before closing, at closing, and throughout homeownership. Accounting for these costs gives buyers a more accurate sense of what they can comfortably afford.

One of the first expenses the article discusses is the home inspection. A professional home inspection provides valuable information about a property's condition and may uncover issues with the roof, plumbing, electrical systems, or foundation. The article also explains that some buyers choose additional inspections for concerns such as mold, termites, or sewer lines depending on the property's location and age. Although these services increase upfront costs, they can provide useful information before you finalize a purchase.

The article also highlights closing costs as one of the most commonly underestimated parts of home buying. According to the article, closing costs may include lender fees, title insurance, appraisal fees, escrow charges, recording fees, and prepaid property taxes or homeowners insurance. Because these expenses vary by loan and location, buyers should plan for them well before closing rather than assuming the purchase price is the total amount they will need.

Moving into a new home brings another set of expenses that deserve careful planning. The article explains that moving expenses may include hiring professional movers, renting moving trucks, purchasing packing materials, or paying for temporary storage. These costs can increase substantially for long-distance moves or more complex relocations, making early budgeting especially valuable.

The HelloNation article also discusses homeowners insurance as an important ongoing expense. Insurance premiums depend on several factors, including the home's location, age, value, and selected coverage. In some areas, buyers may also need separate policies for flood or wind protection. Factoring these insurance costs into a monthly housing budget provides a clearer picture of long-term affordability.

Another key topic the article covers is home maintenance, which many first-time buyers underestimate. Even homes in excellent condition require regular upkeep over time. Heating and cooling systems require servicing, appliances eventually wear out, landscaping needs ongoing attention, and unexpected repairs can occur without warning. Setting aside savings for routine maintenance and future repairs helps homeowners manage these inevitable costs without unnecessary financial strain.

Utility expenses also deserve consideration when building a realistic home-buying budget. The article explains that monthly utility bills can change significantly after purchasing a larger home or moving to an area with different service providers or seasonal energy demands. Reviewing previous utility bills, when available, can help buyers estimate future monthly expenses before making their purchase.

The article concludes that understanding the complete financial picture is just as important as finding the right property. By planning for home inspection costs, closing costs, homeowners insurance, moving expenses, property taxes, utility bills, and home maintenance, buyers can approach homeownership with greater confidence and fewer unexpected financial challenges. Real Estate Expert Serena LoPiccolo-Smith emphasizes that thoughtful preparation supports smarter financial decisions throughout the buying journey.

Hidden Costs Buyers Should Budget For features insights from Serena LoPiccolo-Smith, a real estate expert in Falmouth, Massachusetts, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America's Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative "edvertising" approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation

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- 43% of pet owners use tools like ChatGPT for pet health advice, and 59% have changed their pet's care because of it.

- Maven Pet launches Companion, an AI pet assistant built on 25 million data points per dog each day.

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dog parents have quietly made AI part of pet care. A Talker Research survey of 2,000 pet owners found 43% use ChatGPT for pet health information about seven times a week, and six in ten changed their dog's care as a result.

Those tools have never met the dog. They answer from the internet, not from the animal on the sofa.

Maven Pet launches Companion, an AI pet assistant inside the Maven Pet app. It reads vitals, sleep, activity, and behavior from the dog health sensor, up to 25 million data points a day, plus the dog's profile and whatever the owner logs, always judged against that dog's own normal.

The real difference is that Companion speaks first, often days before an owner notices anything. A respiratory rate creeping up in a senior dog. A diabetic dog drinking more than usual. No general AI can flag either, because none are watching.

Maven Pet has delivered over 125,000 proactive health insights to date, most commonly ear, skin, and allergy changes, then cardiac and respiratory shifts.

Everything an owner logs deepens that understanding, changing how Companion reads what comes next: a rise in water intake weeks after a new medication starts, or a vet visit recommended when respiratory rate climbs.

Guilherme Coelho, CEO and Co-founder of Maven Pet: "Being a pet parent is constant uncertainty. We can't ask them, so we guess. Companion ends that. It watches continuously, alerts you the moment something shifts, and answers from your pet's data, not the internet."

Companion is available now to all subscribers. The annual subscription is $167.92, hardware included. More at maven.pet/dog-health-tracker.

About Maven Pet Maven Pet is a clinically validated health monitoring system for dogs and cats, founded by Guilherme Coelho and built with veterinarians. The sensor attaches to any collar and tracks respiratory rate, heart rate, sleep, activity and behavior, building a personalized baseline for each pet. New York. maven.pet

Sources: Talker Research for Darwin's pet food, April 2026. Maven Pet internal data, 2026.

Melita D'Souza ([email protected])

SOURCE Maven Pet

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Laars® Heating Systems opens doors to Women in Manufacturing

Northern New England chapter to visit Rochester facility for networking event and plant tour

ROCHESTER, N.H. , Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Laars® Heating Systems, a leading U.S. designer and manufacturer of boilers and water heaters, will welcome members of the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Northern New England chapter to its Rochester facility Oct. 15 for a networking event and guided plant tour.

A female engineer at Laars will lead attendees through the company's manufacturing operations and laboratory, giving them a chance to see the work involved in developing and producing heating equipment. Participants will also learn more about the different career paths available in manufacturing.

"There's so much more to manufacturing than people might realize, and women are doing important work in every part of it," said Laurie Bridges, human resources manager. "We're looking forward to showing attendees what our team does every day. It's also a chance for the women to meet others in the industry, share their experiences and make connections that can last beyond this event."

WiM brings together women who work in manufacturing across the country. Its Northern New England chapter gives women in the region a chance to get to know others in the industry and talk about their work. Events like the one at Laars are one way the organization helps members make those connections.

For Laars, the event is an opportunity to introduce visitors to the people behind its products. Founded in 1948, the company has a long history of manufacturing heating equipment in the United States. Its Rochester operations include manufacturing and engineering work, with employees involved in everything from product development to production.

The event will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Laars facility at 20 Industrial Way in Rochester. Refreshments will be provided, and time will be set aside for attendees to network with Laars employees and other manufacturing professionals.

Registration is open to WiM members and nonmembers. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, visit www.womeninmanufacturing.org/events/wim-northern-new-england-laars-heating-systems-networking-and-plant-tour/.

For more information about Laars® Heating Systems, visit http://www.laars.com.

For more information about Bradford White Corporation, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

About Laars® Heating Systems

Laars® Heating Systems, headquartered in Rochester, N.H., manufactures and distributes products widely used in residential and commercial space heating, radiant floor heating, volume water heating, and in industrial process markets. For your home, business or commercial heating needs Laars® products are the quality choice. For more information, visit http://www.laars.com.

About Bradford White Corporation

Bradford White Corporation is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial, and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company, ranked by TIME and Statista as the No. 1 water heater manufacturer on its list of America's Best Private Companies 2026, maintains corporate headquarters in Ambler, PA, and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville and Niles, MI; Monticello, MN; Uxbridge, MA; Rochester, NH; and Princeton and Madison, WI. FloLogic's assembly operation is in Morrisville, NC and Bradford White Corporation's Canadian headquarters, distribution center and training facilities are in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

SOURCE Laars® Heating Systems

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The trial for the death of Demi Dominguez is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, marking seven years since the heartbreaking loss of the 23-year-old Bakersfield mother. The case, brought by Demi's mother against her doctor Arthur Park, will be heard at the Superior Court of California, County of Kern, in the Bakersfield Metropolitan Justice Department, Dept. 17, with opening statements expected on Wednesday.

The legal team representing Tracy Dominguez includes lead attorney Courtney Rowley, along with John Kawai and Patrick Logan, of Trial Lawyers for Justice.

"Demi Dominguez went to the hospital with warning signs, trusting her doctors to protect her and her unborn son," said Courtney Rowley. "She was sent home undiagnosed and untreated. Days later, both were dead. We cannot undo the harm done or give a husband and father back his wife and son. But a jury can now hold those responsible accountable."

According to the lawsuit, Demi began to exhibit unmistakable signs of preeclampsia and sought care at Mercy Southwest Hospital's labor and delivery unit. Arthur Park was the on-call OB/GYN, yet he failed to visit Demi, assess her condition, or provide any diagnosis. After a 13-hour hospitalization, Demi left with no diagnosis and no understanding of her critical condition and the danger she faced. Just two days later, she suffered a seizure while sleeping. She was rushed to the hospital where her baby Malakhi was delivered by post-mortem C-section. Demi died before she reached the hospital. Her baby tragically died 13 hours later.

According to the lawsuit, At the time of Demi Dominguez's tragic death, the southern Central Valley had the highest maternal mortality rate in the state. Arthur Park, the physician involved in this case, had a history of disciplinary actions with his licensing board. The Medical Board had already put him on probation due to the deaths of two infants and had suspended his license after two mothers lost their lives under his care. He was placed on probation again for the death of another young mother, Celeste Ortiz, who was also just 23 years old and died three years before Demi.

For seven years Consumer Watchdog worked closely with Tracy Dominguez and many families in the Central Valley to expose these facts, confront the broader maternal mortality crisis in the region, and ensure Demi's case became a high priority for the regulatory board. After Tracy filed her complaint with the Medical Board of California against Arthur Park, she attended every medical board meeting with a growing group of families to highlight the critical issues surrounding maternal mortality in the Central Valley and advocate for necessary reforms. Thanks to their work, and facing disciplinary action by the board and state attorney general, Arthur Park agreed to surrender his medical license after 25 years of putting mothers and babies at risk in Kern County.

"I was a grieving mother. I never imagined that I would become a patient advocate fighting for the rights of mothers in the Central Valley," stated Tracy Dominguez. "I learned that in order to effect change in honor of my daughter I needed to come forward and advocate."

According to the California Department of Public Health's Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Division's regional trends in pregnancy-related deaths data, the southern Central Valley, extending into the San Joaquin Valley, tragically holds the highest maternal mortality rate in California at 28.2 deaths for every 100,000 live births.

"After connecting with a mother in Bakersfield whose daughter lost her life before delivery, Tracy Dominguez reached out to me, seeking justice for the death of her daughter, Demi," shared Michele Monserratt-Ramos, the Kathy Olsen patient advocate with Consumer Watchdog. "We launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the critical issues of maternal health and mortality in the Central Valley, while also uniting with other families to develop plans for accountability." This initiative brought about a focus on the Central Valley, resulting in the creation of a Central Valley Maternal Death Review committee and a program tailored for Medi-Cal pregnant patients.

You can read more about Tracy's daughter's story here, and her grandson's story here.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

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In late September, 2026, CrowdStrike's Counter Adversary Operations team collaborated with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to disrupt several laptop farms operating across the U.S. maintained by DPRK-nexus adversary FAMOUS CHOLLIMA to fraudulently employ operatives at American companies while concealing their true location and identity.

These laptop farms enabled FAMOUS CHOLLIMA operatives to pose as legitimate remote workers and siphon illicit wages back to their regime while maintaining persistent access to victim organizations. Working alongside the FBI, CrowdStrike’s threat intelligence into the adversary and their operations, and technical analysis helped make these disruptions possible.

This operation marks the beginning of a broader U.S. law enforcement effort to dismantle FAMOUS CHOLLIMA's U.S. infrastructure. CrowdStrike's Counter Adversary Operations team intends to remain an integral part of that effort.

FAMOUS CHOLLIMA’s Reliance on Laptop Farms

To conduct their employment fraud operations, FAMOUS CHOLLIMA operatives must first find a way to gain access to their employer-issued laptops. Because the adversary gains employment under fraudulent or stolen identities, shipping these laptops to their base of operations is not easily accomplished.

Instead, FAMOUS CHOLLIMA operatives employ a range of deception techniques during onboarding to direct their employer-provided hardware to laptop farm addresses. CrowdStrike OverWatch has observed operatives filing fraudulent police reports claiming a laptop was stolen to trigger replacement shipments to farm addresses; they rotate through residential addresses to obscure the final destination. Others claimed last-minute relocations to divert devices mid-shipment. In some cases, operatives secured roles through IT staffing firms, which allowed end-client devices to be quietly redirected to farm infrastructure without the staffing firm's knowledge.

Once at the farm, a facilitator installs a combination of hardware and software onto these laptops to enable remote access. CrowdStrike Overwatch has seen FAMOUS CHOLLIMA attempt to hide their use of these RMM tools, likely due to increased operational security following public reporting on their activity.

Since May 2026, FAMOUS CHOLLIMA has begun spoofing device hashes; for example, making a video capture card appear as a webcam. Most recently, CrowdStrike OverWatch observed FAMOUS CHOLLIMA using the same disguised device across multiple separate victim organizations, suggesting operatives are deliberately reusing device identifiers to evade detection. This demonstrates clear awareness of the indicators defenders are tracking. Network infrastructure within laptop farms was found sharing identifiers across multiple concurrent fake personas, a sign of the operation's scale and coordination.

Laptop farms are vital to FAMOUS CHOLLIMA's revenue-generating operations because they solve three problems the adversary cannot easily overcome from abroad: physical, financial, and legal.

Without a U.S.-based presence, FAMOUS CHOLLIMA’s operatives would be unable to receive and configure employer-provided hardware, defeat geolocation-based fraud controls, or navigate the identity verification systems that gatekeep legitimate employment. The laptop farm and its facilitators serve as a rented U.S. footprint: a physical address, a legal identity, and a mechanism to satisfy “know your client” regulations, which are part of financial institutions’ due diligence requirements.

While disrupting a laptop farm will likely only yield a limited impact on FAMOUS CHOLLIMA, centered mostly on the geolocation of the takedown, these operations send a clear signal to the adversary that law enforcement and CrowdStrike have visibility into their infrastructure and are actively tracking their movements.

CrowdStrike Counter Adversary Operations' Role in Identifying FAMOUS CHOLLIMA's Laptop Farm Infrastructure

Between April 2025 and June 2026, CrowdStrike's Counter Adversary Operations team identified personas, technical indicators, and U.S.-based computers used by the adversary to enable their fraudulent employment operations. By combining telemetry-driven observations with insights derived from targeted operations conducted by CrowdStrike Counter Adversary Operations, the team was able to uncover key personas and expose U.S.-based facilitator networks supporting the scheme.

CrowdStrike’s Counter Adversary Operations team continues to monitor customer networks to protect them from FAMOUS CHOLLIMA infiltration efforts and passes relevant information to law enforcement to help counter the adversary from multiple directions.

The dozens of victim organizations identified across the clusters disrupted in this operation span critical sectors including aerospace, energy, financial services, healthcare, cybersecurity, defense engineering, government technology, and consumer technology. This breadth reflects FAMOUS CHOLLIMA's sector-agnostic targeting posture, in which any organization offering remote employment provides an opportunity for revenue generation.

Conclusion

FAMOUS CHOLLIMA’s U.S. operations are ongoing. This disruption will likely slow FAMOUS CHOLLIMA's operations only in the immediate areas where the laptop farms were shut down and is unlikely to create long-lasting effects. The adversary will almost certainly continue to evolve their methods to evade law enforcement discovery and disruption.

This action by law enforcement sends a clear message to FAMOUS CHOLLIMA: Their infrastructure is visible, their movements are being tracked, and the cost of operating is rising.

Visibility alone is not enough. Disruption operations like this one are a critical part of raising that cost. They force the adversary to rebuild, relocate, and reinvest resources that would otherwise fund the regime's priorities. Every farm taken down is time and money FAMOUS CHOLLIMA cannot get back.

To that end, CrowdStrike’s Counter Adversary Operations team remains deeply committed to its partnership with law enforcement. FAMOUS CHOLLIMA has proven itself a persistent and adaptive adversary. But persistence cuts both ways. CrowdStrike’s Counter Adversary Operations team will continue to track their evolution, expose their infrastructure, and work with our partners to ensure every intrusion, every fraudulent hire, and every stolen paycheck carries real consequences.

Recommendations

While maintaining a list of known FAMOUS CHOLLIMA personas and indicators is useful, these are highly transient. When assessing potential hires’ proof of identity, run a standard background check and look for the following indicators:

- Reuse of phone numbers, email addresses, bank accounts, or content such as resume text or website copy across multiple online profiles

- Use of remote computing applications such as Astrill VPN, AnyDesk, OBS Studio, or PiKVM

- Discrepancies between appearance on video and on identity documents

- Logins to multiple locations during time zones that do not match the reported location

- Discrepancies between the residential address and shipping address

- Use of other FAMOUS CHOLLIMA personas as job references

- Online connections to FAMOUS CHOLLIMA personas, including GitHub followers or LinkedIn connections

- Accounts at any bank that allows account holders to create multiple virtual account numbers and easily convert funds to cryptocurrency

- New public profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, GitHub, or freelancer platforms

Additional Resources

- Learn more about CrowdStrike Counter Adversary Operations threat intelligence and threat hunting, or request a demo.

- Tune in to the Adversary Universe podcast, where CrowdStrike reveals the threat actors behind the latest cyberattacks.

Industry veteran brings 15 years of premium cigar merchandising experience to support the company's continued growth and customer experience.

DRUMS, Pa., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Cigar Prices (BCP), one of the nation's leading online retailers of premium cigars, is pleased to announce that John Greeby will join the company as Vice President of Merchandising in October 2026.

Greeby brings 15 years of experience in merchandising, promotions, and business leadership at the nation's largest business-to-consumer (B2C) cigar company. Over nearly 11 years in leadership roles, he managed teams and business units and developed deep expertise in merchandising strategy, vendor negotiations, inventory management, sales growth, and margin optimization.

Throughout his career, Greeby has played a key role in a broad range of business initiatives, including website user experience improvements, product assortment and placement, brand development, change management, new project development, and ERP and CMS system integrations. His experience building and developing teams, strengthening vendor relationships, and driving profitable growth will prove vital as Best Cigar Prices expands its merchandising capabilities and delivers value to customers.

"John brings an incredible depth of industry knowledge and merchandising experience to Best Cigar Prices," said Greg Fox, President and CEO of Best Cigar Prices. "We're excited to welcome him to the team. His expertise in vendor relationships, merchandising strategy, and driving profitable growth will be a tremendous asset as we continue to build our business, strengthen our partnerships, and deliver an exceptional experience for our customers."

"I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Best Cigar Prices team," said Greeby. "BCP has a strong reputation in the industry and a tremendous opportunity for continued growth. I'm looking forward to working with the team, building strong vendor partnerships, developing our merchandising strategy, and finding new ways to bring value to our customers while helping drive the company's success."

As Vice President of Merchandising, Greeby will lead BCP's merchandising strategy, focusing on product assortment, vendor partnerships, promotional planning, inventory management, and margin growth. He will work closely with the company's leadership, marketing, sales, and purchasing teams to align merchandising initiatives with broader business objectives.

Greeby's appointment demonstrates Best Cigar Prices' continued investment in its leadership team and its commitment to reinforcing its position in the premium cigar marketplace.

About Best Cigar Prices

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Drums, Pennsylvania, Best Cigar Prices (BestCigarPrices.com) is one of the leading online cigar retailers in the United States. It offers a wide selection of premium cigars, cigar accessories, humidors, lighters and cutters at low prices. Customers can shop top premium cigar brands such as Drew Estate, Rocky Patel, Arturo Fuente, Padrón, Oliva, My Father, Perdomo, Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo. Best Cigar Prices also carries exclusive cigars you can't buy anywhere else, including the popular Barn Cured and Octane lines. The company is 100% American-owned and operated. It has built strong relationships with the world's top cigar makers, which lets it offer daily cigar deals, discounted cigar boxes and samplers, and fast shipping to cigar smokers across the country. Shop online anytime at www.bestcigarprices.com.

Media Contact:

Best Cigar Prices

Contact-Shane Wirta-Vice President of Marketing

[email protected]   

www.bestcigarprices.com 

SOURCE Best Cigar Prices

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Advanced disturbed reticle technology utilizes remote weapon station platform applied to a mounted electro-optic

NEWINGTON, N.H., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, and advanced concepts, unveiled at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) trade show the SIG SAUER XRAY9-CUAS. The all-new counter unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS) electro-optic from SIG SAUER combines several technologies to deliver a new capability to combat drone attacks.

"We fast-tracked the XRAY9-CUAS because the capability is needed for today's battlefield," said Andy York, President, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. "Our heritage began and continues in firearms. We're also driving innovation in remote weapon stations and electro-optics because at our core our focus is to protect and support our men and women in uniform. With the XRAY9-CUAS, a soldier can point and shoot to combat drones with the new electro-optic compensating for a range of factors to eliminate the threat."

Mounted to a counter-UAS weapon system, the XRAY9-CUAS uses advanced electro-optical technologies to quickly engage drones, similar to the targeting system in the SIG SAUER remote-controlled weapon station.

The XRAY9-CUAS uses a proprietary SWIR laser rangefinder system and onboard slew-rate sensors to instantly calculate drone distance, speed, and vector and create a custom disturbed reticle with dynamic targeting solutions. The XRAY9-CUAS can be integrated with CMOS and thermal sensors to provide a day, night, and fused capable fire control system.

The XRAY9-CUAS tracks and engages up to 300 yards with exact capabilities varying depending on drone size. The small and lightweight optic is 5.25''x2.5''x3.3'' (LxWxH) and 24 ounces. Battery life is up to 50 hours with continuous use, and the display is 640x480 with a window size of 48mm clear aperture.

About SIG SAUER Inc.

SIG SAUER Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, remote-controlled weapon stations, and drones. Building off its 250-year track record, the company's products are synonymous with industry-leading engineering, quality, and innovation which has made it the brand of choice across the defense industry, law enforcement, and shooting community. SIG SAUER serves all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and with a presence in more than 90 countries is the preferred partner to top militaries around the world. The company is certified a Great Place to Work™. For more information, visit sigsauer.com .

Media Contact

Tory Mazzola

Vice President, Global Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE SIG SAUER, Inc.

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Annual Tribal Summit brings together leaders, providers and partners focused on improving health outcomes across Arizona's tribal communities

PHOENIX, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Improving health outcomes in tribal communities requires more than healthcare. It takes trust, partnership, and a commitment to meeting communities where they are.

Tribal nations continue to face unique challenges that can impact access to care, including geographic barriers, provider shortages, and longstanding health disparities. Addressing those challenges requires solutions shaped through strong, long-term partnerships.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice (AZ Blue Health Choice) works alongside tribal nations, healthcare providers and organizations to help expand access to care, support culturally responsive services and invest in programs that strengthen community well-being. From traditional healing and telehealth support to food assistance, outreach and health education initiatives, these partnerships help connect tribal members and families with resources that support healthier communities.

That commitment brought more than 200 tribal leaders, healthcare professionals, educators and partners together in Flagstaff this October for the 13th Annual Tribal Summit. The event, themed "Unity in Action: Bridging Systems, Strengthening Communities," focused on collaboration, shared learning and solutions designed to improve health outcomes across tribal nations in Arizona.

For more than a decade, the Tribal Summit has provided a forum for bringing together leaders and organizations committed to advancing tribal health. This year's discussions focused on maternal and child health, behavioral health, Indigenous health equity, workforce development and culturally responsive approaches to care. Attendees shared best practices, explored emerging challenges and identified opportunities to strengthen support.

"Strong partnerships are essential to creating healthier communities," said Heather Carter, CEO of AZ Blue Health Choice. "The Tribal Summit brings together leaders and organizations who are deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of tribal communities. Their knowledge, leadership, and collaboration continue to help shape meaningful solutions across Arizona."

The summit also highlighted AZ Blue Health Choice's ongoing work alongside tribal leaders and partners to improve access to care and help address health disparities. AZ Blue Health Choice serves members from 17 tribal nations and supports initiatives designed to advance health equity while honoring the unique cultures, traditions and priorities of tribal communities.

Over the past year, those efforts have included food distribution events supporting hundreds of families, participation in tribal health and wellness events, telehealth resources and access to traditional healing services through the Traditional Practitioner Program.

AZ Blue Health Choice continues to collaborate with tribal leaders, providers and organizations to improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and support long-term well-being. To learn more, visit AZ Blue in Action.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

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New NeuraBlend™ Calming Chew is a melatonin-free daily soft chew that combines 10 active ingredients, including valerian root, ashwagandha, L-theanine, and a postbiotic blend, to help support calm behavior.

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PetLabCo.®, a leading pet wellness brand creating science-backed, breakthrough solutions to help pets live healthier, happier lives, today announced the launch of NeuraBlend™ Calming Chew, a daily soft calming dog chew to support emotional balance and help dogs navigate stress and changes in routine.

NeuraBlend™ Calming Chew is PetLabCo.®'s first calming product. The melatonin-free dog calming soft chews can be incorporated into a dog's daily wellness routine and can be used to help during stressful situations, such as travel, fireworks or changes in routine. Each soft, pork-flavored chew features 10 calming active ingredients that work across four pathways, including gut-brain, stress response, neurotransmitter and botanical support.

A few key highlights of this vet-reviewed formulation include:

- PRIOME® MW, a postbiotic blend designed to support the gut-brain axis

- KSM-66® Ashwagandha Root Extract, a clinically studied, branded adaptogen ingredient

- No melatonin, making it suitable for daily use without leaving dogs sluggish

"Supporting a dog through everyday stressors starts with understanding that emotional well-being is connected to multiple systems in the body," said Dr. Israel Swann, DVM, PetLabCo.® consultant. "A dog calming supplement can support dogs through everyday stress and help pet parents establish a consistent routine ahead of anticipated events like travel, boarding, or unfamiliar environments."

Launching ahead of the holiday season, PetLabCo.®'s NeuraBlend™ Calming Chew offers pet parents a simple way to incorporate calming support into their dogs' daily routines. The soft chews can be administered in preparation of road trips, flights, boarding stays, houseguests, fireworks and other disruptions to help dogs maintain a normal, relaxed disposition.

"While holiday travel can be exciting for families, changes in routine can be tricky for dogs," said Chris Masanto, CEO and Co-Founder of PetLabCo.® "We wanted to create a dog calming chew that could fit naturally into a dog's daily routine while also giving pet parents an easy way to prepare for moments they know may be stressful."

NeuraBlend is designed for daily use based on a dog's size, with a specific double-administration protocol leading up to anticipated stressful events (started 7 days ahead, held through the event plus 2 days after).

NeuraBlend joins PetLabCo.®'s portfolio of health and wellness solutions spanning gut health, joint health, seasonal allergy and immune support, and dental care. The launch expands the company's R&D-driven approach into the Calming & Behavior category.

PetLabCo.® NeuraBlend™ Calming Chew is available in a 30-day tub at RRP: $38.60 (S) / $41.26 (M) / $43.93 (L) and can be purchased at https://thepetlabco.com/products/neurablend-calming-chew-for-dogs.

For more information, visit: https://thepetlabco.com/

About PetLabCo.®

PetLabCo.® is on a mission to deliver breakthrough pet health. Everything we do starts with a simple belief: our four-legged family members deserve the very best care we can give them. Every day, we're working toward our vision of being the world's most trusted pet health partner by helping dogs live healthier, happier lives alongside the people who love them most. That means developing innovative, clinically tested health solutions rooted in science, empowering pet parents with trusted education, and being there for the pet community every step of the way. Together our team of industry veterans, PhD Nutritionists, Product Experts, Clinical Scientists, and Specialized Veterinarians take an inquisitive and ambitious approach to R&D in the nutraceutical space that is grounded in (1) scientific evidence and testing and (2) creating new-to-science, proprietary active-ingredient blends that directly address the root causes of specific pet health issues.

SOURCE PetLabCo.

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OLYMPIA, Wash., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned mycologist Paul Stamets and scientists at Fungi Perfecti, LLC have reached a significant milestone in fungal research with the publication of the world's first complete genome of the rare and endangered Agarikon fungus in the peer‑reviewed scientific journal G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics.

The study, titled "Genomic characterization of the endangered medicinal polypore agarikon (Laricifomes officinalis syn. Fomitopsis officinalis)," provides a critical new scientific foundation for studying, identifying, and conserving Agarikon—an ancient wood-decay fungus associated with traditional wellness practices spanning thousands of years across multiple cultures and increasingly threatened by habitat loss and environmental change.*

Until now, Agarikon has lacked a comprehensive genomic reference to support deeper genetic investigation. By creating a high-quality genomic reference, researchers have now given scientists a detailed genetic "map" that can support future studies of the fungus, its populations, and the biological pathways responsible for producing its diverse natural compounds.

"A complete genome changes what's possible," said Chase Beathard, PhD, Director of Research & Development at Fungi Perfecti. "It gives scientists a reliable, shared reference to identify Agarikon with greater confidence, compare populations over time, and investigate the genetic pathways that shape how this fungus lives and produces its natural compounds. We're proud to contribute a foundational resource that can help accelerate careful, responsible research for years to come."

Researchers at Fungi Perfecti assembled and annotated Agarikon's nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The 28.76-megabase nuclear genome was estimated to be 99.4% complete and contained 8,717 predicted genes, including 8,604 protein-coding genes. Researchers also identified 287 genes across 27 candidate biosynthetic gene clusters, including genes associated with pathways involved in producing specialized metabolites.

The newly characterized genome provides a foundation for future studies of Agarikon's genetic diversity, evolutionary history, reproduction, and biosynthesis, while providing new tools to help researchers better understand and preserve this increasingly rare fungus.

The study comes on the heels of another Fungi Perfecti peer-reviewed article recently published in Frontiers in Immunology, which examined how Agarikon mycelium affects immune signaling in human immune cells under both basal and LPS-stimulated conditions in preclinical evaluations.

About Agarikon

One of the longest living mushrooms in the world—some living for upwards of a century—Agarikon fruiting bodies are typically found in old-growth forests and can take many years to develop, limiting opportunities for responsible harvesting and making large-scale study difficult. Cultivated mushroom mycelium offers researchers a practical alternative for scientific investigation while helping reduce reliance on harvesting wild fruiting bodies.

Fungi Perfecti maintains the world's largest Agarikon culture library, assembled over decades to help preserve the genetic diversity of the fungus, which is now classified as "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Today, Fungi Perfecti's strain library includes cultures representing more than 120 Agarikon specimens.

About Fungi Perfecti, LLC

Fungi Perfecti, LLC conducts research and development focused on fungi, including cultivation, characterization, and scientific investigation of fungal biology and applications. The company operates the functional mushroom supplement brand, Host Defense® Mushrooms™, and supports scientific inquiry and publication in collaboration with the broader research community. Follow Fungi Perfecti on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. *

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

SOURCE Fungi Perfecti, LLC

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